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[Page 1]SHARAF B.E. 151/ DECEMBER 31, 1994 VOLUME 25, NUMBER 19

The American Bahá’í

Breakthroughs in teaching

Stalwart efforts confirmed

Renewed teaching effort is energizing communities across the nation and starting to pay off in enlistments under the banner of Bahá’u’lláh:

• A 43-day tour of four states by author Olya Roohizadegan has led to more than 100 declarations of faith. Most of the new believers had been attending firesides; Mrs. Roohizadegan’s inspiring account of Iranian Bahá’ís’ faith in the face of persecution was the final key to unlocking their hearts.
• The Washington State Teaching Committee kicks off its Launch ’95 campaign with a conference on January 28. (Call Celia Johnson, 206-377-1977.)
• Fourteen people, primarily Haitians and Jamaicans, in Key Largo, Florida, have enrolled in the Faith since October. The campaign is adding a second full-time teacher, and nearby communities are helping with consolidation.
• The Magdalene Carney Teaching Institute in Florida is raising community life to a new level with children’s and deepening classes, teacher training, and the formation of a Bahá’í Youth Workshop.
• A regular fireside in Pasadena, California, has enjoyed 22 declarations in recent weeks, while one in Portland, Oregon, conducted for and by youth, counts 19 new believers.

See TEACHING page 3

DETAILS IN NEXT ISSUE

Initiative reaping a harvest

By Tom Mennillo

Harvest time.

That’s how Ken Bowers, secretary of the National Teaching Committee, refers to the Louis G. Gregory/Magdalene M. Carney Teaching Initiative for “entry by troops” in the Hemingway, South Carolina, area.

And the results thus far bear witness: in the first month, about 35 people declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh.

The new campaign, built on the steady groundwork laid by the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute and Radio Bahá’í, has brought many Bahá’ís to the area for door-to-door teaching.

It has also intensified the Institute’s service to area residents while renewing personal contact with many Bahá’ís with whom the community has long been out of touch.

The idea for the project goes back to a meeting of the Institute’s Advisory Board with assistants to the Auxiliary Board.

Collaboration is key

A need was identified for more coordination with other institutions, such as the South Carolina Teaching Committee and the state’s local Spiritual Assemblies. A teaching project in the area covered by Radio Bahá’í also was discussed.

That thought stayed with the assistants. When Counselor Wilma Ellis held a weekend session for

See CAMPAIGN page 3

‘Vanguard of Dawning’

I went to a conference called “Vanguard of the Dawning” in Chicago on November 25-27. I went with my Dad, my Mom, and my sister.

I got to see the Bahá’í Gospel Choir sing beautiful songs, and I also got to see the Chicago Youth Workshop perform. At children’s classes I made an African doll. It was very fun.

Lots of people gave talks such as Counselors Wilma Ellis and Billy Roberts, and a lady named Joy Leary. I made lots of new friends.

Their names are Briavale, Kumba, Aiyana, Alicia and Bahiyyih. I played with them every day. They are very nice.

The meals there were good. There were lots and lots of people. There was very good singers there, and I enjoyed listening to them very much.

The purpose of the conference was to show respect to our black brothers and sisters and to also tell the world that they are “the pupil of the eye.” —Amia Yokoyama (age 8), Barrington, Illinois

Eight-year-old Amia Yokoyama (right) chats with one of her new friends, Briavale, at the ‘Vanguard of the Dawning’ Conference in Chicago.

4th Arjmand weekend held

The fourth colloquium on the study of sacred texts supported by the Haj Mehdi Arjmand Fellowship Trust Fund and organized by the Research Office of the Bahá’í National Center was held November 4-6 at the DePoort Conference Center in the Netherlands.

As recommended by the Continental Board of Counselors for Europe, the conference focused on the theme of “The Kitáb-i-Aqdas.” It drew more than 70 participants from 10 countries and heard 11 presentations.

The conference had a two-fold purpose: (1) addressing the greatness

See ARJMAND page 11

Believers make their ‘mark on Arc’

Editor’s note: A wave of ambitious, innovative Arc Project fund-raisers is rolling through the South. The event in Chattanooga, Tennessee, recounted here is representative of that increasing momentum.

By Tom Mennillo

As Carla and Ray Jeffords tell it, several local Spiritual Assembly members figuratively “passed out” when a goal of $200,000 for the Arc Projects during the Three Year Plan was suggested.

Could the Bahá’ís of Chattanooga and surrounding communities in southeastern Tennessee and northern Georgia reach within themselves to make that kind of sacrifice?

The answer, a resounding “yes,” came November 19, when contributions and pledges of almost $245,000 were tallied at a day-long “Destination Mount Carmel” fund-raising party.

The result didn’t surprise Mrs. Jeffords. Earlier in the day she had commented, “I have no doubt the money will be there, but the reason will be that we have all come together to make our mark on the Arc.”

William Allmart, fund development coordinator at the Bahá’í National Center and a speaker that evening, echoed Mrs. Jeffords’ remarks, observing:

“You can feel in the atmosphere that this is bringing the community together. In fact, people who have not been able to take part in a number of activities for some time have come for this event because of the spirit that has surrounded it.”

See SPIRIT page 10

A cheer is heard as Iraj Radpour announces that the Chattanooga-area Bahá’ís had surpassed their goal of $200,000 in contributions and pledges to the Arc Projects on Mount Carmel. Photo by Tom Mennillo. [Page 2]

86th National Convention to be held in Chicago

The Universal House of Justice wrote in its letter of May 19, 1994, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States:

"...the cooperation which must be fostered between your Assembly and the friends will depend significantly on the degree to which, with wise discretion, you share your concerns with the community. Your greatest opportunity for this is the annual National Convention, when the representatives of the entire community come together to consult with you."

In response to this guidance and in anticipation of the final and critical year of the Three Year Plan, the National Spiritual Assembly has decided to open the 86th Bahá’í National Convention to a larger number of visitors (about 1,800) than in recent years.

You are warmly invited to join the National Assembly and the assembled delegates at the upcoming National Convention, to be held next April 27-30 at the Bismarck Hotel in downtown Chicago. (Please see form for seating registration and hotel information.)

As a non-delegate visitor, you will have a chance to observe (although not take part in) the consultation between the delegates and the National Assembly. You will learn about the current state of the American Bahá’í community and many of the upcoming plans of the National Assembly. You will also have an opportunity to visit the House of Worship in Wilmette.

Agenda

The Convention opens (Thursday evening) with the seating of the delegates and the election of the Convention officers. The National Assembly then presents its annual report on the status of the American Bahá’í community. Most of the sessions before and after the election of the National Spiritual Assembly are devoted to consultation between the delegates and the National Assembly. The Convention closes about noon on Sunday.

Responsibilities of delegates

The 171 delegates to the Convention were elected at District Conventions held around the country this past October. The responsibilities of the delegates are to elect the National Assembly and to consult with it on matters of importance to the Faith.

Election

The Guardian instructed that the election of the National Spiritual Assembly is to be held at a point midway through the Convention, to give the incoming National Assembly an opportunity to consult with the delegates and to present the broad outlines of its plans for the coming year.

The National Spiritual Assembly is elected by plurality vote. The nine people who receive the highest number of votes cast by the delegates are elected.

Consultation

During the Convention, the delegates fulfill the functions of "...an enlightened, consultative and cooperative body that will enrich the experience, enhance the prestige, support the authority, and assist the deliberations of the National Spiritual Assembly." The recommendations made by the assembled delegates are, as the Guardian urged, given serious attention by the incoming National Assembly.

The deliberations and decisions of the Convention, however, are only advisory. The Guardian explained that the National Convention is a temporary gathering whose status is "limited in time to the convention sessions, the function of consultation at all other times being vested in the entire body of believers through the local Spiritual Assemblies."

Members of the National Spiritual Assembly are free to take part in discussions on the floor of the Convention and may offer suggestions or recommendations, but only those who are delegates may vote or be elected as Convention officers.

The delegates are asked, on their return home, to report back to their fellow believers on the accomplishments, decisions and aspirations of the Convention.

Convention Seating Registration

86th Bahá’í National Convention April 27-30, 1995 Chicago, Illinois

Last Name First Name Middle Initial Bahá’í I.D. #

• Please note: No children's classes or child care will be provided (see note below).

Mailing Address Street City Telephone State Zip

Will you be staying at the Bismarck Hotel? Yes No

The American Bahá’í is published 19 times a year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201. Second class postage paid at Evanston, IL, and additional mailing offices. ISSN Number: 1062-1113. Executive editor: Jack Bowers. Associate Editor: Tom Mennillo. The American Bahá’í welcomes news, letters and other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Bahá’í Faith. Articles should be clear and concise; color or black-and-white glossy photographs should be included whenever possible. Please address all materials and correspondence to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, Wilmette, IL 60091. Postmaster: Send address changes to Management Information Systems, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201. Copyright 1994 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

NOTE: This form registers you for Convention seating only. You must make hotel reservations directly with the Bismarck. Please phone 1-800-643-1500.

MAIL FORM TO: National Convention Seating Registration, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. For more information, phone the Office of the Secretary, 708-733-3529.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS must be made directly with the Bismark, 1-800-643-1500. To receive a reduced rate, please identify yourself as part of the Bahá’í National Convention. Reservations must be made by April 15, 1995.

ROOM RATES are $69 per room (1, 2, 3 or 4 people in a room). This is an exceptional rate for downtown Chicago, and we strongly encourage you to make your reservations at the Bismarck. Doing so will help the National Assembly keep down Convention costs by filling hotel room requirements. Cribs and rollaway beds are available on request for an additional fee.

SHARING ROOMS: The hotel will not find you a roommate. You must make your own arrangements.

TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM CHICAGO might be available at reduced rates; please check upcoming issues of The American Bahá’í or contact your travel agent.

CHILDREN: We strongly encourage you not to bring children to the Convention unless they are old enough to listen attentively in the visitor sessions with their parents, as there will be no children's classes or child care. We ask this for several reasons. First, the sessions are long—three full 13-hour days and two half-days—and it is difficult to provide meaningful programs for children for that length of time, and we have neither the financial or human resources necessary to provide a quality program. Also, the Convention will take place in the center of a large city, and although some security will be available, we cannot ensure the safety of children in that environment. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. [Page 3]

TOTAL ENROLLMENTS

November ................. 165

Year to date ............. 1335

THE FUND

(As of November 30, 1994)

	YTD Goal	YTD Actual
National Bahá’í Fund	$7,466,667	$5,444,056
International Bahá’í Fund		$281,794
Arc Projects Fund		$2,783,788
Continental Bahá’í Fund		$121,487
Other Earmarked		$211,361
Subtotal/Int’l Funds	$7,116,667	$3,398,430
Total/All Funds	$14,583,334	$8,842,486

	1993-94	1994-95
National Bahá’í Fund	$5,287,676	$5,444,056
International Bahá’í Fund	$464,698	$281,794
Arc Projects Fund	$1,358,196	$2,783,788
Continental Bahá’í Fund	$178,168	$121,487
Other Earmarked	$266,874	$211,361
Subtotal/Int’l Funds	$2,267,936	$3,398,430
Total/All Funds	$7,555,612	$8,842,486

National Bahá’í Fund

Where we are	$5,444,056
Where we need to be	$7,466,667

All International Funds

Where we are	$3,398,430
Where we need to be	$7,116,667

Arc Projects Fund

Where we are	$2,783,788
Where we were last year	$1,358,196

International Bahá’í Fund

Where we are	$281,794
Where we were last year	$464,698

Continental Bahá’í Fund

Where we are	$121,487
Where we were last year	$178,168

Campaign builds on foundation

Continued from page 1

them October 28-30, they committed themselves to undertake such a project.

In the ensuing weeks, the assistants have been teaching every weekend, especially in nearby Donnally. And they are increasingly being joined in the field by other Bahá’ís.

A letter to all Spiritual Assemblies in South Carolina has brought teachers from around the state—many of them veterans of teaching the masses.

Two visitors from the Native American Bahá’í Institute also have been enlisted. The school holidays are expected to bring many youth to the teaching effort as well. Bahá’í Youth Workshops from South Carolina and North Carolina plan to spend a weekend proclaiming the Faith in the area.

Message touches hearts

The message is being well received, says Charles Bullock, director of the Gregory Institute.

“These teachers are finding that while it is important to teach that Bahá’u’lláh brought love and unity between the races, seekers are more ‎interest interested‎ in knowing what Bahá’u’lláh has brought that can improve the conditions of their lives,” he says, “especially having the solutions to solve the problems that their children and youth face today.”

As a result, Mr. Bullock says, “their interest in children’s classes and the Youth Workshop is growing. The Institute is now having worship services each Sunday, hosted by neighboring Assemblies.”

Calls to Radio Bahá’í also are growing, he says, and regular radio programs are using more and more of the Creative Word.

Music enhances services

The time of Sunday worship was set to coincide with church services to draw a distinction that “it’s not something to do along with church,” but is worship itself, says Mr. Bullock.

The spirit attendees feel at the worship services has been greatly enhanced by the heavenly music of the newly formed Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Choir, which Eric Dozier of Durham, North Carolina, comes regularly to conduct.

The choir made its debut at St. Paul AME Church in the presence of more than 300 people from 15 area churches. The audience, says Mr. Bullock, “had a still calm” as the multi-ethnic choir of adults and children marched to the front of the church singing We Are Building the Kingdom of God!

According to Mr. Bullock, the emcee commented on Radio Bahá’í in his introduction and praised the significance of the words of the songs that were sung.

“Members of the Bahá’í choir were especially ecstatic,” Mr. Bullock says, “as they recognized relatives and friends in the audience and saw for the first time that the Faith was being accepted on an equal basis with other churches.”

(Further evidence of the Faith’s greater standing in the community came from a man visited by the teachers. He said that his Baptist congregation had just finished studying the Faith and concluded that many of its ‎belief’s beliefs‎ are ones that are held in common.)

The choir elevated spirits also at the celebration of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh at the Institute, sponsored jointly by the neighboring Assemblies of Donnally, Williamshill, Johnsonville and Georgetown.

More than 60 people heard the significance of the occasion explained.

Also on the program was the enrollment of new believers. When the time came, two tables were placed in front of the audience, one for 14 years old and younger and one for 15 and older.

Adults and parents of children and youth came forward and enrolled while Mr. Dozier “played the piano and sang to enlighten the souls,” says Mr. Bullock. “Nineteen people accepted their Lord.”

Consolidation under way

Teachers are visiting the homes of declarants to aid in their deepening and to help incorporate them into the life of the Bahá’í community. This is especially important, says Mr. Bullock, in the case of children and youth whose parents are not Bahá’ís.

Many visits also have been paid to friends who enrolled in the Faith 15 to 20 years ago.

“All were happy to be back in contact with [the Bahá’ís],” Mr. Bullock says. They typically related to visitors stories of how they were introduced to the Faith, gave the names of their teachers, and expressed their appreciation for Radio Bahá’í.

These longtime believers also said they have been sustained over the years by the news they receive in The American Bahá’í, he says. “That has been the single most consistent comment heard in this process.”

The Institute’s visibility in the wider community is being heightened apace. Recently, staffers met with the mayor of Hemingway and a state representative to share what resources the Institute and Radio Bahá’í can bring to residents. The two officials also were given copies of the peace statement.

Teaching activity reaching new levels

Continued from page 1

• Bahá’ís from El Paso, Texas, have helped their brothers and sisters in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, bring about 45 new believers into the Faith in 1994.

• The Woodburn, Oregon, community’s long-term effort to serve the needs of seasonal workers has resulted in 20 declarations this year. Information on the declarants is being shared with the National Spiritual Assembly of Mexico.

• A teaching campaign in Chamblee, Georgia, that enrolled about 100 Vietnamese and Cambodian immigrants has entered a new phase in which the new believers are being trained in teaching and in administration of the community’s affairs.

• The far-reaching campaign Southwest Institute for Teaching Christians has galvanized communities in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and elsewhere to share the healing message through correspondence with clergy and “open letters” to laity.

All of the above initiatives serve to demonstrate the American Bahá’í community’s commitment to achieving entry by troops, said Ken Bowers, secretary of the National Teaching Committee.

In fact, teaching activity has accelerated throughout the Three Year Plan, he said, but results have been frustratingly slow in coming.

Of the approximately 3,500 Bahá’í communities in the United States, only 211 have had more than one enrollment in the past year.

Only now, he said, are communities starting to find the right balance between proclamation and direct teaching.

It’s that maturity that promises to yield the kind of victories for which we all yearn. [Page 4]

House of Justice announces opportunity in Vietnam

On November 1, the Universal House of Justice announced a unique opportunity in Vietnam: "...the Government of Vietnam and the representative of the Bahá’í International Community have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which provides for the Bahá’ís to supply Vietnam with 50 teachers of English for five years. Although our contract with the Government of Vietnam is for five years, volunteers need serve only one, to be replaced with new volunteers as necessary. ..."

"These teachers will be under the direction of the Government and will be sent to various localities throughout the country. The Government of Vietnam will provide accommodations and some small assistance, such as a bicycle for each."

This opportunity has been given the highest priority at this time. The Office of Pioneering encourages adults and youth to take part.

"The House of Justice anticipates that many youth could be available for a year to undertake this service. Volunteers need not be highly qualified as teachers of English; an educated person with an aptitude for teaching and whose mother tongue is English may be quite acceptable, assisted ideally by a short course on teaching English as a second language."

We urge you to act without hesitation or delay. Let us know whether you are able to rise to this exciting challenge. Contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. (Phone 708-733-3508; fax 708-733-3509; e-mail

This photo was submitted by the principal of the Enoch Olinga Memorial Institute in Monrovia, Liberia. The first kindergarten graduation at this institute was held last May 15.

Overseas

Upcoming events, activities

Australia: Now through February 26, 1995: Collis Featherstone Teaching Project, designed to initiate the process of entry by troops.

Albania/Bulgaria/Romania: A European Regional Bahá’í Conference with the theme "Fostering a united clarity of vision: challenges of the rapid expansion and consolidation of the Faith in the Balkans" and with focus on the "possibilities and needs of Albania, Bulgaria and Romania" will be hosted by the Bahá’í community of Albania from June 29-July 2, 1995.

Cyprus: In furthering their goal of reaching people of capacity during the Three Year Plan, the National Spiritual Assembly of Cyprus has invited Bahá’ís who are experts in specific fields (such as education, medicine, history, etc.) for short visits. The intent is to organize special events to which such Cypriots of capacity may be invited. Bahá’ís planning their pilgrimage may wish to consider stopping in Cyprus in conjunction with their trip.

Tanzania: At least 24 traveling teachers and several short- and long-term pioneers (including Bahá’í Youth Service Corps volunteers) are needed as soon as possible to help with all aspects of the teaching work. The National Spiritual Assembly of Tanzania notes that "entry by troops has started in one area of Tanzania and is on the verge of starting in many other areas. We are working on...bringing in whole groups of people. ..."

Cyprus invites Bahá’í professionals to visit island

In furthering its goal of reaching people of capacity during the Three Year Plan, The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Cyprus has invited Bahá’ís from the U.S. who are experts in specific fields of knowledge (such as education, medicine, history, etc.) to visit that Mediterranean island. The intent is to organize special events to which such Cypriots of capacity may be invited. Bahá’ís planning their pilgrimage should consider stopping in Cyprus in conjunction with their trip. Please contact the Office of Pioneering for more information.

Service Corps volunteers, youth pioneers are needed

Veteran Bahá’í Youth Service Corps volunteers, youth pioneers, and Army of Light participants are urgently needed to help raise up and prepare increasing numbers of youth pioneers and traveling teachers.

If you have served in one of the ways mentioned above during the last 10 years, would you be willing to help:

• tell youth about service opportunities at a booth during the "Army of Light Boot Camp: National Conference for Preparing the Soldiers" in December?
• draft articles on a variety of topics related to youth service for The Banner, The American Bahá’í, or Be Magazine?
• co-facilitate a training institute for Bahá’í Youth Service Corps volunteers in your area or at one of the Bahá’í schools?
• serve as a regional contact person for youth interested in service in the U.S. or abroad?
• speak about the urgency for and rewards of youth service, teaching or pioneering?
• help the Office of Pioneering and the National Teaching Office in other ways to raise and prepare youth for service?
• think of other ways to raise up or prepare youth for service? Some ideas I have are __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please check off one or more items above and mail or fax this form to the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Fax 708-733-3509 or phone 708-733-3511.

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 set 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).

If you have traveled internationally, please return this form to: Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. If you have traveled 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: ___________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

[Page 5]

The Life-blood

Stories of giving: a spiritual process in action

The wonderful prayer for the Fund revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that we have in the prayer book places the act of giving to the Bahá’í Funds in clear perspective: it is a spiritual process.

What are some of the ways the friends over the years have understood the process of giving? These accounts are gratefully borrowed, unless otherwise noted, from Gloria Faizi's book, Stories about Bahá’í Funds.

"O God, my lovers..." God! Illumine the brows of Thy true

When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was in America, a friend said to Him, "My Master, I wish to give a great gift and I wish to assist in some material way."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá said to the interpreter, "Why does she not build the Mashriq’l-Adhkár?

The interpreter said, "Will you permit me to tell her this?"

‘Abdu’l-Bahá replied, "No, she must know it in her heart."

"Set firm their feet on Thy straight path..."

A believer came into an inheritance and wanted to make a sizable contribution from those funds. Her mother, however, was worried that the Faith was a cult whose only interest in her daughter was her money. Perplexed, this young friend wrote and asked for advice.

The reply indicated that since Bahá’u’lláh's purpose was to create unity, it was unthinkable that obedience to one of His laws should provoke disagreement; the young woman was counseled to have patience, and reassured that Bahá’u’lláh surely would know what was in her heart.

By return mail came another letter, this time with a check, and the news that the woman's mother was so moved by the obvious nobility of the response that not only should the daughter make her gift, but her mother wanted to learn about the Faith! (from a 1991 case)

"...for they are OUR LITTLE BAKER expending on Thy pathway what Thou hast bestowed upon them..."

A woman wrote: "There are about 20 ways in which we could spend a given dollar these days without being convicted of extravagance. But, as my husband said last month, 'When we deprive ourselves, it is a small matter, even if it means serious personal discomfort; if we deprive the Mashriq’l-Adhkár, the whole race will be deprived of the wonderful lessons it is going to teach.'"

"...safeguarding Thy Faith..."

This is going to be a sad story.

Some Bahá’ís were on pilgrimage in the days of the Guardian. They were so moved by the beauty of the Shrines and the gardens around them that they asked the Guardian if they could do something special for the Faith while they were on pilgrimage.

They begged the Guardian to allow them to make a financial contribution toward the expansion of the gardens around the Shrines. The Guardian finally gave his consent and said there was a piece of land on Mount Carmel that needed to be immediately purchased. He told them the price and they excitedly assured him they could afford the full amount. They would send the money, they said, as soon as they reached home.

The Guardian waited but the money never arrived. When he finally decided to buy the land himself, the price had gone up to many times its original value.

War had broken out in x and the Bahá’ís there were unable to fulfill their pledge to the Guardian.

The friends in the neighboring country of y, who had met their own target, decided to send an extra sum of money on behalf of the Bahá’ís of x for the International Fund. With the utmost detachment, each gave what he could and the total amounted to $200,000.

Later, when communications were restored, they came to know that the Bahá’ís in x had pledged $500,000 to the World Center, out of which they had sent $300,000 before the war started. The amount the friends in y had donated on their behalf was the exact sum needed to fulfill their pledge.

"...putting their trust in their remembrance of Thee..."

A 10-year-old girl from New Hampshire wrote: "Bahá’ís...I have 3 pennies and 1 nickel I want to give one of those...I like being a Bahá’í."

From a letter to the Office of the Treasurer: "Enclosed you will find a gold filling, which the dentist took out a little while ago. Things are kind of tight right now—we don't always have grocery money and this is the only thing of value I had right now and I wanted to give it. Maybe things will get better soon."

"...offering up their hearts for love of Thee..."

In 1952, when the Bahá’ís of Iran received the Guardian's message calling on them to contribute toward the construction of the superstructure of the Shrine of the Báb, generous contributions immediately started reaching the National Assembly from all over the country.

The Bahá’ís in Tehran were asked to take their donations to their National Center, or Hazíratu’l-Quds, which was situated in the extreme north of the city.

This was in the heart of an extremely severe winter when thick snow lay on the ground and there were no proper means of transport. The situation, however, did not stop the constant flow of Bahá’ís who came to the Center to offer their contributions....

The response from the Bahá’ís of Iran was so great that after some time the Guardian sent a cable to the National Assembly informing it that enough had been received for the construction of the Shrine, and that no more donations were to be collected.

The news was conveyed to the friends who came with their contributions after the Guardian's cable was received, but they begged the national treasurer, many with tears in their eyes, not to refuse their contributions.

One older woman, in particular, wept so bitterly that the treasurer did not have the heart to refuse her money. He said he would keep it until instructions were received from the Holy Land.

In the end, the National Assembly was obliged to cable the Guardian and beg him to accept the extra donations for the buildings to be constructed later on Mount Carmel. [Page 6]

Shoghi Effendi: Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith

The Sign of God On Earth VT $33.00#

This video recounts the life of the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi Rabbání, from his birth March 1, 1987, through his passing to the Abhá Kingdom on November 5, 1957. Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum shares with us her experience and vivid memories of the lifetime of the beloved Guardian. This remarkable moving history is presented in the following segments: Birth of the Guardian; The Guardian in Switzerland; Carmel, the Mountain of God; The Writings of Shoghi Effendi; Shoghi Effendi and the Greatest Holy Leaf; The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh; The Guardian's Attraction to Art and Music; Happiness From Servants of the Faith; The Pilgrim Table; and The Passing of the Guardian. Also featured are rare photos and a film of the beloved Guardian.

43 minutes Badlyan Productions, Inc.

WORLD CITIZENSHIP

World Citizenship A Global Ethic for Sustainable Development PA $1.00

This concept paper was prepared for the recent session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. It proposes that fostering the concept of world citizenship is an extremely practical way to promote sustainable development. It recommends the incor-poration of this principle into education programs and public awareness campaigns aimed at promoting sustainable development and suggests how this might be accomplished. Ideal for use with World Federalists, UN associations, educational agencies, non-governmental organizations, and groups planning activities to com-memorate the 50th anniversary of the United Nations.

10pp., 8-1/2" x 11" Bahá’í International Commmunity

Dimensions in Spirituality

Reflections on the Meaning of Spiritual Life and Transformation in Light of the Bahá’í Faith by J.A. McLean SC $21.95

Dimensions in Spirituality offers the reader personal reflections and analysis of the writings of the Bahá’í Faith, combined with insights gleaned from spiritual psychology, philosophical theology, and the world's religions in order to map out dimensions in spirituality. The author offers to the contemporary seeker insights into the search for truth, the meaning of prophetic faith and belief, prayer and medi-tation, finding meaning in adversity, the meaning of spirituality and transformation, the place of divine and human love in spiritual life, and the dynamics of spiritual growth.

6" x 9-1/4", 336 pages, contents, acknowledgements, foreword, Introduction, conclusion, appendix, bibliograpghy, notes & references, index George Ronald, Publisher

Love

Jewels From the Words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá SC $5.95

An inexpensive gift book cre-ated to empower the friends to share the Faith in a beautiful and dignified way. Love is a col-lection of the inspiring words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Love is printed on fine paper and features large print and specially commis-sioned photographs. A wonder-ful gift for any occasion. The short but profound extracts are easy to read and memorize, and will be welcomed by those who seek spiritual guidance, com-fort, and inspiration.

5-7/8" x 5-7/8", 48pp., photographs Bahá’í Publishing Trust - United Kingdom

Freefalling

by Red Grammer CD $15.00 CS $10.00

This recording for adults exquis-itely captures Red Grammer's ex-hilarating, soulful voice on eleven very special songs, nine of which are self-penned or collaborative efforts with Kathy Grammer. Brav-ing his busy touring schedule, Red and his co-producer, John Guth, have crafted a work that carries a unique power to lift the heart, de-light the spirit, and challenge the soul. The combination of Red's stunning vocal ability and the Grammers' magnificent songs make this recording a listening experience no one should miss.

45 minutes Red Note Records

FREE NO Red Grammer Hold Me Tonight These Are The Times 11lave Seen Sortow Clona Be Love Tonight's A Night For Love Free Falling Leader Of The Band Here's To You Rounders You Think I'm Crazy Lonely For You One Family

Friendship

Jewels From the Words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá SC $5.95

Friendship is a collection of the inspiring words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on the theme of friendship. Friendship is printed on fine pa-per and features large print and specially commissioned photo-graphs. A wonderful gift for any occasion. The Master's words demonstrate the meaning of true friendship: that we should ex-press our good will in deeds not words, should overlook the faults of others, and should be ready to sacrifice all for our friends.

5-7/8" x 5-7/8", 48pp., photographs Bahá’í Publishing Trust - United Kingdom

The Story of Riaz Redfin

by Jennifer Lemon SC $4.95

The Story of Riaz Redfin is the story of a shy young fish who finds self-confidence. Riaz is miserable, lonely, and shy on his first day of school but learns that there are advantages to being small and he can do things bigger fish can not. The Story of Riaz Redfin is part of a series of books that uses stories about animals to impart simple values and models for ethical behavior while entertaining children. Ideally suited for children ages 2-7.

10" x 8-1/4", 12pp. Bahá’í Publications Australia

1995 Calendars Are Available

Multifaith Calendar-$9.50 Bahá’í History Calendar-$7.50 Bahá’í Wall Calendar-$2.95 Bahá’í Datebook-$2.95 Bahá’í Pocket Calendar 10/pk.-$2.25 [Page 7]

GOD PASSES BY

COMING SPRING '95

RESERVE YOUR COPIES TODAY "MASTER KEY" HARDCOVER $13.00#

Songs of the Ancient Beauty Vol. II

conducted by Tom Price CD $17.00# CS $11.95#

Since its release in 1992, Songs of the Ancient Beauty has become one of the most popular recordings in Bahá’í history. Volume II contains an entirely new collection of a capella (unaccompanied) choral music set to the writings of the faith. The recording contains an outstanding collection of music in English, Persian, French, Arabic, and Hindi by such composers as Ravi Shankar, Graham Major, Tom Price, Niki Manavi and others. The professional quality of this recording makes it suitable for radio broadcasts and other proclamation purposes as well as for feasts, holy days, and other Bahá’í gatherings. One of the finest Bahá’í recordings available today.

50 min. Global Music Inc.

Marrying Smart

A Practical Guide for Attracting Your Mate by Kalyn Wolf Gibbens SC $10.95

In Marrying Smart, the author asks readers to investigate and take action on various aspects of the mating game. Readers will ask themselves why they want to get married, declare their wedding date, begin to create their future by taking responsibility for their past, discover the qualities they bring to a relationship, find the trust it takes to have faith in the universe, and marry smart. Intended primarily for an adult, non-Bahá’í audience, the book offers frank, no-nonsense advice about preparing for marriage. Not recommended for youth.

5-1/2" x 8-1/2", 117pp., contents, foreword, suggested reading, Index Just Your Type Publishing & Marketing

New Videotape on the Arc and the Terraces

Projects on Mount Carmel

Within the heart of this planet hes the Most Holy Land cdainedly Asluba the Nest of the Prophets Within this Most Holy Land ris the Mountain of Cal of immemorial canctity the Vinegard of the Land..." a perspective on four years of developments of the projects of the Arc and the Terraces on Mount Carmel 1990-1994

Vineyard of the Lord A Perspective on Four Years of Developments of the Projects of the Arc and Terraces on Mount Carmel VT NTSC (U.S. VERSION) $23.00 VT PAL $25.00 VT SECAM $25.00

Vineyard of the Lord brings alive the exciting developments taking place in the very heart of God's Holy Mountain, from the commencement of the projects of the Arc and Terraces in 1990 until the present time. It contains valuable, detailed, and current information on the designs and the construction of the projects. It includes interviews with Mr. Husayn Amanat, architect of the Arc buildings, and Mr. Fariburz Sahba, designer of the Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb. Vineyard of the Lord is beautifully packaged with a full-color jacket and hard case. Please specify desired format when ordering.

45 minutes The Universal House of Justice

Order Information

SHIP TO DAYTIME TELEPHONE ( )

PAYMENT METHOD -CASH -CHECK -CHARGE ($10.00 MINIMUM-VISA, MASTER, AMEX) EXPIRATION DATE.

ITEM QUANTITY COST

FOR ORDERS SHIPPED OUTSIDE THE U.S., PLEASE ADD 15% (MIN. $3.00) TOTAL TENNESSEE RESIDENTS PLEASE ADD 7.75% SALES TAX

Bahá’í Distribution Service 5397 Wilbanks Dr., Hixson, TN 37343 1-800-999-9019 Fax: 1-615-843-0836 Internet: [Page 8]

Classifieds

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

Service Opportunities

THE BOSCH Bahá’í School has an immediate opening for a Youth Service Corps worker. We will accept applicants who wish to serve from three months up to a year or more for their room and board. Applicants must have their own medical coverage, if possible. Work at the school includes maintenance, food services, work in the Bookshop/Café or training to conduct children's classes. Please contact the school by phone (408-423-3387) or fax (408-423-7564).

THE LOUHELEN Bookstore Cafe and Twin Oaks Dining Room are new additions to the operation of the Louhelen Bahá’í School. Both offer improved service to those attending sessions at the school as well as to members of the general public. More volunteer staff are needed for these two operations. In particular, mature youth or adults are sought who are pursuing training or have career experience in the restaurant or hotel industries or other food service/ hospitality-related professions. The possibility of internships exists for students who would wish to explore such options. While no cash stipends are available, full room and board are offered for those accepted to serve. Length of service is flexible, with service opportunities ranging from a few weeks to a year or more. For an application, contact Mrs. Penny Schmicker, volunteer services manager, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423. Phone 810-653-5033; fax 810-653-8850; INTERNET

Pioneering (Homefront)

YOU ARE INVITED to help maintain an active Assembly on the lovely Monterey Peninsula in California. Our community needs 1-2 active believers to preserve its Assembly status at Ridván. We can offer one of the finest environments for rural suburban living on the West Coast in a low-density residential area with rolling hills and beautiful open spaces only minutes from the Pacific Ocean. Nearby are two community colleges, California State University, Monterey bay, and the Monterey Institute for International Studies. The area offers a variety of employment opportunities in tourism, education, agriculture and publishing. A large Spanish-speaking population lives in the nearby Salinas Valley. We will help in your job search and relocation. For more information, please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Toro and Laguna Seca, P.O. Box 422, Salinas, CA 93902.

HELP RAISE a Spiritual Assembly in Campo, California, where there is one other Bahá’í family. Campo has clean water, fresh air, mountain living. For information, please contact David Var-ner, Campo, CA 91906-2015.

MORE THAN 50,000 souls are waiting in New Rochelle, New York, for you to guide them to Bahá’u’lláh. New Rochelle, a goal city of the Three Year Plan, is only 15 minutes from the City of the Covenant. Ample employment opportunities in any profession within an easy commute. All three of the Bahá’ís in the ethnically and racially diverse city of New Rochelle invite you to join them in arising to win an exciting victory for the Three Year Plan. Temporary lodging available. For loving support for your move, please write to the Bahá’í Group of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY 10801-1603, or phone 914-654-0146. Temporary low-cost housing may be available for individuals who relocate.

GILROY, California, the garlic capital of the world, has lost its Assembly and invites two (or more) homefront pioneers to help maintain its status. The community is active, the Assembly united. Gilroy retains its rural ambience although it is evolving into a suburban status. Most employment opportunities are in San Jose, 30 miles away. It's an especially attractive place for those who are interested in teaching Spanish-speaking people, as Gilroy's population is about one-half Hispanic. For more information, please write to Lou Hassan, Gilroy, CA 95020, or phone 408-847-2161.

HELP SAVE our Assembly! Kenosha, Wisconsin, a city blessed by the presence of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, needs homefront pioneers. Kenosha offers many opportunities—the University of Wisconsin/Parkside; Carthage College; Gateway Technical Institute, plus many job openings, low-cost housing, and equal access to Chicago and Milwaukee, both within 50 miles. For more information, write to the Bahá’ís of Kenosha, P.O. Box 4072, Kenosha, WI 53143, or phone Denise Behm-Rattigan, 414-657-7413, or Paul Voelz, 414-654-7814.

Pioneering (Overseas)

EMPLOYMENT opportunities overseas. AFRICA: Kenya—technical writer/ editor responsible for preparing family planning technical documents for publication and dissemination. Tanzania—English/ESL teacher, primary care nurses, public health nurses, medical doctors, laboratory technician for Burundi and Rwandan refugee camps. Uganda—park adviser for Rwenzori Mountains Conservation and Development Project. ASIA: Japan—teachers. Vietnam English teachers. Korea—ESL/linguistics teacher. EUROPE: Croatia—mental health program director, financial manager, grant manager. Czech Republic—English instructors. Hungary—chief archivist for Historic Archives, assistant archivist/Samizdat curator, reference librarians. Latvia—business opportunities. Russia—English teacher. MULTI-REGIONAL: finance & administration officers needed by UN World Food Program; university faculty for courses offered on U.S. military bases; secretary for a non-governmental agencies' network for international advocacy on humanitarian response. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette IL 60091 (phone 708-733-3512; fax 708-733-3509).

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: Frank Warner (died Loudonville, OH, 1954), Alfredo Warsaw (died Washington, DC, ca. 1939), Louise Washington, Martha Washington, Ida L. Watson (died Chicago, IL, ca. 1941), Marie A. Watson and Emma Clarence Wear. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708-869-9039).

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 position:

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).

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking copies of the following books by Bahá’u’lláh in good or excellent condition: Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh (cloth 1946, 1948, 1956, 1963, 1976). Anyone having copies they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Wanted

WANTED: by Rebecca Wideman, librarian at the Louhelen Bahá’í School: a copy of the book Sunburst by Lorel Schopflocher; also, copies of the July 1936 and January 1937 issues of Bahá’í News. If anyone knows where they can be found, or is able to supply copies, please contact Mrs. Wideman at 890-653-5033, or write to her at 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423.

THE RACISM Just Undo It task force of United Endeavors Inc. (a non-profit group) is seeking to build a "Unity in Diversity" data bank of educational materials for children, youth and adults (anti-racist, anti-bias, multi-cultural). Items might include complete teaching programs, newsletters, magazines, books, leaflets, T-shirts, catalogs, audios and videos. Please send items or order forms to RJUI, P.O. Box 1103 Cooper Station, New York, NY 10276 (phone 212-465-3150).

RED GRAMMER is undertaking a recording project (sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Beacon, New York) and is looking for original songs with Bahá’í themes written by children (ages 14 years and under). Please send your name, age, address and telephone number with a (non-returnable) cassette recording of your song and lyric sheet to Laurie Early, c/o BIC, Suite 120, 866 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017.

THE STATE Teaching Committees for California are seeking to gather an electronic mail address for every community in the state. Could all communities decide on one or two representatives and e-mail the name(s) to spuroshotma @scuacc.scu.edu. The list will then be made available to communities and serve as a way to increase intercommunity communication and lessen its cost.

BRILLIANT Star magazines needed for teaching children. Am looking for back issues: all of 1990-92 and the January-February 1993 issue. I recently completed the Core Curriculum program and would like to use these magazines in our teaching efforts. I will be happy to pay fourth-class postage. Thank you. D. Miller, P.O. Box 6002, Colorado Springs, CO 80834.

WANTED by Bahá’í pioneers and schools: books and other reading materials (Bahá’í, general fiction and non-fiction, dictionaries, etc. for all ages). No college textbooks are needed. For the names of pioneers and schools that need donations, please write to Vonnie Lincoln, Lyons, OR 97358, or phone 503-859-2390 (evenings). Please DO NOT send books to me.

Items Available

"ABOUT the United Nations" is an exciting new educational series designed to guide students through the complex problems of a changing world. Seven individual programs, each consisting of a short documentary video and teaching guide, introduce young people to the wide reach of the UN's work as it responds to these global challenges. Through stories, interviews and case studies, the series teaches students how seemingly remote issues can affect their own lives. If ordered before March 18, 1995, any of the seven programs in the series can be purchased for $14.95, which is one-half the regular price. Orders or inquiries should be sent to United Nations Publications, Sales Section, Room DC2-853, Dept. 022D, New York, NY 10017 (phone 212-963-8302 or 800-253-9646; fax 212-963-3489; e-mail

Youth

YOUTH: dance for the Faith full-time! A new full-time Bahá’í Workshop started in September in western Michigan. We're looking for young people with performing experience to travel to Michigan and dedicate a significant amount of time to service with the workshop. Room and board are provided. For more information, please contact Sean Wolfe, Grand Rapids, MI 49506-5359 (phone 616-452-5324).

Miscellaneous

BAHÁ’Í WOMEN who are textile artists are invited to take part in a worldwide campaign to exhibit the works of Bahá’í women at the fourth World Conference on Women to be held in Beijing, China, in 1995. The project is being coordinated by Vicki Hu Poirier on behalf of the Bahá’í International Community Office for the Advancement of Women. Works can include weaving, embroidery (small pieces), batik, surface painting, shisha work, appliqué, lace work or any other art form that uses fabric. Individual works from Bahá’í women around the world will be put together into a tapestry by Mrs. Poirier. Artists are asked to send their contributions to Mrs. Poirier at Las Cruces, NM 88001. (Note: works must be received by the end of February 1995.) [Page 9]

Young Bahá’ís score success in Portugal

Following this summer’s “Shaping Europe” conference in Barcelona, Spain, Bahá’í teaching groups traveled throughout Portugal with resounding success. Groups of four to eight young Bahá’ís taught in Almada, Braga, Coimbra, Portalegre, Sintra and Viana del Castelo. Many of the 30 or more participants spent their entire summer vacation in the campaign. A highlight came when one of the groups organized a series of gatherings based on the “Shaping Europe” conferences for their non-Bahá’í peers, 30 of whom took part. Besides excellent coverage in the press and on radio, the teams report the enrollment so far of 15 new Bahá’ís.

A two-week teaching campaign in memory of the late Jim Sutherland, a Bahá’í from St. Vincent, was held May 18-June 2 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Among those taking part were five Bahá’ís from the U.S. The teaching teams visited three major banks, presenting literature that included copies of the statement on Bahá’u’lláh, the Bahá’í International Community’s statement on world citizenship, and the compilation entitled “The True Foundation of All Economics.” The Bahá’ís also visited schools and held four public meetings including a gathering at the University Center whose topic was “Child Education.” During the campaign, 24 people were enrolled in the Faith.

The National Teaching Committee of the Congo Republic recently organized teaching campaigns for young people in the country’s northern area. The youth traveled in groups of three or four to various regions, spending four to five days in each village. “When we enter these villages,” says a report from the youth, “we hear the children’s cry of ‘Alláh’u’Abhá,’ loud and clear. Not only have the children learned these prayers and songs, but their mothers also help them in singing. A spiritual atmosphere has been created in these villages, and we have succeeded in forming two Assemblies in these areas.”

On October 1, the King of Buganda, Sabasajja Ronald Mutebi Muwenda, paid an official visit to the Bahá’í House of Worship in Kampala, Uganda. His Royal Highness was greeted by the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly and introduced to Edith Senoga, a member of the Continental Board of Counselors who welcomed him and spoke about the visit of his uncle to the dedication of the Temple in 1961. His Highness was taken to the House of Worship, where two prayers were recited, then escorted outside to a reception and presented with copies of Prayers and Meditations of Bahá’u’lláh, “The Promise of World Peace,” the statement on Bahá’u’lláh, and a Bahá’í prayer book.

On October 15, more than 100 Bahá’ís gathered in Villawood, Sydney, Australia, to launch the Collis Featherstone Teaching Project. Among those present were Counselor Violette Haake; Arini Jones, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly; two Auxiliary Board members, and the members of the National Youth Committee. The campaign, which began in November and is to continue to February 1995, includes the mobilization of 120 traveling teachers.

Another teaching campaign devoted to Mr. Featherstone’s memory was begun in October in northern Cyprus. The campaign is to be carried out “vigorously” and “systematically,” say its organizers, to win the goals of the Three Year Plan. During the Cyprus autumn school October 15-16, participants took part in a teaching visit to Guzelyurt, where a married couple was enrolled in the Faith.

The President of Kiribati, Teburoro Tito, attended the opening ceremonies October 21 for the Ocean of Light Bahá’í Conference in Bikenibeu, South Tarawa, for promoting entry by troops. The President said that he and his government support the work of the Bahá’ís because he believes that Bahá’í initiatives are undertaken not only for the religion, but to improve the lot of the people of Kiribati and the nation as a whole. The President and Vice-President and their wives were given copies of “The Promise of World Peace” and the statement on Bahá’u’lláh as a part of the ceremony. The daily sessions were attended by more than 100 Bahá’ís including Elena Marsella, the Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for Kiribati; Counselors Ben Ayala and Betra Majmeto; representatives of 11 islands in Kiribati; and guests from four other countries.

Through the efforts of S.M. Goswami, a Bahá’í lawyer with the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, “Bahá’í Laws” has been approved as a topic for study at the University of Dhaka, the country’s most prestigious school of higher learning. Mr. Goswami is the author of the booklet “Bahá’í Family Law,” which has been widely distributed in judicial circles in Bangladesh, and 5,000 copies of which have been printed by the University of Dhaka.

Twenty-three non-Bahá’í dignitaries were among those who attended a reception August 15 in Prague, Czech Republic, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Faith. Among the special guests were the Ambassadors of Israel and Nigeria to the Czech Republic, representatives from the Austrian and Italian embassies, the head of the Fulbright Commission to the Czech Management Center, and heads of various departments of Charles University in Prague.

Following its first performance and workshops at the Youth Institute and summer school held in July in Kumamoto, Japan, the Ryogen-no-hi Dance Workshop went on a proclamation tour of western Japan, using dance, music and drama to teach the Faith. The Workshop presented 13 performances in Kakogawa, Himeji and Nagasaki. Many young people attended the firesides that followed each performance, and were deeply affected by them.

An institute for teachers of Bahá’í children’s classes was held July 14-17 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Nineteen teachers representing nine local Spiritual Assemblies attended. Also present were 23 guests including six members of the National Spiritual Assembly and two Auxiliary Board members.

The Baku North University in Azerbaijan has given the Bahá’í community its permission to present a section on the Faith in the course entitled “History of Religions.” The presentation is to include not only the history of the Faith but also its teachings and principles. The university officials have also asked the Bahá’ís to help them operate the school in a way that would be of high quality and meet world standards.

The first Bahá’í Children’s Camp organized by the Bahá’í community of Chiayi, Taiwan, was held July 10-14. Of the 124 participants, 117 were non-Bahá’í children.

Joyce Bensch, a traveling teacher from the U.S., conducts a Bahá’í children’s class in Plapaya, a Garifuna Indian village on the northern coast of Honduras.

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, 1401 Warnall Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90402 (phone 310-394-5449).
• Dr. Daryush Haghighi, 19825 West River Road, 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, 19825 West River Road, Rocky River, OH 44116.

St. Louis Bahá’ís take part in UN-sponsored Children’s Sabbath

On October 15, the Public Information Office of the Spiritual Assembly of St. Louis, Missouri, took part with the Interfaith Partnership of St. Louis and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in an observance of the Children’s Sabbath, an annual event sponsored by the UN to inform the public about problems children around the world are facing today and to offer solutions. About 100 people attended the event at Forest Park Community College.

Four days later, religious leaders from the St. Louis area were guests of the Public Information Office at a celebration of the Birth of the Báb. A pamphlet on the Báb was prepared and distributed, and a lively discussion about His life and teachings was held. [Page 10]

In the spirit of sacrifice

Continued from page 1

That spirit was fostered in a series of presentations and communications throughout an 11-week period leading up to the event.

The Jeffords and many others throughout the South had been invited to Asheville, North Carolina, in late August for training by Mel Thomason, who had taken part in an extraordinarily successful Arc fund-raiser there and was asked by the National Spiritual Assembly to help carry out the program.

Upon their return, the couple consulted with the Spiritual Assemblies of Chattanooga and Hamilton County and with Auxiliary Board member Mary K. Radpour and her assistants. The goal of $200,000 was unanimously adopted by the “revived” Assembly members and a committee was put together.

Preparations ensued on parallel tracks. While some 40 to 50 Bahá’ís were busily working on elements of the fund-raiser, the community was deepening on the significance of the construction on God’s Holy Mountain.

Presentations were made at Feasts and at the District Convention, and weekly bulletins containing news, quotations from the Writings and inspirational stories were sent out.

When the Bahá’ís of the Chattanooga area arrived at Spangler Farm on the big day, they knew what had to be done.

But first, attendees were treated to the symbolic journey—from Chattanooga to New York, London, Paris, Constantinople, and on to Haifa—to which the Destination Mount Carmel theme referred.

Here is how the Jeffords described the trip:

“Chattanooga. We arrived at the stationhouse at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. The weather was a sunny and mild 72 degrees. We left with our ticket books and passports in hand and our own personal copy of the Prayer for Protection to ensure our safe passage to Haifa. We traveled a brief way and found ourselves in New York City.

“New York City. After our passports were stamped by a wonderful mime who also entertained us, we were greeted by several youth and given a July 1, 1912, copy of the New York Times showing the beloved Master at Riverside Park. This was our spiritual gift from the friends in New York. In addition, we received caramel apples to nibble on as we made our way to London.

“London. In London we danced. Two British ladies dressed quite properly with hats and handbags treated us graciously with a gift of English tea to take with us for later and a specially prepared recipe of the Queen Mother’s cake—not an actual sample, mind you, but the entire recipe so we could prepare it ourselves. What a wonderful treat!

“Paris. In the City of Light we were welcomed with bread and brie and a bit of the unfermented bubbly. Two Parisian notables greeted us: a French inspector, I believe, and a fine French woman of some renown. We wandered a bit farther and found ourselves in May Maxwell’s drawing room in Paris. Here, a sweet mademoiselle gave us rose petals from the Holy Threshold.

“Constantinople. It was such a long trip from Paris, but here again we were lovingly greeted. We ate dates and several kinds of nuts and were plied with so many gifts: laminated prayer cards in both Turkish and English, a copy of the Turkish alphabet, and a list of words and phrases. A lovely woman and her daughter in Turkish dress gave us a nine-pointed star with some special words attached—mine said, ‘To live the life is...to be humble.’ There was also a wonderful fortune teller who said we would soon part with large sums of money, but that it would be for a great Cause!”

A plentiful dinner of Persian rice, barbecued chicken, salad, and a pasta dish for vegetarians followed. This short stop at the “customs house” also gave attendees an opportunity to browse through a gazebo on which were posted services for sale, with proceeds going to the Arc Projects. The gazebo will remain at the Chattanooga Bahá’í Center through Ridván 1996.

The time was approaching for entry into Haifa. The door opened and the Bahá’ís filed quietly into a room decorated to leave an impression they were seated on the terrace just below the Shrine of the Báb. The Shrine itself was rendered in water colors, with a fountain bubbling in front and trees surrounding it.

The Jeffords pick up the description once more:

“The Queen of Carmel was sung, we were welcomed, and prayers were read and chanted. We reflected again on the awesome goal, $200,000, and listened to messages from the Universal House of Justice.

“The lights were turned down and candles were lighted as the name of each Bahá’í martyred since the Islamic Revolution was read.

“Then we watched a newly released video of the work on Mount Carmel and were astounded at the progress and the daunting tasks ahead. William Allmart of the Bahá’í National Center spoke of his recent consultation with the House of Justice on the Arc Projects. It was just the combination we needed to begin to understand our part in the grand plan for God’s Holy Mountain.

“Throughout the evening we were moved by words and music from members of ‘Bridges’ and the Chattanooga Bahá’í Choir, including some members of the Tennessee Bahá’í Choir.

“As we ended our visit to Haifa, we were reminded of the measure of sacrifice required of us as we watched again the floral offering from the Bahá’ís of Iran to the second Bahá’í World Congress. At this time we were all asked to read the prayer at the top of the pledge form and consider how we might contribute toward the building of the Kingdom of God on earth.”

It was time to make a commitment. Individuals pondered and families consulted on what level of sacrifice they could attain. They filed toward a table where the contributions and pledges would be tallied, then exited the room for fellowship and treats.

Before they could finish dessert, though, “our treasurers asked us to return immediately to ‘Haifa’ for an important announcement,” say the Jeffords. “In a moment of joy unparalleled in our community we learned the goal had been achieved. Spontaneous applause broke out, singing began, and we celebrated this victory with In This Day Bahá’u’lláh and We Have Come to Sing Praises."

A message went out at 10:30 that night to the Universal House of Justice and the National Spiritual Assembly. It read:

Dearly Loved Friends,

With humbleness and extreme gratitude to Bahá’u’lláh for this priceless opportunity to serve the Cause of God, the Bahá’ís of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and surrounding communities have contributed or pledged to contribute by the end of the Three Year Plan a total of $244,258.99 in support of the Arc Projects on Mount Carmel. This pledge of support is the largest single commitment of financial resources ever made by the Bahá’ís of this region and represents the culmination of a community-wide effort characterized by a spirit of unity, loving cooperation, and self-sacrifice. We give thanks to Bahá’u’lláh for this historic opportunity to share in the building of the Kingdom of God on earth.

With loving Bahá’í Greetings,

The Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’ís of Chattanooga and Hamilton County

November 19, 1994

The days that followed brought the grand total of contributions and pledges to $245,638.99. But the benefits for the community itself and beyond can’t be measured in dollars and cents, and they’ll last long past the Three Year Plan.

Ray Jeffords vacuums while (from left) Kaihan Strain, Carla Jeffords and Lois Osborne prepare Lois’s painting of the Shrine of the Báb for use in setting the mood at the fund-raiser.

Above, Katherine Parrot ponders her contribution to the Arc Projects.

At right, participants are treated to the sights and sounds of Constantinople along their journey.

Food, of course, is a staple of any Bahá’í celebration, and it’s no different here as the friends enjoy a mild day and each others’ company. [Page 11]

Arjmand conference focuses on Kitáb-i-Aqdas

Continued from page 1

of the Aqdas and its place in the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, and (2) discussing some of the more controversial aspects of the laws and principles of the Aqdas to find ways to present them to skeptics and the general public.

The conference opened Friday evening with Dr. Moojan Momen’s presentation, “The History of Writing and Transmission of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas.” He summarized the Bahá’ís’ need and request for a body of laws and Bahá’u’lláh’s revealing of laws over a period of time of as much as five years, and described efforts to put the laws into practice as well as the circulation of manuscript copies of the Aqdas in Iran and the first printings of the book in Arabic and other languages.

His presentation was followed by Dr. Robert H. Stockman, who spoke on “The Terms Revelation, Interpretation and Elucidation in the Bahá’í Writings.”

The Saturday morning session opened with a presentation by Dr. Iraj Ayman on “The General Nature of Divine Laws,” a talk that outlined the meaning and purpose of divine laws and the need to interpret each law in its context in the revelation, and underlined the evolutionary process envisaged for the implementation of the Bahá’í laws.

The rest of the morning was devoted to a panel discussion on Bahá’í penal laws led by Payam Akhavan and Sama Payman. Much of the presentation was centered on a document about capital punishment by the Bahá’í International Community and comments on the principles the document set out.

Saturday afternoon was devoted to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and gender issues. Dr. Seena Fazel’s “The Inheritance Laws of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas” discussed the gender inequality established by the rules of inheritance for wives, sons, daughters, and non-Bahá’í relations; Ms. Lil Abdo’s “An Examination of Androgyny and Sex Specification in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas” considered whether the Aqdas contains the nucleus of a non-sexist law code and how that code has been developed, especially through application of the mutatis mutandis principle; and Dr. Wendi Momen’s “Service of Women on the Universal House of Justice” discussed the exclusion of women from service on the Faith’s supreme governing body and reviewed some of the relevant passages from the Bahá’í writings according precedence and superiority to women with regard to certain functions in society.

Saturday evening opened with Kamran Ekbal’s presentation on Bahá’í marriage laws in a historical perspective, especially regarding bigamy. The rest of the evening was devoted to Joseph Housseal’s “Cultivating a Bahá’í Response to Homosexuality.”

Sunday morning, Roman Bohacek presented a paper on “European Themes in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas,” which examined statements by Bahá’u’lláh in the Tablets to the Kings and in the Aqdas that relate to Europe and to Christendom.

Sen McGlinn’s “Church and State in the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh” presented research on statements in the Bahá’í writings about the future relationship between the Houses of Justice and governments, and argued that there would never be a time when the Bahá’í administrative order would replace governments.

Sunday morning ended with a review of the conference and discussion of future plans, including publication of the proceedings of the conference.

Several additional papers had been intended for the conference but the authors were not able to attend to present them. These included Dr. Vadim Nomokonov’s paper titled “On the Experience of Taking the Most Holy Book to the Masses Using Structured Educational Material” which detailed efforts in Russia to prepare educational materials on the Aqdas for the Bahá’í community; Dr. Vahid Behmardi’s presentation on “Huqúqu’lláh, Zakat, and Khums,” comparing Bahá’í and Shi’i Islamic laws of tithing; Iscander Tinto’s presentation on parallels between the Kitáb-i-Iqán and the Kitáb-i-Aqdas; and Mr. Habib Riazati’s paper, “The Distinguishing Features of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas as Compared to the Bayán.”

The DePoort Colloquium, the fourth in the series, was built on the success of the first and second Haj Mehdi Arjmand Colloquia, in Newcastle, U.K., and Wilmette, Illinois, on the general theme of scripture from a Bahá’í perspective; and on the third Arjmand Colloquium, held at Green Acre Bahá’í school in the Persian language, also on scripture.

The fifth H. J. Arjmand Colloquium will focus on the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and will be held in Wilmette, Illinois, March 31-April 2, 1995.

Two Arjmand Colloquia in the Persian language are being planned, one (number six) in Europe for the summer of 1995 and one (number seven) in North America for the early fall of 1995. Another Arjmand conference in the English language for Europe (number eight) is scheduled for later in the fall 1995.

The Eighth Arjmand Colloquium tentatively will focus on the theme of “Controversial Issues in Bahá’í Scholarship,” with the goal of clarifying some of the scholarly issues that often generate criticism of the Faith.

Compilations of abstracts for the Arjmand Colloquia are available for $3 each by writing to the Research Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, (Internet), 708-733-3563 (fax) or by calling 708-733-3425.

In Honor

“And if, at any time, any gift were presented to Him that gift was accepted as a token of His grace unto him that offered it.” -- Bahá’u’lláh

Name of individual honored: _____________________________________________________

Honor gift card to be sent to: ____________________________________________________ Name

______________________________________________________________________________ Street Address

______________________________________________________________________________ City State Zip

This contribution is for: ☐ National Fund ☐ International Fund ☐ Continental Fund ☐ Arc Fund

Occasion (optional): ___________________________________________________________ Examples: Birthday, Graduation, Marriage, Birth of baby, Anniversary, Bahá’í declaration or anniversary, Hospitality, Pioneering, Firesides given, Services rendered

Names of contributor(s) making gift: ______________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________ Bahá’í ID number(s)

In Memory

“The progress of man’s spirit in the divine world, after the severance of its connection with the body of dust, is through the bounty and grace of the Lord alone, or through the intercession and sincere prayers of other human souls, or through the charities and important good works which are performed in its ‎name.. name.‎” -- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Name of individual deceased: _____________________________________________________

Memorial gift card to be sent to: __________________________________________________ Name

______________________________________________________________________________ Street Address

______________________________________________________________________________ City State Zip

This contribution is for: ☐ National Fund ☐ International Fund ☐ Continental Fund ☐ Arc Fund

Names of contributor(s) making gift: ______________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________ Bahá’í ID number(s) [Page 12]

TEN THOUSAND TO ONE

from the pages of Brilliant Star. by Meg Anderson ©1994

I am one small person. Does anything that I do really matter?

Some folks think they can hurt others without hurting themselves. Not everyone has learned that mankind is one.

You can show your friends how important each person is. Use a set of dominoes. Copy the path here, or make your own. Stand the dominoes on end along the winding path. Leave the dominoes off every fifth space to keep accidents smaller. Carefully fill in these spaces last. Push over the first domino. Each domino is affected by the one before. Think about how much people depend on one another.

Does this mean there is no hope? Not at all! The Guardian tells us, “Should anyone arise for the triumph of our Cause, him will God render victorious though tens of thousands of enemies be leagued against him.”*

Set up your dominoes again. Choose a domino along the path. Imagine this domino is you. Your goal is to “arise” before you are “displaced” (knocked over) by the others. Push over the first domino. Now quickly lift your domino from the path. What is your effect on the others?

Think of what power you have! How can you use it to arise for the Cause?

Illustrated by Carla Marlene *The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 57

Reprinted from Brilliant Star, In the Darkest Hour, November-December 1994

Dry In the Sea

by Keyvan Geula and Meg Anderson

Let’s Experiment

Sprinkle baby powder onto a bowl of water. Dip your hand into the water and take it back out.

What happened? Does your finger come out dry? The powder is like the oil on a duck’s feathers. It is also like the knowledge of God.

A duck can live with water all around it and still be safe. We can live with troubles all around us, yet our souls are safe. Our protection comes from inside ourselves just like the duck’s oil. When we read the books and tablets of God, we learn how to be protected.

“A knower is he who is dry in the sea.” —Bahá’u’lláh, The Seven Valleys and The Four Valleys, p. 9

Illustrated by Faye Lewis Hoban

Reprinted from Brilliant Star, In the Darkest Hour, November-December 1994

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Give a Resource Library to Your Child’s Bahá’í Class Teacher!

Issues Available:

• In the Darkest Hour ND 94
• Putting the Vision into Action! SO 94
• Starship: Life of the Báb JA 94
• Courage MA 94
• Families JF 94
• My Part of the Plan ND 91
• Being Leaders SO 93
• Life’s Journey: Purpose of Life MJ 93
• From Racism to Unity MA 93
• The Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ND 92
• The 1992 World Congress SO 92
• Bahá’u’lláh Special Edition 1991
• The Covenant Special edition 1992
• The Kitáb-i-Aqdas Special Edition 1993
• From Gnats to Eagles Special Edition 1994

[Page 13]

Bahá’í Schools

“Bringing Forth Jewels from the Mine of Humanity”

National Education and Schools Office Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (708) 733-3492 / FAX (708) 733-3502 Internet e-mail:

Thousands of ‎Bahá’í's Bahá’ís‎ each year participate in one of the best kept secrets in America — Bahá’í Schools! With this page, we begin our campaign to bring to light the ‎activites activities‎ of these centers of learning.

Looking Ahead

Bosch In February, a series of seekers’ weekends will begin, so that the friends can bring seekers to a specially designed program of spiritual atmosphere, love, and closeness to the Faith. . . . The first children’s academy, for grades 4-6, will be offered during the spring school break. . . . A week-long choral camp with Tom Price, conductor of music for the World Congress, will soon be offered.

Green Acre Winter/Spring highlights include a course for new believers February 3-5. . . . Sessions for the development of Local Spiritual Assemblies. . . . Spiritual Enrichment Weekends for Adults. . . . and Spiritual Enrichment Weekends for Youth.

Louhelen In pursuing its goal of uplifting, educating and training youth, a Junior Youth Institute for ‎11-14 years olds 11-14 year-olds‎ will be held February 3-5 and a Youth Eagle Institute for 14-19 year olds will be held April 14-16. . . . Family issues are the focus of the Winter School December 27-January 1 and a special “Parent and Child” session to be held May 12-14. . . . “Strengthening Bahá’í Marriage” is the focus February 17-19. . . . An intensive study of the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh is scheduled for March 10-12. . . . And “World Order: Prospects for Governance” is set for March 24-26.

Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute In January, the Institute will host a meeting focused on youth workshops for the friends in the Southeastern region. Youth Workshop coordinators, Local Assembly members, young adults, and parents are expected to contribute. . . . Modeled after the highly successful youth academies, the first Family Enrichment Weekend is being planned. . . . The Institute plans to continue its work with the teaching campaign and support activities with Sunday devotional services and other means.

Native American Bahá’í Institute NABI is devoting efforts to continuing the Nobility Classes, as well as sponsoring special weekend activities centered in the Core Curriculum. . . . A Core Curriculum Teacher Training Session is scheduled for January and February. . . . January will see the beginning of a special series of sessions on “Immersion in the Sacred Text,” held only in the Navajo (Diné) language.

“Snapshots” from Permanent Schools and Institutes

Bosch, Santa Cruz, CA (408) 423-3387 Bosch, a beautiful campus amidst the majestic redwoods, is continuing its popular “Rendezvous of the Soul” weekends, where the friends come to meditate and deepen in a less structured format. Other creative and structured programs have recently included the first-ever “Star Trek Teaching Weekend,” held in November. Inspiration ran high as friends brought seekers and together they explored the future and discussed “boldly going” where no one has gone before.

Contributing to the excitement at Bosch is the construction of some superb new classrooms which are expected to be completed by the summer. Beautiful architecturally, these roomy new facilities will give us greater resources and greater focus as we pursue studies of the Faith!

Green Acre, Eliot, ME (207) 439-7200 Did you know that for the first time in 100 years of Green Acre history, the Sarah Farmer Inn will be open for business this winter? This meticulously restored Victorian Inn is the centerpiece of Green Acre, now made winter-cozy by the introduction of a heating system.

Another noteworthy refurbishment is the Green Acre Scholarship Fund, established in loving memory of Burton W.F. Trafton, Jr., a long-time member of the Green Acre Restoration Task Force. Mr. Trafton, a specialist in historic building preservation, was instrumental in setting the standards for the restoration process. This scholarship is devoted to assisting the friends who have a desire to attend the school to be able to share in the picturesque and uplifting surroundings.

Louhelen, Davison, MI (810) 653-5033 Louhelen is reaching a new audience, and reaching a familiar audience in new ways, with the introduction of the bookstore/cafe this summer. This popular spot for rejuvenation is even bringing in the non-Bahá’í public!

Much of the current school programming is centered around youth, families, the equality of men and women, and a continuing focus on understanding the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and His Institutions. Recent programs have included institutes for youth aged 14-19, a session on building partnership for men and women, and a Local Assembly Development Weekend, ‎lead led‎ by the Auxiliary Board.

Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute (803) 558-5093 Hemingway, SC The Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute is actively involved in the current South Carolina teaching campaign which is sweeping through the state. In late October, a conference for Auxiliary Board members and their assistants gave rise to the Louis Gregory / Magdalene Carney Teaching Initiative, a campaign dedicated to entry by troops. As of the first of December, forty people have declared their Faith in Bahá’u’lláh.

One highly successful aspect of the Institute is the radio station, WLGI, which is expanding its broadcasts to include a new weekly Bahá’í news broadcast and interviews with ‎Bahá’í's Bahá’ís‎ on how they apply the principles of the Faith to their daily family and professional lives.

A new treat at the Institute is the Gospel Workshop, whose purpose is to teach and deepen directly about the Faith through the medium of music. Recently, an African-American AME church witnessed the extraordinary ‎site sight‎ of the multi-ethnic and multi-generational Louis Gregory Bahá’í Gospel Choir marching to the front of their church singing “We are Building the Kingdom of God!”

Native American Bahá’í Institute (602) 521-1064 Houck, AZ In the heart of the Navajo Reservation, the Native American Bahá’í Institute reaches both the Bahá’í and the non-Bahá’í community. The Institute continues to provide “Nobility Classes,” a program offered to all children, which conveys Bahá’í principles and incorporates Navajo cultural teachings to assist children to achieve the nobility that is the birthright of humanity.

In October, a unique “work weekend” allowed friends to volunteer their services to the Institute through assisting with construction and maintenance projects. The focus of these activities was the repair of the beloved Prayer Hogan, the spiritual center of the Institute.

Regional Bahá’í Schools sponsored by the National Assembly

Eastern Colorado—January 13-15, Estes Park. “The Promising Future of America,” with keynote speaker Mrs. Javidukht Khadem. Children’s classes planned by Core Curriculum trainers. Call John Bolz, Lafayette, CO 80026; (303) 666-9275.

Illinois—January 14-16, Springfield. “Sustained Impassioned Teaching,” ‎lead led‎ by Auxiliary Board member Dr. June Thomas and husband Dr. Richard Thomas, author of Patterns of Unity. Discussion of Tablets of the Divine Plan, the Greater Covenant and the Bible, and a multigenerational creative processing session on using the arts to teach. Contact: Pej Clark, Decatur, IL 62522; (217) 423-9788.

Wisconsin (Adults only)—February 3-5. Intensive adult topics relate to the destiny of America, including the Covenant and unity. Contact: Lisa Riemer, West Bend, WI 53095; (414) 338-3023.

North Dakota—February 17-19, Mayville. Teachers on the topic of achieving America’s destiny will include Dr. Ahang Rabbani. For more information contact: Rosalin Chrest, Minot, ND 58703; 701/839-1015.

Oklahoma—March 3-April 2, Stillwater. Family-centered school studying the Future of America. For more information contact: David Gainey, Sulphur, OK 73086; (405) 622-2655.

COMING IN FUTURE ISSUES
Highlights from Programs	Histories of Schools	Upcoming Events
Pictures from School Sessions	Comments from School Attendees and Staff

[Page 14]

Faith makes presentations, has exhibit at conference of Academy of Religion

Pictured at the Bahá’í exhibit at the annual conference of the American Academy of Religion (AAR), held November 20-23 in Chicago, are Dr. Ann Schoonmaker (left), a Bahá’í from Michigan, and Lynnea Prochnow of the Research Office at the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette.

The Bahá’í Faith was represented November 20-23 through presentations and an exhibit at the annual conference of the American Academy of Religion (AAR) in Chicago.

For four days almost 8,000 professors and graduate students of religious studies, clergy, and other researchers gathered to hear more than a thousand talks about religion, view 150 exhibits by publishers, and attend receptions and various other events. Among those present were at least 11 Bahá’ís.

On Saturday morning the “Bahá’í Studies Colloquy” met and heard four talks:

• Dr. Susan Maneck spoke about “Wisdom, Unwisdom and Dissimulation: Uses of the Word Hikmat in the Bahá’í Faith,” asserting that the word hikmat in early Bahá’í usage in Iran often included the meaning taqiyyih (dissimulation).

• Paula Drewek then spoke on James Fowler’s model of psychological development of personal faith as it applies to Canadian Bahá’ís, noting important differences between the Bahá’í concept of spiritual development and Fowler’s concept of faith development, and presenting the preliminary results of interviews with 20 Canadian Bahá’ís.

• Mikhail Sergeev spoke about “Daniil Andreev’s Rose of the World and the Bahá’í Teachings.” Andreev, a Russian intellectual who spent much of his adult life in prison, set to paper a vision of a world religion that bears some resemblance to the Faith.

• Finally, R. Jackson Armstrong-Ingram spoke about “Early Irish Bahá’ís: Issues of Religious, Cultural and National Identity.” The paper identifies about a dozen early Bahá’ís who were Irish in one sense or another and who reconstructed their religious backgrounds and relative activity as Bahá’ís.

In addition, Dr. Ahmad Bastani, a member of the local Spiritual Assembly of Chicago, spoke at the AAR on a panel whose members discussed the Parliament of the World’s Religions.

Bahá’í presentations have been a continuous activity at the AAR since 1984.

The Bahá’í Publishing Trust was represented in the exhibit area by a small but attractive booth, which was seen by thousands of visitors. Free literature was given to about 100, and conversations about the Faith were held with at least 100 others.

This year’s AAR seemed to show an increased interest in the Faith; several speakers mentioned it in passing, several publishers expressed an interest in publishing books on the Faith, and more professors seemed to want information for their classes or research.

The emergence of the Faith from obscurity in academia has been slow, but signs of its acceleration seem evident.

Bahá’ís to take part in observance of UN’s 50th anniversary

In 1995 the United Nations will observe the 50th anniversary of its founding. Bahá’í participation in UN-50 activities will be coordinated by the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) United Nations Office.

With this in mind, the BIC will produce a number of materials to help the efforts of national and local Bahá’í communities. These materials are to include a statement of global governance, a video program depicting historic and current involvement with the UN, and an exhibit.

In many cities, plans for UN-50 are already well under way. In addition to hundreds of local celebrations planned by state and local governments, chambers of commerce, private enterprises and NGOs, major programs are scheduled in New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Bahá’í community, which has a long history of support for the UN, plans to be actively engaged in both celebratory and substantive activities at the national and local levels, with much of this activity coordinated through the National Spiritual Assembly’s UN office (USUN).

Some Bahá’í communities, San Francisco among them, already are actively involved in UN-50 activities. To facilitate Bahá’í participation there, the National Spiritual Assembly has appointed a Bay Area UN-50 Committee. Assemblies in other areas may find it easier to appoint an intercommunity committee to formulate and execute plans for an area.

The USUN suggests the following steps for Bahá’í communities who would like to initiate plans for UN-50 activities:

• Contact the local chapter of the United Nations Association of the U.S. (UNA-USA) to find out what, if any, plans are already under way.

• If plans are being developed by the UNA-USA, the Assembly or Group can become involved by appointing representatives to the UNA-USA who can take part on behalf of the Bahá’í community.

• Contact the local Chamber of Commerce or appropriate government agencies to find out if the city is planning any activities for UN-50.

• Inquire as to whether schools, interfaith groups or universities plan to observe UN-50. If so, the Assembly or Group can choose the activities in which it wishes to take part.

• If no plans are under way, the Assembly or Group can start the planning process by inviting interested groups and city agencies to come together to make plans. The Bahá’í community can thus act as a catalyst.

Bahá’ís of Ukiah look back, then forward to successful Martin Luther King observance

As the Bahá’ís of Ukiah, California, plan for their January observance of Martin Luther King Day, they’ll have to go some to top the spirit that pervaded the 1994 event.

Ukiah, a town of 14,000 with a small black community, had not noted the holiday for a decade.

But in 1993, after an African-American was falsely accused of murder, the Bahá’ís promised his sister they would make the next Martin Luther King Day an occasion on which to work toward the elimination of racial prejudice.

With her help the observance, held in a local Methodist Church, was a standing-room-only sensation.

Two gospel choirs performed: one, from Oakland, sang Christian songs; the other, formed locally for the occasion, sang “Love Me,” based on one of the Hidden Words.

U.S. Rep. Dan Hamburg delivered an homage to Martin Luther King Jr., and Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech was performed with dramatic movement by two young women, one white and one African-American.

The keynote speaker was Amy Reid, an attorney and Bahá’í from Palo Alto.

The pastor of the church welcomed the guests, the mayor opened the event, and the chairman of the Ministerial Association offered a rousing closing prayer.

Afterward, a dinner of “soul food” was served to about 200 people.

Everyone had a great time and left feeling good.

It was a significant event for Ukiah, and definitely something to build on.

Bahá’ís in St. Louis donate tree for local park, take part in observing Birth of Bahá’u’lláh

On Earth Day, Bahá’ís from St. Louis-North County donated a scarlet oak tree to be planted at Black Jack Park.

The tree, symbolizing peace, was presented to the mayor of Black Jack by Bahá’í representative Pauline Ongst. Among the guests were members of the city council and other public officials.

On November 11, about 100 Bahá’ís and guests gathered in St. Louis to celebrate the 177th anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh.

After a talk by Auxiliary Board member Bill Wieties about Bahá’u’lláh’s Mission and World Order, the audience saw a video presentation on “The Life of Bahá’u’lláh.”

The National Spiritual Assembly would like to remind the Bahá’ís that it is necessary to obtain permission from the Universal House of Justice before traveling to Israel, whether for personal reasons or to visit the Bahá’í Holy Places.

[Page 15]

Bahá’ís of Modesto, UNA co-sponsor UN Day event

On October 24, the Bahá’í community of Modesto, California, and the local chapter of the United Nations Association (UNA) co-sponsored a UN Day observance.

The event began with 21 multi-racial children dancing to an African chant and dressed in T-shirts with the “International Year of the Family” logo.

Peter Maddern, a new Bahá’í from nearby Riverbank who has won ballroom dance competitions in England, choreographed the dances. He worked with the Bahá’í children during District Convention and held a rehearsal the day before the UN Day for all the children including the Bahá’ís.

The children so enjoyed the program that many asked when they would be dancing again. Many wore their T-shirts to school the following day.

All of the Southeast Asians taking part in the event were Laotian. Seuth Bouthsingkhone and Somsavay (Bouthsingkhone) Indara, and a new Southeast Asian believer, Mrs. (Bouthsingkhone) Indara’s father, Mang Indara, brought many of their friends to support the event and to learn about the Faith.

The rehearsal was almost as exciting as the event itself. About 40 children attended, and those who didn’t want to dance played Nintendo and frisbee.

Children show their support for the United Nations during the UN Day celebration October 24 in Modesto, California.

On UN Day itself, Bahá’ís and guests were welcomed at City Hall by Jennifer Muratore, a Bahá’í who is president of the local UNA chapter. She recalled the words of a Vietnamese woman who attended the Southeast Asian Round Table Discussion last June at the Bosch Bahá’í School: “You cannot have peace in the world until you have peace inside.”

Assemblywoman Margaret Snyder spoke briefly, and, feeling the spirit of the occasion, said, “We truly are all one family.”

A UN Day proclamation was presented by Deputy City Manager Paul Baxter.

Heather Torrijos, a Bahá’í who is a professional singer and has starred with the Livermore Opera Company, quoted ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Universal House of Justice on race unity. She and a student then sang three songs dealing with interfamily relationships.

Lee Haslip, the keynote speaker, gave a superb presentation entitled “Models for Healthy Families,” in which she explained the need to infuse spiritual values into child-rearing and family relationships.

Gerry Mudge, a media representative for the Faith and the UNA, arranged an interview with the Modesto Bee, resulting in an article about the event.

Due to popular demand, the Spiritual Assembly of Modesto is arranging for Oscar DeGruy, an expert in developing dance workshops, to come to Modesto this month to start a dance workshop for Southeast Asian and other youth in Modesto, Merced and Stockton.

Bahá’ís active in planning fourth UN Conference for Women in Beijing

The Bahá’í International Community, through its Office for the Advancement of Women, has been heavily involved in planning for the fourth United Nations Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace, to be held next September 4-15 in Beijing, China.

A parallel forum for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will be convened next August 31-September 12, also in Beijing. Both conferences will examine the status of the world’s women in the 10 years since the third World Conference on Women, held in 1985 in Nairobi, Kenya, and adopt a platform for action for the coming decades.

To help prepare for Beijing, the UN Regional Economic Commissions for Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and Europe (the European region includes Canada and the U.S.) organized regional preparatory conferences which drew anywhere from 1,500 to 4,000 women and a few men, in each case attracting two to four times the number expected by the organizers.

The over-all participation of the worldwide Bahá’í community in these events was coordinated by the Bahá’í International Community Office for the Advancement of Women. The National Spiritual Assembly sent two representatives to take part in both government and NGO (non-governmental organization) sectors at the regional meeting in Vienna, Austria.

Between April and November 1994, the U.S. government, through its Department of Labor, held 10 regional preparatory meetings to enable those at the grassroots and NGOs to provide input for the government’s interim report to the Beijing conference.

The U.S. Bahá’í community took part in all of these meetings. Bahá’í participation was coordinated by the National Spiritual Assembly’s UN Office (USUN) and focused on three subject areas: (1) partnership between women and men; (2) the role of women in peacemaking; and (3) the ratification by the U.S. of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). In all, 80 Bahá’ís from 20 states attended the preparatory meetings.

In some instances, as in Pennsylvania, Bahá’ís played a significant role in helping the Women’s Bureau plan and carry out the program. In Boston, the Bahá’í Youth Workshop presented a program on the equality of men and women that was well-received by its audience.

The most important aspect, however, was exposing Bahá’ís to the planning process for Beijing and giving them a chance to work with people in their area who are concerned about one of the cardinal principles of the Faith. It was also an excellent opportunity for Bahá’ís to share their perspectives on the issues at hand.

On the topic of partnership between women and men, the Writings make it clear that a Bahá’í civilization would be one in which “...the masculine and feminine aspects of civilization will be more balanced. ...”

Similarly, with respect to peace, the Writings make a clear connection between the advancement of women and the achievement of a lasting world peace. The USUN office will continue to work with Bahá’í communities in both areas.

Woodburn Bahá’ís ‘profile’ new believers

The Woodburn (Oregon) Teaching Project has added a dimension to consolidation of the many seasonal workers it has brought into the Faith.

Because field laborers do not stay in one place long, it is difficult for the Bahá’ís to get to know their newfound friends well. In addition, the workers return to their permanent homes in Mexico for some months each year.

So the Bahá’ís of Woodburn have devised a system that benefits the community and the workers alike.

They place a photograph of each new believer on a profile sheet with a photocopy of the declaration card and such information as deepening programs attended, Bahá’í books read, and the person’s interests for serving the Cause.

In that way, Woodburn can track a declarant’s progress. And the new believer, who probably will move on before receiving a permanent Bahá’í card, has proof of membership. The profile also could be used in case of a future amnesty to demonstrate that an alien has spent time in the United States.

An initial batch of profile sheets has been sent to the National Spiritual Assembly of Mexico through Counselor Arturo Serrano so that when the seasonal workers return home, their national body and local community can maintain contact with them.

The U.S. National Spiritual Assembly took more profiles along when it met recently with its Mexican counterpart.

THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í
Subscription rates (For outside the continental United States ONLY)
First class/ Surface	1 Year $24	2 Years $45	Please make check payable to: Bahá’í Subscriber Service, c/o Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.
Air Mail	$32	$60
All orders must be pre-paid in U.S. currency. VISA/MasterCard accepted; please include full account number and expiration date.

[Page 16]

Persian

و اظهار داشت که این کلمه در کاربرد اولیه آن در جامعه بهائی ایران مفهومی همانند مفهوم کلمه ”تقیه“ را داشته است.

• خانم پالا دروک Paula Drewek راجع به الگوئی که جیمز فولر James Fowler از تحول و پرورش روانشناختی ایمان فردی در رابطه با بهائیان کانادا سخنرانی کرد و تفاوت های مهمی را که در میان مفهوم پرورش روحانی از نظر فولر و جامعه بهائی وجود دارد برشمرد و نتایج مصاحبه با ۲۰ بهائی کانادائی را با حاضران در میان نهاد.

• آقای میخائیل سرگیو Mikhail Sergeev دربارهٔ کتاب Rose of the World اثر دانیل آندریو Daniil Andreev و تعالیم بهائی نظری ایراد کرد. آندریو یکی از روشنفکران روسیه است که بخش بزرگی از زندگی خود را در زندان گذرانده و نظر خود را دربارهٔ یک دیانت جهانی به قلم آورده است. تصور آندریو از این دین جهانی شباهت هائی با امر بهائی دارد.

• آقای جکسون آرمسترانگ اینگرام Jackson Armstrong ‎Ingran Ingram‎ سخنانی راجع به بهائیان اولیه ایرلندی و مسائل مربوط به هویت دینی و فرهنگی و ملی ایراد کرد و در آن به تحلیل سرگذشت چند تن از بهائیان اولیه ایرلندی و ارتباطشان با هویت ملی خود و فعالیت های امریشان پرداخت.

علاوه بر این ۴ نطق دکتر احمد باستانی نیز که یکی از اعضای محفل روحانی شیکاگو است، در یکی از جلسات آکادمی سخنانی ایراد کرد.

احباء از سال ۱۹۸۹ در کنفرانس مذکور شرکت داشته اند و مؤسسه مطبوعات امری ایالات متحده در غرفه کوچک و در عین حال جالب توجهی برخی از انتشارات خود را به نمایش گذاشته بود. جزوات و انتشارات امری مجاناً به بیش از ۱۰۰ نفر داده شد.

در کنفرانس امسال به نظر می رسید که توجه بیشتری به امر بهائی می شود. چند تن از سخنرانان در ضمن سخنان خود از امر مبارک ذکری به میان آوردند و چند مؤسسه مطبوعاتی نیز نسبت به انتشار کتاب هائی راجع به امر بهائی اظهار علاقه کردند و عدهٔ بیشتری از استادان خواهان دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر دربارهٔ امر مبارک جهت استفاده در کلاس های درس و کارهای پژوهشی بودند.

تا کنون در محیط دانشگاهی خروج امر مبارک از مرحله مجهولیت و اشتهار آن با کندی صورت گرفته اما علائم تسریع آن به تدریج هویدا می گردد.

مؤسسهٔ خدمات عمرانی متحده

MOTTAHEDEH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES INC.

مؤسسهٔ خدمات عمرانی متحده یکی از سازمان های محفل روحانی ملّی ایالات متحده است. این مؤسسه که به نام خانم میلدرد Mildred و جناب رفیع متحده - که از پیشگامان خدمات عمرانی و اجتماعی بوده اند - نامیده شده است.

مؤسسهٔ مذکور سال ۱۹۹۲ تأسیس گردید و سازمان کلی آن در سال اول تأسیس توسط هیئتی تحت هدایت دفتر امین صندوق محفل روحانی ملّی صورت گرفت. نخستین جلسهٔ هیئت مدیره این مؤسسه در ماه مارچ سال ۱۹۹۳ تشکیل شد و در ماه بعد خانم باربارا رودی Barbara Rudey بعنوان نخستین مدیر آن معین شد.

خانم رودی سابقاً مدیر عامل یک سازمان خدماتی بین المللی بوده که به زنان فقیر در آمریکای لاتین و افریقا کمک و اعتبار مالی می داده است.

مدیر برنامه های مؤسسهٔ خدمات عمرانی متحده آقای فالانیروا تافکی Falairiva Taafaki است که به مدت ۱۰ سال مهاجر هندوستان بوده و در تأسیس مؤسسهٔ عمرانی نیو ارا New Era Development Institute داشته است.

آقای تافکی در ۲۰ سال گذشته با دفتر عمران اجتماعی و اقتصادی مرکز جهانی بهائی و بسیاری از محافل روحانی ملّی جهت کمک به کشورهائی چون هندوستان و تایلند و ساموا همکاری نزدیک داشته است.

در حال حاضر مدیر برنامه های مؤسسهٔ مذکور ترویت وایت Truitt White است که سابقاً رئیس مؤسسهٔ بهائی لوئیس گریگوری Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute است.

مؤسسهٔ عمرانی متحده دو دفتر دارد. یکی از این دو دفتر در نیویورک در محل ”جامعهٔ بین المللی بهائی“ (BIC) است و در ماه جولای سال جاری دفتر دیگر این مؤسسه در شهر آتلانتا در ایالت جورجیا افتتاح شد.

اکنون مؤسسهٔ مذکور آماده است که به قوهٔ خود برای خدمت به جامعهٔ انسانی فعالیت بخشد. در آگهی این دفتر چنین آمده است: ”نیاز مبرمی وجود دارد در طرز تلقی زندگی و معنای آن تغییری روحانی حاصل شود. در فضائی فارغ از تفرقه می توانیم ارزش هائی را که در همهٔ ادیان وجود دارد به کار گیریم، ارزش هائی چون حیثیت انسانی و محبت و احترام نسبت به دیگران و مهربانی و انصاف. بدون این امور راه حل های اقتصادی و اجتماعی یا سیاسی نخواهد توانست به بازسازی جهان توفیق یابد.“

مؤسسهٔ مذکور تا کنون در کنفرانس بهائی دربارهٔ توسعه و عمران اجتماعی و اقتصادی و مجامع مؤسسهٔ مطالعات جهانی شرکت داشته و اخیراً در مدرسهٔ بهائی لوهلن جلسه ای مرکب از مسؤولان بهداشت ترتیب داده است.

همچنین این مؤسسه به حمایت از اقدامات بین المللی موفق شده است؛ از جمله برنامه های توسعه و آموزش و پرورشی در ساموآی غربی، ”طرح بیان“ Bayan Project در هندوراس، کارآموزی کارکنان امور بهداشتی در هندوستان، ایجاد جوامعی بعنوان نمونه در نپال و غیره.

علاوه بر این مؤسسهٔ مذکور به مشورت با اهل فن - کسانی چون دکتر حسین دانش - جهت ایجاد خانواده ها و جامعه هائی فارغ از خشونت و زور پرداخته است و با مشاور قاره ای جناب ایلوی آنلو Eloy Anello و سایر دست اندرکاران دانشگاه نور در بولیوی رایزنی کرده است.

تجاربی که از این راه اندوخته شده باعث گردیده که به اجرای برنامه های عمرانی در ایالات متحده کمک های شایانی شود.

دفتر عمران اجتماعی و اقتصادی مرکز جهانی بهائی از اقدامات مؤسسهٔ خدمات عمرانی متحده تقدیر کرده و اظهار امیدواری نموده است که سهم مهمی در اجرای خدمات اجتماعی و اقتصادی ایفاء نماید.

در حال حاضر مؤسسهٔ مذکور در جریان ایجاد و اجرای چندین طرح ابتدائی جهت به کار گرفتن اصول روحانی جهت گسترش وحدت در ایالات جنوب شرقی است.

نخستین طرح در ساوت دی کلب کانتی South DeKalb County یکی از بخش های ایالت جورجیا در دست تهیه و تکمیل است. طرح این برنامه حاکی از رشد و بلوغ جوامع امری در رابطه با حصر توجه در تحول و تکامل روحانی و اجتماعی و اقتصادی و همچنین ترقی جامعه به طور کلی بود.

در جلسه ای که به منظور کارآموزی و تزیید معلومات در تعطیلات آخر هفته در ماه جولای تشکیل شد، جامعهٔ بهائی محل خود دست اندر کار جریان یادگیری بود. اعضای جامعه موضوع برنامه را انتخاب کردند و با استفاده از آثار مبارکه و دستخط های بیت العدل اعظم و دستورالعمل های دارالتبلیغ بین المللی و دفتر عمران اجتماعی و اقتصادی مرکز جهانی سخنانی ایراد کردند.

جلسهٔ مشابهی نیز در مؤسسهٔ بهائی لوئیس گریگوری در همینگوی Hemingway در ایالت کرولاینای جنوبی برای اعضای جامعهٔ بهائی کانوی Conway تشکیل شد.

در جوار این برنامه ها مؤسسهٔ خدمات عمرانی متحده تعهدی دارد که بکوشد اولین نسل کودکان بهائی را که در محیطی عاری از تعصبات به بار آیند، تربیت نماید و استعدادهای نهفته زنان و کودکان را بعنوان عوامل تغییر در جامعه شکوفا سازد.

فعالیت های ویژهٔ مؤسسه جهت به جا آوردن این تعهد بر محور برنامه های عمران اجتماعی و اقتصادی استوار خواهد بود و با همکاری با لجنهٔ ملّی نشر نفحات و لجنات ایالتی تبلیغ و دفتر تربیت امری و مدارس بهائی ترتیب داده خواهد شد.

مؤسسهٔ خدمات عمرانی متحده بعنوان یک مؤسسهٔ غیر انتفاعی معین گردیده است و از آنجا که فعالیت ها و خدماتش کل اعضای جامعه اعم از بهائی و غیر بهائی را در بر می گیرد می تواند از سازمان ها و شرکت ها و کلوپ ها و افراد غیر بهائی نیز تبرعاتی دریافت کند.

حقوق الله

از دوستان عزیز مستدعی است تقدیمی های حقوق الله را در وجه Bahá’í Huquq’u’lláh Trust به نشانی یکی از امنای حقوق الله ارسال فرمایند.

Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA. 90402	Dr. Elsie Austin 9039 Sligo Creek Parkway, #612 Silver Spring, MD. 20901
Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH. 44116

[Page 17]

Persian

با این حال لازم است این پرسش را مطرح کرد که آیا درصد بیشتری از مردان فنون لازم برای سمت منشی را در حدی بالاتر از آنچه در آمار زیر نمودار است دارا نیستند؟ و آیا درصد بیشتری از زنان توانائی نظامات جلسات محفل و تمشیت امور مالی را بر خلاف آنچه در جامعه عمل می‌شود، ندارند؟

آمار زیر حاکی از آن است که جامعهٔ بهائی هنوز با مشکلات فراوانی جهت شکوفا ساختن استعدادهای زنان و مردان رو برو است و به دریافت متعادلانه‌تری از قوای اعضایش نیاز دارد. جدول آمار مربوط به فعالیت‌های زنان و مردان بهائی در زیر درج می‌گردد.

	تعداد بزرگسالان جامعهٔ بهائی در امریکا	تعداد اعضای محافل محلی	تعداد منشی محافل محلی	تعداد رئیس محفل	تعداد امین صندوق	تعداد نایب رئیس	تعداد دیگر اعضاء
زنان	۵۴۰۶۷	٦٣٣٤	١٠٦٠	۳۳۲	۳۸۵	۳۳۵	٤٣٢١
مردان	٥٤١١٢	٤٨٧٥	٢٥٧	٦١٧	۵۹۱	۵۳۹	۲۸۷۱

کنفرانس حاج مهدی ارجمند

HAJ MEHDI ARJMAND FOURTH COLLOQUIUM

چهارمین مجمع مطالعهٔ آثار مبارکه از ۴ تا ۶ نوامبر سال ۱۹۹۴ در هلند تشکیل شد. کنفرانس مذکور توسط دفتر تحقیق محفل روحانی ملی و با کمک مالی صندوق حاج مهدی ارجمند برگزار گردید.

موضوع اصلی این مجمع بنا به پیشنهاد هیئت مشاورین قاره‌ای اروپا کتاب اقدس بود. بیش از ۷۰ نفر از ۱۰ کشور در این کنفرانس شرکت کردند و ۱۱ سخنرانی در آن ایراد شد.

هدف از تشکیل این کنفرانس دو چیز بود: یکی بیان عظمت کتاب مستطاب اقدس و موقف آن در امر حضرت بهاءالله و دیگری بحث دربارهٔ برخی از احکام و اصول کتاب اقدس که برای بعضی ایجاد سؤال کرده و یافتن راهی برای ارائه آن به اهل شک و همچنین به عموم مردم.

کنفرانس غروب روز جمعه با سخنرانی دکتر موژان مؤمن دربارهٔ تاریخ نزول و ارسال کتاب اقدس آغاز شد.

دکتر مؤمن خلاصه‌ای از عرایضی که بهائیان جهت دریافت مجموعه‌ای از احکام به حضور حضرت بهاءالله ارسال داشته بودند و نزول آن احکام از جانب هیکل مبارک در مدت ۵ سال به آگاهی حاضران رساند و دربارهٔ اجرای احکام کتاب اقدس و چگونگی انتشار نسخه‌های خطی آن در ایران و نخستین طبع آن به زبان عربی و دیگر زبان‌ها توضیحاتی داد.

سپس دکتر رابرت ستاکمن Robert Stockman راجع به مفاهیم ”نزول“ و ”تبیین“ و ”تفسیر“ سخنرانی ایراد کرد.

جلسه صبح روز شنبه با نطق دکتر ایرج ایمن دربارهٔ ”طبیعت کلی قوانین“ الهی آغاز شد. دکتر ایمن در ضمن سخنان خود دربارهٔ مفهوم و مقصود قوانین الهی و نیاز به تفسیر آن در رابطه با شأن نزول آیات توضیحاتی داد و جریان تدریجی اجرای قوانین بهائی را مورد بررسی قرار داد.

در جلسه بعدی جنابان پیام اخوان و سماء پیمان به بحث دربارهٔ قوانین جزائی بهائی پرداختند.

بخش بزرگی از این جلسه به بحث دربارهٔ مرقومه‌ای از ”جامعهٔ بین‌المللی بهائی“ BIC راجع به اعدام و توضیحاتی دربارهٔ اصولی که در آن مرقومه بدان اشاره شده بود، اختصاص یافت.

بعد از ظهر روز شنبه به مسائل مربوط به زن و مرد در کتاب اقدس اختصاص داشت.

دکتر سینا فاضل دربارهٔ احکام ارث در کتاب اقدس سخن گفت و به بررسی تفاوت‌های موجود در میان ارثیه همسر و فرزندان مذکر و مؤنث و بستگان غیربهائی پرداخت.

سخنرانی خانم لیل عبده دربارهٔ مسائل مربوط به جنسیت در کتاب اقدس بود. خانم عبده در سخنان خود توضیح داد که کتاب اقدس بذر وضع قوانین عاری از تبعیضات جنسی را در بر دارد.

دکتر وندی Wendi مؤمن راجع به عدم عضویت زنان در بیت‌العدل اعظم نطقی ایراد نمود و توجه حاضران را به نصوصی از آثار مبارکه دربارهٔ تفوق زنان در برخی از فعالیت‌ها معطوف داشت.

غروب روز شنبه با نطق آقای کامران اقبال دربارهٔ قوانین و احکام ازدواج بهائی آغاز شد و در طی آن پیشینه تاریخی مسائلی چون تعدد زوجات مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. سپس آقای جوزف هوسیل Joseph Houseal سخنانی دربارهٔ پاسخ بهائی دربارهٔ مسألهٔ همجنس‌گرائی ایراد نمود.

صبح روز یکشنبه آقای رومان بوهاچک Roman Bohacek نطقی دربارهٔ اروپا در کتاب اقدس ایراد کرد و در آن به بررسی بیانات حضرت بهاءالله در کتاب اقدس و الواح ملوک راجع به اروپا و ممالک مسیحی پرداخت.

سپس آقای سن مک‌گلین Sen McGlinn دربارهٔ دین و حکومت در نظم بدیع حضرت بهاءالله سخنرانى کرد و حاصل پژوهش‌های خود را در مورد بیاناتی که در آثار بهائی راجع به رابطهٔ بیت‌العدل اعظم با دولت‌های جهان ذکر شده، با حاضران در میان نهاد و اظهار نظر کرد که نظم اداری بهائی هرگز جایگزین دولت‌ها نخواهد شد.

بقیه صبح با بررسی کنفرانس و مذاکره دربارهٔ برنامه‌های آینده و انتشار سخنرانی‌هائی که در آن ایراد شده بود، سپری شد.

چهارمین کنفرانس از سلسله کنفرانس‌های حاج مهدی ارجمند بر پایه موفقیت‌های کنفرانس‌های قبلی استوار بود. کنفرانس پنجم قرار است از ۳۱ مارچ تا ۲ اپریل سال ۱۹۹۵ در ویلمت در ایالت ایلینوی تشکیل شود. موضوع پنجمین کنفرانس نیز کتاب مستطاب اقدس خواهد بود.

همچنین قرار است کنفرانس ششم و هفتم به زبان فارسی یکی در اروپا در تابستان ۱۹۹۵ و دیگر در امریکای شمالی در اوائل پائیز همان سال منعقد گردد.

موضوع کنفرانس هشتم عجالهٔ مسائل بحث‌انگیز مطالعات بهائی معین گردیده است. کسانی که علاقه‌مند به شرکت در این کنفرانس‌ها باشند می‌توانند برای دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر با دفتر تحقیق تماس حاصل نمایند.

تلفن: ۳۴۲۵-۷۳۳ (۷۰۸)

پنجمین کنفرانس انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی

THE FRIENDS OF PERSIAN CULTURE ASSOCIATION

پنجمین کنفرانس سالانه انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی از ۲۶ تا ۲۹ ماه می سال ۱۹۹۵ در جوار مشرق‌الاذکار امریکا در نزدیکی شیکاگو تشکیل خواهد شد.

بخشی از این کنفرانس به بزرگداشت حیات و خدمات فرهنگی و علمی استاد فقید دانشگاه تهران دکتر محمد باقر هوشیار (۱۹۰۵-۱۹۵۷) اختصاص داده خواهد شد.

استادان و متخصصان و هنرمندان بهائی از سراسر جهان در این کنفرانس شرکت خواهند جست و جنبه‌های گوناگون فرهنگ ایرانی را ضمن سخنرانی‌ها و برنامه‌های هنری و نمایشگاه‌ها و کارگاه‌ها بررسی و ارائه خواهند نمود.

علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند برای دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر با دفتر انجمن تماس حاصل نمایند.

تلفن: ۳۵۲۸-۷۳۳ (۷۰۸) فکس: ۰۲۴۷-۸۶۹ (۷۰۸)

امر بهائی در آکادمی ادیان

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF RELIGION

از ۲۰ تا ۲۳ نوامبر سال ۱۹۹۴ کنفرانس سالانه آکادمی امریکائی ادیان American Academy of Religion در شیکاگو برگزار شد.

نزدیک به ۸ هزار نفر استاد دانشگاه و دانشجویان دورهٔ فوق لیسانس و دکتری رشته‌های مطالعات ادیان و روحانیون و دیگر پژوهشگران در این کنفرانس شرکت کردند. در مدت ۴ روزی که کنفرانس مذکور در جریان بود، حدود ۱۰۰۰ سخنرانی دربارهٔ دین ایراد شد و شرکت‌کنندگان از ۱۵۰ نمایشگاه کتاب که توسط شرکت‌های مطبوعاتی ترتیب داده شده بود، دیدار کردند. ۱۱ نفر از احباء نیز در این کنفرانس شرکت جستند.

صبح روز شنبه اعضای گروه مطالعات بهائی در جلسه‌ای شرکت کردند و ‎۴ سخنرانی استفاده بردند از ۴ سخنرانی استفاده بردند‎:

• دکتر سوزان منک Susan Maneck دربارهٔ موارد گوناگون کاربرد کلمه ”حکمت“ در امر بهائی سخن گفت

[Page 18]

درصد شرکت زنان و مردان در خدمات و تشکیلات اموری

EQUALITY OF MEN AND WOMEN IN BAHÁ’Í SERVICE

بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی پیش از انعقاد هر کانونشن ملی، تعداد نمایندگانی را که باید اعضای محفل روحانی ملی را انتخاب کنند، تثبیت می‌فرمایند. تا کنون در ترتیبی که حضرت ولی‌امرالله معین فرموده بودند، تغییری داده نشده است. تعیین تعداد نمایندگان در حال حاضر با بیت‌العدل اعظم است.

یکی از جوانب مهم نقشه سه ساله برای جامعه بهائی آمریکا مطالعه بیشتر درباره اصل مساوی حقوق زن و مرد و کوشش برای اجرای اصل مذکور است. از لحاظ تعداد ۴۹٫۸ درصد افراد جامعه بهائی ایالات متحده را زنان و ۵۰٫۲ درصد را مردان تشکیل می‌دهند. دشوار می‌توان برابری کامل‌تری از آنچه وجود دارد، تصویر کرد. این برابری در گروه‌های جوانان نیز به چشم می‌خورد و از میان ۴۹۴۷ جوان بهائی ایالات متحده ۲۴۷۷ نوجوان مؤنث و ۲۴۶۹ نوجوان مذکر و در میان خردسالان نیز ۲۴۰۷ دختر و ۲۱۱۱ پسر وجود دارد.

چنانکه جدول زیر نشان می‌دهد احتمال دارد که به عضویت محافل روحانی در آیند. بیشترین تعداد محفل روحانی متعلق به متشکل از ۵ زن و ۴ مرد است. اما به نظر می‌رسد در محافلی که اکثریت با خانم‌ها است در انتخاب هیأت عامله بیشتر از الگوی جامعه خارج پیروی می‌شود.

در برابر هر منشی مرد، ۹ منشی زن وجود دارد و در برابر هر رئیس محفل مؤنث، ۲ رئیس مذکر وجود دارد. همین نسبت در مورد امین صندوق محفل نیز صادق است، در نتیجه مردان احتمال بیشتری از زنان دارند که به سمت هیأت عامله محافل انتخاب شوند. اما باعث خوشوقتی است که سمت منشی در تشکیلات بهائی از لحاظ مسئولیت اهمیتی بیش از دیگر سمت‌ها دارد. (ادامه در صفحه بعد)

ترجمه پیام معهد اعلی

PERSIAN TRANSLATION OF MAY 19, 1994 LETTER OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

به آگاهی یاران می‌رسد که ترجمه رسمی دستخط بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی خطاب به محفل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده مورخ ۱۹ می ۱۹۹۴ در دست است. دوستانی که علاقه‌مند به دریافت آن باشند، می‌توانند با دفتر امور احیای ایرانی/آمریکایی تماس حاصل نمایند تا ترتیب ارسال نسخه‌ای از دستخط مذکور به ایشان فراهم شود. تلفن: (۷۰۸) ۸۶۹-۹۰۳۹

لازم به تذکر است که در صورتی که جامعه‌های دیگر از این دستخط نفعی نمایند و یا ترجمه محلی دیگری از آن غیررسمی تلقی نمایند، اعتنائی به آن نفرمایند و از آن در جلسات مطالعه و تردید معلومات استفاده ننمایند. ترجمه موجود، ترجمه موجود می‌باشد و توسط حضرت ولی‌امرالله تعیین گردیده و از جانب بیت‌العدل اعظم نیز تأئید شده است.

مشورت با محفل درباره مسائل مهم امری

انتخابات

حضرت ولی‌امرالله فرموده‌اند که ابراز رأی و انتخاب اعضای محفل روحانی ملی در نیمه جریان جلسات کانونشن ملی صورت گیرد تا محفل جدید فرصت یابد که با نمایندگان به مشورت پردازد و چهارچوب کلی نقشه‌ها و برنامه‌های سال آینده را ارائه نماید.

اعضای محفل با اکثریت آراء انتخاب می‌شوند. نه نفر اولی که بیش از دیگران رأی دریافت کرده باشند، به عضویت محفل روحانی ملی در خواهند آمد.

مشورت

نمایندگان در طی جلسات کانونشن ملی با اعضای محفل روحانی ملی به مشورت خواهند پرداخت. به فرموده حضرت ولی‌امرالله محفل روحانی ملی باید توجه خاصی به پیشنهادهای نمایندگان داشته باشد. اما پیشنهادهایی که در کانونشن اتخاذ می‌گردد، در رابطه با محفل ملی جنبه رایزنی دارد. حضرت ولی‌امرالله تصریح فرموده‌اند که مسئولیت کانونشن ملی منحصر به زمان تشکیل کانونشن است و در سایر اوقات وظیفه شور درباره مصالح جامعه به عهده قاطبه یاران در جوامع محلی است و از طریق محافل روحانی محلی صورت می‌گیرد.

اعضای محفل ملی مختارند در مشاورات شرکت نمایند و پیشنهادهایی ارائه دارند، اما فقط آن عده از اعضاء محفل که از ناحیه خود نماینده شده‌اند می‌توانند به عنوان هیأت عامله کانونشن انتخاب شوند یا در انتخابات کانونشن شرکت کنند.

از نمایندگان انتظار می‌رود که گزارش رویدادهای کانونشن ملی و شرح موفقیت‌ها و اقدامات و تصمیمات شرکت‌کنندگان را به جوامع ناحیه خود در میان نهند.

تاریخچه کانونشن بهائی در آمریکا

نخستین کانونشن بهائی ایالات متحده در روز سپاسگزاری (Thanksgiving Day) ۲۱ نوامبر سال ۱۹۰۷ در شیکاگو تشکیل شد. موضوع اصلی آن کانونشن بنای ساختمان مشرق‌الاذکار بود.

در دومین کانونشن ملی که در سال ۱۹۰۹ منعقد شد، یک هیئت اجرائی متشکل از ۹ مرد و ۳ زن انتخاب شد که بعدها به صورت محفل روحانی ملی درآمد.

کانونشن دوم که در سال ۱۹۰۹ انعقاد یافت، مبدأ تاریخ کانونشن‌های ملی بهائی ایالات متحده به شمار می‌رود. آن کانونشن در همان روزی که حضرت عبدالبهاء عرش مقدس حضرت باب را در مقام اعلی جای دادند، تشکیل شد.

در کانونشن مذکور ۳۹ نفر بعنوان نمایندگان جوامع بهائی شرکت داشتند. تعداد کنونی نمایندگان حاصل تصویب در ۱۹۱۵ است که مساوی با ۱۷۱ نفر می‌باشد. وظیفه اصلی نمایندگان یکی از مواردی است که از جانب بیت‌العدل اعظم نیز تایید شده است.

اطلاعاتی درباره کانونشن ملی بهائی

NATIONAL CONVENTION INFORMATION

بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی در دستخط مورخ ۱۹ می سال ۱۹۹۴ خطاب به محفل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده می‌فرمایند: «... همکاری و معاضدتی که باید میان آن محفل و اعضای الهی تقویت و ترویج گردد به نحوی قابل ملاحظه به میزان و درجه‌ای که نگرانی‌های خود را با درایت و متانت و حکمت با جامعه در میان می‌گذارند بستگی دارد. بهترین فرصت برای این منظور انجمن سالانه شور ملی یعنی کانونشن بهائی است که نمایندگان کل جامعه جهت مشورت با اعضای محفل ملی گرد هم می‌آیند.»

محفل روحانی ملی، در پاسخ به هدایت معهد اعلی و با توجه به اهمیت آخرین سال نقشه سه ساله، بر آن شده است که هشتاد و ششمین کانونشن ملی بهائی را به صورت همگانی و با شرکت تعداد بیشتری از اعضای جامعه امری (بالنسبه به چند سال گذشته) منعقد نماید و ترتیباتی فراهم سازد که حدود ۱۸۰۰ نفر بتوانند در آن شرکت جویند.

بدینوسیله از یاران دعوت می‌شود که به اعضای محفل روحانی ملی و نمایندگان کانونشن ملی ملحق شوند و در جلسات کانونشن ملی که از ۲۷ تا ۳۰ ماه اپریل سال ۱۹۹۵ در هتل بیسمارک (Bismarck Hotel) در مرکز شهر شیکاگو انعقاد می‌یابد، شرکت نمایند. (اوراق مربوط به نام‌نویسی و اطلاعات راجع به هتل در صفحات انگلیسی این نشریه درج گردیده است. علاقه مندان به آن رجوع نمایند.)

شرکت کنندگان در کانونشن فرصتی کمیاب خواهند یافت که کم و کیف جریان کانونشن و مشاورات نمایندگان و اعضای محفل ملی را مشاهده نمایند و از آن آگاهی یابند. (ناگفته پیداست که غیر نمایندگان در مشاورات شرکت ندارند) همچنین شرکت کنندگان خواهند توانست اطلاعاتی درباره موقف کنونی جامعه بهائی و نقشه‌های آینده محفل روحانی ملی فراهم آورند و البته ام‌المعابد غرب را نیز زیارت فرمایند.

وظایف نمایندگان

جلسات کانونشن غروب روز پنجشنبه با اجلاس نمایندگان و انتخاب هیئت عامله کانونشن آغاز خواهد شد. سپس محفل روحانی ملی گزارش سالانه خود را درباره موقعیت کنونی جامعه بهائی آمریکا به آگاهی حاضران خواهد رساند. بیشتر جلسات قبل و بعد از انتخاب اعضای محفل روحانی ملی به مشاورات میان نمایندگان و اعضای محفل اختصاص خواهد یافت. جلسات کانونشن ظهر روز یکشنبه پایان خواهد پذیرفت.

برنامه کانونشن

یکصد و هفتاد و یک نماینده از نواحی مختلف در کانونشن ملی شرکت خواهند داشت. نمایندگان مذکور در کانونشن‌های ناحیه‌ای که ماه اکتبر سال ۱۹۹۴ منعقد شد، به نمایندگی از سوی احبای ناحیه خود انتخاب شدند. وظیفه اصلی نمایندگان یکی از انتخاب اعضای محفل روحانی ملی است و دیگری... [Page 19]

Carole Woodard, pioneer to Venezuela, dead at 55

Carole Woodard, a pioneer to Venezuela for 28 years, died November 5 after an extended illness.

A letter from a fellow Bahá’í reads in part: “Carole Woodard was a member of the National Assembly [of Venezuela] for many years and served on many national committees. Her teaching work as a traveling teacher has been phenomenal, including the establishment of many local Assemblies while suffering from a worsening heart condition.

“She also was an assistant to the Auxiliary Board and member of the Regional Teaching Committee. One of Carole’s outstanding qualities was courage. In spite of her life-long health problems, she raised a wonderful Bahá’í family; became a registered nurse and then a medical doctor who worked in a clinic for the poor; used her last vacation to render medical help to Bahá’í communities; and had arranged to visit Guyana to serve the Faith as a physician when, a week prior to her scheduled departure, she was hospitalized and underwent two operations.

“Her firmness and steadfastness in the Covenant and constancy and perseverance of character were unusual in the face of illness. Carole was a brilliant example of the Teachings which left its impression on the life of both Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís.”

When she died, Mrs. Woodard was 55 years old. Upon learning of her death, the Universal House of Justice sent the following cable to the National Spiritual Assembly of Venezuela:

“Grieved passing consecrated pioneer Faith Carole Woodard. Her long years selfless radiant service unforgettable. Praying progress her soul in Abhá Kingdom. Kindly convey heartfelt condolences her dear family and many friends.”

Convention

Continued from page 2

History of the Convention

The first informal Bahá’í convention in the U.S. was held in Chicago on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1907. It was called to discuss construction of the House of Worship.

The second National Convention, in 1909, established the nine-member Executive Board (six men and three women were elected) that later was to evolve into our National Spiritual Assembly.

For purposes of numbering, the 1909 Convention is counted as the first official U.S. Bahá’í Convention.

That Convention was held on the very day that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá entombed the remains of the blessed Báb on Mount Carmel. There were 39 delegates at that second Convention, representing 36 Bahá’í communities.

The present figure of 171 delegates (19 x 9) was established by the Guardian in 1936, and later confirmed by the Universal House of Justice.

Before each Convention, the Universal House of Justice restates the number of delegates that are to be elected to represent the community. To date there has been no change in the number specified by the Guardian.

For further information on the National Convention, see the December 1992 compilation from the Universal House of Justice entitled National Convention (available from the Bahá’í Distribution Service).

George Brownson, who pioneered from California to St. Vincent, Puerto Rico following his retirement, dies at 78 after long illness

George Brownson, a former pioneer to St. Vincent and Puerto Rico, died September 10 after an extended illness. He was 78 years old.

In his retirement years, Mr. Brownson left California, where he had lived for many years, to pioneer to the island of St. Vincent in November 1985. Although during most of his four years in that community his activities were limited due to physical restrictions, he and another pioneer friend spent many hours in a local cafe visiting with the patrons.

The two men became such an “institution” in the cafe that the proprietors named two chairs after them. Although both pioneers are now in the next world, the chairs will carry on their names and their message after them.

When his health deteriorated, Mr. Brownson had to leave his post in St. Vincent and was transferred to a hospital in Puerto Rico for treatment. After almost two years, he was then transferred back to the U.S., again for further medical treatment.

A non-Bahá’í friend from St. Vincent who was with Mr. Brownson during the last months of his life wrote of him, “George will be greatly missed by his friends. His life has been an inspiration to those who were close to him and knew the inner qualities of such an extraordinary human being.”

Marvin Newport, Bahá’í who was professional band singer, dies at 91

Marvin Newport, a Bahá’í for more than 50 years who turned his back on show business to teach the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, died October 7 in Monterey, California. He was 91 years old.

Mr. Newport was a singer with the popular Horace Heidt Orchestra in the 1930s when a friend introduced him to the Faith, an event he later described as “the turning point of my life.”

He left Mr. Heidt’s band, went into sales, helped form the first Bahá’í community in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and the first Bahá’í youth group in Los Angeles, and moved to many other areas to help build their Bahá’í communities.

Mr. Newport continued to use his vocal talents almost to the end of his life as song leader for the Alliance on Aging in Monterey.

Bahá’í heads Shawnee, Oklahoma, ‘Sister Cities’ visit to Nikaho, Japan

The Bahá’ís of Shawnee, Oklahoma, have found the International Sister Cities program an excellent way in which to learn about other cultures and share the Faith.

Five years ago, Shawnee became a sister city to Nikaho, Japan. At least one Bahá’í has visited Nikaho each year of the program, in which delegations of about 15 people travel to the other city and stay in hosts’ homes.

This year Fuad A. Khavari, a Bahá’í, headed the Shawnee delegation for the August 4-11 visit. He was accompanied by Shawnee’s mayor and his wife, a city commissioner, a teacher, and eight junior high school students.

Mr. Khavari said his Japanese hosts and some of their friends were “intensely interested in the Bahá’í Faith and were given literature. Many shrines and temples were visited, and spiritual bonds were established.”

On the final night of the visit, a reception was attended by 120 people including many Nikaho officials and their families.

Speeches were given by both mayors, after which Mr. Khavari, as head of the U.S. delegation, was asked to speak.

The many quotations from the Bahá’í writings used in his speech were met with repeated applause, he said, “an indication that the Japanese yearn for and respond to the Creative Word of Bahá’u’lláh, although they did not know its source.”

Bahá’ís who would like to take part in or help to form sister city relationships may contact Sister Cities International, Alexandria, VA 22314 (phone 703-836-3535 or 703-836-4815).

Some of the Sister Cities visitors from Shawnee, Oklahoma, pose at Nikaho Heights with their Japanese hosts.

IN MEMORIAM
Hsiao-Lei Alldredge El Cajon, CA November 18, 1994	Alma Goodrich Sun City, AZ September 18, 1994
Debra Bowman Sunnyvale, CA November 12, 1994	Sylvene Happenie Santa Fe, NM October 20, 1994
George Brownson Battle Creek, MI September 10, 1994	Banu G. Hemmati Solana Beach, CA September 30, 1994
Harriet Fomai Cascadia, OR November 12, 1994	Gilberta Martin Las Vegas, NV October 27, 1994
Mireille R. Gale Berkeley, CA November 9, 1994	Carole Woodard Caracas, Venezuela November 5, 1994

[Page 20]

Calendar

Pictured are eight of the nine members of the Spiritual Assembly of Little Canada, Minnesota, the first ever formed in the suburb of St. Paul (pop. 8,900) which was settled in 1844 by French-Canadians looking for good farmland. The diverse Bahá’í community of nine adults includes those of Persian, Ethiopian, African-American and European heritage. Assembly members include (front row left to right) Saied Sabery, John Polgreen, Jörma Moore, and (back row left to right) Nahid Sabery, Jim Borland, Rahel Polgreen, Márcia Goodding, and Beth Borland. Not pictured is Mary Petersen.

MOVING? TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS.

To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving The American Bahá’í, send all family members’ names, new address and mailing label to: Management Information Services, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. If acquiring a Post Office box, your residence address (c) must be filled in. Please allow 3 weeks for processing. (This also updates National’s data base.)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JANUARY

5-8: College Club Weekend, organized by the Stanford College Club, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

7-8: Regional Public Information Meeting, Los Angeles, California. Contact Shamil or Susan, 213-933-8291.

12-17: Bahá’í Youth Service Corps/Pioneer Training Institute and Program for Sensitive International Teaching Areas (SITA), Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, California. Attendance is by invitation. For information, phone the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, 708-733-3512 (fax 708-733-3509).

13-15: Colorado East Winter School, YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park. Contact John Bolz, Lafayette, CO 80026 (phone 303-666-9275).

14-15: Regional Public Information Meeting, Seattle, Washington. Contact Cindy Roat, 206-632-7645.

14-16: Illinois Bahá’í School, Best Western Hotel, Springfield. Contact Pej Clark, Decatur, IL 62522 (phone 217-423-9788).

20-22: Rendezvous of ‎t he the‎ Soul Weekend, Ruhi-style Youth Deepening for Hmong/Cambodian/English-speaking youth from northern California. Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

20-22: Regional (Eastern/Southern) Bahá’í Youth Workshop Training Conference, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute. Conducted by Oscar DeGruy for Workshop coordinators, Assembly members, young adults and interested parents. For information, contact Sofia Berhane, Hemingway, SC 29554 (phone 803-558-5093).

27-29: Conference, “Women in Bahá’í Perspective,” Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, Illinois. To register, contact Lynnea Prochnow, Research Office, Bahá’í National Center (phone 708-733-3548; fax 708-733-3563; Internet,

27-29: Assembly Team Development Weekend, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

28-29: Regional Public Information Meeting, Dallas, Texas. Contact Kambiz Rafraf, 214-248-8178.

FEBRUARY

3-5: Seekers’ Weekend, Bosch Bahá’í School. Special price for the weekend: $50 for each seeker, the same for Bahá’ís who bring seekers. For Bahá’ís who come without seekers, the cost is $100. For information, phone 408-423-3387.

3-5: Junior Youth Institute, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.

3-5: Conference, “Equality of Women and Men in the Family and Community,” Brighton Creek Conference Center, McKenna, Washington. Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Olympia. To register, phone Ellen Atkinson, 206-352-3605.

4: Meeting of health professionals, Bahá’í Center, Los Angeles, California. Sponsored by Health for Humanity. For information, phone Diana Harris, 708-835-5088, or (in the Los Angeles area), Teresa Langness, 213-933-8291.

4: South Carolina Bahá’í Education Conference, Columbia. For information or to register, write to Dr. Julian Daniels, Waterloo, SC 29384, or phone 803-677-3833.

4-5: Regional Public Information Meeting, Washington, D.C.

10-12: Black History Celebration, Bosch Bahá’í School, with Robin Evans, Dr. Gloria Haithman-Ali, Dr. George Hill, others. For information, phone 408-423-3387 or fax 408-423-7564.

10-12: Conference for Women, “Reaching for Equality,” De Leon Springs, Florida. Speakers to include Counselor Jacqueline Delahunt, Dr. Phyllis Gudger-Porter, Dr. Jane Faily. For information, phone Ana Marcial, 904-985-1905, or Effie Weir, 407-645-3379.

17-19: Marriage Enrichment Conference, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.

17-20: Adult Three-Day Weekend, Bosch Bahá’í School. Study Nat Rutstein’s book and video, To Be One. For information, phone 408-423-3387 or fax 408-423-7564.

MARCH

3-5: “Rendezvous of the Soul” Weekend and Youth Deepening, Bosch Bahá’í School. Registration deadline: February 24. For information, phone 408-423-3387 or fax 408-423-7564.

10-12: Intensive Study Weekend: Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.

10-12: “He Means Me,” new digital tapes of the Hand of the Cause William Sears, facilitated by Mrs. Marguerite Sears and Anthony Lease, Bosch Bahá’í School. Registration deadline: March 3. For information, phone 408-423-3387 or fax 408-423-7564.

24-26: The Prospects of Global Governance (with the Bahá’í International Community), Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.

24-26: Seekers and New Believers Weekend, Bosch Bahá’í School. Registration deadline: March 17. For information, phone 408-423-3387 or fax 408-423-7564.

24-26: Fifth Haj Mehdi Arjmand Scripture Conference, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, Illinois, with focus on the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. For information, phone Robert H. Stockman, 708-733-3425.

25: Naw-Rúz celebration, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.

APRIL

8: First Symposium on the Sacred Texts: The Kitáb-i-Aqdas and Its Relation to Other Holy Writings, Texas A&M University, College Station. Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of College Station. Those who would like to present papers should submit abstracts by February 15. Please send submissions to the Spiritual Assembly of College Station, P.O. Box 9028, College Station, TX 77842. For information, phone 409-693-6789 or e-mail

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

SHARAF B.E. 151 / DECEMBER 31, 1994