The American Bahá’í/Volume 25/Issue 2/Text
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Entry BY TROOPS: special pull-out section following page 10
a The American
ie ae |
alana
Mutk B.£. 150/ Fes. 7, 1994
Vo.ume 25, Numeer 2
Universal House of Justice
sees momentum building
for unprecedented growth
To all National Spiritual Assemblies Beloved Friends,
In the message sent last Ridvan, we drew the attention of the Baha'f world to the critical need for a massive expansion of the Baha'i community in the years immediately ahead. The growing receptivity of the peoples of the world to Bahd'u'llah's Message reinforces our conviction that entry by troops will soon become an established pattern for the growth of the Faith in country after country.
To assist the National Spiritual Assemblies and all the friends to understand, welcome, initiate and sustain this process, we are [sending] a compilation entitled “Entry by Troops” and a covering statement prepared by the Research Department (see the special pull-out section following page 10 in this issue). Whoever studies these illuminating
passages will perceive that entry by troops is not merely a stage of the progress of the Cause destined to occur in its own good time, dependent on the receptivity of the population as a whole—it is a phenomenon which the Baha'i communities, by their own activities, can prepare for and help to bring about. It is also a process which, once started, can be sustained. By a wise allocation of resources and the energetic pursuit of simultaneous plans of expansion, deepening and consolidation, the process of entry by troops should bring about a rapidly increasing supply of active believers, soundly based local communities, and steadily evolving local and national Baha'i institutions.
The Baha'i world needs to foster a united clarity of vision for the
See COMPILATION page 7
Russian woman named
Mrs. Larissa Grigorjevna Tsutskova
remainder of the current term. With loving Baha'i greetings,
For compelling personal reasons, Mrs. Elisabeth MiihIschlegel has resigned from the Continental Board of Counselors in Europe after more than five years of highly valued services. We are sure that she will continue to serve the Cause with great devotion in other ways, and assure her and her family of our loving prayers.
To fill the vacancy thus caused, we announce the appointment of
ship of the Continental Board of Counselors in Europe for the
Counselor in Europe
of Perm, Russia, to the member The Universal House of Justice December 26, 1993
Conference attendees hold up a bani
By Tom Mennillo As you read this, a
spiritual army is day—a “massive marching across the VISION expansion” of the Faith South. IN to meet the needs of
This force of love and unity has a mission: to engage every soul ina process of individual transformation leading to service in the Cause of God.
It was unleashed January 7-9 in Atlanta at an extraordinary gathering for largescale growth that drew nearly 1,000 adults, youth and children from the region.
There, the friends were lovingly equipped for battle by three Counselors for the Americas, the entire membership of the National Spiritual Assembly, the Auxiliary Board members for the Southeastern states, and the members of the National Teaching Committee.
Ac
Justice’s call to win the goals of the Three Year Plan.
The South rises again — to teach the masses
They heard the
ner evoking the Universal House of.
requirement of the
humanity—teiterated in the most striking fashion.
They received a personal invitation to make teaching and growth real goals in their hearts, so every non-Baha’f will be seen as a potential Baha’i and every waking moment will be reordered for service to the
TION
Cause.
They witnessed an emotional validation of the “so many wonderful teaching efforts” that have “blessed this ground,” especially the mass teaching of the early 1970s.
They took possession of a newly
See FRIENDS page 4
@ Teaching Committee names
National Arts Task Force ..........sssseeeee 2
@ The Arc: A great challenge with greater rewards
@ Texas youth to repeat successfu
teaching trip to central Mexico ............. 9
@ ‘Oneness of Humanity’ mural unveiled at Los Angeles Center
@ Baha‘i action for unity is
‘Watchword’ of new magazine .
aesion,
In a statement made by Victor Marrero, alternate U.S. Representative to the United Nations, before the UN General Assembly on December 20, the United States accused the Islamic Republic of Iran of human rights violations and religious persecution, citing 1 as evidence death sentences imposed recently against three members of the Baha'i
Faith.
The condemnation came as the 184-nation General Assembly rebuked Iran in a strongly worded resolution passed by a vote of 74 to 23 with 51 abstentions. The resolution expresses concern about “the discriminatory treatment of certain groups of citizens for reason of their
religious bi
President,
d.S. condemns Iran; UN resolution passed
eliefs, notably the Baha'is, whose
existence as a viable religious community is threatened.” Before the vote, Ambassador Marrero said, “Mr.
the United States would like to direct
the attention of the General Assembly to the Interim Report prepared by Prof. Reynaldo Galindo Pohl, Special Representative of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of
human rights in Iran.
“In the report, Prof. Galindo Pohl noted that two Iranian Baha'is, Mr. Bihnam Mithaqi and Mr. Kayvan Khalajabadi, who have been held without charge since April 1989, were informed on August
See DEATH page 6
[Page 2]
ieee s
THe AMERICAN BaHA'l
race unity and cultural diversity.”
The National Teaching Committee has appointed a National Arts Task Force and
This affirms that artists and the arts have a crucial role to play in achieving the goals of the Three Year Plan. The goal of the NATF is to work with Baha'i artists to integrate the use of the arts into all Baha'{f community activities.
The plans drawn up by the NATF will be explained more fully in a series of articles to be
ment-oriented efforts.
opment.
¢ To foster the use and understanding of the “art of consultation” as it applies to implementing artistic activities in Baha'i communities.
- To develop and promote grassroots initiatives
that use the arts for teaching, deepening, and social and economic development.
¢ To promote the aspiration to spiritual distinction first, and material accomplishment second.
- To foster a sense of art as service to humanity
by encouraging the use of arts for race unity efforts, especially social and economic develop
- To promote ‘Abdu’l-Baha's assertion that
educating children in the arts should become an integral part of their spiritual and moral devel Teaching Committee names National Arts Task Force
published in The American Baha'i and in “Art Matters,” the NATF newsletter. In forming its plan assigned to its members the task of develop- of action, the Task Force outlined for itself proceing a long-term program aimed at encourag- dural principles, some of which are: ing communities throughout the U.S. to make use of the arts as a means of building the spirit of local communities and of spreading the teachings of the Faith.
The mandate given to the National Arts Task Force (NATF) is “to foster the widespread and varied use of the arts...with a special emphasis on
Wilmette.
The NATF newsletter will contain essays, substantive articles, lists of funding, information on scholarships and resources, a calendar of events, and a vehicle for networking among artists and the Baha'i community. Subscription information will be published in the next issue of The American Baha; the first issue will be available early this year.
The NATF will also publish regular articles in The American Baha’ and, when possible, in the “Baha'i Newsreel.”
The NATF hopes that working closely, at the grassroots level, with those who create, appreciate, administer or educate in the arts will inspire a dynamic for teaching, deepening and service to the Cause.
If you would like to contact the NATE, you may do so through the National Teaching Office at the Baha'i National Center in
Baha'i college clubs connect through new e-mail networks
Baha‘i college clubs throughout the world are becoming connected with each other and to the national Baha’i offices through an electronic mail (e-mail) network.
Called the Baha’i Campus Forum, it is sponsored by the National Teaching Committee and coordinated by a task force in cooperation with the Baha’i Computer and Communications Association.
Through it, members of campus clubs can take part—efficiently and inexpensively—in discussions with members of clubs around the world and receive news and information from national offices.
What Is e-mall?
Many e-mail services are available. Some are commercial and charge for each message sent. Some are run
by individuals out of their homes and are free. A third category of email is available at academic and research institutions.
Internet, upon which the Baha’i Campus Forum is based, falls into the latter category.
An e-mail forum operates by individuals sending messages to the
Ears
The American Bahd’tis published 19 times a year by the National Spiritual As sembly of the Baha'is of the United States, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201. Second class postage paid at Evanston, IL, and additional mailing offices. ISSN Number: 1062-1113. Executive editor: Jack Bowers. Associate Editor: Tom Mennillo. The American Baha'i welcomes news, letters and other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Baha'i Faith. Articles should be clear and concise; color or black-andwhite glossy photographs should be included whenever possible. Please address all materials and correspondence to The Editor, The American Baha’t, Wilmette, IL 60091. Postmaster: Send address changes to Management Information Systems, Baha’t National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201. Copyright © 1994 by the
address of the forum. When they are received by the computer hosting the forum, the messages are automatically distributed to all the members. Depending on the computer hosting the forum, members will receive a copy of the message in a few minutes or hours.
Campus access
Nearly all colleges and universities provide their students, faculty and staff with access to e-mail free of charge.
To obtain an e-mail account, students usually can go to the Office of Academic Computing, Campus Networking or such (not the Computer Science Department) and ask for an account.
Often, individual departments such as math and physics provide email to their students.
Connecting to Campus Forum Different campuses provide different facilities or software for send— ing and reading e-mail, so it is not possible here to include exact in structions on how to use it ona
Yam atl CAMPUS FORUM
particular campus.
But once an e-mail account is established, a brief message should be sent to the Baha’i Campus Forum at Bahai-Campus-Forum-request@justice. medford.ma.us requesting connection.
Anyone not on Internet or BITNET might have to change that address a little. Call Mark Towfiq at 617-4882818 if any problems are encountered.
People newly added to the Baha’i Campus Forum will receive a message of welcome and then begin receiving regular postings. E-mail “mailboxes” should be checked at least every few days; members
might get one to five messages daily.
Taking part In the discussion
Most of the messages someone receives on the Forum will probably be read and then deleted.
If a message contains something the recipient wants to keep, it can be filed for safekeeping or printed out.
Some messages will evoke a response, either to the whole forum or to the person who sent the message. This is an important distinction!
For example, if the national office sends out a message requesting information from college clubs, the reply should be sent only to the national office.
If, however, a member wants to say hello to a friend who just posted a message, the response should go only to the friend. Otherwise, a love letter could inadvertently go to the whole Forum!
If, on the other hand, a member wants to take part in an ongoing discussion, ask a question about teaching on campus, or bring up a new topic, a response can be sent to the whole group. The e-mail address is Bahai-Campus-Forum @justice. med—
See E-MAIL page 19
Australia's deadly brush fires spare House of Worship, Baha'is
The National Spiritual Assembly of Australia reports that the deadly brush fires that destroyed more than a million acres of land in the Sydney area in early January stopped just short of the Baha'i House of Worship, although fires raged onevery side around the Temple property.
“The Temple property and buildings are safe,” the National Assembly cabled on January 10, “and have suffered only negligible damage from the fires: the water pump at the edge of the gardens was burnt, and the glass in one of the doors of the Temple was cracked by the heat of the flames.
“The fires came to the very edge of the Bigperty, but then jumped across the road and spared the Temple area. The adjacent areas on all sides of the
roperty have been burned and are eavily damaged.”
The House of Worship was featured in television reports and newspaper coverage of the fires, depicting it as an oasis in an area of otherwise blackened vegetation. An article in the Sunday Telegraph on January 9 described the situation in these words:
“Amid the smoky ruins of the
arklands, the Baha'i Temple stood ike a gleaming white beacon on the hill between Mona Vale and Ingleside.”
There were no reports of any Baha'is having been injured or losing property during the fires, although several families were evacuated temporarily.
“It is clear that the fire came very close [to the House of Worship],” the National Spiritual Assembly reported, “penetrating into bushland owned by the Faith a few meters from the gardens around the Temple. Four fire fighting units helped to fight that fire,
but had to be Sasa gue to
presing needs arising from nearby urning houses.
“The Temple caretaker...fought the fire alone until 3:30 a.m. (the police having evacuated all other Bal earlier due to the dangers) until it was extinguished.
“There is now no discernible danger to the Temple. However, there are a lot of smoldering logs close by, and so Baha'is will be patrolling the area on a 24-hour basis to deal with any problems which might arise from flying sparks.
“It appears that more than 200 nonBaha'is telephoned their Baha'i friends at various times during the crisis, wanting to come to pray at the Temple.”
Mutk 8.€. 150 / Fesruary 7, 1994
(9 MONTHS TO GO!)
d.S. Baha’i Community Current Goals and Status - Mulk 150 - February 7, 1994
FEB 6021 for the 3 Year Plan Completed as of this report EBB) Needed as of this report
THE FUND
(As of December 31, 1993)
Four Mayor Funps
EE 6.21750
HBB) oat for 150 B.£.
[HB Contributions to Date
NATIONAL FuND $8,015,120
INTERNATIONAL FUND (A 8306,201
ea
Arc Projects Funp
er
f
CONTINENTAL FUND Hi s80,000 [Bh s121,355
HEM 201,355
HEB From Nat Baha’ Fund Earmarked Dollars
HBB Total contributions
4 fe THe HEAT Is ON! ‘TEACHING oe FIRESIDE TEACHING CAMPAIGN TRAVELING TEACHING GOALS , 18 ‘Sharat ‘tm 12/31-1/18 Ne 14 HOMEFRONT PIONEER GOALS Sats Qudrat 11/4-11/22 13 Kalimat 7N3-7/31
pes
As the cold of winter has firmly set in around the nation, the HEAT Wave fireside teaching campaign is spreading the warmth of Bah4’u’ lléh'sTeachings to all corners. Fireside activity has remained at an increased state in the first areas of the HEAT Wave, and continues to grow in intensity as the months pass. Let us all double our efforts and keep those activities sustained. Remember, keep saying those teaching prayers, and Hold Everything And Teach!
FIRESIDE AREAS Qudrat 11/4-11/22 _ Illinois, lowa, Missouri 10 ‘Azamat 5/17-6/4 Oklahoma, Texas Qawl 11/23-12/11 Indiana, Ohio 11 Nir 6/5-6/23 Arizona, New Mexico Masa’il 12/12-12/30 Michigan, Wisconsin 12Rahmat 6/24-7/12 California: Electoral Units 025, 026, Sharaf 12/31-1/18 Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts 027, 029, 030, 031 New Hampshire, Rhode Island, 13 Kalimat 7/13-7/31 California: Electoral Units 015, 019, Vermont 020, 021, 022, 023, 024, 028 Sultén 1/19-2/6 New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania 14Kamél —8/1-8/19 California: Electoral Units 008, 009, MULK 2/7-2/25 DELAWARE, MARYLAND, 010, 011, 012, 013, 014, 016, 017, 018 VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON (DC), 15Asmé’—8/20-9/7 Oregon WEST VIRGINIA 16 ‘Izzat —_—-9/8-9/26 Washington 7 Baha 3/21-4/8 Georgia, N. Carolina, S. Carolina 17 Mashfyyat 9/27-10/15 Colorado, Idaho, Montana, 8 Jalél —4/9-4/27_—“Florida Nevada, Utah, Wyoming 9 Jamél —4/28-5/16 Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, 18 ‘im 10/16-11/3 Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee N. Dakota, S. Dakota (G58
Regional Traveling Teaching Coordinators
REGION 1 (ID, MT, OR, WA, WY) Jack Hansen, Touchet, WA 99360;
509-525-3978
REGION 2 (CA, NV) Sandra Huit,
0807
REGION 3 (AZ, CO, NM, UT) Terri Agahi,
85027; 602-582-7979
REGION 4 (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD) Janet Haworth,
Springfield, MO 65803; 417-862-9218
REGION 5 (AR, OK) Will Sutter,
1107; (LA, MS, TX) Riaz Haghpajuh,
214-243-1540
REGION 6 (IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, WI) Rose Wendel,
45459; 513-433-1120
REGION 7 (CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT) Nancy Duggan,
Drive, Malden, MA 02148; 617-324-7915
REGION 8 (DC, DE, MD, NC, SC, TN, VA, WY) Bruce and Lisa Barker, Mt. Airy, NC 27030; 919-789-7878
REGION 9 (AL, FL, GA) Dale Sollars,
33411; 407-791-3755
Fair Oaks, CA 95628; 916-961 So LOTAL: ENROLLMENTS
Phoenix, AZ
Oklahoma City, OK 73118; 405-557#107, Addison, TX 75244;
December series 90 Year to date... 1,279
Dayton, OH
Royal Palm Beach, FL ~f
Friends start to put growth model to work
Continued from page |
unveiled model for large-scale expansion and consolidation that simultaneously guides individual souls and builds a pattern of distinctive community life.
And they immediately set about putting the model to work, through:
- earnest consultation with Auxiliary Board members to develop local
strategies;
- a public celebration of the
coming of Bahd’u’llah presented to an overflow audience and including joyous music of nearly every stripe;
- aseries of fireside/brunches in
private homes at which members of the National Spiritual Assembly spoke;
- a teaching project in south
DeKalb County, Georgia; and
- rediscovering the basis of vibrant
Baha’f community life, the spiritual meeting.
Need for massive
Firuz Kazemzadeh, the National Spiritual Assembly secretary for external affairs, echoed the theme of the recent Vision in Action meetings in declaring that Baha’is must become the bearers of eternal salvation for today.
No Manifestation of God has been able to directly apply the Divine Remedy to more than a few hundred people in His lifetime, noted Dr. Kazemzadeh.
So, as Bahd’u’lldh was the Messenger of God for this day, we are the messengers of Bahd’u’llah, he said, and it is up to us to carry the message to all of humanity.
Nothing else we do can compare in importance, he said, especially at this time when the Universal House of Justice has stated that the influence the Faith can exercise is enormous but that there simply aren’t enough Baha‘is.
“The door is open,” he pointed out, “but there is no one to walk through it.”
Sacrifice for service
Dr. Kazemzadeh estimated that the American Baha’{ community will need to number about one million in 10 years to take its rightful place in directing the course of society.
To earn such a victory will require sacrifice of the same magnitude, Counselor Stephen Birkland told conference attendees.
“Every step of the way, our Creator has required a ransom,” he said. The bigger the victory, the bigger the sacrifice that must be made.
Sacrifices we make in following “this great Cause” include comfort, time and the way we think and interact, said Mr. Birkland.
The latter requires that we constantly examine what is not working in our lives, he said. If any of our actions are not unifying, we must change them.
ERICAN BAHA'T 4
THe Ami
The Challenge of the Divine Plan
Bah4‘u'llah has come to transform the world. Society is in desperate need of His healing Message, but we cannot impact society in the way we should until our membership is vastly increased. ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s Divine Plan is our Charter for the spiritual conquest of the planet—a conquest of love and hope. Our effort to fulfill the mandate of the Divine Plan requires firmness in the Covenant; love, fellowship, and unity among the believers, and teaching.
The Three Year Plan, the current phase of the Divine Plan, calls for a “massive expansion” of the Cause to meet the needs of humanity. Our aim is to simultaneously guide individuals into the Faith and work with them to build strong communities.
Guiding Individual Souls
Teachers, assemblies, local communities and teaching projects working for massive expansion engage in a number of steps that guide individuals along a path from learning about Baha‘u'llah to arising independently to serve His Cause. A key element is teaching individuals about the person and mission of Bahd’u’llah. A second element is inviting the seekers to become BahA’fs so that they, as their hearts are transformed, can help transform the world. Yet another essential element is providing systematic deepening programs for adults, youth, and children.
ee
Finding & Declaration Strengthening Systematic + Continued
teaching & bonds of deepening —_leaming &
receptive Enrollment fellowship, service ‘souls
The path of individual transformation is the same for everyone. Baha’is and non-Baha’fs, veteran and new believers, progress along this path at their own rate. Individual learning and transformation continues forever.
Building a Pattern of Community Life
Individual progress is complemented by a regular cycle of community life that confirms the individual’s faith, provides fellowship and worship, guides individuals and families in the practise of Bahd’f life, and offers an opportunity for service to the Cause. Such sustained patterns of action strengthen individuals and communities at the same time.
AModel for Large Scale Expansion & Consolidation
Every community has different needs. Hence, the activities will vary from place to place, and will be different at various stages of a community's development.
on __ Spiritual meetings ‘economic Teaching activities development Social Feasts & LSA activities meetings Deepenings, Individual & schools & institutes family lite Children's classes Youh & activities activities
The important thing is that activities be undertaken with love and unity and that they address the community's spiritual, social, expansion and consolidation needs. The activities should combine in an ever-evolving pattern that increases the community’s membership, sustains individual spiritual development, and leads to the spiritual conquest of the entire town, city, or region.
Putting It All Together
Large scale expansion and consolidation requires:
- Drawing spiritual power. The Faith is not about meetings—
it is about channeling and directing the tremendous spiritual forces released by Bahd’u’llah for the transformation of society. Individuals and communities are galvanized through divine power and love.
Embracing the entire population. If our activities involve only Baha’fs, we cannot grow. Baha’u'llah’s teachings are for everyone and are urgently needed by humanity at this time.
Learning through action and reflection. Every area already has some level of activity; these can evolve to include vital missing elements. Encourage initiative without worrying unduly about mistakes, which are a necessary part of a learning process. Evaluate action and revise it as needed to increase effectiveness.
Participation by everyone. The Faith grows through individual initiative, direction from assemblies, and leadership from the Auxiliary Board. While “each person cannot do everything and all persons cannot do the same thing,” every believer and every community can find some part to play in the urgent work of achieving massive expansion.
Increasing human resources. Encourage new believers and seekers to take part in activities with the Baha’fs, then arise to serve on their own. Systematic deepening on the Word of God is the key to spiritual transformation and preparation for greater service.
Heart to heart
For example, said Mr. Birkland, it is natural to feel frustration when our ideas are rejected. But consultation requires us to absorb the pain and “offer it all up as a ransom to Baha‘u’llah for the progress of this great Faith.”
The process of detachment, said Counselor Wilma Ellis, extends to “learning how to have Baha'i communities.”
With large-scale growth, she said, we will have in our communities for
the first time “Baha'is who don’t know everyone else and won’t know everything about the Faith.
“Are we ready for that?” she asked.
Dr. Ellis said that massive expansion of our ranks requires an entirely different way of looking at Baha'i community life.
Bahd’fs will have to engage the hearts of their non-Bahd’{ relatives, neighbors and co-workers so those souls can walk the same path of spiritual transformation as we are.
That means, she said, creatin; ongoing events at which Baha’is and non-Baha’is alike deepen in their knowledge of the Faith, feel the spirit of Baha’u’ll4h, and work to further the Cause.
On big shoulders
It also means “loving people” into the Faith, said National Spiritual Assembly member Alberta Deas.
“Think about when you became a Baha’i,” she implored, “and how you felt.”
In her case, Dr. Deas first was
Worksheet for Reviewing a Local Strategy
Use this worksheet to reflect on your strategy for large-scale expansion and consolidation in your area. How are your current efforts progressing? How might you add to or revise your current activities? Remember—the object is not just to have a lot of activities but to have activities that contribute toward consistent progress. Activities should be suited to local needs and resources.
Guiding Individual Souls
‘Comments Local Activity Materials/Training
Finding & Interact with and befriend non-Bahd'ts, telling them teaching about Bah4‘u'll4h. Proclamation is not a substitute for receptive souls | direct teaching.
Declaration & Invite souls to embrace the Faith. Declaration is a mileenrollment stone that takes place at any point. For some this occurs quickly; place no obstacles in the way of such souls.
Strengthening Strengthen bonds of fellowship between teachers and bonds of seekers. Strong bonds of friendship are key to
fellowship, enrollment. In areas of large-scale growth, bonds are love & unity established through regular, sustained follow-up visits.
‘Systematic Offer systematic deepening to strengthen the faith of all deepening believers and guide them in principles such as prayer, teaching, and giving to the Fund. A core deepening program can also prepare them for specific services, such as serving on assemblies.
Continued Study the Writings while striving to transform what is
learning written into action. Building A Pattern of Community Life Comments Local Activity Materials/Training Spiritual Gather Bahd’fs and seekers regularly for music, worship, meetings fellowship, etc., to enable believers and seekers to feel and be uplifted by the spirit of the Faith. Teaching Hold firesides and activities using other teaching activities methods suited to the population. Teaching must include more than simply proclamation. Feasts & Hold Feasts and Assembly meetings for Baha’fs., assembly recognizing that they may take time to develop in some ‘meetings places, but are crucial to the progress of the Cause. Individual & Help individuals and families obey the laws and Family Life develop the distinctive pattern and qualities of Baha’t life, such as obligatory prayer, fasting, Holy Days, etc. Youth Use youth to spearhead activities for expansion and activities consolidation. Children's Guide children to be effective teachers and servants of classes & the Cause. Children do not have to have Baha’t parents activities to learn about the Faith. Deepenings, Offer sustained opportunities for interaction with the schools, & Word of God and for acquiring skills to better serve the institutes Faith. Social Plan social events to provide an avenue for activities strengthening bonds love, fellowship, and unity. Social & Apply Baha’u’llah’s teachings to the problems of economic humanity, through such activities as literacy classes and
development race unity efforts.
To the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd’is of the United States The Universal House of Justice was moved by the enthusiastic spirit of the message it received from the Vision in Action Conference held in Atlanta on January 7-9. It is confident that if the friends will act in accordance with the aspirations they cherish for the teaching work, tremendous victories will be theirs, as it is evident that the receptivity to the divine Message is greatly increasing and that the ground in the Southeastern region of the United States is fertile. The House of Justice hopes that an outcome of this conference will be teaching triumphs of such measure that all other regions throughout your specially blessed country __ will be set ablaze. It will pray ardently at the Holy Threshold for such a glorious outcome. i r The Universal House of Justice Department of the Secretariat January 11, 1994
Mutk 8.£. 150 / Fesruary 7, 1994 5
taught the Baha'i principles. But she said that her heart didn’t follow her head into the Cause until she heard about progressive revelation and Bahd‘u’‘lléh.
She said we must stand, then, on the shoulders of love and unity in our teaching. And on the shoulders of all those who have forsaken comfort and braved danger to carry the message to humanity.
Such a group, she said, was the legion of teachers in the Deep South in the early 1970s. They prayed, they studied the Creative Word and, thus unified in purpose, they—and their children—went out into the hamlets and cities.
Ina stirring tribute, Dr. Deas called forward from the audience those who taught and those who had joined the Cause in those days of monumental growth.
First a trickle, then a flood moved toward the front of the room amid tearful embraces as the audience exploded in cheers.
A model for growth
Some mistakes were made in those days, as there always will be when we imperfect beings teach the perfect Word of God, said Sylvester Scott, chairman of the National Teaching Committee.
Our task, he said, is to build on what we've done well in the past.
The methods of teaching the masses are valid, added National Teaching Committee member Paul Lample. But a process is needed that each community can adapt to lend its efforts continuity.
That's where the model for largescale expansion and consolidation comes in, said Mr. Scott.
It ensures that individuals—Baha‘i and not yet Baha’i—are guided in their spiritual transformation. It ensures a regular cycle of community life that confirms those individuals’ faith, provides fellowship and worship, and affords opportunities for all to serve.
All elements of community life except Feast and the local Spiritual Assembly are open, then, to full participation by the locality at large, noted Mr. Lample.
That puts all—Bahd’is and nonBaha'is alike—on a pathway of learning, he said. “We're not the preachers and our seekers the congregation.”
This model for large-scale growth bespeaks a new maturity in the Baha'i community, he said. At earlier times, we were directed what to do. Through nurturing, though, we have arrived at a point at which we can guide our own individual and community efforts.
Available to help every step of the way as we examine our progress will be the Auxiliary Board members and their assistants—’the local Spiritual Assembly’s best friend,” said Mr. Lample. The National Spiritual Assembly and the National Teaching Committee also stand ready, in a campaign of unified action, with resources to aid in the effort.
See EVENTS page 6
‘Vision in Action —
Pioneers and children of mass teaching in the early 1970s reunite during the conference on large-scale growth at the invitation of National Spiritual Assembly member Alberta Deas (at top in photo at right).
Events demonstrate love, unity of Baha’i community
Continued from page 5
To be successful in teaching, though, we personally “must feel it’s a new day,” said Mr. Scott. “Above all, one must be enthusiastic. Enthusiasm is catching.”
Dawn Haghighi, secretary of the National Teaching Committee, said the confidence we need can be drawn from the Ridvan 150 message of the Universal House of Justice— the latest expression of the Word of God today.
“How precious that we have recognized the Blessed Beauty,” she said, “and that we have the opportunity to shower Baha’u'llah's love on ourselves and all of humanity.”
Demonstrations of love Love was showered aplenty in weekend activities that brought to life the model for large-scale growth. The first was a gala public celebration of the coming of Baha’u’llah. Robert C. Henderson, secretarygeneral of the National Spiritual Assembly, set the tone for the evening with an address in which he placed the Blessed Beauty in the firmament of God’s Manifestations. He told how all the Messengers have foretold a day in which One would come Who leads humanity to the fulfillment of God’s Promise that
we be one.
He assured his audience, many of whom were not Baha'is, that Baha’is honor Christ in their hearts.
And he invited them to investigate the Faith and to join with the Baha’i community in carrying forward God’s work.
Readings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah were interspersed with artistic reflections of God’s love in many forms, from classical music to
opera, modern dance to choral singing.
The other major event was the spiritual meeting, a concept about which ‘Abdu’l-Baha had much to say, and which Mr. Lample called the heart and soul of the model for large-scale growth.
The worship service, “In Praise of the Glory of God,” included prayers in English, Spanish and Persian; soul-stirring vocals by Carla Baker,
Carla Baker leads the Atlanta Baha‘i Gospel Choir and the audience in song at a public celebration “In Praise of the Coming of Baha’u‘llah” during the conference in Atlanta on large-scale growth.
the Florida Baha’i Gospel Ensemble and the Georgia Baha'i Choir; and thoughts expressed by Counselors Ellis and Birkland.
Dr. Ellis painted a word picture of a loving, diverse but unified, progressive, safe-giving Baha’{ community that stands with arms open wide to embrace humanity.
She repeated the invitation to join “that glorious family and feed each other with the spiritual teachings for the day in which we live.”
Onto the battiefleld
With those words, the precious souls who serve the Faith in this day returned to their communities.
Echoing in many minds, though, had to be the words of James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly.
“This is a spiritual war, and we're on a battlefield,” he said, calling the Bahd’is the “best equipped army ever to engage in battle.”
But he cautioned the friends that “we've become very good at examining our munitions. We're very good at ‘ready, aim.’”
“Starting Sunday night, it’s ‘fire!’” he declared.
Those shots are now being heard around the world, and soon the battle will spread to other areas of this country.
Death sentences are hanging over three Baha’is in Iran
Continued from page |
31, 1992, that an Islamic revolutionary court in Karaj had condemned them to death. The Special Representative reported that these sentences were being appealed.
“We were informed on December 17, 1993, that these death sentences were reaffirmed by another court on November 23, 1993. The sentences are reportedly being appealed to the Iranian Supreme Court.
“We have also learned that a third Baha'i, Ramadan-Ali Dhulfagari, was recently condemned to death in
Rafsanjan for apostasy.
“It is clear from these and other cases that the regime in Tehran continues to flout the human rights of its own citizens, unrelentingly persecuting some simply because of their religious beliefs.
“The United States intends to vote in favor of the resolution introduced here on the subject of the human rights situation in Iran. We urge all nations who oppose racism, intoler ot cases fe re regime ...
continues to flout the human rights of its own citizens. ...” — VICTOR MARRERO SNS ERSTE LET
ance and deliberate abuse of human rights to do the same.”
In September 1992 the National Spiritual Assembly learned that Mr. Mithaqi and Mr. Khalajabadi had been sentenced to death by an Islamic court near Tehran for the crime of being active Baha'is.
Subsequently, the UN and a number of countries lodged vigorous protests against these death penalties while Messrs. Mithaqi and
Khalajabadi appealed their cases to a higher Islamic court.
On November 23, 1993, the very day on which Prof. Galindo Pohl presented his oral comments on the human rights situation in Iran to the UN General Assembly, the two Baha'is were again sentenced to death by Islamic courts in Iran.
The verdict by the court charged them with such “crimes” as having been “active and avowed teachers and promoters of Baha'i agencies” and of having prepared various reports that were sent to the UN and to Baha'i institutions outside Iran.
[Page 7]
How-to guide
for info line
is available
A Baha‘i who has implemented Bahd‘i voice mail sys— tems in New York and Atlanta has compiled a how-to packet for other communities that might be considering such an information line.
Nabil Jurney, a New Yorkbased communications consultant, is offering the packet for $5 and a self-addressed, stamped business-size envelope. Send the request to Nabil Jurney, P.O. Box 1103, Cooper Station, New York, NY 10276.
With easily available technology and a couple of volunteers, a Baha’i community can have a complete telephone answering, system that will serve the needs of both seekers and Baha'is, says Mr. Jurney.
(A similar system in Madison, Wisconsin was noted in the November 23 issue of The Amer— ican Bahda’t).
Mr. Jurney says New York’s dedicated line has nine different choices of information for callers (see accompanying graphic).
When a call comes in to the main Baha’i office number and is not answered before three rings, the call is directed to a single-channel voice mail number.
That outgoing message reads: “Thank you for calling the New York Baha’{ Center and bookstore. We're away from the phone right now, but your call is important. You may leave a message for our secretary after the tone. Or, to find out more about the Bah’ Faith, or details of upcoming Baha’i events, call the New York Baha’f information line at 212-330-9309.”
New York Baha'i Information Line 212-330-9309 Press a keypad number for specific information! {Touch tone phones only)
Free Literoture tobe Const Bocksor
oaeo
orhobei Cone the Bohai Center Deeper on trects (Al tABorovas)
Mr. Jurney reports that the response has been phenomenal. For Baha'is, it helps bridge the information gap between local Baha’i newsletter issues. Visiting Baha’fs can find out about activities on weekends and after hours. And, most important, first-time seekers can learn a good bit about the Faith from the comfort of their own home.
The technology to set up a system is easy, says Mr. Jurney. Either rent a number from a local voice mail company or use your own telephone line with virtually any dedicated IBMcompatible or Macintosh computer running voice mail software.
Compilation offered to friends in hopes of renewed impetus for spread of Faith
Continued from page |
expansion of the Cause and all its agencies, and a wide range of activities suited to the differing conditions of both the general population and the individual Baha'is. We therefore urge the friends, and especially the Assemblies, to study this compilation, to understand the coherence of its statements, and to use its counsels to lend a renewed impetus to the spread of the Faith and the establishment of the institutions of the Cause of God.
Above all, in every aspect of teaching the Message, the friends should have confidence in the regenerative power of the Word of God, seek strength from the hosts of divine assistance, and anticipate the bounties that will continually be showered upon them. To build a
new world is no easy task. The road is stony and filled with obstacles, but the journey is infinitely rewarding.
It is our ardent prayer at the Sacred Threshold that the friends throughout the world, with their hearts filled with love for Bahda'u'll4h, will arise to teach His Message to the thirsting multitudes, and will welcome into His Cause all those whose spirits respond to the Divine Summons and who are moved to throw in their lot with the builders of God's Kingdom on this earth.
We are confident that, guided and assisted by the Counselors and their auxiliaries, you will be confirmed in your efforts to direct the energies of the friends toward this momentous undertaking.
With loving Baha'i greetings,
The Universal House of Justice November 9, 1993
Mutk 150 B.e. / Fesruary 7, 1994 7
Series attracts hundreds to discuss human rights
Baha’i Club members at the University of Louisville (Kentucky) figure they accomplished several goals at one time by sponsoring a series of Human Rights Symposia last fall.
The highly attended discussion series, held on six Wednesday evenings, contributed toward the fulfillment of national Three Year Plan goals by:
- attracting a variety of distinguished faculty members and other
prominent people from the community;
- addressing racism, thereby making the Baha’i Club an advocate of
racial justice and its principles a model;
- examining critically the status of
women and offering solutions for their advancement; and
- consulting with local Spiritual
Assemblies for institutional support, thus making the Symposia a channel and instrument for further maturation of local institutions.
The Human Rights Symposia were conceived by graduate dental student Mahyar Mofidi as an outgrowth of the United Nationsdeclared International Year of Human Rights and International Year of Indigenous People.
avoid the stigma of proselytizing in an environment that is suspicious of religion.
Sixteen organizations signed on as co-sponsors. Many groups on and off campus promoted the Symposia in their newsletters.
University officials, including the Provost's Office, Faculty Development and Student Life, demonstrated keen interest, too. The university assumed all expenses for advertisements, fliers and personal invitations to more than 4,500 faculty and staff, and for refreshments.
Similarly, the Student Government Association covered the costs of publishing a booklet the Baha’i Club prepared about the nature, purpose and goals of the Symposia. About 400 copies were distributed.
Through the university computer network, several faculty members sent messages to their colleagues asking them to announce the upcoming events in their classrooms.
The six Human Rights Symposia topics were: “Understanding Human Rights: Restorations of Human Dignity”; “Religion: A Needed Force for Unity”; “Women and Men: Partnership for a Healthy Planet”; “Racism: America’s Most Challenging Issue”; “Global Political Interde
Mr. Mofidi pendence:
contacted the Working Toward
Office of the U.S. a New World
Baha’f Represen- assumed all expenses for Order”; and
tative to the advertisements, fliers, personal “Indigenous
United Nations invitations to faculty and staff, People: Explorto obtain state- and refreshments. Many ing Nobility.”
ments about organizations also signed on as The Baha’t
human rights. co-sponsors of the Symposia. Club officially
Also, while opened the taking part in the Symposia with a
World Order Studies program at Landegg Academy in Switzerland, he spoke with Dr. Iraj Ayman about the proposal.
Then he and other members of the Baha’t Club went to local Spiritual Assemblies for their blessings and confirmations.
It was recognized early in planning for the Symposia that, to establish credibility, the Baha’i Club needed to attract people of prominence to the project and secure their commitment as speakers and moderators. As many as 25 to 35 U of L faculty and staff members thus became acquainted with the Symposia.
Over and over, they asked, “Why is the Baha’i Club doing this?” That gave Mr. Mofidi an opportunity to correlate the Baha’i teachings to present-day social needs and concerns.
Encouragement and positive comments such as “outstanding work,” “major initiative,” “noble cause,” “great contribution” and “abundant potential” were communicated by most of the faculty.
It was understood also that involving diverse groups would enhance the Symposia and help the Baha’is
statement that focused on the experience of the Baha’{ community in Iran and how its history of suffering provides a contemporary case for the study of human rights violations and abuses.
Baha’is and non-Bahd’is alike served as moderators and speakers at all six events. The Baha'i panelists were able to bring to bear the Faith’s approaches to pertinent themes without openly mentioning their affiliation—although this did, as it should, take place in the post-panel, informal discussions.
As a result of the Human Rights Symposia, the Baha’i Club has been asked to play a greater role on the campus. Expressions of appreciation came from many prominent people, including the assistant vice president of Student Affairs, the executive director of Student Life, the university provost, and the head of the Religious Studies program.
The Symposia also benefited the Baha'is by enabling them to deepen on the concerns and immediate needs of a hurting society, and some of the Symposia participants have started attending Baha’i firesides and gatherings.
Classified notices in The American
Baha’f are published free of charge
as a service to the Baha’t community. Because of this, notices are
limited to items relating to the
Faith; no personal or commercial
ads can be accepted for publication.
The opportunities referred to have
not been approved by the National
Spiritual Assembly; the friends
should exercise their own judgment
and care in responding to them.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
THE BAHA'f World Center urgently needs a lawyer, trained in a commonlaw country, with at least two to three years experience, preferably in property and contract law. Experience in drafting, or negotiating would be advantageous. Ideally, the applicant should be detailoriented, able to grasp new concepts.
quickly, and prepared to work as part of a small team. Please reply to the Office of Human Resources, Baha’f National
Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708869-9039).
THE LOUHELEN Baha'i School is seeking applicants to fill an anticipated vacancy for coordinator of property improvement. This is a regular, full-time permanent staff position, with salary and benefits appropriate to the core supervisory role it offers. The coordinator of property improvement oversees Louhelen’s maintenance and grounds de— partment and is responsible for coordinating and assuring the maintenance, upkeep and over-all physical improvement of the school's equipment, facilities and grounds. It is anticipated that the position will be available beginning December 1, 1994. Interest persons may ask for more information and application materials from Dr. Rick Johnson, ad— ministrator, Louhelen Baha'f School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423, or re 810-653-5033 (fax 810-653 VOLUNTEERS are needed for NABI program in 1994. In response to the
ision in Action” plan entrusted to the American Baha'i community, by the National Spiritual Assembly, the Native American Bahd'i Institute (NABI) has initiated programs for 1994 that will help attract more people to the family of Baha'u'llah. We are asking for volunteers for the following specific services at NABI: teachers/assistants for adult, youth and children’s classes; cooks/ child care workers/drivers (over 23 years of age) Youth Year of Service volunteers i ‘ase contact the Youth Desk at the Baha'f National Center). If interested, please contact Bea Castro, pro-— gram coordinator, at 602-521-1063/1064.
THE BOSCH Baha'i School is seeking a morning cook. This is a part-time position for fall, winter and spring but could be full-time during the summers. Working under the direction of the Food Services manager, the morning cook prepares Breaktasts qnelancies for
ups as large as 130. The position Should be filled by December 15. If interested, please send a letter of intent and résumé so we can mail you an application. Correspondence should be sent to 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, or phone 408-423-3387 (fax 408-423-7564).
THE BANANI International Secondary School, a Baha'f-operated boarding school for girls in Zambia, urgently needs teachers in math, physics, chemistry, French and geography. Candidates should have a university degree in their
subject area; teaching experience would be an asset. Please send résumés to the Principal,
Lusaka, Zambia (fax 260-1-247166).
ARCHIVES
THE NATIONAL Baha'i Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: L.W. Schurgast (died Cincinnati, OH, 1979), Harriet Schwartz, Emma B. Scott, Ralph Scott, Raymond Sculley, William Shepard Seamans, Harriet Seaver, Esther S. Sego, Robert J. Sevier (died Davison, MI, 1956), and Elizabeth Lunt Shamey. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Baha'{ Archives, Baha'{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 708869-9039).
THE NATIONAL Baha’f Archives is seeking, photographs of local Spiritual Assemblies, local communities and local activities, especially pictures taken early in this century. Please identify the photographs A possible with the name of locality and date. Anyone having photographs they could donate is asked to send them to the National Baha’f Archives, Baha'i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.
PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)
EMPLOYMENT opportunities overseas: AMERICAS—Bolivia: economist to help de-velop government policies to attract foreign investment. Honduras: attorney to help design: develop and implement the new Bolivian Industrial Property Institute; accountant to organize accounting system in finance department of technical assistance institute; mechanical engineer to train, advise technical instructors at a technical assistance institute. Turks & Caicos: handyman, small-engine-repair mechanic, retired General Practitioner to help in medical clinic. ASIA—Japan: teachers needed for the Japan exchange and teaching program; teachers for English-language school. AUSTRALASIA—Kwajalein Atoll: dry cleaner/ spotter, appliance electrician, LYN/ LPN, RN, PC programmer/analyst. Solomon Islands: single male architect. EUROPE—Belarus: project trainer who can communicate in Russian to provide assistance, training in organizational development to the Belarus Children’s Fund. MULTI-REGIONAL—university faculty for teaching positions on U.S. military bases overseas; development professionals with expertise in health, Population) or development eco-nomics for health and family planning programs. For more information about any of the above positions, please contact the Office of Pioneering at the Baha’i Na— tional Center, Wilmette IL 60091 (phone 708-733-3512).
PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)
HELP ESTABLISH a Spiritual As~ sembly in Menomonie, Wisconsin, home to a small but active Baha'i community, several industries and a university. If you are interested in moving to a new community or looking for a college to attend, please contact Pam Haghmanesh, Menomonie, WI 54751.
MONROEVILLE, Pennsylvania, a dynamic, unified community, is seeking, a few new members to help preserve its Assembly as it is proudly sacrificing several of its present members for ser— vice at the World Center. Monroeville (pop. 30,000) is 10 miles east of Pittsburgh, an area rated in recent years as
i
having the over-all best quality of life in the country. It boasts a good climate and
clean air, affordable housing, a good educational system, a rich cultural life, and a relatively safe environment. The University of Pittsburgh and its Medical Center, Carnegie Mellon University and Duquesne University are nearby, as are the headquarters of Westinghouse and Alcoa. The active Baha'i community holds Baha'i faunly school regularly and produces a monthly TV paceram. As one of only two Assemblies in western Pennsylvania, it is a stronghold that must be preserved. We have serious commitments to keep! For more information, contact the Spiritual Assembly of Monroeville, c/o Rhea Harmsen,
Monroeville, PA 15146, or phone 412-373-6909.
FLORENCE, Alabama, is an ideal spot to relocate! We are seven Baha'is with an incorporated Assembly in a metro area of about 80,000. The University of North Alabama has a Baha’f Club (with one
resent member) and a tuition of only $1500 a year. Foreign students are wel— come, and a new program has been set up for them. Catalogs are available on request. The pleasant climate, stable population, and university activities make Florence an ideal retirement com— munity too. For information on housing, employment possibilities, etc., please
hone Jacquie Osborne, 205-764-1766 Teeningsy
BUTTE, Montana, needs homefront pioneers to help preserve its jeopardized Assembly, which will be 50 years old at Ridvan '94. This community of 35,000 in the Big Sky country offers affordable housing for retirees and a highly rec— ommended minerals/engineering col— lege (MT Tech) for students. Employment opportunities are limited. For information, contact the Assembly sec— retary, P.O. Box 3922, Butte, MT 59702, or phone 406-782-8194.
TEXARKANA, Texas (gateway between the West and South) warmly welcomes Baha'fs who are willing to relocate to help us re-form our Assembly. Texarkana Apop. 53,000) is a city targeted in the Three Year Plan to raise to Assembly status. It has a growin; economy, affordable housing, excellent public schools, and a soon-to-becompleted new hospital. In addition, East Texas State University-Texarkana and Texarkana College offer a variety of degrees. For more information, please write to the Baha'is of Texarkana,
Texarkana, TX 75501, or phone 903-832-6181.
WANTED
WANTED: Baha‘ artists and craftspersons to display and sell their wares at the Baha'i Family Reunion, April 29-May 2, 1994, in Pompano Beach, Florida. Limited space is available. All items must be approved by the Spiritual Assembly of Pompano Beach. For information, pone Denise or Dennis Godsey, 305-942-1844; fax 305946-9299.
WANTED: copies of letters and/or tapes from the of the Cause of God Abu'l-Qasim Faiz{ for possible use in a compilation of excerpts from his letters and talks currently in preparation. If you are willing to share your letters and/or tapes for this project, I would be happy to pay the costs of copying and postage. Please contact Shirley Macias,
Los Angeles, CA 90035 (phone 310-553-4740).
LANGUAGE TEACHERS: Join the worldwide network of Baha'is who work as teachers of English as a second language and help start our newsletter to communicate about job opportunities and share Baha’f teaching ideas. To receive the list (and to be included on it), please send your name, address, news
THe AMERICAN BAHA'I 8
and ideas with a self-addressed stamped envelope to Joy Allchin, Tacksonville Beach, FL 32250;
DOES YOUR TALENT lie in drawing angelic Baha'i children from all over the world? If so, we have an idea for a new Baha’{ children's book and are seeking an illustrator. If you are interested, plese contact us before March 1: Raelee
tes and Robyne Borhanian,
Hillsborough, NC 27278 (phone 919-644-1441). Please include an original drawing of a child between the ages of two and seven years.
IF YOU ARE or ever were a pioneer to another country, I am compiling a book of pioneering anecdotes. Please send your stories illustrating, the steadfastness, sacrifice, detachment, culture shock, differences of language, or any other aspect of life as an overseas pioneer to Susan Ahmadi Hansen,
Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela (fax 001-58-86-228126).
BAHA' filmstrips are needed for deepening institutes in Africa. Donated or will purchase if necessary. Contact Chris Stevenson,
Ithaca, NY 14850 (phone 607-257-9076).
ARE YOU, or your Bahd'f community, involved in interfaith activities or interfaith dialogue? The Research Office of the National Spiritual Assembly and the Baha'f representative to NAIN (the North American Interfaith Network) need to know how many Bahda'fs and Baha'i communities are active in interfaith efforts, how many Bahd'fs are officers of interfaith groups, and what efforts Baha'is have been making in this area. The information is also needed for the National Spiritual Assembly to assess Baha'{ involvement in interfaith efforts, and it is sought for ible inclusion in future issues of The American Baha’f. Please write to Dr. Robert H. Stockman, Research Office, Baha'f National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Phone 708-869-9039 (voice); 708-8690247 (fax); 72203.623-@COMPUSERVE .COM (E-mail; INTER-NET).
SEEKING original songs for an album. Lyrics with a Baha'i message or from the Baha'f writings. Please send tape, lyric sheet, name and address to Susan Lewis Wright,
Denver, CO 80209.
GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS
ONE-YEAR GRANTS are available for Baha'i scholars from the Haj Mehdi Arjmand Fellowship, administered by the Landegg Academy in Switzerland. Priority is given to work on Baha'i scripture or scriptures of other religions from a Baha'i PerereeNG. Work quality is assumed to be at the post-graduate level. Grant money is awarded to cover such out-of-} et expenses as purchasing books a eagnlics, BHOGCRE TENE the costs of communication (postage, faxes, telephone calls) and travel. Multiyear grants will be considered. The deadline for applying for a fellowship grant is March 21. Applications received after that date may be considered for the following year. Inquiries about the application process and applications them— selves are to be addressed to: Landegg Academy Secretariat,
Switzerland. Tele— phone (+) (41-71) 28 60 22; fax (+) (411) 28 21 32.
MISCELLANEOUS
WILL THE WOMAN who so kindly offered to make me a gift of her copy of Stanwood Cobb's poems please write to me again? I answered with a grateful acceptance but the letter was returned to me asking for a better address. Mabel S. Olson, Anchorage, AK.
150 / Fesruary 7, 1994
By Tom Mennillo
There is no question that the Arc on God’s Holy Mountain will be built, says Jeffrey Mondschein. The only questions are when, and whether the Baha'is of this generation will have a stake in it.
Mr. Mondschein, chief financial officer at the Bahai World Center, related that message to individual believers and Baha’{ communities during a whirlwind 15-city American tour December 27 through January 9.
The tour was requested by the National Spiritual Assembly as a follow-up to the Vision in Action meetings being held across the country.
In the spirit of those meetings, which stressed individual action and commitment to meeting, the Faith’s need for growth in numbers and financial resources, Mr. Mondschein was invited to provide important information about current developments at the World Center, including the Arc Projects on Mt. Carmel.
The National Spiritual Assembly hopes that the friends will use this information in their efforts to find ways in which they can serve the Cause of God in the challenging days ahead.
Mr. Mondschein noted in his talk the everlengthening litany of the world’s problems.
The Bahd’f answer, he said, is that the completion of the Arc—prophesied since biblical times—will give rise to a spiritual potency that ushers in the Lesser Peace.
Certain events have already given us a sense of what is to come, he said. Recently, the deputy prime minister of Papua New Guinea traveled to the Holy Land to confer with the Universal House of Justice on the future direction of his country.
But in assuming its role as the administrative core of an emerging world commonwealth, the Baha’f World Center will require greater human and financial resources than ever imagined, said Mr. Mondschein.
And the need is urgent—not only to keep down the cost of constructing, the Arc, but to keep world events from overtaking the Faith.
At present, he said, the Baha’i World Center staff of 620 is “doing more with less to sustain the focus on building the Arc.”
When the Funds lag, as they have for the past four years, money must be transferred from the International Fund to ensure unbroken progress on the construction projects, he said.
‘7a rg the Baha'i World Center staff is doing more with less to sustain the focus on build ing the Arc.” RSS
The Arc: A great challenge with greater rewards
That, in turn, hampers the ability of the Universal House of Justice to address humanity’s im-mediate needs and take advantage of opportunities to spread the message of
Bahé’u'll4h. Mr. Mondschein said it will take la a “living sacrifice” by the American
Baha’{ community akin to the sacrifice in blood by the believers in Iran for the World Order of Bahd‘u’llah to come about.
Right now, the need is for $74 million during the Three Year Plan for the Arc Projects.
The amount is daunting, but if the friends visualize it as about 8,000 units of $9,000 each, said Mr. Mondschein, it becomes more manageable. Suddenly, it is within reach of some individuals and many communities.
Certainly, he said, it is within reach of the “cradle” and “stronghold” of the future World Order, as Shoghi Effendi called the American Baha’{ community.
“We're the only ones who can give this gift to the world,” said Mr. Mondschein.
Baha'i youth from Texas plan to repeat
successful teaching trip to central Mexico
A traveling teaching trip to Mex— ico was so successful in opening hearts to Bahd’u’‘llah that it will be repeated during spring break this year.
Last summer, five Baha’{ youth and Auxiliary Board member Mike Pietrzak went by bus to the state of San Luis Potosf in central Mexico for several days of prayer, teaching and fun.
Omeed Molayan, an Oklahoman, and Brinda Runghen of Montreal, Canada, had arrived in Dallas, Texas, to encourage traveling teaching. Andrew Afifian and Rassa Shahidzadeh of Dallas immediately arose to join them.
Andrew and Rassa taught children’s classes at the Baha’i Summer School in Harlingen and taught the Faith to students at Pan American University in Edinburgh, Texas.
Then Omeed, Brinda and Amelia Ramirez of McAllen joined them on a bus trip to Reynosa, Mexico. There,
they were warmly welcomed by Mr. Pietrzak and his family.
Mr. Pietrzak took the youth on a nine-hour bus ride to Ciudad Valles. Traveling on foot from there, the group talked about the Faith to people living in huts in the Huasteta mountains as they made their way to the village of Huichihuayan.
Bahé’f families in Huichihuayan welcomed the youth into their homes for several days.
Children and youth of the village gathered in the square each evening for Baha’{ songs and teaching. Several adults looked on and became interested in the programs.
The first night about 30 children attended, and by the third night more than 50 people were there.
“Some people declared their faith in Bahd’u'll4h in just five minutes! Their hearts were so pure,” said Andrew. “The people we met were so ready to accept Baha’u’llah.
See MEXICO page 10
Dr. Soheil Bushrui one of four speakers at Maryland interfaith peace conference
Dr. Soheil Bushrui, who holds the Bahd'f Chair for World Peace at the University of Maryland, was one of four speakers at a conference last December 11 in Carroll County, Maryland, whose theme was “Religious Perspectives on Peace-Making.”
The event, which was sponsored by the “On Earth Peace Assembly,” a Christian interdenominational peace organization, included presentations by the Baha'{, Buddhist, Christian, Islamic and Jewish faiths.
Dr. Bushrui based his talk on the
statement by the Universal House of Justice, “The Promise of World Peace.”
He spoke about the need for world unity, the equality of men and women, the elimination of racism, a more just distribution of wealth and resources, and the importance of harmony between science and religion.
Many of those in the audience asked for copies of “The Promise of World Peace.”
Dr. Bushrui later closed the conference with a prayer for unity by ‘Ab— du’l-Bahé.
Young Bahda’is with children in Mexico during a teaching trp last summer. Front row (left to right) Rassa Shahidzadeh, Omeed Molayan. Back row (left to right) Andrew Afifian, Amelia Ramirez, Brinda Runghen.
Seating arrangements for 85th Convention
The 85th Bahai National Convention will be held at April 21-24, 1994. in Foundation Hall at the Baha’f House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.
After seating the delegates, less than 200 seats are available for the friends who wish to observe the proceedings. Although the National Assembly would like to accommodate as many people as possible, please understand that because of the space limitations in Foundation Hall, we will only be able to assign visitor seating to a few people.
Seats for visitors are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis by postmark. To request seating reservations, please send your name, address, telephone number and Bahd’f I.D. number to: Convention Seating, Baha’ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Seating is available by advance registration only.
Information about hotel accommodations will be sent to those who receive seating confirmations.
‘Black Pearls’ explore African heritage
Ata two-hour meeting on Sunday, October 17, the Black Pearls of In— diana hosted an exploration of the heritage of black Baha'is at which the friends from Indianapolis and Speedway learned about the lives of black Baha'is from the time of the Bab and Baha'u'llah to the present, focusing on black Baha'is in America. institute holds monthly meetings.
Personages such as Haji Mubarak, Isfandiyar, Fiddih, Louis Gregory, Joy Earl and Alain Locke were fea— tured during the presentations.
The Black Pearls is a teaching institute that exists to teach the Faith to African-Americans and to deepen and support those who already are
aflame with love for Baha'u'llah. The
National Teaching Committee plans to launch ‘American Routes’ summer teaching program
This summer the National Teaching Committee is planning to kick off a national teaching project called “American Routes.”
The project is designed to mobilize large numbers of Baha'f youth and children to teach their peers about the Faith. Although spearheaded by youth traveling teachers, it will also actively engage entire Baha'i communities from children to adults.
“American Routes” will support the Teaching Committee's vision of expansion and consolidation for large-scale growth, and will augment the teaching work already under way throughout the country.
If you are interested in becoming a part of this project, please take a few moments to complete this form and send it to “American Routes Task Force,” National Teaching Committee Youth Desk, Baha’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 708-869-9039. E-mail: Baha'Campus-Forum-request@justice.medford.ma.us.
We are a local Spiritual Assembly or Group interested in: [ ] vastly increasing the human resources in our community
[ ] engaging our community's children and youth as teachers
{ ] having a traveling teaching team serve in our community
[ ] initiating teaching events in which teaching teams can take part
[ ] hosting a Bah4'f Youth Service Corps volunteer who will help. mobilize area Baha'{ children or youth as teachers of the Faith
[ ] deputizing funds for a person or group to teach
Iam an adult interested in:
[ ] being a resource person for traveling teaching teams
[ ] being a resource person for a resident Baha'f Youth Service Corps
volunteer
t ] mobilizing my community's children and youth as teachers of the ‘ait
[ ] deputizing funds for a person or group to teach
Iam a performing artist or group interested in:
[ ] teaching the Faith directly through the arts
[-] getting together with other performers to form a Performing Arts Teaching Team
[ ] helping to set up, direct or coordinate a Performing Arts Teaching Team for Baha'i children or youth
Iam a youth interested in becoming:
[ ] part of a traveling teaching team
[ ] a resident Baha’f Youth Service Corps volunteer who works with Baha'i children and youth to mobilize them as teachers of the Faith [ ] an active teacher in my local community
Iam a child or pre-youth interested in:
[ ] teaching the Faith to other children and pre-youth
[ ] working with local Baha'f children and/or pre-youth to start a teaching group in my community
Today's date
Name
Address City/County/State/Zip, Phone(_ ). E-mail Language(s) in which fluent Language(s) in which conversant Racial/ethnic group(s)
Age ____ Date of birth
Baha'i Locality Code (if known) Dates I will be available
Baha'i I.D. No. (if known)
Work (__). Fax
Gender Hat size Closest LSA
HATS: of
bosn Corry
£8. Chuang
SKatieg
Pictured is the booth sponsored by the Baha'is of Okaloosa County, Florida, in September at the annual Okaloosa County Fair.
Baha'is in Okaloosa County, Florida, charm children with booth at annual County Fair
The Baha'f community of Okaloosa County, Florida, provided a booth in September at the Okaloosa County Fair.
The booth, at the Okaloosa County Fairgrounds, included informational videos and a children's give-away coloring event. Each child who visited the booth was given crayons and invited to color a “Passport to the World” on a pre-printed sheet of paper.
The inspiration for the “passport”
sheets came from an article in The American Baha'i (September 8, p. 18) describing a similar activity by Ba— ha'fs in the Cleveland, Ohio, area at the Middleburg Heights Home Days Fair.
The booth in Okaloosa included information about the Central Figures of the Faith, Baha'{ principles, a statistical overview of the Baha’f community, and photographs of Baha'i Houses of Worship around the world.
Baha'is in Los Angeles consider opening elementary or secondary school to win goal of Three Year Plan
A group of Baha’fs in Los Angeles has been meeting to explore the possibility of opening a Bahd’f-run elementary or secondary school.
Operating a school is one of the Los Angeles Spiritual Assembly’s goals for the Three Year Plan.
A survey has been published asking Baha’i parents in the L.A. area whether they would enroll their children if a Baha’i school were started.
The survey also asks what grade levels are most needed and how much parents would be willing to pay for tuition.
Among the tasks that an Investiga Mexico
Continued from page 9
Materially they were so poor, yet spiritually they were so rich.”
Rassa concurs: “Having the opportunity to teach the Faith and seeing the results right away was the biggest reward,” he said. “The people are so much more spiritually active in Mexico. It’s a much slower process in the U.S.”
Eleven people declared their faith in Bahd’u'lldh while the youth were there. They join a community of 70 Baha’fs in the village.
Back in Cd. Valles, the youth gave a fireside in a home where three more people declared their faith in
tive Committee will perform are locating possible sites with suitable buildings and facilities; researching initial costs and preparing a budget; and exploring possible sources of funding, such as grants and donations.
At present, the Los Angeles Baha’f Center operates a Children’s Enrichment Program with 19 students.
That program uses a wide array of Bahdé’{ and non-Bahd’f volunteers to help students with their school homework; offers enrichment activities in art, science and music; and teaches virtues and values.
Baha’u’llah.
Asked what he enjoyed most about the experience, Rassa said, “Teaching is the best way to get people together. It has a great unifying power—not only for the non-Bahd’fs who become Bahd’fs, but also for us who have been Baha’fs all of our lives.”
Over the Thanksgiving holidays, Mr. Pietrzak, Amelia, her brother Jorge, and 19 other people from Texas returned to Huichihuayan. Seventeen people declared their faith.
The next trip will be held during spring break. Anyone who speaks Spanish and wants to take part should contact Mr. Pietrzak at 01152-892-25902.
11
Mutk 150 B.e. / Fesruary 7, 1994
Baha'is take part in World NGO Forum for IYF
The Baha'i International Com— munity's Office for the Advancement of Women coordinated over-all Baha'i participation No— vember 28-December 2 at the World NGO Forum, launching the United Nations International Year of the Family (IYF), at the Mediterranean Conference Center in Malta.
The Forum itself was organized by the Vienna NGO Committee on the Family, in collaboration with the New York NGO Committee on the Family, the Paris UNESCO/NGO Group on the Family, and the UN TYF Secretariat.
The estimated 1,000 participants at the Forum included 25 Baha'is from Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa and the U.S.
The Baha'i International Community Office of Public Information helped the Office for the Advancement of Women to promote the Ba— ha'{ concept of family by designing a display demonstrating visually the Baha’f belief that family unity is an essential building block of a prosperous society.
Materials on the Faith, including a pamphlet on the family, were disseminated, and the Baha'f delegation
was host to a reception to which conference organizers and participants were invited.
The Office for the Advancement of Women worked closely with the Baha'i community of Malta to facilitate Baha'f participation in the conference. The Baha'fs of Malta supported the effort by staffing the Baha'f booth and transporting materials and equipment. In return, the Baha'i community of Malta benefited from the exposure it received and the opportunity to contact many prominent people in Malta.
One of the collaborative activities between the BIC and Bahd'is of Malta was a reception November 30 hosted by the BIC. Among the 80 guests were Henryk J. Sokalski, coordinator for the International Year of the Family; Dennis Callagy, chairman, Vienna NGO Committee on the Family; Alba Zizzamia, chairman, New York Com Helen Marinello, a Baha'i since 1921, marks 100th Pe in peavey IL
Helen Marinello, a Baha’{ since 1921, celebrated her 100th birthday December 2 at her home in Maywood, Illinois.
Family members friends from the Maywood and Oak Park Baha'i communities were on hand for the occasion.
Mrs. Marinello came to Maywood in the early 1930s as a homefront pioneer. She traveled with Nettie Tobin and Ruth Moffet throughout the Midwest in the ‘30s and ‘40s.
She began a regular fireside more than 60 years ago and continues to hold one in her home the second Tuesday of each month.
“I know not as many can come,” she said, “but still, the word is out and Bahéa’u’ll4h will find a way.”
Mrs. Marinello was a member of one of the first Chicago Baha’i youth groups, which included Leroy and Monroe Ioas, Zia Baghdadi, Marjorie McCormick, Marjorie Ullrich, Lillian Dobbins and Sophie Loeding.
HELEN MarINELLO
Her parents, William and Charlotte Barrick, were early American Bahd’fs, having joined the Faith in 1908. They welcomed ‘Abdu’l-Baha on his American tour in 1912.
Many activities to mark UN ‘Year of Family’
Baha'i communities throughout the United States are encouraged to carry out activities marking the International Year of the Family (YF). The U.S. Baha'f community's theme for the Year is ‘Abdu‘lBaha's statement, “The family is the nation in miniature.” This theme should be tied closely to the spiritual destiny of America and to the Three Year Plan goal of raising the first generation of Americans free from prejudice. All U.S. Bahd'i activities for [YF should be reported to the United Nations Office of the National Spiritual Assembly, 866 UN Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017-1822.
Linda Kavelin Popov ‘(left), a Bahai from Canada Ri presented a workshop on ‘The Emerging Roles of Men and Women in Families’ at the Malta Conference ushering in the International Year of the Family (IYF) chats with Matilda Cuomo, wife of Gov. Mario Cuomo of New York state.
Board of Counselors for Australasia, accepted the award on behalf of the BIC.
Jenny Field and Bahia Ettahedieh, representatives of the Baha'i International Community, were cited for their con— tributions to the work of the conference, and Sar— ah Cassar, a Baha'i from Malta, received an award on behalf of the World Movement of Mothers.
About 50 people at the Forum attended “Breaking the Equality Barrier: Emerging Roles of Men and Women in Families,” a BIC-sponsored workshop conducted by Dan Popov, Linda Kavelin Popov and Counselor Benson.
After the conference, Baha'is took , part in a local event sponsored by the Cana Movement of Malta, a family-oriented Catholic organization. The Popovs held two seminars and shared their work as authors of the “Virtues Guide,” a publication widely praised by va-rious religious groups.
‘Oneness of Humanity’ mural unveiled at Los Angeles Center
By Aun Everwy
On October 24, a colorful street festival celebrated the unveiling of a new “Oneness of Humanity” mural at the Los Angeles Bahd’i Center.
The event also honored the United Nations at a time when the international body is assuming an increasingly vital role in the struggle for world
eace.
Ri The 8- by 64-foot mural depicts flags of all the world's countries, with a globe and rainbow of faces in the foreground.
Rapidly changing world events complicated the mural project. Artists had to add several flags—including one for the Palestine Liberation Organization—at the last minute.
The Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles and Urban Pride (U.P.) sponsored the event in cooperation with the United Nations Association (UNA).
Representatives of Mayor Riordan’s office and the City Council presented proclamation certificates. Speakers included representatives from the consulates of Sweden, Mexico and Argentina and others from the UN delegation, the Human Relations Commission and the L.A. Cultural Affairs Department.
The Bahd’{ Youth Workshop performed, along with dancers and musicians from China, El Salvador, Zaire and the European Community. The performers and food vendors reflected the cultures of 20 nations in all.
The World Peace Prayer Membership presented flag ceremonies, and the Optimist Boys’ Home painted flags on children’s faces. Children took part in six other exhibits as well.
The mural project came about as part of the healing process following last year's riots in Los Angeles.
A contest to design the mural was sponsored by the Baha’is. Miguel Ra— mos of L.A. City College won first prize.
Under the direction of urban designer and U.P. co-founder David Green— berg, a diverse group of inner-city children painted the mural.
Los Angeles seems a highly appropriate site for the mural. Its estimated 170 to 180 ethnic populations make it perhaps the most culturally diverse city on the planet.
Bahd’f Center Director Teresa Langness and other event planners believe that Los Angeles is on the cutting edge of a “globalization process” in which people are increasingly regarding themselves as world citizens.
To emphasize that belief, mural planners chose to place the following quotation from Bahd‘u’llah beneath the art work: “The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.”
mittee on the Family; representatives of the UNESCO delegation, and many other prominent speakers at the Forum.
The following evening, the BIC was one of 100 individuals/groups to receive testimonial awards for taking part in the Forum. Betty Benson, a member of the Continental
12
El rocinante se transforma en pura-sangre de carreras
Amor con amor se paga
Los bahd’is en todo el pais se estan dando cuenta de que los nuevos creyentes que traen a la Fe no solo aumentan la lista de miembros, sino que traen energfas nuevas a la comunidad.
También se estén dando cuenta que acciones llevadas a cabo para adelantar la Causa de Dios producen resultados mas alla de lo imaginado. Cuanto se deciden arrancar, otros siguen su ejemplo, y trabajando asi en conjunto, logran mas de lo que hubieran podido hacer solos.
Los ejemplos que siguen son tipicos:
Rolla, Missour!
Dos comunidades baha‘is con gran dedicacién al Servicio estan recogiendo una abundante cosecha.
Rolla y la vecina Phelps County tenfan cada uno 11 bahd‘is al comienzo del primero de noviembre, 1993. Un mes después la zona tenia siete baha’fs recién declarados, -seis de ellos en Rolla.
Seria facil decir que las declaraciones resultaron a raiz de charlas hogarefias en que la comunidad entera estaba involucrada.
Pero estas semillas fueron sembradas por medio de actividades de alcance mas extensivo.
Los baha’is de Rolla y de Phelps County solfan invitar a miembros de la Asociacién Estudiantil China a sus casas.
Con frecuencia, éstas ocasiones eran los primeros eventos netamente sociales en que los estudiantes de la Universidad de Missouri-Rolla, en compaiiia de sus familias, fueran acogidos por americanos.
Una vez al mes, la Noche de Familias Internacionales reune gentes de muchas culturas, estableciendo amistades y un espfritu de unidad que afecta los corazones de todos los presentes.
Muchos de los baha’is han comenzado a dar clases de Inglés como segundo idioma en sus hogares. Las clases atraen muchos estudiantes, pero en especial son titiles para las esposas y otros miembros de la familia que luchan por ajustarse a la vida en los Estados Unidos.
Con frecuencia se dan clases de estudio para las damas. Las clases para nifios son de especial importancia. Las Asambleas decidieron hace un aiio preparar a los bahd’is de la vecindad con un plan de estudios. Ahora, la escuela dominical atrae tantos nifios no-baha’is que sobrepasan en ntimero a los nifios baha’is.
Los bahd’is de Rolla y Phelps County rezan mucho—individualmente y juntos—por el éxito de la Causa en sus comunidades. También han invitado a bahd’is
célebres como Florence Mayberry para esparcir el amor por medio de sus visitas y ejemplos.
Todas estas actividades naturalmente resultan en que la gente quiera saber de la Fe. Preguntan, “2Que es lo que hace que los baha’fs sean tan gen— erosos?”
La respuesta, asi como ensefian los baha’fs en sus charlas hogareiias, es el espiritu de Bahd’u’llah que entrelaza sus vidas. A los buscadores se les ensefian los principios de la Fe, y se les invita a aceptar a Bahd’u’lldh en sus corazones y sentir su presencia dentro de si.
No es de asombrarse que tantos acuden a alis— tarse en la Causa, y menos atin que estos creyentes recién declarados salgan inmediatamente a ensefniar la Fe no sélo a sus amigos sino a emprender giras fuera de sus alrededores como maestros viajeros.
Este empoderamiento ha sido tal, que de hecho, Rolla, que hace ocho afios carecia de un solo baha’i, ahora tiene una Asamblea que cuenta entre sus miembros cinco creyentes de Taiwan, y tres de la China continental.
Las comunidades forman equipo
Siete comunidades bahd’is vecinas de Boling— brook, Illinois, han coordinado sus charlas hogarefias para que no haya redundancia. De este modo pueden apoyarse el uno al otro mas efectivamente. A una sefiora se le pregunté reciente— mente si creia en Baha’u’llah, Sus leyes y Sus ensefianzas. “Si”, respondié, y firm6 su tarjeta ahi mismo. A nadie se la habia ocurrido antes hacerle esa pregunta. Lo primero que quiso hacer fué girar un cheque al Fondo. jYa Baha’y’l-Abha!
caracteriza dos por devocién
Se adelantan por lo menos nueve campafias de ensefianza en los estados del oeste, cuatro de ellos siendo equipos de ensefianza de tiempo completo. El proyecto “Teresita” de Phoenix adopté a So— nora, México como meta de ensefianza por exten— sién, con un instituto de ensefianza en Hermosillo. Varios de estos proyectos, incluyendo Phoenex y El Paso, estén pensando en un intercambio de j6venes voluntarios con México.
El alcance radial aumenta en forma dramatica en estas zonas. El sur de California tiene un ‘show’ semanal que ha resultado en muchas indagaciones acerca de la Fe.
Lo principal en todos estos proyectos es la diversidad de los caminos hacia la ensefianza y la consolidaci6n.
Algunos de los amigos estan involucrados en la radio-difusién, otros se valen de las charlas hogarefias, y otros hacen la ensefianza directa. Hay quienes trabajan con programas de desarrollo socio-econémico, algunos dan clases de Inglés, otros laboran en el cuidado de los nifios de aquellos quienes estén buscando 0 estan ense— flando, y atin otros ayudan con sus oraciones y apoyo. Por sobre todo, la clave consiste en que todos estan haciendo lo que quieren hacer con amor, y haciéndolo con el amor y la devocién que sienten por Bahé’u’llah.
Declarante se vuelve maestro
El proyecto de ensefianza William Sears Hearts
Afire (Corazones Ardientes) in Renton, Washington, tuvo sies declaraciones en noviembre. Es— pecialmente emocionante es que uno de los nuevos creyentes se ha alistado a las filas de los masestos del proyecto de tiempo completo.
Mike McGill, quien recientemente se traslad6 de Mississippi a Renton comparte su riqueza espiri— tual recién descubierta con cualquiera que se en— cuentre. En un dia corriente el habl6 con unas cincuenta personas y compartié con ellos su amor por Baha’u’llah.
Todo encuentro tiene por objeto dar alguna literatura a sus huéspedes. De esta forma, dice él, aunque no la “oigan”, mas tarde lo descubriran por si mismos. Otro miembro nuevo del equipo de ensefianza es Gary Jones, quién regres6 a Ren— ton desde Alaska donde participaba el verano pasado en darle vida nueva a un proyecto de ensefianza y en el entrenamiento de maestros. También participé en esfuerzos de ensefianza en Texas en 1992.
Dulce crece semanalmente
Hace dos aiios el pueblo de Dulce, Nuevo México en la Reservacién de los Apaches Jicarilla habia solamente un pufiado de baha‘is sin siquiera un grupo que funcionara. Hoy en dia hay 18 creyentes en Dulce, 12 de los cuales se declar— aron apenas este afio -y esperan formar su Asam— blea en Ridvan. Este aumento, desconocido hasta el momento en esa regién, result6 por un esfuerzo seguido, paso a paso, de Lance y Debrah Hurt, siendo ellos baha’is de apenas tres afios de dec— larados. La pareja Hurts vive en Pagosa Springs, Colorado, pero trabajan en Dulce y por consiguiente han podido dedicar tiempo seguido a la tarea de contactar los baha’is, y presentar tanto charlas semanales como clases de profundizacion para los creyentes nuevos. También han sido apo— yados en sus esfuerzos por la Asamblea Espiritual de West Sandoval en Nuevo México y por creyentes individuales en la Reservacién Ute del Sur y de Durango.
Turtle Mountain esta en llamas
Llevan varios afios los baha’fs viajando a la Reservaci6n de Turtle Mountain en Dakota del Norte por invitacion de uno de los mayores de la tribu, Francis Cree. Durante una ceremonia de consulta indigena (pow-wow) se distribuy6, en un solo dia, una caja entera de literatura. Recientemente, se comenz6 un periédico de la Tribu Chip— pewa de Turtle Mountain. Francis Cree fué en— trevistado, resultando un articulo que incluy6 dos menciones de la Fe. Aunque no hubo mucha receptividad, no se registaron declaraciones hasta los primeros dias de diciembre, cuando dos per— sonas se declararon en un fin de semana. Ahora estén con miras de formar la primerisima Asamblea Espiritual de esta Reservaci6n.
EI progreso humano es el enfoque de la Conferencia de Desarrollo
Los historiadores Baha’is del futuro bien podrian localizar con exacitud el afio 1994 como el afio en que los creyentes americanos tomaron los temas de desarrollo social y econémico seriamente.
Si asi es, el agradecimiento se le debe al Fideicomisario de Caridad Eshraghieh y Mahmoud Rabbani.
El Fideicomisario Rabbani patrociné la conferencia Baha'i norteamericana en la cual fue reforzado el punto del mensaje de la Casa Universal de Justicia de hace diez aiios sobre la importancia de la participacién de los Baha’is en actividades de desarrollo.
La conferencia sostenida del 16 al
19 de Diciembre en Orlando, Florida, reunid
a mas de 600 adultos, jévenes y ninos. Durante 3 dias ellos consultaron con muchos esfuerzos sobre como “aplicar las Ensefianzas para adquirir el progreso”, tal como la Casa Universal de Justicia define el desarrollo.
Asistieron a sesiones plenarias en las cuales los conferencistas fueron: el retirado miembro de la Casa Universal de Justicia David S. Ruhe, los Consejeros continentals Gustavo Correa y Wilma Ellis y el Secretario General de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional Robert C. Henderson y el Tesorero William E. Davis, quienes
pusieron el tema de desarrollo en perspectiva.
Todos participaron en talleres sobre la educacién, el medio ambiente y la agenda 21; la salud, la familia y los jovenes, la unidad racial; el papel de dinero en el desarrollo Baha’i y el papel de desarrollo Baha’{ con la gente indigena.
Intercambiaron ideas en cada oportunidad que ellos tuvieron individualmente y colectivamente. También rindieron homenaje a aquellos que han sido guias de de luz con sus propias actividades de desarrollo; El Dr. Ruhe y su esposa Margaret K. Ruhe, los fallecidos Dr.
y Sra. Rabbani, quienes establecieron el fideicomisario Rabbani; y Mildred Mottahedeh en cuyo honor se ha nombrado Mottahedeh Development Services, que es una agencia de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional.
The Guardian and the Universal House of Justice have strongly urged the Baha’is to treat the Greatest Name with the utmost respect and dignity. The National Spiritual As— sembly discourages the use of the Greatest Name in contacts with the media. It is not advisable for Baha‘is to pose for newspaper photographs holding the Greatest Name or por— traits of ‘Abdul-Baha.
On October 29, the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu'l-Baha RGhiyyih Khaénum traveled to England, accompanied by Mrs. Violette Nakhjavani. On November 9, she was of— ficially received at Buckingham Palace by His Royal Highness Prince Philip for about three-quarters of an hour. Previous meetings were recalled, associated with Amatu'l-Baha Ruhfyyih Khénum's being a Fellow of the World Wildlife Fund, of which Prince Philip serves as chairman. Bahd'f teachings regarding the plan— et, and our concept of a positive destiny for mankind, were mentioned. Prince Philip remarked that religious leaders such as the Hand of the Cause are the hope for changing, public opinion on these topics, rather than politicians. On other occasions, Amatu'l-Bahd Ruhfyyih Khanum was cordially received and taken around the House of Lords by Lord Anthony St. John of Bletso; was invited to tea at the House of Lords by Baroness Platt of Writtle; and attended the inauguration of a special television program on the environment. About 50 distinguished members of the Bar attended a reception in her honor given by a well-known Baha't solicitor from India and held in the private dining room of the Law Society in London. Later, about 1,500 Baha'is from England, Ireland and other European countries attended a two-hour meeting held in honor of Amatu'l-Baha Rihfyyih Khanum's visit.
.
Last September, the National In— digenous Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly of Peru held a teaching campaign in the Puno region, supported by the Muhdjir Institute and Radio Baha'i. After weeks of planning and arduous work, 250 people declared their belief in Baha'u'll4h, and several localities were opened to the Faith.
.
In October, Auxiliary Board members Shahnaz Tulsi and James Fairley set out on a five-day teaching trip to the area around Mbeya, Tanzania, where members of the Sinai Church had shown an interest in the Faith. On arriving in the village of Ipapa, the friends were greeted by non
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Baha'i villagers with “Allah-uAbha.” The members of the church, they re-ported, sang songs to welcome the Baha'is and to express their love for Baha’-u'llah. A cross was hung in front of the church, under which was written “Baha'-u'llah, the Glory of God” and “Alléh-u-Abha.” The following day, October 10, groups from three villages arrived to meet the Baha'is. At night a slide show about the Faith was presented, followed by dancing and singing until well past midnight. On October 11, the priest of the village's Sinai Church was the first to de-clare his faith in Baha'u'llah. His declaration was followed by those of 31 others as more than 1,200 were given the Message.
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Last May, seven people declared their belief in Baha'u'llah during England's 1993 Festival for Mind, Body and Spirit, while more than 100 others said they would investigate further and left their names and addresses. About 40,000 people at-tended the 10-day festival.
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Since the arrival last October of four youth year-of-service volunteers in the Mariana Islands, 15 people have declared their belief in Bahd'u'lléh. As a result of the activities of these young believers, who have formed the Baha'i Youth Work— shop, Guam's capital city, Agana, now has 12 adult believers.
°
A young Baha'i mountaineer from Mendoza, Argentina, recently scaled the sixth highest mountain in the Americas, Mount Mercedario, to erect a three-meter (10-foot) high nine-pointed star engraved with “The earth is but one country. . .,” and the Name of Baha'u'llah. He climbed for 10 days through snow and temperatures of about -30 de— grees Celsius to reach the top of the mountain. The undertaking has at— tracted the attention of other Baha'is, mountaineers, and the press. Other alpinists plan to scale the mountain
of Aconc4gua to place a glass box with Baha’f literature and pamphlets on its peak.
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The second phase of the Enoch Olinga teaching campaign in San— nois, Val D'oise, France, was completed last July with a total of six declarations of faith in Baha'u'llah. Included in the campaign were firesides, public lectures, two local shows with 170 people attending, and shows in neighboring towns
whose audiences totaled about 5,000.
Baha'is from Canada, France, Germany and the U.S. took part in the various activities.
In Olomouc, in the Czech Republic, the faculty of philosophy at Palackého University has decided to offer a one-year optional credit course entitled “The Baha'i Faith, Its History and Teachings.” This is the second university in the Czech Republic to offer the course (the other is Charles University in Prague).
°
The founding conference for the Association for Baha'i Studies in Russia, held last October 29-31 in St. Petersburg, focused on the spiritual foundations of civilization. On Oc 13
150 / Fesruary 7, 1994
This recent photograph of work on the Arc Projects on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, shows the specially selected stones used for finishing the retaining wall of the Abbas Street bridge, below the Shrine of the Bab.
tober 30, William Hatcher, a Baha'i educator and author from the U.S., initiated the Isabella Grievskaya Lectures, named for a distinguished writer who lived in St. Petersburg at the beginning of the 20th century and wrote two dramas on Bahd'— u'lléh and the Bab, with a talk on the concept of spirituality.
°
Last November 20, a 55-minute program dedicated to Baha’u'lléh was carried on Radio SODRE, the official national station of Uruguay, which is listened to all over the country. The program included Tablets of Baha'u'llah and Baha'i music. And last July, a 30-minute
rogram with the theme of Baha'— u'llah's new World Order was aired on Portuguese National Television. The program was planned by the Baha'i community of Portugal in con— junction with the television station. .
On November 4, Sunsiri Prasong, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, visited the Baha'i House of Worship near New Delhi, India. Among his delegation were the dep— uty Parliamentary Secretary of Thailand and the Thai Ambassador to India.
Glenview, Illinois, friends find great use for 40 pounds of left-over books
Good things often come in small packages. Especially when they are Baha‘i and they go to someone in need.
About 10 years ago the Spiritual Assembly of Glenview, Illinois, sent a mailing to village residents.
Along with a letter explaining some basic information about the Bahd’f Faith, the Assembly included a list of Baha’i books on various topics and offered one book free to each person who asked.
The response was fairly good, but when all was said and done some 40 pounds of books remained un-asked for. And there the books sat.
Until this year, that is, when the Assembly decided another community might make better use of the materials and called the National Teaching Office for ideas.
By happenstance, Ada James of the Teaching Office had just gotten off the phone with Baha’is at the Turtle Mound Reservation in Bismarck, North Dakota. They had lost all of their Baha’i books in a fire and were seeking replacements.
Soon, Glenview’s 40 pounds of books were on their way to North Dakota.
Since then, the Bahd’is of Glenview have scrounged in their personal li braries for excess copies of books, pamphlets, Assembly development materials and deepening packages.
Some have been sent to the Native American Baha’ Institute in Houck, Arizona. Others are now in the hands of the Baha’fis in Mission, South Dakota.
The National Teaching Office is hoping that other Baha’i s can open their hearts and libraries to the fledgling communities on Indian Reservations. Ada James would be happy to help. Call her at 708-8699039 or write to her at the Baha’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.
From Vision to Victory Thirty Years of the Universal House of Justice by Eunice Braun SC $24.95 / cove—FVTV From Vision to Victory charts the growth and development of the Baha’t Faith from 1963 through the next thirty years. This was a period which saw not only the establishment of the supreme _ administrative body of the Baha’ Faith, the Universal House of Justice, but the religion’s emergence from the obscurity which had characterized its first century.
From Vision to Victory is not so much a history as it is a story—a true story concerned not only with outward progress and events but also with the spiritual transformation of a people. It recounts the struggles of a world community of believers who endeavored not only to achieve the goals set for it and to overcome the crises encountered along the way, but also to transform their own lives through the process. The protagonists of the story are the Baha’{s of the world who have served the Faith of Bahé’u'll4h during the first thirty years of the leadership of the Universal House of Justice. Many of them are represented here, those who entered the Baha’f Faith from all over the world, from every tribe and culture, of every color and language, from all nations east and west, north and south. 11-11/16* x 8-1/4", 147pp., contents, acknowledgments, foreword, preface, references George Ronald, Publisher
THIRTY YEARS OF THE UNIVERSAL ag HOUSE —o& OF JUSTICE =
Eunice Braun
Racial Unity o An Imperative for Social Progress
by Richard W. Thomas
SC $14.95 / cope—RUISP
d second edition of Richard W. Thomas’s book, Racial Unity: An Imperative for Social
The long awaited re Progress, offers exciting new information on historical and contemporary race relations for individual Baha’ts, sted in the changing role of race relations from the ancient world to the modern
communities, and groups inte world and the role that Baha’f teachings and community practices have played in contributing to racial unity in the United States. The book can help facilitate dialogue between Baha’is and non-Baha’is as they join hands in the struggle for racial justice and unity. In addition, this edition can contribute to cl: {summer and winter RACIAL UNITY schools and help non-Baha’fs to understand the role that the Baha’f commutuner heRin es nity in the United States has played and still is playing in the struggle for SOCIAL t aS racial unity and justice.
6" x 9", 201pp., contents, foreword, preface, preface to first edition, acknowledgements, acknowledgements for the first edition, bibllography, Index
Association for Baha'i Studies
s on racism and racial unity at Baha’
Ric ntann W. THonte:
THe AMERICAN BAHA't 14
A Concordance to The Kitab-i-Aqdas vf
compiled by Lee Nelson
SC $19.95 / cope—CKA
A Concordance toThe Kitab-i-Aqdas is an alphabetical list of the significant words that appear in The Kitdb-iAqdas. This includes Questions & Answers, the Notes, and other sections of the book. The location of each word is given along with a portion of the sentence in which it appears. An_ ideal study tool. Habib Ri
in the fore
jazatisays
word tothe book that “using the Concordance may also reveal meaningful new patterns and rela tionships
between
verses. In these ways the Concordance uniquely assists h of us to fulfill our sacred duties to an All-Loving Creator.”
8-1/2" x 11", 249pp., foreword, a guide to the concordance
Diversity Press
Huqaqu’lla4h Workbook \/
A Workbook for Understanding and Applying the Law of Huqdaqu’ll4h
compiled by Dr. Allan Waters
SC $6.95 / copp—HW
Never before has so much information on the Law of Huqdqu’llah been published in one book. Providing a valuable resource for com
munities and individuals
alike, the book include:
prayerfor Huqdqu’ll4l
chapters that discuss,
a
and
among other things, the development of the institution of Huqtiqu’llah, Shéh-Muhammad-Am{n, the elements of Huqtqu'llah, the spiritual significance of Huqdqu’ll4h, and the concept of law in the Baha’ and the Law of Huqtiqu’ll4h. 8-1/4" x 11-3/4", 110pp., contents, preface, Introduction
Baha'i Publications Australia
Baha’i Wall Calendar ($2.95) / code—BWC Baha’i Datebook ($2.50) / code—BDB Baha’i Pocket Calendar—|0/pk. ($2.00) / code—BPC
Multifaith Calendar ($9.50) / code—MFC94 Saf tekiops radar Eaodisdn COMES ep Merl aE eR) WRT eel Lol
[Page 15]
The New Garden
by Hushmand Fathez’zam
SC $4.95 / cove—NG
An ea Faith. Chapters include “God and His. Religion,” “Manifestations of God,” “The Covenant,” “Some of the Teachings and Principles,” “Administration,”
y-to-read introduction to the
and “Some of the and Obligations.” Perfect for seekers and new-believers.
5-1/2" x 8-1/2", 153pp., acknowledgment, contents, abbreviations Baha'i Publishing Trust - India
Narges
by Narges Nouhnejad Fani
CD $16.95# / cope—NCD
CS $10.95# / copr—NCS
A collection of Baha’f songs, nine in Persian and one in English, by Narges
f. Narges delighted
‘ond Baha’f World
. s with her rendition of Dastam
Begir ‘Abdu’l-Bahé and was a featured
soloist with the Baha’f Chorale on the
recording Songs of the Ancient Beauty.
44 minutes
Global Music
15
Marriage A Fortress for Well-Being
HC $15.00 / copp—MFWBH SC $8.95 / cope—MFWBS
An examination of the Baha’f teachings on marriage. Part 1 examines humanity's God-given purpose of carrying forward an ever-advancing civilization, promoting the oneness of humanity, and acquiring virtues; outlines the foundations of a gpiritualiunion; and defines the purcose of marriage’ Part 2 discu preparation for marriage, includ Baha’f engagement, parental consent, the marti ceremony, and interracial nd includes prayers for marriage. Part 3 covers maintaining unity in the marriage, dealing with immaturity, spiritualizing the union, and preserving the marriage through prayer and study of the Baha’f writings. Seeking < the spiritual assembly and remarriage are also discussed. 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", 86pp., table of contents, foreword, bibliography, Index
Reprinted by Erich Reich Enterprises with the permission of the Baha'i Publishing Trust - U.S.
New Persian Title
PER: Sultan-i-Rusul
(King of the Messengers, The Bab, The Lord,
The Most Exalted)
by Dr. Riaz Ghadimi
SC $10.00 / copre—PSR
This book provides an historical account of the life and ministry of the Bab, the herald of the Baha’f Faith, as well as a descriptive narrative of the great station of the Babi Dispensation.
6" x 9", 80pp.
University of Toronto Press
RRIAGI
stance from
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“ine Cafe Tote at tal 4
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Chattanooga, TN 37343 The Magazine for Baha’f Children Published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd’fs of the United States
A ite P ag) ne 93
is a Personal Workbook for the Three Year Plan, for Kids! Order it Now!
A 36-page action-packed magazine filled UT WU cea rae anne Oe ge CTS RU AM ee Re RRR Ce eR ee A OT Te
Other issues available: Baha'u'llah Special Edition 1991
The Covenant Special Edition 1992 The Kitdb-i-Aqdas Special Edition 1993 Being Leaders SO 93
The Role of Women JA 93
Life's Journey: Purpose of Life Mj 93
From Racism to Unity MA 93
The Life of ‘Abdu'l-Bahé ND 92
The 1992 World Congress Commemorative Issue SO 92
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[Page 16]
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Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA. 90402 Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH. 44116
Dr. Elsie Austin
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18
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s E-mail Continued from Page 2
ford.ma.us.
Since these electronic discussions are a new form of communiction, sometimes unusal social phenomena take place, so there are a few basic guidelines to follow. They may seem obvious, but should be kept in mind anyway:
- On original postings, be sure you
give a good descriptive subject or title.
- Be as clear and brief as possible.
- Respond only to the whole
Forum if necessary.
- Read all your mail before you
respond. Others might have responded already.
- Write carefully since your mes—
sage will be seen by many other people.
¢ Always remember you are writing to your peers and companions.
Other Baha’! activities on worid wide networks
The Baha’f Campus Forum is only one of many Baha’‘f online activities.
There are teaching and discussion activities on a number of networks.
There are also discussion groups for Bahd’fs involved in specific areas such as technology, science, women, race unity and parenting.
Some of these are accessible via Internet and some via the FidoNet technology-based BahaiNet. A full list of activities can be obtained by sending a message to activities@ bahainvs.org.
Some of the other Internet-based activities are:
Bahai-announce—Bahai-announce is the largest discussion group, with more than 300 participants worldwide. Its main use is for announcements, press releases, and short questions. Postings are moderated to ensure high quality and keep traffic low. To join the list, send e-mail to
8.€. 150 / Fesruary 7, 1994
bahai-announce-request@bahainvs.org. Bahai-discuss—Discussions, consultations and questions/answers are held here among a worldwide group of Baha’is on a wide variety of topics. You may receive over 10 messages a day. To subscribe, send a request to bahai-dis— cuss-request@bahainvs.org.
Soc.religion.bahai—Soc.religion.bahai is a USENET/Internet newsgroup for teaching the Baha’i Faith. It is publicly accessible at thousands of sites and has a large potential readership. Baha’fs and non-Bahd’fs post messages here. The news group is moderated by a panel of Baha’is who approve each posting.
Teachers—The teachers’ list is an Internet-based mailing list for discussion of online teaching techniques, opportunities and difficult teaching questions. To subscribe, send an Internet message to teachersrequest@justice.medford.ma.us.
Baha'i action for unity ‘Watchword’ of new magazine
Rick Higgins describes the newsletter Watchword as “a quarterly journal reflecting on Baha’f action in the promotion of racial harmony.”
Mr. Higgins, a Baha’i who lives outside Chapel Hill, North Carolina, started Watchword as an outgrowth of an Institute for the Healing of Racism. Many participants had ex— pressed a desire to expand their dia— logue in a way that especially would help white Baha’fs in dealing with racism.
He wasn’t sure how to proceed at that point, but found a direction in race unity goals set by his local Spiritual Assembly in Orange County, North Carolina, for the Three Year Plan.
Still, it was only a week before the March on Washington that a decision was made to go ahead with the eightpage initial issue, dated Fall 1993.
That issue, printed on high-quality newsprint with headlines and other
graphic elements highlighted in blue, includes a first-person report of the March on Washington; an editor’s column; a reflection on Baha'i race unity activities; side-by-side “seeing things in black & white” columns by two Baha’i youths; a look at the im— pact of the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr.; and an article about ways in which Baha’i communities can set systematic race unity strategies.
Five hundred copies of the first is— sue were printed and distributed. All Baha’is in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina received copies, and the rest were sent to Baha’i friends and acquaintances around the country.
Mr. Higgins says he won’t have any trouble generating enough material to publish Watchword on a quarterly basis. The biggest problem with the first issue, he says, was keeping it to eight pages.
The first-time publisher was editor of his high school paper—“my only academic award in a career focused on sports”—and took several writing courses in college. He works as an international sales agent for American Airlines.
An editorial advisory board made up of seven people of diverse backgrounds helps guide him. Also helpful, he says, have been the local Spiritual Assembly; Auxiliary Board assistants Chuck Egerton and Bob James; and David Rouleau and Robert Stockman at the Baha’i National Center.
Mr. Higgins welcomes submitted articles. He also encourages anyone who wants to be on the mailing list for Watchword to write to him at
Chapel Hill, NC 27516. No contribution is necessary, though he would welcome any help toward meeting the costs of printing and mailing.
25 Baha'is from three youth workshops help flood clean-up in Alton, Illinois
Twenty-five Baha'i youth and their coordinators from three Illinois workshops arrived last September 18 in Alton to help with the town's flood relief clean-up.
Working from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., wearing gloves and boots and armed with buckets and rakes, the young
Baha'is set about cleaning up the destruction left by the floods of '93.
News of their participation was printed twice in the local newspaper. Meanwhile, more than 100 flyers were distributed by the youth and local Baha'is inviting residents to various activities.
Ten guests attended a Friday evening concert and fireside, and 12 others attended a post-clean-up party. Music for both events was provided by Generation 13. The Youth Workshops taking part were Candles of the Covenant, Peacemakers, and Harmony.
19
Bahai-tech—This is the discussion
for the Baha’{ Computer and Communications Association (BCCA), a
group of Bahd’is who provide technical services to the Baha’f community. To subscribe, send a message to
bahai-tech-request@oneworld.wa.com.
Bah4‘i Resource Archive— Electronic copies of the following documents can be retrieved by sending e-mail to the listed addresses:
¢ The Vision of Race Unity: voru@bahainvs.org
¢ The Statement on Baha'u'llah: tsob@bahainvs.org
- The Promise of World Peace:
powp@bahainvs.org
- General help/full index for
resource archive: bahai-resourcearchive@bahainvs.org.
For more information on the BCCA, join the Bahai-tech forum or write to BCCA, c/o OneWorld Enterprises, .
Bellevue, WA 98004.
Alice Lovejoy (right), pictured here with longtime friend and fellow Baha'i Maggie McLendon at last October's International Hispanic Teaching Conference at the Bosch School, was listed last September 8 in the ‘In Memoriam’ column in The American Baha’. Although she is recovering from a stroke and has moved to San Jose to live with her daughter, Mrs. Lovejoy is very much alive—and we and her many friends (who have called or written from many parts of the world to offer condolences) are delighted that the listing was in error.
SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.
Virginia Sims, who saw Master in 1912, dies
TO THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'IS OF THE UNITED STATES
PASSING LOYAL, STEADFAST, STALWART VIRGINIA TAYLOR SIMS SADLY DIMINISHES DWINDLING NUMBER FRIENDS WHO WERE PRIVILEGED ATTAIN PRESENCE BELOVED MASTER DURING HIS EPIC JOURNEY NORTH AMERICA. SHARE DEEP SENSE LOSS YOUR COMMUNITY THIS INTREPID TEACHER CAUSE GOD. FERVENTLY PRAYING HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER NOBLE
THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
DECEMBER 27, 1993
Pamela Abrahamson Olive Pretends Eagle St. Paul, MN Fort Yates, ND October 12, 1993 August 19, 1993
Virginia Breaks John Fields Jr. Caroline Islands Shreveport, LA
December 1993 October 20, 1993 Leon Brooks Richard Gowan Chicago, IL Saranac Lake, NY
December 22, 1993
Mindy Chvatal Scottsdale, AZ December 4, 1993
December 22, 1993 Florence Holland Nipomo, CA
June 5, 1993
Anna Iben Mary Ann Sawyer
Manchester, IA Mukilteo, WA December 29, 1993 December 3, 1993 George Patten Virginia Sims
Evanston, IL December 20, 1993
Ella Swanson
Sanger, TX 1993
Juanita Rowe
N. Haverhill, NH Yakima, WA November 30, 1993 October 22, 1993 Fatemeh Samari Elza Weaver Jasper, AL Ventura, CA
November 11, 1993 November 27, 1993
Ad placards in New York City buses spread word about Baha'i ‘Racism: Just Undo It’ campaign
The Racism: Just Undo It® message is really getting around New York City, thanks to the placement of ad— vertising placards in nearly 500 city buses during November and December.
The posters were conceptualized, designed and negotiated by the RJUI Task Force. They read: “Racism will end. But not without you.”
As a result of the campaign, many people have been calling the RJUI hotline and indicating their interest in joining the movement.
Phone calls also are coming in about the “RJUI Second Annual Show of Solutions” school contest. About 1,800 posters were mailed out by RJUI volunteers to public, private and parochial schools in the five boroughs of New York City.
Later, press kits were sent to key media outlets announcing the con— test and giving background information about RJUI and its various
programs for social change. A telephone campaign will follow.
The RJUI Volunteer Orientation Group is inviting people who call the hotline to a series of orientation pro-— grams that will be held at the Baha’f Center.
These full-day sessions will address the Baha’f view on racism, explore the history of racism in America, and reveal personal plans of action toward the healing of rac— ism.
Other recent RJUI activities have included an address to volunteers by Baha'i author/educator Nathan Rut— stein and participation by RJUI members in a weekend conference on education at Harvard University.
Also, RJUI was invited to speak to several high school classes about the healing of racism and the Baha’{ perspective on human rights issues.
The RJUI hotline number is 212465-3150.
ce yet Thfomaaybeundterenepanncryowcnie |
ry To avoid y delays in copy of The American Bahé'l, send your new ‘address and your mailing label to MANAGE family. Please be sure to list FULL NAMES AND LD. NUMBERS for all individuals, ages 15 years
TELL Us YOUR MENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS, Bahd'{ _ or older, who will be affected by this change. NEW ADDRESS. ‘National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091, as soon as you know what your new address will be. ‘A. NAME(S): lL 1D Tile 2 1D. Tile ey 1D Tile 4. 1D Tile
B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS:
C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS:
‘Street address
P.O, Box oF Other mailing address
‘Apartment # (If applicable)
‘Apartment # (If applicable)
City,
City
State Zip code
State Zip code
D. NEW COMMUNITY:
E, HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER:
Tice oper BRT Coal = Tame | F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S): | Heescode Prove near Tame Tomcat Pea ea fae
| G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE:
1 [Cy] wes nce the same tt ane. [=] the It names and aes oo acess labels do not mach, We have
| cancer the copy for the person(s) and LD. listedabove the fll names ofall family member as they should appear on the national
records their LD. numbers, and the comec ‘Wedonnot wantextra copies, so please | ‘number(s) listed above.
i tions s0 that we wi
BAHA'f NATIONAL CENTER 112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091
H. 1 WOULD LIKE A COPY:
[J Ourhouscholdreceives only onecopy | The American Baha’. 1 wish to
receive my owncopy. Ihave listed my name,
LD. number and address above. |
| | | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | | | | |
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Mutk B.E. 150 / Fesruary 7, 1994
THe American BaHA’i
FEBRUARY
11-13: Married Couples Retreat, “Strengthening Baha'i Marriage,” Louhelen Baha'i School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.
12: Jazz concert and fund-raiser with Roger Hogan/Andre St. James En— semble, Bosch Baha'f School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.
18-20: Junior Youth Institute, Louhelen Baha'i School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.
18-20: “Unity Trek,” Baha Youth Retreat, Camp Winona, Deleon Springs, Florida, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Deland. For information, phone Debbie or Edmond Wilke, 904-822-9554.
18-21: North Dakota Winter School, Mayville State University. “The New Jerusalem: A Study of the Kitdb-i-Aqdas” with Auxiliary Board member Bill Wieties. Contact Rosalyn Thingelstad, P.O. Box 1913, Minot, ND 58702 (phone 701-839-1015).
18-21: Adults/Singles Session, “Needs of the Spirit” and “Challenges to the Spirit,” Bosch Baha'i School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.
19: 10th annual David Kellum Awards, Baha'{ House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois. Speaker: Robert C. Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spir— itual Assembly. Recipients: Chicago Area Project and Soul Children of Chicago Inc. For information, phone 708-853-2300.
19-20: Pioneer Emphasis Days, Denver, Colorado, and Miami, Florida.
25-27: Weekend on Family and Child Education with Preview of the CORE Curriculum, Bosch Baha'i School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.
MARCH
4-6: Rendezvous of the Soul, personal dee, School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.
11-13: Young Adult Research Weekend (ages 18-35), Bosch Baha'i School. For in-formation, phone 408-423-3387.
19-20: Study session, Baha'u'llah's Seven Valleys and Four Valleys, Louhelen Baha'i School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.
20: Naw-Ruz celebration, Louhelen Baha‘ School.
20-26: Elderhostel, Bosch Baha’f School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.
25-27: Oklahoma Spring School. For information, contact David Gainey,
Sulphur, OK 73086 (phone 405-622-2655).
APRIL
1-3: Regional Baha'{ Conference, DuBose Conference Center, Mont Eagle, Tennessee, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Hamilton County, Tennessee, to promote a deeper study of Bahd'u'lléh's Revelation and to celebrate the centennial of the Faith's establishment in the U.S. Those who wish to offer a
resentation (talk, music, poetry reading, etc.) should phone Ahang Rabbani, 713-251-9989, no later than March 1. For conference information, phone Keihan Strain, 615-842-1750.
1-3: Rendezvous of the Soul, personal Seerenne program, Bosch Baha'i School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.
1-3: Youth Eagle Institute, “Breaking Through the Barriers,” with Morris Taylor, Louhelen Baha'i School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.
5-9: Spring Break session, “Women: Ethical, Spiritual and Social Issues,” Bosch Baha'i School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.
9-11: International Conference, “Once Empires Fade: Religion, Ethnicity and the Possibilities for Peace,” University of Maryland, College Park. Sponsored by the Baha’{ Chair for World Peace, the Joseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff Center for Jewish Studies, and the university's Department of History. For information, phone Leslie Gottert, 301-314-7714 (fax 301-314-9256), or Sandi Greene, 301-405-4975 (fax 301-314-9399). ae Elderhostel, Bosch Baha't School. For information, phone 408-423 14-17: Washington West Spring School, Brighton Creek. For information, contact Carol Spell, P-O. Box 67, McKenna, WA 98558 (phone 206-458-3910).
15-17: Wisconsin Youth Weekend, Environmental Station. For information, contact Lisa Reimer, West Bend, WI 53095 (phone 414-3383023)
ning program, Bosch Bah't
).
16-17: “Preparing for Large-Scale Expansion,” Grand Rapids, Minnesota. For information, contact Jeff Wartchow, Grand Rapids, MN 55744, or phone 218-327-0319.
22-24: Preparation for Marriage, pilot program for deepening Assembly members, Bosch Baha'{ School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.
29-May 2: Baha'i Family Reunion, Pompano Beach, Florida. Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Pompano Beach. All Baha'is who live in Florida, who used to live in Florida, or who would like to live in Florida are invited. For information, phone Denise or Dennis Godsey, 305-942-1844; fax 305-946-9299.
MAY
6-8: Youth Research Weekend (ages 12 and older), Bosch Baha'i School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.
6-8: Parent-Child Conference, “A Family Is a Nation in Miniature,” Louhelen Baha'i School. For information, phone 810-653-5033.
13-15: Professional Development Workshop, “Creativity Training for Baha'is,” Louhelen Baha'i School, For information, phone 810-653-5033.
14-15: San Jose Weekend, Bosch Baha'f School. For information, phone 408423-3387.
20-22: Annual session on Southeast Asian teaching, Bosch Baha'i School. For information, phone Puran Stevens or Rosemarie Grushka at the U.S. Baha'i Refugee Office, 708-869-9039, or fax 708-869-0247.
20-22: LSA Bonding Weekend, Bosch Baha'{ School. For information, phone 408-423-3387.
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