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Volume 27, Issue 1

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ol aia (helo

ue AAMERICAN BBAHA'i

Mulk B.E. 152 / February 7, 1996

Four Year Plan

To the Bahd'is of the world Dearly loved Friends,

In the wake of the dynamic spirit animating the six-day-long Counselors’ Conference at the World Center, now in its final session as we address you, we take the occasion to announce our decision which has been the subject of their deliberations: At Ridvan 1996 a global plan of expansion and consolidation will be launched, to end four years later at Ridvan 2000.

It is this anticipation that has focused the thoughts of the seventy-eight Counselors from the five continents, who have been conferring together in the presence of the Hands of the Cause of God Amatu’lBaha Ruhiyyih Khanum, ‘Ali-Akbar Furttan and ‘Ali-Muhammad Varq4, the members of the Universal House of Justice and the Counselor members of

the International Teaching Center. Their consultations on the challenges and prospects facing the Baha‘{ world community have been of such caliber and content as to have emboldened our expectations of a mighty thrust in the growth and development of that community during the crucial years immediately ahead.

The whole Plan will be announced at Ridvan. However, we wish you to have some information about it now within the measure of the discussions which have been taking place at the Counselors’ Conference.

The Four Year Plan will aim at one major accomplishment: a significant advance in the process of entry by troops. This is to be achieved through marked progress in the activity and development of the individual believer, of the institutions, and of

a Single aim is to advance process = of entry by troops by year 2000

the local community. Keen attention to all three will ensure a greatly expanded, visibly united, vibrant and cohesive international community by the end of the twentieth century. The basic requisites can be summarized as follows.

The first calls for a vitality of the faith of each believer that is expressed through personal initiative and constancy in teaching the Cause to others, and through conscientious, individual effort to provide energy and resources to upbuild the community, to uphold the authority of its institutions, and to support local and regional plans and teaching projects.

The second requires that local and national Baha’i institutions evolve more rapidly into a proper exercise of their responsibilities as eharinels of guidance,

See FOUR YEAR PLAN page 14

At left, former Universal House of Justice member David Hofman gently sets down the Award of Excellence given him by the Rabbani Charitable Trust. Above, Auxiliary Board member Kevin Locke performs a hoop dance. (Photos by Tom Mennillo)

‘Paths to Peace’ explored

By TOM MENNILLO

For four days, participants in the third North American Baha’i Conference on Social and Economic Development in Orlando, Florida, were led down the “Paths to Peace.”

What glorious paths they were: “Global Prosperity Through the Advancement of Women, Human Rights and Moral Development.”

What shining examples the Rabbani Charitable Trust chose to illumine the way: former Universal House of Justice member Hugh E. Chance and his wife, Margaret; former Universal House of Justice member David Hofman and his late wife, Marion; and Brazilian Federal Deputy Luiz Gushiken.

And what intrepid tour guides were provided for the journey: former Universal House of Justice member David S. Ruhe; former Counselor Robert Harris; National Spiritual Assembly members Alberta Deas of the United States, Chairman Crystal Baker Shoaie of Bolivia, Secretary-General Reginald

Newkirk of Canada, and SecretaryGeneral Hugh C. Adamson of the United Kingdom; Mr. Gushiken; Mary S. Power, director of the Office for the Advancement of Women at the Baha’i International Community; an all-star cast of performers including Kevin Locke, Jack Lenz, Nancy Ward, Jeff Jones, Shokouh Rezai, Manoo-chehr Vahman and Ed Vanden Dool; and dozens of working group leaders and facilitators who themselves are leaders in their fields.

Where we are

The staging area for our weekend trek was a Thursday night program that assessed the current state of Baha’ and world affairs.

Joel S. Nizin read a letter from Jeffrey Mondschein, chief financial officer at the Baha’i World Center, who was unable to attend because of illness.

Mr. Mondschein reminded us that the new Plan in the works synchronizes with the final stages in the Arc Projects, the completion of which will

See PATHS page 11

Dallas conference fuels already-energized youth

The dark horizon faced by a world which has failed to recognize the Promised One, the Source of its salvation, acutely affects the outlook of the younger generations; their distressing lack of hope and their indulgence in desperate but futile and even dangerous solutions make a direct claim on the remedial attention of Baha'i youth, who, through their knowledge of that Source and the bright vision with which they have thus been endowed, cannot hesitate to impart to their despairing fellow youth the restorative joy, the constructive hope, the radiant assurances of Baha'u'lléh’s stupendous Revelation.— The Universal House of Justice, May 8, 1985

By TOM MENNILLO

All one can say in the wake of the National Baha’i Youth Conference held December 28-31 in Dallas, Texas, is: you had to be there.

The National Spiritual Assembl was there, expressing through vente and deeds the value it places on youth and its awareness of the role youth will play in bringing about entry by troops.

So were a couple hundred adults who saw mirrored in our young people’s faces the transforming power of Baha’u’llah’s Revelation. One was Texas state Rep. Fred Hill, representing Gov. George W. Bush. Others, from the news media, lavished public attention on the event. Then there were the parents and an army of volunteers mustered by the local Spiritual Assembly of Dallas.

Most important, more than 2,000 youth were there, as outstanding plenary speakers, performers, workshop facilitators and just plain participants. They came from all corners of the land, and in their great diversity went far toward forging a Baha'i identity that transcends cultural or ethnic limitations. At least four souls were moved

during the conference to declare their belief in Baha’u’llah.

The National Teaching Committee’s hope was that the panei would fuel the marvelous acceleration of youth activity that we have already seen during the Three Year Plan—activity captured so vividly in the video Coming of Age: Youth in Service which premiered at the conference.

The next phase will involve more intensive training of youth through a series ob programs aimed at various youth audiences: a national task force for Baha’f Youth Workshops; an ongoing series of regional college club symposia, which has already begun; another national youth conference this summer in Chicago, which will focus on training in teaching and service; refinement and augmentation of the Army of Light youth teaching campaign; further development of the Baha‘i Youth Service Corps program; and, last but not least, the formation of a national youth committee so that youth themselves will have a high level of input in all of these programs.

If the spirit of love and service pervading this gathering is any indication, Baha'i youth are ready for any and all challenges that come their way.

You had to be there. But for those who weren’t (and those who were), complete coverage begins on page 15.

USS) aS i115

> Aletter from the National Teaching Committee

> Accomplishments of youth in the Three Year Plan 3

> 4th Dialogue on Transition toaGlobal Society isheld 9

[Page 2]THe AmeriCAN BAHA'I 2

11 NO alle)

Letter from the National Teaching Committee

A call for victory in Three Year Plan

To the Baha’ is of the United States Dearly loved friends,

In its message to the Bahd’is of the world dated December 31, 1995, the Universal House of Justice called upon the believers everywhere to concentrate on winning the goals of the Three Year Plan in its remaining months.

“An auspicious beginning for the new Plan,” wrote the House of Justice, “will largely depend on the results of the current one, which will end in just a few months. The adequacy of these results will owe much to the degree to which the local Spiritual Assemblies and the friends carry out the directions of their National Spiritual Assemblies, the generals of every Plan. Time is slipping away. This reality should prod us all to maximum action.”

There is already much to be grateful for in terms of the strides forward in teaching which the American Baha’i community has made since the beginning of the Plan. Not only has the level of activity increased dramatically, but the quality of teaching efforts has also increased. The Universal House of Justice observed in this year’s Ridvan message that there were “evidences of a qualitative change in the response of believers everywhere to the call to teach.”

Some examples of forward movement in the U.S include:

¢ A near ten-fold increase in youth teaching

rojects, from 25 in the summer of 1993 to nearly

50 last summer.

‘Race Unity: Prescription for Healing’ is theme of Baha'i conference set for February 22-25 in Charleston, SC

“Race Unity: A Prescription for the Healing of the Nation” is the theme of a Race Unity Conference to be held February 22-25 in Charleston, South Carolina.

The conference will give participants an opportunity to hear some of the country’s most original thinkers address the challenge of healing America’s racial wounds. Workshops, panel discussions and informal gatherings will enable them to share their experiences, ideas, victories and challenges and to examine new plans for closing the racial divide.

A part of the conference will be devoted to an assessment of the life of the Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory who devoted himself to the goal of racial unity and equality.

Speakers and panelists will include Dr. Elsie Austin, Charles Bullock, Dr. Wilma Ellis, Tod Ewing, Dr. Jane Faily, Dr. Paul Herron, Dr. C. Eric Lincoln, Wilma Mankiller, Jack McCants, Dr. William Roberts and Nat Rutstein.

For conference information, please phone 803-7270691.

THE AMERICAN BA

Published every 38 days (plus one special issue) for a total of 10 a year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201. Second class postage paid at Evanston, IL and additional mailing offices.

ISSN Number: 1062-1113

Executive Editor: Jack Bowers Associate Editor: Tom Mennillo

The American Baha'i welcomes news, letters and other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Baha'f Faith. Articles should be clear and concise; color or black-and-white glossy photographs should be included whenever possible. Please address all correspondence and other materials to The Editor, The American Baha'i, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091. Send address changes to Management Information Services, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201.

A magnificent response to the call for traveling

teachers, homefront pioneers and international pioneers in which thousands of individuals have arisen to teach.

A dramatic increase in the number of local communities that have formulated and implemented

teaching plans. During this Plan 867 communities have submitted teaching plans to the National Teaching Committee, nearly tripling the highest record of any previous Plan.

More attention to minority teaching. For example, the number of projects aimed at reaching

Latin Americans has increased from about two dozen known projects in 1993 to nearly 150 today. In some cases there has also been a noticeable increase in teaching activity on the part of Baha’is who are themselves members of minority groups.

A surge in intercommunity projects aimed at

bringing about entry by troops. ‘these are mostly in metropolitan areas. There are about 30 known projects either under way or soon to be launched, with news of others coming in at a steady rate.

¢ A noticeable increase in the use of the compilation “Promoting Entry by Troops” as the basis for creating and evaluating teaching plans.

These are among the most noteworthy achievements to date. At the same time, we have yet to achieve victory on the homefront in two important areas:

1. The numerical goal for the establishment of local Spiritual Assemblies in cities with populations of 50,000 or more has not been won, although most of them have been adopted as extension teaching, goals by existing Assemblies. Of the 147 goal localities originally listed, 137 remain as of this writing.

2. The goal of “massive expansion” called for by the Universal House of Justice at the beginning of the Plan has not been realized. The rate of growth in the U.S. has remained steady for the past several years at about 2,000 annually.

In spite of the undeniable increase in teaching activity and the clear resolve of Baha’is everywhere to expand the number of believers, a real breakthrough in growth would appear to be no closer now than before.

What does this mean for our activities during the remaining months of the Three Year Plan?

First, we must not lose confidence that victory is achievable.

In its letter of May 19, 1994, to our National Spiritual Assembly, the Universal House of Justice assured us that we “will not be denied a triumphant expan sion” if we “remain constant and confident” in our teaching activities.

The House of Justice reminded us of the words of Shoghi Effendi, that “every bearer of the Message of Baha‘u’llh should consider it not only an obligation but a privilege to scatter far and wide the seeds of His Faith, and to rest content in the abiding knowledge that whatever be the immediate response to that Message, and however inadequate the vehicle that conveyed it, the power of its Author will, as He sees fit, enable those seeds to germinate, and in circumstances which no one can foresee enrich the harvest which the labor of His followers will gather.”

Second, we must accelerate the momentum of teaching activity.

All plans or projects, whether on the part of individuals or communities, must be pursued with increased vigor. There must especially be a great increase in the number of individual believers who are actively and effectively conveying the Message of Bahd’u'llah to others and inviting them to join the Faith. Local Assemblies can play a crucial role in fostering universal participation in teaching.

Third, we must strive to teach not only as much as possible, but also as well as possible.

Teaching is essentially a spiritual process. It begins in the heart of each individual believer, wherein the spark of love for the Blessed Beauty is ignited. The spark is fanned into a flame through the process of spiritual transformation as manifested in prayer,

leepening and action, endowing the believer with increasing capacity to enkindle others.

It acquires the collective power of a blaze when the friends act together with true love and unity, fostering the development of spiritually dynamic communities that can offer light and warmth to the spiritually thirsting masses.

To sum up, we must, at a time in human history that we know to be so critical, make greater efforts than ever before to invite “people of every sort and gift to the banquet table of the Lord of Hosts.” The more the Cause grows, the greater will be its positive influence on humanity.

In closing, we can do no better than to repeat the words of the House of Justice that “in preparation for what beckons us on the near horizon, we cannot, we must not, hesitate to expend every energy to bring, the Three Year Plan to a successful conclusion.”

With warmest Baha’i love,

The National Teaching Committee January 1996

Local Assemblies: bedrock of the Baha’i community

As mentioned in the letter on this page, we need to achieve victory in the area of establishing Spiritual Assemblies in cities with populations of 50,000 or more. Strong Spiritual Assemblies are the bedrock of of our community and are essential for accepting “entry by troops.” If we do not have a strong foundation we will not be able to accommodate large numbers of people entering the Faith. How will we look after the spiritual well-being of thousands of Baha’is? How will we deepen people, conduct marriages, run schools, hold Feasts? How will we even keep track of our membership if we don’t have a strong Assembly?

While teaching in all areas of the country is imperative, large cities are of particular importance at this time. They hold a concentration of resources that we so desperately need, both human and financial. Raising Spiritual Assemblies in large cities is a huge step toward being prepared for “entry by troops.” We ask you to consider helping the friends in the cities listed below to form Spiritual Assemblies by Ridvan so that we may achieve this important goal.

Cities of 50,000+ without Spiritual Assemblies ALABAMA: Dothan ARKANSAS: Fort Smith, Pine Bluff

CALIFORNIA: Alhambra, Baldwin Park, Bellflower, Buena Park, Carson, Cerritos, Chino,

Compton, Daly City, El Monte, Fontana, Huntington Park, Lodi, Lynwood, Montebello, Monterey Park, Napa, National City, Norwalk, Pico Rivera, Redding, Rosemead, Salinas, South Gate, South San Francisco, West Covina, Westminster

COLORADO: Greeley

CONNECTICUT: Bristol, New Britain, Waterbury, West Haven

FLORIDA: Cape Coral, Hialeah, Miami Beach, West Palm Beach

ILLINOIS: Cicero, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Oak Lawn, Schaumburg

INDIANA: Anderson, Evansville, Hammond, Terre Haute

IOWA: Waterloo

KANSAS: Olathe

KENTUCKY: Owensboro

LOUISIANA: Bossier City, Kenner, Lafayette, Lake Charles

MASSACHUSETTS: Brockton, Chicopee, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lynn, New Bedford, Waltham

MICHIGAN: Battle Creek, Dearborn Heights, Livonia, Pontiac, Rochester Hills, Roseville, St. Clair Shores, Taylor, Troy, Warren, Westland, Wyoming

MINNESOTA: Brooklyn Park

See ASSEMBLY page 3

�[Page 3]

Mutk B.E. 152 © Fesruary 7,1996 3

In this year’s Ridvan message, the Universal House of Justice noted that during the second year of the Three Year Plan there were “evidences of a qualitative change in the response fvclieverd everywhere to the call to teach.” Among the several factors attesting to this was “the vigor of the youth in initiating teaching projects and engaging ina range of other Baha‘ activities.”

The Bahd’i youth of the United States have surely been among the mostactive anywhere, as the following examples demonstrate:

Army of Light

In the summer of 1993, three youth who were veterans of the European Routes teaching campaign proposed thata similar campaign be

eld in the U.S. As a result, the National Teaching Committee announced the “Army of Light” teaching campaign, which began the following summer.

The Teaching Committee called upon youth to arise as teachers of the Cause, and also asked that local Spiritual Assemblies organize local teaching projects for youth to take part in. As support for the campaign the committee organized a national network of coordinators who provided communication and training services.

In the first summer of the campaign there were 114 youth Pegles of various durations and descriptions, a vast increase from the mere 25 known projects the year before. In the summer of 1995 the number increased yet again to nearly 250,

involving some 3,000 Baha’i youth.

Baha’i Youth Workshops

The earliest highlight of youth teaching in the Three Year Plan took place in the summer of 1993 when members of a dozen Baha'i Youth Workshops gathered in Atlanta for a metropolitan teaching campaign called “Fruit of the Holy Year.”

That project, which resulted in more than 70 enrollments and generated outstanding proclamation opportunities, showcased the capacity of youth as teachers. It also demonstrated the value of the Baha’i Youth Workshop concept as a means of introducing the Faith to the public while also providing Baha’{ training for youth.

Since then the number of Baha’i Youth Workshops in the U.S. has increased from 40 to 78, with more being, formed every month. The number of workshops in other countries has also increased significantly.

Baha’i Youth Service Corps

Youth have played key roles in local service and teacl projects by becoming full-time volunteers for periods of several months to more than a year. Baha’f Youth Service Corps volunteers serve at international and domestic posts. In the U.S. these posts include the permanent Baha’f schools and institutes as well as a number of projects sponsored by local Assem lies. The number of domestic volunteers has tripled since the beginning of the Plan.

Local communities, appreciating the value of these volunteers, are busily opening up new posts, so that demand

Youth and the Three Year Plan

now greatly outstrips the current sup|

if is clear that the involvement of youth as teachers and in other capacities of service has greatly increased since the beginning of the Plan. As we move toward Ridvan, the youth will surely play their part in bringing the Plan to a successful conclusion.

Meanwhile, the National Spiritual Assembly is planning a number of proprams to stimulate youth activity still

rther, and also to provide quality training. Some are already under way, while others will soon be launched:

A national task force for Baha’i

Youth Workshops will be appointed to

rovide training programs on a reguar basis in all parts of the country and to develop materials for local use.

An ongoing series of regional college club symposia has already begun.

These provide opportunities for discussing, priorities for teaching on college campuses, sharing successful techniques, and learning about how to formulate and implement teaching plans.

¢ The Wilmette Institute, a program of intensive study designed to train teachers of the Faith, has already begun its first correspondence phase and is scheduled to hold its first residence session this summer.

Training materials and regional coordination for the Army of Light program will be refined and augmented,

toi amr both the quantity and quality of local youth teaching efforts.

¢ The Bahd’i Youth Service Corps program will be further expanded.

¢ Another national youth conference may be held this summer on Chicago. This will be the third major youth conference since December 1994. These events have served to stimulate youth activity while also developing a sense of vision on the part of youth as to their potential role in advancing the Cause. The upcoming conference will focus on training in teaching and service.

Also, the National Spiritual Assembly will appoint a National Youth Committee for the next Plan, so that youth themselves will have a high level of input in program development and the mo cbilization of their peers.

From metropolitan areas such as Chicago and Salt Lake City to rural communities such as Hemingway, South Carolina, and Belle Glade, Florida; in large pub lel proc ares tions in Atlanta and Indianapolis; and in small teaching teams in the pueblos of New Mexico and the suburbs of Houston, youth have made ete presence as spiritual warriors

felt.

The Universal House of Justice has characterized Baha’f youth as

“potent instruments” for the execution of erences adding that through their distinctive qualities “they can become the speatiieg of any enterprise, and the driving force of any undertaking, whether local or national.”

There can be no doubt that the continuing engagement of youth in the teaching work will hasten the growth and maturation of our community.

Assembly goals

Continued from page 2

MISSOURI: Florissant, St. Joseph

NEW JERSEY: Bayonne, Camden, East Orange, Elizabeth, Irvington, Newark, Paterson, Union City, Vineland

NEW YORK: Binghamton, New Rochelle, Niagara Falls, Schenectady, Syracuse, Troy, Utica

NORTH CAROLINA: Fayetteville

OHIO: Canton, Elyria, Hamilton, Lakewood, Lorain, Parma, Springfield,

Warren, Youngstown

OKLAHOMA: Broken Arrow, Lawton

PENNSYLVANIA: Allentown,

Altoona, Erie, Reading, Scranton

RHODE ISLAND: Cranston, East Providence, Pawtucket

TENNESSEE: Clarksville, Jackson

TEXAS: Abilene, Baytown, Killeen, Laredo, Longview, Odessa, Port Arthur, San Angelo

UTAH: Orem, Provo

VIRGINIA: Chesapeake, Danville,

Hampton, Lynchburg, Portsmouth, Suffolk

WEST VIRGINIA: Huntington

WISCONSIN: Kenosha, LaCrosse, Racine, West Allis

WYOMING: Cheyenne

Baha'i Group of Ventnor, NJ, marks 21st year at NJEA Convention

The Baha’i Group of Ventnor, New Jersey, took part for the 21st year last November 9-10 in the annual Convention of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) in Atlantic City.

The Baha'is distributed 8,614 pieces of literature during the two-day event, making it their second busiest Convention ever. Included were 5,205 copies of a new four-color, two-sided poster,

First Baha’i Conference for Pacific Islanders set

The first National Baha’{ Pacific Islander Conference will be held May 1012 at the Bosch Baha’i School in Santa Cruz, California.

All Fijian, Samoan, Tongan and other Pacific Islanders are invited to attend, as well as those who are interested in teaching the Faith to Pacific Islanders.

It is nenea that Counselor Moli Chang Afemata will be among those attending.

For information, please contact George or Daska Halaholo, 415-5969635. Special discounted weekend: $85 for adults, $40 for children ages 3-17. First child and fourth or more children free. A children’s program will be offered!

Repister directly by writing to the Bosch Baha’i School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, e-mail

).

“Teach This Generation to Be Prejudice-Free,” produced by the Baha'is of New Jersey; 1,161 copies of ‘Abdu’lBahd’s Prayer for America, and 560 copies of “The Vision of Race Unity.”

Ninety-eight people completed interest cards asking for more information about the Faith including 16 who asked to attend Baha'i meetings and 21 who asked for Baha'i speakers for their classrooms.

Also, four teachers responded to a letter that was mailed before the Convention and asked for information, raising the total number of inquirers

toa record 102.

The friends also mailed 100 information packets containing copies of the magazine “The Baha’fs” and the pamphlet “Bahd’u’lldh, God’s Messenger.”

As in past years, many of the educators from throughout the state told the Bahd’is they had visited the House of Worship in Wilmette and/or the World Center in Haifa.

The Baha ’fs of Ventnor received contributions of $4,210 from 23 individuals and families and a dozen Assemblies and Groups to underwrite their expenses of $3,726.

The Baha'i Group of Ventnor, New Jersey, seenssree this booth last November 9-10 at the annual Convention of the New Jersey Education Association

(NJEA) in Atlantic City.

�[Page 4]4

THe AmeriCAN BAHA'I

PIONEERING

The following excerpts from a traveling teaching report reflect a successful effort made by local Baha'is with the support of traveling teachers:

°

We were first transferred to our respective goal towns. Every morning we started with dawn prayers. We prayed _ for Baha‘u'llah’s divine confirmations and for the fulfillment of the goals. We did not look at our shortcomings. We trusted in God and in Baha’u'lléh. The singing, of “Alléh-u-Abha” attracted people walking by the Center.

After breakfast each group went to its assigned area to spread the healing Message of Bahd’u’llah by talking to people and handing out Baha’{ materials. Our contacts were invited to our evening gatherings at the Baha’i Center.

were friendly, courteous, and hospi! a program every night featuring sp:

In general, the villagers were very receptive. They all knew something about the Faith. They Three people declared themselves Bah: Classes for Baha’f and non-Baha’i children, held in the villages and in the Baha’f Center, were attended

Pictured are participants and seekers in last summer's Muhdjir Teaching Project in ‘ Grenada. Holding her sleeping baby in her arms is Miss Becky (right), one of those who declared their belief in Bahd’u'llah during the campaign.

table. We had eakers, songs

and films and invited local Baha’i youth to speak.

Baha'is from U.S. spend month teaching i in Grenada

unity and of love, constancy and courage, the group reached all strata of society with the Message of Baha’u’lléh and tapped new potentialities within each member.

in large numbers. The mothers of many of these children attended the evening meetings and left the Baha‘i Center with great joy and happiness and took Baha’i literature with them. This was one of the highlights of our activities.

Six members of the team were interviewed on Grenada television. The Auxiliary Board member conducted the inte: which explored Baha'i prince and the purpose of our visit.

Another highlight was when the National Youth Committee and the visiting Baha'i youth met with the deputy Governor General of Grenada and presented him with the book A Crown of Beauty. He was receptive and knowledgeable about the Faith and surprised the group by quot Bahd‘u’ll4h and ‘Abdu’l Baha

Through prayer, a spirit of

Please report all overseas trips to Office of Pioneering, and trips within U.S. for teaching purposes to National Teaching Committee

Every year thousands of Baha’is in the United States travel internationally and on the homefront for a wide variety of Be Responding to the following exhortation of Shoghi Effendi, the lovers of Baha’u’llah cannot cease from mentioning His name and are scattering the fragrances of His Revelation at every moment, in every place they find themselves.

“Upon every participator in this concerted effort, unprecedented in the annals of the American Baha’i community, rests the spiritual obligation to make the mandate of teaching, so vitally binding upon all, the all-pervading concern of his life. In his daily activities and contacts, in all his journeys, whether for business or otherwise, on his holidays and outings, and on any mission he may be called upon to undertake, every bearer of the Message of Baha’u’llah should consider it not only an obligation but a privilege to scatter far and wide the seeds of His Faith, and to rest content in the abiding knowledge that whatever be the immediate response to that Message, and however inadequate the vehicle that conveyed it, the power of its Author will, as He sees fit, enable those

United States, please return this form to: Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Ifyou have traveled internationally, please return this form to: Office of Pioneering, Baha’ i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. If you have traveled to teach within the

seeds to germinate, and in circumstances which no one can foresee entich the harvest which the labor of His followers will gather.” (Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 53)

To record the history of the development of the Cause and monitor the contributions made by the U.S. believers, we are asked to report on all trips undertaken by the friends. If traveling ratemeenally please report trips of any nature. Business trips and projects, vacation trips, conferences, meetings, and teaching projects are all important.

Please let the Office of Pioneering know about any travels undertaken in the Three Year Plan (since May 1, 1993). Remember that any effort you may make to share the news of Baha’u’llah’s coming, even mentioning His name or saying prayers, can potentially bring the spirit of the Faith of Baha’u’ll4h to the people. Baha’u’llah revealed to us that “The movement itself from place to place, when undertaken for the sake of God, hath always exerted, and can now exert, its influence in the World.” (Bahd‘u’ll4h, quoted in The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 70)

To make this easier for you, simply fill out and send us the short report

National Teaching Office, Baha’{ National

|

Name: ID#: | Street: City/State/Zip:

| Date: from —— to Where did you go?

|

| Comments:

ts Betis aye ies |

form below, or tell us by fax, phone or e-mail 24 hours a day. For travel on the homefront, please report to the National Teaching Office (phone 847-7333494; fax 847-733-3502; e-mail

Report international travel to the Office of Pioneering (phone 847-7333511; fax 847-733-3509; e-mail

). We look forward to hearing from you.

Sensitive International Teaching, Areas (SITA) jeer ately nated by the Office of Pioneering— are now available on a regional/ local basis in many areas of the country.

What is a SITA?

Why should you know about SITA programs and deepenings?

For answers to these and other questions, contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha'i National Center, Wilmette IL 60091 (phone 708-7333506; e-mail ).

Two-part video cassette, ‘Huqdqu’llah . . . source of prosperity and blessing,’ is now available

A two-part video cassette, “Huqtiqu’'llah...source of prosperity and blessing,” prepared under the auspices of the Huqtiqu’llah Trust, is available from Badiyan Distribution.

The video, whose running time is almost three hours, includes historical pictures and segments filmed in the Holy Land with the participation of the

Baha’i Youth Service Corps Resource Network

A network of “Baha’i Youth Service Corps Resource Persons” is being developed to help raise up and prepare an increasing number of youth for homefront and international service. In early January a letter was sent to all known “veterans” of homefront and international Bahaé’i Youth Service Corps (formerly Youth Year of Service). If you have served the Cause of Baha’u’ll4h in this way and did not receive this letter, or would like to serve in this way, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha'i National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. Phone 847-733-3511, fax 847-733-3509, or e-mail

Hand of the Cause of God and Trustee of Huqtiqu’llah Ali Muhammad Varga and the Hand of the Cause of God AliAkbar Furtitan.

Part 1 sets the background for Law of Huqtiqu’llah, first proclaimed in the Book of Aqdas, and traces its development since the time of Baha’u’llah.

Part 2 comments on similar laws in other religious dispensations and focuses on the principles, calculations and spiritual dimensions of Hugqtiqu’llah as gleaned from the Baha’i writings, ending with observations on the impact of this mighty Law of Baha’u’ll4h.

The price in the U.S. is $27 plus $3 for shipping. Orders should be made to Badiyan Distribution, 720 W. 94th St., Minneapolis, MN 55420, with a check made payable to Badiyan Distribution.

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

�[Page 5]

y Youth /

a Compilation

$3.95 SC (YC)

Extracts from the writings of Baha’u’lléh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahé and Shoghi Effendi about the role, responsibilities, challenges and destiny of youth.

5-3/8"x8-1/4”", 32 pp., Index

Baha'f Publications Australla

The Pupil of the Eye

African Americans in the World Order of Baha'u'llah

compiled by Bonnie J. Taylor

$12.00 HC (PE)

The Pupil of the Eye presents a compilation of Baha’f scriptures and extracted passages from other Baha’f sources about the important role of people of African descent to the progress of the Cause. Topics include quotations about the nature of people of African descent, the need for race unity and the danger of racism, the contributions of African Americans to the Baha’{ Faith, and the destiny of African peoples. This book is certain to enkindle the fire of love and dedication to service in every believer of African descent and in those who have arisen to teach this receptive population. It can also attract the hearts of those individuals of African descent who are investigating the truth of Baha’u’llah‘s mission. 5-3/4"x8-3/4”, 194 pp.

Palabra Publications

gore

TRAC

ire and Gold

\/ compiled by Brian Kurzius

$20.95 SC (FG) A thoughtfully selected compilation of quotations from the Baha’f scriptures and other Bahd’{ writings on the purpose and source of of the tests that may come to us and our society and how we can overcome them. Brian Kurzius has delved deeply into the literature of the Bahé’f{ Faith including works long out of print or difficult to come by, to find words that bring comfort, inner peace and spiritual upliftment to those facing the many challenges of life. 5”x8-1/2", 368 pp., Index George Ronald Publishers

Baha’u’ lah: |

The Great Announcement of the Qur’4n

by Muhammad Mustafa

$6.00 SC (BGAQ)

This book was prepared to assit Englishspeaking Baha’ fs to acquire a basic understanding of issue frequently raised by Muslims with regard to the Qur’4n and the Baha’{ Faith. It was originally written in 1959 when the writer was asked to undertake such a task by Baha'is in Liberia, during his visit to that country. Recently rewritten and expanded, it addresses many subjects of particular interest to Muslims. 4”x7”, 115 pp.

Baha'i Publishing Trust,

Bangladesh

C

Denny

The Odyssey of the Soul

by Artemus Lamb

$11.95 SC (OSS)

Our soul comes into being at the moment of conception and begins an eternal journey throughout the worlds of God. Where are we going? When will we arrive at our destination? What will it be like? What experiences will happen to us on the way? What possible perils will we encounter on our road and what can we do to avoid them or, at least, soften them? What preparations can we make for our journey? Drawing on the literature of the Baha’f Faith, Artemus Lamb answers these age-old questions simply and directly. He charts the progress of the soul from birth, through the physical world and to the end of its odyssey in the world of the spirit. 5-1/4"x7-3/4”, 96 pp.

George Ronald Publications

Face the East Chris and Lynn Rosser CD $15.95 (FECD),CS $10.95 (FECS) This professionally produced recording blends exceptional vocal harmonies with elements of folk, pop, and world music to create an inspiring new sound. Face the Eastincludes original award-winning songs, and incorporates Baha’{ themes and writings into a contemporary acoustic setting. Their heartfelt music was described by the national music magazine Dirty Linen as “refreshingly original” and “lovely homages to the experience of being alive and human.” With its strong arrangements and diverse styles, this album should have wide appeal for Baha’ fs and seekers of all ages. Hollow Reed Arts

Mount Carmel Whatever Is Happening?

Jacqueline Mehrabi

$6.95 SC (MCWIH)

An important addition to libraries of Baha’ f institutions and families, addressing forchildren and youth the significance and importance of one of the greatest undertakings of the Bah4’f community at the close of this century. Jacqueline Mehrabi writes in a way that is appealing to everyone, but especially children. She highlights how the origin of the buildings on Mount Carmel is rooted in the writings and history of the Bah4’{ Faith, and explains their significance and importance to the future of humanity in a way that can only increase the readers love for the Central Figures of the Faith and the Universal House of Justice. 8-1/4"x1 1-3/4”, 16 pp.

Brilllant Books

Moments with Baha’u’lah Memotrs of the Hand of the Cause of God TarAzu'll4h Samandari

translated by

Mehdi Samandari and Marzieh Gail $14.95 HC (MWB)

The Hand of the Cause of God Tarézu’lléh Samandari, while still a teenager, undertook his first pilgrimage. On many occasions he was in the presence of Baha’ u;lléh. He afterwards recounted the stories of this pilgrimage hundreds of times, to the delight and astonishment of believers around the world. Here, forthe first time, his stories are presented in written form. Mr. Samandari was in the Holy Land during the last months of Baha’u’lléh’s life. He was present during His revelation of Tablets and verses, accompanied Bah4’u’ lah on visits to the Garden of Ridvan, and he was present at the time of Baha’u'llah’s Ascension. Discover these and other sweet and bitter stories in this charming and inspirational book. 5-1/4"x7-1/4", 76 pp.

Kallmat Press

Prayers of Shoghi Effendi

Persian $7.95 (PPSE)

�[Page 6]

TN aw) a)

Sis fers

Baha’i Administration

Selected Messages 1922-1932

Shoghi Effendi

$5.95 (BA)

Acomplation of messages from Shoghi Effendi to the American Baha’ { community defining the essential principles on whivh the local and national institutions of the Baha’{ Faith are based. Written during the first ten years of the Formatibe Age of the Faith, the messages also offer insight into the Faith's growth and illlustrate poignantly the great burden Shoghi Effendi shouldered as Guardian of the Cause of God while guiding the fledgling Baha’ { community. This is important reading for every Baha’ { concerned with hastening the maturation of the institutions Shoghi Effendi labored so tirelessly to establish.

Messages to the Baha’i World

1950-1957

Shoghi Efgendi

$5.95 (MBW)

This compilation brings together major communication Shoghi Effendi addressed to the Baha’ { world during the last seven and a half years of his life. The messages outline and celebrate many of the goals so dramatically attained during the Ten Year Crusade (1953-63). They rebeal a shift in emphasis from the needs of national Baha’{ bodies to the activities of a matauring Baha’{ world community, documenting a period of unprecedented expansion and achievement. As part of the primary literature of the Baha’{ Faith, these powerful writings offer inspiration while reminding us of the pressing need to “blazon the Name of Baha’w’Ilah across the globe.”

Citadel of Faith

Messages to America, 1947-1957

Shoghi Effendi

$5.95 (CFS)

The letters and cables in this collection will acquaint readers with the concerns of the American and the worldwide Baha’f communities between 1947 and 1957. Shoghi Effendi provides a unique perspective on events. He illumines and elucidates the goals and objectibes of the Baha’{ community as well as the procedures and methods of achieving them. While the Baha’{ community has grown by leaps and bounds, it still confronts, and will continue to confront, the awesome task of building the world order of Baha’ u’Ildh. Citadel of Faith provides guidance and

inspiration for all who

Scholarship

Justice SC $3.95 (SCOMP)

Reunion by Bridges CS $10.95 (RCAS) Bridges’ second recording, Reunion, recreates the feel and flavor of the group’s teaching trip to the Ukraine. Original songs and detailed liner notes provide a chronicle of sharing the message of Baha’u’lléh with the Ukrainian people. You’ll meet Sergei — the cynic who opened his heart, Hayden — a Baha’{ child whose wish and sacrifice inspired the teachers, and a little gray dove whose appearance turned thoughts to peace. From the joyous lines of “Twin Birds” celebrating the coming of Baha’u’ll4h and the Bab, to the hopes for peace for all children in “Charcoal”, the music on this album reminds the listener of the urgency of arising to teach the people of the former Soviet Republics. 39 minutes CCA Records

are engaged in this great enterprise.

compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of

Designed to stimulate and guide the further development of Bahd’{ scholarship, this compilation clarifies the unique features of this vital aspect of Baha’{ activity. The Universal House of Justice calls upon all the members of the community of the Greatest Name “to strive to develop and offer to humanity a new model of scholarly activity”. 5-3/8" x 8-1/4", 64 pp.

Bah4’i Publications Australia

Service

compiled by the Research Department of the Universal

House of Justice SC $2.95 (BBFS)

Acompilation which answers all of the questions related to Baha’i burial and the funeral service. Recently updated to include extracts from the Kitab-i-Aqdas.

5-3/8"x8-1/2", 16 pp. Bah4’i Publications Australia

The Life and Poetry of Varga:

The Martyr CS $10.95 (VC) Shokouh Rezai lends her voice to classical modes (dastgah) of Persian music, joined by the sweet strains of the violin of Manoochehr Vahman and the rythm of the tombak performed by Roozbeh Rahimpour. Performed and chanted in the traditional Persian style, this album preserves for future gen erations this classic sound

and art form.

Live Unity Productions

Baha’i Burial and the Baha’{ Funeral

Mux .c. 152 / Feeruary 6, 1996 6

eek

The Promulgation of Universal Peace $13.00 (PUP)

A compilation of many of the talks given by Abdu’l-Bahé during His bisit to the United States and Canada, talks that expounded the principles of the Baha’{ Faith as promulgated by Baha'u'llah. He spoke of the equality of men and women, the harmony of science and religion, the need for universal education and a universal language, the oneness of Godand the oneness of man.

Baha'i Publishing Trust

�[Page 7]BAHA'I DISTRIB

1-800-999

TWO TITLES IN PERSIAN

COMING SOON

Pech t

Proceedings of the first two conferences of Friends of Persian Culture Association

Writen in both Persian and English, papers on various aspects of Iranian culture, numerous black-and-white and color reproductions of calligraphy by Mishkin Qalam, many heretofore unpublished. Look for this very special book to be available very soon!

So Great An Honor

Becoming a Baha’i

prepared by the National 4} Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’ts of the United States

SC $6.95 (SGH) Designed primarily as a welcoming guidebook for new believers, So Great an Honor familiarizes readers with essential truths of the Baha’f Faith and with its Central Figures. Italso gives a glimpse of Bahd’{ history, discusses the 4 Covenants of Baha'u'llah and “Abdu’l-Bah4, and outlines the Baha’{ Administrative Order. This book is intended to help readers enrich their spiritual journey and find the true happiness that comes from responding to God’s call and arising to play their own part in advancing His cause. An excellent resource for deepening and consolidation programs. 6"x9", 81 pp. Baha'i Publishing Trust

Contentment

Jewels from the Words of 'Abdu’'l-Baha

"Abdu'l-Baha

SC $5.95 (C)

This, the fourth booklet in the Jewels series, attractively presents extracts from writings and utterances of ’Abdu’lBahé on the theme of contentment. Filled with wisdom and compassion, it offers words of comfort and consolation and reveals the spiritual reality of true contentment.

6°x6", 46 pp.

Baha'i Publishing Trust - United Kingdom

Multifaith Weekly

Planner

CA $9.95 (MWP)

The aim of the Multifaith Weekly Planner is to increase awareness and promote understanding of the major festivals of various world religions. It can be useful to anyone, but will be particularly valuable to administrators, educators, and caregivers who plan events and meetings and need tounderstand religious diversity. Religious observances for eleven world religions are noted, and an explanation of the religious significance of each holy day, festival, fasting period, or celebration is given.

4-3/4"x8" Unity Arts Happiness

Jewels from the Words of 'Abdu'l-Baha "Abdu'l-Baha

SC $5.95 (H)

This booklet, the third in the Jewels series, attractively presents extracts from writings and utterances of ’Abdu’lBahé on the theme of happiness. The wisdom and compassion embodied in the Master’s words reveal the spiritual reality of true happiness, which is attained through the life of the spirit, self sacrifice, and service to humanity.

6°x6", 46 pp.

Baha'i Publishing Trust - United Kingdom

HelloWorld!

Red Grammer

CS $10.00 (HWCS), CD $15.00 (HWCD)

An upbeat, inspired collection of twelve songs full of hope and delight that will charm and move the hearts of adults and children alike. For those awaiting a follow-up to Teaching Peace, this is it! Includes ten new songs as well as a heartstopping rendition of “Over the Rainbow” and a lovely adaptation of the rhyme “Starlight, Star Bright.” A recording that kids, parents, and teachers will love.

35 minutes

Red Note Records

Tue AMERICAN BAHA'I 7/

ib

Symbol and Secret

Qur'an Commentary In Baha’u'lléh’s Kitab-1-fqan Studies In Babi and Baha'i Religions, Volume Seven Christopher Buck

SC $32.50 (SSS), HC $42.50 (SSH)

The first full volume in English to be devoted to a study of the Kitéb-i-fqan, a book designated by Shoghi Effendi as “foremost among the priceless treasures cast forth from the billowing ocean of Bahd’u’lléh’s Revelation.” The author, a Baha’{ and scholar of Islamic Studies, examines Bahd’u’lléh’s explanations of the symbolic verses in the Qur’n and the Gospels. Through the Kitébi-fqin Bahd’w'll4h has created new meanings for these verses and laid the foundation of a new religion. The author offers his research into the revelation of the Kitabi-[g4n and the early history of its publication, answers attacks non-Baha’f critics have directed against it, analyzes Baha’u'll4h’s rhetorical techniques, and illumines how the Kitab-i-fqan forms a bridge toa new Revelation. A masterful piece of scholarship and a “must read” for serious students of Baha’f scripture. 6"x9", 326 pp., table of contents, b! Kallmat Press

Created Rich

How Spiritual Attitudes and Material Means Work Together to Achieve Prosperity

Patrick Barker

SC $9.95 (CR)

Created Rich teaches both the spiritual and practical principles of wealth acquisition. Although the book is written primarily for Baha’fs and frequently quotes the Baha’f writings, it is suitable for anyone wishing to become financially independent. According to the author, almost anyone can achieve financial freedom in a reasonable amount of time by following its guidance, as everyone has the capacity to prosper. Those who have acquired no more than a bare subsistence have either failed to learn the principles governing the acquisition of wealth or failed to observe them. This book explains these principles and tells how to implement them. 5-1/2"x8-1/2", 207 pp. Naturegraph Publishers

Arising to Serve wae

by the Ruhi Institute

SC $5.00 (AS)

The long-anticipated follow-up to the basic Ruhi courses, published for the first time in English! This book is an essential component of any large-scale-growth teaching campaign. The courses prepare teachers of the Faith for more effectively participating in expansion and consolidation activities and addresses the ingredient most often overlooked in teaching projects: how to follow up with new believers. Second in the Ruhi series, this volume includes

ography

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the courses “The Joy of Teaching,” “Deepening Themes,” and “Introducing Baha’ { Beliefs.” 8-1/2"x11", 80 pp. Palabra Publications ITEM QUANTITY cost isewPING CHARGES LUMEN E es om eth Shenae 3 TOTAL Tennessee Resipents Pueast Avo 7.75% Sates Tax For onpeRs siurrep oursive THe ULS., PLEASE ADD 15% (min. $3.00) SuirrinG CHARGES wiTHIN ConTINENTAL US. app 10% ($2.00 min., $10.00 max.)

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Baha’{ Distribution Service * 5397 Wilbanks Dr., Chattanooga, TN 37343 + 1-800-999-9019 * Fax: 1-423-843-0836 » Internet: �[Page 8]8

THe American BAHA'I

ACTIVITIES

UNITY CINEO

The future of the American continent is very promising. ‘Abdu’'l-Bahd said, “it will lead all nations spiritually.” — ‘Abdu'l-Bahé, Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 87

Below is a list of actions we can take to help America achieve

its destiny. Perhaps you can think of more actions to add to the list. Copy the blank bingo card below. Make a copy for each player. Choose 24 words or phrases from the action list and write one in each square on your

bingo card. Be sure that each card has the words written in a different order. Each card should be unique because each person's spiritual destiny is unique.

Copy each word or phrase onto a small scrap of paper. Put these scraps into a box. Choose someone to draw one word at a time from the box and read it aloud.

On your own card, find the word that was read. Cover it with a marker. When you have five

words covered in a row, call out “UNITY!”

Remember, we reach the goal when everyone has unity. *

Reprinted from Brilliant Star, Special Edition 1995

love teach care hope give study obey meditate } a + > pray serve sacrifice travel teach honor trust speak out > > +> ea create play share help practice unite dream __ respect consult appreciate act be patient > > - a “Fellowship, fellowship! Love, love! Unity, unity...”

— “Abdul-Bahd Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 53

(Order Now _)

for Ayyam-i-Ha! ee on teh aw wee ey)

( Purchase a Subscription from \ Baha'i Subscriber Service:

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Payment must be enclosed. Canadian/Intemational orders enclose international money order or bank cheque drawn ona U.S. bank in U. S. dollars. To charge your VISA/MC. account, give number, expiration date, and name on account. Telephone orders accepted.

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New! Brilliant Star Game Kit — $19.95 Order directly from BDS 1-800-999-9019

�[Page 9]Mutx B.E. 152 © Fesruary 7, 1996 9

COMMUNITY NEW.

Hand of Cause Rihiyyih Khanum keynote speaker at Maryland’s fourth International Dialogue on Transition to Global Society

TOTAL ENROLLMENTS

December ........00.0000000000 141 Year to date............... 1,516

THE FUND

(As of December 31, 1995)

YTD Goat YTD Actual

National Bahé’{ Fund —_ $8,333,333 $7,910,243 All International Funds $19,900,000 $19,009,093 Dec 94 Dec 95

National Bah4’{ Fund $1,215,638 $1,040,957 International Baha’{ Fund $51,592 $42,369 Are Projects Fun $874,165 $1,664,420 Continental Baha’{ Fund $23,144 $27,685 Other Earmarked $57,013 $31,500 Subtotal/Int’l Funds $1,005,914 $1,765,974 Total/All Funds $2,221,552 $2,806,931

National Baha’i Fund: Goal & Actual $7,910,243

$8,333,333

Where we need to be

All International Funds: Goal & Actual $19,009,093

Where we need to be

$19,900,000

Are Projects Fund

$17,303,153

[iviereve were last year | $3,657,953

International Baha’i Fund $1,159,870

Where we were last year

$333,386

Continental Baha’i Fund

$177,142

Where we were last year

$144,631

nel

The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Baha Rahiyyih Khanum was the keynote speaker at the fourth International Dialogue on the Transition to Global Society held last October 14-17 at the University of Maryland in College Park.

The Dialogue, held under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), was organized on behalf of the university’s Center for International Development and Conflict Management (CIDCM) and Landegg Academy in Wienacht, Switzerland, by the Bahd’f Chair for World Peace and the Department of History at the University of Maryland.

Its over-all theme was “Divisive Barbarity or Global Civilization: The Ethical Dimensions of Science, Art, Religion and Politics.”

The Hand of the Cause, whose address was entitled “Our Global Future: An Ever-Advancing Civilization,” looked at the future of humankind from a Bahd‘f perspective, quoting liberally from the writings of Baha’u’llah, ‘Abdu’l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi to lend power and authority to her remarks.

Her address—and those of other speakers—was heard by an audience of 600 invited guests from diplomatic and university circles, government and nongovernmental agencies, and members of the Baha’f community from the Washington area.

The speakers at the pening session, each of whom was introduced by Dr. William E. Kirwan, president of the University of Maryland, included His Excellency President Amine Gemayel of Lebanon; Prof. Ervin Laszlo, president of the Club of Budapest; Dr. Bertrand Schneider, secretary-general of the Club of

Rome; His Excellency Dr. Karan Singh, director of the Auroville Foundation; and His Excellency President Amata Kabua of the Marshall Islands.

On Saturday evening, prior to the official opening

of the Dialogue, Ambassador Paul-Mare Henry of France had spoken on “The World Today: Reflections” to more than 100 guests at the welcoming dinner. An evening concert following Sunday’s opening ses cluded performances by a number of ding Jack Lenz, James Moody, Mike Longo, Kevin Locke, Nancy Ward, Van Gilmer, Shokouh Rezai and Manoochehr Vahman.

The remainder of the Dialogue was devoted to plenary sessions and workshops on its four main topics—science, art, religion and politics—as well as the role of youth in a global society and recent global summits and conferences.

On Monday and Tuesday, nearly 200 participants, inspired by the opening session, pursued the main program of the Dialogue as individual presenters explored the ethical dimensions of science, art, religion and politics in successive plenary sessions and workshops.

In addition to scholars and interested professionals from around the world, undergraduate students from the University Honors Seminar on the Transition to Global Society and UMCP graduate students took part in the Dialogue and were joined by others from academic institutions in the Washington area as well as from Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Pennsylvania and Tufts universities and the University of Guelph in Canada.

Baha’i Race Unity Committee of Long Island's eighth International Dinner Festival celebrates UN, diversity

The eighth International Dinner Festival sponsored by the Baha’i Race Unity Committee of Long Island was held October 28 at St. Peter’s Church in Bay Shore.

The event, which drew an audience of about 200, combined a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the United Nations with the Baha’i concepts of multiculturalism and unity in diversity.

Keynote speaker Marc Hensen of the Race Unity Committee, introduced by master of ceremonies James Hopkins, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Babylon Town, spoke on “The Significance of the United Nations.”

Also speaking on the program was James Banks, an educator and coordinator of multicultural activities and special programs at Suffolk Community College, whose topic was “The Multiculturalism.”

Everyone was asked to stand and learn by heart the words to two phrases that were the keys to his talk: “Love is the answer” and “It’s what's inside that counts and that makes you go up.”

Entertainment included Ecuadorean folk songs by the Borja Family Singers; dancing by the An Rince Mor School of Irish Dance and the Haitian Commu

Value of

ahr Aca KY

These members of the Korean percussion group, Poong Mul-Nari Company of New York, were among the entertainers last Octo ber at the BahG’i-sponsored 8th annual International Dinner Festival in Bay Shore, Long Island.

nity Association of New York; and a percussion performance by the Poong Mul-Nari Company, also of New York. Mr. Hopkins ended the program with the hope that someday mankind could “learn to relax with our cultural diversity—in our schools and places of work.”

The gathering then enjoyed a plentiful banquet of ethnic foods.

California communities gather to hold workshop on healing of racism

On Race rey Day last summer the Baha’i communities of Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito and Carpinteria, California, came together for a workshop on the healing of racism centered around the 90-minute documentary film, “The Color of Fear,” which presents views of racism in America as seen through the eyes of eight men of African, Asian, European and Latino descent.

The spirit of the workshop was manifested in facilitated discussions that encouraged participants to

share emotions that were enkindled by the film, while the format of sharing established a safe environment in which issues were brought out in the open in a frank and loving way.

About 35 people attended the workshop, held at the University of California-Santa Barbara.

“The Color of Fear” and “Stolen Ground,” a film about racism toward Asian-American men, are available from Stir Fry Productions (phone 510-419-3930).

�[Page 10]THe AMERICAN BAHA’T 10

NATIONAL CONVENTION

April 25-28, 1996 Rosemont, Illinois

87th Baha’i National Convention Convention Seating Registration

Will you be staying at the Holiday Inn O’Hare? Yes No

Visitors welcome at 87th Convention

In anticipation of the celebration of victories from the Three Year Plan and the introduction of a new Plan by the Universal House of Justice, the National Spiritual Assembly has provided for a larger number of Baha’i visitors to attend the upcoming 87th National Convention.

An additional 1,800 believers will be able to take part in this extremely important event, which will be held near Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, convenient to air travelers and those arriving by

car.

All Baha’is in good standing are warmly invited to join the National Spiritual Assembly and delegates next April 25-28 at the Holiday Inn-O’Hare, 5440 N. River Road in Rosemont (see form for registration and hotel information).

What do visitors do?

Non-delegate visitors will have a chance to observe, although they do not take part in consultation between the delegates and the National Spiritual Assembly. They will learn about the current state of the American Baha’{ community and see the consultation developing from the release of the next global Plan from the Universal House of Justice. Several agencies of the Baha’i National Center will be on hand to greet everyone and to answer questions. The nearby Baha’i House of Worship will be open daily to visitors.

What goes on at the National Convention?

The Convention opens (Thursday evening) with the seating of delegates and election of the Convention officers. The National Spiritual Assembly then presents its annual report to the community. Most of the sessions before and after the election of the National Spiritual Assembly (on Saturday morning) are devoted to consultation between the delegates and National Spiritual Assembly. Convention attendees will also see the formal unveiling of the upcoming Plan from the Universal House of Justice. The Convention closes at noon on Sunday.

What do the delegates do?

The 171 delegates were elected at District Conventions last October. Their responsibilities are to elect the new National Assembly and to consult with it on matters of importance to the Faith.

What happens in the election?

The Guardian instructed that the election of the National Spiritual Assembly is to be held at a point midway through the Convention to give the incoming National Assembly an opportunity to consult with delegates and to present to them the broad outlines of its plans for the coming year. The National Spiritual Assembly is elected by plurality vote; the nine pee who receive the highest num er of votes cast by the delegates are elected.

Who can consult?

Besides the delegates, members of the National Spiritual Assembly are free to take part in Convention deliberations and may offer suggestions or recommendations; however, only National Assembly members who are delegates may vote on issues or be elected to serve as Convention officers. All non-delegate attendees may observe the consultation, but only delegates can take part in discussions taking place on the Convention floor.

What happens to decisions?

The deliberations and decisions of the Convention are advisory. The Guardian explained that the National Convention is a temporary gathering whose status “is limited in time to the convention sessions, the functions of consultation at all other times being vested in the entire body of believers through the local Spiritual Assemblies.” When the delegates return home, they are asked to report to their fellow-believers in their District on the accomplishments, decisions and aspirations of the Convention.

Last Name First Name Middle Initial Baha’{ I.D. # Mailing Address Street Hotel Reservations must be City State Zip

made directly with the Holiday Inn O'Hare, 708/671-6350, 5440 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL. Make sure you ask for the Baha’f National Convention rate.

Room Rates are $79 per room, double occupancy. Rollaways are $10 a day. Cribs are free. We ask that you make your hotel reservations at the Holiday Inn O'Hare. Staying at the Holiday Inn helps reduce the National

Center’s over-all administrative

costs for the Convention. ~

Free Shuttles to and from O'Hare Airport are offered by the Holiday Inn O'Hare.

Children: We strongly encourage you not to bring children to the Convention unless they are old enough to listen attentively in the visitor sections with their parents. There will be no provisions for chidren’s classes or child care. The sessions are long—three full 13-hour days and two halfdays—and it is difficult to provide meaningful programs for children for such a long period of time. We regret that the National Center does not have the financial or human resources to sponsor a quality program for children. Also keep in mind that while some security will be present, a large urban hotel is not the safest environment for children. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Sharing Rooms: Individuals seeking roommates must make their own arrangements. Neither the National Center nor the hotel can offer such help.

Mail Form to: National Convention Seating Registration Baha'i National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

Gender equality topic

at ‘Wings of Eagle’

conference in Louisville Gender equality, a vital requisite to

aust and peaceful world, will be explored May 24-27 ata major conference titled Wings of the Eagle in Louisville, Kentucky.

A broad range of issues related to both men and women will be examined in plenary and breakout sessions, as well as through dramatic and musical performances and in activities for children and pre-youth.

The conference’s main goals are:

¢ To promote awareness and understanding of issues that affect the advancement of equality.

To explore the necessary means for

personal growth and transformation.

To identify action strategies that

can be implemented to advance equality both within and outside the Bahai community.

In short, the mission is for participants—whether Baha’f or non-Baha’i, men or women, young or old—to feel the sense of excitement and urgency that surrounds the issue of equality, especially as it relates to the spiritual destiny of America, and to view themselves as catalysts for change.

Featured speakers will include Juana Conrad, Fafar and Jack Guillebeaux, Hoda Mahmoudi, Billie Mayo, Rebequa Getahoun Murphy, Joyce Olinga, Michael Penn, Mary K. Radpour, and Jane and Curtis Russell.

Registration prior to Pal 19 is $90 for adults and youth, $75 for older children and pre-youth (ages 6 through 13), and $50:for children through age 5. A late fee of $20 applies to each registration form postmarked after April 19.

The registration fee includes three continental breakfasts and two lunches. Vegetarian meals are available upon request for adults and youth only.

Please make checks payable to Gender Equality Conference and mail forms to: Gender Equality Conference, P.O. Box 227, LaGrange, KY 40031. For more information, call Nancy Ordaz at 502-241-8790 (e-mail }

Special hotel room rates of $87 per night (up to four people) are available from the Hurstbourne Hotel and Conference Center. Call 800-289-1009 and mention the Baha’i Gender quay Conference. Airfare discounts also are available, through All Points Travel, 800-627-6468. Ask for the Baha’i Gender Equality Conference discount.

More than 350 present as Los Angeles Baha’is honor seven educators

More than 350 people attended a celebration last July 15 at the Los Angeles Baha‘ Center honoring seven educators for their contributions to society in Southern California.

The event was part of the “Preparing the Family for the New Millenium and the Woman for a New Era” Latin Conference held at July 14-16 at the Center.

The celebration began with a reception for the honorees at 7:30 p.m., followed by entertainment and the awards presentation.

Entertainers included the Baha’i Gospel Choir, the Taller Mona from Ensenada, Mexico, and a colorful presentation of various Mexican dances.

�[Page 11]Mutk B.E. 152 ¢ Fesruary 7, 1996 11

SOCIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Paths

Continued from page 1

not be an end but a beginning. And he expressed hope that the conference will be a jumping-off point for endeavors that will be reported on at future meetings as a spur to even greater action.

Mr. Harris expanded that focus on the Arc. Someday, he said, people will wonder about those who built the Arc. “Traces of what we do in this era will live forever and inspire those who come after us.”

erfect example of such inspirational action is the Office for the Advancement of Women.

Participation in planning for and execution of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing by 500 to 600 Bahd’‘is representing OAW, six other Baha’f entities and many more non-governmental organizations was especially rewarding, said Ms. Power.

But the office also was involved, she said, in supporting the external affairs efforts of National Spiritual Assemblies such as at the Social Development Summit in Copenhagen and during the 50th anniversary of the UN.

Dr. Deas continued the evening of introspection with a look at “How America Is Doing,” pronouncing 1995 a “wonderful year for the Faith” in the United States.

The U.S. community, she said, sent 227 pioneers and 737 international traveling teachers between May and December.

Believers also gave more than ever before to the Funds, though challenges remain in fulfilling Arc pledges and in meeting material needs of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Work is almost comple! n the statement on women, which Dr. Deas said will solidify our community on the issue—just as The Vision of Race Unity has galvanized the believers into action and spurred non-Baha’i leaders of thought into “talking and acting with our words and principles.”

Similarly, steadfast external affairs efforts have led others to turn to the Baha’fs and their message.

In the teaching work, great strides also have been made, said Dr. Deas. In particular, the Amatu’l-Baha Teaching Crusade in greater Houston has inspired local Spiritual Assemblies elsewhere to band together to make an impact.

Brief comments also were made Thursday night by Mr. Gushiken, the Brazilian legislator who in 1992 had called for the solemn session of the Chamber of Deputies commemorating the centenary of the Ascension of Baha‘u’llah.

Mr. Gushiken labeled himself “both a Baha’f and a non-Baha’i”: a Baha’i, because the teachings of Bahd‘u'llah and the example of ‘Abdu’l-Baha guide his life, and a non-Baha’f because he continues to operate in the political arena.

Then the stage belonged to Mr. Lenz and fellow performers for a night of entertainment that was always inspirational and, with the dry wit of Mrs. Ward, often humorous.

Prosperity and rights

Friday’s focus was placed on global prosperity and human rights.

Mr. Newkirk defined the issue, noting that humankind has long pursued prosperity for the few while Baha’u’llah has given a new impetus, force and spirit to the pursuit of prosperity for all. These teachings, he said, address poverty of the heart as well as poverty of means.

Mrs. Shoaie outlined the Baha’i perspective on global prosperity.

“We don’t have a road map and have never been there, but the teachings give us landmarks that show us when we're on track,” she said, referring to themes in the Prosperity of Humankind—search, unity, justice, consultation, knowledge, social order, and a new understanding of power and authority—as guideposts.

Brazilian Federal Deputy Luiz Gushiken

Mr. Adamson then looked at human rights, subtitling his talk “God Given or by Human Consent?”

Bahda’‘is, he said, have a unique perspective on the state of the world and what must be done. Others see tings solely through the lens of secular institutions, while the Bahd’i teachings help us modulate that view with the vision of a new World Order.

Friday afternoon was devoted to workshops on global prosperity and human rights. Participants examined the Bahd’i perspective on aspects of each topic and, just as important, explored how it applies to the grassroots projects in which they are engaged.

That evening, conference attendees were free to network. They also could visit hospitality suites for such entitities as Health for Humanity, the European Baha’{ Business Forum, Peace Education Now, Live Unity Productions, and Nur University.

Women and morality

Saturday morning the spotlight turned to the advancement of women and moral development.

Ms. Power, after recognizing, those in the audience who had taken partin the Fourth World Conference on Women and its NGO Forum, expanded on her previous observations of Beijing and its impact.

Important relationships forged with national governments have promoted the Baha’i perspective and enhanced the Faith’s reputation, said Ms. Power and Kit Cosby, deputy director of external affairs for the National Spiritual Assembly.

Next up Saturday morning was the eagerly awaited talk by Mr. Gushiken on ethics and morals.

Mr. Gushiken presented an overview of “a world in convulsion, lost in a multiplicity of false and wayward paths, a world of disharmony, violence, of outrageous wealth and degrading misery, a world illumined by science, but at the same time shadowed by darkness of spirit.”

So what shall we do? Mr. Gushiken asked. The key, he said, is in the quest for a “new unity plateau” beyond the scope of nation-states.

In this and all other attempts to solve society’s ills, moral development must be at the root, he emphasized. “To put in a few words the vital need in this troubled world, I would say the human being needs to become a homo spiritual, a man with a new moral foundation.”

He concluded: “I believe the Baha’is do have a proposal that can address this need. Spread it all over. The world is receptive.”

Expressions of thanks

After an afternoon of workshops on advancement of women and moral development, conference attendees gathered Saturday night to honor the Hofmans and Chances for their lifelong contributions to humankind.

Mr. Lenz set the stage with a song dedicated to the honorees.

Next, Dr. Ruhe spoke about “what happens to a person who is elected to a House of Justice.” That person, he said, loses all power and profession. Moreover, he is not necessarily one who wants it but one who would be a servant.

It was time to honor Mr. Hofman with the Award of Excellence of the Eshraghieh and Mahmoud Rabbani Charitable Trust. He listened with head bowed to the award citation, accepted the elegant carved eagle emblematic of the award, then spoke.

But very little Mr. Hofman said was about himself. Instead, he wanted to talk about his beloved Marion, who died December 5.

The thespian-turned-publisher spoke of how they met while serving the Faith in California.

About the Rabbani Trust

The 1995 North American Bahai Conference on Social and Economic Development was the third such annual event sponsored by the Eshraghieh and Mahmoud Rabbani Charitable Trust to advance the Three Year Plan goal of developing the Faith’s human resources.

The Trust, an independent non-profit entity based in Florida, was created in 1993 to carry on the charitable work of Dr. Mahmoud Rabbani and his wife, Eshraghieh.

The first Rabbani conference, on The Bahd’f Faith in Action: Sustainable Development for a New World, was held in December 1993. A year later, the conference had as its theme The Baha'i Family in the Time of the Lesser Peace.

This year’s conference focused on Paths to Peace: Global Prosperity Through the Advancement of Women, Human Rights and Moral Development.

Each conference has combined talks by those who engage in Baha’{ social and economic development efforts with workshops in which participants can discuss how to apply what they’ve learned at the grassroots level.

As the Office of Social and Economic Development of the Baha’f World Center wrote on August 28, 1994: “Baha’f social and economic development focuses on increasing the capacity of the friends to make decisions about the spiritual and material progress of their communities and then implement them.”

How they served on the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom while simultaneously operaling the ublishing firm of George Ronald, and how, after his election to the Universal House of Justice, she carried on with the publishing work.

Finally, how in the past couple of years the health of this woman, his “equal intellectually and in all other respects,” ebbed.

The evening's second tribute was to Mr. and Mrs. Chance, who could not attend because of ill health.

Dr. Ruhe colorfully narrated a slide show showing the couple as children, as young adults at Cornell College in lowa, and in a wedded life that took them from his law practice in Iowa to his service on the National Spiritual Assembly and, finally, the Universal House of Justice.

Mr. Hofman lauded his colleague as longtime chief of the Secretariat of the Bahd’i World Center, the “engine room of the whole institution.” And he declared: “I don’t think anyone made a greater contribution to the growth and development of the Universal House of Justice than Hugh Chance.”

A delightful evening of entertainment was highlighted by a presentation of Mr. Lenz’s song The Greatest Moments and by Mr. Locke’s hoop dancing.

Where to?

The conference's final session represented a look ahead to future service.

It began, appropriately, with an emotional tribute to Mr. Gushiken featuring messages from nine National Spiritual Assemblies and was topped off with talks by Mr. Hofman and Dr. Ruhe.

“True theocracy is the rule of God,” said Mr. Hofman, and must not be confused with’any past or present form of government. It must be divinely given and based on divine teachings.

“Without Baha‘u'llah that’s an impossibility,” he said. Baha'u'llah has freed humanity from all scourges past and present. Alll past attitudes have to disappear and a new race of men be created by God.”

That led perfectly into Dr. Ruhe’s talk.

The Faith has emerged from obscurity, he said. There are many signs, but one is that great leaders are catching up with our ideas. So for the Baha'is to have a continuing impact, we must advance the Teachings on moral terms.

This is especially critical as humanity teeters on the edge of a great crisis, he said.

“This is our day, our hour, our time of fulfillment,” he said. “How itis achieved is partly up to us, partly up to the energy unleashed by Baha’u’llah.”

“We are the saviors of mankind,” he said simply.

�[Page 12]BAHA'I INTE

ATIONAL COMMUNITY

Statement by Baha’i International Community

‘Bold new steps’

The following article about the Bahd’t International Community's statement calling on world leaders to take oops to strengthen the United Nations’ capacity for global coordination is reprinted from the July-September 1995 issue of One Country, the newsletter of the Bahd’t International Community.

. NEW YORK—Declaring that the United Nations needs to be redefined and restructured to better meet the challenges facing the post-Cold War world, the Baha’ International Community has issued a major statement calling on world leaders to take bold new eee to strengthen the UN’s capacity for global coordination.

Issued for the 50th anniversary of the United Nations, the statement urges leaders to convene a world summit on global govemance before the end of the century.

uch a summit, the statement says, should have as its goal a broad-based examination of how international political order can be restructured to meet the needs of an increasingly interdependent and integrated global society.

“The Baha'i International Community regards the current world confusion and the calamitous condition of human affairs as a natural phase in an organic process leading ultimately and irresistibly to the unification of the human race in a single social order whose boundaries are those of the planet,” says the 22-page statement, titled “Turning Point for All Nations,” issued in September in aavence of the UN 50th anniversary celebrations planned here in October.

“Historically, this process has been accelerated by sudden and catastrophic events,” the statement continues. “It was the devastation of World Wars I and II that gave birth to the League of Nations and the United Nations, eel

“Whether future accomplishments are also to be reached after similarly unimaginable horrors or embraced through an act of consultative will, is the choice before all who inhabit the earth. Failure to take decisive action would be unconscionably irresponsible.”

The statement suggests a number of immediate steps which world leaders could take to reinvigorate the UN—such as limiting the “veto power” in the Security Council and giving the “force of law” to some resolutions of the General Assembly—while at the same time urging an “evolutionary” approach in considering how the international order might be revamped in the long run.

The statement also asks leaders to make special efforts to involve average women and men everywhere in this process. “[D]iscussions about the future of the international order must involve and excite the generality of humankind,” the statement says. “It cannot be confined to leaders—be they in

overnment, business, the academic community, reigion, or organizations of civil society.

“On the contrary, this conversation must engage women and men at the grassroots level. Broad participation will make the process self-reinforcing by raising awareness of world citizenship and increasing support for an expanded international order.”

In the coming months, the statement will be distributed to government officials, organizations of civil society, educational institutions and prominent people by a worldwide network of some 172 national-level Baha’i communities, said Techeste Ahderom, the main representative of the Baha’f International Community to the United Nations.

“Our goal in seeking to make a widespread distribution of this document is to encourage a broadbased discussion of not only the need for changes in the international order, and the structures by which such changes might be effected, but also about the values which a new world order and especially its leaders must necessarily embrace,” said Mr. Ahderom.

“While there are many contemporary calls and proposals for the reform and restructuring of the

12

Tue American BAHA'I

are needed to strengthen GN

United Nations in this 50th year of its existence,” Mr. Ahderom continued, “you cannot really consider the means and structures for global governance unless yeu have set in motion the processes that will truly

ring the generality of humankind into the discussion.

“Without broad and enlightened participation, you risk replicating on the international level the hollow and too-often-corrupt structure found presently at the national and regional levels.”

As initial steps in strengthening the capacity of the United Nations, the Community suggests that world

‘The Baha’i International Community regards the current world confusion and the calamitous condition of human affairs as a natural phase in an organic process leading ultimately and irresistibly to the unification of the human race in a single social order whose boundaries are those of the planet. . .’

leaders might quickly adopt the following measures:

Change the voting structure of the General Assembly so that it more accurately represents the

people of the world and give its resolutions the “force of law,” with provisions for both enforcement and sanctions, with a “limited domain’ of issues.

Establish limitations on the exercise of the veto

ower among the Permanent Members of the UN urity Council such that it can be used only for its original purposes: to prevent the Council from authorizing military actions against a Permanent Member or requiring the use of its forces against its will.

Create an independent but “fully armed” international force, responsible to the Security Council,

but under the command and control of the UN Secretary General, to give support to peace-keeping operations.

Extend the jurisdiction of the World Court, looking toward a time when Court rulings will be binding and enforceable on states. A first step would be to allow other organs of the UN, and not merely member states, to bring cases before the Court.

¢ Establish a Commission to study borders and frontiers, so that national boundaries can be firmly fixed and outstanding irredentist claims cease to be a cause of war and conflict.

Commit to the acceptance of a universal auxiliary language, both as a means of improving communication and saving money as the process of global coordination moves forward,

Launch a determined campaign to implement

Agenda 21 (the global environmental pact forged at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio) and the resolutions of the Social Summit, held earlier this year in Copenhagen. In part, this campaign should be given strength through a “wholesale re-examination” of the Bretton Woods financial institutions, as a means to begin to address deep issues of global economic security.

Such changes are necessary, the statement says, because “twin processes of collapse and renewal’”— processes which can be seen in the spread of social disorder on the one hand and the rising hope for universal peace on the other—have lent “a new urgency to the need for global coordination.

“Although the United Nations has surely played a role in preventing a third world war, the last half decade has nevertheless been marked by numerous local, national and regional conflicts costing millions of lives,” says the statement.

“No sooner had improved relations between the superpowers removed the ideological motivation for such conflicts, than long-smoldering ethnic and

sectarian passions surfaced as a new source of conflagration.”

ith respect to social issues, the statement continues, grave problems persist. “The alarming spread of militant racialism and religious fanaticism, the cancerous growth of materialism, the epidemic rise of crime and organized criminality, the widespread increase in mindless violence, the ever-deepening disparity between rich and poor, the continuing inequities faced by women, the intergenerational damage caused by the pervasive breakdown of family life, the immoral excesses of unbridled capitalism and the growth of political corruption— all speak to this point.”

The statement calls for any re-examination of the United Nations to take a longterm, evolutionary point of view.

“Judged in isolation from the reality within which it operates,” the statement says, “the United Nations will always seem inefficient and ineffective. However, if it is viewed as one element of a larger process of development in systems of international order, the bright light of analysis would shift from the UN’s shortcomings and failures to shine on its victories and accomplishments.

“With an evolutionary mindset, the early experience of the United Nations offers us a rich source of learnings about its future role within the international regime.”

Measures to strengthen the UN and the international order could be discussed and, it is hoped, ultimately adopted at a “convocation” of world leaders, the statement suggests.

With the possible title “World Summit on Global Governance,” such a meeting should be held'before the end of the century.

To engage the generality of humanity around the world, leaders might focus on four major themes as a means of unleashing the “latent power in all people” to participate in the process of building a new international order, the statement suggests.

These issue areas are identified as “promoting economic development, protecting human rights, advancing the status of women, and emphasizing moral development.”

“The tasks entailed in the development of a global society call for levels of capacity far beyond anything the human race has so far been able to muster,” the statement says. “Reaching these levels will require an enormous expansion in access to knowledge on the part of every individual.”

The Baha’ International Community is an international non-governmental organization that represents and encompasses the five million members of the Baha’j Faith.

This membership represents a cross-section of humanity, including men and women from virtually every religious background, nation, class, profession and ethnic group.

Baha’fs reside in more than 116,000 localities around the world, and the Baha'i Faith is established in more than 232 countries and territories—making it the second-most widespread religion after Christianity.

Green Acre Fellowship Café open

The Green Acre Baha’i School’s Fellowship Café, featuring live music, specialty coffees and desserts, and a bookstore is now open on selected Saturday evenings at Fellowship House, Route 103, Eliot, Maine, starting at 7 p.m. Admission is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

For more information, phone 207-4397200.

�[Page 13]Mutk B.E. 152 « Fesruary7,1996 13

YOUTH PAGE

YOUTH ARE REALLY MAKIN’ MOVES ACROSS THE COUNTRY!

WHAT YOU SAID! (ABOUT DALLAS)

“We felt on fire, because the youth really showed that they can move the world; it was amazing to see youth our age facilitating the workshops. The spiritual connections we all made will last a lifetime.”

— yy a “The musical aspect was quite exceptional and very diverse.” Jerod

“It was an emotional and spiritual revival with an emphasis on the pressing issues of unity and fellowship among Baha'i youth.”

aia

“The Baha'i youth are ready to step ue toanew level and raise the banner of Baha‘u‘llah. The glory of this Conference was evident.”

“Asan older Baha’ youth, going to Dallas made me realize that this next generation is unstop pable.” 4 JOIN THE ARMY OF LIGHT

call your regional coordinator!

ME, NH, VT, RI, MA: Carl Pabst (207) 773-3170 CT: Norene Robinson (203) 747-2918

NY, PA, NJ: Christopher Ruhe (914) 831-7567 DE: Koorosh Motahar (302) 453-0833

MD, VA, WV, DC: Saghi Nabili (301) 990-6993 NC: NC STC, Robert Tansik (919) 544-3895

SC: SC Crd. Com., Debbie H. Jackson (803) 5589289

GA: Walter Canady (404) 758-2524

KY: Mahyar Mofidi (502) 245-9192

TN: Andrea Seals/ Alison McGee (615) 395-7452 FL: FL STC, Sue Blythe (904) 376-0642

WI, MI-upper: Sandra Fair (414) 871-9919

MN: Jason Chirko/ Alison Milston (612) 633-9609 IA: Susan Calimeri (319) 337-0658

ND, SD: Shiva & Farzad Ziai (605) 945-2625 KS, MO: Marcelle LaVine (913) 831-3239

NE: Melissa Cleaver (402) 553-7583, TX: Andreanea King (409) 886-4853

AZ: May Movafagh (602) 963-4798

MT: Llewellyn Drong (406) 587-1739

ID: Chris Ragland (208) 381-0373

UT: Marva Davis (801) 967-6680

CA, S: Jennifer Morris/ Diedre Merrill (619)-7482788

CA, N: Bob Clune/ Joy Wiezorek (510) 229-9515 OR: OR STC, Rachel Greco (503) 623-8035

WA: WASTC, Aaron Lewis (206) 277-8326 National Coordinator:

NTC Office, Baha’f National Center

1233 Central Street, Evanston, Illinois 60201

Phone: (847) 733-3499, Fax: (708) 733-3502, e mail:

A lady who walks and yearns to talk about the equality of which we will all see Lost we are — searching for a place so far

70% PARTICIPATION IN DALLAS $30,516.18 - That’s over 3 Arc Units!

Ina thrilling demonstration of the power to “move the world,” youth at the National Youth conference held in Dallas last week responded sacrificially and unitedly to the needs of Arc Project Fund.

Before the conference, a group of youth requested that a goal be set for the conference to raise money for the Arc Fund. Instead of focus ona monetary goal, 100% participation was the target, emphasizing the spirit of universal participation and sacrificial giving.

As the conference progressed so did the enthusiasm and excitement towards achieving the goal. Participation doubled, tripled and continued to increase —reaching a level of nearly 70% participation from the 2500 people attending! The youth raised an incredible total of $30,516.18, clearly demonstrating their commitment, sacrifice, and consecration to the Cause, as well as the power of universal articipation!

News of your success will be sent to the Universal House of Justice.

Over ten years ago, the House of Justice addressed the crucial role of youth in the progress of the Faith and the world “Undoubtedly, it is within your power to contribute significantly to shaping the societies of the coming century; youth can move the world.”

The youth’s dynamic example at the Dallas conference can only inspire each and all to fuller perucipation, in the support and progress of the

‘aith!

Untitled

By Michael Mohajeri

A sacred place, a special face Oneness of the Human Race Somewhere in time there is a sign of which we find the truth to be Equality

Our unity

A man — he stands in a land where we can be

One family

wishing on a beautiful star

The Almighty sees his creations in need and so he leads

A prophet is blessed with the test

of teaching the rest

Every morn we are born

and the burden is worn

Of this new day and this sun ray

we shall say “Allah-u-Abha”

CONFERENCE REPORT by Shiva Martin and Saba Rohani

Any youth who entered through the doors of the Hyatt Regency to attend the Army of Light Conference in Dallas, Texas felt the overwhelming sense of enthusiasm and excitement in the air. Looking around, one could see the great diversity of this dynamic generation. A true feeling of Baha’{ unity was present throughout the entire Conference. The programs consisted of many sessions given, led, and performed by youth; with one very special night of questions and answers with the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States.

We were blessed to have had been addressed bythe Secretary of the NSA of Russia, who is a young adult himself. The youth got an idea of how their peers across the U.S.A. have been spreading the Word of the Blessed Beauty. Through Baha’t Youth Workshops, musical groups, ethnic dancing, and many other forms of teaching we saw the youth of this generation show what energy and love they have for advancing this beautiful Faith.

Congratulations and thanks go to the National Teaching Committee and the National Spiritual aah for the effort they put into organizing this very successful Conference. We received the bounty of prayers from the Holy Land from the Universal House of Justice. Now that all of us are back home in our communities, we must carry the emotions that overwhelmed us, and turn those emotions into actions....TEACH, TEACH, TEACH...and we will see you all in Chicago!!

MORE OF WHAT YOU SAID...

“The Standards of the Army of Light Dallas Conference were so high that it exemplified the expectaitions set forth in the Writings concerning, youth throughout the world.”

“It was an inspiration to see the “Coming of Age” of a new group of junior youth.”

“An exhilirating event that made me want to run to everyone and share this glorious gift.”

— »——

The spit and power of Bahii youth, 00 praised by Baha'u'llah, ‘dbdu't-Bahd, and Sheghi Effendi, was ative with an intenoity J have neuer felt before! J felt inspired, uplifted and most impor tantly J felt part of a tremendous effort to rejuvinate the American Community. J could see the potenBahi'i Youth foretold by Sheghi Effendi in the Advent of Divine

�[Page 14]

NEW.

Four Year Plan

Continued from page 1

planners of the teaching work, developers of human resources, builders of communities, and loving shepherds of the multitudes.

The third, the flourishing of the community especially at the local level, demands a significant enhancement in patterns of behavior by which the collective expression of the virtues of the individual members and the functioning of the Spiritual Assembly is marie in the unity and fellowship of the community and the dynamism of its activity and growth.

Toward these ends, the work of the Continental Counselors must assume new dimensions. Thus, at their conference, they have been deliberaring on such matters as:

¢ Developments in the mode of the functioning of the Continental Boards of Counselors.

The process for the elaboration

of the Plan through the formulation of derivative plans and strategies at the national, regional and local levels. Joint consultations between the Continental Counselors and National Spiritual Assemblies will begin immediately after Ridvan, and the planning process will move quickly to the regional level, involving Auxiliary Board members, local Spiritual Assemblies and committees.

¢ The development of human resources to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding community. Largescale growth necessitates sustained measures of consolidation. The urgent requirement is for formally conducted programs of training through institutes and other centers of learning, in the establishment and operation of which the Counselors and Auxiliary Board members will become more intimately involved.

¢ Effective approaches to the raising up and consolidation of local Spiritual Assemblies. In accordance with the objectives of fostering the maturation of these Assemblies, a greater effort is required to uphold a vital principle, which is that the responsibility for electing a local Spiritual Assembly rests primarily on the Bahd’is in the locality. The Auxiliary Board members and their assistants are to increase their efforts to improve the general understanding of this principle and will devote more attention to assisting the development of local Assemblies. As of Ridvan 1997, all local Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world will have to be elected on the first Day of Ridvan.

¢ Further means for the development of local Baha'i communities. The needs in this respect will be met in part by an immediate increase in the membership of the Auxiliary Boards for Protection to equal that of the Auxiliary Boards for Propagation, so that Protection Board members can directly and systematically assist on a wide scale the fundamental activities of the community, such as the spiritual nurturing of individual believers, the participation of women in all aspects of community

life, the observance of the Nineteen Day Feasts and Holy Days, the holding of children’s classes, the fostering of youth activities.

The seven objectives specified in previous Plans describe essential, interacting directions that must advance simultaneously into the foreseeable future.

The Four Year Plan’s aim at acceleaune the process of entry by troops identifies a necessity at this stage in the progress of the Cause and in the state of human society.

With this perspective, the three inseparable participants in the evolution of the new World Order—the individual, the institutions, and the community—must now demonstrate more tangibly than ever before their capacity and willingness to embrace masses of new adherents, to effect the spiritual and administrative transformation of thousands upon thousands, and, above all, to multiply the army of knowledgeable, consecrated teachers of a Faith whose emergence from obscurity must be registered on the consciousness of countless multitudes throughout the earth.

These are among the detailed considerations that have occupied the deliberations of the Continental Counselors, who, upon their return home and in the course of their work, will have occasion to share the results of their conference with the friends.

An auspicious beginning for the new Plan will depend largely on the results of the current one, which will end in just a few months.

The adequacy of these results will owe much to the degree to which the local Spiritual Assemblies and the friends carry out the directions of their National Spiritual Assemblies, the generals of every Plan.

Time is slipping away. This reality should prod us all to maximum action. Hence, in preparation for what beckons us on the near horizon, we cannot, we must not, hesitate to expend every energy to bring the Three Year Plan to a successful conclusion.

The urgency which intensifies our desire for such an outcome is not merely pride of victory, eratilying as that may be. There are divine deadlines to be met.

Our work is intended not only to increase the size and consolidate the foundations of our community, but more particularly to exert a positive influence on the affairs of the entire human race. At so crucial a moment in world affairs, we must not fail in our duty to take timely action on the goals set before us in the Three Year Plan.

With the full fervor of our expectant hearts, we call upon you all, individually and collectively, to arise to the summons of the Lord of Hosts to teach His Cause. Do so with love, faith and courage, and the doors of heaven will open wide to pour forth benedictions upon your efforts.

With loving Baha'i greetings,

The Universal House of Justice December 31, 1995

Bah@’i Institute join in a song.

Performers from the Native American Bahd’i Institute and the Lot

14

THe AMERICAN BAHA'I

G. Gregory

Louis Gregory Institute, NABI performers combine strengths

Representatives of the Native American Baha’{ Institute and the Louis G. Gregory Baha‘ Institute were able recently to proclaim the Faith to about 300 non-Bahda’is in the NABI area over a three-day period.

The Faith was presented through traditional music respective to the two institutes. One such visit was at an allNavajo Catholic Church; another was ata local U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs high school.

NABI has been busy on many other fronts, as well, in recent months.

A trip to California by the performing frou iinda included visits to six public schools comprising nearly 3,000 non-Baha’‘f students, faculty and staff. The California visit also resulted in cable television interviews and a taping, and in firesides and other talks through which about 500 people were reached.

Altogether, not counting its many Bahda’i activities, NABI reached approximately 4,500 non-Baha’is in proclamation work this fall.

NABI has begun a dialogue with the University of the United Nations in Japan on indigenous social and economic development work.

The institute is expecting the arrival of another three youth—for a total of six—by January 1996. There is also the possibility that an English Baha’f who is a student at Cambridge University will serve at NABI. Youth are always needed to exemplify and serve through the NABI model.

NABI also is attracting non-Bahé‘i youth to the campus.

A new shop building at NABI, to be completed in January, will allow a total of 35 individuals from three universities to be at NABI for a spring break service project.

Twenty students from Bradley University will be at NABI in May for a three-credit-hour course that will include comparative religion.

Arizona State University at Tempe has listed NABI as a resource for one of its programs after two service projects there in September and November.

Washington program focuses on Sunday school development

All 16 Baha’i schools in Washington state were represented at a statewide conference last December 16 in Mukilteo that was convened to strengthen and develop Sunday school programs.

“We got together to connect, to consult, to raise our vision,” said conference organizer Mahnaz Javid. “We are convinced that Baha’i Sunday schools not only provide for the spiritual education of children, but consolidate the community as well.”

Her sentiments were echoed by conference speaker Kurt Hein, interim principal of the Maxwell Baha’i School in British Columbia, Canada.

“We need human resources,” he said, “and this [area] is one of the richest seed beds in the Baha’i world. As part of this emerging unified school district, you are world leaders in education— and the lessons you learn here will apply globally.”

Workshops at the conference ranged

from integrating art into the curriculum and 101 ways to teach the oneness of mankind to a popular class on reaching young people.

Progress was also made toward another goal as the Day Star North Cafe, managed by Darlene Colson and colleagues, provided meals for attendees that raised $767.47 for the Arc.

Terry Kneisler, National Education and Schools coordinator, told the group the lessons they learn in Baha'i schools can also apply in public schools.

“| think we have some answers that pope in the public sector deserve,”

e said. “Mind you, some of them are in the formative stages, but we are starting to gain insights as to how we might educate morally or in terms of values.”

Video tapes of the talks by Mr. Hein and Mr. Kneisler are available for $5 each from Mrs. Javid. Phone 206-7429216.

�[Page 15]Mutx B.E. 152 ¢ Fesruary 7,1996 15

NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE

December 25, 1995 To the friends gathered at the National Baha'i Youth Conference in Dallas, Texas Dear Friends,

We send you our warmest greetings and deepest love.

Your conference coincides with the Counselors’ Conference, which has drawn 78 Counselors from the five continents to the Holy Land for discussions with the International Teaching Center concerning the provisions of the next global teaching and consolidation plan to be launched at Ridvan 1996. You may well draw inspiration from this coincidence as you take advantage of your togetherness to contemplate during the next few days the opportunities available to the Baha’i youth both to bend their efforts toward great achievements in the teaching field during the remaining months of the Three Year Plan and to ensure through such achievements a fitting initiation for the new Plan, which will be in operation during the closing years of the unique Twentieth Century.

The threat of disintegration and chaos, on the one hand, and the promise of unity and peace, on the other, flash intermittently as prospects at this time of great transition for the entire human race. Unity and peace will triumph, we know; but until then humanity will surel experience trials and turmoil. Amid these can be found the countless opportunities to teach those, especially among your peers, who see! understanding and hope. The perspective which enables us to see clearly during this time of great perplexity is provided in the Sacred Writings of our Faith and in the life and deeds of our true Exemplar, ‘Abdu’l-Baha; these are abundant resources to which the followers of the Blessed Beauty, young and old alike, can turn time and time again for knowledge, inspiration and assurance.

May your collective and individual capacity for action increase as you take occasions such as this conference both to obtain a deeper understanding of your purpose and goal in life and to mobilize your efforts, in word and deed, to spread the glad tidings and demonstrate the revolutionizing effects of the appearance of the Lord of Hosts. Being among the ones who will increasingly be shouldering the responsibilities for the evolution of the Order of Bahd’u’'llah, the very pattern of future society, you, like the Baha’i youth in every other land, can do no less than consider seriously what each and all of you will do now toward victoriously meeting the challenges and opportunities of these troubled but dynamic times.

We shall continue to pray ardently in the Holy Shrines for your success in every respect.

The Universal House of Justice

James F. Nelson, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, in his opening remarks: “It’s about coming of age: the coming of age of the human race and the coming of age of people. Those of you who are still young know how difficult that task can be. Well, in the next few days we're going. to make it seem like a walk in the park. Because coming of age to Baha’is means being of service to our fellow men, and that’s what we're going to be doing here. ...We’re not about anything except spreading light. That’s why you're called the Army of Light.”

State Rep. Fred Hill: “We find ourselves facing a society that is increasingly becoming divided. As Baha’fs, you have the advantage of already having accepted racial harmony as a solution to many of the problems of the world. Now, your challenge is how to bring this message to the rest of the world. ...[ know of no more worthy cause than the one you are about to undertake these next few days. My challenge to you is to get in the arena, join the debate, make sure your voice is heard.”

Sergei Poselski, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Russia: “It The Bay Area Baha'i Youth Workshop performs Martyrs’ Step as photos won't be an__ Of martyrs of all colors and creeds are flashed on giant screens at the exaggeration sides of the meeting room. (All photos by Tom Mennillo)

to say that in the history of the Baha‘i Faith in Rus

Youth plenary speaker Ramine Yazhari on Race Unity we lead through action. ...Our National Assembly is yearning

DAY

ONE

Youth Building

a United World

Ruben Kyle portrays the Hand of the Cause Louis G. Gregory ina dramatic monologue taken from a letter Mr. Gregory wrote to his wife, Louisa.

fn We Re through words, but ‘or our community to be leaders for race unity, to be spiritual leaders. The National Assembly have sacrificed

sia over these past six years, the name of the Baha’f youth from North America is written in golden letters. .-From the bottom of my heart, I wish all of you who came here to acquire new spiritual strength, deep inspiration, and a vision of the work which lies ahead of us.”

Youth plenary speaker Martha Villa Gomez on Youth in the Vanguard: “This is what Baha’u‘llah, ‘Abdu’l-Bahd, the beloved Guardian and the Universal House of Justice have called upon us to do: to refine and purify our character, to arm ourselves with an excellent education, and, as the beloved Guardian said regarding teaching, let us make it ‘the dominating passion of our life.’ ...The Cause at present does not need martyrs who woul vants who desire to teach and establish the Cause throughout the world. To live to teach in the present day is like being martyred in those early days. It is the spirit that moves us that counts, and that spirit is to serve the Cause of God with our hearts and souls. ...Let us be like the apostles of Christ who loved Jesus so much they went out and changed the world. Let us be like the early apostles of

die for the Faith, but ser their time to be with us at this conference so we may have that vision further clarified for us and that, in commingling with us and speaking with us and answering our questions, they may inspire us. So they have provided us with the vision, they are helping us to achieve the inspiration at this conference. What I'd like for us to do right now is to answer the call that the National Assembly has given to us...that we are that new race of men and women who will stand in the face of hatred and meet it with love, who will view the problems of the world and will be optimistic, but will feel an urgency, who will be confident because we know that our love for God is the one solvent that will heal this divided world.”

Bahd’u'll4h who played their part. DAY Let us make a commitment to arise TWO and fulfill ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s wish to become apostles of Bahd’u’llah and change the world. Let the love of Excellence Bahé’u’lldh muster every organ, part jn A\l| and limb of our bodies, that we may . go out and fulfill our mission, so that Thi ngs we may piey our part in establishing id

the World Order of Baha’u’llah and the oneness of mankind.”

�[Page 16]NATIONAL

DAY TWO

Excellence in All Things

, ANE Youth-led workshops explore the topics of race unity and living the Baha'i life.

IN ALL THINGS

In all things there lies a beauty deep in side that shines through if you look.

TH CONFERE

Jamal Lally and Artemus Stover tap on Bahai themes.

16

THe AMERICAN BAHA'I

Robert C. Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly, addresses adults on Bahd’i Parenting: “Shoghi Effendi said that the Baha’i Faith would be measured by the effect it had on its youth. He said that if the youth were not touched and transformed by the spirit of the Faith, then by what standard would we measure the efficacy of Baha’u’llah’s Revelation. And we see it is true. ...What we see at these youth conferences is the gradual emergence of that new race: children who have been touched by that spirit, who have been brought up in the loving embrace of all youth, and who feel daily the shaping influence of your hopes for them, your aspirations for the training of their minds and the filling up of their hearts, and for the discipline of their lives as they go about praying, reading the Writings, and talking to each other about the important issues. It’s just such a joy to see all of them in their marvelous diversity.”

National Spiritual Assembly members Patricia Locke and Robert C. Henderson and dozens of youth join in a round dance led by Aux iliary Board member Kevin

Do you see the beauty inside the dark Locke.

night? Let the shadows comfort you, instead of bring you fright.

Beauty can be seen with a loving eye so look at things this way, all of the time.

Look upon all things with your eye of

beauty for all to see

and let the love within you shine for you and for me.

In all things there is a cry that they do cry out: Ya Baha’u’l-Abha! they cry; Ya Baha’u’I-Abha!

This is the beauty, the excellence in all things, the Glory of God,

the Light and the Love of all,

the All-Merciful, the Almighty, the All-Exalted! Ya Baha’u’l Abha! Ya Baha’u’l-Abha!

—Poem by Toni Robison-May, 13, of Edmond, OK

DAY

THREE Teaching

help! All you have to do is open yourself up and become a channel. ... has given us so much, but the greatest gift is teaching.”

National Spiritual Assembly Chairman James F. Nelson chats with some youth before the morning’s session. He took every opportunity to tell the gathered youth: ‘You are wonderful.’

Valentin Canta performs songs in Spanish.

Youth plenary speaker Kimi Locke on Youth and Teaching: “How important is it for us to seize every chance we have to teach every person that we meet? Imagine you are standing in front of a soul of God who does not know his true destiny. It is your responsibility to inform them of their true destiny as servants of God. ...Think about it: All you have to do is utter the name of Baha’u’llah, and you have the assistance of Baha'u'llah and the entire Concourse on High. That's a lot of jaha’u’lah

The versatile Mona Baha'i Youth Workshop members from Mexico

sing and play guitar, then perform a dance from indigenous culture.

Amanda Provost portrays Martha Root in a dramatic monologue.

�[Page 17]Mutk B.E. 152 ¢ Fesruary 7, 1996 17

DAY

The Chicago Bahd’i Youth TH RE E

Workshop goes acrobatic

in performing its popular Teaching How Ya Livin’? rap.

fi HS Saturday night's concert provides a wealth of young Baha'i talent from a violin duet to African dance.

DAY

To our beloved Universal House of Justice, FOU R Dearly honored members of the Supreme Institution, our hearts are filled with gratitude for your loving message to all of us gathered in

Dallas, Texas, for the National Baha’i Youth Conference. Over 2,500 participants are honored by the presence and participation of the Youth

National Spiritual Assembly and members of the Auxiliary Board and distinguished guest Sergei Poselski, the secretary of the National 3

Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’fs of the Russian Federation. We are enveloped by the support and guidance provided by our institutions and Serving

feel added purpose and inspiration knowing that our efforts here coincide with the Counselors’ Conference as they consult with you about +

the next worldwide Plan. This conference is blessed with participants from 49 states and nine other countries. Humanity We feel privileged to be in each others’ presence. This unique gathering featured unprecedented involvement on the part of youth as

speakers, performers and workshop facilitators ch day’s program, rich in artistic and cultural diversity, offered a deeper understanding

of our sacred writings and our role as spiritual warriors. The parallel processes of disintegration and renewal are evident in our lives, and we

desire to be a part of the energetic, systematic response to this ehallen ea period of transition. We are encouraged by your faith in our ability

to develop a singular Baha’{ purpose in life as we struggled for spiritual distinction. As we rapidly approach the end of the Three Year Plan and the inauguration of the next Plan, we pledge our commitment to deepen our

understanding of the sacred writings, to refine our characters, and to make teaching the dominating passion of our lives. We recognize our

responsibilities as spiritual descendants of the Dawn-breakers and our role in the future Order. We draw inspiration and strength from your

assurance of continued prayers on our behalf at the Sacred Threshold.

December 30, 1995

With loving Baha’i greetings, The participants in the 1995 National Baha’t Youth Conference Youth plenary speaker Bahia Cross on Youth Serving the Cause: “It was the sacrifice of the early believers that allowed us to be here today. We are standing on their shoulders to serve this Cause. I think about the...Africans who died during the middle passage of slavery that allowed me to be here right now. They all sacrificed everything for the generations that were yet unborn. ...In this day, we have been asked to be living martyrs and to sacrifice every day of our lives. All of us in this room know we needn’t go farther than this room to see evidences of great sacrifice. ...But each of us can testify to someone in our personal lives who reflects such service and sacrifice. ...At this point, I would like for anyone in this audience who wants to recognize and say thank you to someone in their lives who has given them The group inspiration because of their sacrifice to stand. This is Divine Inspievidence that we all have examples of heroes and hero- tation sings ines in our personal lives and in our thoughts and our gospel. prayers. They demonstrated how to serve. ...We have no excuse. Let us arise and teach.”

A youth places her contribution into the Arc Projects Fund box. Nearly 70 percent of attendees gave during the conference, with contributions totaling $30,516.18.

Patricia Locke of the National Spiritual Assembly with closing remarks, after showing slides of indigenous peoples in 80 countries: “I hope in your dreams tonight you will place yourself in some of those sites you saw on the screen. ...The Lakota word for children is sacred beings...so think of yourselves in that way. Think of others you meet in that way, and that will help you in your teaching work. ...I thought your message to the Universal House of Justice was wonderful, and so did my fellow members of the National Spiritual Assembly. And those thoughts and words echo our sentiments. We are so proud of you for such a wonderful meeting, and I want you to know that every one of us loves you; we really love you. You are our hope for the future, and I want you to know that we are your

servants. We'll see you next summer!

An exquisite Persian dance by the Texas A&M Dance Troupe stands in vivid contrast to group’s earlier performance of a Texas swing.

A sign soliciting teachers beckons the youth as they leave the final session. Intensive teaching went on in the Dallas area before, during and after the conference.

�[Page 18]18

THe American BAHA’i

THE THREE YEAR N

Plans to reorganize move steadily forward

Baha’i Publications gears up to face challenges of next Plan

Baha’i Publications 1993-96 Accomplishments and Challenges

Baha’i Publications has one over-riding goal: to support the teaching and consolidation work of the Faith. Every one of Baha’i Publications’ 23 employees works in some way to achieve this mission.

Under the newly created banner of Baha’f Publications, this small group is Responsible for publishing and distributing the sacred writings, authoritative texts, teaching literature, introductory works, historical accounts, literature for children and youth, audio and video materials, pamphlets, magazines, a newspaper and a short encyclopedia of the Baha’f Faith. It also provides production services for audio, video and print communications as needed by the National Spiritual Assembly and the departments of the National Center.

The past three years have been a time of building, and reorganization. The Baha’{ Publishing Trust, Baha’f Distribution Service, Media Services, Subscriber Services, Brilliant Star magazine, World Order magazine, The American Bahd’t and the Encyclopedia project have been placed within a single operating structure for better communication and coordination.

Baha’i Publications has directly or indirectly supported many of the National Spiritual Assembly's 13 goals of the Three Year Plan. This article will examine the accomplishments and challenges of Baha’f Publications as they relate to goals outlined in the Three Year Plan.

Sacred Writings

The first goal of the Three Year Plan is “to intensify study of the Sacred Writings as a means of fostering spiritual strength and transformation.” The Publishing Trust is dedicated to having in print and available in English all of the major works of Baha’u’llah, ‘Abdu’l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi. This goal will be achieved. The most recent works to be reprinted are Baha'i Administration, Citadel of Faithand Messages to the Baha’t World. These three volumes by Shoghi Effendi will soon be joined by an expanded version of Messages to America. Together they will make an excellent reference set for new and seasoned Baha‘is and for all administrative bodies.

In addition, the Baha’f Distribution Service has a wide range of compilations, commentaries and study guides on the sacred writings for deepening and inspiration.

Race unity

Baha‘i Publications, in conjunction with the National Teaching Office, published the pamphlet “Louis Gregory, Champion of Racial Harmony.” This work supports the Three Year Plan’s goal “to become leaders in the movement for race unity and to make Bahai communities models of unity.”

It also printed Models of Race Unity I and II, documenting positive examples of racial cooperation in Chicago and Atlanta. A children’s book on the life of Louis Gregory, entitled Like Pure Gold—The Story of Louis Gregory, has been contracted and will be published in 1996. World Order magazine, the National Spiritual Assembly’s journal for the publication of a broad range of articles by accomplished authors, devoted an issue in 1995 to race unity. One of its articles was reprinted by the Michigan Chronicle, a large African-American newspaper.

Education and family life

Another national goal is “to expand programs of education for Baha‘f children, youth and adults and for the strengthening of Bahd‘{ family life.” The National Education and Schools Office worked with Baha'i Publications to publish “Foundations for a Spiritual Education,” a compilation to aid Core Curriculum educators, parents and teachers in understanding the nature, purpose and process of spiritual education.

Brilliant Star magazine continues to be a prime

source for the spiritual education of Bahd’{ children. The variety of articles in each issue of this bi-monthly publican also provides an excellent foundation for

asic teachings on the Central Figures, Baha’{ principles, and virtues. Brilliant Star is now developin; aselection of stand-alone items taken from past Brilliant Star issues. Reformatted and updated, they will be available for all those who may have missed them when they were first published—perfect for teaching, self study or gifts.

Another publication that is especially helpful in educating youth and adults is So Great an Honor: Becoming a Baha'i. This new book, released last August, was written and published by Baha’f Publications staff in collaboration with a number of agencies at the National Center. For new Baha'is this book provides a first introduction. It will be used as the reference book in the new believers’ course created by the National Education Committee. For all others, the book is an inspiring description of the essential truths of the Faith, the history, the Central Figures, their covenants, history and the administrative order.

The advancement of women

The goal “to promote the advancement of women and to publish a statement on women” has Baha’i Publications poised to design, print and distribute the National Spiritual Assembly’s soon-to-be-released statement on gender equality. World Order magazine dedicated two issues in 1995 to the advancement of women. Five articles by Baha’i scholars and educators explored many aspects of this crucial and complex topic. One article was reprinted by the American Bar Association for a session at its 1995 annual meeting on violence against women.

Development

To support the National Assembly’s goal of “the development of spiritual assemblies, the refinement of the Feast and the operation of the Funds,” the Media Services arm of Baha’i Publications continue to produce the Baha’i Newsreel, audio-taped Feast messages, and special communications for the National Spiritual Assembly. The video tape, For Love of His Beauty, documented the visit of Universal House of Justice member ‘Alf Nakhjavani to the United States, as he explained the spiritual nature of giving and the progress of the construction of the Arc at the World Center.

The staff at Media Services is producing two other videos that will contribute to the development of the Baha’i community—one, the visit to the U.S. of the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum speaking to a Baha’i audience in Washington D.C.; and two, a lively video production for the Youth Conference in Dallas entitled Coming of Age, Youth in Service. Media Services is being called upon ever more frequently to document historic events taking place around the world. This agency is working to support the many requests by local and National Spiritual Assemblies, the Baha’i Office of Public Information and commercial broadcasting organizations for clips and images stored in the media library. Media Services is reorganizing and categorizing the 3,000 taped and filmed documents in a systematic and automated way to provide safe storage and easy access when needed.

Challenges that lie ahead

Growth and decentralization

Among the challenges to Baha’i Publications is the development of a wider range of literature for seekers and non-English speaking friends. It will be important to continue to increase the capacity of the entire publishing operation with the anticipated

rowth in the demand for information about the ‘aith as the turn of the century approaches.

During the Three Year Plan, the Baha'i Distribution Service was expanded and moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, the reorganization plan for the Baha‘ Publishing Trust came to fruition, and a coordinator was hired in January 1995.

The next steps in the reorganization process will be the most challenging. First, editorial boards are being appointed to utilize the strengths associated with management by consultative groups, to broaden the number of people involved in key decision-making in the publishing process, and to open up the publishing process to allow for the participation of a larger and more diverse group of people.

The first three boards will develop a range of publications for authoritative texts, teaching and education, and children and youth. Second, the Publications and Communications Conference scheduled for June 1996 will discuss the publishing agenda. As soon as the publishing spenda is approved by the National Spiritual Assembly it will be made known to the friends. This will increasingly enable authors and other Baha’i publishers to work independently to complement the Trust's publishing efforts that suppor the teaching and deepening efforts of the

faith.

The Baha‘i Encyclopedia project is another challenging undertaking. It has recently been reorganized to move forward with the publication of a one-volume encyclopedia of the Baha’f Faith. With added resources and a clear mandate, the project will move to completion.

At least three other new titles will be released by the end of the current plan. Mahmiid’s Diary is an account by ‘Abdu’l-Bahda’s secretary, Mirza Mahmtid-i-Zarqanj, of the Master’s visit to North America in 1912; A Pilgrimage to Haifa is the compelling story of a 12-year-old girl’s visit to Haifa in 1919, complete with 20 never-before-published photos of life at the World Center at the time taken by the author, Bahiyyih Winckler, with her Brownie box camera; and Welcome to the Baha'i Faith is a booklet that will be placed in a newly designed new believers’ packet to be given as a gift to every new member of the Faith.

A welcome reprint is From Copper to Gold, by Dorothy Freeman Gilstrap, a title acquired from another publisher. William Sears’ Release the Sun was reprinted earlier this year with an exciting new cover and became an instant best seller.

Strengthening our financial position

A goal of the Three Year Plan is to strengthen the National Center’s financial position. This continues to be yet another challenge for Baha'i Publications. During 1995, in response to the budget concerns of the National Spiritual Assembly, The American Baha'i reduced the number of issues printed per year from 19 to 10. Since the primary method of communicating with the Baha’t public is through The American Baha'i, this drop in preqUen Cy reduced the amount of exposure to the prime publication buying audience by nearly 50 percent. Sales of books and other materials have obviously been affected.

The Publishing Trust and Distribution Service have a goal for self-sufficiency. It is tied to Baha'i Publications’ first challenge—to increase the capacity and broaden the appeal of books published by the Trust and distributed by the Distribution Service.

Greater sales and an increased range of procucs are needed to supper the overhead of publishing. This challenge will be met by improving efficiency, productivity and marketing. Project planning, financial management and subscriber service systems are being designed to allow Baha'i Publications to operate more effectively and efficiently.

Even with the challenge of financial self-sufficiency, it will be important to develop a series of low-cost teaching materials. In this way everyone will be able to obtain support materials when he or she is teaching the Faithe These materials will come in many forms—print, audio tape and video tape.

The accomplishments of the past three years and the challenges to be faced in the next Plan are only the beginning of the growth and opportunity to come. The staff of Baha’i Publications is unified and dedicated to meeting the challenges and to ensuring, that everything that each member of Baha'i Publications does supports our common mission.

�[Page 19]

alia

‘AR PLAN

19

152 ¢ Fesruary 7, 1996

National Assembly pursues defense of Baha’is in Iran

The measures summarized below were undertaken during the Three Year Plan in the defense of the Baha'is in Tran by the National Spiritual Assembly's Secretariat for External Affairs in Washington, D.C.

°

Under the direction of the Universal House of Justice, the National Spiritual Assembly has continued during the Three Year Plan the task of defending the human rights of the Iranian Baha’i community.

While the situation of individual Bahd’is in the Cradle of the Faith has improved over the last three years, the Baha’i community as a whole is still repressed and will continue to be endangered as long as it is not accorded legitimacy by the government of Iran.

Baha’i institutions worldwide will therefore continue their efforts to work with the United Nations and with national governments to achieve the eventual emancipation of the Iranian Baha’i community.

The National Assembly's secretary for external affairs has visited Washington regularly to inform congressional and administration officials about the situation of the Baha’fs in Iran.

Among her several areas of service Marjorie Sonnenfeld, now in her 15th year as public relations consultant to the National Spiritual Assembly, set up appointments with top officials who were kept informed of the situation in Iran so that the administration could support UN and congressional resolutions on the Iranian Baha’is and take appropriate action at the UN General Assembly.

On April 22, 1993, President Clinton mentioned the plight of the Iranian Baha’fs as an example of human rights violations when he spoke at the dedication of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in. Washington. Before an audience of several hundred, he criticized the “abusive treatment of the Baha’fs in Tran.”

In July 1993, the National Spiritual Assembly learned that the Tehran municipal government had begun to dig up graves at the Baha’i Cemetery there. The State Department protested the action, and The New York Times ented an editorial condemning the desecration of the confiscated Baha’i cemetery.

On November 22 and 29, 1993, the National Spiritual Assembly placed in The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times statements entitled “An Appeal to the Conscience of Humankind.” Forty-nine prominent persons including two Nobel laureates, three former Secretaries of State, academics, civil rights leaders, and former government officials signed the appeal urging the world’s leaders and the UN to “continue to speak out against Iran’s plan to destroy the Baha’is.”

During 1993 copies of several verdicts of courts in Iran reached the National Spiritual Assembly including the death sentences of two Baha'is in Karaj who were condemned in part because of their communication with the United Nations about their incarceration.

The verdicts became widely known as that year’s UN General Assembly was meeting to vote on the Iranian human rights resolution. The National Spiritual Assembly provided the U.S. government with the information, and on December 20 U.S. UN Ambassador Victor Marrero delivered a speech to the General Assembly criticizing Iran for continuing to “flaunt the human rights of its own citizens, unrelentingly persecuting some simply because of their religious beliefs.”

On December 31, The New York Times ran an editorial alerting the world to the decision of the Iranian government.

In November 1993, the U.S. Senate passed Concurrent Resolution 31, saying in part that “the Congress holds the government of Iran responsible for upholding the rights of all of its nationals, including members of the Baha’f Faith, Iran’s largest religious minority,” and, as in the resolution of 1992, urging “the government of Iran to emancipate the Baha’i community.”

On April 19, 1994, by a vote of 414-0, the House of Representatives approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 31 which had been passed by the Senate in

November 1993. It was the sixth congressional resolution since 1982 on the Iranian Bahd’‘{ situation and urged “the government of Iran to emancipate the Baha’i community by granting those rights guaranteed by...the international covenants on human rights.”

Because congressional resolutions remain one of the most potent instruments the U.S. government has in which to express its concern for the Iranian Baha’i community and its displeasure with the Islamic Republic of Iran for its mistreatment of Baha'is, in August 1995 the seventh congressional resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 102, was introduced in the House of Representatives. Co-sponsors are being gathered for this most recent resolution.

In Wilmette, the U.S. Baha’i Refugee Office has continued to help U.S.-bound refugees and to obtain humanitarian parole for urgent medical cases. The office communicated regularly with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the State Department's Refugee Bureau, and the Immigration and Naturalization Service in Washington, D.C., to help those Bahd’is whose circumstances required such assistance.

The office also kept in touch with the National Spiritual Assemblies of Turkey and Pakistan, countries that received the majority of the Baha’i refugees. The director of the Refugee Office attended meetings to learn the most current refugee policies and regulations to better help the Baha’fs entering the U.S., and continued to take part in the Illinois Social Service Consortium and the Chicago Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Protection.

In May 1995, the National Spiritual Assembly hosted an exhibit, “Defending Religious Liberty,” and a reception for more than 200 guests at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington. It represented the culmination of nearly 15 years of painstaking work to inform political and human rights leaders in the U.S. about the persecution of the Iranian Bahd’i community and the nature of the Baha’t community’s activities and fundamental beliefs. The exhibit was displayed for two weeks in the Cannon rotunda.

The exhibit, which documented America’s and other countries’ responses to Iran’s repression of the Baha‘i community, was sponsored by earlier recipients of the Baha’i Humanitarian Award, Reps. John Edward Porter of Illinois and Tom Lantos of California, who are co-chairmen of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus.

The exhibit consisted of eight large panels, each 12 by 18 feet, set between 18 Corinthian marble columns that frame the circular rotunda.

Rep. Porter asked the National Assembly to display the exhibit for an additional week. A security guard at the rotunda remarked that it was the most

eautifully mounted exhibit in her 19 years there.

At the reception on May 2, the National Spiritual Assembly presented the Baha’i Humanitarian Awards to Reps. Ben Gilman of New York and Lee Hamilton of Indiana.

The National Spiritual Assembly also hosted a reception at the House of Worship in Wilmette on November 18 featuring the exhibit, which is now on display in Foundation Hall.

Need to deepen friends in U.S., around the world leads to creation of Tsavo West Institute, Deepen magazine

In the spring of 1993 a group of Baha’is—including a librarian, a receptionist and the editor of a local Baha'i newsletter—came together in pursuit of a common goal.

Recognizing the need for a greater degree of deepening and teaching across the country, they pooled their resources to see how they could address those needs,

Setting their sights on publishing, they examined the various Baha’i periodicals published in the U.S. and decided that what was needed was a magazine dedicated to providing a steady source of deepening and teaching materials for the rank and file.

ey felt that such a magazine should be presented ina way that was entertaining, informative and pertinent to the needs of the Baha’i community.

The result of their deliberations was the Tsavo West Baha'i Institute and the creation of Deepen magazine, a high-quality non-profit periodical specifically designed to promote deepening and teaching on a large-scale basis.

During its two-year history Deepen has drawn the interest of believers from as far away as Estonia, Kenya and Hong Kong, yet its readership remains quite small.

The Institute itself has produced materials in English, Spanish and Kiswahili.

The over-all concept of Tsavo West, says Trey Yancy, senior editor of Deepen, is to tie into he rocess of decentralization by addressing the needs of local Baha’is and providing the services needed to address those needs.

“While there are many things that the believers can do under the direction of their local Spiritual Assemblies,” he says, “there are also many needs common throughout the country that require a broad-based Sppronch This is exactly the thing that institutes such as Tsavo West are designed to do.”

For example, he points out, one of the goals of Tsavo West is to donate a series of thematic collections of posters, pamphlets and reprints of articles to every local Assembly in the country.

“As a non-profit group,” Mr. Yancy says, “there are obvious limitations on our ability to obtain ad uate funding for such projects. But there are many things that can be accomplished, and we are confident that with the support of the friends we will succeed.”

The key elements in the institute’s success, he says,

are “faith and perseverance—and faith is the translation of one’s belief into action. The friends have a wealth of opportunities before them, and if they pool their talents and do that which is required of them, success is inevitable.”

For information, the friends are welcome to contact the Tsavo West Baha‘ Institute, P.O. Box 6081, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 847-251-6103).

March meeting is set at Louhelen to plan integrated media campaign

Producers of audio, video, print and display materials are being invited to meet at Louhelen Baha’t School the weekend of March 15-17.

They will begin producing an integrated media campaign of advertising, proclamation, and teaching materials for Baha’i communities.

Baha’i teachers also are encouraged to attend to add their thoughts on what types of materials need to be developed and how they could be used.

In preparation for the meeting, attendees are asked to write down any information they wish to share with others so it can be copied and distributed the first night. (Those who cannot attend can send in information for distribution to participants; the address is

Warren, MI 48092.)

At that 7 p.m. Friday session, participants will identify what is being produced, what is needed, and equipment to which they have access.

The rest of the weekend, they will work in smaller groups to begin working on materials on specific themes and to set dates for future meetings.

To make the gathering as productive as possible, a local Baha’i-owned company has donated computers and software. Participants are encouraged to bring their laptop computers.

Conference questions and requests for transportation from Detroit Metro Airport can be directed to Paula Reid at 810-442-2525 (work), 810-574-1605 (home) or 810-442-2651 (fax).

Registration must be made directly with Louhelen Baha’{ School, 810-653-5033—by February 10, if possible.

Cost for all weekend expenses is $100, along with an anticipated photocopying charge of about $10. Child care is available upon request.

�[Page 20]20

THe AMERICAN BAHA'T

NEWS

National Spiritual Assemblies

Local Spiritual Assemblies

Countries where the Faith is established:

independent countries

dependent territories

or overseas departments

Localities where Bahd’‘is reside

Continental Counselors* Auxiliary Board members

Indigenous tribes, races, ethnic groups

Languages into which Baha‘ literature has been translated Publishing Trusts

Notes:

STATISTICS OF THE BAHA’i WORLD COMMUNITY Produced on July 19, 1995, by the Baha’f World Center’s Department of Statistics

World Total Africa 173 44 17,867 5,158 189 53, 46 5 119,949 33,059 81 19 846 207 2,112 1,250 802 266 30 4

Americas Asia 43, 37 4711 6,260 35 45 17 3 27,565 49,776 19 18 198 252 340 250 172 174 3 9)

(1) The statistics for local Spiritual Assemblies, localities, and countries and territories come primarily from the 1994 statistical reports from National Spiritual Assemblies, which contained information as of May 2, 1994, in most cases.

(2) Between 1986 and 1988, a numerical decrease of 11,000 local Spiritual Assemblies and 6,100 localities took place in India due to revised civil areas of jurisdiction; similar changes occurred in other countries.

(3) Turkey is included as part of Asia for these statistics. (4) Information on National Spiritual Assemblies, Auxiliary Board members and Publishing Trusts is as of Ridvan 1995.

(5) The figures for indigenous tribes, races and ethnic groups, and for languages into which Baha’f literature is translated were last updated in 1986.

The numbers of Continental Counselors worldwide and in the various continents are as of the most recent appointments on November 26, 1995.

Australasia Europe

17 32

891 847 13 43, 13 8

4,068 4,981 i 14 90 99 250 22 110 80 2 12

Non-Baha’i student prepares lesson plan on Faith as part of master’s education course

Randie Gottlieb, a Baha’f from Yakima, Washington, recently taught a master’s level course at the local college on multicultural education for teachers.

As the final course assignment, Mrs. Gottlieb asked students to produce a lesson plan that would promote greater understanding and oe among the community’s various racial, ethnic and religious groups.

To her surprise, one of the students. asked if he could develop a lesson plan on the Baha’ Faith, which he had heard about a week earlier at the Baha’is’ state fair booth and concluded that the Faith’s message seemed to fit in with what was learned in class.

The program was approved, and on the final day of classes the student loaded an original program onto the school lab’s 15 computers and invited his colleagues to see “An Introduction to the Baha’f Faith: the Religion of Unity for Today.”

It proved to be an accurate and wellconceived account of the Baha’f teachings, complete with graphics and sound. The student said he had collected most of the information from the Internet.

Afterward, he distributed copies of the program on diskette to everyone in the class for “future reference.” Since then two students have asked to attend firesides.

Seven Baha’is take part in ghlladetymia meetings of AAR, SBL

Seven Baha'is were among the 8,000 people who took part November 1822 in the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion (AAR) and Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The meeting, attended by professors and graduate students in religious studies, clergy, and some interested non-scholars, included more than a thousand talks on religion and the Bible.

A Baha’i program, held Saturday morning, included four talks and was attended by 11 people. Presenting papers were:

Dr. Michael McMullen, “Creating

Unity in Diversity: Empirical Evidence from the Baha’i Faith.”

¢ Dr. Robert Stockman, “The North American Visits of ‘Abdu’l-Baha and Swami Vivekenanda: Some Comparisons.”

¢ Christopher Buck, “A Symbol Profile of the Baha’ Faith.”

In addition to the Bahé’i Studies program, Dr. Linda Walbridge, who teaches in the Department of Religious Studies at Indiana University, spoke on “War and Sacred Performance,” a presentation about Shi‘ite preachers and their reactions to the Gulf War.

The Institute for Baha’i Studies had a prominent display about the Faith,

Wrtaae ke Potent Seale

Bahd’is (left to right) Robert Stockman, Grace Cali and Christopher Buck are pictured at the Baha’ booth last November during the annual meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of the American Academy of Religion (AAR) and

the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL).

Baha'i Studies, and Bahd’{ literature in the exhibition hall, where 150 publishers and other groups rented booth space.

The Bahai display was visited by thousands; more than a hundred stopped to talk or to accept literature.

The Institute for Baha’{ Studies plans an even larger presence at this year’s AAR/SBL meeting, to be held November 23-26 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Those who are interested in attending or presenting a paper on some as

ect of the Faith are asked to contact obert Stockman at the Baha’i National

Center, 847-733-3425 (e-mail

The Religious Education Association and the Association of Professors and Researchers in Religious Education will meet at the same time in New Orleans; Baha’is who are interested in attending or presenting a paper on the Faith as it relates to education should contact Dr. Iraj Ayman, 847-733-3501 (email ).

�[Page 21]Mutk B.E. 152 ¢ Fesruary 7, 1996

21

NEWS FROM OVERSEAS

New believers number 900-2,000 in Bangladeshi village

The Poschima tribe of the Rangpur District of Bangladesh includes almost 20,000 people who live in some 100 villages. The tribal area was opened to the Faith recently when several people were enrolled. Then last August, nine villages came under the banner of Baha’u'llah. The number of adults who declared their belief was more than 900, “but once we register the names of children and junior youth the number will be more than 2,000,” according toa report received from the Counselors in Asia. A team of young Baha’is is already working in the villages to deepen the new believers with three three-day courses planned for the first two weeks in September.

°

Last July, Auxiliary Board members Payam Shoghi and R.B. Tripathi undertook an intensive teaching campaign ina six-village “cluster” in the Chambal area of Madhya Pradesh, India, holding public meetings in each village. As a result of their efforts, 273 people embraced the Cause of God. Mr. ‘Tripathi had been working in the area for some time, and the six villages chosen for the campaign already had local Spiritual Assemblies with whom the Board members met to consult about increasing local activities and deepening the new believers.

.

More than 150 Baha’is attended last summer’s Baha'i school at Lake Balatron, Hungary, including Counselor

Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum keynote speaker at 4th Dialogue on Transition to Global Society

The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahé Rihiyyih Khénum was the keynote speaker last October at the fourth International Dialogue on the Transition to a Global Society, held at the University of Maryland in College Park.

The Dialogue was held under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and organized by the university’s Baha'i Chair for World Peace and Department of History on behalf of the University of Maryland’s Center for International Development and Conflict Management and Switzerland’s Landegg Academy.

The theme of this year’s Dialogue was “Divisive Barbarity or Global Civilization: the Ethical Dimensions of Science, Art, Religion and Politics.”

Its goals were to find answers to the challenge of building a global civilization, and to inspire action by leaders in all realms of society to realize the proposed solutions.

Among those attending were the President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands; a former President of Lebanon; France’s Ambassador-atLarge; Princess Rahma bint El Hassan of Jordan; a former Ambassador from India to the U.S. who now heads India’s Auroville Foundation; the director of Egypt's National Center for Middle Eastern Studies; Lily Boeykens, former President of the International Council of Women and now Commissioner of Belgium to the UN Commission on the Status of Women; the President of the Club of Budapest, and the Secretary-General of the Club of Rome.

Ilhan Sezgin and friends froma dozen countries. The theme was entry by troops, “a state toward which the Hungarian Baha’i community is moving closer and closer,” according to a message from the school. “We are excited to further inform you that up to 100 more friends have embraced our beloved Cause in the Szolnok region, raising the number of Baha’is in Hungary to 640.” °

The National Teaching Committee of Papua New Guinea reports that during a recent two-week visit b traveling teachers to Bali Island, West New Britain, 94 people declared their faith in Baha’u‘llah while many others expressed an interest in the Faith. Consolidation plans are under way including a visit by a traditional leader from Karkar Island.

.

Under the auspices of the European Baha’ Youth Council, and with the support of the Counselors in Europe and the National Spiritual Assembly of Austria, 55 people from 12 countries gathered last August in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to take part in the Anis Teaching Campaign. Drawing, on such resources and

rograms as the well-organized and inspiring preparatory seminars, the proclamation work done by the Vienna Baha’i Dance Workshop, and the diversity and dynamism of the entire group, the teachers made many contacts among the “friendly, open-minded and receptive” Macedonians. Asa result of these activities, 64 people were enrolled in the Faith. In addition, the friends in Debar, Ohrid, Prilep, Skopje and Struga attended deepening classes held by the teams.

.

More than 50 Baha’is from North and South Cyprus, Germany, Ghana, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom and the U.S. gathered last July in Girne, Cyprus, to attend summer school. During teaching efforts associated with the school, 27 people embraced the Faith.

.

Ninety Baha’is took part last July in the Baha’i summer school at Qaraqum, Tajikistan, during which 15 new believers were enrolled in the Faith. At the end of the program, 30 Baha’is volunteered to travel and teach. They were placed in eight groups and sent to various centers for service projects of a month or longer.

.

Following the success last July of Paraguay’s National Bahd’i Week, when intensive media proclamation and teaching led to the enrollment of at least 10 people, the National Spiritual Assembly called for a Day of Teaching to be held September 17. The friends in many communities responded to the call, holding firesides in their homes or traveling to teach. As aresult, at least eight more people were enrolled in the Faith of Baha’u’llah.

An estimated 20,000 people were

Mrs. Joan Guriras

exposed to the teachings of the Faith during a week-long series of Bahd’i Information Week activities last July in Frankfurt, Germany. A group of young Bahd’fs from the U.S., the Diversity Dance Workshop, drew people’s attention, then invited them to attend meetings at the local Baha’i Center. As a result of these efforts, eight people embraced the Cause of Bal allah. °

The first Baha’i Youth Camp in Kyrgystan was held last August 10-16 at Lehachov Camp, Bishkek, with 27 young people taking part including frente from Bangladesh, the Philippines and Tajikistan. The daily program included dawn prayers, open consultation, classes on various aspects of the Faith, music, arts and sports. By the end of the camp the friends felt “renewed zeal and enthusiasm...while giving pledges to teach the Cause. ...” Six of those who had not been Bahda’fs declared their belief in Baha’u’llah.

.

During recent heavy flooding in India’s Haryana State, hundreds of villagers fled to the city of Jind where Baha‘i volunteers were waiting with flour, bread, biscuits, fruit and candles. Also offered were prayer books and pargphicts about the Faith. The friends

ired a three-wheeled rickshah to distribute the supplies, placing a banner on its front which read “Baha’f Bhawan.” The friends received wide publicity, for their humanitarian outreach, and the villagers “showered their blessings on the friends for their good gesture.”

°

Last August, 15 young Bahd’is taking part in the Owen Battrick Project contacted 42 ministers in New Zealand and spoke to them about the Faith, presenting gifts that included the Statement on Baha’u'll4h, His Tablet to the Christians, and a letter from the Spiritual Assembly of Auckland. The responses ranged from cordial to surprised, with one minister saying he would meditate for two weeks on the Tablet to the Christians and pray for guidance from God and another, visibly shaken by the news that Christ had

as.

) , president of Namibia's National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, meets with a group of American Baha'i women who were traveling in Africa last year as part of a Sister-to-Sister teaching project.

returned, expressing his great interest in pursuing the matter further. °

Radio Transkei recently broadcast 10 programs about the Faith in the Xhosa language. Each was 15 minutes long and based on the book The New Garden. The programs were quite successful and generated considerable interest in the Faith.

.

As of 1996, the Faith will be included in the Faculty of Theology’s curriculum at Fort Hare University in Ciskei. “According to the vice-dean of the faculty, this has already been approved by the University Senate,” says a report, “and the Faith, along with Islam and the traditional religion, will be included in the curriculum. Fort Hare is one of the oldest black universities in Africa, and many leaders of African countries received their tertiary education there. ...”

The Baha’i community played a leading role in organizing the World Peace Day observance last September in Brazzaville, Congo Republic. In the large audience were representatives of many of the non-governmental agencies working in social development in the Republic. A Baha’i, who represented all of the religious communities at the event, was the first speaker. Between each speech a Baha'i sang songs of peace based on the Baha’i Writings. These were well received, and every speaker mentioned the Faith in his remarks.

.

About 1,300 students from six boys’ schools took part in a Peace Walk last September organized by the Education Committee of the Spiritual Assembly of Quetta, Pakistan. A large banner was hung at the gate of the hotel where the walk began, and 2,000 gas-filled balloons were released into the air at the Hazfratu’l-Quds, where the walk ended. After refreshments, Dr. Nasir Nake Akhtar spoke to the walkers about universal peace. Full coverage of the walk was given during local television news programs and in the Daily Jhang newspaper.

�[Page 22]THe AMERICAN BAHA'’ 22

CLASSIFIEDS

Classified notices in The American Baha'i are published free of charge as a service to the Baha'i community. Because of this, notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no per— sonal or commercial ads can be ac~ cepted for publication. The opportunities ref to have not been ap— proved by the National Spiritual Assembly; the friends should exer-cise their own judgment and care in responding to them.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

THE NATIONAL Spignl Assembly is seeking candidates for the position of coordinator of support services at the Bahd‘f National Center. Should have at least 10 years management experience or equivalent supervisory history. The National Assembly is looking for the candidate who would see this position as one essentially of service, encouragement and facilitation of its plans. Several departments including purchasing, meetings and travel, and others will report to the coordinator. Experience working in a diverse environment is a plus, as is ability to train and motivate personnel to balance their strengths and skills with the needs of the National Assembly. Requires strong communication and interpersonal skills; must be a team player, a unifier who understands Baha’i administration. Applicants should submit a letter of interest to the Department of Human Resources, c/o Gwen Clayborne, Baha’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. YEAR OF SERVICE in the nation’s capital. Are you a motivated, enthusiastic couple of individual eager to spend a year or more serving the Faith in one of the world’s most beautiful and exciting cities? If so, the Baha’is of Washington, D.C., would like to hear from you about living in and managing their Baha’t Center, which serves as a focal point for activities in the metropolitan area. Rensibilities include being a loving and ‘acious host(ess) to all who visit the ‘enter; coordinating scheduling and space allocations for Center events; responding to mail and telephone inquiries; distributing literature to seekers and maintaining the Center’s phone information lines; purchasing refreshments and supplies for certain events; physically setting up for events, and opening and closing the Center as needed; and monitoring and coordinating (but not necessarily carrying out) internal and external maintenance and upkeep. The position is unpaid, but a small furnished apartment is available at the Center for no cost. Please write to the Washington Baha’ Center, 5713 16th St. N.W., Washington, DC 20011, or phone 202-291-5532, ext. 5. EXCITING overseas opportunities. English teaching positions availabl Haikou, Hainan; Jiangxi; Jinzhou, Jilin; Jiangmen, Guangdong; Shangdong; Shanghai, China. For more information, please contact Ms. Gwili Posey (phone 847-733-3512, fax 847-733-3509, or e-mail )

THE NATIONAL Treasurer's Office has openings for an accountant and accounts receivable cashier. Both are fulltime salaried positions. Candidates for accountant should have a bachelor’s degree in the field or 3-5 years relevant experience. Audit work is preferable; CPA is a plus. Must have advanced knowledge of Excel or other spreadsheet software programs and have good skills in communication and organization. The accounts receivable cashier should be a high school graduate or equivalent including courses in bookkeeping plus 3-5

years experience in cashiering or accounts receivable. Should have good number sequencing skills and the ability to work well with calculators and PCs. For information or an application, write to the Department of Human Resources, Baha’ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 847-733-3429).

THE NATIVE American Baha’{ Institute (NABI) is seeking an administrative assistant. The successful candidate will lead program initiatives through planning, coordination and implementation. Should have excellent administrative and communication skills and the ability to work and consult with those of diverse ages and ethnic backgrounds. Knowledge of Native American cultures or desire to integrate is a plus. Please send a Pesumelard application to NABI, P.O. Box 3167, Houck, AZ 86506 (e-mail

B

THE GREEN ACRE Baha’i School has an opening for a full-time administrative assistant. Responsibilities include registration, reception, telephone, sorting mail, updating mailing lists and sending out mailings, receiving time sheets, benefits information, filing, bookkeeping,

rocessing insurance claims, backing up

ookstore clerk. Profile: organized, works well with the public and in teams; word processing skills in general, filing and bookkeeping skills, service-oriented self-starter with minimum 2-3 years experience in an office environment. Able to work overtime if necessary; training in quality management desirable. For information, contact the Office of Human Resources, Baha’{ National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201, or phone 847-733-3429.

CARETAKER position available at the Bellemont Baha‘{ School in Flagstaff, Arizona. The position is non-salaried but living quarters and utilities are provided in exchange for service to the Faith. The school is located in a ponderosa pine forest in northern Arizona and is easily accessible from a major four-lane highway. If interested, please send a resumé to the Bellemont Baha’i School, P.O. Box 2533, Flagstaff, AZ 86003-2533.

PIONEERING (OveRSEAS)

EMPLOYMENT opportunities overseas. AFRICA: Tanzania—urgent need for English teachers. AMERICAS: Ecuador—ESL teachers for new secondar' school. Haiti—project manager needed by CARE for productive infrastructure programs. Honduras—volunteer dorm mother for home for abandoned girls, caretaker couple for the Ahmadiyyeh Bahd’i Institute. Puerto Rico—caretaker for the Amoz Gibson/Gordon Laite Baha’i Institute. ASIA: Kazakhstan— economist to teach economics at the graduate level in the MA/Economics program at the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics and Strategic Research. Korea—English teachers. Kyrgyzstan—project officers needed by FINCA International, a non-profit organization working in microenterprise credit for women in developing countries. Macau—teachers. Urgent need for pioneer coordinator at the Baha’f International Community. Sakhalin—teachers. Siberia, Russia—trainers for project that teaches social/psychological intervention skills reducing chemical dependency. Taiwan—general manager for Baha’t Office of the Environment; immediate need for English teachers. AUSTRALASIA: Marshall Islands—The College of the Marshall Islands needs qualified pediatric nurse and obstetric nurse as instructors. Samoa—needs caretaker couple for the House of Worship, Montessori teacher. Solomon Islands—lawyer, counselor for abused women, beautician. Vanuatu—voluntary primary school teachers. EUROPE: Georgia—industrial manager needed for industrial reactivation project, accounting /finance

specialist. Switzerland—volunteer needed for a P.C. network/secretarial support position for the Baha’f irdeeris Hora Community United Nations Office in Geneva. Urgent need for teaching and consolidation in Francophone areas. There is a particular need in French Polynesia, but traveling teachers and pioneers who speak French would constitute a precious resource in any of the French-speaking communities spread throughout Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Urgent need for pioneers to settle in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha’{ National Center, Wilmette IL 60091 (phone 847733-3512, fax 847-733-3509, or e-mail

).

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

RETIRED believers who are self-sufficient can help with teaching on Indian Reservations by relocating to homefront pioneer. For more information, please contact Ada James at the National Teaching Committee Office, 847-869-9039, ext. 361.

COME to the heartland. We are a small Group trying to re-establish an Assembly in Salina, Kansas, a city of 48,000 and a Kansas goal area. We have two universities (Kansas Wesleyan and Kansas State University-Salina) that specialize in business, technology, nursing / medical and education but also provide a liberal arts education. There are limited opportunities for room and board for young Bahd‘fs who would like to attend either school. Salina is a racially diverse community with employment opportunities in business, industry, counseling, education and construction. For information, please write to Kitty Brown,

Salina, KS 67401, or phone 913-8230661.

WHY NOT leave the larger cities, as the Guardian directed? Forego your high-priced lifestyle (it’s called sacrifice) and move to a small, lovely, friendly town to teach the Faith (it’s called homefront pioneering). Alpine, Texas, desperately needs dedicated Baha’is who love the Faith and long to share it with others. For more information, write to Antoinette Isaac, Alpine, TX 79830, or phone 915-837-5916.

THE BAHA’{ community of Lisle, IIlinois, 25 miles west of the Baha’i House of Worship and a half hour from Chicago, will establish a Spiritual Assembly by Ridvan 1996 with your help. Only three adult Baha’is are needed to round out our active Group. Lisle is a multicultural community of more than 19,000 offering a variety of housing in all price ranges. Five colleges and the headquarters of many Fortune 500 companies are within a five- to 15-minute drive. Surrounding Bahd4’{ communities in DuPage County provide nurturing love with a firmly established Baha’{ Sunday school, monthly meetings of area community representatives, and a Baha’i-sponsored event almost every evening. Phone Bill or Stacey Hall, 708-968-2958, or e-mail s

HELP RAISE a Spiritual Assembly in Oldsmar, Florida—a community of four Baha’{ adults and five children that is close to Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg. Write to Sandy Caputo,

Oldsmar, FL 34677, or phone 813-854-1466.

TEACHI

THE SPIRITUAL Assemblies of Arvada, Aurora, Lafayette and Pueblo invite you to become a part of Colorado's Amatu’l-Bahd Teaching Crusade. Fulltime and part-time teachers are needed with a stipend and housing provided for those who can teach full-time. An excel lent opportunity for those who plan a year of service, especially youth or retirees. We're looking for Baha’is who are willing and able to teach for at least a couple of months. Owing to our diverse communities, bilingual teachers (Spanish or Hmong as a second language) would bea Breau pls (but is not a requirement). The crusade is ongoing and will be launched as soon as it is staffed. For information about present or future possibilities, please contact Marsha Robi chaux, Lafayette, CO 80026 (phone 303-665-3808) or e-mail Larry Peterson ( ).

WASHINGTON state’s King County Inter-Assembly Council for Teaching No. 4 (I-ACT No. 4) invites you to join the Amatu’l-Bahd Teaching Crusade. Fulland part-time teachers are needed; housing and a stipend will be provided for full-time teachers. Youth are encouraged to take part, and the time may be added to one’s year of service. You'll be teaching for the first six months at Redmond’s new Bahd’f Center. Details for the next six months are being worked out. The local Assemblies/Groups of I-ACT No. 4 are dedicated to helping you with logistics, transportation, materials, coordination, guiding new believers, etc. For information, contact Regan Doyle, P.O. Box 1507, Duvall, WA 98019-1507 (phone 206-788-2897; e-mail ) or Rick Schaut,

Redmond, WA 98052-1190 (phone 206881-8595; e-mail ).

ARCHIVES

THE NATIONAL Bahda’‘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: Claudia Coles Aldridge, Patricia Alexander (died Miami, FL, ca. 1957), Brunhilde Allen, D. Lewis Allen, Raymond K. Allen, and Faith Amberg. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Baha’f Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611, or to phone 847-869-9039.

THE NATIONAL Bahda’‘f Archives has prepared a series of biographical sketches of prominent African-American, Native American, Hispanic and Asian Bahd’fs for the use of local communities for Black History Month, Race Unity Day and other special events. Any local community that would like to obtain a set of these sketches is asked to send a request with a mailing address to the National Baha’{ Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-8699039).

WANTED

FOR HISTORICAL reasons I am trying to document the locations of the following book: The Dawn-Breakers, special limited edition of 150 copies, specially bound and signed and numbered by the Guardian. If you have one of these volumes, or know someone who does, plese contact me. All I need is the num er and location of the particular book. Payam Afsharian, Los Angeles, CA 90024 (phone 310-441-0413; fax 213-383-9417; e-mail

y

WANTED: race unity materials developed for schools or other organizations, Bahd’‘f or non-Baha’f. We are compiling, synthesizing and developing race unity materials for regional use and compilation/book. Any and all materials will be welcomed and properly credited. Please write to Scott Antilla, North Oaks, MN 55127, or phone/fax 612-490-5008.

WANTED: Stories for a book about youth while on their Year of Service or pioneering. The book will include both

�[Page 23]Mutk B.E. 152 ¢ Fesruary 7, 1996

23

contemporary and earlier accounts of youth, written by youth themselves, arising to serve in unique and remarkable ways. If you or someone you know has a story to share, please contact Ladan Cockshut-Miller,

/ Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847492-8863; fax 847-251-3652; e-mail

). EAGER to locate spare copies of The Dawn-Breakers to be used for work on the production of a major feature film. Will

gladly purchase extra editions. Please write to Ruth Rosenwald,

Malibu, CA 902654182 (phone 310-457-5336; fax 310-4579893).

THE RESEARCH Office at the Bahai National Center is compiling a list of Bahé’is (1) with expertise Relevant Bahd’f scholarship and research; (2) able to serve as mentors for Baha’ college students; and/or (3) able to serve as faculty and mentors for the Wilmette Institute and its four-year program, “S| tual Foundations for a Global Civilization.” Baha’is who teach full- or parttime at colleges or universities are particularly invited to apply. Please send your name, address and field/subject to Robert Stockman, Research Office, Baha’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 847-733-3425; fax 847-733-3563; email ).

1 AM COMPILING stories for a book about how God works mysteriously in our lives through prayer, dreams, visions, miracles, healing, etc.—the kind of stories that raise goosebumps or send a tingle along the spine. Please submit your stories to Kim Mennillo,

Red Bank, TN 37415; e

mail

YoutH Activities

THE LOUHELEN Baha‘i School invites applications from mature youth and adults for its year-of-service program. While all skills and interests are invited for consideration, there is an immediate and continuing need for volunteer help in the following areas: office support and front desk, food service, housekeeping, bookstore and library. There is also an anticipated need for a

ion leader for June-August s may be sent c/o Mrs. Penny Schmicker, volunteer services, Louhelen Baha’i School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 810-6535033; fax 810-653-7181; e-mail B

THE WORK/STUDY program at the Native American Bahd‘f Institute (NABI) presents a unique youth service opportunity. Young people who are interested in

ursuing Baha'i service work with college or vocational studies are encourapes to ar to the Institute. Youth at

ABI will be guided through a program that includes course work, the arts, travel, and community and Institute service. Join us at NABI and prepare for a lifetime of service to humanity. Write to NABL, P.O. Box 3167, Houck, AZ 86506, or e-mail

INTERNATIONAL Baha‘ Youth Service Corps opportunities: The enthusiastic services of Baha’i youth are needed all over the U.S. and the world. The wide Eange of needs and opportunities include such arenas as reaching the masses with the message of Baha’u’llah, deepening new believers, conducting children’s classes for children and youth and carrying out other educational activities, assisting the administrative work of Baha’{ institutions, hands-on work with a variety of social and economic development projects, proclaiming the Faith through the arts, mobilizing the youth of a region or even a country, teaching fellow students and teachers, and more. In the most recent pioneer call from the Universal House of Justice, 97 countries

listed specific needs and opportunities for youth pioneers, including many university study options. In addition, many National Spiritual Assemblies have written to our national community to advise of the following opportunities. AFRICA —The Gambia (English): Two arenas of service: help with the brand new urban pre-school opening in September or with a rural education center at the Bwiam Regional Baha’i Center. Senegal (French): “Olinga Teaching Project” near Dakar needs French-speaking youth to help with teaching, children’s classes, acti ities for women and for youth. Abili in drama welcome. AMERICAS—Alaska (English and indigenous languages): Nome youth service project, working with Es-kimos, and Norton Sound Project. Honduras (Spanish): volunteers with experience in printing needed to help develop a social and economic development project focused on the production of Baha’{ literature in La Ceiba. At Project Bayan youth are needed who have studied Spanish for at least two years and can stay for 6-12 months, or medical students who have completed their first two years of medical school for 4-month periods (one at a time). Jamaica (English): Youth in Kingston area have begun to rise up and become active. They would very much benefit from working with youth from other countries. Venezuela (Spanish): Three “entry by troops projects” and an ongoing year of service program supported by local youth, incorporating proclamation, teaching, consolidation, theater, music and other aspects are in need of 6-10 youth at a time for at least six months. service. Knowledge of Spanish a must. Low living costs. ASIA—urgent needs. Contact the Office of Pi ig aS soon as possible. India (English): New Era Development Institute, “an exciting place to work [which] offers a unique opportunity to learn about social and economic development in a Baha’f context,” is looking for one or two deepened Baha'is who enjoy working closely with other youth to come for anywhere from four months to a year, preferably arriving in June. Thailand (Thai and English): The Santitham School, a social and economic development project of the National Spiritual Assembly of Thailand and “a landmark of the Baha’i Faith in the North-East of Thailand,” whose contributions to society have been appreciated by the provincial government, needs dedicated volunteers for periods of at least six months. AUSTRALASIA— Australia (English): Seven arenas of service: children’s classes, firesides and hospitality, House of Worship guiding, gardening and janitorial and National Baha’i Office work, for several youth from anywhere in the world. Accommodations on House of Worship propert provided. EUROPE—Albania (Albanian): ”..one or more devoted and capable youths...to be] accompanied by an Alanian youth...who could be in charge of driving a van and directing the Mobile Institute. ...” Driving experience important. France (French): The Office of Public Information of the Baha’f International Community in Paris needs a bilingual (French/English) assistant for duties such as office administration and secretarial work, follow-up on publications, and participation in public relations projects. If you can arise to meet one of these needs, please contact your local Spiritual Assembly for initial consultation and information and to receive a copy of the Pioneer/Baha’i Youth Service Corps Volunteer Form. As you work toward your goal, The Office of Pioneering will help you to do as the Universal House of Justice advises: “Through prayer and consultation, and after considering his own experience, inclinations and pos-sibilities, he can choose his goal area and, confidently relying on the confirming power of Baha’u’llah, set out to serve the Cause of his Lord. ...”

On November 26, the San Diego (California) Vietnamese Teaching Institute held a picnic in a local park. The Institute, initiated by Vietnamese Baha'is, is led by Mr. Phap Le, assisted by Mr. Nhon Mai and Mr. Quang Nguyen. The picnic was a great success with many Vietnamese, Hispanic, Persian, AfricanAmerican and other American friends taking part in what it is hoped will be

the first of a number of similar events.

45 Baha’ researchers take part in eighth Irfan Colloquium at Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Newcastle-upon-Tyne, birthplace of the Irfan Colloquium, was the site of the joint gathering of the eighth Irfan Colloquium and the semi-annual meeting of the Religious Studies Seminar of the Association for Baha'i Studies of English-speaking Europe. The Irfan Colloquium is sponsored by the Haj Mehdi Arjmand Memorial Fund and the Institute for Baha’f Studies.

The colloquium took place December 8-10 at the Department of Religious Studies of Newcastle University. Fortyfive researchers and others interested in the academic study of religion and scripture took part in the joint meeting whose theme was attacks on and criticisms of the Baha’i Faith and ways of responding to them.

The colloquium was opened by Dr. Iraj Ayman who briefly described the aims and objectives of the Irfan Colloquium and then presented a biographical sketch of Haj Mehdi Arjmand, a well-known scholarteacher of the Baha’i Faith. He also summarized the contents of a few of the tablets of Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’lBaha and the letters of Shoghi Effendi to Haj Mehdi Arjmand.

Dr. Robert Stockman then spoke on “The Limits of Discourse in the Baha’i Community and their Consequences,” focusing on the need of any community to define boundaries of internal discourse to preserve its unity.

Saturday morning Dr. Udo Schaefer spoke about “Anti-Baha’i Polemic in

erman-speaking Countries,” focusing primarily on a lengthy attack on the Faith by a Covenant-breaker, Francesco Ficichia, published in 1981; the work's gradual acceptance by academics, journalists, and ecclesiastics as an impartial scholarly treatment; the failure of a policy of ignoring the work; and the lengthy rebuttal by himself and two other German Bahda’is published by a scholarly press.

Dr. Moojan Momen offered a basis for persecution of the Faith under Islamic law by describing various Islamic legal categories (such as believer, unbeliever, people of the book, and heretic) and noting how those categories had been used by Muslims and Baha'is in actual court cases.

The first of Saturday afternoon’s four presentations was BY Dr. Margit Warburg, a professor of the sociology of religion at the University of Copenhagen who devotes much of her research to the sociology of the Baha’i community. She spoke on “Religious Definitions and Religious Polemics: Bah4’‘i in Popular Handbooks of Religion.”

Dr. Kamran Ekbal then spoke on “Taqiyih and Kitman: Reflections on the Practice of Dissimulation in the Babi and Baha'i Religions,” and Dr. Nichola Towfiq presented a paper on “E.G. Browne's Misconceptions.” The paper noted various misinformations Browne presented about Mirza Yahya, such as the statement that the Bab appointed him His vali (successor) when in fact no such appointment was made, and described various Azali interpretations of the Bab’s allusions to a future Manifestation of God as referring to the advent of the next Manifestation in 1,501 or 2,001 years.

The afternoon closed with Dr. Khazeh Fananapazir’s “Mirza Abu’lFadI’s Contribution to Baha'i Polemic and Replies to Anti-Baha’i Polemic.” The paper described arguments made in the Brilliant Proof and the Fard’id.

Stephen Lambden presented a paper Sunday morning on “the Position of Mirza Yahya Sub-i-Azal: Some Aspects of Azali Anti-Baha’i Polemic and Bahai Apologetics,” and the session ended with Lil Abdo’s “Possible Criticisms of the Baha'i Faith from a Feminist Perspective.”

During the lunch period many attendees visited the cemetery where Edward G. Browne is buried. Afterward, a short business meeting was held to discussion possible themes for future conferences. The theme tentatively selected for 1996-97 is “The Baha’i Faith and Christianity.”

Next year’s Irfan Colloquium in Europe will be held in late autumn at the Acuto Baha’i School in Italy.

The abstract booklet for the colloquium is available for $3 from the Institute for Baha'i Studies, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1612, as are booklets of many previous conferences.

�[Page 24]24

THe AMERICAN BAHA’i

Fase

ee

& : Above, this photograph shows the Center for the Study of the Texts as it is emerging in its final form.

Center for Study of the Texts

With the major part of the structure of the Center for the Study of the Texts complete, the interior spaces within the building are becoming definable, and work has begun on te partition walls.

A contract has been signed with a Canadian company to erect gypsum drywall partitions, precast gypsum molded ceilings and suspended tiled ceilings. Orders have also been placed for wooden doors and frames for the building, and skylights have been fabricated in the U.S. and are being shipped.

A cantilever ring beam—a com letely free-spanning structure—has

een constructed above the entrance portico. Visitors to the library, to be located in the basement, will have a view of the patio at the center of the entrance portico, which will be landscaped and will hold a large fountain in the middle.

Another double ring beam will be built above the portico on top of the marble columns, holding the roof in position. A visitor entering the portico will see precast vaulted panels of Piastrone marble lining the ceiling. The first shipment of marble is expected to arrive shortly.

“Uni Marbres,” a prestigious French company which has done the stone work for projects such as the “Pyramid of Louvre” in Paris, has been contracted to install all external marble in both the Center for the Study of the Texts and the International Teaching Center.

Concreting of the roof of the building above level 7 has begun, as well as work on level 8. Due to the shape of the mountain above and the complexity of the building, the roof of the Center for the Study of the Texts does not stand at a uniform level. The various slopes and angles to which the roof must conform has proved to be a challenge for the contractor; nevertheless, work is being carried out under strict quality control.

From the roof above level 7 all the way down to level 4, two lightwells have been created, open to the sky, to bring natural light into the lower lev At right, final landscaping is done on Terrace Nine below

the Shrine of the Bab.

The terrace has since

been completed and

is open for visitors to

enjoy.

Vineyard ¢ ine Lord, part 12

dae? | 7

1) ean

fl i At the site of the International Teaching Center, a section of the second level

anchors are being installed.

els of the building. Teaching Center

Excavations for removal of the access ramp and installation of the remaining rock anchors and additional micropiles are simultaneously being carried out at the site of the International Teaching Center.

The ramp is being removed in six stages; in the first three stages a depth of 8 meters (26.4 feet) has been excavated, out of a total of 18 meters (59.4 feet), and three rows of anchors installed. With work proceeding to the next three stages, as more earth is be has been cast, the access ramp is being removed, and the remaining rock

ing removed, the additional micropiles for the foundations are being installed.

Such a sequence of work not only ensures safety during the excavation work, but also helps achieve the final terraced profile of the foundations.

The excavated material is being stockpiled for future use in backfilling the external areas of the building.

About 40 percent of the floor slab of level 1 (ground floor) has been cast, and more than half the work on trenches has been completed with mechanical pipes laid in place.

The Teaching Center has six patios to enable natural light to come into the

building which, like the Center for the Study of the Texts, is being built into

the mountain. Three of these patios, which will later be landscaped, have been built.

The Teaching Center has large areas with curved walls. To achieve a highquality profile for these walls, and to speed up construction, a special system-formwork from Germany is being used.

Major goal is accomplished

Bulk excavations have begun at the site of Terrace 11 adjacent to Hatzionut Avenue, above the Shrine of the Bab. With this, one of the major goals of the Three Year Plan—to initiate all phases of construction of the Mount Carmel Projects during the Plan—has been accomplished.

Within a time frame of three months, approximately 28,000 cubic meters of rock will be excavated from this site. At times, work is being carried out around the clock, under spotlight during the night.

Working drawings for the bridge over Hatzionut Avenue, as well as for the road over which it will be built, are now complete. Plans for lowering Hatzionut Avenue have received approval from the various municipal departments such as traffic, road, water, sewer, street lighting, telephone and electric, culminating in approval of the building permit by the Municipality of Haifa.

The contract documents for the building to be constructed under Terrace 11, which will house a Public Information Center and Office of Security, are also complete.

Information, Security Centers

To serve the many people who will visit the Baha’i gardens around the Shrine of the Bab, a landscaped courtyard will be located at the Hatzionut Avenue level, providing access to the bridge to be built over it to connect the Main Terrace to the Upper Terraces.

The courtyard will also provide accesss to a Public Information Center, where visitors and dignitaries may

See VINEYARD page 25

�[Page 25]Mutk B.E. 152 Fesruary 7,1996 25

THE ARC

Magazine features Terraces

A prestigious Israeli magazine, Architecture of Israel, included in its most recent issue a 14-page article with lovely color photographs on the Terraces project, based on an interview with Architect Fariburz Sahba.

Interspersed with details of the project was information about the history of the Faith. Following are excerpts from the article, extracted from the Hebrew and English text:

“The eternal shine of the dome of the Baha‘i Shrine is one of the best known features of Haifa. In the past few years the construction of the ‘Hanging Gardens’ has begun—a garden strip of 400 meters (1,320 feet) width, its foot in the German Colony in lower downtown, and its head at the Panorama Towers on Carmel.

“With the completion of this project in about four years, these gardens will not only be one of Haifa’s most significant urban projects but also the most protected ‘green lung’ in the country. There shall be no picnic at the gardens; they will be open to the public so that they can move about ‘freely’ organized, and with the conditions of preserving the rules of the place whose purpose is pilgrimage and meditation.

“The gardens are at the heart of Haifa, owned by the Baha’is, designed, built, budgeted and maintained on their account, without the help of the government.

Question: One of the relevant questions in architecture today is in which way can architecture be regarded an art. Due to the fact that both the Lotus [Temple] and the Terraces are very artistic, what is your stand on this issue?

Answer: take this as a compliment that you see these projects as art. I am an “old-fashioned” architect who has always regarded architecture as an art, no matter how much it is made practical or technical. Architecture, more than any other kind of art, communicates with the public. This is the most satisfying aspect of oupproreion: The other aspects are only means to achieve the goal. ...

Q: Asan architect, you often emphasize your dedication to your faith. Would you be able to function outside the Baha'i “green house”?

A: Lam convinced that every architect does his

Vineyard

Continued from page 24

be received, and the Central Office of Security for the Baha’i World Center, which will provide the necessary security arrangements for the Arc buildings and the Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab.

Although technically one building, the area (2,400 square meters) it will comprise will be divided into two parts; an east wing will house the Office of Security, and a west wing the Public Information Center.

Designed as an underground building under Terrace 11, part of its roof will be linked with the bridge, and will also connect with the Arc path. Skylights in strategic places, along with small landscaped

atios at the two ends of the northern side of the uilding, will provide natural light.

From the courtyard as one enters the west wing, there is a main lobby that leads to a reception area at one end and a visitors’ center at the other with exhibition area, an auditorium, and an area for receiving dignitaries.

The auditorium, with a seating capacity of about 164, is aligned with the center line of the Terraces. It may be used for audio-visual presentations or brief

best in every design, and his faith is part of him. The Bahd’i Faith is not only a network of rules which tells a person what he is allowed to do and what not. It is a way of life which is a natural and inseparable part of you. I design as a Baha'i also when I design a house. This does not mean that my religion dictates the way I design. None of my projects were designed solely for the Baha'is. In fact, my biggest challenge is to build something suitable for the general public, without any connection to faith, origin or belonging. My loyalty is to the location. ...

Q: Does the Baha‘i religion allow you sufficient freedom for self-expression?

A: You might as well ask if a kite is any freer without its string. The Baha‘ believer acts according to his personal conscience, and according to his understanding of the Baha’i teachings. Self-expression and freedom of expression is one of the important principles of the faith, and a person cannot force his opinion and desires on others.

Nevertheless, there is no doubt that the philosophy and faith of a believer will be reflected in his art, thoughts and way of life. The blossom of the tree comes from within the tree, it cannot be glued to it from outside. Freedom of expression, nevertheless, does not mean that you live only for yourself. As in a game, every player is important; the result comes from the quality of teamwork.

ings. The rest of the area will be assigned to the Office of Public Information.

Of primary concern is the beauty of the Terraces and the bridge, and their harmony with the existing gardens; meticulous care is therefore being given to the construction details of this building under Terrace 11 to assure the lasting beauty of these areas.

Aglimpse of the Terraces

To the thrill and excitement of the friends in the Holy Land, Terrace 9 below the Shrine of the Bab was opened briefly to Baha’i visitors on October 1, 1995, marking the celebration of the Declaration of the Bab according to the lunar calendar.

Members of the Mount Carmel Projects team worked hard and fast to complete the inner landscaping and put the finishing touches to make the visit possible. There was a tangible sense of elation among the friends as they thronged to the Terrace, walking along its tile paths and admiring the beauty around them.

Stories about the Arc Projects Fund

“In early June, three members of our family

were privileged to hear the moving message on the urgent needs of the Arc Projects Fund delivered by Mr. ‘Alf Nakhjavani in Vancouver [Canada].

“It was a powerful and moving exhortation. We didn’t fill out any pledge forms or make any immediate contributions. We wanted to consult together as a family to determine how we could best respond.

“We agreed that we wanted to contribute a full unit (U.S. $9,000). We didn’t have much to sell and we didn’t have much savings. However, I did have a retirement account that was created when I worked...in the late 1970s. ...

“When we went pioneering, the payments stopped; I was given the small amount I had contributed and the rest reverted to the general pension fund. Several years later the pension plan was discontinued and the law required that the share deposited...in my name, about $3,000, be sent to me. I put it in a retirement account.

“Over the years, the value of the account increased to about $5,000. A few years ago, we converted it from a money market account to a mutual fund. When we made the decision to withdraw the funds, it was worth about $8,500.

“We decided to close the account and figure out a way to make up the balance needed for a full unit (including the tax that would be due on withdrawal).

“It took about two weeks to receive and return the necessary forms. During this period, the stock market rose to a record high. Today a check came in the mail for $9,842! It will allow us to contribute one unit and cover the taxes!

“..we feel that we have been privileged to be the trustees for this money...until now. Where better to invest it for our future security than in the Mountain of the Lord? Never have we seen a more obvious example of the truth that all we have comes from God and unto Him shall all return.” (from a communication received at the World Center)

¢ “We would like to convey our thanks and appreciation to your office for producing such a wonderful publication, ‘Vineyard of the Lord.’

“Whenever friends receive the update of this project, their hearts are exhilarated to learn about the rapid progress of the construction work on the Arc, and the united, wholehearted support of the Baha’{ communities throughout the world, which is the unique privilege of this generation.

“Our thoughts went back to remember our parents who have passed away. No doubt from the realm on high, they too are wishing that at this moment they could be present to have a share in this Divine Enterprise. We have offered a contribution on their behalf to this project, as a token of their participation.

“We would like to suggest, if it is acceptable, that you share the idea in your publication that perhaps some other friends would like to make it possible for their loved ones who have passed away to have a token share in building the Vineyard of the Lord.” (from a communication received by the Project Manager’s office)

One of the local Spiritual Assemblies sponsored

an Arc meeting and invited those who attended to sign a message to sthe Universal House of Justice, which is reproduced here:

“On this day, as [we] gather to rededicate ourselves to the Cause of Baha’u’llah, we give thanks to God. ...

“Through our recognition of His Messenger for this day, our lives have been transformed, our vision Las been re-oriented, and we have been given the unique opportunity to contribute to the building of the long-awaited Kingdom of God on earth.

“We also take this opportunity to remember our beloved believers in Iran who, through their sacrifices, have given us a glimpse of the glorious future that awaits humanity.”

�[Page 26]THe American BAHA'I

26

EDUCATION / SCHOO

The Fertile Teaching Ground at LGBI

green, n.1. the color of growing plants; a color composed of blue and yellow rays, which, mixed in different proportions, exhibit a variety of shades; 2. [pl] green leafy vegetables, as kale, spinach, etc.; “3. a teaching tool used in entry by troops

In Hemingway, South Carolina, entry by troops is gaining a new weapon in the battle for the spiritual conquest of the planet. Greens! Yes, in its many forms, Greens are becoming an ever-increasing tool used in working toward entry by troops.

Many people driving by the Louis G. Gregory Baha'i Institute are attracted to the social and economic development program, the Sustainable Agriculture Experimental Garden. A large sign advertising Greens for sale assists in drawing in the masses. When someone stops to make a purchase a conversation usually begins. Many times it is about the garden, the weather, the family. But, from these informal chats, a conversation inevitably begins to develop about the Louis G. Gregory Baha’{ Institute and the Bahd’f Faith.

One such occurrence began with a gentleman from Conway stopping to buy Greens. After about 45 minutes of questions and answers about the Faith, he shared that the night before he had been praying that Jesus would show him the Truth. He felt that his visit to the garden was not just a coincidence and announced that he would be going back to Conway to contact the local Baha'i community to further investigate the Faith.

There has been much speculation about the role Greens may play in drawing seekers to the Faith. Some have attributed it to the fact that the color green is associated with the Bab and therefore a renewed age of teaching is being ushered in by the Louis G. Gregory Greens. Others are more pragmatic, saying that if people are hungry they will buy Greens. Of course, these same people have no explanation as to why the Greens offered in the local grocery do not produce the same phenomenon.

Needless to say, extensive studies have begun to understand this wonderful event. Anyone interested in participating in this study should contact the Louis G. Gregory Baha'i Institute at their earliest convenience. All are welcome! And, Greens enough for all. *suggested addition to common definitions

Service Opportunities at LGBI “We are building the Kingdom of God, laying the foundations for a spiritual world, holding fast to the Covenant of the All-Mighty One . . . and nothing can stop us now!” As the momentum of the teaching effort increases, the Louis G. Gregory Baha'i Institute finds itself in need of human resources. Pioneering to the South offers the unique

‘ual Foundations for a Global Ci

‘Brilliant Star\ndex Available

Brilliant Star now has a Four Year Index of Brilliant Star issues from 1992-1995 which includes all the back issues that are still available through the Baha‘ Distribution Service. Indexing is done by theme to the Core Curriculum strands and by topics. Teachers and parents will also find many useful references to teaching and race unity.

The index is free to anyone who would like itby sending a stamped, self-addressed legal-size envelope with 55 cents postage to Brilliant Star Index, Baha’i National Center, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201.

WLGI Says “Thanks!”

The friends at WLGI Radio Baha’i want to offer a huge “Thank You” to all of the communities around the country who are sending them their newsletters. It is wonderful for the Bahd’is in South Carolina to be able to see how much is happening in our family across the United States!

However, the focus of the news program on WLGI is what has already happened, not what is going to happen. So, now that WLGI knows what you're going to be doing, they need to hear the results. In other words, what were the effects of the Youth Workshop Performance and how did the deepening class you held on the Kitab-iAgqdas change the quality of Baha’i life in your community? Think about how the news is reported on your favorite radio station and adapt your community “happenings” to that format.

Radio Baha’i is looking forward to hearing all the juicy details! You can send them your news articles to Radio Baha’i,

Hemingway, SC 29554. They also have a fax machine at 803/558-9114.

ization—Update

“A Lamp of Thy knowledge among Thy creatures” is the motto of the Wilmette Institute taken from a prayer revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Baha to Thornton Chase, the first American Baha'i. This motto surrounds the figure of a lamp in the logo of the Institute. A fuller description of this logo appears in the first issue of THe Lamp, a newsletter published by the Wilmette Institute for its Spiritual Foundations for Global Civilization program. THe

opportunity to fulfill several goals of the Three Year Plan.

Currently, a paid position for a parttime cook is available at the Institute. To apply for this position, contact the Department of Human Resources at the Baha’f National Center, 847/8699039. Anyone interested in pioneering, to South Carolina should contact the LGBI at 803/558-5093 for additional information.

Lamp contains program updates, students’ observations, information on upcoming conferences of interests to the faculty and students, messages from the faculty and some feature articles. In addition to Tue Lamp, students from time to time receive copies of specially selected documents as part of an ever-growing collection of informational and reference materials.

When you join this program you become a participant in an international fellowship of serious students of the Baha’ Faith and can benefit from collective and cooperative scholarship activity. For information on the Wilmette Institute

and its programs or to receive a complimentary copy of THe Lamp contact Phyllis Medrano at 847/733-3492.

Winter School at Louhelen

One of the friends leaving the Winter School session at Louhelen wrote the following comment, “Excellent is really an understatement to describe the spiritual and loving atmosphere produced here.”

Over two hundred adults, youth, and children gathered for study focused on The Life and Writings of the Bab, conducted by Mr. Habib Riazati. This lively and challenging session led the participants to a better understanding of the relationship between the Bab and Baha’u’llah and motivated the friends to deeper study and appreciation for the honor of recognizing and serving the Cause of God.

A dedicated and tireless team of teachers also sustained a wonderful program for the children, transforming each classroom into a colorful, intriguing environment with prayer and learning activity centers. The children studied the life of the Bab through devotions, memorization of the Writings, puppet shows, plays, music, and games.

Spring Programs at Louhelen

March 22-24: Islam. This concentrated examination of Islam will include the history of Muhammad, the Scripture of Islam, leadership within Islam, and the Baha’i Writings about Islamic scripture. This study, led by Dr. Ahang Rabbani, will foster increased understanding of progressive revelation and will strengthen our ability to explain the Baha’i teachings to Muslims. A special treat that weekend will be Louhelen’s annual celebration of Naw-Ruz.

April 5-7: Marriage and Childrearing, A Course for Youth. Created for youth at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly, this course is designed to reinforce the foundations of marriage and rearing of children. This session is based on the Sacred Writings and incorporates a variety of activities. Some of the topics covered include: Identifying a Partner, Requesting Parental Consent, Consultation and Communication, and God's Purpose for Humanity.

April 26-28: Junior Youth Institute. This weekend of study is geared toward youth ages 11-15. Along with study, be prepared for fellowship, recreation, consultation, and participation in hands-on activities designed to foster service to the Cause of God.

27

EDUCATION / SCHOOLS

Brazilian Official Encourages Baha’is to be More Involved in th

The Winter School session at Green Acre Baha’i School included historyin-the-making when the Honorable Federal Deputy Luiz Gushiken and his wife, Elisabeth Ferreira Gushiken, of Brazil visited the school December 30.

Following the North American Baha’i Conference on Social and Economic Development in Orlando, Florida, where he was honored by the Rabbani Trust for his visionary action on behalf of the Faith, Mr. Gushiken traveled to Green Acre to address guests and visitors, including members of the local press. His moving presentation described nation to acquaint others, particularly government and world leaders with the Teachings of Bahd‘u’llah as the most potent remedy for the ills that afflict humanity.

is determi In 1992, during the Holy Year, Mr. Gushiken introduced a resolution in the Brazilian congress that resulted in a Solemn Session in the congressional chambers to honor the 100th Anniversary of the Ascension of Baha’u’llah. In 1993, he mobilized 150 members of the Brazilian congress in protest against the secret policy of the Iranian government to eradicate the Baha’i Community in Iran and throughout the world.

Mr. Gushiken has visited the Baha'i World Center twice, where he met with members of the Universal House of Justice. He also serves as a member of the Latin-American Parliament, where he has affirmed such Baha’i principles as the promotion of

Service Opportunities at Green Acre

“Service to the friends is service to the Kingdom of God.”- ‘Abdu’l-Baha. Green Acre Baha’i School invites you to join us in service to the Kingdom of God this summer, to help fulfill the school’s mission as a center for Baha’i learning and fellowship.

Summer Volunteers are offered opportunities for service in the following areas: Program Activities (children’s class teachers and recreation leaders); Food Service (dishwashers, kitchen and dining room assistants); and Maintenance (housekeeping, groundskeeping, gardening and general cleaning). While priority is given to applicants who can commit to a period of service from mid-June through August, offers for shorter periods of service will also be considered. To receive an application for summer volunteer service at Green Acre, please write Green Acre Baha’ School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903, phone 207/439-7200 or email

world citizenship and the need to establish a supranational body for world government.

In his talk at Green Acre, Mr. Gushiken said that although he has not become a Baha’i himself, owing to the fact that he is currently a politician, he has taught the Faith to several members of his family, who have become Bahd’is. Mr. Gushiken emphasized the great need for believers to share the message of the Faith as widely as possible, and in particular, to share the name and station of Bahd’u'll4h with others. He stated his firm belief that humankind’s suffering will be prolonged if this does not happen, as the teachings of Bahd’u’ll4h constitute the remedy the world requires to effect its unity and global peace. He encouraged Baha’is to be more vocal, more visible, more involved in the life of society in order to propagate Baha’u'llah’s transforming principles.

Mr. Gushiken also described legislation he has proposed that would introduce into Brazilian schools a curriculum based on the teachings of the Founders of the world’s major religions, including the Baha’i Revelation, that would emphasize the virtues and values common to all faiths, and demonstrate their essential oneness. Mr. and Mrs Gushiken expressed their interest in pursuing the Baha’i education of their three children, hoping to see them perform a youth year of service ina setting such as Green Acre in the future.

Upcoming at Green Acre

Feb. 9-11—“Each One Bring One” spiritual enrichment weekend for seekers led by Auxiliary Board Member Dr. Eugene Andrews.

Feb. 10-11 & 17-18—Core. Curriculum Training.

Feb. 23-25—Special weekend with Dr. David Ruhe focussing on Baha’u’llah’s life in Persia and Traq and Mrs. Margaret Ruhe reflecting on happiness, marriage and family life, and life at the World Center. Chris and Janet Ruhe will also present an evening, of music.

March 8-10—Special Spiritual Retreat Weekend for the Fast.

Green Acre’s Fellowship Cafe, featuring live music, specialty coffees and desserts, and a bookstore is now open on selected Saturday evenings at Fellowship House, Route 103, Eliot, Maine, beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend. For further information, call (207) 439-7200.

e Life of Society

a |

From left to right, at Green Acre Baha’f School, December 30, 1995, Dr. James Sacco (member of Green Acre Administrative Team), Federal Deputy Luiz Gushiken from

Claudia Marti

Brazilia (holding a cap presented to him by Senator W (from the Office of External Affairs in Brazilia). Ms. Martins served

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as Mr. Gushiken’s translator during his visit.

Bosch Hosts First National Pacific Islander Conference

The first National Pacific Islander Conference will be held at Bosch Baha’{ School this spring, May 10-12, 1996. All Fijian, Samoan, Tongan and other Pacific Islanders are invited to attend. Also, all those interested in teaching

Pacific Islander peoples are welcome. Come and enjoy presentations of cultures, discussion of teaching activities, and learning about the needs of families, children, and communities of Pacific Islanders. We hope that Counsellor Moli Chang Afemata can also be in attendance. Please contact George or Daska Halaholo at 415/596-9635 for further information. A special discounted price has been assigned for this weekend; $85 for adults, $40 for children. The first child attends free, as does the fourth or more. You may register to attend by contacting Bosch Baha’i School at 408/423-3387.

Seeking Expertise to Assist Schools and Institutes

The National Education and Schools Office is currently seeking assistance from individuals in the American Baha'i community who have expertise in the areas of Marketing, Meeting and Planning Professionals, and individuals who have been involved in surveying the public. It is the sincere desire of the National Spiritual Assembly that the permanent schools and institutes become financially selfsufficient. In order to be able to accomplish this, it is felt that expert help and consultation is needed in the following areas:

Survey Professionals—We would like to survey individuals who have attended the permanent schools and institutes and those who live within close proximity to them. Our goal is to be able to better serve and address the needs of the Baha’i community and we feel a professional survey would be of great benefit to the school and institute administrators as they plan future activities. It is our hope that Survey Professionals will be able to help us design a survey that would address these issues.

Marketing Specialists—One area that has not been explored in detail is the marketability of the permanent schools’ and institutes’ facilities. We

have been presented with the opportunity to advertise the availability of our facilities in national directories and would like the assistance of someone who is working in the field of marketing as we begin to develop these advertisements. The goal would be to have individuals who are not yet Baha’is using the facilities when other programs aren't being held, working toward full-capacity attendance at all times.

Meeting and Planning Professionals— In our on-going effort to assist the schools and institutes to become financially self-sufficient, it is felt that guidance from professionals in this field would be valuable. Professionals may be able to address issues for each of the schools and institutes that will not only enable them to better serve the friends, but also save money. Meeting and Planning Professionals may also be able to assist in creating advertisements for national marketing publications.

If you are interested, or know of someone who could assist in these areas, please contact the National Education and Schools Office at the Baha'i National Center, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201 or phone 847/733-3492.

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�[Page 31]Mutk B.E. 152 ¢ Fesruary 7, 1996

31

Ce) ZN

Maury Willows’ passing ends half century of service

The passing last December 19 of Maurice Willows Jr. of Los Angeles brings to an end nearly half a century of selfless service to the Cause, to the Baha’f communities in which he lived and the institutions on which he served.

Mr. Willows, known as “Maury,” belonged to that generation of Baha’is who came to the Faith after World War Il. He served with distinction during the war years, entering the Navy as an enlisted man and leaving active duty asa lieutenant commander. His six promotions in three years made him the Navy’s fastest-rising officer.

He was already an experienced sailor by the war’s outbreak. At the age of 21 he had embarked on a series of scientific expeditions with banking heir Templeton Crocker aboard the luxury schooner Zaca. They made seven voyages in all, each of six months dura

Bahieh Mozaffari Aflatooni, one of the first women to have been elected to a local Spiritual Assembly in Iran, died October 30 in Reno, Nevada. She was elected in 1951 to serve on the Spiritual Assembly of Kirman, Iran, and also served on Iran’s National Youth Committee, National Women’s Committee, and National Publishing Committee. Mrs. Aflatooni and her husband, Houshang, held weekly firesides at their Reno home from 1979-85 at which some 30 people declared their belief in Baha'u'llah.

tion, exploring Central and South America and the islands of the South Pacific.

After the war, Mr. Willows worked in the entertainment business, in film and on stage, with many of the luminaries of his day. The yea 1946 also brought him to the Faith, through Virginia Foster.

His Baha’i experiences paralleled the growth of the Faith from the 1940s to the present. When he made his declaration the L.A. Baha’i Center was in a house. By the time of his death the Center at Rodeo Road and La Cienega had become home to the largest Baha’f community in the U.S.

In 1957, Mr. Willow and his wife, Lois, whom he had married in 1953, moved to Blythe, California, as homefront pioneers. They moved to Honolulu three years later, and both served for many years on that community’s Spiritual Assembly. They returned to Los Angeles in 1967; again, both served on the Assembly for many years.

And then there are the well-known firesides, which have gone on nearly non-stop ona weekly b ince they started in Mr. Willows’s Westwood apartment nearly 50 years ago. These firesides have brought legions of new recruits to the Army of Bahd’u’llah, and many of these have themselves been successful in bringing in even more friends in service to the Blessed Beauty.

During the Holy Year, Mr. Willows. was chosen as one of 19 Bahd’is in the

Helen Marinello, Baha’i for almost 75 years, dies at age 101

Helen Marinello, a Baha’i for almost 75 years, died November 27 at her home in Maywood, Illinois, five days before her 102nd birthday.

Mrs. Marinello helped establish the Maywood Baha‘ community in the early ‘30s and traveled to teach throughout the Midwest with Nettie Tobin and Ruth Moffett in the ‘30s and ‘40s.

She began holding regular firesides in her home on the second Tuesday of each month and continued to do so for more than 60 years until illness forced her to end them last summer.

US. to take part in the Centenary observance of the Ascension of Baha‘u’lldh in the Holy Land.

Last August, Mr. and Mrs. Willows were recognized by the L.A. community for their great service, in an event that was well attended and included

faxed messages from the Universal House of Justice, the National Spiritual Assembly, and many individuals.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Willows had asked that upon his death contributions be made to the L.A. Baha’f Fund, earmarked for the “mortgage fund.”

DEEPLY SYMPATHIZE LOSS TO AMERICAN BAHA’f COMMUNITY MAURY WILLOWS, FAITHFUL SERVANT BAHA’U’LLAH WHOSE CONSTANCY IN TEACHING WORK OVER SEVERAL DECADES HAS LEFT WORTHY EXAMPLE DEVOTION CAUSE GOD. HIS SERVICES AS PIONEER HAWAIIAN ISLANDS INDELIBLY ETCHED ANNALS FAITH. EXTEND LOVING SYMPATHY MEMBERS HIS FAMILY. ASSURE ARDENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HIS SOUL THROUGHOUT

DIVINE WORLDS. THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE DECEMBER 22, 1995

THE LOVING SPIRIT OF MAURY WILLOWS WILL LONG EMBRACE THOSE WHO HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH HIM IN SE! VICE TO HIS LORD. ALTHOUGH W! MOURN THE PASSING OF THIS INDEFATIGABLE SERVANT OF THE BL 3 a

SET BY MAURY WILLOWS AS A TEACHER OF 3 Ss VERLASTING AND WILL REMAIN THE INSPIRATION FOR

ECH THE ALMIGHTY LLSHARE OF DIVINE ) HROUGH ALL THE WORLDS OF GOD. WEO MPATHY TO HIS DEVOTED LOIS AND HIS CHILDREN WHC SS WE SHARE. A LOSS FELT BY ALL THOSE WHOS rs 3 TOUCHED BY THE MESSAGE OF BAHA’U’LLAH THROUGH SUCH A HOLLOW REED.

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF

THE BAHA'IS OF THE UNITED STATES DECEMBER 20, 1995

Mrs. Marinello embraced the Faith in 1921 and was a member of one of the first Chicago-area youth groups which included Leroy and Monroe Ioas, Marjorie McCormick, Zia Bagdadi, Marjorie Ullrich, Lillian Dobbins and Sophie Loeding.

Her marriage in 1928 to Theodore Marinello was one of the first marriage ceremonies ever held at the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.

Mrs. Marinello’s parents, William and Charlotte Barrick, were among the earliest Baha’fs in the U.S., having joined the Faith in 1908 and welcomed “‘Abdu’l-Baha on His visit to America in 1912.

Stalwart teacher, pioneer Marion Hofman dead

PROFOUNDLY LAMENT LOSS DEARLY LOVED, HIGHLY ADMIRED, STALWART HANDMAIDEN BAHA’U’LLAH MARION HOFMAN NOW GATHERED GLORY ABHA KINGDOM. COMMUNITY MOST GREAT NAME ROBBED OF ONE ITS TIRELESS PROMOTERS WHOSE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WERE PRAISED BELOVED GUARDIAN. HER SERVICE NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE UNITED STATES DURING FIRST SEVEN YEAR PLAN, NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY BRITISH ISLES, FIRST AUXILIARY BOARD EUROPE, AND AT WORLD CENTER FAITH LOVINGLY REMEMBERED. HER PROMOTION TEACHING PIONEERING PLANS THROUGHOUT BRITISH COMMUNITY, HER NOTABLE CONTRIBUTION ENRICHMENT BAHA‘l LITERATURE, HER INDOMITABLE FAITH, UNSWERVING DEVOTION COVENANT, COUPLED WITH HER LOVING NATURE, UNFLAGGING ZEAL AND RADIANT SPIRIT, GREATLY AIDED ADVANCEMENT CAUSE GOD. CONFIDENT HER DISTINGUISHED LABORS EXTENDING OVER PERIOD SIX DECADES BRITISH ISLES, UNITED STATES WILL INSPIRE PRESENT FUTURE GENERATIONS BAHA’ IS EMULATE SHINING EXAMPLE HER LIFE. ASSURE FERVENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER NOBLE SOUL. CONVEY OUR LOVING SYMPATHY MEMBERS HER FAMILY. ADVISE HOLD BEFITTING MEMORIAL MEETINGS HER HONOR THROUGHOUT BRITISH ISLES. The Universal House of Justice December 5, 1995

Helen Marinello in a picture taken on her 101st birthday in 1994.

IN MEMORIAM

Alice Hazeltine Green Valley, AZ. November 20, 1995

Yadullah Ighani Baku, Azerbaijan August 1, 1995 Jawaher Islami Riverside, CA November 9, 1995

Esmaeil Agahi Phoenix, AZ November 1, 1995 Elliott Countiss Chicago, IL September 14, 1995 Daniel Defender McLaughlin, SD December 3, 1995 Wilfred Eagle Bear Paul B. Johnson Allen, SD Asheville, NC September 14, 1995 December 22, 1994

Heshmat Farhoumand Ruth Johnson Vienna, VA Asheville, NC November 8, 1995 October 27, 1995 Ellyas Foruzan Fannie Jupnik Citrus Heights, CA Montclair, NJ November 17, 1995 December 5, 1995

Marvin Kedalo Marc L. Stoddard

Goldendale, WA Tucson, AZ June 16, 1995 November 17, 1995 Helen Marinello —_ DesLois Sutherland

North Bend, OR November 26, 1995 Betty Ulius Encinitas, CA November 25, 1995 Maurice Willows

Maywood, IL November 25, 1995 Moses R. McClain Bethesda, MD December 1, 1995. Howard G. Smith

Georgetown, CA __ Beverly Hills, CA September 12, 1995 December 19, 1995 Ruth Somerhalder — Farzin Zargarzadeh Santa Cruz, CA Richmond, CA

November 26, 1995 December 4, 1995

�[Page 32]rs

» BAHA' FAITH

THe American BAHA'I

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

OP Menaul

ry

In October, the Baha'is of Yakima, Washington, sponsored this booth, whose theme was ‘A Call to Unity,’ at the annual Central Washington State Fair. The booth was staffed by 27 volunteers over a 10-day period. Several thousand pamphlets and posters were given away, hundreds of children colored the ‘World Citizen Pass-ports,’ dozens of impromptu firesides were held, and 19 people filled out interest cards asking for more information about the Faith.

Pictured at the booth (left to right) are new believer Kristy Young, Kalisa Fulton,

Ben Tamburro and Jama Reneau.

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

MOVING? TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS.

A. NAME(S):

1D. “Tie 2

1D Aaa Tae

a 1D.* Tite

4.

1D.# Title

C. NEW MAILING ADDRI

‘Sueet address P.O. Box or Other mailing address

‘Apartment # (If applicable) ‘Apartment # (If applicable)

Gy Gity

‘State Zip code ‘State Zip code

D. NEW COMMUNITY: E, HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER:

| | | L | | | | | | I | B- NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: | | | | | | | | | L |

‘Name of new Baht Community ‘Moving date “Area code Phone number ‘Name F, WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S): [__Arsacode Phone namber Name ‘Area code Phone number Name

| G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE:

| o we do not have the same last name.

Wedonowanextacopessopiewe LK] syessielsdo war mach Weave

| cancel the copy forte person) and 1D. tsedabvetealnames at fal met

umber ied above ter as tny shuld open oh eto!

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H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY:

LD. number and address above.

Dabbalsballlualhsilbalbsbsbalhalal

BAHA'f NATIONAL CENTER 112 Linden Avenue IL 60091

Wilmette,

Mutk 8.£. 152 / Fesrvary 7, 1996

receive my owncopy. Ihave listed my name,

the last names and addresses on our | [—] Ourhouscholdreceives only one copy | The American Bah. 1 wish (0

FEBRUARY

ach One Bring One,” seekers’ enrichment weekend, Green Acre

hool. For information, phone 207-439-7200 or fax 207-439-7202. newing the Spirit of the “Fortress for Well-Being,” marriage counselion, Bosch Baha’ School. Also, PIO Rep training facilitated by Trish

n, director of the National Office of Public Information. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

10: 10th annual David Kellum Award program, youth leadership award, Baha’{ House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois. Speaker: Robert C. Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly. Recipients: Young Peoples Network—Kennedy College, and Cabrini Connections—Teacher/ Mentor program (both in Chicago). For information, phone 847-853-2300. This is a teaching event and is open to the public.

10-11: Core Curriculum training session, Green Acre Baha’{ School. For information, phone 207-439-7200 or fax 207-439-7202.

16-18: Baha’i Video/Stage National Conference, Baha’i Center, San Francisco, California. To encourage and inspire Baha’fs to use video and stage for teaching, and consolidation even when they have few resources. For information or to register, phone the San Francisco Baha’{ Center, 415-431-9990 (or fax 415-4319991).

16-18: “Celebrating Marriage,” with Dr. Khalil Khavari and Mrs. Sue Khavari, Louhelen Baha’{ School. For information, phone 810-653-5033, fax 810-653-7181, or e-mail

16-19: Black History Celebration, Bosch Bahd’{ School. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

17-18: Core Curriculum training session, Green Acre Bah4’f School. For information, phone 207-439-7200 or fax 207-439-7202.

22-25: “Race Unity: A Prescription for the Healing of the Nation,” a conference sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Charleston, South Carolina. Conference hotel: The Sheraton Charleston (800-968-3569, mention Bahd’f Race Unity Conference). For conference information, phone 803-727-0691.

23-25: Mystical Conference, Bosch Baha’ School. Also, CORE parent or race unity training. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

9-11 Baha’ _ od

23-25: Special weekend with Dr. David Ruhe (Baha‘u’llih’s life in Persia and Iraq) and Margaret Ruhe (happiness, marriage and family life, life at the World Center), Green Acre Baha’i School. For information, phone 207-439-7200 or fax 207-439-7202.

23-25: Baha’i Conference for Women, Barberville, Florida. Theme: “Developing Our Reality.” Principal speaker: Rebequa Murphy, United Nations Office for the Advancement of Women. Cost: $90 before ener 23, $110 afterward. Registrar: Ana Marcial, Deland, FL 32720. Make checks payable to WINGS. For information, phone Effie Weir, 407-645-3379.

24: Concert celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Spiritual Assembly of Somerville, Massachusetts, Somerville High School. Tickets $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Donations will also be accepted for the Arc Fund and Boston area Baha’i Center. Concert to feature singer Narges Fani, the Boston Area Baha’i Youth Workshop, and others. Send checks payable to “LSA Somerville—Concert” to Haleh Nadji, Somerville, MA 02145.

MARCH

1-3: Rebuilding the Fort ge counseling session, Bosch Baha’i School. Also, computer session facilitated by Carl Fravel. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

8-10: Assistants to Khavari/Gilpatrick training session, facilitated by Counselor Stephen Birkland, Bosch Baha’{ School. For information, phone 408-4233387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

8-10: Special Spiritual Retreat Weekend for the Fast, Green Acre Baha’i School. For information, phone 207-439-7200 or fax 207-439-7202.

15-17: International Women’s Writing Guild, Bosch Baha’ School. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

22-24: “Islam,” Dr. Ahang Rabbani, Louhelen Baha'i School. For information, phone 810-653-5033, fax 810-653-7181, or e-mail

22-24: Youth Deepening Weekend, Bosch Baha'i School. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

26-28: Ninth “Irfan Colloquium” sponsored by the Haj Mehdi Arjmand Memorial Fund and the Institute for Bahd’{ Studies, Baha’{ National Center,

‘2 Wilmette, IL 60091. For information, phone 847-733-3425, fax 847-733-3563, or e-mail

29-31: Irfan Colloquium, sponsored by the Haj Mehdi Arjmand Memorial

Fund, Baha’ National Center, Evanston, Illinois. Focusing on criticisms of and attacks on the Faith and how to respond to them. For information, phone Lynnea Yancy, 847-733-3548, fax 847-733-3563, or e-mail

30: Annual conference of the Association for Baha’i Studies Mid-Atlantic Group, American University, Washington, D.C. Theme—"A Call to World Order: The Turning Point for All Nations.” For registration information, please contact Janet Richards, Yardville, NJ 08620, or phone 609-5856120.

30-April 2: Children’s Academy I, Bosch Baha’ School. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

APRIL.

5-7: Eagle Institute: A Weekend Youth Workshop, Louhelen Baha’f School. For information, phone 810-653-5033, fax 810-653-7181, or e-mail

8-11: Children’s Academy II, Bosch Baha’f School. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

12-14: Women in the Arts and Course on Meditation, Bosch Baha’{ School. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

32

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