The American Bahá’í/Volume 27/Issue 10/Text

←Previous

The American Bahá’í Volume 27, Issue 10

Next→

Return to PDF view Proofread once

[Page 1]

Recognition of services is appropriate

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

Dear Bahá’í friends,

One of the friends in the United States has raised with the Universal House of Justice a question about the publication of the names of the members of your Assembly and of your national committees in your Annual Report and, indeed, has questioned the propriety of mentioning in the body of reports the names of individuals who have rendered specific services, feeling that such actions border on electioneering.

Since this is a question that seems to be a recurring topic in your country, the House of Justice has asked us to send you the enclosed copy of the reply which we have written on its instruction. We do not include the name of the believer concerned, in order to preserve confidentiality. The House of Justice trusts that this communication may be of assistance to you in responding to other similar reactions.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Universal House of Justice Department of the Secretariat August 18, 1996

FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Dear Bahá’í friend,

The Universal House of Justice has received your fax letter of May 2, 1996, and appreciates your clearly heartfelt concern that reports of Assemblies should be presented in ways which are in accordance with Bahá’í standards of propriety and that any suggestion of electioneering be avoided. It has asked us to send you the following reply.

Electioneering is a practice foreign to the spirit of Bahá’í administration. However, it is necessary to distinguish between electioneering and those activities which should be entirely natural and normal in Bahá’í communities. Bahá’ís travel and teach the Faith, they go pioneering, they represent the Faith in relation to non-Bahá’í agencies, they serve in positions of responsibility. There is no reason why such services should be carried on anonymously. Bahá’í voters have to acquire the maturity to estimate the character and true capacities of their fellow-believers, to be able to distinguish between a person who is self-sacrificingly serving the Cause with all due modesty, and one whose activities are carried out with the primary purpose of bringing himself or herself to the attention of the friends.

Bahá’ís, nevertheless, are subject to all the pressures and standards of the prevalent culture of the society in which

WILMETTE INSTITUTE

1997-98 focus is on individual, family

The Wilmette Institute has completed planning the curriculum for its 1997-98 Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization program, which will focus on developing the individual and the family.

The curriculum will begin with a discussion of the nature of human beings before turning to physical, intellectual and spiritual development.

Intellectual development will draw heavily on developmental and clinical psychology; spiritual development will examine Bahá’í principles of spirituality, especially prayer, fasting, deepening, Bahá’í laws and virtues.

Family development will cover four areas: marriage, parenthood, children's education and family life.

Other sections of the course will center on the individual and institutions (emphasizing issues of Covenant, obedience and freedom) and the individual and the community (covering interpersonal relations and cooperation versus competition).

Bahá’í history and scripture are topics covered by the Institute's curriculum every year.

The 1997-98 Bahá’í history curriculum will cover the life of Bahá’u’lláh from 1863 to 1892 and the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, with special emphasis on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as Exemplar, thus reinforcing the theme of personal development.

The Bahá’í scripture curriculum will focus on Bahá’u’lláh's mystical writings (The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, The Hidden Words), the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed after the Aqdas.

The curriculum, which includes both a home study program and residential session, also features workshops on teaching the Faith and a seminar on writing skills.

The 1997-98 Institute begins next May 1 with two months of introductory reading and home study exercises to prepare students for the residential aspect.

The three-week residential session will be held July 18 to August 10 at National-Louis University in Wilmette, Illinois.

Besides classes, the session will include field trips, opportunities for service at the Bahá’í House of Worship and National Center offices, homework and informal programs.

It will be followed by six months of

Huqúqu’lláh board adds 2 members

The Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh informed the American Bahá’í community in a letter dated November 13 that it has expanded its membership, with new members Stephen Birkland and Thelma Khelghati bringing to five the number of Trustees serving the community.

The addition of these new members, the Board writes, "will assuredly strengthen the Board in fulfilling its duties and services to the sacred institution of Huqúqu’lláh.

"Payments of Huqúqu’lláh, as before, should be sent to one of the Trustees and inquiries referred to one of the Trustees or to the Office of the Secretariat."

Counselor Birkland and Mrs. Khelghati join Drs. Elsie Austin, Amin Banani and Daryush Haghighi as members of the Board.

Dr. Haghighi's responsibilities include the Office of the Secretariat, whose address is 21300 Avalon Drive, Rocky River, OH 44116. Phone 216-333-1506; fax 216-333-6938; e-mail

"It is our ardent hope," the Board wrote in its letter of November 13, "that through the combined efforts of the institutions and further initiatives by Spiritual Assemblies in arranging for special deepening sessions and annual programs at Bahá’í schools, the process of ongoing education of the friends in Huqúqu’lláh will be continued so that obedience to this sacred injunction and adherence to its provisions becomes an integral aspect of our daily lives and we may gain the privilege and bounty of abiding by the precepts of this binding and divine commandment." [Page 2]

Bahá’ís from D.C. undertake 2,250-mile trip to teach Faith

Inspired by the urgency of the Four Year Plan, three Bahá’ís from Washington, D.C., recently undertook a 2,250-mile trip through Arizona and New Mexico to teach the Cause. Frances Coley, Ouida Coley and Zylpha Mapp Robinson visited Albuquerque, Belen, Regina, Gallup, Zuni and Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Tsaile, Chinle, Canyon De Chelly, Navajoland, Fort Defiance, Window Rock, Houck, Keams Canyon, Flagstaff and Holbrook, Arizona, before returning to Albuquerque.

Besides a visit to the Native American Bahá’í Institute in Houck, Arizona, one of the highlights of the visit was time spent with the Yazzie family at Spider Rock in Canyon De Chelly. Martha Yazzie, a highly skilled weaver, became a Bahá’í about a year ago and brought her family into the Faith. Her husband, Stanley, is a guide in Canyon De Chelly.

The Yazzies took the group to the site at which the Bahá’ís of Chinle had recently held a Nineteen Day Feast in the canyon. The visiting Bahá’ís had been introduced to Mrs. Yazzie at the Navajo Nation's golden anniversary celebration in Window Rock, where they were helping to man the Bahá’í booth.

Pictured (left to right) with the Yazzie family during a recent visit to Canyon De Chelly, Arizona, are Bahá’ís Ouida Coley (left), Frances Coley (second from right) and Zylpha Mapp Robinson (right), all of Washington, D.C. The Yazzies, Stanley and Martha, who are also Bahá’ís, and their two youngest children complete the group.

Bahá’ís in Snohomish County, WA, receive Human Services Award for work at shelter

On October 24, the Bahá’ís of Snohomish County, Washington, received the 1996 Human Services Council Collaboration Award for their volunteer work at the Bethany Shelter for homeless families. Eleven churches and one Jewish Temple received similar awards for their work at the shelter, which is in nearby Everett.

A representative of the sponsoring Spiritual Assembly of Mukilteo accepted the award on behalf of the 38 Bahá’í volunteers from nine communities. The award ceremony, attended by more than 300 community, business and religious leaders, included a keynote address by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington.

Bethany Shelter, which has two full-time employees and a volunteer base of more than 400, has provided more than 20,000 bed nights, 55,000 meals and 50,000 hours of volunteer service since it opened in 1991. Bahá’ís began volunteer work at the shelter in 1993.

Association for Bahá’í Studies holds 20th annual Conference

More than 700 members of the Association for Bahá’í Studies gathered September 26-29 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada for the 20th annual Conference of the ABS and last in the three-part series entitled Anarchy into Order.

The main topic, "Creating Better Governance," was addressed in plenary sessions and workshops by 120 presenters. As this was the first ABS Conference to be held on the Canadian prairies, it offered the first opportunity for Bahá’í scholars from that area to host their colleagues.

Among the more notable features of this year's event were the involvement of community leaders, a celebration of the arts, and a children's conference on moral leadership for the 125 children who were present at the Conference.

The annual H.M. Balyuzi Memorial Lecture was presented by Professor Emeritus Ross Woodman of London, Ontario, whose topic was "The Role of the Feminine in the Bahá’í Faith." His presentation was recorded and will soon be published in The Journal of Bahá’í Studies.

Counselors Abdu’l-Missagh Ghadirian and David Smith made plenary presentations, while the secretaries of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Alaska, the U.S. and United Kingdom joined seven members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada in supporting the event.

Among the many distinguished guests were Knights of Bahá’u’lláh Audrey Robarts, Carol and Dwight Allen, Joan and Ted Anderson, Una Dean Townshend, Sheila Banani, and Gale and Jameson Bond.

On Thursday and Friday, 26 workshop sessions featured presentations from youth to senior citizens, from poets to community developers, from academics to political leaders to senior Bahá’í administrators.

Plenary sessions began Friday evening with a keynote address by Robert Henderson, secretary-general of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, on the Administrative Order of Bahá’u’lláh as a new model of governance.

Afterward, Mrs. Arini Beaumaris, the new principal of Canada's Maxwell International Bahá’í School, offered an Australian perspective on the topic.

On Saturday, presentations by Counselor Smith and David Kilgour, deputy speaker of the House of Commons, on moral leadership were followed by talks on citizenship by Susanne Temas of Ottawa; Charlach MacIntosh, chief commissioner of the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission; and Joan Crockatt, managing editor of the Calgary Herald.

Saturday afternoon's panel discussion on aboriginal governance was led by Cheryl Fennell, a policy adviser for the government of the Northwest Territories. The panelists included Marge Friedel, spokesperson for the National Métis Women of Canada, and Dr. Eleanor Sioui, an author, poet, clan mother and medicine woman.

The Sunday morning presentations on the role of religion on society were given by Dr. June Thomas, professor of urban studies at Michigan State University; Hugh Adamson, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom; and writer/editor Wendy Heller.

A final view of community development was offered by Dr. Glen Eyford, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada.

The parallel children's conference featured several of the presenters from the main sessions.

The Conference finale included a dramatic presentation by youth and songs by the children. The youth presented a daring demonstration of anarchy into order, from chaos in a darkened hall to illumination by the seven candles of unity which were carried around the auditorium.

A deliberate effort was made to involve local artists in the planning and presentation of the Conference. Not only was there an art gallery displaying the works of regional artists from the Association, performing artists were invited to introduce workshops and to perform between plenary sessions.

Two evenings of fun-filled entertainment were organized, and a presentation of chamber music followed the keynote address. Saturday evening's program included poetry, slides of paintings, modern dance, vocal and instrumental music.

Tapes of plenary talks are available from Unity Arts, 26 Concourse Gate, Nepean, Ontario K2E 7T7. Phone 800-465-3287; fax 613-727-3704; e-mail

Anyone interested in membership in the Association is invited to write to the Association for Bahá’í Studies, 34 Copernicus St., Ottawa, Ontario KIN 7K4, Canada (phone 613-233-1903; fax 613-233-3644).

Next year's annual Conference will be held in the Washington, D.C., area.

The Guardian and the Universal House of Justice have strongly urged the Bahá’ís to treat the Greatest Name with the utmost respect and dignity. The National Spiritual Assembly discourages the use of the Greatest Name in contacts with the media. It is not advisable for Bahá’ís to pose for newspaper photographs holding the Greatest Name or portraits of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. [Page 3]

Fairfax, VA, 'coalitions' build teaching bridges

By PAUL OLSON

The Faith encourages us to teach in a variety of ways to attract every soul on the planet to learn about and love Bahá’u’lláh and the wonderful gifts He has brought mankind.

We are directed to associate with people who have similar interests and who are most apt to have the openness to hear and possibly accept the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

Fairfax County, Virginia, is forming "community coalitions" from groups of individuals at the grassroots who are asked to find areas in their community that need help, and then bring the community together to solve these problems.

In short, they are to "unify" the community.

The coalitions are seen as the last hope of solving the many problems we see in our society today: drugs, violence, teenage pregnancies, gangs or any others.

These community coalitions are non-political, but they have the support of politicians throughout the area. Each coalition receives $10,000 a year in federal funds through the states which is administered through the school system.

The level of cooperation with the coalitions has been enthusiastic and without any roadblocks.

My experience with the Greater Herndon Community Coalition (GHCC) began some time ago. The GHCC is about two years old and was initially coordinated by my neighbor and friend, Susie Powell.

When she told me about the coalition, I offered to help. Since then the group has grown from a handful to a group so large we cannot define it.

Each month the coalition meets at Herndon High School. Principals from all the local schools attend the meetings along with the chief of police, social workers, counselors, interested parents, representatives from the teen center and local community center, teachers, school board members, local supervisors and members of groups such as the churches.

The opportunities to meet a wide variety of people in one place working on common goals are truly exciting. These individuals are not paid to take part, but want to be of service to their community.

It is heartening to see that the vision we have as human beings is universal. The coalition is about building relationships that eventually lead to friendship, trust, and a willingness to learn more about why one is involved in the coalition, which in turns leads to mentioning the Faith.

It isn't long before you have many opportunities to teach.

My experience has been that you have to earn the respect of those around you first before they open their minds and hearts to what you have to say, and then it seems to be hard to keep them from bringing up the Faith or something related to it.

As Bahá’ís, we can serve in facilitating consultation, unifying the community, attracting religious groups, and in ways that are only bound by our creativity.

I have found it refreshing to meet with clergy who are trying to bring the various religions together to help with the coalition.

They recognize the polarization among religious groups and between religion and society as a whole, and acknowledge that it should not be this way.

They also, interestingly, express responsibility for helping to create this situation and a desire to change the relationship of religon and society from a fractionalized one to one of being a unified part of society.

At our last meeting, they were deeply moved after hearing a prayer by Bahá’u’lláh—those beautiful pearls of heavenly utterances wrapped in the artistry of poetry.

Within the Herndon Coalition, I have agreed to implement a program called Character Counts. The plan is to encourage the schools to add a character program to their curriculum, starting with kindergarten and going through 12th grade.

In addition to the program in the schools, the coalition will have the character theme reinforced at the community center, teen club, all sports activities and local community activities. The issue of good character and being a good citizen is, in fact, teaching values.

At this time in our country's history, it seems there is an acceptance to teach certain universal behaviors to effect a change for the better. Otherwise, there seems to be no other way to correct many of our problems such as disrespect for teachers and other authorities, lack of self-respect, etc.

The Character Counts program revolves around six pillars, or virtues: responsibility, respect, honesty, caring, citizenship, and fairness. Such a program could be taught in many situations, including Bahá’í schools and Christian Sunday schools.

The GHCC is focused primarily on helping the younger people in our community in a variety of ways, but also is trying to reach out to other groups at risk. These risk factors include poverty, lack of education, and lack of parenting skills and life skills in general.

Programs such as after-school homework centers, ESL classes, buddy programs, and community center activities for children are a few of the ways to help.

We have also put together panels to discuss problems between adults and teens at the high school level. The response to this program was greater than anything else in 20 years, reported one longtime faculty member.

I hope that I have been able to share with you the excitement and potential within these coalitions, not only to be of service to our fellow man, which is of course our goal in life as Bahá’ís, but also as a means to work alongside those who share similar goals.

True success in teaching comes about by building a relationship with someone and then sharing the Faith with him/her over a period of time.

By teaching more and more, one day something will break down the walls, or "clouds," as Bahá’u’lláh refers to them in The Book of Certitude, and a flood of troops will enter the Faith. This is one way that mass teaching can be viewed and it seems, at least to this writer, one of the most effective and powerful ways to teach the Faith.

Take the time to look into the coalition in your area or, if there is not one active, think about starting one. There are tremendous supports to help you.

Bahá’ís of Oxnard, CA, earn praise, prize with parade float in goal city

The Bahá’ís of Oxnard, California, entered a float and hosted a booth in this year's Harbor Days parade and festival in their goal city, Port Hueneme.

The parade theme was "Wave of the Future," and the Bahá’í float's banner read "Wave of the Future: Recognition of the Oneness of Mankind."

As the Bahá’í entry passed the judges' stand in the locally televised event, a description submitted by the Spiritual Assembly that included quotations from the Writings was read.

The Bahá’í float won the parade's second-place trophy.

This was the first year in which the Bahá’ís were allowed to have a booth at the Festival, in part because of the favorable reaction to an appearance in last year's parade by the Los Angeles Bahá’í Youth Workshop.

Mark your calendar now and plan to attend the 88th Bahá’í National Convention next April 24-27 at the Holiday Inn O'Hare in Rosemont, Illinois.

The Workshop was invited back this year by Festival organizers but was unable to appear. Instead, the Bahá’ís invited well-received performing groups from San Diego and Santa Barbara.

Meanwhile, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors had proclaimed October Cultural Diversity Month and planned a month-long celebration culminating in an awards dinner.

Responding to requests for nominations of those promoting cultural diversity, the Bahá’ís of Oxnard nominated the Port Hueneme Harbor Days activities and an individual Bahá’í for awards.

The Spiritual Assembly of Ventura submitted two nominees, and all three were chosen by the board to receive awards.

Also, the board chose the Bahá’ís of Oxnard for one of two Cultural Diversity Month awards worth $100.

The prize money, which was presented at the dinner attended by dignitaries and community leaders, was given with proceeds from the sale of T-shirts at the Harbor Days booth to the Ventura County Rescue Mission for the Homeless.

RECOGNITION RECOGNITION OF THE OF THE ONENESS ONENESS MANKIND OF MANKIND LOOK MOT UPON A MAN'S COLOR OUT WAS HEARTH

Pictured is the float entered by the Bahá’ís of Oxnard, California, in this year's Harbor Days parade and festival in the nearby goal city of Port Hueneme. [Page 4]

Pioneering

House of Justice sets new goals for overseas service

To the Bahá’ís of the World

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

In June 1993 we raised the call for pioneers, both long-term and short-term, and traveling teachers for the Three Year Plan. We are now happy to announce that some 10,600 friends arose to serve the Faith outside the bounds of their homelands during the three years, evoking our admiration and pride. Of particular significance was the number of youth who dedicated periods of service to the Faith.

The Bahá’í world is currently launched upon the Four Year Plan, determined to advance the process of entry by troops. Pioneers and traveling teachers can make significant contributions to the furthering of this aim. Imbued with the spirit of humility, love and detachment, they can reinforce the work of the friends in every land in their efforts to increase the strength and influence of the Bahá’í community by the end of this century.

National Spiritual Assemblies will soon be asked to adopt numerical goals for pioneers and traveling teachers to go forth from their countries to serve in the international field. We call upon the believers everywhere to ensure, through their enthusiastic response, that these goals are not only met but surpassed. Information about pioneer needs is contained in a document prepared by the International Teaching Center and is available to you through the agencies of your National Assemblies and through the Auxiliary Board members and their assistants.

The prospects before us as the Plan unfolds is one to thrill every Bahá’í heart; the need of our fellow human beings for the Message of Bahá’u’lláh becomes more urgent day by day; ardent, willing and capable servants of the Cause are required in many lands and for many functions. That His eager followers in every community will arise with devotion, audacity and determination to advance His Cause is the longing of our hearts and the object of our fervent prayers at the Sacred Threshold.

The Universal House of Justice September 15, 1996

On October 22, the National Spiritual Assembly received the document referred to in the letter above and we share with you the summary of the categories and the countries so that you may give consideration to those areas that best suit your talents and capacities as you make your plans and preparations for serving our beloved Cause internationally.

Countries and territories in need of pioneers and traveling teachers—September 1996

Category 1

The following are countries and territories where the needs are especially pressing.

AFRICA—Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Lesotho

AUSTRALASIA—Cook Islands, French Polynesia

EUROPE—Yugoslavia

Category 2

The following are countries and territories where the Faith is established, but pioneers are needed to stimulate the process of growth and to assist in the opening of new centers.

AFRICA—Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Cape Verde, Eritrea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Namibia, Niger, Réunion, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, St. Helena (South Africa), Tanzania, Uganda

AMERICAS—Argentina, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Chile, Chiloe Island, Dominica, East Leeward Islands, Easter Island, Falkland Islands, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Galapagos Islands, Guatemala, Jamaica, Juan Fernandez Islands, Martinique, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Turks and Caicos Islands, Venezuela, Virgin Islands, West Leeward Islands

ASIA—Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Armenia, Asiatic Russia (including Sakhalin), Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Korea (South), Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Ogasawara Islands, Ryukyu Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

AUSTRALASIA—Christmas Island, Eastern Caroline Islands, Fiji Islands, Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands, Norfolk Islands, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Caroline Islands

EUROPE—Albania, Andorra, Azores, Balearic Islands, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Channel Islands, Corsica, Croatia, Cyprus (Northern), Cyprus (Southern), Czech Republic, Denmark, Elba, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macedonia, Madeira Island, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Sardinia, Sicily, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spitsbergen, Ukraine

Category 3

The following are countries and territories where the process of expansion and consolidation has a significant momentum, but there is a need for pioneers who can undertake specific tasks, such as arousing the interest of prominent people, strengthening the communities in certain areas, or assisting with projects of social and economic development.

AFRICA—Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rodrigues, South Africa, Swaziland, Togo, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe

AMERICAS—Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay

ASIA—Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Taiwan

AUSTRALASIA—Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa

EUROPE—Canary Islands, Iceland

Category 4

The following are countries and territories where pioneers are greatly needed, but entry is difficult because of restrictions on Bahá’í activity, lack of security, or other circumstances. These conditions present a need for believers who will resourcefully seek out opportunities for pioneering.

AFRICA—Angola, Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Liberia, Mauritania, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan

AMERICAS—Cuba, Haiti, St. Pierre and Miquelon

ASIA—Afghanistan, Bhutan, Brunei, Indonesia, Korea (North), Laos, Maldives, Myanmar, Tajikistan, Vietnam

AUSTRALASIA—Wallis and Futuna

Books Available

Now available: A Manual for Pioneers, an enlightening and light-hearted book written by the Hand of the Cause of God Rúhíyyih Rabbání, for $5, and Quickeners of Mankind, the only compilation of the Bahá’í Writings on pioneering including the Writings of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, the Universal House of Justice, Hands of the Cause of God, and Counselors, for $1.50. We encourage everyone to order these wonderful and informative publications by contacting the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette IL 60091 (phone 847-733-3508; fax 847-733-3509; e-mail).

Travel and Teaching Reporting

It is evident that larger numbers of Bahá’ís are becoming aware 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." To make your contribution to keeping records toward this important goal, please note the following information: the Office of Pioneering needs information about your international trips of any nature, since the beginning of the Four Year Plan (May 1, 1996). Please include the names of all countries and main localities visited, the dates of your trip, the names of all Bahá’ís traveling, and the main purpose of your travel. Business trips, personal projects, vacation trips, family visits, conferences, meetings and teaching projects, among others, are all included in these statistics and duly designated. Please inform the National Teaching Office about those trips taken on the homefront for which some teaching activity was included.

To make this easier for you, simply fill out and send us the short form below by mail or by fax, or tell us by phone or e-mail 24 hours a day. For travel on the homefront, please report to the National Teaching Office, 847-733-3494 (fax 847-733-3502; e-mail). For international travel: the Office of Pioneering, 847-733-3511 (fax 847-733-3509; email). We look forward to hearing from you.

If you have traveled internationally, please return this form to the Office of Pioneering. If you have traveled to teach within the United States, please return this form to the National Teaching Office. The address for both is: 1233 Central St., Evanston IL 60201. Fax: (847) 733-3509

Names: Street: COUNTRIES or LOCALITIES: City, State, Zip: DATES FROM: TO: MAIN PURPOSE: Comments: I.D. #s: [Page 5]

We Are Bahá’ís Facilitator's Handbook and Cassette

$3.50 SC w/CS (WABFH)

This course, developed and distributed by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, has as its essential purpose to evoke the spirit of the Faith and to make every new Bahá’í feel loved and welcomed into the Bahá’í community. The course is a companion to the book So Great an Honor, which is a book intended as an overview for new believers. The Facilitator's Handbook includes a cassette tape with additional instructions for the faciltator and a selection of suitable music.

FACILITATOR REFERS 8½"x11", 24 pp. National Education Committee

We Are Bahá’ís Participant's Handbook

$1.50 SC (WABPH)

The Participant's Handbook is the companion piece to the Facilitator's Handbook. For the new believer this program was designed to assist them in their path of self-directed learning of the creative word. To accomplish this, the program is structured using a learning model derived from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Most learning experiences start and end with knowledge and wisdom, but using this model the learner can achieve a deeper level of understanding. He or she internalizes what is learned by applying it to his or her own everyday experiences and actions.

8½"x11", 32 pp. National Education Committee

GIVE THE GIFT OF MUSIC!

Pavone International wishes to announce the release of a very exciting Ayyam-i-Há Gift Package consisting of four albums: Happy Ayyam-i-Há, The Lote Tree, Selections from the Bahá’í Writings, and The Royal Falcon (see descriptions below). This wonderful set of music has been specially priced, and all four are presented in a special package perfect for gift giving. (Albums may also be purchased separately if desired.)

Ayyam-i-Há Gift Pack, 4 CD Set $39.00 (AGPCD) Ayyam-i-Há Gift Pack, 4 CS Set $29.00 (AGPCS)

Happy Ayyam-i-Há

$14.00 CD (HACD), $11.00 CS (HACS)

This album received the Christian Angel Award in 1979 for the best children's album of the year, the first non-Christian work to ever receive this award. This re-release of a classic blends the warm storytelling abilities of Hand of the Cause of God William Sears with memorable sing-alongs performed by children. Mr. Sears himself understood the timelessness of this album, stating that it would be appreciated for generations to come.

Pavone International

The Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice

$2.00 SC (GUHJ)

This book contains four historically significant messages of the Universal House of Justice that thoroughly examine issues related to the passing of Shoghi Effendi, the end of the line of Guardians, and the establishment of infallibility of the Universal House of Justice. The letters explore questions and concerns that arose in the minds of the believers at that time, provide the divine guidance that sheds illuminations and resolves those concerns, and illustrate the inviolability of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh. An understanding of the contents of these messages is essential for a firm grounding in some of the fundamental verities of Bahá’u’lláh's teachings. Although these messages were previously published in compilations of messages of the Universal House of Justice, they are now readily available in this inexpensive form that is ideal for individual or group study.

5½"x8", 44 pp. Palabra Publications

The Lote Tree

$14.00 CD (LTCD), $11.00 CS (LTCS)

A musical drama about the Central Figures of the Bahá’í Faith narrated by Hand of the Cause of God William Sears. The heart-rending recollections and sincere love of Mr. Sears for the Guardian evident in this work will especially move and inspire the listener. The narration is accompanied by beautiful songs written by Seals and Crofts and Walter Heath that help to bring us closer to the human side of these exalted figures. The album ends with previously recorded songs by Seals and Crofts.

Pavone International

Selections from the Bahá’í Writings by Paul Parrish

$14.00 CD (SBWCD), $11.00 CS (SBWCS)

Paul Parrish was once one of the most sought-after artists in the music industry, spoken of as one of the great modern composers of our time. He loved music but hated the music business. For this reason Paul always avoided commercial success. In the late eighties Paul became a Bahá’í and became intoxicated with the writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Immediately he began to set the writings of the Faith to music, and this album is the result of the impact of the words of Bahá’u’lláh on his art.

Pavone International

The Land of Mystery Bahá’u’lláh by Alex Zografov

$16.95 CD (LMCD), $10.95 CS (LMCS)

Fasten your seatbelt, put your chair backs and food trays in the upright position and prepare to experience a unique and mystical journey. Travel Destination: The ancient land of Thrace (Adrianople), designated by Bahá’u’lláh as "The Land of Mystery". You will find yourself transported by ethereal vocal renditions of ancient folk melodies and chants that soar on modern wings fueled by today's driving rhythms. The Land of Mystery is a fresh, uplifting blend of ancient and modern music celebrating the "Blessed Beauty" as revealed in the "Greatest Name of God". Grab your boarding pass and travel light, no luggage required.

54 minutes Unity Arts

The Royal Falcon Parrish & Toppano

$14.00 CD (RFCD), $11.00 CS (RFCS)

Paul Parrish and Ren Toppano's album The Royal Falcon received great reviews throughout Europe and South Africa. They recently returned from an extensive trip throughout those areas. Through radio, television, and press they reached millions of people with the message of Bahá’u’lláh as they paid tribute to Him in their music.

Pavone International [Page 6]

BAHÁ’Í DISTRIBUTION SERVICE

Crystallizations 20 Works by Bahá’í Authors $19.95 SC (CRY)

Crystallizations provides 20 very different and fascinating inner perspectives on the Bahá’í Faith, unveiled and explored by 19 creative writers. No previous volume on the Faith has so adventurously tapped into its cultural richness, its power to quicken the imagination of such diverse artists as Juliet Thompson, Horace Holley, Roger White, Otto Donald Rogers, Ann Boyles, Jalalíyyíh Quinn, and Larry Rowdon. Here for all to see is the whole soul in activity.

6"x9", 291 pp. Association for Bahá’í Studies

Law and International Order compiled by The Táhirih Institute $17.95 SC (LIO)

Seven essays, addressing one of the most significant issues facing humankind as we stand at the dawn of the millenium and on the threshold of a new World Order. This book contains keynote presentations from the first European Bahá’í Conference on Law and International Order, held in the Netherlands, 1995.

Authors and essay titles: • Kiser Barnes, "The Theme of Service in the Evolving World Order of Bahá’u’lláh" and "The Nature of Bahá’í Law" • Coleen Dawes, "Service to Mankind through the Legal Profession" • Pieter van Dijk, "Universality of Human Rights, Tolerance and Freedom of Religion" • Wendi Momen, "How Close Are We to the Lesser Peace?" • Udo Schaefer, "Crime and Punishment" • Christopher Sprung, "Bahá’í Institutions and Human Governance".

5"x8", 224 pp., foreword, bibliography, biographical notes Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United Kingdom

The Eco Principle Ecology and Economics in Symbiosis by Arthur Lyon Dahl $21.95 SC (EPEES)

At a time when most societies have lost all control and direction, this book not only explains why present economic and political systems are not working, but integrates economic, environmental, social and spiritual dimensions into a new paradigm for understanding and changing them. Instead of our usual thinking in terms of mechanical analogies and essentially static entities, the author introduces the notion of Ecos. This, he argues, provides a more accurate portrayal of the real world as a complex "nested" structure of interacting, dynamic and constantly changing systems. He then applies this analytical approach based on the time-proven organic systems of the natural world to our understanding of human institutions. He shows how these are not immutable, but shaped by our values and understandings. This opens the way to a more integrated view of the solutions required for the economic, environmental and social problems we face.

5½"x8", 180 pp., bibliography, Index. George Ronald Publisher, Zed Books Ltd.

Translation of the French Foot-Notes from The Dawn-Breakers translated by Emily McBride Perigord $6.95 SC (TFF)

English translations of the French footnotes found throughout The Dawn-Breakers.

6"x9", 83 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United States

Take Me Up by Mary Davis $15.00 CD (TMUCD), $10.00 CS (TMUCS)

"One of the most purely melodious voices in existence today" (Marvin "Doc" Holiday), Mary Davis is a familiar voice in the Bahá’í community, having traveled internationally and appeared at numerous conferences including the 1986 International Peace Conference in San Francisco with her well-known song "Woman You Are the Key to Peace," as well as productions by Jimmy Seals and Jack Lenz. With a "crystal clear voice that speaks the language of the soul" (Red Grammer), she has woven together in her third production of original material, Take me Up, the inspiration of her Faith—the metaphors of this earthly life—and the principles by which she strives to live, to create a tapestry of her spiritual journey.

44 minutes Windflower Music

To the Glory of God Eric Dozier and Friends $17.95 CD (TGGCD), $11.95 CS (TGGCS)

Ever feel like you are going through the motions of being a Bahá’í and want your soul to be stirred again with love for Bahá’u’lláh? Try To the Glory of God, the latest gospel recording featuring inspirational music from Eric Dozier and Friends. Before becoming a Bahá’í, Eric was minister of music at several churches and was the director of the Duke University Modern Black Mass Choir. Since becoming a Bahá’í, Eric has performed at the Bahá’í National Convention, the Martin Luther King Jr. March in Atlanta, and conferences and summer schools around the nation. His knowledge of the Bible and strong Christian background make this recording an excellent teaching tool.

55 minutes Vanguard Music Productions

The True Foundation of All Economics compiled by Hooshmand Badi'i $9.95 SC (TFAE)

The True Foundation of All Economics is a compilation of extracts from the Bahá’í writings that help the reader examine the relationship of economics to other basic teachings of the Bahá’í Faith, including health, education, the status of women, the environment and the purpose of humankind's life on earth: to acquire virtues and carry forward an ever-advancing civilization. This book serves as a stepping stone for further pursuits into the vast subject of the relationship between economics, the most earthly of subjects, and spirituality, the most heavenly of realms.

5"x8", 194 pp. Hooshmand Badi'i

William Henry Randall Disciple of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by Bahiyyih Randall-Winckler with M. R. Garis $19.99 SC (WHR)

William Henry Randall is the compelling account of the life of the man described by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as "my spiritual associate ... my participator and co-sharer!" Drawing on the previously unpublished daily diaries of two early pilgrimages (1919 and 1922), this fascinating book provides unique glimpses into the life of the Holy Family, and offers an intimate portrait of the history of the Faith in America and the difficulties and challenges that faced the early Western believers.

5¼"x8", 276 pp., foreword, photographs, appendices, Index Oneworld

Hope Jewels from the Words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá $5.95 SC (HS)

The fifth in the Jewels series presents extracts from the writings and utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on the theme of hope—hope for the individual through seeking the bounties of God, and the blessings to be obtained through following the life of the spirit and service to humanity.

6"x6", 40 p., bibliography, references Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United Kingdom

An Introduction to the Bahá’í Faith An Informational Course for the General Public prepared by Khalil A. and Sue Williston Khavari $7.95 SC (IBFC)

This coursebook was designed specifically to aid Bahá’ís in presenting the Bahá’í Faith to audiences in a public forum or classroom setting. This course not only presents systematically the basics of the Bahá’í Faith, including history, beliefs, practices, and administration, it also helps prepare the teacher through outlines of course procedures and objectives. Includes sample handouts, letters, announcements, overhead transparencies and a brief appendix on public speaking.

8½"x11", GBC bound, approx. 90 pp. Khalil and Sue Khavari

Bahá’í Teachings for the New World Order $1.25 EACH 1-9 COPIES $1.00 EACH 10 COPIES AND UP (BTNWO)

Now available through the Bahá’í Distribution Service, this popular teaching pamphlet is a collection of extracts from the writings on the fundamental social teachings and theology of the Faith. Also included are brief historical accounts of the Central Figures and overview of the administration. Also available in the following languages and at the same price as the English version:

RUSSIAN (RTNWO) CHINESE (CTNWO) SPANISH (STNWO)

3½"x5", 82 pp. Waldorf Enterprises [Page 7]

Highlights of Bahá’í Activities in Africa

compiled by James A. Williams $5.95 SC (HBAA)

Bahá’u’lláh has promised that His Faith will be embraced eventually by all the peoples of the world. Every continent now has the flag of the Lord of the Age planted firmly upon its soil. To observe the gradual fulfillment of this prophecy is exciting and awe-inspiring. Highlights of Bahá’í Activities in Africa is the first booklet in a series designed to further inspire Bahá’ís and give seekers a glimpse of how an awakening humanity on each continent responds to the transforming power of Bahá’u’lláh's teachings, laws and institutions. As a teaching tool, it will assist in enhancing the sense of a growing, global Bahá’í community. Even a hurried glance through its pages will assure a seeker of the Faith's integrity in 40 African countries and of the praise and respect the Faith has truly earned.

5-1/2"x8-1/2", 80 pp. Wayfarer Publications

Zikrullah Khadem: La Itinerante Mano de la Causa de Dios

by Javidukht Khadem $10.00 SC (SZK)

A Spanish translation of a biography of Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem. Written by his wife, the book recounts over 60 years of service to the Bahá’í Faith which stand as a testimony to the transforming power of one man's love for the Central Figures of the Faith and Shoghi Effendi. It will inspire readers to live as Mr. Khadem did—with love, humility, and unwavering devotion to the principles of the Bahá’í Faith.

5-5/8"x8-3/4", 365 pp., contents, foreward, preface, Introduction, photographs, appendix, notes. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, Spain

The Bahá’í Faith: Its Principles and History

$.50 PA (BFPHS) BULK PRICING AVAILABLE

A colorful revision of a long out of print pamphlet titled Teachings for a World Faith. Updated and revised, this pamphlet is bulk priced to facilitate its use in teaching. 1-9 copies at $.50 ea., 10-49 copies at $.40 ea., 50-99 copies at $.35 ea., 100 copies and up at $.30 ea.

3"x5", 30 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United States

THE FOUR YEAR PLAN

Copies of cassette tapes of the talks given by Universal House of Justice Members Dr. Peter Khan and Mr. Glenford Mitchell on the Four Year Plan are available through the Bahá’í Distribution Service.

These are duplicates of the tapes mailed to each of the Local Spiritual Assemblies.

Peter Khan: The Four Year Plan $3.00 (PKFYP) Glenford Mitchell: The Four Year Plan $3.00 (GMFYP)

Follow the Instructions

by Jenabe E. Caldwell $7.95 SC (FI)

In this book vignettes from the activities of Bahá’í teachers are used to illustrate the spiritual principles that govern our lives as Bahá’ís and assist us in our teaching work. The aim of this book is to instruct and inspire others who are arising to teach using the examples of many teachers already in the field.

5-1/2"x8-3/4", 168 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, India

The Black Men's Bahá’í Gatherings

by James A. Williams and Ted Jefferson $4.00 SC (BMBG)

This powerful booklet provides a piercing insight into how we as Bahá’ís can better understand the after-stain of slavery and the overt racism that impede the attainment of true racial unity in the American Bahá’í community. Readers who are not African-American will share the emotional isolation and spiritual pain many African-Americans, men in particular, endure on a daily basis. One will learn why the Black Men's Bahá’í Gathering and its unique psychological model have been identified as a spiritual primary school for opening "the pupil of the eye." This compelling booklet transcends customary race-relations dialogue and demands re-reading many times because of its profound depth and honesty.

5-1/2"x8-1/2", 30 pp. Wayfarer Publications

God and His Messengers

written and narrated by David Hofman $8.00 CS (GMC)

These stories describe in a simple and vigorous manner the lives and teachings of God's Messengers - the founders of the world's great religions. They are particularly valuable today when people of different races, nationalities and beliefs are living in the same community. They point the way to greater understanding and acceptance of others and thus to peace. Based on the much loved children's book by the same name, this cassette is an excellent exposition for children and youth on the concept of progressive revelation.

Images International

Ordering Information

SHIP TO DAYTIME TELEPHONE ( ) PAYMENT METHOD -CHECK -CHARGE ($10.00 MINIMUM-VISA, MASTER, AMEX)

ITEM QUANTITY COST

SHIPPING CHARGES TAB TOTAL

TENNESSEE RESIDENTS PLEASE ADD 7.75% SALES TAX FOR ORDERS SHIPPED OUTSIDE THE U.S., PLEASE ADD 15% (MIN. $3.00) SHIPPING CHARGES WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S. ADD 10% ($2.00 MIN., $10.00 MAX.) EXPIRATION DATE [Page 8]

THE LIFE-BLOOD

A service every believer can render

The message below was sent by the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the world at the launching of the Nine Year Plan in 1963. These words continue to express, with the greatest relevance and most profound significance, the needs of our Faith.

To the Bahá’ís of East and West,

Dear Friends,

With the rapid approach of the launching of the Nine Year Plan, the Universal House of Justice feels that it is timely to lay clearly before the Bahá’ís of all countries the needs of the Fund at all its levels: local, national, continental, and international.

The continual expansion of the Faith and the diversification of the activities of Bahá’í communities make it more and more necessary for every believer to ponder carefully his responsibilities and contribute as much and as regularly as he or she can.

Contributing to the Fund is a service that every believer can render, be he poor or wealthy; for this is a spiritual responsibility in which the amount given is not important. It is the degree of the sacrifice of the giver, the love with which he makes his gift, and the unity of all the friends in this service which bring spiritual confirmations. As the beloved Guardian wrote in August 1957:

"All, no matter how modest their resources, must participate. Upon the degree of self-sacrifice involved in these individual contributions will directly depend the efficacy and the spiritual influence which these nascent administrative institutions, called into being through the power of Bahá’u’lláh, and by virtue of the design conceived by the Center of His Covenant, will exert."

Not only the individual’s responsibility to contribute is important at this time, but also the uses to which the fund is put and the areas in which it is expended.

Much of the present rapid expansion of the Faith is taking place in areas of great poverty where the believers, however much they sacrifice, cannot produce sufficient funds to sustain the work. It is these very areas which are the most fruitful in teaching, and a sum of money spent here will produce ten times even a hundred times—the results obtainable in other parts of the world.

Yet in the past months the Universal House of Justice has had to refuse a number of appeals for assistance from such areas because there just was not enough money in the International Fund.

It should therefore be the aim of every local and national community to become not only self-supporting, but to expend its funds with such wisdom and economy as to be able to contribute substantially to the Bahá’í International Fund, thus enabling the House of Justice to aid the work in fruitful but impoverished areas, to assist new National Assemblies to start their work, to contribute to major international undertakings of the Nine Year Plan such as oceanic conferences, and to carry forward the work of beautifying the land surrounding the holy shrines at the World Center of the Faith.

Nor should the believers, individually or in their Assemblies, forget the vitally important continental funds which provide for the work of the Hands of the Cause of God and their Auxiliary Boards. This divine institution, so assiduously fostered by the Guardian, and which has already played a unique role in the history of the Faith, is destined to render increasingly important services in the years to come.

In the midst of a civilization torn by strifes and enfeebled by materialism, the people of Bahá are building a new world. We face at this time opportunities and responsibilities of vast magnitude and great urgency.

Let each believer in his inmost heart resolve not to be seduced by the ephemeral allurements of the society around him, nor to be drawn into its feuds and short-lived enthusiasms, but instead to transfer all he can from the old world to that new one which is the vision of his longing and will be the fruit of his labors.

The Universal House of Justice December 18, 1963

Treasurer’s corner

Welcome to the first edition of the Treasurers’ Corner. The purpose of this column, which is scheduled to appear periodically in The American Bahá’í, is to share with all the friends, especially those who serve as local treasurers, quotes from the Writings, ideas and current developments which the staff of the Office of the Treasurer and Development hope will be useful.

If you are a local treasurer and/or an enthusiastic supporter of the Funds, please feel welcome to share, through this column, your ideas, stories and experiences about giving to the Funds. Please share, too, how the friends in your community have experienced the essential role that giving to the Fund plays in their spiritual lives.

Should you have questions or want more information about any item mentioned here, please contact the Office of the Treasurer and Development (847-733-3472, or e-mail).

Does your Fund box sometimes get overlooked at Feast?

One community told us that they make their contributions to the Fund an integral part of the business portion of the Feast. The treasurer makes a brief report on the status of the Fund, often using visual aids to make the information more easily understood, then appropriate music is played softly, prayers are read, and the friends are given an opportunity to visit the Fund box to make their contributions. During this time, the children leave their separate activities and join the adults to make their contributions as well. One visitor to this community’s Feast describes this "Fund interlude" as dignified, spiritual and comfortable for the friends. Perhaps your community might wish to try something similar?

Automatic Contribution System works for many individuals/LSAs

One option in giving to the National Fund is through the Automatic Contribution System (ACS). Some 579 local Spiritual Assemblies are taking part in ACS, joining nearly 5,000 individual subscribers. In addition to savings in time and postage, ACS is one way to ensure that our contributions are consistent and timely.

Many believers allocate a part of their regular contribution through ACS and, each Bahá’í month, give the balance of their contribution through their local Fund or directly to the National Fund. ACS also saves money for the National Spiritual Assembly in two ways: funds are available for use and investment right away and the processing load is lighter.

If you would like to start your Automatic Contribution, contact the Office of the Treasurer and Development, 847-733-3472. Local treasurers may also request enrollment forms for duplication from the same number.

Helping new believers understand the Funds

A 1991 communication from the Universal House of Justice shares this observation:

"In too many countries we have encountered a reluctance among the teachers of the Cause to include, in their presentation of the Teachings, support of the Fund as a natural part of Bahá’í life."

And in a 1993 letter from the Supreme Body:

"...Real growth of your material resources will come about through two primary means: increase in the number of believers, and increase in the effectiveness of the education of the believers concerning their spiritual obligations, among which is financial support of Bahá’í institutions."

Clearly we must be more forthright in our efforts to educate new believers in the blessings and obligations associated with materially supporting the Cause.

A distinctive characteristic of our Faith is that we do not accept money from non-Bahá’ís. This gives us a wonderful opportunity, while teaching the seeker, to explain how the Faith is supported, what the Sacred Writings say about the significance of every believer contributing as part of his/her devotional life, and how this act benefits the believer both spiritually and materially. (The Office of the Treasurer will provide upon request a compilation that includes the quotes given here as well as others to help teach this fundamental principle of the Faith.)

Will preparation-help is available

Shoghi Effendi assured us that "The execution of the provisions of the will causes the spirit of the deceased to rejoice in the Abhá Kingdom."

If you have not yet prepared your will, the Office of the Treasurer has a booklet available called "the Writing of a Will" to help you get started. Call the Office of the Treasurer for your free copy. Treasurers may order multiple copies for $3.50 per dozen.

Sponsorship of a "Wills Workshop" is a service Assemblies can offer their communities in meeting this law of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Workshop outlines are also available from the Office of the Treasurer and Development.

Consider adding these books to your resource library

Stories About Bahá’í Funds is compiled and retold by Gloria Faizi. These stories about giving are illustrative of ways in which the friends have been inspired to sacrifice for the Cause and how these sacrifices have affected their lives, often changing their fortunes entirely. Wonderful stories of inspiration to share with the friends at Feast, in newsletters and on other occasions. Published by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust of India, and now available from the Bahá’í Distribution Service at 1-800-999-9019.

Created Rich by Patrick Barker is a thought-provoking examination of "how spiritual attitudes and material means work together to achieve prosperity." In Part One, the author discusses the ultimate purpose of wealth in a Bahá’í context, offering a clear contrast between the possession of material means and the curse of materialism. Part One lends itself well to a series of deepenings on the role of material means in our lives as Bahá’ís. Part Two explores options for building wealth. Created Rich is available from Naturegraph Publishers, 3543 Indian Creek Road, Happy Camp, CA 96039.

And don’t overlook Brilliant Star—the September-October 1996 issue has as its focus "True Wealth." Contained in this issue are a number of games, poems and activities related to the concept of true wealth, money management and giving to the Fund—a great resource for children, youth and adults alike. To order, contact Bahá’í Subscriber Service at 847-251-1854, ext. 11.

"Now is the time for the dearly-loved members of this community, renowned as the champion builders of Bahá’u’lláh’s rising World Order, to consecrate an increasing measure of the material resources with which they have been so richly blessed to the pressing needs of the Cause of God. In doing so, their sacrifices will attract an even greater measure of divine blessings, and will bring them abiding satisfaction." (The Universal House of Justice, July 14, 1989)

HUQUQU’LLÁH

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

• Dr. Elsie Austin, 9039 Sligo Creek Parkway, Unit 612, Silver Spring, MD 20901 (phone 301-589-8481).
• Dr. Amin Banani, Santa Monica, CA 90402 (phone 310-394-5449).
• Mr. Stephen Birkland, Arden Hills, MN 55112 (phone 612-484-9518).
• Dr. Daryush Haghighi, Rocky River, OH 44116 (phone 216-333-1506).
• Mrs. Thelma Khelghati, Lunenburg, MA 01462 (phone 508-582-9216).

Inquiries regarding Huqúqu’lláh should be referred to one of the Trustees or to the Office of the Secretariat, Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust, Rocky River, OH 44116. [Page 9]THE LIFE-BLOOD SHARAF B.E. 153 DECEMBER 31, 1996

TOTAL ENROLLMENTS

November......... 199 Total for year........ 1,340

THE FUND

(As of November 30, 1996)

National Bahá’í Fund YTD Goal: $8,400,000 YTD Actual: $5,885,348

All International Funds YTD Goal: $5,250,000 YTD Actual: $4,729,818

thru Nov 95 | thru Nov 96 National Bahá’í Fund: $6,869,286 | $5,885,348

International Bahá’í Fund: $1,119,387 | $318,206 Arc Projects Fund: $15,636,441 | $4,234,559 Continental Bahá’í Fund: $149,457 | $177,053 Other Earmarked: $337,428 | $331,142 Subtotal/Int'l Funds: $16,905,285 | $4,729,818

Total/All Funds: $24,111,999 | $10,946,308

Debt Watch

Loans Outstanding Nov 95: $0 Nov 96: $800,000

National Bahá’í Fund: Goal & Actual Where we are: $5,885,348 Where we need to be: $8,400,000

All International Funds: Goal & Actual Where we are: $4,729,818 Where we need to be: $5,250,000

Arc Projects Fund Where we are: $4,234,559 Where we were last year: $15,636,441

International Bahá’í Fund Where we are: $318,206 Where we were last year: $1,119,387

Continental Bahá’í Fund Where we are: $177,053 Where we were last year: $149,457

National Fund in critical phase as normal autumn rebound fails to materialize

November and December are normally the months in which contributions to the Fund increase, remedying the summer shortfall and allowing the National Spiritual Assembly to repay seasonal loans for vital support projects.

Almost always, that is, but not this year, at least not according to early estimates.

During the Three Year Plan, contributions to the National Fund in November averaged more than $900,000; this year, the first in the critical Four Year Plan, the projected total for November is about $700,000.

Messages to local Spiritual Assemblies and Feasts during August and September prompted an encouraging rally in giving; numbers of individuals and communities made one-time contribution increases and helped keep the work of the national administration on track through the warm weather.

With the arrival of the winter chill, however, it appears that the friends' ardor has also chilled.

"A drop in November and December could be serious indeed," said a staff member in the Office of the Treasurer and Development.

"Several of the initiatives launched by the National Spiritual Assembly to support community growth will require a greater, rather than smaller flow of resources.

"Some of the friends made extraordinary sacrifices during the early fall months, but of course they can't carry the community alone. Participation is down, and that seems to be the sticking point right now."

Arc Fund rises, International Fund sinks

The American Bahá’í community, with Arc Projects contributions totaling an estimated $4.1 million at the end of November, is well on its way to breaking the $5 million mark, if current trends continue and the friends fulfill the promises they have made to Bahá’u’lláh.

The Bahá’í International Fund, however, is in dire condition. Contributions from the U.S., one of the staunch pillars of the international work of the Cause, total an estimated $318,000 as of November 30.

Activities in many national communities, as well as the work of the Bahá’í International Community at the UN and elsewhere, depend on this fund; the amount offered so far is only a fraction of what is required to carry out this work.

The U.S. community has the resources to meet these goals; does it have the will to do so?

The Funds of the Bahá’í Faith

The Bahá’í International Fund supports the vast array of the work of the Universal House of Justice. Among other things, the Fund is used to finance the operations of the Bahá’í World Center, to provide help to various National Spiritual Assemblies, to subsidize Bahá’í social and economic development programs around the world, and to underwrite work with the United Nations organizations.

The Arc Projects Fund provides the funds needed to build the Arc on Mount Carmel. The Fund will continue to be the highest priority, at least until the year 2000, when the completion of the Arc is anticipated.

The Continental Bahá’í Fund supports the propagation and protection work of the Institution of the Learned which includes the International Teaching Center at the World Center, the Continental Boards of Counselors throughout the world, the Auxiliary Boards and their assistants.

The National Bahá’í Fund supports the work of the National Spiritual Assembly. It is used to assist the national proclamation, expansion and consolidation of the Faith in the United States; to maintain national properties including the House of Worship in Wilmette; to promote external affairs work; and to support the international institutions of the Faith.

The local Bahá’í Fund in each Bahá’í locality supports the work of the local Spiritual Assembly and the administration of its affairs.

$1,100 $950 $800 $650 $500 3000's May 3-Yr Plan Avg -Current Yr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov National Bahá’í Fund: Monthly Comparisons-3-Year Plan Average and Current Year

$2,250 $1,950 $1,650 $1,350 $1,050 $750 $450 $150 3000's May 3-Yr Plan Avg Current Yr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Arc Fund: Monthly Comparisons-3-Year Plan Average and Current Year

Now is the time to invest in the community's growth at all levels, the staff member added. "The demand for material resources will only grow larger in the months ahead, and the Universal House of Justice has linked our willingness to provide those resources with the 'heroic' accomplishments we are responsible for."

How to make your contributions

• • Bahá’í International Fund, Arc Projects Fund, Continental Bahá’í Fund**

Payable to: Bahá’í International Fund; Arc Project Fund; or Continental Bahá’í Fund, respectively.

(See instructions below if you wish to make your contribution through your local treasurer or the national Office of the Treasurer and Development)

Send to: local treasurer or national Office of the Treasurer (see address below) or Bahá’í International Fund, PO Box 155, Haifa 31 001, Israel

Note: Contributions sent to the Universal House of Justice in Haifa may not qualify as a tax deductible contribution under Internal Revenue Service regulations. Please contact your local treasurer or the national Office of the Treasurer and Development with your questions.

• • Bahá’í National Fund**

Payable to: Bahá’í National Fund

Send to: Office of the Treasurer, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201-1611.

Earmarking: If you intend your contribution to be applied to the National Spiritual Assembly's pledge in support of one of the international funds, please indicate your intention by enclosing a note with your check. To ensure tax deductibility for contributions to international funds, the National Spiritual Assembly must be given discretion in the use of these funds.

• • Local Bahá’í Fund**

Payable to: (Contact your treasurer for the exact wording)

Send to: Contributions are entrusted to your local treasurer.

Earmarking: If you intend your contribution to be for the National Fund or one of the international Funds, please indicate this intention to your treasurer. [Page 10]bong from the pages of Brilliant Star.

A"MAZE"ING DAYS

Your Community Has The Vision! Complete each word in the puzzle. The missing letters are below. One at a time cross them out as you use them.

When you are done, put the six words in a story that describes your Bahá’í community.

VIONTH DSC MYEJLU IONTH DS ON D YE Y U O SI NDR USA OUS IT MUN

Reprinted from Brilliant Star, The Future is NOW, November-December 1996, answers on p. 33.

Find the Bahá’ís

There are many new Bahá’ís in your community. It is time to welcome them all. Close off squares to show you've found new Bahá’ís. On each turn you may connect one line of the grid. Try to make a closed square every time. Each time you make a square color it in, but be sure not to make it the same color as any square, next to it. You need to make sure the community is diverse. Take turns with anoth- er player if you wish. You may only use four different colors in this puzzle.

Order Now!

Call Bahá’í Distribution Service at 800-999-9019 to order single issues by theme at $3.50 each.

Call Subscriber Services at 847-251-1854, Ext. 11 to begin a subscription: $18 one year (six issues).

The friends at Green Acre Bahá’í School enjoyed deepening by playing games one warm summer evening.

Kids like to have fun - so do adults! Purchase your family Game Kit now and enjoy it during the Ayyam-i-Há holidays. Subscriptions to Brilliant Star and Game Kits make great Ayyam-i-Há gifts!

Brilliant Star Game Kit

Nine Board Games & Card Games Deepening fun for all ages. Key deepening subjects. Each game in the kit is ready to cut out, color, and play.

Available from Bahá’í Distribution Service $19.95 Your purchase supports the Fund! [Page 11]

Make plans now to attend 88th National Convention

The National Spiritual Assembly invites all adult believers to attend the 88th Bahá’í National Convention, to be held next April 24–27 at the Holiday Inn-O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois.

The National Assembly has once again provided space so that up to 1,800 visitors will be able to attend the Convention. The site of the upcoming event is the same as last year’s, which was popular with visitors and delegates because of its proximity to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport and its accessibility by major highways. (See the form below for seating registration and hotel information.)

The Convention opens Thursday evening with the seating of delegates and election of permanent Convention officers. Convention attendees will hear first-hand the Ridván message from the Universal House of Justice for the second year of the Four Year Plan.

Most of the Convention sessions before and after the election of the National Spiritual Assembly are devoted to consultation between the delegates and the National Assembly. The National Convention provides an opportunity to obtain a picture of the American Bahá’í community through this important consultative process.

During the Convention, the delegates fulfill the function of “an enlightened, consultative and cooperative body that will enrich the experience, enhance the prestige, support the authority, and assist the deliberations of the National Spiritual Assembly.”

The recommendations made by the assembled delegates, while advisory in nature, are given serious consideration by the incoming National Spiritual Assembly. The Guardian explained that the Convention is a temporary gathering whose status is “limited in time to the convention sessions, the function of consultation at all other times being vested in the entire body of believers through the local Spiritual Assemblies.”

Non-delegate visitors will have a chance to observe, although they do not take part in the consultation between delegates and the National Spiritual Assembly. These individuals will learn about the present state of the American Bahá’í community and witness the consultation, which will center on advancing the goals of the Four Year Plan.

Visitors will also have an opportunity to attend several non-delegate events to be held concurrently with the Convention. Several workshops will be offered by various agencies of the Bahá’í National Center. Included in the topics for discussion are a number of important issues related to fulfilling the goals of the Four Year Plan.

Exhibitors representing most agencies at the Bahá’í National Center—including the Bahá’í Publishing Trust and Distribution Service—will be greeting the believers in the hotel’s atrium area. Visitors will also want to plan a visit to the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette during their Convention stay.

At the House of Worship, a special Archives display is being planned to focus on the Tablets of the Divine Plan and the Tablet of Ahmad. The originals of these sacred documents are held in the National Archives.

The Convention closes around noon on Sunday, April 27.

Hotel Reservations must be made directly with the Holiday Inn O’Hare, 847-671-6350, 5440 N. River Rd., Rosemont, IL. Make sure you ask for the Bahá’í National Convention rate. Room Rates are $81 per room, double occupancy. Rollaways are $10 a day. Cribs are free. We ask that you make your hotel reservation at the Holiday Inn O’Hare. Staying at the Holiday Inn helps reduce the National Center’s over-all administrative costs for the Convention. Sharing Rooms: Individuals seeking roommates must make their own arrangements. Neither the National Center nor the hotel can offer such help. Air Arrangements: The Bahá’í National Center has negotiated with Total Travel Management to provide reduced air fares. Call 800-383-4133 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. EST. After hours call 800-823-3695. Free Shuttles to and from O’Hare Airport are offered by the Holiday Inn O’Hare. Follow the signs to the Bus Shuttle pick-up area in front of the Hilton Hotel. Children: The National Spiritual Assembly regrets that the Convention is unable to provide a quality children’s program. There are no provisions for children’s classes or child care. The sessions are long—three full 13 hour days and two half-days—and it is difficult to provide meaningful programs for children for such a long period of time. Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated.

88th Bahá’í National Convention Convention Seating Registration April 24-27, 1997 Rosemont, Illinois Last Name ____________________ First Name ____________________ Mid. Initial _____ Bahá’í I.D. # __________ Contact Person (will receive registration confirmation for all listed on this form.) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Contact Person _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Street _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City ____________________ State __________ Zip __________ Will your party be staying at the Holiday Inn O’Hare? Yes ☐ No ☐ Will your stay require any special attention such as wheel chair accessibility or sign language interpreter? Yes ☐ No ☐ If yes, please specify needs on a separate sheet of paper including a contact name and phone number. Attach to this form.

Mail Form to: Conventions Office Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091

Phone 847-733-3569 Fax 847-869-0247 [Page 12]

Recognition

they live, and can only too easily be unconsciously influenced in their behavior by the accepted norms of that culture. One of our challenging tasks as Bahá’ís, however, is to establish, through our personal conduct and through the pattern of life in our communities and institutions, those cultural standards which Bahá’u’lláh wishes us to uphold. In a description of the characteristics of those who are called upon to serve in Bahá’í administrative institutions, Shoghi Effendi says:

"They should never be led to suppose that they are the central ornaments of the body of the Cause, intrinsically superior to others in capacity or merit, and sole promoters of its teachings and principles. They should approach their task with extreme humility, and endeavor, by their open-mindedness, their high sense of justice and duty, their candor, their modesty, their entire devotion to the welfare and interests of the friends, the Cause, and humanity, to win, not only the confidence and the genuine support and respect of those whom they serve, but also their esteem and real affection." (Bahá’í Administration: Selected Messages 1922-1932. Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1974, p. 64)

As such attitudes and standards become, ever more clearly, the norm of Bahá’í society, the friends will have little difficulty in distinguishing among their fellow-believers those who are worthy of their votes.

With this understanding, the inclusion of the names of the members of the National Spiritual Assembly and of the members of its various committees in its Annual Report is natural and has been a normal practice of National Spiritual Assemblies during the lifetime of Shoghi Effendi and ever since. Likewise it is normal, in writing reports in general, to include the names of believers who have rendered particular services, even though it is not possible to mention every person who has contributed to the achievement.

One of the believers wrote to the Guardian asking how the friends could know for whom to vote as delegates from their electoral district. In the reply written on behalf of the Guardian on March 25, 1949, his secretary said: "the friends, through regional news-letters, National News-letter, conferences and association with each other, can get to know other Bahá’ís in their state, and become familiar enough with their services and qualifications to vote for their delegates intelligently." It can be seen from this that the Guardian expected the activities of the friends to be reported, and expected the Bahá’ís to be alert to the qualities and services of their fellow-believers.

The House of Justice trusts that these explanations have helped to assuage your concern and assisted you in your evaluation of the activities of the various friends. It was very happy to note your eager response to the call of the Four Year Plan and asks us to assure you of its prayers in the Holy Shrines for the confirmation of your endeavors on behalf of the Cause.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Wilmette The Universal House of Justice Department of the Secretariat

Oregon's growing 'Corridor of Light' project brings 90 believers, seekers together for 3-day seminar on Aqdas

Seminar participants and facilitator Habib Riazati have the Pacific Ocean as their backdrop at the 'Corridor of Light' seminar on the Kitáb-i-Aqdas in Otter Crest, Oregon. (Photo by Bart Rummell)

What began in 1994 as an effort to bring together all the pockets of isolated believers along the Pacific coast from southern Washington to northern California has more than tripled the active core of believers in the region.

Proof of the Corridor of Light project's newfound capacity came September 20-22 when its first major undertaking, a three-day seminar on the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, drew 90 believers and seekers to Otter Crest, Oregon.

People of capacity arose or were found, hidden talents surfaced, and a spirit of "the task is already done" pervaded as Bahá’ís along 400 miles of scenic coast planned the event for six months under the sponsorship of the Spiritual Assembly of Astoria, Oregon.

The Corridor of Light had held quarterly meetings and social gatherings in the two years since it was founded by Bahá’ís discouraged by a sense of isolation from each other and the larger inland Bahá’í communities.

As participation and solidarity grew, the project held picnics, a fund raiser for the Arc, a mock "Toastmasters" session, a weekend deepening on entry by troops, and a concerted teaching campaign that led to the formation of a local Assembly in Tillamook County, Oregon.

But when a seminar on the Most Holy Book was envisioned, Corridor of Light organizers realized that the time for more solid administration had come. The firmly established Spiritual Assembly of Astoria readily agreed to sponsor the event.

The county's bulletin, The Beacon, was expanded into a quarterly newsletter covering the 10 Corridor counties. Finances were put on a more efficient basis as an adjunct to the Assembly's treasury. New officers were elected.

Volunteers quickly accepted the various duties that a planning committee had identified: publicity, treasurer/registrar, bulletin editor, logistics coordinator, speaker liaison, and those all-important "nitty-gritty whatever" tasks.

Although Corridor members are separated by hundreds of miles of coastal highways—some still ravaged from last year's floods and slides—and fewness of numbers is a continuing problem, an astounding spirit was present from the outset.

What else but unity and constant consultation by phone, e-mail and postal delivery could have resolved a major problem when contact with speaker Habib Riazati and plans for his transportation were in limbo for days while the liaison lay in a near-death coma? A Bahá’í pilot offered his services and flew Mr. Riazati in his private plane from Portland to Newport.

Even when the publicity coordinator had to move from the coast to central Oregon, she insisted on completing the assignment from her new home. Her set of Lighthouse posters and fliers and her enthusiastic support of the seminar spread the word farther and faster than was thought possible.

The registrar/treasurer's imagination and skill took flight at the keyboard of her computer, producing beautiful, thoughtful "thank you" receipts and "worth saving" identification tags. A decision to extend registration to the last possible moment led to a surge of participation, from 50 to 90 in less than three weeks.

The skilled cooperation of the couple in charge of logistics with the management and staff at the Inn at Otter Crest made the seminar a prestigious event in the eyes of the Inn personnel as well as attendees. One staff member was heard to comment, "I don't know why, but I am happy to be working this weekend. Usually I hate working on my weekends."

Now that the seminar has been successfully planned and presented, it has served as a catalyst for many additional initiatives. Projects under consideration include connecting a string of cable radio stations, establishing a Web site, and bringing the Virtues Guide to public service officers, schools and child-care givers.

There is an excited sense that "things are beginning to happen" along the coast. Even the definition of its span is being expanded.

When the Corridor of Light name was chosen, several members saw it extending from the Mexican to the Canadian borders. But a gleam of joy lit up the faces of everyone present when it was suggested, "Tierra del Fuego in the south and the Aleutians in the north might be a good goal!"

And why stop there? How about a Pacific Rim project by the end of the Four Year Plan? The friends will simply need to learn Spanish, Korean and Tagalog before the first quarterly meeting of 2000.

Wilmette Institute

further study and application of learning from September 1997 through February 1998. A separate correspondence course is not yet available.

Those who are interested in taking part in the Spiritual Foundations program should contact the Wilmette Institute, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-733-3492; fax 847-733-3402; e-mail), and ask for an application form.

Tuition for 1997-98 is $750, excluding dormitory and meals (about $675). The course should be available for undergraduate credit through National-Louis University for about $375 and for graduate credit through the Graduate School of America.

THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í Subscription rates

(For outside the continental United States ONLY)

First class/ Surface 1 Year $24 2 Years $45

Air Mail 1 Year $32 2 Years $60

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

All orders must be pre-paid in U.S. currency. VISA/ MasterCard accepted; please include full account number and expiration date. [Page 13]

YOUTH SERVICES ASSISTANT SOUGHT

The National Youth Committee seeks a Youth Services Assistant. For more information, please contact the Human Resources department at the Bahá’í National Center:

1233 Central Street Evanston, IL 60201 Phone: (847) 733-3429 Fax: (847) 733-3430

NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE

The National Youth Committee is pleased to invite youth of all ages to a National Youth Conference to be held July 2-6, 1997 at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

This gathering will be structured as a training institute focusing on skill building, knowledge development and creating community ties.

Check out next month’s Youth Page for further details.

UPCOMING NYC-SPONSORED COLLEGE CLUB WEEKENDS

The National Youth Committee is pleased to sponsor two College Club Weekends in January. Participants will deepen on the Four Year Plan messages and goals, discuss the role of college campuses in advancing the process of entry by troops, relate Bahá’í teachings to current issues on campus and in society, and raise money for the Arc. Please register in advance by contacting the school directly. We hope to see all of you there!

Bosch Bahá’í School January 3-5, 1997 (408) 423-3387

Green Acre Bahá’í School January 31-February 2, 1997 (207) 439-7200

INHERITORS BOOK PROJECT SEEKS WORKS FROM YOUTH

Bahá’í youth in Texas are publishing a book of writings and artwork to reflect the experiences and aspirations of Bahá’í youth around the world. Send poems, artwork and essays that reflect your personal voice. Perhaps speak of what it means to you to be a Bahá’í youth at this time, about some of the challenges you face among your peers and how you deal with them, or what you envision in the Four Year Plan. Submissions are due March 15, 1997. Include a cover letter with personal information about yourself.

The Inheritors Book Project 2002-A #104 Guadalupe Street Austin, TX 78705

Reach the project by email at: Or check out the web site at: http://ccwf.cc.utexas.edu/~inherit9

FROM THE PAGES OF One magazine Volume 1, Issue 6 on THE SOUL Qawl/Masá’íl [Speech/Questions] 153 B.E. ©1996 One and Un-itE

ON THE FRONT LINES.

Changes and chances of this life: Tugs on your heartstrings

by Mojan Sami, 18/Bellingham, Washington

Do you wake up every morning and remember to take care of your soul that day? I sure don’t. As a matter of fact, I forget my soul exists until someone reminds me. It just so happens...I was reminded.

Somebody who I am close to wants me out of her life. I’ve only known her for a year, but within that time, she has become a good friend and like a soul mate. Charming and delightful, she captured the hearts of all my friends, and immediately she was an important part in all of our lives.

A couple of months ago, her world closed in on her. As she watched her family fall apart, she also fell apart. I saw her pain as she slowly turned away from all of us. Reluctantly, I became a bystander in her situation because she tried so hard to deny any sort of calamity in her life.

She changed. The fact that I disagreed with her actions and behavior was not important enough to ruin the friendship, but I made the mistake of telling her anyway. I begged her to take more control of her life rather than allow her circumstances to control her. My comments sounded like criticism, and the next thing I knew, my dear friend wanted me out of her life.

My situation is not unique to me—surely, everyone loses some dearly loved person. How do we heal after such an affliction? It is a long and difficult process, but we are sure to have grown when it has passed. It is something that we learn over and over again. The beginning is always the most painful part, and is the hardest on our souls.

So now I am completely aware of the existence of my soul. It’s as though someone dropped a piano on it. Although I would like someone to rescue me, I can’t seem to find anyone who is available for a shoulder to cry on. I carry myself over to the next available agent the Bahá’í writings. (The pages don’t make great tissues, but my soul can sure use the spiritual treasure they offer.)

COME AND GO

You might be wondering what kind of book changes a person’s outlook on life. Have you ever read an intense mystery novel which kept you entranced through every suspenseful line? Did you feel your heart beating faster the closer the characters got to resolving the mystery? The Bahá’í writings are not novels, but the words are so powerful and meaningful—my heart beats faster the closer I come to recognizing the clear solutions that Bahá’u’lláh has given us to apply to our everyday struggles. The Bahá’í writings give me constant joy and inspiration whenever I read them, and each time, the words have a new way of fitting into that particular stage in my life. The words are refreshing, and I find them to be the healing medicine that I have been seeking.

Allow me to point out that I am just an ordinary young woman of 18 years. I have no psychological training and I don’t have a valid license to give prescriptions to anyone in my same situation. What I have to offer is the inspiration I receive from the Bahá’í writings and the experiences of my everyday life.

When all of this began, I didn’t understand how my friend could turn away from the people who cared about her when she needed them most. Instead of questioning this more, I decided that the best thing to do was to apologize for myself and to forgive her as well. I don’t want to blame her for a broken friendship, nor do I wish to hold a grudge or claim betrayal. I should give her the space she needs. I need to be friendly, and my friendliness should be sincere. “Never speak disparagingly of others, but praise without distinction. Pollute not your tongues by speaking evil of another.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p 453). I don’t know if our friendship will ever be the same again, but she knows that my heart is open to her when that time comes.

I should also have faith that the predicament will help me, not ail me. I don’t want to burn out trying to reverse things, instead I want to have confidence that the whole situation was meant to be, and just accept the Will of God. It is hard to avoid getting caught up in self-pity—it seems like we spend half our lives crying and thinking there is no hope. But hope isn’t handed to us on a silver platter, rather, it is our prerogative. My belief in God and in Bahá’u’lláh allows me to have faith. “Man is under all conditions immersed in a sea of God’s blessings. Therefore, be thou not hopeless under any circumstances, but rather be firm in thy hope.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p 205). Feeling hopeless has never had any benefits.

Lastly, I need to prevent my emotions from interfering with my goals and duties. Emotions aren’t bad, they are what make us unique as human beings, and expressing them can be very healthy for our well-being. Used in the wrong way, our emotions can be harmful. Detaching oneself from a situation, as I am attempting to do with this one, keeps my mind clear. Rather than being absorbed by my pain, I can choose to tend to it by not occupying myself with it. Detachment is not the same as pretending things are okay—it is believing that they are. “Life is a load which must be carried on while we are on earth, but the cares of the lower things of life should not be allowed to monopolize all the thoughts and aspirations of a human being.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p 99). Detachment is one of the handiest tools in my healing process, as difficult as it is to achieve. The best part? It can be integrated into any and every experience, allowing the same piano that crushed my soul to help me make music.

Having friends is one of the great bounties of living, losing them is one of the hardest. Will I ever have a soul mate like this one? I don’t know. But I can tell you one thing—find your soul medicine, put it on the top shelf of your soul cabinet, and remember that your soul needs the greatest care. When the time comes that you need to let go of someone important to you, you’ll know to take two doses of your soul medicine and call me in the morning.

The woods

by Molly Lidz, 10/Hebron, Maine

There is a place In the pine woods Where the ferns rise To meet the light Strained through the trees.

Where branches hold A comfortable shaded room Covered with auburn leaves And a contented feeling.

One magazine is published nine times a year by Bahá’í youth using a consultative, collaborative process. It features art, poetry, essays and stories. One is sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Eliot, Maine and is reviewed at the US Bahá’í National Center. Subscribe now for $8.00 — limited time only! Send contributions and subscriptions to: One magazine, Kittery, ME 03904, (207) 438-9034. [Page 14]

CLASSIFIEDS

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

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

THE DEPARTMENT of Administration and Development at the Bahá’í National Center is looking for a full-time Assembly development assistant. Would prefer someone who has served on a local Spiritual Assembly, has experience in writing correspondence, knows a variety of software programs including word processing, database and spread sheet applications, is skilled in information gathering and analysis, and has strong interpersonal skills. Please send resumé to Christine Stanwood, Department of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611, or phone 847-733-3429.

EXCITING opportunities in China. Business, law experts and college graduates can apply to the China Teaching Program for training and placement as a teacher of English as a second language in China. Numerous openings for teachers of English or English as a second language. Holiday Inn is seeking experienced, committed and highly motivated candidates for general manager, executive assistant manager, financial controller, director of sales & marketing, food & beverage manager, executive chef, executive housekeeper, purchasing manager, chief engineer. China Europe International Business School is recruiting students for MBA and EMBA programs, taught entirely in English. Regional vice president/Asia Pacific sales for SSE Telecom. DTP/graphic designer sought by Beijing-based publishing firm. Service engineers wanted in Shanghai. Market analyst, assistant communications manager, product engineer, GSM customer trainer needed by Nokia (telecommunications). Accounting manager needed by Charmilles Technologies in Beijing. For more information, please contact Ms. Gwili Posey, 847-733-3512 (fax 847-733-3509; e-mail )

THE DEPARTMENT of Human Resources at the Bahá’í National Center is seeking a full-time human resources assistant. The candidate must have the ability to maintain highly confidential information with some work experience in human resources. Should be proficient in the use of personal computers and have the ability to produce professional looking documents. In-depth experience with MS Word, Print Shop Deluxe, Excel and desktop publishing desired. For more information, please contact Christine Stanwood, 847-733-3429, or send a resumé to the Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Evanston, IL 60201-1611.

THE MEDIA Services Department at the Bahá’í National Center is seeking qualified candidates for two newly created positions. Staff producer-develops program concepts; researches and writes scripts; prepares budgets and monitors production expenses; contributes camera and editing work to designated projects; provides consultation and production advice to outside producers. Video production specialist-provides production support with primary emphasis on video editing and camera work and secondary emphasis on archival recording of conferences and other events; helps maintain technical facilities in Media Services and the House of Worship. For more information or to apply, contact Christine Stanwood, Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-733-3429; fax 847-733-3430).

THE LOUHELEN Bahá’í School has an opening for a couple to serve as bookstore/café coordinator/properties assistant. Interested applicants should send resumés to Rick Johnson, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423-8603 (fax 810-653-7181 or phone Christine Stanwood, 847-733-3429).

THE OFFICE of the Treasurer at the Bahá’í National Center is looking for a full-time program coordinator in its Development Department. This is a newly created position. The candidate must be well-grounded in the fundamental verities of the Faith, have exceptional written or oral communication skills, and be perceptive to a sense of urgency when necessary. Must have the ability to coordinate many tasks simultaneously. Prefer a minimum of a B.S. in human services or a related field with experience in program design and management. For more information, please contact Christine Stanwood, 847-733-3429, or send your resumé to the Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Evanston, IL 60201-1611.

THE NATIONAL Youth Committee is looking for a Youth Services assistant. For more information, please contact Christine Stanwood, Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-733-3429).

THE BOSCH Bahá’í School has an immediate opening for an assistant program director. Salary is $15,000 (includes benefits). Requires firmness in the Covenant, spiritual and emotional maturity with a loving and nurturing temperament, outstanding interpersonal skills, a good teamworking spirit, excellent public speaking abilities, creativity and flexibility, superior writing skills. Must be a Bahá’í in good standing. This is a service position that could also include modest housing at the school. If possible, teaching credentials or teaching experience would be preferred. To arrange for an interview or obtain more information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail. You may also send a resumé with your request for an interview.

THE LOUIS Gregory Bahá’í Institute has full-time positions for a cook, a teaching coordinator and a part-time position for a lab instructor. The cook is responsible for managing the kitchen, preparing meals and making the necessary purchases of kitchen supplies and food. Must have a minimum of 2-3 years experience; hours are variable. The teaching coordinator is responsible for the Institute's teaching and consolidation program, which involves preparing and identifying teaching and consolidation materials suitable for use in South Carolina as well as supervising volunteers residing at the Institute. Also prepares programs for Radio Bahá’í; coordinates teaching activities for the Gospel Choir, workshop and speakers bureau; serves as liaison between the Institute and S.C. Coordinating Committee, and helps recruit students for CCP lab and educational programs. The lab instructor, working four hours a day five days a week, supervises and instructs programs at the Learning Center, providing instruction for GED, tutorial and literacy programs and performing other related duties assigned by the administrator. If you are interested in any of these positions, please send a resumé to Christine Stanwood, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-733-3429; fax 847-733-3430; e-mail

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

OVERSEAS opportunities. AFRICA: Madagascar-French-speaking technical adviser for community-based conservation project. Mozambique-food security coordinator responsible for field-level implementation of Africare and USAID-supported development activity proposal. Rwanda-emergency nurse practitioner, emergency finance manager, emergency medical coordinator, emergency water engineer, emergency sanitation engineer. South Africa-agriculturalists. Tanzania-urgent need for an accountant at the Ruaha Secondary School. AMERICAS: Guatemala-high school band teacher, music teacher. ASIA: Cambodia-finance administrator needed by the American Red Cross/International Services for six-month assignment. Korea-teachers. Laos-project coordinator/technical adviser needed for irrigation project in Vientiane province. Thailand-volunteers to help with kindergarten, nursery classes, teach English, help with maintenance and building work. EUROPE: Russia-field office director to head up Moscow office of Save the Children. Switzerland-scientific officer with World Meteorological Organization/Hydrology and Water Resources Department. MULTI-REGIONAL: administrative assistant-monetization needed for food security programs in Central and West Africa. Leader Spanish Consultancy and Engineering seeks consultants for technical assistance projects in Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. URGENT-the National Spiritual Assembly of Belarus needs a fluent Russian-English secretarial assistant with good interpersonal and computer skills. Brazil-the School of Nations needs teachers. Cameroon-the National Assembly of Cameroon is starting a publishing agency and needs a pioneer with publishing skills. Honduras-need for elementary and secondary school teachers. Macau-the School of Nations needs elementary and secondary school teachers, volunteer to assist with office duties at the BCC and the School of Nations. Marshall Islands-a secretary to assist Counselor Betra Majmeto with the development of the Continental Board office in Majuro. Nepal-the American School needs a guidance counselor, music/band teacher, elementary teacher, secondary school history/English teacher. Romania-needs self-supporting caretakers for local Bahá’í Center in Iasi. Solomon Islands-self-supporting couple to serve as custodians of the Bahá’í Center in Honiara, volunteer to train National Center office staff. Urgent need for pioneers to the Bahamas, Bosnia, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Hungary, Macedonia, Serbia and Venezuela. Virgin Islands-the National Assembly of the Virgin Islands is seeking a project manager for reparations to building being purchased to serve as its National Center. Also needed are volunteers who are skilled building tradespersons. Zaire-manager needed for a Bahá’í-owned store. The Peace Corps is recruiting for South Africa: agriculturalists, educators, health professionals, skilled trades professionals, environmental workers, businesspeople, math, science & engineering majors; associate Peace Corps directors for Africa and other regions. For application information, phone 800-424-8580, or write to Peace Corps, 1990 K Street, NW, Room 8500, Washington, DC 20526. For more information about any of these positions, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette IL 60091 (phone 847-733-3512; fax 847-733-3509; e-mail

URGENT NEED for pioneers to the Bahamas, Bosnia, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Hungary, Macedonia, Serbia and Venezuela. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette IL 60091 (phone 847-733-3512; fax 847-733-3509; e-mail ).

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Florida, near Kissimmee, needs four adult Bahá’ís to save its jeopardized Assembly. The active and young-at-heart community welcomes youthful, creative believers of any age. Osceola County is home to many of those who work in the fast-growing entertainment and hospitality industries in nearby Orlando. Kissimmee, the nearest town to Disney World, is only 10 minutes from Disney and 20 minutes from the Universal Studios and Sea World theme parks. The area boasts fine community colleges, a state university, a large retirement village, artistic and cultural activities, and many employment opportunities in Osceola and Orange counties. Above all, there are unlimited opportunities to teach the Faith. For information, please write to Mary Louise Suhm, secretary, Spiritual Assembly of Osceola County, Kissimmee, FL 34746-6505 (phone 407-931-4328; e-mail ).

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Belen, New Mexico (pop. 6,000-plus), is seeking homefront pioneers to help strengthen the fledgling community. Founded in 1714, Belen (the name means "Bethlehem") retains a predominantly Hispanic culture and rural lifestyle but is only 30 miles from metropolitan Albuquerque. There are employment opportunities in public schools, medical facilities and prisons. Retirees also find the area a sunlit haven of quietude and leisure with a relatively low cost of living and many activities for seniors. The Bahá’ís are currently planning a special project for youth. For information, phone 505-864-7363 or write to the LSA of Belen, P.O. Box 663, Belen, NM 87002.

WELCOME homefront pioneers and traveling teachers, seniors and others-how would you like to live in an earthly paradise on the oldest lake in the U.S., surrounded by wooded mountains, orchards and vineyards, free of smog and air pollution, with a temperate climate only 100 miles from San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean. You'll be welcomed with love and gratitude while enabling us to achieve our goals. The local area has several employment opportunities including, but not limited to, receptionist, RN-PT, auto technician, counselors and grounds maintenance persons. Please contact the Bahá’ís of Lake County, P.O. Box 1212, Lakeport, CA 95453 (or phone Rick at 707-263-1005).

WANTED

THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly of the Bahamas needs a copy machine, television set and VCR for teaching activities. If you are able to donate any of these items, please contact Hormoz Hormozi, 847-697-7805. Shipping to the Bahamas will be provided.

WRITER/EDITOR is seeking life stories for a book on African-American Bahá’í women illustrating the transforming power of Bahá’u’lláh. Needed are stories in which one has personally overcome obstacles and gained spiritual insights into issues/struggles that usually affect African-American women including racism, the family, sexism, interracial/intercultural marriage, single parenting, divorce, issues of identity (beau- [Page 15]

ADS

ty), spirituality, to name a few. Submissions are strictly confidential. Pen names are acceptable. For more information, please e-mail To submit manuscripts, write to Leonda W. Keniston, Richmond, VA 23227, or phone 804-321-7009. Please mark correspondence “Attention: From Dusk Till Dawn.”

WANTED: memories, stories, photographs, videos and other memorabilia from past and present members and friends of the Bahá’í community of Flagstaff, Arizona. The Flagstaff community is preparing its 40th anniversary celebration, to be held next July 5 at the Bellemont Bahá’í School, and would greatly appreciate any contributions that would help make the occasion a success. If you have anything to offer, please contact the Flagstaff community’s Archives Committee, P.O. Box 2533, Flagstaff, AZ 86003 (phone 520-527-9448).

ARCHIVES

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: Muriel Ives Barrow, Mary R. Barton (died Chicago, IL, 1957), Edith Basche, Tahseen Bashear, Katharine C. Batchelder (died Newton, MA, 1978), Lua Jane Bates, Lucille S. Bates (died Minneapolis, MN, 1943), Mary Bauers. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611, or to phone 847-869-9039.

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is maintaining a mailing list of those who would like to receive copies of its duplicate book mail auction catalogs. The Archives has been having 1–2 mail auctions of duplicate books a year. If you would like to be included on the mailing list, please send your name, address and Bahá’í I.D. number to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

IF YOU ARE a junior or senior in high school, please consider Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, for your college experience. There are 7–9 Bahá’ís in its 1,000-member student body and an active and nurturing Group in town. According to U.S. News & World Report (September 9), Earlham ranks 28th among 535 colleges in the private liberal arts category in terms of “best value”—that is, quality weighed against tuition costs and financial aid. If you would like more information, phone the school at 317-983-1200. It is a special place for Bahá’í college students.

YOUTH YEAR of Service and adult volunteers are needed at the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute. Your strengths, commitment and skills are needed to support accelerated activity during the next four years in South Carolina. Interests and experience are needed in the areas of agriculture, education, curriculum, child development, children’s classes, training, public relations, logistics, radio production, maintenance, and office skills. Send information to Volunteers, LGBI, 1313 Williams Hill Road, Hemingway, SC 29554. Or, e-mail .

WANTED: active, enthusiastic young Bahá’ís to help maintain a College Club at historic Howard University in Washington, D.C., where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke in 1912. Howard, one of whose buildings (Locke Hall) is named for Bahá’í Alain Locke, is known and respected around the world as an educational training ground for the leaders of many emerging nations. For information about the university, please write to Dr. Fulton Caldwell, the National Spiritual Assembly’s representative to the school’s Coordinated Campus Ministries, at Derwood, MD 20855-2257.

ATTENTION Bahá’í Youth Workshops: the South Central Workshop has developed three booking packets to facilitate effectiveness, organization and harmony for its performances and road trips. With only a few word changes they can be adapted to suit any Workshop, anywhere. One packet is for a Bahá’í-sponsored day-trip engagement with an option for one overnight; the second is for a Bahá’í-sponsored engagement of 2–6 nights, and the third is for a non-Bahá’í-sponsored engagement of one day with option of one overnight. To obtain all three, please send $6 (to cover postage and copying) to Linden Qualls, Yellow Springs, OH 45387-1400. For information, phone 937-767-7079.

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

ITEMS AVAILABLE

NEED concrete ideas for community or family celebrations for Holy Days and Ayyám-i-Há and for building a strong Bahá’í identity and a love for the Central Figures in children? A 14-page compilation of ideas created by a Bahá’í mother and children’s class teacher is available. If you would like a copy, please send $3 to cover postage and copying costs ($6 if you would also like the 24-page compilation of Writings relating directly to those activities) to Linden Qualls, Yellow Springs, OH 45387-1400. For information, phone 937-767-7079.

NATIONAL CENTER

LOCAL Spiritual Assemblies: would your Assembly like to attend a Weekend Visitors program at the Bahá’í National Center? Local Assemblies are now being given an opportunity to take part in these programs which include two days of tours, talks and presentations at the National Center. Your Assembly, with others who are attending, will be greeted by members of the National Spiritual Assembly, will hear updates and plans for national projects, and will have a chance to convey news and concerns of your community. Among the tour sites are the holiest House of Worship and National Bahá’í Archives. If your Assembly is interested in attending and can arrange to bring, at your expense, a quorum of your members, please contact the Office of Assembly Development, which is seeking to ascertain the level of interest before setting specific dates for Assembly participation. Assemblies who are interested in registering for this opportunity may do so by contacting the Office of Assembly Development, 847-733-3490 (Fax 847-733-3486; e-mail ).

Bahá’ís in TN produce special edition of Tablet of Visitation for Arc Fund

During the Holy Year, two Bahá’í artists who wish to remain anonymous collaborated to create a unique work of art: an illuminated calligraphic version, in Arabic and in English, of Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablet of Visitation. Their primary intention was to raise $1 million for the Arc Projects on Mt. Carmel, and this they are doing with the additional benefit of proclaiming the Faith via the arts.

Produced with exacting care, in many cases recreating long-lost bookmaking and printing techniques, these books have earned praise from art and industry experts as well as from the Universal House of Justice, which wrote, “Illumination of the Holy Text in the traditional style is indeed valuable. It is befitting and desirable for this fine art to be kept alive.”

Copies of the book now reside in the permanent collections of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Fogg Gallery of Harvard University. Stefano Carboni, assistant curator of the Metropolitan, noted in his appreciation of the work that “the choice of paper, printing, gold-dusting, binding and cloth cover of the book...are exceptional.”

The Printing Industries of America, in bestowing its prestigious “Premier Print Award,” noted that the Tablet of Visitation “was chosen as [an entry] that exemplified the highest standards in the printing industry,” while the Printing Industry Association of the South awarded the artists the Association’s “Best of Category” and “Award of Excellence” for its binding and presentation case.

Under the auspices of the Spiritual Assembly of Brentwood, Tennessee, the artists have made available copies of the book, whose production costs were covered by a group of local Bahá’ís, to believers who contribute $1,000 or more to the Assembly’s Arc Fund. To date, the project has raised more than $200,000.

Readers who would like more information about the book and how to obtain a copy may call the Spiritual Assembly of Brentwood, 615-377-3088.

More than 100 Bahá’ís gather in Ann Arbor for conference on advancing entry by troops

On October 26, about 100 Bahá’ís from more than 35 communities in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas and Missouri met in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for a conference guided by Counselor Stephen Birkland on requirements for advancing the process of entry by troops.

The day-long conference was sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Pittsfield Township.

Counselor Birkland was assisted by Auxiliary Board members Mojgan Laghaei-Patel and Curtis Russell and by one of Ms. Laghaei-Patel’s assistants, Hoda Mahmoudi, who helped facilitate afternoon working groups in a “scaling exercise” developed by the Counselor.

Making their first public appearance as a group at the conference were the members of the newly appointed Central States Regional Committee—Caswell Ellis, Paul Jacobi, Badi Mesbah, Marilyn Ray, Lisa Smits and Lynn Wieties.

Counselor Birkland modeled throughout the day the spirit of openness he urged the friends to embrace as they strive to advance the process of entry by troops.

He encouraged his audience to raise questions at any time during his talks, and to speak with him privately about any matters they wished to pursue.

His responsive style helped create an environment that was well-suited for consideration of the topics presented.

In the afternoon, small working groups considered the scaling exercise which addressed itself to 11 growth-producing elements in an effectively expanding community.

The friends were asked, on a scale of 1 to 9, to envision what a “9” would look like in their area for any one of the 11 elements. They were then asked to determine their present position on the scale, and to consider what needed to be done to move their community closer to a “9.” [Page 16]

Guideposts along ‘The Path Towards Spirituality’

The Path Towards Spirituality: Sacred Duties and Practices of the Bahá’í Life, by Shahin Vafai. (Palabra Publications, 19xx; softcover, xx pages. Available through the Bahá’í Distribution Service.)

Review by Dwight W. Allen

Many of us are continually amazed as our Faith unfolds, develops and transforms before our eyes to learn how much we don’t know about its essential characteristics.

This simple book brings together—as far as I know, for the first time—major elements of the spiritual practices of the Bahá’í life.

Written in a straightforward style, it gives us the context in which these duties and practices have been ordained for our individual and collective benefit.

There are many ways in which the study of Bahá’í sacred duties and practices can be organized. This book organizes them around eight topics so our study can successively focus on major elements of Bahá’í spiritual practice.

Of course this is “a way” and not “the way” to organize one’s study of Bahá’í spiritual practices, but it is nevertheless a most useful way. The topics are:

1. Introduction (understanding the importance and context of Bahá’í spiritual practices) 2. Prayer 3. Reciting the verses of God and meditation 4. Studying the Faith 5. Teaching the Faith 6. Observing divine laws and principles 7. Huqúqu’lláh and the Bahá’í Funds 8. Service

The book is designed for individual or group study. It becomes much more meaningful and powerful to consider these important issues of building our spiritual identity through active contemplation and attempting to define for ourselves a personal spiritual accountability.

The opportunity to discuss our understanding and to compare our interpretations with those of our fellow believers can become another vital step in our spiritual growth.

To discover that our own inadequacies in meeting sacred duties are not unusual offers a powerful and reassuring insight. Take careful note of the title—The Path Towards Spirituality—an acknowledgment that our spirituality is a life-long emergent process.

No matter how busy we may be, we still make time to eat. So it should be with our spiritual meals. Rather than thinking, “How can I do these things when I don’t have any time in my life?” we will come to ask, “How can I manage my affairs and make time for my spiritual responsibilities?”

Spiritual practices such as those presented in this book have been described by the Universal House of Justice as “the essential requisites for our spiritual growth.” They “represent the path towards the attainment of true spirituality.” (Lights of Guidance, pp. 540-41)

Our individual spiritual practices are intimately linked to successful teaching. The Universal House of Justice has written, “Well-grounded in the mighty Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh, sustained by daily prayers and reading of the Holy Word, strengthened by a continual striving to obtain a deeper understanding of the divine Teachings, observance of the laws and principles of His wondrous World Order, every individual can attain increasing measures of success in teaching.” (A Wider Horizon, pp. 58-59)

In Norfolk, Virginia, we inaugurated our new regional Tidewater Bahá’í Teaching Institute with the study of a prepublication copy of the book. The response has been most enthusiastic, and veteran Bahá’ís with decades of experience in the quest to build their lives around Bahá’í spiritual practices have found many new insights.

If this level of enthusiasm and commitment can be spread throughout the American Bahá’í community, and we are successful in rising to meet our own expectations, undertaking a systematic study of The Path Towards Spirituality can be a powerful influence, helping us to rise to new levels of spiritual practice—and, most important of all—to new levels of spirituality.

Nearly 350 people gather for Thanksgiving eve service at Bahá’í House of Worship

On Thanksgiving eve, nearly 350 residents of Wilmette, Illinois, gathered at the Bahá’í House of Worship for the third annual interfaith Thanksgiving service.

Two years ago the event was held at a local synagogue, and last year at a Roman Catholic church.

This year, during the village’s 125th anniversary celebration, the Bahá’ís of Wilmette hosted the service at which Hindu, Jewish, Zoroastrian, Buddhist, Muslim, Christian and Bahá’í scriptural passages on giving thanks to God were read, and an interfaith choir conducted by a local Bahá’í, Rosamond Brenner, sang.

John Jacoby, president of the village Board of Trustees, presented a brief religious history of Wilmette, praising the Bahá’ís for their role in helping the village grow and saying that the Bahá’í House of Worship symbolizes the physical and spiritual beauty of the community.

The keynote address was given by the Most Reverend Edwin Conway, Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.

Caswell Ellis, administrator of the Bahá’í House of Worship, was chairman of the event, and ended it by reciting the prayer, “Blessed Is the Spot.”

The program was taped for later broadcast on Wilmette’s local cable television channel.

Telephone number for the Bahá’í National Center Bulletin Board Service (BNCBBS): 847-869-0389.

News in brief

Bahá’ís in western Massachusetts mark church burnings

Bahá’ís from Northampton, Amherst, Hatfield, Hadley and other communities in western Massachusetts took part September 9 in an interfaith service held in remembrance of recent church burnings in the U.S.

The service, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Northampton, was hosted by the Committee to Stop Church Burning. Sixteen religious faiths including Islam, Judaism and Buddhism were represented.

The Bahá’ís contributed two performances: a vocal by Nyanyika Banda and a dance by the Bahá’í Youth Workshop on eliminating racism and prejudice that ended with the reading of a passage from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh.

The local newspaper reported the event the following day with an article that included the following quotation from Bahá’u’lláh: “O human kind! Verily ye are all the leaves and fruits of one tree. Ye are all one. Therefore associate in friendship, love one another, dispel forever this gloomy darkness of human ignorance, for the century of light, the sun of reality, hath appeared.”

That same day, a letter from the local Assembly, based on the National Spiritual Assembly’s press release condemning church burning, was printed in the letters to the editor section.

Pictured with a group of Chinese friends at the Great Wall during a recent visit to China are American Bahá’ís Bob Bellows (third from right) and Jay Corre who brought along his saxophone. Mr. Corre was among a group of jazz musicians who performed in a number of cities in China.

Dallas Institute holds 1st session

On September 28, the Bahá’í Training Institute of Dallas, Texas, held its first session.

Lynn Pena and Tessy Baugher facilitated the training based on the recently published handbook, “We Are Bahá’ís.”

Everyone present appreciated the warm atmosphere provided by Urla Morgan in her home.

A fax from one of the participants captured the spiritual essence of the institute:

“As a new Bahá’í, I found the institute to be a wonderful foundation in the fundamental verities of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh: the principles of the Faith. It was a spiritually enlightening and energizing experience. The facilitators were well-prepared and the program materials were well-developed and presented. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this inaugural event.”

Bahá’ís support clothing drive

Indianapolis-area Bahá’ís have donated more than 300 items of new underwear and $125 to needy residents in that city.

The collection was part of an annual campaign by Interfaith Alliance Indianapolis called “Underneath It All We Are All the Same.”

The underwear was given for distribution by the Hawthorne House Community Center. Donated money will be used to purchase additional underwear at wholesale prices.

The Bahá’í community is an active participant in the Interfaith Alliance. [Page 17]

NEWS FROM OVERSEAS

• • Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum revisits Brazil**
  • The Hand of the Cause of God**

Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum undertook a month-long visit to Brazil last summer during which she took part in five conferences marking the 20th anniversary of her "Green Light Expedition" to teach the Cause throughout the Amazon region of that country. A video tape of her life and services to humanity was shown to audiences as a part of the programs.

The first stop was Bahia, where about 500 people were present for the Bahá’í National Integration Conference. In Manaus, about 420 heard the Hand of the Cause talk on the equality of men and women, the elimination of prejudice, and the role of the Amazon and importance of its people in the international scenario. On that same day, the Legislative Assembly of the State of the Amazon passed a law recognizing Naw-Rúz as a Bahá’í Holy Day. On August 22-23, Amatu’l-Bahá took part in a conference entitled "World Citizenship-Practicing Unity in Diversity," organized by the Spiritual Assembly of São Paulo. In Foz do Iguacú, she was received by the mayor's brass band at the airport and warmly welcomed by his special deputy. A two-day conference planned by the National Spiritual Assemblies of Brazil and Paraguay was attended by more than 600 people from 10 countries, with many Indian tribes represented. Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum won the hearts of the participants, pointing out the importance of educating children to form strong character and emphasizing ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s statement about the importance of teaching indigenous peoples.

The regional Bahá’í youth team in northeastern India organized a summer teaching project last June in several districts of Bihar State. After a three-day institute in Patna, attended by 103 of the friends including 15 women from four states, the Bahá’ís were organized into teams named after Bahá’í months and began teaching. As a result, 808 people embraced the Cause and more than 5,000 others were taught the Faith.

Also in India, 61 students, all female, recently declared their faith in Bahá’u’lláh in Uchhal, Gujarat, as a result of efforts of a Bahá’í school teacher, Chimanlal Vasava. To date, the number of students at the school in which Mr. Vasava teaches has risen to 175 and steps are being taken to deepen them.

As a result of a summer teaching campaign held last July 22-August 15 in Mongolia, 133 new believers embraced the Cause and four local Spiritual Assemblies were formed. The campaign was preceded by a teaching institute in Baganuur, attended by 50 Bahá’ís who afterward were divided into eight teams which visited 10 provinces and 15 towns. One of the features of the campaign was the holding of children's classes.

Last June, a teacher training institute was held and a mass teaching campaign undertaken in the areas of Mackeni and Magbenteh, Sierra Leone, leading to the enrollment of more than 200 new believers. To consolidate the gains, a committee was formed to organize a six-month deepening and teaching program starting July 17. On July 19, one group of Bahá’ís went to villages surrounding Magbenteh to spread the Message. As a result, 13 people embraced the Cause. Some 31 children ages 7-15 regularly attend Bahá’í classes held each evening at the Regional Teaching Center in Magbenteh.

In Chile, 30 people took part last April in a social and economic development program organized by the local Spiritual Assembly of Las Condes during which the friends learned the art of necklace-making.

The first Bahá’í Youth Conference in Kyrgystan was held last July 26-28 in Bishkek. Counselor B. Afshin, 41 members of various National Spiritual Assemblies, 16 Auxiliary Board members and 400 Bahá’ís from 19 countries took part in the conference, whose theme was "Youth-the Instrument Which Accelerates Entry by Troops into the Cause of God." Two hundred eighty-six of the friends volunteered to undertake teaching projects to help accelerate the process of entry by troops, one result of which was the enrollment of 12 people in the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

A 15-day Bahá’í Summer School, conducted by an Auxiliary Board member at the behest of the local Spiritual Assembly, was held last September in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The program was open to the public and 150 people from a number of tribal backgrounds attended. During the course of the school, six people declared their faith in Bahá’u’lláh and another 28 were enrolled in a deepening program to be held at a later date.

Last June 1, the Bahá’í communities of Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi, Brazil, organized a commemoration of the fourth anniversary of the dedication of Rio's Peace Monument. Many distinguished guests attended the ceremony, at which earth from 12 additional countries was deposited in the monument, and three new believers were enrolled in the Cause.

A group of young traveling teachers from France, a young Bahá’í from Ukraine and several believers from Burkina Faso and Guinea joined local Bahá’ís last July 15-August 30 for a teaching campaign in the Danané area of Côte d'Ivoire. In Danané, the local Assembly played an important part in organizing the campaign. After a two-day institute, the friends were divided into teams that traveled to goal areas, enrolling new believers and helping elect new local Assemblies. Among the results: 48 new local Spiritual Assemblies, 22 localities opened, and deepening activities begun for 30 existing local Assemblies.

Five Bahá’ís from Ibadan, Nigeria, traveled to Osogbo last June 30 to teach the Faith. A local Bahá’í arranged for drummers and dancers to perform, and more than 200 people gathered to hear the Message. As a result of these efforts, four people accepted the Faith.

Seventy people including visitors from India, Malaysia and the U.S. took part last August 23-28 in a national Bahá’í Summer School in Vladivostok, Russia. About one-fourth of those attending were not Bahá’ís. Sharing the school site were children from an orphanage in the Magadan region, some of whom took part in the children's program. Besides classes for adults, youth and children, there were concerts, a carnival and bonfire. Two people declared their belief, including one who had learned of the Faith during a teaching campaign that preceded the school.

About 3,000 Esperantists representing 63 countries attended the 81st International Esperanto Congress, held last July 20-27 in Prague, Czech and Slovak Republics. Among those taking part were 25 members of the Bahá’í Esperanto League who presented a program entitled "Carrying Forward an Ever-Advancing Civilization," attended by 80 participants. Throughout the Congress, the Bahá’í Esperanto League maintained a display and information booth which received a constant stream of visitors.

Fifteen Bahá’ís ages 14-18, chosen by the National Spiritual Assembly of El Salvador, were among the 1,450 youth who took part with representatives of the government and private agencies last September 17 in the first National Youth Congress sponsored by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Salvadoran Council for Protection of Minors held in San Salvador. A committee of 10 youth-including three Bahá’ís-was elected to represent Salvadoran youth before the government and the society. During the plenary session, posters with Bahá’í principles were part of the groups' presentations, and a quotation from the Writings was handed out and read to the assemblage.

Since September 1995, the Bahá’í community of La Ceiba, Honduras, has sponsored an hour-long television program that is broadcast live during prime time and repeated three times each week. Invited guests have included university professors, students, doctors, artists, priests and local officials. The program has a wide audience, ranking with news broadcasts in popularity.

About 65 young Bahá’ís gathered last August 17-18 in Phnom Penh City, Cambodia, for that country's first Bahá’í Youth Conference. The event was called for by the Spiritual Assembly of Phnom Penh and organized by the local youth. Both of the main speakers were young Khmer Bahá’ís.

A round table discussion was held to mark the International Day of Peace last September at the Bahá’í Cultural Center in Albania. More than 60 people, mainly non-Bahá’í members of non-governmental organizations, took part in the event. The Bahá’í committee was responsible for planning the program and inviting the speakers, while the co-sponsoring NGO Forum was in charge of invitations and publicity.

The third Bahá’í Peace Relay from Hiroshima to Nagasaki, Japan, was held last August 6-9 with 30 runners ages 10-53 from eight countries taking part under the slogan "Peace-Pass It On." The annual event marks the anniversary of the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. This year Nippon Hoso Kyokai (the Japan Broadcasting Corporation) carried the last part of the Peace Run on Nagasaki television news, one of whose reporters was so inspired that he joined the team to run the last few meters.

Woodrow Wilson grants in women's studies encourage research

To encourage original and significant research on such topics as the evolution of women's role in society, women in history, and the psychology of women, the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation offers special grants of $2,000. For more information, e-mail [Page 18]

Louhelen to hold sessions for Core Curriculum Teacher Trainers

January and February will see the start of a new series of Core Curriculum Teacher Training programs at the Louhelen Bahá’í School for communities interested in bringing the Core Curriculum to their locality.

Local communities are invited to contact the National Teacher Training Center at Louhelen if they are interested in receiving information about workshops for Teacher Trainers, Parent Facilitators, Race Unity Trainers and Marriage and Family Life Trainers.

All Core Curriculum programs have been developed under the direction of the National Spiritual Assembly by members of the National Education Task Force. The aim of these programs is to foster the spiritual education of children, families and communities through training programs based on the application of the Sacred Writings of the Faith to daily life.

Each Core Curriculum program is designed to be offered at local and regional levels by facilitators who prepare to serve in this role at the National Teacher Training Center. They then serve under the sponsorship and guidance of a local Spiritual Assembly.

The courses are also highly appropriate for training institutes, and as such are useful starting points for following the directions given by the Universal House of Justice in its Ridván message:

“Systematic attention has to be given by Bahá’í institutions to training a significant number of believers and assisting them in serving the Cause according to their God-given talents and capacities.

“The purpose of such training is to endow ever-growing contingents of believers with the spiritual insights, the knowledge, and the skills needed to carry out the many tasks of accelerated expansion and consolidation, including the teaching and deepening of a large number of people—adults, youth and children.

“This purpose can best be achieved through well-organized, formal programs consisting of courses that follow appropriately designed curricula.”

For more information about the following sessions, please contact the National Teacher Training Center, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 810-653-5033; e-mail

January 3–5 (continued June 6–8)—Marriage and Family Life Trainer Training

January 17–20 (continued May 30–June 1)—Teacher Trainer Training

January 17–20 (continued May 30–June 1)—Parent Facilitator Workshop

February 14–17 (continued May 9–11)—Race Unity Trainer Training

Louhelen slates marriage retreat

A Marriage Enrichment Retreat will be held February 14–16 at the Louhelen Bahá’í School. This highly interactive program is soundly based in the Sacred Writings and will be facilitated by Joannie and James Yuille of California.

WANTED

News articles and feature stories by or about Bahá’í youth. If you have news or other information to offer, please send it to the National Youth Committee, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (e-mail

Green Acre sessions focus on Four Year Plan goals

Arise to win the goals for the first year of the Four Year Plan with two Green Acre weekend intensives designed to help both Assemblies and individuals this winter.

The first, “With Efficiency and Love,” to be held January 17–19, will be presented by Peter and Pepper Oldziey. Find out how local Spiritual Assemblies and communities, inspired by the Ridván letters of the Universal House of Justice, can double the active core of believers and seize opportunities “the like of which presently exist nowhere else on earth.”

The second, an Institute on Training Institutes, will be offered February 21–23 by veteran traveling teacher and pioneer Ruth Hampson. Learn models and strategies for developing effective Training Institutes and find out how Institutes help “all Bahá’ís, new and veteran, [to] embark on a systematic study of the fundamental verities of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh” guaranteed to help advance the process of entry by troops.

Special discounts: each of these weekend intensives can be taken separately at the regular weekend package rate of $110/adult, OR they can be taken as a two-part series for the discounted price of $190/person. Spiritual Assemblies that send three or more members are offered a discount price of $150/person for the two-weekend package, or $75/person for each weekend.

Both weekends will include a full program for ages 3 to adult.

Green Acre Winter Series includes programs for seekers, new believers

Other special programs in Green Acre’s Winter Series:

January 24–26—Seekers Weekend/New Believers Retreat. Warm away the winter chill with a weekend of special spiritual inspiration not-for-new-believers-only. Acquire a sense of the greatness of the Faith and its purpose, deepen in its history and teachings, and evoke a sense of joy in being a Bahá’í. 30 percent discount for seekers and those who bring them.

January 31–February 2—College Club Symposium, presented by the National Youth Committee. This weekend will examine the role college clubs can play in advancing the process of entry by troops, the Bahá’í position on any number of campus “hot topics,” how clubs can become leaders in social activism, and the meaning of Bahá’í scholarship. Will include a special Saturday evening concert by the Boston-based band, “little a.”

February 14–16—“China: Country of the Future.” This exploration of Chinese culture and the Bahá’í Faith will introduce the rich tapestry of Chinese civilization with all its multi-colored threads of history, literature, customs, folklore, religion and philosophy. The presenter, Charles Pau, has served on the National Spiritual Assemblies of Hong Kong and Singapore, and from 1989–93 was a member of the International Chinese Teaching Committee.

March 7–9—Spiritual Retreat for the Fast. Refresh and gladden your spirit with time for reflection and meditation, prayers in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s room, and deepening on how our inner life and private character can more deeply mirror the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh.

Coming March 21–23—a weekend with David and Margaret Ruhe.

Also: Green Acre’s newly expanded Fellowship Cafe/Bookstore, located at Fellowship House, offers live music and performances on selected Saturday nights. Call to find out the entertainment lineup.

Children on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico enjoy warm pizzas and face-painting during a recent workshop on hygiene conducted by the Native American Bahá’í Institute with the help of Dr. Hala Jarrah-Jarrar, a Bahá’í from Rockville, Maryland.

The Native American Bahá’í Institute, as a part of its continuing commitment to sponsor community outreach programs, recently collaborated with Dr. Hala Jarrah-Jarrar, a visiting Bahá’í from Rockville, Maryland, to present a hygiene workshop aimed at teaching children the importance of daily health maintenance and the need to prevent disease.

Dr. Jarrah-Jarrar and Selena Orona, the Institute’s administrative assistant, traveled to Navajo, New Mexico, to make the presentation on the Navajo Reservation.

Forty children ages 5–12 took part in the workshop, which was followed by a Halloween party where the children were treated to face painting and given basic health care kits on behalf of NABI.

It was NABI’s fourth trip to the Rainbow Day Care Center, which is owned by the local Presbyterian Church but administered by local Bahá’ís David and Kathleen Norton.

Programs such as this have been a part of NABI’s outreach services for children and adults. The children’s outreach program has included presentations to local schools by NABI’s artist-in-residence program which features story-telling, native dancing and singing, all aimed at presenting NABI as a “center of learning” and resource center for social and economic development as well as for teaching the Faith. [Page 19]

National Hispanic Conference held at Bosch School

A National Hispanic Conference, “Building Bridges for Teaching in the Americas,” was held September 20–22 at the Bosch Bahá’í School in Santa Cruz, California.

About 80 people (some of whom were not yet Bahá’ís) from as far away as Arizona, Massachusetts, Mexico and Texas gathered to learn about teaching institutes for the Hispanic community.

Saturday’s program, whose emphasis was on “creating a vision for entry by troops,” was conducted by Counselor Arturo Serrano on behalf of the National Hispanic Task Force.

Counselor Serrano met with members of the Task Force throughout the weekend while helping to facilitate the well-planned program which was put together by Julia and Ramiro Carranza of Santa Clara, California.

On Saturday afternoon, the Bosch campus was opened to friends and neighbors for a fiesta in the pool patio area. While volunteers manned the barbecue, roasting carne asada, the kitchen staff outdid themselves serving frijoles, arroz, tortillas and flan. The children enjoyed games and a piñata while a number of the friends danced.

On Saturday evening, a 14-member folkloric dance troupe, “Tlaloc,” from Watsonville, presented ethnic dances from Mexico. Also performing for the first time was the Bahá’í Youth Workshop from the Monterey Bay area.

On Sunday, William Davis, treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly, gave presentations on the Four Year Plan and how the teaching institutes apply to it.

In all, the conference served as a wonderful foundation for those who attended. The information that was shared can now be used to enhance teaching efforts in Hispanic communities throughout the country.

‘Tlaloc,’ a Spanish folk-dancing troupe from Watsonville, California, had the audience shouting with excitement with their colorful costumes and dances during the National Hispanic Conference held in September at the Bosch Bahá’í School. This photograph was taken in the lobby of Martha Root Hall.

Bosch School has busy calendar of upcoming events

One program at the Bosch Bahá’í School to mark on your calendar is the College Club Symposium (January 3–5), to be facilitated by the Auxiliary Board members. The USC and University of Arizona Bahá’í Clubs are planning devotions and service projects during the weekend. For information, contact the National Youth Committee, 847-733-3587, or e-mail

Other upcoming events: “Becoming Teachers of the Cause” (January 17–20) with Derek Cockshut speaking on the Covenant, Dr. Amin Banani on the history of the Faith, and Dr. Farhad Sabetan on the fundamentals of the Aqdas. On that same weekend, Bosch will host the Pioneering/SITA/Youth Service Corps session conducted by the Office of Pioneering.

“LSA Team Development” (January 24–26) with Marsha Gilpatrick plus “Core Curriculum” with Greg Weiler and Linda Bedford facilitators.

“Seekers/New Believers” (January 31–February 2) along with “Singles/Relationships” with a variety of workshops covering all aspects of single life for Bahá’ís.

“Core Curriculum” (February 7–9) with Greg Weiler and Linda Bedford.

“Black Heritage” (February 14–17) with Dr. Richard Thomas, Bonnie Taylor (compiler of Pupil of the Eye) and reports from Ted Jefferson and Mike Ingram on the Black Men’s Gatherings. Also, a report from Julia Doris, Talibah Sun-Boothe and Sandy Simmons on the Sisters’ Gathering.

“Renewing the Spirit of the Fortress for Well-Being” (in three parts: part I, February 7–9; part II, February 28–March 2; part III, April 18–20) facilitated by Diane and Bill Rockloff and Carol and Ron Lyles. Couples must attend all three sessions. No children.

The Bosch Spring/Summer brochure will be out in March, so look for more exciting sessions offered by the Bosch Bahá’í School in Santa Cruz, California.

Agriculture Symposium to be held in February at Louhelen Bahá’í School

An Agriculture Symposium will be held February 21–23 at the Louhelen Bahá’í School. The weekend session will include consultation on issues related to rural development, facilitated by Billy Rogers and Nancy McIntyre of the Association for Bahá’í Studies Agricultural Seminar. There will be focused consultation and planning to initiate action and foster the development of activities already under way, networking and fellowship. Some topics to be considered include rural youth camps, working retreats, and entry into small-scale agriculture.

William Davis, representing the National Spiritual Assembly, addresses the National Hispanic Teaching Conference in Spanish on the vital role of Teaching Institutes.

At Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute

Spiritual transformation leads off busy winter schedule

This winter the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute will host a number of exciting programs:

“Spiritual Transformation” (January 11–12) will focus on the practical means for spiritual transformation, namely, those fundamental spiritual exercises that are the essential prerequisites for our spiritual growth and the path toward attaining true spirituality. It will cover such practices as prayer, reciting the verses of God and meditation, study of the Faith, teaching, observing divine laws and principles, Huqúqu’lláh and the Bahá’í Funds, and service and community involvement. This weekend is for those interested in becoming trainers of such courses in their respective communities as well as for those who would like to acquire an in-depth understanding of the aforementioned topics.

“The Individual and Teaching” (January 18–19) has as its purpose training individuals to become knowledgeable and active teachers of the Faith. The training will cover such matters as spiritual preparation and action. Specifically, individuals will be trained in how to optimize their teaching capacities, how to find and attract receptive souls, how to deliver the Message, and how to nurture and confirm seekers. The terms of reference for this training will be ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablets of the Divine Plan and the Guardian’s explanation of those Tablets as contained in The Advent of Divine Justice and Citadel of Faith.

“Community Development: Race Unity” (‎January 25–25 {{{2}}}‎) deals with the practical means to overcoming the most challenging issue and promoting unity among the races. The focus of the training will be on what is distinctive about the Bahá’í approach to resolving racial differences, namely, the spiritual approach. This weekend is for those who wish to become trainers of such courses in their respective communities as well as for those who are interested in acquiring an in-depth understanding of the most challenging issue.

“Women’s Conference” (January 31–February 2) is a weekend of prayers, workshops, discussions, deepening and music designed to address issues of interest to women.

“Fundamental Verities” (February 15–16) is a training session focusing on those verities that will reinforce the vigor of our spiritual life. Specifically, it will cover the themes presented in The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh, which the Guardian has described as the general exposition of the fundamental verities of the Faith.

For more information about any of these programs, please contact the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, 803-558-5093, or e-mail [Page 20]

بزرگداشت روز میثاق در نیویورک

DAY OF THE COVENANT IN NEW YORK

احبای شهر نیویورک برای بزرگداشت روز میثاق در نوامبر سال ۱۹۹۶ برنامه‌ای طرح نمودند که بخشی از آن شامل راهپیمائی در نقاطی بود که حضرت عبدالبهاء در سال ۱۹۱۲ از آن دیدار فرموده بودند.

البته راهپیمائی مذکور شامل توقف در ۱۳ محل بود و همه نقاطی را که به قدوم حضرت عبدالبهاء مزین شده بود در بر نمی‌گرفت. شرح کامل این نقاط در جزوه‌ای با عنوان ’Abdu’l Baha in New York: City of the Covenant که در سال ۱۹۸۷ برای بزرگداشت هفتاد و پنجمین سالگرد دیدار آن حضرت از نیویورک چاپ شده درج گردیده است.

مؤسسة ویلمت

WILMETTE INSTITUTE

مؤسسه ویلمت برای سال ۹۸-۱۹۹۷ برنامه‌ای با عنوان اساس روحانی برای یک تمدن جهانی طرح کرده و به تازگی جریان انتخاب و برنامه‌ریزی مواد درسی آن را به انجام رسانده است. تمرکز برنامة مذکور بر محور پرورش فرد و خانواده است.

برنامة درسی با بحثی پیرامون طبیعت انسانی آغاز خواهد شد و به مطالعه دربارهٔ پرورش جسمانی و عقلانی و روحانی انسان انجام خواهد پذیرفت.

موضوع پرورش عقلانی متکی بر روانشناسی تربیتی و بالینی خواهد بود و پرورش روحانی اصول روحانی امر بهائی به ویژه نماز و دعا و روزه و تزیید معلومات و قوانین و اصول اخلاقی را مورد بررسی قرار خواهد داد.

پرورش خانواده شامل ۴ موضوع خواهد بود: ازدواج، مادر و پدر، تربیت کودکان، حیات خانواده.

مواد دیگر درسی شامل بررسی فرد و تشکیلات (با تأید بر موضوع‌هایی چون عهد و پیمان و اطاعت و آزادی) و فرد و جامعه (متضمن روابط میان افراد و مسأله همکاری و معاضدت در ‎در به جای به جای‎ رقابت) خواهد بود.

موضوع تاریخ امری و نصوص بهائی نیز مانند سال‌های پیش در مواد درسی مؤسسه گنجانده شده است.

در برنامة تاریخ بهائی حیات حضرت بهاءالله از سال ۱۸۶۳ تا سال ۱۸۹۲ و حیات حضرت عبدالبهاء به عنوان «مثل اعلی» بررسی خواهد شد که این خود مرتبط با موضوع پرورش فردی خواهد بود.

مطالعة نصوص بر آثار عرفانی حضرت بهاءالله - از جمله ”هفت وادی“ و ”چهار وادی“ و ”کلمات مکنونه“ - و کتاب اقدس و الواح نازل شده پس از نزول کتاب اقدس تمرکز خواهد داشت.

برنامة درسی مؤسسة ویلمت که حاوی دو بخش مطالعة شخصی و برنامة شبانه روزی (residential) است، شامل کارگاه‌هایی برای تبلیغ امر مبارک و سمیناری دربارة فنون نگارش خواهد بود.

برنامة سال تحصیلی ۹۸-۹۷ از اول ماه می سال آینده با یک بخش مقدماتی دوماهه‌ شامل مطالعة شخصی جهت آماده ساختن دانشجویان برای بخش شبانه روزی آغاز خواهد شد.

برنامة شبانه روزی از ۱۸ جولای تا ۱۰ آگست در National-Louis University در شهر ویلمت در ایالت ایلینوی دائر خواهد بود.

این برنامه به غیر از کلاس‌های درسی شامل تکالیف روزانه و شرکت در برنامه‌های عملی و فرصت برای خدمت در مشرق‌الاذکار و دفتر محفل ملی و دیگر فعالیت‌های فوق برنامه خواهد بود و به دنبال آن یک برنامة ۶ ماهه برای مطالعات بیشتر از سپتامبر سال ۹۷ تا پایان فبروری سال ۹۸ طرح شده است.

شهریة برنامة مذکور ۷۵۰ دلار و هزینة خوابگاه و خوراک حدود ۶۷۵ دلار است.

کسانی که مایل به شرکت در این برنامه باشند می‌توانند برای دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر با مؤسسة ویلمت تماس حاصل نمایند.

شمارة تلفن: ۳۴۱۵-۷۳۳ (۸۴۷) شمارة فکس: ۳۵۶۳-۷۳۳ (۸۴۷)

e-mail

سازمان غیرانتفاعی «مونا»

MULTICULTURAL ORGANIZATION FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS

محفل روحانی لوس آنجلس یک سازمان غیرانتفاعی با عنوان ”سازمان چندفرهنگی هنرهای کوی و برزن“ Multicultural Organization for ‎Neiborhood Neighborhood‎ Arts - که با پهلوی هم نشاندن حروف اول آن کلمة ”مونا“ MONA ساخته می‌شود- تأسیس کرده است.

این سازمان که به یاد شهید جوان بهائی مونا محمودزاده نامیده شده است مسؤول تأمین بودجه برای ساختن یک مرکز وحدت Unity Center در جنب حظیرةالقدس لوس آنجلس و برنامه‌ریزی برای آن خواهد بود. قرار است این مرکز تا سپتامبر سال ۹۷ ساخته شود.

نقشة مرکز وحدت برای تصویب به شهرداری محل عرضه شده و برنامه‌های ویژه برای تأمین وجوه لازم جهت کارآموزی و کلاس‌های هنر در شرف طرح است. ساختمان این مرکز دوطبقه و تقریباً ۷۵ هزار فوت مربع خواهد بود.

بنای مرکز وحدت نتیجهٔ چندین سال برنامه‌ریزی بوده است و یکی از مشروعات توسعهٔ اقتصادی و عمرانی جامعة بهائی لوس آنجلس به شمار می‌رود.

مراسم بزرگداشت میلاد حضرت بهاءالله در سونا

CELEBRATION OF BIRTH OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH IN SAVANNAH

احبای سونا در ایالت جورجیا به مناسبت روز ولادت حضرت بهاءالله جلسه‌ای تشکیل دادند و در آن از خدمات یکی از تاریخ نگاران آن شهر، آقای W.W. Law، قدردانی کردند و جایزهٔ ویژه‌ای به ‎به اهدا نمودند اهدا نمودند‎.

آقای مایک اونی‌یل Mike O’Neal سخنگوی جامعة بهائی که در عین حال نماینده جامعة بهائی در کمیسیون ویژهٔ شهردار برای روابط انسانی است، در مصاحبه‌ای که یکی از روزنامه‌های محل با او ترتیب داده بود گفت: ”ثبت تاریخ امریکائیان افریقائی تبار توسط آقای لا حرمت نفس بیشتری به امریکائیان سیاه پوست داده و این یکی از تعالیم امر بهائی است و بهائیان آن را شفائی برای درمان دردهای جامعة سیاه پوست می‌دانند“

آقای اونی‌یل در ادامهٔ مصاحبهٔ خود گفت: آقای لا از سال‌های دهة پنجاه حامی جامعة بهائی بوده و بعنوان ناطق اصلی در بسیاری از جلسات بهائی سخنرانی کرده است.

با این حال آقای لا در ضمن مصاحبه با همان روزنامه گفت که اهداء جایزه به او برایش کاملاً غیرمنتظره بوده و دریافت آن برایش افتخاری به شمار می رود.

ایشان همچنین اظهار داشت که جامعهٔ بهائی از دیرباز حامی نهضت احقاق حقوق اقلیت‌ها بوده و در بحبوحهٔ تلاش‌های آن نهضت در سونا همواره فعالیت‌های مبارزان راه تساوی حقوق اقلیت‌ها را تشویق کرده است.

در مراسم اهداء جایزه مذکور علاوه بر جمعی از دوستان غیربهائی نمایندگان مطبوعات نیز حضور داشتند.

احبای سونا در ماه جون سال ۹۶ نیز پیک‌نیکی ترتیب دادند که حدود ۲۰۰ نفر در آن شرکت کردند که گزارش آن از طریق تلویزیون و مطبوعات محلی به آگاهی مردم رسید.

مؤسسه بهائی بومیان امریکا

NATIVE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í INSTITUTE

به تازگی مؤسسه بهائی امریکائیان سرخ پوست - یا امریکائیان بومی - جهت اجرای تعهد خود برای اجرای خدمات اجتماعی با کمک دکتر جلا جراح جرار از بهائیان ایالت مریلند کارگاهی برای نظافت و بهداشت کودکان ترتیب دادند.

دکتر جراح جرار و یکی از مسؤولان مؤسسه مذکور به ناواهو Navajo در ایالت نیومکزیکو رفتند و در یک مهد کودک کارگاه تشکیل دادند.

۴۰ کودک ۵ ساله تا ۱۲ ساله در کارگاه مذکور شرکت داشتند و سپس در یک مهمانی هالوئین Halloween شرکت کردند و بسته‌ای حاوی کمک‌های اولیه بهداشتی دریافت داشتند.

این چهارمین باری بود که نماینده‌ای از جانب مؤسسه بهائی امریکائیان سرخ پوست به مهد کودک مذکور سر زده بود.

حقوق الله
از دوستان عزیز مستدعی است تقدیمی‌های حقوق الله را در وجه Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust و به نشانی یکی از امنای حقوق الله ارسال فرمایند.
Dr. Elsie Austin 9039 Sligo Creek Parkway, # 612 Silver Spring, MD 20901	Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA 90402	Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH 44116

[Page 21]ترتیب در وجه Bahá’í International Fund و Arc Projects Fund و Continental Bahá’í Fund مستقیماً به ارض اقدس به نشانی PO Box 155, Haifa 31 001, Israel ارسال نمایند. باید توجه داشت که تبرعات مذکور ممکن است بر طبق مقررات وزارت دارائی ایالات متحده (Internal Revenue Service) مشمول معافیت مالیاتی نباشد. برای دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر می‌توان با دفتر امین صندوق تماس گرفت.

تلفن: ۹۰۳۹-۸۶۹ (۸۴۷)

تبرعات به صندوق ملی باید در وجه Bahá’í National Fund باشد و به نشانی زیر فرستاده شود: Office of the Treasurer 1233 Central Street Evanston, IL. 60201-1611

در صورتی که یاران مایل باشند که تمامی وجه تبرعی یا بخشی از آن به صندوق‌های بین‌المللی فرستاده شود باید یادداشتی همراه وجه تبرعی ارسال نمایند و در آن ذکر کنند که مایلند وجه مذکور به حساب کدام صندوق امری واریز شود.

باید به خاطر داشت که یاران برای استفاده از معافیت مالیاتی باید چگونگی استفاده از تبرعات را به اختیار محفل روحانی ملی و صواب‌دید آن هیئت واگذار نمایند.

برای تبرع به صندوق محلی باید با امین صندوق محل تماس حاصل نمود. چنانچه دوستان مایل باشند بخشی از وجه تبرعی به صندوق محلی از طریق آن صندوق به دیگر صندوق‌های امری فرستاده شود باید خواست خود را با امین صندوق محل در میان نهند.

کنفرانس دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی

FRIENDS OF PERSIAN CULTURE CONFERENCE

چنانکه در شماره پیشین این نشریه به آگاهی دوستان رسید، هفتمین کنفرانس سالانه دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی از ۲۳ تا ۲۵ می سال ۱۹۹۷ در هتل هیلتن شیکاگو Chicago Hilton and Towers تشکیل خواهد شد.

این کنفرانس شامل برنامه‌های همزمان فارسی و انگلیسی خواهد بود و بخشی از برنامه آن به بزرگداشت حیات و آثار و خدمات ایادی عزیز امرالله جناب ابوالقاسم فیضی اختصاص خواهد داشت.

برای نونهالان بهائی نیز برنامه‌های ویژه‌ای در نظر گرفته شده است.

دوستان می‌توانند برای رزرو کردن اتاق مستقیماً با هتل تماس حاصل نمایند و ذکر فرمایند که برای شرکت در Bahá’í Arts Festival اتاق لازم دارند. نرخ مخصوص کنفرانس برای هر اتاق شبی ۸۹ دلار است. این مبلغ فقط برای کرایه اتاق است و شامل مخارج خوراک و نام‌نویسی نمی‌شود.

تلفن هتل: ۶۹۰۲-۴۳۱ (۳۱۲) شماره فکس: ۶۵۳۸-۶۵۳ (۳۱۲)

نام‌نویسی از صبح روز پنجشنبه ۲۲ می آغاز خواهد شد. عصر آن روز جلسه‌ای برای بزرگداشت اظهار امر حضرت اعلی در مشرق‌الاذکار تشکیل خواهد شد. شروع جلسات کنفرانس صبح روز جمعه و خاتمه آن ساعت ۱۱ شب یکشنبه ۲۵ می خواهد بود.

از علاقه‌مندان دعوت می‌شود برای نام‌نویسی در کنفرانس یا دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر با دفتر "انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی" تماس حاصل نمایند. تلفن: ۳۵۲۸-۷۳۳ (۸۴۷) فکس: ۰۲۴۷-۸۶۹ (۸۴۷) e-mail:

یادی از جناب سعادت‌الله استوار

PASSING OF MR. SA’ADAT OSTOVAR

خادم و مهاجر برازنده امر الهی جناب سعادت‌الله استوار که همراه همسر محترمشان از پائیز سال ۱۹۹۵ به روسیه و تاجیکستان مهاجرت کرده بود در ۱۰ سپتامبر سال ۱۹۹۶ به ملکوت الهی صعود نمود.

جناب استوار در سال ۱۳۱۰ شمسی در نجف‌آباد اصفهان متولد شد. به گفته همسرشان قدسیه خانم، جناب استوار تحصیلات خود را در ایران به پایان رساند و برای کسب معلومات بیشتر راهی ایالات متحده شد و حدود ۲۵ سال در جوامع گوناگون این دیار به خدمات امری مشغول بود.

پس از تشکیل دومین کنگره جهانی در نیویورک به اتفاق همسر تصمیم گرفت به یکی از جمهوری‌های سابق ‎شوری شوروی‎ یا کشوری در اروپای شرقی مهاجرت کند.

خانواده استوار دو مرتبه به جمهوری اکراین رفتند و سپس به ایالات متحده بازگشتند تا سرانجام در اکتبر سال ۱۹۹۵ تصمیم گرفتند به مهاجرت دائمی بروند. نخست عازم مسکو شدند سپس به اشاره محفل ملی روسیه به ولگاگراد رفتند و بعد از سه ماه راهی آستاراخان شدند و سرانجام در اواخر جون سال ۱۹۹۶ عازم تاجیکستان شدند و به خدمت امر مبارک پرداختند.

جناب استوار روز ۱۰ سپتامبر همان سال به ملکوت الهی صعود کرد. معهد اعلی روز ۱۷ سپتامبر در دستخطی که به مناسبت صعود جناب استوار صادر شده بود از صعود ایشان اظهار تأثر کردند و فرمودند: "از صعود مهاجر سبیل‌الله سعادت‌الله استوار بسیار متأثر گشتیم. بازماندگان و دوستان را اطمینان دهید که در مقامات مقدسه جهت ترویج روح آن متصاعد الی‌الله که آرزویش خدمت به امر جمال ابهی بود و در میدان خدمت به عالم بقا پیوست دعا می‌کنیم تا ان‌شاءالله در ظل رحمت الهی در عوالم نامحدود مستریح باشد..."

یادش گرامی باد!

گزارش دفتر امین صندوق ملی

معمولاً مقدار تبرعات احباء به صندوق ملی در ماه‌های نومبر و دسامبر هر سال افزایش می‌یابد و بدین ترتیب کاهش وجوه تبرعات در ماه‌های تابستان را تا حدی تلافی و خنثی می‌کند.

اما در دو ماه آخر سال ۱۹۹۶ این روش معهود تکرار نشد. در طی نقشه سه‌ساله میانگین وجوه تبرعات در ماه نومبر بیش از ۹۰۰ هزار دلار بوده است. اما در سال ۱۹۹۶ این مبلغ در حدود ۷۰۰ هزار دلار بود.

پیام‌هائی که در ماه‌های آگست و سپتمبر به محافل روحانی محلی و ضیافات نوزده روزه فرستاده شد سبب گردید که شور و هیجانی در یاران ایجاد شود. بدین ترتیب بر میزان تبرعات افزوده شد و امید آن می‌رفت که علائم بهبود همچنان ادامه یابد. اما به نظر می‌رسد که سرمای زمستان، زمستان سخاوت را نیز به همراه آورده است!

به گفته یکی از کارکنان دفتر امین صندوق کاهش تبرعات به‌ویژه در ماه‌های نومبر و دسامبر باعث نگرانی است. برخی از نقشه‌ها و برنامه‌های محفل روحانی ملی مستلزم منابع بیشتری خواهد بود. نیاز به منابع مادی و مالی در ماه‌های آینده شدیدتر خواهد شد و ما اهل بهاء می‌باید فکر جدی‌تری برای آن بکنیم.

تبلیغ امرالله در دیترویت

TEACHING THE FAITH IN DETROIT

اخیراً احبای شهر دیترویت به همراهی ۵ تن از اعضای محفل روحانی محل به یکی از مراکز تجاری شهر رفتند و موفق به تبلیغ ۲۰ نفر شدند.

این کوشش تبلیغی در محل غذاخوری آغاز شد. معمولاً یک یا دو نفر از احباء سر صحبت را با مشتریان باز می‌کردند و در حین صحبت از امر مبارک سخن به میان می‌آوردند.

البته یاران حکمت را از یاد نمی‌بردند و ابلاغ کلام الهی را با مراعات مقررات محل صورت می‌دادند.

این کوشش احباء را از لحاظ روحانی چنان تقویت کرد که هفته بعد نیز در همان محل به همان منظور جمع شدند.

احبای دیترویت همچنین در نظر دارند که برنامه‌ای به مدت سی دقیقه با عنوان "امر بهائی" تهیه نمایند که از یکی از کانال‌های تلویزیونی پخش شود. برابر آمار ایستگاه تلویزیونی حدود ۱۲۸ هزار منزل خواهند توانست برنامه مذکور را از نظر بگذرانند. [Page 22]

ترجمه مورخه دارالإنشاء بیت‌العدل اعظم مورخ ۱۸ آگست ۱۹۹۱ خطاب به محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان ایالات متحده آمریکا

یاران عزیز الهی،

یکی از احبای ساکن ایالات متحده از معهد اعلی درباره انتشار اسامی اعضاء آن محفل روحانی و محفل‌های ملی در گزارش سالانه آن محفل روحانی ملی سؤال نموده و در حقیقت این مسأله را مطرح کرده است که آیا ذکر اسامی افرادی که خدمات مخصوصی را انجام داده‌اند با موازین امری هماهنگی دارد؟ به عقیده او این عمل جنبه تبلیغات انتخاباتی دارد.

چون به نظر می‌رسد که این سؤال در جامعه یاران آن کشور مکرراً مطرح می‌گردد بیت‌العدل اعظم مقرر فرموده‌اند که سوادی از پاسخ ضمیمه را که بنا بر امر معهد اعلی تهیه شده جهت آن محفل ارسال داریم. به لحاظ محرمانه بودن مکاتبات شخصی، ذکر اسم فردی که این سؤال را مطرح کرده خودداری می‌گردد. بیت‌العدل اعظم امیدوارند که این مکاتبه برای پاسخ دادن به سؤالات مشابهی که مطرح می‌گردد مفید واقع شود.

با تحیات ابدع ابهی دارالإنشاء بیت‌العدل اعظم

نامه مورخ ۲ می ۱۹۹۱ که بوسیله فکس مخابره گردیده بود به ساحت رفیع معهد اعلی واصل گردید. اینکه نظر به احساس قلبی خود اظهار نموده‌اید که گزارش‌های محافل روحانی باید مطابق موازین امری تهیه و ارائه گردد و از هر گونه مطلبی که تصور تبلیغات انتخاباتی از آن بتوان نمود پرهیز شود مورد توجه بیت‌العدل اعظم قرار گرفت و مقرر فرمودند مراتب ذیل را در پاسخ نامه مزبور به استحضارتان برسانیم:

تبلیغات انتخاباتی اقدامی است که کاملاً با روح تشکیلات بهائی مخالف است ولیکن باید بین تبلیغات انتخاباتی و اقداماتی که به صورت کاملاً طبیعی و عادی در جامعه صورت می‌گیرد فرق گذاشت. یاران الهی به شهرهای تبلیغی می‌روند، مهاجرت می‌کنند، به نمایندگی جامعه بهائی در سازمان‌های غیردولتی مشارکت می‌جویند و در سمت‌های مسؤول خدماتی می‌نمایند. خیلی نادر است که این قبیل اقدامات بدون ذکر نام مجریان آنها در گزارش‌ها منعکس گردد. یاران الهی که در انتخابات شرکت می‌کنند و ابناء رأی می‌نمایند باید به درجاتی از بلوغ رسیده باشند که تفاوت بین تبلیغات و گزارش واقعی اعضای دیگر جامعه را تشخیص دهند و بین افرادی که با خلوص و خضوع و فداکاری به خدمات امری اشتغال دارند و نفوسی که هدف آنها منحصراً جلب توجه یاران است تفاوت بگذارند.

با تمام این احوال یاران الهی تحت تاثیر شرایط و رسوم متداول در جامعه‌ای قرار دارند که در آن زندگی می‌کنند و بعید نیست که بدون اراده رفتارشان تحت تاثیر موازین و ضوابطی که مورد قبول آن جامعه است قرار گیرد. یکی از وظایف بسیار مشکل ما بهائیان آنست که با رفتار شخصی خود و توازنی که در جامعه و مؤسسات بهائی فرسوده و ضایع نگشته، بلکه با عنایت حق، روز به روز جلال و بهائی بیشتر یافته و به آن حد از کمال انسانی نائل گردند که بتوانند جامعه‌ای را که به آن خدمت می‌کنند جلب نمایند بلکه مورد محبت قلبی و تکریم واقعی آنان قرار گیرند. (ترجمه شده از: Bahá’í Administration: Selected Messages 1922-1932, page 64)

هر قدر این نحوه رفتار و این موازین و آداب با وضوح بیشتری در جامعه بهائی معمول گردد به همان درجه یاران الهی در شناختن نفوسی از افراد مؤمنین که شایسته انتخاب شدن هستند اشکال کمتری خواهند داشت. با توجه به مراتب فوق درج اسامی اعضای محفل روحانی ملی و سوابق خدماتی آنان در گزارش‌های سالانه امری طبیعی به نظر می‌رسد و در دوران حیات حضرت ولی امرالله و پس از آن نیز معمول بوده است. همچنین در گذشته گزارش‌ها بطور کلی اگر چه ذکر اسامی کلیه افرادی که در هر اقدامی سهیم بوده‌اند مقدور نیست ولیکن ذکر اسامی یارانی که به خدمات خاصی نائل گردیده بودند مرسوم است.

یکی از احباء در عریضه‌ای به حضور حضرت ولی امرالله سؤال نموده بود که برای انتخاب نمایندگان ناحیه خود چگونه احباء می‌توانند تشخیص دهند که به چه نفوسی باید رأی دهند. در پاسخ به این عریضه هیکل مبارک مرقوم شده حضرت ولی امرالله بر این عقیده هستند که یاران الهی از طریق مشارکت در اخبار امری محلی و ملی و از طریق کنفرانس‌ها و سایر مجامع محلی می‌توانند با نام و سوابق خدماتی و سوابق زندگی و طرز تفکر و سایر جنبه‌های شخصیتی آنان مطلع گردند تا بتوانند با هوشیاری نمایندگان خود را انتخاب نمایند. (ترجمه) از این پاسخ معلوم می‌شود که حضرت ولی امرالله انتظار داشته‌اند که احباء نسبت به صفات و خدمات یکدیگر آگاهی حاصل نمایند.

بیت‌العدل اعظم امیدوارند که این توضیحات در تدقیق نگرانی آن یار عزیز روحانی مؤثر واقع شود و شما را در سنجش اقدامات افراد احباء مساعدت نماید. معهد اعلی از اشتیاقی که برای اجرای اهداف نقشه چهارساله ابراز نموده‌اید بسیار مسرورند و مقرر فرموده‌اند اطمینان دهیم که در اعتاب مقدسه علیا تائیدات الهیه را به جهت خدماتی که برای امر الهی انجام می‌دهید مسئلت خواهند نمود.

با تحیات ابدع ابهی دارالإنشاء بیت‌العدل اعظم

THE FUNDS OF THE BAHÁ’Í FAITH

اهل بهاء برای کمک به اجرای برنامه‌ها و نقشه‌های گوناگون امری به صندوق‌های مختلفی تقدیم تبرعات می‌کنند. برای آگاهی بیشتر یاران عزیز خلاصه‌ای درباره صندوق‌های گوناگون تبرعات و چگونگی تقدیم تبرعات به آنها در زیر درج می‌شود.

صندوق بین‌المللی بهائی

مخارج مربوط به امور گوناگون بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی از طریق این صندوق تأمین می‌شود که برخی از آنها از این قرار است: مخارج اداره مرکز جهانی بهائی، کمک به محافل مختلف ملی، کمک مالی به برنامه‌های عمران و توسعه اجتماعی و اقتصادی در سراسر جهان، تأمین منابع لازم برای فعالیت‌های امری مربوط به سازمان ملل متحد.

صندوق مشروعات کوه کرمل

این صندوق چنانکه از نامش بر می‌آید تأمین‌کننده مخارج مربوط به ساختمان‌های قوس حول مرقد مطهر در کوه کرمل است. دست کم تا سال ۲۰۰۰ تاریخ شروع به کار این صندوق نسبت به دیگر صندوق‌های امری ارجحیت خواهد داشت.

صندوق قاره‌ای

تبرعات به این صندوق امور مربوط به تبلیغ و صیانت امرالله را که بر عهده مؤسسه علما، علی‌الخصوص هیأت‌های مشاورین قاره‌ای و هیأت‌های معاونت و مساعدین آنان است، تأمین می‌نماید.

صندوق ملی

این صندوق نیز چنانکه از نامش بر می‌آید تأمین‌کننده مخارج محفل روحانی ملی است. تبرعاتی که به این صندوق تقدیم می‌شود صرف امور مربوط به اعلان عمومی امرالله و تحکیم اساس آن در ایالات متحده و نگهداری اماکن امری از جمله مشرق‌الأذکار آمریکا و پیشبرد امور و ایجاد و تقویت روابط خارجی و کمک به مؤسسات بین‌المللی بهائی می‌شود.

صندوق محلی

در هر جامعه بهائی مخارج محفل روحانی محلی و اداره امور آن از طریق صندوق محلی تأمین می‌گردد.

چگونگی تقدیم تبرعات به صندوق‌های امری

یاران می‌توانند تبرعات به صندوق بین‌المللی و صندوق مشروعات کوه کرمل و صندوق قاره‌ای را به... [Page 23]

Sa’ádat Ostovar, 65, pioneer to Tajikistan, dies at post

Sa’ádat Ostovar, who pioneered with his wife to Russia in September 1995, died September 10 at their post in Dushanbeh, Tajikistan. He was 65 years old.

Before pioneering the Ostovars had lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado, since coming to the U.S. from Iran in 1970. While there Mr. Ostovar had served on the local Spiritual Assembly and as an assistant to the Auxiliary Board.

During the past year the Ostovars had also lived in Kiev, Moscow and ‎Asterkhan Astrakhan‎.

On learning of Mr. Ostovar’s passing, the Universal House of Justice wrote to the National Spiritual Assembly of Tajikistan:

“We were deeply saddened by the news of the passing of the pioneer in the path of God Sa’ádat’-u’lláh Ostovar. Please reassure the relatives of our prayers at the Holy Shrines for the progress of his soul whose only desire was to serve the Cause of the Blessed Beauty, and who ascended to the Eternal Realm while in the field of service. God willing he will find rest in the shadow of Divine Mercy.

“Also assure his spouse Qudsiyyih Khánum and his son Herald of our prayers in the Holy Shrines that the confirmations of the Blessed Beauty may surround them and that they may be blessed with patience and tranquillity.”

NYC Bahá’ís place service at heart of campaign to raise Assembly in nearby Newark, New Jersey

Service to humanity is at the heart of a campaign by Bahá’ís in New York City to raise a local Spiritual Assembly in nearby Newark, New Jersey, by Ridván.

A task force appointed by the Spiritual Assembly of New York City is recruiting volunteers for organizations such as the Library Science Center, New Jersey Commission for the Blind, Parents Education Network of Newark, and Volunteer Center of Greater Essex County.

This approach to teaching in Newark was devised after the task force conducted a survey on community needs there. The task force also has met with Bahá’í youth from Clifton, New Jersey, and been street teaching, and its members now are coordinating a Bahá’í Youth Workshop in the state.

Other area Bahá’ís have helped the fledgling teaching effort. The “Bahá’í Faith Is” pamphlet and the Prayer for America have been handed out, and two Bahá’ís have joined the Newark Literacy Campaign as tutors for a year.

Savannah Bahá’ís take lead in battling ‘most challenging issue’

Wherever race unity efforts are ongoing in Savannah, Georgia, you’ll find the Bahá’ís.

On the occasion of the anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the Bahá’ís gave their first achievement award to Savannah historian and civil rights activist W.W. Law.

The award and a copy of The Pupil of the Eye were presented in a program at the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum by Ray Rudolph, a surgeon at Memorial Medical Center.

“Mr. Law’s preservation of local African-American history has brought black Americans a higher self-esteem, which is a derivation of the Bahá’í mission,” Bahá’í community spokesman Mike O’Neal told the Savannah Morning News.

“We consider that a healing medicine for the African-American community,” said Mr. O’Neal, who also is the Bahá’í representative on the mayor’s Human Relations Commission. “Beyond that, we feel that each part of the community has to be at its best so it can help the total community.”

Mr. O’Neal told the newspaper that Mr. Law has been a supporter of the Bahá’í community since the 1950s and has been a keynote speaker at several Bahá’í events.

Nevertheless, Mr. Law told the newspaper, the award “came completely as a surprise. I have known those in the Bahá’í community since their beginning in Savannah and I am humbled by the honor of receiving their first award.”

Mr. Law also was quoted as saying, “The Bahá’í community are old friends of the civil rights movement. During the height of the civil rights struggle in Savannah they were religiously supportive and gave great encouragement to the work of the NAACP.”

The award program was attended by several non-Bahá’ís including museum officials and media representatives.

A month earlier, Savannah Bahá’ís played an active role in bringing about and participating in the second annual “Can We Talk?” conference sponsored by the Interracial/Inter-faith Community.

Appreciating human differences and learning to understand one another was the goal of the conference, which drew more than 100 people.

Mr. O’Neal, the conference facilitator, told the Savannah News-Press, “What we hope to do here is create leaders, people who feel empowered to do things because they understand how prejudices stymie people.”

He said conference-goers of all backgrounds were encouraged to talk openly about themselves, their prejudices, and each other and to learn new ways of handling prejudice.

The newspaper article noted that Mr. O’Neal is a qualified trainer for the National Coalition Building Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that conducts diversity workshops in this country and internationally.

“We hope to have more of these kinds of meetings in the future, but what we’re doing now is introducing people to the concepts and the methods that NCBI uses,” Mr. O’Neal told the newspaper. “That’s very important to proceed. You have to find your common ground.”

Savannah Bahá’ís also held a Race Unity Day picnic last June that was attended by about 200 people and covered by local television stations and newspapers.

And the Bahá’í community has a cable television program every Saturday evening that has received much feedback from viewers.

Barbara Harris, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Hamilton Township, New Jersey, accepts the 1996 Robert E. ‘Poppy’ Wilson Community Service Award on behalf of the Bahá’ís of Hamilton Township from Councilman Jack Zoller. The award is presented each year for ‘noteworthy service and support of the Hamilton Township community.’

Scholarship fund honors Wilmette Institute student who died in auto mishap

A scholarship fund has been established in memory of Orlando Nuñez, a 22-year-old Bahá’í who was a student in last summer’s Wilmette Institute residential program.

Mr. Nuñez was killed November 21 in an auto accident while driving from his home in Kenosha, Wisconsin, to a Training Institute meeting in Wilmette.

Mr. Nuñez had resigned from his job November 5 to become a homefront pioneer to Kenosha. He worked full-time last summer while attending the Wilmette Institute’s residential sessions at National-Louis University.

Contributions in his memory can be made by earmarking donations to the Wilmette Institute Board Scholarship Fund.

Evelyn Hardin, former editor of Bahá’í News, dead at 92

Evelyn L. Hardin, a Bahá’í for more than 60 years who once served as editor of Bahá’í News, died April 29 in Atlantic Beach, Florida. She was 92 years old.

Mrs. Hardin, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, left the National Center in 1971 and settled in Meridian, Mississippi, where she lived until moving to Florida four years ago.

IN MEMORIAM

Violet Anderson Minneapolis, MN June 1996	Daniel Goldman Brattleboro, VT November 6, 1996	Orlando Nunez Jr. Kenosha, WI November 21, 1996	Terrence Slevin Concord, CA March 6, 1996
Noranieh S. Arabi Arlington, VA October 28, 1996	Ali Kamaledin Oakland Park, FL September 19, 1996	Iraj Rabbani Dallas, TX September 1, 1996	Sybil Spaugh Graham, WA August 1996
Iran Avareghan Hilliard, OH October 11, 1996	Michael A. Karch Olympia, WA August 18, 1996	Robert E. Reid Tucson, AZ March 20, 1996	Richard T. Suhm Dallas, TX September 7, 1996
Eugene Banks Evanston, IL October 28, 1996	James D. King Palmdale, CA August 25, 1996	Duane A. Rittis Topeka, KS June 25, 1993	Barbara Tilman Springfield, MO September 26, 1996
Belinda Elliot Louisville, KY October 5, 1996	Robert Martin Winnsboro, SC August 15, 1996	Paul R. Sands Santa Rosa, CA October 13, 1996	Felipe Villarreal Edinburg, TX October 31, 1996
Gordon W. Estes Laguna Hills, CA August 12, 1996	Lester McKinney Tuscaloosa, AL November 4, 1996	Augustine Segura San Jose, CA November 7, 1996	Conolia Wooddell Newhall, CA November 25, 1996
Francisco Garza San Antonio, TX August 29, 1996	Shirley Munro Salem, OR October 24, 1996	Sanayeh Shobani Glendale, CA October 24, 1996

[Page 24]

CALENDAR

To raise attendance at this year’s Unit Convention in October and make the occasion more memorable for those who took part, the Spiritual Assembly of Anacortes, Washington, transformed the Convention into a weekend camp-out on ‎Sammish Samish‎ Island in the state’s northwestern area. Love, fellowship, deepening on the message from the Universal House of Justice and action planning sessions led to the finale, the Convention activities and voting. The feeling was that adults, youth and children alike benefited from the atmosphere of love and fellowship that prevailed in the lovely and peaceful setting.

MOVING? TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS.	To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving The American Bahá’í, send all family members’ names, new address and mailing label to: Management Information Services, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. If acquiring a Post Office box, your residence address (c) must be filled in. Please allow 3 weeks for processing. (This also updates National’s data base.)
A. NAME(S): 1. _________________________________ I.D. # ____________ Title ____________ 2. _________________________________ I.D. # ____________ Title ____________ 3. _________________________________ I.D. # ____________ Title ____________ 4. _________________________________ I.D. # ____________ Title ____________
B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS: ________________________________________________ Street address ________________________________________________ Apartment # (If applicable) ________________________________________________ City ________________________ _______________________ State Zip code	C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS: ________________________________________________ P.O. Box or Other mailing address ________________________________________________ Apartment # (If applicable) ________________________________________________ City ________________________ _______________________ State Zip code
D. NEW COMMUNITY: ________________________________ ________________ Name of new Bahá’í Community Moving date	E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER: ___________ ____________________ ______________ Area code Phone number Name
F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S): ___________ ____________________ ______________ ___________ ____________________ ______________ Area code Phone number Name Area code Phone number Name
G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE: [ ] we do not have the same last name. [ ] We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) and I.D. number(s) listed above. [ ] the last names and addresses on our labels do not match. We have listed above the full names of all family members as they should appear on the national records, their I.D. numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy.	H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY: [ ] Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy. I have listed my name, I.D. number and address above.

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

SHARAF B.E. 153 / DECEMBER 31, 1996

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

For information about events sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly or its agencies at the Bahá’í National Center, please phone 847-869-9039 and ask for the relevant department. The numbers for the permanent Bahá’í schools and institutes are as follows: Bosch Bahá’í School, phone 408-423-3387; fax 408-423-7564; e-mail; Green Acre Bahá’í School, phone 207-439-7200; fax 207-439-7202; e-mail; Louhelen Bahá’í School, phone 810-653-5033; fax 810-653-7181; e-mail; Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute, phone 803-558-5093; fax 803-558-9114; e-mail; Native American Bahá’í Institute, phone/fax 520-521-1063; e-mail

JANUARY

9-12: International Youth Conference, Peru. Theme: “Toward the Spiritual Conquest of the Planet.” For information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center.

11-12: Eastern Colorado Bahá’í School. Contact Katherine Staller, Evergreen, CO 80439 (phone 303-674-1478).

11-March 9: Teaching and consolidation projects, Moldova. For information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center.

17-19: “With Efficiency and Love,” how communities can double their core of believers, with Peter and Pepper Oldjiey, Green Acre Bahá’í School.

17-20: Pioneering Weekend/SITA Training/Youth Service Corps session, organized by the Office of Pioneering, Bosch Bahá’í School. For an invitation, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center. Also, “Becoming Teachers of the Cause” with Amin Banani (history), Derek Cockshut (the Covenant) and Farhad Sabetan (fundamentals of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas).

17-20: Core Curriculum Teacher Trainer and Parent Facilitator Training Sessions, Louhelen Bahá’í School.

17-20: Southern California Bahá’í Winter School, a weekend camp in the mountains. For information, phone 909-984-4727 or 909-983-1022.

24-26: Seekers Weekend/New Believers Retreat, Green Acre Bahá’í School.

24-26: Assembly Team Development Weekend, Bosch Bahá’í School. Also, Core Curriculum training for teachers with Linda Bedford and Greg Weiler.

31-Feb. 2: College Club Symposium, presented by the National Youth Committee, Green Acre Bahá’í School.

31-Feb. 2: Seekers/New Believers Weekend, Bosch Bahá’í School. Also, Singles/Relationships workshop session with several presenters.

FEBRUARY

6-9: “Race Unity: A Prescription for the Healing of the Nation,” conference at the Sheraton Hotel, Charleston, South Carolina, birthplace of the Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory. To register, write to Race Unity Conference, Spiritual Assembly of Charleston, P.O. Box 21887, Charleston, SC 29403 (phone 803-727-0691). For reservations at the Sheraton, phone 800-968-3569.

7-9: Core Curriculum Teacher Training and Parent Facilitator Training Sessions, Louhelen Bahá’í School, conducted by the National Bahá’í Education Task Force.

7-9: Renewing the Spirit of the Fortress for Well-Being, Part I, Bosch Bahá’í School. Cost: $500 for three sessions. Couples MUST attend all three sessions. No children. Also, Core Curriculum session with Greg Weiler and Linda Bedford.

13-16: Bahá’í Winter School, Poland. Theme: “Preparation for Teaching.” For information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center.

14-16: “China: Country of the Future,” exploring Chinese culture and the Bahá’í Faith with Charles Pau, Green Acre Bahá’í School.

14-16: North Dakota Bahá’í School. Contact Rosalin Chrest, 400 Lincoln Avenue NW, Minot, ND 58701 (phone 701-839-1015).

14-17: Core Curriculum Race Unity Facilitator Training Session, Louhelen Bahá’í School.

14-17: Black Heritage session with Bonnie Taylor and Dr. Richard Thomas, Bosch Bahá’í School. Also, reports on the Black Men’s Gathering and Black ‎Sister’s Sisters’‎ Gathering.

21-23: Institute on Training Institutes, Green Acre Bahá’í School, with veteran teacher and pioneer Ruth Hampson sharing models and strategies for developing effective Training Institutes.

21-23: “Profound Faith and Freedom of Thought: Toward the Development of Bahá’í Scholarship,” a conference sponsored by the Association for Bahá’í Studies, Northern California Regional Committee, Bosch Bahá’í School. To include the arts, panel discussions, workshops, papers, presentations and performances. Please send abstracts for papers and presentations and all program inquiries to Brian Miller, La Selva Beach, CA 95076 (phone 408-688-0221; e-mail To register, contact the school.

21-23: Second International Native Council, Guaymi area of Soloy, Panama. For information, contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center.

28-March 2: Renewing the Spirit of the Fortress for Well-Being, Part II, Bosch Bahá’í School.

MARCH

7-9: Spiritual Retreat for the Fast, Green Acre Bahá’í School.

7-13: Elderhostel and Writers’ Workshop, Bosch Bahá’í School.

21-23: A Weekend with the Ruhes (David and Margaret), Green Acre Bahá’í School.

22-25: Children’s Academy I (grades 4, 5, 6 only), Bosch Bahá’í School.

28-30: Persian Gathering for Bahá’ís from Kashan, Bosch Bahá’í School.

31-April 3: Children’s Academy II (grades 4, 5, 6 only), Bosch Bahá’í School.