The American Bahá’í/Volume 27/Issue 5/Text

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[Page 1]Eric Dozier (right, at piano) pays tribute to his Bahá’í sisters, some of whom joined him in song. (Photo by Tom Mennillo)

Conference puts focus on action toward equality

By TOM MENNILLO

Discussions about gender issues often generate pyrotechnics to rival anything nature could produce.

But this was a Bahá’í discussion, the Wings of the Eagle gender equality conference in Louisville, Kentucky. And although violent storms outside flashed and boomed, the 400 people inside the Hurstbourne Hotel & Conference Center strived lovingly to understand and put into practice the divine standard for this day.

Artistic expressions of yearning for equality of women and men went far toward setting that tone at the conference.

Such thoughtful, beautiful and poignant performances included poetry readings by Rhea Harmsen; songs by Legacy; a musical tribute by Eric Dozier to the Bahá’í sisters whose support has borne him since his declaration; a dance on the sacred role of mothers by Anna Resendiz and her infant son, Daryo; a three-woman reading connecting the lives of Eve, Mary (mother of Jesus) and Táhirih; and a spirited conference-ending gospel performance.

The issues involved in gender equality also were laid out for attendees in a public talk on complementarity by Fafar and Jack Guillebeaux that preceded the conference.

"Our collective well-being" is tied to the elimination of inequality, Mr. Guillebeaux observed. But just knowing that isn't enough.

Anna Resendiz follows the moves of her toddler son, Daryo, in her dance on the sacred role of mothers. (Photo by Tom Mennillo)

Men, he said, are handicapped by not fully feeling the impact of inequality in their daily lives, so they must strive daily to become more knowledgeable about and involved in bringing about equality.

He cited the example of women in an office building who lock themselves into their offices for safety. Men have little conception of that kind of daily vulnerability to violation.

Similarly, said Mrs. Guillebeaux, women must become aware of the extent to which they have adapted to the present system. It takes two to tango, she said, and women need to stop their half of the dance.

She described how she had to stop in mid-sentence

Teachers’ aids

Bahá’í Publications gears up to support entry by troops process

The Bahá’í Publishing Trust and Bahá’í Distribution Service have taken a number of bold steps to support Bahá’ís across the country who will engage in advancing the process for entry by troops.

In the coming weeks you will see reduced prices on some of the most popular titles used for teaching and deepening, a greater variety of low-cost teaching materials, much greater discounts for local Spiritual Assemblies, a no-cost way to have large bookstores at local and regional events, extended hours for customer service, and even a virtual bookstore on the World Wide Web. And that is only the start.

Reduced prices

To make it more affordable for individuals and institutions to have teaching and deepening materials on hand when they are needed, BDS has sharply reduced the prices on two of the most popular teaching and deepening titles.

Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, probably the most widely read introduction to the Faith with more than 100,000 copies distributed, is now priced at only $2.95 instead of $5.50.

So Great an Honor, the National Spiritual Assembly's guidebook for new believers, became an immediate best seller. The price will be reduced by nearly 30 percent to $4.95. Other titles will also be reduced if the move proves successful.

More teaching materials

The National Teaching Committee and the Bahá’í Publishing Trust are working together to provide a range of new low-cost teaching materials to help the friends carry out their local plans. These are the some of the new and updated titles that will soon be released:

Bahá’í Teachings for a World Faith—Originally published in 1972, this small booklet has been quite popular. It will be brought back into print with updated

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

• Roses of Love Singers proclaim Faith throughout Southwest (3)
• A look backward to the 87th Bahá’í National Convention (13)
• Former Counselor, National Assembly member Velma L. Sherrill dies (27)

[Page 2]

Community building, outreach top the agenda in Franklin, Tennessee

The six Bahá’í families in Franklin, Tennessee, in only their second year of Assembly status, have been busy building community life and spreading the healing message of Bahá’u’lláh.

Intracommunity potlucks have brought the Bahá’ís into closer social contact with one another and with many non-Bahá’ís in the Nashville suburb.

Some members of the community also have attended from time to time an African Methodist Episcopal Church and have been warmly welcomed.

At one service, the Bahá’ís were told, "We no longer consider you visitors, but friends." Another time, Bahá’ís were invited to a "high tea" held at the church.

One of the church members and her husband attended a Bahá’í potluck, and the Bahá’ís have asked to have a Bahá’í speaker address the congregation on some of the principles of the Faith.

Janet Kaye, a member of the Franklin Bahá’í community, has presented two talks at the public library.

One was a "book talk" by a well-known author who worked for unity between the Hispanics and American Indians in New Mexico; the second was a review of Man of the Trees by the late Bahá’í forestry conservator Richard St. Barbe Baker.

Two more "book talks" were planned for January and February: A Leaf of Honey, by a Bahá’í pioneer to the Cameroons, and the story of Bahá’í Lidia Zamenhof and her father's invention of Esperanto.

The library director has advertised all of the talks in newspapers and on radio, and has placed posters in the library.

California teachers find receptive 'audience' in Salinas park

What a great beginning to the Fast! On March 2, three teaching teams that were ready to go to Watsonville, California, as usual decided instead to go to Salinas and help the Salinas Teaching Institute with its weekly teaching in the park.

The teachers first phoned Jose Navarro, a Bahá’í who lives in Salinas and is a member of the Salinas Institute, to make sure the local Bahá’ís were going to be in the park that day and that the out-of-town teachers were welcome.

Then off they went to Salinas, enjoying a gorgeous summer-like day in the middle of a rainy spell.

When the teachers arrived in the park there were no other Bahá’ís around, so they sat around a picnic table and talked. About 45 minutes later Jose Navarro drove up with his brother, Memo (Guillermo), who he hadn't seen in almost a year.

Memo explained that he was driving down the street when he spotted Jose walking and picked him up to bring him to the park. Memo wanted to make it clear that he loves God but doesn't like religion because of the negative things it has done to so many people, especially the Latinos. He also said he was very involved serving his people in Salinas with volunteer work.

But after allowing his cup to empty a bit and after he offered his home and his translating skills, the teachers decided they had a window of opportunity. They asked if he would like to see how they present the message so he could decide if he wanted to help translate.

The teachers went through the teaching book. He read every word and all the prayers.

The two people who conducted the presentation showed the rest of the teachers a "team" approach. One person would read some pages and then hand it over to the other person, who read more, and so on.

Memo was surprised when one of the presenters started reading because her Spanish was so good. Five people said prayers during the presentation.

And when asked if he believed in his heart that Bahá’u’lláh was the Manifestation of God for this day, Memo said "yes." He signed the card and told the teachers it was a good method of teaching and he would like to help.

Teachers Janie and Jeff Rhodes are certain the Concourse on high was involved that day.

"We went to Salinas instead of Watsonville," they explained. "We wanted to make sure we did not disrupt or seem to 'take over' anything the Salinas Institute was doing, so we were provided with a soul who is not a stranger.

"Memo just happens to come across Jose walking on the street. They haven't seen each other for a year," they continued. "Our three teaching teams went to the park and waited for the local Bahá’ís to come and we never had to leave the picnic table to teach."

The kicker? "Memo lives in Salinas and he's now the ninth Bahá’í there. Coincidence? No way!"

Spiritual Assembly of Port Angeles, WA, reaches out with letters of support, appreciation to officials

As part of its teaching plan, the Spiritual Assembly of Port Angeles, Washington, writes letters of encouragement and gratitude to people or groups involved in activities consistent with Bahá’í principles.

Two such letters were sent recently to the City Council and County Commissioners after those bodies issued resolutions opposing "bigotry and hate and violations of citizens' civil rights," and encouraging each citizen to "respect and celebrate the ethnic, racial, cultural, religious, and social diversity of our community."

The resolutions followed incidences of hate crimes and swastika graffiti in the area. In its letters to the governmental bodies, the Spiritual Assembly expressed its gratitude for their "enlightened leadership in drafting such a clear and powerful message."

The letters went on to say that the elimination of prejudice of all kinds is a basic tenet of the Bahá’í Faith, and described the persecution that has befallen believers throughout the Faith's history for their belief in the oneness of God, religion and humanity.

The Assembly also informed the two bodies that it would share with Bahá’ís across the country "our good fortune in having you as our civic leaders who, with one voice, instantly arose to champion 'equal rights and protection for all citizens' of our community."

3 young Bahá’ís proclaim Cause at San Diego reggae festival

Three young Bahá’ís from San Diego, California, presented the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to an audience of 12,000 reggae fans February 19 at the Bob Marley Reggae Festival in the San Diego Sports Arena.

Their appearance was made possible by Makayta, a non-Bahá’í who is head of the World Beat Center, which organized the concert.

She asked a local Bahá’í, Nancy Rank, to find some young Bahá’ís who could talk about the Faith between sets by such reggae favorites as Culture, Shaggy, and Eek-a-Mouse.

The Bahá’ís who spoke to the audience were Keli, Colleen and Jupiter Lovejoy. Before going onstage they manned an impromptu information table set up with literature that Keli carries in a briefcase wherever she goes.

The three were also interviewed on radio on a station set up in an RV in the parking lot outside the arena.

Meanwhile, Makayta decided to proclaim the Faith herself, speaking at length before the Bahá’ís were able to reach the stage through tight security.

She then turned the microphone over to the Lovejoys, 22-year-old Jupiter and his 15-year-old twin sisters, Colleen and Keli, who spoke about the history and principles of the Faith and invited those in the audience to join.

The stage on which they appeared was decorated by a large banner proclaiming "Celebrate Diversity" and depicting hands of various colors joined around a peace symbol.

Pictured outside the San Diego Sports Arena during the Bob Marley Festival in February are (left to right) Bahá’í Jupiter Lovejoy; deejay Elijah, who interviewed the Bahá’ís on radio; Bahá’í Colleen Lovejoy; Makayta, head of the World Beat Center, which organized the concert; and Bahá’ís Keli Lovejoy and Nancy Rank. [Page 3]

Roses of Love Singers proclaim Cause in Southwest

With the Roses of Love Bahá’í Singers, in all their diversity, arrayed behind him, narrator Ken Jeffers spoke to the audience of educators, community leaders and students at Arizona State University.

"The reason we're here is that it's time to end prejudice prejudice of all kinds," he said. "We're offering a new paradigm, one that celebrates the oneness of the human family and the spiritual unity of all religions.

"Add to that true equality of men and women and the harmony of science and religion, and you begin to see the model. Together we can build loving communities, loving families and a loving world."

His words were confirmed by songs expressing the same spirit and devotion: "We Are One Family," "In This Day" and "Mortar and Stone."

The occasion was a January 23 breakfast honoring the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. But it could have been any of the busy 19-member choir's performances. Since January, Roses of Love has sung before more than 3,000 people.

"We are now reaching significant numbers of non-Bahá’ís," says Mr. Jeffers.

For example, the group was contracted to perform at a Honeywell Inc. event honoring Black History Month. Roses of Love gave a full hour's presentation with Mr. Jeffers sharing the life stories of the late Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory and Chicago Defender founding editor Robert Abbott.

Honeywell officials were so pleased with the event that they invited the group back for a multicultural celebration in June.

Roses of Love's mission is to communicate Bahá’í principles through music while exhibiting unity in diversity.

"This group shows our colors," says Steve Moses, one of the choir's founding members. "We really do demonstrate diversity ourselves."

The choir also has a professional mission to develop the musical talents of its members and as a group of singers working together. Talented soloists include John Sneed, Nancy Carpa, Kelly McLean, Jeffrey Davey, E.C. Applewhite, Donna Kime-Jeffers and Czech newcomers Peter and Martina Chylik.

"We just love it," says Ms. McLean, who also serves as choir secretary. "Most of us sing because it gives wings to our souls and we can serve Bahá’u’lláh."

Pictured are members of the Roses of Love Bahá’í Singers from Arizona.

Roses of Love performs an average of once a month at venues across Arizona and as far away as San Diego, California, and Reno, Nevada. The choir is available to any community for an event that will offer an opportunity to teach non-Bahá’ís.

"We encourage Bahá’ís who belong to other community organizations to think about having the Roses of Love perform at their special events," says Mr. Jeffers. "We can shape our performance for any organization for which we're performing."

The group asks for an honorarium, he says, "but we wouldn't turn anyone down, either."

Ken and Donna Kime-Jeffers also would be happy to help organize this kind of teaching choir for other Bahá’í communities. Their address is Peoria, AZ 85345; phone 602-872-9347.

College students teach neighborhood children in Columbia, SC

College students Angela Ewing and Jenny Wilson are taking their education to the streets of Columbia, South Carolina.

Each Saturday the two young Bahá’í housemates and 15 to 20 children from a public housing community in their neighborhood learn about love and respect for themselves and others.

Miss Ewing was graduated from high school in Columbia and is a student at Columbia College. Miss Wilson is an Australian who attends Benedict College. Two years ago they met as members of the Diversity Dance Workshop in Seattle.

That experience performing in schools around the country and leading race unity workshops is serving the pair well. They talk with the children about life's virtues, then help the kids express those concepts through music and dance.

As one 10-year-old related to a reporter from The State newspaper: "They teach us about respect and caring and how God created people to love each other and be brothers and sisters."

An eight-year-old added: "And how we shouldn't care if somebody is black or white, they can still be our friends."

Adults also are impressed with the two Bahá’ís' commitment to children. "My daughter came one Saturday, and I could tell the difference in attitude and eagerness," one parent told The State. "I'm looking forward to her coming again to be a part of this."

The public housing community's program coordinator also lauded the project. "(The children] could be at home, sleeping or watching television or getting into trouble," she was quoted as saying. "But they choose to come every Saturday. They're over there knocking on Angela and Jenny's door. They really respect those young ladies."

The feeling is mutual. "These children I consider my brothers and sisters," Miss Wilson told the newspaper. "I live in this neighborhood too."

Unfortunately, there's only so much two people can do. "We're turning children away," Miss Ewing told the reporter. "We don't have enough hands to do what we want to do.

"We need everybody. We need black men as mentors," she said. "That's why we're trying to shout out."

Article in local newspaper sold to benefit homeless turns bright spotlight on Chicago Youth Workshop

Transit passengers around Chicago now know all about the Chicago Bahá’í Youth Workshop, thanks to a major article in StreetWise, a newspaper sold on trains and buses to benefit the homeless.

The article, headlined "Peace on earth: the Bahá’í Youth Workshop takes it to the streets," was written by Workshop member Nicole Zamir. A photograph accompanying the article was taken by Workshop member Sarah Armbruster.

In the article, the Workshop is described as a diverse group of young people with "two things in common: the vision of global unity taught by the Bahá’í Faith and a desire to share that vision in performances of raps, hip-hop dancing, synchronized steps, song, poetry, skits and acrobatics."

Readers were told how for seven years Workshop performances have addressed social concerns ranging from racism and sexism to materialism.

"These members see the performing arts as the most effective way to reach their peers and to demonstrate that life with alcohol, drugs, gang-banging, crime and promiscuity can give way to a real, spiritual, unified community life, even amid the often grim reality that surrounds them," the article stated.

As the article noted, the Workshop provides a tool for dealing with that grim reality. Members were quoted about how being in the Workshop has helped in their character development.

The article also quoted lyrics from several of the group's raps, and gave background information on the Faith and the history of Bahá’í Youth Workshops.

Rights are removed

The National Spiritual Assembly has removed the administrative rights of for his abuse of hospitality. Bahá’ís are advised not to lend money or offer hospitality to Mr. , whose whereabouts are unknown and who may have a current Bahá’í membership card.

Young Japanese find spirit of love, support at Youth Conference

One of the best-received performances at the National Bahá’í Youth Conference in Dallas last December was a violin duet by two Japanese youth.

It turns out the conference and its spirit had the same impact on the two young women, Ikuno Ando and Airi Enomoto of Kyoto.

Ms. Ando reported in the Bahá’í News of Japan:

"During the first two days of the conference we had watched group after group come onto the stage, dancing, performing music, in panel discussions, and acting in plays.

"This was my first overseas visit, and I spoke no English and knew no one in Dallas. I have always been very independent, but there I enjoyed the help of so many youth.

"We made friends instantly, with no regard to race or sex. Everyone was putting the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh into practice and actively living the life. It was strange how the more Bahá’í youth I met, the more energy I felt.

"Airi and I were hesitant to even step onto that wonderful stage, but we vowed that we would just be grateful to Bahá’u’lláh for this opportunity and, with humility, try to do our best. That we were able to succeed was not due to our powers alone.

"I am grateful to all those who made the trip possible, to the 2,500 Bahá’í youth who welcomed us so lovingly, and to God Himself." [Page 4]

Pioneering International Opportunities Summer '96

• • ALASKA**

July 13-17: Chilkat Summer School, Haines. July (end): Youth Camp at Kenny Lake.

• • BELGIUM**

August 1-15: European Bahá’í Youth Teaching Project, with study course on "Entry by Troops," participation of Counselors and the Panacea Bahá’í Youth Workshop.

• • CANADA**

June 28-July 1: Family summer school, Corner Brook, Newfoundland. July 7-12: Family Week-"Social and Moral Development," Marion Jack Institute. July 7-13: Doris Richardson Bahá’í School for Children, Grand Manan, New Brusnwick. July 21-27: Camp Cameron-children ages 8 to 12-coordinated by the local Spiritual Assembly of Kanata. July 28-August 2: Parenting program, Sylvan Lake Bahá’í Center. August 25-30: Youth Week including Survival Course, Sylvan Lake Bahá’í Center. August 25-30: Festival of the Arts, Sylvan Lake Bahá’í Center. August 25-31: Family Week-"Holy Family of Bahá’u’lláh," Marion Jack Institute. August 30-September 2: North Island Summer School.

• • COLOMBIA**

July 1-21: Summer service project, including week-long "Ecological Camp" and study of selected Ruhi Institute courses. Reasonable costs.

• • CHINA**

August 13-16: Cummunication and Culture: China and the World Entering the 21st Century, Peking (Beijing). Contact D. Ray Heisey, 216-672-2649. Fax 216-672-3510; e-mail

• • DENMARK**

July 27-August 3: Summer school session devoted to "Interhuman Relations."

• • ITALY**

Summer schools and wide variety of conferences and deepening programs year-round at the Centre for Bahá’í Studies in Acuto. Reasonable costs.

• • RUSSIA**

Variety of opportunities to teach in many goal areas. Plan to arrive by the end of June for orientation. Teaching conference in July. Contact the Office of Pioneering for complete information.

• • SLOVAKIA**

August 2-8: Annual Czech-Slovak regional summer school, with pre- and post school teaching opportunities, in a beautiful, historic goal town.

• • UNITED KINGDOM**

July 26-August 6: Annual "Arts Academy '96," followed August 3-10 by "Bahá’í Academy 2000," West Sussex. Junior Arts Academy program included.

Traveling teachers and pioneers are needed for the burgeoning countries of MACEDONIA, SERBIA and THE FAROE ISLANDS, per request of Continental Board of Counselors for Europe.

Former Peace Corps volunteer returns 'home' to Eritrea but this time as a Bahá’í teacher

Laurie Kessler returned to Eritrea, Africa, to volunteer her time and expertise to the ministry of education in that country. She was able to serve the people of Eritrea and to rekindle friendships made when she and her husband were volunteer teachers there through the Peace Corps, before discovering the Faith. She writes about her relationship to her "parent" community.

My connection with the Bahá’ís of Asmara goes back to August 1965 when I was serving there as a Peace Corps volunteer. It was during that year that I first heard of the Faith from a member of that community, Mehtzun Tedla. I did not actually connect with the Bahá’í community of Eritrea until 1992 when on a visit to Asmara my husband located the Bahá’í Center and attended the Naw-Rúz celebration.

Elias Sabri, an Egyptian of Orthodox Christian background, was sent by Shoghi Effendi to Ethiopia. He went to Ethiopia via Eritrea by land and taught the Faith. The membership of Eritreans who became Bahá’ís in Ethiopia was later transferred to Eritrea, and the first declarations in Asmara were recorded in 1956.

A Persian pioneer, Dr. Farhoumand, purchased land for a Center, and plans were approved by Shoghi Effendi in April, 1957. Construction started the next year, and the Center was dedicated in 1960 by the Hand of the Cause Mr. Banani.

Hanging in the Center is a precious gift from the Guardian. When, after many years the original curtain in the Shrine of the Báb was changed, the original was divided and sent to some of the local and National Spiritual Assemblies that had formed during the Ten Year Crusade. Eritrea was one such privileged community.

Since the Ten Year Crusade several factors have made teaching and taking part in community life a challenge for the local believers. Despite these, when I returned Feasts and Holy Days in Asmara had a regular attendance of about 60, including some 20 children who were quiet and attentive throughout devotions and consultation, and who sang together at each feast. A favorite in 1994 was the Bahá’í gospel choir's "We Have Come to Sing Praises."

I found natural opportunities during both of my visits to teach the Faith among my longtime friends. They knew that I attended Sunday programs, Feasts and Holy Day observances and that I had first heard of the Faith there, and asked me about it.

My hosts in 1993 were a man who had studied with Jehovah's Witnesses and his wife who is a baptized Witness. He was especially interested, and together with others was curious to know if Bahá’ís were the same as Witnesses and whether Bahá’ís had voted in the referendum for independence in 1993.

I had taken a few leaflets with me and obtained some in Tigrinya (the local language) from the Center there and gave them to two families including his. Next, this man accompanied me to a fireside.

Several days later, he was explaining the Faith to his daughter-in-law and asked me to recount the basic principles. He seemed pleased when I left Bahá’í Readings with him. In the other family, the teen-age son and daughter seemed most interested.

Spontaneous teaching opportunities presented themselves, including the following:

First, a Bahá’í man accompanied me to a friend's home, where we were asked why we didn't drink the beer we were offered. When we answered that this was because of our religion, they asked about it. Another guest said that he had a booklet in Tigrinya about the Faith and that he would read it, now that he knew what it was about.

Second, I was waiting for friends on a park bench. My only reading material was a leaflet on Bahá’u’lláh, which of course I had read before. I read it again, thinking I'd see what happened. Soon some young visitors from Ethiopia came by and asked me to photograph them. Then a man sat down on the bench. I greeted him in Tigrinya and handed him a Bahá’í booklet in that language. He read it aloud while a few people gathered and listened! By the time my friends appeared, he was still reading.

During my visit in 1994 I attended the community's Sunday morning deepenings, including such topics as entry by troops, consultation, fund-raising, and the purpose of life.

There were two Bahá’í weddings and a proclamation geared toward students, about eight of whom attended subsequent meetings the same week. Another week was full of activities with Counselors for Africa Lally Warren and Dr. Hushang Ahdieh.

Dr. Ahdieh had lived in Asmara for 20 years and had gone on to become a citizen of the Central African Republic. They visited Bahá’ís in other towns, met the head of the National Union of Eritrean Women, led deepenings on Huqúqu’lláh and entry by troops, and were special guests at a Unity Feast. It was an inspiring week for all of us.

Eventually I re-established contact with Mehtzun Tedla and tried to find him at the Bahá’í World Congress. I introduced myself to every Ethiopian and Eritrean I found, making meaningful new connections.

I was in a photograph with Mehtzun's brother, Lijam, and two other men, Gila Bata and Solomon Tekie. I took this photo with me to Eritrea in 1993 and learned that Gila Bata made frequent visits to Eritrea and that Solomon's parents live in Asmara. They befriended me and once as I was visiting their home, Solomon telephoned from Canada!

In 1994 Lijam was visiting from Michigan, and I met him again. The reality of the family of man embraced me in Eritrea.

SENSITIVE INTERNATIONAL TEACHING AREAS (SITA) Programs

Coordinated by the Office of Pioneering now also available on a regional/local basis in many areas of the country.

What is a SITA? Why should you know about SITA programs and deepenings?

For answers to these questions, contact your local Spiritual Assembly or the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette IL 60091 (phone 847-733-3506).

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

Names: Street: I.D. #s: City, State, Zip:

COUNTRIES or LOCALITIES DATES FROM TO MAIN PURPOSE

Comments: [Page 5]

The Four Year Plan

Messages of the Universal House of Justice $1.00 SC (FYP)

This book contains eleven messages from the Universal House of Justice on the Four Year Plan, including the Ridván 1996 message to the Bahá’ís of the world, the eight messages to various regions, the letter dated Dec. 26, 1995, to the Counselors' Conference at the Bahá’í World Center, and the letter dated Dec. 31, 1995, to the Bahá’ís of the world. This collection of messages is being offered by Palabra Publications at the lowest possible price to facilitate widespread study of these messages to lay the groundwork for a proper understanding of the directives of the Universal House of Justice as we formulate our response to the Four Year Plan.

5-1/2"x8-1/2", 112 pp., Index, preface Palabra Publications

My Pilgrimage to Haifa

November 1919 by Bahiyyih Winckler HC $9.95 (MPH)

This is the delightful story of a twelve-year-old Bahá’í’s pilgrimage to Haifa, Israel, in 1919. Relating the spiritual adventure that began when she stepped off the boat in Haifa, she supplements her story with pictures she took with her Brownie box camera, some of which are published here for the first time. Among the memorable experiences described are visits to the shrines of Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb and afternoon teas with the Greatest Holy Leaf, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s sister, from whom the author received priceless gifts and even learned how to make Persian rice. Most significant are the gentle lessons and loving attention of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at mealtimes and during personal vivits. The clarity with which the author has recorded her precious memories makes for a unique story that young and old alike will treasure.

4-1/2"x7", 120 pp., photographs Bahá’í Publishing Trust

SPECIAL PRE-PUBLICATION OFFER!

Messages from the Universal House of Justice The Third Epoch, 1963-1986 $24.95 SC (MUHJ)

A compilation of the major communications from the Universal House of Justice covering the Third Epoch of Bahá’í history. Comprising more than 700 pages, over 450 letters and statements have been collected in this volume. This book is complete with bibliography, glossary, and an index by paragraph number for ease of reference and study. Long awaited, much anticipated, this edition will be available by the end of 1996.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Order before the publication date and receive this long awaited edition at the special pre-publication price of $19.95.

This price represents a $5 savings over the regular post-publication price of $24.95. In addition no shipping charges will be assessed on pre-publication orders, which potentially saves you an additional $2.50 for a combined savings of $7.50!

This book is scheduled for release by the end of 1996 (November), so don't wait. Order now!

Bahá’u’lláh: God's Messenger to Humanity

$3.75/50 PK. PA (BGMH)

More than 350,000 copies of this pamphlet, first published by the National Teaching Committee, were distributed in the first year. Out of print for a short while, it has been reprinted by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust to satisfy the constant demand for this item. Availability at the new low price of 7.5 cents each should continue this pamphlet's popularity as one of the most widely distributed of all time.

8-panel Bahá’í Publishing Trust

The Promised Day is Come

by Shoghi Effendi $3.00 PS (PDCP) BACK IN STOCK!

Shoghi Effendi's letter explaining the reasons for the world's present moral and social chaos and providing assurance that God has not abandoned humanity. Study of this book will help readers understand and explain to others how "the Hand of Providence" is working to fulfill God's purpose for humanity.

7"x4-1/4", 219 pp., Index Bahá’í Publishing Trust

The Purpose of Physical Reality

The Kingdom of Names by John S. Hatcher $9.95 SC (PPR)

A perennial favorite, now back in print with a revised full-color cover, The Purpose of Physical Reality has served as the foremost commentary on the Bahá’í views regarding the material existence in which we all begin our spiritual journey. This book explores why God deems the physical environment appropriate for the beginning of human spiritual evolution and presents a discussion of the physical world as a classroom for gaining spiritual insight and appreciation for God's justice.

5-1/2"x8-1/2", 159+ pp., contents, acknowledgments, bibliography Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Prayers for the Young

$4.95 SC (PY)

A colorfully illustrated collection of 15 prayers of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá suitable for children. Includes prayers for children, healing prayers, short obligatory prayer, and others. For children ages 8-12 (approximately).

4-3/4"x6-7/8", 16 pp., Illustrations Brilliant Books

NEW CHILDREN'S BOOKS!

Brilliant Books is a publishing house in Belgium that produces high-quality books with Bahá’í themes and content for children. This selection of beautiful, four-color books is the latest fruit of its effort. We're certain you'll be pleased with these selections and will await anxiously future titles from this new publisher of Bahá’í books.

Beyond the Rainbow

by Brenda Humphries $5.95 SC (BTR)

Little Justin learns answers to some of the questions about "what happens when I die?" As Justin's mother explains to her son some of the wonders of this aspect of existence, Justin learns not to be afraid or sad. This story can help other parents explore with their children the answers to questions they may have on this topic. For children ages 5-10 (approximately).

9-7/8"x6-3/4", 15 pp., Illustrations Brilliant Books

A Violet and the Garden

by Anne R. Breneman $6.50 SC (VGS)

Miss Iris, Mrs. Snapdragon, Mr. Sunflower and Mr. Violet all find out the true meaning of beauty in this delightful story of diversity. For children ages 5-10 (approximately).

5-3/4"x8-1/4", 32 pp., Illustrations Brilliant Books [Page 6]

Reciting the Verses of God

edited by Shahin Vafai and Dwight Allen $17.95 HC (RVGH), $11.95 SC (RVGS)

This book of daily readings focuses on Bahá’í virtues to help the reader achieve spiritual discipline. The selections are taken exclusively from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and emphasize certain spiritual virtues over a number of days to help reinforce the understanding of the virtue and to focus on its practice. Designed specifically for families, the quotations are short to encourage their use by younger family members. Includes quotes from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and other recently translated writings.

5-1/2"x8-1/2", 390 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, India

To Dine with the Blameless Ethiopians

by Kemba Mazloomian $10.95 SC (TDBE)

This is the inspiring story of a young African-American woman whose travels in southern Africa in the service of the Bahá’í Faith became a journey of unexpected self-discovery. In bringing the healing message of Bahá’u’lláh to a society divided by prejudice, in sharing the wonder of lands so different to her home, and in braving the everyday problems faced by traveling teachers, pioneers, and indigenous believers from many backgrounds, Kemba's engaging voice speaks to the reader as if to a close companion on her adventures. We see how the knowledge Kemba acquired—of the world, and of herself—became a new source of strength and confirmation, and helped her to redefine her sense of identity as a woman, as an African-American, and as a Bahá’í.

5-1/4"x7-1/2", 112 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United Kingdom

Encore

Favourite Music of Jack Lenz various performers $18.00 CD (ECD)

A collection of songs by artists such as Doug Cameron, Nancy Ward, and John Rutledge, all of which were produced by Jack Lenz and chosen by him for inclusion on this album of his favorite projects. This album includes memorable songs like "Mona with the Children," "To the Planters of Trees," and "Let It Be this Generation." An excellent anthology of the best of Jack Lenz's productions.

Live Unity Productions

Oratorio to Bahá’u’lláh

Songs from the Bahá’í World Congress $18.00 CD (OBCD)

For those of you who have waited to purchase the music of the Bahá’í World Congress, here is the chance to have as a separate album all of the music performed as the songs of the Oratorio to Bahá’u’lláh from the first day of the Congress on this one compact disc. Once again relive the emotion and spirit of that wonderful occasion. Recorded in Russia with the Mila Moscow Orchestra and in Canada with the Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra.

Live Unity Productions

The Law of Love Enshrined

Selected Essays by John Hatcher and William Hatcher $21.95 SC (LLE)

This collection of nine provacative essays is organized around the idea that all social enterprises—and all laws regulating them—are really expressions of God's love for human creation. The first four essays present vital doctrinal issues: proofs of the existence of God, and clarification of "The Most Great Infallibility" in relation to the Prophets of God. The next four essays discuss the Kitáb-i-Aqdas as fulfilling ancient prophecy, as enshrining the universal law of love, as promoting the equality of women and men (in spite of apparent gender distinctions), and as presenting a model of penology for future legislation. The collection concludes with the broad perspective of "The Concept of Spirituality", an essay of great personal usefulness and longstanding acclaim.

5-1/2"x8-1/4", 285 pp., bibliography, references and notes George Ronald Publishers

A Short History of the Bahá’í Faith

by Peter Smith $8.95 SC (SHBF)

This book provides a brief yet comprehensive survey of what is now reckoned to be the second most widespread religion in the world. Dr. Smith deftly traces the development of the religion from its origins in the mid-nineteenth century Bábí movement in Iran through to its subsequent global expansion to the West and the "Third World". With brevity and skill he offers an accessable account of the life and teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, the prophet-founder of the Bahá’í Faith, and of His successor ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He also examines some contemporary developments.

5-3/4"x8-3/4", 168 pp., Illustrations, Index, bibliography Oneworld Publications

‘Abdu’l-Bahá in America

Agnes Parsons' Diary edited by Richard Hollinger $24.50 HC (APDH), $19.95 SC (APDS)

Published for the first time! This is the intimate day-by-day account kept by Agnes Parsons of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s stay in Washington, D.C. and in Dublin, New Hampshire, during His journey to America in 1912. Her diary is supplemented here with passages from Mahmud's Diary, taken from new translations corrected by the Bahá’í World Center. Mrs. Parsons kept meticulous notes on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s activities and lectures as He stayed at her house in Washington, and at her summer home in Dublin. She provides us with unique insights into His thoughts and private moments. Now we see the Master with new eyes, as He meets with the notables of Washington society, advises her on the care of her children, and speaks to large gatherings of seekers in her home. Don't miss this opportunity to rediscover ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s wisdom and love!

5-1/2"x8-1/2", 167 pp., Illustrations, bigraphical notes Kalimat Press

Desire of the Heart

Narges $15.95 CD (DHCD), $10.95 CS (DHCS)

East meets West on this recording of Persian songs and chants, based on the writings of the Bahá’í Faith. Narges’ hauntingly beautiful singing is accompanied by western harmonies and arrangements. The result is an ethereal blend of Middle Eastern melodies with violin, cello, piano, organ, bell, and choir sounds, which creates a truly spiritual and mystical atmosphere. Produced by Steven Fischer.

Millennia Records

Sacred Moments

Daily Meditations on the Virtues by Linda Kavelin Popov $14.95 SC (SMS)

Virtues are the gifts within all of us: honesty, generosity, peace, loyalty, trust, and reverence. But how can we cultivate these virtues in our lives day to day? Sacred Moments laces together the wisdom found in the world's religions, personal anecdotes, and quotations from celebrities, philosophers and regular folks to provide a simple tool for daily reflection and meditation.

5"x7-3/8" Virtues Communications

Towards the Most Great Justice

Elements of Justice in the New World Order edited by Charles Lerche $16.95 SC (TMGJ)

The nine essays in this book put justice at the heart of the debate about the new World Order: as a personal quality, in basic social relationships, in national life; and in relations between states. The contributing authors, specialists in the disciplines of international relations, social and economic development, jurisprudence, gender studies, and economics, explore Bahá’u’lláh’s treatment of justice as it applies to relations between the sexes; the restructuring of the international economy along more equitable lines; human rights; and the problems of humanitarian intervention in a global society.

5-1/2"x8-1/2", 212 pp., Introduction, bibliography, notes, references, Index Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United Kingdom

Stories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

by Jacqueline Mehrabi illustrated by Hugh Sean O'Rourke $17.95 HC (SABH), $8.95 SC (SAB)

‘Abdu’l-Bahá was the eldest son of Bahá’u’lláh, Founder of the Bahá’í Faith. He was loved and respected by all who knew Him. Children would gather around Him wherever He went, instinctively recognizing His kindness and noble qualities. The love humor and wisdom of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are beautifully demonstrated in this delightful collection of short stories, which will appeal to children of all ages. This new edition of a longstanding favorite—completely redesigned and with brand new illustrations—launches a new series of books on the members of the holy family for children.

6-1/2"x8", 48 pp., Illustrations Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United Kingdom [Page 7]

Chipper and Friends

Lessons in Virtues: Honesty and Kindness $7.50 CS (CHK) Join Chipper the Racoon and his many furry friends in exciting adventures that also teach valuable lessons. Learning has never been more fun with this combination of songs and narrative that helps illustrate to children the value of virtues. Each story is designed to entertain and to teach virtues in a way that your child can understand. 30 minutes Tree House Productions

The Heart of the Gospel

by George Townshend $11.95 SC (HG) ‘World-history at its core and in its essence,’ wrote George Townshend, ‘is the story of the spiritual evolution of mankind... The Bible makes the tracing of this evolution its own special subject.’ The Heart of the Gospel unfolds this vast perspective and is the fruit of the author’s long study of comparative religion. Using only the text of the Bible, the author provides a new reading of Scripture which is compelling and timely. The Heart of the Gospel is a guide-book for those who seek a universal view of religion and the contemporary world. 4-1/4"x7", 150 pp. George Ronald ‎Publlshers Publishers‎

Meditation

by Wendi Momen $11.95 SC (M) In many places in the Bahá’í writings we are to ‘meditate upon this’, ‘to ponder’, ‘to reflect’. Meditation is one of the six ‘essential requisites for our spiritual growth’. It is one of the purposes of the Bahá’í fast. Through meditation ‘the doors of deeper knowledge and inspiration’ are opened. Such an important feature of life surely merits its development. However, many of us do not know what meditation is or how to go about it. This book uses the Bahá’í scriptures as the focus for meditation. It briefly describes a number of techniques and practices that one might employ to develop this faculty and provides verses from the Bahá’í writings upon which to meditate. 4-1/4"x7", 138 pp., bibliography George Ronald ‎Publlshers Publishers‎

The Prosperity of Humankind, Persian Translation

a statement by the Bahá’í International Community $1.95 PA (PPH) Recently translated into Persian, this statement released by the Office of Public Information at the request of the Universal House of Justice, The Prosperity of Humankind, discusses the concept of global prosperity in the context of the Bahá’í teachings. Unity, justice, consultation, education and spirituality are set forth as integral aspects of the process of achieving lasting spiritual and material well-being among all humankind. The Universal House of Justice hopes that this statement will “foster understanding of this important topic among members of your communities and thus vitalize their contribution to the constructive social processes at work throughout the planet.” 8-1/2"x11", 23 pp. Office of ‎Perslan Persian‎ Affairs

The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book (Arabic/Persian)

by Bahá’u’lláh $30.00 HC (PKA) The Universal House of Justice announces with great pleasure that this Arabic and Persian edition of The Most Holy Book is now available. The text of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas itself remains in Arabic. This has been written by a skilled calligrapher in Naskh script and appropriately illuminated. The other sacred writings comprised in the volume will be in the original language, Arabic or Persian, while the introduction, notes and other supplementary material of the English edition have been translated into Persian. 6-1/2"x8-1/2", 269 pp. World Centre ‎Publlcations Publications‎

THE BAHÁ’Í WRITINGS ON CD ROM!

Refer: MARS CD ROM $99.00 SW (MCDR) Refer: MARS CD ROM (Upgrade) $49.00 SW (MCDRU) Instantly access nearly all of the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi. Search the entire database or any combination of books, for any word or combination of words. Then copy the passage to the Windows clipboard, to your printer or to a file. Works in DOS, Windows 3.1 and Windows 95. Owners of the floppy version of MARS should purchase the MARS CD ROM Upgrade. All floppy disk versions of REFER are sold separately. Crimson ‎Publlcations Publications‎

The Hidden Words

by Bahá’u’lláh SC $1.50 (HWA) This handsome edition of The Hidden Words has been printed with a four color cover and two color text on a sturdy paper stock and burst bound for lasting quality. Designed and priced especially for use in teaching, copies may be purchased in bulk at $1.25 for 10 or more copies and at $1.10 for 50 or more copies. Local Spiritual Assemblies will receive an extra 10% discount in addition to these prices. 3-1/8"x4-3/4", 80 pp. Bahá’í ‎Publlcations Publications‎ Australia

The Style of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas

Aspects of the Sublime by Suheil Bushrui $16.00 HC (SKA) Professor Bushrui comments on the sublime style of the original text of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas - the Most Holy Book of the Bahá’í Faith - and attempts to convey to the non-Arabic speaking reader the distinguishing characteristics of a book which, according to Bushrui, is “‎niether neither‎ poetry nor rhymed prose but makes free use of both”, a book wherein the “richest and subtlest of meanings are conveyed in the briefest forms” and “vivid use is made of similes, metaphors, metonymy, and other linguistic embellishments and conceits”. 6-1/4"x9-1/4", 74pp. University Press of Maryland

REFER: Lights of Guidance

$30.00 SW (RLG) One of the most popular reference books for topical searches on a wide range of subjects and issues related to the Bahá’í Faith is now available as part of the REFER line of search-and-retrieve software. Be sure to take advantage of this powerful tool for deepening and researching the writings. Refer runs on MS-DOS or PC-DOS versions 3.1 or above, and requires a ‎mimimum minimum‎ of 256k RAM. Crimson ‎Publlcations Publications‎

The Life and Poetry of Táhirih

$10.95 CS (TC) This is the second in the series of tapes on “Great Bahá’í Poets”. This tape features the life and works of the foremost woman of the Bábí dispensation, Táhirih. The narration and chanting is performed by Shokouh Rezai with musical accompaniments that feature the tar, violin and tonbak. Live Unity Productions

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How Much Do You Know About Brilliant Star?

Take our Super Star Quiz and find out.

Check one answer for each question. Answers at bottom of page.

1. Brilliant Star is a publication of the ☐ a. British Astronomical Society ☐ b. a small group of dedicated Bahá’ís ☐ c. National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S. ☐ d. a select group of very intelligent children

2. Brilliant Star can only be used by ☐ a. children ages 1-5 ☐ b. children ages 6-12 ☐ c. all children, youth, and adults ☐ d. just youth

3. Brilliant Star’s activities are intended for ☐ a. teaching projects ☐ b. firesides ☐ c. Holy Day events ☐ d. Nineteen-Day Feasts ☐ e. children’s classes ☐ f. family and community events ☐ g. all of the above

4. Brilliant Star is only written by ☐ a. paid staff members ☐ b. people of all ages who love children ☐ c. youth from many countries ☐ d. creative children’s class teachers in Ohio ☐ e. children in their Bahá’í classes

5. Brilliant Star is used for deepening by ☐ a. young children at home with parents ☐ b. Bahá’í school classes ☐ c. youth workshops ☐ d. National Spiritual Assembly members ☐ e. scholarly researchers ☐ f. adults whose second language is English ☐ g. all of the above

6. Brilliant Star is funded by ☐ a. subscriptions ☐ b. advertising ☐ c. National Bahá’í Fund ☐ d. 50% sales and 50% National Bahá’í Fund ☐ e. large estate donations

7. Brilliant Star can be purchased from ☐ a. Bahá’í Subscriber Service ☐ b. Bahá’í Distribution Service ☐ c. Bahá’í school and community bookstores ☐ d. all of the above

Order Now! Use the form on this page to start a subscription, or call BDS at 800-999-9019 to order back issues.

from the pages of Brilliant Star.

Restore the Balance

by Meg Anderson

You can use the Sacred Writings like a scale. Read them to measure the truth in any matter. The Sacred Writings will even help you solve this puzzle.

Find the missing word in each verse. Write the word on the matching number.

“In the future there will be no very rich nor extremely poor. There will be an (1) .” — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 132

Count the total number of letters on each side of the bookmark. The bookmark is in a special place with an equal number of letters on each side of it. This place is called:

THE CENTER OF ____________________ ^{(the word on the bookmark)}

“The Book itself is the unerring balance established amongst men.” — Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 198

Reprinted from Brilliant Star, March-April 1996

“Bahá’ís should seek to be many-sided, normal and well balanced, (2) and spiritually.” — Shoghi Effendi, The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. 2, p. 369

“Preserve the (3) balance this earth was given by its Creator.” — Universal House of Justice, The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. 1, p. 85

“The canopy of world order is upraised upon the two pillars of (4) and punishment.” — Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 126

“ (5) reveals a lack of balance in the human organism.” — Shoghi Effendi, The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. 1, p. 478

“The (6) and feminine elements of civilization will be more evenly balanced.” — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. 2, p. 372

“God made religion and (7) to be the measure, as it were, of our understanding . . . Weigh all things in this balance.” — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Paris Talks, p. 145

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 847-251-1854, Ext. 11

Answers to Star Quiz: 1-c, 2-c, 3-g, 4-b, 5-g, 6-d, 7-d. [Page 9]

TOTAL ENROLLMENTS

May: 118 Year to date: 118

THE FUND

(As of April 30, 1996—estimated)

National Bahá’í Fund: YTD Goal $12,500,000 | YTD Actual $11,090,562 All International Funds: YTD Goal $25,200,000 | YTD Actual $23,492,587

thru Apr 95 | thru Apr 96 National Bahá’í Fund: $10,436,802 | $11,090,562 International Bahá’í Fund: $565,591 | $1,369,382 Arc Projects Fund: $6,516,649 | $21,409,102 Continental Bahá’í Fund: $228,038 | $251,608 Other Earmarked: $360,342 | $462,495 Subtotal/Int’l Funds: $7,670,620 | $23,492,587 Total/All Funds: $18,107,422 | $34,583,149

National Bahá’í Fund: Goal & Actual Where we are: $11,090,562 Where we need to be: $12,500,000

All International Funds: Goal & Actual Where we are: $23,492,587 Where we need to be: $25,200,000

Arc Projects Fund Where we are: $21,409,102 Where we were last year: $6,516,649

International Bahá’í Fund Where we are: $1,369,382 Where we were last year: $565,591

Continental Bahá’í Fund Where we are: $251,608 Where we were last year: $228,038

Tacoma sets Arc Fund goal high, wins it with last-minute help from Counselor

Yes, it's possible to raise a sacrificial sum of money for the Arc Projects while continuing to support the National Bahá’í Fund and the local teaching work. Just ask the friends in Tacoma, Washington.

Although the community had never before had an annual budget higher than $11,000, the local Spiritual Assembly set a goal of three units $27,000 for the Arc during the final year of the Three Year Plan.

And this was to be accomplished during what turned out to be the community's most active teaching year ever, with far higher expenses than anticipated.

The friends moved forward on the goal as the year wore on, with some surprisingly large donations. But as they entered the final month they were several thousand dollars short.

Then came word that Counselor Jacqueline Left Hand Bull would donate two items to the local Fund. It was she who a year before had gently urged the community to set its sights high.

Now the Counselor was bestowing on them the beautiful Lakota moccasins she had worn to the Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh in Israel. In these moccasins she had climbed the Stairway of the Kings to honor the chiefs among her ancestors.

Counselor Left Hand Bull also sent Tacoma a man's Bahá’í ring in gold with jade stone that had been spontaneously donated to the Arc Projects Fund through the Counselor.

The Assembly decided to take bids during the Feast of Jamál on the ring and moccasins, and when Feast was over would accept the high bid. That also would be the deadline to meet the community's Arc goal.

The Feast was held in a Cambodian-American household, with the friends of diverse backgrounds seated on large smooth woven mats. On the floor in the center was an enormous glass piggy bank dubbed the Hungry Hog.

People immediately began "feeding" the Hungry Hog, but $2,200 still was needed. With an hour to go bids on the two items had reached $1,100—halfway to the goal.

Then it happened. The moccasins and rings sold for a combined total of more than $3,000, putting the community above its goal. The friends yelled, clapped, sang, wept, danced and laughed.

Then they ate some more, traded hugs and went home, promising to meet the next day for the community's Ninth Day of Ridván dinner.

Despite illness, unemployment Bahá’í redeems pledge to Arc

One of the Bahá’ís in Michigan decided to make an ambitious pledge for the Arc. She didn't know at the outset how she would fulfill the pledge, but prayed that Bahá’u’lláh would bless her effort with the means to do so.

Based on her four years' experience as a Bahá’í, she knew she had to do something, and perhaps the Blessed Beauty would help her achieve her goal.

It seemed, though, as if He would have his work cut out: this dear friend had only recently arrived in her new community, was unemployed, and had just undergone major surgery for cancer. As if that weren't enough, she had recently been injured in an auto accident.

Then the surgeon decided to donate his time, and went to bat to get Social Security coverage for her (the case would probably have been turned down otherwise).

By the time April 30 rolled around, not only was this believer's health on the mend but her pledge to the Arc had been fully redeemed!

The National Treasury: frequently asked questions

Here are some of the questions that the friends asked most last year. They were collected and handed out to the delegates and visitors at the last Convention, and we thought you might like to see them too.

• What role did youth play in giving? A major one! In 150 BE, 447 youth between the ages of 14 and 26 gave via the Bahá’í National Center; by 152 BE, that number had nearly doubled, to 872. The greatest increase both in participation and in dollars offered was in the 18-21 age group, where the number of givers almost tripled!

• What other statistics do we have about giving this year? Here are a few, based on contributions to all Funds: Number of individual contributors via the National Center—12,200 Number of Assembly contributors—1,083* Average individual contributions for the year—$2,100 Average Assembly contributions for the year—$9,200 Contribution range/individuals—$0.11-$1,100,000+ Contribution range/Assemblies—$0-$250,000+

• What was the problem with my February contribution summary for '95? Because there were mistakes on it, I couldn't file my taxes as early as I would have liked. The Office of the Treasurer sent more than 12,000 contribution summaries last February. The summary is not a tax-filing requirement; the required document is the receipt issued at the time each contribution is made.

The summaries were sent for two reasons: first, as a convenience to the friends in case some of the individual receipts had been misplaced, and second, as an accuracy check. Two friends processed nearly 140,000 contribution transactions last year. There would naturally be some percentage of mistakes, and we wanted to enlist the believers' aid in tracking those down and correcting them.

The number of inquiries was about 250 (less than 2 percent of all transactions), and the number of actual errors on the books of the National Spiritual Assembly was less than that.

• Our Assembly got a letter saying we had not made our local contribution goal for the Bahá’í National Fund last year, but our records show we did. What happened? The goal letter, also sent in February to local Spiritual Assemblies, included comparison information for the previous year. We mistakenly did not specify that the comparison was February to February; the previous-year figure was not for the full year, as this would not have been a useful yardstick for seeing whether giving this year was up or down.

• Whatever became of the local goal program, anyway? This program began in October 1990 when suggested goal amounts were sent to a core of about 750 of the most active local Spiritual Assemblies. The program was a key factor in the 38 percent contribution increase registered that year. Even more important, a whole new level of dialogue between local and national institutions emerged.

Goals were suggested to all local Assemblies in 1991-92, with input from Auxiliary Board members in 1992. Then, in 1993-94, the National Spiritual Assembly determined to ask local Spiritual Assemblies to set their own goals. That approach worked well the first year, not as well in the second, and last year, by the end of the first quarter, only about 200 local Spiritual Assemblies had advised the National Spiritual Assembly of their commitments. Indeed, by the end of the year only 55 percent of Assemblies had apprised the Office of the Treasurer of their goals.

Such a low response raises the question whether asking local bodies to set their own goals was the See QUESTIONS page 27 [Page 10]

Wings

tence to make her husband realize that he was not fully listening to her when she talked.

Because both men and women have bought into the system, Mr. Guillebeaux agreed, it "works" to a degree. But how much better it would work if the qualities the Bahá’í writings say women bring to the table—moral courage, intuition, consensus-building—are equally valued.

And how grave will be the consequences—spiritually, mentally and physically—if they continue not to be valued, he said.

What is the way out? The Guillebeauxs said people of both sexes need to give themselves permission to exercise atrophied muscles.

For men, that means cultivating such qualities as gentility and sensitivity, and sublimating the feeling that it's their responsibility to "fix" everything, said Mr. Guillebeaux.

Men also need to recognize the difference between the intent of their behavior and the impact it has, he said. And they need to stop being defensive.

For women, it means redefining themselves according to how God sees them, then exhibiting those qualities and capabilities, said Mrs. Guillebeaux. She also urged women to attack sexism, not men. Men have suffered, too, albeit in a different way.

In conclusion, the Guillebeauxs observed that possessing the latest divine guidance is not enough. Personal transformation is required, even if such change is painful.

The conference formally opened the next morning with an invitation for participants to use the weekend to demonstrate the richness and depth of their commitment to gender equality.

Such an effort, said Mahyar Mofidi, a member of the organizing committee, will lead not only to tangible progress but also attract divine confirmations and signal to the Bahá’í and outside worlds that "we mean business."

It's easy to accept the principle of equality on an intellectual level, he said. It's harder to translate that belief into actions in all spheres of life. In this our spirits and attitudes are critical, along with our willingness to engage in honest and frank expression.

Dr. Mofidi said the weekend's plenary sessions would set the stage, but that the workshops would be where change begins.

Participants also were welcomed by Jahangir Cyrus, Auxiliary Board member for protection, who conveyed a plea from Counselor Tod Ewing that the issues of gender and racial equality not be seen as in conflict but rather as bound together.

Counselor Ewing, in his letter to the conference, urged male participants to "own" the gender issue by recognizing the greatness God has conferred upon women, examining their personal attitudes of superiority, and doing everything possible to help bring out the qualities in women that we as individuals and as a society need.

The progression from vision to commitment to action got under way with a plenary session setting up morning and afternoon workshops on aspects of finding our vision.

Hoda Mahmoudi, associate professor of sociology at California Lutheran University, described vision as a way out of what we have created on this planet. What the world has become, she said, is not what it has the potential to be.

Unfortunately, people expend more energy on division than on cooperation, she said. We have forgotten how to connect with a person's essence rather than the image expected by society, making it difficult to find points of unity.

Fortunately, the Bahá’í writings are replete with wonderful guidance, said Dr. Mahmoudi. What is missing is the regular study of those writings needed to put them into action to make a difference.

She reminded participants that gender equality and the advancement of society go together, since the qualities of moral courage and ability to govern in times of crisis are critical to attaining peace. Creating the culture for peace, she said, starts with equal education and opportunity and equal representation in all spheres of society.

Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly....

Gender Equality Bahá’í Writings

Members of the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Youth Workshop perform a dance for equality of women and men. In the dance, the male and female finally take off their blinders and see each other as he or she truly is. (Photo by Tom Mennillo)

The current direction of society is one in which those who debate are valued over those who nurture, she said. But what women are seeking is a holistic model that instead values service, kindness, lack of rank, inclusivity, tolerance of diversity, equality and justice. And first we must believe it in our hearts, not minds.

Michael L. Penn, a clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at Franklin and Marshall College, continued in the same vein.

He noted that in this day God wants to bring about a new civilization. To do this people must arise, break the bonds of nature, and take on roles of the spirit.

This is difficult for men, said Dr. Penn, because of a lifetime of classic conditioning and reflex. Only spiritual force can subdue natural force; human force can't do it.

He cited sexual arousal and aggression as two natural forces men have to control, but not repress. And he called prayer and meditation the keys to gaining that control.

With that preparation, attendees chose two workshops that day from a list that included such topics as "Inner Life and Private Character: The Role of Self-Mastery in the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence"; "Women and their Health: Issues, Challenges and Strategies"; "Listening and Speaking: Releasing the Fetters That Bind Us"; "Women, Science and Peace"; "Equality, Peace and Child Rearing"; "Development, Education and Training of Women and Girls"; and "Hierarchy, Equity and Unity in the Bahá’í Family."

The next morning they were back for more, this time focusing on commitment—the rudder or compass that keeps us on course.

And no better examples of commitment could they have had than Táhirih and Bahíyyih Khánum, the women most honored in the Bábí and Bahá’í dispensations.

Author Constance M. Chen described Táhirih as the symbol of the Báb’s mission to dramatically break with the past, even among His followers.

And as the present age began, Bahíyyih Khánum was there with her qualities of humility, service and devotion to model how to continue into the future, in sharp contrast to the strident voices that claim leadership on women's issues in this society, said Ms. Chen.

From there, author Phyllis Peterson turned attention to how women can reach their potential today. She identified such themes as the powers of identity, utterance and choice. Wrapped up in each one, she said, are the realms of possibility, capability and intention.

Identity, she said, means acting as your true self, knowing who you are and what you value. This internal intention, the opposite of fulfilling an externally assigned role, is developed through prayer, reflection, and meeting with other women.

The latter, a form of self-disclosure, is a process of becoming more aware through utterance.

Then comes choice, made without fear of judgment, so a woman can develop gifts that are singularly unique. Mrs. Peterson said choice allows a woman to be relaxed in her current role, or even multiple roles, while developing those gifts.

The role of men was next up. Psychologist Michael Rogell noted that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá laid out a new path for men to tread, but said they're often uncomfortable with its requirements because they approach it from their zero-sum mentality of win-lose, hierarchy, status, competition, adversarial action and force.

But it's important to remember that the Master was not talking about men and women, but rather the masculine and feminine qualities, said Dr. Rogell. This creates an opportunity for men to develop a side they haven't been able to before.

What followed were several workshops designed to explore and deepen commitment. Two of them, "Gathering Ourselves: Toward Collective Connectedness of Women" and "Men and Equality: Working Inside Out," were for women and men, respectively, to work out their paths.

Other workshop topics were "Feelings as Messengers: Harmonizing the Thinking and Feeling Dichotomoy Within Us"; "Staying in the Spirit: Healing the Wounds of Internalized Oppression and Sexism"; "The Roles of Women and Men in Decision Making, Leadership and Peace"; and "Leading by Example: What the Bahá’í Institutions Can Do to Implement Equality."

The Louisville-area Bahá’í community's own commitment was demonstrated that night at the 13th annual Bahá’í Peace Awards program, whose theme this year was "Gender Equality: Balancing the Flight [Page 11]

GENDER EQUALITY

to Peace."

The diverse audience of Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís shared perspectives and, just as important, got to know each other over dinner before being welcomed by Carol Grady Mansour, a Nashville, Tennessee, Bahá’í well-known to Louisville residents from her days as a television news anchor there.

The local choral ensemble Coterie sang beautifully, delighting the Bahá’ís in the audience with renditions of three compositions by Bahá’í composers. Another song, "Down By the Riverside," received divine confirmation when a tremendous thunderclap greeted the lyrics "ain't gonna study war no more."

Keynote speaker Juana C. Conrad, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, painted a word picture of courageous feminists of both sexes who have worked tirelessly throughout our country's history to advance the status of women. And she introduced the non-Bahá’ís to Táhirih, whose inspiration has never waned despite her killers' belief they had silenced her.

The Bahá’í writings, said Mrs. Conrad, put the responsibility for gender equality squarely on the shoulders of both women and men and clearly make it a prerequisite to world peace. But the customs and traditions that maintain inequality will not lose their hold just because laws are enacted or more women enter the public arena, she said. Only a long, painful process of changing our attitudes will do that. Women and men must become true partners contributing their own strengths and balance.

She offered the plan of action drawn up at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, as a strategy for pinpointing problems and taking action. It calls for an end to violence against women, protection for and valuing of girls, equal education, better health care for women, shared family responsibilities, women's right to control their own fertility, and equal access to the decision-making process.

In this, she said, men have a critical role to play. They must educate themselves about the realities of inequality, speak out wherever possible, and move toward change.

Concluding, Mrs. Conrad called on her brothers and sisters to support, empower and encourage each other as we prepare to enter a century that has the potential to bring about lasting peace and prosperity.

The program honored three individuals or organizations that do just that. This year the Bahá’í peace awards went to Keith A. Hedgespeth, a teacher at Fairdale High School; Leah J. Dickstein of the University of Louisville; and the Kentucky Commission on Women.

Closing the program, Mrs. Mansour warned that sexism, like racism, can become "so much background music." The answer, she said, is to "retune our antennae" and become more sensitive to the bias around us.

This focus on action carried through to the final morning of the conference.

Consultant Rebequa Murphy used the Bahá’í International Community as a premier example of how to bring people and nations together. Through its publications and activities, she said, the BIC has a dual function: to articulate for Bahá’ís the vision of world order and to interface with leaders of thought in the wider society.

Individuals and even governments are yearning for peace, she said. Few responses were expected when leaders coming to the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro were asked to bring with them samples of soil from their lands. But the nations responded with such love, she said, contributing samples from their most revered sites.

Turning to gender issues, Mrs. Murphy said the Bahá’í writings, unlike those of previous dispensations, are explicit about the equality of women and men. Our job, then, is to conform our thoughts and actions to that guidance—without ever losing our dignity or spirit.

A shining example of that spirit was demonstrated at the Fourth World Conference on Women, she said. The friends who took part decided to distinguish Bahá’í participation by dedicating their efforts to the Greatest Holy Leaf. Thus, they went as servants to humanity, doing what needed to be done, whether it was cleaning tents or distributing the conference newspaper.

What can Bahá’ís do at the local level? First, said Mrs. Murphy, they must ensure involvement by men. Then they must look for opportunities: donate publications to women's studies and international studies departments; interface with civic and interfaith organizations; put Bahá’í college clubs in the forefront of issue discussions.

Next up was Virginia Woodward, executive director of the Kentucky Commission on Women. Animated by the knowledge that women hold only 8 percent of government posts in the state, the commission has worked tirelessly to educate residents about the contributions women have made in Kentucky history and the value of having women's voices be heard in shaping its future.

The commission puts on a women's history conference, works with the schools, supports Take Your Daughter to School Day, has raised awareness of the need for pay equity, and works for gender balance on state boards and commissions.

Another grassroots initiative that grows and grows is the Sister to Sister project, begun after the second Bahá’í World Congress by African-American Bahá’í women who had felt isolated in their communities.

They decided to gather in Albany, Oregon, to talk about their unique problems. In the meantime, Counselor Wilma Ellís passed along a letter from a pioneer in southern Africa. The pioneer pleaded for Bahá’í women of African ancestry to connect with their sisters on the mother continent and help awaken them to their potential.

Thus began a series of trips to Africa in which the American Bahá’ís serve and teach their sisters, but also learn from them. The project has been encouraged by the Universal House of Justice and sanctioned by other institutions of the Faith, but needs the material support of fellow Bahá’ís to be sustaining.

The role of Bahá’í youth in gender equality was addressed in talks by Tannaz Grant and Eric Dozier.

Ms. Grant, a manufacturing engineer for Ford Motor Co., asserted that youth are at the forefront, challenging the community, entering professions and laying foundations for healthy marriages and friendships.

She urged male youth to unwaveringly commit to equality, recognize the important contribution they can make to the issue, examine their own beliefs, correct any negative behaviors, build trust with women, and, finally, master their impatience with any lack of responsiveness to their efforts.

To the rest of the audience, she addressed this plea: involve the youth in all efforts toward achieving gender equality.

Mr. Dozier, a mentor specialist for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, noted that the Bahá’í writings bind his struggle as a black person to that of women, and he said only through a superior power—the love of God, the breath of the Holy Spirit—can we overcome our prejudices.

He called sexism a deficiency in his soul that can't simply be meditated upon by reading the works of social scientists. Instead, he said, we must promote true education and blend human hearts. It is a privilege, he declared, to strive and struggle with his sisters.

Mrs. Conrad closed the conference by referring participants to the challenges of the Four Year Plan. Ponder every word of the Ridván letters and align our actions to our beliefs, she urged. The Universal House of Justice calls on us to join it in mobilizing efforts to provide a lasting legacy: a significant advance in the process of entry by troops through a marked development on the individual, institutional and community levels.

She noted that the meeting of the Continental Board of Counselors and the National Spiritual Assembly produced a vision for the first year of the Plan to double the number of active and knowledgeable teachers and administrators of the Faith.

Powerful forces are at work in the hearts of people, she said, and there is no doubt this process will quicken the souls of a multitude of people from all backgrounds.

Did this conference contribute to that process? To Dr. Mofidi, it rightfully will be labeled a success if participants share the animating forces of the conference with their communities and infuse them with the same spirit.

He noted that the conference was born of a passion for justice. It will take this much effort and more, he said, to fulfill God's commandment. How else, he asked, are we to bring about transformation? And if we do any less, how will we be able to answer when Bahá’u’lláh asks: "What did you do for me?"

The conference had its share of lighter moments. Above, couples learn a step in which one partner theatrically begs to be chosen for the next dance. Below, the dance ensues. (Photos by Tom Mennillo) [Page 12]RAY TAFT, a Bahá’í from San Mateo, California, has been inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Mr. Taft, a competitive swimmer, coach and teacher almost all his life, has won 28 national championships and set more than 63 national records since turning 70. Since entering the Masters swimming competition in 1972, he has established more than 51 world records in the 65, 70 and 75 year age groups and won 28 gold, four silver and two bronze medals at the Masters World Championships in New Zealand (1984), Japan (1986), Australia (1988), Indianapolis (1992) and Montreal (1994).

ZUHAIR DALLAL, a Bahá’í from University Place, Washington (west of Tacoma), has been named one of 178 track and field officials for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. Mr. Zumair, a nationally certified track and field official since 1989, will judge the high-jump competition, as he did in June at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

MICHAEL FITZGERALD, a Bahá’í from Winchester, Virginia, will receive his second Pulitzer Prize nomination this year, becoming one of the few people ever to be nominated in poetry and non-fiction. He received a Pulitzer nomination in poetry for his book-length poem, "New World Suite," and this year is to be recognized in non-fiction for his book of aphorisms, At a Glance.

Anne Jennison

ANNE JENNISON, a Bahá’í from Lee, New Hampshire, has won a 1996 Honor Award from "Storytelling World" magazine for her storytelling tape, "Hummingbird: Native American Stories." Mrs. Jennison recently earned an M.A. in Bahá’í Storytelling from Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where her thesis was entitled "The Spoken Word: Bahá’í Storytelling."

DONALD STREETS, a Bahá’í from Scottsdale, Arizona, who is principal of Lindbergh Elementary School in Mesa, was nominated by students and faculty at the school as a "hero" who should carry the Olympic torch in Phoenix during its 10,000-mile journey from Los Angeles to Atlanta, site of the 1996 Summer Games. Mr. Streets carried the torch for a three-minute run through downtown Phoenix on April 30.

STEVEN KING, a Bahá’í from the Seattle, Washington, area recently released his third solo guitar Compact Disc, "Original Fling," which features mostly his original compositions. Mr. King, a nationally known guitarist, dedicated every possible space in the album notes (two full pages) to excerpts from the Bahá’í Writings.

MOHI SOBHANI, a Bahá’í from Encino, California, who is employed at Hughes Aircraft, has won the 1995 EOS Patent Award from Electro-Optical Systems for his work in the science/engineering field. Mr. Sobhani received the award in January from the president of Hughes Aircraft, and the "Wall of Fame" in the company's main lobby will include Mr. Sobhani's name as recipient of the 1995 award.

AMALIA SMITH, an 18-year-old Bahá’í from Ames, Iowa, is the first recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Award presented by Ames High School's Human Relations Committee to a student whose devotion to others has made a difference at the school. Miss Smith, an honor roll student who was graduated this year, was actively involved in Youth and Shelter Services, the Richmond Center, Senior Girls Club and Human Relations Committee, and helped organize last year's Unity Day observance (which included a workshop on "The Bahá’í Faith").

FARAH NIEUWENHUIZEN, a Bahá’í who is an art teacher at Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri, was named by this year's senior class as one of the school's "most influential teachers." Ten teachers from a faculty of about 200 are chosen to receive the honor, and are invited by the senior class to attend the graduation ceremonies as their special guests.

Steven King

Two young Bahá’ís, DAVID LANDRY of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and NABIL ISAAC WAYNE GUFFEY of Mechanicsville, Maryland, have earned Scouting's highest honor, the rank of Eagle Scout, achieved by only about two percent of those who enter the Boy Scouts of America program. David's Eagle Scout project was carried out in Mali, where the family was pioneering. He planned and supervised the renovation of the Bahá’í Center in Bamako, doing much of the work himself. Nabil, who like David is an honor student, undertook a highway beautification project along the highway in front of the Methodist church that sponsors his Scout troop.

JEREMY BEARD, a Bahá’í from Longview, Washington, is one of 1,500 high school students in the U.S. to be named semifinalists in the 1995 National Merit Scholarship competition for black students. About 100,000 black students across the country took the NMS test, competing separately from the scholarship program open to all students. The 800 scholarships, worth nearly $3 million, will be awarded next spring.

Pictured at the 'Citizen Award' ceremony sponsored in February by the Spiritual Assembly of Centreville, Virginia, are (front row left to right) Dr. Ali Tavangar of the Spiritual Assembly of Centreville; award recipients Frances Blair and John Lewis; Shirley O. Nelson of the Chantilly Pyramid Student Achievement Committee; Mrs. Roha Tavangar of the Bahá’í community of Centreville; and (back row left to right) John Stipicevic of the Stone Middle School Human Relations Committee; master of ceremonies Dean Mohr of Montgomery County, Maryland; and Pamela Y. Latt, principal of Centreville High School.

Bahá’ís in Centreville, Virginia, observe Black History Month with 'Citizen Awards'

To coincide with the celebration of Black History Month in February, the Spiritual Assembly of Centreville, Virginia, presented its "Citizen Awards" to a teacher at Centreville High School and a custodian at Stone Middle School.

Family members and friends joined the Bahá’ís in honoring the recipients during a ceremony February 18 at the Centreville Regional Library.

Teacher Frances Blair was recognized for her involvement in a number of civic and social organizations including STEP (Saturday Toward Excellence Program), the Sulley District Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities, the Fairfax County School Health Committee, and the Metropolitan Area Youth Select Soccer League.

Custodian John Lewis was singled out for his work with the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Program and Teen Center, among others.

Each recipient was given a framed certificate, flowers and books including copies of The Hidden Words and the National Spiritual Assembly's statement on race unity.

Dade County Bahá’ís celebrate grand opening of new Center

On March 20 the Bahá’ís of Dade County, Florida, celebrated the grand opening of the new Bahá’í Center of Dade County, the first Center in the Miami area.

About 100 people took part in the celebration whose main speaker was Jack McCants, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Mr. McCants reminded the friends that the foundation for the Center was laid over the years by those in the early Bahá’í community, especially such steadfast servants as George Savitt and Toby Emanuel.

He then repeated the words of the Universal House of Justice that "the next four years will be the most important years of your life."

Afterward, Marleine Bastien, a Bahá’í of Haitian background, led everyone in singing Bahá’í songs in French, Spanish and English.

The Center represents an important step forward for the Faith in Dade County and south Florida, following by less than a year the opening of the Bahá’í Center of Broward County (Ft. Lauderdale area).

The Center was conceived and planned by the Bahá’ís of Central Dade County with participation and financial support from all Bahá’í communities in the county and from neighboring Broward and Monroe counties.

Included in the Center are a main meeting room, a furnished children's room, a reception/food service area, a library and an office.

Besides being used for Feasts, firesides, Assembly meetings, children's classes, Holy Day observances and other special events, the Center will be geared toward fostering teaching activities throughout the area.

Dr. Chue Chang of San Diego, California, a Bahá’í of Hmong descent, was appointed in April as this year's president of Hmong National Development Inc., a non-profit organization formed to help and work with Hmong communities, refugee mutual assistance associations, and private and public agencies in the U.S. to promote educational excellence, employment opportunities, social and economic resource development, and cultural adaptability, vital elements in the well-being, growth and full participation of the more than 400,000 Hmong newcomers to this country. [Page 13]

NATIONAL CONVENTION

The exhibition area was a popular place for convention-goers to learn about the work of National Spiritual Assembly offices and agencies. And, of course, to renew acquaintances with friends from throughout the country.

Counselor David Smith (right) added much to delegates’ and visitors’ understanding of the challenges ahead in the Four Year Plan. He spoke at the delegates’ deepening, during convention sessions, and with the youth.

A look back AT THE 87th National Bahá’í Convention

Lauretta Voelz, who recently retired after 49 years in the Office of the Treasurer at the Bahá’í National Center, delighted everyone with her stories of the people and events she encountered in her stellar career. Secretary-General Robert C. Henderson leads the appreciation of her services.

Edward Peace (right) of Buffalo, New York, shows off perhaps a future National Convention delegate during a break in sessions.

Photos by Tom Mennillo

Tapestry belts out another high-spirited number. The Seattle-area group performed several times during the convention.

Presenter Michael Hampton reaches into his pocket for a piece of candy to reward input during his workshop session for convention visitors. [Page 14]

HONOR ROLL

Community honor roll: 152 B.E.

We are delighted to publish the Community Honor Roll for 152 B.E. This year the list of local Spiritual Assemblies and registered Groups showing exemplary patterns of giving to the Bahá’í National Fund includes 817 Assemblies and 213 Groups, up from last year's 772 and 189. Over-all, more than 1,500 Assemblies and Groups contributed to the Fund during the year. Those whose names appear below have distinguished themselves by the diligence and care they have displayed in support of the National Spiritual Assembly.

The criteria for being listed on the Honor Roll are the same as last year. To be eligible, a community must either give 15 times or more during at least 12 of 19 months of the Bahá’í year, or a community must take part in the Automatic Contribution System for at least 10 of 12 Gregorian months between March 1995 and February 1996. Communities whose combined contributions by mail and through the Automatic Contribution System fulfill either criterion are also included.

Regularity, consistency, reliability and responsibility—all hallmarks of maturity—characterize these communities' material expressions of unified action. That the total number of communities contributing to the National Bahá’í Fund continues to grow each year is heartwarming evidence that we are making steady progress toward the Lesser Peace.

ALABAMA

Unit 70—Fairhope, Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa.

Unit 71—Birmingham, Florence, Homewood, Huntsville, Jasper, Jefferson County, Madison.

ARIZONA

Unit 119—Cochise County Southwest, Oro Valley, Pima County Central, Pima County East, Pima County South, Sierra Vista, Tucson.

Unit 120—Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa.

Unit 121—Phoenix.

Unit 122—Avondale, Glendale, Sun City.

Unit 123—Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Tempe.

Unit 124—Chino Valley, Clarkdale, Coconino East, Dewey, Flagstaff, Holbrook, Prescott, Rural Verde Valley, Sedona.

Unit 125—Ganado Chapter.

ARKANSAS

Unit 91—Little Rock, Russellville.

Unit 104—Fayetteville, Rogers.

CALIFORNIA

Unit 132—Chula Vista, El Cajon, El Cajon Judicial District, La Mesa, Lakeside, Lemon Grove, Santee, Spring Valley.

Unit 133—San Diego.

Unit 134—Encinitas, Escondido, Fallbrook San Diego, Oceanside, Poway, San Diego Co. North JD, San Marcos, Solana Beach, Vista.

Unit 135—Apple Valley, Hemet, Moreno Valley, Mt. San Jacinto JD, Murrieta, Norco, Palm Springs, Redlands, Riverside, Riverside JD, San Bernardino, San Bernardino MCD, Temecula, Three Lakes JD, Victorville.

Unit 136—Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Orange County South JD, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano.

Unit 137—Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Newport Beach, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Tustin.

Unit 138—Anaheim, Chino Hills, Fullerton, Garden Grove, La Habra, Los Alamitos, Ontario, Orange, Orange County North JD, Orange County West JD, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Yorba Linda.

Unit 139—Diamond Bar, Downey, Lakewood, Long Beach, Walnut, Whittier.

Unit 140—Culver City, Lomita, Santa Monica, Torrance.

Unit 141—Altadena, Arcadia, Azusa, Claremont, Covina, Glendora, Monrovia, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, Temple City.

Unit 142—Los Angeles.

Unit 143—Beverly Hills, Burbank, Glendale, La Crescenta, Lancaster, Newhall JD, Palmdale, Santa Clarita, West Hollywood.

Unit 144—Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Oak Park, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Ventura County, Westlake Village.

Unit 145—Arroyo Grande, Bakersfield, Grover Beach, Ridgecrest, San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo Co. NW, San Luis Obispo Co. South, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Santa Maria JD.

Unit 146—Monterey, Prunedale, Toro, Laguna Seca.

Unit 147—Clovis, Hanford, Madera Sierra JD, North Fork, Tuolumne Central JD.

Unit 148—Gilroy, San Jose, Santa Cruz County South.

Unit 149—Boulder Creek, Capitola, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co. North, Saratoga, Stanford, Sunnyvale.

Unit 150—Belmont, Redwood City, San Francisco, San Mateo, San Mateo Co. South JD.

Unit 151—Berkeley, Dublin, Fremont, Hayward, Newark, Oakland, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Leandro/Hayward JD, Union City.

Unit 152—Concord, Danville, El Cerrito, Lafayette, Martinez, Orinda, Richmond, San Ramon, Walnut Creek.

Unit 153—Fairfield, Manteca, Modesto, Sacramento Co. Southeast, Stockton, Suison City, Vacaville, Vallejo.

Unit 154—Citrus Heights, El Dorado Co. NW, El Dorado Co. SE, Fair Oaks-Orangevale, Folsom, Placerville, Rocklin, Roseville, Sacramento Co. NW.

Unit 155—Nevada County Central, Nevada County Southwest.

Unit 156—Greater Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, Marin County, Novato, Petaluma, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County North, Sonoma County South, Tiburon.

Unit 157—Alturas, Arcata, Chico, Eureka, Paradise, Tehama County North MCD.

COLORADO

Unit 113—Aurora, Boulder, Boulder County, Fort Collins, Lafayette, Larimer County, Longmont, Louisville, Loveland, Northglenn, Westminster.

Unit 114—Arapahoe County, Arvada, Douglas County, Englewood, Jefferson County, Lakewood.

Unit 115—Colorado Springs, Cortez, La Plata County, Montezuma County, Pueblo.

Unit 126—Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction.

CONNECTICUT

Unit 7—Hartford, New Haven, Southington, Vernon Town, West Hartford Town, Woodbridge Town.

Unit 8—New Canaan, Ridgefield Town, Roxbury Town, Stamford.

DELAWARE

Unit 17—Dover, New Castle County North, Sussex County, Wilmington.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Unit 20—Washington, DC.

FLORIDA

Unit 61—Atlantic Beach, DeLand, Gainesville, Greater Gainesville, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Nassau County.

Unit 62—Altamonte Springs, Brevard County, Indian River County, Orange County East, Orange County West, Orlando.

Unit 64—Boca Raton, Palm Beach County Central, Palm Beach County North, Palm Beach County South.

Unit 65—Broward County South, Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Pompano Beach, Sunrise, Wilton Manors.

Unit 66—Charlotte County, Dade County Central, Dade County North, Dade County South, Key Largo, Key West, Lee County, Miami.

Unit 67—Bradenton, Hillsborough County East, Hillsborough County NW, Lakeland, Manatee County, Polk County, Sarasota, Sarasota County North, Tampa.

Unit 68—Citrus County, Clearwater, Largo, Marion County, St. Petersburg Beach.

Unit 69—Leon County, Tallahassee.

GEORGIA

Unit 54—Athens-Clarke County, Gwinnett County North, Hall County.

Unit 55—Clayton County, DeKalb County Central, DeKalb County North, Lithonia.

Unit 56—Alpharetta, Atlanta, Fulton County Central.

Unit 57—Cobb County NE, Cobb County South, Cobb County SE, Cobb County West.

Unit 58—Columbia County East, Richmond County.

Unit 59—Glynn County, Peach County, Savannah.

Unit 60—Columbus.

Unit 69—Albany, Valdosta.

Unit 71—Dalton.

IDAHO

Unit 126—Power County.

Unit 127—Idaho Falls.

Unit 128—Coeur d'Alene, Latah County, Lewiston, Moscow.

Unit 130—Ada County, Boise, Emmett, Valley County.

ILLINOIS

Unit 82—Rockford, Roscoe Township.

Unit 83—Arlington Heights, Aurora, Barrington, Chemung Township, Crystal Lake, Deerfield, Elgin, Hoffman Estates, Lincolnshire, St. Charles, Waukegan, Woodstock.

Unit 84—Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Maine Township, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Skokie, Winnetka.

Unit 86—Bolingbrook, Carol Stream, Darien, Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Joliet, Naperville, Park Forest, Wheaton.

Unit 87—Bloomington, Champaign, Decatur, East Peoria, Mahomet Township, Peoria, Springfield, Urbana.

Unit 88—Andalusia.

Unit 90—Belleville, Edwardsville.

INDIANA

Unit 73—Bloomington, Mt. Vernon, Vincennes.

Unit 74—Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Lafayette.

Unit 75—Elkhart, Gary, Mishawaka, South Bend.

IOWA

Unit 81—Cedar Falls, Dubuque, Manchester, Waterloo.

Unit 88—Bettendorf, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Des Moines, Iowa City, Marion, Mt. Vernon, Warren County.

Unit 108—Council Bluffs.

KANSAS

Unit 106—Butler County, Cowley County, Derby, Dodge City, Emporia, Hutchinson, Newton, Wichita, Winfield.

Unit 107—Kansas City, Lawrence, Overland Park, Topeka.

KENTUCKY

Unit 52—Boyle County, Frankfort, Jefferson County, Jeffersontown, Lexington, Louisville, St. Matthews.

Unit 73—Murray.

LOUISIANA

Unit 92—Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Shreveport.

Unit 93—Avondale, Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Jefferson Parish East, La Place, Lafourche Parish, New Orleans, St. Tammany Parish SE.

MAINE

Unit 1—Alfred, Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Dexter Town, Eliot Town, Gorham Town, Kingfield, Portland, South Berwick.

MARYLAND

Unit 15—Frederick, Frederick County.

Unit 17—Bel Air, Pocomoke City.

Unit 18—Baltimore County Central, Baltimore County West, Carroll County, Howard County.

Unit 19—Gaithersburg, Montgomery County North, Montgomery County NW, Montgomery County SE, Montgomery County South, Montgomery County SW, Montgomery County West, Takoma Park.

Unit 20—Anne Arundel County East, Calvert [Page 15]County, Greenbelt, Laurel, Prince Georges County Mt. Vernon. North, Prince Georges County South.

MASSACHUSETTS

Unit 3-Boston, Ipswich.

Unit 4-Cambridge, Chelmsford Town, Lexington Town, Malden, Medford, Newton, Somerville, Watertown Town, Westford Town.

Unit 5-Amherst Town, Belchertown Town, Easthampton Town, Greenfield Town, Longmeadow Town, Milford Town, Montague Town, Northampton, South Hadley Town, Springfield, Westfield, Wilbraham Town, Worcester.

Unit 6-Barnstable Town, Bourne Town, Dartmouth Town, Foxboro Town, Wareham Town.

MICHIGAN

Unit 75-Holland, Kalamazoo, Niles Township, St. Joseph.

Unit 76-Canton Township, Clinton Township, Detroit, Huntington Woods, Oak Park, St. Clair Shores, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Washington Township, Wyandotte.

Unit 77-Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Township, Davison Township, Farmington Hills, Flint, Pittsfield Township, Salem Township, Troy, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township.

Unit 78-Bangor Township, Big Rapids, East Lansing, Grand Rapids, Harrison, Lansing, Midland, Saginaw Township, Scottville, White River Township.

Unit 79-Cornell Township, Escanaba, Marquette.

MINNESOTA

Unit 81-Rochester, West St. Paul.

Unit 109-Brooklyn Park, Eden Prairie, Edina, Golden Valley, Greenwood, Minneapolis, Plymouth, St. Cloud, St. Louis Park.

Unit 110-Aitkin County, Arden Hills, Baudette, Beltrami County, Bemidji, Clearwater County, Coon Rapids, Duluth, Embarrass, Grand Rapids, Little Canada, May Township, Moorhead, Onamia, Roseville, Sartell, St. Paul, Stillwater, Woodbury.

MISSISSIPPI

Unit 9-Brookhaven Town, Garden City, Glen Cove, Huntington Town, Islip Town, North Hempstead Town, Smithtown Town.

Unit 13-Albany, Village of Greenwich, Hoosick Falls, Johnsburg Town, Utica.

Unit 14-Canandaigua Town, Geneva, Greece Town, Ithaca, Phelps Town, Pittsford Town, Rochester, Victor Town, Webster Town.

Unit 48-Amherst Town, Buffalo, Clarence Town, Olean, Orchard Park Town, Tonawanda Town.

NORTH CAROLINA

Unit 25-Aurora, Wilmington.

Unit 26-Durham, Durham County, Raleigh, Wake County.

Unit 45-Charlotte, Hamlet, Mathews.

Unit 46-Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Chatham County, Greensboro, Guilford County, High Point, Orange County.

Unit 53-Asheville, Buncombe County, Henderson County.

NORTH DAKOTA

Unit 111-Bismarck, Fargo, Jamestown.

OHIO

Unit 49-Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Kent, Mentor, Shaker Heights, Stow, Warrensville Heights, Willoughby.

Unit 50 Bexley, Columbus, Jackson Township, Mansfield, Poland, Upper Arlington, Weller Township.

Unit 51-Bowling Green, Bucyrus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Kettering, Miami Township, Napoleon, Sylvania, Urbana, Yellow Springs.

OKLAHOMA

Unit 104 Gore, Ponca City, Sapulpa, Shawnee, Tulsa.

Unit 105-Edmond, Midwest City, Moore, Norman, Oklahoma City, The Village, Yukon.

OREGON

Unit 129-La Grande, Pendleton, Wallowa County.

Unit 157-Ashland, Jackson County, Klamath Unit 92-Gulfport, Jackson, Madison County, Falls, Medford. Vicksburg.

MISSOURI

Unit 89 Columbia, Jefferson City, Phelps County, Rolla, St. Charles, St. Charles County, St. Peters, Springfield.

Unit 90-St. Louis County South, University City, Webster Groves.

Unit 107-Kansas City.

MONTANA

Unit 127-Billings, Bozeman, Butte-Silver Bow, Flathead County, Helena, Lewis & Clark County, Missoula, Yellowstone County.

NEBRASKA

Unit 108-Aurora, Bellevue, Cass County, Grand Island, Lincoln, Nebraska City, North Platte, Omaha.

Unit 113-Gering, Scottsbluff, Scottsbluff County.

NEVADA

Unit 130-Carson City, Churchill County, Reno, Sparks, Washoe County South.

Unit 131-Boulder City, Clark County West, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Paradise Town, Sunrise Manor.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Unit 1-Lee Town.

Unit 2-Concord, Hinsdale Town, Keene, Lebanon.

Unit 3-Exeter Town, Manchester, Nashua, Peterborough.

NEW JERSEY

Unit 11-East Brunswick Township, Ewing Township, Franklin Township, Glassboro, Hamilton Township, Hopewell Township, Lakewood Township, Lawrence Township, Piscataway Township.

Unit 12-Montclair Township, Ridgewood, Teaneck, Wyckoff.

NEW MEXICO

Unit 115-Farmington.

Unit 116-Hobbs, Los Alamos County, Rio Rancho, Roswell, Santa Fe, Santa Fe County.

Unit 117-Albuquerque, Belen, Los Lunas, Pajarito, Paradise Hills.

Unit 118-Alamogordo, Las Cruces.

Unit 125-Gallup.

NEW YORK

Unit 8-Beacon, Fishkill Town, Greenburgh Town, County, Greenbelt, Laurel, Prince Georges County Mt. Vernon. North, Prince Georges County South.

PENNSYLVANIA

Unit 15-Bethlehem, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Susquehanna Township.

Unit 16-Buckingham Township, Lower Merion Township, Philadelphia, Springfield Township, Tredyffrin Township.

Unit 47-Monroeville Borough, Pittsburgh.

RHODE ISLAND

Unit 6-Hopkinton Town, North Smithfield Town, Warwick.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Unit 27-Conway, Horry County.

Unit 29-Cross, North Charleston.

Unit 30-Summerville.

Unit 32-Aiken, North Augusta.

Unit 33 Columbia.

Unit 38-Florence.

Unit 41-Lydia.

Unit 44-Anderson County, Greenville, Greenville County, Greenwood County North, Mauldin, Pendleton, Pickens County, Spartanburg, Spartanburg County.

SOUTH DAKOTA

Unit 111-Pierre.

Unit 112-Custer, Rapid City.

TENNESSEE

Unit 71-Chattanooga.

Unit 72-Brentwood, Hendersonville, Knox County, Knoxville, Maryville, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Rutherford County, Wilson County.

Unit 91-Memphis, Shelby County.

TEXAS

Unit 94 Bexar County, Corpus Christi, Edinburg, McAllen, Portland, San Antonio, Victoria.

Unit 95-Baytown, Bellaire, Galveston, Harris County NW, Harris County SE, Harris County SW, Lake Jackson, League City, Missouri City, Pasadena, West University Place.

Unit 96-Houston.

Unit 97-Austin, Travis County.

Unit 98-College Station, Round Rock, The Woodlands, Waco, Williamson County.

Unit 99-Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Grand Prairie, Tyler.

Unit 100-Dallas, Garland, Irving.

Unit 101-Allen, Carrollton, Coppell, Denison, Denton, Flower Mound, Frisco, Lewisville, McKinney, Plano, Richardson, The Colony.

Unit 102-Arlington, Bedford, Benbrook, Colleyville, Fort Worth, Grapevine, Hurst, North Richland Hills.

Unit 103-Del Rio, Eagle Pass, El Paso, Odessa.

Unit 105-Amarillo, Utah.

UTAH

Unit 126-Bountiful, Logan, Ogden, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Sandy.

VERMONT

Unit 2-Bennington Town, Brattleboro, Fairfax Town, Hartford Town, Norwich, Shoreham Town.

VIRGINIA

Unit 21-Falls Church, Great Falls, Greater Vienna, McLean, Vienna.

Unit 22-Alexandria, Fairfax County Central South, Fairfax County West, Mt. Vernon, Reston.

Unit 23-Albermarle County, Charlottesville, Hanover County, Henrico County, Loudoun County, Richmond, Round Hill, Scottsville, Stafford County.

Unit 24-Chesterfield County, James City County, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach.

Unit 47-Roanoke, Roanoke County, Shenandoah County, Staunton.

WASHINGTON

Unit 128-Moses Lake, Pullman, Spokane, Spokane County CD 1, Spokane County CD 2.

Unit 129-Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, Wenatchee, West Richland, Yakima, Yakima County CD 1.

Unit 160-Clark County CD 2, Cowlitz County CD 3, Kelso, Raymond, Vancouver.

Unit 163-Auburn, Issaquah, King County East Central Dist. 12, Lakewood, Pierce County CD 1, University Place. Pierce County CD 2, Pierce County CD 3, Puyallup,

Unit 164-Bellevue, Bothell, Juanita, Kenmore, King City NE CD 3, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Redmond, Renton, Woodinville,

Unit 165-Des Moines, King County South Central, Seattle.

Unit 166-Anacortes, Arlington, Bellingham, Edmonds, Everett, Lynnwood, Mt. Baker, Mt. Vernon, Mukilteo, San Juan Island, Snohomish County SE, Snohomish County SW, Snohomish County North, Whatcom County CD 3.

Unit 167-Aberdeen, Bremerton, Clallam County West, Kitsap County Central, Kitsap County South, Olympia, Port Angeles, Shelton, Thurston County East.

WEST VIRGINIA

Unit xx-Morgantown.

Unit 52-Charleston, Princeton.

WISCONSIN

Unit 79-Algoma, Antigo, Appleton, De Pere, Eau Claire, Stevens Point, Wausau. Township, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Sheboygan,

Unit 80-Cedarburg, Cudahy, Greenfield, Meeme Wauwatosa, Whitefish Bay, Wilson Township.

Unit 81-Green Lake, Madison, Sun Prairie.

Unit 82-Beloit, Brookfield, Delafield, Farmington Town, Janesville, Kenosha, Menomonee Falls, Muskego, New Berlin, Waukesha, Waukesha Township.

WYOMING

Unit 113-Cheyenne, Laramie.

Remember the National Center’s new area code: 847 [Page 16]Unto everyone hath been enjoined the Writing of a Will

"The execution of the provisions of the will causes the spirit of the deceased to rejoice in the Abbá Kingdom." —Written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi

Individual copies are FREE and available by contacting: The Office of the Treasurer (847) 733-3472 E-mail: Multiple copies may be ordered at $3.50 per dozen. Send your order to: Office of the Treasurer, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201

Auxiliary Board member Farah Rosenberg one of five honored for community service at ceremony in West Palm Beach, Florida

Auxiliary Board member Farah Guchani Rosenberg was one of five persons honored for outstanding community service during a recent awards dinner at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, Florida.

About 250 people including civic leaders, philanthropists, educators and representatives of the news media attended the event, which was sponsored by the Dwight Allison Fellows Program.

The program, administered by the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin counties, annually honors selfless individuals whose contributions to improving community life often go unrecognized.

The work performed by Mrs. Rosenberg through the Magdalene Carney Bahá’í Institute in Belle Glade drew the attention of a "spotter" for the Community Foundation who recommended her for the award.

Dwight Allison, who introduced each recipient, related Mrs. Rosenberg's service to "her religion, the Bahá’í Faith, and its Founder, Bahá’u’lláh."

He noted that Mrs. Rosenberg, an architect by profession, "took time off from her career two years ago to work with families and youth in Belle Glade.

"She was instrumental in establishing a Children's Institute in the Glades to instill within each child an awareness of his or her own nobility and self-worth, conducted a weekly Youth Academy focused on developing moral and spiritual understanding that youth may apply to their own lives, and subsequently trained others as mentors to work with youth in the Glades.

"She also initiated a Women's Institute to help empower women to attain their full potential as caregivers and educators of their children. Her vision is to help others have a vision for themselves.

"Farah Guchani Rosenberg has inspired many children and adults to understand their connection to, and love for, humanity."

Mrs. Rosenberg concluded her brief message of thanks by quoting the Hidden Word, "Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust?" The room was momentarily silent, after which everyone arose to offer her a standing ovation.

Auxiliary Board member Farah Guchani Rosenberg receives her community service award from Dwight Allison.

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

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

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Mail your orders to: Bahá’í Subscriber Service, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201. Phone orders call: (847)733-3453. [Page 17]

NEWS FROM OVERSEAS

Two India campaigns lead to nearly 230 enrollments

In 1995, a mass teaching campaign in the Quilon District of Kerala, India, resulted in the enrollment of more than 300 new believers. To consolidate these achievements, the State Bahá’í Council asked Mr. and Mrs. M. K. Vasudevan to remain in the area for three months, making their base in the town of Kottarakkara. After consultation, eight local Assemblies were chosen for intensive consolidation. The Vasudevans, who during the course of the three months contacted more than 30 families, were instructed to emphasize the importance of contributing to the Funds, holding regular Nineteen Day Feasts and children’s classes, and teaching the Faith to others. Local teaching activities were undertaken by about 20 new believers. They were able to deliver the Message to more than 1,500 people, of whom 71 accepted the Faith.

Meanwhile, a teaching campaign last January covering 40 towns and villages in the Ajmer and Jaipur districts of India led to the enrollment of 157 new Bahá’ís and the formation of 11 local Spiritual Assemblies. On January 27-28, 53 of the new believers took part in a deepening course whose emphasis was on the duties and responsibilities of local Spiritual Assemblies.

More than 100 Bahá’ís took part in a teaching campaign last January 1-14 following a summer school and youth conference in Mmbatho, South Africa. The friends used the "Spirit of Africa" teaching method, which uses the performing arts to convey the Message. As a result of their efforts, 70 new believers were enrolled in the Faith. The teachers were hosted by six local Spiritual Assemblies or Groups—Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Thohoyandou (Venda) and Umtata—and follow-up plans are being carried out in these communities.

In Papua New Guinea, four traditional chiefs declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh after taking part in a proclamation event February 24 in the remote highland village of Rumalo, Chimbu Province. The event was hosted by the Spiritual Assembly of Rumalo and was attended by about 175 people, most of whom were not Bahá’ís. The proclamation, which included presentations on progressive revelation, the history of the Faith, the proofs of Bahá’u’lláh’s mission, the Covenant, and Bahá’í administration, was supported by two Auxiliary Board members and by members of the National and Regional Teaching Committees.

ES LA META EDITORIAL BAHA’I MEXICO

More than 1,500 people from all walks of life attended a funeral service March 12 in Kampala, Uganda, for Dr. Rodney Belcher, a Bahá’í pioneer from the U.S. who was shot and killed the day before in a vehicle hijacking in the parking lot of his office at Mulago Hospital in Kampala. Dr. Belcher, who worked for Health Volunteers Overseas, a group based in Washington, D.C., that implements a USAID-funded orthopedics project in Uganda, had trained many of that country’s physicians in orthopedics and established a Master of Medicine program in orthopedic surgery at Mulago Hospital. He had also worked with the British Red Cross to establish an Orthopedic Workshop that makes wheelchairs, artificial limbs and braces so they would not have to be imported, and had secured vital medicines and equipment from many sources. Among the mourners at Dr. Belcher’s funeral were virtually the entire staff of the U.S. Embassy and USAID as well as many of his colleagues from Mulago Hospital and University.

Pictured is the Bahá’í booth at the International Book Fair held February 7-13 in Havana, Cuba (see news brief on thi page). The booth was one of the most popular at the biennial event, which was attended by more than 30,000 people.

The Luxembourg Bahá’í Union was one of the associations asked by that country’s parliament to submit statements on the rights of women as it began work early this year on developing a position paper dealing with women’s issues. In a related activity, six Bahá’ís were among those who took part January 29 in a televised public hearing called by the Parliamentary Commission for Family and Women’s Issues.

The first local Spiritual Assembly of Békéscsaba, Hungary, was elected February 11 in the center of a region in which the Bahá’í community has sustained a teaching campaign since last summer. The election itself became a successful fireside as many inquirers came to witness the proceedings.

The National Spiritual Assemblies of Cuba and Mexico worked hand-in-hand to make possible Bahá’í participation in Havana’s International Book Fair, held February 7-13 (see photograph above). More than 30,000 people attended the biennial event. The Bahá’í booth was one of the most popular at the Fair, with many people stopping to look at the books and ask questions. About 100 titles were available, many of them donated by friends from other countries in the area.

Kevin Locke, a Lakota Sioux from the United States who uses dances of his culture to proclaim the Faith, gave 31 performances in Japan between November 22-December 8, 1995. Audiences estimated at more than 6,000 attended the programs in a wide variety of venues in 16 cities and towns. In addition, a 20-minute documentary about Mr. Locke’s visit was broadcast on KBS Television in Fukuoka. In January, he visited the Marshall Islands, giving a number of performances on Majuro Atoll with audiences ranging in size from 100 to 800 as well as visiting several schools to perform his hoop dance, tell stories about the Faith, and teach the children songs.

Seventeen young Bahá’ís gathered March 23-24 in Tbilisi, Georgia, for the first Youth Convention of Georgia and Armenia. Its goals were to stimulate the youth to teach in an unprecedented manner, and to encourage the friends to demonstrate by example the high standards of Bahá’í life. The Convention coincided with the third Trans-Caucasian Bahá’í Academy, which was also being held in Tbilisi.

Followers of eight major religions including the Bahá’í Faith took part last October in a Prayer Meeting for World Peace at the University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom. The theme "Growing Hope" elicited from the various traditions a common thread of belief in the value of prayer and the importance of living a spiritual life.

Fourteen students in the Education for Peace program offered through the Yerrinbool Bahá’í School in Australia have completed two years of intensive study of issues addressed in "The Promise of World Peace." The course was the first in the community’s new Certificate Program in Bahá’í Studies.

A three-year-old teaching campaign in Cadubare, Lara State, Venezuela has benefited from the continued support of groups of teachers from around the country and from other national communities. Thanks to their help, classes for children and adults, exhibits in local markets, and other forms of proclamation have been sustained. As a result, many new believers have been enrolled, and these friends are now becoming active in community life.

More than 100 people took part last January 20 in a colloquium on "Women, a Constructive Complementarity" organized by the Bahá’í Association for Women in France and held at the prestigious Palais de Luxembourg, the seat of the French Senate. The theme was discussed in terms of the rights of women in France, new ways of looking at gender issues, the special needs of elderly women, alternatives available to urban women, and the Bahá’í concept of partnership between women and men.

Calligraphers redesign Tablet of Visitation for Arc Fund

The Holy Year and the events associated with it stirred Bahá’ís’ hearts in many ways. It inspired Bijan Ferdowsi and Michael Hughey to create a book of love and beauty that would be acceptable to their Lord.

Using Arabic and English calligraphy and Persian illumination, they have turned the Tablet of Visitation recited for the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh into a vivid reminder of the true Source of beauty and inspiration.

And they have created a means for believers to increase their efforts to build the Arc and Terraces on God’s Holy Mountain. The limited-edition book is being offered by the Spiritual Assembly of Brentwood, Tennessee, to Bahá’ís who contribute $1,000 or more to the Arc Projects Fund.

Contributions must be made payable to the Brentwood Bahá’í Fund and mailed to the Spiritual Assembly of Brentwood at P.O. Box 2366, Brentwood, TN 37027.

HUQUQU’LLAH

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

Dr. Elsie Austin, 9039 Sligo Creek Parkway, Unit 612, Silver Spring, MD 20901 (phone 301-589-8481).

Dr. Amin Banani, Santa Monica, CA 90402 (phone 310-394-5449).

Dr. Daryush Haghighi, Rocky River, OH 44116 (phone 216-333-1506).

Inquiries regarding Huqúqu’lláh should be referred to one of the Trustees or to the Office of the Secretariat, Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust, Rocky River, OH 44116. [Page 18]

SOCIAL/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Part 4: Bahá’í social and economic development

This is the last 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

Social and economic development activities that we undertake as Bahá’ís have everything to do with our faith in Bahá’u’lláh. His laws and teachings give us a vision of where we are going; the spiritual force of His Revelation gives us the power to change ourselves; consultation and the institutions of the Administrative Order provide the necessary structures for getting things done.

The light of God illumines and enlivens our attempts to change ourselves and our society, just as the light of the sun gives light to the physical world in which we live. We ourselves will change, and the society around us will change, when we carefully and deliberately follow the instructions given to us by the Central Figures of our Faith.

Steps in planning

These momentous consequences come from actions that we can take, that aren't too difficult for us, because we have been developing skills and experience in all the elements of the process. When a local Spiritual Assembly considers undertaking social and economic development plans and activities, it is important to keep in mind that initiating development is a process with several interlocking steps, and that the skills we need are skills that Bahá’u’lláh has been developing in us.

The first thing we need to do is consult, to ask questions about the needs and resources of our community. What are our needs? Who is our community? How, specifically, do we need to change to conform to the social teachings of Bahá’u’lláh? What resources do we have? What results do we want to achieve?

After we ask questions about ourselves and our community, we need to approach the Writings with humility, keeping in mind that we do not have the answers, or that we may have answers that are ineffective, wrong answers.

We can't assume that we know what is good for us, or good for the world, because we do not. Our vision is limited, whereas Bahá’u’lláh’s vision is infinite. A humble approach to the Words of Bahá’u’lláh and the other Central Figures will enable us to begin to understand what we should undertake as a development activity.

If Shoghi Effendi tells us that we dare not rest until we have made sure that we have people of various colors united with one another in our living rooms, schools, clubs, places of business and everywhere else that we are, then we had probably better take deliberate action to establish racial unity in all those places.

When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá tells us, as He does in The Secret of Divine Civilization, that the establishment of elementary schools in every hamlet and village will stir the limbs and arteries of a people into life, we need to think seriously about making it possible for people in every village and hamlet to have access to elementary schools.

We need, in other words, to change our angle of approach. We could ask, What can we do? What do we know how to do? Or we could ask, What does Bahá’u’lláh want us to do that may be beyond our sense of our own capacity? The point is that God sent Bahá’u’lláh to us to explain how to change the world. We need therefore to turn to His Writings, to open our hearts and minds and pray to understand how we are supposed to put them into action.

After consulting together, we need to act. Action takes courage, because what we intend to accomplish is new and different. When we act, strength and confirmations and assistance will come to us; we have no less than the promise of Bahá’u’lláh to confirm this. But if we do not act, we will not receive those blessings.

It is also important that we choose goals that we can accomplish, and that we are willing to start small, to relate our plans to the resources at hand. We are going to develop greater skills at calling for financial and technical resources from outside the Bahá’í community, but it is much easier to do that when we already have ongoing programs in which to place them. We do not want to become stuck in an eternal planning stage. We when act, we will be confirmed.

The next thing we must do is reflect. We are going to make mistakes. That is the wonderful thing about actions. You start, you do something wrong, you can see what is not working, and you can make things better.

The Spiritual Assembly of Jefferson County, West Virginia, the first ever in the state's eastern panhandle, was formed by joint declaration last January 28. The community includes nine adults and five children. Pictured are eight members of the Assembly with Ivette Duynslager (front row, second from left), Auxiliary Baord member Jim Sturdivant (front row third from right) and Fred Myers (back row, second from left).

When we reflect we need confidence and assurance in the power of Bahá’u’lláh to enlighten and help us because as we persevere we can modify and perfect our plans by learning from what is not working. We are going to develop more effective methods and techniques, but only if we take actions and make mistakes from which we can learn.

Once we have reflected, we have to consult more, and act more. It is on ongoing process. Something that the recent guidelines for development approved by the Universal House of Justice make clear is that social and economic development is a learning process. We do not yet know how to do this, yet we are learning. And we learn, the new guidelines assure us, by taking action: "The believers must regularly engage in consultation, action, reflection-all in the light of the guidance inherent in the Teachings of the Faith."

Another point to keep in mind is that our activities will continue to increase in complexity. We start with something simple. As we increase our capacity, understanding and skills, it inevitably becomes more complex.

Start simply. Consult on needs and resources. Turn to the Revelation with humility and faith. Act. Reflect. Consult. Humility, courage, confidence. We know how to do these things. It is not going to be difficult for us.

Bahá’u’lláh gives us the courage to be different, teaches us to be humble, to consult, to establish unity, to find strength together, to call ourselves to account. These are the skills and tools we need for social and economic development, and Bahá’u’lláh has been teaching us how to use them as we have been building the institutions of His Faith for most of a century.

Recognizing our place

When we attempt to carry out social and economic development activities by following the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, we are acknowledging that He will work through us to change the world. This is an important realization.

It is easy to take comfort in Bahá’u’lláh’s statement that soon the old world order will be rolled up and a new one spread out in its stead. It assures us that the power of Bahá’u’lláh is here, taking care of the world. We must make sure, however, that we do not leave ourselves out of this transforming process.

The image can be very concrete the old world order is like rubble, like the Berlin Wall being bulldozed away, while the new World Order is a sort of huge, beautiful Persian carpet that the Hand of God is rolling out. There is, however, something wrong with this comforting image. The new World Order is not a carpet; it is a society, a civilization. The pattern of that new World Order is people, and where we stand, how we place ourselves together, how we treat one another, and how honor, respect and material resources flow among all the peoples of the world.

Our actions in obedience to the Laws of God are the warp and woof of that new World Order. We cannot leave ourselves out of the equation, we cannot stand back and wait for the Hand of God to unfold a new Order before our eyes, because we are the channels through which it is to be realized; we are the materials that give expression to God's will on this earthly plane; and when we move and act in obedience to Bahá’u’lláh, we are the materials that express His handiwork as well.

We are learning to apply the teachings to achieve progress, the progress intended by the Lord of the Age. We are bringing the light of Bahá’u’lláh into a very dark world. We know how, we have the vision, we have the spiritual power, we have the tools, we have the structures to accomplish the task.

I would like to close with a passage from the Ridván 1993 message from the Universal House of Justice: "Do not be dismayed or deterred. Take courage in the security of God's laws and ordinances. These are the darkest hours before the break of day. Peace, as promised, will come at night's end. Press on to meet the dawn." [Page 19]

Publications

Continued from page 1 dated statistics, expanded contents, and a new cover. It will be priced under $1 and available for this summer's teaching campaigns.

A seeker's brochurelcatalog—This brochure will include a brief introduction to the Faith and descriptions of the range of Bahá’í literature available. Organized by subject, it will provide an overview of the information available for further study, how to order, and space to write or stamp local information. It will allow the seeker to independently pursue his or her investigation.

A variety of brief introductions to the Faith—The Publishing Trust is placing a high priority on developing an increasing number of inexpensive, general introductions to the Faith. These pamphlets, booklets, audio tapes and books will be published in large quantities and priced as low as possible to encourage wide distribution.

In addition to developing new materials, the Trust is reprinting several valuable publications that are now out of stock. For example,

Bahá’u’lláh: God's Messenger to Humanity—Initially printed and distributed by the National Teaching Committee, this popular brochure will now be sold through the distribution service at seven and one half cents each in packets of 50.

The Bahá’í Faith and Its World Community—Just recently out of print, this long-time favorite will be back this summer with updated statistics and a lower price.

More help, bigger discounts

The role of the local Distribution Representative or librarian will be expanded to better assist the community in achieving its teaching and deepening goals. There will be a program to establish a bookstore at every special event in the country and generate extra revenue for the community. The discount for local Assemblies will be greatly improved when ordering as little as $100 worth of material. Here are the details.

New, expanded role for the librarian—Formerly the librarian, more recently called the Distribution Representative, and now to be called the local Publications Coordinator, he or she will play a critical role in the success of local teaching and deepening initiatives.

Every program will be more successful with a range of published support material. The Publications Coordinator, appointed by the local Spiritual Assembly, will provide guidance to the community on the availability and use of the entire range of Bahá’í Publications.

The person in this position will acquire a high level of knowledge of the material and its appropriate uses. She or he will obtain the material and maintain the library inventory and financial records for the local Spiritual Assembly.

It is not intended that this person take single orders, since individuals can easily order directly from the Bahá’í Distribution Service. She or he will serve the community as an adviser, a resource consultant on how to best use the Bahá’í material available.

As an agent of the Assembly, the Publications Coordinator will purchase materials for the community. The community will be encouraged to have an inventory of material, maintained by the Publications Coordinator, ready for use.

The "Special Events" program—Conferences, summer schools, Unit Conventions and other gatherings of large numbers of Bahá’ís create an opportunity to see the wide range of publications available...if there is a bookstore. Many communities and schools have not been able to afford a bookstore of any size because of the cost of purchasing books and the charge for restocking if they are returned. For many Bahá’ís, especially isolated believers, these special events are the only opportunity to see and purchase Bahá’í materials in person.

To increase this opportunity, the Bahá’í Distribution Service is implementing a program that will allow conferences and schools to acquire a diverse selection and sufficient quantity of materials with no charge for freight in.

They will receive a 20 percent margin on most items (and 10 percent on the others), and have no restocking fee for products that don't sell and are returned promptly in good condition. The only cost is the freight for returned materials. Details of this program will be sent to the local Spiritual Assemblies and to the Regional Schools.

Deeper discounts for local communities

To support the process of entry by troops, and to make available the material needed for teaching institutes and community development, it becomes even more necessary to have a standing inventory of teaching and deepening material. With greater discounts, local teaching initiatives can also benefit from the revenue of increased book sales.

Previous deep discounts for local Spiritual Assemblies were difficult to obtain. They were calculated on the entire previous year's purchases from the Bahá’í Distribution Service. This made it difficult for many communities to reach enough sales to make a local bookstore possible.

Effective July 1, 1996, discounts for communities will be based on the size of the order, not on sales history. Most Bahá’í communities now receive a 10 percent discount. The new program will provide a full 25 percent discount on orders over $500. A 20 percent discount will be given to any Assembly with an order over $250, and a 15 percent discount for orders over $100.

These discounts apply to most of the items in the Bahá’í Distribution Service price list. The only exception will be limited discount items, such as the Master Key Series, where the extra-low selling price is subsidized to cover costs. Even these items will receive a 10 percent discount and be calculated in the order total to receive the best possible discount over-all.

The intention of this program is to provide communities with an incentive for building a local inventory needed to support the Four Year Plan.

Better access, longer hours, Internet

The Distribution Service is extending its customer service hours by three hours each day to make ordering easier for the local Publications Coordinators, individual customers, and those investigating the Faith. A World Wide Web site on the Internet will provide 24-hour access.

Extended customer service hours—By the end of the summer, customers will be able to place orders with a customer service representative until 8 p.m. Eastern Time. This is a big and expensive step for the Distribution Service. If it is successful, even later hours may be possible. It will also be possible to order by fax 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Virtual bookstore on the World Wide Web—Still in the development stage, this service will be on-line as soon as technically possible.

Initially this web site will have the look of the soon-to-be-released catalog for seekers. It will offer the opportunity to order books on-line. Through web indexes and links from the other Bahá’í sites, it will be a teaching tool as well as a way for seekers to independently investigate the Faith, no matter where they live. The Sacred Writings and basic Bahá’í literature will be more accessible to the isolated seeker, as well as the isolated believer.

Striking a balance

The site will expand to include all titles published by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, and then to encompass all titles in the Bahá’í Distribution Service catalog.

The staff of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust and the Bahá’í Distribution Service are excited by the opportunities that come with these changes, one result of which will be better service for its customers both here and around the world.

In its most recent Ridván message to the world, the Universal House of Justice described the state of the world-wide Bahá’í community following the Three Year Plan by saying, "While this Plan has not ended on a note of dramatic, numerical expansion....it has nonetheless resulted in a qualitatively enriched community—one prepared to exploit the immediate prospects for the advancement of the Faith."

The same may be said about the growth and change of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust and the Bahá’í Distribution Service during the same period.

The organizational structure that provided publications to the United States community during a stage of slow, constant growth would not be adequate for a time of rapid expansion with an influx of seekers and new Bahá’ís needing access to the teachings of the Faith.

Like two chrysalises in one cocoon, the organizations have been restructuring themselves, realigning functions and responsibilities, and becoming a new creature. Now these sister organizations stand ready to support the major objective of the Four Year Plan.

The Ridván letter quoted above also states, "The Four Year Plan aims at one major accomplishment: a significant advance in the process of entry by troops. As we have stated earlier, such an advance is to be achieved through marked progress in the activity and development of the individual believer, of the institutions, and of the local community."

The process of reorganization and restructuring was done with an eye to renewing the purpose set out by the Universal House of Justice in a letter dated March 17, 1982:

"The primary function of a Bahá’í Publishing Trust is to make available to the friends and the general public the Sacred Text of the Revelation, and literature about the Faith at the lowest price compatible with a befitting presentation, and maintenance of the capital investment, and the accumulation of sufficient funds to ensure the ability reprint existing publications and publish new ones as needed."

And in a letter dated May 13, 1974, it was stated, "The difference between a Bahá’í Publishing Trust and any other committee of the National Spiritual Assembly lies chiefly in the fact that the publishing agency does not operate on a budget from the National Spiritual Assembly but is established as a business with its own capital, trading in the publishing and sale of Bahá’í literature and allied items....It is a business, owned by the National Spiritual Assembly, to carry out its own publishing requirements."

The responsibility to support communities and individuals to meet the goals of the Four Year Plan, and the balancing of two mandates—to disseminate publications at the lowest possible cost and to function as a profitable business—are at the heart of the changes now being announced. [Page 20]

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

BAHÁ’Í PUBLICATIONS is seeking applicants for the position of marketing specialist. The position will be filled at the Bahá’í Publishing Trust in Wilmette, Illinois, or at the Bahá’í Distribution Service in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Applicants should have a minimum of two years marketing experience in the publishing industry, including copy writing and design, and five years experience in management or equivalent supervisory experience. Bahá’í Publications is looking for someone who has expertise in designing and implementing marketing programs, has a thorough knowledge of available Bahá’í literature, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to handle ongoing multiple projects with shifting deadlines, and an understanding of Bahá’í administration. Knowledge of PageMaker software and desktop publishing skills would be helpful. For information or an application, contact the Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611, or phone 847-733-3429.

THE BAHÁ’Í Encyclopedia Project is seeking an administrative assistant to provide support for its editorial team. Maintains a variety of files and records, inputs editorial corrections from hard copy to disk, helps with various research tasks. Must be proficient in using computers, type a minimum of 60 wpm, have sound judgment, strong writing and editing skills, and the ability to produce professional-quality work. Please send your resumé to Christine Stanwood, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611, phone 847-733-3429, fax 847-733-3430, or e-mail ).

EXCITING overseas opportunities. Teachers of English are needed in Guangdong, Guangxi and Ningxia, China. For more information, please contact Ms. Gwili Posey, 708-733-3512 (fax 708-733-3509; e-mail ).

MOTTAHEDEH Development Services (MDS), the social and economic development agency of the National Spiritual Assembly, offers excellent service opportunities for committed, enthusiastic youth interested in grassroots development. Service staff positions provide no salary but offer possible accommodations and some paid expenses. An intern-youth year of service staff position offers an excellent training opportunity for youth interested in domestic and international development. Summer positions and longer are available. In the U.S. and internationally, MDS encourages, develops and supports local community initiatives that strengthen children and youth and the status of women, families, and the community at large. In Atlanta, MDS works through the Family Unity Institute in South Dekalb County to implement community-owned social and economic development projects. Please contact, with letter of interest, available time, resumé or C.V.: Mottahedeh Development Services, 750 Hammond Drive, Building 12, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30328 (phone 404-843-1995; fax 404-843-8895; e-mail ).

EMPLOYMENT opportunities at the Bahá’í National Center: The National Education and Schools Office is seeking an administrative assistant to support the office, the Education and Schools coordinator, the Education Task Force, the permanent Bahá’í schools, and the Institute for Bahá’í Studies. Should have strong organizational, database management and desktop publishing skills as well as excellent skills in verbal and written communication. The National Teaching Office is seeking an administrative assistant to help with clerical and support. Requires knowledge of and experience with personal computers including word processing and telecommunications. The Research and Materials Review Office will have a temporary position for a research assistant open from September 1 to January 30, 1997. Requires strong organizational skills and word processing ability. Please send resumés to Christine Stanwood, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611, phone 847-733-3429, fax 847-733-3430, or e-mail

SERVICE opportunities at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. Needed are guides who are willing to greet the many visitors to the Temple (167,536 last year). A desire to be of service is the only requirement. Half-hour training and orientation is provided. Also needed: teachers to let the public know about Bahá’u’lláh and His Revelation. Multilingual skills a plus; training is required. Tour guides who know the history of the Temple and are deepened in the teachings of the Faith; one-hour training required. Garden teachers to teach under the stars from 10 p.m. to midnight during the summer months; half-hour training and orientation required. And ushers who enjoy being of service to the House of Worship but are unable to make a regular commitment of time. Summer hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with garden teaching Fridays and Saturdays until midnight. If you can help, please contact Mary Lou McLaughlin, coordinator of volunteer services, Bahá’í House of Worship (phone 847-853-2300).

THE U.S. BAHÁ’Í Refugee Office needs an assistant to the Office coordinator. Requires flexibility in performance of routine and non-routine tasks and good typing and word processing skills. Drafts letters and reports without supervision, manages all information gathering and processing of Southeast Asian Bahá’í refugees, and keeps track of the status of refugee, immigant and asylum cases. Also maintains computer files, data bases and office systems. Please send resumé to Christine Stanwood, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611, phone 847-733-3429, fax 847-733-3430, or e-mail ).

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

EMPLOYMENT opportunities overseas. AFRICA: Tanzania—English teachers. Zambia—Bahá’í teacher to develop and teach a kindergarten/primary school program. AMERICAS: Brazil—volunteer to serve as an information systems manager. Guatemala—self-supporting couple to serve as caretakers for National Institute Shiraz. Grenada—manager of bed and breakfast hotel. Haiti—field office director needed by Save the Children. Honduras—caretaker couple for the Ahmadiyyeh Bahá’í Institute, elementary school teachers for second, third, fourth and fifth grades, secondary school English, computer sciences, science, math, social studies. Panama—volunteer to direct the choir at the Bahá’í House of Worship. Venezuela—couple to serve as caretakers of the National Center in Caracas. ASIA: India—volunteers needed at Bahá’í-run provincial school in Lucknow. Korea—English teachers. Laos—volunteer teachers for a Bahá’í-run management and English language school, artist to manage art gallery. Macau—kindergarten and primary school teachers, secondary English, math, science and history teachers. Sakhalin—teachers. AUSTRALASIA: Kiribati—science/math teacher. Rota, Mariana Islands—teachers. Samoa—need caretaker couple for the House of Worship, Montessori teacher. Tonga—teachers for primary school to be opened. Vanuatu—volunteer primary school teachers. EUROPE: Croatia legal project director to manage project providing legal assistance to residents of Eastern Slavonia. Czech Republic—webmaster for the Prague office of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, deputy director of broadcast operations. Iceland—director USO to oversee planning, coordinating and directing USO operations and program services. Lithuania—caretaker couple for the National Hazíratu’l-Quds. Alaska—urgent need for older woman to share home of long-time pioneer to Unalaska. Multicultural community, jobs available. Eleuthera, Bahamas urgently needs pioneers. Rental housing available. Panama needs self-sustained pioneer with musical ability, preferably Spanish-speaking, to form and direct a choir for the House of Worship. Hungary has urgent need for short- and long-term pioneers for "consolidation activities, community building and strengthening of local Spiritual Assemblies." Pioneers in Laos seek volunteers for 3-12 months in the fields of business management, accounting, secondary school education, hotel management, etc. for their management and educational school. 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)

CLAYTON, California, a quiet rural town of 6,000 near Concord and Walnut Creek and only 40 miles from San Francisco, needs help to establish an Assembly. Clayton, in the foothills of beautiful Mt. Diablo, is close to city life and employment centers, has good schools and is close to a community college. If you are planning to move, please consider this lovely California location. There are four active adult Bahá’ís in the community, one of whom is a real estate broker who can help with relocation. There is one room available for rent in a Bahá’í home. For information, please phone the Group secretary, 510-672-1095 or 510-672-6686.

YOU'RE the one! Williamson County, Tennessee, has it all: low unemployment, some of the best public schools in the state, and easy access to Vanderbilt University, Tennessee State University, Middle Tennessee State University, and Nashville's Music Row. All that's missing is you the adult who guarantees we'll continue to have an Assembly next Ridván. For information, contact Carol Mansour, Nashville, TN 37215 (phone 615-591-7795; e-mail ).

SAVOY, a community in east-central Illinois, warmly welcomes those who are interested in homefront pioneering. Savoy, in Champaign County, is near the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana, home of the University of Illinois, Parkland College, expanding medical clinics and hospitals, several industries and a number of smaller businesses. The area offers a wealth of cultural experiences, employment opportunities for RNs, CNAs and LPNs, and low-cost housing. As the community strives to attain Assembly status, the help of pioneers will be received with gratitude and enthusiasm. Please contact the Bahá’í Group of Savoy, c/o Anna Baumgartner, Savoy, IL 61874 (phone 217-355-0870; e-mail ).

ADULTS and college-age youth are needed to help the Bahá’í Group of Big Rapids, Michigan, near the center of the state, to form a local Assembly and a College Club at Ferris State University, an NCA-accredited school that provides an array of practical programs in a variety of fields including technology, business, education and health. Ferris also offers an Intensive English Program (IEP) that provides preparation for TOEFL testing for international students, and presents the annual International Festival of Cultures. The campus is medium-sized yet offers small classrooms and individual learning situations. For more information about Ferris State or Big Rapids, please write to the Bahá’í Group of Big Rapids, Big Rapids, MI 49307, or phone 616-796-4992.

WEST COVINA, California, 20 miles east of Los Angeles in the shadow of Mt. Baldy and the San Gabriel Mountains, needs homefront pioneers to help establish an Assembly. West Covina has a vibrant economy, quality education and health-care systems, a variety of housing opportunities, a supportive business climate and varied labor force. West Covina is linked by the Interstate 10 corridor to all major cities in California, Arizona and Nevada, placing it at the heart of business and cultural activities in southern California. Residents also enjoy the sights and pleasures of the nearby beaches and mountains year found. For more information, please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Covina, P.O. Box 3473, Covina, CA 91722.

PROSPECTIVE homefront pioneers: there are many opportunities to serve the Cause in Grand Rapids, Michigan's second largest city and the state's economic, educational and cultural center. Concept Industries, a rapidly growing Bahá’í-owned manufacturing company with a multi-cultural staff of 120, is seeking a plant manager, packaging engineer, and maintenance help. Deepened Bahá’ís who are able to compete in today's marketplace are encouraged to apply. Please send a resumé to Concept Industries Inc., Attn: Nancy Cook, Grand Rapids, MI 49512.

WANTED

THE ENOCH Olinga Teaching Institute is seeking musicians who are willing to use their talents to facilitate entry by troops in North Carolina. Room and board will be provided for those who take part in these primarily weekend activities in selected cities. Transportation costs will also be underwritten, first for those who can come for at least two weeks, and as the budget allows for others. Please write giving the dates you are available and type of music performed—to Bendu Sherman, Durham, NC 27704, or phone 919-477-1066.

WANTED: stories about how you found the Faith and became a Bahá’í. I've heard so many humorous, inspirational and touching stories of how the friends entered the Cause that I plan to compile them into a book. Also sought are stories from those who were born into the Faith, or were quite young when their parents became Bahá’ís and were raised in the Faith. When sending your story, please be sure to type or print clearly and legibly and include your name and address [Page 21]

ADS

(whether or not you want your name included in the book). Send to Judith Auslander, P.O. Box 220, Veneta, OR 97487, or fax it to 541-935-0705. Thank you.

THE BAHÁ’ÍS of Kosice, Slovakia, are asking for materials to teach the principles of the Faith in the high schools in their community. As some of the schools teach business, materials on business ethics related to the Faith could work, as well. Please contact Dorothy Marcic with materials or ideas.

PREPARING a book on the history of the Faith in Panama and would welcome memoirs, accounts of experiences from the friends who took part in the dedication of the House of Worship in Panama. Please send accounts to Mrs. Jane Czerniejewski, ul. Kouarskeig 09/5, 33-300 Nowysacz, Poland.

DAWN-BREAKERS Productions is seeking a dedicated young Bahá’í with computer-language skills in Persian/English and the capacity to make a firm commitment to serve as personal assistant on a long-range media project depicting the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh on film. Part-time work within commuting distance can be explored during a summer stay (or longer). Please send a resumé, queries, photograph, literary samples, etc. to Ruth Rosenwald, Malibu, CA 90265-4182.

SEEKING jokes and puns related to the Faith for an upcoming book. Please send to Rebecca Salgado, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. You will be notified by mail if your submission(s) can be used.

POETS: do you have any poetry suitable for use at Feasts, Holy Day observances or other Bahá’í events? If so, Duane Herrmann (Topeka, KS 66619) is interested in seeing it. The Guardian encouraged the use of poetry at Bahá’í events, so Mr. Herrmann is compiling a suitable collection. If you are interested in writing poetry of that nature, he will send guidelines for your consideration.

WANTED: traveling teachers who may be in or near the Des Moines, Iowa, area. The Des Moines Area Teaching Committee has established a program of public firesides called "Crossroads" with meetings held the second Thursday evening of each month; special programs can be arranged for anyone wishing to use the format. For details, please write to Napolun Birdsong or Pamela Knox, Des Moines, IA 50317, or phone 515-263-2778 (daytime answering machine) or 515-961-0605 (evening answering machine).

MISCELLANEOUS

LOST and found: if you were at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette immediately after the National Convention on Sunday, April 28, at 2 p.m. and are missing a gray plastic bag with the printed name "Bahá’í Distribution Service" and containing Bahá’í brochures and booklets in English and Persian, the bag is in the Activities Office at the House of Worship. Please advise and it will be mailed to you. The telephone number is 847-853-2300.

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: Virginia Camelon, Charles W. Campbell, Myrtle W. Campbell (died Seattle, WA, 1953), Louis W. Candler (died Sarasota, FL, 1978), Erlyne Cannon, Helen M. Canterbury, Jesper Cantwell, Evangeline Carey, Emma Carmichael and Frances Carre. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611, or to phone 847-869-9039.

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking historical photographs of Bahá’ís, Bahá’í communities and institutions, and national Bahá’í events for its photograph collection. Please identify the photograph(s) if possible with the names of those pictured, the event, locality and date. Anyone having photographs they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

INTERNATIONAL Bahá’í Youth Service Corps opportunities: The enthusiastic services of Bahá’í youth are needed all over the U.S. and the world. The wide range of needs and opportunities includes such arenas as reaching the masses with the message of Bahá’u’lláh, deepening new believers, conducting children's classes, youth classes and other educational activities, assisting the administrative work of Bahá’í institutions, hands-on work with a variety of social and economic development projects, proclaiming the Faith through the arts, mobilizing the youth of a region or even a country, teaching fellow students and teachers, and more. In the most recent pioneer call from the Universal House of Justice, 97 countries listed specific needs and opportunities for young pioneers, including many university study options. In addition, many National Spiritual Assemblies have written to our national community to advise of the following opportunities: AFRICA—The Gambia (English): two arenas of service; help with the brand new urban preschool opening in September or with a Rural Education Center at the Bwiam Regional Bahá’í Center. Senegal (French): "Olinga Teaching Project" near Dakar needs French-speaking youth to help with teaching, children's classes, activities for women and for youth. Abilities in drama welcome. AMÉRICAS—Alaska (English and indigenous languages): Nome youth service project, working with Eskimos, and Norton Sound Project. Barbados: dynamic, energetic youth with maturity and practical experience in teaching through the arts, who can serve for six months to a year. Brazil: the School of the Nations, an elementary school owned and operated by the Bahá’í community of Brazil, needs volunteers to serve at the school, work with the Bahá’í community, attend workshops and conferences, and assist with community development in the favelas that surround Brasilia. Haiti (French): serve at the Anis Zunuzi school teaching English, oral French, and arts and crafts, among others. Honduras (Spanish): volunteers with experience in printing needed to help develop a social and economic development project focused on the production of Bahá’í literature in La Ceiba. At Project Bayán, youth are needed who have studied Spanish for at least two years and can stay for 6-12 months, or medical students who have completed their first two years of medical school for four-month periods (one at a time). Jamaica (English): serve for the summer or for a year assisting youth workshops, teaching in rural areas, helping with the radio show and/or a television conference, with institutes and other training programs, teaching children's classes, or administrative work at the National Center. Venezuela (Spanish): three "entry by troops projects" and an ongoing year of service program supported by local youth, incorporating proclamation, teaching, consolidation, theater, music and other aspects are in need of 6-10 youth at a time for at least six months service. Knowledge of Spanish a must. Low living costs. ASIA—Urgent needs. Contact the Office of Pioneering as soon as possible. India (English): the New Era Development Institute, "an exciting place to work [which] offers a unique opportunity to learn about social and economic development in a Bahá’í context," is looking for one or two deepened Bahá’ís who enjoy working closely with other youth to come for anywhere from four months to a year, preferably arriving in June. Thailand (Thai and English): the Santitham School, a social and economic development project of the National Spiritual Assembly of Thailand and "a landmark of the Bahá’í Faith in the northeast of Thailand," whose contributions to society have been appreciated by the provincial government, is in need of dedicated volunteers for periods of at least six months. AUSTRALASIA—Australia (English): seven arenas of service: children's classes, firesides and hospitality, House of Worship guiding, gardening and janitorial and National Bahá’í Office work, for several youth from anywhere in the world. Accommodation on House of Worship property provided. EUROPE—Albania (Albanian): "...one or more devoted and capable youths...[to be] accompanied by an Albanian youth...who could be in charge of driving a van and directing the Mobile Institute...." Driving experience important. France (French): the Office of Public Information of the Bahá’í International Community in Paris needs a bilingual (French/English) assistant for duties such as office administration and secretarial work, follow-up on publications, and participation in public relations projects. Switzerland (English and French): two youth needed to work with the National Bahá’í Secretariat, caring for the Hazira, traveling teaching and possibly studying French or German. If you can arise to meet one of these needs, please contact your local Spiritual Assembly for initial consultation and information and to receive a copy of the Pioneer/Bahá’í Youth Service Corps Volunteer Form. As you work toward your goal, the Office of Pioneering will assist you to do as the Universal House of Justice advises: "Through prayer and consultation, and after considering his own experience, inclinations and possibilities, he can choose his goal area and, confidently relying on the confirming power of Bahá’u’lláh, set out to serve the Cause of his Lord...."

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

THE ARTS

THE BAHÁ’Í Association for the Arts (BAFA) has sought since its inception in 1986 to stimulate networking and provide encouragement to those whose work and interest is in international art while using art to promote the Faith. A data base is maintained for this purpose. BAFA's major current activity is its quarterly 16-page newsletter, Arts Dialogue, which includes personal interviews and profiles, arts-related articles, reviews, letters and comments from readers, poetry and fiction, illustrations, black-and-white reproductions of artwork, and notices of arts-related events. BAFA has members in more than 40 countries, and produces newsletters in French, Russian and Spanish as well as English. Everyone is warmly welcomed to subscribe to the newsletter, and submissions are encouraged. A one-year subscription (four issues) is $20 (as a non-profit entity independent of any Bahá’í Funds, Arts Dialogue survives on subscriptions and personal donations). Subscription checks (in U.S. dollars) should be made payable to Kathleen L. Babb; otherwise, they will have to be returned to the subscriber. Submissions or questions may be sent either to Kathleen Babb, Hiroshima-ken 737-21, Japan (e-mail ) or to Sonja van Kerkhoff, Maastricht, The Netherlands (e-mail ).

TEACHING CAMPAIGNS

THE BAHÁ’Í community of Fresno, California, and the nearby communities of North Fork, Sierra Madre JD, Clovis, Kerman, Reedley, Squaw Valley and a number of isolated believers have formed an I-ACT to help begin the process of entry by troops. The following are needed: Crusade coordinator to recruit full- and part-time teachers, monitor and schedule deepening classes, choose teaching team leaders, order materials, monitor follow-up activities and report the results of teaching efforts, maintain a database of seekers and declarants, and supervise consolidation efforts. One or two full-time teachers with a burning desire to spread the Message of Bahá’u’lláh. Experience in teaching is desirable but not required. All teachers will be required to attend a day-long training session. Housing and a $300-a-month stipend will be offered, but teachers who are self-supporting would be most welcome. Part-time teachers for any length of time from one day to one week, one month or whatever time one can spare. Limited hospitality may be available. Until such time as a coordinator is appointed, you may contact Richard Rowland, I-ACT contact person, by e-mail at or by phone at 209-447-1633; or phone Walter King, 209-846-4468, or Gary Colliver, 209-453-1109.

THE AMATU’L-BAHÁ Teaching Crusade in California's San Diego County has openings for teachers including direct teaching, consolidation, manning the Bahá’í Center, etc. Training provided. Retirees, youth, anyone between jobs is welcome. Room, board and a daily stipend provided. Contact Virginia Healy, project coordinator and secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of Encinitas, by e-mail ( ) or phone (619-942-6383).

U.S. Congresswoman meets with Bahá’ís from San Jose

On February 15, U.S. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren of California met for 45 minutes with three Bahá’ís representing the Bahá’í community of San Jose.

Besides introducing Rep. Lofgren to the Faith, they gave her copies of "The Turning Point of All Nations," "The Promise of World Peace" and "The Vision of Race Unity" as well as A Crown of Beauty and "The Bahá’í Magazine." Making the presentations were Dr. Don Burts, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of San Jose; the Assembly's vice-chairman, Shahriar Jam; and Mary Ann Gorski, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Sunnyvale. [Page 22]

Helen S. Goodall Summer School

The Red Bluff City, CA, Local Spiritual Assembly invites everybody to attend the Helen S. Goodall Summer School session to be held August 11-16 at Camp Tehama in Northern California. This beautiful camp is near Mt. Lassen Volcanic Park on Highway 36, East of I-5.

Sessions will include "Gazing with the Eye of God," "Teaching into the Millennium: The Four Year Plan," "The Arc and the Lesser Peace," and "Homefront Pioneering." This summer school is very reasonably priced at $65 for adults, $60 for youth, $45 for children 5 and above, $35 for children 2-4, and free for under two years of age.

Please contact the Red Bluff City Local Spiritual Assembly at Red Bluff, CA 96080. You can call them at 1-800-233-0931 or fax 916-527-4238.

Annual Professional Educators Conference July 12-17

Don't forget the Annual Professional Educators Conference held at Louhelen Bahá’í School July 12-17. Join Bahá’í educators from around the world as they begin the process of building bridges of understanding and communication with established educational systems. Special guests will include Paul Lample from the Office of Social and Economic Development at the World Center, Sunita Gandhi from Global Concepts (an international education and development project), Eleanor Munkholm from the Virtues Project, and Dr. Ray Johnson, former principal of both Maxwell International Bahá’í School in Canada and the New Era School in India.

Summer Activities at Green Acre

Concert/Picnics on the Piscataqua at Green Acre Bahá’í School:

Sunday, July 7, 12:30-4:30 p.m., special guests Van and Cookie Gilmer.

Sunday, Aug. 4, 12:30-4:30 p.m., special guest Bob Harris

Sunday, Sept. 1, 12:30-4:30 p.m., special guest Counsellor Dr. A-M Ghadirian

Come to Green Acre for music, fun and fellowship the first Sunday of each month this summer at a series of special Concert-Picnics on the Piscataqua. All are invited to bring family and friends for these Sunday afternoon gatherings. Each will feature a concert by the riverside, along with a keynote talk by the week's presenter, lunch, ice cream and snacks for sale, and lots of time for fellowship and fun at Green Acre. A concert donation of $10 is suggested, but all are welcome to attend and bring a picnic lunch, if desired.

Celebrate Sarah Farmer's Birthday in a special fete at Green Acre Sunday, July 21, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Sarah's life and vision will be explored in re-enactments, period costumes, vignettes and more. Celebrate the vision of Green Acre's founder, the woman ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said would one day be revered above all American women. This special party, hosted by the Sarah Farmer Women's Center will also feature birthday cake. It is offered free of charge and is open to all.

Don't forget the Fellowship Cafe at Green Acre. Every Saturday evening come to Green Acre and visit with the friends and seekers gathered there. The Fellowship Cafe opens at 7:30 p.m. and everyone is welcome to stop by and enjoy the atmosphere of this wonderful school.

First Annual Pacific Islander Conference Held at Bosch

Bosch hosted the first Pacific Islanders Bahá’í Conference on May 10-12 with the help of George Halaholo, Assistant to the Auxiliary Board member and a native of Tonga. Native friends came from Alaska, Nevada, Washington, Idaho, and California. They represented the Pacific Islands of Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Hawaii, Micronesia, and Guam.

Marsha Gilpatrick, Auxiliary Board member, and Dick Groger opened the conference with the Ridván 153 message to North America and the Four Year Plan. Native Hawaiian, Liana Kane Fields, shared her experiences of pioneering and travel-teaching throughout the Pacific and China. Sue and Khalil Khavari, family counselors, discussed "Consultation in the Family Unit" and Farhad Sabetan, Huqúqu’lláh Representative, gave a wonderful presentation on Huqúqu’lláh.

The friends contributed island foods, including sweet potatoes, yams, a whole pig and taro leaves, for a delicious luau on Saturday night. That evening everyone joined in with songs and laughter at talent night and a dessert fund raiser which raised over $1,200 for the Classroom Building Fund. Young and old alike glowed with happiness spreading joy throughout the campus as the many beautiful faces with broad smiles performed traditional dances. For days afterward, Bosch received letters, e-mail, and phone calls from the friends, most of whom had visited Bosch for the first time, thanking the staff for the wonderful opportunity to experience the joy of coming together as a culture and for sharing the love of Bahá’u’lláh. The unity, diversity, and "aloha spirit" shown by all who participated in the three-day festivities will long be remembered.

Plans are being made for a Second Annual Pacific Islanders Conference next year. The staff at Bosch invites everyone to plan ahead to come and share their love of the islands and Bahá’u’lláh with the people of the islands. Watch THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í for dates and details of this exciting conference. Food, Fun, and Fellowship! [Page 23]

Collaborative Work Continues at the Native American Bahá’í Institute

Nine students accompanied by their Bahá’í instructor, Dr. Susan Brill of Bradley University, arrived Sunday evening May 19 at NABI for a two week course in literature, which counted as three semester hours, with emphasis in Native American literary works and culture.

The students were introduced to the Bahá’í Faith during an orientation by Joel Orona. NABI's role in the region and its mission statement "to build strong Navajo and Hopi communities" offered the vehicle from which to present Bahá’í administration, history, and principles. Along with other experiential learning activities were presentations from the NABI artists-in-residence program and two trips to Navajo, NM, to assist at a Bahá’í-owned child care center serving 150 Navajo children. Collaborative work was begun earlier this year between NABI and the day care center as a Social and Economic Development project aimed at expanding the services rendered children on the Navajo Reservation.

The Bradley University program and the work at the Navajo child care center are two more examples of the collaborative posture NABI has begun to effectively realize.

Springtime at Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute

The Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute was involved in planning and executing a day-long training for the elections of Spiritual Assemblies. Friends from ten surrounding communities participated. The program included presentations from the Auxiliary Board, Louis Gregory Choir and Youth Workshop.

In preparation for the next four years the staff of Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute held a three-day deepening and consultation on the Ridván 153 letters to the Bahá’ís of the World and North America. The staff were expecially blessed to have present the Auxiliary Board members, Trudy White and Shahin Vafai.

LGBI is a great place to serve! Two paid positions are now open; one for a Teaching Coordinator and the other for a cook. If you are interested in pioneering to South Carolina, please contact the Human Resources office at the Bahá’í National Center.

2nd Annual Traditional NABI Pow-Wow and 5K Run Plus Health Forum and Indian Education Workshops

August 16, 17, and 18, 1996 Host Northern Drum: Center Trail All Drums/Dancers: Welcomed from all Nations and Tribes Traditional Staff Bearer: Larry Anderson, Sr. Head Youth Dancers: Sanders, Arizona, Pow-Wow Club Special Invitations: Healing Practitioners and Educators

Admission Per Day: Adults $3, Youth $2, Children $1 Dancers in full Tribal Regalia $3 (for the weekend) 5K Runners $5 (includes free t-shirt)

Scheduled Events

August 16th 8 pm - midnight Intertribal Gathering Honor Songs Social Dances (Owl Dance, Round Dances, etc.)

Health and Healing Practitioners Forums American Indian Education Workshops Friday evening from 6-8 pm Saturday and Sunday from 9 am-noon

August 17th 7:30 am - midnight 5K Indian Trail Run-7:30 am Workshops, Social Time, Games, Talking 5K Runners' Blessing Circles-9 am Grand Entry (an assemblage of all dancers in a parade of colors and categories), First Session-1 pm-5 pm Grand Entry, Second Session-7 pm-12am

All Are Welcome!

Facilities include a 40 acre campus, hogans, outdoor facilities, camping, showers, picnic areas Native American Bahá’í Institute, 830 Burntwater Road, Houck, Arizona 86506, 520/521-1063

Collaboration yields results for the Wilmette Institute

On July 7, 1996, the Wilmette Institute will welcome over 50 students of the first summer session of the Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization program at National-Louis University in Wilmette. This intensive program will include lectures and workshops, as well as opportunities for the students to be involved in teaching and service projects and volunteer at the House of Worship and Bahá’í National Center offices. Another exciting aspect of their studies will include the development of a Bahá’í community system composed of the students and faculty members gathered for this month-long program. Regular community meetings will be held, Feasts celebrated and a Holy Day observed during their month together.

Exciting developments have taken place in negotiations with the Graduate School of America (TGSA) of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Joint agreements reached at the May 22, 1996, meeting of TGSA and the Wilmette Institute executive board include several benefits and opportunities for Wilmette Institute students: 1) Wilmette Institute students who meet TGSA entrance requirements will be able to incorporate work successfully completed under the Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization program into a degree completion plan with TGSA for MA or Ph.D. programs, 2) TGSA will offer a 10% Presidential Grant to all applicants referred by the Wilmette Institute, and 3) TGSA will provide a representative of their organization at the summer session in Wilmette to meet with the students to discuss opportunities.

As always, for additional information about the Wilmette Institute please contact the registrar at the Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central, Evanston, IL 60602.

June 27-July 1, North Carolina: registrar Sandra Miles, 910/767-6888. June 29-July 5, E. WA/N. ID: registrar Shannon McConnell, 509/943-1236. July 3-7, Florida: registrar Bill McSherry, 904/247-0885. July 12-16, Iowa: registrar Rita Landers, 319/323-8242. July 15-19, Wisconsin: registrar Lisa Riemer, 414/338-3023. July 17-21, Illinois: registrar Carl Clingenpeel, 708/898-6385. July 19-26, Western Oregon: registrar Norman Ives, 503/267-3157. July 24-28, Colorado (Four Corners): registrar Bill Bright, (505)722-0039. July 26-Aug.1, Western Washington: registrar Carol Spell, 360/825-4842. Aug. 4-9, Montana: registrar Sandi Marisdotter, 406/442-7526. Aug. 9-11, Southern California: registrar Edye York, 909/983-1022. Aug. 9-12, Maryland/Virginia: registrar Ingrid Olson, 703/481-8393. Aug. 9-18, New York: registrar Beverly Lavergneau, 914/255-0031. Aug. 10-13, Eastern Oregon: registrar Katherine Young, 503/276-1868. Aug. 14-18, Western Oregon: registrar Norman Ives, 503/267-3157. Aug. 14-18, Minnesota: registrar Peter Olver, 612/422-1320. Aug. 16-18, Nebraska: registrar Colin Taylor, 308/534-4939. Aug. 23-25, Massanetta, Virginia: registrar Brenner Pugh, 804/353-0873. Aug. 30-Sept 2, Kentucky: registrar Sarah Lee, 606/263-1820. Aug. 30-Sept 2, Tennessee: registrar Kaihan Strain, 423/842-1750. Sept.13-15, Green Lake, Wisconsin: call 1-800-558-8898 to register. [Page 24]

کنفرانس دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی

FRIENDS OF IRANIAN CULTURE CONFERENCE

بیش از ۶۰۰ نفر در کنفرانس شرکت کردند جناب هوشمند فتح اعظم در هنگام ایراد سخنرانی

ششمین کنفرانس دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی از ۲۳ تا ۲۶ ماه می سال ۱۹۹۶ در هتل نورت شور هیلتن North Shore Hilton در شهر سکوکی Skokie - در نزدیکی مشرق الاذکار آمریکا - تشکیل شد.

بیش از ۶۰۰ نفر از سراسر ایالات متحده و کانادا و اروپا و روسیه در این کنفرانس شرکت کردند و حضور جناب هوشمند فتح اعظم عضو محترم بیت العدل اعظم و همسر محترمشان بر رونق آن افزود.

از جمله برنامه‌های جدیدی که در کنفرانس در نظر گرفته شده بود برنامه‌های گوناگونی در ارتباط مستقیم با موضوع برنامه‌ها و سخنرانی‌های کنفرانس به زبان انگلیسی و دیگر برنامه‌های ویژه فرزندان خردسال شرکت کنندگان در کنفرانس بود.

از جمله موضوع هائی که درباره آن سخنرانی شد عبارت بود از ایران در قرن نوزدهم؛ ادبیات عامیانه فارسی؛ هنر مینیاتور؛ جنبه‌های عرفانی معماری نقش زن در عصر قاجار؛ شرح مختصر زندگانی و خدمات میرزا اسدالله فاضل مازندرانی؛ آثار فاضل مازندرانی و سبک آن آثار تاریخ نگاری تاریخ نگاری در ایران قرن نوزدهم شعر فارسی در سدهٔ ۱۹ تطور نثر فارسی طنز و فکاهیات در ادبیات فارسی جوهرات سلطنتی ایران

همچنین برنامه‌های گوناگون هنری از جمله نمایش و موسیقی و شعرخوانی در این کنفرانس اجرا شد.

گزارش مفصل کنفرانس دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی در شمارۀ آینده این نشریه به چاپ خواهد رسید.

سفر تشویقی و تبلیغی به رومانی

TRAVEL TEACHING IN ROMANIA

از یکی از دوستانی که به تازگی به رومانی سفر کرده بود شنیدیم که احبای آن کشور به مهاجران و مبلغان سیار نیاز دارند.

دوست عزیز بهائی ما که نوروز امسال در مدرسة بهاره احیای رومانی حضور داشت می‌گفت که دقت و علاقه ای که جوانان تازه تصدیق و بهائیان این مملکت به معارف امری دارند در کمتر مملکت دیگری به چشم می‌خورد به طور مرتب در ساعات درس مدرسه حاضر می‌شوند و از همۀ صحبتها یادداشت برداشته سؤآلات متعدد جهت تکمیل معلومات خود می‌نمایند حیف که چنین مملکت پر استعدادی به اندازه کافی از نعمت مهاجرین و مبلغین و معلمین سیار برخوردار نیست.... تعداد کل مهاجرین این مملکت به ۲۰ نفر نمی‌رسد. اگر یارانی که انگلیسی می‌دانند ولو برای چند ماه به این مملکت سفر نموده وقت خود را صرف محبت به یاران و جمع آوری دوستان تازه تصدیق و تزیید معلومات آنان نمایند.... خدمتی بی نظیر به پیشرفت و استحکام جامعه امر در رومانی خواهند نمود.

نکته ای که امکان این خدمت را برای بسیاری از یاران آسان می‌سازد ارزانی مخارج زندگی در این مملکت است که برای یک فرد در یک ماه از چند صد دلار تجاوز نمی‌کند.

علاقه مندان می‌توانند برای دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر با دفتر مهاجرت در دفتر محفل ملی تماس حاصل نمایند تلفنهای ۳۵۱۱-۷۳۳(۸۴۷) یا ۳۵۱۲-۷۳۳(۸۴۷)

تقدیر از عضو هیئت معاونت

FARAH GUCHANI ROSENBERG HONORED

در وست پام بیچ West Palm Beach در ایالت فلوریدا از خدمات اجتماعی ۵ نفر از جمله عضو هیئت معاونت خانم فرح قوچانی روزنبرگ تقدیر شد.

حدود ۲۵۰ نفر از جمله رهبران مدنی و اعضای بنیادهای بشردوستانه و مربیان و نمایندگان رسانه های همگانی در مراسمی که در مرکز هنرهای نمایشی برقرار شد شرکت کردند.

یکی از سازمانهای اجتماعی پام بیچ و حومه آن سالانه از خدمات کسانی که در بهبود اوضاع جامعه دست داشته اند تقدیر می کند.

در هنگام قدردانی از خدمات خانم فرح قوچانی روزنبرگ به خدمات او به امر بهائی و مؤسس حضرت بها الله" اشاره شد.

همچنین گفته شد که خانم روزنبرگ که حرفه‌اش معماری است به مدت دو سال از کار خود دست کشید تا بتواند برای بهبود اوضاع جامعه با خانواده ها و جوانان یکی از جوامع به همکاری پردازد. فرح خانم در تشکیل مؤسسه ای برای خردسالان دست داشته و هر هفته کلاسهائی برای تربیت اخلاقی و روحانیت جوانان دائر کرده است. مؤسسه ای برای بهبود اوضاع زنان ایجاد نموده است که تمامی قوای نهفته خود را بتوانند شکوفا نمایند. در معرفی از خانم فرح قوچانی روزنبرگ همچنین گفته شد که ایشان جوانان و بزرگسالان را متوجه می سازد که پیوندشان را با انسانیت حفظ نمایند.

مهاجرت داخله

احبای ورن Warren در ایالت اوهایو به تعدادی مهاجر برای تشکیل محفل روحانی نیاز دارند همچنین امکانات کار برای پزشک مخصوص زنان جهت همکاری با یک پزشک بهائی متخصص زنان وجود دارد. علاقه مندان میتوانند برای دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر با خانم پریسا خاوری تماس حاصل نمایند تلفن: ۶۶۶-۳۹۵ (۲۱۶)

اعلامیه آکادمی لندگ

ANNOUNCEMENT BY LANDEGG ACADEMY

قابل توجه جوانان عزیز ایرانی انجمن ادب و هنر همزمان با جلسه سالیانه خود که از ۱۲ تا ۱۸ اوت در لندگ تشکیل می شود امسال برای دومین بار جلساتی مخصوص جوانان ترتیب داده که آن عزیزان را با زبان فارسی که زبان آیات و الواح است و نیز با فرهنگ ایرانی آشناتر سازد کسانی که کمی هم فارسی بدانند میتوانند در این جلسات شرکت کنند برای جوانان تخفیف مخصوص در مخارج غذا اقامت داده می شود و حق نام نویسی نیز از آنان گرفته نمی شود همچنین برای نام نویسی و کسب اطلاعات بیشتر با دفتر لندگ مکاتبه کنید

شماره تلفن: ۱۳ ۹۱-۸۹۱-۷۱-۲۱ شماره فکس: ۰۱ ۴۳-۸۹۱-۷۱-۲۱ LANDEGG ACADEMY CH 9405 WIENACHT/AR, SWITZERLAND [Page 25]PERSIAN

بین یاران شرق و غرب نمونه بارزی از قدرت جمال ابهی در رفع موانع سنتی و منشاء نیرومندی برای جلب توجه به امر الهی است.

امتیاز احبای آلاسکا این است که در ناحیه‌ای زندگی می‌کنند که حضرت ولی امرالله آنرا چنین توصیف فرموده‌اند: "ناحیه‌ای که مقدر است در تعیین سرنوشت روحانی جمهوری عظیم در مغرب زمین که ناحیه مزبور جزئی از آن محسوب می‌گردد سهمی بسزا داشته باشد و به تأسیس مؤسسات نظم جهان‌آرای الهی در سراسر قاره امریکا کمک شایانی مبذول دارد." (ترجمه) کمک‌های پر ارزشی که در سال‌های اخیر به تأسیس امر الهی در سیبری نموده اند همراه با پیشرفت‌های قابل ملاحظه‌ای که در تقویت امور امری در کشور خود مبذول داشته‌اند شادی بارز از استعدادی است که می‌توانند برای حد اکثر استفاده از فرصت‌هائی که در خلال نقشه چهارساله فراهم می‌آید به کار برند.

حضرت ولی امرالله جامعه شجیع بهائی کانادا را بخاطر "ثبات ایمان، عزم جزم، مساعی مستمر، آمادگی برای فداکاری، وفاداری نمونه و شهامت خلل‌ناپذیر" (ترجمه) تحسین فرموده‌اند. سوابق موفقیت‌های آن جامعه طی نقشه سه‌ساله مؤید این توصیف و تمجید است. اقداماتی که در دفاع از امرالله و نشر نفحات‌الله در سراسر کره ارض و تأسیس مؤسسات امریه در کشورهای دور و نزدیک معمول داشته‌اند در مقایسه با تعداد اعضاء آن جامعه بسیار بزرگ و قابل تقدیر است. این موفقیت‌ها موقعیت غبطه‌انگیزی در نقشه جدیدی که حال آنرا آغاز می‌نمایند به جامعه مزبور داده است.

چه بسا که جامعه بهائی گرین لند را به یاد آوریم. ثبات ایمان و استقامت راسخشان در امر که سبب استحکام بنیان امر الهی در آن سرزمین بعید گردیده مورد تحسین و تمجید این مشتاقان قرار گرفته است. آن یاران الهی با گرفتن الهام از وعده مذکور در الواح تبلیغی حضرت عبدالبهاء که اگر "قلوب حرارت محبت الله یابد، آن خطه و دیار گلشن الهی شود و بوستان ربانی گردد و نفوس مانند اشجار پرثمر به نهایت طراوت و لطافت تزیین یابند" اکنون باید قدم به پیش نهند و پیروزی‌های جدیدی را در آن سرزمین بدست آورند و ملت خود را به قوه تعالیم الهی تقلیب نمایند.

قریب به چهل سال قبل حضرت ولی امرالله اعضای جامعه بهائی ایالات متحده امریکا را "خادمان برازنده در صف مقدم امرالله، مدافعان قوی‌دل حقانیت و حقوق و دعاوی آن، بانیان نظم اداری، علمداران سپاه مجاهدین، مشعل‌داران مدنیتی که هنوز در محلهٔ کمون است، مساعدین اصلی پیروانی که به درماندگی و احتیاج و اسارت مبتلا هستند" (ترجمه) توصیف فرموده‌اند. بررسی موفقیت‌های ممتاز آن یاران محبوب در سه سال گذشته شاهد بارزی از استمرار تحقق مصادیق این توصیف و از کمک‌هائی است که برای پیشرفت امر الهی معمول می‌دارند. انتظار داریم که اعضاء جامعه بهائی در ایالات متحده در طی نقشه چهارساله اقداماتی قهرمانانه در خدمت به امر الهی معمول دارند که سبب اعجاب و تحسین یاران الهی در سراسر جهان گردد.

در امریکای شمالی برای پیشرفت جریان دخول افواج مقبلین امکاناتی وجود دارد که در حال حاضر نظیر آن در هیچ منطقهٔ دیگری در جهان موجود نیست. مشخصات سه‌گانه‌ای که مجموعاً این وضع را به وجود آورده عبارتند از: توانائی بی‌نظیر جوامع محلی که مخصوصاً در مساعی محافل روحانی محلی و فداکاری جوانان بهائی ملاحظه می‌گردد؛ جلوه مثبت امر بهائی نه تنها در انظار عمومی بلکه در نظر پیشوایان افکار و نفوس ذی‌نفوذ و بالاخره تجمع ملل مختلفه در آن قاره که مهاجران و دانشجویان و پناهندگان را از همه مناطق جهان و از همهٔ نژادها و ادیان اصلی جامعهٔ انسانی با آغوش باز پذیرفته اند. حضرت عبدالبهاء قارهٔ امریکا را چنین توصیف فرموده‌اند که "در نزد حق میدان اشراق انوار است و کشور ظهور اسرار و منشاء ابرار و مجمع احرار." از یاران الهی که در چنین قاره‌ای زندگی می‌کنند دعوت می‌شود که از این شرایط مساعد حد اکثر استفاده را حاصل نمایند.

یاران عزیز، حال باید از هر شک، تزلزل و تردیدی که ممکن است در گذشته مانعی بوده خلاصی یافت و از نو خود را وقف خدمات و فعالیت‌های امری نمود. در این هنگام که قوای نیرومند روحانی در قلوب مردم زنده شده در حالی که با قاطعیت برای تحقق هدف دخول افواج مقبلین پیش می‌روید باید اقدامات شما شامل همهٔ طبقات جامعه گردد، چه افراد مرفه و چه تنگدستان هیچیک نباید از حیطه اقدامات شما دور مانند. باید هر جا که افراد جویای حقیقت یافت شوند-- چه در بین جماعات تحصیلکرده شهرنشین، چه در محوطهٔ دانشگاه‌ها، چه در مراکز صنعتی و بازرگانی، چه در مزارع و روستاها و چه در کوهستان‌ها و صحراها و دشت‌ها -- نفوس مستعد را پیدا نمود. باید سعی کنید چنان جامعه‌ای از افراد بهائی به وجود آورید که مثال زنده‌ای از مفاهیم وحدت در کثرت را به همه دنیا ارائه نماید. تأثیر و نفوذ مساعی شما می‌تواند به خارج از محیط آمریکای شمالی توسعه یابد. مخصوصاً احبای کانادائی فرانسوی زبان می‌توانند خدمات پر ارزشی برای امر در بین ملل و جزائر فرانسوی زبان در سراسر جهان ایفا نمایند و احبائی که در مناطق اطراف قطب شمال هستند می‌توانند سبب تقویت امور امری در آن مناطق شوند. برای یارانی که اصلاً از مردم اسپانیولی زبانند میدان خدمت در سراسر امریکای لاتین آماده است. همهٔ احباء باید تا آنجا که ‎می‌تواننددر می‌توانند در‎ تحقق مأموریت جهانی که به مخاطبان الواح نقشه تبلیغی تفویض گردیده از روابط خانوادگی و قومی خود با سایر مناطق جهان استفاده نمایند.

در این ساعات بحرانی در سرنوشت بشر، نظر ما با اشتیاق و امیدواری به سوی بهائیان جمیع مناطق آمریکای شمالی است، احبائی که خزانه‌ای از منابع انسانی و مادی را تشکیل می‌دهند که در سایر مناطق جهان شبیه و نظیر ندارد. در حالی که در مسیری مشخص به پیش می‌روید باید این بیانات مرکز عهد و میثاق الهی را در الواح فرمان تبلیغی بخاطر داشته باشید که خطاب به آن عزیزان چنین می‌فرمایند:

"امیدوارم که بزودی موفقیت شما زلزله در آفاق اندازد، لهذا عبدالبهاء را آرزو چنانست که مثل خطهٔ امریک در سایر قطعات عالم نیز موفق و مؤید شوید یعنی صیت امرالله را به شرق و غرب رسانید و در جمیع قطعات خمسه عالم بشارت به ظهور ملکوت رب الجنود دهید."

برای اجرای این وظائف خطیری که حال بدان مأمور شده‌اید در هر قدمی که بر دارید ادعیه صمیمیانه این مشتاقان در اعتاب مقدسه علیا شامل حال و همراه شماست.

بیت‌العدل اعظم

کنفرانس دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی

FRIENDS OF PERSIAN CULTURE CONFERENCE

بدین وسیله از کلیه احبای عزیزی که با ارسال مقالات سودمند و آموزنده و یا اهدای تبرعات کریمانه ادامه انتشار نشریه ماهانه پیام بدیع را مقدور فرموده‌اند صمیمانه متشکّر و سپاسگزاریم و امیدواریم که سروران گرامی در آینده نیز این قبیل مساعدت‌های مؤثر و مغتنم را از ما دریغ نخواهند داشت.

از آنجائی که ازدیاد عدّهٔ مشترکین نیز موجب تقویت بودجه نشریه می‌گردد لذا امید و انتظار داریم که عده بیشتری از یاران رحمانی به این مجله که مورد تأیید و تشویق معهد اعلی قرار گرفته آبونه شوند تا ما بتوانیم با دلگرمی و علاقهٔ بیشتر به چاپ و انتشار آن ادامه دهیم.

چنانچه هر کدام از علاقه مندان مایل باشند قبل از اشتراک نمونه‌ای از نشریه ‎رادریافت را دریافت‎ دارند، مراتب را کتباً به آدرس

Payam-i Badi P.O. Box 698 Clifton, NJ. 07012

اطلاع دهند تا نمونه مجله برایشان ارسال شود. توضیح اینکه حق اشتراک سالانهٔ نشریه پیام بدیع در داخل امریکا ۳۰ دلار و در خارج مبلغ ۴۰ دلار است.

قابل توجه دوستان عزیز ایرانی مقیم ممالک غرب پس از انتشار آلبوم نفیس شاهکارهای مشکین قلم توسط انجمن ادب و هنر، بسیاری از خریداران این آلبوم طی نامه‌های عدیده اظهار داشتند قادر به خواندن همهٔ متون قطعات این مجموعه نیستند. انجمن ادب و هنر با کمک مرکز مطالعهٔ نصوص و الواح مرکز جهانی بهائی متون کلیهٔ قطعات را بازخوانی و بازنویسی کرد و در رساله‌ای به قطع آلبوم مزبور به طرزی نفیس به چاپ رساند. این رساله هم اکنون در مراکز فروش کتب امری عرضه شده و خریداران آلبوم مشکین قلم می‌توانند آن را به قیمت ۵ مارک تهیه فرمایند و در خواندن مطالب کلیهٔ قطعات این آلبوم استفاده فرمایند. انجمن ادب و هنر

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پیام بیت‌العدل اعظم

خطاب به پیروان حضرت بهاءالله در امریکای شمالی: آلاسکا، کانادا، گرین‌لند، و ایالات متحده رضوان ۱۵۳

PERSIAN TRANSLATION OF THE MESSAGE OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE TO THE FOLLOWERS OF BAHA’U’LLAH IN NORTH AMERICA: ALASKA, CANADA, GREENLAND, AND THE UNITED STATES — RIDVAN 153

یاران عزیز الهی

با سابقه‌ای درخشان در اجرای اوامر حضرت عبدالبهاء در الواح نقشه تبلیغی، اعضاء جامعه بهائی در آمریکای شمالی نقشه چهارساله را آغاز می‌نمایند. طی هشتاد سالی که از زمان صدور الواح مزبور گذشته است در اثر مساعی شفقت‌انگیز آن یاران الهی پیام حضرت بهاءالله به جمیع مناطق آن قاره و به اطراف و اکناف کره ارض واصل گردیده است. در تأسیس مبانی نظم اداری و در اعلان عمومی امر الهی، بنحوی مستمر نقشی بسیار مهم بر عهده داشته‌اید. آن الواح مبارکه سبب شد که یاران الهی مشروعی جهانی را آغاز نمایند که ادامه آن در سراسر عصر تکوین و عصر ذهبی دور بهائی از وظائف شما و نسل‌های بعد از شما خواهد بود.

به منظور اجرای اهداف نقشه چهارساله در سطوح ملی، ناحیه‌ای و محلی، بر طبق نقشه‌های تفصیلی که در هفته‌های آینده تنظیم خواهد شد، باید پیوسته به خاطر داشت که هدف اصلی نقشه پیشرفت جریان دخول افواج مقبلین به ظل شریعة مقدسه الهیه است. تردید نمی‌توان نمود که این جریان که نیروی محرکه‌اش قوای روحانی غیبی است ماورای ادراک اهل شک و ارتیاب بوده و در میقات معین سبب احیای روحانی جمعی کثیر از اقوام گوناگون در امریکای شمالی خواهد شد و جوامع بهائی را در آن قاره از نظر تعداد نفرات بنحوی بارز تقویت خواهد نمود.

مؤسسات آموزشی و سایر مراکز تعلیماتی از عناصر ضروری کوشش‌های مستمر برای پیشرفت این جریان محسوب می‌گردد، توسعه و عمق عرفان مصدقین جدید را تضمین می‌نماید و سبب می‌شود که مهارت‌های لازم را برای تبلیغ موفقیت‌آمیز امر الهی فراگیرند و نیز فرصتی است برای یاران قدیم و جدید که بنحوی منظم به فراگرفتن اصول تعالیم و حقایق امر حضرت بهاءالله پردازند. انتظار می‌رود که جوامع بهائی در آن صفحات به این دعوت برای تأسیس مراکز تعلیماتی با شور و هیجان پاسخ دهند و متناسب با نیاز انواع مردمانی که در آن سرزمین‌ها سکونت دارند روش‌هایی مناسب و متنوع اتخاذ نمایند.

حضرت عبدالبهاء در یکی از الواح فرمان تبلیغی به بهائیان امریکای شمالی توصیه می‌فرمایند که بکوشند تا شایسته مقام والای حواریون حضرت بهاءالله گردند و مخصوصاً تأکید می‌فرمایند که ثبوت بر عهد و میثاق از شرایط ضروری موفقیت در این امر خواهد بود. از آن یاران الهی مصراً خواستاریم که در ضمن کوشش برای درک خصوصیات و اثرات عهد و میثاق که ماورای ترتیبات کنونی جامعه است تمسکی خلل‌ناپذیر به مقتضیات میثاق الهی ظاهر و ثابت نمایند.

موقعیتی که آن عزیزان برای ایجاد جنبشی شدید در خدمات تبلیغی دارند مایه غبطه سایر یاران است. در اثر هوشیاری و استقامت مؤسسات امری اقدامات یاران الهی در آن صفحات سبب آگاهی کلی از امر الهی و ایجاد احترام و اذعان عمومی به جامعیت، عمومیت و آزاد منشی امر بهائی شده است. از این موفقیت چشمگیر باید مسرور بود و با اشتیاق و اطمینان به نیازهای کنونی امر مبارک اندیشید.

انتصارات حاصله راه را برای موفقیت‌هائی عظیمتر در آینده نزدیک آماده ساخته است. اکنون بیش از هر زمان دیگر باید بکوشید تا خود را از قیود سستی، تمسک شدید به امور دنیوی و بی‌علاقگی که جامعه را از رسیدن به موفقیت‌های چشمگیر باز می‌دارد آزاد سازید. چون مردمانی که در اطراف شما زندگی می‌کنند روز به روز آرزویشان برای داشتن جامعه‌ای که در آن درستکاری و شرافت اخلاقی حکمروا باشد و در آن نژادهای مختلف با یکدیگر یگانگی کامل یافته باشند رو به افزایش است، وظیفه شماست که تأثیر و نفوذ پیام حضرت بهاءالله را در رفع نیازمندی‌های مردم و تجدید بنای زندگی فردی و اجتماعی به منصه ظهور و بروز رسانید. سراسر امریکای شمالی با نومیدی محتاج آرمانی الهام‌بخش و دیدی روشن نسبت به هدف زندگانی و معنویتی است که فقط کسانی که با روح حقایق مکنون در آثار امری مأنوسند می‌توانند احتیاجات مزبور را بر طرف سازند.

شهرت الفت، اتحاد و پیوستگی اجتماعی جامعه اسم اعظم و اعتماد و اطمینان حاکم بر روابط بین احباء و تشکیلات اداری جامعه باید روز افزون باشد. حضرت ولی‌امرالله در سالهای اولیّه ولایت امر در توقیعی چنین توصیه فرموده اند: "امیدم چنان است که یاران الهی در کل اوقات و در جمیع نقاط و از هر مشرب و مرام به دل و جان و داوطلبانه با وجد و سرور حول مراکز محلی و بخصوص مراکز ملی مجهودات امریه مجتمع گردند و با اتفاق و رضایت تام و تفاهم کامل و اشتیاقی حقیقی و انجذابی مستمر در ترویج مصالح آنان کوشند. فی‌الحقیقه این است مایه سرور و آرزوی زندگانی این عبد زیرا که این سرچشمه جمیع الطاف و عنایات آتیه بوده و اساسی است متین که بالمال باید ضامن صیانت و استحکام صرح مشید الهی گردد." (ترجمه)

لازمه تحقق این آرزوی هیکل مبارک آنست که یاران الهی متعهد شوند و صمیمانه از مؤسسات امری حمایت و پشتیبانی نمایند. نفوسی که برای خدمت در مؤسسات مزبور منصوب می‌شوند باید همواره به روش و منشی که برای انجام وظائفشان توصیه شده توجه داشته باشند و پیوسته با جدیت بکوشند تا موازین عالیه‌ای را که در تعالیم امر مبارک تعیین شده مراعات نمایند.

در نقشه الهی که حضرت عبدالبهاء برای آن عزیزان به میراث نهاده‌اند سرنوشت شکوهمند کسانی که اخلاف اولین ساکنان آن سرزمین هستند به وضوح ذکر شده است. از بومیان بهائی امریکا که در تعالیم الهی ثبوت و رسوخ حاصل کرده‌اند دعوت می‌شود تا با قول و فعل خود به کمک افرادی بشتابند که هنوز به آن درجه از ادراک این تعالیم نائل نشده‌اند. پیشرفت به سوی آنچه برایشان مقدر است نیازمند آنست که از سوق و کشش به تفرقه و جنگ‌جوئی که در اطراف خود ملاحظه می‌کنند پرهیز نمایند و سعی کنند که برای تحقق اهداف نقشه چهارساله در خارج از محیط امریکای شمالی و در داخل ممالک خویش سهمی متمایز داشته باشند. باید همواره به کمک‌های مؤثر و مهمی که می‌توانند در سراسر قاره آمریکا و در نواحی قطب شمال و در منطقه آسیائی اتحادیه روسیه معمول دارند توجهی مخصوص مبذول نمایند.

توجه بهائیانی را که نیاکانشان آفریقائی بوده‌اند و خود مورد محبت خاص حضرت عبدالبهاء قرار گرفته‌اند به احتیاج شدید به قیام مهاجرین برای پیشرفت امر الهی در نواحی بعیده عالم از جمله قاره افریقا جلب می‌نمائیم. حضرت ولی‌امرالله در آغاز اولین اقدامات برای سطوع انوار امر الهی در تنویر قاره افریقا مسؤولیت خاصی برای مهاجرت به آن قاره بر عهده یاران مزبور نهاده‌اند. اگرچه مساعدت این یاران به جمیع جنبه‌های خدمات امری در داخل کشورشان و در سایر نقاط ارزش بسیار دارد ولکن می‌توانند برای خواهران و برادران آفریقائی خود که در آستانه پیشرفت‌های عظیمی در امر حضرت بهاءالله هستند منشاء تشویق و ترغیب گردند.

در طی سالهای اخیر جمعیت جامعه بهائی در امریکای شمالی در اثر ورود و اقامت تعداد زیادی از احبای مهد امرالله افزایش یافته است. از همه احبای ایرانی‌الاصل که منابع پر ارزشی از تجارب و قابلیت‌ها هستند مصراً خواستاریم که به منظور تحقق اهداف نقشه چهارساله، بمراتب بیش از پیش و در ظل هدایت و رهبری مؤسسات امری در امریکای شمالی، خود را وقف خدمات امریه نمایند. وحدت افکار و اقدامات در...

حقوق الله

HUQUQU’LLAH

از دوستان عزیز مستدعی است تقدیمی‌های حقوق الله را در وجه Baha’i Huququ’llah Trust به نشانی یکی از امنای حقوق الله ارسال فرمایند.

Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA. 90402

Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH. 44116

Dr. Elsie Austin 9039 Sligo Creek Parkway, #612 Silver Spring, MD. 20901

[Page 27]

Questions

appropriate strategy, or was the step taken too early? Are expenses at the National Center being properly monitored? Yes. Quarterly expense and revenue targets have been set; each month the National Spiritual Assembly receives a report on performance to date, and toward the end of each quarter the Office of the Treasurer prepares pro- jections of performance in both the current quarter and those remaining in the year.

The monthly reports show broad cat- egories of expense (travel, printing, telecommunications, etc.), while any problem areas are highlighted verbally. The quarterly reports and projections look at performance by each operating unit. In addition to these systems, each expenditure of $1,000 or more must be specifically approved by the Assem- bly's Controller and/or the Secretary- General.

These control procedures, together with the National Center staff's con- tinuing desire to economize, have held operating expenses to less than a 2 per- cent increase over the entire Three Year Plan period, and have helped produce the $2.2 million operating surplus for the year.

Why does the Feast letter contain both an audio tape and a letter? The National Spiritual Assembly heard from a large number of commu- nities that the letters were often read poorly or not at all in the Feast. In ad- dition, people learn differently. The is- sues before the community are impor- tant to every believer, so the National Spiritual Assembly decided to send both letters and tapes.

Could money be saved by sending only one item to those who request it? A study of the matter indicated that the cost of "customized" mailings, in terms of labor, missed deadlines and possible mistakes, would be greater than the potential savings.

Why is my contribution not tax de- ductible? If you made a contribution to one of the international funds and did not give "discretion" over the amount to the National Spiritual Assembly, or if you sent it directly to the Bahá’í World Center, there is a chance that, if your taxes are audited, you might not be able to claim the gift as a charitable deduction.

The IRS requires that a U.S.-based organization determine how the money is used. In every case where the giver expressed the wish that their gift be applied to an international project, the National Spiritual Assembly com- plied with that wish.

Is ACS (the Automatic Contribution System) a spiritual way to discharge my obligation to the Funds? The spiritual part is deciding to give and how much to give as a sacrifice for the Cause. How to give is a secondary issue. What ACS does do is establish a stable minimum of contributions that helps get the Fund through the crucial summer months. The more reliable its income is, the better the National Spiri- tual Assembly can plan its activities and expenses.

IN MEMORIAM

Velma Sherrill, former Counselor, NSA member To the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States Share your deep sense loss in passing Velma L. Sherrill, loyal, diligent maidser- vant Bahá’u’lláh. Her unflagging devotion interests Faith over period some five decades has left lasting impression development American Bahá’í community. Indomitable will, indefatigable energy, unfailing efficiency characterized her extensive activities which included her involvement national administration, teaching work, membership National Spiritual Assembly, duties as Auxiliary Board member, executive assistant Hand Cause Khadem and subsequently as Continental Counselor Americas. Extend loving sympathy her dear husband Lloyd. Fervently praying Holy Shrines progress her soul Abhá Kingdom. Ad- vise hold memorial service her honor House Worship Wilmette. The Universal House of Justice May 20, 1996

The Continental Counselors North American group and the National Spiritual Assembly gathered to pray in the Mother Temple of the West during its meet- ing this past weekend and beseeched the Almighty speed the noble soul of devoted long-time maidservant Velma Sherrill toward the Abhá Kingdom and her full share of Divine blessings. Her faithful and steadfast services as a mem- ber of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, as an Auxiliary Board member, and as a Continental Counselor are her legacy to present and future generations.

Our heartfelt sympathy embraces her dearly loved husband and confidant, Lloyd, as we pray for his solace and comfort in this time of separation.

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States Velma L. Sherrill

Betty Kappus, pioneer to many countries, dies in Dominican Republic

Elizabeth Schelleng (Betty) Kappus died last December 16 in the Domini- can Republic.

Mrs. Kappus, one of the early believ- ers in western New York, and her hus- band, Fred, responded in 1958 to the Guardian's call for pioneers by mov- ing with their four children to Peru and then to Otavalo, Ecuador, where they remained until 1963.

Later they continued their services overseas in Uruguay, St. Vincent, Bo- livia, Guatemala, Mexico and Nicara- gua. After returning to western New York, Mrs. Kappus remained a vigilant and tireless teacher, reaching out to all people to bring them the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

On learning of her passing, the Uni- versal House of Justice e-mailed: "Dear Betty will be long remembered for the loving dedication with which she and her family served the Faith for many years, in numerous countries, and will be sorely missed by the friends whose hearts she touched in countless ways."

Goldie Ackerman Clio, MI April 25, 1996

Badi Akhtar-Khavari Florence, KY March 30, 1996

Parichehr Bagha Santa Monica, CA April 20, 1996

Hazel Bowen New Haven, CT December 18, 1995

Thomas A. Brock Cortez, CO May 5, 1996

Elsie Brown Duluth, MN February 27, 1996

Doris Byrd Indianapolis, IN April 19, 1996

Mary S. Duran Tucson, AZ December 20, 1995

Doris B. Fields San Jose, CA April 21, 1996

Marc Towers, tireless teacher of Cause for nearly 40 years, dies in Tennessee

To the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States We were saddened to learn, from your e-mail of April 29, 1996, of the passing of Mr. Marc Towers, an indefatigable servant of Bahá’u’lláh whose services to the Faith will be lovingly remembered and whose spirit will be sorely missed. Kindly assure his wife, Florence, and their son, David, of our ardent prayers in the Holy Shrines for the progress of dear Marc's soul in the Abhá Kingdom, and that they may be divinely comforted during this difficult time. The Universal House of Justice May 8, 1996

Marc Towers, a tireless teacher and pioneer for the Faith for nearly 40 years, died April 28 in Hendersonville, Tennessee, following a brief illness.

After declaring his faith in 1957, Mr. Towers served on the Spiritual Assem- bly of Beverly Hills, California, and was later appointed to the Auxiliary Board with territory west of the Mis- sissippi River.

After a pilgrimage to Haifa, he was directed to move in 1963 to Hawaii, where his territory as Auxiliary Board member was the Pacific including Aus- tralia. Soon afterward Mr. Towers was sent by the Hand of the Cause of God Collis Featherstone to live in Austra- lia, remaining there until 1968. While in that country, he helped organize its first Bahá’í Youth Conference.

In 1979 Mr. Towers and his wife, Flo- rence, pioneered to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, where he served for 14 years as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly.

He was instrumental in establishing the Interfaith Coalition in the Virgin Islands, which became a major chan- nel for conveying information about the Faith throughout the islands.

In 1995, Mrs. Towers' ill health forced them to return to the States. They settled in Hendersonville, where Mr. Towers taught Sunday school classes and offered his services to open and operate the Bahá’í Center in Nashville three days a week.

Mishka Gandom-Pak-Kun Bethany, OK April 6, 1996

Pankas Giasotta South Bend, IN March 21, 1996

Hazel Gleason Algoma, WI April 16, 1996

Nellie Grindstone Little Eagle, SD April 15, 1996

Masoud Hakim Flushing, NY January 19, 1996

Evelyn Hardin Atlantic Beach, FL April 29, 1996

Alden S. Howard Heber, AZ April 11, 1996

Charles Kilmer Binghamton, NY April 12, 1996

Elias Laughlin Jamestown, NY April 9, 1996

Sarah K. Logue Centerville, OH April 11, 1996

Dan MacLachlan Uniontown, OH May 1, 1996

Julie Martinez Kyle, SD January 3, 1996

Vera Mokritsky Endicott, NY April 16, 1996

Robert E. Moul Boulder City, NV April 4, 1996

Herbert Oehlwein Pasco, WA March 26, 1996

Betty Reynolds Camas, WA March 1996

Bijan Sadeghzadeh Cockeyville, MD March 23, 1996

Clarence Schneider Ogden, UT April 14, 1996

Ruby K. Seigel Highland Park, MI March 31, 1996

Gladys Silas Montezuma Creek, UT April 12, 1996

Denise Tohidi Garden Grove, CA December 13, 1995

Leonard Vader Bellingham, WA May 1, 1996

Adabelle Veneno Dulce, NM March 15, 1996

Lillian Weidner Boise, ID April 10, 1996

Mary West Oklahoma City, OK February 24, 1996

Margarete Workman Cul de Sac, ID April 23, 1996 [Page 28]

CALENDAR

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The staff at the Bahá’í House of Worship celebrated Ayyám-i-Há with more than 60 volunteers and their families in a program designed to honor those who serve as volunteer guides/teachers, hospitality coordinators, readers, office assistants and committee members. After opening remarks by Lorelei McClure, administrator of the House of Worship, students of Knight of Bahá’u’lláh Gayle Woolson’s classes on public speaking gave impressive recitations. Artis Mebane of Media Services said the number of hours (more than 10,000) given by volunteers each year, if converted to miles, would be more than enough to reach from Wilmette to Haifa. After a closing prayer, the volunteers and their families were given a tour of the House of Worship’s upper balconies and Archives.

MOVING? TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS.

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

A. NAME(S): 1. ____________________ I.D. # ________ Title ________ 2. ____________________ I.D. # ________ Title ________ 3. ____________________ I.D. # ________ Title ________ 4. ____________________ I.D. # ________ Title ________

B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS:	C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS:
________________________________________ Street address	________________________________________ P.O. Box or Other mailing address
________________________________________ Apartment # (If applicable)	________________________________________ Apartment # (If applicable)
____________________ ____________________ City	____________________ ____________________ City
____________________ ____________________ State Zip code	____________________ ____________________ State Zip code

D. NEW COMMUNITY: ____________________ ____________________ Name of new Bahá’í Community Moving date

E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER: ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ Area code Phone number Name

F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S): ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ Area code Phone number Name

____________________ ____________________ ____________________ Area code Phone number Name

G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE: [ ] we do not have the same last name. [ ] We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) and I.D. number(s) listed above. [ ] the last names and addresses on our 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.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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

JULY

1-27: World Order Studies, a three-year certificate program, Landegg Academy, Wienacht, Switzerland.

4-7: Bellemont Bahá’í School, near Flagstaff, Arizona, sponsored by the Spiritual Assemblies of Flagstaff and Coconino County East. Theme: “The Four Year Plan: The Most Important Years of Your Life.” Registrar: Ellen Stone, P.O. Box 2533, Flagstaff, AZ 86003 (phone 520-526-5979).

6-11: Youth on the March: Preparation for Summer Teaching Projects, Bosch Bahá’í School.

7: Concert/picnic on the Piscataqua, Green Acre Bahá’í School, featuring a concert of gospel music with special guests Van and Cookie Gilmer.

7-August 3: Residential session, Wilmette Institute’s Spiritual Foundations of a Global Civilization, National Louis University, Wilmette. A month-long study course on world religions and skills development for teaching. Several openings still remain. For information, phone the Wilmette Institute, 847-733-3492.

13-18: General Session, Bosch Bahá’í School. The Kitáb-i-Íqán with Brent Poirier, The LSA: Channel of God’s Grace with David Rouleau, and Teaching the Faith Through Tapestry with Vicki Hu ‎Poirer Poirier‎.

20-25: General Session, Bosch Bahá’í School. Race: Examining Myths of Tradition with James F. Nelson, Creating and Sustaining Unity in the Urban Community with Gloria Haithman-Ali, and The Covenant with Derek Cockshut. Also, College Intensive Session with Sean Lurie.

21: Sarah Farmer birthday anniversary celebration, Green Acre Bahá’í School, hosted by the Sarah Farmer Women’s Center and including period costumes, re-enactments, a birthday cake, fellowship and fun.

26-August 1: Western Washington Bahá’í School, Brighton Creek Conference Center. Registrar: Linda Wilke, 206-841-1642.

27-August 1: Youth Institute, Bosch Bahá’í School.

28-August 1: Study course, The Book of Certitude, Landegg Academy, Wienacht, Switzerland.

AUGUST

1-11: Study course, Education for Peace, Landegg Academy, Wienacht, Switzerland.

3-8: Junior Youth Institute, Bosch Bahá’í School.

4: Concert/picnic on the Piscataqua, Green Acre Bahá’í School, with a keynote address by Bob Harris.

9-11: Southern California Bahá’í School summer session, a weekend camp in the mountains. For information, phone 909-984-4727 or 909-983-1022.

10-15: Junior Youth Institute, Bosch Bahá’í School.

12-18: Persian Arts & Letters Conference, Landegg Academy, Wienacht, Switzerland.

16-18: Second annual NABI Pow-wow and 5K Indian Trail Run, Native American Bahá’í Institute, Houck, Arizona. Plus, Health Forum and Indian Education Workshops. All are welcome.

17-22: General Session, Bosch Bahá’í School. Building Relationships, Friendships and Opportunities to Teach with Michael Winger-Bearskin, Teaching Through Story-Telling with Charlene Winger-Bearskin, and The Covenant with Derek Cockshut.

18-22: Annual conference, 30 Plus, Landegg Academy, Wienacht, Switzerland.

22-25: Study course, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: The Mainspring of the Oneness of Humanity, Landegg Academy, Wienacht, Switzerland.

24-29: General Session, Bosch Bahá’í School. Creating Teachers of the Cause with Counselor Wilma Ellis Kazemzadeh, Great Teachers of the Cause with Firuz Kazemzadeh, and The Covenant with Derek Cockshut.

26-September 11: Study course, Foundations of Racial Unity, Landegg Academy, Wienacht, Switzerland.

30-September 2: Labor Day Weekend: Teaching Through the Arts with Jack Lenz, Muhtadia Rice and others, Bosch Bahá’í School.

SEPTEMBER

1: Concert/picnic on the Piscataqua, Green Acre Bahá’í School, with a keynote address by special guest Counselor A.-M. Ghadirian.

5-8: Psychology forum, Psychology for Everyone, Landegg Academy, Wienacht, Switzerland.

13-15: “Creating Community,” the annual commemoration of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Guest speaker: Robert C. Henderson. Workshops and activities for those of all ages. For information, phone Robyn Leor, 970-928-7424.

19-22: Marriage Development Training, Landegg Academy, Wienacht, Switzerland.

20-22: Seminar on the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, sponsored by the Corridor of Light and Spiritual Assembly of Astoria, Oregon, in Otter Rock. Presenter: Habib Riazati. Registrar: Jerry Bartoldus, P.O. Box 887, Astoria, OR 97103-0887; information, Jill Dale, 503-867-3176 or 503-265-6905. Registration deadline: August 1.

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

RAHMAT B.E. 153 / JUNE 24, 1996