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American community thanked for Arc pledges

To the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

Dear Bahá’í friends,

The Universal House of Justice has received with deep appreciation your letter of June 16, 1994, together with the June 1994 Arc Unit Pledges list and copies of letters from the friends who have either contributed or pledged to contribute one or more units to the Arc Projects Fund during the Three Year Plan.

The loving dedication and sacrifice for the sake of supporting the present critical needs at the Bahá’í World Center, which the friends in the United States are demonstrating through these actions, are commended. The House of Justice would appreciate receiving similar reports of contributions to the Arc Projects Fund periodically.

Be assured of the continued prayers of the House of Justice at the Sacred Threshold that the American believers may attain even greater heights of devotion and sacrifice in the path of service to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, and may be rewarded with divine bestowals and confirmations.

Universal House of Justice Department of the Secretariat July 27, 1994

MASHÍYYAT B.E. 151/ SEPTEMBER 27, 1994 VOLUME 25, NUMBER 14

The American Bahá’í

Public information office opens in NY

By Tom Mennillo

A new era in Bahá’í media relations has dawned with the Office of Public Information’s relocation to New York City.

The move from Wilmette to the “media capital of the world” affords us opportunity to build relationships with members of the media.

Developing the network of local public information representatives is OPI’s other priority.

Trish Swanson has been appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly to direct what will be a two-person office when an assistant is hired.

Ms. Swanson didn’t have to move far to take up her new duties. She headed the Bahá’í International Community’s Office of Public Information in New York.

The new director sees the office’s primary role as a facilitator. On the national level that means developing strategic, long-term relationships with print and electronic media.

OPI can provide ideas and sources for coverage that shows the unique role the Faith is playing. Topics may include such themes as race unity, the advancement of women, and moral education.

But the media “must be met on their own terms,” said Ms. Swanson. “We need to develop ways of crafting our stories so that major press outlets will be interested.”

She noted the second Bahá’í World Congress as an example. The Media Task Force identified themes to which reporters could relate, and the result was an unprecedented number of articles about the Faith worldwide.

Ms. Swanson pointed to the credibility the Office of External Affairs has achieved in government relations for the Faith in the nation’s capital.

Fostering that same level of credibility with the national media will serve the Faith well—especially in times of crisis or opposition, she said.

On the local level, OPI is looking to build on what Ms. Swanson calls a “very strong foundation” developed by the success of public information representatives in broadening news coverage of the Faith.

The first step will be to assess in-depth “where we are and what the reps need,” she said.

Then the office can work with local Bahá’ís to create programs and materials to meet today’s public information needs.

In doing this, there will be no need to “reinvent the wheel,” Ms. Swanson said. Bahá’í communities are gaining experience in many arenas—she mentioned local radio programs in particular—from which others can benefit.

That, of course, is fully in accord with the Universal House of Justice’s call in the 1993 Ridván message to develop the human resources of the Faith.

“There are only two people in OPI,” Ms. Swanson noted, “so we can’t do it all. We will be relying on the talents and achievements of local Bahá’ís.”

President vows to maintain vigilance on Iran

President Bill Clinton acknowledged in a recent letter to Senator Claiborne Pell of Rhode Island the need to “continue to be vigilant in calling attention to the plight of the Bahá’ís” in Iran.

Mr. Pell and four other U.S. senators had written to the president to draw his attention to the latest congressional resolution conveying concern “over the officially sponsored repression that has been directed against Bahá’ís since the Iranian Revolution.”

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

August 23, 1994

Dear Mr. Chairman:

Thank you for writing to me about the recent efforts of the Congress to call attention to the persecution of ‎Baha’is Bahá’ís‎ by the Government of Iran. I am deeply concerned about the situation that faces the ‎Baha’is Bahá’ís‎, as well as other religious minorities, in Iran. My Administration will continue to work to create an international consensus to influence Iran to change its behavior on human rights.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 31 is a useful reminder that we must continue to be vigilant in calling attention to the plight of the ‎Baha’is Bahá’ís‎. I can assure you that we will continue to urge the leadership of Iran to improve its treatment of religious minorities and to do more to protect the basic human and civil rights of its citizens.

Sincerely,

Bill

The Honorable Claiborne Pell United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510

Bahá’ís sponsor forestry forum

Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum addresses spiritual dimension

The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum and H.R.H. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, were the principal speakers July 28 at the World Forestry Charter Gathering at St. James’s Palace in London.

Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum’s brief address on the spiritual dimensions of the environmental challenge, which cited words of Bahá’u’lláh as the inspiration for her own devotion to the environmental cause, was interrupted several times by warm applause from her audience.

“What we really need,” she said, “is greater love for the planet. I hope all of us can find ways to help the planet, to preserve our priceless mother earth for future generations.”

Prince Philip used the occasion to issue an urgent call for a legally binding international convention to halt reckless deforestation of the planet.

All nations, he said, should agree to fair and common rules for international trade and competition in timber products so that the unrestrained exploitation of the world’s forests can be brought under control.

“Governments must come to accept that any variation of national rules to make their forestry industry more competitive in the international market is unacceptable,” Prince Philip said. “It is up to the international community to decide how best to regulate the market to ensure that it is fair

See FORESTRY page 17 [Page 2]

Horace Holley Project welcomes seekers old and new

For Vicki McMullin Coon, it was like coming home when she entered the Horace Holley Teaching Project storefront in Torrington, Connecticut. She remembered the time 22 years ago when she was but 11 and was befriended by Bahá’ís who operated a Bahá’í Information Center at the same site. She signed a declaration card then that was not sent to the Bahá’í National Center because of her age, and afterward she lost contact with the Faith.

But when she showed up at the Center at 274 Main Street this summer, she had the old declaration card in hand and quickly signed a new declaration card.

She and her husband have been regularly attending firesides at the Center since then and taking part in Bahá’í events within the community.

The Horace Holley Teaching Project is in its second season of operation under the direction of Ludi Stritt Johnson. The storefront Center has been open seven days a week for 12 hours each day since mid-July, and was scheduled to close its doors in mid- to late September.

A succession of young teachers representing the Army of Light served one or two weeks at the Center during the summer. Among them were Rachel Gargiulo of Brunswick, Maine; Aaron Cederquist of Poughkeepsie, New York; Carleton Page of Canterbury, New Hampshire; Kalim Armstrong of Durham, New Hampshire; Jon Maynard of Kennebunkport, Maine; Marie Jester of Medford, New Jersey; Gabrielle Marlowe of Saratoga, New York; Marissa Godoy of Pennsylvania; Sahar and Saughar Somoli of Nutley, New Jersey; and Corey Suarez of Philadelphia.

A troupe from the Connecticut Bahá’í Youth Workshop presented performances at Coe Park on two successive days.

English as a Second Language for beginners was taught Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. by Ludi Johnson Stritt, a former pioneer to Martinique.

Four Ecuadorians were regular students throughout the summer.

Firesides were held every evening, and several were conducted by the youth teachers.

A Bahá’í who has written a biography of Horace Holley visited the Center twice to talk especially with the youth about the importance of teaching, which Mr. Holley, early in the Heroic Age of the Faith, saw as a cornerstone of the Administrative Order.

She outlined the significance of the contributions that Mr. Holley made in developing the Administrative Order, ending her talk with this quotation from Mr. Holley's book, Religion for Mankind: "Education alone can overcome the inertia of our separateness, transmute our creative energies for the realization of world unity, free the mind from its servitude to the past and reshape civilization to be the guardian of our spiritual and physical resources."

World Citizen Award given

In McMinnville, Oregon

The Bahá’ís of McMinnville, Oregon, hosted 60 non-Bahá’ís and 20 Bahá’ís on April 10 at a ceremony to honor a local couple with the second annual World Citizen Award.

Helene and the Rev. Frank Nelson received the award from the Spiritual Assembly of McMinnville for "their contributions to the improvement of the human condition."

The Nelsons are involved in many community activities and travel extensively through the Rev. Nelson's position as director of Linfield College's "January" program, which sends students to Southeast Asia, China, England and France.

Beth Cooprider (left), chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of McMinnville, Oregon, presents the second annual World Citizen Award to Helene and the Rev. Frank Nelson.

Keith Blanding, representing the Bahá’í community, told the gathering that "to the Bahá’ís, the example set by Helene and Frank is not just a noble island of virtue in a sea of generalized despair as though it were a kind of personal altruism or aristocratic pastime. To the Bahá’ís this goal of world citizenship is a sacred truth, a religious discipline, an evolutionary imperative applicable to every human on the planet."

Friends and associates of the Nelsons also offered tributes.

In accepting the award, the Rev. Nelson commented that the Bahá’í Faith's "emphasis that all religions have some common values is right. The notion of a world citizen is an appropriate award for Bahá’ís to make."

Major feature articles on the Nelsons and the World Citizen Award ceremony were published by the McMinnville News-Register and The Linfield Review.

Teaching Committee plans to establish national speakers bureau to proclaim Cause

The National Teaching Committee is establishing a national speakers bureau of Bahá’ís who are available to speak on a number of topics to various audiences. The primary focus of the bureau is to make available Bahá’í speakers who can cogently address the problems and issues facing our society. These speakers would be able to

• proclaim the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh indirectly
• offer Bahá’í solutions to problems facing humankind
• help communities to develop
• develop the material and human resources of the Faith

Recognized professionals and those with successful experience in consulting and public speaking are especially encouraged to take part in this endeavor. The more well-known and respected people are, the more likely it is that they will be sought after for speaking and consulting.

Colleges and universities offer an especially fertile arena for this sort of effort, as do community agencies and private organizations. Bahá’ís might be able to contact, recommend and/or choose speakers or consultants from the speakers bureau for these and other groups. They may wish to get on the committees that either approve funding or have budgets to bring in speakers.

Those who would like to be considered for this important service are invited to complete the application below or to provide the requisite information to the National Teaching Committee Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. The information will be entered on a data base and published in a future issue of THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í. The data base will be updated and published periodically and made available on computer diskettes for a nominal fee. Speakers may delete their names from the list by notifying the National Teaching Committee.

Individuals, clubs or other agencies would contact these individuals directly for more information or to discuss arrangements for appearances. It is assumed that these speakers would require as a minimum that all travel expenses were covered, while many would require additional fees for speaking or consulting.

Further information, such as references, résumés and fees, can be supplied directly to interested parties by the speakers once they are contacted.

APPLICATION FORM

Name Address City, state, zip Telephone, fax, e-mail Title/position Presentation topics (limit to 15 descriptive words) Minimum fee Qualifications (degrees, publications, relevant experience—15 words only)

Send to: Speakers Bureau, National Teaching Committee Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 [Page 3]

MISSION 19 (2 MONTHS TO GO!)

U.S. Bahá’í Community Current Goals and Status · Mashíyyat 151 · September 27, 1994

TOTAL ENROLLMENTS OF NEW BELIEVERS

August ............ 155

Year to date .... 790

THE FUND

(Preliminary, August 31, 1994)

FOUR MAJOR FUNDS	Goal: $25,000,000
Contributions to Date	$4,933,135

NATIONAL FUND $4,236,965

INTERNATIONAL FUND

From Nat’l Bahá’í Fund	$73,530
Earmarked Dollars	$81,902
Total Contributions	$155,432

ARC PROJECTS FUND

Goal	$1,004,741
Earmarked Dollars	$577,404
From Nat’l Bahá’í Fund	$1,582,145

CONTINENTAL FUND

From Nat’l Bahá’í Fund	$40,000
Earmarked Dollars	$36,864
Total Contributions	$76,864

NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE

Army Of Light Boot Camp: National Youth Conference For Preparing the Soldiers December 23 - 26, 1994

Personal Information: Name ___________________________________________________________

Street Address ___________________________________________________

City _________________________ State ______ Zip __________________

Phone ____________________________ Age ______

Bahá’í ID Number _______________________ Sex ______

Race/Ethnic Background __________________________________________

Special Assistance Required (i.e. - Wheelchair access, Walking Assistance, Blind Access): ________________________________________

VOLUNTEERS: We need volunteers. Please check your area of preference: Ushering _______________ Security _______________ Registration _______________ As assigned _______________

ARTISTS AND PERFORMERS: If you have any musical, dramatic, or artistic talents to share, please let us know. Enclose a separate sheet or an audition tape, either audio or video.

If you are under 18, please have your parent fill out the following: I, __________________________, parent of __________________________, a minor, authorize the Bahá’í National Youth Task Force to consent to any and all medical or surgical treatment deemed advisable by any physician or surgeon licensed under the provisions of the Medical Practice Act effective while my child is attending this event.

Date _________ Signature of parent _____________________________

Insurance Co. ________________________ Policy # ________________

If you are under 15, and attending without a parent, please fill out the following: I, __________________________, parent of __________________________, appoint __________________________ to be my child’s sponsor at the Bahá’í National Youth Conference. The sponsor, who is of the same sex and over 21, will serve as a good and kindly parent to my child and is fully responsible for him/her at the conference.

Date _________

Signature of parent ___________________________________________

Signature of sponsor __________________________________________

• Pre-registration deadline—December 10.
• Be sure to include payment with your registration form.
• Use only one form per person. Photocopies are acceptable.

BOOTH SPACE: Any individuals, companies, or Spiritual Assemblies who would like to be considered for a sales booth or display area for a teaching or service effort at the Conference should contact the National Youth Task Force in writing. Space for booths is limited. Applications should be received no later than November 1. Please be sure to include your telephone number. For more information, telephone 1-800-DWN-BRKR.

FEE for Registration: $30. Fee must be included with registration form. Please make checks payable to: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Phoenix.

HOTELS: Those wishing to stay in area hotels must make their own reservations. Mention the Bahá’í Conference when making all reservations to ensure discounted rates.

Hyatt Regency 1-800-233-1234 $50 a night for up to 4 people upon availability

Holiday Inn ‎Crown Crowne‎ Plaza 1-800-HOLIDAY $42 a night for up to four people upon availability

Please note: December 10 is the final day for these rates. These rates are available for December 21 - 27.

FOOD: We have been notified that there will be no outside food allowed in the hotels. There are restaurant and fast food facilities available in the hotel areas.

At the Holiday Inn:

Breakfast	$3.50
Lunch	$5.50
Dinner	$8.00

On-Site Registration: On-site registration begins on Thursday afternoon, December 22.

Medical Release for those under 18: Everyone under the age of 18 must have a parent fill out the medical release section on the registration form. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Age Limit: Please note that this is a Youth Conference. It is for people between the ages of 12 and 25. If you are outside this age bracket, please consider attending the Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference.

Send to: PO Box 9961 Phoenix, AZ 85068-9961

PLEASE NOTE: This form is for the National Youth Conference ONLY. If your family is planning to attend the Grand Canyon Bahá’í Conference, please be sure they register with the GCBC Committee. [Page 4]

Pioneering

Some months ago, eight African-American Bahá’í women initiated their own international project for the human resources development of southern African women. An equal goal of this trip was to teach the Faith. As a result of these plans they recently undertook their first trip to South Africa, Botswana and Namibia to meet and begin consultation with their sisters abroad. The project, titled ‘The ‎Zlmarian Zimarian‎ Walker Sister-to-Sister Traveling Teaching Project’ is dedicated to the memory of ‎Zlmarian Zimarian‎ Walker, a pioneer to Brazil who passed away at her post. One member of the group notes that this trip ‘marks the beginning of...waves of love and support extended to the women in southern Africa’ which will continue in the form of an annual gathering. The Universal House of Justice states in a letter addressed to the members of the project, ‘Unquestionably, the African-American believers are enviably poised to bring the life-giving Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to persons of African heritage living in the United States, as well as to the peoples of sub-Saharan Africa itself, with whom they share a common ancestry.’

Fulbright Program offers grants to teachers, students

(From an article in “International Employment Hotline,” September 1994)

October 15 is the deadline for the Teacher Exchange Program and October 31 is the deadline for U.S. Student Grants for Graduate Study and Research Abroad including English teaching assistantships in six countries.

Five countries have been added to the list of participants in this year’s Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program. They include Barbados, Jamaica, Namibia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe.

The other countries taking part this year are Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Slovakia, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

For an application booklet, which includes a directory of individual positions and the amounts awarded for each, contact:

Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Room 235, Washington, D.C. 20024-2520. Telephone 800-726-0479 or 202-475-3095.

The 1995-96 U.S. Student Fulbright Grants for Graduate Study and Research Abroad will send students and artists abroad to study or conduct research in one or several of over 100 nations. Preference is given to recent university graduates.

Also administered under this program are Fulbright grants for English teaching assistantships in Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Korea and Taiwan.

Applications for the U.S. Student Fulbright grants, including the English teaching assistantships, should be sent to the Institute for International Education (‎IEE IIE‎), 809 United ‎National Nations‎ Plaza, New York, NY 10017-35803 (telephone 212-984-5330).

(For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering at the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708- 733-3512.

Please report international, domestic trips of any nature whenever teaching is done

Beloved friends, the domestic and international travels of the North American Bahá’ís form a significant part of the history of the development of the Faith. As such we have been asked by the institutions to keep detailed records of our domestic teaching trips and international trips of any nature. It is important to remember that any effort you may make to share the news of Bahá’u’lláh’s coming, even your mere presence and prayers in another locality, can potentially bring the spirit of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh to that land. Bahá’u’lláh revealed to us that “The movement itself from place to place, when undertaken for the sake of God, hath always exerted, and can now exert, its influence in the World. In the Books of old the station of them that have voyaged far and near in order to guide the servants of God hath been sent forth and written down.” Please let us know of your travels by filling out and sending in the short report form below. You may also report domestic traveling teaching to the National Teaching Office at 708-733-3494 (fax 708-733-3502), and international traveling teaching to the Office of Pioneering at 708-733-3511 (fax 708-733-3509).

Traveling Teachers Sought for Three Year Plan If you have traveled internationally, please return this form to: Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. If you have travelled to teach within the United States, please return this form to: National Teaching Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Name: _____________________________________ ID #: ______________ Street: ________________________________ City/State/Zip: ______________ Date: from ________ to ________ Where did you go? ________________ Comments: ___________________________________________________________

Participants in the Bahá’í Youth Service Corps/Pioneering/Sensitive International Teaching Areas Institute held at Louhelen Bahá’í School July 15-20. Among their pioneering destinations are Croatia, Guadeloupe, Europe and Africa.

Overseas Upcoming events, activities

Sept. 29-Oct. 3—First International Women’s Conference in Kishinev, MOLDOVA. Theme: “Women, Spirituality and Family.” Conference languages: English, Romanian, Russian, French.

Oct. 10-15—Seminar entitled “International Year of the Family: Families, Women and Children” in Tianjin, CHINA.

Oct. 16-19—International Symposium on Miao (Hmong) Culture, Economy, Trade, Communication and Cooperation, Jishou, CHINA.

Oct. 13-15—International Conference on “Violence in the Family,” Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS. Organized by the Task Force on Violence in the Family of the Free University of Amsterdam in collaboration with the International Council of Women (ICW) during the International Year of the Family.

Sept. 4-15, 1995—United Nations fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development, Peace. Beijing, CHINA.

“...we urge you, with all earnestness from the utter depths of our conviction as to the ripeness of the time, to lay aside your every minor concern and direct your energies to teaching His Cause--to proclaiming, expanding and consolidating it.”--The Universal House of Justice, Ridván 1988 [Page 5]

Before the fall: how the deficit grew last summer

That’s what happened, and now the National Spiritual Assembly is beginning the intensely active autumn months at a serious financial disadvantage.

Did giving stop during the summer months? No, actually contributions went up!

Then how come the deficit in the Bahá’í National Fund grew? Here is what happened.

Elsewhere on this page are two charts whose figures show that the Bahá’ís have done rather well with part of what the Universal House of Justice has requested: giving in support of the Arc Projects.

At the end of the first quarter of this fiscal year, offerings for the Mount Carmel Projects, whether given directly or as a part of the National Assembly’s own promised allocation, totaled $1.2 million, nearly FOUR TIMES the level reached by July 1993—an extraordinary accomplishment!

During the same three months, however, giving to the Bahá’í International Fund and the Continental Fund, as well as earmarked contributions for various programs and needs outside the United States, actually dropped 28 percent, from $373,000 to just $269,000.

This is the money available to the House of Justice and the Continental Counselors to do all the work they are charged with in the U.S. and around the world.

When giving from the U.S. drops like this, it means less support for activities everywhere: diminished capacity at the Bahá’í World Center; restrictions on the activities of the Counselors and Auxiliary Board members as they strive to support Spiritual Assemblies; less for schools, for teaching programs, for the other Bahá’í radio stations, etc. It is all affected by our actions.

Glorified art Thou, O my God! Thou knowest that my sole aim in revealing Thy Cause hath been to reveal Thee and not my self, and to manifest Thy glory rather than my glory. In Thy path, and to attain Thy pleasure, I have scorned rest, joy, delight. Bahá’u’lláh, Prayers and Meditations, 103-106

CONTRIBUTION UPDATE — JULY 31, 1994

National Bahá’í Fund
Where we are	$2,205,246
Where we need to be	$3,625,000

International Funds
Int’l/Arc/Cont’l Funds	$1,454,967
Arc only	$1,186,290
Where we need to be	$2,625,000

There is, as the chart shows, a big gap between where we are and where we need to be in our support for the Universal House of Justice, even with the remarkable progress already made.

Here in the United States, the summer means increased spending on every aspect of teaching, on restorative maintenance on our sacred buildings, and so on.

Some of these needs are not especially glamorous; the boiler at the National Center, for example, must be overhauled before the wind-chill factor hits minus 80 degrees, and that alone is nearly $10,000.

But contributions to the Bahá’í National Fund were just 3 percent higher than last year, up from $2.1 million to $2.2 million. When the impact of inflation is subtracted, contributions for the work of the national administration actually fell!

As the chart indicates, there is also quite a gap between where we are and where we need to be to meet pressing needs throughout the U.S.

The domestic situation is tight, even though spending has been kept well below the budgeted amounts. The cumulative cash deficit of the National Fund had increased to about $650,000 by July 31.

... our contributions to the Faith are the surest way of lifting once and for all time the burden of hunger and misery from mankind, for it is only through the System of Bahá’u’lláh—Divine in origin—that the world can be gotten on its feet. ... Letter on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, December 8, 1947

That kind of shortfall threatens to destabilize the national administration’s functioning, and that in turn means less support for local Spiritual Assemblies and delays or reductions in the things the National Spiritual Assembly can do in such fields as external affairs, education, and so forth.

A trend such as this forces the National Spiritual Assembly to focus more on paying its bills and less on its mission to become a force for change in society.

New approach to Arc Fund development gaining momentum

A promising individual initiative in support of the Arc Projects is swiftly gaining momentum in the South.

As reported earlier this year, the National Spiritual Assembly has been giving concentrated support to an effort to raise the community’s awareness of progress on the Arc, with very gratifying results. To date, more than one hundred believers throughout the South have stepped forward to do their part in ensuring the timely completion of the Mount Carmel Projects.

Following a week-end training and orientation program, these souls have returned to their home districts to spark consultation and practical action in order to increase and focus the community’s human and financial resources on these vast projects.

“The most wonderful part of this process,” said a Development Department staff member, “is that the people who are coming forward are doing so because they are passionate about the Arc and all that it means in the world.

“They learn practical ways to focus the money the House of Justice will need to build the Arc, and they leave their session having made definite commitments for action and service,” the staff member said. “There is no program of the National Assembly that could be as effective as the united will of these wonderful friends.”

Participants are trained by another volunteer, Mel Thomason of Asheville, North Carolina, to consult with local Assemblies on ways to increase the resources of the Assembly itself, so that more money is freed up:

• to contribute to the Arc Projects Fund;
• to consult with area communities in the planning of a major fund-raising event designed to give individuals an opportunity to make offerings or pledges of support; and
• to discuss frankly the need for large contributions from those who have the financial capacity to make them.

“If every Assembly makes its own commitment to the Arc, and if every large fund-raiser is a success,” says Mr. Thomason, “we still will not reach our goal unless there are at least 20 gifts of $100,000 or more during the Three Year Plan.”

As the Universal House of Justice has indicated (January 4, 1994), “While everyone is called to participate, it is clear that the bulk of the resources must come from those who are blessed with material resources.”

The National Spiritual Assembly is presently looking at ways to expand this program to other areas of the country. [Page 6]

Approach to a Sacred Place

The Art of Otto Donald Rogers Vt $24.95 / CODE—ATSP

Approach to a Sacred Place is an enlightening new film about Counselor Otto Donald Rogers. ‎A a A‎ member of the International Teaching Center in Haifa and an internationally recognized artist Mr. Rogers has uniquely blended the spiritual principles of the Bahá’í Faith with the landscapes that surround him. His work evokes both the grandeur of the Canadian prairies in which he was raised and the ancient beauty of Israel, where he now lives. The film features superb paintings interspersed with interviews and beautiful images of western Canada and Israel. This is an important film to be shared with others, particularly friends in the artistic community.

57 minutes

Film Crew Production / Unity Arts

The Bahá’í Faith and the Family

By Bahá’í International Community PA $.75 / CODE—BFF

Designed to assist Bahá’ís in presenting to the world the Bahá’í model of family life and the role of the individual within the family. This full color booklet covers the Bahá’í concepts of marriage, individual rights and responsibilities, the equality of the sexes, and education and consultation. This booklet is ideal for mass proclamation and individual presentations, especially during the International Year of the Family.

5-3/4" x 8-1/4", 8pp.

Bahá’í Publications Australia

Reflections

Verses from the Bahá’í Teachings Compiled by Akwasi O. Osei SC $11.95 / CODE—RSC

A rich offering of verses from the Bahá’í writings, beautifully presented, to help us reflect on the meaning of life, the mystery of love, peace, virtue, the value of deeds, religion, as well as the new world order envisioned by Bahá’u’lláh.

5-1/8" x 7-1/2", 114pp., contents, ‎blbliography bibliography‎, references

George Ronald, Publisher

E-MAIL

We are now accepting orders and answering correspondence via E-Mail. To contact us, please use the following Internet address, and be sure to include your credit card number, expiration date, and address with your order.

BDS@USBNC.org

Music of the World Congress

CD Set $35.95# - Code MWCCD CS Set $24.95# - Code MWCCS

A professionally made recording of the beautiful World Congress music including a full oratorio with featured soloists.

This music was recorded last October in Russia with the Mila ‎Moskow Moscow‎ Orchestra and singers from the World Congress Choir. Original works by five Bahá’í composers.

Song of the Nightingale

by Grant Hindin Miller HC $12.95 / CODE—SNH

What could impel a little bird to leave its warm nest and risk life and limb in the wintery chill to sing its most glorious song? This beautifully illustrated story book for children celebrates the birth of Bahá’u’lláh. Never before has the story been rendered with such poetry and color. The Song of the Nightingale will win a treasured spot in the heart of every reader.

9-1/4" x 10", 32pp.

Nightingale Press

Order Now

1-800-999-9019

BACK IN STOCK

The Advent of Divine Justice, PS	$3.00#
The Bahá’ís (magazine), SC	$1.25#
Bahá’í Prayers and Holy Writings, SC	$2.75
Bahá’í Prayers: A Selection	$.50
The Covenant (study book)	$3.00#
Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, PS	$3.00#
Hidden Words and Selected Holy Writings, SC	$2.75
The Hidden Words, HC	$11.00#
The Hidden Words, SC	$3.50#
The Secret of Divine Civilizations, PS	$3.00#
The Significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation, SC	$3.00#
Some Answered Questions, PS	$3.00#
Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, HC	$11.00#
The Vision of Race Unity (10 and 100 packs), PA	$3.50 / $25.00
The Word of God, SC	$3.00#
Youth Can Move the World, SC	$3.00#

The Psychology of Spirituality

by H. B. Danesh, M.D. SC $14.95 / CODE—PS

What is love? What is the secret of human happiness? Do we have a free will? What is the purpose of human life? These questions and many more are addressed in The Psychology of Spirituality, a new book by Dr. Hossain Danesh. Through case histories, in-depth analysis, and practical examples, Dr. Danesh offers new ways of addressing these important questions. Dr. Danesh helps us look at ourselves, our relationships, our problems, and our world in a totally new way. Life can in fact be good, happy, and fruitful.

6" x 9", 270pp., ‎tabel table‎ of contents, preface, notes, ‎blbliography bibliography‎, index, about the author

Nine Pines Publishing [Page 7]

LIFE DEATH AND IMMORTALITY

THE JOURNEY OF THE SOUL

Is there life after death? What is the purpose of earthly existence? What is true happiness? How will my actions in this life affect me in the next life? What will it be like after I die?

These and many other fascinating questions are explored in Life, Death, and Immortality, a collection of Bahá’í sacred writings that examines the nature of the soul and its development.

More than a discussion of life after death, Life, Death, and Immortality explains the purpose of material and spiritual existence and encourages living in spiritually nurturing ways now and forever. A helpful selection of prayers and meditations for spiritual awakening and development is included.

$10⁹⁵

New From the Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Calling All Colors

VT $14.95 / Code—CAC

A thought provoking look at the efforts of children and youth to address the challenge of achieving racial unity. Calling All Colors features highlights of the national award-winning race unity conferences of the same name, including frank discussions with students. It has proven highly effective for sparking discussions about racism and cultural sensitivity with all ages, and is also useful for those who wish to plan similar conferences. In the words of Calling All Colors founder, Anisa Kintz, age ten “We are the next generation, and soon we will be leading the world, and we have to respect everyone’s ideas and not worry about racial differences.”

30 minutes

The Center for Education and Community of Coastal Carolina University

The Bahá’í World 1992–93

An International Record

HC $19.00 / Code—BW93H

SC $10.00 / Code—BW93S

The appearance of this volume inaugurates a new series of The Bahá’í World, the publication that was conceived almost seventy years ago as the principal record of the activities around the globe of the emerging Bahá’í world community. Although nineteen volumes of the initial series have been published (volume nineteen is now available, volume twenty is in preparation), the redesign of the series is undertaken primarily in response to a growing public interest in the Faith and a desire to respond better to the needs of researchers.

The Bahá’í World 1992–93 focuses on the activities of the Holy Year: The publication of the statement on Bahá’u’lláh and The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, The Mount Carmel Projects, Bahá’í involvement at the Earth Summit, The Second Bahá’í World Congress, and much much more. The last three articles provide an overview of the Faith for general readers who have only a superficial familiarity with it. Color photos, maps, and charts make The Bahá’í World 1992–93 a perfect gift for public officials and local libraries.

6" x 9", 316pp., contents, preface, introduction, statistics, directory

World Centre Publications

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Classifieds

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 BAHÁ’Í National Center presently has openings for the following positions: administrative consultant, Community Administration; mail room supervisor, mail room clerk, Management Information Systems; Fund Development coordinator, administrative assistant, cashier, Office of the Treasurer; administrative assistant, Persian/American Affairs Office; publishing coordinator, editorial assistant, Bahá’í Publishing Trust; communications aide, National Teaching Office; certified nursing assistant (part-time), Bahá’í Home; secretary/receptionist, Bahá’í House of Worship; painter’s helper, Office Services; grounds maintenance, Properties Office; security guards (experience required), Public Safety. For information about any of these positions, please contact Julie Ravenal, Department of Human Resources, 708-733-3427.

THE GREEN ACRE Bahá’í School has an immediate opening for a full-time maintenance person. This person will be responsible for general maintenance and upkeep of the facility and grounds on a year-round basis. Candidates should have a good working knowledge of plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems, preventive maintenance, basic carpentry and small engines. Three or more years experience in a similar position is required. Please send a letter of interest and résumé to the administrator, Green Acre Bahá’í School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903 or phone 207-439-7200.

THE BOSCH Bahá’í School has an immediate opening for a morning cook. The position is part-time (averaging 20-30 hours/week) except when the school is in session; it then becomes full-time (40 hours/week). Duties include working under the supervision of the Food Services Manager, preparing breakfasts for groups as large as 130, and helping to prepare desserts and lunches. Salary is commensurate with experience and adjusted if one lives on campus. If you are interested, please phone 408-423-3387 or fax 408-423-7564 right away and we will send an application.

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES overseas: AFRICA: Botswana—teachers. Tanzania—English/ESL teacher. Madagascar—country adviser needed for Basics, a USAID-funded project providing technical and material assistance to improve child survival. AMERICAS: Chile—elementary school teachers. ASIA: Macau—urgent need for teachers. Pakistan—Health Department adviser. AUSTRALASIA: Papua New Guinea—head of department and professorship for the Department of Electrical and Communication Engineering, chair of professorship for the Department of Electrical and Communication Engineering in the field of information technology and computer science. EUROPE: Czech Republic—teachers of science, math, English, history and social sciences, foreign languages, Bahá’í studies. Italy—agricultural economist, rural organization officer. MULTI-REGIONAL: legal advisers needed by the American Bar Association Central and East European Law Initiative (CEELI) for volunteer positions in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette IL 60091. Telephone 708-733-3512; fax 708-733-3509.

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

HAMMOND, Indiana, a goal city of the Three Year Plan located 25 minutes east of Chicago on the southern tip of Lake Michigan, needs homefront pioneers. Hammond is served by two universities—Purdue University in the city and Indiana University, 10 minutes south in Gary. Both offer liberal arts, engineering, and graduate courses. Hammond has beaches, dunes, nature walks and water sports. The Bahá’í community includes six adults. For information, please write to Evelyn Leonhardt, 6917 Arkansas Ave., Hammond, IN 46324, or phone her at 219-937-2797.

TEXARKANA, Texas—gateway between the South and West—welcomes Bahá’ís to help re-form the Assembly in this city of 53,000 targeted in the Three Year Plan to raise to Assembly status. Texarkana has a growing economy, affordable housing, excellent public schools, and a soon-to-be-completed hospital. East Texas State University-Texarkana and Texarkana College offer a variety of degrees in education, business, nursing and psychology, to name only a few. The proposed Interstate 49 corridor from Kansas City, Missouri, to Shreveport, Louisiana, is to be built through Texarkana, and has brought and will continue to bring many new businesses and industries to the area. Texarkana is home to many culturally and racially diverse populations, and we gladly encourage anyone who is interested to contact us for more information. Write to the Bahá’í Group of Bowie County, 3415 Magnolia St., Texarkana, TX 75501, or phone 903-832-6181.

MANHATTAN BEACH, California, needs homefront pioneers. We have a strong, active community with an incorporated Assembly and an ambitious one-year plan. Manhattan Beach, only a few miles south of the Los Angeles International Airport, is within commuting distance of Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Long Beach and points between. Prices for homes have dropped dramatically in the last few years. Ocean breezes, moderate temperatures and Bahá’í service. Wow! Write to the Spiritual Assembly of Manhattan Beach, P.O. Box 3773, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, or phone Chris Hendershot, 310-372-5856.

THE BAHÁ’Í community of Winfield, Kansas, would like to invite a deepened Lao Bahá’í family or individual to pioneer to this small midwestern city to help consolidate, deepen and translate for a sizable community of Lao Bahá’ís (we presently have five Lao families on our rolls). Winfield itself has a stable Lao community of 60-70 families. There are two Lao food markets, one Lao clothing store, and several Lao-owned laundromats. Most Lao residents hold jobs at three local factories or at the state hospital. Winfield is a lovely city of 13,000 with a mild climate amid rolling prairies. If you can help, please contact Jean Gould, secretary, Spiritual Assembly of Winfield, P.O. Box 250, Winfield, KS 67156, or phone 316-221-3089.

BAHÁ’Í COLLEGE applicants: come and serve the Cause for four years while pursuing an undergraduate degree at the State University of New York at Geneseo, listed as No. 10 on Money magazine’s list of most selective institutions and No. 5 as the best buy among all colleges. In this, the second year after the Bahá’í Unity Club of SUNY-Geneseo was formed, the Faith is being recognized as a campus leader in the race unity movement. Help spread the teachings in the heart of upstate New York’s Genesee Valley (45 minutes south of Rochester, an hour east of Buffalo). For information about the college, write to Emil Lou, Tudor-Hart, Philip Turbov, Beryl E. Tut-Wayne Hall 403, SUNY, Geneseo, NY 14454, or phone 716-245-7354 or 716-243-5993, or e-mail

HELP WANTED in the NATIONAL TEACHING OFFICE

The office of the National Teaching Committee has been restructured in light of the present needs of the Faith. As a result, applications are being accepted for the following full-time positions: National Projects Administrator Responsible for executing projects sponsored by the National Teaching Committee. Some duties include: Manages national support of teaching throughout the U.S. Monitors nationally appointed task forces and national initiatives. Coordinates special activities and events. Experience: Proven project management skills; excellent verbal ability; strong analytical and management capacity; superior interpersonal skills; experience in teaching and familiarity with the principles of Bahá’í administration. Communications and Development Administrator Responsible for the communications and development agenda of the National Teaching Committee. Some duties include: Develops news and messages to the American Bahá’í community for use in print and audio/visual media. Facilitates the production of teaching and deepening materials. Gathers and analyzes information related to the teaching work. Experience: Professional background in writing and production for the media; superior writing skills; comprehensive knowledge of the Bahá’í Writings; proven ability in research and data analysis; ability to coordinate the work of volunteer task forces; excellent interpersonal skills. For more information or to apply, please write to the Office of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-733-3427).

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: Minta B. Trotman, Edith Tudor-Hart, Philip Turbov, Beryl E. Tuttle, M.N. Tyler, Margarite Ioas Ullrich, Vera B. Ulrich (died Laramie, WY, 1961), Dorothy M. Underwood, Albert Vail and Bahiyyih Valentine (died New York City, 1957). Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or to phone 708-869-9039.

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking copies of the following books by Bahá’u’lláh in good or excellent condition: The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys (cloth, 1952, 1963, 1968, 1971, 5th printing, 9th printing; paper, 1968). Anyone having copies they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL ‎600091 60091‎.

WANTED

SINGERS and musicians are needed for what might be the largest-scale Bahá’í musical program since the second World Congress. The Rabbani Charitable Trust is planning a significant role for music at its second annual North American Bahá’í Conference, to be held December 8-11 in Orlando, Florida. The theme of this year’s conference is “Bahá’í Family: For the Time of the Lesser Peace.” Tom Price, who conducted the World Congress choir and orchestra, will organize and lead the Orlando groups. Anyone who took part in the music at World Congress is ‎automaticically automatically‎ eligible. Others are encouraged to audition. Choir and orchestra members will receive a discounted rate on conference registration. They will be responsible for their own travel and accommodations, but a conference rate is available at the host hotel, the Buena Vista Palace adjacent to Disney World. For information on musical participation, write to North American Bahá’í Conference Music, 126 Steeplechase Dr., Hendersonville, TN 37075.

LOOKING FOR Bahá’í-oriented dramatic works—plays, monologues, musicals, anything! Our community—ages 3 years to adult—is eager to perform. Please send whatever you have to L.K. DeGoosh, 114 E. Prospect, Marquette, MI 49855.

THE BAHÁ’Í HOME in Wilmette (near the Bahá’í House of Worship) has vacancies for elderly persons who are ambulatory (walkers/canes are accepted) and who can administer their own medications. Private living quarters (furnished or unfurnished), home-cooked meals (and two snacks daily), nursing assistants on duty 24 hours, personal laundry, all necessary personal care, a full schedule of activities, single-floor design and lovely residential area are some of the many amenities provided in the low rent of $1,400 a month. For details, contact the administrator, 708-251-7000. Open to all.

GRADUATE music student is needed to arrange original Bahá’í music (taped) into four-part choral music. Excellent opportunity for a school project. Must have strong knowledge of music theory, arranging and voicing. Please send résumé to S. Bayat, 7701 Brighton Dr., El Cerrito, CA 94530 (phone 510-524-9468).

YOUTH

YOUTH: dance for the Faith full-time! A new full-time Bahá’í workshop is starting this September in western Michigan. The workshop will perform daily at schools, community centers, etc. We’re looking for young people with performing experience to travel to Michigan and dedicate a significant amount of time to service with this workshop. Room and board provided. Please call for more information: Sean Wolfe, 1406 Dunham St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506-5359 (phone 616-452-5324). [Page 9]

Overseas

‘Little Andaman’ project sees more than 300 enroll

"In Little Andaman Teaching Project," an activity conceived during this year’s National Convention of the Bahá’ís of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, resulted in the enrollment of more than 300 people in the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. The campaign began June 6 with a gathering of the friends from Gwalior, ‎Caricobar Car Nicobar‎ and Katchal. Simultaneous deepening classes were held for the new believers while arrangements for conducting children’s classes and adult literacy classes were made. In connection with the project, a conference on Family and Victory was held, with 47 people taking part.

•

On May 24, during the celebration in Germany of the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of the Báb, Dr. Susanne Schaup, a non-Bahá’í journalist, presented an extraordinary talk about the Faith to an audience of about 400, the majority of whom were not Bahá’ís. Her talk was "so well-received, so well-written and breath-taking" that the editorial board of the German Bahá’í newsletter, Bahá’í-Nachrichten, decided to publish it in full. Among the highlights: "The world is crying for a new divine revelation. Such has already occurred, as the Bahá’ís are aware. ...I hope the Bahá’í religion gains more influence in Germany. ...I could imagine the financial resources and power of this country married with the know-how of the Bahá’í community, its expertise, its ethos to foster peaceful projects in our society and in the third world. ..."

•

More than 200 people attended a ceremony July 9 at the Bahá’í Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, marking the completion of a Seminar on Global Change promoted by the Bahá’ís. The ceremony, co-sponsored by Ecology and World Unity magazine and the Bahá’í Department of Ecology, was attended by ecologists and representatives of non-governmental organizations and the media, among others. The seminar consisted of nine meetings focusing on such topics as "Models of Development," "Women’s Position," "Sustained Agriculture," and "International Peace." During the event, the Faith was presented directly since many participants had shown an interest in Bahá’í activities. After an introduction to Bahá’í principles, an audio-visual program on the Bahá’í world community was shown and a talk on Bahá’u’lláh was presented.

•

Her Royal Highness Princess Nanasi-pau’u of Tonga was the featured guest and speaker during a seminar organized by the National Bahá’í Public Relations Committee honoring the International Year of the Family. The gathering, held in May at the International Dateline Hotel in Nuku’alofa, emphasized the theme "The Importance of Family as the Nucleus of Society." Presentations were made on family health by Dr. Ken Edmondson, a resident adviser to the South Pacific Alliance for Family Health, and on the importance of moral education by Counselor Betty Benson. About 40 people, the majority of whom were not Bahá’ís, attended the seminar, at which Her Royal Highness expressed her pleasure that the Bahá’ís had sponsored such a gathering and indicated that other religious groups should place their emphasis on the family.

•

More than 600 people representing 37 nationalities took part June 18 in the annual joint multicultural gathering sponsored by the Bahá’í communities of Albury and Wodonga, Australia, to commemorate National Refugee Week. Among those present were the Hon. Tony Plowman, Member of Parliament; Councilor Terry Corcoran, the Mayor of Wodonga; Councilor Bob Crosby of the Wodonga City Council; and Auxiliary Board member Eric Kingston. The program consisted of traditional dances and music of various cultures.

•

The Governor General of the Solomon Islands, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Education and Human Resources, and representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism were among the more than 100 people who attended an observance May 22 of the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of the Báb presented by the National Spiritual Assembly in cooperation with the local Spiritual Assembly of Honiara and held at the Bahá’í Center in that city.

•

The Bahá’í community of the Netherlands took part recently in the World Festival in Tilburg, "presenting the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to many of the 175,000 people who visited this world-culture festival."

•

About 70 Bahá’ís from throughout Sri Lanka took part May 20-22 in a National Teaching Conference at the Bahá’í Teaching Institute in Kadugannawa. With an over-all theme of "Pattern of Bahá’í Life," presentations were made on "Methods of Teaching the Faith," "The Role of Women in Building a New World," "Youth Can Move the World," and "The Importance of Educating Children." A workshop on "The Exemplar of the Bahá’í Faith" was presented in the English, Sinhala and Tamil languages. On the final day of the conference, it was decided to start a teaching campaign in the unopened area of Ratnapura. Volunteers were called for, "and 15 friends arose on the spot."

•

The first inter-Assembly Conference of the Spiritual Assemblies of Turkmenistan was held May 28-29 in Firúz with members of the National and local Spiritual Assemblies and two Auxiliary Board members among the 29 people taking part. Consultation was centered on achieving national goals through establishing local goals.

•

In February, Bahá’ís played a leading role in a public forum in Guyana on the dangers of drug abuse sponsored by the Camp David Foundation. The opening statement, prepared by the National Spiritual Assembly and read by a Bahá’í college student, included quotations from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The entire program was recorded by the media.

•

About 100 people from throughout Bulgaria took part June 11-12 "in an atmosphere of love and learning" in the first Family Seminar sponsored by that country’s Bahá’í community. Presentations were made on marriage, raising children with Bahá’í morals, relationships between parents and children, and the influence of families on society. On June 13, a press conference on the outcome of the conference was attended by 25 journalists, and articles appeared in several newspapers.

In Costa Rica, the first regional Bahá’í summer school was held March 31-April 3 in the Bri Bri community of Mojoncito. Pictured is one of the work groups studying the theme of the family.

More than 240 people gathered at the Bahá’í Center on Goodenough Island, Papua New Guinea, to celebrate the arrival of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. To demonstrate the community’s utmost respect, the book was placed on a bed of roses and carried to the village.

HUQÚQU’LLÁH

Payments for Huqúqu’lláh should be made to "The Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust" and sent to one of the Trustees:

• Dr. Elsie Austin, 9039 Sligo Creek Parkway, Unit 612, Silver Spring, MD 20901 (phone 301-589-8481).
• Dr. Amin Banani, Santa Monica, CA 90402 (phone 310-394-5449).
• Dr. Daryush Haghighi, Rocky River, OH 44116 (phone 216-333-1506).

Inquiries regarding Huqúqu’lláh should be referred to one of the Trustees or to the Office of the Secretariat, Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust, Rocky River, OH 44116. [Page 10]

Activities

from the pages of Brilliant Star.

I Want to Help!

The Universal House of Justice has told us that now is the time for every man, woman, youth and child to work together to build the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. There are many things children can do for their Bahá’í Community. Here is a list of just some of the things you can do. Have you ever done some of these things? Look through the list and check off each one you have done. Are there other ways you could help your community?

Community Service Checklist

Host a Feast

• greet people at the door
• welcome people by saying “Alláh-u-Abhá”
• help people find seats
• serve food during the social portion
• during Feast, help a young child who has trouble being still by playing together in another room.

Prepare the Devotional Portion of Feast

• select prayers and passages from the Bahá’í Writings
• select music or songs from the Bahá’í Writings
• make a program that lists your selections and call readers in advance so they may prepare ahead to read
• find things other children can do to help make Feast special

Prepare Refreshments for Feast

• plan and make the food
• plan and prepare the beverages
• decorate and set the food table.

Host Firesides

• plan a date and invite your friends ‎is in‎
• plan a topic to talk about it
• prepare a short talk or choose a video to show
• invite guest speaker
• prepare refreshments
• have Bahá’í booklets ready to give out

Host a Children’s Deepening

• find out something the children in your community want to learn
• find a guest speaker to talk or video to show
• plan a date and invite the guests
• look up more information on your topic

Serve on a Teaching Committee Let your Spiritual Assembly know you are willing to serve. If you are appointed to a committee you may be asked to:

• go to meetings and offer your ideas
• help plan teaching activities
• help prepare teaching materials
• help your community include children in all the teaching plans

Serve on a Holy Day Committee Let your Spiritual Assembly know you are willing to serve. If you are appointed to a committee you may be asked to:

• go to meetings and offer your ideas
• help plan a Holy Day activity
• help select and decorate a location
• help plan the program
• help make invitations
• help plan refreshments

Start a Children’s Teaching Institute

• find some friends who want to work with you
• learn about Teaching Institutes
• make plans to start your institute
• find an adult who can help you get started
• tell your Auxiliary Board Member about your institute

Write a letter to your Local Spiritual Assembly to say you are ready to serve your community. Children are always welcome to write or talk to their Assemblies, especially at the Feast.

Reprinted from Brilliant Star, My Bahá’í Community, Jan-Feb 1993, by Pepper P. Oldziey, illustrated by Carla Marlene

Order Now!

Special Edition 1994

From Gnats to Eagles

Brilliant Star

This special issue on America’s Spiritual Destiny, developed for use by Bahá’í summer schools, is now available for purchase by everyone through the Bahá’í Distribution Service!

Purchase Single Issues, Back Issues, Special Editions and Bulk Orders from Bahá’í Distribution Service: Five or more copies of any issue cost $2.00 each. One to four copies cost $3.00 each. Back issues available in limited quantities. Call: 1-800-999-9019 You may add your single or bulk issue order to the BDS order form on another page in this newspaper.

Purchase a Subscription from Bahá’í Subscriber Service: Please enter my subscription for (check box) ☐ $15 United States, one year (six issues) ☐ $28 United States, two years ☐ $15 All other countries, surface mail, one year ☐ $28 All other countries, surface mail, two years ☐ $26 Airmail, one year ☐ $50 Airmail, two years Bahá’í ID # ____________________ Name ________________________________________ Street _______________________________________ City & State _________________________________ Zip/Postal code ______________________________ Payment must be enclosed. Canadian/International orders enclose international money order or bank cheque drawn on a U. S. bank in U. S. dollars. To charge your VISA/MC account, give number, expiration date, and name on account. Telephone orders accepted. VISA/MC # ____________________________________ Exp. Date ________ Name _______________________ Mail to: Bahá’í Subscriber Service Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091 1-708-733-3453

[Page 11]

‘Anarchy into order’

Conference examines our role and destiny

By Tom Mennillo

On August 13, old world met new World Order in the stifling hot confines of Ames Courtroom at Harvard Law School.

The walls of the great oaken chamber have absorbed stirring words before from such luminaries as John F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X.

But never, said David S. Ruhe, retired member of the Universal House of Justice, had a “more important message” than the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh been given to those in that historic room.

Among the salient points of Dr. Ruhe’s address in the annual Hasan Balyuzi Memorial Lecture:

• “that America’s evolution as a multicultural democracy and federal union of equal states has prepared this country and Canada for spiritual leadership of the world”;
• “that world forces of discord are already largely countered or surpassed by forces for unity”;
• “that post-Darwinian concepts of human evolution anticipate a mega-leap in the sociocultural organization of mankind despite possibly grim scenarios of chaos and complexity”;
• “that religion has the force of common and familiar tradition, that it is religion which provides ethical and moral guidance for the average man”; and
• “that the Bahá’ís are the authentic saviors of the world society, the inheritors of a great evolutionary destiny.”

Dr. Ruhe’s remarks to an overflow audience provided an exclamation point for “Anarchy Into Order: Understanding Humanity’s Role and Destiny,” the theme of the Association for Bahá’í Studies’ 18th annual conference.

The August 11-14 proceedings at the Cambridge Center Marriott in Cambridge, Massachusetts, brought together more than 700 people including members of the Continental Board of Counselors for the Americas and the National Spiritual Assemblies of the U.S. and Canada.

Speakers and panelists traced the state of society from its present travails to the elements of transformation under way in the individual, family, community, nation and world.

A parallel children’s program conducted by members of the Boston Bahá’í Youth Workshop explored the same issues in a unique way.

And woven throughout the conference were various performances of the arts, offering yet another perspective—one that coordinator Anne Gordon Perry of Dallas, Texas, called “ideally suited” to the weekend’s theme for its balancing of individual expression and the needs of community.

Applying the Writings

The proceedings began with special interest seminars on the topics of agriculture; arts; built environment; business and economics; the Bahá’í Computer and Communications Association; consultation; education; the environment; marriage and family; race unity; the study of religion; and women’s and gender issues.

These mostly day-long meetings strove to apply the Writings to “real world” situations and professions.

For example, a joint afternoon session of the agriculture and economics seminars discussed ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s concept of the village storehouse and local House of Finance. Social and economic development projects in Latin America and a derivative micro-loan program for small businesses in New England were used as nascent models.

An evening devoted to the role of the arts followed.

Expressions included creative devotions, musical presentations by a violinist and choir, and a dramatic presentation, adapted from The Dawn-Breakers, of Hájí Sulaymán Khán and Hájí Alláh-Yár’s daring rescue of the remains of the Báb from Tabriz.

The second day consisted of intensive study classes in English and a symposium in Persian on writings, particularly by Shoghi Effendi, related to the conference theme.

Participants chose four 90-minute sessions to attend from a varied menu ranging from “Spiritual Transformation Through the Creative Word: A Language Processing Model of Cognitive Restructuring” to “Educating for Oneness: The Day is Come.”

Unfolding a world civilization

Later, conference attendees were treated to an informal evening with six members of the Board of Counselors.

In many ways, it set the stage for what was to follow.

Counselor William Roberts of the U.S. began with thoughts about the “value and importance of clarifying or delineating cultural standards and patterns during this dramatic, key transition period.”

Counselor Roberts noted that we look forward to the establishment of a new world civilization, but we have only an elusive understanding of what that experience will be. We live, he said, “in the kind of ‘superficial culture unsupported by a cultivated morality’ that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá described.”

But he said a process is under way in the Bahá’í community that involves various cultures getting together to discover “what part of their experience, when fully understood and appreciated, can be offered, in light of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, in the erection of this new world civilization.”

This most important process, he said, “ensures a broad-based incorporation of values that have been nurtured and developed in different parts of our planet.”

The Counselor acknowledged that the gulf between peoples is still vast, but said “it can be narrowed with the realization of the beauty, the wonder of these powerful processes produced by diverse people—all, of course, bent toward the establishment of world unity, of world order, in the name of Bahá’u’lláh.”

A challenge

His colleagues from Latin America who followed Counselor Roberts to the lectern described just that: remarkable developments that demonstrate how the Bahá’í community is contributing to the unfoldment of a world civilization.

And they challenged the friends in North America to work side by side with them in the effort.

Counselor Farhad Shayani of Brazil reminded his audience that the compilation by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice,

See COUNSELORS page 12

David S. Ruhe (left), retired member of the Universal House of Justice, shares a laugh with Pierre-Yves Mocquais, academic director of the Association for Bahá’í Studies, during Dr. Ruhe’s keynote Hasan Balyuzi Memorial Lecture in the historic Ames Courtroom at Harvard Law School.

Author, author! Richard Thomas (left) and David S. Ruhe sign copies of their latest books for conference attendees. [Page 12]

Counselors call on Bahá’ís to ‘make history’

Continued from page 11

“Promoting Entry by Troops,” invites us to “make history, not just study it.”

Analyze teaching strategies, he urged attendees, and create forums for discussion so the friends can clearly see how to achieve entry by troops. He listed such areas of focus as promoting and sustaining growth, creating distinctive communities, aiding Spiritual Assembly maturation, and making teaching structures more efficient.

Bahá’ís, Counselor Shayani concluded, must “be in the advance of constructive forces of society—not imitators, not ‘me too,’ but standard bearers.”

Counselor Isabel de Sánchez of Peru echoed her colleague.

God has given us much, she observed. But from those who have been given much, God expects much in return.

Bahá’ís can form a bridge with South America, said Counselor de Sánchez. The region is changing rapidly, and knowledge is growing, but there is a long way to go.

She urged the friends, especially youth, to join with such Bahá’í efforts as Universidad Núr that are redefining leadership through moral education.

Leadership for age of maturity

That comment provided an opening for Counselor Eloy Anello of Colombia to talk about the pioneering efforts of Universidad Núr.

The old concept of leadership—ego-based, manipulative, “know it all”—has caused much of the world’s problems, said Counselor Anello. It creates great dependence in people, who think solutions can come only from outside the community, and it breeds mistrust.

Instead, he said, the Bahá’í must instill a new definition of leadership, one that is oriented toward service and common good; facilitates transformation—individual and collective; possesses a morality rooted in truth; and is characterized by the capability to learn, evaluate, take initiative, share a vision, and persevere.

So Universidad Núr is connecting with the “moral leaders of a dying civilization who are searching for answers” to instill “leadership for the age of maturity that is in harmony with the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.”

Through courses at the university, 550 rural teachers are now being trained. Núr also has entered into an agreement with the governor of Santa Cruz to train municipal workers who are being given greater responsibilities under government decentralization.

In addition, a federation of grassroots organizations wants Núr to develop workshops for its members on moral leadership and administration of projects. And a German government agency has contracted to have Núr operate a leadership school for small-business owners involved in an aid project.

Counselor Anello urged Bahá’ís to be more audacious in applying the Teachings to issues. “Don’t just write books for ourselves,” he said, “but... explain the Faith to the non-Bahá’í world so this world will become a Bahá’í world.”

The session was moderated by Counselor Jacqueline Delahunt of the U.S. Counselor Ruth Pringle of Costa Rica was present but said she would save her comments for a talk later in the conference.

Disintegration and Integration

The next morning, third of the conference, launched two days of sessions in which speakers and panelists, including Patricia Locke of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly and Reginald Newkirk, secretary-general of the National Assembly of Canada, examined the progressive patterns of “anarchy into order”:

• the battling forces of disintegration and integration—a Bahá’í perspective on anarchy and order;
• the dilemma of the individual—finding a life purpose in an anarchic society;
• rebuilding families and communities;
• promoting racial unity as a foundation for community life;
• reinventing structures and processes of governance; and
• creating a just global order—the imperative of action.

An extraordinary dramatic monologue written by Ross Woodman, professor emeritus of English literature at the University of Western Ontario, and performed by George Davis of Rockford, Illinois, also began its two-day run at the first plenary session.

Segments were interspersed throughout the sessions, progressing to a climax in which an individual struggling with today’s issues finds the answers in the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh.

Conference participants heard, too, from the choir assembled for the occasion, with soloists Roya Bauman of Arlington, Virginia, and Canadian singer/composer Jack Lenz.

Members of the Boston Bahá’í Youth Workshop brought an emotional response from the audience with their rap on the equality of women and men and an intense precision dance dramatizing the unbreakable spirit of the Bábís imprisoned with Bahá’u’lláh.

And the annual awards of the Association for Bahá’í Studies were presented.

Essay contest winners were Roya Hanna, high school; Christopher Buck, university; and Martha Schweitz, general. Honor roll recognition for excellence in Bahá’í service and scholarship went to Anne Gordon Perry and Peter P. Morgan.

A special award was bestowed on Hossain Danesh, former secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada and an Association bulwark, who recently was named director of the Landegg Academy and Institute of International Education and Development in Switzerland.

A new evolution

When all is said and done, though, the comments of Dr. Ruhe may echo loudest and farthest from the conference.

Speaking on “A New Evolution: Religious Bonding for World Unity,” Dr. Ruhe called on his experience as an epidemiologist and his longtime service to the Bahá’í community to crystallize the “great challenges facing the whole world at this time.”

American thinking today, he said, is colored by cynicism and materialism and by our rearing in a “Judeo-Christian-Islamic religious tradition that tends to link spirituality with isolation, deprivation and poverty.”

Not yet are we aware, he said, that “spirituality today is linked to honorable affluence achieved in service to others—quite a new principle. For only through an ethic of service can the ‘me-first’ egocentrism of modern man and woman be sublimated to present-day demands for the preservation of our physical world and for world peace and world unity.”

This ethic of service, “rooted in the religious feeling and essential good will of Americans and Canadians,” provides the promise of our spiritual destiny, he said.

Appropriate to the surroundings of Ames Courtroom, Dr. Ruhe built an impressive case that Bahá’u’lláh, the Supreme Prophet, is the “father figure for this age now aborning.”

And he presented it in the full belief that “the next six and a half years—or perhaps 2,100 days—are singularly historic and possibly heroic ones, to be feared, to be confronted, and in retrospect, we think, to be applauded.”

Thesis 1: America’s destiny

Dr. Ruhe asserted that the U.S. and Canada are “steadily evolving, however rocky the course, to better reflect the dream of true and inclusive reality and justice in all spheres of human life.”

He traced the singular roots for this to the Iroquois Federation. Long before the Europeans arrived here, he said, the Indians had “originated the concept and reality of a federal union of democratic, equal states.”

This, he said, was “cemented...with a great law of peace, a constitution which propounded one expansive family of man who claimed the sky for their ceiling and all the earth for their floor.”

The federation included popular participation in the community, the natural rights of man, equality of women, freedom of expression, separation of civil and religious affairs, and the relatively equal

Jack Lenz leads the choir in song (above), while George Davis performs a dramatic monologue depicting an individual’s inner struggle over the issues confronting society today. [Page 13]

Bahá’í studies

distribution of wealth, he said.

Women chose the chiefs, he said, and these chiefs lost their personalities and became servants of the community. Honesty, justice and freedom were valued. And the Iroquois memorialized not battles won but places of peace.

On such a foundation, said Dr. Ruhe, the Founding Fathers built our Constitution and Bill of Rights that established in America individual rights over property and power.

In this regard, he said, the Civil War was inevitable in the development of American democracy and the autonomy of states. It was fought for national unity against ‎seccession secession‎ and for "equality of the common man against a nascent southern aristocracy," with the abolition of slavery an essential corollary of both war goals.

America probably has won "the fundamental psychological and political instruments needed to achieve the promised spiritual happiness," he said.

Thesis 2: forces for unity

The 19th century saw a flowering of the Age of Science, with its system of thought and observation, that has led to the technological development of society, said Dr. Ruhe.

At the same time, he noted, a parallel process that evolved from centuries of society’s youth and adolescence brought a tidal wave of religious thought "aimed precisely at the spiritual unity of mankind" and possessing the same global scope as the scientific wave.

Thus emerged our Faith, he said, one that projects "a world-encompassing set of principles and doctrines exquisitely in tune to the emergent needs of mankind."

Its "Darwin" was Bahá’u’lláh, "of a far greater stature, given a far larger and more difficult task, for His role was to uplift the spirit and reshape the behavior and aspirations of man for a new age which would demolish entrenched traditions," said Dr. Ruhe.

"Ultimately," he said, "His mission was to congeal, with the annealing force only possible through a new religion, the group soul of man for the Great Peace" surely to emerge from the "universal convulsion" now enveloping the world.

Thesis 3: post-Darwin evolution

In this day, said Dr. Ruhe, evolution can be measured not in centuries and millennia but in years and decades.

Below the present strife, he said, we can plainly see the next stage in human evolution, "the organization of human society in a planetary civilization that will be characterized by the emergence of a world community, consciousness of a world citizenship, and the founding of a world civilization and culture that will allow for an infinite diversity in the characteristics of its components."

He pointed to the web of communications and transportation that is connecting us all: "More group mind and values are emerging in all fields," he said.

What is the immediate fate of humankind?

Dr. Ruhe sees possibly an evolution born of necessity—a mega-leap stemming from some event or circumstance. Cooperation and peace, in these near-doomsday scenarios, would be forced upon us by war, pandemic disease, climactic changes or, conceivably, extraterrestrial beings.

But expect some form of peace, some "new and higher energy flux in our affairs" in the next 2,100 days, he said.

"We’re close to a planet-wide fusion of many cultures," he said, a unity that has been the dream of man, through a succession of prophetic voices, throughout history.

Youth is radiant, as these young Bahá’ís participating in the conference (above) and performing with the Boston Bahá’í Youth Workshop (right) can attest.

Thesis 4: bonding for Golden Age

"It should not be surprising that a spiritual genius (Bahá’u’lláh) should have been born exactly for this evolutionary crisis, even as a swarm of genius thinkers of science was created through a process for the past 150 years," said Dr. Ruhe.

"Nor should we be surprised," he said, "that He foresaw the diseases of society oncoming and proclaimed Himself to be a physician to those ailments, a healer given the power to cure the confused, the lost, the emotionally and mentally sick humanity of which we are a part. He is today’s channel or voice of God’s purpose for our time."

Dr. Ruhe said "the call of religion is sorely needed to provide the energy of belief contained in ideas of unity and cooperation at the world level, plus the willingness to adapt to change."

But the role of religion, he said, doesn’t stop there.

"Religion is critically essential to strengthen the innermost conviction and commitment the Bahá’í Prophet shows to be good for all mankind, taken one by one, by families, clans, peoples.

"Religion is the power of guidance brought by Bahá’u’lláh for this age. His message stiffens the moral backbone of an emerging world society as it is being welded together from incredibly, and almost impossibly, diverse parts.

"Religion is the fuel which speeds the engine of science into the new age, is the glue of a world society which must live loftily and at peace with all of God’s biosphere, including precious humans in their entirety."

How wonderful, said Dr. Ruhe, that "the Bahá’í message of enlightenment is daily more congruent with the theories of 20th century science."

Moreover, at this very moment, "the Bahá’í Faith has come of age, bringing a new Scripture, evolutionary, consistent with, but greatly expanding its Judeo-Christian-Islamic heritage, that energy steam which, however inconsistently, has sustained concepts of morality for more than 20 centuries in the East and the West," he said.

Thesis 5: Bahá’ís as saviors

Dr. Ruhe identified five unique aspects of the Bahá’í teachings that qualify it to be the answer to the bonding needs of the new world civilization.

First, man is inherently good, possessing free will but also conscience.

Second, salvation is won through good works, not by grace alone, "not by the vicarious sacrifice of the Savior, worthy as is that deed."

Deeds of service, he said, form "a critical element of character development to counter self-centeredness."

Third, to the many versions of the Golden Rule that exist, Bahá’u’lláh has added a greater Golden Rule as a corollary to the Most Great Peace: "Blessed is he who prefers his neighbor before himself. Such a one is of the people of Bahá."

Fourth, three great keys to universalism are found in the Bahá’í Faith: universalism of the Messiah, with Bahá’u’lláh the Expected One of all religions; universalism of holy books, based on belief in God and His manifestations, with the freedom to use all as relevant; and acceptance of the "bible" of science as complementary to the scriptures of religion.

Fifth, the call to group spirituality is uttered by Bahá’u’lláh, Who tells us that we must become as "one soul in many bodies," complete men and women of peace who have attained true understanding and nobility.

A postscript

Dr. Ruhe, although conceding that "the crystal ball I possess is cloudy," ended with a scenario far different from those of the doomsday variety.

"What is coming in the next 2,100 days no one knows," he said. "But it must happen. Evolution is calling for it."

Expect surprises, he said. "The thoughts I’ve expressed tonight are afoot in the world, are coming from every corner. Our hour has come."

The enlightenment that is "progressing in the world and is moving toward recognition of a world family, of the need for world bonding, world moral and spiritual education" may not be recognized as the Bahá’í Faith, said Dr. Ruhe, but it "is coming upon us, is coming at all kinds of levels, and in all kinds of ways, with all manner of force."

Expect also massive growth in the Faith, he said, and expect to have to educate a new generation of Bahá’ís, of whatever age, "at speed and very intensely."

Finally, Dr. Ruhe said to expect "to use the organizational skills which you acquire almost casually as Bahá’ís."

The Faith, in its electoral process and in the way it puts together local Spiritual Assemblies and committees, is simple but quite powerful, he said.

"Consultation is even more powerful, providing you know how to use it," he said. "Therefore, you must study and know how to use it. You must become expert in using the tools that are at hand." [Page 14]

Faith represented at conference on development

Peter Adriance, a representative of the National Spiritual Assembly, was among the more than 200 individuals including members of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from five continents who attended a conference entitled “Two Years After UNCED: Exploring Partnerships for Sustainable Development” which was held in late July in Davenport, Iowa.

The conference focused on cooperative efforts by business, government and NGOs since the 1992 Earth Summit to achieve sustainable development.

Principal sponsors were the Citizens Network for Sustainable Development, the Stanley Foundation, and the Iowa division of UNA-USA.

As part of the conference process, the National Spiritual Assembly submitted a paper entitled “Unity and Consultation: Foundations for Sustainable Development” which was published in a compilation distributed to all participants at the conference.

The paper was the first in the compilation and appeared in its opening section on principles. It was also distributed separately as a brochure and received much positive comment.

One participant remarked that the paper demonstrated clearly the practical relationship between spiritual values and sustainable development without becoming “overly religious.”

The brochure is now available to the Bahá’í community through the Bahá’í Distribution Service (phone 800-999-9019).

Mr. Adriance, the National Spiritual Assembly’s liaison to non-governmental organizations, served on the conference steering committee and helped with essential aspects of organizing and running the event...

with essential aspects of organizing and running the event, a cooperative effort by more than 100 organizations involved in the Earth Summit follow-up.

He also arranged and moderated a workshop, “How Can We Work Together: Business, Government, NGO.”

Those taking part in the workshop included representatives from the Global Tomorrow Coalition, the National Association of Counties, the John Deere Company, and the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board.

In a letter to the Stanley Foundation following the conference, the representative from John Deere praised the facilitation skills of the Bahá’í moderator, saying, “I believe all parties to the discussion group benefited from the open and honest exchange that Peter so skillfully guided. ...When local groups talk as we did last week, many of the differences evaporate early in the meeting.”

In the workshop, Mr. Adriance had introduced principles of consultation. Another Bahá’í attending the workshop, Marda Rodriguez, helped to reinforce the ideas he put forward.

Mr. Adriance read the Bahá’í prayer “Blessed Is the Spot” as an invocation before a dinner one evening, after which several people commented on the prayer’s beauty and simplicity and asked for copies.

The Spiritual Assembly of Davenport offered the use of its Center to conference participants who desired low-budget accommodations.

The hospitality and generosity of the local Bahá’ís was noted and appreciated by a young man who had ridden his bicycle across the country to raise awareness of hunger. As a result of his stay, he expressed a desire to learn more about the Faith.

Guided by the instructions of the Universal House of Justice to serve as a source of unity and to introduce Bahá’í principles where applicable, said Mr. Adriance, Bahá’ís can become involved in similar efforts in their own communities, and in so doing can serve their fellow-citizens and help foster an ever-advancing civilization.

“The teaching opportunities associated with such work,” he noted, “are a natural by-product of serving with others.”

Bahá’ís in Speedway, Indiana, find half-hour video on Faith being shown on cable TV

When the Bahá’ís of Speedway, Indiana, gathered July 9 to commemorate the Martyrdom of the Báb, they were delighted to turn on the television in their hosts’ home and find the Bahá’í video “Out of God’s Eternal Garden” being shown on Comcast cable.

The half-hour video, on the early history of the Bahá’í Faith, includes a segment on the Martyrdom of the Báb. It was a wonderful start to the observance.

But the Bahá’ís hadn’t scheduled that particular video to be played on July 9. It was one of a stack of tapes that had been taken to the station several weeks before for airing.

The Bahá’í program on Comcast is broadcast five times each Saturday. Another cable system, American CableVision, airs the program once each on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Persian dinner, ‘cakewalk’ raise $6,000-plus for Arc

In Santa Clarita, California, a Persian family recently prepared and served a Persian dinner for 64 adults and children to help raise funds for the Arc.

A “cake walk” and door prizes provided entertainment for children and adults alike. Dinner tickets and other contributions raised more than $6,000 for the Arc Fund.

Bahá’ís in California establish cemetery section in honor of Tehran’s destroyed Bahá’í Gulistán

No joy can equal the pleasure a believer receives in witnessing the triumph of the Cause of God.

Those involved in establishing the Bahá’í Gulistán Jávid, a new section of Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana, California, experienced a glimpse of such joy upon the successful completion of the project May 15.

Gulistán Jávid honors the name of the Bahá’í cemetery in Tehran where grave sites were destroyed in 1993 as part of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s continuing persecution of the Faith.

When news was received last September of the desecration, the Spiritual Assembly of Laguna Niguel held a memorial meeting on the grounds of Fairhaven, an old and beautiful memorial park serving Orange County.

The gathering was well publicized, and media coverage by Orange County News television and The Register newspaper was excellent.

Keynote speaker for the event was James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, who told the assemblage that the dignity of Bahá’ís cannot be taken away by the act of destruction of grave sites; rather, their dignity is preserved by their dedicated service to humanity.

This message and similar ideas conveyed through selections from the Writings read at the event had a profound effect on the staff of Fairhaven. That opened the door for further cooperation to establish a permanent memorial site.

The driving force was Bahá’u’lláh’s stated promise, as conveyed by Shoghi Effendi, “Should they attempt to conceal its light on the continent, it will assuredly rear its head in the mid-most heart of the ocean, and raising its voice, proclaim: ‘I am the lifegiver of the world!’” (God Passes By, p. 253)

Through consultation with Fairhaven staff, it was decided to design and build a monument of black granite, with gold-filled inscription, to be placed within the cemetery grounds.

Fairhaven chose a newly developed section of the park in which to place the monument, with 240 adjacent grave sites, oriented toward the Qiblih, to be offered for purchase initially to the Bahá’ís and then to the public.

This section, named Gulistán Jávid, was dedicated in a ceremony May 15 to the memory of the dear Bahá’í friends whose grave sites in the Gulistán Jávid of Tehran were destroyed.

At the dedication, the music of Sandra Simmons and Jamie Findley and the keynote speech by Auxiliary Board member Hoda Mahmoudi exhilarated the souls of more than 300 attendees. Included in the program was a poem written especially for the occasion by Aqdas Towfiq and rendered into English by Norman Bethel.

A lovely program booklet was printed and distributed to all present. Surrounding communities contributed flower arrangements that enhanced the beauty of the setting.

On August 29, the Bahá’í section of Fairhaven was mentioned prominently in a Los Angeles Times front-page article titled “New Niches for Funeral Marketing” and subtitled “Mortuaries like Santa Ana’s Fairhaven court Gypsies, Buddhists and Bahá’ís as industry mixes culture, commercialism to offset a decline in traditional burials.”

The article noted that the increase in cremations among “mostly white, Protestant” Americans has caused funeral homes and cemeteries to market burial services to people of other faiths and cultures.

Lou Carlson, a Fairhaven family service counselor, keeps both Muslim and Bahá’í holy books in his briefcase, according to the Times. The newspaper also said Mr. Carlson “extols his funeral home’s attention to sacred Bahá’í burial rituals in 18-minute infomercials.”

Under a full-color photograph of Mr. Carlson polishing the Gulistán Jávid monument, the Times described the funeral of Khalil Vajdi, an active Bahá’í in Irvine who was the first to be buried in the section.

The newspaper also quoted two local Bahá’ís on the “sense of identity” created by the special cemetery, and gave a one-paragraph summary of background information on the Faith. [Page 15]

Chaplaincy leads to other opportunities

Sometimes the smallest actions make the greatest impact. Just ask Joe Ferguson.

The Stone Mountain, Georgia, Bahá’í felt he “might be able to serve the Faith and others” by joining the volunteer chaplain program at nearby Rockdale Hospital.

What he ended up doing has gone far beyond the important role of providing spiritual care to patients, their families, and staff.

He has also:

• prepared a monthly calendar of Holy Days of the world’s religions to be circulated around the hospital;
• been appointed to the Chaplain’s Advisory Board for 1994;
• given a presentation on the Faith at the chaplains’ quarterly meeting;
• made a similar presentation to the nurses and staff of the hospital;
• consulted with other chaplains on making the hospital’s chapel a truly interfaith worship center;
• received interest from chaplains at Hartsfield International Airport and Henry County General Hospital about adding Bahá’ís to their programs;
• helped form an interfaith study and sharing group that meets at a Trappist monastery; and
• worked with a rabbi on a presentation about prayer to the Kiwanis Club of Rockdale County.

Mr. Ferguson became interested in chaplaincy when he and a fellow Bahá’í, Rosland Hurley, visited Susan Sendelbach, director of pastoral care at Rockdale Hospital.

Ms. Sendelbach had expressed a desire to hear about the Faith after meeting Marion Jackson, a Bahá’í who was interning at the hospital. After an hour of conversation, Ms. Sendelbach asked whether the Bahá’ís might be interested in providing a volunteer chaplain.

At that point, Mr. Ferguson approached the Spiritual Assembly of South DeKalb County. He was interested in taking part but concerned that fellow Bahá’ís would “get the idea I wanted to be a minister or have some ministerial role.”

The Assembly allayed his fear and encouraged him to join the program.

Some of the other 40 or so chaplains—mainly Christian clergy—were not so easy to convince that Mr. Ferguson should be on their team.

That situation improved, though, as Mr. Ferguson took on the calendar project.

For each Holy Day he included a few lines explaining its history and significance. In the process, he called various religious leaders to verify that what he wrote was accurate and captured the nature and spirit of the day.

That gave Mr. Ferguson an opportunity to talk with many of the leaders about the Faith. They also were grateful that he was considerate of their beliefs.

Participation on the Advisory Board also helped Mr. Ferguson gain credibility among the “mainstream” chaplains. In fact, when he presented the Faith at the quarterly meeting, several chaplains brought guests just to hear his talk.

The presentation generated requests for more information. So did his talk to the nurses and staff, many of whom were particularly impressed with the Faith’s view of women.

Mr. Ferguson’s involvement in the interfaith study group was in part a result of his meeting the Rev. Thomas Francis, a Trappist monk, at a funeral for one of the chaplains. When Father Francis heard that Mr. Ferguson is a Bahá’í, he asked to hear more.

Mr. Ferguson later visited him and gave him copies of The Hidden Words and the Statement on Bahá’u’lláh. They spent more than an hour talking about the Faith and how it “fits into the scheme of things.”

Since then, the monk has called several times with questions and has told several friends about the Faith.

Father Francis also opened up the monastery for meetings of the discussion group, which includes in its membership of nine a Hindu swami, conservative and reform rabbis, Ms. Sendelbach, and other non-clerics.

Interfaith cooperation was the basis of the chapel renovation project and the Kiwanis Club presentation, as well.

Mr. Ferguson is working with several other chaplains on a fundraising campaign for the chapel and to develop with an artist a piece depicting symbols from various religions.

With Rabbi Sy Commanday, he came up with a program that would, as the rabbi said, show the Kiwanians “unity and diversity.” It included Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian and Bahá’í prayers, American Indian flute music, and a 10-minute presentation on the Faith.

Larry Strickland and Hoda Ataie, Bahá’ís from the South DeKalb community, helped in the Kiwanis presentation. Mr. Strickland read two prayers and Miss Ataie, a pre-youth, recited the “Remover of Difficulties” in Arabic and English.

Rabbi Commanday and Mr. Ferguson have discussed reworking the presentation, adding material, and “taking it on the road” to meetings of other social organizations. The rabbi told him he thinks it is important for as many people to see this “unity and diversity” as possible.

Where might the Bahá’ís’ role in chaplaincy go from here?

Hartsfield airport and the Henry County airport have expressed an interest in having Bahá’ís participate. In addition, Ms. Sendelbach is encouraging Bahá’ís to enroll in clinical pastoral education (CPE) classes that would give them added skills when consulting with individuals.

Does your hospital list ‘Bahá’í’ as option?

The National Spiritual Assembly encourages local Spiritual Assemblies to contact the hospitals in their communities to ensure that the Faith is listed as one of the religious options for patients to choose when registering. Many hospitals that don’t already list the Bahá’í Faith in their computers often put “other” or “none” on the computer print-out for Bahá’í patients. Some cases may need consistent follow-up by the Assembly. A local Spiritual Assembly can also leave the name and telephone number of its representative and ask that the hospital notify Bahá’í patients of the representative’s name, or that the hospital notify the representative if the patient is critically ill.

Bahá’ís share perspective on prayer, meditation

The Bahá’ís of Portland, Oregon, recently took part in an interfaith dialogue on how prayer and meditation can be used as peace-building tools.

More than 300 people gathered to hear representatives of Christianity, Islam and the Bahá’í Faith speak of their spiritual experiences. The session was sponsored by Sant Rajinder Singh, whose Science of Spirituality advocates meditation as the means for people of all religions to reach a realization of self and of God.

Michael Sears, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Portland, captured the audience by opening his comments with the prayer “Blessed Is the Spot,” followed by the prayer for unity.

He then outlined the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, using appropriate quotations from the Writings, and closed by reciting statistics that reflect the spread of the Faith.

At a reception after the dialogue, a number of young people gathered around Dr. Sears and other Bahá’ís to ask questions.

The next day Lydia A. McCarter, an assistant to the Auxiliary Board, represented the Bahá’ís at an interfaith luncheon.

Ms. McCarter and a Unity Church minister offered prayers, and a consultation followed in which she presented a perspective on Bahá’í obligatory and other prayers.

She also was asked about her travels, which opened the door for her to talk about the Bahá’í World Center in Haifa, Israel, and the Bahá’í House of Worship in India.

Arthur Stein, chairman for both interfaith sessions, remarked about the beauty and grandeur of the Temple in India and said, “The Temple could not have been constructed but through Bahá’u’lláh.” Dr. Stein, it was later learned, has shared a radio program in Rhode Island with members of the Faith.

The interfaith dialogue also afforded the Bahá’ís an opportunity to display The Promise of World Peace, The Vision of Race Unity, and the Models of Unity report produced by the Spiritual Assembly of Portland and the Human Rights Commission. Many attendees picked up copies. [Page 16]

HAMPTON, VA

Fruits of relationship pay off in city co-sponsorship of walk

In many respects, the second annual Race Unity Walk in Hampton, Virginia, was a success before the marchers stepped off June 11.

Earlier in the year, the Hampton Coalition for Youth, a city agency that promotes and educates the community on youth issues, was so impressed with the presence and behavior of the Bahá’í youth at the Dr. Martin Luther King march in Washington, D.C., that it asked the local Bahá’ís to take part in programs that it was designing.

In turn, the Spiritual Assembly of Hampton asked the Coalition to co-sponsor its Race Unity Walk.

By the day of the walk the fruits of this relationship were already manifold:

• a mayoral proclamation, with quotes from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, was read by City Council during its live weekly televised session to join with the local and National Spiritual Assemblies in celebrating Race Unity Day;
• a 10-minute radio interview about the walk was conducted;
• City Hall agreed to hang posters in its main lobby from a race unity poster contest to be judged at the walk; and
• a 25-foot banner advertising the walk was stretched over a four-lane major highway in Hampton.

The fruits of this all-important celebration on the day of the event were equally bountiful.

About 170 people of many races and backgrounds attended the opening program, which included Bahá’í, Muslim and Native American prayers as well as traditional African-American songs and acoustic spiritual music.

Attendance was nearly triple that of 1993’s event, and the majority of the attendees were not Bahá’ís.

At the conclusion of the program, the crowd, many carrying banners for the Bahá’í Faith, the Coalition for Youth, the 4-H Club, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hampton, set off with a police escort on the 1.2-mile walk.

Photographs of the event were published in a local newspaper and in a city government publication that is mailed to every household. In addition, the Bahá’ís have received many inquiries about the Faith, including a letter of appreciation with an attached contribution that had to be returned.

But one of the most satisfying and permanent impressions left by this day is the story of a group of middle school students who wanted to bring a banner to the walk.

The students planned to create the banner on the morning of the event, but school officials would not open the building for them.

When the principal heard about this, he allowed the students to paint a mural in the school cafeteria depicting racial unity.

WAUKEGAN, IL

Cultural diversity seminar, profile highlight week of news coverage

Media coverage of the Bahá’ís in the Waukegan, Illinois, area turned Race Unity Day into Race Unity Week.

First, the News-Sun reported that Robert C. Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly, would be in town later that week to conduct a workshop on cultural diversity for Lake County officials.

Two days later, the newspaper published a profile, with full-color photograph, on Jim Polley, a Bahá’í from Antioch who is a juvenile counselor for the Lake County Department of Court Services.

Finally, the News-Sun and local radio and cable television outlets reported on Mr. Henderson’s talk.

The workshop, titled “Race Unity: Imperative for Social Progress,” was sponsored by the Minority Affairs Committee of the Lake County Board and the Urban League of Lake County.

Angelo Kyle, chairman of the Minority Affairs Committee, was quoted by the News-Sun as saying the purpose of the workshop was to “orient the board to the cultural diversity of Lake County as the fabric of our strength.”

The newspaper reported that the workshop was precipitated by “walls of intolerance” that had been built within the County Board chambers, particularly with respect to the wording used in the opening prayer at board meetings.

In his talk, Mr. Henderson called on the county’s elected and appointed officials to give more than lip service to racial unity.

He noted that one of the pillars on which this nation was founded is cultural diversity. But he said the country is being led down the path of self-destruction by society’s rejection of that strength.

“We’ve got to begin to put our money where our mouth is,” he was quoted as saying. “We have to take steps to change.”

As change agent Mr. Henderson pointed to the leaders themselves. He told them that models of unity can be found even in the most decaying areas of the community, and he encouraged them to reinforce and encourage others to join these constructive forces.

The newspaper’s profile on Mr. Polley quoted him extensively on his community involvement, especially as program chairman of the Antioch Rotary Club and as a founding member of the Lake County Race Unity Task Force.

He also explained that since the Bahá’í Faith has no clergy, members “do what we can do with our free time.” He noted his service as a guide at the Bahá’í House of Worship and as a member of the Midwest Bahá’í Gospel Choir.

LAKE JACKSON, TX

The Bahá’ís of Lake Jackson, Texas, celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Bahá’í Dispensation, the centenary of the Faith in America, and Race Unity Day with a picnic. An article in The Brazosport Facts gave a history of the Faith and quoted local Bahá’ís on race unity and the oneness of humankind.

MILWAUKEE, WI

Newspaper article on festivities quotes several Bahá’ís about oneness

Several Bahá’ís were quoted by the Milwaukee Sentinel in its coverage of Race Unity Day activities June 5 in the Wisconsin city.

“The oneness of mankind—racial unity—is the most important issue for America,” Jerry Lee told the newspaper during the festivities at the Milwaukee Bahá’í Center attended by about 200 people.

Noting that people of all backgrounds and ages mingled at the event, the newspaper quoted Edris Taborn, a member of the Midwest Bahá’í Gospel Choir, which performed at the event, as saying, “To me, it’s great to see the diversity of people gathering together, getting along.”

Also quoted by the newspaper was Auxiliary Board member Robert Malouf.

“Our religion is about family. It’s about celebrating diversity by yearning to really understand other cultures,” he said. [Page 17]

HOLLAND, MI

Participants in the Holland, Michigan, Race Unity Day picnic join hands to sing ‘We Have Overcome.’

Diversity flowers following tulip parade, Bahá’í picnic

A series of events highlighted by the Bahá’í-sponsored Race Unity Day picnic has animated a greater appreciation of “unity in diversity” in Holland, Michigan.

It started with the annual Tulip Festival Parade. Holland, despite its name, has not been predominately Dutch for many years. In fact, more than 30 percent of its residents are Latin American and 8 percent are Southeast Asian, and a number of people have African and East Indian roots.

Yet the city’s float in the Tulip Festival Parade has always reflected only the Dutch heritage of the community.

Until this year, when the theme of the float in the May 14 parade was “Celebrating Our Diversity,” and it carried 150 to 200 children of various races and cultures dressed in clothing representing their heritage.

The new atmosphere of openness could have stopped in its tracks right there, however. The next day, the Lakeshore edition of the Grand Rapids Press carried an interview with a member of a local white supremacist group, Das Eisen Corps.

But the Bahá’ís weren’t about to let progress slip away.

In a letter to the city, the Spiritual Assembly of Holland acknowledged the risk the city took in changing the theme of its float. The Bahá’í community expressed its support for any activities the city might undertake to further celebrate diversity.

The Spiritual Assembly also responded to the Grand Rapids Press in a letter inviting the newspaper to balance its coverage of racial issues. It noted that by attending the Race Unity Day picnic on June 12 the newspaper would see people building harmony and unity among the races and religions in the community.

The two initiatives quickly bore fruit.

The city Department of Leisure and Cultural Affairs agreed to co-sponsor the musical part of the picnic so the park’s band shell could be used for performances. And the Grand Rapids Press and the Holland Sentinel both published advance articles about the picnic and about the Bahá’í Faith.

At the same time, invitations to the picnic were going out to area churches, to City Hall, and to Hispanic and Laotian businesses and organizations. (The Holland Bahá’í community is 30 percent Laotian.)

So it was no surprise when between 250 and 300 adults and children showed up to enjoy prayers, music, food and fellowship at the June 12 picnic. Members of at least one gang also looked on, but did nothing to disrupt the event.

Opening prayers in English, Spanish, German and Laotian were followed by lunch. People were asked to bring their own picnic lunches, but the event actually turned into a potluck as attendees started sharing what they had brought. The Holland Bahá’í community also grilled hamburgers and hot dogs.

Following lunch, The Vision of Race Unity was presented to Jose Reyna, director of Human and Community Relations for the city. A short but touching speech was given by Holland Bahá’í Katie Kloske, and the presentation was made with great dignity and grace by Chansy Sengsounthone, one of the senior Laotian members of the Holland Bahá’í community.

Free helium balloons imprinted with various phrases were given out to children throughout the picnic. Water balloons also were to be part of the afternoon’s games, but a six-pound Pomeranian named Misha ate most of them before the event. Amazingly, the dog is fine.

Activities included face painting, a three-legged race, a wheelbarrow race, a limbo contest, a sack race, volleyball, and the breaking of two piñatas, important considering the number of people in Holland of Hispanic origin.

Following lunch, musical entertainment began at the shell. The Lao Friends Band played first, then two members of the Central States Bahá’í Youth Workshop performed dances, and the Gospel Choir from the Harvestime Fellowship Church sang.

The picnic closed with most of those gathered joining hands and singing a song titled “We Have Overcome,” a modified version of the ’60s civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome.” The singing was led by the Harvestime choir, whose enthusiasm and energy added a great deal to the meaning of the song and the moment.

It is important to note that all during the day the Bahá’ís served those in attendance. A large beverage dispenser was set up on a table near the band shell, and the Bahá’ís would wander through the crowd asking people whether they could get them something to drink. This act of service seemed to make quite an impression.

Since the picnic, the Bahá’í community has mailed thank-you cards to those individuals and organizations that supported, contributed to, or otherwise helped make the event a success.

The Bahá’ís also have held regular weekly firesides focusing on unity and equality.

And two weeks after the picnic, the Bahá’ís brought in three Bahá’í Youth Workshops to perform at the community arts festival and at the park where Race Unity Day had been held. These performances continued the theme of racial unity, equality and the oneness of humankind.

Forestry Gathering supported by 17 governments, including U.S.

Continued from page 1

to all producers.”

Also speaking at this year’s event was G.N. Cimarra, a director of Oilinvest (Netherlands) B.V., the holding company of TAMOIL, the petroleum company that sponsored the Gathering.

Among the more than 200 distinguished guests at the luncheon and reception that followed were ambassadors and other diplomats, representatives of major environmental protection groups, and prominent persons in government, business and the professions.

The government of the United Kingdom took part through a statement from Prime Minister John Major, which was read by the Secretary of State for Environmental Affairs.

Messages of support and encouragement were received from 17 governments, the one from President Clinton capturing succinctly the vision that animated the Gathering; that is, that in the protection and sustainable management of the earth’s forests, there are no national boundaries.

The idea of regular gatherings to focus government and media attention on preserving the world’s forests was begun in 1945 by Dr. Richard St. Barbe Baker, a well-known Bahá’í and internationally renowned pioneer in the field of ecology.

The tradition was revived in 1989, on the 100th anniversary of Dr. Baker’s birth, by the Bahá’í International Community in collaboration with the International Tree Foundation (formerly “The Men of the Trees”), the Worldwide Fund for Nature, the United Nations Environment Program, and Dr. Baker’s literary executor, Hugh Locke.

“Our aim in organizing the 1994 World Forestry Charter Gathering was to address the issue of forestry in a global context,” said Guilda Walker, who planned the Gathering on behalf of the Bahá’í International Community’s Office of the Environment.

“We wished to further the idea that the world’s forests must be considered the common heritage of all humanity if they are to be effectively preserved and sustainably managed,” Ms. Walker added.

Bahá’í leadership in the endeavor earned generous praise in Prince Philip’s address to this year’s Gathering and in several messages from heads of state and government. [Page 18]

Nightingale Project in new phase

Bring on Phase II!

The Nightingale Teaching Project, which began in April in San Diego, California, has seen the creation of billboards, the introduction of "800" telephone service, nightly firesides, and family activities every weekend at the San Diego Bahá’í Center.

Now a second phase of the project has been launched, a “neighborhood teaching and display campaign” aimed at the communities surrounding the Bahá’í Center.

The goal is to open the Bahá’í Center to residents of the area, making friends and teaching the Bahá’í Faith to families and individuals.

A conference September 16-18 with inspiration and guidance from Counselor Arturo Serrano and a keynote address by James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, set Phase II in motion.

A teacher training institute was held at the conference, and teaching teams were organized to take invitations, door hangers and display booths into the neighborhoods.

Phase II also will launch the project’s $7,000 radio campaign, a four-part audio brochure series, and an expansion of the citywide billboard campaign to the freeways.

Project participants continue to deepen by focusing on the compilation of the Universal House of Justice, "Promoting Entry by Troops."

In addition, they receive continuing guidance from, Counselor Serrano, Auxiliary Board members Edward Diliberto and Marcia Baltgalvis, and the sponsoring Spiritual Assembly of San Diego.

The work of the project is divided into departments. They do not operate as committees; instead, each is headed by an individual who is responsible for final decisions related to the department and for mobilizing and inspiring a team who can help him or her complete the assigned tasks.

The departments are advertising/media, firesides, youth, fund raising, accounting, child education, public displays, human resources, and cross-cultural.

From a Bahá’í population of 1,100 in San Diego County, more than 200 of the friends have completed questionnaires and asked for assignments.

HOW CAN WE UNITE? 800-22-UNITE EXPLORE BAHÁ’Í SOLUTIONS

A master computer data base of available human resources has been assembled for use by all departments. In some departments, the counsel and assistance of Bahá’ís from outside the district, as well as individuals who are not Bahá’ís, has been used.

The heightened awareness of the vast and varied resources within the community and its circle of friends has led to increased confidence. This, coupled with a demonstrable plan of action, has fostered unprecedented cooperation among those from different local Bahá’í communities.

Financial resources also have been marshaled for the effort. The project has received $39,000 in contributions from individuals and local Spiritual Assemblies toward the minimum of $50,000 needed in the coming year.

These resources, human and financial, will be used to target the population that lives or transacts business within an eight-mile radius of the Bahá’í Center. This area is considered the crossroads of the entire county because of the freeway configuration and the concentration of commerce and industry.

Outlying communities will benefit when commuters and consumers drive into San Diego’s core business districts and shopping areas.

Local Bahá’í communities also can request customized versions of the display booths, four-color doorhangers and handout cards for use in their own neighborhoods.

In addition, the 18.5- by 50-foot four-color billboards titled "How Can We Unite?" will be located throughout the county on freeways and at arterial locations.

The toll-free number (1-800-22-UNITE) will serve the entire population, with Bahá’ís from each part of the county responding to calls from their own area with literature and personal call-backs.

And the 60-second paid radio spots will be heard by everyone listening to the two stations chosen.

A center of much of the project’s activity will be a weekly open house and weekly family festival.

The open house on Saturday evenings gives residents an opportunity to make new friends and enjoy musical entertainment, guest speakers and group discussions. On the third Saturday, a special cross-cultural night replaces the open house.

The family festival on Sunday mornings has special activity centers, musical performances and discussions designed to engage families in an entertaining and educational experience, with Bahá’í values and perspectives conveyed in a friendly atmosphere.

City, schools aid Pasadena peace parley

The seventh annual Children’s Peace Conference in Pasadena, California, struck a chord with community leaders.

The conference theme, “Calling All Colors: An Invitation to Raise the First Generation of Prejudice-Free Children,” won a ringing endorsement from Mayor Katie Nack. She declared the quest for racial harmony to be a central theme of her term of office, and she offered the city’s help in preparing for the conference.

The Pasadena Unified School District also gave the event its support, allowing the use of one of its elementary schools as a site.

Community organizations such as the Girl Scouts and the Boys and Girls Clubs, along with several businesses, helped the Spiritual Assembly of Pasadena sponsor the event. Their support made it possible to charge only $3 per participant.

And the Pasadena Star News and Daily Bulletin published accounts of the conference, complete with comments from organizers and participants. The Daily Bulletin’s feature quoted extensively from the National Spiritual Assembly’s statement, “The Vision of Race Unity.”

More than 350 children and youth and 75 adults from the surrounding communities took part in the conference. About half of those attending were not Bahá’ís.

Three school superintendents and several school principals from both public and private schools were there, too, observing and taking part. Two school officials asked that the organizers of the conference bring the program to their schools in the fall.

The curriculum was supervised by Joannie Yuille of Monrovia and was derived from the core curriculum produced by the National Bahá’í Education Task Force. Story-telling, arts, crafts and music were emphasized.

In the school cafeteria, each child silk-screened an individually designed heart inscribed with his or her name. The hearts were assembled by Robin Moore, a Bahá’í from Pasadena, to create a canvas mural.

The mural, with appropriate Bahá’í quotations, will be displayed in schools in the area and then hung in the Pasadena City Hall and the Pasadena Public Library.

Four adult classes, organized by Keyvan Geula of Claremont, had as their theme “Creating a Prejudice-Free Home.” The classes were taught by Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís.

To maintain the momentum built at the conference, a Children’s Peace Conference newsletter will be published at least quarterly.

SUCCESSFUL TEACHING AMONG SOUTHEAST ASIANS

Language barrier is no problem with video tapes in original languages

The following video tapes in Hmong, Laotian and Vietnamese are now available to help teach and deepen our Southeast Asian friends in the United States.

HMONG AND ENGLISH "An Introduction and Deepening on the Bahá’í Faith" by four Hmong leaders from California, including Mr. Lao Chue Cha, a former member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Laos.

LAOTIAN "A Deepening Tape on the Bahá’í Faith" by Mr. Kanna Baran, a former secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Laos and long-time pioneer in Thailand.

VIETNAMESE AND ENGLISH "The Early History of the Bahá’í Faith in Vietnam" and "Some Teachings from the Bahá’í Faith" by Mr. Jamshed Fozdar, a pioneer to Vietnam who was referred to by the beloved Guardian as "the spiritual conqueror of Sarawak [Malaysia]," translated into Vietnamese by Mr. Sau Nguyen.

The video tapes may be obtained for $4.50 each (plus $2 for shipping and handling for the first tape, $1 for each additional tape). To order, please phone the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office, 708-733-3522, or send a check payable to "U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office" c/o Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Please include a shipping address. [Page 19]Pictured is the 29-member graduating class at the Maxwell International Bahá’í School in British Columbia, Canada. Among this year’s graduates are six students from the U.S.

6 U.S. students among 29 in Maxwell graduating class

On June 30, the Maxwell International Bahá’í School in British Columbia, Canada, held its third graduation ceremony.

Among the 29 graduates were six from the U.S.: Maniksaq Baumgartner of Alaska, Michael Cook of Washington state; Neda Ferdowsi and Holly Seals of Tennessee; Elissa Gurinsky of New Mexico, and Kalon Stoakley of Illinois.

Their classmates came from Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Western Samoa and Zambia.

The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum sent a personal message to the graduates, which read in part:

“Remember you have not only acquired at Maxwell School knowledge but optimism, with a vision of how our sadly troubled and disturbed society must and will evolve into a better world society in the immediate decades to come—and a determination to play a constructive, optimistic role in the great spiritual and social events that you will have a part in.”

The commencement address was given by Reggie Newkirk, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada.

“The world needs you,” Mr. Newkirk told the graduates, “and you need the world to become all that you can become.

“Your life is a work of art which is unfinished, and the only way to finish it is to follow a path of spiritual and intellectual discipline. Acquire it and make it a daily habit in your life and it will be a bridge that will carry you over the low points in your life.

“May the lamp which illumined the heart of the traveler in The Seven Valleys shine through your eyes and touch the hearts of all with whom you come in contact.”

Before the ceremonies began, the class had chosen to create a 45-minute presentation entitled “Witness the Future: Fire and Light,” composed of contributions from the graduates themselves in response to the concept of heroism.

Involving drama, dance, music, tableaus and costumes from many cultures, the presentation centered around the life of Mona, a 16-year-old Bahá’í who was martyred with nine others 11 years ago in Iran for refusing to recant her faith.

The presentation received a standing ovation from the audience of almost 700 guests, family visitors and fellow students.

Auxiliary Board member Kathy Roesch addressed the previous evening’s honors dinner for graduates and their parents, saying, “Graduation is a rite of passage celebrating an achievement, acknowledging a gift. Take that vision and translate it into your life, into great, and humble, and good deeds.”

At a special assembly on the last day of school, the graduates—two of whom, Saba Moghbelpour of Western Samoa and Michael Cook of Washington, had come to Maxwell in grade seven when the school was opened six years ago—were invited to present their final thoughts to their peers.

“We must perfect ourselves,” said Michael, “and that will perfect the group. We must learn to pray actively, and that will perfect the group.”

Saba said he would “miss the school and the people, my Maxwell experience. Thank you for a great growing up.”

Ten Maxwell students in grades 10-12 received awards in the Canadian Mathematics Competition sponsored by the University of Waterloo.

Kevin Merrill, Gloria Talabreza and Shiva Martin were among the seven students who received medals for being in the top five percent of students across Canada who took part in the exam.

A saga of faith

School committee puts itself in God’s hands after site falls through 6 days before session

It’s six days before the start of Bahá’í summer school and the organizing committee finds that the site is suddenly unavailable.

That is the unenviable position in which the Colorado East Schools Committee found itself this summer.

Rather than cancel the event, though, committee members relied on the grace of God and their own love and dedication to locate a new venue and somehow pull together all the details.

This saga of faith in action begins Tuesday, June 21. On that day, Dennis Green, the committee’s treasurer, had a strange feeling of ‎forboding foreboding‎.

He didn’t know why until three days later when he called to place the school’s food order through the Trinity Ranch Camp. The director told him that the Episcopal ‎Archdiocose Archdiocese‎ had decided on Tuesday to close down all of its schools and camps and cancel all reservations, including the Bahá’ís’.

Mr. Green quickly apprised committee secretary Sandra Bolz of the development, and she in turn rang up chairman Richard Staller.

“I must have sounded desperate, because Dr. Staller’s receptionist called him away from a patient to speak to me,” said Mrs. Bolz. “I explained the situation to him, and when he returned to the patient, she asked him why he had been called away in the middle of a consultation.

“When he explained, she suggested Beaver Ranch in Conifer, where her son had worked, and two other possibilities,” she said.

Kathy Staller, the children’s class coordinator, found out about the dire situation that afternoon, but her evening prayers gave her cause to feel that there was no reason to be concerned. Everything would be fine.

For awhile, though, it didn’t seem that anything would be fine.

Mrs. Staller could not find telephone listings for two of the camps the patient had mentioned. And she couldn’t reach anyone at Beaver Ranch, either.

Meanwhile, Mr. Green unsuccessfully tried to negotiate with Trinity Ranch, offering to use the summer school’s own insurance through the National Spiritual Assembly. Meanwhile, other committee members checked on several alternate locations without success.

As Mrs. Staller was heading out the door to an emergency committee meeting on Sunday, however, she received a call from Beaver Ranch.

She headed straight there and determined that the site was a very good possibility. It turned out that a group had been booked there for the same weekend, but had canceled two weeks before.

Needless to say, the committee decided to go ahead.

Summer school started July 1, one day later than originally planned, and ran one day longer, through July 4, a holiday for most people.

The class schedule was rearranged to accommodate the flight times of keynote speakers Sherri Smith, from the National Education and Schools Office, and Theresa Zingery, from the National Treasurer’s Office.

It so happened that some of the Bahá’í youth were in Colorado Springs teaching at that time. They picked up Ms. Zingery at the airport, took her to a fireside and introduced her to Barbara Campbell, who brought her to the school.

Toward the end of the school, the caretaker walked into the lodge and remarked that the “feeling” in the room was very unusual. She attended some classes, was pleased to be given some literature, and promised to come to a fireside at the Stallers’ home.

In this and many other ways, the Colorado East Bahá’í Summer School, with 76 attendees, was one of the most successful to date.

“This is due entirely to the grace of God and the guiding hand of Bahá’u’lláh,” said Mrs. Bolz. “The members of the committee genuinely love and care about each other and try their best to dedicate themselves to the service of the friends.

“I feel that this love and dedication is what enabled us to literally ‘do the impossible,’” she concluded.

Olya’s Story author launches tour

After a highly successful year promoting her book, Olya’s Story, in Great Britain, Olya Roohizadegan will visit California for six weeks starting October 1.

The media in Britain have shown great interest in her eyewitness account of the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran in the early ’80s, which has so far resulted in three television interviews, more than 50 on radio, and almost 200 newspaper articles.

Highlights include a 10-minute interview on CNN and a half-hour transatlantic interview on CBC-TV (the Canadian Broadcasting Company), plus full-page coverage in two national newspapers in Great Britain, The Times and The Daily Mirror, and a number of reviews in prestigious magazines, including The Times Literary Supplement.

A large number of declarations have resulted from Ms. Roohizadegan’s talks during the past year, and it is hoped that her visit to California will prove equally valuable to the teaching and proclamation work there. [Page 20]

محفل روحانی خردسالان بهائی

JUNIOR KIDS BAHA’I ASSEMBLY

تابستان سال جاری ۵ نونهال بهائی در پردایز ولی Paradise Valley در ایالت آریزونا مجمع تشکیل دادند و آن را "محفل اطفال ‎کردسال خردسال‎" نامیدند.

این خردسالان عزیز هر هفته جلسه‌ای برای نوشتن به زبان فارسی تشکیل می‌دادند که توسط مادر یکی از آنها اداره می‌شد.

مجمع این نونهالان امین صندوقی انتخاب کردند و با فروش سبزیجات ۱۶۱ دلار برای صندوق ساختمان‌های قوس جمع‌آوری کردند...

این محفل به همراه تبرعات خود نامه‌ای سه خطی به مرکز جهانی ارسال داشتند که در آن نوشته شده بود "دعا می‌کنیم که ساختمان‌های قوس هر چه زودتر ساخته شود."

اعضای این گروه در یکی از جلسات اخیر ضیافت نوزده روزه گزارش فعالیت‌ها و نقشه‌های خود را دادند.

مجمع عرفان

Irfan Colloquium

نخستین مجمع مطالعات آثار مقدسه به زبان فارسی (سومین سمینار از مجامع مطالعۀ آثار مقدسه) از ۱۴ تا ۱۶ اکتبر ۱۹۹۴ در مدرسۀ بهائی گرین اِیکر Green Acre در ایالت Maine منعقد خواهد شد.

این مجمع فرصتی به دست خواهد داد که نتیجه تحقیقات مربوط به آثار مقدسه امر مبارک یا اطلاعات مربوط به کتب مقدسه سایر ادیان در ارتباط با امر بهائی در جمع پژوهشگران مطرح گردد.

دوستانی که مایلند در این مجمع حضور یابند باید تا آخر ماه سپتامبر برای ثبت نام با دفتر مدرسه گرین اِیکر یا دفتر امور احبای ایرانی در دارالانشاء محفل روحانی ملی تماس حاصل نمایند.

شماره تلفن مدرسه ۲۷۲۰-۴۳۹ (۲۰۷) و شماره فکس آن ۴۲۶۸-۴۳۹ (۲۰۷) و شماره تلفن دفتر امور احبای ایرانی آمریکائی ۳۳۸۸-۲۵۶ (۷۰۸).

آثار مبارکۀ حضرت نقطۀ اولی

WRITINGS OF THE BAB

نوشتۀ دکتر آهنگ ربانی

(ادامه از شمارۀ قبل)

حضرت اعلی در صحیفه عدلیه بیان فرموده‌اند که بعد از مراجعت از سفر مکه عرایض متعددی از جمیع اطراف واصل شد و تمنای نزول آیات را به زبان فارسی داشتند، به همین جهت این اثر مبارک به زبان فارسی نازل گردید.

در این سفر جلیل صفات عالیه چهارده معصوم تشریح شده و جناب شیخ احمد احسائی مورد عنایت و تفقد خاص قرار گرفته است و بالاخره خلق هر شیء را به طی مراحل هفتگانه مشیت، اراده، قدر، قضا، اذن، اجل و کتاب مشروط و معلق فرموده‌اند، و معرفت مظاهر مقدسۀ الهی را در شش مرحله و مقام معین نموده: نقطۀ بدئیه، نقطۀ امکانیه، نقطۀ فضلیه، نقطۀ وصلیه، نقطۀ اصلیه، و نقطۀ کرویه.

در این کتاب مبارک مراحل هفتگانۀ عرفان را مشخص فرموده‌اند: توحید، معانی، ابواب، امامت، ارکان، نقباء، و نجبا...

بدون شک رابطۀ این اثر جلیل حضرت اعلی و آثار عرفانی جبال اتم الهی مبحثی است غنی از برای محققین امر. همچنین رابطۀ این رساله و مباحث عرفانی زمان حضرت اعلی از قبیل آنچه در کتب و نوشتجات ملا صدرا شیرازی و غیره انعکاس یافته است درک آثار روحانی این عصر را لازم دارد و باب تازه‌ای در تفکر و تعمق دقیق‌تری را مفتوح می‌نماید.

این کتاب شریف مشتمل بر پنج باب و هفده سوره است که در آن به توحید و شناسائی خداوند و مظاهر ظهور اشاره شده و نیز عجز ناس از اتیان به مثل و نطق و نزول آیات الهی که مختص مشارق وحی الهی است مدنظر فرموده‌اند.

پنج باب این کتاب: باب اول در ذکرالله، باب دوم در بیان قسطاس بامرالله، باب سوم در معرفت الله، باب چهارم در معاد، و باب پنجم دعای اخلاص.

(ادامه در شمارۀ آینده)

دین به مثابة سوختی است که سیر مولّد علم را به سوی عصر جدید تسریع می‌کند، مادۀ چسباندۀ یک اجتماع جهانی است که باید با سراسر سطح زمین -- -- که شامل انسان‌های نازنین نیز می‌شود -- با اعتلاء و در صلح زندگی کند.

چقدر زیبا است که سازگاری پیام روشنفکرانۀ امر بهائی روز به روز با نظریه‌های علمی قرن بیستم بیشتر به ظهور می‌رسد.

بعلاوه امر بهائی خود از خردسالی به در آمده و آثار آسمانی آن بر مبنای تحول و تکامل است. با میراث کلیمی و مسیحی و اسلامی که در طی ۲۰ قرن مفاهیم اخلاق را در شرق و غرب تعیین کرده، مطابقت دارد اما در عین حال بر آنها افزوده است.

موضوع پنجگانۀ پیشنهادی به عنوان منبعمان ۵ جنبۀ یگانه در تعالیم امر بهائی هست که آن را برای رفع نیازهای یک تمدن جهانی واجد شرایط می‌کند.

نخست اینکه انسان در ذات خود خوب است، اختیار دارد و از وجدان برخوردار است.

دوم اینکه رستگاری با کارهای خوب حاصل می‌شود نه فقط با عنایت الهی یا فنا شدن منجی حقیقی به نیابت از جانب مردمان، هر چند این فداکاری قابل ستایش باشد.

سوم اینکه حضرت بهاءالله به این اصل اخلاقی که می‌گوید با دیگران آن کن که می‌خواهی با تو کنند اصل مواسات را افزوده‌اند و آن عبارت از ترجیح دیگران بر خود است به فرمودۀ مبارک این مقام فوق مساوات است.

چهارم اینکه سه اصل عمومی در امر بهائی وجود دارد: ۱- عمومیت ادیان، بدین معنی که حضرت بهاءالله موعود همۀ ادیان است؛ ۲- عمومیت کتب‌های آسمانی بر اساس اعتقاد به خدا و مظاهر مقدسه و آزادی استفاده از هر کدام که با شرایط مورد ارتباط داشته باشد؛ ۳- قبول کتاب مقدس علم بعنوان مکمل آثار مقدسۀ دینی.

پنجم اینکه جمعاً روحانی شویم. حضرت بهاءالله فرموده‌اند که باید یک روح در بدن‌های گوناگون باشیم، زنان و مردان صلح جو که به شرف و تفاهم حقیقی دست یافته‌اند.

کلام آخر

جام جهان بینی که دارم در حال حاضر تار است؛ هیچکس نمی‌داند در ۱۰۰ سال آینده چه خواهد شد اما هر چه هست باید اتفاق بیافتد. تعجل ایجاب می‌کند که چیزی رخ بدهد.

‎اصور امور‎ غیرمترقبه‌ای را انتظار داشته باشید. نظریاتی را که امشب اظهار کرده‌ام در حال حاضر در جهان در جریان است و از هر گوشه‌ای می‌رسد. زمان ما رسیده است.

آن روشن‌بینی‌ای که در حال حاضر در جریان است و به سوی اذعان به وجود یک خانوادۀ جهانی سیر می‌کند و ریشه‌های جهانی حکایت دارد و اخلاقیات جهانی و تربیت روحانی را به بار می‌آورد، ممکن است بعنوان امر بهائی نشناسند اما روشن‌بینی مذکور به سوی ما و از جهت‌های گوناگون و راه‌های مختلف در حرکت است.

همچنین انتظار داشته باشید که امر مبارک رشدی عظیم کند. همچنین انتظار آن را داشته باشید که باید نسل جدید از بهائیان را با شدت و به سرعت تربیت کنید.

انتظار آن را داشته باشید که مهارت‌های سازمان دهی را که بعنوان بهائیان می‌آموزید، به کار برید.

امر مبارک از لحاظ جریان انتخابات و راهی که محافل روحانی محلی و لجنات را تشکیل می‌دهد ساده و در عین حال بسیار نیرومند است.

مشورت از آن نیز نیرومندتر است به شرط آنکه بدانی چگونه آن را به کار برید. بنابراین باید راه به کار بردن آن را مطالعه کنید و بدانید. باید در استفاده از ابزاری که در دست دارید مهارت یابید.

اطلاعیه

سرکار خانم علیا روحی زادگان که از جمله زندانیان بهائی شیراز بوده‌اند در ماه‌های اخیر در نوامبر جهت دیدار با احباء و صحبت دربارۀ شرح زندان خود و احوال زنان شهید شیراز در جلساتی در کالیفرنیا و آریزونا شرکت خواهند کرد.

علاقه مندان به شرکت در جلسات مذکور می‌توانند برای کسب اطلاعات دربارۀ زمان و مکان آن جلسات با خانم Jensen تلفن ۲۷۹-۴۴ (۶۱۹) یا با دفتر مدرسۀ بهائی بوش تلفن ۳۳۸۷-۳۳۲ (۸۰۴) تماس حاصل نمایند. [Page 21]

کنفرانس مجمع مطالعات بهائی

ASSOCIATION FOR BAHA’I STUDIES

از ۱۱ تا ۱۴ آگوست سال جاری هجدهمین کنفرانس مجمع مطالعات بهائی در کمبریج در ایالت ماساچوست انعقاد یافت. بیش از ۷۰۰ نفر از جمله مشاورین قاره‌ای امریکا و اعضای محافل ملی ایالات متحده و کانادا در کنفرانس مذکور شرکت داشتند.

از اغتشاش تا نظم: درک نقش و سرنوشت عالم بشری موضوع و درون مایهٔ کنفرانس سالانهٔ مجمع مطالعات بهائی بود.

کنفرانس با ‎سمینهارهائی سمینارهائی‎ دربارهٔ کشاورزی، هنرها، محیط زیست، بازرگانی و اقتصاد، مشورت، تعلیم و تربیت، ازدواج و حیات خانواده، وحدت نژادی، مطالعات دینی، و مسائل مربوط به امور زنان آغاز شد.

در جلسات مذکور کوشش می‌شد که آثار مبارکهٔ بهائی با مسائل واقعی زندگی تطبیق یابد و چگونگی کارکرد آن مورد بحث قرار گیرد.

در روز دوم کنفرانس کلاس‌های فشردهٔ مطالعه به زبان انگلیسی و نیز جلسه‌ای به زبان فارسی تشکیل شد که موضوع آن آثار امری و به ویژه آثار حضرت ولی امرالله دربارهٔ موضوع اصلی کنفرانس بود.

سپس شرکت کنندگان در جلسه‌ای حضور یافتند که در آن ۶ نفر از اعضای محترم هیئت مشاورین قاره‌ای شرکت داشتند.

جناب ویلیام رابرتس، مشاور قاره‌ای از ایالات متحده دربارهٔ ارزش و اهمیت توصیف و توضیح نمونه‌ها و معیارهای فرهنگی در زمان حاضر سخنانی ایراد کرد. ایشان اظهار داشت که ما در فرهنگ و تمدنی زندگی می‌کنیم که از حمایت اخلاق، چنانکه حضرت عبدالبهاء تشریح فرموده‌اند، برخوردار نیست. ایشان اذعان کرد که هنوز فاصلهٔ زیادی در میان مردم وجود دارد اما این فاصله را می‌توان با درک زیبائی و نیروئی که مردم گوناگون دارند، کمتر کرد.

جناب فرهاد شایانی، مشاور قاره‌ای از برزیل اظهار داشت که مجموعه‌ای که دارالتحقیق بیت‌العدل اعظم تحت عنوان "اشعهٔ تحقق وعدهٔ يدخلون فى دین الله افواجاً" تهیه نموده است احباء را دعوت می‌کند که فقط به مطالعهٔ تاریخ نپردازند بلکه آن را بسازند. ایشان گفت بهائیان باید در صف اول نیروهای سازندهٔ اجتماع باشند، نه از جمله پیروان و مقلدان.

جناب ایلوی آیلو Eloy Anello مشاور قاره‌ای از کلمبیا دربارهٔ فعالیت‌های دانشگاه نور صحبت کرد. ایشان گفت دانشگاه مذکور می‌کوشد با رهبران اخلاقی که به دنبال جواب می‌گردند پیوند حاصل کند و برای مرحلهٔ بلوغی که هماهنگ با تعالیم بهائی است، رهبری لازم را ایجاد نماید.

موضوع نطق جناب دکتر دیوید روح، عضو سابق بیت العدل اعظم "یک تحول جدید: پیوند دینی برای وحدت جهانی" بود. ترجمهٔ خلاصه‌ای از بیانات ایشان در زیر درج می‌شود:

طرز تفکر امریکائی در زمان حاضر متأثر از بدگمانی و مادیت و تربیت در یک سنت دینی کلیمی و مسیحی و اسلامی است که روحانیت را با انزوا و محرومیت و فقر وابسته می‌داند.

هنوز نمی‌دانیم که امروز روحانیت با ثروت معنوی که از خدمت به دیگران حاصل می‌شود، پیوند دارد و این خود یک اصل تازه است. خودخواهی انسان امروز فقط با خدمت به دیگران و برطرف کردن نیازهای مربوط به حفاظت جهان و صلح جهانی و وحدت جهانی تعالی می‌یابد.

این فضیلت اخلاقی خدمت در احساسات دینی و خیرخواهی اهالی امریکا و کانادا نهفته و وعدهٔ سرنوشت روحانی ما را به دست می‌دهد.

موضوع اول: سرنوشت امریکا

امریکا و کانادا هر چند مسیرشان ناهموار است اما در تحولند که امید حقیقت و عدالت همه گیری را در تمامی جوانب زندگی انسان تحقق بخشند.

خیلی قبل از اینکه اروپائیان به این سرزمین بیایند سرخپوستان مفهوم اتحادیه فدرالی برای ایالت‌های دمکراتیک و برابر را به وجود آورده بودند که شامل مشارکت در امور جامعه و حقوق طبیعی مردم و تساوی حقوق زن و مرد و آزادی بیان و جدائی امور دینی از امور مدنی و توزیع عادلانه ثروت بود.

زنان رئیس را انتخاب می‌کردند و این رؤسا تشخصشان را از دست می‌دادند و خادمان جامعه می‌شدند. صداقت و عدالت و آزادی ارزش داشت و مکان‌های صلح تجلیل می‌شد نه میدان‌های جنگ.

بر این اساس بود که بانیان اولیهٔ امریکا قانون اساسی را تهیه کردند و منشور حقوق مردم را طرح نمودند که حقوق فرد را در مورد ملک و قدرت معین می‌کرد.

در این مورد جنگ‌های داخلی برای ایجاد دموکراسی و استقلال آمریکا لازم بود. این جنگ‌ها برای حصول وحدت ملی و تساوی مردم عادی در قبال جنوبی‌هائی که خواهان حکومت اشراف بودند رخ داد و منجر به الغای برده داری شد.

امریکا وسائل روانی و سیاسی را که برای سعادت روحانیش لازم دارد، به دست آورده است.

موضوع دوم: نیروهای فراهم‌آورنده وحدت

قرن ۱۹ شاهد شکوفائی عصر علم بود و نظام فکر و مشاهده‌ای به وجود آورد که به تحولات تکنولوژی در جامعه منجر شد.

در عین حال جریانی موازی این جریان که از قرن‌های کودکی و نوجوانی اجتماع مایه گرفته بود در شرف تحول بود و آن این افکار دینی بود که هدفش وحدت روحانی عالم بشری بود و حیطهٔ عملی به وسعت میدان عمل داشت.

امر بهائی بدین ترتیب ظهور کرد، امری که یک سلسله اصول و اعتقادات جهانگیری را در بر دارد که هماهنگ با نیازهای بشریت است.

بانی آن حضرت بهاءالله است که کاری بس دشوار را بر عهده داشت، زیرا مراد ایشان آن بود که روان آدمی را تعالی بخشد و رفتار و آرزوهای مردم را در عصر جدیدی که سنت‌های گذشته را از میان می‌برد، طرحی نو بدهد.

هدف آن حضرت مالاً آن بود که روان‌های مردم را با نیروئی که فقط دین می‌تواند حاصل کند، برای صلح که بی تردید از آشفتگی کنونی جهان سر برخواهد زد، به هم بپیوندند.

موضوع سوم: ترقی پس از داروین

در عصر حاضر ترقی را می‌توان در ظرف سال و دهه اندازه گرفت نه در ظرف قرن و هزاره.

در پس اختلافات کنونی می‌توان مرحلهٔ بعدی ترقی انسانی را دید که عبارت است از سازمان یافتن اجتماع بشری در یک تمدن جهانی که از آن یک جامعهٔ جهانی با حس تبعیت جهانی به در خواهد آمد، تمدن و فرهنگی جهانی که حق تنوع بی‌نهایتی برای اجزای تشکیل دهندهٔ خود قائل خواهد شد.

در امور مربوط به ارتباطات و حمل و نقل پیوستگی همگان بیشتر و بیشتر می‌شود. ظهور تفکر و ارزش‌های گروهی در هر ‎حیطه ای حیطه‌ای‎ به چشم می‌خورد.

آیندهٔ نزدیک بشریت چیست؟ شاید تحولی باشد که زادهٔ ضرورت است، جهشی بزرگ که ناشی از واقعه یا شرایطی خاص است. همکاری و صلح در این موقعیت ممکن است به بشریت تحمیل شود.

در ۲۱۰۰ روز آینده می‌توان نوعی صلح و نیروی بیشتری را در امور انسانی انتظار داشت. آن روز نزدیک است که فرهنگ‌های بسیاری با هم تلاقی کنند. وحدتی را می‌توان انتظار برد که امید و آرزوی مردم بوده و در سراسر تاریخ به طور متوالی توسط ظهورات الهی وعدهٔ آن داده شده است.

موضوع چهارم: پیوند برای عصر طلائی

نباید باعث شگفتی باشد که در عین حالی که نوابغ اندیشه و دانش در ۱۵۰ سال گذشته ظاهر شده‌اند، یک نابغه روحانی (حضرت بهاءالله) نیز برای حل این بحران‌های ناشی از تحول به ظهور رسید.

همچنین نباید دچار شگفتی شویم که آن حضرت بیماری‌های اجتماع را پیش‌گوئی فرمود و خود را پزشک روحانی بیماری‌های مذکور نامید که نیروی آن را دارد که بشریت سرگردان و بیمار را درمان کند. حضرت بهاءالله حامل پیام الهی برای درمان دردهای امروز است.

احتیاج مبرمی به دین وجود دارد تا نیروی ایمان را که در آرمان‌های وحدت و همکاری در سطح جهانی وجود دارد، و نیز تطابق با تغییرات را فراهم سازد.

اما تأثیر دین در اینجا متوقف نمی‌شود. دین برای تقویت اعتقادات و تعهداتی که حضرت بهاءالله برای کل عالم بشری خیر می‌داند و با خانواده و قبیله و مردم آغاز می‌شود، لازم است.

دین نیروی هدایت است که توسط حضرت بهاءالله برای عصر حاضر به ظهور رسیده است. پیام آن حضرت اخلاقیات جامعه را در حال نضج ‎جهانی را در حالی که جهانی، در حالی که‎ اجزاء گوناگونش بهم پیوند می‌خورد، تقویت می‌کند. [Page 22]

گلستان جاوید اورنج کانتی

GULISTAN JAVID IN ORANGE COUNTY

سپتامبر سال گذشته هنگامی که خبر تخریب گلستان جاوید طهران رسید، محفل روحانی لاگونا نیگل Laguna Niguel در اورنج کانتی (کالیفرنیا) تصمیم گرفت جلسه تذکری در گورستان فرهیون Fairhaven تشکیل دهد. خبر جلسه در روزنامه محل درج گردید و در برنامه اخبار تلویزیون نیز پخش شد.

ناطق اصلی این جلسه جناب جیمز نلسون، رئیس محفل روحانی ملی بود که در ضمن سخنان خود خاطرنشان ساخت که با تخریب گورستان بهائیان نمی‌توان به حیثیت آنان صدمه‌ای وارد آورد، بلکه حیثیت و غرور بجای احباء با خدمتشان به عالم انسانی تقویت می‌شود.

تشکیل این جلسه و تأثیری که بر کارمندان گورستان فرهیون داشت، راه را برای تعیین یک محل یادبود هموار ساخت.

پس از مشورت با کارکنان گورستان مذکور قرار شد برای یادبود گلستان جاوید طهران سنگ گرانیت سیاهی با خطوط طلائی طرح و ساخته شود و در محل ویژه‌ای نصب گردد.

بدین منظور بخش جدیدی از گورستان با ۲۴۰ جا برای قبرهائی که به طرف قبله بهائی حفر شده تعیین گردید که در وهله اول در معرض فروش برای احباء باشد و سپس در معرض فروش همگان قرار گیرد.

بخش مذکور "گلستان جاوید" نامیده شده است و روز ۱۵ می سال جاری افتتاح شد.

در روز افتتاح این بخش از گورستان فرهیون حدود ۳۰۰ نفر شرکت داشتند و خانم هدی محمودی با بیانات خود باعث سرور حاضران شد.

ترجمه پیام بیت‌العدل اعظم

MESSAGE OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE DATED AUGUST 7, 1994

خطاب به محافل روحانی ملی که در ۷ آگست ۱۹۹۴ با وسائل الکترونیک مخابره شده است اجلاسیه منشور جهانی جنگلبانی، لندن ۲۸ جولای ۱۹۹۴

یاران عزیز بهائی،

با خوشوقتی خبر برگزاری اجلاسیه منشور جهانی جنگلبانی را که در کاخ سنت جیمز در حضور حضرت امة‌البهاء روحیه خانم و والاحضرت پرنس فیلیپ دوک ادینبورگ دو سخنران اصلی جلسه در روز پنجشنبه ۲۸ جولای برپا گردید، به اطلاع آن عزیزان می‌رسانیم.

بیانات موجز و مؤثر حضرت امة‌البهاء درباره جنبه‌های روحانی حفاظت محیط زیست که چندین بار با کف‌زدن‌های تحسین آمیز مستمعین قطع شد، متضمن ذکر آیاتی از حضرت بهاءالله بود که الهام‌بخش حضرت امة‌البهاء در تخصیص فرصت‌های شخصی به امور مربوط به حفاظت محیط زیست بوده است. پرنس فیلیپ نیز موقع را مغتنم شمرد تا برای متوقف ساختن انهدام بی‌رویه جنگل‌های روی زمین ضرورت صدور موافقت‌نامه‌ای بین‌المللی را که اجرای آن از نظر قانونی الزام‌آور خواهد بود، اعلام دارد.

متجاوز از دویست نفر از اشخاص سرشناس از جمله سفرا و سیاسیون و نمایندگان سازمان‌های مهم حفاظت محیط زیست و شخصیت‌های برجسته دولتی و بخش خصوصی و کارشناسان در ضیافت ناهاری که پس از جلسه مزبور برگزار شد، حضور داشتند. دولت انگلستان با بیانیه جناب جان میجر، نخست وزیر که توسط وزیر حفاظت محیط زیست خوانده شد، در این مراسم شرکت نمود. هفده دولت نیز پیامهائی حاکی از تشویق و پشتیبانی فرستاده بودند. از جمله آقای بیل کلینتون، رئیس جمهور امریکا در پیام خود نکته‌ای را به نحو موجز بیان کرده بود که روحیه جمع حاضر را مجسم می‌کرد، بدین معنی که در حفاظت و اداره مستمر جنگل‌های روی زمین به هیچ حد و مرزی نباید محدود شد.

اندیشه برگزاری اجتماعات مرتبی برای جلب توجه دولت‌ها و وسائط خبری به لزوم حفظ جنگل‌های دنیا در سال ۱۹۴۵ توسط دکتر ریچارد سنت بارب بیکر که از مشاهیر احباء و پیش‌آهنگ شهیر بین‌المللی در زمینه محیط زیست بود، مطرح شد. این سنت در یکصدمین سالگرد تولد معظم‌له در سال ۱۹۸۹ توسط جامعه بین‌المللی بهائی با جلب همکاری بنیاد بین‌المللی درخت (سابقاً "مردان درخت")، صندوق جهانی حفظ طبیعت، برنامه محیط زیست سازمان ملل و آقای هیو لاک که ناشر آثار دکتر بیکر است، احیاء گردید.

رهبری جامعه بهائی در این اقدام در سخنرانی والاحضرت فیلیپ در اجلاسیه سال جاری و در چند پیام واصله از رؤسای دول مورد تمجید وفیر قرار گرفت.

لطفاً این خبر را به جامعه یاران ابلاغ کنید.

با تقدیم تحیات بیت‌العدل اعظم

دستور محفل روحانی ملی به محافل محلی

درباره ذکر نام "امر بهائی" در اوراق بیمارستان‌ها NSA INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING HOSPITALS

محفل روحانی ملی به محافل روحانی محلی توصیه می‌نماید که با بیمارستان‌های محل خود تماس بگیرند و امر بهائی را نیز در صورت اسامی تشکیلات دینی (که معمولاً بیمارستان‌ها تهیه می‌کنند) بگنجانند.

بسیاری از بیمارستان‌هائی که در حال حاضر عنوان امر بهائی را در ورقه کامپیوتری ثبت نام بیماران درج نکرده‌اند، معمولاً برای بیماران بهائی قسمت "متفرقه" را علامت می‌زنند. محافل محلی باید از بیمارستان‌ها بخواهند که از امر مبارک با قید "امر بهائی" نام ببرند.

همچنین محفل روحانی می‌تواند نام و شماره تلفن یکی از نمایندگانش را به مسؤولان بیمارستان بدهد و از آنان بخواهد در صورتی که بیمار بهائی بیماری مهلکی داشته باشد، با نماینده مذکور تماس حاصل نمایند.

حقوق‌الله

HUQUQU’LLAH

از دوستان عزیز مستدعی است تقدیمی‌های حقوق‌الله را در وجه Baha’i Huququ’llah Trust به نشانی یکی از امنای حقوق‌الله ارسال فرمایند.

Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA. 90402

Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH. 44116

Dr. Elsie Austin 9039 Sligo Creek Parkway, #612 Silver Spring, MD. 20901

ترجمه نامهٔ دارالانشاء بیت‌العدل اعظم

خطاب به محفل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده

بیت‌العدل اعظم با امتنان فراوان نامهٔ مورخ ۱۶ جون ۱۹۹۴ آن یاران را به همراه صورت اسامی قبض‌های صندوق قوس برای ماه جون ۱۹۹۴ و نیز نسخه‌هائی از نامه‌های یاران را که یا خود تبرع کرده یا تقبل کرده‌اند که یک واحد یا بیشتر به صندوق قوس تبرع نمایند، دریافت داشته است.

فداکاری و ایثار محبت‌آمیزی که یاران با این اقدامات در ایالات متحده جهت برآوردن نیازهای مبرم مرکز جهانی بهائی به ظهور رسانده‌اند مورد ستایش است. بیت‌العدل اعظم ممنون خواهند بود اگر در فواصل معین گزارش‌های مشابهی در مورد تبرعات به صندوق قوس دریافت نمایند.

مطمئن باشید که بیت‌العدل اعظم در آستان مقدس پیوسته دعا می‌کنند که یاران آمریکا به مراحل بالاتری از فداکاری در راه خدمت به امر حضرت بهاءالله نائل شوند و با تأییدات و برکات الهی تبرک یابند.

با تحیات بهائی دارالانشاء بیت‌العدل اعظم ۲۷ جولای ۱۹۹۴ [Page 23]

L.A. Youth Workshop visits Native American Institute

In July, the 22-member Los Angeles Bahá’í Youth Workshop gave a series of dynamic presentations in Navajoland while visiting the Native American Bahá’í Institute in Houck, Arizona.

The mostly Navajo communities in the area were treated to powerful messages about the need for racial harmony, equality of the sexes, and spirituality for the world.

One immediate result of the Workshop’s presentations was two declarations of belief in Bahá’u’lláh.

About 33 local youth (eight full-time) studied carefully the Workshop with an eye toward starting one of their own on the Navajo Reservation. Of the 33 young people, 16 are Navajo.

Some of the youth who had stopped taking part in Bahá’í activities came back to NABI to be with the Workshop, and the local youth accompanied the performers to each major engagement in Arizona and New Mexico.

The goal of staff at NABI is to see that this popular activity brings more spiritual warriors into Bahá’u’lláh’s Army of Light on the Navajo and Hopi Reservations.

Bahá’ís, friends in Japan complete first Peace Relay from Hiroshima to Nagasaki

On August 6-9, 40 Bahá’ís and their friends in Japan completed the first Bahá’í Peace Relay, running in relay teams from Hiroshima to Nagasaki.

Bahá’ís from seven countries—Japan, Australia, Iran, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines and the U.S.—made the run as a gesture of peace and out of respect for the victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 as well as for the victims of World Wars I and II and other catastrophes in this century.

The relay, sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of Japan, began in Hiroshima on August 6 following a minute of silence and the release of doves commemorating the 49th anniversary of the bombing of that city at the close of World War II.

Each participant ran from one to five kilometers (.62 to three miles) three or four times a day until the group reached Nagasaki on August 9, two hours before the anniversary of its devastation by a second atomic bomb in 1945.

The runners completed the approximately 500 kilometers (310 miles) by running during the day and resting at night, enduring temperatures exceeding 100°F, narrow roads and an untested route.

On arriving in Nagasaki, the runners prayed for peace and called for the establishment of a just world order, inviting citizens of all nations to work together for peace and to study the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, which can alone bring relief to a troubled world.

All of the participants expressed a desire to repeat the event next year.

40 Ojibway Indian children join Bahá’ís at week-long Day Camp at state park near Onamia, Minnesota

The annual Bahá’í Day Camp, held July 25-29 at Kathio State Park near Onamia, Minnesota, brought together 40 Ojibway children ages 5-13 from the Mille Lacs Reservation with 27 Bahá’ís of various other backgrounds for a week-long experience in enjoying the oneness of the human family.

The Day Camp, sponsored by the Bahá’ís of central Minnesota, is part of the Mille Lacs Area Children’s Academy for Moral Education, an ongoing Bahá’í initiative that focuses on multi-cultural education, interaction and appreciation.

The Day Camp is staffed by Bahá’ís of all ages, and this year’s staff consisted of 11 adults and 16 children from throughout central Minnesota.

Each session begins with a Circle of Unity and uses guided lessons, prayers, memorization, crafts, recreational activities and a shared lunch to teach and experience the concept of unity and the need to eliminate prejudices of all kinds.

The camp’s location has significance for the coming together of various races, as the promontory was occupied for thousands of years by indigenous peoples, and today is used by people of many races and cultures for recreation and the enjoyment of nature.

Ojibway Indian children from the Mille Lacs Reservation in Minnesota enjoy a swim during the annual Bahá’í Day Camp held July 25-29 at Kathio State Park near Onamia.

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers visit Bahá’í booth at Atlanta conference

On July 28-31, more than 250 Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) visited the Bahá’í booth at the 17th annual conference of the National Peace Corps Association in Atlanta, Georgia.

While most RPCVs took Bahá’í pamphlets on sustainable development and racial unity, many stayed to discuss Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings.

The conference theme was “Kahadineh,” a Navajo word for “gathering of the people.” Many speakers, workshops and booths celebrated the heritage of our diverse American and international communities.

The Bahá’í information booth was part of the “Grand Bazaar,” where more than 40 vendors and groups displayed their crafts and ideas.

Many RPCVs came to the Bahá’í display to talk about personal projects and ideas that are in accord with Bahá’í teachings.

One photo-journalist, who was doing a piece on interracial children, said she wanted to study the Bahá’í writings to look into the spirituality of interracial marriage.

Janet Ward, who pioneered to Bermuda, worked at World Center, dies at 89

Janet Nundy Ward, a former pioneer to Bermuda and worker at the World Center in Haifa, Israel, died July 20 in California. She was 89 years old.

Mrs. Ward, a Bahá’í for 70 years, spent 11 of those years in Haifa with her late husband, N. Forsyth Ward, whom she had met while attending Cornell University.

Mrs. Ward pioneered to Bermuda in 1972-73. After returning to the States, she became actively involved in programs for senior citizens in San Jose and Santa Clara, and was recognized by President Nixon for her contributions to the community.

Children’s class gives rise to newsletter

A Bahá’í children’s class project in Manhattan Beach, California, has taken on a life of its own.

It started when the six boys, ages 9 through 13, were asked to start a newsletter for Bahá’í children.

The entire project, from selection of the name to the articles, jokes, video-game tips, book reviews, artwork and typing, would be done by the students themselves.

The role of their teacher, Shahin P. Carrigan, would be to give direction and suggestions for improvements.

B.L.T.4KIDS (Bahá’í Life and Times for Kids) was chosen as the publication’s name, and the children got right to work.

Now, after two successful issues, the class is hoping to expand the newsletter to include other topics and circulate to other communities.

Mrs. Carrigan can be contacted at Culver City, CA 90230, for more information.

Viola Tuttle, last of Ioas family to see Master, dies

Viola Tuttle, a life-long Bahá’í who was the last remaining member of the Ioas family to have met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during His visit to America in 1912, died last July 29 at the age of 101.

Mrs. Tuttle was the last living sibling of the Hand of the Cause of God Leroy Ioas.

IN MEMORIAM

Talieh K. Abbasi Charlotte, NC July 9, 1994	Rita A. Ploof Northampton, MA July 8, 1994
Banoo Akhtar-Khavari Miami, FL Date Unknown	Betty Rigsby Waukesha, WI August 6, 1994
Ralph J. Baldwin Federal Way, WA July 30, 1994	Parviz Salim Stillwater, OK July 25, 1994
Sharon W. Hepp Auburn, AL August 16, 1994	Dan Anthony Smith Lomita, CA January 1994
Victoria Rose Lord New Haven, CT April 8, 1994	Hooshmand Taraz Flushing, NY August 1, 1994
Jean Palazzo Scottsdale, AZ August 5, 1994	Vernon Voelz Gainesville, FL July 11, 1994

[Page 24]

Calendar of events

Rose Morris (center) and her sister, Diane Whitehorse (third from left in back with face hidden in shadow), host monthly firesides at their home on the Navajo Reservation near Aneth, Utah. Traveling teachers usually come from the Four Corners area; however, the guests at the fireside August 3 came from much farther away—Alan and Angela Bryson (standing behind Rose), hosts at the visitors’ center for the Bahá’í House of Worship in Germany, and Andrea Tong-Dickson and Michael Dickson (standing at left) of San Mateo, California. Both couples attended the Colorado West/Four Corners summer school a few days before. Laverne Myerson (right) and her mother, Hazel Myerson (third from right), are new Bahá’ís at Aneth. Five of the children in this photograph—Cynthia and Ramalldo Garcia, Kaylyn Yazzie, and Harry and Harris Bitah—attended the Four Corners summer school.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

OCTOBER

7-9: National Latino Conference, “Compartamos el Futuro” (Let’s Share the Future), Bosch Bahá’í School. The program, only in Spanish, to be facilitated by Auxiliary Board member Alejandra Miller of Mexico. Registration deadline: October 1. For information, phone 408-423-3387; fax 408-423-7564.

9: Celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Spiritual Assembly of South Bend, Indiana, and the centenary of the establishment of the Faith in North America, Marriott Hotel, South Bend. Everyone interested in the history of the Faith in South Bend is invited to attend; in particular, former residents. For information, contact Dr. Mana Derakhshani, secretary, Spiritual Assembly of South Bend, South Bend, IN 46616 (phone 219-289-4467; fax 219-289-4673; e-mail

14-16: Annual meeting of the Bahá’í Justice Society, Best Western Grace Inn, Tempe, Arizona. Theme: “Barriers and Bridges—Toward a New International Legal Framework.” Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís are welcome. Registrar: Deanna Recker, P.O. Box 640, Gilbert, AZ 85299 (602-892-0100). Hotel telephone: 602-893-3000.

14-16: Third Haj Mehdi Arjmand Scripture Conference (conducted in Persian), Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot, Maine. For information, phone Robert H. Stockman, 708-733-3425.

14-16: Urban LSA Conference IV, Bosch Bahá’í School. Among those attending: Counselors Anello, Correa and Serrano, and representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly. For information, phone 408-423-3387; fax 408-423-7564.

14-16: Seminar for Health Services Professionals, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.

20-23: Training program for Sensitive International Teaching Areas (SITA), Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL. Attendance by invitation.

20-23: Bahá’í Youth Service Corps/Pioneer Training Institute, Bahá’í National Center, Evanston, Illinois. Attendance by invitation.

21-23: All Persian-language Weekend, Bosch Bahá’í School (special English-language presentation Saturday evening only). Meet Olya Roohizadegan, author of Olya’s Story which recounts the martyrdom of young Bahá’í women in Iran. Children’s program in English. Registration deadline: October 14. For information, write to the school at 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, or phone 408-423-3387.

21-23: Marriage Enrichment Retreat: A Fortress for Well-Being, Green Acre Bahá’í School, conducted by Dr. Khalil and Sue Williston Khavari. For married couples only. For information, phone 207-439-7200; fax 207-439-7202.

21-23: Annual Campout, Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation near Houston, Texas. Guest speaker Mike Biegler, music by INKA. For information, contact Nazy Khadivian, Houston, TX 77099 (713-530-8663).

21-23: Kansas Bahá’í School, White Memorial Camp, Council Grove. Contact: Joyce Stohr, Topeka, KS 66601.

22: International Year of the Family Conference, Bahá’í Center, San Diego, California. Open forum panel, workshops with experts in the fields of family counseling, consulting, and education. Co-sponsored by the Spiritual Assemblies of San Diego County/UN Association/Interfaith Peacemakers. For information, phone Sharrie Miller, 619-656-1051.

22: Association for Bahá’í Studies Middle Atlantic Conference, “Fulfilling Gender Equality,” Bryn Mawr College just outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

28-30: Youth Deepening Weekend, Bosch Bahá’í School. Organized by the Sacramento-area Bahá’í youth. For information, write to the school at 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, or phone 408-423-3387.

28-November 2: Annual meeting of the International Society of Agriculture and Rural Development, Landegg Academy, Wienacht, Switzerland.

NOVEMBER

4-6: Wisconsin Family Weekend, Byron Center. Contact Lisa Reimer, West Bend, WI 53095 (phone 414-338-3023).

4-6: Youth Eagle Institute, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.

4-6: Fourth Haj Mehdi Arjmand Scripture Conference, De Poort, the Netherlands, with focus on the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. For information, phone Robert H. Stockman, 708-733-3425.

4-6: Rendezvous of the Soul Weekend, Bosch Bahá’í School, designed for individuals, groups or communities. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

11-13: Second annual Young Adult Conference, “Bahá’í Marriage—A Sharp Distinction,” Ramada Inn, ‎Chads Ford Chadds Ford‎, Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia. For information, phone 215-527-1928.

11-13: The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: Charter of a World Civilization, Green Acre Bahá’í School. Habib Riazati, facilitator. For information, phone 207-439-7200, or fax 207-439-7202.

11-13: “Women and Men: Building a Real Partnership,” Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.

12: Special program for the anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

12: Celebration of the anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.

18-20: Adult Research Weekend and “Star Trek” Teaching Weekend (the choice is yours), Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

18-22: Music Forum, Landegg Academy, Wienacht, Switzerland. Theme: “The Role of Music in a Changing World.” Workshops conducted in English and German. For information, please contact Landegg Academy, CH-9405, Wienacht/AR, Switzerland.

24-27: Desert Rose Bahá’í School, Ramada Inn, Tucson, Arizona. Speakers: Dr. Khalil and Sue Williston Khavari, Keyvan Geula, Dr. Nat Rutstein. Entertainment by Dan Seals and the Soul Folk Trio.

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.

A. NAME(S):
1.	I.D. #	Title
2.	I.D. #	Title
3.	I.D. #	Title
4.	I.D. #	Title

B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS:	C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS:
Street address	P.O. Box or Other mailing address
Apartment # (if applicable)	Apartment # (if applicable)
City	City
State      Zip code	State      Zip code

D. NEW COMMUNITY:	E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER:
Name of new Bahá’í Community    Moving date	Area code   Phone number   Name

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

G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE:	H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY:
[ ] we do not have the same last name. We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) and I.D. number(s) listed above.	[ ] Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy. I have listed my name, I.D. number and address above.
[ ] the last names and addresses on our address labels do not match. We have listed above the full names of all family members as they should appear on the national records, their I.D. numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy.

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

Mashíyyat B.E. 151 / September 27, 1994