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Two wings of a bird: the equality of women and men

A statement by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

The emancipation of women, the achievement of full equality between the sexes, is essential to human progress and the transformation of society. Inequality retards not only the advancement of women but the progress of civilization itself. The persistent denial of equality to one-half of the world's population is an affront to human dignity. It promotes destructive attitudes and habits in men and women that pass from the family to the work place, to political life, and ultimately to international relations. On no grounds, moral, biological or traditional, can inequality be justified. The moral and psychological climate necessary to enable our nation to establish social justice and to contribute to global peace will be created only when women attain full partnership with men in all fields of endeavor.

The systematic oppression of women is a conspicuous and tragic fact of history. Restricted to narrow spheres of activity in the life of society, denied educational opportunities and basic human rights, subjected to violence, and frequently treated as less than human, women have been prevented from realizing their true potential. Age-old patterns of subordination, reflected in popular culture, literature and art, law, and even religious scriptures, continue to pervade every aspect of life. Despite the advancement of political and civil rights for women in America and the widespread acceptance of equality in principle, full equality has not been achieved.

The damaging effects of gender prejudice are a fault line beneath the foundation of our national life. The gains for women rest uneasily on unchanged, often unexamined, inherited assumptions. Much remains to be done. The achievement of full equality requires a new understanding of who we are, what is our purpose in life, and how we relate to one another—an understanding that will compel us to reshape our lives and thereby our society.

At no time since the founding of the women's rights movement in America has the need to focus on this issue been greater. We stand at the threshold of a new century and a new millennium. Their challenges are already upon us, influencing our families, our lifestyles, our nation, our world. In the process of human evolution, the ages of infancy and childhood are past. The turbulence of adolescence is slowly and painfully preparing us for the age of maturity, when prejudice and exploitation will be abolished and unity established. The elements necessary to unify peoples and nations are precisely those needed to bring about equality of the sexes and to improve the relationships between women and men. The effort to overcome the history of inequality requires the full participation of every man, woman, youth and child.

Ten-packs of Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men sold like hotcakes in the Bahá’í Distribution Service bookstore at the National Convention. In fact, the entire allotment disappeared in less than 90 minutes. (Photo by Tom Mennillo)

National Spiritual Assembly Chairman James F. Nelson (left) introduces his fellow members of the incoming Assembly (from left) Robert C. Henderson, Alberta Deas, Juana Conrad, Patricia Locke, William E. Davis, Firuz Kazemzadeh, Jack McCants and Dorothy W. Nelson. (Photo by Tom Mennillo)

88TH BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CONVENTION

Delegates commit to concerted action

By TOM MENNILLO

It was both an ending and a beginning as the 88th Bahá’í National Convention passed into history and delegates returned home to help usher in the second stage—concerted action—of the Four Year Plan.

They had spent four days April 24–27 at the Holiday Inn O'Hare in Rosemont, Illinois, deepening on their role in the Plan and as delegates, listening to progress reports, studying the latest guidance from their Supreme Institution, consulting on how to help advance the process of entry by troops, and being uplifted by music and drama. They were eyewitness to two momentous events: the release of the long-anticipated statement by the National Spiritual Assembly, Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men, and a two-hour live satellite telecast to nearly 50 sites across the country.

A sacred duty

And, midway through the Convention, they elected the nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly.

The day was still young April 26 when delegates boarded buses and traveled to the Mother Temple of the West to discharge their sacred duty.

In that holy precinct, the 159 delegates present prayerfully cast their ballots. Another eight delegates voted by mail, for a total of 167.

When results were announced that afternoon, the Convention floor erupted See DELEGATES page 15 [Page 2]

Ridván message from Universal House of Justice

To the Bahá’ís of the world

Dearly loved Friends,

We acclaim with grateful hearts the eager response on all continents to the Four Year Plan launched last Ridván.

Consultations of the Continental Counselors and National Spiritual Assemblies started an extensive planning process, also involving Auxiliary Board members and local Spiritual Assemblies. Through such a process the national and regional character of the derivative plans took shape. But this world-encompassing exercise did more than yield distinctive schemes for the different countries; it also boosted the collaborative relationship of the two arms of the Administrative Order, a most welcome portent of the victories yet to come.

A sign of the immediate impact of the Plan was the speed with which steps were taken to establish nearly 200 training institutes during the last 12 months. Many of these have gone far beyond the point of designing their organization; they are actually in operation and have offered their first courses.

Moreover, in the movement of homefront and international pioneers and traveling teachers; in the increased attention given by individuals to deputizing teachers; in the preparations made to ensure the formation of local Spiritual Assemblies only on the first day of Ridván; in the increasing endeavors to hold regular devotional meetings; in the widening efforts to make use of the arts in the teaching work and community activities—in all these respects could be discerned the friends' keen awareness of the importance of concentrating on the requirements of the major aim of the Plan, which is to effect a significant advance in the process of entry by troops.

Nor can we neglect to recognize other developments during the past year which confirmed the high merit of the manifold efforts being exerted by our world community and the results being achieved. Among these, to mention a few, were: the acquisition of the apartment at 4 Avenue de Camoens in Paris where the beloved Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, resided during His historic visit to the city; the special session on August 14 of the Federal Chamber of Deputies in Brazil to mark the 75th anniversary of the introduction of the Bahá’í Faith into that country—a unique, official occasion at which Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum was present as the honored guest; the launching last July of the Bahá’í International Community’s site on the World Wide Web, entitled "The Bahá’í World," which to date has received from more than 90 countries and territories over 50,000 visits, averaging some 200 per day.

Hardly outpaced by such accomplishments, the construction projects on Mount Carmel maintained a dazzling momentum highlighted by the completion of the marble colonnade of the Center for the Study of the Texts, by the rise of the International Teaching Center building toward its seventh level, and by the ongoing emergence of the far-stretching features of the Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb. In this connection must be mentioned the partial lowering of the section of the public road over which the line of terraces will pass, and the acquisition and subsequent demolition of the building at the foot of the mountain which stood as the last obstruction that had to be overcome to make possible the completion of the lower terraces through which the glorious pathway rises up toward the sacred Edifice and beyond it to the crest of the Hill of God.

Also of acute relevance to the progress thus described was the maintenance of a level of contributions to the Arc Projects Fund which fulfilled the goal for the last year. Clearly, the financial demands in this regard are being met with incessant heroism by rich and poor alike, and must be sustained over the remaining years. At the same time, however, a parallel effort, equally strenuous and sustained, should be simultaneously exerted by the Assemblies and friends throughout the world to fill the critical needs of the Bahá’í International Fund.

Such an auspicious beginning to the Four Year Plan as has been experienced cannot but inspire confidence in the hearts of the members of our worldwide community that they are fully equipped to execute its requirements as outlined in the messages that launched it, and as elaborated in the plans adopted by their respective Assemblies.

A further and especially appreciated encouragement as we enter this second year is that circumstances have made it feasible for the re-establishment this Ridván of the National Spiritual Assembly of Rwanda. This victory over crisis will bring to 175 the number of National Spiritual Assemblies that will be eligible to participate in the eighth International Bahá’í Convention to be held next Ridván at the Bahá’í World Center. How dearly we hope that by then, at the very midpoint of the Plan, the Bahá’í world will have made a major leap forward in the multiplication of its human resources, the maturation of its Spiritual Assemblies, and the evolution of its local communities.

The opportunity offered by the brief span of time before the century ends is precious beyond all telling. Only a united and sustained effort by the friends everywhere to advance the process of entry by troops can befit such a historic moment. Responsibilities urgent and inescapable press upon every institution, every member of a community striving toward its God-promised destiny.

As there is only a short period in which to achieve a great deal, no time must be spared, no opportunity lost. Rest assured, dear friends, that the hosts of the Abhá Kingdom stand ready to rush to the support of anyone who will arise to offer his or her acts of service to the unfolding spiritual drama of these momentous days.

The Universal House of Justice

Ridván 154 B.E.

Mississippi conference aims to advance process of entry by troops

Joy and unity pervaded the Music Hall building of Jackson State (Mississippi) University on March 28-30 as 90 friends gathered from Louisiana and Mississippi to consult and learn skills to advance the process of entry by troops in their states.

The conference demonstrated clearly the beauty and benefits of collaboration and universal participation. It was hosted by the Spiritual Assembly of Jackson, sponsored by the Regional Committee for the Southern States in collaboration with Auxiliary Board members, and involved the participation of communities in Louisiana and Mississippi in planning devotions, registration, book sales, music, visual aids and children’s classes.

Youth shared their talents through song and instruments. Children made banners and hats in class and crossed the MSU campus in a race unity march.

The conference had the bounty of the presence of Counselor Tod Ewing, who spoke, took part in workshops and met with the youth. Auxiliary Board members Farah Guchani-Rosenberg and Jeanette Hedayati and Regional Committee members Bob James and Ahmad Mahboubi also addressed the conference.

Workshops were held on teaching and the 11 elements involved in the process of entry by troops. The friends were given materials and tools to create their own individual and community teaching plans. Sessions on the same topics were held for the youth.

On the first evening of the conference, stories were shared by longtime Bahá’ís Virginia Johnson and Ethlyn Campbell who shared tales of the history of the Faith in the Jackson area. How blessed the history of an area that was residence to such precious souls as the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears and Marguerite Sears, and was visited by the Hands of the Cause Dorothy Baker, Dr. Muhajir, Enoch Olinga and others.

On Saturday evening, a public meeting was held at which Counselor Ewing spoke on the Bahá’í view of race unity. Fliers announcing the meeting had been distributed on campus.

The conference was not only an inspiration for the Bahá’ís. It served as a teaching event on the campus as all the friends mingled with the students in a spirit of love. Moreover, a dear friend’s hospitalization became a proclamation itself when conference-goers sent a huge card decorated with greetings and pictures.

On the last morning of the conference, friends from both states shared stories of their victories and activities. Under two large maps marked with Assemblies, Groups, and isolated believers, the spirit of joy overflowed as friends applauded and encouraged one another for their efforts.

Truly, the weekend demonstrated that when we make the effort to teach and serve His mighty Cause and are united in this effort, Bahá’u’lláh engineers the event and astonishes us and showers us with the breath of the Holy Spirit!

Counselors Ayala, Chang are scheduled to take part in Pacific Islander event

Counselors Ben Ayala and Afemata Moli Chang from Australasia are among those taking part June 5-8 in the second annual Pacific Islander Teaching Conference at the Bosch Bahá’í School in Santa Cruz, California.

The Counselors will discuss various teaching efforts including the "Ocean of Light" projects in the Pacific area. Other presenters include National Spiritual Assembly member Juana Conrad, Sue and Khalil Khavari, Poova Murday and others.

To share the culture, music, dance and spirituality of the Pacific Islanders, contact the school at 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564 or e-mail [Page 3]

TWO WINGS OF A BIRD: the equality of women and men

A statement by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

The emancipation of women, the achievement of full equality between the sexes, is essential to human progress and the transformation of society. Inequality retards not only the advancement of women but the progress of civilization itself. The persistent denial of equality to one-half of the world's population is an affront to human dignity. It promotes destructive attitudes and habits in men and women that pass from the family to the work place, to political life, and ultimately to international relations. On no grounds, moral, biological or traditional, can inequality be justified. The moral and psychological climate necessary to enable our nation to establish social justice and to contribute to global peace will be created only when women attain full partnership with men in all fields of endeavor.

The systematic oppression of women is a conspicuous and tragic fact of history. Restricted to narrow spheres of activity in the life of society, denied educational opportunities and basic human rights, subjected to violence, and frequently treated as less than human, women have been prevented from realizing their true potential. Age-old patterns of subordination, reflected in popular culture, literature and art, law, and even religious scriptures, continue to pervade every aspect of life. Despite the advancement of political and civil rights for women in America and the widespread acceptance of equality in principle, full equality has not been achieved.

The damaging effects of gender prejudice are a fault line beneath the foundation of our national life. The gains for women rest uneasily on unchanged, often unexamined, inherited assumptions. Much remains to be done. The achievement of full equality requires a new understanding of who we are, what is our purpose in life, and how we relate to one another—an understanding that will compel us to reshape our lives and thereby our society.

At no time since the founding of the women's rights movement in America has the need to focus on this issue been greater. We stand at the threshold of a new century and a new millennium. Their challenges are already upon us, influencing our families, our lifestyles, our nation, our world. In the process of human evolution, the ages of infancy and childhood are past. The turbulence of adolescence is slowly and painfully preparing us for the age of maturity, when prejudice and exploitation will be abolished and unity established. The elements necessary to unify peoples and nations are precisely those needed to bring about equality of the sexes and to improve the relationships between women and men. The effort to overcome the history of inequality requires the full participation of every man, woman, youth and child.

Over a century ago, for the first time in religious history, Bahá’u’lláh, the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, in announcing God's purpose for the age, proclaimed the principle of the equality of women and men, saying: "Women and men have been and will always be equal in the sight of God."1 The establishment of equal rights and privileges for women and men, Bahá’u’lláh says, is a precondition for the attainment of a wider unity that will ensure the well-being and security of all peoples. The Bahá’í Writings state emphatically that "When all mankind shall receive the same opportunity of education and the equality of men and women be realized, the foundations of war will be utterly destroyed."2

Thus the Bahá’í vision of equality between the sexes rests on the central spiritual principle of the oneness of humankind. The principle of oneness requires that we "regard humanity as a single individual, and one's own self as a member of that corporeal form,"3 and that we foster an unshakable consciousness that "if pain or injury afflicts any member of that body, it must inevitably result in suffering for all the rest."4

Bahá’u’lláh teaches that the divine purpose of creation is the achievement of unity among all peoples: "Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest."5

The full and equal participation of women in all spheres of life is essential to social and economic development, the abolition of war, and the ultimate establishment of a united world. In the Bahá’í Scriptures the equality of the sexes is a cornerstone of God's plan for human development and prosperity: "The world of humanity is possessed of two wings: the male and the female. So long as these two wings are not equivalent in strength, the bird will not fly. Until womankind reaches the same degree as man, until she enjoys the same arena of activity, extraordinary attainment for humanity will not be realized; humanity cannot wing its way to heights of real attainment. When the two wings...become equivalent in strength, enjoying the same prerogatives, the flight of man will be exceedingly lofty and extraordinary."6

The Bahá’í Writings state that to proclaim equality is not to deny that differences in function between women and men exist but rather to affirm the complementary roles men and women fulfill in the home and society at large. Stating that the acquisition of knowledge serves as "a ladder for [human] ascent,"7 Bahá’u’lláh prescribes identical education for women and men but stipulates that when resources are limited first priority should be given to the education of women and girls. The education of girls is particularly important because, although both parents have responsibilities for the rearing of children, it is through educated mothers that the benefits of knowledge can be most effectively diffused throughout society.

Reverence for, and protection of, motherhood have often been used as justification for keeping women socially and economically disadvantaged. It is this discriminatory and injurious result that must change. Great honor and nobility are rightly conferred on the station of motherhood and the importance of training children. Addressing the high station of motherhood, the Bahá’í Writings state, "O ye loving mothers, know ye that in God's sight, the best of all ways to worship Him is to educate the children and train them in all the perfections of humankind...."8 The great challenge facing society is to make social and economic provisions for the full and equal participation of women in all aspects of life while simultaneously reinforcing the critical functions of motherhood.

Asserting that women and men share similar "station and rank" and "are equally the recipients of powers and endowments from God,"9 the Bahá’í teachings offer a model of equality based on the concept of partnership. Only when women become full participants in all domains of life and enter the important arenas of decision-making will humanity be prepared to embark on the next stage of its collective development.

Bahá’í Scripture emphatically states that women will be the greatest factor in establishing universal peace and international arbitration. "So it will come to pass that when women participate fully and equally in the affairs of the world, when they enter confidently and capably the great arena of laws and politics, war will cease; for woman will be the obstacle and hindrance to it."10

The elimination of discrimination against women is a spiritual and moral imperative that must ultimately reshape existing legal, economic and social arrangements. Promoting the entry of greater numbers of women into positions of prominence and authority is a necessary but not sufficient step in creating a just social order. Without fundamental changes in the attitudes and values of individuals and in the underlying ethos of social institutions, full equality between women and men cannot be achieved. A community based on partnership, a community in which aggression and the use of force are supplanted by cooperation and consultation, requires the transformation of the human heart.

"The world in the past has been ruled by force, and man has dominated over woman by reason of his more forceful and aggressive qualities both of body and mind. But the balance is already shifting; force is losing its dominance, and mental alertness, intuition, and the spiritual qualities of love and service, in which woman is strong, are gaining ascendancy. Hence the new age will be an age less masculine and more permeated with the feminine ideals...an age in which the masculine and feminine elements of civilization will be more evenly balanced."11

Men have an inescapable duty to promote the equality of women. The presumption of superiority by men thwarts the ambition of women and inhibits the creation of an environment in which equality may reign. The destructive effects of inequality prevent men from maturing and developing the qualities necessary to meet the challenges of the new millennium. "As long as women are prevented from attaining their highest possibilities," the Bahá’í Writings state, "so long will men be unable to achieve the greatness which might be theirs."12 It is essential that men engage in a careful, deliberate examination of attitudes, feelings and behavior deeply rooted in cultural habit, that block the equal participation of women and stifle the growth of men. The willingness of men to take responsibility for equality will create an optimum environment for progress: "When men own the equality of women there will be no need for them to struggle for their rights!"13

The long-standing and deeply rooted condition of inequality must be eliminated. To overcome such a condition requires the exercise of nothing short of "genuine love, extreme patience, true humility, consummate tact, sound initiative, mature wisdom, and deliberate, persistent, and prayerful effort."14 Ultimately, Bahá’u’lláh promises, a day will come when men will welcome women in all aspects of life. Now is the time to move decisively toward that promised future.

Notes

1. Bahá’u’lláh, from a Tablet translated from the Persian and Arabic, quoted in Women: Extracts from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice, comp. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice (Thornhill, Ontario: National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada, 1986), no. 54.

2. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks delivered by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912, comp. Howard MacNutt, 2d ed. (Wilmette, Ill.: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1982), p. 175.

3. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Secret of Divine Civilization, trans. Marzieh Gail and Ali-Kuli Khan, 1st ps ed. (Wilmette, Ill.: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1990), p. 39.

4. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 39.

5. Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words, trans. Shoghi Effendi (Wilmette, Ill.: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1939), p. 20.

6. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Promulgation, p. 375.

7. Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, comp. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, trans. Habib Taherzadeh et al., 1st ps ed. (Wilmette, Ill.: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1988), p. 51.

8. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, comp. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, trans. Committee at the Bahá’í World Center and Marzieh Gail (Wilmette, Ill.: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1997), 114.1.

9. Bahá’u’lláh, Tablet translated from the Persian and Arabic, quoted in Women, no. 2; ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Promulgation, p. 300.

10. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Promulgation, p. 135.

11. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, quoted in Wendell Phillips Dodge, "Abdul-Baha's Arrival in America," in Star of the West 3 (April 28, 1912), no. 3, p. 4.

12. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks: Addresses Given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Paris in 1911, 12th ed. (London: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1995), 40.33.

13. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, 50.14.

14. Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 40. [Page 4]

New network links youth in service to the world

In its Ridván 153 letter to the Bahá’ís of the world, the Universal House of Justice praised "the outstanding contributions of youth to expansion and consolidation," noting that "youth through- out the world invested immense amounts of time, energy and zeal in the teaching work as traveling teachers within and outside their countries and as teams in collective teaching projects... com- mitment to a year of service was more widely demonstrated."

Many youth returning from a period of service in the Bahá’í Youth Service Corps have expressed their commitment and enthusiasm for their expe- rience by encouraging other young people to take part in this program. And since its inception in 1985, the Bahá’í Youth Service Corps has attracted increasing numbers of youth interested in giving a period of service either on the homefront or in- ternationally.

More than ever before, Bahá’í communities, insti- tutions and agencies around the world are asking for youth assistance. However, the needs and oppor- tunities still far outstrip the number of youth who are arising to fill them.

To address this need, the Office of Pioneering has set up a network through which Bahá’í Youth Ser- vice Corps veterans can work in their own commu- nities or regions to:

• Promote a greater awareness of the BYSC as a vehicle for youth to give a period of full-time ser- vice to the Cause
• Facilitate a steady increase in the number of new BYSC volunteers
• Help prepare youth to be effective in their service
• Welcome, encourage and support returning BYSC volunteers

There are now 65 youth who serve the new Bahá’í Youth Service Corps Resource Network. They are available to work together with Assemblies, mem- bers of the Auxiliary Board and their assistants and other agencies of the Faith in their local areas to determine specific lines of action to achieve the above goals.

In some areas of the country, Network youth have been trained to serve as training facilitators for Bahá’í Youth Service Corps orientations and institutes.

If you or your community would like to call upon these youth resources, a current listing of the BYSC Resource Network is available on re- quest from the Office of Pioneering.

"Blessed is he who in the prime of his youth and the heyday of his life will arise to serve the Cause of the Lord of the beginning and of the end, and adorn his heart with His love. The manifesta- tion of such a grace is greater than the creation of the heavens and of the earth."

Long and short-term teaching projects

"Martha Root IV" project to the Bal- tic States (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia), mid-June-September 1, minimum 6- week commitment.

Teaching project in Hobart (Tasma- nia), Australia, from June 28-July 6.

Need for traveling teachers to help with radio programs, children's classes, development of training insti- tutes, teaching and deepening in re- mote areas in North Queensland.

"Marion Jack IX" project to south- eastern Russia in July and August (7 weeks). Summer teaching projects in Russia: two projects to reach native peoples in remote areas of Russia for which indigenous/American Indian believers are needed, July and August for 4-6 weeks. Teaching strategies in motion include Bahá’í Youth Work- sia. shops and North American profession- als reaching their counterparts in Rus- sia.

Teaching project and summer school in Mongolia, July 25-August 20.

"Project 2000" ongoing throughout the year in consecutive areas of Slovenia and Croatia.

Deepening programs (1-2 per month) and week-long village to vil- lage teaching projects throughout the year in Tonga. August: national edu- cation conference. December: summer school and national youth camp.

Conferences, schools and events

Alcan International Youth Training Institute and teaching project in Alaska from June 14-July 7.

July 4-6: 50th Anniversary of the Bahá’í community of Spain, Interna- tional Congress.

July 4-8: Colloquium; "The World Religions and the Bahá’í Faith" and seminar "Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh during the Tehran and Baghdad Peri- ods (1853-63)" at the Bahá’í Center of Manchester, United Kingdom.

July 12-13: International Youth Con- | ference for Teaching, in Barahona, Do- minican Republic.

July 21-27: Swedish summer school, "Living the life, from words to deeds" | in Munkfors.

July 26: 25th Anniversary Celebra- tion of the Mother Temple of Latin America, Panama City, Panama.

August 1-9: Bahá’í Academy for the Arts in the United Kingdom, sessions for ages 11-14 and ages 15 through adult.

Heart of Australia-Global Village gathering of indigenous believers, Townsville, Australia. Summertime: Date to be determined.

September 23-25: Annual meeting of the International Society for Agricul- ture and Rural Development, Oxford University, United Kingdom.

October 24-26: International Bahá’í Environment Conference at de Poort Conference Center, Netherlands.

For more information about needs and opportunities for international traveling teachers, please contact the Office of Pioneering. We also have the schedule of summer schools, deepen- ing institutes and Bahá’í camps in Canada and the 1997 program of the Landegg Academy in Switzerland, as well as other project and event infor- mation received after the April 15 deadline for this edition of The Ameri- can Bahá’í. Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. Phone 847-733-3508 or 3511, e-mail (for traveling teaching and international events)

In our next issue

Annual Reports of the National Spiriutal Assembly and its agen- cies

What international travels should be reported to the Office of Pioneering?

"As you know, in principle, any believer who arises and leaves his home for the purpose of serving the Cause and settles in another place is a pioneer. Short-term pioneers are those who spend a relatively short period of time in a place, usually from six months to two years, but, under specual circumstances, as little as three months. Unlike long-term pioneers, who are often preoccupied with employment, housing and family, short-term pioneers can devote full-time service to the Faith.

"Traveling teachers are, of course, those who travel from their place of residence to other localities for the purpose of promoting the interests of the Faith, individually or as participants in projects and programs. Youth-year-of-service volunteers working in the international field would fall into one or the other of the above categories, depending on their circumstances." (From a letter from the Department of the Secretariat of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, March 8, 1995)

To record the achievement of the traveling teaching goals, the Office of Pioneering needs information about all interna- tional trips undertaken for the sake of promoting the interests of the Faith. This information is important whatever the level or amount of service and regardless of whether your trip was exclusively for service to the Faith or was combined with a trip for business, holiday, family, study or otherwise.

To make this easiest for you, just fill out and send the short form below by mail to Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201, by fax to 847-733-3509, by email to or call 847-733-3511. Please include the names of all Bahá’ís traveling, the names of each country and the one or two main localities visited, the dates of your trip, and the main purpose of your travel. We look forward to hearing from you.

International Teaching Information

Name(s):

Address:

Tel: ( )

I.D. #s:

DATES COUNTRIES and/or LOCALITIES FROM TO

MAIN PURPOSE

Comments:

Please return to: Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 [Page 5]'A young boy... learns what it really means to live an upstanding life with compassion for others.'

2008-1

Grandfather's Barn

William Sears In Grandfather's Barn by William Sears SC $8.95 (IGB)

Written from the perspective of a young boy named William who lives in Green Valley, Minnesota, during the 1920s, In Grandfather's Barn is a humorous novel that recounts his adventures and misadventures growing up. Living in a small town is not always easy, but it can be the source of many hilarious lessons about life: His great crush on the beautiful Angela Raffodil; his first confession at church with Father O'Malley; his befriending Jerry Haller, the only black boy in town; and more—we always find him resolving the perplexities of life in Grandfather's barn. Relying on the practical, no-nonsense advice of his facetious grandfather, who helps him see through others' pretenses, William begins to understand what it really means to live an upstanding life with compassion for others.

5½"x8", 96 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United States

'... even though this book essentially is an academic exercise, it is eminently readable and thoroughly enjoyable. This heightens its appeal as a text for teaching and training institutes. Before long not only will you have read it, you will be using the tools ...'

The Ocean of His Words

A Reader's Guide to the Art of Bahá’u’lláh by John S. Hatcher SC $12.95 (OHW)

"Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths..." is Bahá’u’lláh's exhortation to us. In his latest work, titled The Ocean of His Words, John Hatcher provides a remarkably effective set of tools for making the most of this immersion. Using the tools of literary analysis, Dr. Hatcher shows us how to apply these same techniques to unravel an ever deeper understanding of the Sacred texts. Examples are used extensively to demonstrate the application of such literary devices as examining the narrative perspective, subject, and structure of a work as well as using historical criticism, among others. His elaboration of divine revelation as a perfect form of artistic expression is genuinely fresh, and even though this book essentially is an academic exercise it is eminently readable and thoroughly enjoyable. This heightens its appeal as a text for teaching and training institutes. Before too long not only will you have read it, you will be using the tools this book offers as a means to a deeper understanding of the art of Bahá’u’lláh!

5½"x8", 388 pp., foreword, contents, preface, appendix, bibliography Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United States

Women

Extracts from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice SC $3.95 (WCOMP)

This recently reprinted compilation assembled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice is the standard source for complementing any effort to study the Faith's perspective on the issues concerning the advancement of women and their equal station with man.

5½"x8", 59 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United States

'... the standard source for complementing any effort to study the Faith's perspective on the issues concerning the advancement of women ...'

'... general edition format suitable for large-scale distribution.'

Women: Peacemakers, Reformers, Leaders

by Wilma Ellis SC $2.95 (WPRL)

In Women: Peacemakers, Reformers, Leaders, Dr. Wilma Ellis, an international advocate for the advancement of women, points to a "revolution" in values taking place around the world, a revolution that is sometimes quiet and other times raucous but which cannot be stopped. Women are becoming the agents of change in their home communities. They are challenging outmoded ways of thinking about peace and leadership, abandoning competitive tactics for tactics that foster unity of actions and are discovering that through consultation their effectiveness as leaders is enhanced. Women not only can change the world—they are changing it now!

54"x8", 14 pp.

'... points to a revolution in values taking place around the world... that cannot be stopped.'

Two Wings of a Bird

The Equality of Women and Men

GENERAL EDITION EACH $.75 (SWS) 10 PACK $4.50 (SW10) 100 PACK $34.00 (SW100)

$9.95 (SWPE) DELUXE EDITION

$29.95 (SWDE) PRESENTATION EDITION

The National Spiritual Assembly's statement on gender equality and the advancement of women is now available in a general edition format suitable for large-scale distribution. Due out soon are the presentation and deluxe editions.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United States [Page 6]

Lift Up your Voices and Sing

Favorite Songs of Bahá’ís Around the World SEE PRICES BELOW

Finally! A collection of your favorite Bahá’í music! Since the early days of their Faith, Bahá’ís have enjoyed singing as a way of celebrating and communicating their belief in the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. Here for the first time is a comprehensive collection for many of the best-loved and well known songs written and performed by Bahá’ís for almost a century. All are new recordings presented here for the first time. Featured artists include Dash Crofts, Dan Seals, Van Gilmer, Red Grammer, Adrienne Ewing-Roush, Ává, Paul Seaforth, Castadarrow Thompkins, and Rachael Price. Produced and arranged by Tom Price.

Individual CDs $15.95 (LU1CD, LU2CD, LU3CD) or all three for $39.95 (LUCDP)

Volume 1 (LU1CD) Soldiers in God's Army Look at Me, Follow Me Ay Yad-I-Toh Nightingale of Paradise Have You Heard of Bahá’u’lláh Hummingbird The Prisoner God Is One The Prince of Peace Benediction

Volume Two (LU2CD) Bahá’u’lláh's Getting us Ready for that Great Day Proclaim the Greatest Name Would You Give Your Life to Bahá’u’lláh We Will Have One World World Citizens Queen of Carmel O Agyani East of Ginger Trees We May Never Pass this Way Again God Sufficeth

Volume Three (LU3CD) We Are One Windflowers Toko Zani Farkhundi Tayiri One Planet, One People, Please Advance Guards Bahá’u’lláh Mount Your Steeds Oh Bahá’u’lláh Blessed Is the Spot

Don't miss the other volumes in this series due out beginning later this year! 1-800-999-9019

The Bahá’í World 1995-96

HC $25.95 (BW96H) SC $13.95 (BW96S)

In addition to regular features, this year's volume includes the following highlights: coverage of Bahá’í involvement in the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing and in the events associated with the Fiftieth Anniversary of the United Nations (UN 50); a report on the December 1995 Counselor's Conference held at the Bahá’í World Center; an essay titled "Covenant and the Foundations of Civil Society"; "World Watch", written this year on values and governance in an emerging global society; Turning Point for All Nations and other major statements of the Bahá’í International Community; a profile of a Bahá’í social and economic development project in Brazil; and "The Year in Review", surveying the activities of Bahá’í communities and featuring some 30 color photographs.

6"x9", 346 pp., photographs, contents, glossary, index World Centre Publications

Dialogue and Universalism

Vol. VI No. 11-12/1996 The Bahá’í Faith: Universalism in Praxis SC $9.00 (BFUP)

This special Bahá’í issue of the journal Dialogue and Universalism marks the first joint publication project of the Association of Bahá’í Studies North America and a non-Bahá’í journal. The culmination of a three-year cooperative venture with the International Society for Universalism (Warsaw), this issue features articles from the perspective of a number of different disciplines as well as position papers from the Universal House of Justice, all dealing with the concept of the universality of the Bahá’í Faith. It should appeal to a wide range of scholars and thoughtful readers looking for new ways to think about and apply an understanding of universalism to the powerful challenges offered by the contemporary world.

6"x9", 232 pp. Centre of Universalism

The Mission of This Generation

Messages from the Universal House of Justice to Bahá’í Youth $12.95 SC (MGS)

A helpful and timely new book, containing the complete texts of 16 messages from the Universal House of Justice to young Bahá’ís, compiled by the European Bahá’í Youth Council. Also contains a section of exploratory questions on each of the messages, to aid study and deepening, plus a compilation of extracts from the messages, helpfully organized around themes and subjects of particular relevance to the Bahá’í youth of today.

5"x8", 144 pp., preface, contents, introduction, bibliography, notes, references, index Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United Kingdom

Local Spiritual Assembly Handbook

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia SC $24.95 (LSAH)

This Australian LSA Handbook is designed for ease of use by administrators and individuals who want to be fully functioning members of Bahá’í society. Some of the content is relevant only to Australia, but 95 percent of the guidance applies to Bahá’ís living anywhere in the world. Bahá’ís will benefit enormously from studying and referencing this handbook, now in its third edition. The question-and-answer format and comprehensive index make the content easy to access. Also included is a study guide on consultation and a number of workshops dealing with such issues as Bahá’í marriage without consent, the appearance of drinking, a predominantly Persian community and dominant personalities.

8"x11", 451 pp., contents, foreword, index Bahá’í Publications Australia

The City and the Heart

by Arthur M. Weinberg SC $7.95 (CH)

Ismael, Lisa, Helen, Aaron and the other children from Arthur Weinberg's story The Refuge and the Cage are back in another installment of a popular children's tale. Picking up where the last book left off, the characters continue their adventures while they acquire spiritual understanding.

5 1/4"x8", 109 pp. Brilliant Books [Page 7]

The Path Toward Spirituality

Sacred Duties and Practices of the Bahá’í Life

Shahin Vafai

$5.00 SC (PTSS)

Every Bahá’í has as his or her goal the perfection of spiritual attributes and an ever-increasing level of spirituality. Our faith in this process of change is a principal reason for our being Bahá’ís. Here in The Path Toward Spirituality is a synopsis of the steps that the Bahá’í Faith outlines as the prerequisites to that change. This book is already being used in many communities as a reference book for training institutes on the process of personal transformation and is organized specifically to instruct and train the reader in fundamental and concrete approaches to starting on the path toward spirituality. Includes practical exercises, quotations for reflection, appendices on related topics, and more.

6"x9", 149 pp., introduction, appendices, bibliography, references

Palabra Publications

Electing Bahá’í Assemblies

$2.50# SC (EBA)

This booklet, produced under the direction of the Office of Assembly Development and the National Teaching Committee, is a primer on the divine nature of the local Spiritual Assembly and its principal roles in a community. Developed to provide the basic information regarding this divine institution in an easy to assimilate and inspirational format, this booklet will help Assemblies educate all of the individuals in their community on these fundamental points of Bahá’í administration. Bulk priced at $2.00 each for 10 or more.

11"x8", 16 pp., photographs

Office of Assembly Development and the National Teaching Committee

Rainbow

Segey Valdivieso-Sinyakov

$5.95 SC (RAIN)

What would the world be like if there were no color? Find out when seven brothers-Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Orange, Indigo and Violet-lay down. their brushes and stop painting everything we see! This story for children is a lesson in appreciating everyone's contribution to the world.

5"x7", 18 pp., illustrations

Brilliant Books

Unveiling the Hidden Words

Bahá’í Studies Volume II

by Diana Malouf

SC $18.95 (HHWS)

The Hidden Words, that "marvelous collection of gem-like utterances" with which "Bahá’u’lláh was inspired, as He paced, wrapped in His meditations, the banks of the Tigris," is one of the most important works in Bahá’í literature and one of the most beautiful. The translation of the Arabic and Persian verses into English befitting the eloquence of the original required a master hand. Diana Malouf's Unveiling the Hidden Words is a study of the translation of the Arabic verses of the Hidden Words by Shoghi Effendi, designated the "interpreter" of the Bahá’í teachings, who was uniquely placed to render the words of his great-grandfather into English of outstanding beauty and charm. Dr. Malouf examines Shoghi Effendi's translation in light of certain "norms" or objectives for the translation-for example, to render the text elegantly, to make the translation enduring and to highlight its eloquence. Additionally, Dr. Malouf examines the life of Shoghi Effendi and his preparation for his work as translator of the Bahá’í writings, considers the nature of the Hidden Words itself as a literary work, and describes the goals and challenges of translating any work from one language into another. Included in the appendix are translations by different translators of 20 Arabic Hidden Words, demonstrating Shoghi Effendi's mastery of the art.

5½"x8", 230 pp., contents, introduction, bibliography, references

George Ronald

Twin Manifestations

Ruhi Institute Book 4

by the Ruhi Institute

SC $8.00 (TM4)

The fourth in the series from the Ruhi Institute, this book deals directly with the Twin Manifestations, their lives, station and teachings. Also included is a section which deals with the "greatness of this day." Carefully constructed lessons delineate the purpose, the ideas, the exercises and the practice necessary to acquire this basic set of knowledge regarding the Twin Prophet-Founders of the Bahá’í Faith. These lessons are suitable for adaptation into a wide range of age groups, from young children to adults.

8½"x11", 171 pp.

Palabra Publications

Investigate Bahá’u’lláh

J. Peter Smith

$1.25 SC (IB)

In this brief booklet the author, Peter Smith, outlines the questions that framed his personal investigation of the claims of Bahá’u’lláh. As a Christian, Mr. Smith asks and answers the most frequent questions that many Christians will have in making the same determination he has: that Bahá’u’lláh is the Promised One. Deriving most of the material from the Bible and the Bahá’í sacred writings, this booklet provides Bahá’ís with the information to respond to these same questions quickly and accurately. The booklet ends with an invitiation for the reader to further investigate the claims of Bahá’u’lláh.

54"x8", 20 pp.

White Mountain Publications

Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings on Spiritual Reality

SC $3.50 (BTSR)

A long awaited follow-up to Proofs of Bahá’u’lláh’s Mission, this book is a compilation of writings dealing with spiritual reality. An excellent introduction for seekers and new Bahá’ís on the Bahá’í theology of the quest for spirituality, what it means to be spiritual, the progress of the soul, and spiritual education. An equally vital refresher as well for any Bahá’í who wishes to reacquaint himself or herself with the Sacred Text's pronouncements on these and other corollary topics such as prayer and meditation, mastery of self, suffering, immortality, sacrifice, and an array of critical topics about which every Bahá’í should have an understanding. Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings on Spiritual Reality is an excellent opportunity for presenting the transforming Word of God to yourself or to another.

4"x7", 204 pp., introduction, bibliography

Palabra Publications

Revisioning the Sacred

New Perspectives on a Bahá’í Theology

Studies in the Bábí and Bahá’í Religions, Volume Eight

edited by J. A. McLean

HC $35.00 (RTSH), SC $29.95 (RTSS)

This book is the first academic volume dedicated to the serious understanding of Bahá’í theology as an area of Bahá’í studies. It is an historic first attempt to investigate Bahá’í theological teachings and Bahá’í Sacred Texts using systematic and scholarly methods. Each essay in the book is well argued and is the product of thorough research. Since the Bahá’í Faith has no clergy, the opinions of each author are only his or her own and cannot be regarded as authoritative statements of Bahá’í belief. Yet the insights that these scholars bring to bear will impel the reader to a closer, more prayerful reflection on the Bahá’í scriptures.

6"x9", 231 pp., introduction, bibliography

Kalimát Press

A Short Introduction to the Bahá’í Faith

by Moojan Momen

$11.95 SC (SIBF)

The Bahá’í Faith is the youngest of the world religions, with social and spiritual teachings very much in tune with the concerns of the present. Yet despite being the second most widespread religion after Christianity, many people are unfamiliar with Bahá’í history and beliefs. This bookoffers a clear, readable and informative introduction to all aspects of this fast-growing faith, from its teachings on the spiritual development of the individual to the Bahá’í belief in the oneness of all religions and the need for world peace. Sections of the book include personal spirituality, family and community life, worship and festivals, social and theological teachings, history of the Faith and an overview the present-day worldwide Bahá’í community.

54"x9", 150 pp., index, bibliography

Oneworld Publications

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SUBTOTAL SHIPPING SALES TAX TOTAL [Page 8]

THE LIFE-BLOOD

Treasurer’s corner

The Treasurer’s Corner is devoted to helping local treasurers and others who have special interest in development of the Funds by offering suggestions and ideas that might be helpful in this work. If you would like to offer stories or ideas that have proven useful in your community, you are invited to share them with other communities through this column. Contact the Office of the Treasurer and Development at 847-733-3472 or e-mail

Stewardship and Development Seminars

Approximately 150 Stewardship and Development Seminars, sponsored by the Office of the Treasurer and Development and hosted by local Spiritual Assemblies, are scheduled nationwide during the early summer months. All local Spiritual Assemblies are urged to participate in the seminar nearest them. The seminars are open to all interested community members as well. See the list of sites and dates elsewhere on this page.

Goal Sheets Due

Please note that local Spiritual Assembly goals for the National Fund are due in the Office of the Treasurer by May 15. Your goal should be reported on the Goal Sheet included in the informational mailing prior to Riḍván. If you do not have this sheet, contact the Office of the Treasurer at (847)733-3472 or for a replacement copy.

Show Us Your Identification Numbers!

Please help us to serve you better. With every contribution you send for your community, please include, if possible, the bottom portion of your last receipt from the National Fund. This form includes the Bahá’í Locality Code for each community, which is essential to accurate posting of each contribution received. If you do not have this form, you can include the BLC# on your community’s check.

Also, as Treasurer, please remind the friends in your community to include their individual Bahá’í identification number when sending a contribution directly to the National Fund. This will be done automatically if ‎the the the‎ bottom portion of their previous receipt is included with their contribution. Using this form affords as well, an efficient way to communicate any earmarking instructions.

Wills Brochure in Persian

The brochure, “...the Writing of a Will”, first introduced in English, is now available in Persian. It may be ordered either from the Office of the Treasurer or from the Office of Persian/ American Affairs. Individual copies are free and multiple copies are one dozen for $3.50. Copies in English are available for the same price through the Office of the Treasurer. Call (847)733-3472.

“The unity of the believers, rich and poor alike, in their support of the Fund will be a source of spiritual confirmations far beyond our capacity to envisage.”

Stewardship and Development seminars to be held soon in cities across country

More than 150 Stewardship and Development seminars are scheduled nationwide during the early summer months. The seminars, conducted by trained facilitators, are sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly and prepared by the Office of the Treasurer and Development.

The program has two components, the first being sound financial management of the local treasury. The second, and perhaps most important, is a deepening on the fundamental spiritual principles of giving to the Funds. All local Spiritual Assemblies are urged to attend; however, the seminars are open to any interested community member.

Most communities will be receiving their invitation soon for the seminar nearest them. Consult the following list for the site and date closest to you. For more information contact the host Assembly, phone the Office of the Treasurer and Development, 847-733-3472, or email

NORTHEASTERN STATES

ME: Augusta, May 24. Portland, May 17.

NY: Rochester, May 31. Syracuse, May 13. Ithaca, May 10. Buffalo, TBA. New York, June 21. Poughkeepsie Town, June 7. North Hempstead Town, May 10. Islip Town, May 24.

VT: Hartford, TBA.

MA: Medford, June 7. Springfield, TBA.

RI: Providence, TBA.

PA: Harrisburg, TBA. Tredyffrin Township (Philadelphia), May 31. Pittsburgh, June 28.

CT: New Haven, May 31.

NJ: Montclair Township, June 14.

SOUTHERN STATES

DE: Wilmington, June 8.

VA: Charlottesville, May 31. Norfolk, July 12. Fairfax Co. East, June 14. Prince Georges Co. North, June 15.

TN: Memphis, May 3. Knox County, May 17. Brentwood, May 31. Chattanooga, June 21.

KY: Jefferson Co (Louisville), May 31. Lexington, May 17.

NC: Asheville, June 29. ‎Wautauga Watauga‎ County, May 10. Charlotte, May 3. Guilford County, June 7. Hamlet, May 18. ‎DurhamCounty Durham County‎, June 8. Wilmington, June 15. Wilson, June 1.

SC: Greenville, TBA. Spartanburg, TBA. Florence, TBA. North Charleston, TBA. Richland County North, TBA.

GA: DeKalb County South, May 24. Augusta, May 3. Savannah, TBA. Macon, TBA.

FL: Pinellas County, May 3. Belle Glade, June 22. Orlando, May 17. Gainesville, May 24. Coral Springs, June 29. Key West, June 8. Dade Co. Central, June 21. Sarasota, May 18. De Land, May 25. Jacksonville, June 21. Tallahassee, TBA.

AL: Birmingham, TBA. Mobile, TBA.

MS: Jackson, TBA. Gulfport, TBA.

LA: Monroe, TBA.

TX: Dallas, May 3, May 10. Arlington, May 17. Houston, June 7. San Antonio, June 28. San Marcos, TBA. Victoria, May 18. Lubbock, June 15. Harlingen, TBA.

OK: Tulsa, May 31. Oklahoma City, TBA.

AR: Little Rock, May 18. Springdale, TBA.

CENTRAL STATES

IA: Cedar Rapids, June 21. Ames, June 14.

NE: Omaha, June 28.

IN: South Bend, TBA. Indianapolis, TBA. Bloomington, TBA. Evansville, TBA.

MN: Plymouth (Twin Cities), May 31. Rochester, May 10. Duluth, May 18.

ND: Fargo, June 1.

WI: Milwaukee, May 31. Madison, June 21. Green Bay, June 7.

MI: Detroit, May 24. Grand Rapids, May 17. Davison Township, May 11. Lansing, May 10. Marquette, May 3. Ann Arbor, June 14. Kalamazoo, June 22.

MO: St. Louis, TBA. Phelps County, TBA. St. Charles County, June 2. Kansas City, June 28. Columbia, June 14.

KS: Wichita, June 21. Topeka, May 31.

IL: Champaign, June 7. Rockford, May 18. Carbondale, TBA. Oak Park, TBA. Edwardsville, TBA.

OH: Columbus, July 27. Dayton, June 1. Mansfield, May 18. Cleveland, June 15. Toledo, TBA.

WESTERN STATES

AZ: Scottsdale, May 3. Tucson, TBA. Flagstaff, TBA. Tempe, TBA.

CA: Santa Cruz, May 10. Berkeley, June 7. Vacaville, June 22. Mountain View, May 31. Chico, June 4. El Dorado Co. S.E., June 7. Nevada Co. Central, June 8. Eureka, June 28. San Luis Obispo Co. South, June 14. Ventura County, May 18. Santa Clarita, May 10. Los Angeles, June 18. Redlands, May 4. San Clemente, June 21. San Diego, May 31.

CO: Cortez, May 24. Denver, May 13. Colorado Springs, May 24. Fort Collins, May 4. Glenwood Springs, TBA.

ID: Boise, May 31. Idaho Falls, May 3.

MT: Bozeman, TBA.

NM: Albuquerque, May 10. Las Cruces, June 21.

NV: Reno, June 11.

OR: Eugene, June 8. Greater Grants Pass, June 21. Portland, May 3.

UT: Salt Lake County, May 9–10. Logan, TBA.

WA: Seattle, May 31. Yakima, May 18.

WY: Cheyenne, TBA.

HUQÚQU’LLÁH

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

• Dr. Amin Banani, Santa Monica, CA 90402 (phone 310-394-5449).
• Mr. Stephen Birkland, Arden Hills, MN 55112 (phone 612-484-9518).
• Dr. Daryush Haghighi, Rocky River, OH 44116 (phone 216-333-1506).
• Mrs. Thelma Khelghati, Lunenberg, MA 01462 (phone 508-582-9216).

Due to a recurrent illness, Trustee Dr. Elsie Austin is unable to receive payments for Huqúqu’lláh at this time.

Inquiries about 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.

Two Bahá’í musicians use talents to help present Golden Eagle Awards tribute to Hispanics

Bob Alcivar and George Graham, Bahá’í musicians who live in the Los Angeles area, used their talents as composer/arranger and trumpet player, respectively, at the taping February 7 of the 1997 Nosotros Golden Eagle Awards program, which pays tribute and presents awards for excellence to Hispanic actors, actresses and musicians.

Mr. Alcivar composed for and conducted the orchestra, in which Mr. Graham played lead trumpet.

The master of ceremonies was actor Ricardo Montalban, who founded Nosotros and has been presenting this “Latino Academy Awards Show” with the Creative Center for 27 years. His co-hosts were Erik Estrada and Lorenzo Lamas.

Among those receiving awards were Rita Moreno, Andy Garcia, Carlos Santana and Maria Conchita Alonso.

Mr. Alcivar composed the Golden Eagle theme music as well as special music for each award recipient.

Mr. Graham played a trumpet solo on an especially well-received presentation of “La Virgen de la Macarena.”

The program is to be televised in many countries around the world this month.

United Nations website adds new CyberSchoolBus feature

A new addition to the United Nations website is the CyberSchoolBus which can be found under “general information” at the UN website (http://www.un.org). It is designed for information-seekers of all ages.

Included are a variety of activities from interactive puzzles for young users to quizzes on various health issues, a gallery of photographs from around the world, a “virtual tour” of the UN and profiles of cities in various countries.

There is a growing set of resources for teachers and students including online curricula for an in-depth look at global issues and lesson plans for special UN days.

A bookstore has primary, intermediate and secondary school kits on the UN as well as videos, posters and children’s books.

For students interested in taking part in a cyber Model UN program, there is a Model UN Discussion Area (MUNDA).

One can also access information about press briefings, press releases and daily UN highlights. [Page 9]

TOTAL ENROLLMENTS

April....... 202 Total for year.............2,126

THE FUND

(As of April 30, 1997)

National Bahá’í Fund All International Funds National Bahá’í Fund International Bahá’í Fund Arc Projects Fund Continental Bahá’í Fund Other Earmarked Subtotal/Int'l Funds Total/All Funds

Debt Watch Loans Outstanding YTD Goal $14,400,000 $9,000,000 thru Apr 96 $11,343,246 $1,362,534 $22,951,386 Difference $-2,896,874 $-974,355 thru Apr 97 $11,503,126 $591,923 $7,114,571 $275,160 $319,151 $463,911 $566,163 $24,589,080 $8,025,645 $36,396,237 $20,094,934 Apr 96 Apr 97 $0 $1,200,000

National Bahá’í Fund: Goal & Actual

Where we are $11,503,126 Where we need to be $14,400,000

All International Funds: Goal & Actual

Where we are $8,025,645 Where we need to be $9,000,000

Arc Projects Fund

Where we are $7,114,571 Where we were last year $22,951,386

International Bahá’í Fund

Where we are $591,923 Where we were last year $1,362,534

Continental Bahá’í Fund

Where we are $319,151 Where we were last year $275,160

Preparing one's will has practical, spiritual value in accordance with laws of the Faith

zingetimes the laws of the Faith may seen puz. there are all the good and practical reasons for writ However, trusting in Bahá’u’lláh and knowing that His wisdom and guidance are unerring, and believing with all our hearts that every word He uttered was divinely given, we try our best to follow His laws.

There are laws that are obviously quite practical in the context of our present-day lives in this world. One of these is the directive in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas about the writing of a will:

"Unto everyone hath been enjoined the writing of a will. The testator should head this document with the adornment of the Most Great Name, bear witness therein unto the oneness of God in the Dayspring of His Revelation, and make mention, as he may wish, of that which is praiseworthy, so that it may be a testimony for him in the kingdoms of Revelation and Creation and a treasure with his Lord, the Supreme Protector, the Faithful." (Bahá’u’lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 59)

First, let us look at the practical benefits of following this guidance.

We can achieve much for the welfare of those who depend on us for their material well-being and for the advancement of our own souls through obedience to this law. Among the many advantages of having a will are these:

1. A will specifies who is to receive our possessions when we die. Through a will we can ensure that our property goes to those people and institutions that are most important during our lives.

2. A will can indicate the persons we wish to appoint as guardians of our children, and facilitate our desire that the children be reared as Bahá’ís.

3. A will allows us to provide financial security for our beneficiaries who have special circumstances, such as minor children, disabled or elderly relatives, and others who might be unable to manage an inheritance.

4. A will provides a way to give from our estate to the Bahá’í Faith, as well as to those charities we consider worthy of support. Without a will, there is no provision for sharing our property with the Cause since the government recognizes only relatives as legally eligible for a share of any estate.

Dying "intestate," or without a will, can be expensive and troublesome for loved ones. The taxes payable under this circumstance can also be a much larger part of the estate, and the settlement of an estate can take months, even years. Meanwhile, those who have depended on us for their material welfare may suffer from the delay and uncertainty involved.

What if we feel that we have no money or possessions of value to bequeath? Or perhaps we are young, have no family as yet, and believe that this law does not apply to us at this time? Bahá’u’lláh says that "Unto everyone hath been enjoined the writing of a will," and that means rich or poor, young or old, single or married, man or woman.

Beyond the practical aspects lies the spiritual side of this injunction. It is interesting to note that while primarily with the material aspects of our lives, Bahá’u’lláh makes no reference to these in His instructions to us regarding the will. Here is the passage from the Aqdas again:

"The testator should head this document with the adornment of the Most Great Name, bear witness therein unto the oneness of God in the Dayspring of His Revelation, and make mention, as he may wish, of that which is praiseworthy, so that it may be a testimony for him in the kingdom of Revelation and Creation and a treasure with his Lord, the Supreme Protector, the Faithful."

Earthly matters, material goods, are not the subject here. Clearly, Bahá’u’lláh considers the most important aspect of the will to be our testimony to our belief in Him and our praise of Him in whatever words and in whatever manner we wish to express them. Every believer, regardless of his or her lot in life, has the privilege and obligation of testifying to this relationship with the Lord of the Age.

Some people delay writing a will because it relates to their passing from this world, or for the reasons mentioned earlier. How much better it is for our hearts to be gladdened by the words of our Guardian, so full of promise and light:

"The execution of the provisions of the will causes the spirit of the deceased to rejoice in the Abhá Kingdom." (Written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, quoted in a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice dated August 24, 1982, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States)

Unto everyone has been enjoined the Writing of a Will

"The of vision of the wil Shalf of Shogh Ud

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

Bahá’í Justice Society to meet at Duquesne U. in May

The 1997 annual meeting of the Bahá’í Justice Society will be held at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on May 24 starting at 7 p.m.

The meeting is for present members, but anyone else who would like to become a member would be warmly welcomed. New enrollments can be arranged at the meeting. The annual membership fee is $35.

The Bahá’í Justice Society is a voluntary organization, approved by the Universal House of Justice, that has been in existence for more than a decade.

The Society has a wide membership including youth and some who live overseas.

Its declared mission is "to promote justice and the resolution of conflict, particularly in the areas of human rights, the status of women, global prosperity and moral development through the application of Bahá’í principles."

The main purposes of the meeting are to consult on the annual report and to elect the governing board.

The meeting will be held at the same time as a conference titled "Peacemaking Journeys." That event lasts several days and is organized by the National Conference on Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution, a non-Bahá’í volunteer body with which members of the Society have a close but informal relationship.

Last year's National Conference on Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution drew more than 1,400 participants. Clearly, this represents a wonderful opportunity to interact with like-minded people actively involved in promoting peace through conflict resolution.

For further information about the Society's annual meeting, please contact Stephen Connor (216-241-8500), Dru Warren (918-647-5011) or John Huddleston (703-790-0870). [Page 10]

Temple Puzzle

from the pages of Brilliant Star.

Do you recognize this dome? It is in the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. In the center of the dome is a symbol called the Greatest Name. It means "God is all Glorious." This symbol helps us remember God’s Covenant to love mankind.

You can meet people from other lands at this temple. Our temples and institutions bring people together physically. Spiritually, we are already together.

See all the circles in the dome? One circle alone can look plain. But linked together, these many circles create a beautiful work of art. Like the dome of the temple, our souls are all linked. When we see the whole picture, we see mankind is noble and beautiful.

How many circles can you find?

Trace the linking circles and think of the many ways we are all linked. Start at the star and draw around the circle once, and then again until you link to the next circle. Continue until you have drawn around and connected all the circles. Don’t forget the circle that surrounds everything. The Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh links us all to God. ★

Reprinted from Brilliant Star, Special Edition 1996

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

New! Brilliant Star Activity Book Series

A full curriculum for teachers, institutes, and community events.

$9.95

Available from Bahá’í Distribution Service [Page 11]

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM

Send this form to: UT Conferences, P.O. Box 2648 Knoxville, TN 37901 by June 16, 1997.

The registration deadline is June 16. Individuals who will be sharing rooms should send their forms in together along with their payment. Registration forms without payment included cannot be processed. Roommate requests can be processed only if each roommate's form is enclosed.

Name: Address: Telephone: Email address: Gender: FEMALE MALE

I consider my ethnicity to be: ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER AFRICAN AMERICAN CAUCASIAN HISPANIC MULTI-ETHNIC NATIVE AMERICAN OTHER

The Phe 154 B.E. National Bahá’í Youth Training Conference in Knoxville, from July 2-6, 1997, will have three major goals:

1. To mobilize and unite the Bahá’í youth of the nation 2. To further develop skills and knowledge that will help us to serve 3. To launch a summer of teaching and service

This will be a training conference. Our time will be spent developing some practical tools and spiritual insights needed to serve the Cause of God more effectively. Participation in workshops, competitions, plenary sessions, recreation, and the arts will focus on acquiring real skills and knowledge that you can take with you to sustain and enhance those activities you already participate in at home—or to help you develop new activities.

Highlights include: Bahá’í Youth Art Gallery—see below Bahá’í "Jeopardy" Quiz Game Bahá’í Youth Choir—made up of conference attendees Parents' Program organized by the National Education Task Force

Sample classes include: The life of Bahá’u’lláh The Covenant Career Choices Preparation for Marriage Racism: the Most Vital and Challenging Issue Asking and answering tough questions about the Bahá’í Faith Scholarship/Bahá’í College Clubs' role in the Four Year Plan

AHÁ’Í YOUTH GALLERY/JEOPARDY QUIZ GAME

Fill out the attached Jeopardy & Gallery Dentry form and send it to: National Youth Committee, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201-1611. For more information, send email to

DEGISTRATION: Deadline is June 16. Send one registration form per person. Individuals who will be sharing rooms should send their forms together along with their payment. Registration forms without payment included cannot be processed. Roommate requests can be processed only if each roommate's form is enclosed.

According to University of Tennessee regulations, youth under 18 years old must be accompanied by a same-sex parent or adult sponsor 21 or older. Please have your parent or guardian fill out the information on the registration form. A medical card should be carried by attendees under 18.

All registration will be conducted through the University of Tennessee, not the Bahá’í National Center. Please make checks payable to "University of Tennessee." Mail-in registrations must be post-marked by June 16, 1997

UT Conferences / P.O. Box 2648 / Knoxville, TN 37901

Those registering after June 16 will be assessed a late fee of $20.00. Individuals cancelling before June 16 will be reimbursed, but assessed a $20.00 processing fee. A $50.00 penalty will be charged for those cancelling after June 16.

Registration can be submitted by fax, electronic mail, or through the UT Conferences web site before June 16. Registration by phone must be conducted from Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm EST, by June 16.

Age:

Parent (please be sure to provide information above) Adult chaperone (please be sure to provide information above) Check here if you wish to participate in the parent/adult chaperone program. Check here if you will need special accommodations at the conference. The UT Conference office will contact you.

YOUTH UNDER 18

Youth under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a same-sex parent or same-sex adult sponsor 21 or older. Please have your parent or legal guardian fill out the following information:

I, (PLEASE PUNT) the parent/guardian of, appoint to be my child's sponsor at the Bahá’í National Youth Training Conference in Knoxville, Tennessee. The sponsor, who is the same sex as my child and is over 21 years of age, will serve as a good and kindly parent to my child and is fully responsible for him/her at the conference. I also authorize, effective while my child is attending this event, the sponsor to consent to any and all medical or surgical treatment deemed advisable by any physician or surgeon licensed under the provisions of the Medical Practice Act (youth under 18 should carry a medical card).

Signed, Signature of Parent/Guardian Date Signature of Sponsor Date

LODGING REQUEST

I would like to share a room with: (LMT TO THREE PEOPLE. PAYMENT MUST BE INCLUDED TOGETHER)

Dorms: women's, men's, and mixed-gender dorm for parents with children under 12 only. Please send one registration form per person.

TRANSPORTATION

All participants driving to the conference will be assigned a campus parking space. Parking in other areas or driving on campus will result in a fine.

Check here if you will be driving to the conference.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

Check/Charge: AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $185 (+ $15 IF ARRIVING ON JULY 1) = TOTAL $ Credit Card: VISA MASTERCARD DISCOVER CARD NUMBER: CARDHOLDER'S NAME (PLEASE PRINT): CARDHOLDER'S SIGNATURE: EXP. DATE:

JEOPARDY & GALLERY ENTRY FORM

Send this form to: National Youth Committee 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201-1611

Deadlines: May 26 for College Club Bahá’í Jeopardy and the Bahá’í Youth Gallery. For informational inquiries email to

Name: Address: Phone: (423) 974-0258 Fax: (423) 974-0264 Email: Web: http://web.ce.utk.edu/conferences

Telephone: Email address: Area of participation: College Club Bahá’í Jeopardy Bahá’í Youth Gallery

COST

The conference package is $185.00, including $145.00 for four nights' lodging and ten meals, transportation to and from the Knoxville airport, and a $40.00 materials fee.

HOUSING

To request a specific roommate, please register together. There will be separate dorms for males and females. Linen service will be provided at the dorms, including a pillow and pillow case, sheets, a blanket, two towels and a washcloth. A mixed-gender dorm will be available for parents with children under 12 years old. There will be no charge for children two years old or younger. Cribs and child care will not be provided.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

Individuals needing special accommodations must indicate this in the space provided on the registration form, as required by the Americans With Disabilities Act.

MEALS

Ten meals will be provided, beginning with breakfast on Thursday, July 3 and ending with breakfast on Sunday, July 6. All meals will be served in cafeterias.

TRANSPORTATION

Please indicate on the registration form if you will be driving to the conference. You will be assigned a campus parking space for the duration of the conference. Parking in other areas or driving on campus will result in a fine.

The University of Tennessee is 20 minutes from the Knoxville airport. Transportation to and from the airport will be provided at no charge for those arriving on or after Wednesday, July 2. The University of Tennessee will arrange transportation with individuals upon registration.

EARLY ARRIVAL

Transportation to and from the airport will be provided only on Wednesday, July 2 and Sunday, July 6. Dorm beds for early arrivals are available the night of Tuesday, July 1 for $15.00 per bed. Individuals will be able to purchase meals at the cafeteria before the conference begins.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

For special air travel rates, call Total Travel at 1 (800) 385-4135. Reservation hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm EST. After hours, call 1 (800) 8233695. [Page 12]

The Latin American Task Force (Latforce) is here to serve you

“The overriding goal of the Latin American Task Force is to encourage and support the efforts of individual believers and communities to advance the process of entry by troops through reaching Latin American people currently residing in this country, whether permanently or temporarily, and promoting the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.”—Mandate from the National Teaching Committee to the Latin American Task Force

The Latin American Task Force (Latforce) is appointed annually by the National Spiritual Assembly and works under the direction of the National Teaching Committee. Its goal is to support efforts of individual Bahá’ís and Bahá’í communities to help advance the process of entry by troops within the fastest growing population in the U.S.—Latinos.

Latforce, through this article, seeks to initiate a dialogue among Bahá’ís of Latin American descent in the U.S. We also want to establish a network of individuals who are interested in sharing the teachings of the Faith with the Latin American population. The National Teaching Committee has given special importance to promoting and supporting the teaching and consolidation efforts of new believers.

The present members of Latforce are Vera Berrio Breton, Vienna, Virginia; Alexis Garcia, Boston, Massachusetts; Luis Javier Lizárraga, Nashville, Tennessee; Larry Kramer, Chicago, Illinois; and Maria Teresa Morales, Santa Cruz, California.

The work of Latforce has been centered, since its formation in 1994, on promoting and supporting local teaching efforts in various regions of the country. In doing so, Latforce has visited communities in Oregon, Texas, California, Arizona, Florida and Maine among others.

Our task is to carry the vital message of our beloved National Spiritual Assembly to our Latino brothers and sisters and to mobilize ourselves without delay in a great teaching campaign that will cause the most Great Name to shine brilliantly in our Latino communities. Wherever the Message has been taken, the friends have responded with great enthusiasm, boundless energy, a spirit of sacrifice and, above all, profound love for Bahá’u’lláh.

In some areas of the country such as Georgia, Texas and California, conditions have made possible the raising of far-reaching teaching programs such as those in Atlanta and Los Angeles. In other areas such as Florida, the border areas with México, Chicago and Boston, there is the potential for unprecedented growth within the Latino population.

The friends will see an emphasis on those areas by the Task Force in the next three years. In collaboration with the Regional and State Teaching Committees, Latforce hopes to strengthen the bonds of love and cooperation among Latino believers in the U.S.

Above all, dear friends, our desire is to be able to serve you in your efforts to propagate the teachings of our Faith. We would like to know what is happening in your communities, and to work with you to create a great circle of friends with the same goal: sharing the Message of Bahá’u’lláh with Latin Americans residing in this country.

In the near future, Latforce will establish a Web site in Spanish available to the friends throughout the country. The site is being designed by one of the believers in Florida. Its purpose is to teach the Faith through the Internet. We are also interested in connecting with the friends via e-mail, which will help stimulate efforts to teach the Cause to Latinos.

Latforce has begun efforts to have Bahá’í literature translated into Spanish to help in teaching and consolidation. For example, the National Editorial Board has approved our request to translate “So Great an Honor,” and the National Teaching Committee has encouraged our efforts to print thousands of copies of works such as “Palabras de Dios,” “Divina Sinfonía” and “Introducción a la Fé Bahá’í” by Gloria Faizi. These materials will be made available to teaching projects and sold at a reduced price to communities that need them to support their teaching efforts.

Finally, and in conformity with the plans of the National Spiritual Assembly, Latforce is searching for low-cost Spanish-language radio programs to make available to Latino teaching projects.

In future articles we will include news of your achievements in teaching Latinos in your communities. This is an open invitation for you to send us your news and photographs. Write and let us know what is happening in your community. It would be great to share with others your challenges and your victories.

Our address is Latforce, c/o Vera Berrio Breton, secretary, Vienna, VA 02218. E-mail

We close with this passage by the Guardian:

“...It should not, for a moment, be forgotten that Central and Southern America embrace no less than 20 independent nations, constituting approximately one-third of the entire number of the world’s sovereign states, and are destined to play an increasingly important part in the shaping of the world’s future destiny.

“With the world contracting into a neighborhood, and the fortunes of its races, nations and peoples becoming inextricably interwoven, the remoteness of these states of the Western Hemisphere is vanishing, and the latent possibilities in each of them are becoming increasingly apparent.”—The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 58–59

La Comisión Latinoamericana ‎esta está‎ ‎aqui aquí‎ para servirle los Bahá’ís

“La meta principal de la Comisión Latinoamericana (Latin American Task Force) es animar y apoyar los esfuerzos de creyentes y comunidades hacia el avance del proceso de entrada en tropas a través del contacto con la población Latinoamericana actualmente residiendo en este país, ya sea temporal o permanentemente, y así compartir las enseñanzas de Bahá’u’lláh.”—Mandato del Comité Nacional de Enseñanza a la Comisión Latinoamericana

La Comisión Latinoamericana, por medio de esta revista, “The American Bahá’í,” desea dar comienzo a un diálogo entre los Bahá’ís latinos en los Estados Unidos. Esta Comisión trabaja bajo la dirección del Comité Nacional de Enseñanza de Los Estados Unidos y sus miembros son nombrados por la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional anualmente.

Su propósito principal es el apoyar los esfuerzos de los individuos y de las comunidades Bahá’ís para el ‎evance avance‎ del proceso de entrada en tropas de la población de ‎mas más‎ rápido crecimiento en los Estados Unidos—los Latinos.

También tiene como meta establecer una red a nivel nacional de personas interesadas en compartir las enseñanzas de la Fé con la población Latinoamericana. El Comité Nacional de Enseñanza ha encomendado muy especialmente el apoyar y promover los esfuerzos de enseñanza y consolidación de nuevos creyentes.

La Comisión Latinoamericana está compuesta por: Vera Berrio Breton, Vienna, Virginia; Alexis García, Boston, Massachusetts; Luis Javier Lizárraga, Nashville, Tennessee; Maria Teresa Morales, Santa Cruz, California; y Larry Kramer, Chicago, Illinois.

El trabajo de la Comisión Latinoamericana se ha enfocado, desde su formación en 1994, en la promoción y el apoyo de los esfuerzos de enseñanza a nivel comunitario en las distintas regiones del país. Es así como se han realizado visitas a varias comunidades en los estados de Oregon, Texas, California, Arizona, La Florida y Maine, entre otros.

Su propósito ha sido el de llevar con entusiasmo a todos los queridos hermanos Bahá’ís latinos, el amoroso y apremiante mensaje de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, de movilizarnos sin pérdida de tiempo en una gran campaña de enseñanza que hará que el ‎Mas Más‎ Grande Nombre brille de manera extraordinaria en nuestras comunidades Latinas.

A dondequiera que el mensaje ha sido llevado, los amigos han respondido siempre con redoblado ánimo, desbordante energía y espíritu de sacrificio, y sobre todo, con un profundo amor por Bahá’u’lláh.

En algunas áreas del país, tales como Georgia, Texas y California, las condiciones reinantes han hecho posible el surgimiento de programas de enseñanza de gran alcance: Atlanta, Los Angeles. En otras regiones, tales como La Florida, la zona fronteriza con México, Chicago y Boston por ejemplo, las circunstancias actuales prometen victorias sin precedentes para la Fé. Los amigos podrán ver un redoblado énfasis de la Comisión en estas áreas durante los próximos tres años.

En colaboración con los Comités Regionales y con los Comités Estatales de Enseñanza, la Comisión espera estrechar aún más los vínculos de unión y cooperación entre los creyentes de los Estados Unidos.

Ante todo, queridos amigos, nuestro afán es el de poder servirle en sus esfuerzos para difundir la Fé. Deseamos saber qué está pasando en su comunidad, y buscamos maneras de formar un gran círculo de amigos con la misma meta; la de compartir el mensaje de Bahá’u’lláh con nuestros hermanos Latinos residiendo en este país.

En un futuro cercano, la Comisión pondrá a la disposición de los amigos en el país, una “Web page” en español, la cual está siendo diseñada por uno de los creyentes en La Florida. El propósito de estas es el enseñar la Fé por medio del ‎“interNet.” “internet.”‎ También estamos interesados en comunicarnos por medio del “e-mail.” Este diálogo e interconexión muy bien podría agilizar nuestros planes y actividades con miras a la expansión de la enseñanza de la Fé.

La Comisión ha hecho igualmente un esfuerzo especial por que se traduzcan al español obras de la literatura Bahá’í que son consideradas de importancia en la labor de enseñanza y consolidación. Por ejemplo, el Consejo Editorial Nacional Bahá’í aprobó nuestra petición de traducir “So Great an Honor.”

El Comité Nacional de Enseñanza nos ha animado en nuestros esfuerzos para lograr la impresión de algunos miles de ejemplares de obras tales como “Palabras de Dios,” “Divina Sinfonía” y la “Introducción a la Fé Bahá’í” de Gloria Faizi. Estos materiales, a su vez, ‎estaran estarán‎ disponibles a proyectos y serán vendidos a precio reducido a comunidades que los necesiten como apoyo a sus labores de enseñanza.

Por último, y en conformidad con los planes de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, la Comisión tiene como otra de sus metas, el establecimiento de programas de radiodifusión en el país. Con tal propósito, se ha iniciado una amplia búsqueda a nivel internacional, de programas de radio en español que puedan utilizarse en los Estados Unidos, y que podrían estar disponibles para las comunidades a bajo costo y dentro de corto plazo.

En los próximos artículos, estaremos integrando noticias de sus logros de enseñanza a Latinos en su comunidad. Esta es una invitación abierta para que nos envíen sus noticias y fotografías. Escríbanos y cuéntenos qué está sucediendo en su comunidad. Nos gustaría mucho poder compartir sus desafíos y sus logros.

En cuanto a cómo comunicarse con la Comisión Latinoamericana: Latforce, c/o Vera Berrio Breton, secretaria, Vienna, VA 02218 (e-mail

Queremos cerrar con una cita del Guardián:

“...No debe olvidarse ni por un momento, que Centro y Sur América abarcan no menos de veinte naciones independientes, constituyendo aproximadamente un tercio del número total de estados soberanos del mundo y que están destinados a desempeñar un papel de creciente importancia en la formación del futuro destino del mundo.

“Con el mundo que se contrae en un vecindario y los destinos de sus razas, naciones y gentes que se están entretejiendo inextricablemente, se desvanece la lejanía de estos estados del Hemisferio Occidental y las oportunidades latentes de cada uno de ellos se están haciendo cada vez más aparentes.”—El Advenimiento de la Justicia Divina, pp. 87–88 [Page 13]REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE

An open letter to communities in the southern states

Dearly Loved Friends,

In the heightened anticipation of the National Bahá’í Youth Training Conference that is to be held this summer in Tennessee, the Regional Committee for the Southern States calls on all Bahá’í communities in our region to give special attention to the empowerment of Bahá’í youth. We are confident that such an effort will enable the youth to reach new levels of commitment and sacrifice and will aid in a significant advance in the process of entry by troops.

The implications of youth arising to teach with boldness and wisdom are profound. To enable youth to fulfill their special mission, greater opportunities for active learning and service must be provided. The vital responsibility and privilege to empower them must necessarily take into account the “three great fields of service” for youth as outlined by the Supreme Institution:

“First, the foundation of all their accomplishments, is their study of the teachings, the spiritualization of their lives, and the forming of their characters in accordance with the standards of ‎Baha’u’llah Bahá’u’lláh‎; ...The second field of service, which is linked intimately with the first, is teaching the Faith; ...The third field of service is the preparation by youth for their later years...”

The fresh energy and spirit generated, both in anticipation of and as a result of the National Youth Training Conference, are intense resources that we must be prepared to properly capture and channel. This summer thus provides a golden opportunity for Bahá’í communities to initiate campaigns of activity for the youth to arise as teachers of the Cause and to systematically encourage, nurture and provide opportunities for youth to increase their love for Bahá’u’lláh.

Clearly, Bahá’í youth are our greatest asset. The tasks entailed in their empowerment call for the creation of a mindset that is unprecedented. To the extent that the youth become our guiding concern and that we take a firm stance for their development will we succeed in helping them fulfill their destiny as spiritual leaders of their generation. May we all arise wholeheartedly to support their efforts and release their potential.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Regional Committee for the Southern States May 17, 1997

Southern States Committee announces 42-day prayer campaign

In an intensive effort to attract spiritual confirmations and advance the process of entry by troops, the Regional Committee for the Southern States has announced a special Campaign of Prayer to be held from May 29, the anniversary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, through July 9, the Martyrdom of the Báb.

The focus of the campaign is to increase teaching activities that result in enrollments, to unify the region and connect the hearts of the believers and, most important, to seek guidance to find receptive souls.

Shoghi Effendi has urged us to “...make a special point of praying ardently not only for success in general, but that God may send to you the souls that are ready. There are such souls in every city. ...”

The Southern Committee has asked every Bahá’í to recite the Prayer for the Southern States each day during this intense period of supplication for victory. The prayer was specially revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to advance the teaching work in the region that the Master Himself defined is a potent tool for attracting divine confirmations.

It is the hope of the Regional Committee that every believer—adult, youth and child—will take part in this intense, 42-day period of supplication for divine assistance.

“O my God! O my God! Thou seest me in my lowliness and weakness, occupied with the greatest undertaking, determined to raise Thy word among the masses and to spread Thy teachings among Thy peoples. How can I succeed unless Thou assist me with the breath of the Holy Spirit, help me to triumph by the hosts of Thy glorious Kingdom and shower upon me Thy confirmations which alone can change a gnat into an eagle, a drop of water into rivers and seas and an atom into lights and suns? O my Lord! Assist me with Thy triumphant and effective might so that my tongue may utter Thy praises and attributes among all people and my soul overflow with the wine of Thy love and knowledge.

Thou art the Omnipotent and the Doer of whatsoever Thou willest!”

An Invitation to Unity

from the Ascension of ‎Baha’u’llah Bahá’u’lláh‎, May 29th, through the Martyrdom of the ‎Bab Báb‎, July 9th, 1997, please join the ‎Baha’is Bahá’ís‎ of the Southern States in reciting the “Prayer for the Southern States” each day.

This united effort will serve to increase teaching activities that result in enrollments, unify our region and connect our hearts and guide us to receptive souls.

“... make a special point of praying ardently not only for success in general, but that God may send to you the souls that are ready. There are such souls in every city. ...” - Shoghi Effendi

Unlocking "The Power of Action"

A Compilation Prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

The Regional Committee for the Southern States has published a compilation prepared in 1994 by the Research Department of the Bahá’í World Center.

Titled Unlocking the Power of Action, the 24-page booklet is a collection of extracts from the Bahá’í Writings on individual initiative.

This theme is explored in four sections:

• the importance of individual initiative
• the individual and the Spiritual Assembly
• the role of the institutions of the Faith
• the role of the Bahá’í community.

Regional Committees have been mandated by the National Spiritual Assembly to provide for a widespread distribution of literature. By publishing this compilation, which has not previously been made widely available to the friends in this country, the Southern Regional Committee hopes that the friends will be inspired to take personal steps to advance the process of entry by troops.

Copies of the compilation were mailed as gifts of the Regional Committee to all Spiritual Assemblies and registered Groups in the southern region. Copies may be ordered using the form below.

Individual copies are being sold for $1 plus shipping.

Please ship _______ copies of Unlocking the Power of Action at $1 each, plus 20 percent shipping. I have enclosed payment in the amount of $_____________, payable to: RCSS. SHIP TO __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Daytime phone (_______) ____________________________________

Orders and payment should be sent to: Regional Committee for the Southern States

Colleyville, TX 76034-4618

Please call (817) 868-9453 to order quantities of 25 or more copies. [Page 14]

Growing program now in fifth year of service to friends

The Core Curriculum program has been serving the friends since 1992, when the first training sessions were held for Bahá’í teachers of children and youth.

A Parent Training program was begun later that year, with programs added on Race Unity (1993), Marriage and Family Life (for youth, 1995, and married couples, 1996).

All of these programs are designed to foster the spiritual education of children, youth, parents, couples and Bahá’í communities and help them to become effective servants of Bahá’u’lláh and teachers of His Cause.

At present, there are 399 Core Curriculum trainers in 25 states with Race Unity trainers in 18 and Parent facilitators in 17. The newest program, on Marriage and Family Life, is available in 11 of the 25 states.

The total number of trainers in each program is as follows: Teacher trainers—196; Race Unity trainers—97; Parent facilitators—79; Marriage and Family Life trainers—27.

The Bahá’í Education Task Force has assigned the assessment of the impact of the Core Curriculum to three Bahá’í psychologists who are trained in organizational and educational psychology. They will visit three communities—Monrovia, California; Portland, Oregon, and Cleveland, Ohio—to conduct interviews with members of the community to gain a better understanding of the influence of the Core Curriculum program. Their report should be completed by September.

Evaluation comments from Teacher Trainings

Las Vegas, NV—I think it has been a wonderful time of giving, sharing and acceptance of our roles as teachers. We are all teachers, whether of children, in firesides, deepenings, or by example. The Core Curriculum has shown me how important that is. How important it is to study the Writings and to be open to the Word of God and to use creativity, love and laughter as teaching tools. Louisville, KY—It was wonderful as a trainee to personally experience and participate in the different teaching methods and tools, especially arts and crafts and group activities. Florence, SC—...I was pleased and gleaned a world of information and enhanced confidence in the teaching area. Here’s to Entry by Troops! Grass Valley, CA—The facilitators were enthusiastic, energetic, loving, versatile and supportive. ...It will be possible to plan classes with much more continuity and focus in the future. [As] participants became more unified, it strengthened us in beneficial ways—we could see people growing, opening, supporting. I learned a great deal [about] how to apply various modalities and activities to the Writings for a much more comprehensive Bahá’í curriculum to educate all age groups. In short—I got the point!

In the absence of firm data such as the report will provide, the Education Task Force has gotten a feel for its impact from comments and evaluations (see box).

Other indications of the effect that Core Curriculum programs are starting to have on the Bahá’í community can be seen in the unsolicited comments from the friends about their work as trainers or their experiences with the community-building processes which the Core Curriculum has released in their locales.

Meanwhile, the Verities Course is on schedule for completion. Part 1 is currently being piloted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Monrovia, California, from which enthusiastic reports have been received. Part 1 (which is composed of nine three-hour modules) is on its way to the printer for duplication and dissemination to Regional Training Institutes.

Part 2 (also nine modules) was scheduled to be ready in draft form by the end of March. As the various parts are implemented at training institutes, there will be a feedback form (to be returned to the NTTC) to help the task force refine the process and content of the program.

Left photo: Trish Swanson makes a point during the Assembly Development orientation. Right photo: the 30 AD reps are pictured at the National Center.

Assemblies have another Development resource available

To more effectively serve the 1,330 local Spiritual Assemblies and 1,800 registered groups in the U.S. Bahá’í community, the Office of Assembly Development recently completed the orientation of a volunteer staff of Assembly Development representatives from around the country.

This group of 30 devoted and experienced believers will help Assemblies and groups in more than half of the states and at many Bahá’í schools with a variety of issues pertaining to the functioning of local Spiritual Assemblies and Bahá’í administration in general.

Volunteers for the remaining states will be added later in the year.

The friends were recruited, based upon recommendations solicited in the past from local Spiritual Assemblies and Auxiliary Board members, and were identified as possessing the experience and skills suiting them to this important work.

Juana C. Conrad, assistant secretary for the National Spiritual Assembly, reaffirms, “Their experience in serving the Faith on Assemblies, committees, task forces, etc., is vast. The collective knowledge of the representatives, when applied to the challenges the Spiritual Assemblies face at this time in history, will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the maturation of the institutions.”

During their orientation at the Bahá’í National Center the weekend of April 4-5, the representatives were given the following mandate:

To serve as a resource for local Spiritual Assemblies, Regional Committees and Training Institutes/Centers of Learning in training the friends in the principles and processes of Bahá’í administration. The overarching goal will be to facilitate the development of “a new state of mind” on the part of Assembly members and the community, thereby enabling the Assemblies to rise to that “new stage in the exercise of their responsibilities” envisioned by the Universal House of Justice in the Plan.

These goals will be accomplished by assessing the needs of communities and applying existing programs and materials or developing new ones that better address the situation.

In addition, the representatives were provided with materials and practice in training techniques and in addressing difficult issues confronting communities. They also had the opportunity to consult on Assembly Development issues in their region and how they might be addressed.

Existing resources were reviewed, including the Assembly Development modules, the manual Developing Distinctive Bahá’í Communities, the new video and workbook “A Miracle of Governance: The Local Spiritual Assembly” and the booklet “Electing Bahá’í Assemblies.”

The representatives will be available to communities, schools and institutes to present the Assembly Development modules and the workshop for “A Miracle of Governance: The Local Spiritual Assembly.”

Representatives will also help the Assembly Development office develop other workshops and revise the existing modules. Assemblies and groups may choose to invite their whole community to the training and may even combine with other communities and isolated believers in the area.

Local Spiritual Assemblies and groups who would like to use the services of an Assembly Development representative may contact the Office of Assembly Development at 847-733-3490. They will try to accommodate all requests to send a representative. [Page 15]

Delegates

Continued from page 1

in an expression of love and support for the new Assembly, made up of Dorothy W. Nelson, Robert C. Henderson, William E. Davis, Juana Conrad, Patricia Locke, Firuz Kazemzadeh, James F. Nelson, Jack McCants and Alberta Deas.

Immediately, the incoming Assembly met and elected its officers: James Nelson, chairman; Dorothy Nelson, vice-chairman; Robert Henderson, secretary-general; Juana Conrad, assistant secretary; William Davis, treasurer; and Firuz Kazemzadeh, secretary for External Affairs.

Great expectations

High hopes marked the Convention’s start on April 24. Their “fuel tanks” topped off by an all-day deepening with Counselors Stephen Birkland and Abdu’l-Missagh Ghadirian, delegates were eager to rev up the engine of teaching for the year ahead.

The first order of business was to vote for permanent Convention officers. Mrs. Nelson was elected chair and Mr. Davis secretary. Then, after greetings from Counselors Birkland, Ghadirian, Jacqueline Left Hand Bull and Tod Ewing, delegates heard presentations on the National Spiritual Assembly’s annual report.

Mr. Henderson reminded delegates and visitors that our two vital tasks during the Plan are to complete the Mount Carmel Projects and to mount and sustain a broad campaign of teaching.

We’re succeeding on the first front, having contributed $7 million for the Arc in the past year, he said. Our teaching has further to go, however, as we move from the Plan’s start-up phase to concerted action, with the harvest to follow.

Tools for teaching

The National Assembly, he said, is calling on individuals to take the initiative in such areas as holding regular firesides, just as they are arising in large numbers to pioneer. Local Spiritual Assemblies, simultaneously, must formulate and carry out plans to double our active core, train the friends and refine the Feast. The community’s role is to become so vibrant that inactive believers will be drawn into full participation and new believers will find in the Cause a bond stronger than blood.

Mr. Henderson said many tools are being developed to aid our efforts. They range from training institutes to the four Regional Committees, the minority task forces, the National Youth Committee, and such infrastructure enhancements as local Spiritual Assembly automation. A National Committee for the Advancement of Women has been created to promote understanding of equality and help disseminate the statement on women.

Turning to other issues, the secretary-general reported that in May 1996 the books were closed on the second Bahá’í World Congress, to the complete satisfaction of the Universal House of Justice. He also commented on the rise in attacks from within and outside the Faith. The questions themselves do not pose a problem, he said. Rather, concern centers on how such partisan attempts to influence the institutions will affect community spirit.

Resources for growth

Mr. Kazemzadeh, the secretary for External Affairs, reported that we are entering a remarkable stage in relations between the Faith and society at large.

Opportunities abound to influence affairs at all levels, he said. Examples include safeguarding the rights and lives of the believers in Iran; working to advance the status of women; collaborating with the United Nations; and the actions of our public information network to foster and protect the image of the Faith in cities across the nation.

Especially as attacks multiply, these resources and more will be needed to relate the Bahá’í ideals to a hungry society, he said.

Treasurer William Davis said progress is being made in creating a Bahá’í community that is generous in spirit and in sharing.

Individuals, Assemblies and Groups are responding to the urgent call for funds, he said, so that our national and global needs can be met. Contributions in March were 17 percent higher than the monthly average for the year to that point.

Challenges remain to reduce the debt and establish cash reserves and to avoid the “summer swoon” that annually sees giving drop at a time of year when activities and expenditures are highest.

Mr. Davis called the ambitious 35 percent increase in the national budget, to $27 million, a statement of belief that the friends have a vision of the Faith’s role and can reorient their priorities for its realization.

After the presentations, delegates were invited to engage in a dialogue with members of the National Assembly about the report.

An historic statement

Delegates and visitors witnessed a milestone in the progress of the Faith in America when the National Spiritual Assembly’s statement, Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men, was released on the Convention floor April 25.

As many speakers noted, the statement is a living document meant to be used both in our lives and in our teaching.

Delegates consulted at length on exactly how to do that. At one point, all those waiting to speak were men eager to understand the issue.

Aiding that quest were the National Assembly members present. They shared their thoughts on the significance of the statement and on the process involved in “birthing” it.

The statement, explained Mr. Henderson, went through 26 drafts before the National Assembly was galvanized in a “moment of understanding” to approach it from the standpoint that God has redefined in this Revelation what it means to be a woman, a man, a soul.

See DELEGATES page 16

Camcorders follow Carla Baker around the hall as she leads Convention delegates and visitors in a rousing rendition of ‘Stand Up and Say Yes.’ The New Orleans entertainer was one of many performers whose songs and dramatic presentations touched the hearts of all those present. (Photo by Tom Mennillo)

Convention officers Dorothy W. Nelson and William E. Davis also enjoy the performance. (Photo by Tom Mennillo)

Delegate Erica Toussaint leads an impromptu songfest as the time ticks down to the start of the satellite telecast. (Photo by Tom Mennillo) [Page 16]

NATIONAL CONVENTION

April 26, 1997 The Universal House of Justice

Our dearly loved Universal House of Justice,

As we gather during this Riḍván season, we are deeply inspired by the blessings of the Ancient Beauty showered on this, the 88th United States Bahá’í National Convention. We are privileged to have in our presence four members of the Continental Board of Counselors—Stephen Birkland, Tod Ewing, Abdu’l-Missagh Ghadirian and Jacqueline Left Hand Bull—who recently returned from the Holy Land imbued with the fragrances of our hearts’ desire. They are assuring us of the divine confirmations awaiting our acts of devotion. We were honored, as well, by the presence of retired member of the Universal House of Justice, Dr. David Ruhe.

We have been embraced with the love and collaboration of our Institutions. The pre-Convention deepening session with the Counselors, the tender care and planning for the Convention by our beloved National Spiritual Assembly, and your Riḍván message, read in plenary, have created an atmosphere where love and unity prevail. This is evident in the mature, unified vision and single-mindedness of our consultation as we focus on advancing the process of entry by troops.

The Convention highlights are many. Most significant was the presentation of the eagerly anticipated statement Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men. It was wholeheartedly embraced by the delegates as a Riḍván gift for the Bahá’í community and our nation at large. The use of the arts has inspired and provided models for us in our communities.

Trusting in the power of divine assistance, confident that the plans before us can bring our long-awaited victory, the delegates gathered at the 88th Bahá’í National Convention will leave here with the commitment to advance the process of entry by troops. We are animated by the spirit of your call for a “unified and sustained effort” to be carried forward to the lovers of Bahá’u’lláh in our national Bahá’í community so that each may arise “to offer his or her acts of service to the unfolding spiritual drama of these momentous days.”

It is our hope and prayer that we will remain firm in the Covenant, waste not a moment, seize every opportunity, and win every goal. We ask for your prayers at the Holy Threshold that we shall achieve early victories for our National Spiritual Assembly to carry to the Eighth International Bahá’í Convention.

With love, Delegates to the 88th Bahá’í National Convention

April 27, 1997 The Delegates to the 88th National Convention of the Bahá’ís of the United States

Dearly loved Friends,

The love and substance of your message have uplifted our hearts; and the eagerness of your intentions has emboldened our hope that the United States can achieve resounding victories in the teaching field during the course of this very year. Be swift, therefore, in seizing your chance; be constant in your pursuits; and remain resolute in action, so that the aspirations you share with your fellow believers throughout the land may, at this crucial time, be actualized in a glorious fulfillment of the major aim of the Four Year Plan. While anxiously awaiting news of your successes, we shall keep your beloved community in our supplications at the Holy Threshold for an unceasing outpouring of divine confirmations.

The Universal House of Justice

Delegates

Continued from page 15

Continuing guidance

The four Counselors present helped the assemblage study the Riḍván 154 message of the Universal House of Justice and further their understanding of the Covenant.

After the Riḍván message was read to begin the day, the Counselors welcomed it as a continuation of the guidance presented in and the process started by last year’s messages.

And they termed the call for “united and sustained effort” a catalyst for advancing the process of entry by troops in a community that has spent the past year putting into place the necessary infrastructure.

On the Covenant, the Counselors emphasized that Covenant-breakers seek mainly to raise doubts, create division, and discredit the Faith’s institutions.

These attacks prey mainly on new and undeepened believers. But no one is immune, they warned. The antidote is to put our trust in God and to continually study the texts, particularly the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

The Counselors also urged the friends to share the Station of Bahá’u’lláh with seekers; otherwise, their souls can’t truly be connected to the Cause and entry by troops can’t be achieved.

Throughout the day, the arts played a powerful role in bringing home to delegates the import of the topics on which they were consulting.

A dramatic presentation on Táhirih by Deborah C. Conow preceded the release of the statement on equality of the sexes. Excerpts from a two-woman show by Thelma Khelghati and Mary K. Makoski titled Amazing Grace underscored humankind’s ability to transform hate into love, while performances by singers Van Gilmer and Carla Baker uplifted everyone.

Evolving strategies

The day’s proceedings included presentations by the National Teaching Committee and National Youth Committee.

Jena Khodadad, chairman of the National Teaching Committee, traced the evolution of a national teaching plan.

First, she said, committee members gleaned from demographic studies that a window of opportunity exists to reach the estimated 15 million Americans seeking spirituality.

Then, having identified the elements of the Four Year Plan guidance particularly applicable to our community and the resources we have, the committee devised a teaching plan with race unity as its pivot.

Establishment of the Regional Committees and the minority task forces has been a key to implementation of the plan, said Mrs. Khodadad.

Also shaping up is a media campaign that will begin in selected cities as a support for coordinated teaching activities there.

No magic bullet

Ken Bowers, the Teaching Committee’s secretary, said the media campaign is not a “magic bullet” but a way to spark the spirit of inquiry in a large number of people. Afterward, he said, those attracted souls can be nurtured through firesides and a rich community life and, finally, be consecrated to arise themselves and serve the Cause.

He also praised the Regional Committee members as devoted individuals who know their area and can marshal teaching efforts within it, and as ambassadors who will increase believers’ intimacy with the National Assembly.

Similarly, he called the minority task forces catalysts in bringing the message of Bahá’u’lláh to diverse peoples who can contribute so much to the Faith.

The presentation was followed by extensive consultation on teaching and race unity.

Leili Towfigh, speaking for the National Youth Committee, outlined how the input of youth has shaped a strategy to thrust young people into the forefront.

See DELEGATES page 17

Karen Pritchard (left photo) leads a non-delegate workshop ‎on on on‎ behalf of the Regional Committee for the Southern States. Above, Members of the National Spiritual Assembly and the National American Indian Teaching Committee pose with a beautiful gift from the committee to the Assembly. (Photos by Tom Mennillo) [Page 17]

NATIONAL CONVENTION

Delegates

Continued from page 16

of teaching and help them become known as people who live their faith.

The committee’s plan centers around the National Youth Training Conference, which will be held July 2-6 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. It is designed so youth can develop practical tools and insights and then use them this summer and beyond.

A family meeting

The evening of April 26, the National Spiritual Assembly and delegates welcomed to the Convention about 12,000 believers connected by satellite television. At exactly 6:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time, the red light went on and Mrs. Nelson’s greeting was transmitted to the friends in 49 locations.

A crew at the National Center had taped the Convention thus far and feverishly assembled a “highlight” tape. Now that video was aired, explaining the role of the Convention and imparting its content and spirit.

A video crew member makes last-minute adjustments in the production truck before the live satellite telecast was beamed to 49 sites around the country. (Photo by Tom Mennillo)

Then came the meat of the broadcast, as the National Assembly engaged the friends in a family meeting about what must be done in the coming year. Viewers also were treated to a presentation of the National Assembly’s eagerly anticipated statement, Two Wings of a Bird.

April 26 also saw delegates continue their consultation on topics vital to advancing the process of entry by troops: training institutes, Funds and budget, and the role and responsibility of youth.

Messages were sent from the Convention to the Universal House of Justice and the re-established National Spiritual Assembly of strife-torn Rwanda.

A wealth of workshops treated non-delegates to information of topics such as pioneering, Huqúqu’lláh, the National Youth Training Conference, local Spiritual Assembly automation, and the Wilmette Institute.

The right of God

Everyone knew the final day of Convention would be special from the start, when they joined with Eric Dozier & Friends in singing about that “Great Gettin’-up Morning” and answered the call to reap a “Harvest” of new believers.

Their hearts were further stirred as Amanda Provost dramatized Martha Root’s bold proclamation of the Faith to Queen Marie of Romania.

Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh Daryush Haghighi, Stephen Birkland and Thelma Khelghati connected believers to this sacred law.

Ms. Khelghati said that through the “right of God” Bahá’u’lláh has institutionalized an act of love and devotion.

Counselor Birkland termed the law part of the maturation and upliftment of the American believers, who have wider latitude in attaining wealth and reducing expenses than just about anyone else on the planet.

And Dr. Haghighi presented a vision of Huqúq as the foundation for solving the world’s economic problems, saying that in centuries to come it will provide the resources for the development of the human race.

The pioneering spirit

Consultation followed on how to stimulate the potent movement of believers to posts both foreign and domestic.

In that discussion, the delegates were spurred on by National Assembly member Jack McCants and four Knights of Bahá’u’lláh who told of their own and others’ bounteous pioneering experiences.

That led perfectly to the finale: parting thoughts by the Counselors.

Counselor Ghadirian urged delegates to bury any fears and, through their reports, give others assurance that their fortress is the Covenant.

Counselor Ewing, referring to concerns voiced the previous evening about a lack of progress toward race unity within the American Bahá’í community, urged black and white Bahá’ís alike to see the roles assigned them in the writings as an honor—something we get to do to move the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh forward.

Counselor Birkland concluded by calling on U.S. believers to be “constant and confident” of their ability to create a clear unity of vision and carry it out.

Web site serves up fresh news, information for Bahá’ís only

Management Information Services coordinator Farzad Mogharabi (right) and information specialist Pooneh Rassekh show off the National Spiritual Assembly’s new administrative Web site at Convention. (Photo by Tom Mennillo)

By TOM MENNILLO

A live satellite feed wasn’t the only source of fresh news from the 88th Bahá’í National Convention.

Each day’s activities were reported in words and photographs over the National Spiritual Assembly’s newly opened administrative Web site, www.usbnc.org.

American Bahá’ís with Internet access could log on to the site using their Bahá’í ID number and last name as listed in the national records.

Once in, they found much more than the daily “Webcast” from National Convention. The site also contains:

• The current Ridván message of the Universal House of Justice.
• The text of the newly released statement on equality of women and men.
• Information on upcoming events such as the National Bahá’í Youth Training Conference.
• Fully formatted pages from The American Bahá’í. Users can download an Adobe Acrobat “reader” that will allow them to view the pages.
• A list of departments and agencies of the National Spiritual Assembly. Included are a description of each office’s functions, the duties of particular staffers, and answers to frequently asked questions. That will help believers connect with the right office and person when they call the Bahá’í National Center, and in many cases obviate the need to call.

On the horizon is search capability. Previously published documents and past issues of publications will be online so Bahá’ís can find guidance and information at a keystroke.

In addition, local institutions will be able to interact more easily with national offices when a Spiritual Assembly administrative area opens up on the site, probably this summer.

That brings to mind a question many Bahá’ís are likely to have: security.

The Web site technically is an “extranet.” It operates on the public Internet, but has password protection built in. It is designed solely to inform the believers and make the Faith’s institutions accessible to them.

Thus, the www.usbnc.org address should not be given to seekers. Any non-Bahá’í who visit the site will be gently redirected to other Bahá’í-related sites such as those operated by the Bahá’í World Center and the Bahá’í Computer and Communications Association.

Do you have Internet access? Give www.usbnc.org a try. And be sure to lend feedback. Remember, this is a site that will always be “under construction.”

At one point, all those waiting to speak on the topic of the equality of women and men were male delegates eager to understand and ‘own’ the issue. (Photo by Tom Mennillo) [Page 18]

EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS

DR. HOMA MAHMOUDI, a Bahá’í who is a senior psychologist in the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry, has been recognized by the YWCA of greater Los Angeles, California, as one of 20 “incredible women making history.” Dr. Mahmoudi and the other honorees were commended March 8 during a ceremony at the California Afro-American Museum as part of the YWCA’s celebration of Women’s History Month.

SHAHLA MAGHZI, a Bahá’í from San Francisco, California, has won first prize in the World Federalist Association’s “Builders of a Better World” scholarship competition. The Stanford University junior traveled to the World Federalist Association conference in Arlington, Virginia, April 18-20 to receive the award, which was based both on service activities and an essay. on the question “What is your concept of a better world, and how can we reach it?” Her answer mainly presented Bahá’u’lláh’s vision of a unified World Order, and the spiritual transformation and education necessary to realize it. Ms. ‎Maghzi’s Maghzi‎ is vice president of Pathways to Peace, a United Nations non-governmental organization that she represented at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing; a member/facilitator of Students Speaking About Race and Culture; a volunteer trainer for a high school dispute resolution program in San Francisco, and is active in the campus interfaith council and the Bahá’í club. She is majoring in international relations with a minor in Chinese language.

Sara Nichols Salbego

SARA NICHOLS SALBEGO, a Bahá’í from St. Louis, Missouri, has been named Teacher of the Year by her elementary school PTA group. Mrs. Salbego, an accomplished story-teller and poetry reader, recently coordinated a “Visions of Race Unity” symposium that drew an audience of 500, and presented a dramatic portrayal of the life of Táhirih for the annual Women of Faith interfaith conference for metropolitan St. Louis.

Ten Bahá’ís from the U.S. and Canada have been named as winners in the 1996 Bahá’í Poetry Calendar Competition sponsored by White Mountain Publications of New Liskeard, Ontario, Canada. Those whose poems will be included in this year’s calendar for 154 B.E. are THOM BELSHAW of Tacoma, Washington; MARY BOROFKA of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; LEANNE EPP of Terrace, British Columbia; BRIAN GUEQUIERRE of Dallas, Texas; CHER HOLT-FORTIN of Stone Mountain, Georgia; SALLY FRANCES JAMIR of Siler City, North Carolina; JANET RODGERS KAYE of Franklin, Tennessee; LYN MARTIN of Corvallis, Oregon; MARY HOY SCHMIDT of Stratford, Ontario, and ALIX VANCE of London, Ontario.

In February, AARON RHODES, a Bahá’í who is a 10th-grade honor student at Edward Bell High School in Camp Hill, Alabama, won the EBHS Oratorical Contest, the Tallapoosa County Oratorical Contest, and placed second in the 24th District Oratorical Contest in Phenix City. The competitions, sponsored by the American Legion, consisted of a 10-minute speech and the Constitution and a three- to five-minute unprepared talk ‎an on an‎ aspect of the Constitution of the American Legion’s choosing. Aaron won his school competition by four points over his younger brother, DAVID RHODES.

PHILIP NEIHEISEL, a 10-year-old Bahá’í from Oakwood, Georgia, recently earned his Unity of Mankind religious emblem from the Cub Scouts. The fifth-grade honor student was awarded the emblem at a banquet attended by about 130 people. Sgt. Jake Hendrix of the Cornelia Police Department, a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Hall County who served as Philip’s adult counselor in the Unity of Mankind program, read two Bahá’í prayers at the ceremony and spoke about how the principles of the Faith work hand in hand with the goals of Scouting.

The Regional Committee for the Southern States would like to locate Bahá’ís with specific talents to assist in a variety of projects. The production of new materials, the development of new curricula, and management of special projects... all these efforts and more are in the planning stages. Can YOU help? Please fill out the coupon below and mail it in today!

YES...I CAN HELP! YES...I CAN HELP! YES...I CAN HELP! YES...!

NAME ______________________________ PHONE ___________________

ADDRESS __________________________ EMAIL ___________________

CITY ______________________________ STATE ________ ZIP _______

My talents include...

• creative writing
• radio script writing
• film/video production
• study materials development
• graphic design
• calligraphy
• sign design and production
• conference planning
• curriculum development
• song writing
• cartooning
• display design
• audio production
• other (describe below)

DETAILS ______________________________________________________________

Please send any background information that might better acquaint us with your skills and talents. Mail to: Regional Committee for the Southern States Colleyville, TX 76034-4618

Florida’s Lights of Bahá’u’lláh Institute answers call whenever help is needed

How often have you, your teaching group or Assembly wished for a pool of Bahá’ís eager to help with teaching projects, consolidation or such tasks as training teachers and building displays for proclamation events?

Florida Bahá’ís can call upon the Lights of Bahá’u’lláh Institute.

Recently, two teaching groups, the Royal Falcons and the Enoch Olinga Group, asked for help with teaching activities they had planned. The Institute answered.

Later, when an individual planned a two-week teaching project and needed more teachers, he turned to the Lights of Bahá’u’lláh.

The Deerfield Beach Assembly needed help with a booth to display the teachings of the Faith at “Deerfest,” a city fair that fills a county park each year. Lights of Bahá’u’lláh was ready to go with not only the display, but with teaching materials, fliers and a full complement of Bahá’ís to operate the booth.

The Spiritual Assembly of Palm Beach County South asked for help from the Institute to deepen new believers in Delray Beach, a teaching goal city of that Assembly. Lights of Bahá’u’lláh responded by sending a consolidation team to Delray Beach to conduct an ongoing series of classes.

These are only a few of many examples.

Mission

“In North America there are opportunities for the advancement of the process of entry by troops, the like of which presently exist in no other place on earth.” (The Universal House of Justice, Ridván 153 letter to North America)

The Lights of Bahá’u’lláh is a system to facilitate the process of entry by troops. It is a grassroots organization designed to handle the entry of large masses of new believers.

Through the Institute, believers from diverse communities throughout Florida pledge a number of hours in their field of interest to help guide local Spiritual Assemblies, Groups, and/or individuals in their efforts.

These volunteer talents are systematically channeled upon request from the “hub” resource pool to the various “spokes” of activity, enabling communities and teaching groups to engage in activities that otherwise might be beyond their reach.

Institute services include firesides, teacher training, a speakers’ bureau, conferences, teaching projects, displays/booths, consolidation, teaching materials, a travel teacher bureau, quotation hotline, newsletter, research and development for target issues, and evaluation of each phase of the Four Year Plan.

Steering

A steering committee made up of Bahá’ís from several communities guides the Lights of Bahá’u’lláh. The Spiritual Assembly of Weston is the sponsor, and one of its members sits on the committee.

As the steering committee receives requests for teaching support and project assistance, it decides how the Institute can best help.

It also consults on, creates, plans and evaluates projects of its own; plans firesides and conferences held in the Broward County Bahá’í Center; and offers teaching institutes and courses from the Core Curriculum program.

Task forces composed of volunteers meet these needs. In return, individuals, Groups and Assemblies provide time, talent and financial support.

All projects and activities of the Lights of Bahá’u’lláh in a particular area coordinate with the local Spiritual Assembly, if one exists, of the assisted locale. The Institute works with, not over, institutions of the Faith.

In this respect, the Institute is a resource for and interacts with individuals, teaching groups, local Spiritual Assemblies, national committees, the Regional Committee, the Latin American Task Force and others.

Goals and vision

As a resource pool of Bahá’í teachers, the Lights of Bahá’u’lláh was conceived as a way to activate individuals to commit time and service. The inspiration came from the tireless efforts of Zabine Linkins.

The goals and vision set for the Institute during the Four Year Plan are:

1. To double the core of active believers in Florida by Ridván 1998 and to compound that to Ridván 2000.

2. To inspire the Bahá’ís of Florida to have and to act upon a deeply personal teaching plan and to form teaching groups with specific targets that arouse a passion for teaching. Have all “Lights” commit a specific number of hours to teaching for Bahá’u’lláh between now and Ridván 2000. This is each person’s personal gift and bounty.

3. To provide ongoing systematic teacher training and spiritualization programs for sustaining the energies of the friends throughout the most historic times of their lives.

4. To create a chain of “Lights” composed of individuals and teaching groups to illuminate the darkness and visibly soar like illumined eagles from the Florida panhandle to Key West. The Lights of Bahá’u’lláh is dedicated to the goals of the Four Year Plan given to us by our beloved Universal House of Justice. We are ever mindful of that.

15th Irfán Colloquium to be held in Wilmette

The Haj Mehdi Arjmand Memorial Fund has scheduled its 15th Irfán Colloquium for August 9–10 at National-Louis University in Wilmette, Illinois.

The theme is “World Religions and the Bahá’í Faith.”

If you would like to make a presentation, please send a 500-word abstract and brief (100-word) bio to the Research Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 847-733-3548; fax 847-733-3563; e-mail

Presentations should be 30 minutes in length. The deadline for submission of proposals is July 1.

The colloquium is open to everyone. Registration fee is $30 excluding housing and meals. Housing is $20/day at National-Louis University (a 10-minute walk from the National Center and Bahá’í House of Worship). Meals in the school cafeteria are about $20/day. For more information, please contact the Research Office. [Page 19]

Book fair in Orissa, India, leads to 40 enrollments

Forty people were enrolled in the Faith as a result of participation by the State Bahá’í Council of Orissa, India, last January in a book fair sponsored by the Orissa Publishers and Book Sellers Association. The fair was inaugurated by Anandi Sahoo, a member of Parliament, who visited the Bahá’í booth and was given literature about the Faith. More than 3,000 others visited the booth, and teaching activities were carried on continuously.

•

Sixteen Bahá’ís from diverse backgrounds took part last January 23 in a day-long teaching event in Olancho, Honduras. Among them was Dr. Tim Thurber, a visiting Bahá’í from the U.S. As a result of their efforts, 25 people were enrolled in the Cause, some of whom immediately joined a teaching team in Pariso. Meanwhile, in Palacios, three assistants to the Auxiliary Board, in consultation with Counselor Gustavo Correa, have laid plans to include basic Ruhi Institute courses as a program running parallel to the development of the secondary-level education program. There are now more than 40 Bahá’ís in various parts of the country engaged in serious study of the basic Ruhi Institute courses.

•

The Diversity Dance Workshop, a dance troupe made up of young Bahá’ís from Germany, performed for five days last December in the area around Paris, France, for a combined audience of about 1,800. The tour was organized by a task force of the National Youth Committee of France. As a result of the visit, the first French Diversity Dance Workshop has been established.

•

His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho, Queen Mother Mamohato and more than 70 other dignitaries attended a banquet last December 27 in honor of the members of the Continental Board of Counselors in Africa who were having their biennial meeting. Among those taking part in the event, which was hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Kalman Basin, were the High Commissioner of South Africa, the managing director of Radio Lesotho, professors from the country’s Roma University, and high officials in various government departments. Also present were the members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Lesotho.

•

Thirty women representing 11 communities took part last December 7 in the Association for Bahá’í Women’s first Regional Seminar in Lurgan, Northern Ireland. Mrs. Pat Irvine spoke about the formation of the Association and of a recent communication from the Bahá’í Office for the Advancement of Women, which emphasized service to the community at large. Three workshops looked at how women can develop their talents and explored possible lines of action that could be taken during the Four Year Plan.

•

Last December 6, an “Evening of Racial Harmony,” planned by the Bahá’ís of Wollongong, Australia, and attended by about 100 people, provided an inspiring vision of unity in diversity to the general community. The evening began with a welcome of music and dance of the Aboriginal people performed by 12-year-old Michael Donovan. This was followed by readings on the theme of racial harmony from Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Bahá’í scriptures, recited by representatives of each of the religions.

•

The French-speaking Light of Unity performing group toured four localities in Mali last November/December as part of its West African proclamation trip. The nine-member group uses African art, drama and traditional dances and songs to teach such principles of the Faith as the equality of men and women, consultation, respect for elders and cultural diversity in a unified world. About 4,000 people saw the group perform, and more than 600 pamphlets about the Faith were distributed.

On February 1, about 30 Bahá’ís from several villages—including 15 women—took part in a day-long institute on ‘Non-Involvement in Partisan Politics’ at the Lende Bahá’í Center in Chimbu Province, Papua New Guinea. The spirit at the institute was high and the friends seemed to understand the issues quite well.

•

The Romanian Institute for Human Rights, a government institution, held a reception January 23 in Bucharest, Romania, in connection with the publication of a book entitled Reference Points for a Human Rights Philosophy, whose last chapter is dedicated entirely to the Faith and is highly appreciative in tone. The reception gave the Bahá’í delegation a further opportunity to meet with deputies, senators and members of the new government, as well as with Adrian Nastase, the former president of the Chamber of Deputies, who greeted the friends warmly.

•

Last November 12, the Spiritual Assembly of Helsingborg, Sweden, published the following announcement in the local newspaper: “Because of Bahá’u’lláh’s Birth, on 12 November 1817, the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Helsingborg wish their fellow men a joyful day. Bahá’u’lláh’s desire and Message was a united humankind. He taught [that] ‘the earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.’” The announcement resulted in an interview about the Faith by a local television reporter and a 10-minute program being telecast the same day.

•

Last October, three adult Bahá’ís, one youth and one pre-youth took to the streets in Wrexham, Wales, to put up a “unity tree” and engage local residents in discussions about world peace and unity. The tree was placed for a week at the front entrance of the Wrexham library where visitors could see a display on world religions including the Bahá’í Faith.

‘Developing Pathways to Peace’ theme of 21st annual Conference of Association for Bahá’í Studies in Washington, D.C.

“Fostering Human Rights: Developing Pathways to Peace” is the theme of the 21st annual Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies, to be held November 14–16 in Washington, D.C.

The Conference celebrates the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education which was inaugurated in January 1995 by the UN General Assembly.

The Association for Bahá’í Studies endorses the goals of the UN Decade, recognizing that the Bahá’í teachings have long advocated both moral and intellectual education as essential in enabling human beings to realize their potential as contributing members of socially and spiritually advancing communities.

This year’s ABS Conference, to be held at the Renaissance Hotel, is expected to draw many representatives of NGOs working in the area of human rights and will include a number of prominent speakers who are familiar with its theoretical and practical aspects.

Unlike previous years, the Conference will encompass three instead of four days and will open with a plenary session Friday morning.

As in the past, there will be a number of simultaneous sessions with smaller groups featuring lectures, workshops, group discussions and other presentations.

Those who are interested in taking part in these smaller sessions as presenters should send abstracts (no more than 100 words) by the end of July to either of the two Conference convenors: Augusto Lopez-Claros (Washington, DC 20016) or Sovaida Ma’ani (Washington, DC 20016).

Pictured (left to right) are the members of the board of directors of the Mathew Kaszab Bahá’í Institute, which is supervised by the Regional Teaching Committee of the Southern States: Wilson Ballard, Beto Conde, Mary Yopp, Heather Waldrop and Wig DeMoville. The directors met March 1 at the Bahá’í Center in Harlingen, Texas. [Page 20]

Vineyard of the Lord, part 20

Center for Study of the Texts

Local stone work inside and outside the building of the Center for the Study of the Texts is nearing completion.

External wood windows, principally for the portico areas, have arrived. The contract for installing them has been awarded, and work is scheduled to begin shortly.

Several items of millwork have also been fabricated, and the manufacture of the special shelving system for the library, in the basement of the building, is almost complete.

Work has begun on installation of the fire and security system (which includes closed circuit television, cameras, sensors and detectors). Work on suspended tile ceilings in the office areas is under way.

In the parking building, work on the application of industrial standard screed (a special concrete topping resilient to cracks, heavy loads and other surface damage) is half-way through in the four levels of the building.

In the Archives extension, internal marble work is in progress in the common areas of the corridors and lobbies; most of the utility stairs have been covered with quarry tiles, and aluminum windows have been installed in the patios. The massive vault door for the strong room is also in place.

With finishing work well advanced inside the building of the Center for the Study of the Texts, aspects of the interior fit-out design are being taken up for finalization, in particular the office furniture system, seating and carpeting. The process of choosing materials suitable for supplying these items has begun.

The office furniture system has been selected based on many user needs, with each work station having easy accessibility ‎ad and‎ maximum flexibility for various functions.

For interior carpeting, a modular carpet tile system has been used to provide for flexibility in maintenance and access to under-floor electrical raceways.

International Teaching Center

While construction work proceeds on the roof of the common area of the Teaching Center, several finishing items have arrived on-site. One such major delivery operation involved the unloading of seven huge pieces of air-conditioning equipment, the largest of which weighs 12.2 tons.

These units, manufactured in the U.S., were lifted into the building by a 40-ton crane. As the fan room is at level two, 4-meter by 4-meter (13.2-feet by 13.2 feet) temporary openings were provided in the floor slabs directly above the fan room to allow for delivery of the units. Soon afterward, these openings were closed to maintain continuity in the floor slabs.

Another major delivery operation saw the arrival of three elevator cabins from Canada. Altogether, there are five elevators to serve the building—three hydraulic, two electric. The guide rails for the elevators and hydraulic pistons have been installed, as well as one of the elevator cabins.

The main vehicular ramp connecting level six of the building of the Teaching Center to street level has been completed. The entrance plaza is now under construction.

While concreting is progressing intensively at the higher levels, mechanical and electrical work is being carried out at levels one to three, and dry-wall work has begun at level one.

Contracts for the supply and installation of local stone have been awarded, and work is already at an advanced stage on the eastern external walls of the common area. Externally, stone work for three patios has also begun.

Shrine of the Báb

An exciting development for the Terraces project took place on March 7; the last building obstructing the construction of the first two Terraces on Ben Gurion Avenue was demolished. This was accomplished as a result of more than four years of delicate negotiations with the tenants of the building and the Municipality of Haifa.

On Terraces 9 to 2 below the Shrine of the Báb ongoing maintenance work, strenuous but rewarding, continues on the finished Terraces. The gardens are in full bloom, providing a panorama of beauty to the residents of Haifa.

On the other hand, intense activity, both structural and architectural, characterizes the work on the Terraces above the Shrine, presaging the extension of beauty to the crest of Mount Carmel.

Starting with the uppermost Terrace 19, one-half of the stone work on its double-storied structure has been completed.

One of the major architectural features of this Terrace is 17 arches of various sizes and proportions. Stone work on four of them has been finished, and work is under way on its central and largest arch.

Its fountain pools are being covered with stone, and the Terrace is ready to receive the lovely stone balustrades carved in Italy. Landscaping work in the inner areas was to begin by the middle of April.

Below, on Terrace 18, the stone pedestals, runnels and fountains, along with balustrades on the west side, are in place and work is proceeding on putting the balustrades on the east contour walls.

Alongside this architectural detailing, landscape work has been carried out on the steep eastern outer

The Center for the Study of the Texts, with its distinctive entrance portico, nears exterior completion.

See VINEYARD page 21 [Page 21]

Brochure outlines Templar restoration

The office of the Management of the German Colony Project in Haifa released a brochure sharing details of planning and design. The following is an excerpt:

“Restoration and development are the key factors in the German Colony project, whose aim is to restore the Templar-style avenues, homes and gardens while striving to inject new life into the entire area. The result will be an economically thriving locale—a tourist attraction that stretches from the city’s seaport in the north to the beautiful Bahá’í Gardens, running up the entire length of the Colony. The comprehensive development plan for the German Colony includes a host of exciting concepts.”

• Widening the sidewalks to the building facades to create a spacious pedestrian promenade on each side of the avenue that will be shaded by day and brightly lit by night.
• Creating public spaces along the avenue in a style reminiscent of the Templar gardens.
• Restoring the original facade of historic buildings, highlighting their unique character and beauty.

“New buildings will be designed in the authentic style of old,” according to the brochure. “Similarly, the avenue will be paved with stone and lined with the historic facades, while the open view down to the sea and up to the Bahá’í Gardens on Carmel will be carefully preserved. ....”

In an interview, the head of the German Colony Administration office set up by the Municipality of Haifa said that the time schedule for implementing the design, at least of the main avenue through the Colony, has been planned to coincide with the completion of the Bahá’í Terraces project.

In the final analysis, the completion of the Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb and the restoration and development of the German Templar Colony will in fact fulfill the vision of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Who foreshadowed the conversion of the main avenue through the Templar Colony into the highway of the Kings and Rulers of the world, a highway starting from the sea and reaching up to the Shrine of the Báb and beyond to the crest of Mount Carmel.

An artist’s rendering of the Templar houses and the main avenue through the German Colony.

Vineyard

Continued from page 20

areas of Terraces 18 to 16. Rockeries have been built recreating the natural landscape of the mountain, service paths have been created, and planting of native plants such as pistachio shrubs, olive and almond trees, rock roses, rosemary ground covers and native grasses completed.

Work is under way on grading the east side of Terrace 19 to prepare the ground for planting.

Massive excavation work continues on Terraces 14 and 13. The 7-meter (23.1-foot) high rubble concrete wall on the east side of Terrace 13 has been constructed, over which the curved stairs leading up to Terrace 14 will eventually be built.

Much of the excavated material is being used as backfill behind the collar wall at the back of the Crusader Road tunnel to close the gap between the tunnel and the east side of Terrace 15.

Hatzionut Avenue

Bulk excavations for the third and final phase of lowering the road will begin soon on the north side. Many plants were salvaged from the Bahá’í property prior to this; hundreds of aloe vera, ‎aguave agave‎ succulents, olive trees, etc., along with topsoil, have been saved for use on the outer areas of the upper Terraces. Many of the rubble stones are being used for the rockeries.

Two-way traffic will be relocated to the new elevation as all underground services have been put in place and are operational. Work has been delayed to a certain extent on Hatzionut Avenue due to the heavy winter rains that prevented asphalt work from being carried out on the second lane. However, every effort is being made to make up for lost time.

Structural work continues on the building of the Information Center and Office of Security, and with the relocation of traffic to its final position, the north walls of the building, which adjoin Hatzionut Avenue, can be completed and the columns of the bridge to be built across the road can be raised.

Meanwhile, several finishing works for the interior of the building—drywall partitions, tiling, installation of steel doors—have been contracted for.

Construction of the Auditorium has been completed to its roof level, and part of the roof is being concreted. Fifty-two anchors have been purchased and were to be installed behind the building in April.

The removal of the last building in the vicinity of the first two Terraces has opened up the vista of the majestic Shrine of the Báb and the beautiful Terraces below from Ben Gurion Avenue for visitors and residents of Haifa. Work on these Terraces will commence shortly. [Page 22]

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

EMPLOYMENT opportunities at the Bahá’í National Center. Program coordinator, Office of the Treasurer’s Development Department—must be well-grounded in the fundamental verities of the Faith, have exceptional written and oral communication skills, ability to coordinate many tasks simultaneously. Prefer a minimum of a B.S. in human services-related field with experience in program design and management. Operations supervisor, Bahá’í Distribution Service, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Supervises day-to-day operations of the BDS in concert with goals and policies established through consultation with the management. Ensures timely and economical fulfillment of literature and related materials. The Department of Human Resources is looking for a benefits and recruiting administrator. Primary responsibilities are hands-on administration of the benefits program, serving as contact on benefits issues, handling communications including FMLA, COBRA, STD, LTD, and coordinating employee presentations. Also responsible for recruiting for the National Center and Bahá’í schools in the U.S. The ideal candidate would be a computer-literate college graduate with at least two years proven background in all phases of human resources. This is a highly visible position and requires someone with service-oriented focus and superior interpersonal and intuitive skills. The Bahá’í House of Worship is seeking an assistant to the administrator to help develop plans and conduct programs for worship and for propagating the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh through the unique facilities provided by the House of Worship. Would manage day-to-day operations at the Temple. The Office of the Treasurer is looking for a qualified senior accounts receivable clerk. Must be a high school graduate or equivalent including courses in bookkeeping plus 3–5 years experience in cashiering or accounts receivable. Should have good number sequencing skills and the ability to work well with calculators and personal computers. A program coordinator is needed by the Office of Persian/American Affairs. Must have good written and oral communication skills, a firm understanding of Bahá’í teachings, laws and principles as practiced in Iran and in the U.S. Must be familiar with Iranian culture and able to type in English and Persian. Should be creative in program development, able to translate program-related documents and letters into and from Persian. Prepares and produces publications including the Persian pages in The American Bahá’í. The National Youth Committee is looking for a Youth Services assistant. The candidate must be a strong communicator who is PC-literate. Secretarial skills a plus. At least two years of college preferred. The MIS Department needs a membership support manager who would be responsible for managing and updating the data entry, records, membership, LSA formation and electoral unit functions of the department. To carry out the job effectively, an individual must have the ability to perform and manage effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Prior experience in business/operations management and/or document management required. Must be proficient at composing correspondence in response to inquiries for information. Experience in central file and record-keeping procedures helpful. Must be experienced in the use of personal computers and Microsoft Word and/or WordPerfect software. Also needed in the MIS Department is a programmer/analyst to maintain information systems currently in production and fulfill service requests from customers. Desired experience: two to four years programming experience. Knowledge and experience using and programming a relational database such as Oracle, ‎Ingress Ingres‎, Sybase or Microsoft SQL. Some knowledge of networks, the Internet and Web products. For information about any of these positions, please phone Christine Stanwood, 847-733-3429, or send a resumé to the Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Evanston, IL 60201-1611.

EXCITING opportunities in China. Numerous openings for teachers of English or English as a Second Language. The China Europe International Business School is recruiting students for MBA and EMBA programs, taught entirely in English. For more information contact ‎Ms.Gwilli Ms. Gwilli‎ Posey, 847-733-3512 (fax 847-733-3509; e-mail

COME and join a dedicated and enthusiastic staff at Green Acre Bahá’í School this summer to mark the 85th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to this historic and blessed spot. There are openings for spiritually mature youth who are at least 17 years old and have graduated from high school to serve in a variety of roles during the summer program from June 20–September 2 (children’s program teachers should be able to arrive by June 17). These include positions as recreation leader, children’s teachers, hospitality/housekeeping and food service helpers, maintenance and groundskeepers, bookstore/cafe personnel, librarian and office assistants. Shorter periods of service may be available in some cases, but preference will be given to those who can serve for the entire summer. There are also some year-long positions available as members of the Youth Service Corps. The most important qualifications are a sincere desire to serve the Cause and the ability to work with people of all ages and backgrounds, showing friendliness, exemplary behavior, perseverance and flexibility. While full-time volunteer service in exchange for room and board is most desirable, a limited number of stipends is available. For information or application forms, please contact Christine Stanwood, Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-733-3429; fax 847-733-3430).

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

EMPLOYMENT opportunities overseas. Although the Office of Pioneering tries to help by providing information on employment opportunities that come to its attention, it does not have the resources for actual job placement. AFRICA: Ethiopia—self-supporting volunteer to help the National Assembly secretary and train a replacement. Tanzania—teachers. Zambia—teachers. AMERICAS: Alaska—general practitioner. Brazil—teachers. Honduras—teachers. Nicaragua—field legal officer. ASIA: Cambodia—cluster school community development director, trainer of tutors, trainer of lecturers. Panama—administrators for the Bahá’í House of Worship. India—volunteers and teachers to teach moral education at a Montessori school. Thailand—preschool teachers, volunteers to help with kindergarten, nursery classes, teach English, help with maintenance and building work. Macau—teachers. AUSTRALASIA: Western Caroline Islands—self-supporting assistant to the National Assembly secretary. EUROPE: Germany—gardener at the European House of Worship. Urgent need for self-supporting pioneers to the Bahamas, Bosnia, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Hungary, Macedonia, Serbia, Turks & Caicos and Venezuela. French Guiana needs a self-supporting Institute coordinator who is familiar with Bahá’í administration. Honduras—elementary and secondary school teachers. Macau—the School of Nations needs qualified kindergarten, primary and secondary teachers. Panama—the National Spiritual Assembly of Panama is looking for a pioneer couple to serve as administrators of the Bahá’í Temple. Solomon Islands—self-supporting couple to serve as custodians of the Bahá’í Center in Honiara; volunteer to train National Center office staff. The Peace Corps is recruiting for South Africa: agriculturalists, educators, health professionals, skilled trades professionals, environmental workers, businessmen, math, science & engineering majors, associate Peace Corps directors for Africa and other regions. For application information, phone 800-424-8580 or write to Peace Corps, Washington, DC 20526. For more information about any of these positions, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-733-3512; fax 847-733-3509; e-mail

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

THE WOUNDED KNEE District on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota urgently needs homefront pioneers to spread the healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh among the gentle, spiritual Lakota people. Primary qualifications: a burning love for God and Bahá’u’lláh, respect for other cultures, listening ears and an appreciation for beautiful scenery and a simple way of life. Main employment opportunities are in education and medicine; however, there are many needs, and the potential exists for developing other businesses or services. If you have felt a calling in this direction, please listen to your heart and check it out—you are needed! You’ll receive the fullest support I can give, and once settled we can work together to touch the hearts of our lovely Lakota sisters and brothers. What you’ll receive in return is a sense of honor and humility for having been allowed to play a part in delivering the Message for this Day to the Lakota. For information, please contact Jurene Lenoir, Manderson, SD 57756, or phone 605-867-2038.

HOMEFRONT pioneers: an occupational therapist is needed for a faculty position in the OTR program at Winston-Salem State University, an historically black university in North Carolina. For information, please phone Mike Hillis, program coordinator, 919-291-1187, or the Spiritual Assembly of Winston-Salem, 910-767-3899.

DUE to the relocation of three Bahá’í families, Greenfield, Massachusetts, needs at least one new family to help rebuild its community. Greenfield, a rural community in midwestern Massachusetts, an hour and a half from Vermont’s ski resorts and two hours from Boston and the Green Acre School in Maine, offers rental and home prices that are relatively low for this area of New England which is within easy driving distance of five universities and two community colleges. Local public schools are good with excellent private elementary and secondary schools in town or close by. There are employment opportunities in light industry and the academic, medical, retail and service areas as well as for entrepreneurs. Greenfield is becoming increasingly diverse with Latin American, Russian and African-American residents from the urban areas of Springfield, Boston and Hartford, Connecticut. Please join us in building a strong Bahá’í community. Address inquiries to Kathy Gilman c/o the Bahá’ís of Greenfield, P.O. Box 465, Greenfield, MA 01302, or phone Myra Hogan, 413-773-5410 before 9:30 pm. EST and leave a message.

WELCOME homefront pioneers, traveling teachers, seniors and others. How would you like to live in an earthly paradise situated on the oldest lake in the U.S., surrounded by wooded mountains, orchards and vineyards, free of smog and air pollution, with a temperate climate, 100 miles from San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean. You’ll be welcomed with love and gratitude while enabling us to achieve our goals. Local area has several employment openings including, but not limited to, social worker, auto technician, substance abuse counselor, fast food restaurant manager, welder/fabricator and physical therapist. For information, contact the Bahá’ís of Lake County, P.O. Box 1212, Lakeport, CA 95453, or phone Rick Green, 707-263-1005.

NEWARK, New Jersey (pop. 257,000-plus) has no local Spiritual Assembly. Pioneers are needed to propagate the Cause and help establish an Assembly. For more information, phone Robert Grant, 212-279-6505.

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of North DeKalb County, Georgia, is looking for deepened homefront pioneers to help a neighboring community, Chamblee, a multicultural city about 10 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta with a large population of Southeast Asian refugees. Help is needed in consolidating about 70 new believers. A family or couple is preferred. Desirable qualities include good listening skills, patience and steadfastness. For information, please phone Liz Donnelly, 770-457-4350.

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: Jennie M. Birmingham, Thomas E. Bishir, M.B. Black, Allie Mae Blackwell (died Los Angeles, CA, 1963) and Mary Ann Blackwell. 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, Evanston, IL 60201-1611, or to phone 847-869-9039.

The National Bahá’í Archives has prepared a series of biographical sketches of prominent African-American, Native American, Hispanic and Asian-American Bahá’ís to be used by local communities for Black History Month, Race Unity Day and other special events observances. Any local community that would like a set of these sketches is asked to send a request with mailing address to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-869-9039).

WANTED

CALLING all crafters! You are needed to help make a commemorative quilt for this year’s Kansas Bahá’í Centennial observance. Needed are 100 6-inch or smaller blocks (with 1-inch blank fabric [Page 23]

Ads

Continued from page 22

all around) depicting roses in beading, stitching, weaving, knitting, lace, leather, buttons...anything that can be sewn into a quilt. ‎Need’nt Needn’t‎ be new or handmade. Send more than one! Invite friends to become involved too—a great opportunity. Send completed blocks with a description of pattern, technique, history etc., and any thoughts and wishes, by July 1 to Lisa Bradley, 1440 Park Place, Wichita, KS 67203. To “reserve” your technique or acquire more information, phone Lisa at 316-262-3332, or e-mail

Be part of an historic event and an historic work of art!

MONA INC., a non-profit arts/social development organization, is accepting applications for the position of director of the Unity Center in Los Angeles. The position requires someone with extensive experience working with young people in multicultural settings. The selected applicant will plan, implement and supervise all programs at the Unity Center, under the authority of the MONA (Multicultural Organization for Neighborhood Arts) board of directors. Programming is primarily for after-school, evening and weekend activities for youth. To apply, send a résumé, three work references and cover letter to Lisa Janti, MONA Board of Directors, Los Angeles Bahá’í Center, 5755 Rodeo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90016, or e-mail

This is a full-time salaried position. The deadline for applications is June 30, with a preferred employment date of August 15.

ARCHITECT needed. The Spiritual Assembly of Nashville, Tennessee, has acquired nine acres of land for a new Regional Bahá’í Center to be designed with a master plan for future expansion and needs of the community. If you are interested, please phone Faran Ferdowsi, 615-781-6007 (office) or 615-781-8844 (home) within 30 days.

THE DIVERSITY Dance Workshop, a Seattle-based, Bahá’í-inspired non-profit performing arts group, is seeking an artistic director. Those who are interested should have a strong choreography portfolio, excellent organizational skills and enjoy working with young people. As a full-time staff member, responsibilities include training the dancers, managing the artistic integrity of performances, and creating and developing dances. Salary in the $20,000-plus range. Please fax a résumé to 206-453-1482 or phone 206-453-1193 for more information.

WANTED: successful businesspeople who network market using cassette tapes. Let’s consult about how we can teach the Cause with warm market ‎casssettes cassettes‎. This is not for entrepreneurial contacts but to pure-heartedly teach using modern marketing techniques. Please contact Diana Carson, 360-668-7155.

WANTED: letters, photographs, tapes, stories about Hilda Yen, sometimes known as Hilda Yen Male, who was born in Shanghai, China, and lived in New York City in the 1940s through ’60s promoting the United Nations and Bahá’í principles in the U.S. and Canada. Please contact M. Khavari, Portsmouth, NH 03801 (phone/fax 603-431-8566; e-mail

MISCELLANEOUS

GOING on pilgrimage February 16–24 or March 2–10, 1998? Know someone who is? We are seeking traveling companions for the trip, perhaps via JFK or BWI. Please phone 410-679-5928. Thank you.

Indians discuss entry by troops at NE workshop

On February 1, 175 Bahá’ís gathered at the city auditorium in tiny Lyons, Nebraska, for an all-day “Breaking Loose” workshop on facilitating the process of entry by troops among American Indians.

Honored guests taking part in the event were Lucy Dick, an elder of the Omaha tribe; Roe Cloud Jessepe, an elder of the Kickapoo tribe; Jacqueline Left Hand Bull, a member of the Continental Board of Counselors; Auxiliary Board member Marcia Gitchell; Ethel Crawford, a member of the National Teaching Committee; Edwin Roberts, a veteran of the Amoz Gibson teaching project who has taught for more than 25 years on Indian Reservations; the Heart of America Regional American Indian Teaching Committee; three members of the National American Indian Teaching Committee; and Marilyn Ray, representing the Regional Committee for the Central States.

Kay Webster (left) of McPherson, Kansas, a former long-time pioneer to the Omaha Indian Reservation, shows her surprise as she is honored during a ‘giveaway’ that followed the all-day workshop on teaching American Indians held February 1 in Lyons, Nebraska. Pictured with Ms. Webster are (left to right) Clay Schiefelbein, Marda Rodriguez and Linda Covey of the Heart of America Regional American Indian Teaching Committee.

Ms. Left Hand Bull commented on the passage in the Tablets of the Divine Plan in which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá advises us to “give great importance to teaching the Indians,” adding that today, two of the strongest and most highly developed Bahá’í communities are those of Panama and Costa Rica.

She urged those present to memorize paragraph 20 in the Universal House of Justice’s letter of Ridván 153, which explains the role of the individual in teaching, focusing especially on the seven “capacities” that “the individual alone can exercise.”

Referring to teaching American Indians, she said, “You have little need to worry if your heart is in the right condition.” In any culture, she said, “listening is helpful.”

Lucy Dick, only recently released from the hospital, said she had been looking at a photograph of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá when she heard a voice saying, “Don’t hold back. Help teach the Omaha. Bring them back from drugs, alcohol and gambling. You do this. And when you’ve accomplished this, I will take you in my arms.”

Mrs. Crawford asked attendees to regard the Ridván letter from the House of Justice as a personal letter to them, in the same way the early believers arose to act after receiving the Tablets of the Divine Plan.

That same spirit is very much alive today, she said, citing the example of Dover, Delaware, whose community has succeeded in doubling its “active core of believers” from 14 to 28 in the past year.

Mrs. Gitchell said the “power of divine assistance” should never be overlooked, citing the workshop itself as an example, as it had been planned as a fairly small event by a three-member Bahá’í community and had simply mushroomed in growth.

Clay Schiefelbein of the Heart of America Regional Committee said the American Bahá’í community needs the illumination it can gain from the Indian believers, and urged attendees to remember that “we are not bringing spirituality” to Native Americans—“they are already spiritual; we are bringing the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.”

Linda Covey, another member of the Heart of America committee, spoke on “Teaching in Urban Areas,” and Mr. Roberts spoke on “Teaching on Reservations.”

The last speakers were the three members of the newly appointed National American Indian Teaching Committee—Sara Gustavus, Ina McNeil and Christian Norleen.

All spoke of the need for innovation in the teaching work: “We need new ways to bring about the New World Order.” Remember, they said, we are spiritual entities, “living in eternity already. If we focus on the nether world, we’re never going to achieve [the goals of the Four Year Plan.]”

The workshop ended with a “give-away,” in which guests and workshop organizers were honored with lovely and thoughtful gifts, and a songfest led by Blair Nichols of Sioux City, Iowa.

Health for Humanity ends busy winter season with many essential projects at home, abroad

Health for Humanity, a not-for-profit entity that operates under the aegis of the National Spiritual Assembly, was busy on a number of fronts last winter, from Cameroon to Albania to Los Angeles.

In Cameroon, acting in response to a request for help from the World Health Organization (WHO), Health for Humanity sent two representatives to help organize a program to combat onchocerciasis or river disease, a blinding parasitic ailment transmitted to humans from the bite of a species of black fly that breeds along swiftly-flowing rivers.

In Albania, the eye project undertaken by HH and funded by the Soros Foundation’s Open Society Institute (OSI), received a $25,000 grant from the Crowe Foundation, enabling it to meet its remaining goals for the second year while planning for another year.

HH, with the valued help of the International Eye Foundation, has purchased all of the equipment needed for the University Eye Clinic as well as for three new eye centers in Korca, Gjirokastra and Peshkopi.

And in Los Angeles, plans are under way to incorporate lessons on agriculture and the environment into the rapidly growing Children’s Enrichment Program, which is affiliated with HH’s Southern California Regional Network.

Health for Humanity was represented at a number of international conferences last year including the Development Seminar and Conference for the Americas in Orlando, Florida; the three-day International Development Conference in Washington, D.C.; the World Food Summit in Rome, Italy; the conference of the American Public Health Association in New York City, and the fourth European Bahá’í Medical Conference in Budapest, Hungary.

In addition, two visiting ophthalmologists, one from Albania and the other from China, were guests of Alcon and Health for Humanity at the meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmologists last October. [Page 24]

Training Institutes: the idea takes shape

Arizona: It was one of those days during the Fast when you really want to be outside taking in all the beauty God has provided...especially when you can’t drink in any other way. But there, in a circular building with domed skylight, more than a hundred people had gathered to talk about the unusual structure and what to do with it.

Another cadre of adults was outside stoking the barbecue fires, cooking chicken and keeping the kids out of the cactus garden.

One of the primary uses of the 80-acre piece of land in central Arizona will be for the Desert Rose Regional Bahá’í Training Institute. Although having a piece of land with a building on it is not essential for establishing a training institute, it’s a welcome addition to the mix.

New Mexico: The newly established New Mexico Training Institute is starting without the building but with a specific focus. Friends from New Mexico have been instrumental in cross-border teaching in the areas around Juarez, Mexico, and El Paso, Texas. Consolidation being essential, the National Teaching Committee has appointed a six-member board of directors to develop a curriculum to address the needs in the Juarez/El Paso area as well as the rest of New Mexico.

The training institute focuses on developing human resources. It trains teachers, workers, administrators and collaborators to help bring the Four Year Plan to a successful conclusion.

The difference between the programming of most consolidation projects and that of a regional training institute is the difference between deepening and training. Deepening takes one deeper into the teachings of the Faith, while training, on the other hand, specializes a person in a particular area of interest and gives him/her skills to complete tasks related to it.

The training institute will study the teaching plans of area Assemblies, glean from them the special needs in that area, and produce a program to fulfill those needs.

For example, if the communities wanted to establish a corps of masterful public information officers, the institute would find the resources necessary to train people in media relations, writing press releases, identifying and explaining newsworthy events, and planning effective media campaigns.

The institute would then solicit students, probably from among the Assemblies’ PI representatives and, hopefully, from among talented youth who could be mentored in this area. The students would attend classes and then go directly to their communities to perform the work they had been assigned by their Assemblies.

Later, they would return to the institute to evaluate their work and hone their skills. Not only would this provide valuable feedback and reinforcement, but the institute’s programs would grow in size and strength.

Underlying this practical work and training are lessons in the basic verities of the Faith. Everyone needs to know the basic values and principles of the Faith, and they will be taught to everyone who passes through the institute.

Often, we set goals for ourselves and strive so hard to achieve them that we forget that the process is as important as the end. Instilling the basic verities will keep those values and beliefs in the forefront of our thoughts and help shape the way we approach our goals and tasks.

The Regional Committee for the Western States is forwarding to the National Spiritual Assembly for consideration the names of potential members of the board of directors for the Desert Rose Training Institute, and will shortly be considering others for institutes in Los Angeles, Denver and Portland, Oregon.

The goal is to have at least 13 training institutes in the Western Region by the end of the Four Year Plan.

Author Guy Murchie graciously signs one of his books for Judy Afsahi of Anaheim during a visit by several Fullerton-area Bahá’ís on his 90th birthday.

Guy Murchie, noted author, reporter, photographer observes 90th birthday

Noted author Guy Murchie celebrated his 90th birthday January 20 at Gordon Lane Convalescent Hospital in Fullerton, California.

Although saddened by the recent passing of his beloved wife, Marie, he seemed cheered by the arrival of a group of fellow Bahá’ís to help him mark his birthday.

Born in Boston in 1907, Mr. Murchie was brought up in New England. After graduating from Harvard he traveled around ‎he the‎ world, performing various kinds of work along the way.

He was a feature writer, photographer, staff artist and reporter for the Chicago Tribune, as well as a war correspondent in England and Iceland from 1940–42.

For 10 years he was a flight navigator and instructor, and for 11 summers he operated Apple Hill, an interracial camp for children in New Hampshire.

Mr. Murchie also has been a school teacher, building contractor, manufacturer (and thrower) of boomerangs, bee-keeper and tree farmer.

His books include Men on the Horizon (1932), Soldiers of Darkness (1937) and three books—Song of the Sky (1954), Music of the Spheres (1961) and The Seven Mysteries of Life (1978)—that became best-sellers and Book of the Month Club selections.

Leaders of faiths convene to discuss role of religion in fostering race unity

By LORI L. THARPS

Leaders of New York City’s diverse faith communities came together March 9 to speak openly and honestly about the role of religion in fostering race unity.

The seminar was organized by the Spiritual Assembly of New York City’s External Affairs Committee in response to a letter from the National Spiritual Assembly condemning the racially motivated church burnings in the South and asking for action from local Bahá’í communities.

By bringing together clerics from various religious backgrounds, program organizers sought to catalyze joint action by people of faith to promote race unity in New York City. The racially mixed, well-spoken group of panelists represented Muslim, Jewish, Christian and Buddhist houses of worship.

“We see our [Bahá’í] faith as a workshop, not a showplace, of racial unity,” said Wilma Ellis, program moderator, in her opening remarks, “and we invited these people today to participate in our workshop.”

Dr. Ellis, a member of the Continental Board of Counselors and of President Clinton’s Advisory Committee for Religious Freedom Abroad, gave panelists several tough questions to answer.

“We know that over 30 churches have been burned. We know that certain groups are alienated and working against unity. What can we do? How can we hear the wakeup call?” Dr. Ellis asked.

Clerics were given five minutes each to tell the audience of more than 200 Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís how their congregations were dealing with the issue of racism.

Each then was asked an individual question by Dr. Ellis, who urged each person to move beyond comfort zones when answering.

For example, Dr. Ellis asked Rabbi Daniel P. Alder where we would find today’s Moses to lead people from oppression.

She asked the Rev. Gilbert Caldwell of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church how to transform the historically black church into a place of unity.

To the Rev. Paul Williams of the Church of the Holy Trinity, she put the question of what could be done about the bigotry he had said was embedded in the Christian church.

Panelists responded with inspirational, though not necessarily action-oriented, answers.

“Bigotry [in the church] is not going to be changed,” predicted the Rev. Williams, “until we learn to love ourselves.”

Shaykh Abd’allah Latif Ali of the Admiral Family Circle Islamic Community injected the important message that unity does not mean ignoring differences. “I believe that we will end up with operational unity—that is, diverse groups working together.”

Audience members for the seminar included city officials, foundation representatives and other prominent individuals from the tri-state area. When the program ended, they and the panelists agreed the experience had been a positive one but the real test would be to see what comes next.

Someone in the audience challenged the clerics to take the message of unity back to their congregations and requested that dates be set for a follow-up seminar. As Dr. Ellis had said in beginning the afternoon, the day’s seminar was not a final solution, but “the beginning of a dialogue.” [Page 25]

Enterprise, Kansas, to mark group’s centenary

By TOM MENNILLO

Enterprise, Kansas (population 800), hopes to go over the 1,000 mark for one weekend in July.

That’s when Bahá’ís arrive from around the state and beyond to celebrate the centenary of the second Bahá’í group in North America.

But the good people of Enterprise aren’t leaving anything to chance. Leading citizens such as banker Reid Hoffman have ‎embaced embraced‎ the July 19–20 celebration and are helping the Bahá’ís plan it.

Good thing, since no Bahá’ís presently live in Enterprise [see Letter From A Nineteenth-Century Kansas Bahá’í by Duane L. Herrmann in the Winter 1996–97 issue of WORLD ORDER magazine]. Celebration coordinator Judy Heikes is about a 90-minute drive away in Hutchinson. Other Bahá’ís have to travel from Wichita, Topeka and elsewhere to help with the arrangements.

Amid this spirit of cooperation, an exciting celebration is shaping up.

Opening the centenary event will be a train ride from nearby Abilene for up to 100 people. On reaching Enterprise, they’ll be greeted by town officials and Bahá’í musicians.

A walking tour of historic sites associated with the early Bahá’í presence will follow before the day’s main event: lunch and entertainment under two large tents in the city park.

Lynn Wieties is writing a historical drama for the program. Lajdamaya Green Mahoney, Anne Biswell and Tracy Freeman are among the performers. A representative of the National Spiritual Assembly will speak, and artistic works will be displayed including a special quilt by Lisa Bradley.

Bahá’í David Freeman, a well-known television weather reporter from Wichita, will emcee the program.

After an ice cream social, the train will return the Bahá’ís to Abilene for reflections on the day and consultation on follow-up teaching in Enterprise.

Visitors are encouraged to stay overnight at motels in Abilene. Only three beds are available in Enterprise, at a bed-and-breakfast that is the former home of an Enterprise Bahá’í.

Abilene sights include a museum devoted to hometown hero Dwight D. Eisenhower. Hanging in the museum is a carpet that was given to the president by the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran during his visit to the Cradle of the Faith in the 1950s.

News article notes persecutions

The persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran and the relocation of one Bahá’í family to the Chicago area after 28 months in Pakistan were the topics of a feature article in the April 4 issue of the Chicago Tribune.

The favorable article, accompanied by three photographs, emphasized the Bahá’í teachings on unity while pointing out that the believers in Iran have suffered intense persecution since 1980, when the current Islamic regime came to power.

Also included were statements in defense of Iranian Bahá’ís by the U.S. State Department and the UN General Assembly.

The article ended with a two-paragraph reference to Bahá’u’lláh and His mission to establish world unity.

Georgia State Teaching Committee convenes at historic site to map plans for entry by troops

By FEILD SEARCY

When the Georgia State Teaching Committee chose the historic Rosewood Building in Macon as the site for a statewide conference, little did they know the historical significance of the name Rosewood.

For it was in Rosewood, Florida, that an African-American community was burned and plundered, and black Americans lost their lives.

As we met in Macon, we were reminded of the sacrifice they made in a struggle against racism and prejudice. It bolstered our resolve and focus for a weekend dedicated to “teaching in action.”

In its message of November 23, 1996, to the Georgia State Teaching Committee (GSTC), the Regional Committee for the Southern States (RCSS) asked that a statewide teaching conference be held for the early months of 1997 with the primary purposes of “acquainting the friends with the regional and state goals, reviewing the vision of the RCSS, generating excitement and support for the plans, and creating an opportunity for the believers to make personal commitments to the goals.”

Having just emerged from an exciting consultation with both the RCSS and the National Teaching Committee, the GSTC decided to center such a conference around action, and designed an agenda to consist mainly of teaching and service projects, proclamation events and consultation.

The members of the Auxiliary Board were invited to speak about the Four Year Plan and provide a “pep talk” of sorts for the friends directly before sending them out into the teaching field.

The idea of inviting the friends to display booths of community activities or teaching ideas/tools was arrived upon as a way to disseminate useful information throughout the state and provide an informal forum for sharing and spreading ideas and enthusiasm.

Macon was chosen as the location because of its current status as a city of more than 50,000 with no local Spiritual Assembly, its central location, and the excitement of the Macon Bahá’ís and their eagerness to help.

The weekend of Naw-Rúz was seen as a perfect time for bringing the friends together from all over the state, renewing our teaching fervor and efforts for the coming year, and as an opportunity for extending the conference activities over the Holy Day and long weekend.

Invitations were sent to all the local Spiritual Assemblies in Georgia. Messages posted on several Bahá’í Internet newsgroups also urged attendance.

Service projects in the Rosewood Building (painting a fence and cleaning a ballroom carpet) and with Habitat for Humanity (installing insulation into a house) and teaching projects in conjunction with the Cherry Blossom Festival that weekend were organized for Friday and Saturday.

Two proclamation events, a Naw-Rúz party on Saturday evening and a prayer breakfast on Sunday morning, were organized and invitations and fliers printed for distribution throughout Macon.

The Macon Telegraph was notified of the event and an interview was arranged for Saturday morning during the Rosewood Building service project. A children’s program including participation in the Cherry Blossom sand castle-building competition (with the idea of constructing the India House of Worship) was arranged.

Two teams of early arrivals were sent to either paint the fence or invite people at the Cherry Blossom festival to the Saturday night Naw-Rúz party. About 200 invitations were given out and the fence almost completed (it was finished on Saturday).

That evening more people arrived and the celebration picked up. We ordered pizza, played a getting-to-know-you scavenger hunt and learned a Native American unity dance.

The formal program began at 9 o’clock Saturday morning after dawn prayers with more devotions and an overview of the booths.

Booth topics presented were: Huqúqu’lláh; Arc and Mount Carmel Projects; Bahá’í Resources on the Internet; UGA Bahá’í Association; Southeast Asian Teaching; Raising a Generation of Prejudice-Free Children; the Auxiliary Board for Propagation in Georgia; Mottahedah Development Services; Community of Macon and surrounding counties; Georgia State Teaching Committee; Bahá’í Bookstore.

Auxiliary Board member Josie Reynolds shared teaching stories (from her own stash and from the audience) and the guidance of the Four Year Plan.

By 12:30 everyone was ready to get out into the field. Six teaching teams were suggested based on diversity of home community, race, gender and age (averaging six adults and one youth to a team, except for the Habitat for Humanity team with about seven adults and two youth).

Two teaching teams were assigned to the downtown area and two to the park where most of the Cherry Blossom Activities were held.

More than 600 fliers, invitations and teaching materials were given to each team leader. Teams left for lunch and their prospective activities.

The Rosewood Building service team was interviewed by Jane Self of the Macon Telegraph and a positive, well-written article appeared on the Monday following the conference.

Unfortunately, the children’s program teacher did not arrive, but one of the members of the GSTC took the two children to the Cherry Blossom Festival for the sand castle-building contest and a partial lotus flower did make an appearance.

The Naw-Rúz party that evening was well attended by many Bahá’ís and their guests from around the area and two seekers who had met the Bahá’ís in the park earlier that afternoon.

The program began with devotions in English, Spanish, Persian and Japanese. Mike and Bev Rogers, Carl Schmidt, Parviz Moshtael and Terry Kulkosky performed everything from a cappella vocals to guitar and harmonica duets to the Persian santur and drum (with dancing of course!).

It ended with fireworks that a local Bahá’í convincingly announced were arranged by the city of Macon entirely in honor of the first statewide Bahá’í conference in that city.

The friends gathered the following morning for dawn prayers followed by consultation on the Four Year Plan and the format/success of the conference.

The Macon Bahá’ís spoke of their plans to follow up on initiatives the friends made during the weekend, emphasizing the “process” of teaching and building a community.

Guests arrived at 11 o’clock for musical devotions featuring Linda Collestan and Marion Hatch’s beautiful rendition of “In This Room,” with brunch and fellowship following. At least four seekers (two adults and two youth) were present.

The response to the conference was overwhelmingly positive. Disappointment was expressed over the small number of Bahá’ís who attended, especially from the Atlanta area. Possible reasons for this included the relatively short notice (two months) and other local community events for Naw-Rúz that might have conflicted.

However, those who were able to attend felt the action orientation fostered unity and excitement and was a wonderful way of bonding the friends from all over Georgia. All in attendance expressed the desire for future teaching activities of this nature on either an annual or more frequent basis throughout the state.

Wilmette Institute to offer two brand new courses

The Wilmette Institute is developing two new courses separate from its four-year program, Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization.

The Institute will offer a one-week course on “The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh During the Baghdad Period” this summer at National Louis University, a five-minute walk from the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette.

Among the works studied will be The Hidden Words, The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, and the Kitáb-i-Íqán. The instructors will include John Hatcher and Habib Riazati.

The classes will be followed by home study assignments from August 16–October 1. Course tuition is $200 with dormitory accommodations and meals in the school cafeteria available for an additional fee.

For those who are unable to attend a residential session in Wilmette, the Institute is starting distance learning (correspondence) courses, the first two of which will focus on the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh using a special textbook and exercises designed by the Wilmette Institute for its students.

Tentatively, the first course will start January 1, 1998, and continue through April 30; it will explore the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh during the Baghdad and Adrianople periods. The second course, from May 1–August 20, 1998, will examine Bahá’u’lláh’s writings during the period in ‘Akká.

For information or to register, phone Lisa Young, registrar, 847-733-3415, fax 847-733-3563, or e-mail [Page 26]

Green Acre session to probe AIDS, sexuality, addiction

• The Institute for AIDS, Sexuality and Addiction (IASA) will hold a conference May 23-26 at the Green Acre Bahá’í School to explore Bahá’í principles and concepts related to AIDS, human sexuality (including homosexuality) and addictions, and to consider issues that arise in the application of those principles to Bahá’í community development.

The conference, which is designed to help individuals, Bahá’í institutions and health professionals in exploring these issues, will include presentations, panel discussions and a variety of workshops.

Registration for the IASA conference will be held from 3-6 p.m. on Friday, May 23, with dinner at 6. The conference opens with an evening program at 7:30 and lasts through Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day), ending with lunch at 12:30 p.m.

Pre-registration is required, and all participants including commuters are asked to attend all sessions. The three-day weekend fee is $145/person.

• A Spiritual Assembly Development Forum to explore the Assembly’s role in the process of entry by troops will be offered June 13-15 by National Center staff members and the Office of Community Development.

A variety of workshops will address such topics as Application of Principle, Stewardship of the Fund, the Implementation of Teaching Plans, Consultation, and the Duties of Assembly Officers.

Fees are $110/adult, $60 ages 3-14, and $30/commuter. A special discount rate of $85/person is offered for communities that send three or more members.

• Camp Green Acre, four days of study, outings, arts and crafts, and service for third- to sixth-graders (ages 8-12), coordinated by Barbara Nelson, runs from June 20-23. The cost is $145/camper. Participants must have insurance coverage, and parents will be required to sign a medical-release form.

Green Acre’s summer program opens June 27-July 2. Farah Rosenberg will address “The Spiritual Significance of the Institutions” with special focus on the role of the local Spiritual Assembly as loving parent to the individual and the community.

Author/presenter John Kolstoe offers “Developing Genius,” an exploration of how consultation draws out the hidden traces of genius within individuals and spiritualizes the growing community of the Most Great Name.

On July 4-9, arise to address the “Most Challenging Issue” facing this country—the establishment of racial unity—inspired by the life of “noble-minded, golden-hearted” Louis Gregory. Psychologist/lecturer Jane Faily examines the dynamics of individual change and community growth as defined in the Bahá’í writings and relates them to the goals of the Four Year Plan.

Also, organizational specialist Leonard Smith looks at the 11 things Louis Gregory identified as prerequisites for establishing race unity. The session will include a gospel concert on Sunday afternoon, July 6.

In addition to a week-long program July 11-16 for Junior Youth and a two-week Institute July 25-August 6 for high school-age youth, Green Acre will offer a one-week session July 18-23 for those in grades 9-12. Cost for one-week Institutes is $275, $490 for the two-week Institute.

The Green Acre Youth Institutes are designed to offer greater learning opportunities for young people who wish to better serve the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh and be challenged in their study of the Faith.

The programs provide a structured environment for study of the Writings, with application to major issues confronting youth today. They also include recreation, music, artistic sharing and Green Acre service projects.

Enrollment is determined by September 1997 grade level, and is open to June 1997 high school graduates. Please phone or e-mail the school registrar for the required application. Early application is encouraged, as enrollment is limited.

Fourth annual celebration of Black History, Heritage is held at Bosch School

The fourth annual celebration of Black History and Heritage was held February 14-17 at the Bosch Bahá’í School in Santa Cruz, California.

The focus was on the significance of the African-American experience within the Bahá’í community and its relationship to the African-American community in the U.S.

Dr. Richard Thomas, author of Racial Unity: An Imperative for Social Change, presented pertinent information and facilitated insightful discussions on “the historical and spiritual significance of the African-American heritage” and “notable Bahá’ís of African descent.”

The inspirational personal stories told by participants of their meetings with such outstanding servants of Bahá’u’lláh as the Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie brought the historical material vividly to life.

Classes by Bonnie Taylor, compiler of Pupil of the Eye, covered such topics as “Superiority Attitudes: Origins and Fallacies,” “What Is Race?” and “Culture and Unity in Diversity.”

The level of personal sharing and bonding made the weekend truly special. Ted Jefferson’s poignant recollections of the transformative power of the Black Men’s Gathering were moving. Participants in the Sisters to Sisters project related their experiences through video and personal accounts of their travels in southern Africa.

A special dessert fund-raiser with treats prepared by Sima Cockshut and an evening of gospel music and poetry organized by Taliba Sun-Boothe were also held.

At the end of the weekend, one participant said, “If people only knew how good it feels to be truly unified, we’d have no trouble ending racism.”

62 enjoy Children’s Academy at Bosch Bahá’í School

This spring, young people in grades 4-6 had an opportunity to explore their relationship with Bahá’u’lláh and learn more about the “customs of the Kingdom” during the Bosch Bahá’í School’s Children’s Academy.

About 62 children completed the program that mixes more formal class times with nature study, learning more about the redwoods, exercise programs, recreation and service.

All the grades rotate through special instructional programs on manners (etiquette), mediation, and becoming a teacher of the Cause. Evenings included such special activities as a game night, a walk through the woods to sing at Inspiration Point, and of course a bonfire with marshmallow roast and songs.

On the last day, the students made presentations based on the “customs of the Kingdom” for parents who came for the performance. Students were given special T-shirts to help them remember the experience.

The Children’s Academy involves the use of cabin counselors who are with the students at all times. Counselors help the students in completing their tasks, remembering always to speak kindly of others, and finding that the basis of all we do in life is rooted in the sacred Writings.

Each counselor undergoes special orientation and deepening to make sure he or she understands the vital importance of his/her role in achieving Academy goals.

Upcoming programs at Louhelen

May 23-25: Institute for Local Spiritual Assembly Development with Auxiliary Board member Hoda Mahmoudi.

June 6-8: Fostering the Advancement of Women with Auxiliary Board member Hoda Mahmoudi, Gwendolyn Watson, Penny Schmicker. The weekend session for women and men includes study of the Writings that describe the processes that lead to equality and unity, the lives of heroines of the Faith, consultation, fellowship and the contributions of cellist/vocalist Gwendolyn Watson.

June 6-11: Bahá’í Studies for College Youth with Dr. Rick Johnson and Constance Chen, a member of the National Committee for the Advancement of Women. The session will explore the foundations of human and spiritual advancement through study, research, consultation and fellowship. Special emphasis on the integration of science and religion.

June 22-27: Camp Louhelen Children’s Institute with Joannie Yuille, Rona Schechter, Angie ‎Blacksherer Blackshear‎, Susan Modarai, George Wilson, Mary Wilson. Special focus on the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh. Varied, stimulating and fun activities include classroom sessions, devotional periods, music, art, games and sports, overnight camping and more. For children ages 8-12.

Gregory Institute seeking youth

The Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute is looking for mature youth for its Year of Service program. All skills and interests are invited for consideration. Areas of service include support in the following: clerical assistance, general programs, maintenance, agriculture, radio station, children’s classes. Inquiries may be directed to the Youth Service Corps desk at the Bahá’í National Center.

Correction

In a brief article (March 2) about the book Black Holes—A Traveler’s Guide, the name of the author was misspelled. The proper spelling is Clifford A. Pickover.

Mr. Pickover’s latest work, The Loom of God: Mathematical Tapestries at the Edge of Time (Plenum Publishing), which deals with mathematics, science and God, quotes ‘Abdu’l-Bahá several times.

The book also includes a pentagram by the Báb as well as ornate Persian calligraphy by prominent Bahá’ís in that field.

On February 28 an intercommunity teaching committee from the Bahá’í communities of Belen, Los Lunas, Pajarito, Bosque Farms and Valencia County, New Mexico, sponsored an Ayyám-i-Há celebration on the Alamo Navajo Reservation. The committee bought two lambs for the Navajos, Bahá’ís from Albuquerque helped with the food, and the Navajo friends on the Reservation prepared their home to receive 60 guests. Music, prayer and games were included in a spontaneous outpouring of love and fellowship. In this picture, one of the youngsters has a go at breaking a piñata. [Page 27]

NABI hosts 35 non-Bahá’í students in outreach program

The Native American Bahá’í Institute was host to 35 non-Bahá’í college-age students in a three-week span as part of an alternative spring break and community outreach program.

The program is sponsored by the Break Away Foundation, a non-profit group that offers students a chance to be of service during their time away from school.

The Native American Bahá’í Institute is listed in the Break Away data bank as an entity that offers students a way to be of service to the Navajo and Hopi peoples.

During the first week in March, NABI hosted 20 students from Rice University in Houston, Texas. One of the major projects undertaken outside the NABI campus was a trip to Navajo, New Mexico, to volunteer at a local child-care center.

Students helped paint and clean the buildings and with child care. NABI invited local Bahá’ís to take part in evening programs that focused on the mission of NABI, Navajo language, and cultural classes.

The week ended with a farewell dinner prepared in honor of the students with more than 35 members of the local and neighboring communities attending. Several students asked for printed materials and prayer books, with two of them quite interested in pursuing their investigation of the Faith and wanting to contact the Rice University Bahá’í Club on their return.

On March 16, another wave of students, from the University of Montana, arrived at NABI. Fifteen students were chosen from 70 who were willing to undertake the week-long service project.

Also visiting that week were three Bahá’í students from the University of Arizona. They provided various services, set forth an example of Bahá’í youth, and helped answer questions about the Faith asked by the other students.

The Montana students worked on and off campus on behalf of the indigenous community, including service at the Pine Springs Boarding School (about nine miles from NABI) where they restored and moved a greenhouse, cleared the playground of rocks and overgrowth, helped lay a flatrock driveway and interacted with the children in the classroom.

Every evening, students and NABI staff gathered in the NABI classrooms and prayer hogan to discuss aspects of native culture and take part in a “talking circle” that brought out many of their concerns about unity among all peoples.

This helped orient the students about the Faith and NABI’s role in building strong indigenous communities.

Some of the students asked to meet with the administrators to continue their discussion about the Faith and to learn more about opportunities for service at the Institute. Several expressed an interest in obtaining Bahá’í materials and making contact with the local Spiritual Assembly in their respective communities.

Again, a farewell meal and social evening was held at week’s end with 50 friends and visitors from the surrounding community attending.

This marks NABI’s second year of participation in the Alternative Spring Break program. As a part of the program, the Institute has had an opportunity to educate visiting students about service, the Faith, and many aspects of Native American culture.

Paul Yellowhorse (right) supervises young people from the Native American Bahá’í Institute and the University of Montana during NABI’s Service Learning College Month in March. Bahá’í and other students from Montana, Rice University and the University of Arizona were at NABI that month for a week of service to the area.

Louhelen School: a center of spiritual radiance and attraction

The Louhelen School strives to be a center of spiritual radiance and attraction—both for Bahá’ís who attend sessions there and for their friends who may identify with the Bahá’í teachings and are seeking to learn more about them.

In 1935, a letter written to Louhelen on behalf of the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, stressed the importance of this welcoming atmosphere: “It is his hope that the attendants, both Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís, have returned from the school with a new vision of the Cause, and with a renewed determination to help in spreading far and wide its Teachings.”

Think about attending a session at a permanent school or institute:
Bosch Bahá’í School 500 Comstock Lane Santa Cruz, CA 95060-9677 408-423-3387
Louhelen Bahá’í School 3208 S. State Rd. Davison, MI 48423 313-653-5033
Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute Rt. 2, Box 71 Hemingway, SC 29554-9405 803-558-9131
NABI 830 Burntwater Road Box 3167 Houck, AZ 86506-3167 520-521-1064
Green Acre Bahá’í School 188 Main Street Eliot, ME 03903-1827 207-439-7200

One of the great treasures of Louhelen’s history is that the school was the recipient of literally dozens of letters written on behalf of the beloved Guardian. These letters provide a soaring vision of Louhelen’s importance as an educational center.

The Guardian said that Louhelen would become “a leading educational center of the Cause throughout the Central States”; a “true cultural and educational Bahá’í center”; a “great center for the reunion of the friends and the spread of the spirit and teachings of the Cause”; a “leading educational center of the Cause in the West,” and “that ideal Bahá’í University of the future.”

Over the decades, this wonderful vision of Louhelen has steadily unfolded into reality. Marvelous teachers, among them the Hands of the Cause of God Corinne True, Horace Holley, Amelia Collins, Dorothy Baker, Louis Gregory, Leroy Ioas, Agnes Alexander and Mary Maxwell (Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum), have stimulated thousands of individuals to arise in service.

The tradition continues today with spiritually rich courses and devoted faculty. You are invited to share in these soul-stirring courses of study.

But Louhelen is more than its courses. The Guardian saw a special spirit of love and unity as its animating force: “He was particularly pleased to hear that a profound spirit of love and unity pervaded the school and its attendants. The world not only desperately needs the organization for world order brought by Bahá’u’lláh, but above all the living example of community love and inner oneness without which the other is merely a perfect shell, devoid of spirit.”

It is this special uniting of mind and spirit, personal growth and community closeness, that is the hallmark of Louhelen as an educational center.

Why attend a session at Louhelen? Consider the Guardian’s vision, review the courses that are offered, look at the urgency of learning to build a new pattern of Bahá’í community life, and turn to the plea of the Universal House of Justice:

“To effect the possibilities of expansion and consolidation implied by entry by troops, a determined, worldwide effort to develop human resources must be made. There should be no delay in establishing permanent institutes designed to provide well-organized, formally conducted programs of training on a regular schedule.”

Louhelen is such a permanent center of learning and training. All are invited to take part in this world-changing learning experience.

In essence, Louhelen is about creating joy in the hearts. As we feel ourselves grow, as we feel our spirits deepen in understanding and devotion, as we feel our hearts moved by meeting and welcoming new friends, we realize the truth of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s words:

“Joy gives us wings! In times of joy our strength is more vital, our intellect keener, and our understanding less clouded. We seem better able to cope with the world and to find our sphere of usefulness.”

You are invited to embrace a new and joyful learning experience. Come to Louhelen.

Bahá’ís in Highland Park, Illinois, sponsor weekly radio program that reaches to Wisconsin, Indiana

Last October the Bahá’ís of Highland Park, Illinois, a suburban community on Chicago’s North Shore, began sponsoring “Morning Fireside,” a weekly half-hour Sunday morning radio program on WEEF-AM.

As the contract with WEEF neared its end, the Bahá’ís were contacted by another local station, WYPA, which broadcasts on 820 AM with a more powerful signal that can be heard north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at least 60 miles south and west of Chicago and as far east as Valparaiso and LaPorte, Indiana.

In March, “Morning Fireside” moved to its new location on WYPA at a new day (Saturday) and time (9 a.m.).

The well-received weekly programs, which consist primarily of interviews with Bahá’ís in the Chicago area, are supported by a number of communities on the North Shore. [Page 28]

سپاه خدمت جوانان بهائی

BAHA’I YOUTH SERVICE CORPS

بیت العدل اعظم الهی در پیام رضوان سال ۱۵۳ بدیع خدمات چشمگیر جوانان بهائی را ستودند و از نیرو و همت و وقتی که آنان وقف خدمت به امر بهائی کرده‌اند یاد فرمودند.

سپاه خدمت جوانان بهائی که در سال ۱۹۸۵ تأسیس شد، جوانان بسیاری را به خود جلب کرده و آنان را در سراسر جهان به خدمت مشغول ساخته است.

در حال حاضر جوامع و تشکیلات و مؤسسات بهائی در سراسر جهان بیش از هر زمان دیگر خواستار و نیازمند خدمات جوانان عزیز بهائی هستند. متأسفانه تعداد داوطلبان بسی اندک‌تر از مقدار نیازهای جامعه بهائی است.

دفتر امور مهاجرت برای حل این مشکل شبکه‌ای ایجاد نموده که از طریق آن جوانان عضو سپاه خدمت می‌توانند در جامعه یا ناحیهٔ خود به خدمت قیام نمایند.

هدف خدمات جوانان عبارت است از:

• آگاه ساختن هر چه بیشتر جوانان از سپاه خدمت جوانان بهائی به عنوان وسیله‌ای برای خدمت تمام وقت در یک دورهٔ معین،
• کمک به افزایش تعداد جوانان برای شرکت در سپاه خدمت جوانان بهائی،
• کمک به آماده ساختن جوانان برای اینکه در خدمات خود مؤثرتر باشند،
• تشویق جوانانی که در سپاه مذکور شرکت کرده‌اند به شرکت دوباره در آن.

در شبکه‌ای که به تازگی ایجاد شده ۶۵ نفر عضویت دارند و آماده‌اند به محافل و اعضای هیئت معاونت و مساعدینشان از هر طریقی که ممکن باشد کمک کنند.

دوستان می‌توانند برای دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر با دفتر مهاجرت تماس حاصل نمایند. شماره تلفن: ۳۵۱۱-۷۳۳ (۸۴۷)

گزارشی از لوس آنجلس

PROCLAMATION EFFORTS IN LOS ANGELES

یکی از دوستان بهائی مطلبی از لوس آنجلس برای درج در نشریه "آمریکن بهائی" فرستاده‌اند و خواهش کرده‌اند مطلب را "به همین صورت که ارسال داشته‌اند چاپ کنیم. چشم! این هم گزارش ایشان: گزارشی از لوس آنجلس

اقدام بی سابقه مطبوعات فارسی زبان کالیفرنیا برای معرفی عید سعید رضوان

امسال به طور بی سابقه‌ای و در یک تلاش گروهی عید سعید رضوان بیش از گذشته به ایرانیان غیربهائی در کالیفرنیا و بلکه در سراسر آمریکا شناسانیده شد و در این فرصت اطلاعات موجز ولی کافی نیز دربارهٔ دیانت بهائی در اختیار هموطنان ایرانی ما قرار گرفت.

در این تلاش گروهی تنی چند از پژوهشگران و نویسندگان مطبوعات و اجراکنندگان رادیوئی و تلویزیونی چه بهائی و چه غیربهائی شرکت داشتند و این قبل از همه نشانهٔ حسن تفاهمی است که بین هموطنان ما از هر گروه و آیین به وجود آمده است و روز به روز نیز رو به پیشرفت است.

آقای پرویز ناظریان نویسنده و روزنامه نگار بهائی مقیم لوس آنجلس در مقاله‌ای که در یک صفحه کامل مجله جوانان مورخ ۱۷ اپریل ۱۹۹۷ منتشر کرد، ضمن برشمردن نکته‌هائی دربارهٔ عید رضوان به اختصار مؤسس دیانت بهائی و آثار و مقام حضرت بهاءالله را نیز به خوانندگان این مجله شناسانید.

این مقاله در اصل به درخواست آقای مهدی ذکائی مدیر و سردبیر مجله جوانان که نشریه ایشان پرتیراژترین نشریه ایرانی خارج از کشور است منتشر شد. این مجله که در لوس آنجلس منتشر می‌شود در سراسر آمریکا، کانادا، کشورهای اروائی و ژاپن خواننده دارد.

بامداد روز جمعه ۱۸ اپریل ۱۹۹۷ آقای دکتر امین بنانی استاد دانشگاه UCLA و از پژوهشگران برجسته بهائی در یک برنامه تلویزیونی به اجلال دربارهٔ عید رضوان و تاریخچه امر صحبت کرد.

در این برنامه تلویزیونی به نام "ایران سیما" که تنها برنامهٔ روزانهٔ زندهٔ خبری تلویزیونی ایرانی در جنوب کالیفرنیاست در بخش معرفی عید رضوان ویدیوی بسیار زیبائی که از مقامات مبارکه حیفا و عکا تهیه شده است چند بار به تماشا گذاشته شد.

آقای داریوش میراحمدی مدیر و تهیه کننده تلویزیون ایران سیما در مقدمهٔ گفتگوی خود با آقای دکتر بنانی از لزوم ایجاد همبستگی بین ایرانیان از هر قوم و آیین سخن گفت و یادآور شد که در برنامهٔ تلویزیونی ایشان چه افراد مسلمان و چه بهائی و کلیمی و آشوری و ارمنی شرکت دارند و نهایت احترام را به یکدیگر می‌گذارند.

آقای نورالدین ثابت ایمانی مجری باسابقه رادیو تلویزیونی و از چهره‌های بهائی در لوس آنجلس در برنامه جمعه شب تلویزیونی خود به نام تلویزیون امید ایران بخش ویژه‌ای را به معرفی عید رضوان اختصاص داده و ۲ دقیقه نوار ویدیوی مربوط به مقامات مبارکه در ارض اقدس با صدای اصلی انگلیسی را به طور کامل پخش کرد.

در همان شب ۱۸ اپریل آقای علی رضا میبدی برنامه‌ساز رادیوی ۲۴ ساعته صدای ایران در برنامه خود که از پرشنونده‌ترین برنامه‌های رادیوئی [به زبان فارسی] در سراسر امریکاست، دربارهٔ عید رضوان و دیدگاه‌های بهائی سخن گفت و یادآور شد که ایرانیان برای ساختن آیندهٔ آباد و آزاد کشور خود باید بیش از پیش یکدیگر را بشناسند.

علاوه بر این برنامه‌های ویژه که امسال برای اولین بار در جنوب کالیفرنیا در بعضی از معتبرترین رسانه‌های فارسی زبان منتشر و اجرا شد در سایر وسایل ارتباط جمعی دیگر فارسی زبان شامل ده‌ها نشریه روزانه و هفتگی و رادیو تلویزیون‌ها نیز مطابق معمول چند سال اخیر عید رضوان تبریک گفته شد.

خوشه‌هائی از خرمن ادب و هنر

مجلد هفتم "خوشه‌هائی از خرمن ادب و هنر" به تازگی در ۳۲۰ صفحه با جلد چهار رنگ و تصویر نبیل زرندی و نمونه‌های خوش نویسی رنگی خارج از متن حاوی مقالات ارزنده است. فروشگاه‌های کتب امری در دسترس دوستان است. دوستان مقیم ایالات متحده می‌توانند با شمارهٔ رایگان زیر تماس گرفته، "خوشه‌ها" را سفارش دهند.

(۸۰۰) ۴۷۰-۴۵۲۵

مقاله روزنامه "شیکاگو تریبیون"

CHICAGO TRIBUNE ARTICLE ABOUT THE FAITH

در ماه مارچ سال جاری مقاله‌ای در روزنامهٔ شیکاگو تریبیون Chicago Tribune درج شد که موضوع آن تضییقات بهائیان ایران و ورود یک خانوادهٔ بهائی ایرانی از پاکستان به ناحیهٔ شیکاگو و اقامت در آن شهر بود.

در این مقاله که نویسنده آن را با نظر مساعد نوشته بود، دربارهٔ تعالیم بهائی در خصوص یگانگی تأکید شده و دربارهٔ تضییقاتی که برای پیروان امر بهائی از سال ۱۹۸۰ در ایران وجود داشته مطالبی ذکر شده بود.

همچنین دو بیانیه یکی از وزارت خارجه ایالات متحده و دیگری از مجمع عمومی سازمان ملل متحد در دفاع از بهائیان ایرانی و نیز سه عکس در این مقاله درج شده بود.

در دو بند آخر این مقاله به حضرت بهاءالله و پیام آن حضرت برای تأسیس وحدت عالم انسانی اشاره ای شده بود.

اطلاعیه انجمن ادب و هنر

LANDEGG ACADEMY SWITZERLAND

از جانب دبیر انجمن ادب و هنر لندگ اطلاعیه‌ای به هیئت تحریریه "آمریکن بهائی" رسیده است که عین آن در زیر درج می‌گردد.

نهمین مجمع سالیانه انجمن ادب و هنر "دورهٔ سمندر" از ۱۸ تا ۲۴ آگست سال ۱۹۹۷ در آکادمی لندگ (سوئیس) برگزار خواهد شد. موضوع اصلی این دوره احوال و آثار و خدمات جناب شیخ کاظم سمندر و حاجی شیخ محمد نبیل و خاندان جلیل ایشان است. ضمناً مباحثی در زمینهٔ ادب و هنر و فرهنگ ایران توسط محققان بهائی مطرح خواهد شد و شب‌ها برنامهٔ شعرخوانی و موسیقی ایرانی اجرا خواهد گردید. و نیز برای جوانان و نوجوانان برنامهٔ مخصوصی ترتیب داده شده و از آنان با تخفیف پذیرائی خواهد شد.

دوستانی که مایل به شرکت در این دوره باشند می‌توانند با آکادمی لندگ (سوئیس) به آدرس زیر مکاتبه یا مکالمه فرمایند.

هیئت اجرائی انجمن ادب و هنر

تلفن: ۳۱-۹۱-۸۹۱-۷۱-۴۱ فکس: ۱-۴۳-۸۹۱-۷۱-۴۱

Landegg Academy CH 9405 Wienacht, Switzerland [Page 29]

پیشرفت ساختمان‌های قوس

ARC PROJECTS

کارهای پرزحمت مربوط به نگاهداری در طبقات نهم تا دوم زیر مقام اعلی در طبقاتی که ساختمان آن پایان یافته همچنان به پیش می‌رود. در حال حاضر باغ‌های مقام اعلی پر از شکوفه و گل است و چشم‌انداز زیبائی برای ساکنان حیفا فراهم می‌سازد.

در طبقات فوقانی نیمی از کارهای سنگ‌بُری در طبقة نوزدهم به پایان رسیده است. یکی از ویژگی‌های این طبقه ۱۷ طاق به اندازه‌های گوناگون است که سنگ‌بُری ۴ تای آن اتمام یافته و ساختن بزرگ‌ترین آن در شرف وقوع است.

کارهای عظیم خاک‌برداری طبقة ۱۳ و ۱۴ نیز در شرف وقوع است و دیوار بتونی ۷ متری قسمت چپ طبقة ۱۳ ساخته شده است.

خیابان آلمانی‌ها

دفتر برنامه‌ریزی خیابان آلمانی‌ها در شهرداری حیفا اخیراً یک دفترچه راهنما شامل جزئیات برنامه‌ریزی و طرح تهیه کرده است که بخش‌هائی از آن در زیر نقل می‌شود:

«ترمیم و توسعه عناصر اصلی طرح خیابان آلمانی‌ها است و هدف آن مرمت خیابان‌ها و خانه‌ها و باغ‌های آن محله و رونق بخشیدن به آن است.

نتیجه این کوشش ایجاد ناحیه‌ای خواهد بود با امکانات گسترده اقتصادی که از بندر حیفا در شمال تا باغ‌های متعلق به جامعه بهائی ادامه خواهد داشت و سراسر محله را در بر خواهد گرفت و جهانگردان را به خود جلب خواهد کرد.

نقشه کلی توسعه برای خیابان آلمانی‌ها موارد جالب زیر را در بر خواهد داشت.»

سپس در این جزوه راهنمایی جزئیات این طرح توضیح داده شده که خلاصة آن عبارت است از:

• پهن کردن پیاده‌روها در دو طرف خیابان. این پیاده‌روها در طی روز سایة درختان خنک خواهد کرد. شب‌ها هم این پیاده‌روها کاملاً روشن خواهد بود.
• ایجاد محوطه‌های عمومی در طول خیابان به سبک باغ‌های Templar
• ترمیم نمای اصلی ساختمان‌های تاریخی با تلاش برای برجسته‌سازی و نشان دادن زیبائی و ویژگی‌های آنها از لحاظ معماری.

همچنین در این دفترچه راهنما آمده است که ساختمان‌های جدیدی به سبک معماری اصلی آنها ساخته خواهد شد. خیابان نیز سنگفرش خواهد شد و قسمتی که در پائین آن منظره دریا و در بالای آن باغ‌های بهائی و کوه کرمل نمایان است، به همان صورت محفوظ خواهد ماند.

مسؤول دفتر برنامه‌ریزی خیابان آلمانی‌ها در طی مصاحبه‌ای اظهار داشت که تاریخ اجرای طرح مذکور طوری تنظیم شده است که با اتمام طبقات مقام اعلی همزمان باشد.

در تحلیل نهائی باید در نظر داشت که اتمام طبقات مقام اعلی و اجرای طرح شهرداری برای خیابان آلمانی‌ها یکی از پیش‌بینی‌های حضرت عبدالبهاء را متحقق خواهد ساخت که عبارت است از تبدیل خیابان مرکزی محلة آلمانی‌ها به شاهراه ملوک و سلاطین که از کنار‌ة بندر حیفا تا مقام اعلی و رأس کوه کرمل ادامه خواهد داشت.

سمینار بین الادیان در نیویورک

INTERFAITH SEMINAR IN NEW YORK

چنان که خوانندگان عزیز آگاهی دارند در دو سال گذشته چندین کلیسا در جنوب ایالات متحده به آتش کشیده شده است. محفل روحانی ملی در سال گذشته این عملیات را محکوم کرد و از جوامع بهائی خواست که در این مورد سکوت پیشه نگیرند.

محفل روحانی نیویورک در پاسخ به صلای محفل روحانی ملی هیئت امور خارجی خود را به اقدام فراخواند. هیئت مذکور نیز تصمیم به تشکیل جلسه‌ای برای بررسی مسألۀ نژادی گرفت.

جلسۀ مذکور روز ۹ مارچ سال جاری برای بررسی سهم دین در مورد گسترش وحدت نژادی برگزار گردید و بیش از ۲۰۰ نفر شامل بهائیان و دوستان آنان در آن شرکت جستند.

در این جلسه از روحانیون کلیمی و مسیحی و مسلمان دعوت شده بود که به بحث دربارۀ مشکلات نژادی و طرح اقدامات عملی برای حل آن مشکلات بپردازند.

دکتر ویلما الیس مشاور قاره‌ای و عضو "کمیسیون مشورتی آزادی ادیان در خارج از کشور" که آن را رئیس جمهور ایالات متحده تشکیل داده است، نظامت جلسه را بر عهده داشت. ایشان در سخنان افتتاحیه خود اظهار داشت که بهائیان امر بهائی را "کارگاهی" برای وحدت نژادی تلقی می‌کنند نه "نمایشگاهی" و به همین جهت نیز از حاضران دعوت کرده‌اند در این کارگاه به نحو فعالی شرکت کنند.

دکتر الیس با صراحت لهجه پرسش‌هائی طرح کرد و از روحانیون ادیان خواست به آن پاسخ دهند.

ایشان گفت که خبر داریم که بیش از ۳۰ کلیسا به آتش کشیده شده است و می‌دانیم که گروه‌هائی هستند که خلاف جهت وحدت فعالیت دارند. ما چه می‌توانیم بکنیم؟ در برابر این بیدادگری‌اش چه واکنشی می‌توانیم نشان دهیم؟

از روحانیون حاضر خواسته شده بود که هر یک به مدت ۵ دقیقه توضیح دهند که پیروانشان برای مقابله با تعصبات نژادی چه اقداماتی صورت می‌دهند.

دکتر الیس از حاخام یهودی پرسید اگر حضرت موسی در زمان حاضر در میان مردم می‌بود، چگونه آنان را از یوغ ستم می‌رهاند؟

از یکی از کشیش‌های مسیحی سؤال کرد کلیساهائی را که از این پیش ویژة سیاه پوستان بوده، چگونه می‌توان به خیمة وحدت مبدل ساخت؟

از کشیش دیگری که گفته بود تعصبات نژادی در کلیسای مسیحی ریشه دوانده، پرسید در این مورد چه می‌توان کرد؟

نمایندة مسلمان، شیخ عبدالله لطیف علی اظهار داشت که وحدت به معنی چشم پوشی از تفاوت‌های موجود در میان مردم نیست اما بر این عقیده بود که می‌توان به وحدت عمل رسید، بدین معنی که گروه‌های گوناگون با هم همکاری داشته باشند.

شرکت‌کنندگان شامل اولیای امور و نمایندگان بنیادهای گوناگون و نیز افراد متشخص از نیویورک و دو ایالت مجاور آن بودند. اینان در خاتمة جلسه تشکیل آن را تجربه‌ای سودمند و مثبت تلقی کردند.

صعود جناب صیادالله برق آسا

A FORMER PIONEER PASSES AWAY

جناب صیادالله برق‌آسا که مدتی مهاجر اسپانیا و چندی مهاجر در ایالت کارولینای شمالی و متولی حظیرة القدس شهر نیویورک بود روز ۴ دسامبر سال ۱۹۹۶ به ملکوت ابهی صعود نمود.

ایشان پس از نقل مکان به نیویورک ۵ سال در آنجا به سر برد و سپس به آشویل Ashville در ایالت کرولینای شمالی مهاجرت کرد و پس از ۶ سال به کلی تن Clayton در همان ایالت رفت و جهت کمک به رشد جامعة نوپای آنجا به خدمت پرداخت.

جناب برق‌آسا در زمان صعود ۶۶ سال داشت. روانش غرقۀ لطف ایزدی باد!

کنفرانس تبلیغی برای ساکنان جزائر اقیانوس آرام

PACIFIC ISLANDER TEACHING CONFERENCE

از ۵ تا ۸ جون سال جاری دومین "کنفرانس سالانه تبلیغی برای ساکنان جزائر اقیانوس آرام" در مدرسه بهائی بوش در کالیفرنیا تشکیل خواهد شد.

مشاورین قاره‌ای جناب بن آیالا Ben Ayala و افه ماتا مولی چنگ Afemata Moli Chang از اقیانوسیه و نیز خانم جوانا کاندز، عضو محفل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده در این کنفرانس شرکت خواهند داشت.

این عزیزان دربارة فعالیت‌های گوناگون تبلیغی در منطقة اقیانوس آرام سخن خواهند گفت.

علاقه‌ مندان می‌توانند برای دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر با شماره‌های زیر تماس حاصل نمایند: تلفن: ۳۳۸۷-۴۲۳ (۴۰۸) شماره فکس: ۷۵۶۴-۴۲۳ (۴۰۸)

تذکری درباره تغییر ساعات

BAHÁ’Í HOLY DAYS DURING DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

چنانکه دوستان عزیز آگاهی دارند در ایالات متحده برای صرفه‌جوئی در مصرف برق هر سال در اولین یکشنبه ماه اپریل ساعات را یک ساعت به عقب می‌کشند و در آخرین یکشنبه اکتبر آن را به ساعت اولی باز می‌گردانند و یک ساعت جلو می‌برند.

بیت العدل اعظم الهی در مورد ایام متبرکه خاطرنشان ساخته‌ اند که در ایامی که وقت دقیق واقعه‌ای ذکر شده، مانند صعود حضرت بهاءالله و شهادت حضرت اعلی، احباء باید به ساعت اصلی آن اوقات را مراعات کنند.

بدین ترتیب زمان تلاوت زیارت‌ نامۀ مبارک برای صعود حضرت بهاءالله ساعت ۴ صبح و زمان تلاوت همان اثر مبارک برای روز شهادت حضرت اعلی ساعت ۱ بعد از ظهر است. [Page 30]همزمان با این فعالیتها نقشه هائی طرح و اجرا نمایند که بر اساس آن تعداد بهائیان فعال دو برابر شود. همچنین محافل باید برای آموزش و تزیید معلومات احباء و بهبود ضیافات نوزده روزه تدابیری بیندیشند. وظیفه جامعه امری نیز باید چنان باشد که با شور و نشوری که ایجاد می کند احبای دورافتاده را به خود جلب کند و تازه تصدیقان را پیوندی ناگسستنی با امر مبارک برقرار سازد.

دکتر کاظم زاده، منشی امور خارجی محفل ملی گزارش داد که امر مبارک از لحاظ روابط جامعهٔ بهائی با جامعهٔ خارج در حال ورود به مرحلهٔ جدیدی است.

ایشان گفت امکانات فراوانی برای تأثیر بخشیدن در همهٔ شئون و مراحل وجود دارد که برخی از آنها عبارت است از: کوشش برای احقاق حقوق احبای ایران؛ فعالیت برای پیشبرد امور مربوط به زنان؛ همکاری با سازمان ملل متحد؛ فعالیتهای شبکهٔ روابط عمومی امر مبارک که از طریق آن جلوه و حیثیت امر الهی به بهترین گونه ارائه و اشاعه شود.

دکتر کاظم زاده اظهار داشت دسترسی به منابعی از این دست برای آگاه ساختن مردم از آرمانهای امر بهائی مورد نیاز بیشتری خواهد بود.

پیشنهاد شده بود که بودجهٔ محفل روحانی ملی ۳۵ درصد افزایش یابد و بالغ بر ۲۷ میلیون دلار شود. امین صندوق محفل روحانی ملی جناب ویلیام دیویس این افزایش را حاکی از این دانست که احباء برای تاثیری که امر مبارک برای بهبود جامعه دارد، اهمیت قائلند و خود می توانند اولویتهای زندگیشان را از لحاظ مالی چنان ترتیب دهند که جمع آوری این مبلغ امکان یابد.

روز ۲۵ اپریل بیانیهٔ محفل روحانی ملی دربارهٔ تساوی حقوق زن و مرد در میان شرکت کنندگان در کانونشن توزیع شد.

دکتر هندرسن اظهار داشت که بیانیهٔ مذکور پیش از اینکه به تصویب محفل ملی برسد ۲۶ بار بازخوانی و تصحیح شده بود. روش محفل روحانی ملی برای تهیهٔ این بیانیه مبنی بر این بوده که خدا مفاهیم زن و مرد و انسان را در این ظهور تعبیری جدید کرده است.

خانم ژنا خداداد، ناظم لجنه ملی نشر نفحات در گزارش آن لجنه تحول طرح یک نقشه تبلیغی ملی را بررسی کرد. ایشان اظهار داشت که لجنه نخست با یک بررسی جمعیت شناختی demographic به این نتیجه رسید که در آمریکا حدود ۱۵ میلیون نفر در جستجوی امور روحانیند و اکنون امکاناتی برای ابلاغ کلمه الهی به اینان فراهم آمده است.

پس از این بررسی کلی لجنه ملی نشر نفحات نقشه ای طرح کرد که محور آن بر اساس وحدت نژادی است.

تأسیس لجنه های ناحیه ای و هیئت های مربوط به اقلیت ها از جمله اقداماتی بوده که به اجرای این نقشه کمک می کند.

همچنین برنامه هائی در دست طرح است که از طریق استفاده از رسانه های همگانی در چند شهر معین فعالیت های تبلیغی گسترده ای صورت پذیرد.

استفاده از شبکه های کامپیوتری برای اشتهار امر مبارک

رویدادها و برنامه های هشتاد و هشتمین کانونشن ملی روزانه از طریق ماهواره و به وسیلهٔ شبکهٔ کامپیوتری www که به تازگی محفل روحانی استفاده از آن را آغاز کرده است، پخش می شد.

احبای آمریکا می توانند از طریق کامپیوتر شخصی و دسترسی با Internet و با استفاده از شمارهٔ کارت بهائی و نام خانوادگی خود - چنان که در دفتر سجلات امری ثبت شده - به شبکهٔ مذکور دست یابند.

یاران الهی می توانند علاوه بر اخبار و رویدادهای کانونشن به مواد زیر نیز دسترسی حاصل نمایند:

• پیام اخیر بیت العدل اعظم که به مناسبت عید رضوان صادر شده است،
• متن جدید بیانیه ای که اخیراً راجع به تساوی حقوق زنان و مردان صادر گردیده است،
• اطلاعات راجع به برنامه هائی که قرار است در آیندهٔ نزدیک به اجرا در آید، مانند کنفرانس کارآموزی جوانان و غیره،
• صفحات مرتب و قالب بندی شدهٔ نشریهٔ "امریکن بهائی"،
• فهرس دوائر و دفاتر دفتر محفل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده. در این فهرس شرحی دربارهٔ هر دفتر و عملکرد و وظائف کارکنان و پاسخ به پرسش هائی که معمولاً به آن دفتر ارجاع می شود، درج شده است.

در آینده امکان استفاده از عمل کرد "جستجو" نیز به وجود خواهد آمد که برای مراجعه کنندگان فرصت دستیابی به مدارک و شماره های پیشین نشریات امری را فراهم خواهد ساخت.

همچنین قرار است در حوالی تابستان امسال ترتیبی داده شود که تشکیلات محلی آسانتر بتوانند با دوائر گوناگون محفل روحانی ملی تماس برقرار نمایند.

یکی از سؤالاتی که معمولاً از دفتر محفل ملی می شود در رابطه با محرمانه بودن ارتباط از طریق کامپیوتر است.

در این باره باید به آگاهی دوستان رساند که از لحاظ فنی Web site شبکه ای عمومی است و از طریق Internet عمومی کار می کند، منتهی با استفاده از password می توان ارتباطات را محرمانه بر قرار ساخت، بدین معنی که تا اسم رمزی مخصوصی به کار نرود، دیگران نخواهند توانست از محتوای مراودات یاران آگاه شوند.

به همین جهت نیز نشانی کامپیوتری www.usbnc.org را نباید در دسترس افراد غیربهائی گذاشت. بدین ترتیب افراد غیربهائی که مایل به دریافت اطلاعات باشند به نشانی های دیگر کامپیوتری که تحت اختیار و ادارهٔ مرکز جهانی بهائی و "انجمن کامپیوتری و ارتباطی بهائی" Bahá’í Computer and Communications Association است ارجاع خواهند شد.

انسان مطلع الفجر است، یعنی بدایت روز وحدت و هدایت و انتهاء لیل کثرت و ظلالت.

حضرت عبدالبهاء

از احبائی که به Internet دسترس داشته باشند دعوت می شود از طریق آن با نشانی بهائی تماس حاصل نمایند و پیشنهادهای خود را نیز ارسال دارند. و ناگفته نماند که این شبکهٔ ارتباطی بهائی مدام در دست بهبود و تکامل است.

بزرگداشت امر مبارک در کانزاس

CENTENARY OF THE SECOND BAHÁ’Í GROUP IN NORTH AMERICA

قرار است در ۱۹ و ۲۰ جولای سال جاری در اینترپرایز Enterprise در ایالت کانزاس برنامه هائی برای بزرگداشت صدمین سال دومین جمعیت بهائی در ایالات متحده به مرحلهٔ اجرا در آید.

اینترپرایز شهرکی با جمعیت ۸۰۰ نفر است و در حال حاضر ساکن بهائی ندارد. مسؤول برگزاری این بزرگداشت خانم جودی هایکس Judy Heikes ساکن هاچینسن Hutchinson است که از لحاظ زمانی ۹۰ دقیقه با اینترپرایز فاصله دارد. دیگر دست اندرکاران باید برای کمک به ترتیبات لازم از ویچیتا Wichita و توپیکا Topeka به آنجا بروند.

برنامه ای که طرح شده با سفر حدود ۱۰۰ نفر از طریق قطار از آبلین Abilene آغاز خواهد شد. اولیای امور و نوازندگان بهائی در اینترپرایز از شرکت کنندگان استقبال خواهند کرد.

سپس شرکت کنندگان از اماکنی که از لحاظ تاریخی با امر بهائی ارتباط داشته است دیدار خواهند کرد و پس از آن در دو خیمهٔ بزرگی که در پارک شهر برافراشته شده به صرف غذا و شرکت در برنامه های سرگرمی خواهند پرداخت. همچنین نماینده ای از جانب محفل روحانی ملی سخنانی ایراد خواهد کرد.

یکی از احباء دست اندرکار تهیهٔ یک نمایش تاریخی برای این بزرگداشت است و بهائی دیگری نیز یک اثر هنری به نمایش خواهد گذاشت.

مجری برنامه آقای دیوید فریمن David Freeman خواهد بود. آقای فریمن در یکی از ایستگاه های تلویزیونی مسؤول اجرای برنامه های هواشناسی است.

احباء پس از صرف بستنی دوباره با قطار به آبلین باز خواهند گشت و دربارهٔ تبلیغ در اینترپرایز به مشورت خواهند پرداخت.

از جمله اماکن تاریخی که شرکت کنندگان از آن دیدار خواهند کرد موزه ای است که اختصاص به روایت آیزنهاور Dwight Eisenhower، رئیس جمهور ایالات متحده دارد. در این موزه قالیچه ای آویخته شده که آن را محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان ایران در زمان دیدار رئیس جمهور از ایران در دههٔ ۱۹۵۰ به ایشان اهداء کرده است. [Page 31]است." و نیز: "محبوب عالم به لسان پارسی تکلم می‌فرماید. دوستان او هم اگر به این لسان تکلم نمایند و بنویسند لدی‌الوجه مقبول است." چه نیکو است که عده‌ای از احبای ایرانی در هر شهر و دیاری که تعدادی از ایرانیان بهائی ساکنند پیشقدم گردند و به اطفال و جوانانشان فارسی بیاموزند و با هم به قرائت و مطالعهٔ الواح و آثار فارسی پردازند و از چشمهٔ فیاض آیات و آثار مبارکه سیراب شوند. بحمدالله بعضی از مؤسسات و تشکیلات بهائی جهت تعلیم و تعمیم زبان فارسی در بین ایرانیان دور از وطن تدابیری اندیشیده و برنامه‌هائی ترتیب داده‌اند که باید از آنها در اجرای این خدمت مبارک استفاده نمود.

ای دوستان ارجمند، الحمدلله احبای عزیز ایران در هر عصر و زمان در تقدیم خدمات لایقه به امرالله همواره موفق و پیشقدم بوده و هستند لازم نیست که به کارنامه آن قهرمانان میدان وفا در عصر رسولی نظر کنیم، تنها اگر به مراحل اخیرۀ عصر تکوین بیندیشیم از اقدامات مؤثر و تاریخی ایرانیان عزیز در ارتفاع و استقرار امرالله در نقاط مختلفه در سراسر جهان باخبر شویم و زبان به ستایش گشائیم. در ظل نقشۀ ده ساله که حضرت ولی عزیز امرالله آن را جهاد کبیر اکبر خوانده‌اند عدۀ زیادی از احبای ایرانی به فتح روحانی ممالک و دیار فائز گشتند و نامشان در لوحه افتخار به ثبت رسیده است و نیز نفوسی از آنان که با بذل مال و تبرعات کریمانه به تأسیس مؤسسات لازمهٔ عظیمه موفق گشته‌اند بسیارند. در همین سنوات اخیر چون برای ارتفاع ابنیه شامخۀ حول قوس کرمل تبرعات مالی ضرورت یافت دوستان ایرانی در کشورهای مختلف بر خود نپسندیدند که از یاران سایر ممالک عقب مانند و کماکان قدم همت به پیش نهادند و در تأمین مصارف آن مشروعات جسیمه حتی‌المقدور شرکت جستند.

ای عزیزان حق، یقین است که ابر دهش و بخشش خداوند آفرینش بر جمیع بشر یکسان می بارد اما کسب فیض از ساحت قدس الهی به قدر استعداد است و اگر چه مراتب در میان است ولیکن احدی نیست که استعدادی به او عنایت نشده باشد، و ترقیات نفوس در مراتب وجود بسته به آن است که چگونه استعداد خداداد را به کار گمارند و به اندازۀ مقدر ترقی نمایند. بر همین منوال مسئولیت هر کس نیز به قدر استعداد او است و "لا یُکَلِّفُ اللهُ نفساً الا وسعها."

امید این مشتاقان از آن یاران قدیم جمال رحمن چنان است که بین خود و خدا توانائی خویش را از هر جهت بسنجند و خود تشخیص دهند و تصمیم گیرند که چه خدمتی به چه مقدار از ایشان ساخته است که بتوانند نثار محبوب ابهی کنند و نذر وفا نمایند تا در عالم بقا به فیض لقا فائز گردند و از حیات خویش نتیجه گیرند والا اگر فقط و فقط در فکر آسایش زندگی در این دار فنا باشند و از مقصد خلقت خویش غفلت ورزند البته خود را به خسران اندازند. به فرمودۀ حضرت عبدالبهاء:

آسودگی بدن و خفتن شب و گفتن روز و اندوختن در صبح و افروختن در شام و راحت بستر عبقری حسان و پرند و پرنیان به چه کار انسان آید؟ اوقاتی به هذیان بگذرد و چون به پایان رسد زیان اندر زیان و خسران نمایان.

این بیان حضرت بهاءالله چقدر مؤثر است که بندگان وفادارش را چنین نصیحت می‌فرماید:

چه شب‌ها که رفت و چه روزها که درگذشت و چه وقت‌ها که به آخر رسید و چه ساعات که به انتها آمد و جز به اشتغال دنیای فانی نَفَسی بر نیامد. سعی نمائید تا این چند نفسی که باقی مانده باطل نشود. عمرها چون برق می‌گذرد و فرق‌ها بر بستر تراب مقرّ و منزل گیرد، دیگر چاره از دست رود و امور از شست.

ای دوستان عزیز و باوفا، ای هموطنان جمال کبریا، آرزو بل انتظار این مشتاقان امیدوار از آن یاران بزرگوار چنین است که در پیروی از اوامر و نصایح الهی به مقامی رسید که چون ستارۀ سحرگاهی در افق هدایت بدرخشید و رهنمون دیگران گردید و به آنچه خداوند بی مانند در حق آن نفوس ارجمند خواسته و مقدر فرموده فائز شوید.

شهرالبهاء ۱۵۴ بدیع بیت‌العدل اعظم

هشتاد و هشتمین کانونشن ملی بهائیان ایالات متحده

THE 88TH BAHA’I NATIONAL CONVENTION

هشتاد و هشتمین کانونشن ملی بهائیان ایالات متحده از ۲۴ تا ۲۷ اپریل سال جاری در Holiday Inn در Rosemont (در حومۀ شیکاگو) برگزار شد.

با تشکیل کانونشن امسال مرحله اول نقشه چهارساله پایان گرفت و مرحله دوم آن که مشتمل بر "اقدام همگانی" است آغاز گردید.

نمایندگان حاضر در کانونشن در طی چهار روز برقراری آن از سهمی که نمایندگان در اجرای اهداف نقشه بر عهده دارند آگاهی بیشتر یافتند و به گزارش پیشرفت‌های حاصل شده گوش فرا دادند؛ به بررسی راهنمائی‌های اخیر معهد اعلی پرداختند و دربارۀ چگونگی جریان دخول دسته جمعی افراد در ظل امر مبارک و تسریع آن مشورت کردند و دست آخر نیز از برنامه‌های هنری بهره بردند.

همچنین نمایندگان کانونشن شاهد دو رویداد مهم بودند. نخست نشر بیانیۀ محفل روحانی ملی دربارۀ تساوی حقوق زن و مرد. عنوان این بیانیه که بسیاری سخت در انتظار صدور و پخش آن بوده‌اند "دو بال یک پرنده: تساوی حقوق زنان و مردان" است. نام اصلی این بیانیه به زبان انگلیسی این است: Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men

رویداد دیگر ارتباط تلویزیونی مستقیم شرکت کنندگان در کانونشن با یاران الهی در ۵۰ نقطه در سراسر کشور بود.

و ناگفته پیداست که در میان این رویدادها موضوع اصلی و علت غائی تشکیل کانونشن یعنی انتخاب اعضای محفل روحانی ملی صورت گرفت.

انتخاب اعضای محفل روحانی ملی

صبح روز ۲۶ اپریل نمایندگان حاضر که تعدادشان ۱۵۹ نفر بود، سوار بر اتوبوس به مشرق‌الاذکار رفتند و پس از دعا و مناجات آراء خود را ‎ابدا ادا‎ نمودند و اعضای محفل روحانی ملی را انتخاب کردند.

نتیجۀ انتخابات بعد از ظهر آن روز اعلان شد و نام اعضای محفل روحانی ملی به ترتیب زیر اعلام گردید:

خانم درتی نلسن Dorothy W. Nelson، جناب رابرت هندرسن Robert C. Henderson، جناب ویلیام دیویس William E. Davis، خانم جوانا کانرد Juana Conrad، خانم پتریشا لاک Patricia Locke، دکتر فیروز کاظم زاده، جناب جیمز نلسن James F. Nelson، جناب جک مک‌نتس Jack McCants، و خانم آلبرتا دیس Alberta Deas.

پس از اعلام نام اعضای محفل روحانی ملی جلسه محفل تشکیل شد و هیئت عامله به ترتیب زیر معین گردید:

• رئیس محفل: جناب جیمز نلسن
• نایب رئیس: خانم درتی نلسن
• منشی: جناب رابرت هندرسن
• معاون منشی: خانم جوانا کانرد
• امین صندوق: جناب ویلیام دیویس
• منشی امور خارجی: دکتر فیروز کاظم زاده

آغاز کانونشن

جلسات رسمی کانونشن ملی روز ۲۴ آغاز شد. نخست می‌بایست ناظم جلسات را انتخاب کنند. خانم درتی نلسن به نظامت انتخاب شد و جناب ویلیام دیویس در سمت منشی جلسات کانونشن.

سپس مشاورین قاره ای خانم جکلین Left Hand Bull و جنابان استیون برکلند Stephen Birkland، تاد یوئیگ Tod Ewing و عبدالمیثاق قدیریان حضور شرکت کنندگان را خوش آمد گفتند. پس از این خوش آمد گوئی، نمایندگان کانونشن گزارش سالانه محفل روحانی ملی را شنیدند.

جناب هندرسن شرکت کنندگان را مستحضر داشت که در طی نقشه چهارساله دو وظیفه اصلی بر عهده داریم که یکی اتمام ساختمان‌های قوس و دیگری اقدام به فعالیت های گسترده و منظم و مستمر تبلیغی است.

جناب هندرسن گفت در ایفای وظیفه اول توفیق بیشتری داشته ایم و در سال گذشته ۷ میلیون دلار به صندوق قوس تقدیم کردیم، اما در مورد تبلیغ هنوز راه درازی در پیش داریم.

منشی محفل روحانی ملی همچنین اظهار داشت که محفل ملی از یاران تقاضا دارد که همان گونه که بسیاری از افراد قیام به مهاجرت کرده اند به فعالیت‌هائی چون تشکیل منظم بیوت تبلیغی نیز مبادرت بنمایند. محافل روحانی محلی نیز باید [Page 32]

PERSIAN

بنماید و خلق جدید نکند. این است یگانه اسباب نجات و ظفر امر الهی.

عاشقان جمال رحمن در ایران به مدد "یگانه اسباب نجات و ظفر امر الهی" به عین الیقین مشاهده نمودند که چگونه با استقامت در مقابل امتحان و افتتان و عمل به موجب تعالیم الهی دشمنان حیران گردند و بیگانگان آشنا و پشتیبان مظلومان شوند. اما یقین است که تنها احبای عزیز در ایران نیستند که در معرض امتحانند بلکه امتحاناتی که یاران در بلاد آزاد جهان در مقابل دارند هر چند نوعش تفاوت دارد ولی به همان اندازه شدید و فریبنده است که اگر به مدد آیات و دعا و مناجات و استمرار در خدمات با آنها روبرو نشوند چه بسا در بحر غفلت و نادانی مستغرق گردند و در سرگردانی و حسرت و پشیمانی عمر کوتاه را تباه کنند و توشه‌ای نیندوزند. مخصوصاً جوانان را باید دریافت و چنان تربیت نمود که بتوانند از آفات محیط محفوظ مانند و نیز باید آنان را تشویق نمود تا علاوه بر صرف وقت در تحصیل علوم و فنون نافعه در خدمات امریه شرکت جویند. جمال مبارک می‌فرماید:

در ریعان شباب و اول جوانی هر نفسی به محبّت الهی فائز شد او از اهل فردوس اعلیٰ مذکور. جهد نما تا از تو ظاهر شود آن چه که سبب ارتفاع امر است.

و نیز می‌فرماید:

ای جوان، ان شاء الله به عنایت رحمن به فیوضات نامتناهیّة الهیّة فائز شوی. چون در اول جوانی به عرفان مشرق وحی مزین شدی از حق بخواه تا موفق شوی به امری که در دفتر عالم باقی و پاینده بماند. هر امری را فنا اخذ نماید مگر امری که لله گفته شود، و عملی که لله ظاهر گردد او را فنا اخذ ننماید. جهد کن تا از رحیق باقی بیاشامی و به کوثر استقامت فائز گردی.

امیدوار چنانیم که جوانان بهائی که اصلشان از مهد امرالله است در جمیع شئون در بین اقران نمونه و ممتاز باشند. البته جوانان بهائی که در ظلّ تربیت روحانی پرورش یافته‌اند به جائی رسیده‌اند که خود حافظ خویش خواهند بود و امتحانات شدیده جهان کنونی را با شجاعت و توکّل و اطمینان مقابله خواهند نمود چنانکه امروز می‌بینیم که اغلب جوانان عزیز بهائی در جامعه غیربهائی مشارٌبالبنانند و سرآمد اقران.

یاران ستمدیده در کشور مقدّس ایران همواره از محرومیت خویش در تبلیغ امرالله نالند و چون به آنان بشارت رسد که احبای سایر ممالک به نام و بالوکاله از ایشان طرحی ریخته و یا به نام شهیدان نازنین آن سامان قیامی نموده‌اند تا حدی آتش حرمانشان فرو نشیند و دعای خیرشان بدرقة راه آن صاحبان همت در ممالک خارجه گردد. حال این مشتاقان با یاران آرزومند در ایران هم‌آواز گشته از هموطنان جمال مبارک در جمیع اقالیم رجا می‌نمائیم هر یک به مقتضای وفا قیام نمایند و به یاد برادران و خواهران روحانی خویش در مهد امرالله در تبلیغ امر الهی اقداماتی شدید و مؤثر فرمایند، زیرا تبلیغ فریضه‌ای است وجدانی که احدی از آن مستثنیٰ نیست؛ مغناطیس تأیید است و سبب احیاء نفوس و ارواح. قلم اعلیٰ چنین می‌فرماید:

جمیع همت را در تبلیغ امر الهی مصروف دارید. هر نفسی که خود لایق این مقام اعلیٰ است به آن قیام نماید و الّا لَهُ اَن یَاخُذَ وَکیلاً لِنَفْسِهِ فی اِظهارِ هذَا الاَمرِ الَّذی بِهِ تَتَزَعْزَعُ کُلُّ بُنْیانٍ مَرصوصٍ و اَنْدکَّتِ الجِبالُ و انْصَعَقَتِ النُّفوسُ.

و در مقامی دیگر می‌فرماید:

در یکی از الواح این کلمة علیا از قلم اعلیٰ نازل که اگر نفسی قادر بر تبلیغ نباشد وکیل معیّن نماید.

الحمدلله این خوان نعمت امروز برای جمیع دوستان گسترده است. نقشه چهارساله در کار است تا راهنمای احباء در اجرای اهداف تبلیغی باشد و اگر به جهاتی مستقیماً قادر به تبلیغ نباشند از آنان خواسته شده که با گرفتن وکیلی این فریضه وجدانی را اجراء نمایند و اگر از تدارک یک وکیل کامل بر نیایند از طریق صندوق‌های محلی، ملی، قاره‌ای و بین‌المللی حتی‌المقدور تبرّعاتی مخصوص صندوق توکیل تقدیم نمایند. مقصود این است که برای شرکت در امر تبلیغ که به فرمودهٔ مرکز میثاق أهمّ امور است جمیع وسائل آماده گشته و بهانه‌ای برای احدی باقی نمانده است. به علاوه مردم جهان که از مصائب کنونی خسته و ناتوانند بیش از همیشه مستعد قبول امرالله‌اند و اگر این فرصت از دست رود به راستی خسرانی است عظیم زیرا دردمندان جهان از درمانی که به رایگان به اهل بهاء سپرده شده محروم خواهند ماند. امروز روزی است که به فرمودهٔ حضرت عبدالبهاء، "از هر طرف فریاد اَینَ المُبَلّغین بلند است..." خوشا به حال کسانی که به گوش هوش شنیدند و به جان اجابت نمودند علی‌الخصوص در این ایام که بر طبق نقشه چهارساله تا اواخر این قرن باید تعداد مبلّغین چنان افزایش یابد که دخول افواج را در ظلّ امرالله تسریع نماید. احبای عزیز ایرانی در هر مملکتی که ساکنند نباید خود را از فیض خدمات امریه محروم سازند بلکه شایسته چنان است که با اهالی آن ممالک متّفقاً متّحداً در ظل تشکیلات امریه در نصرت و اعلای امرالله شرکتی لایق جویند و حتی پیشقدم شوند و در بین یاران در عبودیت آستان الهی مشارٌ بالبنان گردند.

دیگر از مسائل مهمی که باید نصب‌العین یاران ایرانی در همه جا قرار گیرد تربیت اطفال است به به آداب الهی و روش و سلوک بهائی از خردسالی تربیت شوند و مانند نهال به ماء سلسال وصایا و نصایح جمال مبارک نشو و نما کنند.

و نیز:

اطفال بهائی باید در تحصیل علوم و فنون از سایر اطفال ممتاز باشند زیرا مشمول نظر عنایتند. آنچه اطفال دیگر در مدّت یک سال تحصیل نمایند تازه‌نهالان جنّت عرفان کودکان بهائی باید در مدّت یک ماه تحصیل کنند.

و نیز:

اطفال را از سن شیرخواری از ثدی تربیت پرورش دهید و در مهد فضائل بپرورید و در آغوش موهبت نشو و نما بخشید. از هر علم مفیدی بهره‌مند نمائید و از هر صنایع بدیع نصیب بخشید. پُرهِمّت نمائید و متحمّل مشقّت کنید.

به این بیان مهیمن که از قلم جمال قدم نازل گشته خوب توجّه فرمائید که می‌فرماید:

آیا باید کمال سعی را در ‎تئیین تأمین‎ اولاد مبذول دارند چه اگر اولاد به این طراز اول فائز نگردد از اطاعت ابوین که در مقامی اطاعت الله است غافل گردد. دیگر چنین اولاد مبالات نداشته و ندارد، یفعلُ باهوائه ما یشاء.

در این زمانه که بشر در بسیاری از ممالک سرکش و لااُبالی شده و به مفاسد اخلاقی و ابتلائات گوناگون دچار گشته‌اند امتثال از اوامر مذکور بیش از هر وقت دیگر ضرورت می‌یابد. یاران عزیز در ایران امثال این اوامر را به مرحله اجرا در آوردند و به تجربه دریافتند که یکی از نتایج فوری این اهتمام آن بود که در مدرسه و کوچه و بازار به آن دچارند دلیرانه مقابله کنند و شخصیت خویش و حیثیت امرالله را محافظت فرمایند. احبای ساکن سایر ممالک باید همین روش را پیروی نمایند چه اگر اطفال از تربیت روحانی محروم شوند چگونه از هجوم وساوس گوناگون محفوظ و مصون مانند؟

از جمله خدمات مشکوره ای که بهائیان ایرانی در همه جا می‌توانند تعهد فرمایند مباشرت و مساعدت در تأسیس کلاس‌های درس اخلاق است زیرا کسانی که شاگردان آن دبستان بوده و ثمرات شیرینش را چشیده‌اند باید در این خدمت جلیل که بالمال سبب استحکام هر جامعه بهائی است شرکت جویند تا کلاس‌های درس اخلاق در همه جا تأسیس شود و تربیت و تعلیم بین اطفال بهائی تعمیم یابد.

اما والدین بهائی ایرانی علاوه بر این باید در آموختن فارسی به فرزندان خویش سعی بلیغ مبذول دارند، زیرا این زبان از جمله مرکب وحی الهی در این دور اعظم است و به فرمودة حضرت بهاءالله "...امروز چون آفتاب دانش از آسمان ایران آشکار و هویدا است هر چه این زبان را ستایش نمایند سزاوار [Page 33]در این دور بدیع که جمال قدم و اسم اعظم از افق عالم به فیوضات نامتناهیه تجلی فرموده کلمة‌الله چنان قوتی و قدرتی در حقایق اشیاء نموده که شئون بشریه را تأثیر و نفوذی نگذاشته و به قدرت قاهره کل را در بحر احدیت مجتمع فرموده و می‌فرماید.

آنچه بر اهل بهاء لازم است پیمودن راه بندگی درگاه الهی است. بشر بعالم انسانیت است. تأسیس مدنیت روحانی است. بحمدالله سالیان دراز است که یاران الهی در سراسر دنیا در ظل تشکیلات خداوند خویش گوش به فرمان مرکز امرالله گشوده‌اند و قلم در دم بدم به طرح نقشه‌های معین پیش رفته و در هر مرحله مجاهدات عظیم خویش را برافراشته‌اند. از آن سلسله رضوان گذشته به پایان رسید و نتایج مشهوری به بار آورد. در آن سه سال دوازده محفل ملی جدید تأسیس گشت و فعلاً تعداد محافل ملی به ۱۷۹ محفل رسیده و چون نسیم صبا به ممالک و دیار دور و نزدیک وزیده انتشار نفحات قدسیة الهیه پرداخته و سبب تقویت روحانی نویسندگان و ازدیاد عدد مؤمنان گردید. این نقشه چهارساله کنونی که در ابتدای طرحی دیگر یعنی نقشه تا اواخر قرن بیستم معین و آنان را آماده می‌سازد تا تحقق وعده الهی را سرعتی بیشتر بخشند. این نقشه‌های تبلیغی که اهل بهاء را پی در پی در سراسر جهان به حرکت آورده و نطاق امر اعظم را وسعت داده کل مخلوق درمان ملکوتی حضرت عبدالبهاء است که متجاوز از هشتاد سال است که بندگان آستان جمال ابهی را به فتح روحانی جهان دعوت نموده و موظف ساخته است و این نقشه‌ها تا عصر ذهبی ادامه خواهد داشت.

تکلیف و مسئولیت قاطبه اهل بهاء در چهار سال آینده در پیام رضوان گذشته معین گشته و ‎رؤس رؤوس‎ مطالب بیان شده است و اینک در سراسر دنیا بندگان جمال ابهی در مسیر این قدم همت نهاده اند. اما آنچه در این اوراق مطمح نظر است خطاباتی است که مخصوص به احبای عزیز ایرانی است که در طلوع فجر هدایت چون مرغان سحر اول بار نغمه توحید را با طنین خوش آهنگ و لبیک گویان بشارت زدند و دیار را به آهنگ هر دیار رساندند و به این ترانة آسمانی دمساز گشتند که:

مژده به جان دهید که جانان تاج ظهور بر سر نهاده و ابوابهای گلزار قدس را گشوده، چشم‌ها را بشارت دهید که وقت مشاهده آمد و گوش‌ها را مژده دهید که هنگام استماع آمد. دوستان بوستان شوق را خبر دهید که یار بر سر بازار آمد. ای اهل ایمان در رکاب حضرت موعود به الهی قناعت نفرمائید بلکه در صف به صف به نصرت پردازید و جان بر کف و صف در صف به میدان ندا بشتابند که ذکرتان در آثار قلم اعلی مخلد و شرح جانبازیان برای نفوسی که از اولاد جسمانی و روحانی آنان با خبرند و یا در آینده خواهند دانست چنان اثر قوی و تأثیر کافی است که به جان مؤمنان چنان وجد و نشاطی بخشد که هرگز طالبان را چنان آرزوئی نبوده، همین قدر کافی است که به جان یاران چنان وجد و نشاطی بخشد که به جان مؤمنان بخشیده شود و از این تاج موهبت محروم نشوند.

این سابقة تاریخی که هموطنان جمال قدم را چنان مقام و منزلت رفیع و مورد توجه جهانیان سایر ممالک نموده است اما در این ایام که آن شهسواران میدان غیرت و وفا در مهد امرالله دیگر بار به هجوم اهل عدوان دچار شدند و با صبر انقطاع و توکل و شجاعت و استقامتی، ترفیع قاطبه اهل بهاء را در سراسر ممالک آزاد پراکنده اند دو چندان گردیده است. پس از آن عزیزان نباید تأسی به شیران بیشة استقامت در ایران فرمایند که چون بنیان اتحاد در دل اجراء گردد آنگاه آرزو و خاکستر علایق این جهان فانی مستور بود ناگهان مشتعل ساخت و غبار نخوت و غفلت را از قلوبشان بزدود. صاعقة حوادث نهضتی شدید زد، بیدار شدند و سر از دثار غفلت و نومیدی بر تافتند و از قلوبشان در ‎مکاتبی ...‎ و پاکسازی را با پاکبازی و بی‌بنیانی مقابله کردند. با تملق به نفاق و خوی رحمانی و سلوک و رفتار ملکوتی جمیع افتراات و اتهاماتی که ظالمان بی‌انصاف جهت توجیه مظالم خویش بر یاران بستند بزدودند. حقایق روشن بی‌گناهی خود و نادرستی اتهامات را با چنان اقدامات عالیه معلوم ساختند که هر آن مظلومان ادامه تحصیلات عالیه به ایشان نرسیده و به کسب کمالات انسانی پرداخته و به هر صورت تن به در دادند تا در همان جایی که در آموزش علوم ظاهر نیز بر ایران سبقت جستند.

باری یاران عزیز در ایران به منزلت و موقعیت جدیدی رسیدند، یعنی نه فقط از جمیع حقوق مدنی و مزیت‌های مدنی و اجتماعی در همة ابعاد حیات انسانی محروم هستند، بلکه از جمیع خدمات دولتی محروم و مستقلاً مستضعف و مورد تعدیات دائمی و اذیت و آزار بودند و از این طریق روح‌القدس که در هر جامعه‌ای از کلمات الهی دمیده شده مدد نمود تا آن جامعه عزیز را با خلقتی جدید ساخته و نفوذ به دیگر در نظراتشان جهان و آنچه در او بود در مقابل عبودیت آستان الهی و رضای جمال کبریا و نفوذ در حیات ابدی در جمیع عوالم الهی هیچ و ناچیز شد. لهذا روش زندگانی خویش را با تعالیم جان‌پرور و ‎رهبخش روح‌بخش‎ پیوند دادند، که در الواح و آثار مبارک مذکور است مطابق دادند. بالنتیجه عزیز دو جهان گشتند و صیت امرالله را در اقصی نقاط و اعلی المقامات هیئت بشری بلند آوازه نمودند.

حال دوستان عزیزی که در ممالک و دیار آزاد جهان پراکنده اند باید به یاد آورند که چه مسئولیت عظیمی بر دوش دارند، چون همه منتظر و آرزومندند که در آینة اعمالشان انوار تعالیم الهی درخشنده و تابان کرده، ملاحظه فرمائید مولای بی‌همتا چه مقام و وظیفه خطیری برای آن عزیزان مقرر ساخته است. می‌فرمایند:

... یاران و اعضای محافل باید به اعمال و رفتار و سلوک در جمیع معاملات مزیت و حقیقت و قوت و ‎پستی هستی‎ آئین مقدس را به ابناء وطن خویش بنمایند نه آنکه اکتفاء به تبلیغ و بیان و تفسیر و تشریح کنند. حضرت عبدالبهاء مبین حقیقی شریعت حضرت بهاءالله می‌فرماید بهائیان باید نظر به این امر ‎عریده عربده‎ و هایهوی و لفظی بنمایند بلکه به جمیع شئون از فضائل و فضائل رحمانی و روش و رفتار نبوی در میان قیام کنند و ثابت نمایند که نفوس زبانی هستند نه لفظ، بی‌معنی و بهائی این است که شب و روز نکوشند جز در مراتب وجود ترقی و صعود نمایند و نهایت آرزوی هر یک این باشد که نوعی روش و حرکت نماید که جمیع بشر از رفتار و گفتارش همواره طبق و صور نامتناهی گردد. چون به این مواهب موفق شود این دوران گفت که بهائی است و الا در همان عبارت از اقرار به وحدانیت الله است بلکه قیام به جمیع شئون و کمالات ایمان است. ملاحظه فرمائید که این بیان چه قدر باهیبت و متین و مشکل‌الاجرا است ولی تا بهائیان از این طراز کماینبغی و شایسته مترشح نگردند چشم آنان چشم بینا و تمام مردم جهان افروز نگردد. یاران برگزیدة ایران باید نظر به پستی نفوس در حول خود ننمایند و راضی به امتیاز و تفوق نسبی نگردند بلکه باید نظر را به اوج مرتفع نمایند و نقطة نظرگاه را تعالیم و نصایح قلم اعلی قرار دهند، آن وقت معلوم می‌شود که هنوز مرحله‌ای که در وادی سلوک مراحل عدیده باقی مانده و طی مسافات نکرده به سرمنزل مقصود که تعلق به اخلاق و ‎شئیم شیم‎ الهیه است هنوز وارد نگشته‌ایم. پس ما که ساکنان سبیل نجاتیم باید به تمام قوای بکوشیم تا در مجالسات و مکالمات و معاملات و مشاغل و مقاصدمان با تمام طبقات نفوس در امور جزئی و کلی در هر دقیقه و آنی آن روح مودعه در تعالیم حضرت بهاءالله را به فعل اظهار و اعلان و اثبات کرده که جز قوة جامعۀ روح حضرت بهاءالله هیچ امری دیگر تقلیب ماهیت... [Page 34]

ترجمه پیام بیت العدل اعظم الهی

PERSIAN TRANSLATION OF THE MESSAGE OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE TO THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE WORLD FOR RIDVÁN 154 B.E.

خطاب به بهائیان عالم رضوان ۱۵۴ بدیع

یاران عزیز الهی

پاسخ مشتاقانه یاران در جمیع قارات جهان را به نقشه چهار ساله که در عید رضوان گذشته آغاز گردید با قلوبی پر امتنان اعلام و تحسین می‌نمائیم.

مشاورات مشاورین قاره‌ای و محافل روحانی ملی اقدامات پر دامنه‌ای را به منظور طرح ریزی برنامه‌های اجرایی نقشه چهارساله آغاز نمود که اعضاء هیئت‌های معاونت و محافل روحانی محلی نیز در آن مشارکت داشتند. بدین ترتیب خصوصیات ملی و منطقه‌ای در تنظیم نقشه‌های فرعی منظور گردید. اما اثر و ثمر این اقدام جهان‌شمول تنها تهیه نقشه‌های اختصاصی برای کشورهای مختلف نبود بلکه سبب توسعه روابط همکاری دو جناح نظم اداری گردید که طلایه خوش آیندی را از پیروزی‌هائی که در پی خواهد آمد نمودار می‌سازد.

سرعت عمل در تأسیس قریب به دویست مؤسسه آموزشی در دوازده ماه گذشته حاکی از اثر فوری نقشه چهارساله است. بسیاری از این مؤسسه‌ها از مرحله طرح ریزی سازمانی فراتر رفته، عملاً شروع به کار نموده و اولین دوره‌های آموزشی را آغاز کرده‌اند. علاوه بر این، در جمیع موارد ذیل می‌توان آگاهی مشتاقانه یاران را نسبت به اهمیت تمرکز قوی در تحقق مقصد اصلی نقشه یعنی حصول پیشرفتی مهم در جریان دخول افواج مقبلین ملاحظه نمود: اعزام مهاجرین و مبلغین سیار داخلی و بین‌المللی، بذل توجه بیشتر از طرف افراد احباء، به توکیل در تبلیغ، تهیه مقدمات لازم برای حصول اطمینان از تشکیل محافل روحانی محلی در روز اول رضوان، کوششهای روزافزون جهت تشکیل مرتب جلسات دعا و مناجات، و توسعه اقدامات برای استفاده از هنر در مجاهدات تبلیغی و دیگر فعالیت‌های جامعه بهائی.

سایر موفقیت‌های سال گذشته را نیز نمی‌توان نادیده انگاشت، اقداماتی که مؤید ارزش شایان مجاهدات گوناگون جامعه جهانی ما و نتایج حاصله از اقدامات مزبور است. به ذکر چند نمونه از این موفقیت‌ها اکتفا می‌کنیم: تملک آپارتمان واقع در ساختمان شماره ۴ در خیابان کاموئن Avenue de Camoens در پاریس که مولای محبوب حضرت عبدالبهاء در هنگام سفر تاریخی به شهر مزبور در آن سکونت اختیار فرموده بودند، تخصیص اجلاسیه مجلس نمایندگان فدرال در برزیل در روز ۱۴ آگوست هفتاد و پنجمین سالگرد ورود امر بهائی به آن کشور همراه با مراسم رسمی و بی‌نظیری که در آن حضرت امة‌البهاء روحیه خانم بعنوان مهمان عالیقدر حضور داشتند و بالاخره گشایش صفحه مخصوص جامعه بین‌المللی بهائی در شبکه مخابرات الکترونیکی World Wide Web در ماه جولای گذشته تحت عنوان "جهان بهائی" که تا امروز متجاوز از پنجاه هزار بیننده از بیش از نود کشور مختلف داشته یعنی بطور متوسط روزی در حدود دویست نفر این برنامه را ملاحظه نموده‌اند.

پیشرفت طرح‌های ساختمانی مشروعات جبل کرمل تحت الشعاع این پیروزی‌ها قرار نگرفته و شتاب شگفت‌انگیز خود را حفظ نموده است. از جمله پیشرفت‌های چشمگیر این مشروعات استقرار ستون‌های مرمرین در ساختمان مرکز مطالعه نصوص و الواح، ارتفاع ساختمان دارالتبلیغ تا طبقه هفتم و آشکار شدن تدریجی وجوه مشخصه طبقات حدائق مقام اعلی بصورت چشم اندازی وسیع است. در ارتباط با پیشرفت ساختمان این طبقات باید به پائین بردن سطح قسمتی از خیابانی که طبقات مزبور از فراز آن خواهد گذشت نیز اشاره نمود. همچنین باید تملک و سپس تخریب ساختمانی را که در ابتدای دامنه کوه قرار داشت و آخرین مانع برای تکمیل طبقات تحتانی مقام اعلی محسوب می‌شد متذکر شد. با انهدام این بنا مسیری پر شکوه تا مقام مقدس اعلی و ماوراء آن یعنی تا بالاترین نقطه کوه کرمل ادامه خواهد یافت.

ادامه تقدیم تبرعات به صندوق ابنیه قوس کوه کرمل به میزانی که هدف تعیین شده برای سال گذشته را تأمین نمود در پیشرفت این مشروعات مدخلیتی شدید داشت. نیازهای مالی این مشروعات با تبرعات بلا انقطاع یاران اعم از غنی و فقیر که با شهامت و فداکاری تقدیم می‌گردد بر طرف می‌شود و ضروری است که در سالهای باقیمانده نیز این شیوه مرضیه ادامه یابد. به موازات این مساعی و با همان شور و شوق و بطور مداوم مجهودات مشابهی نیز باید از طرف محافل روحانی و افراد یاران در سراسر جهان برای رفع احتیاجات مبرم صندوق بین‌المللی مبذول گردد.

تجربه حاصل از آغاز فرخنده نقشه چهارساله لاجرم قلوب اعضای جامعه جهانی بهائی را مطمئن می‌سازد که برای اجرای اقداماتی که در پیام‌های نقشه ذکر شده و در نقشه‌های اجرائی محافل روحانی ملی و محلی منظور گردیده کاملاً مجهزند. آنچه علاوه بر اینها در ابتدای دومین سال نقشه بویژه موجب دلگرمی و تحسین است شرایط و احوالی است که تشکیل مجدد محفل روحانی ملی رواندا را در ایام عید رضوان میسر ساخته است. حصول این پیروزی در بحبوحه بحران تعداد محافل روحانی ملی را که در رضوان آینده جهانی بهائی شرکت نمایند به یکصد و هفتاد و پنج محفل بالغ می‌سازد. بسیار مشتاقیم که تا آن زمان که به نیمه نقشه چهارساله می‌رسیم عالم بهائی در زمینه افزایش منابع انسانی و بلوغ محافل روحانی و تکامل جوامع محلی به پیشرفتی عمده نائل آید.

مدتی کوتاه که تا خاتمة قرن مانده فرصتی است که بیش از آنچه بتوان بیان کرد پر ارزش است. شایسته و مطلوب در این لحظات تاریخی، مساعی متحد و مستمر یاران در سراسر جهان برای پیشبرد جریان دخول افواج مقبلین به شریعة رب‌العالمین است. مسؤولیت‌های فوری و اجتناب‌ناپذیر، هر مؤسسه امری و هر عضو جامعه بهائی را بر آن می‌دارد که برای حصول سرنوشتی که حق وعده فرموده سعی بلیغ مبذول دارد. چون فقط زمان کوتاهی باقیمانده و اهداف بسیاری را باید متحقق ساخت، هیچ وقتی نباید ضایع شود و هیچ فرصتی نباید از دست رود. دوستان عزیز، هر نفسی را که قیام نماید و خدمات خود را وقف نمایش روحانی عظیمی سازد که در این ایام خطیر تدریجاً در صحنه عالم نمودار می‌گردد مساعدت و تأیید نمایند.

با تحیات ابدع ابهی بیت العدل اعظم

حقوق الله

از دوستان عزیز مستدعی است تقدیمی‌های حقوق الله را در وجه Bahá’í Huququ’lláh Trust و به نشانی یکی از امنای حقوق الله ارسال فرمایند. Mrs. Thelma Khelghati Lunenburg, MA. 01462-2125 Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA 90402-3154 Mr. Stephen Birkland Arden Hills, MN. ‎5511-3756 55112-3756‎ Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH 44116-1124

پیام بیت العدل اعظم الهی

خطاب به بهائیان ایرانی در سراسر جهان شهرالبهاء ۱۵۴ بدیع

ای دلدادگان جمال کبریا، ای یاران عزیز باوفا،

قوای عظیمه‌ای که در هویت این آئین نازنین مکنون است هر روز در عرصه شهود نفوذی دیگر کند و جلوه و بروزی بیشتر نماید. تعالیم جانپرور بر اثر فیوضات حضرت رحمان و بر حسب جبر زمان و نیز به همت پیروان جمال جانان سریعاً در عالم امکان تمکن پذیرد و بر شهرتش بیفزاید و قدرتش را در رفع مشکلات بشر نمایان‌تر سازد. باید دانست که اصل شجرة طیبة الهیّه در زمین ثابت گشته و شاخ و برگش سر بر آسمان کشیده و این همه بر اثر تفاعل و تعاون دو قوّة قاهرة غالبه است که به ارادة الهی هر دو در یک زمان در کارند تا آن درخت همایون را نشو و نما بخشند و به برگ و شکوفه رسانند و بار و برش را در میقات معین نصیب اهل عالم کنند. یکی نیروی ذاتی و طبیعی این بهار روحانی است که طوفان‌خیز است و شورانگیز و از مقتضیاتش رعد غُرّان است، باد و باران است و سیل خروشان است که سبب سرسبزی باغ و بوستان است. دیگری قوّة نامیة جوهرية آن بذر پاک است که بالیدن و رشد نمودن از لوازم ذاتی اوست و به پرتو شمس حقیقت و رشحات سحاب عنایت پرورش یابد و تنومند و برومند شود و لانه و آشیانه مرغان چمنستان هدایت گردد. طرح کلی الهی که بشر را به بلوغ روحانی می‌رساند از دسترس ما بیرون است و در خزانة غیب محفوظ و تحققش به ارادة حق موکول است. به فرمودة حضرت عبدالبهاء: [Page 35]

IN MEMORIAM

Wanita George, former pioneer to Honduras

Wanita George, a former pioneer to Honduras, died in March in Signal Hill, California.

Mrs. George became a Bahá’í in 1957 along with her daughter, Maralyn. In August 1959, during the Ten Year Crusade, she left Redondo Beach after 20 years as a school teacher to pioneer with Maralyn (then 16) to Honduras.

She lived in Tegucigalpa throughout her stay in Honduras, taught many years at the American School there and served on the National Spiritual Assembly. She and Maralyn held weekly firesides in their home for years and provided the center of Bahá’í activity in the capital city until Maralyn married Hooper Dunbar.

Mrs. George had a special love for the Jacaque Indian peoples and gave much of her attention to them. Eventually, the Universal House of Justice arranged for financial assistance so that she could continue this valuable work.

In 1968, while serving as the National Assembly’s corresponding secretary, Mrs. George left for Haifa to take part in the International Convention. Leaving London, she was a passenger on a BOAC 707 which crashed on take-off.

Although she survived the ordeal, she remained hospitalized for months in London, suffering a number of broken bones and a serious concussion that was not recognized or treated at the time. That injury continued to limit her abilities for the rest of her life.

After recuperating for a time with her family in California, Mrs. George returned to her beloved Honduras in the summer of 1969. Although, due to her injuries, she was no longer able to carry out the arduous teaching trips to the Indian villages along the coast, she remained in Tegucigalpa, living in the Bahá’í Center there and serving the Cause.

After a break-in of her home, and unable to find a living companion to assist her, her family in California urged her to return to the States to live with them. Mrs. George relented and did return for a time in 1981, but found that her heart yearned to return to her pioneering post, which she did during that same year. At this time, she was 76 years old.

In 1982 the National Assembly of Honduras wrote her a letter with the news that, after her more than 20 years of dedicated effort among the Jacaque Indians, there would be a special teaching campaign to further her work. By 1986, her deteriorating health and frailty required that she return again to California, where she passed away at age 90.

Upon learning of her passing, the following message was sent by the Universal House of Justice to the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly:

“Our hearts grieve at the passing of Wanita George, steadfast, devoted maidservant of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. Her long years of valiant pioneer services in Honduras have left indelible traces on the annals of the Cause of God. We fervently pray at the Holy Threshold that her radiant soul may eternally progress throughout the divine worlds.”

Helene May Wittekind, long-time pioneer, dies in Washington at 88

Helene May “Gayle” Wittekind, a long-time Bahá’í and pioneer, died March 8 in Richland, Washington. She was 88 years old.

Mrs. Wittekind and her first husband, Les Vaughn, became Bahá’ís in Los Angeles in 1935. She was a founding member of the Spiritual Assemblies of Tacoma, Washington; San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; Escondido, California, and Olympia, Washington.

After the passing of her second husband, Les Ames, in 1957, she pioneered to Mexico, arriving there in 1958.

In 1971, at age 63, she married Warren Wittekind, a returning soldier from Vietnam who was 37 years her junior, and came out of retirement to care for invalids in their homes and help put her husband through graduate school in physics.

Her passing led to the establishment of a new Bahá’í section in the Richland cemetery that faces Bahjí along the great circle arc.

Helene May ‘Gayle’ Wittekind

Elizabeth (Betty) Filstrup, former pioneer to Pakistan, dies in Michigan at age 80

Elizabeth (Betty) Filstrup, a former pioneer to Pakistan, died March 12 at the age of 80.

In 1969, Betty and her husband, Edward (Ed) Filstrup, arose to serve the Cause as pioneers to help fulfill the goals of the Nine Year Plan.

Through consultation with the Department of International Goals they learned that two people were needed in Pakistan, where Ed had been offered a research position through the United Nations. They arrived at their post in February 1970.

Their years in Pakistan were characterized by their fervent desire to fulfill the goals of the Plan, their untiring devotion to teaching the Cause and their dedication to raising up and consolidation of new local Assemblies.

Their home was the Bahá’í center in their community. Firesides were available every night, while deepenings and study sessions were a constant feature as well.

Medical and family needs necessitated their return to the States in 1974, and they settled back in their home community of St. Joseph, Michigan, with the hope that they would return to the pioneering field.

Although this hope was not to be fulfilled, Mr. Filstrup did return briefly to Pakistan in 1989 to continue his consulting work.

Sayadollah Barghassa, a former pioneer to Spain, caretaker of the Bahá’í Center in New York City and homefront pioneer to Asheville and Clayton, North Carolina, died last December 4. He was 66 years old. After moving to the U.S. from Spain he spent five years in New York City before pioneering to Asheville and moving six years later to Clayton to help that young community grow.

Zenobia Ferenc Davis, a Bahá’í from Venice, Florida, recently sponsored an exhibit entitled ‘Art by Bahá’ís’ at a local hotel. The exhibit presented in visual form the Faith’s basic principle of ‘unity in diversity’ by bringing together a variety of works of art from various parts of the world. At least 300 hotel guests saw the exhibit including two who are pictured here with Don Newby (right), a Bahá’í from Winter Haven who is an artist, a retired art teacher and works now as a theatrical designer.

In Memoriam

Freddie Anderson Knoxville, TN January 1997	Betty Filstrup St. Joseph, MI March 12, 1997	Ruth C. Lynch North Bend, WA April 7, 1997	Lamieh Samandari Pleasant Hill, CA November 28, 1996
Touran Ashourian Santa Monica, CA April 5, 1997	LaVern Fisher Beloit, WI February 8, 1997	N. Joeleen Mart Salt Lake City, UT March 13, 1997	John R. Shoop San Mateo, CA October 19, 1996
Tenzin Barrett Aberdeen, WA April 6, 1997	Roy W. George El Cerrito, CA February 4, 1997	Dorothy Martin Los Alamos, NM December 22, 1996	Javad Soltani Boca Raton, FL February 23, 1997
Olivia Blackwell New Orleans, LA January 25, 1997	Jacqueline Heald Santa Rosa, CA February 1, 1997	Gloria Matheny Beaverton, OR April 7, 1997	Thomas Sousa Jr. Puerto Rico March 4, 1997
Alan D. Cannon Milwaukie, OR January 1997	Christopher Henley Cathedral City, CA March 19, 1997	Ataullah Mavadat San Jose, CA March 17, 1997	Kimberly Wallace The Village, OK January 15, 1997
Joan Chappell Chehalis, WA December 1, 1996	Lowice Javorsky Lucerne, CA March 11, 1997	Nouri Missaghi Houston, TX February 14, 1997	Minnie Walters Wauwatosa, WI March 14, 1997
Barbara Chavez Norridge, IL January 19, 1997	Talieh Kazemzadeh Canton, MA March 31, 1997	Nimtaj Mohajer Port Orange, FL February 28, 1997	John R. Whitney Glendale, CA February 20, 1997
Geneva B. Cooper Anderson, CA April 5, 1997	Hamdam Maqami Phoenix, AZ February 8, 1997	Gloria Jean Pitts Benicia, CA April 2, 1997	Helene Wittekind Richland, WA March 8, 1997
Daisy Mae Cuttler Knoxville, TN October 1996	Muhammad Khassian Yorba Linda, CA October 2, 1996	Ann Randall Farmington, CT January 29, 1997	Audrey Woodhull Macy, NE March 6, 1997
Fannie Dean Roswell, GA October 1996	Arline Lee Troy, IL December 13, 1996	Ezzatullah Saeed Salt Lake City, UT February 19, 1997	Adela Yanez Harlingen, TX March 26, 1997
William Engbretson Blaine, WA December 1996

[Page 36]

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Pictured are the 36 adults and two teenagers who completed the inaugural course in Basic Mediation held last November 16–17 at the Bahá’í Center in Los Angeles, California. The training focused on aiming for the Bahá’í goal of unity in diversity through developing skills needed for effective communication and peaceful conflict resolution. The course, co-sponsored by the Jamal Area Council and Los Angeles Bahá’í Women’s Association Committee, was coordinated by Margaret Leeds with the help of co-trainers Keyvan Geula and Nancy Hope.

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 three weeks for processing. (This also updates the National Center’s data base.)

A. NAME(S)

B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS

C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS

D. NEW COMMUNITY

E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER

F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S)

G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE:

H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY

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 G. 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

MAY

23–25: Institute for local Spiritual Assembly Development with Dr. Hoda Mahmoudi, Louhelen Bahá’í School.

23–26: Preparation for Marriage and Child-Rearing (for ages 15 and older), Louhelen Bahá’í School.

24–25: “Persian Roots: Ancient to Today,” conference in English, Chicago Hilton Hotel, with parallel conference in Persian sponsored by the Friends of Persian Culture Association. Speakers to include Drs. Frank Lewis, Susan Maneck, Mana Derakhshani, Ahang Rabbani, Jaleh Khadem, Amin Banani. Also, Gretchen Peters McAllister, Bijan Ferdowsi. For information or to register, phone 847-733-3526 or e-mail Registration fee: $40.

30–June 1: 8th annual Southeast Asian Community Builders Roundtable Discussion conference, planned and facilitated by the National Bahá’í Refugee Office, Bosch Bahá’í School. A youth program to run concurrently.

30–June 1: Marriage Enrichment weekend retreat, Green Acre Bahá’í School.

JUNE

5–8: Pioneer/BYSC/SITA Training session, Wilmette, Illinois. For information, contact the Office of Pioneering, 847-733-3508 (fax 847-733-3509; e-mail

5–8: Second annual Pacific Islander Teaching Conference, Bosch Bahá’í School. Counselor Afemata Moli Chang to speak on “The Ocean of Light.”

6–8: Summer School, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. Theme: “Unlocking the Power of Action.”

6–8: Fostering the Advancement of Women with Dr. Hoda Mahmoudi, Penny Schmicker and Gwendolyn Watson, Louhelen Bahá’í School.

6–11: Bahá’í Studies for College Youth with Dr. Rick Johnson and Connie Chen, Louhelen Bahá’í School.

7: Spring Work & Evening Campfire/Picnic, Native American Bahá’í Institute.

13–15: Spiritual Assembly Development forum, directed to Assemblies in the Northeastern states, Green Acre Bahá’í School.

13–17: Colorado East Bahá’í Summer School, Camp Jackson YMCA, Rye. Registrar: Don Brayton, Woodland Park, CO 80863 (phone 719-687-3351; e-mail

16–end of summer: “High Endeavors” Summer teaching Project, Alaska. June 14–July 6: three weeks of interactive training for youth ages 13–24. July 7–14: teaching activities in Anchorage. July 15–20: teaching in communities near Anchorage. July 21–end of summer: teaching by Youth Workshops and teams with travel assignments throughout Alaska. To join, contact the Bahá’í National Office, 907-345-3740. RUHI coordinators and teachers, contact Yeganeh Ataian, 907-345-9408, fax 907-345-8540, or e-mail

19–22: Third annual Vanguard of the Dawning conference, Birmingham, Alabama, Civic Center. Theme: “Reflections of the Spirit.” For information, phone 205-366-0567 or fax 205-758-4613.

20–23: Camp Green Acre, for ages 8–12, Green Acre Bahá’í School.

22–27: Camp Louhelen for children ages 8–12 years with Joannie Yuille, Rona Schechter, Angie ‎Blacksherer Blackshear‎, Susan Modarai, George and Mary Wilson, Louhelen Bahá’í School.

22–29: Third annual Choral School and first Children’s Music Camp, Bosch Bahá’í School.

22–July 5: Children’s Academy, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute.

22–July 12: Junior Youth Academy I, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute.

27–29: Southern California Bahá’í Summer School, weekend camp in the mountains at Pilgrim Pines. For information, phone 909-984-4727 or 909-983-1022.

27–July 2: “The Spiritual Significance of the Institutions: Assembly as Loving Parent,” with Auxiliary Board member Farah ‎Rosenburg Rosenberg‎, and “Developing Genius,” with John Kolstoe, Green Acre Bahá’í School.

28–29: Overnight Children’s Conference, “Teaching Begins—Teach Self,” YWCA gym, Flint, Michigan. Designed for ages 6–13 with adult attending-fathers welcome. Cost: $12 per person payable to Flint YWCA. Attendance is limited to 75. Registration to: Darlene Rivers, Flint, MI 48503 (phone 810-235-5471 week-ends only).

JULY

3–6: Bay Area Bahá’í Social Group Retreat, Bosch Bahá’í School.

4–6: Bellemont Bahá’í Summer School, Flagstaff, Arizona. Theme: “America’s Destiny.” Keynote speakers: Dr. J.S. Samandari, Dr. William Maxwell. For information, contact the Bellemont School Committee, c/o Val Latham, P.O. Box 233, Flagstaff, AZ 86003, or phone 520-526-5152.

4–9: “The Golden Example of Louis Gregory,” with Jane Faily and Leonard Smith, Green Acre Bahá’í School.

4–9: Persian-American Bahá’í Studies session, Louhelen Bahá’í School.

8–13: “Teachers on the March” Training Institute, Bosch Bahá’í School. Also, 10th annual College Institute (for ages 18–30).

Bahá’í National Center 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201-1611 ‘AZAMÁT B.E. 154 • MAY 17, 1997