The American Bahá’í/Volume 27/Issue 2/Text

←Previous

The American Bahá’í Volume 27, Issue 2

Next→

Return to PDF view Proofread once

[Page 1]

Counselors receive guidance on new Four Year Plan

MESSAGE FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

To the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counselors

Beloved Friends,

The Four Year Plan

Our deliberations on the Four Year Plan have benefited enormously from the analysis the International Teaching Center prepared for us of conditions in the Bahá’í world, based on its constant interaction with the Counselors in the field, and from our subsequent consultations with that body. It gives us great pleasure to share with you at the outset of this conference the general features of the Plan. We invite you to turn your attention in the coming days to issues related to implementation, drawing on the insights and knowledge gained from decades of experience around the world.

Certain elements of our decisions and comments on the Plan will have a direct bearing on your labors throughout your present term of service. These are: the principal focus of the coming Plan; the process we envisage for the elaboration of the Plan and your part in this process; developments in the mode of functioning of the Continental Boards of Counselors; the formulation of plans at the national, regional and local levels; the vital need for institutes to train believers and develop human resources; the intimate involvement of Counselors and Auxiliary Board members in the establishment and operation of these institutes; effective approaches to the raising up and consolidation of local Spiritual Assemblies and the development of local Bahá’í communities; and the allocation of limited financial resources to the many challenges before the Bahá’í community.

At Ridván 1996, the Bahá’ís of the world will embark on a global enterprise aimed at one major accomplishment: a significant advance in the process of entry by troops. This is to be achieved through marked progress in the activity and development of the individual believer, of the institutions, and of the local community. That an advance in this process

Charlotte steps up the pace

By TOM MENNILLO

With colorful banners flying and the Bahá’í Youth Workshop stepping, the Bahá’ís of Charlotte, North Carolina, made an indelible impression in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade in January.

Bahá’ís of all ages, races, and means of conveyance participated in the Charlotte, North Carolina, parade to mark the birthday of the late Martin Luther King Jr.

All along the 3.5-mile parade route, residents of the diverse neighborhood shouted their approval of the large Bahá’í contingent—consisting of all hues and ages—and cheered the youths' precision movements. Many in the audience read aloud as the signs and banners passed by.

The parade capped a successful weekend that began with a public meeting. It also fit nicely into a newly launched teaching campaign that is empowering all area believers to arise in whatever way they can.

The well-attended public meeting at Alexander Graham Middle School featured the Charlotte Bahá’í Youth Workshop, singers Dell and Roya Campbell, and a talk by Bahá’í youth Artemous Shahid Al-Jihad Stover of Chapel Hill.

Pledging that their mission is one of "indiscriminate love," the Bahá’í Youth Workshop presented a tribute to martyrs and a race unity dance.

Next, the Campbells performed a number of stirring songs in pinch-hitting for a gospel choir and another duo who had canceled.

Mr. Stover's keynote put the event in perspective.

"We're not here to celebrate Martin Luther King's birthday," he said. "We're here to honor his words and his deeds."

It's not a celebration, he said, because there is "too much yet to accomplish."

Mr. Stover also distinguished between civil rights—granted by a government—and human rights. And he noted that in the struggle for the latter, Bahá’ís must be in the vanguard instead of on the bandwagon.

That's because society tends to view the struggle strictly in political, socio-economic or cultural terms, he said, while the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh offer a spiritual solution that must underlie all action to achieve racial equality.

"Bahá’ís can't be confused about where our allegiance lies," he said. "It's with Bahá’u’lláh."

Likening society to a stubborn mule, Mr. Stover said the Bahá’ís must guide it from the abyss of decadence, not try to force it along.

"We must give humanity hope, something to follow," he said. "Many people know what's going on but don't know what to do."

He urged the friends to focus on showing the world what makes us human: our spirituality.

"To see someone as equal, we must recognize God in that person," he said. "If we don't submit

Institutions team to raise awareness of Huqúqu’lláh

An historic Conference on Huqúqu’lláh was convened last October 27-29 at the Green Acre Bahá’í School in Eliot, Maine.

In addition to members of the Board of Trustees and representatives of Huqúqu’lláh in the United States, those taking part included representatives of the Continental Board of Counselors and the National Spiritual Assembly as well as members of the Auxiliary Board.

Among the many issues set forth, the goal of collaboration among the institutions of the Faith in educating the friends about Huqúqu’lláh was extensively discussed. The basis for consultation was a passage from a letter dated June 28, 1993, from the Universal House of Justice:

"...Education of the friends in all the laws of the Faith, including that of Huqúqu’lláh, is an important task for the Counselors, the National Assemblies and, important as it is for the Deputies and their representatives to continue their work in this field, they should, nevertheless, work toward the day when the Counselors and National Assemblies and their auxiliary institutions will assume a greater share....The friends stand in great need of education in this law and, with the growth of the Bahá’í community, there is no doubt that this need will long endure."

Great emphasis was also placed at the conference on educating children and youth in the law of Huqúqu’lláh and on expanding the institution of Huqúqu’lláh throughout the country.

Among the proposals offered to achieve these goals was the suggestion that a regular column be [Page 2]

TEACHING

Universal House of Justice reminds us, 'Divine deadlines to be met'

"An auspicious beginning for the new Plan (Four Year Plan) will largely depend on the results of the current one, which will end in just a few [weeks]. The adequacy of these results will owe much to the degree to which the local Spiritual Assemblies and the friends carry out the directions of their National Spiritual Assemblies, the generals of every Plan." The Universal House of Justice, Dec. 31, 1995 letter to the Bahá’ís of the World

And now, as I look into the future, I hope to see the friends at all times, in every land, and of every shade of thought and character, voluntarily and joyously rallying round their local and in particular their national centers of activity, upholding and promoting their interests with complete unanimity and contentment, with perfect understanding, genuine enthusiasm, and sustained vigor. This indeed is the one joy and yearning of my life, for it is the fountain-head from which all future blessings will flow, the broad foundation upon which the security of the Divine Edifice must ultimately rest. May we not hope that now at last the dawn of a brighter day is breaking upon our beloved Cause. - Shoghi Effendi

The National Spiritual Assembly encourages us all to arise and meet the challenge of raising Spiritual Assemblies in cities with populations of 50,000+. Spiritual Assemblies are, Shoghi Effendi wrote, "the Charter of the New World Order which is at once the glory and the promise of this most great Dispensation."

For the first time in history we are blessed with institutions, governing bodies, that are not man-made nor subject to the whims of power-hungry individuals. Our Spiritual Assemblies are based, not on the shoulders of mighty rulers, but on the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá tells us, "...these Spiritual Assemblies have for their defender, their supporter, their helper, their inspirer, the omnipotent Lord."

Shoghi Effendi writes, "The Administrative Order, which ever since ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s ascension has evolved and is taking shape under our very eyes in no fewer than forty countries of the world, may be considered as the framework of the Will itself [‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Last Will and Testament], the inviolable stronghold wherein this new-born child is being nurtutred and developed. This Administrative Order, as it expands and consolidates itself, will no doubt manifest the potentialities and reveal the full implications of this momentous Document....It will, as its component parts, its organic institution, begin to function with efficiency and vigor, assert its claim and demonstrate its capacity to be regarded not only as the nucleus but the very pattern of the New World Order destined to embrace in the fullness of time the whole of Mankind." (Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p.144)

The importance of Spiritual Assemblies can not be stressed enough. These institutions have been given to us by God Himself through Bahá’u’lláh. These bodies are not merely administrative units that we must have to govern the affairs of our community. They are divinely ordained instititions that are a means of putting into practice the Word and Will of God. They are the channel through which we will be able to affect the changes the world so desperately needs. Without Spiritual Assemblies we will be not be able to create a New World Order, nor will we be able to foster and sustain the process of entry by troops.

As the House of Justice tells us, "time is slipping away. This reality should prod us all to maximum action.... There are divine deadlines to be met." If we are to be beacons of light in the world's darksome night of despair we must achieve the goals set before us.

"Every individual believer-man, woman, youth and child is summoned to this field of action; for it is on the initiative, the resolute will of the individual to tach and to serve, that the success of the entire community depends. -The Universal House of Justice

"Our work is intended...to exert a positive influence on the affairs of the entire human race. At so crucial a moment in world affairs, we must not fail in our duty to take timely action on the goals set before is the Three Year Plan." (ibid)

Establishing Spiritual Assemblies in cities with populations of 50,000+ is an important step toward achieving entry by troops. Without assemblies we will not be prepared for an influx of new believers. Spiritual Assemblies are the rallying point for communities. They are the ones who foster the believers and encourage their individual efforts. They are the ones who help develop teaching plans, who arrange for Feasts and Holy Day celebrations, who institute deepening and consolidation programs, and who will deal with the day-to-day community problems that will inevitably arise. Only a strong Spiritual Assembly has the capacity to guide a community through its growing pains. Without such an assembly chaos will result.

"Conscious of their high calling, confident in the society-building power which their Faith possesses, they press forward undeterred and undismayed, in their efforts to fashion and perfect the necessary instruments wherein the embryonic World Order of Bahá’u’lláh can mature and develop. It is this building process, slow and unobtrustive, to which the life of the world-wide Bahá’í Community is wholly consecrated, that constitutes the one hope of a stricken society. For this process is actuated by the generating influence of God's changeless Purpose, and is evolving within the framework of the Administrative Order of His Faith." (Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 195)

Spiritual Assemblies will help pave the way for entry by troops. One of the things that will draw people to the Faith will be the example that we set. Our Assemblies must guide our communities, help us to become havens from the storms of the world. Already we see examples of this happening. Groups are coming to Bahá’í communities asking for their help in organizing race unity events or peace events. People are beginning to realize that not only do we believe in the equality of the races, we practice it. We are proving by our example that all people are one. Now we must do more. We need to show the world that only in the Faith will they find the solutions to the ills surrounding us. To attract people to us our communities should radiate the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. It is our institutions who will be the ones to help us develop our communities into the shining examples that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá asks us to be.

"The Four Year Plan will aim at one major accomplishment: a significant advance in the process of entry by troops. This is to be achieved throught marked progress in the activity and development of the individual believer, of the institutions, and of the local community....The second requires that the local and national Bahá’í institutions evolve more rapidly into a proper excercise of their responsibilities as channels of guidance, planners of teaching work, developers of human resources, builders of communities, and loving shepherds of the multitudes. "(ibid)

In these last few weeks of the Three Year Plan let us throw all our energy into achieving the goals set before us. Let us end this Plan on high note so that we may begin the new Plan with enthusiasm and joy. Let us heed the call of the Universal House of Justice, "With the full fervour of our expectant hearts, we call upon you all, individually and collectively, to arise to the summons of the Lord of Hosts to teach His Cause. Do so with love, faith and courage; and the doors of heaven will open wide to pour forth benedictions upon your efforts." [Page 3]

TEACHING

Community on the move to win Three Year Plan goals Local Spiritual Assemblies are Adopting Cities of 50,000+ Letters Sent to All Bahá’í Youth Asking for Their Support of Plan State Teaching Committees Participating in Winning Last of Goals All Youth Workshops Asked to Help Finish Out Plan With a Bang

"The Universal House of Justice has assured the Bahá’í world of the burgeoning potential for the immediate progress in the field of teaching. This progress is to be accompanied by the maturation of the institutions of the Faith. But the fulfillment of this potential will depend upon the wholehearted support of the believers, who, everywhere, are awakening to a new consciousness of the unusual possibilities and urgency of the times."

"O My Name! Suffer all created things to quaff once again from this chalice which hath caused the seas to rise. Kindle then in the hearts the blazing fire which this crimson Tree hath ignited, that they may arise to extol and magnify His Name amidst the adherents of all Faiths." -Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh

Please Note: Numbers below in parentheses reflect number of Bahá’ís with good addresses.

• Information from Feb. 12, 1996

Goal cities with no local Spiritual Assemblies*

ALABAMA Dothan (3)

ARKANSAS Fort Smith (10) Pine Bluff (4)

CALIFORNIA Alhambra (8) Baldwin Park (1) Bellflower (1) Buena Park (2) Carson (5) Cerritos (12) Chino (6) Compton (13) Daly City (10) El Monte (2) Fontana (10) Huntington Park (1) Lodi (4) Lynwood (4) Montebello (5) Monterey Park (5) Napa (8) National City (15) Norwalk (6) Pico Rivera (1) Redding (21) Rosemead (6) Salinas (11) South Gate (5) S San Fransisco (5) West Covina (4) Westminster (8)

COLORADO Greeley (9) Lakewood (7)

CONNECTICUT Bristol (3) New Britain (6) Waterbury (5) West Haven (4)

FLORIDA Cape Coral (10) Hialeah (5) Miami Beach (9) W. Palm Beach (18)

ILLINOIS Cicero (0) Des Plaines (9) Mount Prospect (8) Oak Lawn (2)

INDIANA Anderson (6) Evansville (13) Hammond (6) Terre Haute (10)

IOWA Waterloo (9)

KANSAS Olathe (16)

KENTUCKY Owensboro (0)

LOUISIANA Bossier City (6) Kenner (5) Lafayette (8) Lake Charles (12)

MASSACHUSETTS Brockton (5) Chicopee (5) Haverhill (7) Lawrence (4) Lynn (7) New Bedford (6) Waltham (6)

MICHIGAN Battle Creek (3) Dearborn Heights (6) Livonia (1) Pontiac (4) Rochester Hills (7) Roseville (1) St Clair Shores(4) Taylor (4) Warren (5) Westland (6)

MINNESOTA Brooklyn Park (4) Wyoming (1)

MISSOURI Florissant (4) St Joseph (8)

NEW JERSEY Bayonne (9) Camden (9) East Orange (5) Elizabeth (3) Irvington (6) Newark (4) Patterson (12) Union City (5) Vineland (6)

NEW YORK Binghamton (4) New Rochelle (6) Niagara Falls (4) Schenectady (11) Syracuse (14) Troy (3) Utica (6)

NORTH CAROLINA Fayetteville (5)

OHIO Canton (7) Elyria (1) Hamilton (1) Lorain (1) Parma (2) Springfield (4) Warren (8) Youngstown (12)

OKLAHOMA Broken Arrow (7) Lawton (5)

PENNSYLVANIA Allentown (7) Altoona (8) Erie (5) Reading (9) Scranton (1)

RHODE ISLAND Cranston (6) East Providence (1) Pawtucket (6)

TENNESSEE Clarksville (2) Jackson (1)

TEXAS Abilene (5) Baytown (12) Killeen (4) Laredo (6) Longview (8) Odessa (7) Port Arthur (10) San Angelo (5)

UTAH Orem (3) Provo (0)

VIRGINIA Chesapeake (7) Danville (1) Hampton (9) Lynchburg (7) Portsmouth (10) Suffolk (74)

WEST VIRGINIA Huntington (12)

WISCONSIN Kenosha (8) La Crosse (11) Racine (6) West Allis (6)

WYOMING Cheyenne (8) [Page 4]

For one Bahá’í, ‘increasing efforts’ means trip to Albania

I read in The American Bahá’í that the Universal House of Justice had told us that "the time to increase our efforts is now," and that more traveling teachers are needed immediately.

Friends, for a few minutes I was focused on that statement and had been wondering "What is that message for? Who is it for?" Suddenly, something inside said to me, "It is for you—you are the servant of Bahá’u’lláh and you have a duty to his Cause." So I decided to say "yes" to that message and obligate myself to do that before the end of the Universal House of Justice's Three Year Plan, knowing that one of the goals of that plan is sending at least 3,000 traveling teachers.

The very next day I contacted the Office of Pioneering, and later consulted with one of the Counselors in Europe. The result was my trip to Albania.

I went to a place where I did not know the language or culture—I didn't even know where it was located geographically. But I didn't care about those things, as my goal was to obey His message.

During the two months I was mostly in villages and small towns. Dear friends, every night there was a successful teaching and deepening story. For example, I was in the village of Zemblak, where an old man, about 80, who was a Muslim up until last year, this year is a member of the local Spiritual Assembly.

He said: "Dear daughter; the majority of our village are Muslim and lately with the help of Muslim countries, they are building a Mosque. Today the custodian of that Mosque, who usually doesn't show a happy face to the Bahá’ís in this village, called me over when he saw you with us.

"He asked, 'Who is that lady?' I said, 'She is a Bahá’í who has come to visit us,' and he said that he would like to talk to her."

So I saw that man sitting in front of the Mosque and we went to him. We greeted him and started to talk about the Faith. After an hour of discussion, questions and answers, suddenly he who, up to yesterday even did not even want to talk to the Bahá’ís, today said, "My daughter; although this Mosque is not yet finished, tell the Bahá’ís of this village that when it is they are welcome to use it for prayer sessions."

Dear friends, this is naught but Divine confirmation, teachers are a vehicle that delivers the Holy Message, and it is the power and spirit of this message which affects the hearts.—Mahin Shafizadeh

Traveling teacher Mahin Shafizadeh with a member of the local Spiritual Assembly of Zemblak, Albania.

Bahá’í Youth Service Corps Resource Network

A network of "Bahá’í Youth Service Corps Resource Persons" is being developed to help raise up and prepare an increasing number of youth for homefront and international service. In early January a letter was sent to all known "veterans" of homefront and international Bahá’í Youth Service Corps (formerly Youth Year of Service). If you have served the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh in this way and did not receive this letter, or would like to serve in this 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.

On the back of this picture postcard, Nacim McHargy writes from her Bahá’í Youth Service Corps post: ‘Alláh’u’Abhá! May God bless every single one of you! ...I'm having a wonderful time and my soul is very happy. I'm teaching the faith and giving children's classes with a wonderful Bahá’í from the Dominican Republic. I have a vision for the rest of my life now; I wish to serve the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh! Thank you! Love, Nacim.’

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

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

"Upon every participator in this concerted effort, unprecedented in the annals of the American Bahá’í community, rests the spiritual obligation to make the mandate of teaching, so vitally binding upon all, the all-pervading concern of his life. In his daily activities and contacts, in all his journeys, whether for business or otherwise, on his holidays and outings, and on any mission he may be called upon to undertake, every bearer of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh should consider it not only an obligation but a privilege to scatter far and wide the seeds of His Faith, and to rest content in the abiding knowledge that whatever be the immediate response to that Message, and however inadequate the vehicle that conveyed it, the power of its Author will, as He sees fit, enable those seeds to germinate, and in circumstances which no one can foresee enrich the harvest which the labor of His followers will gather." (Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 53)

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

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

To make this easier for you, simply fill out and send us the short report form below, or tell us by fax, phone or e-mail 24 hours a day. For travel on the homefront, please report to the National Teaching Office (phone 847-733-3494; fax 847-733-3502; e-mail).

Report international travel to the Office of Pioneering (phone 847-733-3511; fax 847-733-3509; e-mail). We look forward to hearing from you.

If you have traveled internationally, please return this form to: Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. If you have traveled to teach within the United States, please return this form to: National Teaching Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Name: ID #: Street: City/State/Zip: Date: from to Where did you go? Comments: [Page 5]

Martha Root: Lioness at the Threshold

M. R. Garis SC $14.95 (MRS)

Martha Root tells the astounding story of a successful Pittsburgh journalist who, after accepting the Bahá’í Faith in 1909, devoted the rest of her life to spreading its teachings throughout every continent on earth. During five extensive trips between 1915 and 1939 she spoke to hundreds of audiences and reached millions of people through her newspaper articles and pioneering radio broadcasts. Her work was a whole-hearted response to the Tablets of the Divine Plan, the charter of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of Bahá’u’lláh, for the worldwide promulgation of the Bahá’í Faith.

Praise for her selfless efforts came not only from Bahá’ís but also from Esperantists, journalists, diplomats, and religious leaders the world over. The Guardian of the Bahá’í Cause, Shoghi Effendi, wrote that her death constituted "the heaviest blow which the teaching force throughout the entire Bahá’í world has sustained since the passing" of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Posthumously, Shoghi Effendi bestowed upon her the rank of "foremost" Hand of the Cause of God to be raised up by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's will in the first Bahá’í century.

5-1/2"x8-3/8", 578 pp., photographs, Index Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Coming of Age: Youth in Service

Bahá’í Media Services VT $14.95 (ECAN)

Produced for the Army of Light National Youth Conference in Dallas, Texas, Coming of Age documents in their own words the Bahá’í youth's approach to service and the fulfillment of their role in the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. A vital and dynamic catalyst in the growth of the Bahá’í Faith, and confident in the promises of Bahá’u’lláh, their vision of the future inspires acts of selflessness and love.

40 mins. US Bahá’í Media Services

Messages to the Bahá’í World 1950-1957

Shoghi Effendi $5.95 (MBWS)

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

5" x 7-5/8", 182 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Citadel of Faith: messages to America, 1947-1957

Shoghi Effendi $5.95 (CFS)

The letters and cables in this collection will acquaint readers with the concerns of the American and the worldwide Bahá’í communities between 1947 and 1957. Shoghi Effendi provides a unique perspective on events. He illumines and elucidates the goals and objectives of the Bahá’í community as well as the procedures and methods of achieving them. While the Bahá’í community has grown by leaps and bounds, it still confronts, and will continue to confront, the awesome task of building the world order of Bahá’u’lláh. Citadel of Faith provides guidance and inspiration for all who are engaged in this great enterprise.

5" x 7-5/8", 178 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Bahá’í Administration: Selected Messages 1922-1932

Shoghi Effendi $5.95 (BAS)

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

5" x 7-5/8", 209 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust

The Hidden Words (Australian Edition)

Bahá’u’lláh SC $1.50# (HWA)

This beautiful edition of one of Bahá’u’lláh's most popular books is published with a four color cover design combined with an attractive two color text layout. Sturdy burst-binding with glossy cover and heavy weight paper make this a real value for the money. This edition will appeal to everyone and is priced to encourage its use in teaching and proclamation. Bulk priced at 10-49 copies for $1.25 each and 50+ copies at $1.10 each.

3-1/8"x4-3/4", 80 pp. Bahá’í Publications Australia

Brilliant Star Game Kit

$19.95

Nine of your favorite card and board games for all ages from pre-school to adult straight from the pages of Brilliant Star. Family Fun! Feast Fun! Deepening Fun! Teaching Fun! A portion of the purchase price will be contributed to the National Fund.

• Arise
• Come to Feast
• The Same Game
• The Peace Process
• The Assembly Game
• The Race Unity Game
• Signs of the Covenant
• A Birthday Gift for the Báb
• Progressive Revelation Game

Yá Bahá Madadi

Badi Yazdi CS $10.95 (YBM)

A collection of eight uplifting songs, inspired by the Sacred Writings, and sung by Badi Yazdi. Bahá’ís around the world are sure to find this music very rich, joyful, and memorable.

Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Rancho Santa Margarita [Page 6]

Moments with Bahá’u’lláh

Memoirs of the Hand of the Cause of God Tarázu’lláh Samandari translated by Mehdi Samandari and Marzieh Gall

The Hand of the Cause of God Tarázu’lláh Samandari, while he was still a teenager, undertook his first pilgrimage and had many occasions to come into the presence of Bahá’u’lláh. He afterwards recounted the stories of this pilgrimage hundreds of times, to the delight and astonishment of believers around the world. Here, for the first time, his stories are presented in written form. Mr. Samandari was in the Holy Land during the last months of Bahá’u’lláh’s life. He was present during His revelation of Tablets and verses. He accompanied Bahá’u’lláh on visits to the Garden of Ridván, and he was present at the time of Bahá’u’lláh’s Ascension. Discover these and other sweet and bitter stories in this charming and inspirational book.

5-1/4"x7-1/4", 76 pp. Kallmat Press

Mount Carmel Whatever is Happening?

Jacqueline Mehrabi

This book is an important addition to the libraries of Bahá’í institutions and families, as it addresses for children and youth the significance and importance of one of the greatest undertakings of the Bahá’í community at the close of this century.

Jacqueline Mehrabi writes in a way that is appealing to everyone, but especially children. She highlights how the origins of each of the buildings on Mount Carmel is rooted in the writings and history of the Bahá’í Faith, and she explains the significance of the buildings and their importance for the future of humanity. She does this in a way that can only increase the readers love for the Central Figures of the Faith and the Universal House of Justice.

8-1/4"x11-3/4", 16 pp. Brilliant Books

The Pupil of the Eye

African Americans in the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh compiled by Bonnie J. Taylor

A compilation of Bahá’í scriptures and extracted passages from other Bahá’í sources about the important role of people of African descent to the progress of the Cause. Topics include quotations about the need for race unity and the danger of racism, the contributions of African Americans to the Bahá’í Faith, and the destiny of African peoples. This book is certain to enkindle the fire of love and dedication to service in every believer of African descent and in those who have arisen to teach this receptive population. It can also attract the hearts of those individuals of African descent who are investigating the truth of Bahá’u’lláh’s mission.

5-3/4"x8-3/4", 194 pp. Palabra Publications

Fire and Gold

compiled by Brian Kurzius

A thoughtfully selected compilation of quotations from the Bahá’í scriptures and other Bahá’í writings on the purpose and source of the tests that may come to us and our society and how we can overcome them. Brian Kurzius has delved deeply into the literature of the Bahá’í Faith including works long out of print or difficult to come by, to find words that bring comfort, inner peace and spiritual upliftment to those facing the many challenges of life.

5"x8-1/2", 368 pp., Index George Ronald Publishers

The Odyssey of the Soul

by Artemus Lamb

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

5-1/4"x7-3/4", 96 pp. George Ronald Publications

Bahá’u’lláh: The Great Announcement of the Qur’an

by Muhammad Mustafa

This book was prepared to assist English-speaking Bahá’ís to acquire a basic understanding of issue frequently raised by Muslims with regard to the Qur’an and the Bahá’í Faith. It was originally written in 1959 when the writer was asked to undertake such a task by Bahá’ís in Liberia, during his visit to that country. Recently it has been rewritten and expanded, so that it addresses many subjects of particular interest to Muslims.

4"x7", 115 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, Bangladesh

Youth a Compilation

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

5-3/8"x8-1/4", 32 PP., Index Bahá’í Publications Australia

Face the East

Chris and Lynn Rosser

This professionally produced recording blends exceptional vocal harmonies with elements of folk, pop, and world music to create an inspiring new sound. Face the East includes original award-winning songs, and incorporates Bahá’í themes and writings into a contemporary acoustic setting. Their heartfelt music was described by the national music magazine, Dirty Linen, as "refreshingly original", and "lovely homages to the experience of being alive and human". With its strong arrangements and diverse styles, this album should have wide appeal to Bahá’ís and seekers of all ages.

Hollow Reed Arts

The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: Multimedia (V 1.5)

Knowledge Wave Software

The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: Multimedia is a Windows interactive cross-reference tool that facilitates interaction with The Most Holy Book. Its hypertext format allows the user to easily click and receive relevant supplementary information from the various sections of the book, namely Notes, Questions and Answers, Synopsis and Codification, Some Supplementary Texts, and the Glossary, as well as excerpts from God Passes By. You can also hear the audible pronunciation of many Arabic and Persian words, search for any combination of words or phrases, copy text into your word processor, make personal annotations and book-marking, and read excerpts from God Passes By and relevant letters from the Universal House of Justice. It is a very attractive tool for both youth and adults!

Minimum system requirements: 386SX (16MHz), 4 MB RAM, 5 MB of hard disk space, VGA graphic card, sound card (optional), and a mouse.

Knowledge Wave Software

The Life and Poetry of Varqá: The Martyr

Shokouh Rezai lends her voice to classical modes (dastgah) of Persian music, joined by the sweet strains of the violin of Manoochehr Vahman and the rhythm of the tombak performed by Roozbeh Rahimpour. Performed and chanted in the traditional Persian style, this album preserves for future generations this classic sound and art form.

Live Unity Productions

Peik 1

COMING SOON IN PERSIAN and ENGLISH Proceedings of the first two conferences of Friends of Persian Culture Association

Written in both Persian and English, papers on various aspects of Iranian culture, color photos including reproductions of calligraphy by Mishkin Qalam, many heretofore unpublished.

Available in a limited quantity. AVAILABLE MID MARCH. [Page 7]

BAHÁ’Í DISTRIBUTION SERVICE

The Crickets Cry El Viento Canta CD $14.95 (CCCD), CS $9.95 (CCCS) A celebration of the spirit, South American style, by this leading international Bahá’í group who have delighted audiences throughout the world with their uplifting and distinctive brand of folk music. An album filled with joyous playing and singing, of traditional sounds, but with a new message.

Destiny The Pearl Divers CD $14.95 (DCD), CS $9.95 (DCS) Highly talented British duo Jeanette Contant (keyboards, steel drums, vocals) and Martin Newman (guitars, percussion, vocals) compose and perform exciting and innovative songs inspired by Bahá’í themes. Their extremely professional and dynamic pop/world style is a thrilling new channel for the Bahá’í spirit and message.

REGGAE ANGELA WOOD VALLEY music GLOBAL VISION SAMPLER 1 EL VIENTO CANTA THE KELTZ THE REGGAE PROJECT KWAYERAMBEE THE PEARLDIVERS CONRAD LAMBERT ANGELA WOOD evc BCC etickets cry emmaphe TER KWAY BRIGHTEST of DAWNS The Pines of Pr THE KELTZ 1-800-999-9019

Heathrow Terminal One Revisited Conrad Lambert CD $14.95 (HTORCD), CS $9.95 (HTORCS) World traveler and singer/songwriter Conrad Lambert combines his own powerful songs with a selection of diamond melodies mined from the folk traditions of Africa. This recording of his travels, reminiscent of Dylan's songs for the road, is an album for the 90's — and for the departure lounge.

Horizons Angela Wood CD $14.95 (HCD), CS $9.95 (HCS) Singer/songwriter Angela Wood's first album mixes original songs and settings of extracts from the Bahá’í Writings Including lilting pieces for voice and guitar, and upbeat numbers accompanied by her lively backing band.

The Prince of Peace The Keltz CD $15.95 (PPCD), CS $10.95 (PPCS) Stunning first recording by Sean O'Rourke's skillful and imaginative trio, featuring flute, saxophone, bozouki, guitar and tabla. Original instrumental compositions, inspired by incidents in the life of Bahá’u’lláh. A unique mix of Celtic, Eastern and jazz influence.

The Reggae Project CD $14.95 (RPCD), CS $9.95 (RPCS) Conceived as a Bahá’í Holy Year project, this wonderful collection of songs from Georgetown, Guyana, joins the rhythmic sounds of reggae to powerful and direct lyrics about the coming of Bahá’u’lláh. A great album to simply listen to or dance to, The Reggae Project shares the Bahá’í message in a joyful language and a style which has great appeal.

Brightest of Dawns Kwayera Mbee CD $14.95 (BDCD), CS $9.95 (BDCS) From the villages and fields of Malawi comes the gentle but uplifting music of Kwayera Mbee, songwriters and performers of distinctive African tradition. Kwayera Mbee were the first music group from Malawi ever to tour in Europe, their message of unity drawing a warm response from audiences everywhere. Recorded in Malawi, Brightest of Dawns is a unique expression of love and faith, simple songs to touch the heart.

Sampler 1 various artists CD $13.95 (SUMSCD), CS $8.95 (SUMSCS) Seventh Valley Music is designed to inspire and entertain, bringing you music from many different cultures and traditions. Here on our first sampler are twelve tracks to introduce our first seven albums. From the lively pan pipes of South America to the simple melodies of rural Africa, from European folk ballads, calypso and reggae to the subtle fusion of Eastern, Celtic and Western jazz Seventh Valley brings you a rich diversity of styles to choose from, music with global vision, spiritual foundations.

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

SCHOLARSHIP

Scholarship compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice SC $3.95 (SCOMP) Designed to stimulate and guide the further development of Bahá’í scholarship, this compilation clarifies the unique features of this vital aspect of Bahá’í activity. The Universal House of Justice calls upon all the members of the community of the Greatest Name, young and old, men and women alike, "to strive to develop and offer to humanity a new model of scholarly activity". 5-3/8" x 8-1/4", 64 pp. Bahá’í Publications Australia

Bahá’í Burial and the Bahá’í Funeral Service compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice SC $2.95 (BBFS) A compilation which answers all of the questions related to Bahá’í burial and the funeral service. Recently updated to include extracts from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. 5-3/8"x8-1/2", 16 pp. Bahá’í Publications Australla

SHIP TO DAYTIME TELEPHONE ( ) PAYMENT METHOD -CHECK -CHARGE ($10.00 MINIMUM-VISA, MASTER, AMEX) ITEM QUANTITY COST SHIPPING CHARGES AUT 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 1-800-999-9019 Bahá’í Distribution Service 5397 Wilbanks Dr., Chattanooga, TN 37343 1-800-999-9019 Fax: 1-423-843-0836 • Internet: [Page 8]

Service Plan

from the pages of Brilliant Star

We know it is important to serve humanity. Most of us find little ways to serve in our daily lives. Most of us plan to serve more . . . sometime . . . maybe tomorrow.

To serve tomorrow, plan now.

Copy this plan. Use it on as many people, in as many ways as you can imagine. You may also wish to share a blank plan with someone you have served.

“Be occupied with service to the world of humanity.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 56

#1 Think about your own talents and ways that you can serve. Add your ideas to the Service List. (New service ideas . . .)

#2 (Serve someone new.) Who can you serve? Choose someone you’ve never served before, if you can. I can serve: ____________________

#3 Think about the person you want to serve. What would help that person? To Help I Can: ____________________

Service Plan look in someone’s eyes and smile ask about someone’s health throw out the trash without being asked tell someone that you love them shower someone with kindness ask about someone’s hobbies share a verse by Bahá’u’lláh give a Kingdoms Paperweight massage someone’s back point out a beautiful sky read a poem to a friend share your banana give a drawing run an errand sing a song wash a dog tell a joke

Some Members of Humanity librarian neighbor store clerk mailcarrier friend baby-sitter relative bus driver custodian toddlers

#4 (If it didn’t work, make a new plan) Reread the verse at the top of the next page. (Now go serve.)

#5 (If it worked) How did it feel to serve? How did the other person feel?

#6 Hurray! You’re on your way. Color this star.

Reprinted from Brilliant Star, September-October 1995

Order Now!

Begin the New Year with family fun for everyone!

Purchase a Subscription from Bahá’í Subscriber Service:

Please enter my subscription for (check box)

• □ $18 United States, one year (six issues)
• □ $32 United States, two years
• □ $18 All other countries, surface mail, one year
• □ $32 All other countries, surface mail, two years
• □ $28 Airmail, one year
• □ $52 Airmail, two years

Bahá’í ID # ____________________

Name ________________________________________

Street ______________________________________

City & State ________________________________

Zip/Postal code ____________________________

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

VISA/MC # ____________________________________

Exp. Date _____ Name _________________________

Make check out and mail to:

Bahá’í Subscriber Service

Bahá’í National Center

1233 Central St.

Evanston, IL 60201 1-708-733-3453

Make a Personal Spiritual Goal for the New Year

“Recite ye the verses of God every morning and evening.”

Recite can mean speaking, singing, or chanting. Bahá’u’lláh wants us to feel close to God when we wake up and before we go to bed. Here is a chart to help you keep track of the verses you recite.

(A tracking chart with 35 sun icons for morning and evening recitations.)

Reprinted from Brilliant Star, November-December 1993

New 1992-95 Index for Parents and Teachers, FREE!

Send a stamped self-addressed 9"x 12" envelope with $.55 postage to Brilliant Star at the Bahá’í National Center. [Page 9]

TOTAL ENROLLMENTS

January .................................... 118

Year to date ............................ 1,626

THE FUND

(As of January 31, 1996)

	YTD Goal	YTD Actual
National Bahá’í Fund	$9,375,000	$8,854,913
All International Funds	$21,000,000	$20,483,597

	Jan 95	Jan 96
National Bahá’í Fund	$784,868	$865,000
International Bahá’í Fund	$81,335	$27,606
Arc Projects Fund	$501,108	$1,286,884
Continental Bahá’í Fund	$18,125	$18,119
Other Earmarked	$24,305	$27,020
Subtotal/Int’l Funds	$624,873	$1,359,629
Total/All Funds	$1,409,741	$2,224,629

National Bahá’í Fund: Goal & Actual

Where we are	$8,854,913
Where we need to be	$9,375,000

All International Funds: Goal & Actual

Where we are	$20,483,597
Where we need to be	$21,000,000

Arc Projects Fund

Where we are	$18,590,037
Where we were last year	$4,159,061

International Bahá’í Fund

Where we are	$1,187,476
Where we were last year	$414,721

Continental Bahá’í Fund

Where we are	$195,261
Where we were last year	$162,756

Spiritual Assembly of Nashville marks 60th year with gala three-day celebration

November 10-12 was a weekend of remembering the past and celebrating the future as the Spiritual Assembly of Nashville, Tennessee, commemorated its 60th anniversary.

Activities included a celebration of the first election of a Spiritual Assembly in Nashville at Ridván 1935; a reunion luncheon for senior members of the community; and the dedication, on November 12, of nine acres of land recently purchased by the Nashville Assembly for the future Middle Tennessee Bahá’í Center.

In 1935, the Spiritual Assembly of Nashville was one of only five Assemblies in the South and the first in Tennessee. It also was interracial, consisting of both black and white members, a characteristic highly uncommon in the segregated South of the time.

“The fact that the first Assembly of Nashville was integrated is of great interest to local newspapers,” said Joyce Maneck, organizer of the event. “Every Spiritual Assembly elected in Nashville has been integrated since that first one.”

“When I showed a photo of the Spiritual Assembly elected in 1954, again integrated, to a journalist who works for the primarily African-American newspaper in Nashville, she remarked on how ‘amazing’ it was that the Bahá’í community was integrated before the Civil Rights movement came to Nashville. She ended up publishing the photo!”

The theme of the weekend was “60 Years of Unity,” and organizers emphasized the historical significance of the Bahá’í community’s commitment to race unity.

The first official event of the weekend was a well-attended fireside at the present Bahá’í Center, in which the seekers heard stories of how the integrated community overcame many social and legal obstacles, such as the “Jim Crow” laws, to meet together in love and fellowship.

On Saturday afternoon a luncheon was held in honor of the senior members of the community, all of whom had once been members of the Spiritual Assembly. At the luncheon, friends who had not seen each other for many years were able to reminisce and enjoy each other’s company.

The Nashville community was born of the efforts of the Hand of the Cause Louis G. Gregory who attended Fisk University in Nashville as a young man and returned there years later to teach the Faith to his colleagues at Fisk.

Maude Barnes, one of the first believers in Nashville, held firesides in her home at which Mr. Gregory spoke. Mrs. Barnes, now 97 years old, was elected to the first Assembly.

Although she was unable to attend the weekend festivities because of failing health, she received well-wishers throughout the week and was filmed by a crew that was in Nashville that week to create a video on The Vision of Race Unity. Mrs. Barnes still lives in the home where Mr. Gregory gave firesides so many years ago.

On Saturday evening, Nashville and surrounding communities commemorated the 60 years of Bahá’í life in Nashville. The keynote speaker, Thom Thompson, was returning to Nashville for the first time in 38 years.

Mr. Thompson was a student at the Vanderbilt Divinity School in 1957 when he learned of the Faith. His wife, Lucia, became a Bahá’í, then within two weeks he and fellow student William Hatcher declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh.

Mr. Hatcher was supposed to attend Harvard Divinity School after graduating from Vanderbilt. Both men wrote extensive letters to the deans of the schools to proclaim Bahá’u’lláh’s message.

Mr. Thompson continued his studies at Vanderbilt, although not as a divinity student, and served on the Assembly for a few years before leaving Nashville. He resides in Towson, Maryland.

Former Assembly member Susie Langford (left) and current Assembly member Martha Patrick chat during the reunion luncheon last November marking the 60th anniversary of the Spiritual Assembly of Nashville, Tennessee.

The audience was entertained by Mr. Thompson’s often humorous story of his becoming a Bahá’í, and were subsequently moved by performances by the Tennessee Bahá’í Choir.

Special to the evening was a dramatic presentation, Nellie & George: A Spiritual Love Story, which recounted the special relationship between Nellie Roche, one of Nashville’s early believers, and the Hand of the Cause George Townshend.

The two were engaged to be married when Mr. Townshend was teaching at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, before either of them knew of the Faith. When their engagement ended, Mr. Townshend returned to Ireland.

Years later, Miss Roche became a Bahá’í and came across the books and pamphlets Mr. Townshend had written about the Faith. They began a correspondence that lasted until his death in 1957.

The presentation performed that evening was co-written and performed by a Bahá’í youth, Lea Ray. The material for the presentation was taken from David Hofman’s biography of Mr. Townshend.

The evening ended with a stirring roll call of the names of the earliest believers in Nashville and of such notable members from over the years as Sarah Pereira, Robert Hayden, Magdalene Carney, Thelma Allison and Albert James.

Audience members were so moved by this tribute that many wept as the names were read and the choir sang Alláh’u’Abhá.

The Birth of Bahá’u’lláh was celebrated Sunday morning at the Bahá’í Center with entertaining presentations by the children of the community.

Then everyone drove to the new Bahá’í property, which was dedicated in a groundbreaking ceremony. Mr. Thompson and Casey Walton, who has served on the Nashville Assembly for 44 consecutive years, turned over the symbolic first spade of dirt.

A sign announcing that the property is the “Future Home of the Middle Tennessee Bahá’í Center” is situated alongside the well-traveled road for all to see.

A small contingent of Bahá’ís ended the weekend celebration by traveling to nearby Shelbyville, Tennessee, to hold a memorial service at the gravesite of Winston Evans, another early Nashville Bahá’í. Mr. Evans was a noted teacher of the Faith throughout the U.S. and the world.

On this weekend, not only did the Nashville Bahá’ís celebrate 60 years of unity, but they came together to show by example the friendship, love, and unity that exists in the community. Everyone left the Center on Sunday morning, and the dedication that afternoon, aglow with the love of Bahá’u’lláh and for those early believers who worked so hard to create the community that exists today.

The spirit at events that weekend was palpable and, apparently, contagious. The specialness of the weekend was enhanced by the declaration of four new believers, obviously attracted by the spirit of unity they saw around them. [Page 10]

Bahá’í-sponsored Family Unity Institute changes lives

In only seven months, the Family Unity Institute in South DeKalb County, Georgia, has attracted 50 new believers and changed many lives, perhaps forever.

Starting with some vision and a need, the Spiritual Assembly of South DeKalb and Mottahedeh Development Services, an agency of the National Spiritual Assembly, came together and launched the Family Unity Institute.

They acquired an old church, which had space for community functions, offices, classrooms and recreation. Working together, Bahá’ís from the greater Atlanta area refurbished the facility, attracting the attention of the surrounding community.

Programs got under way, outreach activities were started, and seekers just started walking in. Many of them have stayed, and most are actively involved in the Center and in the Institute.

In the fall of 1995, the “Step Up to Excellence” tutorial program for “high risk” elementary and junior high school children entered its second phase, with 44 students, 18 volunteer tutors (Bahá’ís and friends of the Faith), and four volunteer administrators.

A small grant from the DeKalb Prevention Alliance and the active collaboration of area school principals helped make this phase possible. The students were all in the lowest percentile of the Iowa Basics Achievement Test. Particular needs were identified using pre-tests in math and reading skills.

After twice-weekly sessions for 12 weeks, the semester closed with a family night for all the students. Assessments revealed that the students and their parents enjoyed and appreciated the program, but more than that, there was demonstrable improvement in their achievement levels.

The number of students who were at or above grade level increased from 67 percent to 83 percent, and for math word problems, from 27 percent to 36 percent.

Of those who did not reach grade level, 20 percent improved their performance closer to grade level. Several of the children improved several grade levels: one student actually went from primary to third-grade level in just three months.

There is a lot of work to be done, both for the kids and for the Institute, but an exciting start has definitely been made.

For more information about how you can support the Family Unity Institute and Mottahedeh Development Services (MDS), contact the Office of the Treasurer or MDS directly, at 404-843-1995.

National Assembly welcomes visitors to 87th Convention

In anticipation of victory celebrations from the Three Year Plan and the introduction of a new plan, the National Spiritual Assembly warmly welcomes an increased number of Bahá’í visitors to the 87th National Convention.

The upcoming National Convention will be held near Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, convenient to air-travelers as well as those traveling by car.

All Bahá’ís in good standing are warmly invited to join the National Spiritual Assembly and the assembled delegates at the upcoming 87th National Convention, set for April 25-28, 1996 at the Holiday Inn-O’Hare, in Rosemont, Illinois.

The site allows for an additional 1800 individual Bahá’í believers to observe the proceedings of this extremely important Convention. Seating is available on a first-come first ‎serve served‎ basis, according to the postmark. Convention Site

This year’s Bahá’í National Convention is located next to O’Hare Airport at the Holiday Inn O’Hare International, 5440 North River Road, Rosemont, IL, 847/671-6350.

Foundation Hall at the Bahá’í House of Worship will be closed to visitors on Saturday morning for a delegates-only session.

Convention dates

The Convention opens Thursday evening, April 25. The last Convention session will end by 1:00 PM, Sunday, April 28. Registration begins Thursday afternoon at the Holiday Inn.

Hotel information

Special room rates are $79 (plus tax) per room double occupancy. Roll-aways are $10 a day. Cribs are free. The Friends must contact the Holiday Inn O’Hare directly and ask for the Bahá’í National Convention rate. In order to receive this discounted rate, guests must register by April 10, 1996.

Delegates should make reservations early. A large number of visitors are expected this year, and the hotel rooms may fill quickly.

Airline information

A Convention group rate with many common airlines has been obtained for airline travel. Call 1-800-383-4133, 7AM-6PM CST and 1-800-823-3695 from 6PM to 7AM CST for flight reservation information. Be sure to give the sales representative the group ID number G23. Bahá’ís may prefer to make other airline arrangements with their travel agent.

Free airport shuttle

Free Shuttles to and from O’Hare are offered by the Holiday Inn O’Hare. Hotel guests may use the Holiday Inn courtesy phones in the airport’s lower level luggage area to contact the Holiday Inn for pick-up. Shuttles normally run every twenty minutes.

Ground transportation

The Holiday Inn is easily accessible from the US highway system. A map is included on the back of the enclosed Holiday Inn flyer. Guests may park free at the hotel.

People arriving by train should take the “L” to O’Hare. Get off at the airport and follow the Airport shuttle directions to the left.

Cancellations

Delegates and visitors who have submitted their registrations but are unable to attend the Convention should notify the Office of Conventions immediately: Conventions Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091; 847/733-3529.

No children’s provisions

The Conventions Office encourages Convention attendees not to bring children to the Convention unless they are old enough to listen attentively in the visitors sections with their parents. There will be no provisions for children’s classes or child care. The sessions are long --two full 13 hour days and two half-days, which make it difficult to provide meaningful children’s programs for such a long period. Security is also an issue for young children. While security will be present, a large urban hotel is not the safest environment for children. Your understanding and cooperation is appreciated.

Volunteers

National Convention presents several opportunities for non-delegates to volunteer. Ushers and Guides at the Bahá’í House of Worship are some of the positions which are needed. Please notify the Conventions Office if you are interested in contributing some time to serve in any capacity.

87th Bahá’í National Convention Convention Seating Registration

April 25-28, 1996 Rosemont, Illinois

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

Mailing Address __________________________________________________________________________________________

Street __________________________________________________________________________________________________

City ______________________________ State ________ Zip ____________

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

5th S.E. Asian Builders Roundtable Discussion to be held at Bosch

The fifth annual Southeast Asian Community Builders Roundtable Discussion Conference will be held May 31-June 2 at the Bosch Bahá’í School in Santa Cruz, California.

The conference is organized by the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office to bring together prominent Cambodian, Laotian (Hmong) and Vietnamese Bahá’ís and other interested believers to map Southeast Asian teaching and consolidation plans for the coming year.

All communities in which significant numbers of Southeast Asian Bahá’ís reside are encouraged to endeavor to provide scholarships for Southeast Asian friends to attend this important event, for which special rates have been arranged.

The conference begins with registration at 5 o’clock Friday and ends with lunch on Sunday. For more information, please phone the Bosch Bahá’í School or the Bahá’í Refugee Office, or refer to the Spring (March 1996) issue of the Southeast Asian Helpers Bulletin.

Please let us know of your plans as soon as possible by writing to the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611, or by phoning 847-733-3523. [Page 11]

Part 1: Bahá’í social and economic development

This is the first of four articles on Bahá’í social and economic development adapted from a talk given in Orlando, Florida, in December 1993.—Ed.

By HOLLY HANSON

A definition of development

To recognize the powerful tools for development in the Bahá’í Revelation, it is useful to begin with the definitions given by the Universal House of Justice.

A recent statement approved by the House of Justice says in part, “Learning to apply the Teachings to achieve progress could be taken as the very definition of Bahá’í social and economic development.” (Statement dated September 16, 1993)

Bahá’í development is learning to apply the teachings to achieve progress. In its letter of October 20, 1983, on development, the House of Justice says something similar: “...all can participate in the joint enterprise of applying more systematically the principles of the Faith to raising the quality of human life.”

An application means putting things into practice; we can think of development activities as the engineering of the Bahá’í Faith. We know the principles. We have studied them in class, in theory. Now we are going to take that theoretical knowledge out of the classroom and make it practical in the real world.

The nobility and dignity of human beings is a Bahá’í principle, and we can realize that principle, put it into effect in the world, in the way we teach literacy, the way we improve rural technology, or the way we help people create and sustain community health.

The equality of the sexes is a principle of Bahá’u’lláh, and we apply it in the world through consultation and education programs, through helping women gain skills and education, and so on.

The right and necessity for every person to have a trade or profession is a Bahá’í principle, and as we gain resources and skills we will undoubtedly find ways to put this into effect also.

The basic idea is that we take what Bahá’u’lláh has given us, put it into practice, make it happen in the world, in a way that causes social progress.

Also in its letter of October 20, 1983, the Universal House of Justice says that the eventual consequences of our endeavors in development will be that “all mankind achieves the progress intended by the Lord of the Age.”

There is an especially important element of this. Progress implies change—that things will be different from what they were.

The progress intended by the Lord of the Age, Bahá’u’lláh’s intentions for humanity, are a very big change, a new World Order. When we are engaged in development, in learning to apply the teachings to achieve progress, we aren’t merely fixing things—we are systematically attempting to turn the world into what Bahá’u’lláh wants it to be.

Bahá’u’lláh has plans for the world, they are major plans, and we are the agents He has chosen to carry them out. When the Bahá’í community involves itself in development, we are not going to be pouring our energy into making things better in the world the way it is—we want to pour our energy into making this world another world.

So when we are engaged in development, our expectation is ‎taht that‎ these actions are going to lead to fundamental changes in ourselves, in our patterns of behavior, and, eventually, in the shape of society.

The House of Justice’s statement of September 16 makes this quite clear: “...the delivery of services should not be viewed as the main purpose of Bahá’í development undertakings.”

The delivery of social services can cause dependence, it can perpetuate inequalities, it is not our goal; our goal is activity that leads to social transformation. This makes sense, because changing the world is the purpose behind the principles, teachings and powers of Bahá’u’lláh we are supposed to apply.

Spiritual tools for development

Bahá’u’lláh has clearly laid out for us the spiritual tools we need to change society, and the consequences of using those tools in the real world.

One sort of tool that we have is the vision, the road map, the clear direction of where we need to go that we get from the Word of God.

If Bahá’u’lláh tells us we must ensure the peace and well-being of the miserable and downtrodden, then that is what we must do. If He tells us everyone must have access to education, or that communities should be characterized by justice, or that people should share their wealth voluntarily, we know that is our task.

If we turn to the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh with sincerity and humility, we will find they tell us what our priorities should be. The tool of vision contributes to social transformation by keeping us headed in the right direction.

A second tool is the spiritual power that flows through us when we try to draw close to and obey the laws of God. Bahá’u’lláh said, “Every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God is endowed with the potency to instill new life into every human frame.”

With this sense of well-being, with this sense of the treasures latent in our beings, we can do what God wants. Tapping divine power is the invisible essence of any kind of development activity.

In a school or an integrated rural development project, or an attempt to repair the fabric of social life in an urban area, what we are doing is finding a power within ourselves to change our own lives, and meanwhile to change the life of society.

We can think of the effect of the Word of God as a kind of tool we use in the world. Our interaction with God, through His Word, brings out the nobility and strength that is latent within us. The result is a new kind of people—a youth group, a local community, a village, a school—the members of which are a new people, who have a sense of their ability to infuse the power of Bahá’u’lláh into the world. This is transformation.

A third tool consists of the virtues and spiritual qualities that contact with Bahá’u’lláh develops within us. Bahá’u’lláh said that “the betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct.”

Do we think He really meant it? Was He only saying it to make us act a certain way, even though it isn’t true, or did He really mean that the betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds? We need to take Him seriously.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote, in The Secret of Divine Civilization, that pure intentions would cause the earth of human potentialities to blossom (p. 4). He further wrote (in Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 115) that voluntary sharing of wealth would lead to society’s comfort and peace and light up the world. These are powerful statements about the consequences of spiritual behavior.

Spiritual qualities have a practical power. Anything we want to accomplish in the world can be derailed by ego or selfishness. Our effort to employ spiritual values gives us a true understanding of our capacity, purifies us, and keeps us focused.

The result of this, in the world, is people developing wholly different patterns of individual and collective social behavior.

Another set of tools we have are consultation and the structures of the Administrative Order. We are familiar with the concept that these institutions are the pattern for a future society, but we sometimes think about a really distant future, and do not realize that the process is already under way.

In trying to organize ourselves and behave in the way Bahá’u’lláh wants us to behave, we are creating new structures of society. There are old ones, and we are creating new ones.

What exactly is a structure of society? It simply means the way life is organized, the way things happen.

In many of the world’s societies, a citizen has the opportunity to vote, or possibly serve on a jury, or perhaps attend public hearings and influence decision-makers.

All these ways of taking part in the governance of a community are rather remote. They do not ask much of the citizen, and even if a person wants to be involved, there is little that one can do unless he or she becomes a paid government worker or a professional politician.

The social structures we are building are quite different. As Bahá’ís, we have a spiritual obligation to take part in the Feast every 19 days, to consider issues of concern to the community, and to share our ideas.

The means of participation is there, but it is also our responsibility: to think about the well-being of the community, to speak, and then to act.

Those who are elected to an Assembly, or serve in other capacities, take on even more responsibility for a community’s well-being. Power and authority are in a different place in the social structure we are creating.

When we look at Bahá’í communities all over the world who are engaged in development, one of the things that stands out clearly is that the Bahá’í system makes it possible for people to take responsibility for society.

The Universal House of Justice also says that practicing the art of consultation leads to development. Consultation illuminates, it makes us aware of possibilities we did not see.

Consultation, when done correctly, is an escape route, a way of overcoming habits of oppression and injustice that cause the voices of wealthy or powerful or highly schooled people to be more valued than the voices of poor and powerless and unschooled people.

Consultation is a way of interacting that allows all the capacities of members of a group to unfold: when some members of a group have not had that opportunity, consultation can make it happen.

Using our ‘spiritual tool kit’

So we can think of the Bahá’í Revelation as a kit of tools: first the vision, the map, of the principles we are to put into practice. Second the fuel, the energy, that is the spiritual power of Bahá’u’lláh that flows into us through our efforts to be obedient to Him.

Another set encompasses the spiritual qualities we are trying to develop, which, according to the explicit texts, are a world-transforming force, while others are consultation and the institutions of the Administrative Order.

And when we use these tools, what do we get?

• We get the material, concrete realization of Bahá’u’lláh’s intentions in the world. We get people and institutions whose motive principles are the power of God in human affairs, people whose habits are the spiritual qualities that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá calls “the bright candles of civilization.” (The Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 98)

• We get patterns of interaction, patterns of organization where power and wealth and authority flow in new ways, where responsibility and decision-making happen in different places, where the connections and organization and fabric of society are an expression of the Will of Bahá’u’lláh.

When we learn to apply the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh in the world, the result is social transformation.

The recently released guidelines from the Universal House of Justice state: “In the villages of the world, the Bahá’í community should become the spearhead of spiritual, social and economic transformation.”

It is daunting to think of ourselves as the spearhead of spiritual transformation, and the spearhead of social transformation, and the spearhead of economic transformation in the communities in which we live.

On the other hand, if we think of the strength and courage we experience in our efforts to become closer to Bahá’u’lláh, it seems possible.

Next: “Development in the Light of God.”

Deprivation of rights The National Spiritual Assembly has deprived ________ of Des Moines, Iowa, of his administrative rights. In addition, it has debarred Mr. Wilson from attending any Bahá’í activities.

[Page 12]

EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS …

CHARLES RICHARD ELLSWORTH HOWARD, a Bahá’í who moved recently from Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Ventura, California, was presented an award by the mayor of Green Bay at a surprise goodbye luncheon for his untiring work in race relations. Together with the Bahá’ís of Green Bay, Mr. Howard helped establish and served a two-year term as president of “The Vision of Race Unity,” a community group dedicated to promoting unity among Native American, African-American, Hispanic, Hmong and white members of the community. He was given an engraved plaque which reads “For Charles Howard, Builder of Bridges, Champion of Brotherhood, Spiritual Leader, Exemplar of Human One-ness...Thank You for Enriching Our Community.” Mr. Howard is the son of Edward and Jane Howard, pioneers to Brazil (1959) during the Guardian’s Ten Year Crusade.

Charles Howard

NASEEM NICOLE KHOZEIN, a 13-year-old Bahá’í from Waco, Texas, who has played violin since she was four, served as concertmaster of the Regional Orchestra Concert held last November 18. To secure the post, she competed against 109 other young violinists in her school region. She is an honor student at Vanguard Prep in Waco and a member of the Waco Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Naseem Khozein

FARIHEH TOWFIQ, a Bahá’í from Oceanside, California, has been honored by the California Association for Educators of the Disabled as one of its five “teacher of the year” award winners for community colleges and universities. In her capacity as an associate professor at Palomar College in San Marcos and director of its Mathematics Center, she has authored a multimedia computer program for mathematics word problems that address many learning styles, has designed the Mathematics Center for all-student accessibility, and has worked closely with the college’s Disabled Student Programs and Services Department.

SHARON DAVIS, a Bahá’í from Farmington Hills, Michigan, was recently named director of the Diversity Management Initiative for Human Resources at Detroit Edison.

LAYLI MOHTASHAMI, a Bahá’í from Kansas City, Kansas, and a former pioneer to Belize, has been named the first electronic technician representative for electrical and electronic engineers at the DeVry Institute of Technology in Kansas City, Missouri. Mrs. Mohtashami has made the dean’s list at DeVry for three consecutive terms.

MICHAEL FITZGERALD, a Bahá’í from Winchester, Virginia, who is a poet, has appeared on CableTalk, recorded a poem on world religion for an album produced by Falling Mountain Music, worked on a project for the Western Ancient Forest Campaign, and been nominated for the Kingsley Tufts Prize, a $50,000 award in poetry.

DR. JEFFREY R. SOLKA, a Bahá’í, was one of two researchers recognized last December with the Independent Research Excellence Award presented by the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Virginia. Dr. Solka is a mathematician in the Center’s Systems Research and Technology Department.

JUNE MCKEE LINDSAY, a Bahá’í from Ann Arbor, Michigan, has been elected to membership in The Order of International Fellowship, a program sponsored by the International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, England, and limited to a membership of 500 persons worldwide.

ALEX BRODE, a 14-year-old Bahá’í from Durham, North Carolina, was chosen to compete in the statewide Special Olympics Bowling Tournament, held December 1-3 in Greensboro. Although Alex was born with a genetic condition called Fragile X Syndrome and is mentally challenged, he leads a happy and active life. A good athlete, he has competed in the North Carolina Special Olympics Soccer Tournament, and last year his team won first place in the Durham Special Olympics Volleyball competition. He has also performed as a singer and dancer at the Durham Very Special Arts Festival.

ALAN MICHAEL, a Bahá’í from Salt Lake City, Utah, who is a saxophonist, recently recorded his third album as leader, As Daylight Fades, on Collective Fruit Records. The compact disc is a mixture of pop, jazz, fusion and New Age music that features Michael’s alto and soprano saxophones with rhythm section and trombone.

ALFRED FOX III, a Bahá’í who is employed in telephone maintenance with the Norfolk Southern Railroad in Roanoke, Virginia, was recognized in December in the company’s monthly newsletter, “Communications & Signals,” for his volunteer work in bringing Meals on Wheels to the elderly and handicapped in his community. His volunteer work with the League for Older Americans, Mr. Fox is quoted as saying, helps him live up to a teaching of the Faith: “Let deeds, not words, be your adorning.”

INS sets annual Diversity Visa Lottery

The following is a public announcement from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service about the Diversity Visa Lottery. The U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office has nothing to do with the lottery.

There is no way to predict if anyone will be able to obtain a visa using the lottery; the INS will probably receive hundreds of thousands of visa lottery applications from all nationalities, and only a few will be successful in obtaining visas through this process. Almost all applicants will be rejected without any notice.

Instructions

There is no special application form or fee for the diversity lottery. Applications must be received between February 12 and March 12.

Requirements: must be born in a qualifying country, have a high school education or its equivalent, or two years work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience.

Countries excluded: Canada, China (mainland and Taiwan), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, India, Jamaica, Mexico, the Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom and dependent territories (except Hong Kong and Northern Ireland), Vietnam.

To apply: entry must be typed or clearly printed in English on a sheet of plain paper, and should include: 1. Applicant’s full name (last name, first name and middle name—last name must be underlined). 2. Applicant’s date (month, day, year) and place of birth (city/town, district/county/province, country). 3. Name, date and place of birth of applicant’s spouse and minor children (do not list parents; only spouse and children under 21 are eligible for derivative status). 4. Applicant’s mailing address and phone number. 5. Applicant’s native country if other than country of birth. 6. Applicant’s signature. 7. A recent 1.5-inch by 1.5-inch photograph (applicant’s name must be printed on the back).

Send the application entry by regular mail in an envelope that is 6–10 inches long and 3.5–4.5 inches wide (with the applicant’s native country, full name, mailing address and country of residence typed or clearly written in the upper left-hand corner) to:

DV-97 Program, National Visa Center, Portsmouth, NH (the zip code depends on the region of the applicant’s native country—Asia, 00210; South America, 00211; Europe, 00212; Africa, 00213; Oceania, 00214; North America, 00215).

Successful applicants will be notified by mail by July 1 at the address listed on their entry and given instructions on how to apply for an immigrant visa. Successful candidates must act quickly, as more registrants are chosen than there are visas.

Get World Order at the 1995 price while you still can!

Due to rising costs for paper and printing, World Order will raise its subscription price to $19.00 for one year and $36.00 for two years beginning with the Spring 1996 issue. Single issues will be $5.00 per copy, and copies ordered in bulk (five or more) will be $4.75 each. Don’t miss this opportunity to save and re-subscribe at the old rate! Renew your subscription before May 1, 1996, for only $15.00 (one year) or $28.00 (two years).

The current Winter 1995–96 issue of World Order celebrates the United Nations’ fiftieth anniversary and looks at how nations can move peacefully toward one world. See the article on page 21 for information about the Spring issue.

Single issues may be ordered from the Bahá’í Distribution Service, 5397 Wilbanks Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37343 (phone 1-800-999-9019).

To subscribe, fill out the form below and mail it to Subscriber Service, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

Type of subscription: [ ] $15 U.S., one year (four issues) [ ] $28 U.S., two years [ ] $15 All other countries, surface mail, one year [ ] $28 All other countries, surface mail, two years [ ] $20 All other countries, air mail, one year [ ] $38 All other countries, air mail, two years

Name ________________________________________ Street address ________________________________ City & State __________________________________ Country ______________________________________ Zip/postal code ______________________________

Payment must be enclosed. For Canadian or international orders, enclose international money order or bank cheque drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars, payable to Bahá’í Subscriber Service.

To charge your VISA/MasterCard account, give number, expiration date, and name on the account. Telephone orders are accepted: phone 847-733-3453.

VISA/MasterCard number _____________________ Expiration date _______________________________ Name ________________________________________ [Page 13]

443 new believers enrolled in Madagascar

More than 100 Bahá’ís from Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion and the Seychelles took part last August in the Gilbert Robert Teaching Campaign in Madagascar. The National Teaching Committee had targeted six goal towns and villages, and public meetings and displays of Bahá’í materials were organized in these and other localities. As a result, 443 new believers were enrolled, 12 new local Assemblies were formed, and 14 localities were opened to the Faith.

In Andhra Pradesh, India, it was reported by those involved last June in the Taher Vardi Fazli Memorial Campaign that 239 new believers had been enrolled in the Faith. The self-supporting campaign is carried out on a daily basis. Also in India, 73 new believers were enrolled last September during a 15-day teaching campaign in the Bolangir District of Orissa, while three others declared their belief during the State Bahá’í Institute for Women’s Development at the Bahá’í House in Bhubaneswar. And in Gujarat State, India, Miss Naznene Rowhani, took the initiative in teaching by organizing an exhibit in the town of Surat including posters in the Gujarat language and books for sale. Almost a thousand people visited the two-day exhibit last November, 56 of whom accepted the Faith. Most of the new believers are from the middle or upper strata of Indian society.

During Mongolia’s summer teaching campaign, held last July 23-August 12, 23 Bahá’ís taught in nine areas of Mongolia. As a result of their efforts, about 150 people were enrolled in the Faith, five new local Assemblies were elected, and five new Groups were formed. The teachers also opened five new provinces to the Faith, leaving only four of Mongolia’s 21 provinces without any registered Bahá’ís.

A member of the National Teaching Committee of Mauritius traveled with two other friends last August to the island of Rodrigues to initiate a teaching campaign in accordance with a goal of the country’s Three Year Plan. During their first four days on the island they organized a mini-winter school attended by 42 local Bahá’ís, as a result of which 16 people were enrolled in the Faith. The enthusiasm generated by this effort led the National Spiritual Assembly to plan an “entry by troops” campaign for Rodrigues from October 1995 through February 1996. During its first six weeks, 168 new believers were enrolled under the Banner of Bahá’u’lláh and five new local Assemblies were formed.

Although the Muhájir Summer Teaching Campaign in Korea ended last September, teaching activities there have continued with at least 63 new believers enrolled and the number of local Spiritual Assemblies formed since last Ridván far higher than in recent years. Young Bahá’ís have been especially active in Seoul and Taejon where a Peace Club and Dance Workshop have been formed and include participation by Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í youth.

A recent report from Cambodia cites a growing receptiveness to the Faith in that country. For example, in the Saang District last August, two friends facilitated a deepening class over two weekends. About 20 youth attended and pledged to teach in the area. Soon afterward, a new locality had been opened to the Faith and 70 new believers had been enrolled.

A special deepening project carried out primarily by Bahá’í youth is proving successful in the Solomon Islands. A team of about 15 youth has visited 12 areas from the eastern to the western end of the country, meeting with local Assemblies and encouraging them to organize deepening institutes. Another aspect of the effort is to identify and train people in each village to teach children’s classes. During the first six months of the project, hundreds of Bahá’ís took part in the deepening institutes, four new local Assemblies were formed, several others were re-formed, and at least 20 people were enrolled in the Faith.

A spiritual enrichment program is offered as part of special training at the National Police College in Fort Bonifacio, Makati (Metro Manila), the Philippines, enabling police officers to examine the social and moral teachings of various religious groups. One of the instructors, Gen. Ernesto Lalog, is a Bahá’í, and recently he was able to have the Faith taught at the College. Of the 40 police inspectors and colonels who were graduated last July, 20 have now been enrolled in the Faith. Of the 100 security officials and others who heard of the Faith last October, five immediately embraced the Faith while others continue to study it intensely.

Two Bahá’ís from the U.S. traveled recently to Manus, Papua New Guinea, to teach during a special two-week campaign. As a result of their many activities, a dozen people embraced the Faith and the Spiritual Assembly of Lorengau was elected.

Sixteen new local Spiritual Assemblies were established in villages and towns throughout Georgia during last summer’s teaching projects. “Most of the new declarants come from villages and towns where most people live a traditional life and are warm, kindhearted and hospitable,” according to a report from Georgia.

Bahá’ís of Turkish descent from Germany and Turkey traveled last October to the town of Komrad, ‎Moldovia Moldova‎, to help teach among the ‎Gaugasian Gagauzian‎ people—people of Turkish background in ‎Moldovia Moldova‎. During their stay, the visitors talked about the Faith with some 50 people, about 10 of whom declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh.

DZMI, 1584 khz on the AM dial, will be the first Bahá’í radio station in Asia. The station will cover Central Luzon and Baguio in the Philippines. The first trainees for Radio Bahá’í Philippines finished a course on radio broadcasting last July 15-August 5 conducted by Mark St. Clair at the Bahá’í Institute in Los Baños, Laguna.

Last October 14, Bahá’ís from all parts of Northern Ireland traveled to Londonderry to take part in the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the election of the city’s first local Spiritual Assembly. Six members of that first Assembly attended the “Silver Jubilee,” with two of them—Irene Ackerman and Keith Munro—presenting a condensed history of the Faith in Derry. After a buffet supper, the first “native believer” in Londonderry, Mrs. Carol Wierzbicki (née Strawbridge), cut a decorated cake made especially for the occasion.

Nearly 200 Bahá’ís from all over Zimbabwe gathered last October 21 for the official ‎dedicated dedication‎ of the newly built National Center in Harare. Speakers included Counselor Shidan Fat’he-Aazam, the chairman and treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly, and the chairman of the National Teaching Committee.

Mark Charfauros, the U.S. Senator from Guam, presented the opening address last August at the youth conference held at the Bahá’í Center in Inarajan. During his talk, which lasted for more than an hour, Sen. Charfauros expressed his admiration for the Bahá’í teachings and discussed unity, problem-solving through consultation, and the importance of preserving indigenous cultures and languages.

Almost every Bahá’í in Niamey, Niger, is involved with children’s classes, either as a parent or student, teacher, transporter or host. The classes, organized by the National Bahá’í Education Committee, provide for the 95 young people who want to attend. Each of the eight classes is held in a private home with between 10 and 20 children of about the same age and interest level taking part. The 16 teachers are mostly youth who have themselves attended Bahá’í classes for many years.

Last June, Bermuda’s House of Assembly (parliament) voted to send a letter of thanks and congratulations to the Bahá’í community of Bermuda for organizing a highly successful concert in Victoria Park, Hamilton, to celebrate Race Unity Day.

In Nicaragua, Bahá’í children in the community of Nancimi, in the southern area of the country, attend classes conducted each Saturday by a homefront pioneer.

Newspaper article focuses on religious beliefs, faith in God of Bahá’í killed in freak accident on Long Island

An extensive article about her religious beliefs and deep faith in God was published last November 14 in the Long Island newspaper, Newsday, after Minoo Safaipour Ghods, a Bahá’í from Great Neck, died in a freak accident while driving home in a rainstorm from a celebration of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh.

Mrs. Ghods was only three blocks from her home when a powerful gust of wind snapped an 80-foot, four-foot-wide oak tree from its trunk, causing it to crash into Mrs. Ghods’ car and killing her almost instantly.

The article about the accident told how Mrs. Ghods had fled Iran in 1980 with her children, Aptin and Negean, to escape persecution because of their faith, touched on her deep religious convictions, her devotion to her children and service to others.

Mrs. Ghods, it said, “came from a long line of Bahá’í believers, who believe in Christ, Moses, Krishna, Muhammad and other founders of all the world’s revealed religions. There are no formal services or rituals [in the Bahá’í Faith]. Believers pray and read from the world’s holy writings.” [Page 14]

Institution and individuals pull together for weekend of teaching

This month we would like to feature one community’s teaching efforts to illustrate some of the points made to us in the National Teaching Committee’s booklet: Vision in Action. We would like to stress that it is not the specific activities that are important as much as the use of guidance from the House of Justice and the National Spiritual Assembly.

1) Strengthening of Spiritual Assemblies

“Shoghi Effendi stresses the importance of the “instrumentality” of the Administrative Order in “vividly” and “systematically” bringing the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh to the attention of the masses.” ..the House of Justice refers to “the mutuality of teaching and administration” and the fact that “each reinforces the other.” (Vision in Action, p.11)

Teaching and administration must go hand-in-hand. While Spiritual Assemblies are responsible for developing teaching plans for their communities it is up to the individuals in the community both to make suggestions to the Assembly about its plan and to put that plan in to action. The whole community should be involved in the teaching process - each person to the fullest of his capacity.

2) Strategic, Flexible Teaching Plans

[The Universal House of Justice] advises the Assemblies to be strategic and systematic, to tailor their teaching plans to meet the needs of particular social and cultural groups, since “different cultures and types of people require different methods of approach...” (Vision in Action, p.13)

The activities that were planned for the weekend focused on several different groups, and each activity was appropriate to the group it was trying to reach.

3) Relating the Faith to Contemporary Social and Humanitarian Issues

...the House of Justice listed the individual believer’s “constant endeavor” to relate the Teachings of the Faith to “current issues” as one of the measures which contribute to “success in teaching”. The House of Justice also notes that the “Order brought by Bahá’u’lláh is intended to guide the progress and resolve the problems of society.” (Vision in Action, p.14)

In the community we are featuring there are many different racial and ethnic groups. As in most areas of the country there are often tensions between the different groups. Global Village (see article below) was a wonderful example of “unity in diversity”. It was a tangible expression of the Bahá’í commitment to the unity of mankind.

4) Reaching People of Capacity

[The Universal House of Justice] describes the enrollment of people of capacity as “an indispensable aspect of teaching the masses”, and cautions that failure to achieve this end will result in the Faith’s not being able “adequately to meet the challenges being thrust upon it.” (Vision in Action, p.13)

The teaching events of the weekend were well publicized. An NBC affiliate aired a clip about Global Village, and the Reno Gazette Journal carried two articles, one on the cover of the “local” section featuring a 6” X 5” color photo of a dancer from the Global Village. This coverage was possible because several of the Bahá’ís have been cultivating personal relationships with people in the media. For example, one of the Reno Bahá’ís is on the board of directors at a local public access channel.

Media & Arts meeting spurs teaching

When institutions and individual believers work together wonderful things result. Recently, the Spiritual Assembly of Reno invited the International Bahá’í Media & Arts Association to hold its first board meeting in Reno. The Assembly then used this event to launch a week-end-long teaching extravaganza.

PUBLIC RECEPTION: honoring the IBMAA, this evening featured introductions of the Board and its guests to the public, performances by various Bahá’í singers, and information about and an introduction to the superintendent of the Northern Nevada school district who is working with several Bahá’ís to develop children’s programming on public access TV.

SPECIAL FIRESIDE: featuring Dr. David and Mrs. Margaret Ruhe. The program was billed “In honor of the visit to Reno of the members of the Board of Directors of the INTERNATIONAL BAHÁ’Í MEDIA & ARTS ASSOCIATION, the Spiritual Assembly of Reno is privileged to offer you a special appearance by Dr. David Ruhe, Retired Member of the Universal House of Justice, and Mrs. Margaret Ruhe, distinguished Bahá’í teacher and author.”

VIDEO TAPING: (open to the public) of numerous Bahá’í artists and performers including: an interview with painter Ivan Lloyd, songs by several Bahá’í choirs, and dramatic monologues by actors Bill George, Anne Perry, Styve Homnich, and Jaine Toth based on poetry by Roger White.

GLOBAL VILLAGE: an evening performance entitled Global Village that “celebrated the creative arts through the beauty of ethnic heritages in Reno.” Fifty percent of the performances were by non-Bahá’ís and included: Sierra Nevada Balalaika Society, an African-American Fashion Show, Temple Sinai High Holiday Choir, and Traveling Shoe Cloggers.

THE RESULTS OF THE TEACHING EFFORTS

Following are excerpts from a letter detailing the results of the weekend from one of the weekend’s organizers:

7 People Declare as a Result of Teaching Weekend

1. An Orthodox Jewish lady who was an outstanding political and social activist had no interest in Bahá’í Faith except that some of her friends were Bahá’ís. Then she came to the Saturday night Global Village. At the end of the show she told her Bahá’í friends that after seeing the performances and feeling the Bahá’í spirit it was now time for her to become Bahá’í. Sadly, she passed away unexpectedly. However, she went to the Abhá Kingdom believing, and furthermore, at her Jewish funeral, which was attended by the city’s political and religious leaders, her husband allowed a Bahá’í prayer and Bahá’í reading about the after life to be recited.

“The most valuable lesson that I learned from this weekend’s wonderful extravaganza is that ALL Bahá’í conferences should involve the participation of the community at large, instead of these insulated and intellectual workshops reaffirming our own convictions and making abstract plans on how to change the world. I am a firm believer that we should just do it, even at the risk of making some mistakes along the way; at least we are out in the field celebrating the dance of life.” - Ivan Lloyd, painter

2. Based on the newspaper article about the weekend that appeared in the Sunday issue of the Reno Gazette Journal we had fourteen seekers at our home the other night for a special fireside.

3. Schools have been calling the Bahá’ís asking for assistance in producing each school’s multi-cultural program. On a Saturday, no less, an elementary school called asking for the Bahá’í Multicultural Talent Booking Agency wanting to use Bahá’ís to book all the multi-racial/ethnic talent for its school’s multi-cultural program.

4. The National Conference on Minority/Senior Citizens affairs is being held this year in Reno hosted by the University of Nevada and we (Bahá’ís) received a call this week asking for our assistance in providing multi-cultural performers.

5. Went to a Gypsy gathering. Within two minutes of sitting down I was asked “What is this Bahá’í Faith all about?” They had read the newspaper article and of course, they performed at the GLOBAL VILLAGE.

6. THE RENO GAZETTE JOURNAL ran another article on the Bahá’ís and the Arts Monday following the weekend and the headlines read WINNERS... HOT.....BAHÁ’ÍS...

7. The ‎Unitveristy University‎ of Nevada’s Graduate Department of Social Work has asked the Bahá’ís to co-sponsor a minority student scholarship. They are not asking for money. They simply want to include the name of the Bahá’ís.

Media & Arts Assoc. holds first board meeting

“To establish a permanent, international organization bringing together the many creative persons and ‎organizaations organizations‎ of the field, which will foster excellence in production, distribution, and utilization of arts and media in the Bahá’í world community, with the special objectives of teaching the Bahá’í Faith and inspiring humanity.” -IBMAA Mission Statement

The progress toward the emergence of The International Media/Arts Association was recently accelerated in a weekend of activities in Reno, Nevada. The Spiritual Assembly of Reno invited the members of the board of the IBMAA to hold its first full meeting in Reno and used the occasion to organize a wide range of teaching and proclamation activities using the arts and media.

The board was formed at the Media & Arts Colloquium held at Bosch Bahá’í School last September, where Bahá’ís involved in the arts and media from many countries gathered to discuss ways in which to advance the Cause through these means. A participant stated, “There was a strong consensus that there should be some kind of umbrella organization that would help to foster and encourage the development of new and more effective presentations of the Teachings in the arts and media.”

The Board also met with a representative of the National Teaching Committee to explore reinforcing initiatives being taken by the National Teaching Committee and the National Spiritual Assembly in relation to the arts and media.

The board members bring to the Association a wide range of experience in television, film and video, music, theater, painting and sculpture as well as broad experience and involvement in the Bahá’í community and Bahá’í administration.

One of the immediate questions discussed was how to define the scope of the Association. Everyone wanted to find networks of support, assistance and encouragement. While there is tremendous overlap across the various fields, there are also some fairly distinct pockets of significant activities, each of which might have somewhat different needs. In order to develop an effective organizational plan, the next few months will be devoted to a conscious and systematic assessment of the state of the arts and media in the Bahá’í world at present with an eye to identifying exactly what sorts of service activities would provide the maximum stimulus in each area. [Page 15]

OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS YOU! — GET US MAKIN’ SOME REAL MOVES!

These are the last few weeks of the Three Year Plan. By now you have probably ‎recieved received‎ a personal letter from the ‎Natonal National‎ Teaching Committee asking for your help in achieving the goal of establishing Local Spiritual Assemblies in cities of 50,000+. Your talents and enthusiasm can help us achieve this goal. Youth are among the best teachers that we have. Please call your local Spiritual Assembly, your local Army of Light coordinator, or your workshop coordinator and see what you can do to help. If they don’t have any plans, then you can suggest a plan. Your ideas are necessary to us. We really do need your help. If you don’t have an Assembly in your area, then call your Auxiliary Board member. If you don’t have anyone around you who can help you spearhead a project then please call Ada James at the National Center 847-733-3493 or E-Mail her at

“Arise with every power to assist the Covenant of God and serve in His vineyard. Be confident that a confirmation will be granted unto you...By God, verily the Lord of Hosts is your support, the angels of heaven your assistance, the Holy spirit your companion and the Center of the Covenant your helper. Be not idle, but active and fear not.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’í World Faith, p.362)

O Thou Incomparable God! O Thou Lord of the Kingdom! These souls are Thy heavenly army. Assist them and, with the cohorts of the Supreme Concourse, make them victorious, so that each one of them may become like unto a regiment and conquer these countries through the love of God and the illumination of divine teachings.

O God! Be Thou their supporter and their helper, and in the wilderness, the mountain, the valley, the forests, the prairies and the seas, be Thou their confidant - so that they may cry out through the power of the Kingdom and the breath of the Holy Spirit.

Verily, Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty and the Omnipotent, and Thou art the Wise, the Hearing and the Seeing. (‘Abdu’l-Baha: Tablets of the Divine Plan, page 35)

Workshop Information Workshops are being handled through the National Center until a National Youth Committee is appointed. Any questions? Please call Allegra Kazemzadeh at 847-733-3405 or send E-Mail to

“Be not idle, but active and fear not.” [Page 16]

Giving has come a long way during Plan

The following commentary on Fund development and giving during the Three Year Plan and the challenges facing the community in the Plan to be unveiled at Riḍván was prepared by the Office of the Treasurer.

The believers’ support for the Funds of the Faith has grown significantly during the Three Year Plan. Participation in giving rose 20 percent this year alone.

The National Spiritual Assembly has evolved new approaches that have made each dollar work harder. Funds have been poured out for the Arc, and with persistence by the friends the national budget should be balanced for the second time during the Plan.

Looking back, we can see how far we have come in this field of Bahá’í service.

For the three-year period between May 1990 and April 1993, contributions received in Wilmette for the four major funds totaled $40.1 million.

In contrast, during the period between May 1993 and January 1996, American Bahá’ís gave $29.8 million to the Bahá’í National Fund, $29.1 million for the Arc Projects, $2.6 million to the Bahá’í International Fund, $714,500 to the Continental Fund and $1.25 million to other international projects and recipients.

That makes a total of $63.5 million in contributions, plus nearly $2 million more in estate bequests, with three months still remaining in the current Plan. In other words, Plan contributions to date are nearly 50 percent higher than they were in the previous three-year period. The number of givers sending their contributions via the Bahá’í National Center rose fully 20 percent over last year!

The visit to the U.S. last spring by the member and representative of the Universal House of Justice, ‘Alí Nakhjavání, started an accelerating wave of financial support for the work of the Cause at both national and international levels.

In dozens of small meetings and seven large ones, and using telephone link-ups to an estimated 3,000 believers, our distinguished visitor reminded us who we are and told us what was expected of Bahá’u’lláh’s lovers in the U.S.

Results were immediate. In June, Arc contributions of $6.6 million for the month exceeded the total given during all of the previous year by more than $80,000. During the first year of the Plan, the average monthly contribution to the Arc Projects Fund was $330,000; by December ’95 this figure had jumped to $2.2 million!

The Campaign of Glorious Privilege may well have been a contributing factor in preparing us for these achievements. This individual initiative, supported by the National Spiritual Assembly, enlisted nearly 1,000 volunteers nationwide to help us raise our understanding of the urgency and magnitude of the Arc Projects.

The efforts of this corps of volunteers have been sacrificial and highly successful, helping many communities gain a new understanding of the power of their own unity to accomplish great victories.

Incidentally, the services of these friends are above and beyond the estimated $3 million worth of volunteer services given to the National Spiritual Assembly and its agencies last year.

These services included financial advice, teachers at our Bahá’í schools, participation in tens of regional and national committees, and Youth Year of Service volunteers at the Bahá’í National Center and the permanent schools and institutes. No tally has been made this year, but it must surely surpass last year’s level.

The National Bahá’í Fund

Contributions to the National Fund have increased during this final year of the Plan, thanks to many small gifts and two large ones. By the end of January, the total stood at about $8.9 million, up 19 percent from the previous year. This result is gratifying, but over-all the good performance owes much to those large contributions. So, although some aspects are very encouraging, we still have work to do!

Seasonal fluctuations in giving can also create problems for the national administration. The graph below shows how uneven the flow of national funds can be.

Each year begins slowly, followed by a rush in the fall to make up for lost time. The national finances do not, however, fully recover from the summer slump, which in turn has generally led to an increase in debt and some very tight times for the national funds. Changing this pattern will be a continuing challenge during the upcoming Plan.

Other income

If the present trend continues, fiscal ’96 contribution income is projected to be $11.3 million for the National Bahá’í Fund. Additional income of $3.5 million, generated by school tuition, book sales and earnings on invested cash, is projected, about even with last year.

The schools and institutes have done an especially good job in lowering costs and raising income, in part through renting their facilities to non-Bahá’í groups, at higher rates, for the days the Bahá’ís are not using their facilities, while the National Assembly has helped by deferring needed construction projects while funds are in short supply.

These factors, combined with an accurate budget and careful expense control, should enable the community to achieve a balanced budget for the second time during the Plan.

What actions will have produced this encouraging situation?

First, and most important, is the action of the individual believer and of the local Spiritual Assemblies, without whom no good result would be possible. This fact is as true for the contribution side as it is for the Fund’s earned income: these are the people who buy the books and attend the schools.

Expense management

What has the National Spiritual Assembly done so that the expense side of our national equation also works out?

1. The National Assembly implemented and maintained an austerity policy: the number of staff positions was cut in ’93 and ’94, and costs were brought under highly centralized control.

In 1994, the National Assembly commissioned a plan of action aimed at improving our financial condition at the national level.

The 1994 financial plan

The Assembly recognized that continued cuts in staff and programs, in order to meet inadequate income, were inconsistent with our expectations of growth. Growing debt, however, threatened by late ’93 to push the Fund’s accumulated deficit to more than 50 percent of the total budget. What were the options?

In February 1994 the Assembly adopted a three-year plan of action, created in consultation with Bahá’ís who are professionals in finance, entitled “Building Financial Strength.”

Key goals of the plan included:

• cut the $2 million deficit expected by April ’94;
• create and sustain balanced operating and capital budgets;
• reduce existing debt and cap the use of new debt;
• promote giving by local Spiritual Assemblies and expand participation in the Automatic Contribution System (ACS);
• create reserves for contingencies; and
• establish methods of long-term borrowing within the community, and for planned giving by the believers to meet long-term needs.

Results

Deficit: The April ’94 deficit totaled $463,000. Careful cash management allowed the National Assembly to start the new year with no additional borrowing. By the end of June, the $750,000 borrowed under the Assembly’s last short-term line had been repaid, and the line has remained unused since that date.

Debt: The total amount of debt has remained fixed for most of the current year, at $9.7 million, but the indebtedness is now all owed to Bahá’ís. Bank lines of credit are maintained as a safety measure, but the costs associated with these lines are relatively minor. [Page 17]

THE LIFE-BLOOD

In pursuit of its financial plan, the National Spiritual Assembly has been able to create a reserve of $1 million against its debt, and expects to meet its reserve goal of $1.5 million by Ridván. Coming years will require us to refinance a part of our short-term debt and to make use of long-term financing sources.

ACS: Progress has been slower in building local Assembly support and in expanding the ACS method of giving. Coming years will likely see a greater emphasis on developing the tools and the capacity of local institutions to shoulder greater responsibility for collecting and managing a larger share of the national life-blood, thereby reinforcing the link that unites them to their National Spiritual Assembly while decentralizing a key function.

Reserves: The $1.3 million bequest received in November ’95 represents the National Assembly’s contingency reserve. Together with the $1.5 million debt reserve, the national balance sheet should end the Three Year Plan in a much stronger condition than when the Plan began.

Planned giving: Three workshops, one at the Bahá’í National Center itself, have been held this year in order to assist the friends to make their wills and include the Faith as a recipient of estate funds. During the Four Year Plan a national planned giving program will be expanded.

What does the Faith need?

This question, posed by our distinguished visitor, Mr. Nakhjavání, is the key to meeting the material needs of the next phase in the Faith’s growth.

Giving is a profoundly spiritual process, a fact that is easily obscured in our daily Bahá’í dialogue. The way in which we give is intimately tied, however, to our destiny as individual souls and to our mission as a community.

When we give, we strengthen our identity with the Cause, receive blessings, and gain strength for the hurdles ahead. The numbers this year vividly remind us that this is a spiritual, even mystical phenomenon.

How else can we understand how a relatively small number of people was able to more than double their giving in just one year to all the Funds?

Mr. Nakhjavání also reminded us that our gifts have no value unless they are accepted by God: that when we send a check to the Fund, we should beg him to accept our offering. This kind of humility before the Creator is the proper posture from which to arise to teach and to act.

In the next four years, the Faith will require a continued outpouring of our treasure at all levels. The Arc will require $10 million yearly; the International Fund must recover from its long drought; the Bahá’í National Fund will need at least $12 million each year to ensure continuity of basic operations; and growing local communities will need materials, centers and a host of activities designed to build a new society.

We alone have this privilege, and we will, as a community, beg Bahá’u’lláh to accept our sacrifices and convert them into a swelling river of new recruits.

A new view of material means

Our society teaches us many things about money, and almost none of those things fits Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings.

The writings indicate clearly that Bahá’u’lláh wants us to appreciate the means God has given us, enjoy their benefits, and use them for the growth of His Cause. Guilt has no role here, nor does the notion that money is evil. Instead, we are encouraged to become both spiritually and materially prosperous.

The institutions of our Faith appeal to us to fund the activities of the Faith because by doing so, we will be blessed. We will become better Bahá’ís, our sense of identity with the Faith will be reinforced, and we will have a sense of belonging to the most important thing in the world.

All this can be the result of giving sacrificially, and our Assemblies, loving shepherds that they are, have the responsibility to appeal to us “incessantly,” to use the word employed by the Universal House of Justice in one of its letters, so that we can avail ourselves of this great bounty.

In January 1984 the Universal House of Justice told the friends that the Bahá’í International Fund faced a grave crisis. We responded, for one year, then giving fell off again.

In January 1985 the House of Justice again wrote, this time saying that they had not asked for a one-time “herculean effort” but for a “long-range, sustained increase in the efforts and self-sacrifices of the friends,” both in service and in contributing from their financial resources to the advancement of the Faith.

This year, we have made historic progress in giving. Our challenge is to keep the momentum going. This challenge is especially acute for the American Bahá’í community, whose great bounty has consistently been to provide the “lion’s share.”

The local Treasurer as educator

The local Spiritual Assembly will act, in the Four Year Plan, as one of the main engines for the growth and development of individuals and communities.

A problem with your contribution receipt?

More than 96,000 contribution checks and 34,000 automatic contributions were processed last year by two people in the Office of the Treasurer and a small handful of occasional (and trustworthy!) volunteers. Of those 130,000 items, quality checks and calls from the friends have so far highlighted roughly 100 problems. If you find that your year-end contribution summary looks incorrect in any way, please do not hesitate to call the Office of the Treasurer at 847-869-9039 (fax 847-733-3471). One of the difficulties that several of the friends have shared is this: they have given their contribution checks to their local Bahá’í Fund, but are still expecting to see those contributions reflected in their yearly summary from the Bahá’í National Center. The local Treasurer, however, unless specifically instructed otherwise by the donor, would normally deposit those checks locally on a monthly basis, and then send a single local Assembly check for the total of all contributions received. The Office of the Treasurer sends a receipt to the local Assembly for that check, but has no way of sending receipts for the individual contributions that make up the total. The donor in this case should get a receipt from the local Treasurer, showing the contributions made to the National Fund.

It has vital responsibilities to fulfill in preparing the way for entry by troops, and for building communities capable of welcoming those new recruits.

The role of the local Treasurer in helping the local Spiritual Assembly to do these things is central.

Wise, effective management of the Faith’s human and financial resources at the local level will go a long way toward fostering a “growth-producing milieu,” an atmosphere which is intensely attractive to seeking souls. An increasing emphasis has been placed in recent years on making teaching plans, plans that provide for all three aspects of the teaching process: proclamation, expansion and consolidation.

Planning is one of the skills most often associated with the Treasury: how to use our resources most wisely and effectively. The Treasurer of a mature Assembly will therefore help to create planning and budgeting processes that ensure completion of the assembly’s plans and hopes.

The Treasurer will find ways to educate and motivate the friends of all ages to give, thereby helping create the spiritual environment all people need so much. The Treasurer will coordinate efforts to develop the community, working under the Assembly’s direction to identify needs and mobilize human and material resources to meet those needs.

This is a different notion than the historical one with which we have become so familiar: the Treasurer who prepares the receipts and makes the Feast report on our Fund goals. Those functions do not disappear; but the call upon the local Treasury will inevitably become much greater as we move into the next century.

Providing for the future

The notion that we are moving toward the next century prompts many thoughts. The urgency for us to begin providing for the future in new ways seems much greater.

One of the best ways to do this is to plan for the financial needs of that future. Most large social services and philanthropies have well-developed planned giving programs, where their members and friends include the organization in their wills.

There are also many ways whereby givers can increase current income, reduce taxes, provide for family members, and still project support for their organization into a future where they themselves will no longer be present.

In the Bahá’í community, we have yet to develop this capacity. In our Most Holy Book, Bahá’u’lláh Himself enjoins us to have a will and testament, so this is a matter of sacred law.

Only a part of His purpose was to provide for the orderly passing of material goods from one who no longer needs them to those who do; the most important part of His injunction was for the soul to testify to its loyalty to God and its love for family and Faith. In the years to come, therefore, our community dialogue will be enriched through this new facet: planning for the future financially so as to extend our spiritual mission into eternity.

Greater giving by youth and children

Here’s how the youth themselves have expressed their understanding of their role in supporting the Faith materially:

“The Fund reminds me that we are all connected...and when I sacrifice and give to the Fund, it helps me understand and feel the closeness to all the brothers and sisters in the world.”

“I’m amazed. I’ve been living my life as a Bahá’í all these years, and I don’t know anything about the Fund... If I don’t know anything, then there are millions of others who don’t, either.”

“The only one who owns money is the Almighty. We have the responsibility to put His money to good use, building the New World Order.”

“Who has the most money to spend? When you think about it, it’s the youth. We don’t have children, we don’t have bills to pay...so really no one has more ability just to sacrifice.”

“The role of the youth in the Fund, in my opinion, is that it’s really an honor, a privilege, it’s a way of belonging to the Faith.”

“So many of the kids (in Albania) wanted to give. ...We tried to find ways for the kids to earn their own money and so the youth and kids would feel a part of it: ‘Well, I’m building the Arc, and it’s not just my parents shoving money in my hand, because that’s their money, and all I’m doing is carrying it over to the Fund box.’”

“[Making quilts and prayer-book covers] is one of the ways I can give to the Fund...and when I give [what I’ve earned], then that time is made sacred.”

“So many things in the Faith have material and spiritual aspects, they go hand in hand; so, like when you give a material thing, money, it’s matched (or hopefully it’s matched) with the spirit of sacrifice.”

“Talk more at Feast about the Fund. Just say, ‘This is really needed,’ and don’t just throw it aside and say someone else will do it.”

Green Acre Fellowship Café open

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

For more information, phone 207-439-7200.--BLANK-- [Page 18]

Gathering places ‘New World Order in Bahá’í perspective’

About 50 people attended a conference January 26-28 on “The New World Order in Bahá’í Perspective.” The event was sponsored by the Institute for Bahá’í Studies and held at the Bahá’í National Center in Evanston, Illinois. Eleven talks focusing on three broad themes were presented during the weekend.

“Interdependence and the New World Order” was the theme of the conference’s Saturday morning session. Holly Hanson [see article on p. 11] presented the keynote address on “The Implementation of Interdependence,” which noted that Bahá’u’lláh’s world order is not new simply because it is global; earlier “world orders” were comprehensive on a regional scale. Rather, the world order of Bahá’u’lláh is new because it is both world-encompassing and characterized by justice.

Following Ms. Hanson’s paper, Augusto Lopez-Claros talked by videotape on “Interdependence, Cooperation, and the Emergence of Global Institutions,” exploring the economic integration caused by the transportation and communications revolutions and the political integrative forces that have resulted.

“The Theory and Practice of Organizing Internationally,” the conference’s second theme, dominated presentations on Saturday afternoon and evening. Michael L. Penn spoke about “The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh and the Future of International Relations.” Manooher Mofidi spoke about “Post Cold-War Reflections on the Theory and Practice of Collective Security,” and Brian Lepard discussed “The Prospects for a Permanent United Nations Military Force: Lessons from the U.N.’s First Fifty Years.”

The afternoon was completed by Jaleh Dashti-Gibson’s talk about “Collective Sanctions After the Cold War: A Harbinger of the Lesser Peace?”

Saturday evening, Keith Christian Jensen, by videotape, discussed “Taxation and Voluntary Sharing: Current Considerations for Funding the United Nations—Some Thoughts with a Bahá’í Perspective,” summarizing various proposals that have been made for funding UN activities and considering some characteristics of the law of Huqúqu’lláh that might avoid their difficulties.

Saturday evening ended with a lively discussion about encouraging more Bahá’ís to prepare themselves to engage fellow Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís with substantive examinations and discussions of the many aspects of world order. Many suggestions were made for a second conference on world order in January 1997.

“The New World Order and the Individual” was the focus of the Sunday morning presentations. Jeff Gruber’s paper, “Language in the New World Order,” was followed by Constance Chen’s on “The New Family: The Role of the Father, the Role of the Mother.”

Sunita Gandhi’s “Moral Education: Building the Foundation of the New World Order” described the City Montessori School in Lucknow, India, the world’s largest private school, and how it has applied Bahá’í principles in its curriculum and administration. The program closed with Robert McClelland’s exploration of “Citizenship in the New World Order.”

All the presentations stimulated lively discussions. A program booklet that includes abstracts of the papers is available from the Institute for Bahá’í Studies for $3 (send the request to the Institute at the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091; the check should be made payable to the “Bahá’í Services Fund”).

The papers are being considered for publication in future issues of World Order magazine.

House of Worship sets Special Visit program

“When the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is accomplished, when the lights are emanating therefrom, the righteous ones are performing themselves therein, the prayers are performed with supplication toward the mysterious Kingdom, the voice of glorification is raised to the Lord, the Supreme, then the believers shall rejoice, the hearts shall be dilated and overflow with the love of the All-Living and Self-Existent God. The people shall hasten to worship in that heavenly Temple, the fragrances of God will be elevated, the divine teachings will be established in the hearts like the establishment of the Spirit in mankind; the people will then stand firm in the Cause of your Lord, the Merciful. Praise and greetings be upon you.”—‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’í World Faith, p. 415

The Bahá’í House of Worship extends to you a loving invitation to visit the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár for a four-day weekend on July 18-21, 1996 (Thursday-Sunday).

Among the highlights of this Special Visit program:

Thursday—registration, devotions, orientation

Friday—devotional service, tours of the Bahá’í Home, Bahá’í Publishing Trust, Media Services and Properties, a visit to the Bahá’í National Center, garden teaching at the House of Worship

Saturday—devotional service, tours of the Archives and Bahá’í House of Worship, audio-visual program, bookstore time, evening program

Sunday—devotional service, historical film, program on the significance of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, luncheon

Please direct questions to the House of Worship Activities Office, 847-853-2300 or 853-2326, or e-mail

BAHÁ’Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP Special Visit Program Thursday - Sunday, July 18–‎28 21‎, 1996 REGISTRATION FORM Deadline May 17, 1996

Participants and Bahá’í ID numbers __________________________________________________

Number in your party ______ Telephone (home/work/other) __________________________________

List name(s) and Bahá’í ID numbers (attach additional sheets as needed) __________________________________

Indicate children/youth and ID numbers (ages 4 and up may register). Activities for children, pre-youth and youth will be available. Infant care and child care will be provided.

__________________________________ __________________________________

__________________________________ __________________________________

__________________________________ __________________________________

Address (attach others as needed) ____________________________________________________________________

City __________________________________ State ____________ Zip code ____________

The registration fee is $10 per person including each child. Please make checks payable to Bahá’í Services Fund. A schedule of activities and check-in will be sent to you upon confirmation. Canadian monies must be sent by cashier’s check in U.S. dollars.

HOTEL/TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

The hotel listed below has been chosen to provide a group rate for your stay. We can make your reservations based on this hotel selection; however, you must handle all financial arrangements with the hotel. For those who wish to choose their own accommodations, we will send a list of hotels in the area. Bus transportation will be provided to and from the Howard Johnson Hotel. Transportation to and from other hotels will be on your own throughout the tour. All registrants will receive transportation information and an itinerary of program activities. Major meals and free-time transportation will be on your own.

Below, please mark confirmation of your hotel choice and number in your party staying in each room. In addition, please state any special needs required during your stay.

Skokie Howard Johnson Yes ______ No ______ Alternative hotel listing? Yes ______ No ______

• Hot buffet breakfast included
• Two miles from the House of Worship
• 1 room, 1-4 persons, $72.00 flat rate
• Airport shuttle service

Please return this form to: Bahá’í House of Worship Activities Office, Special Visit Program, Wilmette, IL 60091

Bahá’í article on revelation appears in Gannett papers

A guest article on progressive revelation, headlined “Surprise! We all worship the same God after all,” and written by Don Plunkett, a Bahá’í from Bronxville, New York, was carried January 6 in all of the Westchester and Putnam County editions of Gannett’s suburban newspaper group as a part of the series “Forum on Faith.”

The article includes quotations from the scriptures of various religions—including the Faith—illustrating God’s love for all His creatures no matter in what form or by what name they may worship Him. [Page 19]

Media and Arts Association holds weekend conference

More than 200 Bahá’ís from the United States, Canada, England and other countries gathered in Reno, Nevada, January 18-21 for a weekend of arts/media teaching activities in conjunction with a board meeting of the newly formed International Bahá’í Media and Arts Association.

For two days, the board consulted on developing the association’s charter to effectively use Bahá’í writers, painters, musicians, directors, producers, actors, singers, musicians, sculptors, poets, editors, etc., to produce quality stage, radio, television, recording and performance/show works for the non-Bahá’í public.

Board members include Ramin Khadem of Great Britain, Fred Badiyan of Minnesota, Anne Gordon Perry of Texas, Kenji Kenoshi of California, Leslie Asplundh of Washington, Clark Donnelly of Canada, Charles Nolley of Illinois, Joe Schinnick of Georgia and Joseph Galata of Nevada.

The board’s honorary adviser is David S. Ruhe, former member of the Universal House of Justice. Also in attendance, representing the National Teaching Office, was Allegra Kazemzadeh.

To “walk the talk,” the host Reno Spiritual Assembly planned outstanding arts/media teaching events throughout the weekend.

More than 400 non-Bahá’ís attended a multi-cultural stage presentation of music, dance, fashion and fine arts called Global Village. Bahá’í choirs performed, along with 18 Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í ethnic/racial groups including Gypsies, Russians, African-Americans, Jews and Sufis.

Dr. Ruhe and his wife, writer and lecturer Margaret K. Ruhe, were interviewed for a one-hour television program about their personal and professional lives and their experience within the Bahá’í administration. The final part of the interview focused on the Bahá’í Faith as the means of hope for a crying world.

Well-known painter Ivan Lloyd also was interviewed for a one-hour television program. Surrounded by his colorful canvases on women, Bahá’í history, Táhirih and Shoghi Effendi, Mr. Lloyd spoke about his career as a painter. He told of his studies of art in Africa, India and Europe and the influence of Hinduism, Christianity and Islam on his work, and spoke about his Bahá’í paintings.

Mrs. Perry and fellow actors Jaine Toth, Bill George and Styve Homnick performed fictional and historical characters for a Bahá’í dramatic series titled To Catch a Glimpse. The pieces, from Roger White, John Chesley and the Diary of Juliet Thompson, were filmed by a 10-member crew of Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís at a Reno television studio before an invited audience.

The Reno Gazette Journal, northern Nevada’s major newspaper, featured a full-color photograph and major news coverage of the weekend’s activities, including an in-depth article on the association’s use of television, stage and the arts to eliminate prejudice. The NBC television affiliate also broadcast a special segment on Saturday evening.

Ever since the weekend, the Reno Assembly has received daily phone calls from local, regional and even national schools and associations asking for Bahá’í help in creating multi-cultural productions.

From the major newspaper article on the Global Village multi-ethnic stage show, a special fireside was held for 14 seekers who are prominent people in the Reno area.

The Reno Assembly has been invited to work with a state arts foundation in securing a grant for a future art show on religious paintings featuring Mr. Lloyd and other artists.

Requests for copies of the various television tapings are being received, even though post-production work has not even begun.

The Reno Assembly also has been asked to recite the opening prayer at the Reno City Council meetings on three Bahá’í holidays.

Based on the immense success of the Reno weekend, the International Bahá’í Media and Arts Association board has begun to search for a community that would like to host its next meeting in January or February 1997.

The community must be willing to produce major public arts/media programs such as took place in Reno. They include unique and exciting art/media teaching programs, a film/video festival of works by Bahá’í television and film producers/directors, etc., and staging the premiere of a major Bahá’í opera or theatre show.

The board also is creating a Bahá’í talent resource bank. Bahá’í artists of any discipline who would like to have their name and resumé included may write to Joseph Andrejchak Galata, Reno NV 89512.

Birth of Báb observed in St. Louis

Last October 18, religious leaders in St. Louis, Missouri, gathered at the Catholic Review Building to celebrate the 176th anniversary of the Birth of the Báb. The event was sponsored by the Bahá’í Public Information Office of St. Louis.

Among the guests were the president of the Midwest Rabbinical Association, representatives of the Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis, and many other laities.

The program, which was focused on the teachings of the Báb, ended with a prayer revealed by Him, after which refreshments were served.

Sixth Conference of Friends of Persian Culture is scheduled for May 23-26 in Skokie, Illinois

The sixth annual conference of the Friends of Persian Culture Association will be held May 23-26 at the North Shore Hilton hotel (9599 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, Illinois 60077) near the Wilmette Bahá’í House of Worship.

A number of presentations at this year’s conference will be about historiography in Iran, historians of the Qajar period, historical studies about Jináb-i Fádil, the prominent Iranian scholar and historian of the Bahá’í Faith, and his services in the early years of the Bahá’í community of the United States.

Other presentations will be about various aspects of the Iranian culture. Dramatic presentations, music and art exhibitions will also enrich the experience of the participants.

A full parallel program will be presented in English, including many of the presentations made in the Persian section.

To register for the conference please complete the form below and mail it with your check payable to Bahá’í Services Fund to:

Persian/American Affairs Office, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201

Registration for the Sixth Conference of Friends of Persian Culture

May 23-26, 1996

Last Name: ..........................................................................................
First Name: ..........................................................................................
Street Address: .....................................................................................
Apartment #: ........................................................................................
City: .........................................................State:...................................
Country: ..............................................................................................
Postal (Zip) Code: ...............................................................................
Telephone No:......................................................................................

Conference registration fee (US$15.00 per person)

Registration for 3 evening programs: (US$15.00 per person)

Amount Paid: $........... Check #: .....................

For room reservations please contact the North Shore Hilton hotel directly at (847) 679-7000 and ask for the special rate for Bahá’í Persian Arts Festival. That rate is US$66.00 per night per room. Up to four persons may stay in one room at that rate. A shuttle service from Chicago-O’Hare airport to the hotel is available from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily for $10.00 one-way. To make reservations for shuttle service please call 1-800-879-4458.

The Bahá’í communities of Columbia and Boone County, Missouri, sponsored a celebration last October 15 of the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. The gala event, held at the University of Missouri and planned by the intercommunity UN 50th Anniversary Steering Committee, was attended by about 40 people who heard prayers, chants and talks by representatives of various faiths. A reception followed.

Bahá’í National Center receives award from Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago for its services to refugees

The Bahá’í National Center was among some 50 agencies serving immigrant and refugee populations honored January 8 at an awards ceremony sponsored by the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Immigration, Naturalization and Refugee Resettlement Services as part of National Migration Week.

The award to the National Center was accepted on its behalf by Puran Stevens, director of the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office, who attended the program with two other Bahá’ís, Dr. Manuchehr Derakhshani, director of the Persian/American Affairs Office, and Van Gilmer of Maryland.

The award certificate cites the National Center “for commitment, dedication and service to newcomers to the United States of America.” [Page 20]

WORLD CENTER Message

depends on the progress of all three of these intimately connected participants is abundantly clear. The next four years must witness a dramatic upsurge in effective teaching activities undertaken at the initiative of the individual. Thousands upon thousands of believers will need to be aided to express the vitality of their faith through constancy in teaching the Cause and by supporting the plans of their institutions and the endeavors of their communities. They should be helped to realize that their efforts will be sustained by the degree to which their inner life and private character "mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendors of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh." An acceleration in the tempo of individual teaching must necessarily be complemented by a multiplication in the number of regional and local teaching projects. To this end the institutions should be assisted in increasing their ability to consult according to Bahá’í principles, to unify the friends in a common vision, and to use their talents in service to the Cause. Furthermore, those who enter the Faith must be integrated into vibrant local communities, characterized by tolerance and love and guided by a strong sense of purpose and collective will, environments in which the capacities of all components—men, women, youth and children—are developed and their powers multiplied in unified action.

Planning process

At the close of this conference, we intend to announce to the Bahá’í world our decision to launch a Four Year Plan at Ridván 1996 [see The American Bahá’í, February 7, 1996, p. 1]. The formulation of national plans is to begin in each country after Ridván, allowing the friends to concentrate their energies in the intervening months on bringing the Three Year Plan to a successful conclusion.

The ideas expressed in the initial announcement will be elaborated further in the forthcoming Ridván message. Moreover, we have decided to address messages to the believers in each continent of the globe, or parts thereof, exploring the implications of the Four Year Plan in the light of the particular conditions of their countries. Following Ridván, it should be feasible to hold consultative meetings among the institutions and with active supporters of the Faith in every country and to formulate national plans within a period of a few months. Once consultations between the Counselors and a National Spiritual Assembly on the provisions of a plan have reached fruition, its implementation can begin. Approval of these plans from the Bahá’í World Center will not be necessary; copies should, nonetheless, be forwarded to it.

The seven objectives specified for the Six Year and Three Year Plans describe interacting processes that must advance simultaneously over many decades. They will guide the institutions as they set goals in various areas of activity to further the aim of the Four Year Plan. National plans, however, will need to go beyond the mere enumeration of goals to include an analysis of approaches to be adopted and lines of action to be followed, so that the friends will be able to set out on their endeavors with clarity of mind and decisiveness.

Continental level

In the discharge of their vital responsibilities during the Four Year Plan, the Continental Boards of Counselors will have a wide range of possibilities available to them. The flexibility inherent in their functioning must be fully exploited at this time when events both within and outside the Bahá’í community are moving at an accelerated pace.

Certain Counselor functions, including the supervision and guidance of the Auxiliary Board members in an area, are generally best performed by one Counselor on behalf of the Board. However, in the performance of other functions, there is great value in a diversity of approaches and in consultation among several Counselors. For example, in providing stimulus to National Assemblies, in promoting teaching among various strata of the population, and in counseling different components of the Bahá’í community, better results are achieved when the abilities of a number of Counselors are used in a complementary fashion. Further ways and means should be devised by each Continental Board of Counselors to enable the Assemblies and communities to benefit, to the extent feasible, from the varied talents of the Counselors. This may well involve periodic in-depth consultation among a group of Counselors on the conditions and needs of countries in a specific part of the continent since, in general, circumstances do not allow such consultations to occur frequently among all members of the Board.

Fundamental to the work of the Counselors is the understanding that all members of the Continental Board are responsible for the entire continent, and should, to the degree possible, endeavor to familiarize themselves with the conditions of the Cause in the countries therein. Through periodic reports from individual Counselors, the Board is kept abreast of developments in all areas of the continent and is able to offer guidance to assist its members in the execution of their duties. Whereas no Counselor should be regarded as having exclusive responsibility for any one territory, the detailed familiarity acquired by each through close interaction with the National Spiritual Assembly and Auxiliary Board members in a particular area is in fact a valuable asset to all the Counselors on the Board.

Another aspect of the work of the Counselors which merits further attention is the interaction between Counselors of different Boards who serve adjacent areas or areas which have a special relationship. Among the examples which come to mind are the Russian Federation, located partly in Europe and partly in Asia; the circumpolar national Bahá’í communities; the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea; the communities of Northeastern Asia and the Antipodes, referred to by the Guardian as constituting a spiritual axis; the Arabic-speaking countries of North Africa and the Middle East; and French-speaking territories in various continents.

We hope that, while in the Holy Land, each Board will be able to give consideration to its mode of operation and explore effective means of interaction among the Counselors. In this way, between the close of the conference and Ridván, groups of Counselors will be able to consult together about the planning process in a number of related countries and the role they and their auxiliaries are to play in it.

National and regional levels

In most countries, once the major elements of the national plan have been identified, it is desirable that the planning process move quickly to the regional level. The resulting plans should include provisions for the promotion of individual teaching, the launching of campaigns of various kinds, the holding of conferences, the establishment of local and regional projects, the strengthening of local communities, and the movement of traveling teachers. Moreover, the widespread distribution of literature and audio-visual materials must be given urgent attention, and, particularly in areas of large-scale expansion, human resource development must be a key component of national and regional plans.

During the Nine Year Plan, the Universal House of Justice called upon National Spiritual Assemblies in countries where large-scale expansion was taking place to establish teaching institutes to meet the deepening needs of the thousands who were entering the Faith. At that time, the emphasis was on acquiring a physical facility to which group after group of newly enrolled believers would be invited to attend deepening courses. Over the years, in conjunction with these institutes, and often independent of them, a number of courses—referred to, for example, as weekend institutes, five-day institutes, and nine-day institutes—were developed for the purpose of helping the friends gain an understanding of the fundamental verities of the Faith and arise to serve it. These efforts have contributed significantly to the enriching of the spiritual life of the believers and will undoubtedly continue in the future.

With the growth in the number of enrollments, it has become apparent that such occasional courses of instruction and the informal activities of community life, though important, are not sufficient as a means of human resource development, for they have resulted in only a relatively small band of active supporters of the Cause. These believers, no matter how dedicated, no matter how willing to make sacrifices, cannot attend to the needs of hundreds, much less thousands, of fledgling local communities. 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 development of human resources on a large scale requires that the establishment of institutes be viewed in a new light. In many regions, it has become imperative to create institutes as organizational structures dedicated to systematic training. 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.

As an agency of the National Spiritual Assembly, the training institute should be charged with the task of developing human resources in all or part of a country. The requirements of expansion and consolidation in the country or region will dictate the complexity of its organization. In some instances, the institute may consist of a group of dedicated believers with a well-defined program and some administrative arrangement that enables it to offer regular training courses. In many cases, in addition to a group of teachers associated with it, the institute will require part- and full-time staff, for whom assistance from the funds of the Faith may be necessary. The institute needs access to some physical facilities in which it can conduct courses and, at some stage of its development, may require a building of its own. Irrespective of whether or not an institute has its own physical facilities, its teachers must offer courses both at a central location and in the villages and towns so that an appreciable number of believers can enter its programs. The complexity and number of courses offered by an institute, as well as the size of its staff and the pool of teachers from which it draws, may call for the appointment of a board to direct its affairs. When the region under the influence of an institute is large, it may have branches serving specific areas, each with its own administration.

For the new thrust in the establishment of institutes to succeed, the active involvement of the Counselors and Auxiliary Board members in their operation is essential. Such involvement will help the Counselors to kindle "the Fire of the Love of God in the very hearts and souls of His servants," "to diffuse the Divine Fragrances," "to edify the souls of men," "to promote learning," and "to improve the character of all men." These institutes will provide the Counselors and Auxiliary Board members with immediate access to a formal means of educating the believers, in addition to other avenues available to them such as conferences, summer schools, and meetings with the friends. Institutes should be regarded as centers of learning, and since their character harmonizes with, and provides scope for the exercise of, the educational responsibilities of the Auxiliary Board members, we have decided that intimate involvement in institute operations should now become a part of the evolving functions of these officers of the Faith. The Counselors and National Spiritual Assemblies will need to consult on the details of the collaboration between the two arms of the Administrative Order in overseeing the budget and functioning of an institute and in planning program content, developing curricula, and delivering courses. If a board of directors is named, its membership should be decided upon by the National Spiritual Assembly in consultation with the Counselors and with their full support; Auxiliary Board members may serve on these bodies.

In addition to having a working relationship with Auxiliary Board members, the institute must necessarily collaborate closely with local Assemblies and committees in charge of administering plans and projects of expansion and consolidation. This will ensure that the institute’s programs are designed to help raise up individuals who can contribute [Page 21]effectively to such plans. However, even if these administrative bodies have not yet developed the capacity to utilize the talents of those being trained, the programs of the institute should be regularly carried out. After all, the strengthening of the institutions in a region depends, as do all other matters, on skilled and confirmed supporters of the Faith.

In developing its programs, the institutes should draw on the talents of a growing number of believers and should also take advantage of its institutional links to have access to resources worldwide. A newly established institute will often utilize materials created by institutes in other parts of the world. Gradually, those designing and delivering courses will learn how these materials might be supplemented to better suit their specific needs and will decide what new ones should be created. The curriculum of the institute at any given time, then, may well use a combination of materials created locally and those that have proven successful elsewhere. As institutes begin to flourish, a wide variety of curricula will be developed for various training needs. We hope that, with the assistance of the International Teaching Center, you will be able to assess the materials available from time to time and help the institutes in the communities you serve to select those most appropriate for their needs.

We are placing at the disposal of the Teaching Center funds specifically designated for the operation of institutes and intend to call on National Spiritual Assemblies, according to their circumstances, to pay particular attention to the development of institutes in their countries. It is our hope that significant progress in this direction will constitute one of the distinguishing features of the Four Year Plan.

Local level

The development of the local community and the functioning of the local Spiritual Assembly have been ongoing challenges to the Bahá’í world through successive Plans. At present, a few thousand local Spiritual Assemblies have attained at least a basic level of functioning. National and regional plans will clearly have to include provision for the adoption by such Assemblies of local plans of expansion and consolidation. To ensure that local plans contribute to the advancement of the process of entry by troops, you will need to call upon your Auxiliary Board members and their assistants to work closely with these Assemblies, both in the formulation of plans and in theri execution, helping them to shoulder the responsibility of systematic growth in their own communities and in localities adopted as extension goals. The community must become imbued with a sense of mission and the Assembly grow in awareness of its role as a channel of God's grace not only for the Bahá’ís but for the entire village, town or city in which it serves.

However, in those many communities where no organized activities are taking place, whether or not a local Spiritual Assembly has been elected, more basic challenges have to be addressed, and in this the Auxiliary Board members and their assistants must play a fundamental role. Concerted effort must be made to help the individual believers, men and women alike, increase their love for Bahá’u’lláh and His Cause and to bring them together in the Nineteen Day Feast as well as periodic meetings aimed at raising their awareness of their identity as a community. In those localities where the participation of women in community affairs is lagging, determined steps have to be taken to foster such participation. Effective measures have to be adopted so that the local Spiritual Assembly is properly elected year after year and consistent progress in its functioning is made. The regular holding of Bahá’í children's classes should be given high priority. Indeed, in many parts of the world this is the first activity in a process of community building, which, if pursued vigorously, gives rise to the other developments. In all this, particular attention needs to be given to the youth, who are often the Faith's most enthusiastic supporters. The establishment of these activities defines a first stage in the process of community development, which, once attained, must be followed by subsequent stages until a community reaches a point where it can formulate its own plans of expansion and consolidation.

In this context, we feel that the Auxiliary Board members should take further advantage of the possibility of naming, where appropriate, more than one assistant to a given community, with the intention of assigning each to promote one or more of these fundamental community activities. We also urge you to consult with National Spiritual Assemblies on the experience of past endeavors to assist such communities. Arrangements can then be made for the lessons learned from this experience to be discussed with the active supporters of the Faith in each region, helping them to identify the approaches and methods applicable to their specific conditions and to set in motion a systematic process of community development. This process should be one in which the friends review their successes and difficulties, adjust and improve their methods accordingly, and learn, and move forward unhesitatingly.

In general, we feel the functions of the Auxiliary Board members for Protection have to be clarified and their influence augmented. The deepening of the friends and the proper functioning of the local Spiritual Assembly are essential to the healthy growth of the community and should be important concerns of the Auxiliary Board members for Protection. We are contemplating an increase in the membership of Protection Boards to make the number equal to that of the Propagation Boards. It is our hope that Protection Board members will, in turn, name more assistants to focus on issues related to community development.

Election of local Spiritual Assemblies

In developing the Administrative Order, the Guardian established the first Day of Ridván as the day when all local Spiritual Assemblies should be elected. During his own lifetime, this practice was followed as the number of local Assemblies steadily grew to over one thousand.

In the subsequent two decades the Faith expanded greatly, especially in the rural areas of the world, often remote and difficult to reach. In view of this development, the Universal House of Justice decided in 1977 that, in certain cases, when the local friends failed to elect their Spiritual Assembly on the first Day of Ridván, they could do so on any subsequent day of the Ridván Festival. This permission did not apply to all localities, but to those that, in the judgment of the National Spiritual Assembly, were particularly affected by such factors as illiteracy, remoteness, and unfamiliarity with concepts of Bahá’í administration. The House of Justice also gave permission at the beginning of the Five Year Plan for Assemblies being formed for the first time to be elected at any point during the year.

These provisions have enabled the believers in a large number of localities to receive assistance in electing their local Spiritual Assemblies, and much experience has been gained in strengthening local Assemblies under diverse conditions in a vast array of cultural settings. Nevertheless, in principle, the initiative and responsibility for electing a local Spiritual Assembly belong primarily to the Bahá’ís in the locality, and assistance from outside is ultimately fruitful only if the friends become conscious of this sacred responsibility. As progress is made in the training of human resources and in the development of the entire range of Bahá’í community life, the capacity of the friends to elect their local Spiritual Assemblies on their own will certainly grow.

With these thoughts in mind, we have decided that, beginning at Ridván 1997, the practice of electing all local Spiritual Assemblies on the first Day of Ridván will be reinstituted. We recognize that the immediate result may be a reduction in the number of local Spiritual Assemblies at Ridván 1997, but we are confident that subsequent years will witness a steady increase.

The National Spiritual Assemblies and their agencies on the one hand, and the Counselors and their auxiliaries on the other, clearly have a duty to foster the establishment and development of Bahá’í communities, including their divinely ordained local institutions. This duty can be discharged mainly through sustained educational programs which create in the believers the awareness of the importance of the Teachings in every area of their individual and social lives and which engender in them the desire and determination to elect and support their local Spiritual Assemblies. These programs should take full advantage of the provision that has been made for the temporary formation of administrative committees of three or more members in localities where local Spiritual Assemblies are not elected, or where the members of a local Assembly fail to meet.

Financial needs

The magnitude of the tasks the Bahá’í community is being summoned to perform during the Four Year Plan will call for a considerable outlay of funds. The pressing demands of the Arc Projects will continue to place severe constraints on the international Funds of the Faith. Yet, the Universal House of Justice will do its utmost to make available to the Counselors and the National Spiritual Assemblies the financial means necessary for the discharge of the tasks of expansion and consolidation in areas requiring assistance. This will include funds for the all-important work of the Auxiliary Boards.

As experience has shown, however, the expenditure of money does not, by itself, bring results. The challenge before you is to help develop in the various institutions and agencies involved in the execution of the Plan the capacity to expend funds in a judicious and effective manner. In addition, you must redouble your efforts to educate every member of the Bahá’í community—the new and the old believer, the youth and the adult—on the spiritual significance of contributing to the Fund. We are confident that you will give special attention to this twofold challenge as you set out to help the friends in every continent to win victories for the Cause during these crucial years in the history of humanity.

Dear friends, the few short years that separate us from the close of the century are a period of both spiritual potency and immense opportunity. Great responsibilities rest on your shoulders. During the first months of the Plan you will be making a decisive contribution to the formulation of plans that will inspire the friends to action and will guide them in their individual and collective endeavors. Throughout the Plan, you and your auxiliaries will encourage the friends, stimulate the spiritual powers latent in their hearts, and assist them in fulfilling their duties toward a Cause so dear to them. As you take up these manifold tasks, you must constantly bear in mind that the realization of the aim of the Four Year Plan will depend on the rapid increase in the number of teachers of the Cause who will bring in the multitudes, nurture them, and infuse in them "so deep a longing" as to impel them "to arise independently" and devote their energies "to the quickening of other souls."

Be assured that we will remember each and all of you in the Holy Shrines.

The Universal House of Justice

December 26, 1995

Map strategy now to use World Order as part of teaching, deepening plans

Start making plans now to use the Spring issue of World Order magazine in your teaching and deepening plans.

The issue, due out in late March, contains articles and a book review that will challenge you to reassess many aspects of the present historical moment in a fresh and more comprehensive way.

Each piece considers an aspect of life and a different discipline and speaks to a different audience—making it perfect for sharing with friends or for your own study.

Brad Pokorny, in "Population and Development: An Alternative Path," addresses global problems of over-population, poverty and human suffering and deals with the fundamental question: What is the purpose of human life?

Dr. Cyrus Varan, a professor emeritus of engineering at the University of New Mexico, challenges us, in a meditative piece, to develop a larger vision of the world of being, while historian Dr. Robert H. Stockman enlarges our understanding of the origins of the Faith in Europe.

Finally, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, in his review of Our Global Neighborhood, surveys the important work by the Commission on Global Governance, which proposes a "global ethos" fostering "global citizenship" and replacing "the rule of arbitrary power" with "the rule of law."

See the ad on page 12 for information about subscribing to World Order and obtaining back issues. [Page 22]

King

Continued from page 1

to God’s will, we can’t find a solution to problems.”

Finally, Mr. Stover reminded his audience of Shoghi Effendi’s words: “Alert to seize every opportunity which the revolutions of the wheel of destiny within their Faith offers them, and undismayed by the prospect of spasmodic convulsions that must sooner or later fatally affect those who have refused to embrace its light, they, and those who will labor after them, must press forward until the processes

Astronaut Mae Jemison (center), the first woman of color to go into space, was the keynote speaker January 15 at the 10th annual King Week celebration at Southern College of Technology in Marietta, Georgia. The celebration began four days earlier with an interfaith service at Marietta’s First Methodist Church at which the Faith was represented by Jane Faily of Marietta and the Atlanta Bahá’í Gospel Choir. About 100 people attended the event. Pictured with Dr. Jemison are Bahá’ís Ann and John Haynes. Mrs. Haynes is secretary of the county MLK organizing group.

now set in motion will have each spent its force and contributed its share toward the birth of the Order now stirring in the womb of a travailing age.” (The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 2)

In that, he said, there’s a role for all—black and white, Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í—because all will suffer if race unity isn’t achieved.

Mesa, Arizona

This city of close to 350,000 outside Phoenix is one of the only communities of its size not to have an official day of recognition for the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.

Despite that, for the past four years a grassroots committee has brought the people of Mesa together to celebrate the ideals of Dr. King. And from the beginning, the Spiritual Assembly of Mesa has been actively involved in organizing the celebration and sharing the healing message of Bahá’u’lláh.

But even the Bahá’ís were astonished by the visible role they were able to play in this year’s celebration:

• Two Bahá’ís served on the executive organizing committee.
• A Bahá’í youth, Amy Gandomi, won first place in the oratorical contest and was asked to present her speech at the candlelight ceremony that preceded MLK Day. She made several references in her talk to the Faith and its Founder, Bahá’u’lláh.
• At the MLK breakfast, with such guests as the mayor, City Council members and community leaders present, a Bahá’í recited the closing prayer.
• Later that day, during the unity march, members of the Eternal Flame Bahá’í Youth Workshop carried the lead banner and a member of the Spiritual Assembly was asked to join arms with city-wide clergy to walk behind the lead banner.
• Finally, during the celebration activities in the community civic center, the Bahá’í Youth Workshop and the Roses of Love Bahá’í Choir were given time to offer performances and to tell about the Bahá’í teachings.

All of the events were covered by the television stations and local newspapers.

Already, the community is looking ahead. A meeting to assess this year’s celebration and to make plans for next year is scheduled to be hosted by the Bahá’ís of Mesa.

Dothan, Alabama

A news videographer captures the action and neighborhood residents watch from their homes as members of the Charlotte Bahá’í Youth Workshop perform a step dance during the Martin Luther King Jr. parade.

The hard work of Dothan Bahá’ís to gain recognition of the Faith in this goal city paid off when for the first time they were included in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day program.

Nancy Schroeder spoke to the audience and introduced herself as representing the Bahá’ís of Dothan. She then introduced Jeffrey Choron, a Bahá’í from Tuscaloosa, who gave the invocation.

After the main program, several members of the audience approached the Bahá’ís for more information on the Faith and meetings they could attend.

In the march that preceded, Dothan Bahá’ís were joined by fellow believers from Tuscaloosa and Montgomery wearing Bahá’í-themed T-shirts.

The Bahá’í contingent, the only racially mixed group in the parade, attracted the curiosity of a camera operator who was primarily interested in the Boy Scout troop ahead but spent a lot of time filming the Bahá’í banner and diverse faces.

And an elderly black bystander was heard to exclaim: “Ohhh, the Bahá’ís! Good organization, good organization!”

To top it off, a smiling gentleman approached to say, “I am a Bahá’í.” This long-lost believer brought the potential Spiritual Assembly count to five—actually six, since a Bahá’í living in the next county plans to move into Dothan.

On January 13, Bahá’ís in Dallas, Texas, took part in a Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration and parade, the theme of which was ‘Passing the Torch: Igniting the Vision of a New Generation.’ Each participating unit was asked to give a brief and informative statement to be broadcast at the reviewing stand. Bahá’u’lláh’s name was mentioned as the Founder of the Faith, and the quotation on the Bahá’í banner was read. The banner was included in television coverage that evening on both the 5 o’clock and 10 o’clock news.

Largo, Florida

About 25 Bahá’ís took part in a candlelight vigil January 14 in a downtown park.

The observance was co-sponsored by the Bahá’ís, the city of Largo, and an organization from the neighboring black community.

After some lovely music, prayers, and a poem by Bahá’í Lora Gardner, the attendees enjoyed each other’s company with hot tea and cookies on a cool evening.

A striking full-color photo of a four-year-old looking down at his lighted candle appeared the next morning on the front page of the St. Petersburg Times.

Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania

It’s amazing what the only Bahá’í family in town can do to promote the oneness of humankind. Take the Khodadoost-Heaths of Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania.

As they do every year, Walter, Bahereh, and their 6-year-old daughter, Sienna Mae, hosted their friends and neighbors for a Martin Luther King Jr. celebration January 15 in their pottery studio.

The guests enjoyed music and refreshments symbolizing the rainbow of colors among people. Everybody did colorings of themselves and the person sitting beside them.

The theme was Sienna Mae’s poem Just Open Your Eyes and See. In the end, everyone left with an ornament that bore the poem.

Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í literature also was set out for guests to enjoy.

In school, Sienna Mae distributed to each of her classmates a bookmark bearing her poem and a chocolate “hug.”

She also gave ornaments and coloring forms to the school’s faculty members so they, too, could do colorings of themselves and each other. The finished colorings will be kept in a special file.

The Khodadoost-Heaths hope that the small seed planted by Sienna Mae’s poem will truly open more peoples’ hearts and minds and bring awareness, harmony, and love.

Birmingham-Bloomfield, Michigan

A Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration organized by Azar Alizadeh, a Bahá’í, was presented January 15 by the Birmingham-Bloomfield (Michigan) Task Force on Race Relations and Ethnic Diversity.

The keynote speaker, also a Bahá’í, was Sharon Davis, director of the Diversity Management Initiative for Human Resources at Detroit Edison.

And Damon Tempey, a Bahá’í who is a psychologist, conducted a workshop at the celebration called “Dialogue on Healing Racism.” [Page 23]

Reception at House of Worship marks opening of new exhibit on ‘Defending Religious Liberty’

Foundation Hall at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, was transformed last November 18 for a public reception marking the opening of the National Spiritual Assembly’s exhibit, “Defending Religious Liberty.”

More than 120 people including State Sen. Kathy Parker heard remarks by the National Assembly’s secretary for External Affairs, Firuz Kazemzadeh, and Linda Maneck, representing U.S. Rep. John Porter of Illinois who was prevented from attending at the last minute by the national budget discussions in Washington.

The eight-panel exhibit was created for and originally displayed last May in the U.S. House of Representatives’ Cannon Office Building. It documents the repression of the Bahá’í community in Iran and the response of the United States and other countries.

It also provides information about how Bahá’ís worldwide represent a cross-section of humanity, striving for harmony and an ever-advancing civilization.

For the reception, the regular chairs were removed from Foundation Hall and small round café tables, each with four chairs, were brought in. A huge floral centerpiece helped warm and brighten the room.

Eight guides, among whom were members of the National Teaching Committee, were prepared to speak in detail about each of the eight panels.

The brief program gave the National Assembly an opportunity to recognize Bob Reddy, the exhibit’s designer, and to speak of the goals of the exhibit.

The reception gave rise to several teaching opportunities as Ms. Maneck, Sen. Parker and Sheila Schultz, the president of the Village of Wheeling, spoke with a number of Bahá’ís about the Faith.

The Voice of America/Chicago sent a reporter, and the Chicago Sun-Times printed a large article about the reception that included an interview with Dr. Kazemzadeh.

“Defending Religious Liberty” will remain on display in Foundation Hall for the next several years.

A discussion is held in front of one of the eight panels in the National Spiritual Assembly’s exhibit, ‘Defending Religious Liberty,’ during a reception last November 18 at the Bahá’í House of Worship at which the exhibit was introduced to the public and invited guests.

Replicas of National Assembly’s exhibit, ‘Defending Religious Liberty,’ are for sale

Replicas of the National Spiritual Assembly’s exhibit, “Defending Religious Liberty,” are available for purchase from Reddy & Associates.

The exhibit was displayed last May in the rotunda of the Cannon House Office Building in Washington and featured in the May 17 issue of The American Bahá’í. Replicas can be used as the centerpiece for a variety of local proclamation activities.

A half-size, full-standing replica of the exhibit (eight 4-foot by 6-foot panels) costs $2,620 which includes packing and shipping. The table-top version (eight 36-inch by 44-inch panels) is available for $1,000.

Another option would be to purchase the three “general purpose” panels, in either size, at a reduced price.

For more information, please contact Bob Reddy at Reddy & Associates, 414-377-8448 (fax 414-377-9273).

Huqúqu’lláh

Continued from page 1

initiated in The American Bahá’í to answer questions and convey information about Huqúqu’lláh to believers all over the country. The friends would be invited to send their questions to the Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh, with answers published regularly in that column.

At the opening session of the conference, a message from the Hand of the Cause of God and Trustee of Huqúqu’lláh ‘Alí Muhammad Varqá was read in which he expressed his satisfaction with the work, activities and achievements of the institution of Huqúqu’lláh in the U.S.

Dr. Varqá added that he was pleased with the conference agenda, and especially with the issues of closer collaboration among the institutions of the Faith and educating the friends in the sacred law of Huqúqu’lláh.

Also read was a letter from the Office of Huqúqu’lláh at the World Center, after which participants expressed their gratitude for the prayers offered at the sacred Shrines by members of the Universal House of Justice for the success of the conference.

During consultation, it was noted that greater efforts must be made to reach those communities and individuals who have not yet taken part in deepenings on Huqúqu’lláh.

The number of individuals and families who have undertaken payment of Huqúqu’lláh in the U.S. since 1988 (when computerized record-keeping was begun) is estimated at about 6,600. It is essential, participants agreed, that educational activities be increased so that more of the believers can realize the blessings and bounties of observing the law of Huqúqu’lláh.

It was suggested that in carrying out such educational activities, the friends be given a vision of how Huqúqu’lláh relates to their entire Bahá’í life and its pivotal role in Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant.

Counselor William Roberts and Auxiliary Board members Eugene Andrews and Barbara Markert were an integral part of Saturday morning’s consultation in which collaboration between those institutions and the Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh was the first order of business.

It was suggested that emphasis be placed during presentations on Huqúqu’lláh on the spiritual significance of this weighty law of Bahá’u’lláh. The dissemination of this information among young people was judged to be of great importance.

One’s observance of the law of Huqúqu’lláh, Counselor Roberts observed, “increases firmness in the Covenant.”

Education on Huqúqu’lláh, he said, should reach the point at which believers integrate this great law of God into every aspect of their Bahá’í lives, as understanding the law of Huqúqu’lláh allows them to engage in the process of self-discipline and self-transformation.

Understanding Huqúqu’lláh, he said, “helps the friends to distinguish between needs and desires.”

Juana Conrad, assistant secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, conveyed its loving greetings to those at the conference.

She indicated that the National Assembly plans to continue the inclusion of presentations on Huqúqu’lláh at National Conventions, and said the publication of another special issue of The American Bahá’í on Huqúqu’lláh may be possible.

Much work remains to be done at the local level, she said, to help local Assemblies understand their station and responsibilities including their work in supporting the law of Huqúqu’lláh.

In this respect, it was suggested that presentations on Huqúqu’lláh at the Nineteen Day Feast might be productive in helping to educate the friends.

Also discussed were increases in the number and functions of representatives of Huqúqu’lláh in the U.S., especially in large geographical areas where travel and meetings are difficult.

On Sunday morning, Mrs. Conrad informed the conference that regional Bahá’í schools have been directed by the National Spiritual Assembly to invite representatives of the Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh for educational sessions.

It was then suggested that the video tape on Huqúqu’lláh be made available to the Bahá’í schools so that it can be shown on a regular basis.

It was further proposed that one or two representatives concentrate on preparing materials for educating children in the law of Huqúqu’lláh.

In closing, participants unanimously expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the bounty of attending. All were pleased with the extent and depth of consultation.

Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh in North America meet with representatives of the Continental Board of Counselors and National Spiritual Assembly, Auxiliary Board members and guests at a Conference on Huqúqu’lláh last October at the Green Acre Bahá’í School in Eliot, Maine. [Page 24]

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Through the Eyes and Ears of LGBI and Radio Bahá’í

On January 15 live broadcasts were provided during parades for Martin Luther King, Jr., Day in Andrews and Conway, South Carolina. The King Day parade in Andrews was assisted by radio staff members Jannie Green, Steve Kozlow and Amanda Respes. The parade in Conway was covered by Dan McCoy, Greg Kintz, and Anisa Kintz.

In Andrews, the parade participants numbered over 750, all African-American. The only whites in the parade were media staff, all of whom left as soon as the parade was over—except Radio Bahá’í staff. Radio Bahá’í staff helped serve dinner. Their willingness to serve was warmly recognized by the parade participants.

Radio Bahá’í staff members not covering the MLK Day parades provided ongoing programming support at the radio station, including a three-hour musical tribute to Dr. King. This program was carried by hundreds of stations nationwide. All commercial intervals were filled with Bahá’í announcements and public service statements on unity, elimination of racism, peace, and the equality of women and men.

Radio Bahá’í was there for the 7th Annual Youth and Children for the Dream observance held in Conway for MLK Day. This event, hosted by the Center for Education and Community of Coastal Carolina University and the Black History Cultural Association of Horry County, celebrates the life and service of Dr. King and focuses on presenting positive images and performances by youth and children. The Local Spiritual Assembly of Conway and the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í School played integral parts in this gathering of over 400 people.

Radio Bahá’í and the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Gospel Choir were also on hand in Atlanta, Georgia, at the invitation of Reverend George, one of Dr. King’s lieutenants in the civil rights campaign. During the March the Choir was placed directly behind the King Family. In addition, the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Gospel Choir had the distinction of being the only choir to perform, while the only other musical presenter was Kris ‎Kristoferson Kristofferson‎!

Radio Bahá’í was able to record for future broadcast the program Prayers for Peace Around the World, another part of the King Day celebration held in Atlanta. Although this event was not planned by the Bahá’í community, Bahá’í speakers invited to participate in this event included National Spiritual Assembly member Jack McCants and Anisa Kintz of Conway, South Carolina.

Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute—The Happening Place

Spiritual Meetings Continue at LGBI

LGBI and the Local Spiritual Assemblies of Williams Hill and Donnelly have begun hosting community meetings called Prayers for Peace. The primary purpose of the meetings is to foster a community and interfaith network to help create an environment of peace in South Carolina. After a very successful first meeting, held in January, the decision was made to hold a series of monthly meetings and to invite neighboring Local Spiritual Assemblies to co-host the event. Of course, a factor that could not be overlooked was that an African Episcopal minister heard about the first meeting and was unable to attend. He expressed his wish to participate in the next gathering, so a “next gathering” had to be planned!

A special bounty of this first gathering was that the spouse of a Bahá’í community member, who is not yet a declared Bahá’í, has become a very forceful teacher of the Cause.

The programs consist of song, prayer, talks, fellowship and refreshment. Several church choirs have been invited to participate and, as a result of these invitations, the Louis G. Gregory Gospel Choir has been invited to appear at an area church.

South Carolina Bahá’í Youth Summit Held at LGBI

Bahá’í youth from around South Carolina came together at the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute for a Youth Summit on January 13-14, 1996. The youth spent the weekend praying, studying the Sacred Writings and consulting on how they could arise and re-double their activities in expanding the Faith. The spirit generated from the weekend was put into immediate action after Continental Counselor Tod Ewing talked about the upcoming Four Year Plan. The youth broke into regional groups and developed plans of action. The presence of the Auxiliary Board members and their assistants throughout the weekend not only enhanced the summit, but also clearly communicated to the youth the support, encouragement, and love the Institution of the Learned has for the youth. In the weeks following the Youth Summit, LGBI has received numerous reports from communities indicating that the youth have begun implementing their plans.

Women “Take Flight” at LGBI

Over 100 area women participated in the Annual Women’s Conference held at the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute on January 26-28, 1996. The conference theme was “Unleashing the Potential of Bahá’í Women,” with keynote speaker, National Spiritual Assembly Assistant Secretary, Juana Conrad, providing wonderful insight with an international view. Other highlights included highly charged and inspirational workshops that reflected the spirit ‎and of of‎ the women gathered. Many of the women set personal goals to achieve upon their return to home communities. As a special gift, the Louis G. Gregory Gospel Choir wrote and performed a song for the conference, “Daughters of the Kingdom, Unleash your Noble Souls and Fly.”

International Bahá’í Radio Seminar

On February 5, 1996, two members of the LGBI Radio Bahá’í staff will be traveling to Bolivia to attend a ten-day Bahá’í Radio seminar. Members of the National Spiritual Assemblies of several Latin American countries will be present, as will Continental Counselors Eloy Anello, Isabel de Sanchez, and Gustavo Correa. Representatives from all Bahá’í radio stations will be on hand to study and consult on the guidance from the World Center on Bahá’í radio. The outcome of the five previous seminars has had a wonderful impact on the programming and management of each radio station and this year promises no less. The Office of Social and Economic Development at the Bahá’í World Center is sponsoring the event and it is felt that, with their guidance, the collective experience, wisdom, and consultation of those present will greatly enhance the operations of our worldwide radio stations.

Black History Month at WLGI

An enterprising program on African-American history, culture, contributions, and prominent figures will be inaugurated in February on Radio Bahá’í at LGBI. This programming will run through 1996 as Radio Bahá’í and the LGBI strive to achieve the goal of preserving and presenting the cultural heritage of the people the radio serves. Various programs planned include: Mr. Justice, Passing It On, Wade in the Water, The Blues Story, Black Achievers, Black Men—A Legacy of Achievement, and Black Women—A Portrait of Dignity. A series of vignettes on the life of Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory has been prepared and a special group of Race Unity public service announcements will begin in February.

LGBI Participates in Statewide Race Unity Symposium

On January 5 and 6, 1996, the LGBI staff and Radio Bahá’í staff took part in a symposium on racial harmony entitled, “Palmetto Project: Imagine South Carolina.” The focal point of this program is to imagine South Carolina without racism and to discuss and develop plans to make it happen. The over 500 participants included community leaders from across the state, chief executive officers of several major corporations, various civic and governmental organizations, and religious organizations. The Bahá’í representatives were able to participate in many of the panel and regional discussion groups and felt that many valuable contacts were made.

NABI Carries Its Work to the Community

In January, Joel Orona, Co-Administrator of the Native American Bahá’í Institute, addressed the “Diversity not Division” celebration at Northland Pioneer College in Holbrook, AZ. The talk on “Unity in Diversity” was heard by over 200 people. After the celebration, Dr. Orona had the opportunity to visit with the president of the college and several staff members about future endeavors of NABI and the Northland Pioneer College. Contact was made with Parkland School district representatives who asked NABI to collaborate in putting together a parenting skills workshop on the reservation, at the request of the Navajo districts. These small victories toward “entry by troops” indicate that NABI is being seen more and more as a viable resource to the community.

Watch your Education and Schools pages in The American Bahá’í for information about the Annual Song and Dance Celebration to be held on April 13th. This wonderful spring celebration carries forward NABI’s goal to combine teaching and proclamation initiatives with community outreach. [Page 25]

Wilmette Institute Students: Moving Thought Into Action

In February the second group of students began their studies in the Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization program. This group will also attend the residential session in July, along with those students who began their studies in October 1995.

Excitement continues to be high among the students, as the third round of conference calls between faculty and students confirmed. The over 50 students who are participating express a new depth of spiritual insight not only into the verities of our beloved Faith, but also insight into God’s Covenant with humankind as shown through all the previous revelations. This knowledge has assisted them to begin taking a more active part in teaching and deepening the friends in their localities, using their God-given talents to serve their communities in ever-increasing measures and in innovative ways.

Special assignments given to the students focusing on “Accelerating the Dynamics of Spreading the Divine Fragrances” have been received with excitement. This study has been prepared to assist the students to actively, vigorously, and continuously fan their desire to teach the Faith into a blazing flame. The assignments associated with this portion of the program not only require study of the Writings—the students are encouraged to arise and actually teach the Faith! A focus for this section is the following quotation from Bahá’u’lláh: “Be thou a throbbing artery, pulsating in the body of the entire creation, that through the heat generated by this motion there may appear that which will quicken the hearts of those who hesitate.”

The initial response from the students who have begun this unit of study has been overwhelming. Students who had felt that they did not have the knowledge of the Faith to teach are finding that they can serve and teach in ways never before dreamed of. Isolated students are finding ways to become friends with and build bridges among people of different religious backgrounds. One method being used is the Internet, especially the World Wide Web. A few of the students have been meeting and teaching people from Buddhist, Hindu, and Zoroastrian backgrounds. Other students are simply becoming more bold in their interactions with others. One of the students, when presented with the challenge to meet and build bridges of communication with someone from a different religious background, asked her family doctor if he knew of any Buddhists or Hindus in their community. This resulted in contact being made with a very dynamic Buddhist who now has a new appreciation for and understanding of what the Bahá’í Faith is and how God’s Covenant with humankind operates.

Core Curriculum: Transforming Communities Through Training

For the past four years the National Teacher Training Center located at Louhelen Bahá’í School in Michigan has been the site for training over 250 teacher trainers, parent facilitators, and race unity trainers in the Core Curriculum for the Spiritual Education of children programs. These trainers now serve at the local level by conducting training programs and workshops for teachers of Bahá’í children’s classes, parents, and other community members. Communities which have adopted the Core Curriculum process are learning to focus their resources and energies to guide young Bahá’ís through spiritual education, prayer, and service. As these child-development centered communities mature, they will become a haven of support for the spiritual growth of our children and foster the nurturing qualities that enable the transformation of the entire body of the Faith.

Future trainings offered at the National Teacher Training Center Parent Facilitator Training to be held July 12-17, 1996 Race Unity Trainer Training to be held September 20-23, 1996 (with second session held December 6-8, 1996) Teacher Trainer Training to be held October 25-28, 1996 (with second session held February 7-9, 1997).

In January 1996, a Teacher Trainer Workshop was held at Louhelen involving 20 participants in an intensive three-day session designed to strengthen the teachers’ unique roles in the spiritual education of children through the enhancement of their (the teacher’s) station, qualities, knowledge, and skills. The training program is a process of personal spiritual transformation through prayer, meditation, and study of the creative Word and has as its goal the raising of children who are knowledgeable, consecrated Bahá’ís and dedicated teachers of the Faith. Comments from the participants reflect the unique spirit of the program: “Nothing really can prepare you for such an experience — it’s a gift,” “So wonderful, and such a privilege — also such a source of hope to see this God-centered professionalism in education,” “A rare gem of human experience.”

Recently, members of the National Bahá’í Education Task Force and the Parenting Task Force met at Louhelen to consult on the further development of the Core Curriculum. In the remaining months of the Three Year Plan, the NTTC hopes to assist teachers and the children to “arise to the summons of the Lord of Hosts to teach His Cause . . .” as directed by the Universal House of Justice in its message to the Bahá’í world on December 31, 1995.

Upcoming at Green Acre

“Proclaim The Greatest Name,” a conference on teaching in Maine and Northern New England will be offered Saturday, March 2. Organized through the initiative of the believers in Maine, this one-day conference aims to help maximize resources, build unity and welcome the waiting troops. Auxiliary Board Member Dr. Gene Andrews will be joined by the Assistants who serve the Auxiliary Board in this region.

Green Acre’s annual Spiritual Retreat Weekend for the Fast will be offered March 8-10. This session is offered annually during the Fast as an opportunity for detachment from the outside world and immersion in a spiritual environment. It will therefore be limited to overnight guests only.

Coming the weekend of March 30 will be the conference “Violence-free Relationships,” sponsored in conjunction with the Sarah Farmer Women’s Center.

“Strong Families/Strong Communities,” a conference for children, youth and adults, will be offered April 5-7.

For more information about these and other programs call Green Acre at 207/439-7200

Springtime Programs at Bosch

April 12-14 “Women in the Arts” As women artists slowly gain equal footing in the artistic community, there are many opportunities and challenges unique to women. Come spend an exciting weekend exploring aspects of artistic expression within the Bahá’í framework. One need not be female or a professional artist to enjoy and contribute to this weekend! Facilitated by professional singer Susan Lewis Wright.

April 12-14 Meditation or “How to Charge Your Batteries” Running out of spiritual juice? Never quite got the hang of meditation? Learn some practical skills to help you achieve a stronger connection to God. Taught by Derek Cockshut.

April 19-21 Women’s Retreat A gathering of women designed to grow the bonds of sisterhood, to increase our spiritual support within the Bahá’í community and to foster a greater love for others through healing ourselves. Facilitated by Melissa Whitaker, Nancy Portillo and Cathy Guinee. Youth 13 and up are encouraged to attend.

Looking for Opportunities to Serve? Consider Bosch Bahá’í School

Bosch Bahá’í School is seeking spiritually mature college-aged Youth Service Corps Volunteers. The areas of responsibility include service in Hospitality, Kitchen, Housekeeping, Education, Maintenance and Bookshop/Café. Housing and food are provided.

Bosch is also seeking a college-aged youth to serve during the summer months as recreation director. The areas of responsibility would include lifeguard, pool maintenance, organizing group sports and recreation, assisting with the children’s classes when necessary, yogurt shop assistant, and evening program setup. Room, board and a small stipend are provided in exchange for this position. Some experience with groups of children is essential and a Life Guard Certificate is required.

An immediate opening exists for an energetic and vibrant children’s teacher for at least six months. This is not a paid position, however Bosch will provide room, board and a small stipend. Necessary qualities include: 1) Spiritual maturity and humble, loving devotion consistent with serving and living in a 24-hour per day service community; 2) Love for the friends and a deep love of children; and 3) Experience teaching children of various age groups either in a professional setting or in an extensive capacity as a Bahá’í school teacher. Core Curriculum training is preferred but not essential.

For more information contact Bosch Bahá’í School at 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 or Bahá’í Youth Service Corps at the Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201. [Page 26]

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 NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly is seeking candidates for the position of coordinator of support services at the Bahá’í National Center. Should have at least 10 years management experience or equivalent supervisory history. The National Assembly is looking for the candidate who would see this position as one essentially of service, encouragement and facilitation of its plans. Several departments including purchasing, meetings and travel, and others will report to the coordinator. Experience working in a diverse environment is a plus, as is ability to train and motivate personnel to balance their strengths and skills with the needs of the National Assembly. Requires strong communication and interpersonal skills; must be a team player, a unifier who understands Bahá’í administration. Applicants should submit a letter of interest to the Department of Human Resources, c/o Gwen Clayborne, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

THE CONTINENTAL Board of Counselors in Europe is seeking applications for executive secretary at the Continental Office in Echternach, Luxembourg. Applicants should be capable of working on their own initiative, and fluent in speaking and writing English. Knowledge of European languages is useful but not essential. 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

THE NATIONAL Treasurer’s Office has openings for an accountant and accounts receivable cashier. Both are full-time salaried positions. Candidates for accountant should have a bachelor’s degree in the field or 3-5 years relevant experience. Audit work is preferable; CPA is a plus. Must have advanced knowledge of Excel or other spreadsheet software programs and have good skills in communication and organization. The accounts receivable cashier should be a high school graduate or equivalent including courses in bookkeeping plus 3-5 years experience in cashiering or accounts receivable. Should have good number sequencing skills and the ability to work well with calculators and PCs. For information or an application, write to the Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 847-733-3429).

EXCITING overseas opportunities. Teaching positions available. Program officer for Ford Foundation to monitor and evaluate grants for reproductive health; need some proficiency in Chinese. Chief engineer/senior engineers. For more information, please contact Ms. Gwili Posey, 847-733-3512 (fax 847-733-3509; email

THE BOSCH Bahá’í School has an immediate opening for an energetic and vibrant children’s teacher who is available to serve for at least six months, and is also seeking spiritually mature college-age youth to serve as (1) Youth Service Corps volunteers and (2) as recreation director during the summer months. The position as children’s teacher is not a paid one at this time; however, room, board and a small stipend will be provided. Qualities sought include spiritual maturity, love for the friends and especially for children, experience teaching children of various age groups, exemplary behavior, friendliness, perseverance, flexibility, and a strong work ethic. Core Curriculum training is preferred but not essential. Youth Service volunteers are needed to serve in hospitality, the kitchen, housekeeping, education, maintenance, and the bookshop/café. Housing and food are provided. Immediate openings as well as those later in the year. The recreation director’s areas of responsibility include lifeguard, pool maintenance, organizing group sports and recreation, helping with children’s classes when necessary, serving as yogurt shop assistant, and helping with evening program set-up. The position is not salaried, but room and board and a small stipend are provided. Some experience with groups of children is essential, and a lifeguard certificate is required. Please request applications and further information from Linda Bedford, co-administrator, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (phone 408-423-3387; fax 408-433-7564; e-mail

THE GREEN ACRE Bahá’í School has an opening for a full-time administrative assistant. Responsibilities include registration, reception, telephone, sorting mail, updating mailing lists and sending out mailings, receiving time sheets, benefits information, filing, bookkeeping, processing insurance claims, backing up bookstore clerk. Profile: organized, works well with the public and in teams; word processing skills in general, filing and bookkeeping skills, service-oriented self-starter with minimum 2-3 years experience in an office environment. Able to work overtime if necessary; training in quality management desirable. For information, contact the Office of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201, or phone 847-733-3429.

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

EMPLOYMENT opportunities overseas. AFRICA: Ivory Coast—finance officer needed by refugee assistance organization for a program providing income generation, health education and construction training to Liberian refugees; small business development officer. Liberia—financial controller needed for logistics and supply contract in Monrovia; telecommunications specialists, transportation supervisor, truck mechanics. Namibia—technical adviser needed by the Institute for International Research in the Basic Education Support Project of the Ministry of Basic Education and Culture. Tanzania—urgent need for English teachers. AMERICAS: Alaska—companion needed for elderly Bahá’í pioneer. Barbados—opportunity for a Bahá’í chiropractor to practice and pioneer. Ecuador—ESL teachers for new secondary school. Honduras—caretaker couple for the Ahmadiyyeh Bahá’í Institute; elementary school teachers for second, third, fourth and fifth grades; secondary school teachers in English, computer science, science, math, social studies. Puerto Rico—caretaker for the Amooz Gibson/Gordon Laite Bahá’í Institute. Turks & Caicos—faculty, field directors for an environmental program. ASIA: Korea—English teachers. Macau—kindergarten and primary school teachers; secondary school English, math, science and history teachers. Nepal—secondary school math/science teacher, music teacher. Sakhalin—teachers. Siberia, Russia—trainers for project that teaches social/psychological intervention skills reducing chemical dependency. Taiwan—general manager for Bahá’í Office of the Environment. Tajikistan—small business adviser needed by refugee assistance organization. AUSTRALASIA: Cook Islands—gymnasium for sale. Marshall Islands—the College of the Marshall Islands needs a qualified pediatric nurse and obstetric nurse as instructors. Samoa—needs a caretaker couple for the House of Worship, Montessori teacher. Solomon Islands—lawyer, counselor for abused women, beautician. Vanuatu—volunteer primary school teachers. EUROPE: Hungary and Romania—teachers of English or German needed by the Teach Hungary and the Central European Teaching Program. Russia—bank credit officers needed by the U.S. Russia Investment Fund to staff a loan program targeting small Russian business. MULTI-REGIONAL: PST directors and technical trainers needed by the Peace Corps for 3-4 month assignments in the Asia/Pacific region to facilitate and implement preservice training programs for incoming volunteers assigned to that region. Alaska—urgent need for older woman to share home of long-time pioneer to Unalaska. Multicultural community, jobs available. Canada—The Maxwell International Bahá’í School is seeking applications for the position of principal of the school. Please submit applications with curriculum vitae and references, marked in confidence, to the Search Committee for the Principal, Maxwell International Bahá’í School, Bag 1000, Shawnigan Lake, BC V0R 2W0, Canada. The Maxwell School also needs volunteers, ages 20 through retirement, in a number of areas of service. Turks & Caicos—environmental program seeks faculty and field directors. The School for Field Studies (SFS) is a nonprofit, educational, environmental, field research program with centers around the world. In addition to Turks & Caicos, locations include Kenya, Australia, Costa Rica, Palau and Canada. The Center for Marine Resource Studies on South Caicos Island in the Caribbean needs an international environmental program/manager/educator to serve as acting field director to organize, lead, manage and assist faculty in creating and delivering the curriculum. Resource economist to serve as full-time faculty. Urgent need for teaching and consolidation in Francophone areas. There is a particular need in French Polynesia, but traveling teachers and pioneers who speak French would constitute a precious resource in any of the French-speaking communities spread throughout Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Venezuela—urgent need for experienced Spanish-speaking teaching project coordinator. 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

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

HOMEFRONT pioneers: consider the incorporated but threatened Spiritual Assembly of Pajarito in Bernalillo County near Albuquerque, New Mexico. With a dry, mild climate surrounded by mountains, beside the Rio Grande River and near many Pueblo Indian Reservations, the South Valley has rural living and affordable housing. We’re only 20 minutes from the thriving Albuquerque economy where jobs are available in a wide range of areas from high-tech, medical, education and human services to agriculture, service and tourism. A large university is accompanied by many technical schools and smaller colleges. Friendly people, a great cultural mix, gorgeous Southwestern scenery and historic sites and festivals are close by. For information, please write to Emily Phillips, secretary, P.O. Box 12926, Albuquerque, NM 87195, or phone 505-873-5372.

UNIQUE homefront pioneering opportunity. Get away from crowded big-city life and breathe fresh prairie air! Moorhead, Minnesota (with its sister city, Fargo, North Dakota) is the economic, cultural and educational center of northwestern Minnesota. The cities have a combined population of about 150,000 with small American Indian and Latino communities. Moorhead has eight adult Bahá’ís in its well-established community and is looking for an individual or family interested in helping to form an Assembly. For more information, please phone 218-233-3138, 218-236-9284, or write to the Bahá’ís of Moorhead, c/o Rick Henderson, secretary, Moorhead, MN 56560.

DO YOU WANT to pioneer but have a disability or medical condition that requires personal assistance? Think about Newcastle, Wyoming. We have a small but active Group and a couple with an accessible home and experience in helping the disabled. There’s also a Bahá’í physical therapist in a nearby community if you need PT, and other services are available as well. Write to Bill and Nancy Moore, Newcastle, WY 82701, phone them at 307-746-4932, or e-mail

COME and support the dedicated and growing Bahá’í community of the Lehigh Valley (35 adults, 19 children and youth) by helping to save the Spiritual Assembly of Bethlehem, the only Assembly currently serving northeastern Pennsylvania. At least two of the city’s nine adult Bahá’ís must move by summer 1996. Bethlehem is a lovely, historic city of 70,000 with a lively and diverse culture and good schools, surrounded by lovely countryside yet only two hours from New York City and an hour and a half from Philadelphia. Within the Lehigh Valley are six universities, excellent medical facilities and many thriving corporations. We are ready to welcome you and lend a hand with your relocation efforts. Write to the Assembly at P.O. Box 1184, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1184, or phone Bridget George, secretary, 610-867-9251 or 610-867-3169.

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Middleton, Wisconsin, is in jeopardy and is looking for people who are interested in moving there to help maintain its Assembly and with teaching projects. Middleton is in southern Wisconsin on the western edge of Madison, the state capital, which is home to the University of Wisconsin, a large technical school, and the major state office buildings. Middleton, a clean and friendly city with excellent public schools, has a small-town feeling with access to large-city facilities. A public bus system connects Middleton and Madison. The area has many employment opportunities. Those who are interested or need more information may contact Corrine Bahr, Middleton, WI 53562-3808, phone 608-831-3795, fax 608-836-8991, or e-mail

HOMEFRONT pioneers: why not consider relocating to Clinton, Illinois, or surrounding areas in Dewitt County (which has only one Bahá’í). Clinton has several industries providing employment opportunities in the area, and it is halfway between Decatur and the twin cities of Bloomington-Normal, all with fine universities. For more information, please write to Jon R. Whitrock, Clinton, IL 61727-9801.

WE NEED your help to save our Assembly. The city of St. Joseph, in beautiful southwestern Michigan, directly across Lake Michigan from Wilmette, has been blessed with a Local Assembly since 1967, but the future is bleak for the city, best known for its beaches, fruit farms and small-town atmosphere. A varied [Page 27]

ADS

economy is anchored by the Whirlpool Corporation, a regional hospital center, and a community college. For information, write to the Bahá’í of St. Joseph, St. Joseph, MI 49085, or phone 616-983-4306.

THE INCORPORATED Spiritual Assembly of Palm Bay, Florida, needs one or more adult ‎Bahá’is Bahá’ís‎ to assure its re-election this April. Palm Bay offers warm semi-tropical weather, affordable housing, no state income tax, and is 20 minutes from world-class Atlantic beaches, an hour from Orlando with its tourist attractions and good schools. A great area for young families or retirees. Write to Dick and Connie Wylemski, Palm Bay, FL 32905, or phone 407-725-9172.

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

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: Gladys Amerson (died Lombard, IL, 1981), Henri P. Anctil, Christ Anderson, August Anderson, Belle Perry Anderson, Edwin Anderson, Estelle Anderson, Gladys Anderson, John B. Anderson and Roger Anderson. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 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 one or two mail auctions of duplicate books each year. If you would like to be placed on the mailing list, send your name, address and Bahá’í identification number to the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611.

Youth Activities

THE NATIONAL Teaching Committee is seeking Bahá’í Youth Service Corps volunteers, ages 18-23, to fill a variety of posts in the U.S. including service opportunities at the ‎permant permanent‎ schools and institutes and opportunities in such places as Phoenix and Holbrook, AZ; Conway and Orangeburg, SC; Buncombe County, NC; Holland, MI; Los Angeles, CA; St. Paul, MN; and Kansas City, MO. There are also opportunities for young people who want to enroll in a college or university in a goal locality to serve as a homefront pioneer. If you would like to serve at any of these posts, or if you are interested in establishing a post in another locality, please contact Ada James in the National Teaching Committee office, 708-733-3493.

YOUNG ‎BAHÁ’IS BAHÁ’ÍS‎ are needed to help form a College Club at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina, the cornerstone of whose philosophy is the development on campus of a sense of community at all levels. Guilford, a small liberal arts college, is very tolerant of new ideas and practices. Two Bahá’ís are presently among the student body. For information, contact the admissions office, 800-992-7759, or the Spiritual Assembly of Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27455 (or phone Brenda Root, 910-282-3294).

THE LOUHELEN Bahá’í School invites applications from mature youth and adults for its year-of-service program. While all skills and interests are invited for consideration, there is an immediate and continuing need for volunteer help in the following areas: office support and front desk, food service, housekeeping, bookstore and library. There is also an anticipated need for a group recreation leader for June-August 1996. Inquiries may be sent c/o Mrs. Penny Schmicker, volunteer services, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 810-653-5033; fax 810-653-7181; e-mail).

THE WORK/STUDY program at the Native American Bahá’í Institute (NABI) presents a unique youth service opportunity. Young people who are interested in pursuing Bahá’í service work with college or vocational studies are encouraged to apply to the Institute. Youth at NABI will be guided through a program that includes course work, the arts, travel, and community and Institute service. Join us at NABI and prepare for a lifetime of service to humanity. Write to NABI, P.O. Box 3167, Houck, AZ 86506, or e-mail.

WANTED

USE YOUR VOICE to contribute to the Cause. The Bahá’í Publishing Trust has shown an interest in publishing Satori Stories: Bahá’í Moments of Profound Insight, a collection of essays for teaching, deepening and archival purposes, so I am extending the search for manuscripts about the causes and effects of your satori (Japanese), whether you are a new Bahá’í, third generation, pioneer, American, from other lands, etc. Selections should be 5 to 15 typed pages double-spaced, and will be edited for literary merit, returned, then submitted to the Literature Review Office. Please mail manuscript with SASE to Virginia Ording, Calumet City, IL 60409 (phone 847-730-3371).

WANTED: guests for a new Bahá’í television series, “The Spiritual Revolution III,” sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Augusta, Georgia, and soon to be taped in Nashville, Tennessee. The programs will feature appearances by ecclesiastics who have embraced the Bahá’í Faith such as priests, ministers, rabbis, and Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim clergy. Diversity of race and gender is important. Anyone fulfilling these requirements, or who knows someone who does, is asked to contact Marcia Day, 310-652-3983, as soon as possible.

I AM compiling a book about the history of the Bahá’í community of Philadelphia, and am especially interested in obtaining information about the Revell family. Anyone with recollections or stories about the Revells or other Philadelphia ‎Bahá’is Bahá’ís‎ is invited to write to Joe Bolton, Philadelphia, PA 19151.

MUSICIANS, professional or amateur, are invited to take part June 20-22 in a “Musical Family Reunion” planned by the Bahá’í Groups of Newcastle and Weston County, Wyoming, with help from the Spiritual Assembly of Custer, South Dakota. The reunion will be held at a resort camp with jam sessions and informal discussion groups each day and public concerts Saturday afternoon and evening. If you are interested in taking part, please write to Nancy Moore, Newcastle, WY 82701, phone/fax 307-746-4932, or e-mail.

THE RESEARCH Office at the Bahá’í National Center is compiling a list of ‎Bahá’is Bahá’ís‎ (1) with expertise relevant to Bahá’í scholarship and research; (2) able to serve as mentors for Bahá’í college students; and/or (3) able to serve as faculty and mentors for the Wilmette Institute and its four-year program, “Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization.” Bahá’ís who teach full- or part-time at colleges or universities are particularly invited to apply. Please send your name, address and field/subject to Robert Stockman, Research Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 847-733-3425; fax 847-733-3563; e-mail).

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

EAGER to locate spare copies of The Dawn-Breakers to be used for work on the production of a major feature film. Will gladly purchase extra editions. Please write to Ruth Rosenwald, Malibu, CA 90265-4182 (phone 310-457-5336; fax 310-457-9893).

FOR SALE

DON’T MISS the opportunity to own or give as a gift “The Laughter of Angels,” a professionally produced cassette of Bahá’í-inspired music written and sung by Red Grammer, Mary Davis, Art Hatley, Chris and Janet Ruhe, Laurie Early and many others, offered as a fund-raising effort by a committee of the Solomon Hilton Bahá’í Summer School of New York state. Cassettes are $10 each, and all proceeds go to the school’s scholarship fund. Please make checks payable to Jean Jaczko and send (with your address) to Christopher Ruhe, Beacon, NY 12508.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Executive Officer
Senior Executive with experience in the development of both long and short range operational and financial plans. Should possess a solid foundation in organizational analysis and budget evaluation. Will liaise with senior level World Centre staff in the continuing development of an overall vision of the trends and directions of the Bahá’í World Centre.
Coordinator Audio-Visual Department	Coordinator Administrative Development Office
Individual with extensive background in audio-visual materials and services. Will oversee an extensive audio-visual archives, audio and photographic documentation, darkroom/film processing facilities, as well as the provision of audio-visual support services to World Centre offices. Will liaise with National Spiritual Assemblies and individuals in relation to the acquisition, utilization and dissemination of audio-visual materials.	Senior level executive with experience in organizational analysis, staff training and/or development. Will act as an advisor to World Centre committees, offices and staff on matters of administration, management and human relations. Coordinates the work of professional staff, involved in the formulation of policies and procedures, organizational plans, staff training needs assessment, and the implementation of training programmes.
Coordinator Works Office	Coordinator Correspondence Office
Senior construction/project manager with extensive experience in general contracting, preferably in the commercial or institutional settings. Will oversee and direct multiple trades in the preservation and restoration of Holy Places and maintenance and renovation of staff accommodations and offices. Works office staff is comprised of both Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í workers. Site experience required.	Senior administrative experience, preferably in a corporate or institutional environment. Will oversee the operation of an intense communication processing office. Emphasis on quality control to meet established correspondence and translation standards. High level English proficiency required.
Coordinator Household Store	Coordinator Purchasing Office
Experienced retail store or warehouse manager to oversee the operation of a small commissary. Responsibilities will include purchasing, inventory management, staff supervision, customer relations, and interaction with local vendors. Knowledge of Hebrew would be beneficial.	Experienced purchasing manager to oversee the acquisition of a broad range of materials and supplies (including furnishings, office equipment, and building materials), import and export responsibilities and warehouse operation. Regular interaction with local vendors. Will supervise administrative and warehouse staff.

If you are interested in being considered for service at the World Centre, please contact:

Bahá’í World Centre Office of Personnel P. O. Box 155 31 001 Haifa, Israel FAX: 972-4-835-8325

U. Kansas Medical Center ‘Spiritual Sharing Group’ marks second year in May

In May, the Spiritual Sharing Group at the Kansas University Medical Center observes its second anniversary.

Three ‎Bahá’is Bahá’ls‎ developed the concept of weekly noon-hour meetings to share spiritual interests and insights at the Medical Center, which employs about 5,500 people of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.

A statement of purpose was drawn up and presented to the executive vice-chancellor so that recognition of the group could become part of Center policy. That approval was recently received.

A speaker addresses the group at the first meeting each month, while a selected topic is used for informal discussion at the remaining meetings. The Faith is usually mentioned in relation to one of the principles bearing on a selected topic, which often leads to questions.

About six to 10 people attend regularly, while over the course of time an invitation list of 20-30 has been developed.

Now that the group has been approved and notice of its meetings is being published in the Medical Center’s newsletter, interest is expected to rise.

Several people have engaged in discussions about the Faith following the meetings, and one is studying Thief in the Night. [Page 28]

صعود خانم منور هدایت يتكن

PASSING OF MUNEVVER HIDAYET YETKEN

۲۹ جنوری سال جاری خانم منور هدایت يتکن، یکی از خادمان امراللهی در ترکیه که در چند سال گذشته ساکن آمریکا بود، به ملکوت الهی صعود نمود.

خانم یتکن در یک خانوادهٔ سرشناس بهائی زاده شد. یکی از پیشینیانش همراه حضرت بهاء‌الله در سیاه چال طهران زندانی بود و سپس به شهادت رسید. جدّهٔ او هاجر خاتون به امر حضرت عبدالبهاء، مسؤول نگهداری از حضرت ولی امرالله شد. جد منور خانم محمد هوچا از جنوب ترکیه پیاده به عکا رفت تا به زیارت حضرت بهاء‌الله نائل شود.

در سال ۱۹۲۰ که ترکان نام خانوادگی برای خود انتخاب می‌کردند، حضرت عبدالبهاء، لقب هدایت به این خانواده اعطاء فرمودند.

منور خانم به سنت پیشینیانش به خدمت امر مبارک قیام نمود. به عضویت محفل روحانی آنکارا درآمد، مدتی عضو هیئت معاونت بود و در سراسر ترکیه و قبرس به سفرهای امری می‌پرداخت. احاطهٔ او به دو زبان ترکی و فارسی در فعالیت‌های تبلیغی به کار می‌آمد.

منور خانم به مدت ۱۱ سال عضو محفل روحانی ملی ترکیه بود و در سال ۱۹۶۳ در اولین کانونشن بین‌المللی جهت انتخاب اعضای بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی شرکت کرد و سپس برای شرکت در اولین کنگرهٔ جهانی بهائی عازم انگلستان شد. این خادم امر الهی همچنین توفیق یافت که در دومین کنگرهٔ جهانی در نیویورک شرکت نماید.

روانش جاودانه شاد باد!

سفر تبلیغی در آلبانی

TRAVEL TEACHING IN ALBANIA

خانم مهین شفیع زاده نامه‌ای به زبان انگلیسی به دبیر نشریه "آمریکن بهائی" فرستاده اند و در آن شرح سفر خود را به آلبانی نگاشته اند. خلاصهٔ نامهٔ ایشان به زبان فارسی در زیر درج می‌شود:

"در "آمریکن بهائی" خواندم که بیت‌العدل اعظم فرموده‌اند که زمان ازدیاد مساعی هم اکنون است و به مبلغان سیار نیازی هست.

مدتی دربارهٔ مفاد پیام بیت‌العدل اعظم تأمل کردم. ناگهان ندائی در خود شنیدم که می‌گفت این پیام برای توست. تو خادم حضرت بهاء‌الله هستی و در قبال امر مبارک موظفی.

ندای درون را لبیک گفتم و روز بعد با دفتر مهاجرت تماس گرفتم و سپس با یکی از مشاورین قاره‌ای در اروپا مشورت کردم و نتیجه سفر به آلبانی بود.

جائی رفتم که درباره‌اش هیچ نمی‌دانستم. حتی نمی‌دانستم در کجا واقع شده است. اما اعتنائی به این امور نداشتم زیرا که غرض اطاعت از فرمان الهی بود.

در دو ماهی که در آنجا بودم، بیشتر اوقات را در دهات و شهرهای کوچک گذراندم. هر شبی حاوی توفیق در تبلیغ و تزیید معلومات بود.

به عنوان مثال در ده زمبلاک Zemblak پیرمرد هشتاد ساله‌ای که تا سال گذشته مسلمان بود، اکنون عضو محفل روحانی است.

یک روز این بهائی عزیز به من گفت: "دختر عزیزم، اکثر مردم این ده مسلمانند و اخیراً با کمک کشورهای مسلمان در حال ساختن یک مسجدند. امروز متولی مسجد که روی خوشی به بهائیان ده نشان نمی‌دهد مرا خواست و راجع به تو از من پرسید. به او گفتم که آن خانم یک بهائی است که برای دیدار ما به اینجا آمده است. گفت: "می‌خواهم با او صحبت کنم."

به دیدن او رفتیم. جلوی مسجد نشسته بود. به طرف او رفتیم و سلام و احوال‌پرسی کردیم و راجع به امر مبارک با او حرف زدیم. بعد از یک ساعت صحبت او که تا روز پیش نمی‌خواست با بهائیان حتی حرف بزند، به من گفت: "دختر عزیز، با اینکه مسجد هنوز ساخته نشده است، به بهائیان ده بگو که پس از اینکه ساخته شد می‌توانند برای جلسات از آن دعا استفاده کنند."

دوستان عزیز، اینها همه اثر تأییدات الهی است. مُبلغ وسیله‌ای است که پیام الهی را به دیگران می‌رساند و نیروی این پیام است که در قلوب اثر می‌گذارد.

تجدید کارت اقامت

RENEWING OLD "GREEN CARDS"

اطلاعیه زیر به نقل از روزنامه ایران تایمز (جمعه اول دی ۱۳۷۴) برای آگاهی دوستان درج می‌شود.

ادارهٔ مهاجرت آمریکا:

• دارندگان "گرین کارت‌های" قدیمی باید برای تجدید کارت‌های خود اقدام کنند.
• گرین کارت‌های قدیمی که قبل از سال ۱۹۷۹ صادر شده است از تاریخ ۲۶ مارچ ۱۹۹۶ به بعد از درجه اعتبار ساقط خواهد بود.
• به افراد فاقد کارت جدید کار، مدد معاش و ویزای مجدد ورود به آمریکا داده نخواهد شد.

واشنگتن — سرویس خبری ایران تایمز: ادارهٔ مهاجرت و تابعیت آمریکا با صدور اطلاعیه‌ای از دارندگان گرین کارت‌های قدیمی خواست نسبت به تجدید کارت‌های خود که اعتبار آن به زودی منقضی خواهد شد، فرم لازم را تنظیم و به این اداره ارسال دارند. با توجه به اینکه تجدید گرین کارت‌های قدیمی ۹۰ روز وقت می‌خواهد، ارسال فرم تقاضای تجدید کارت باید هر چه زودتر صورت گیرد.

ادارهٔ مهاجرت و تابعیت آمریکا روز سه شنبه هفتهٔ گذشته ۱۲ آذر (۵ دیسمبر) طی اطلاعیه‌ای از خارجیانی که اجازهٔ اقامت دائمی در این کشور تحصیل کرده اند و کارت‌های سبز آنان قبل از سال ۱۹۷۹ صادر شده است، خواست که برای دریافت کارت‌های جدید هر چه زودتر به مراجع مربوطه مراجعه کنند.

فرم‌های قدیمی "آی - ۱۵۱" مربوط به کارت‌های ثبت اقامت خارجیان از ۲۰ مارچ ۱۹۹۶ به بعد از درجهٔ اعتبار ساقط خواهد بود و بدون ارائهٔ کارت معتبر، از دادن کار، امتیازات رفاهی و ویزای ورود مجدد به آمریکا به خارجیان خودداری خواهد شد.

بنا به اظهار دوریس مایسنر کمیسر ادارهٔ مهاجرت و تابعیت آمریکا، جریان تجدید کارت‌های قدیمی به ۹۰ روز وقت نیاز دارد و به همین سبب وی به دارندگان این کارت‌ها توصیه کرد که از هم اکنون برای تجدید کارت‌های خود اقدام کنند.

به منظور دریافت کارت جدید، متقاضیان باید تقاضانامه خود را بر روی فرم‌های "آی - ۹۰" تنظیم کرده، همراه با مبلغ ۷۵ دلار به شعب ادارهٔ مهاجرت و تابعیت تسلیم دارند. البته در صورت عدم امکان یا عدم بضاعت، متقاضیان از حضور شخصی و یا ارسال پول معاف خواهند شد.

علاقه‌مندان برای کسب اطلاعات بیشتر می‌توانند با شماره ۷۷۷-۷۵۵ (۸۰۰) ۱ تماس حاصل کنند.

قرعه کشی برای اجازه اقامت در آمریکا

INSTRUCTIONS OF DIVERSITY VISA LOTTERY

ادارهٔ مهاجرت ایالات متحده از طریق قرعه کشی به تعدادی از متقاضیان، اجازه اقامت خواهد داد. کلیاتی دربارهٔ چگونگی تقاضا برای نام‌نویسی در این قرعه‌کشی در زیر درج می‌گردد.

تقاضای نام‌نویسی در قرعه‌کشی را باید از ۱۲ فبروری تا ۱۲ مارچ ارسال داشت.

شرایط تقاضا:

• تولد در یکی از کشورهای مجاز (ایران یکی از این کشورهاست.)
• داشتن تحصیلات متوسطه یا برابر آن، یا داشتن دو سال تجربه در پنج سال گذشته در کاری که مستلزم دو سال کارآموزی یا تجربه باشد.

نامهٔ تقاضا باید روی یک ورق کاغذ به زبان انگلیسی تایپ شده یا با خط خوانا نوشته شده و حاوی اطلاعات زیر باشد:

• نام خانوادگی، نام کوچک و نام میانی. زیر نام خانوادگی را باید خط کشید.
• تاریخ تولد: بدین ترتیب، روز، ماه، سال
• محل تولد: بدین ترتیب، شهر یا شهرک، بخش، استان، کشور
• نام، تاریخ تولد و محل تولد همسر متقاضی و فرزندان زیر ۲۱ سال.
• نشانی و شمارهٔ تلفن متقاضی
• امضای متقاضی
• یک عکس ۱/۵ اینچ در ۱/۵ اینچ متقاضی. نام متقاضی باید پشت عکس نگاشته شود.

تقاضای مذکور را باید به نشانی زیر ارسال داشت:

DV-97 Program National Visa Center Portsmouth, NH 00210

علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند برای دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر با تلفن شمارهٔ ۱۶۰۰-۶۶۳ (۲۰۲) تماس حاصل نمایند. [Page 29]

ششمین کنفرانس سالانه انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی

ششمین کنفرانس سالانه انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی از ۲۳ تا ۲۶ ماه می ۱۹۹۶ در هتل هیلتن واقع در شهرک اسکوکی در نزدیکی مشرق الاذکار ویلمت تشکیل خواهد شد.

بسیاری از سخنرانی‌ها و قسمت‌های دیگر برنامه در بارۀ فن تاریخ‌نگاری و تاریخ نویسان ایران در قرن نوزدهم و همچنین شرح حیات و آثار دانشمند و محقق بهائی جناب میرزا اسدالله فاضل مازندرانی خواهد بود. مطابق معمول جلسات شب (جمعه، شنبه و یکشنبه) به برنامه‌های هنری شامل موسیقی، شعر و نمایش اختصاص خواهد داشت. نمایشگاهی هم از آثار هنری هنرمندان بهائی ترتیب داده می‌شود.

همزمان با برنامۀ فارسی، برنامه‌ای به زبان انگلیسی در نظر گرفته شده که شامل بسیاری از سخنرانی‌هائی که به فارسی ایراد می‌شود نیز خواهد بود.

علاقه مندان می‌توانند برای ثبت نام در کنفرانس جدول زیر را تکمیل فرموده همراه با چک حق ثبت نام در وجه Bahá’í Services Fund به نشانی دفتر امور احبای ایرانی ارسال فرمایند.

برگ نام‌نویسی ششمین کنفرانس انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی ۲۳ تا ۲۶ می ۱۹۹۶
نام خانوادگی: ....................................................................................................................
نام: .......................................................................................................................................
نشانی: ....................................................................................................................................
شهر: ........................................ ایالت: ........................... کد پستی: .................... کشور: ...................
شماره تلفن: ...........................................................................................................................
حق ثبت نام برای کنفرانس ۱۵ دلار آمریکائی برای هر نفر ورودیه برای جلسات شب ۱۵ دلار آمریکائی برای هر نفر لطفاً چک را در وجه Bahá’í Services Fund صادر فرمائید و به نشانی زیر ارسال دارید.
همراهان: ................... نفر	مبلغ چک: ................... شماره چک: ...................
Persian/American Affairs Office Bahá’í National center 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201

برای گرفتن اتاق لطفاً مستقیماً بوسیله تلفن ۷۰۰۰-۶۷۹ (۸۴۷) با هتل هیلتن تماس بگیرید و بفرمائید برای شرکت در Bahá’í Persian Arts Festival اتاق می‌خواهید. نرخ مخصوص کنفرانس برای یک اتاق هر شب ۶۶ دلار است و در هر اتاق تا ۴ نفر هم می‌توانند اقامت نمایند. وسیلۀ نقلیه از فرودگاه به هتل هر روز از ساعت هفت و نیم صبح تا نه و نیم بعد از ظهر موجود است. کرایه یکسره ۱۰ دلار برای هر نفر است و قبلاً می‌توان بوسیله تلفن رایگان شماره ۸۷۹-۴۹۵۸-۸۰۰-۱ رزرو کرد. همچنین ممکن است پس از ورود به فرودگاه و گرفتن چمدان‌ها به American Taxi به شماره ۱۱۷۷-۲۴۴-۸۰۰-۱ تلفن کرد و تاکسی طلبید. باید خود را به عنوان بهائی معرفی کنید تا از نرخ مخصوص ۱۸ دلار برای یک تا چهار نفر استفاده کنید.

انتشارات جدید

NEW PUBLICATIONS

چندی پیش جلد اول کتاب "مآخذ اشعار در آثار بهائی" تألیف دکتر وحید رأفتی منتشر شد. اکنون جلد دوم این کتاب نیز در دسترس علاقه مندان قرار گرفته است.

در مجلدات این کتاب فقراتی از آثار مقدسه بهائی که در آنها اشعار فارسی و عربی به صورت مستقیم یا غیرمستقیم نقل شده عرضه گردیده، سپس مآخذ اشعار ارائه شده و شرح حال مختصر شعراء به رشته تحریر آمده است. دربارۀ مندرجات آثار مقدسه و مفاهیم و معانی اشعار نیز جا ضرورتی بوده توضیحاتی به اختصار مرقوم گردیده است.

این کتاب در مطالعۀ زمینه‌های فرهنگی امر بهائی مخصوصاً دربارۀ کیفیت ارتباط آثار مقدسه بهائی با میراث ادب عربی و فارسی مآخذی مهم محسوب می‌گردد و نیز در شناسائی بهتر ارزش ادبی آثار مقدسه بهائی می‌تواند نقشی اساسی ایفاء نماید.

این کتاب توسط مؤسسۀ انتشاراتی نوا به چاپ رسیده و می‌توان آن را مستقیم از مرکز طبع در امریکا تا ماه اپریل سال جاری به قیمت ۲۵ دلار (از یک تا ۹ نسخه) یا ۲۰ دلار (ده نسخه به بالا) تهیه نمود.

یاران عزیز می‌توانند درخواست خود را گروهی و یا از طریق کتابدار محل ارسال نمایند تا از این موقعیت استفاده کنند. چک باید در وجه Nava Publishing حواله و به نشانی زیر فرستاده شود: تلفن: ۸۵۸۳-۸۰۳ (۷۰۳)، فکس: ۸۰۲۸-۸۰۳ (۷۰۳) Nava Publishing 5746 Union Mill Rd. Suite 415 Clifton, Virginia. 22024

دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی در تکزاس

FRIENDS OF IRANIAN CULTURE IN TEXAS

به تشویق انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی، جلسات منظمی در ۱۸ نوامبر و ۹ دسامبر سال گذشته در کتابخانه شهر پلینو Plano تشکیل گردید و قرار است این جلسات ماهانه منعقد شود.

هر یک از این جلسات با حضور بیش از ۱۲۰ نفر از احباء و چندین نفر غیربهائی با برنامه‌های گوناگون شامل سخنرانی و نمایش سلاید و اجرای موسیقی و شعرخوانی و البته پذیرائی برگزار شد.

قرار است در روزهای ۱۱ و ۱۲ آگست سال جاری جلسات مفصلی منعقد شود و امید می‌رود یاران از جلسات مذکور استقبال کنند.

زیارت نامۀ حضرت بهاءالله

TABLET OF VISITATION

سال مقدس تأثیرات گوناگونی بر احباء داشت و بسیاری را برانگیخت که خدمتی تقدیم آستان الهی نمایند. دو تن از احبای عزیز، آقای بیژن فردوسی و مایکل هیونی Michael Hughey تحت تأثیر الهامات ناشی از سال مقدس بر آن شدند هدیه‌ای به آستان الهی تقدیم نمایند.

این دو عزیز زیارت نامۀ حضرت بهاءالله را به عربی و انگلیسی خطاطی کرده‌اند و آن را تذهیب نموده‌اند و حاصل مجموعه‌ای بسیار نفیس است که تحت اشراف محفل روحانی برنت وود Brentwood (در ایالت تنسی) به تعداد محدودی چاپ شده است و تقدیم کسانی خواهد شد که مبلغ ۱۰۰۰ دلار یا بیشتر به صندوق ساختمان‌های قوس تقدیم نمایند.

علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند نسخه‌ای از این اثر زیبا را با تماس با محفل روحانی برنت وود دریافت نمایند. چک باید در وجه Brentwood Bahá’í Fund حواله و به نشانی آن محفل فرستاده شود.

The Spiritual Assembly of Brentwood P.O. Box 2366 Brentwood, TN. 37027

روز مارتین لوتر کینگ

MARTIN LUTHER KING PARADE

احبای شارلت Charlotte در ایالت کرولاینای شمالی در مراسم راهپیمائی سالانۀ این شهر شرکت کردند.

یاران بیرق‌های رنگینی به دست داشتند و اعضای کارگاه جوانان بهائی پا به پای بزرگترها در این راهپیمائی سهیم بودند.

در طول این راهپیمائی که ۳/۵ مایل بود، شرکت کنندگان از محله‌های گوناگون شهر می‌گذشتند و تماشاگران در طول راه به استقبال از احباء و به نشان موافقت با آنها با دیدن بیرق‌هائی که یاران به دست داشتند، نوشته‌های روی آنها را بلند می‌خواندند.

این راهپیمائی جزئی از فعالیت‌هائی بود که در تعطیلات آخر هفته با تشکیل یک جلسۀ عمومی آغاز شد. همچنین راهپیمائی مذکور با آغاز یک برنامۀ تبلیغی برای بسیج کردن یاران به خدمت به هر نحوی که در توانائی آنان باشد، همزمان بود.

عدۀ زیادی در جلسۀ عمومی که در یک مدرسه برپا شد، شرکت کردند. اعضای کارگاه جوانان بهائی از این برنامه‌ها به یادبود شهیدان امر اجرا شد.

در نطقی که ایراد شد، آقای استوور Stover گفت که احباء تنها برای بزرگداشت زادروز مارتین لوتر کینگ گرد هم نیامده‌اند، بلکه به حرمت گفتار و کردار او اجتماع کرده‌اند. در این راه کار ناتمام بسیار است.

آقای استوور همچنین گفت که میان حقوق مدنی و حقوق بشر فرق بسیار وجود دارد. بهائیان باید در راه احقاق حقوق بشر پرچم دار باشند نه ناظر.

ایشان همچنین به یاران توصیه کرد که باید به جهانیان بفهمانند که انسانیت آدمی به روحانیت اوست. [Page 30]

تبرعات به صندوق‌های امری

تبرعات به صندوق‌های گوناگون امری در طی نقشه سه‌ساله به نحو چشمگیری افزایش یافت و این افزایش در سال جاری بالغ بر ۲۰ درصد بوده است.

محفل ملی نیز راه‌هایی در پیش گرفته است که وجوه تبرعی یاران به هدر نرود. امید می‌رود که بودجه محفل ملی دوباره تراز شود.

با نگاهی به گذشته می‌توان راه درازی را که پیموده‌ایم بررسی کنیم. به عنوان مثال از می سال ۱۹۹۰ تا ایپریل سال ۱۹۹۳ کل وجوه تبرعات به چهار صندوق اصلی (ملی، قاره‌ای، بین‌المللی و ساختمان‌های قوس) بالغ بر ۴۰/۱ میلیون دلار بود.

در مقایسه از می سال ۱۹۹۳ تا دیسمبر سال ۱۹۹۵ جامعهٔ بهائی آمریکا ۲۸/۸ میلیون دلار به صندوق ملی، ۲۷/۸ میلیون دلار به صندوق ساختمان‌های قوس، ۲/۶ میلیون دلار به صندوق بین‌المللی و ۶۹۶ هزار دلار به صندوق قاره‌ای و ۱/۲ میلیون دلار به دیگر صندوق‌های امری تبرع کرده است.

جمع کل این تبرعات ۶۱/۱ میلیون دلار است و حدود ۲ میلیون دلار نیز به صورت املاک تقدیم گردیده و جالب اینکه هنوز ۴ ماه به آخر نقشه سه‌ساله مانده است!

یکی از عوامل این افزایش سفر عضو محترم بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی جناب علی نخجوانی به ایالات متحده بود. نتیجهٔ این سفر آنی بود، بدین ترتیب که مقدار تبرعات در ماه جون بیش از مبلغی بود که احباء در تمام سال گذشته تقدیم کرده بودند.

در عین حال حدود هزار نفر از احباء همت کردند و داوطلب شدند که آگاهی دوستان و جوامع امری را نسبت به اهمیت ساختمان‌های قوس افزایش دهند. این تلاش نیز یکی از عوامل افزایش تبرعات بوده است.

صندوق ملی

تبرعات احباء به صندوق ملی نیز در این دوره افزایش یافت و تا آخر دیسمبر مبلغ کل تبرعات به صندوق ملی بالغ بر ۸ میلیون دلار یعنی ۲۰ درصد بیشتر از سال قبل بود.

یکی از مشکلات اصلی که دفتر امین صندوق ملی با آن روبروست، نوسانی است که در تقدیم تبرعات وجود دارد. معمولاً در ماه‌های تابستان مقدار تبرعات کاهش و در ماه‌های پائیز افزایش می‌یابد. کوشش برای تغییر این رویه در طی نقشه آینده همچنان ادامه خواهد داشت.

در سال مالی ۹۶ پیش‌بینی می‌شود احباء ۱۱/۳ میلیون دلار به صندوق ملی تقدیم نمایند. علاوه براین انتظار می‌رود از ‎معمر مدیر‎ مدارس بهائی و فروش مطبوعات امری و عایدات حاصل از سرمایه‌گذاری ۳/۵ میلیون دلار دیگر به رقم بالا اضافه شود.

نیازهای مالی در ۴ سال آینده

برطرف ساختن نیازهای مالی در چهار سال آینده نخست در گرو روحانیت احباست. تقدیم تبرعات، همانگونه که یاران آگاهی دارند، در وهلهٔ اول امری روحانی و اخلاقی است. با تقدیم تبرعات پیوند خود را با امر مبارک استوارتر می‌کنیم، از این رهگذر برکت می‌یابیم و نیروئی برای برطرف ساختن سدهائی که در پیش است، به دست می‌آوریم. نیازهای مالی صندوق‌های گوناگون امری در چهار سال آینده به طور خلاصه بدین قرار است:

• صندوق ساختمان‌های قوس سالانه ۱۰ میلیون دلار
• صندوق ملی سالانه لااقل ۱۲ میلیون دلار
• وضع صندوق بین‌المللی نیز نیازمند توجه است.

کنفرانس حقوق‌الله

از ۲۷ تا ۲۹ اکتبر سال پیش کنفرانسی دربارهٔ حقوق‌الله در مدرسه بهائی گرین اِیکر Green Acre برگزار شد.

علاوه بر هیئت امنای حقوق‌الله و نمایندگان آنان در ایالات متحده، نمایندگان مشاورین قاره‌ای و محفل روحانی ملی و تعدادی از اعضای هیئت معاونت نیز در این کنفرانس شرکت جستند.

در طی مذاکراتی که در کنفرانس مذکور صورت گرفت بررسی این هدف بود که تشکیلات امری چگونه باید احباء را نسبت به حکم حقوق‌الله آگاهی بیشتری بخشند. محور اصلی مذاکرات فقره‌ای از پیام بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی مورخ ۲۸ جون سال ۱۹۹۳ بود.

معهد اعلی در پیام مذکور اشاره می‌فرمایند که تعلیم حکم حقوق به یاران از جمله وظائف مشاورین و محافل روحانی ملی است.

همچنین در این کنفرانس تأکید شد که کودکان و نوجوانان بهائی نیز باید از اهمیت حکم حقوق‌الله آگاه باشند.

از جمله پیشنهادهائی که شد یکی درج مقالات منظم در نشریهٔ آمریکن بهائی برای آگاه ساختن یاران از اهمیت این حکم محکم بود.

در آغاز این کنفرانس پیامی از امین حقوق‌الله، ایادی محترم امرالله جناب دکتر علی محمد ورقا به گوش حاضران رسید. جناب ورقا، در پیام خود از فعالیت‌های مسؤولان حقوق‌الله در ایالات متحده اظهار رضایت کرده بودند.

همچنین امین حقوق از موضوع مذاکرات کنفرانس به ویژه همکاری بیشتر در میان تشکیلات امری در خصوص حقوق‌الله خشنودی خود را ابراز نموده بودند.

علاوه براین مفاد نامه‌ای از دفتر حقوق‌الله در مرکز جهانی به آگاهی حاضران رسید. پس از قرائت این نامه، حاضران از دعاهائی که از جانب آنان در ارض اقدس برای پیشرفت فعالیت‌های مربوط به حقوق شده بود، اظهار قدردانی کردند.

خانم جوانا کانراد Juana Conrad عضو محترم محفل روحانی ملی به نمایندگی از سوی آن محفل اظهار داشت که در کانونشن‌های ملی برنامه‌هائی دربارهٔ حقوق‌الله ارائه خواهد شد.

مشاورین در جنوب کالیفرنیا

روز ۹ دیسمبر سال ۱۹۹۵ کنفرانسی در حظیرةالقدس لوس آنجلس با حضور مشاورین قاره‌ای استیون بیرکلند Stephen Birkland و آرتورو سرانو Arturo Serrano برگزار شد.

دو تن از اعضای هیئت معاونت و همچنین اعضای محافل روحانی لوس آنجلس و مناطق حومه آن در کنفرانس مذکور شرکت داشتند.

غرض از تشکیل این کنفرانس این بود که روحی جدید در کالبد ایمانی احباء دمیده شود و کوشش‌ها و فعالیت‌های ثمربخش جایگزین بی‌اعتنائی و بی‌توجهی گردد.

جناب سرانو اظهار داشت که جنوب کالیفرنیا از لحاظ خدمات یاران و انتشار امر مبارک منطقه‌ای بسیار مهم است. ایشان گفت جمعیت بزرگ بهائی جنوب کالیفرنیا و فراوانی منابع آن می‌تواند تأثیر شدیدی در همه جهان داشته باشد.

برای اشاعهٔ امر الهی باید روش خود را در بسیاری از کارهائی که تا کنون انجام داده‌ایم، تغییر دهیم. نمی‌توان تنها به برنامه‌ریزی برای جلسات شام اکتفاء کرد. باید توانائی‌های خود را به مبارزه فراخوانیم و به گونه‌ای تازه بیندیشیم و به یاد داشته باشیم که در ایجاد یک تمدن جهانی دست به عمل می‌زنیم.

جناب سرانو در ادامه سخنان خود گفت یکی از کارهائی که می‌شود کرد این است که به پیشنهادهای تازه‌تصدیقان و کسانی که در ‎شرق شرف‎ تصدیقند توجه تام مبذول داریم، زیرا این افراد از آنجا که تازه با امر مبارک آشنا شده‌اند، نظرات بکری پیشنهاد می‌کنند که ممکن است به ذهن کسانی که سال‌های سال بهائی بوده‌اند، خطور نکند. همچنین طرز فکر و نظرات این افراد برای جلب افراد جدید به امر مبارک مناسبت بیشتری دارد.

جناب بیرکلند در ضمن سخنان خود گفت بهائیان باید با یافتن راه‌های جدیدی برای خدمت و تبلیغ امر مبارک فضای جدیدی به وجود آورند. اگر آماده تغییر نباشیم در بساط نظم کهنهٔ جهان می‌مانیم و در نتیجه برچیده خواهیم شد.

جناب بیرکلند نیروی تقلیب‌کنندهٔ جهان را مانند موجی دانست که عالم بشری را به هم فشرده و سرکوب خواهد کرد. ایشان اظهار داشت برای جلوگیری از اینکه جزو تلفات این نیرو بشویم و میان‌رویم باید هر گونه فعالیت تبلیغی را بدون هراس و به هر راه و روشی باشد تجربه کنیم.

ایشان یاران را خاطرنشان ساخت که با قیام به خدمت تأییدات الهی شامل حال خواهد شد و امکان شکست را از میان خواهد برد.

جناب سرانو در پایان سخنان خود گفت کلام آخر این است که ما در صدد ایجاد تشکیلاتی هستیم که سختی‌های جهان را کاهش دهد و این هر چند که تصوری هیجان‌انگیز است، تأخیر در آن باعث خواهد شد که دشواری‌های جهان به طول انجامد. [Page 31]

Dr. Frank Gilbert, pioneer to Turks & Caicos, dies at age 67

Dr. Frank Gilbert, a pioneer to the Turks and Caicos Islands since 1987, died February 1 at the age of 67.

Although he and his wife, Evelyn, had decided in 1979 to pioneer to Africa, this was not to be until the doors of opportunity opened for them in 1987 when they responded to an ad in The American Bahá’í for a doctor in the Turks and Caicos.

As a result of their service at the Health Center in Providenciales, there was a continual flow of visitors to their home including native people, Haitian exiles, government officials and expatriates.

Dr. Gilbert was often the only doctor at the Health Center. He and Evelyn worked hand in hand seven days a week, often late into the night. Their command of Creole and French were instrumental in their ability to reach out to Provo's Haitian population, estimated at more than 1,500.

In 1989 Dr. Gilbert was appointed as the only American and first non-native member of the Health Practitioners' Board.

In spite of the long hours devoted to the clinic, the Gilberts hosted firesides every Tuesday evening. In one year alone, 135 people declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh and Bahá’ís from former times came forward to join the growing community.

Throughout the years of challenge and opportunity, the Gilberts were steadfast in the principles of the Faith and worked tirelessly to help bring about unity.

On the anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, November 12, 1993, the New Era Medical Center was opened in Blue Hills, Providenciales. The clinic's emphasis on prevention was complemented by a regular program, "Your Radio Doctor," in which Dr. Gilbert addressed what he considered the island's controllable health problems.

Verne Stout, who pioneered to Alaska during Seven Year Plan, dies at age 97

Verne Stout, a pioneer to Alaska for 52 years, died last June 28. He was 97 years old.

Alaska had been opened during the Seven Year Plan, but there were no Bahá’í institutions there in 1943 when Mr. Stout responded to a request by a friend to help establish the first local Assembly in Anchorage.

The Assembly was formed that September, and he served with eight women, one of whom—Janet Whitenack—became his wife. Verne and Janet's home was the center of much Bahá’í activity until they moved in 1958. Mr. Stout served as chairman of the State Convention of 1953 when the Alaskan community was stunned by the news that Alaska would have its own National Assembly. When that body was elected in 1957, Verne was among its members. The Stouts pioneered on the homefront, becoming the first Bahá’í family in Matanuska Valley.

At the time of Mr. Stout's passing, there were four Assemblies and two active groups in the area. Verne Stout's services to the Cause were legion. He rarely missed a Bahá’í event until deterred by the infirmities of age. News of his passing was conveyed to the Universal House of Justice which responded as follows:

"..He is warmly remembered for his long service to the Bahá’í community of Alaska, particularly for his services during the Faith's early years there. Pioneering to Alaska... Mr. Stout had the honor of serving on both its first local Spiritual Assembly and its first National Spiritual Assembly. His dedication is most warmly remembered."

Andrew Johnson, pioneer to Colombia, dies at 88

Andrew Johnson, a longtime pioneer to the San Andres and Providencia Islands of Colombia, died at his post January 21 at the age of 88.

Mr. Johnson became a Bahá’í in Pomona, California, in 1964. In 1976, after serving for several years on the local Spiritual Assembly, he arose to pioneer at age 68.

As part of his preparation he attended a Pioneer Training Institute where he met his wife-to-be, Mary Jane Carter, also in her 60s and preparing to pioneer. In March 1977 he joined Mary Jane on San Andres, a "speck on the map" 150 miles off the coast of Nicaragua.

In 1979 the National Spiritual Assembly of Colombia asked them to help establish a local Assembly on Providencia Island. Monthly visits soon led to 11 enrollments, and the Johnsons built a home there and continued their devoted services.

In response to the news of Mr. Johnson's passing, the following message was received from the World Center:

"The Universal House of Justice was saddened to learn from your fax dated January 22, 1996, of the passing of long-standing pioneer to San Andres and Providencia, Mr. Andrew Johnson. Kindly assure his dear wife of the prayers of the House of Justice at the Holy Threshold for the progress of his soul throughout the worlds of God. It will also offer prayers on her behalf that she may be comforted and strengthened."

Erica Putney, one of Iceland's first Bahá’ís, dies in N. Mexico

Erica Putney, one of Iceland's first Bahá’ís and well-known pioneers, who was married to American pioneer George Putney, died December 27 in Taos, New Mexico. She was 72 years old.

During the last 10 years the Putneys served as pioneers and teachers, traveling around the world from the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic to Chile, from Croatia to Easter Island and Guam.

Activism pays off in Columbus, Ohio, as top-rated TV station airs program on Faith

Years of active participation in the community paid off recently for the Bahá’ís of Columbus, Ohio, when the highest-rated television station in the city aired a segment on the Faith.

As part of a week-long series on "Religion in Columbus" on WBNS-TV, reporter Kelly Hudson interviewed Lorraine Williams about why she left the Baptist Church and became a Bahá’í.

Ms. Hudson had called Bexley Bahá’í Steve Dimler about a week before. She told him she wanted to do a feature with emphasis on Christians who had converted to lesser-known religions.

After Mr. Dimler consulted with several of the friends, it was decided to invite Ms. Hudson to the Columbus Bahá’í Center for a Saturday evening fireside and for her to interview Ms. Williams.

Ms. Hudson and her videographer came to the Center on December 16 and interviewed Ms. Williams for about 15 minutes. The videographer also filmed the Bahá’ís in prayer and a short talk by Dina Firoozmand about the principles of the Faith.

In the piece that was telecast December 19, Ms. Williams emphasized that she didn't "leave Christianity" as much as she embraced all the others religions and the new Revelation from God. She also was able to speak briefly about oneness and unity being the attracting force in the Bahá’í Faith.

As the camera panned the main meeting room, a voice-over by Ms. Hudson informed viewers about Bahá’u’lláh, unity in diversity and race unity, and the global spread of the Faith. A close-up showed the Greatest Name and a photograph of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

One immediate result: a young woman who watched the broadcast contacted the Bahá’ís, said the Faith is what she had been looking for, and declared her belief in Bahá’u’lláh.

Dorothy Hayes, who went to Iceland as a pioneer in 1971, dies at age 79

Dorothy Hayes, who pioneered to Iceland in 1971, died recently at the age of 79.

She used whatever means she could to remain at her post, working as an accountant and on the skinning machine in a fish house until asked to help plan the International Oceanic Conference in Rejkavik.

She also served as secretary of the National Committee for Deepening and Consolidation, which planned the first Icelandic summer and winter schools, meanwhile studying Icelandic in obedience to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's injunction to learn the language of the country to which we pioneer.

Although her years of service abroad were short—she had to return to the U.S. in 1973 for medical care—her devoted service to the Icelandic Bahá’í community won't soon be forgotten.

IN MEMORIAM

Robert F. Callju Sparks, NV October 16, 1995

Warren C. Day Belen, NM January 2, 1996

John A. Decker Ridgway, PA December 21, 1995

Phyllis Dickenson Auburn, WA November 18, 1995

Rae Donaldson Los Altos, CA December 29, 1995

Dr. Frank Gilbert Turks & Caicos Isl. February 1, 1996

Katherine Gouley Salem, OR December 27, 1995

Elizabeth Haynes Charleston, SC January 22, 1996

Jean W. Hiett San Diego, CA October 1995

Gertrude Jacoby Van Nuys, CA January 19, 1996

Jesse Jaso Joliet, IL January 4, 1996

Eunesia Lynne Keel San Bernardino, CA December 15, 1995

Virginia Miles Valencia, CA December 2, 1995

Thomas Morris Spokane, WA December 21, 1995

Ruth Powns Baltimore, MD January 12, 1996

Virginia B. Price Baltimore, MD November 9, 1995

Florence Pringle Orlando, FL January 13, 1996

Erica Putney Taos, NM December 27, 1995

Catherine Robertson Friday Harbor, WA January 20, 1996

Sandy Roff Dillon, SC May 2, 1995

Sanford Schilling Roswell, NM January 5, 1996

Edward Taylor Dallas, TX January 10, 1996

Marie Wilder Pentwater, MI January 18, 1996

Munevver Yetken Oak Park, IL January 24, 1996 [Page 32]

CALENDAR

Fayard and Barbara Nicholas, Bahá’ís from Los Angeles, are greeted by President and Mrs. Clinton during their visit last December 3 to the White House. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas were in Washington to attend the annual Kennedy Center Honors program. Fayard Nicholas and his brother, Harold, who together formed the famed acrobatic dancing team, the Nicholas Brothers, were Kennedy Center honorees in 1991.

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 (b) 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                          Zip code ____________________ State

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

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 address labels do not match. We have listed above the full names of all family members as they should appear on the national records, their I.D. numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy.

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

‘Alá B.E. 152 / March 2, 1996

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MARCH

8-10: Assistants to Khavari/Gilpatrick training session, facilitated by Counselor Stephen Birkland, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

8-10: Special Spiritual Retreat Weekend for the Fast, Green Acre Bahá’í School. For information, phone 207-439-7200 or fax 207-439-7202.

15-17: International Women’s Writing Guild, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

22-24: “Islam,” Dr. Ahang Rabbani, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033, fax 810-653-7181, or e-mail

22-24: Youth Deepening Weekend, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

26-28: Ninth “Irfán Colloquium” sponsored by the Haj Mehdi Arjmand Memorial Fund and the Institute for Bahá’í Studies, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. For information, phone 847-733-3425, fax 847-733-3563, or e-mail

29-31: Irfán Colloquium, sponsored by the Haj Mehdi Arjmand Memorial Fund, Bahá’í National Center, Evanston, Illinois. Focusing on criticisms of and attacks on the Faith and how to respond to them. For information, phone Lynnea Yancy, 847-733-3548, fax 847-733-3563, or e-mail

30: Annual conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies Mid-Atlantic Group, American University, Washington, D.C. Theme—“A Call to World Order: The Turning Point for All Nations.” For registration information, please contact Janet Richards, Yardville, NJ 08620, or phone 609-585-6120.

30-April 2: Children’s Academy I, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

31-April 4: Intensive Training Workshop on Freedom, Authority and Leadership in the Bahá’í Faith, Landegg Academy, Switzerland.

APRIL

4-10: International Youth Symposium on Moral Leadership, Landegg Academy, Switzerland.

5-7: Eagle Institute: A Weekend Youth Workshop, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033, fax 810-653-7181, or e-mail

8-11: Children’s Academy II, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

12-14: Women in the Arts and Course on Meditation, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

19-21: Women’s Awakening, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, write to the school at 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

25-28: 87th Bahá’í National Convention, Holiday Inn O’Hare, Rosemont, Illinois, including further details of the new Four Year Plan to be unveiled at Ridván. For information, phone 847-733-3529 or fax 847-869-0247.

25-28: Women’s Awakening Conference II, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

26-28: Mentors: Elders, Fathers and Sons—a Retreat, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

26-28: Junior Youth Institute, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033, fax 810-653-7181, or e-mail

MAY

3-5: Renewing the Spirit of the “Fortress for Well-Being,” Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

10-12: Parent/Child Weekend, National Bahá’í Parenting Task Force, Louhelen Bahá’í School. Also, “We Are Bahá’ís: From New Believers to New Teachers in the Cause of God.” For information, phone 810-653-5033, fax 810-653-7181, or e-mail

10-12: National Pacific Islander Teaching Conference (for information, contact George/Duska Halaholo, 415-596-9635) and Core Curriculum Teacher Training Session (part 1 of 2), Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

17-19: HIV/AIDS: A Conference for Bahá’ís, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033, fax 810-653-7181, or e-mail

17-19: San Jose Community Weekend, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

23-26: Sixth annual conference of the Friends of Persian Culture Association, North Shore Hilton Hotel, Skokie, Illinois. For information, phone 847-733-3526, 847-733-3528, or 847-733-3531.

24-26: Local Spiritual Assembly Development Weekend, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033, fax 810-653-7181, or e-mail

24-27: Core Curriculum Training Weekend, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone, fax or e-mail as listed above.

24-27: 10th annual Marriage Enrichment Weekend, Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail

24-27: “Wings of the Eagle,” Gender Equality Conference, Louisville, Kentucky. For information, write to Gender Equality Conference, P.O. Box 227, LaGrange, KY 40031, or phone Nancy Ordaz, 502-241-8790.

31-June 2: Symposium for Health Professionals, Louhelen Bahá’í School. For information, phone 810-653-5033, fax 810-653-7181, or e-mail

31-June 2: Southeast Asian Helpers Roundtable Discussion Conference; also, Core Curriculum Teacher Training Session (part 2), Bosch Bahá’í School. For information, phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, or e-mail