The American Bahá’í/Volume 29/Issue 2/Text

←Previous

The American Bahá’í Volume 29, Issue 2

Next→

Return to PDF view Proofread once

[Page 1]

Teaching excitement sweeps U.S.

BY THE NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE

Hundreds of Bahá’í communities in every state have risen enthusiastically to help make the national teaching plan a united effort to advance the process of entry by troops from coast to coast.

As of this writing, 725 local communities have contacted the National Teaching Office to be a part of the national media initiative that is a catalyst for the teaching plan.

Many of those communities have shared news of recent activities and their plans for the coming months to put forward the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh in their areas.

Virtually every one of them incorporates all the elements of community life prescribed by the Universal House of Justice, such as firesides, devotional gatherings, training, youth and children's programs, and so on.

From what we observe, there is every reason to believe wonderful victories are in store for us in the months ahead. At this point, we feel it is worthwhile to take note of certain points that are essential to our success.

The national media initiative is a critical element in advancing the process of entry by troops. It will continue.

Media efforts put friends to work 24 hours

Bhes are working around the clock in south Florida as the last at least six months.

Victory 2000 teaching initiative spreads the name and teachings of Bahá’u’lláh from North Palm Beach to Key West.

Radio spots are being heard on 12 AM and FM stations in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, with more to come as Spanish and Caribbean stations are contracted.

Candy Grant, chairperson of the nine-member Victory 2000 Steering Committee, said the initial three-week run of radio spots was designated as Phase I of a campaign it is hoped will.

In all, five 60-second spots were played more than 400 times during the three weeks. They were selected from 19 spots produced by West Coast Bahá’ís Greg Ives and Burl Barer.

A media task force, headed by Sam Hosseini, held special sessions with non-Bahá’ís to evaluate which of the 19 spots would be most effective to the general population.

Songs for racial unity

Members of the Stephen Barnes Bahá’í Gospel Choir of Los Angeles sing at the sixth annual Interracial Celebration of Kwanzaa Jan. 3 in Manhattan Beach, California. The event was a celebration of black heritage and interracial unity.

NATIONAL CABLE BROADCAST TIMES

for The Power of Race Unity on the Odyssey Channel (all times Eastern; CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS)

• Saturday, March 28, 5:30 p.m.
• Sunday, March 29, 8 a.m.
• Wednesday, April 1, 1 p.m.
• Saturday, April 4, 5:30 p.m.
• Sunday, April 5, 8 a.m.
• Wednesday, April 8, 1 p.m.

EXCERPTS

"Consider how exalted and lofty is the station you are destined to attain; how unique the favors with which you have been endowed."

—‘Abdu’l-Bahá [Page 2]

Communities can prepare for service to seniors

To the Editors:

Taking care of elderly people, whether they are Bahá’ís or not, nourishes both our spirit as Bahá’ís and the seniors taken care of, as well as the families concerned; it is God’s work and it’s just good. County Inhome Support Services or similar agencies in all American states are doing the job, but only to a certain extent.

Each and every Bahá’í center in this country can extend this undertaking by effecting all or some of the following program: Bring the seniors to the center two or three times a week for light physical exercises, socializing, dinner and prayer. This can be a way of teaching the Faith through deeds.

Any of my fellow Bahá’ís who would like to carry out this idea can check with County Inhome Supporting Services or a similar agency for advice, support and connection to needy seniors.

Also, a short course on CPR is offered at all American Red Cross institutions: for caretakers of the handicapped. This discipline entails a variety of lessons that are a “must-have” in conducting the activities for seniors.

So if this appeals to you, brother or sister, the initial step could be to invite the seniors for a Sunday morning breakfast for a few weeks, of course, with financial assistance from within your community and friends. This might take a few weeks and, as more and more elderly people come, you could advance to a position where you can get support to become an official service center.

Bear in mind that the good will prevail. I have been a Bahá’í for less than a year and I realize that my involvement in this kind of activity will convey a positive message to my non-Bahá’í friends internationally concerning my decision to become a Bahá’í.

Altricham Nokwindla Inglewood, California

A reminder to adjust times forward during DST months

To the Editors:

Most of the United States has observed daylight-saving time since 1967, and it will be in effect from the first Sunday in April through the last Sunday in October.

We may enjoy having the extra hour of sunlight late in the day, but it has caused some confusion for Bahá’ís in the observance of Holy Days that take place during this time.

As we are aware, the Universal House of Justice has asked Bahá’ís in those countries that observe daylight-saving time to adjust the time of Holy Days that are to be observed at specific times—the First Day of Ridván, the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh and the Martyrdom of the Báb—to conform to standard time.

I’ve found that a number of Bahá’í communities, in trying to carry out the wishes of the House of Justice, have mistakenly adjusted the time the wrong way, believing that since we have moved the clocks ahead by an hour, the time of the observance should be set back one hour, when in fact it should be moved forward one hour.

For instance, the anniversary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, which we are asked to observe at 3 a.m. May 29, should be observed at 4 a.m. if you are in an area using daylight time.

Thus, in Vancouver, British Columbia, when the Bahá’ís are reciting the Tablet of Visitation at 3 a.m., the Bahá’ís 100 miles away in Seattle, Washington, would be reading the prayer at the same time, but it would be 4 a.m. there—even though the two cities are in the same time zone.

It follows that where daylight-saving time is in effect, the First Day of Ridván should be observed at 4 p.m. April 21, and the Martyrdom of the Báb at 1 p.m. July 9.

Similarly, the noonday prayers should be recited at 1 p.m. during daylight-saving time.

Marc L. Hensen Smithtown, New York

EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS

NIKA BADIE, a 16-year-old Bahá’í from Argyle, Texas, has distinguished herself in musical and school pursuits. With her piano performances, she placed first in the 1997 Dallas Symphonic Competition, as well as the North Texas Youth Piano Solo Competition and a similar contest that qualified her as one of 12 soloists in a state competition. She also has been an honor recitalist at several college and university festivals, and is an honor student with an A average.

CESCHINO BROOKS DE VITA, an 11-year-old Bahá’í from Pueblo, Colorado, has been accepted into the National Junior Honor Society as an eighth-grader at Corwin Middle School. In addition to his advanced grade placement and his straight-A academic record, Ceschino has won honors in wrestling competition, and drew praise from his coaches for tutoring his fellow wrestlers in math and English, as well as for his sportsmanship and schoolwork.

AMY DESAUTELS, ERIC HORTON and JUSTIN STEIN, all Bahá’ís, were among only six students at the University of North Carolina at Asheville inducted this year into the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Criteria for induction include a nomination from the university faculty, a high grade point average and involvement in both on- and off-campus projects that benefit campus life and/or the community at large, foster good will, and address social issues. The three senior-year students—active in the UNCA Bahá’í Association, which last spring was honored as outstanding association on campus—are listed in Who’s Who Among American College Students.

EDIE FOSTER, a Bahá’í from Williamsburg/James City County, Virginia, was appointed a member of the Warren E. Burger Society of the National Center for State Courts, in recognition of outstanding volunteer work for the organization.

ANNE BRITTANY HOUSMAN, an 8-year-old Bahá’í from Pueblo West, Colorado, was the winner of a “Scary Story Contest” sponsored by the Pueblo Library District. She is an excellent student who participates in sports and music.

JENNIFER (PHILLIPS) LEWIS, a Bahá’í from Peralta, New Mexico, achieved magna cum laude honors on graduation from the University of New Mexico in May 1997. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies.

HAMED MOGHAREBI, a Bahá’í from Anaheim, California, has for the fourth time been recognized as the top broker nationwide for the firm of Marcus & Millichap, a real estate investment brokerage firm with operations in 16 states and the District of Columbia. One of 13 vice presidents of investments in the company, he specializes in the apartment building market.

GARY SCHMICKER, hospitality coordinator at Louhelen Bahá’í School in Davison, Michigan, was named chef of the year at the 10th annual Hospitality Awards ceremony sponsored by the Flint Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. He was chosen from among 150 nominees for the honor, and an article profiling him in the Flint Journal quoted him as saying, “Faith is very important to us. I’m trying to be of service to mankind. Being in the service business, we’ve just put the two together.”

THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í

1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201 Tel/ 847.853.2352 Fax/ 847.256.1372 E-mail/ http://tab.usbnc.org

PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES Bahá’í National Center 847.869.9039

Managing Editor/Editorial Content: James Humphrey Managing Editor / Art Director: Amethel Parel-Sewell Associate Editor: Tom Mennillo Facilities Manager: Artis Mebane Production Support: Ramzia Duszynski, Ken Parel-Sewell, Boyd Staszewski Contributors: Bahá’í International News Service, Allegra Bosio, MKDesign, Unit.E

PUBLISHED ONCE EVERY 38 DAYS (plus one special issue) for a total of 10 issues per year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. Periodical postage paid at Evanston, IL, and additional mailing offices.

SEND ADDRESS CHANGES to Management Information Services, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. ISSN Number: 1062-1113

SUBMITTING ARTICLES AND PHOTOS THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í welcomes news, letters or other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Bahá’í Faith.

ARTICLES should be clear and concise. Stories may be edited for length.

PHOTOGRAPHS may be color or black-and-white prints or slides. Please submit photos that are well composed and in focus and identify people in photos when possible. If you wish photos returned, include a self-addressed envelope.

DEADLINES for upcoming issues: March 6 for the issue dated April 9 April 14 for the issue dated May 17

PLEASE ADDRESS ALL ITEMS for possible publication to Managing Editors, The American Bahá’í, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611

©1998 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. [Page 3]

THE SECOND FRONT

• • Reunion a catalyst for unity in Georgia town**

BY TOM MENNILLO

Flannery O'Connor would have loved this scene.

Here, a week before Christmas, were two of the late writer's favorite themes—religious symbolism and the South's contradictions—being played out.

And the setting was her adopted hometown of Milledgeville, Georgia, a city of 17,700 about 30 miles northeast of Macon that served as state capital from 1803 to 1868.

The occasion was a joint church service. It was the first time the blacks of Flagg Chapel Baptist and the whites of First Baptist had worshiped in one building since slave days.

Catalyst for this reunion was Colors United, an organization founded by Bahá’ís Ken and Sandy Jasnau and inspired by the Calling All Colors conferences.

Colors United has about 25 members dedicated to the oneness of humanity, with the Jasnaus the only Bahá’í members.

When the group approached the two churches' pastors with the idea of a joint service, the clerics were wary of how their congregations would react. But they came to a meeting and became excited at the prospect of bridging a gap that is physically only a half-block but emotionally miles wide.

On the appointed day, not a seat at First Baptist was empty.

"Everyone who is anyone was there, including the mayor-elect and the sheriff," said Sandy Jasnau. "There were no negatives to this whatsoever."

"Everyone who is anyone was there, including the mayor-elect and the sheriff. There were no negatives to this whatsoever." —Sandy Jasnau, of Colors United in Milledgeville

Indeed, when the two choirs processed to "O Come All Ye Faithful," few eyes were dry in the house.

After the service, attendees walked the half-block to Flagg Chapel Baptist, where they enjoyed food and each other's company at a reception.

The day's events were covered extensively in the daily Milledgeville Union Recorder newspaper. Praise for the effort to reconcile has come from many quarters, including a local judge.

What's next?

Colors United hopes to get other churches paired, and it hopes to provide diversity training in the schools and foster the formation of youth groups.

Meanwhile, some members of First Baptist and Flagg Chapel Baptist are attending the other's services on occasion.

The Bahá’í community of Baldwin County has about 20 people on the rolls, though few are active. Nearby Putnam County, where the Jasnaus reside, has eight believers.

But smallness in numbers has not stopped the local friends from proclaiming the Faith. On Jan. 25, they hosted the touring play Kingfisher's Wing. The performance got heavy advance coverage of its martyrdom theme and the Bahá’í community's leap of faith in bringing the production to town.

If only Flannery O'Connor could have been there. She passed on at age 39 in 1964, but the author of Wise Blood and The Violent Bear It Away remains a vivid voice of the South. How might the world have seen this new development in Milledgeville through her writing?

Asylum seekers face April 1 deadline for filing

All asylum seekers who have been in the United States for one year or longer must file for asylum by April 1, 1998, or they will lose their chance for freedom from persecution and will be sent back to their countries of origin.

Advocates continue to fight the deadline, as well as the expedited exclusion procedures of the 1996 Immigration Act, which forces asylum applicants to prove fear of persecution upon entry to the United States in order to stay here.

Please contact an immigration attorney or any refugee office in your locality for further information.

89TH BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CONVENTION

MAY 28-31, 1998 AT HOLIDAY INN O'HARE, ROSEMONT, IL

• • Registration form**

This will be an open convention. Believers wishing to attend the convention as observers may pre-register with the Bahá’í National Center. Questions about details should be referred to the Conventions Office at the Bahá’í National Center (phone 847-733-3529, e-mail).

Full name: Bahá’í ID#: Address: City/State/Zip: [ ] Delegate [ ] Visitor [ ] Agency/Office/Other: Home phone: Work phone: Other notes:

RETURN FORM TO: Conventions Office, Bahá’í National Center Wilmette, IL 60091 Phone: 847-733-3529 Fax: 847-671-1378

HOTEL RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE: Holiday Inn O'Hare 5440 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018 Phone: 800-HOLIDAY

Enrollments

January '98 Total since May 1, '97: 1270

THE FUND

May 1, 1997-January 31, 1998

• • Contributions received by National Treasurer**

Goal for entire year: $27,000,000 Received since May 1: $16,848,600 62% of goal has been met (75% of fiscal year has passed as of January 31, 1998)

• • Allocations to other funds**
• Arc Projects Fund: $2,461,972 (15% of contributions received by National Assembly; goal is 19%)
• International Bahá’í Fund: $3,833,405 (23% of contributions received by National Assembly; goal is 7%)
• Continental Bahá’í Fund: $237,221 (1.4% of contributions received by National Assembly; goal is 2%)
• Other contributions: $545,020

• • Total revenues and expenses at Bahá’í National Center**

May 1-December 31, 1997 (Latest available) Revenues: $11,759,043 (Includes contributions plus revenues from Bahá’í Publishing Trust, Bahá’í Home, permanent schools, etc.) Expenses: $13,401,333 (Operating and capital expenses, not including depreciation) Resulting deficit: $1,642,290

Mail contributions to: National Bahá’í Fund 112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091-2800 Please write Bahá’í ID # on check [Page 4]

Understanding of Huquq is evolving

As we endeavor to find the answers to myriad questions that come up in figuring our Huqúqu’lláh obligation, it is helpful to keep in mind that we are continuously deepening in our understanding of this wondrous law of Bahá’u’lláh.

Many ramifications of the law of Huqúqu’lláh will undoubtedly be the subject of future legislation by the Universal House of Justice, but at this time that august body is not issuing detailed instructions, given the vast differences in legal and socioeconomic conditions that exist throughout the world. Instead they repeatedly remind the friends to resolve the issues that face them within the realm of their own conscience and with prayerful reliance on Bahá’u’lláh.

As we grope with these questions, one thing becomes abundantly clear: that Bahá’u’lláh expects us to order our lives and keep better records of our obligations to God.

Frequently asked question: We are told that the Right of God is to be paid after the payment of our debts. Does that mean that we pay no Huqúqu’lláh until after we pay off our long-term loans, such as real estate mortgages, or medium- and short-term debts, such as car loans?

Answer: In all such cases only the annual cost of servicing those loans, i.e. the interest and the part of the principal paid each year, should be deducted when calculating your Huqúqu’lláh obligation.

ANSWERING QUESTIONS ON HUQUQU’LLÁH

Payments to Huqúqu’lláh should be made to "The Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust" (please write your Bahá’í identification number on your check) 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, Lunenburg, 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.

Helpful Hint: Please include a note when your address has changed.

Covenant-breaking in Pennsylvania reported

The National Spiritual Assembly has the sad duty to inform you that the Universal House of Justice has determined, in consultation with the Hands of the Cause of God, that Mr. Thomas Riley of New Castle, Pennsylvania, has broken the Covenant.

We remind you of the admonition given to every Bahá’í to strictly avoid communication or contact with any Covenant-breaker. As the Universal House of Justice has explained in a letter to an individual believer:

"When a person declares his acceptance of Bahá’u’lláh as a Manifestation of God he becomes a party to the Covenant and accepts the totality of His Revelation. If he then turns round and attacks Bahá’u’lláh or the central Institution of the Faith he violates the Covenant. If this happens every effort is made to help that person to see the illogicality and error of his actions, but if he persists, he must, in accordance with the instructions of Bahá’u’lláh Himself, be shunned as a Covenant-breaker.

"The seriousness of Covenant-breaking is that it strikes at the very center and foundation of the unity of mankind. If God were to allow the instrument to be divided and impaired, how then would His purpose be achieved?

"‘Abdu’l-Bahá has stated that Covenant-breaking is a spiritual disease and that the believers are commanded to shun Covenant-breakers for the same reason as healthy people do not associate with a person suffering from a serious contagious illness. A contagiously sick person cannot catch health from a thousand healthy people, but, on the contrary, he can infect them with his illness. Therefore such a person is quarantined and only those few people qualified to attend him do so.... Then, if he proves adamant he is free to go his way, but the Bahá’ís must cease to have any association with him until such time as he repents when, of course, he can be accepted back into the community. In the meanwhile the friends can pray for him and for his guidance." (March 23, 1975)

Anyone being contacted by a Covenant-breaker should report the matter to their Auxiliary Board member for Protection and/or to their Local Spiritual Assembly.

Record number of Assemblies participate in survey

The Office of Assembly Development and other departments that sponsored the joint survey of Local Spiritual Assemblies last year appreciate the efforts of all Assemblies which participated.

A record 53 percent of Assemblies returned their survey with strong participation from all regions and all levels of functioning. Data received from this survey will be useful to the National Spiritual Assembly and its offices and agencies in formulating plans to serve the community.

Highlights of this information will be reported to the community in future issues of The American Bahá’í.

THE 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 increased your community's understanding of and participation in the Fund, you are invited to share them with other communities through this column. Contact the Office of the Treasurer and Development (phone 847-733-3472).

APPEALS FOR FUNDS

As individual and community projects expand in number and frequency, appeals for funds to support these efforts are becoming more frequent as well. To avoid inundating the believers with constant requests for money, it is suggested that all appeals for funds for special projects (centers, teaching projects, etc.) be reviewed and approved by the appropriate institution.

For instance, individual believers should seek the guidance and approval of their Local Spiritual Assemblies rather than seeking financial support directly from other believers or other Spiritual Assemblies. In turn, Local Spiritual Assemblies will wish to inform their Regional Bahá’í Councils and consult with that institution prior to broadcasting an appeal to other Assemblies or friends outside their jurisdiction. This process will unify our efforts and insure that they are guided by a divinely ordained institution.

ACS FOR THE LOCAL FUND?

Monthly contributions to the Automatic Contribution System (ACS) for the National Bahá’í Fund continue to increase steadily. These are contributions that can be counted on each month for the work of the National Spiritual Assembly. A number of Local Spiritual Assemblies have asked whether such a program can be launched for the benefit of the local Fund. Given the size of most local Bahá’í communities, a system exactly like the national one is cost-prohibitive; a modified form of the ACS, however, is still possible at the local level.

Members of the community can arrange individually with their banks to have a set payment made each month to the local Fund. This process is identical to paying an insurance premium or any regularly occurring bill from one's account. Treasurers may wish to seek information from local banks in their communities to assist the friends in making these arrangements.

ATTENDANCE AT FEAST IMPACTS LEVEL OF CONTRIBUTIONS

Most communities find that Feast attendance is directly related to the level of contributions. Past experience may indicate to some, particularly among new believers, that contributions are made only during services where the offering is accepted as a part of the service.

If this is true in your community, it may be helpful to remind the friends that they are free to contribute at any time. Also, some treasurers report that, with prior agreement, many friends appreciate a reminder about their contributions if they should forget or if they are unable to attend Feast.

REGIONAL BAHÁ’Í COUNCILS AND THE FUNDS

In the initial phase of their development, the expenses of the Regional Bahá’í Councils will be met by the National Spiritual Assembly, therefore contributions should continue to be made to the National Fund. There will be no separate Regional Funds created at this time. The guidance of the Universal House of Justice in this matter was that Regional Bahá’í Councils "can be authorized by the National Spiritual Assembly to act as its agent in operating a regional branch of the national Bahá’í fund." (May 30, 1997, message, section 3.10) Our National Spiritual Assembly has chosen to follow this guidance.

"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." —Universal House of Justice, in a message dated Sept. 17, 1992 [Page 5]

ADMINISTERING THE CAUSE

Wave of action for Fund is started in Florida BY TOM MENNILLO

any pivotal Bahá’í initiatives have sprung from the South. Most recent was the Campaign of Glorious Privilege to ensure timely completion of the Mt. Carmel Projects.

Now a challenge accepted by Florida Bahá’ís is becoming a challenge to other American Bahá’ís, and they have begun to act.

It was last Oct. 25 at a teaching conference in Orlando that Counselor Tod Ewing called on Sunshine State friends, who constitute about 10 percent of American Bahá’ís, to contribute their share—roughly $200,000 toward eliminating the National Fund deficit. If Florida believers met this challenge head-on, he said, Bahá’ís in other states would be inspired to adopt and win a goal of reducing the shortfall commensurate with their numbers.

Counselor Ewing's challenge was taken up immediately in Florida. Three Local Spiritual Assemblies—Gainesville, Greater Gainesville and Pompano Beach—approached Auxiliary Board member Charles Cornwell. He urged them to unite to spearhead the campaign.

On Nov. 25 a letter went out informing every Assembly, group, and isolated believer of the newly named Elevate and Educate initiative.

"As you know, the National Spiritual Assembly is facing a serious deficit of nearly two million dollars to date," the letter explained. "This deficit comes at a time when funds are needed most in order to undertake the growth-producing initiatives required to 'understand, welcome, initiate, and sustain' the process of entry by troops."

"[People are] more receptive to the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh than ever before. With so much at stake, how can we permit this [deficit] to continue?" -Nov. 25 letter on Elevate and Educate initiative

The letter went on to note, "The Universal House of Justice has affirmed that 'powerful forces' are working in the hearts of the people, making them more receptive to the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh than ever before. With so much at To tid stake, how can we permit this situation to continue?"

Four recommendations were outlined in the letter:

1. That the $200,000 goal be broken down into 1,000 units of $200 each and that communities and individuals contribute in multiples of units.

2. That communities and isolated believers arrange special spiritual gatherings and/or fund-raising events in the spirit of Universal House of Justice member Alí Nákhjavání’s 1995 visit to North America. The "unique nature of the Bahá’í funds" should be emphasized in setting goals and raising money.

3. That Assemblies and groups report their goals and contributions as soon as possible to the treasurer of the Gainesville Assembly, with a deadline of Ridván 1998. Updates on progress would be published regularly in the statewide newsletter The Vision.

4. That everyone consider earmarking all contributions through a Spiritual Assembly so lump sums could be sent to the national Office of the Treasurer and Development. This, explained the letter, would greatly reduce accounting expenses at the national office and help

Letters show loving dedication of believers

Letters to the Office of the Treasurer and Development accompanying contributions:

• Oregon: I am in my 80th year as a Bahá’í and remembering clearly the years when it was so hard to get funds to build the Temple. My parents always contributed, but I remember how hard it was sometimes. Mother would say, "... we can't send any money this month. (The children) need shoes," and my father always said, "We will get them what they need somehow, but we have to help with the Temple." Looking back, I am very proud of my parents for their sacrifices, and pleased that my toes were pinched for a small sacrifice.

• Washington: We thought it might be encouraging to you to know that this Assembly does pay attention to the National Treasurer's reports and are sometimes distressed with the news of continued deficits. The part we play in an annual budget of $27 million seems so small as to be unimportant but with other Assemblies perhaps taking similar action we could wipe out the deficit! Please God, we may achieve it! After receiving a year-to-date report from our treasurer at the Feast of Speech and the happy news that, with half the Bahá’í year gone, this Community was over half-way toward meeting its annual commitment to the National and International Funds, this Assembly received the recommendation that we consider raising our original commitment. At a meeting following this Feast, the Assembly considered the recommendation and came to the decision that we will attempt to complete our goal five Bahá’í months early, then continue to contribute at our monthly rate... thereby raising our annual goal... At the moment the prospects of meeting and exceeding our annual goal while still maintaining our local fund look very bright! We would appreciate your prayers so that we are able to continue to alleviate at least a small portion of the deficit.

Contribution in tribute to Regional Councils Members of the Bahá’í community of Mentor, Ohio, gather at their observance of the Anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, where the community offered a special contribution to the National Bahá’í Fund in honor of the election of the Regional Bahá’í Councils. Local photo

• Florida: After numerous years of not having a Local Spiritual Assembly... we formed a Local Spiritual Assembly this Ridván. We are delighted to present to you the enclosed check... to assist with alleviating the economic crisis at the National level. We hope to begin earmarking a percentage of monthly Local contributions to the National so that we will be assisting on an ongoing basis.

• Washington: I have recently revised my will, and unlike the previous one, I will not be leaving... to the Fund upon my death. Instead, I am going to try to make up that amount while God lets me stay here to do what He feels I should—saving others who need me. At age 85, and with recurring cancer, I don't know how long that will be, but I will do my best.

CHANGING VIEWS ABOUT CONTRIBUTING

There are signs that the Elevate and Educate campaign in Florida is achieving not only higher contributions to the National Fund but, more importantly, a change in how believers view giving.

In Gainesville, that process began well before the initiative. A letter April 30 from the Assembly urged individuals and families to pray, read, consult, and make a commitment to Bahá’u’lláh.

"Then, come to the next Feast ready to start a new pattern of giving regularly to the Funds every Bahá’í month, and to sustain the effort for one full year," the letter urged.

General reminders were to be given periodically at Feast and, if requested, personal reminders could be given as well.

The friends were told they could adjust the amount of their commitment.

"For instance, if your agriculture, your industry, or your commerce should be blessed with manifold increases, goodly gifts and bestowals, you can always increase your contributions," the letter stated. "Conversely, if the amount should temporarily prove to be too high you can also adjust it.

"But whatever you do, do keep giving every month, rain or shine, whether at home or on vacation, for this is what we are all called to do," the letter urged.

Believers' regularity of giving increased in the months that followed, according to Michael Derry, treasurer in Gainesville. As a result, the community has met its goal every month.

Two events since the Elevate and Educate initiative began also have exhibited the spiritual nature of giving.

The first was a deepening on the Funds. Participants worked with a handout listing four thoughts:

1. What are some of the basic assumptions and beliefs I hold regarding money? ... How do these assumptions and beliefs influence my actions regarding the Funds?

2. After a brief group discussion regarding "what is the spiritual nature of the Fund," each person privately measure where you are in your understanding of the spiritual nature of the Fund.

3. The national Office of the Treasurer would like to know what we think would help increase participation in the Fund. [Page 6]

Assemblies benefiting from National Center visits

Several Local Spiritual Assemblies from around the country have taken advantage of the opportunity in recent months to attend a special two-day visit to the Bahá’í National Center and Bahá’í House of Worship as part of the Weekend Visit program.

Designed to coincide with National Spiritual Assembly meetings, the visits have included talks with members of the National Assembly who share information on new initiatives and listen to news, concerns or questions from visiting Assemblies.

Through an extensive tour and meetings with department heads, this visit also allows Assemblies to learn of the many resources available to them at their Bahá’í National Center.

Each visit runs from Friday morning until late Saturday afternoon and accommodates three to four Assemblies. This schedule allows visitors to participate in the monthly devotions and general staff meeting with the National Spiritual Assembly, then tour the offices at the Bahá’í National Center on Friday while most of the staff is available.

Saturday activities concentrate on the House of Worship, including prayers by participants, a tour of the Cornerstone Room and Visitors Center, a presentation on the restoration efforts for the House of Worship and a chance to visit the Archives and see relics of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Bahá’u’lláh. Time is also allotted for participating Assemblies to share issues, concerns, ideas, etc. among themselves with facilitation by the Office of Community Administration and Development.

The following Spiritual Assemblies have participated: Columbia County, Missouri; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; Great Falls, Virginia; Highland Park, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Kansas City, Missouri; King County Northeast, Washington; Naperville, Illinois; Oak Park, Illinois; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Pinellas County, Florida; and Springfield, Illinois.

Assemblies are invited using a variety of methods, including an invitation appearing occasionally in the Classifieds section of The American Bahá’í. Assemblies that apply should be able to bring at least a quorum of their membership. Assemblies and/or their members are responsible to cover their transportation and hotel costs, while other costs such as meals and transportation to and from the events and the hotel are covered by the National Spiritual Assembly.

Responses from visiting Assemblies and their members have been very positive. The following are excerpts from letters.

• From an Assembly: "The profound thanks of our Local Spiritual Assembly for the truly wonderful two-day program we had with members of the National Spiritual Assembly and with National Center Staff."

• From a participant: "My heartfelt thanks for making my first pilgrimage to the Bahá’í House of Worship such a special trip. My perception of the role of the Local Spiritual Assembly has been clarified."

• From a participant: "The main convictions with which we came away are these: 1) the National Spiritual Assembly really listens to the believers. National Spiritual Assembly members with whom we met displayed more interest in learning about our views and experiences than they did in telling us theirs. 2) vision is alive and well at every level of the National Center, from the National Spiritual Assembly down to the least senior staff member."

Assemblies interested in participating in a special two-day visit to the Bahá’í National Center should notify the Office of Assembly Development (phone 847-733-3490, e-mail Those responding will be put on a waiting list and invited in order of response, as dates become available.

Special Visits help Bahá’ís gain closeness to House of Worship

In June 1972, 18 adults and an 8-year-Lold child attended the first Special Visit Program.

These gatherings, now presented several times each summer, began for the purpose of welcoming the friends to the Temple for an in-depth experience with the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár and the Bahá’í National Center.

This event, a very spiritual journey giving the believers an opportunity to connect with their material and spiritual center on this continent, was the inspiration of the staff of the Bahá’í House of Worship.

Through the 26 years since then, the Special Visit Program has remained a much-anticipated event on the calendar of the House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.

Some elements of "the Visit" have changed over the years, but it is still designed to help visitors revitalize their commitment to the Cause of God during a challenging, exciting time to be a believer.

Visitors can: • Learn about the meaning of the Temple. • Hear firsthand about the work of the Bahá’í National Center and the current concerns and initiatives of its agencies, including the National Teaching Committee and Pioneering offices. • Make new friends. • Take advantage of devotional time, both personal and structured.

The weekend retreat becomes a deepening by experience in one's own relationship to the Faith.

"The Special Visit Program has always been a very special activity at the House of Worship and very close to my heart ever since that first one in 1972, which was an experiment, now institutionalized," said Caswell Ellis, director of the House of Worship. "One need only feel the love and experience that spiritual connection that takes place between the visitor and our staff and to hear expressions of the hearts that indeed confirm the efficacy of the program."

Visitor comments at the completion of such a program reflect this. Recent participants have praised the warmth, learning and encouragement they experienced as meaningful enrichment for their growth and capacity to serve.

The House of Worship staff is continually refining the Special Visit schedule to meet the needs of visiting friends.

A SPIRITUAL OASIS

You are invited to participate in the 1998 Special Visit Program at the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár. These visits are created to offer the friends who live farther from the Mother Temple a spiritual oasis in which to relish a memorable experience.

Participants from a previous Special Visit session relax at a picnic in Gilson Park near the House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. Photo courtesy House of Worship Activities Office

Choose one of these schedules (all Thursday through Sunday): • June 25-28 Register by May 10. • July 23-26 Register by June 1. • Aug. 13-16 Register by July 5.

Highlights of the visit • Guided visits to the Bahá’í Home, Publishing Trust, Media Services, Archives, House of Worship, National Center • Enrichment sessions from the National Teaching Office, Pioneering Office, Wilmette Institute and House of Worship • Audio-visual and film programs • Bahá’í Bookstore shopping • Garden teaching, guiding opportunities • Option to read in daily devotional programs in the Auditorium • Classes and activities for youth and children age 4 and up • Also: group photo, Lakeshore park with beach, and other free time

Bahá’ís may bring friends and family, but should understand that some activities may require supplementary explanation for visitors who are not enrolled Bahá’ís.

Please direct inquiries to the Activities Office (phone 847-853-2326, e-mail [Page 7]

SPREADING the TEACHINGS

Pioneer's letter tells of need for continued help

Editor's note: Below is a letter to the Office of Pioneering received from pioneers in Hungary.

Dearest friends,

I wish to call your attention to one of the most crucial roles in our lives—pioneering. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states, "Prosperity, contentment and freedom, however much desired and conducive to the gladness of the human heart, can in no wise compare with the trials of homelessness and adversity in the pathway of God.... The joy and tranquillity in one's home, and the sweetness of freedom from all cares shall pass away, whilst the blessing of homelessness shall endure forever, and its far-reaching results shall be made manifest."

In the past 11 months that I have resided here, I have observed the profound need of pioneers not only in this country but in many others. Shoghi Effendi states that "The hour is ripe" to flee your homelands and to "scatter far and wide to capture the unsurrendered territories of the entire planet." Many ongoing projects have created close ties amongst the entire community here—ranging from projects offering free English classes for seekers to consolidating and galvanizing the indigenous community, which numbers in the hundreds in some areas.

The small victories that have blessed this country portend a surge forward in the establishment of many functioning Local Spiritual Assemblies, but there needs to be a continual and prepondering influence by new pioneers to assist these communities. The numbers are small but the spirit is alive, and certain enlightened souls who have visited this country can attest to what I am sharing with you.

My wife and I ask each and every one of you to seriously consider pioneering. The privilege to pioneer to uncharted territories will cease to exist with the emergence of entry by troops—which has already begun here.

So many countries need technicians, teachers, doctors, engineers, musicians and students (many international universities teach in English) and knowing English is a good start. Many people who live here support themselves by teaching English. This creates a perfect opportunity for us to leave our homelands and to spread far and wide the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to those receptive souls.

Dear friends, the ground is fertile and the time is at hand. Do not be deprived of this bounty that we can all partake of! Your Office of Pioneering has a list of all the priority pioneering posts in the world.

It is my hope that you will arise to plant the seeds of the Faith in other countries where, in time, the new believers will blossom and create dynamic and vigorous communities. I would like to impart to you the fervor of my confidence in the success of the teaching work throughout the world and cite the words of Bahá’u’lláh: "To have sacrificed my life for the Manifestations of Thy Self, to have offered up my soul in the path of the Revealer of Thy wondrous Beauty, is to have sacrificed my spirit for Thy Spirit, my being for Thy Being, my glory for Thy Glory."

Our prayers are with you always.

Arts and Media group aims to be force for support in teaching

The Bahá’í Association for the Advancement of Arts and Media has been formed as a national organization committed to cultivating excellence in the expression of the spirit and teachings of the Bahá’í Faith through use of the arts and media.

A non-profit corporation formed under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly, the association hopes to work closely with organizations and agencies such as the National Arts Task Force so that resources are used to the fullest extent and efforts are complementary.

Among goals of the association are to:

• Implement a progressive educational plan to help communities use the arts and media as tools for teaching, transformation, and personal and community development.
• Create a mentoring and technical assistance program to help communities create and develop projects.
• Encourage formation of local and regional arts and media groups.
• Encourage formation of sections within the association devoted to discipline, function or project.
• Bring together people with expertise in arts, media, production and distribution in forums to encourage collaboration and sharing of ideas and resources.
• Encourage individuals and communities to commission projects and develop agencies to help fund them.
• Encourage print, video and other biographies on Bahá’í artists.
• Study and support messages of the Universal House of Justice and National Spiritual Assembly pertaining to the Four Year Plan.
• Promote creation and utilization of materials to deepen our understanding of the Bahá’í perspective on the arts and media.
• Promote linkages between artists and media professionals within and beyond the Bahá’í community.

The advisory board of the association is considering membership options with yearly dues, network opportunities and access to a national system of mentoring and technical assistance.

Conferences and forums are envisioned to bring together a rich array of those who can produce and promote high-quality works, as well as public events designed to attract and deepen interest in the Faith through showcasing these works.

The National Spiritual Assembly, in a letter to the association, offered to "introduce you to the American Bahá’í community who will welcome your offer to assist them to bring the message of Bahá’u’lláh to their compatriots. We will also introduce you as a valuable resource to other agencies of the National Spiritual Assembly."

Communities and individuals are encouraged to participate in and support this effort. Please contact the Bahá’í Association for the Advancement of Arts and Media (BAAAM), c/o Leslie Asplund, Redmond, WA 98053 (phone 206-609-9086, fax 425-868-2493).

Dancing Hoops

Kevin Locke teaches some Native American hoop dancing basics to about 25 youngsters at a public performance at Royal Palm Beach, Florida, arranged and publicized by the recently formed—but already jeopardized—Spiritual Assembly in that locality. A total of 250 people attended the performance, and 20 people later attended a fireside with Mr. Locke while their children worked on an art project based on Ojibway prophecy.

Teaching Skills Exercise 2: Developing the skill of 'scattering seeds'

One of the basic skills of teaching is to scatter the seeds of the Faith in our regular activities and interactions.

The Guardian gives the following advice to the teacher: "In his daily activities and contacts, in all his journeys, whether for business or otherwise, on his holidays and outings, and on any mission he may be called upon to undertake, every bearer of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh should consider it not only an obligation but a privilege to scatter far and wide the seeds of His Faith, and to rest content in the abiding knowledge that whatever be the immediate response to that Message, and however inadequate the vehicle that conveyed it, the power of its Author will, as He sees fit, enable those seeds to germinate, and in circumstances which no one can foresee enrich the harvest which the labor of His followers will gather." (The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 53) "Never must they let a day pass without teaching some soul, trusting to Bahá’u’lláh that the seed will grow." (The Individual and Teaching, No. 99)

How can we scatter the seeds of the Faith? In carrying on our life's activities—whether we are working, shopping, eating out, or traveling—we have a chance to meet people in various situations. If we are friendly, we will have opportunities to converse with many people. [Page 8]

An extraordinary journey across Russia

Iowan reflects on prayerful cross-country walk BY RAMZIA DUSZYNSKI

When a person sets out to travel in a foreign country, she might not dare to dream of reaching 1,600 people.

But a few years ago Janet Coester, with no protectors but God and a birch stick, carried out her plan to walk more than 6,100 miles across Russia. Alone. From coast to coast.

"I was not planning to establish a record for the Guinness book," the Iowan said. "My goal was to walk through rural Russia where no Bahá’í or American had ever set foot, to meet with ordinary people who live away from the big cities and tourist attractions. To teach the Bahá’í Faith whenever it was possible. And, because I am seriously concerned about the ecological situation in the world, I wanted to see for myself what's going on in the huge territory of the Russian Federation."

She wore out four pairs of running shoes across 11 time zones, shared the Faith with those who would listen, made friends who dubbed her "nasha Amerikanka Janet (our American Janet)," and returned later to pioneer for a while in Ulan-Ude, in the Lake Baikal region north of Mongolia.

Not everyone has the temperament to do what Ms. Coester has done, and the risks are great. But she says that with the power of prayer, she was unafraid. "I was not alone. God was with me. Always. I felt His presence and protection constantly," she said.

Now back in the United States, she sees an increasingly urgent need for Bahá’ís to help their brothers and sisters in Russia.

The Faith has been established in Russia for more than a century. The need for pioneers there is centered on stimulating the process of growth and helping to open new centers. An example of a project that has accomplished this is the Marion Jack Project, which is in its 10th year. Participants in the project have worked closely with institutions in Russia to raise human resources for the Faith where needed, especially in Siberia.

Before this walk, Janet had been in the Soviet Union twice—once for the 1988 International Peace Walk in the Ukrainian Republic, then in 1989 to line up a group of Soviets she sponsored on the "Global Walk for a Livable World" across the American continent.

She decided to complete a second phase of the Global Walk as a "Russian pilgrimage," a two-year hike across the country following small roads and railway routes.

"For me," she said, "each step of the 'Russian pilgrimage' was a prayer for peace—peace within the individual, peace with one another, and peace with the earth."

Above: Janet Coester walked more than 6,100 miles across Russia from coast to coast, covering eleven time zones. She started in the west in Orsha, Belarus and it took her fifteen months to complete her "Russian pilgrimage" across the country following small roads and railways routes.

Left: This portrait of Janet was taken by a newspaper in Ulan-Ude, Russia. Photo by Sergei Mourzin

To learn more about pioneering or traveling abroad to teach, please contact the National Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 Phone: 847-733-3508, E-mail:

She spent a summer attending an intensive course in Russian at the University of Indiana, six months negotiating a visa and developing a detailed route gleaned from satellite maps created by the U.S. Defense Department.

She undertook the walk in two phases:

• Starting in Orsha, Belarus, in March 1992, then arriving more than 2,800 miles away in Krasnoyarsk in 7.5 months.
• Leaving Vladivostok in March 1993 and finally returning to Krasnoyarsk in 7.5 months on Nov. 5, 1993. This time she covered nearly 3,300 miles.

In small towns and villages she met with children and teachers, ecologists and workers, peasants and journalists. She stayed in Russian homes that, she said, "were immaculate and had a lot of things, as well as in ones that were not very clean and had fewer things."

What mattered was the people. She talked to people about their everyday problems, hopes and dreams—and they were thrilled to meet a "real American" who loves their country. It was children in a small town in Siberia who called her "nasha Amerikanka Janet." With the help of their English teacher they made a poster with Janet's picture and her biography and placed it on the front wall of the classroom. On a visit three years later, she saw the poster still there.

She received touching letters that were too numerous to count. "Sometimes I was overwhelmed by people's response to me. Who am I that I should touch people's hearts so deeply? I am just an ordinary human being who loves people, life and our planet and I am concerned about our future. So I made a simple pilgrimage from heart to heart."

And during her walk across Russia she befriended 1,600 people—that is how many entries are in her address book.

"From the time I was in high school I had an interest in Russia and wanted to know more about Russia. I could not believe that we were enemies," she said. "I wanted to go and see for myself and really meet the people."

As she grew into adulthood, she felt drawn toward a religious life—but also felt a growing concern for the practical welfare of the planet. She spent more than seven years as a nun. After she left the monastic order, a friend introduced her to the Bahá’í Faith in the 1980s.

Both her concern for the environment and her love of God were uppermost in her mind when she planned the 15 month walk.

INFORMATION ON YOUR INTERNATIONAL TEACHING TRIP

To record achievement of the traveling teaching goals, the Office of Pioneering needs information on all international 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 this form to the Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3511, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail). 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.

Name(s): Address: ID#(s): Phone:

COUNTRIES and/or LOCALITIES FROM / TO DATES MAIN PURPOSE

Please attach any additional comments. [Page 9]

Helping Joe Strong

by Morris Taylor $11.95 SC (HJS)

Helping Joe Strong is the story of a Bahá’í who is frustrated by the ineffectiveness of the Local Spiritual Assembly on which he serves. Joe’s frustration leads him to contact a neighboring Assembly that seems to function more effectively than his own. From the members of that Assembly Joe learns their secrets to success and introduces to his own Assembly techniques of effective time management, goal-setting, laying out well-defined agendas, and tracking everything from the minutiae of administration to large teaching projects. As you follow Joe’s quest, you will also learn techniques and tips that will help your Assembly to function more efficiently and effectively. Complete with sample forms, agendas, checklists and exercises, this book delivers a number of ideas to help bring your Assembly to new levels of effectiveness.

6”x9”, 150 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United States

Special Pre-Publication Offer!

The most comprehensive book to explore extensively the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith on gender equality and the status and advancement of women, the Bahá’í Publishing Trust is pleased to offer for a special pre-publication price.

Advancement of Women:

A Bahá’í Perspective by Janet A. Khan and Peter J. Khan (AWH)

The price for this hardcover edition is $29.95 with no shipping charges if ordered before March 21, 1998.* After March 21 the regular retail price of $34.95 will apply.

As advancing the status of women is one of the core external affairs goals for the present plan it is important that a fuller understanding be developed regarding the Faith’s teachings and their application in the world around us. This seminal work will help the reader understand the contribution the Faith has made and is yet to make in the area of gender equality, and the part that the Central Figures, the institutions and the individuals have played and will play in shaping the forces that will ultimately bring about positive change on a global scale.

*Offer only available to individuals, no re-sellers please. Limited quantities available. Other restrictions may apply.

The Station and Claims of Bahá’u’lláh

by Michael Sours $15.95 SC (SCBS)

Shoghi Effendi wrote, “[T]o strive to obtain a more adequate understanding of the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s stupendous Revelation must, it is my unalterable conviction, remain the first obligation and the object of the constant endeavor of each one of its loyal adherents.” This book explores Bahá’u’lláh’s challenging claims about His Revelation and the day we are living in, and examines these claims in the context of His teachings concerning the oneness of the founders of the world’s great religions.

“Before the Bahá’í Faith can enter its long-promised era of rapid growth, we must learn to place Bahá’u’lláh Himself at the heart and center of our teaching work. In this ground-breaking book, Michael Sours shows how to do this without falling into the traps of arrogance, exclusivity or fanaticism. He demonstrates, in the process, how society and the individual both are transformed through the recognition of God’s newest Messenger. A ‘must read’ for serious Bahá’í teachers!” —Gary Matthews [author of He Cometh with Clouds and The Challenge of Bahá’u’lláh]

Bahá’í Publishing Trust, U.S.

The Power of Race Unity

Satellite Initiative Development Corporation $9.95 VT (EPRUN)

The first of the videos developed specifically for use in the national media campaign. This is the same edition that will air in March and April on selected nationwide cable channels. Available now in VHS format suitable for home use. Also available in a broadcast version in VHS for $9.95 (EPRUBN), Betacam SP for $60.00 (EPRUB) and U-Matic SP, 3/4”, for $35.00 (EPRUU) for local broadcasts. Check with your local affiliate to determine necessary format for broadcast.

running time 28 1/2 minutes

A Closer Look

Reading the Qur’án for Central Meanings by Arashmidos Monjazeb $6.95 SC (CLS)

This examination of the central work of Islam reveals the teachings of Muhammad to be one of the great monotheistic religions of the world. Those attempting to study and understand the Qur’án freed from any preconceived notions and negative presentations learned in the past will find this book most helpful.

5 1/2” x 8 1/2”, 56 pp. Arashmidos Monjazeb

Historical Dictionary of the Bahá’í Faith

by Hugh C. Adamson and Philip Hainsworth $65.00 HC (HDBF)

This book was created in an attempt to offer Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í readers a comprehensive overview of the many people, tenets, principles, historical aspects and theological teachings that can assist a person’s research or provide clarification on many of these themes and facts of the Bahá’í Faith. Over 500 pages of entries, time-lines, genealogical charts, lists and statistical information.

Scarecrow Press

BACK IN PRINT

Continental Board of Counselors, SC (CBC)	$6.95
Bahá’í Marriage and Family Life, SC (BMFL)	$11.95
Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, SC (WTAB)	$2.95
Kitáb-i-Aqdas, PS (KAP)	$3.95
Tablets of the Divine Plan, PS (TDPP)	$3.95

[Page 10]

The Bahá’ís CD-ROM

BAHÁ’Í DISTRIBUTION SERVICE A Profile of the Bahá’í Faith and Its Worldwide Community CD ROM (BCDR) 1 copy $19.95 2-4 copies $14.95 ea. 5-9 copies $12.50 ea. 10-24 copies $11.00 ea. 25 + copies $10.00 ea.

The Bahá’ís CD-ROM, is a professional multi-media presentation of the Bahá’í Faith containing all of the material printed in the original publication, THE BAHÁ’ÍS, as well as a suggested reading list of Sacred Text and commentary based on the Writings which can be viewed on screen or printed out in its entirety. Features active links that expand on selected topics, including links to Web sites, and help screens. Incorporate the latest in Information Age technology into your teaching efforts and reach those seekers whose computer is their source of information.

Includes 25 minutes of video. To be used on a computer with CD-ROM and speakers and cannot be played on an audio CD player.

To Be a Mother

compiled by Wendi Momen $11.95 SC (TBM)

"It is in the spirit of both revering motherhood and valuing the contribution women can make to the wider community that this little book of verses from the [Bahá’í and] other holy scriptures, poets and thinkers is offered." The sections include: On the Birth of a Child; The First Mentors; Mothering; Mothers and Their Families; Mothers, Bringers of Peace.

4 1/4"x 6 3/4", 178 pp. George Ronald, Publisher

Fruitful Trees and Shining Stars

Justice Leeg $15.00 CD (FTSSCD)

This album displays an innovative use of rap in singing praises to the Messenger of God for this day and age. Musical selections offer commentary on today's social issues blended with a contemporary sound, stressing the underlying spiritual principles guiding mankind. Justice Leeg and fellow artists at times use their voices as musical instruments and interact with instrumental accompaniment.

total playing time 64:57 Secret Service Communications

Reading Bahá’u’lláh’s Word

A Guide to Reading and Understanding the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh by Melanie Sarachman Smith and William Diehl $10.00 SC (RBW)

Sometimes when people first read the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, they find the words beautiful and powerful, but difficult to understand. This book addresses some of the barriers that keep us from achieving a deeper understanding of Bahá’u’lláh’s writings and present a process that includes preparing, reading, reflecting and acting on the Creative Word.

8 1/2" x 11", 150pp., table of contents, introduction, references Palabra Press

Rights & Responsibilities

The Complementary Roles of the Individual and Institutions The Universal House of Justice $4.00 SC (RR)

This booklet contains three historic messages by the Universal House of Justice (Individual Rights and Freedoms, letters dated May 19, 1994 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, and July 2, 1996 to an individual believer) regarding concern of "evidences of a confusion of attitudes among some of the friends when they encounter difficulties in applying Bahá’í principles to questions of the day," and problems stemming from misunderstanding the difference in the role of the individual and the role of the institutions. The booklet also includes "A Brief Compilation on Criticism."

5 1/2" x 8 3/8", 59 pp., table of contents, preface Bahá’í Canada Publications

Spiritual Solution of Economic Problems

Hooshmand Badi'i $10.95 SC (SSEP)

The author shares his understanding of the deeper significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings on economics gleaned from living in both developed and developing areas. He examines the role of religion in solving economic problems and explores the spiritual relationships between the individual, his Creator, his society, religion and economics. This book will be of invaluable assistance to those searching for guidance to a permanent solution to the economic problems that afflict humanity.

5 1/4 x 8 1/4", 206 pp., table of contents, acknowledgments, introduction, references, glossary, appendix Hooshmand Badi'i

The Wisdom of the Master

‘Abdu’l-Bahá a compilation $17.00 HC (WM)

The Wisdom of the Master, a new collection of the sayings and writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, includes eyewitness accounts of incidents in his life and a number of new and corrected translations provided by the Bahá’í World Center for this volume. This compilation is intended for anyone searching for a source of inspiration and personal healing.

6" x 8", 111 pp., photographs, introduction, endnotes, bibliography Kalimát Press

How to Live Sideways

A Guide for Bahá’í Kids Michael Fitzgerald illustrator John Burns $14.95 HC (HTLS)

This whimsical compilation of the Bahá’í Sacred Writings is certain to amuse and fascinate any child. The author offers his delightful prescriptions for living the Bahá’í life with a freshness and spirit that is both profound and childlike. Build Bahá’í identity and introduce your children to the Bahá’í teachings on prayer, unity, faithfulness, service and contentment.

6 3/4" x 6 3/4", 40 pp. Kalimat Press

Andalib

Songs of Invocation LuAnne Hightower $16.00 CD (ASICD)

Andalib is an exquisite recording featuring traditional and contemporary devotional songs from the Abrahamic tradition. These heartfelt renderings are more a glimpse into an encounter with the sacred than a performance of sacred music. The soul-stirring vocals and extraordinary instrumentals converge to weave a sound tapestry that is hypnotic and accessible.

approximate time is 58 minutes Karim Sound Associates

Scripture & Revelation

(Bahá’í Studies Volume III) edited by Moojan Momen $26.95 SC (SR)

This third volume in the Bahá’í Studies series focuses on the theme of scripture and revelation. Papers presented at the First and Second ‘Irfán Colloquiums in 1993 and 1994 discuss a range of subjects of value to serious students of the Bahá’í Faith and to those teaching courses on the religion.

5 1/2" x 8 1/4", 369 pp. George Ronald, Publisher [Page 11]

SPANISH LITERATURE

Exploración de un Marco Conceptual para la Educación Moral by Lori McLaughlin ‎Nogouchi Noguchi‎, Holly Hanson, Paul Lample $2.50 SC (SEME)

A well-written, thoughtful five-part essay outlining the characteristics needed to contribute to social progress and personal transformation. Editorial Bahá’í España

La Ciencia de la Religión by William Hatcher $6.95 SC (SCR)

An exposition on the Bahá’í theme of the relationship between science and religion by noted Bahá’í author William Hatcher. Editorial Bahá’í España

Historias Sobre los Fondos Bahá’ís compiled by Marzieh Gail $6.95 SC (SHSFB)

An inspiring collection of stories about giving to the various Bahá’í funds. Editorial Bahá’í España

El Arco Iris by Sergey Valdivieso-Sinyakov $4.95 SC (SEAI)

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. Editorial Bahá’í España

Two Wings of a Bird The Equality of Women and Men National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States $7.95 SC (SWMPE)

The presentation edition of the National Spiritual Assembly’s statement on gender equality. 7” x 9”, 15 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, U.S.

SPN: Wall Calendar $2.95 CA (SWC)

A Spanish-language wall calendar featuring the Bahá’í House of Worship in Panama. 11"x17" National Spiritual Assembly of Panama

PER: Kitáb-i-Íqán by Bahá’u’lláh $14.00 SC (PKI)

The Persian edition of Bahá’u’lláh’s “most important book written on the spiritual significance of the Cause.” 5 1/2”x8 1/4”, 199 pp.

Windows to the Past, Volume I by Darius and Grace ‎Sharokh Shahrokh‎ $50.00 CS (WP1)

Occasionally it is difficult to find the time to attend a conference or to read each day, thereby limiting our options for deepening our knowledge of the Bahá’í Faith. With this new series of audiotapes you now have another option. Windows to the Past, Volume 1, contains a set of 12 audiotapes on various topics. These are perfect for travelling or home use and can be used by a wide variety of audiences, from seekers to long-time Bahá’ís. Some of the tapes in this set are: History of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Mystery of God; The Station of Bahá’u’lláh and the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh; The Covenant; The Mystery of Martyrdom; and Basics of the Bahá’í Faith. Images International

A Resource Guide for the Scholarly Study of the Bahá’í Faith Robert Stockman and ‎Jonab Jonah‎ Winters $9.95 SC (RG)

This comprehensive research and educational tool for the student or teacher of the Bahá’í Faith provides guidance on including the Bahá’í Faith in college and university courses. It contains carefully prepared curriculum guides, lecture outlines, annotated bibliographies, lists of educational materials and Internet resources. 8 1/2” x 11”, 227 pp. Research Office of the Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette, Illinois

Messages to the Antipodes Communications from Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá’í Communities of Australasia Shoghi Effendi $29.95 HC (MAH)

This volume brings together, for the first time, the communications addressed to the followers of Bahá’u’lláh in the Australasian area by Shoghi Effendi during the period of his ministry, from 1921 to 1957, as Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith. More than a historical record, the book conveys a painfully realistic portrait of the development of the Australasian Bahá’í community. It provides insight into the complex dynamics of the growth of a Bahá’í community in a Western society, and into the gradual emergence of that community from unmitigated obscurity into a position of admiration and respect from the most progressive elements of that society. —from the introduction by Peter J. Khan, member of the Universal House of Justice 526 pp., introduction, preface, glossary, footnotes, index. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, Australia

SHIP TO ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________

DAYTIME TELEPHONE # ( ) ___________________________________

PAYMENT METHOD O CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ENCLOSED O CREDIT CARD O VISA O MASTERCARD O AMER EXP O DISCOVER

CREDIT CARD # ___________________________________________________________ EXP DATE ______________ SIGNATURE ______________________________________

CODE	TITLE	QUANTITY	COST EACH	TOTAL
SHIPPING CHARGES/SALES TAX UNITED STATES: ADD 10% (MIN. $2.00, MAX. $10.00) CANADA: ADD 15% (MIN. $3.00) INTERNATIONAL: ADD 40% (MIN. $5.00, VIA AIRMAIL ONLY) SALES TAX: SHIPMENT TO TENNESSEE ADDRESS ADD 8.25%			SUBTOTAL
			SHIPPING
			SALES TAX
			TOTAL

[Page 12]"The light of unity ..." Raven Morrison of the Manhattan Beach Bahá’í community joins a friend in lighting a candle at the community's sixth annual Kwanzaa celebration Jan. 3, attended by about 100 people. The celebration of African-American culture and community focused on unity and featured a performance by the Stephen Barnes Bahá’í Gospel Choir. Kwanzaa was developed in Los Angeles in the 1970s. Local photo

Applications being accepted for Hayden poetry fellowship

The Louhelen Bahá’í School strives to keep alive the inspiring and challenging legacy of Robert Hayden through the Robert Hayden Poetry Fellowship, established in 1984 by Mrs. Erma Hayden, wife of the late Mr. Hayden, in collaboration with the Louhelen Bahá’í School.

Louhelen is accepting submissions for the prestigious fellowship, which has the mission to actively support poetry in the Bahá’í community. For promising Bahá’í poets who demonstrate serious commitment to the art form, it provides the means to concentrate on their writing at Louhelen Bahá’í School.

Because selected poets work in residence at Louhelen, this encourages the development of the school as a center for cultural development, a vision the beloved Guardian had for this institution.

Robert Hayden was winner of the First World Festival of Negro Arts and the 1975 Fellow of the Academy of American Poets. He served two terms as poetry consultant to the Library of Congress and was a member of the American Academy of Institute of Arts and Letters. Until his death in 1980, he was professor of English at the University of Michigan and poetry editor for World Order Magazine.

Deadline for submissions is April 15. For information or application guidelines, including details of the program, qualifications and step-by-step directions to apply for the fellowship, please send a request for materials along with a self-addressed stamped envelope to Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 South State Road, Davison, Michigan 48423 (e-mail Please be sure to note the Robert Hayden Poetry Fellowship.

Core Curriculum grows into system of training

BY THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS

Back in 1988 a small revolution began in the Bahá’í community, largely unnoticed by the general public, with the potential to make enormous, far-reaching changes inside and outside the Bahá’í community. The effects of this revolution have just recently begun to be felt in many communities across the nation.

Only one thing is capable of making such a sweeping impact within the Bahá’í community: education, specifically the way in which the community is educated spiritually.

The small revolution is taking hold. From its roots in the training of teachers for children, the National Teacher Training Center at Louhelen Bahá’í School has been instrumental in developing a growing number of Core Curriculum programs, including Race Unity Training, Marriage and Family Life Training, and Parenting Facilitators.

Friends selected by local or regional Bahá’í institutions come to the center to prepare themselves as trainers for the Core Curriculum programs. After working together with another trainer, these friends offer the programs to others in their home communities or regions.

Additional programs are available from the National Spiritual Assembly through the Bahá’í Distribution Service the new believers course "We are Bahá’ís," a course series on the fundamental verities of the Faith, "To Serve the Covenant," "Every Believer is a Teacher," and (soon to be released) "A New Civilization."

The movement began in October 1988, when the National Spiritual Assembly gave the National Bahá’í Education Committee the task of uncovering or writing a comprehensive curriculum for Bahá’í children, ages 6-12. This curriculum, the National Assembly requested, should result in children becoming consecrated Bahá’ís, prepared to be active teachers of the Faith.

First came months of reviewing and assessing more than 300 educational materials worldwide, then more months of carefully reviewing the Sacred Writings pertaining to education, coupled with consultation with other national education committees, Counselors, and agencies and committees of our National Spiritual Assembly.

By May 1990 the key concepts of the Core Curriculum were determined: • Communities need to become child development-centered. • The content of Bahá’í spiritual education is based on knowledge, wisdom, spiritual perception and eloquent speech. • The roles of parents, teachers and Local Spiritual Assemblies in the education of children are supremely important. • The phases of spiritual development are awakening, literal interpretation, metaphoric/symbolic and certitude.

Teacher training modules based on these concepts were developed in spring 1991, and a year later the first trainers' training session was held at Louhelen.

In May 1992, the National Spiritual Assembly directed the Education Committee to establish at Louhelen a national site for training and development of teachers the National Teacher Training Center. The Education Committee labored to produce an intensive teacher-training course worthy of the considerable responsibility of spiritually educating children, all in a 32-hour program.

Since 1992, Louhelen has trained more than 260 trainers who have in turn trained well over 2,500 teachers throughout this country. The primary purpose of the training is to prepare children for active service in the Faith through spiritual education, prayer, and service.

Since 1992, the National Teacher Training Center has trained more than 260 trainers who have trained more than 2,500 teachers.

Numerous reports from around the country show the impact of the Core Curriculum Teacher Training. One community in California wrote, "The upsurge in children's and youth activities is long overdue and we are now making progress." Another mentioned a greater spiritual environment at Feasts and much greater use of the arts. There is a story of a community using the principles taught in the Teacher-Training course to create an interactive fireside, enthusiastically received by seekers and Bahá’ís alike.

For more information on any of the Core Curriculum or other programs mentioned in this article, please contact the National Teacher Training Center at Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 South State Rd., Davison, MI 48423-8603 (phone 810-653-5033, fax 810-653-7181, e-mail [Page 13]

CONSOLIDATING THE VICTORIES

Regional Council tours communities across Northeast

The Regional Bahá’í Council for the series of public meetings for the friends in various areas of the region to help formulate plans and stimulate teaching.

The first meeting was held Jan. 17 in Springfield, Massachusetts, and a later message to the Bahá’ís across the region said, "The love and spirit of that evening will remain with us always.

"The Spiritual Assembly of Springfield contributed to the success of the meeting with their attention to detail, torium of Springfield College and we all received spiritual bounty from the vibrant Northeast Regional Bahá’í Gospel Choir," the Council said in its letter.

A second weekend meeting with the friends was held Feb. 13-14 in Boston, Massachusetts. The schedule for future meetings, to take place on weekends when the Council gathers for its own consultative meetings, is:

• March 13-14 in New York City;
• April 11-12 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
• May 16-17 in Rochester, New York;
• June 13-14 at Green Acre Bahá’í School in Eliot, Maine.

Each of these weekends begins with a Friday youth evening with a pizza dinner, deepening and dialogue on youth involvement.

Each Saturday evening there will be an open meeting for friends from the area communities, including short presentations, questions and discussion, and music.

"Coming together in a spiritual atmosphere, studying the Word of God, devising plans, and implementing those plans can result in self confidence, increased reliance on God, profound love for humanity, eagerness and a burning desire to teach and serve mankind, steadfastness in the face of tests and trials, abundant of joy and radiance of the heart," the Council said in a letter inviting the youth to the gatherings.

Louhelen has busy schedule for spring

Spring sessions at Louhelen Bahá’í School near Davison, Michigan, will be launched with:

• "Pilgrimage in the Days of the Guardian," with Dr. Amin Banani and Sheila Banani, March 20-22. These Knights of Bahá’u’lláh share their experience of pilgrimage. The weekend will include a children's program and a Naw-Rúz celebration filled with music and festivities.
• "The Physician's Challenge," with Drs. David Ruhe, Elizabeth Bowen, Joanne M. Langley and John LeBlanc, March 27-29. This interactive program explores paths of service and health issues for Bahá’í physicians in the Four Year Plan.
• Institute for Young Women, with Dr. Hoda Mahmoudi, Auxiliary Board Member, and Nasim Ahmadiyeh, April 3-5. This institute, specifically designed for young women ages 12-17, focuses on promoting the equality of women and men.
• The Youth Eagle Institute April 10-12, on the theme "Being a Bahá’í Youth Today." Darah Johnson, Dr. Kirk Johnson and Dr. William Smits will lead classes on the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation to youth today, with an eye on actively teaching the Faith to other youth.
• "Spiritual Transformation," with Jennifer Wilson, April 10-12. Interactive workshops will explore materialism, the practice of divine hospitality, love and overwhelming love, and re-creation of the mind in light of the transformative influences of Bahá’u’lláh. The challenge is to arise and seize the auspicious opportunity at this unparalleled time in history.
• Institute for Junior Youth, with Russell Ballew, May 1-3. Designed for ages 12-16, this institute includes consultation, varied activities, games and fellowship. Study centers on three prerequisites for success in teaching: moral rectitude, freedom from prejudice and a chaste and holy life.
• Parent/Child Weekend, with Dr. Mike Rogell and Mary Darling, May 8-10. This fun-filled family weekend features classes for all ages on family life and a parenting workshop that integrates practical skill development with study of the Bahá’í Writings. It concludes with a Mother's Day luncheon.
• "Who are the New Bahá’ís/Teaching Young People," with Bill and Diti Geissler and Bob Harris, May 22-24. Find out how years of research have narrowed down a target population receptive to the Bahá’í teachings, and learn ways of gaining and holding the interest of young people.
• "Two Wings of a Bird," with the National Committee for the Advancement of Women, May 22-24. This conference on gender equity and family issues is organized for practitioners in such fields as behavioral medicine, marriage and family therapy, and other mental health fields.

Workers and volunteers at Louhelen Bahá’í School celebrate the Michigan winter in January. Pictured from left are Rhonda Schmicker, Jennifer Day, David Vader, Daniel Lorsignal, Bob the Snow Guy, Aaron Mellman, Gary Schmicker and Mithra Ten Brink. Photo courtesy Louhelen Bahá’í School

Wakeling Endowment opens new round of arts grants

The Gwen Wakeling Endowment for the Arts, housed at Bosch Bahá’í School, is opening a second round of applications for grants to fund artistic projects, with an application deadline of June 1.

The council for the endowment is looking for projects from either professional or not-yet-professional artists in all fields. "We encourage artists to apply, keeping your application visionary, original and professional," a statement from the endowment says.

Due to the limited size of the endowment, a maximum of $50,000 in grants for about five projects will be funded.

For a project application form, or for further guidelines, please contact Marsha Gilpatrick, Art Center Director, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (phone 408-423-3387, e-mail or ).

In the application, the project description should be brief and clear, avoiding redundancy. References should list the profession and position of the person cited, and at least one reference should not be a Bahá’í.

A first round of grants is expected to be awarded in the next few months from applications received in 1997.

Wilmette Institute activates Web site

The Wilmette Institute has completed its World Wide Web site. It can be accessed through the Bahá’í National Center's Administrative Web Site or directly by going to www.usbnc.org/wilmette.

The site has extensive descriptions of the Institute's programs, including course syllabi and biographical descriptions of its faculty.

Students of the Institute's programs can type a password to obtain additional information and assistance with their homework. The site will supplement the Institute's listservers for its students and its 24-hour information line.

HOW TO CONTACT THE WILMETTE INSTITUTE

Automated information line: 847-733-3595 Contact us directly: Phone 847-733-3415 E-mail:

PERMANENT SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTES

Bosch Bahá’í School 408-423-3387 500 Comstock Lane Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Green Acre Bahá’í School 207-439-7200 188 Main St. Eliot, ME 03903

Louhelen Bahá’í School 810-653-5033 3208 S. State Road Davison, MI 48423

Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute 803-558-9131 Route 2, Box 71 Hemingway, SC 29554

Native American Bahá’í Institute 520-587-7594 Box 3167 Houck, AZ 86506 [Page 14]

Bosch planning varied youth programs

The spring program at Bosch Bahá’í School in Santa Cruz, and the Arts Retreat March 27-29 exploring the use of the arts in American culture, objectively examining the benefits and appeal of current art trends, and finding ways to incorporate art in our teaching efforts.

This will be a hands-on class with a new curriculum encouraging the expression of Bahá’í-inspired art facilitated by Alice Moore, Paula Wahlstrom, Robin Moore and Christa Schanda.

Other youth and children's classes include a Children's Academy for fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders April 7-10; a Junior Youth Agricultural Project April 13-18 in our organic garden to begin developing skills for social and economic development projects; and a Youth Training Conference on Marriage and Family Life April 24-26 for people ages 15-25. Facilitated by Marsha Gilpatrick and Joannie Yuille, the marriage and family course will use a variety of teaching methods and materials to make it interesting for young people.

The Wilmette Institute continues its series of courses on world religions with Dann May presenting Judaism and Christianity March 27-29, and Robert Stockman with a Study of the Old and New Testaments April 24-26. A class on Islam will be presented June 12-14 by Moeen Afnani and Brian Miller.

The third annual Mysticism Conference April 2-5 will feature Dr. Amin Banani discussing the work of the Persian mystical poet Rumi and Sheila Banani presenting The Seven Valleys and The Conference of the Birds. Also participating will be Steven Lambden, Jack McLean and Terry Culhane. The Mysticism Task Force has planned interactive activities that will provide variety during this four-day program.

A Conference on Social and Economic Development April 24-26, facilitated by Robert Phillips, will explore projects, including steps communities can take to begin their own projects.

May begins with the Bosch Spring Fundraiser May 1-3, with a weekend of fun and outstanding music featuring performers such as ‘Tapestry.

The month closes with the Marriage Enrichment Weekend facilitated May 22-25 by Carol and Chris Seubert and Fereshte and Tony Faustini. This is a wonderful opportunity for couples to get away together and renew their commitment to each other. This four-day weekend closes with a special candlelight "Chez Bosch" dinner.

As the spring program closes, we look forward to a busy summer program with a diversity of sessions for children, youth and families. For registration information, call Bosch at 408-423-3387. See you at Bosch!

Regional schools meet for spring

Three regional Bahá’í School committees have scheduled sessions for spring, the Education and Schools Office reports.

North Dakota, March 27-29 Program: "Flowers of One Garden." Key presenters include Habib Riazati. Location: Mayville State University, Mayville, North Dakota. Facilities: Dorm rooms or local motels available. Meals available at cafeteria on campus. Recreation: Gym and swimming pool available on the university's schedule. Contact: Rosalin Chrest, registrar, Minot, ND 58703 (phone 701-839-1015).

Alabama "Royal Falcon," May 8-10 Program: Centennial of the Faith in the Southern States. Location: Fairhope, Alabama. Accommodations: Choice of several local inns. Contact: Penny Sebastiani, registrar, P.O. Box 2110, Robertsdale, AL 36567-2110 (e-mail). Web site for more information: http://bahai.home.mindspring.com

Utah, May 22-25 Program: Speakers to include Beatriz Curry, LeRoy Jones and Auxiliary Board member Aleda Nelson. Location: Clear Creek Family Ranch, just east of Zion National Park, Utah. Facilities: Cabin tents with beds and electricity or smaller tents provided, or bring your RV or tents. Indoor meeting areas, restrooms/showers and laundry. Recreation: Lake activities including swimming and fishing, biking, sports. Contact: Shokouh Imani, Layton, UT 84040 (phone 801-771-0586).

Kalon Stoakley and his grandmother Charles Ella Stoakley were among the more than 130 Bahá’ís who attended the Heartland Bahá’í School in Springfield, Illinois, in January, titled "Connecting Our Hearts with Love and Unity." The sessions focused on celebrating diversity, with panel sessions on "Releasing our Power to Love" and "Loving the Unlovable."

Friends of Persian Culture Conference rescheduled

The eighth annual Conference of the Friends of Persian Culture Association will be held at Holiday Inn O'Hare in Chicago Sept. 3-7, 1998 (Labor Day weekend).

The change in the date of the conference this year is due to the fact that the National Convention will be at the end of May, the regular date of this conference.

For hotel reservations the friends may call 847-671-6350. The special conference rate is $79 per room (1-4 people) plus tax. When calling the hotel you must make your reservation for "Bahá’í Arts Festival" to obtain this rate. Free shuttle service is provided from O'Hare International Airport to the hotel.

Next ‘Irfán Colloquium seeks papers

The 20th session of the ‘Irfán Colloquium will be Nov. 6-8 at Louhelen Bahá’í School. The main part of the program will be devoted to presentations on the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh during 1863-68, the Istanbul and Adrianople period.

Presentations of research papers on topics related to Bahá’í scripture are welcome.

Please contact Louhelen Bahá’í School for registration and reservation of accommodation. For presentation of papers and program inquires, please contact the Institute for Bahá’í Studies at the Bahá’í National Center (phone 847-733-3425, fax 847-733-3563, e-mail).

Retreat for Fast will herald Green Acre spring sessions

Winter/spring programming at Green Acre Bahá’í School near Eliot, Maine, continues March 6-8 with a Spiritual Retreat for the Fast. Refresh and gladden your spirit with prayers in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s room and ample time for reflection, meditation and retreat, as well as deepening on the verities enshrined within The Hidden Words.

This year's annual retreat will be led by Dr. Tahereh Ahdieh. Designed for those age 15 and older, the sessions begin each day with dawn prayers and a hearty breakfast in the Sarah Farmer Inn. (Fees are slightly higher for those who will require lunch; please notify registrar.)

Laying the Foundation of the Fortress: A Preparation for Marriage Course will be offered March 27-29. Trained facilitators Claudine and Aeric Meredith-Goujon will conduct this three-day intensive course for young adults. The link between self-knowledge and successful marriage and family life will be discussed, as well as the parts that chastity, consultation, roles and relationships play in Bahá’í marriage. Enrollment is limited, and attendance at all program sessions is required, beginning at 9 a.m. Friday.

Green Acre will host a Persian-American Weekend March 27-29, with guest presenter Dr. Talat Bassari conducting concurrent Persian- and English-language sessions on "‘Abdu’l-Bahá in America and Canada." Saturday evening there will be a performance of Persian music.

Presenter Habib Riazati returns to Green Acre April 10-12 to lead a Study of the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf. This work by Bahá’u’lláh includes His summary of the nature of His Revelation, as well as its objectives and how they can be accomplished. It also contains major selections from His earlier works on various themes. Participants are asked to bring a copy of the book, have read the text and come equipped with questions.

Fostering unified, loving marriages and strengthening family life will be the focus April 24-26 when trained facilitators Mary Lou and Michael McLaughlin present The Fortress and the Family. This course is designed to assist couples in cultivating healthy, vibrant marriages, rearing children who become consecrated servants of humanity, and building families that can serve as a foundation for flourishing communities that affect social change and attract the blessings of Bahá’u’lláh.

Also offered April 24-26 will be The Spirit of Children: A Conference on Children's Literature and Art. This interactive conference will feature representatives from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust as well as Brilliant Star and ONE magazines. Participants will explore materials that stimulate children's spiritual development and network and brainstorm about such media as children's literature, illustration, music and multimedia that can assist children to "grow, develop and appear in the utmost beauty."

Coming in May at Green Acre: A Seekers and New Believers Weekend will be offered May 15-17.

Early registration is encouraged for all programs, as some have limited enrollment. A 10 percent discount will be offered to those who register at least 30 days prior to a program. For further information, or to register, please call Green Acre (207) 439-7200, e-mail or use Green Acre's new fax number: (207) 438-9940. [Page 15]

WELCOME TO THE Brilliant Star KID’S corner

Back to the Basics

DOWN 1. Food of the Soul 2. _____ & men are equal 3. Prince of virtues 5. Days in Bahá’í month 6. First Bahá’í month 7. Age of maturity 9. Visitor to Holy Land 11. Humanity is one ______ 13. All religions are ______ 14. Oneness 15. Number of Bahá ______ 17. Garden of Paradise 19. City of Arc on Mount Carmel 21. Child’s first teacher 23. Lifeblood of the Cause 24. Do this every day 27. Sharaf 28. Science & religion 29. Monthly gathering 31. More powerful than hate

ACROSS 2. Counted as worship 4. The Faith began here 8. Book of laws, Kitáb-i-____ 10. Teach the Faith in your home 11. Activity during ‘Alá’ 12. Discuss in a group 16. Helping others 18. Four Year _______ 20. Dawn of a new ______ 22. Bahá’í age 25. Bahá’í New Year 26. Arise to ______ 30. Most Great Prison 32. Study the sacred Writings 33. Beam of light 34. Brilliant _____ magazine 35. See the dawn in this direction 36. Protects the Cause

Look for answers in the next issue of The American Bahá’í

Crossword by Meg Anderson

did you know...

March 2 is the Feast of ‘Alá’ (which means Loftiness in Arabic). It is also the first day of the Nineteen Day Fast. The end of the Fast marks Naw-Rúz, the Bahá’í New Year on March 21. During the Fast, Bahá’ís meditate, pray and revive themselves spiritually.

Praised be Thou, O My God, that Thou hast ordained Naw-Rúz as a festival unto those who have observed the Fast for love of Thee... —Bahá’u’lláh

What would YOU like to SEE in Brilliant Star? Let us know!

Share YOUR ideas! Submit pictures, stories, poems or whatever your heart desires.

Send us e-mail. Our address is ____________________

We are LOOKing for KIND-Hearted artists, ILLUSTRATORS, educators, WRITERS, and photographers to contribute their talents to Brilliant Star.

Our upcoming themes:

• The Individual
• Power of the Covenant
• Force of Transformation
• Dynamics of Prayer
• Study of the Holy Texts
• Inspired to Teach

Please contact: Amethel Parel-Sewell Managing Editor/Art Director BRILLIANT STAR c/o Bahá’í Media Services 1233 Central St. • Evanston IL 60201 tel/847.853.2355 • fax/847.256.1372

SUBSCRIPTION FORM

Name	Please enclose payment. 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.
Bahá’í ID #
Street
City & State	Zip	VISA/MC#
Phone	E-mail	Exp. Date
		Name on Account
MARK YOUR SUBSCRIPTION $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		Signature required for credit card orders Total enclosed Mail to: Bahá’í Subscriber Service 5397 Wilbanks Drive • Chattanooga, TN 37343 Fax: 423-843-0836 E-mail:

[Page 16]

GUIDING INDIVIDUAL SOULS

Once seeking souls have learned about Bahá’u’lláh, what is the next step in advancing the process of entry by troops?

We can work individually or collectively to guide such souls until they arise independently to serve His Cause.

The principle of individual transformation is the same for every human being we all must progress along a path of growth towards God. Each soul progresses at a different rate, but everyone, in order to grow, continually learns and develops.

Bahá’ís understand that teaching the Faith is an indispensable activity. It ensures our own progress and that of others.

The Sacred Writings have ample passages describing the qualities of a successful teacher. Among them are a spirit of service, genuine love for others, sensitivity to the needs of seekers, perseverance and patience. Time and again the importance of the individual teacher is stressed. Only the individual, through his or her consecrated efforts, holds the real power to ignite hearts with the flame of the love of Bahá’u’lláh.

PATTERNS OF COMMUNITY LIFE

Individual action in teaching is community life that confirms the individual's faith, provides fellowship and worship, guides individuals and families in the practice of Bahá’í life, and offers opportunities for service.

While the general principles of community life are the same everywhere, each community faces different circumstances. Not every community will do exactly the same things in the same way, and individual communities will develop new patterns of activity as they grow.

The important thing is that activities be undertaken with love and unity, and that they address the community's spiritual, social, expansion and consolidation needs. Such activities should combine in an ever-evolving pattern that increases community membership, sustains spiritual development, and leads to the spiritual conquest of the entire city, town or region.

What kinds of activities fit into such a pattern? They would include:

Devotional gatherings. Bahá’ís and others should gather regularly for music, worship and fellowship, to enable everyone to be uplifted by the spirit of the Faith.

Teaching activities. At firesides and other suitable activities, believers can share the Faith with others on an intimate, personal level. It is often in firesides that the spark of interest in the Faith is fanned into a flame of conviction, when seekers learn the Teachings and feel the warmth of Bahá’u’lláh’s love.

Feasts and Assembly meetings. In some communities these are not established on a regular basis. Although developing them can take time, they are crucial to the progress of the Cause.

Youth and children's activities. Youth and children are often the most effective teachers and servants of the Cause. In addition, the community has the responsibility to help provide for their spiritual education. Children do not have to have Bahá’í parents to learn about the Faith.

Training and deepening. There should be regular, systematic opportunities for interaction with the Word of God and for acquiring skills to better serve the Faith.

Social activities. Social events provide an avenue for strengthening bonds of fellowship, love and unity.

Service to humanity. Sincere and impartial service to others is one of the fundamental principles of our Faith. Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings provide solutions for the problems of humanity. Bahá’ís can work together to apply them through a variety of activities.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

Individuals, progressing at their own pace, are systematically deepened, trained and included in the life of the community. Community activities confirm individuals; they multiply and grow in complexity as more and more individuals arise to serve.

This combination of processes helps move a population toward the New World Order.

Success in community life requires attention to a number of principles:

Drawing spiritual power. The Faith is not about meetings—it is about channeling and directing the tremendous spiritual forces released by Bahá’u’lláh for the transformation of society. Individuals and communities are galvanized through divine power and love.

Embracing the entire population. If our activities involve only Bahá’ís, we cannot grow. Bahá’u’lláh is the Messenger for all humanity. His teachings are urgently needed by humanity at this time.

Learning through action and reflection. Virtually every community already has some level of activity. Local patterns can evolve to include vital missing elements, or to refine existing ones. We should encourage initiative without undue worry about mistakes, which are a necessary part of the learning process. We can evaluate our actions and revise them as needed to increase effectiveness.

Universal participation. The Faith grows through individual initiative, coordinated and led by the Institutions. While "each person cannot do everything and all persons cannot do the same thing," every believer and every community can find some part to play in the urgent work of advancing the process of entry by troops.

Increase human resources. Systematic training for the believers, complemented by meaningful opportunities for service, is a key to individual spiritual transformation and for the raising up of skilled workers for the Cause.

TEACHING (CONTINUED)

Millions of Americans are looking for spiritual solutions to their personal issues a phenomenon observed by many scholars and the media. With this teaching plan, the National Spiritual Assembly has adopted a systematic approach for identifying these souls, ascertaining their needs, and crafting messages that will produce response.

For the past year and a half, several agencies of the National Assembly have collaborated with local communities and individual believers to learn how to address audiences effectively. Most of the friends have heard about the pilot project done in Atlanta, which generated outstanding response. What was learned there is being implemented for the whole country.

We are at the beginning of a new phase, which will involve sustained, coordinated activity at the local, regional and national levels. It will continue through the rest of the Four Year Plan and beyond.

• We are learning about growth. All the major initiatives of the Four Year Plan, such as training, community building, use of the media, Spiritual Assembly development, etc., involve an ongoing process of action and reflection. The National Spiritual Assembly will ensure that evaluation and refinement are undertaken at every stage, so that we learn to generate more effective programs. This process will continue for many years. This is true for the media as well as for other programs. Whatever the short-term results, we must be determined to continue the learning process until we have effective means for reaching every soul with the Bahá’í Message.

• The vast majority of the initiative must be local. The National Spiritual Assembly has only enough resources to implement modest efforts at the national level. This will surely change as our community grows, but it underscores the importance of local activity to complement national programs. Every local community should do whatever it can to undertake proclamation activity. This can include local television, press and radio usage, public events of various types, race unity dialogues, and so on.

• Proclamation must be complemented by other activities. It is essential that local communities provide for adequate follow-up with seekers. Firesides, devotional gatherings, social activities, service projects and other programs should be established, and seekers should be included in all of them. It is interesting to note that in Atlanta, people who called often expressed interest in becoming involved in service projects. Some didn't begin to attend firesides until later.

• Local communities can work together. In a number of cases, several Assemblies and groups have pooled their resources in a united effort to advance the process of entry by troops. This is a wise approach, since most of our local communities are small.

Individual support is key to success. Individual believers should do everything they can to teach the Faith. Not only should they invite their contacts to community events, they should hold their own regular firesides.

New teaching resources are being developed. New audio-visual products are being developed, focusing on themes other than race unity. Some will be directed at new audiences. New literature is also scheduled for production later this year. These efforts will continue throughout the Plan. The believers will be notified as work nears completion.

The Universal House of Justice has stated that one of the main challenges of the Four Year Plan is to "mount a campaign of teaching in which the broad membership of our community is enthusiastically, systematically and personally engaged..." Our collective endeavors over the course of the remainder of the Four Year Plan will surely achieve this result, which will in turn attract the confirmations of the Blessed Beauty. [Page 17]

RESOURCES FOR USING COMMUNITY TELEVISION

To join the National Alliance for Community Media and receive the numerous membership benefits of training and networking conferences, journals, and awards competitions, call 202-393-2650.

•Video and audio materials are available through the Bahá’í Distribution Service, 800-999-9019.

Joseph Galata is a member of the Reno, Nevada, Bahá’í community, which has actively used and produced programs for community access television. Local photo

BY JOSEPH GALATA

or nearly 30 years. community television centers have offered, cable television time to organizations, educational and religious institutions and individuals.

In that time, community television centers have grown in number, diversity and the services they offer.

And they are providing Bahá’ís with the opportunity to present religious programming on public-access, educational-access, leased-access or even government-access channels.

There are more than 1,000 such centers in the United States, ranging from those offering minimal services to centers operating on million-dollar budgets.

When Bahá’í communities want to use a community television station for broadcasting Bahá’í programs—produced either locally or by outside professionals—the following steps are recommended:

1. Make an appointment with the executive director and/or programming director of the TV station and ask for specific guidelines about submission and broadcasting operations.

Community television stations broadcast programs in different formats: Betacam SP, 3/4-inch (which is becoming obsolete), SVHS (now becoming the standard) and High 8. You'll get nowhere presenting a 3/4-inch tape to a station that deals only with SVHS.

2. If you use a program produced by outside professionals, such as The Power of Race Unity, present the station with the original purchased copy—do not give them a tape copied on a home VCR. This will result in a cable TV program that is unpresentable and unwatchable.

3. When presenting a program, ask for the following broadcast times to ensure the best opportunity for the highest number of viewers:

Midnight-4 a.m. Monday-Friday; studies show these times offer the best opportunity for religious programming to be watched.

Interestingly, studies show the least-watched times for community TV religious programming are in weekday prime time, when it competes with popular national programming.

• 7-9 a.m. Sundays, serving those who do not attend community religious services.

•Weekdays, 7-8 p.m. Eastern time or 6-7 p.m. in other time zones, between daily news and national prime-time programs.

Interestingly, studies show the least-watched times for community TV religious programming are in weekday prime time (8-11 p.m. Eastern time or 7-10 p.m. in other time zones), when it competes with popular national programming.

4. If you want to produce original local programming, use the highest-quality professional equipment and videotape available to you.

5. To catch and hold the attention of "channel surfers" who often have a choice of 60 or more channels, a program must be appealing to the eye and the ear, as well as stimulating to the mind and the emotions.

Local Bahá’í-produced programs attracting the most community viewers are informative, entertaining and inspiring those that present colorful, visually striking, energetic and even experimental programming in relating the Faith to local issues.

Studies show the most-watched religious programs on community television are of local historical and sociological interest. For instance, a Bahá’í program on the history of women in the local community, with connection to the tenet of the equality of men and women, is a program offering opportunity for viewing interest.

By contrast, local religious programming is least-watched when a single person is lecturing to the home audience. Too often Bahá’ís producing local programs make the mistake of focusing only on the informative aspect. Emotions must be engaged before a viewer can be inspired.

The power to respond to phone inquirers

ur new inquiry response system is one of the most exciting elements of the national teaching plan.

In the past we have created awareness of our Faith using recorded audio and video programs, printed literature, books, and many other methods. But we have not made it easy for seekers to let us know who and where they are so we can answer their questions, provide them with information, or invite them to public meetings.

Things have changed.

A significant part of our inquiry response system is the new national toll-free phone number, 800-22-UNITE. It began as a grassroots effort in southern California, and now is offered to any community wishing to establish and monitor a phone line for responses by seekers. When 800-22-UNITE is dialed the call is automatically routed to the subscribing Bahá’í community nearest to the caller.

By subscribing to the 800 number system your Assembly, group or cluster of communities will receive the "inbound" calls originating from the area(s) you choose. It will be up to you to decide how to capture those calls.

The best way, and well worth the cost if you are expecting numerous calls, is to have one terminating line with a voice mailbox from your local phone carrier. This type of voice mailbox would permit 15 to 20 simultaneous calls with no caller reaching a busy signal.

If your community is not expecting multiple calls during the national video broadcast or at other times, you may wish to have a computer-based or stand-alone answering machine. Please note that this option, while low in cost, will accomodate only one call at a time. People who reach a busy signal may not bother to call back.

Local Assemblies, groups, or clusters of Assemblies and/or groups may find out more information, or request an application to subscribe, by contacting the National Teaching Office (see "How to Subscribe" in the box above).

On the application, you will specify the area codes and prefixes for which you wish to receive calls (see your local phone book for the prefixes that apply to your area).

1-800-22-UNITE FOR INFORMATION ON THE FAITH

This number, being established permanently, will be advertised during broadcasts of The Power of Race Unity and on our Web site. It will be linked to communities across the country: each call will be forwarded automatically to the community nearest the caller.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE

To link your community with this phone line (the cost is $20 to start up, $10 a month, plus the cost of incoming calls), please contact the National Teaching Office (phone 847-733-3493, fax 847-733-3502, e-mail Administrative Web Site for an automated form.

"A systematic campaign designed to proclaim the Faith to the masses through the press and radio must moreov reover be launched and maintained with vigilance, persistence and vigor."

-Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 130 [Page 18]

23 Portland/Vancouver communities join up

teaching campaign in the Portland, Oregon/Vancouver, Washington, A Oregon/Vancouver, Washington, sharing, not vying, in pursuit of a significant advance in the process of entry by troops.

The Helen Bishop Teaching Campaign for the Martyrs is focusing this cluster of Assemblies and groups on a unified set of goals for firesides, devotional activities, and simply touching hearts with the message of Bahá’u’lláh.

The campaign was named in loving memory of an outstanding area teacher and the martyrs of the Faith. It sprang from a vision for the spiritualization of the metro area that was enunciated at a meeting last summer, where Bahá’ís from every area community consulted with Auxiliary Board members and the Regional Committee for the Western States.

The Regional Committee drew on all the area communities to appoint a campaign coordinating team and task forces for community development, diversity-building, external affairs, individual teaching, media and youth.

Early goals set by these consultative groups included: 1,000 firesides, 2,000 touched hearts, and one weekly devotional gathering in every community. Running statistics seen in the foyer of the Portland Bahá’í Center showed, as of January, 140 firesides, 758 hearts touched and 83 devotional gatherings.

"In effect, we envision a proclamation campaign which will not only involve large public events and the use of the mass media, but will also engage people at the grassroots and at all other levels of society in a broad range of profoundly effective activities through which they will interact with the Bahá’í community in a sustained, world-wide effort." Universal House of Justice, Jan. 23, 1985, to all National Spiritual Assemblies

The Guardian's definition of the intimate fireside is central to the campaign. Outstanding work also is being done in community development, with an increase in devotional gatherings and an especially inspiring model that invites attention to Benton County, Oregon.

In the area of external affairs, a conference is envisioned for spring to prepare Bahá’ís to recognize and respond to teaching opportunities.

The media task force is positioning itself to help communities make Bahá’í events newsworthy.

Responding to our National Assembly's call for dialogue on race unity and diversity, the Bahá’í Center is being offered as a "haven" for the dialogue and an experience in diversity, especially with a series of Saturday evening gatherings.

The youth task force is publishing Grapevine, a publication distributed to youth in the campaign area to engage them in honest and searching dialogue about real issues. This task force seems to need replacements only for the youthful members who arise to pioneer or to serve at the World Center.

The Oregon Regional Training Institute, meanwhile, has been carrying out a longer-range role. It plans by Ridván to support the campaign with programs, based on a survey of Assemblies' needs: To enhance human resources.

Vida Mirarabshahi, youth liaison, and Paul Bob, community development liaison, consult recently with the campaign coordinating team for the Portland/Vancouver area.

• To support individual teaching.
• To aid Assembly development.
• To develop teachers for children's classes.
• To create youth programs.

The Washington Regional Training Institute also was instrumental in a prayerful day of consultation with the Regional Committee and all 23 communities.

In the transitional period when the first Regional Bahá’í Council for the Western States was being elected, Portland-area Bahá’ís heard the words "keep going" from the Universal House of Justice and did just that. The level of collaboration continues to be high.

The campaign also has taken 23 communities to a higher level. As one believer, Rebecca Albright, stated in a recent report to the campaign coordinating team, "Communities do not want to be vying. They want to be sharing resources to bring the 'significant advance in the process of entry by troops.'"

Followup means more personal involvement for Columbus Bahá’ís

The Assembly in Columbus, Ohio, had a problem. Lisa Shademan, Assembly secretary, reports that while the Assembly had maintained a database of about 300 seekers since 1985, few had enrolled.

The database included such information as where and with what Bahá’í the contact was made, what questions the seeker asked and what information he/she was given. It was used to send several mailings a year to the seekers. But that followup didn't include any real personal contact.

So they met with the Marquette, Michigan, Assembly and reviewed the teaching model Marquette had developed (profiled in the Feb. 7 issue of The American Bahá’í).

Columbus decided to adopt that model, transferred their database information into the model, and continued from there.

Primary teachers were assigned to each seeker and monthly reports on each seeker are given to the Assembly. In addition, the community has stepped up the number and frequency of its firesides and devotional gatherings so there will plenty of events for seekers.

As with Marquette, however, the community has not stopped there. They have developed a local training institute with a deepening program based on "We Are Bahá’ís." When a person declares he is immediately contacted to participate in the new believer's program.

"This follow-up system has made a great difference in the community," Ms. Shademan said. "While we haven't yet had it in place long enough to measure its full effect we can already see significant changes. Our center looks better, our committees are much more focused, we have much greater collaboration, and we are becoming better trained. We feel we are ready to accommodate the troops."

The system devised by the Marquette Assembly assigns responsibilities for maintaining contact with inquirers on three levels: "request for information," "serious seeker" and "declarant." The community found that new declarants who completed a new believers program within a month have shown increasing enthusiasm for service to the Cause.

For information on the system from the Marquette Assembly, contact Linda Maxwell, Assembly secretary (phone 906-226-9852, e-mail).

Working toward the next level in metro Atlanta

BY TOM MENNILLO

When the national media initiative rolls out later this month it will be the second go-round for Atlanta-area believers. They're using that experience to craft a savvier strategy for communications both within the Bahá’í community and with the media and public.

The strategy was unveiled Jan. 31 in a daylong conference conducted by the Office of Communications and Media Relations (OCMR). Twenty public information officers and other representatives of area Bahá’í communities participated.

OCMR was created by the Atlanta Bahá’í Task Force to succeed the media and communications task forces that were in place for the past year. It was felt that even though the two bodies addressed different audiences—external and internal—their functions were identical.

Those functions include supporting the teaching effort, collecting information on events and activities, communicating that information, developing promotional and teaching materials, and maintaining a database of Bahá’í communities and media contacts.

The newly created agency, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Gwinnett County North, will be structured so a number of directors—communications, media relations, creative services and information systems—and the treasurer and secretary report to the executive director.

Under each director will be such resource people as the public information officers along with writers, editors, photographers, audio-visual specialists, Web designers, media buyers, archivists and database maintainers.

These friends' talents will be employed on an as-needed basis, freeing them from having to attend regular meetings. A questionnaire has been devised to let area Bahá’ís volunteer in areas of interest and expertise.

Information from the new task force—or the Atlanta Bahá’í Information Center, as the outside world will know it—will flow through OCMR to the Bahá’í community through the communications apparatus and to the public and media through the media relations apparatus. Helpful in that task will be use of a standard publicity-request form that communities will complete and send to OCMR.

At the Jan. 31 conference, participants also discussed the materials that will be available through the national media initiative, and they consulted on how they can work more effectively together. Although all the materials were not yet available, the resource package summary was eagerly pored over and planning was begun on how to bring The Power of Race Unity program to as many residents as possible.

Guidelines for working together were issued to avoid jurisdictional confusion. Contact with metro-wide media outlets such as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and broadcast stations will be coordinated by OCMR itself. Regional media that, for example, serve all the Bahá’í communities in a county will be coordinated by one Assembly in that county. Media that serve a single community will be within the jurisdiction of that Bahá’í community.

Public information officers were urged to forge a close relationship with their Assembly and their community in general. When events take place without the direct knowledge of the PI officers, he or she should respectfully request that the Assembly reinforce the important role of public and media relations in proclaiming the Faith.

A metro Atlanta Bahá’í public information officer directory was handed to participants along with a telephone tree, to speed the spread of information from OCMR to the PI officers.

To round out the conference, participants were given information on the local chapter of the Religious Public Relations Council and were introduced to the Internet, Internet providers, and Bahá’í sites on the Internet.

Elaine Justice, president of the organization's Atlanta chapter, said the RPRC is a "value-added" group that helps religious communicators learn from each other and, just as important, learn about each other's faiths so they can find common ground in the values they share. Monthly meetings and an annual convention are held, and awards are sponsored.

John Aikman, a marketing representative of MindSpring Enterprises, spoke on the burgeoning World Wide Web and other facets of the Internet and took participants on a "tour" of the newly redesigned Atlanta Bahá’í Web site.

He was followed by Field Searcy, a Bahá’í who told attendees how they can obtain free e-mail accounts and how they can subscribe to Bahá’í-oriented e-mail list servers.

Lastly, Ric Clark, director of information services for OCMR, showed the group a number of Bahá’í-operated Web sites including the National Spiritual Assembly's administrative site.

With or without the cable TV broadcast in your area ...

The national teaching plan stresses the importance of developing a multifaceted teaching campaign in each community. The national broadcast of The Power of Race Unity on cable TV (see schedule on Page 1) will be an important part of many of those campaigns.

To get the most out of the national broadcast:

• Your community should be prepared to follow up on inquiries, have events where seekers can be brought, and have firesides and devotional gatherings in place. More ideas and information are available in this and recent issues of The American Bahá’í.
• Your Assembly or group should appoint a public relations coordinator who can help you develop your media initiatives (application forms are included in the public relations packet available through the National Teaching Office).

If your community does not receive the broadcast:

• Arrange to have the program aired on public access television if available. You will need to ask your cable TV provider what video format they will accept, then purchase the appropriate broadcast version of the videotape.

If that is not possible, arrange to screen the home version of the video:

• In your homes.
• At local community houses.
• At schools and libraries.
• Through local like-minded civic organizations.
• Or wherever you feel you will be able to find an audience.

This video helps us create opportunities to tell others about the Faith. We should create as many of those opportunities as we can.

Available through Bahá’í Distribution Service 800-999-9019 The Power of Race Unity videotape, 28 1/2 minutes, in these formats: Home VHS $9.95 Broadcast SVHS $9.95 Broadcast U-Matic SP (3/4") $35 Broadcast Betacam SP $60 [Page 19]

SPECIAL SECTION

"These souls are the armies of God and the conquerors of the East and the West. Should one of them turn his face toward some direction and summon the people to the Kingdom of God, all the ideal forces and lordly confirmations will rush to his support and reinforcement. He will behold all the doors and all the strong fortifications and impregnable castles razed to the ground. Singly and alone he will attack the armies of the world, defeat the right and left wings of the hosts of all the countries, break through the lines of the legions of all the nations and carry his attack to the very center of the powers of the earth."

—‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Tablets of the Divine Plan, Pages 49-50

THREE OF A CONTINUING SERIES

ARE YOU READY?

Here is a checklist of activities that will help your community get the most out of the national broadcast and video of The Power of Race Unity:

• Hold varied proclamation activities
• Promote the video and broadcast widely through all media
• Promote 800-22-UNITE
• Promote the public Web site www.us.bahai.org
• Hold varied teaching activities—both community and individual
• Have strong followup procedures in place:

a. contact seekers immediately b. have many events to take seekers to, especially firesides c. keep track of seekers d. deepen all declarants quickly

The National Teaching Committee is eager to hear about local activities across the country. The information you share with us is extremely important in helping us gauge the quantity and quality of efforts, which will affect our national planning. Please request a copy of our media survey:

• By mail to the National Teaching Office c/o National Bahá’í Center, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201;
• By fax (847-733-3502); or
• By e-mail

OR:

An electronic version of the survey can be filled out through the Internet at the National Bahá’í Administrative Web Site, www.usbnc.org (you will need your Bahá’í ID number to log in at this site).

Most new believers in Faith are women, national study shows

Proportion of young adults shows increase

Women continue to be the majority of new believers, according to a recently completed study of adults enrolled in the Bahá’í Faith during 1996 and 1997.

"In this study we were looking for emerging patterns in enrollments of new believers," said Ken Bowers, Secretary of the National Teaching Committee. "We found a number of promising trends."

This study of new believers supplements a general survey of Bahá’í activity conducted by the NTC during 1997, he said. Together, he added, these studies begin to give a sense of the history and trajectory of growth in our community.

EARLIER FINDINGS REAFFIRMED

According to the new believers study, about 63 percent of recent enrollees have been women, which reaffirms earlier findings that women are at the center of Bahá’í growth, Mr. Bowers said.

And while Baby Boomers continue to provide nearly half the new enrollments, representation in younger age ranges is up significantly, Bowers said.

"The proportion of 20-29-year olds [among new enrollees] is up to about 16 percent," he noted, "which is close to this group's share in the U.S. population."

Any increase in this age group is good news for the Faith, as only about 10 percent of the entire Bahá’í community are 20-29-year-olds, Mr. Bowers said. He noted that young people are underrepresented in most American religious communities.

The proportion of women among new believers in almost all age ranges is also higher than their corresponding proportion in the general Bahá’í population, the study shows.

AGE RANGE BREAKDOWN

Among 20-34-year-olds, for example, women account for 68 percent of new believers, compared with 61 percent of total Bahá’ís. Women account for 79 percent of new believers in the 35-44 age range, compared with 65 percent of total Bahá’ís of those ages.

The only ages at which male enrollments predominate are those between 20-29 and over 65. Among the younger set, probably among the contributing factors are that more men are introduced to the Faith by their families and more new believers at that stage have grown up in Bahá’í households.

Fewer new believers in the group surveyed were introduced to the Faith by members of their families. Overall, about 45 percent of Bahá’ís say they learned of the Faith from a family member; only 30 percent of new believers did so.

A larger proportion of new believers were introduced by friends, Bowers said—about 44 percent, compared to 35 percent for Bahá’ís generally. In fact, 50.4 percent of women said they were introduced to the Faith by a friend.

"In this study we were looking for emerging patterns in enrollments of new believers. We found a number of promising trends." -Ken Bowers, secretary of National Teaching Committee

"The implication of this is that individuals are reaching out more in their efforts to proclaim and teach the Bahá’í Faith, which is consistent with other findings as well," Bowers said. "For example, we have also seen increases in the proportions who say they heard of the Faith at work, who receive and read Bahá’í literature, and who became seekers after a visit to the House of Worship."

HIGH LEVEL OF EDUCATION

The level of education attained by new believers continues to be high, according to Bowers. About 37 percent have college degrees, nearly 20 percent are full-time students, and 64 percent have attended college.

New believers continue to cluster in caring professions. Fully 30 percent work in health care or education, while 10 percent are managers.

About half are married and about 12 percent are divorced. The overwhelming majority were divorced before becoming Bahá’ís. A significant number are also single parents.

Interviews for the new believers study were conducted by telephone with 205 individuals selected at random from among Bahá’í adults enrolled between January 1996 and March 1997. [Page 20]

Local success helps stir fresh wave of goal-setting

Ahe recent addition of five new believers through a teaching campaign in the Coral Springs, Florida, community has fueled a new momentum for setting and working on local teaching goals throughout southeastern Florida to go along with the Victory 2000 media campaign.

Coral Springs Bahá’ís have set their sights on: doubling the number of active believers; holding monthly potluck firesides; advertising in local newspapers; arranging to have the Bahá’í Youth Workshop perform at local schools for MLK Day and Black History Month; hosting a Chamber of Commerce breakfast; and offering speakers to clubs and community organizations.

In the recent direct teaching project, teaching teams were instructed to meet people and invite them to a fireside at the home of Joanne and Badi Sabet. The Royal Falcons teaching group mobilized to assist the Coral Springs Bahá’ís.

"Our heroes this day in the teaching field were Gene Pritchard, Bobby, Leila and Ian Schellenberg, Sean Grant, Kamran Grasselly, Ike and Becky Eikevik, John Warner, Jennifer Warner, Badi Sabet, and Robby Davis and his family team of teachers, Lua and Catherine," Mrs. Grant said.

Other communities are setting ambitious goals in the same energized atmosphere.

Fort Lauderdale has established several goals: increase to 95 believers by Ridván; hold 12 teaching events on the last weekend of each month; hold 12 community devotional meetings on the last Sunday morning of each month; hold at least four courses for new believers presented by the consolidation task force; and hold at least six special proclamation events, such as Race Unity Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, United Nations Day, Sistrunk Historical Festival and arts festivals.

In Pembroke Pines, the friends resolve to: hold ongoing weekly firesides; have picnics annually; have booths at various places; work with the women of the Baptist Church; and engage in an ongoing relationship with the media.

Plantation has begun "Project Reach Out" to contact organizations and groups for speakers and presentations about the Faith.

Other community teaching ideas include:

• Mail brochures to interested groups, offering to give talks on topics of interest.
• Conduct family virtues seminars.
• Coordinate radio ads with door-to-door flier distribution, booths, direct teaching for firesides.
• Plan family nights with fun activities once a month.
• Have a welcoming ceremony for new believers.
• Hold regular deepenings for community and new believers.
• Plan a week-long teaching campaign and invite other communities.
• Contact libraries about Bahá’í books and offer to speak on Bahá’í subjects.
• Have a street festival for neighborhood children.
• Hold firesides with guest speakers on open topics.
• Hold potlucks and social gatherings.
• Have a personal teaching plan.
• Hold firesides, firesides, firesides!

As the campaign got under way, the Bahá’í toll-free telephone number was staffed from 8 a.m. to midnight each day. Later that was extended to 24 hours, because some stations broadcast the spots between midnight and 6 a.m. and the friends want to be able to answer calls whenever they come in.

Bahá’ís working a shift take down information on a response log. It records data about the caller, time, and station. If particular information is requested, that is added to the "standard" package of materials the information task force has put together. Those materials include The Bahá’ís magazine, several pamphlets, the addresses of Bahá’í centers in all three counties, and the locations of special weekly firesides and spiritual meetings.

In this way, a caller can be directed to Bahá’ís near his or her home and attend activities that are close by and frequent.

The response log is faxed to the information task force and the information is mailed out the next day. Two weeks later, each caller is contacted to verify that the materials were received and to continue personal contact and teaching.

A statistical analysis is being conducted to help determine which radio stations, spot announcements and times of day are most effective. Phase 2 will begin after this anaylsis has taken place.

If the Odyssey Channel is on a cable TV system where you live, this is the schedule by which The Power of Race Unity will be broadcast in most places (check your local listings to be sure):

99.9 Kiss COUNTRY SELVATION

Victory 2000 steering committee members (from left) Heather Messias, Arlene Philesticker, Sundra Moyyad, Candy Grant and Frank Grant pose with a van for a Miami radio station that has been running Bahá’í spots as part of the media effort.

Television commercials are being planned, as well as the TV program The Power of Race Unity in these subsequent phases.

All of this was enabled by the raising of $50,000 at a "kickoff fund raiser" in September. With 98 percent participation by 300 people attending, the Bahá’ís of south Florida raised the money necessary to mount a sustained media campaign.

The campaign requires the support of the entire community, with teaching plans and focused initiatives to establish one-on-one contact with the general population. So a special conference was held the day after the fund-raiser. Communities consulted and shared their ideas and plans for teaching.

According to Mrs. Grant, the Steering Committee formed special task forces to coordinate the many activities of the campaign: media, information and communications, firesides, teaching, booths and festivals, traveling teachers and speakers' bureau, and consolidation. The idea is to get as many people as possible involved.

In addition, the Victory 2000 Steering Committee Newsletter was created to keep the south Florida community informed of plans, activities and events.

Time zones: Saturday, March 28: Eastern 5:30 p.m. / Central 4:30 p.m. / Mountain 3:30 p.m. / Pacific 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 29: Eastern 8:00 a.m. / Central 7:00 a.m. / Mountain 6:00 a.m. / Pacific 5:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 1: Eastern 1:00 p.m. / Central 12:00 noon / Mountain 11:00 a.m. / Pacific 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 4: Eastern 5:30 p.m. / Central 4:30 p.m. / Mountain 3:30 p.m. / Pacific 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 5: Eastern 8:00 a.m. / Central 7:00 a.m. / Mountain 6:00 a.m. / Pacific 5:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 8: Eastern 1:00 p.m. / Central 12:00 noon / Mountain 11:00 a.m. / Pacific 10:00 a.m.

"Nothing will further your ends more quickly than the greatest love, unity and cooperation amongst yourselves. These are the very soul of the Order Bahá’u’lláh has come to establish in the world and when the people see these qualities and characteristics actively demonstrated in our midst, those who are receptive will hasten to join our ranks. Likewise when they see the lack of these virtues they will hesitate to embrace the Faith however much they may admire its teachings." (Shoghi Effendi, Unfolding Destiny, p. 408) [Page 21]

ENGLISH

Letter to the friends from the Latin-American Task Force

Dear and Esteemed Friends in the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh:

The efforts of the friends in Florida go on. A radio program about the Bahá’í Faith was begun with great success on one of the most powerful stations in the U.S. South—"La Poderosa" (WWFE 670 AM), with a range that extends from Orlando, Florida, into the Caribbean, including Cuba.

Listeners flooded the station with questions in response to the first program, a direct interview about the Faith, so that the program had to be extended by 30 minutes.

This radio program, which will continue to be broadcast 8 p.m. Saturdays, is part of the "Victory 2000" proclamation project organized by all the Bahá’ís of southeastern Florida.

MEETING IN DALLAS

This Task Force met Jan. 30-Feb. 1 in Dallas, Texas, and on the morning of the 31st made a presentation to the Auxiliary Board members of the United States and Continental Counselors meeting there on the focus and plans of this Task Force in its efforts to reach the Latino population with the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

The task force also met with Bahá’í college clubs in the Dallas area, as reaching Hispanic university students across the country is an important teaching consideration. It also consulted with the local Persian-American Affairs Task Force, because of the importance of collaboration between Hispanic and Persian believers.

One effort that will guarantee success in teaching the Hispanic population is united collaboration and coordination among various Bahá’í institutions such as the Regional Bahá’í Councils, Teaching Institutes, Auxiliary Board members, Regional Training Institutes and Local Spiritual Assemblies, as well as groups of interested Bahá’ís and pioneers who have returned from their posts. The movement of local pioneers to Latin America is also important.

BREAKING DOWN STEREOTYPES

All population groups categorized as different from the majority of people are perceived within stereotypes by that majority. The Hispanic population is no exception.

In keeping with our purpose of promoting a better understanding of Hispanic people and culture among the friends, we will address a few of the most common stereotypes:

The idea that people with Spanish names are foreigners or recent immigrants. The fact is, the earliest European colonizers of the United States were Spanish, and their settlements go back to 1565 in St. Augustine, Florida, and 1610 in Santa Fe, New Mexico—both before any important English-speaking colony was established.

Identification of Hispanics as a race. Actually, the Hispanic population does not belong to any single racial category because it is the result of a mixture of various races, from which come its flexibility and capacity to enter into human relations with different ethnic groups.

The assumption that most Hispanics do not speak English or have just recently learned it. In truth, a great percentage of the Hispanic population uses English as its first language and many Hispanics do not speak Spanish.

Until next time, dear friends, we ask the blessings and confirmations of Bahá’u’lláh on all the efforts intended to carry His Message to the Hispanic population of this country.

ESPAÑOL

Carta a los amigos de la Comisión de Trabajo Latinoamericana

Queridos y Estimados Amigos en la Causa de Bahá’u’lláh:

El esfuerzo de los amigos de la Florida continúa. Con gran éxito se inició un programa de radio sobre la Fe Bahá’í, en una de las emisoras mas potentes del sur de los Estados Unidos: "La Poderosa" (WWFE 670 AM) con un alcance que se extiende desde Orlando, Florida, hasta el Caribe, incluyendo Cuba.

Los oyentes inundaron la estación con preguntas en respuesta al primer programa, una entrevista directa acerca de la Fe, de modo que el programa tuvo que extenderse con 30 minutos adicionales.

Este programa de radio, que seguirá transmitiéndose a las 8 p.m. los sábados, es parte del proyecto de proclamación "Victory 2000" organizado por todos los Bahá’ís de la Florida del sureste.

REUNIÓN EN DALLAS

Esta Comisión de Trabajo se reunió en Dallas, Texas, del 30 de enero hasta el 1° de febrero, y en la mañana del 31 hizo una presentación a Consejeros Continentales y miembros del Cuerpo Auxiliar de los Estados Unidos reunidos allí sobre el enfoque y planes de esta Comisión en su esfuerzo por alcanzar la población latina con el Mensaje de Bahá’u’lláh.

También se reunió con los clubs universitarios Bahá’ís del área de Dallas, puesto que una de las consideraciones en la enseñanza es la de alcanzar a los estudiantes universitarios latinoamericanos a través del país. Otra consulta fue con la Comisión Local de Asuntos Persas-Americanos debido a la importancia de colaboración entre los creyentes hispanos y los creyentes persas.

Un esfuerzo que ha de garantizar el éxito en la enseñanza a la población hispana es la unida colaboración y coordinación entre las diferentes instituciones Bahá’ís como los Concilios Regionales Bahá’ís, Institutos de Enseñanza, miembros del Cuerpo Auxiliar, Institutos Regionales de Entrenamiento, Asambleas Espirituales Locales, así como grupos de Bahá’ís interesados y pioneros que han retornado de sus puestos. También es importante la movilización de pioneros locales a Latino América.

REFUTANDO ESTEREOTIPOS

Todos los grupos de población categorizados de ser diferentes de la mayoría de la gente son percibidos dentro de estereotipos por dicha mayoría. La población hispana no es ninguna excepción.

De acuerdo con nuestro propósito de promover mejor comprensión sobre el pueblo y la cultura hispana, nos dirigimos a algunos de los estereotipos más comunes:

• La idea de que las personas con nombres hispanos son extranjeros o inmigrantes recientes. La realidad es que los primeros colonizadores europeos de los Estados Unidos eran de origen hispano y los pueblos que establecieron se remontan al año 1565 en San Agustín, Florida, y 1610 en Santa Fe, Nuevo México—ambos primero que ninguna colonia importante de idioma inglés.

La identificación de los hispanos como una raza. En realidad, la población hispana no pertenece a ninguna categoría racial específica porque es el resultado de una mezcla de varias razas, de donde resulta su flexibilidad y habilidad de entablar relaciones humanas con diferentes grupos étnicos.

• La suposición de que la mayoría de los hispanos no habla inglés o que lo aprendieron recientemente. En realidad, un gran porcentaje de la población hispana utiliza el inglés como su primer idioma y muchos hispanos no hablan español.

Hasta la próxima, queridos amigos, pedimos las bendiciones y confirmaciones de Bahá’u’lláh sobre todos los esfuerzos encaminados a llevar Su Mensaje a la población hispana de este país.

THE U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Administrative Web Site HTTP://WWW.USBNC.ORG

HOME News headlines and announcements. Your window to what's happening in the U.S. Bahá’í community.

NSA DEPARTMENTS Descriptions of the departments and agencies that serve the National Assembly along with answers to questions they are most frequently asked by the friends.

real audio Using the Real Audio Player you can now hear audio Feast messages and other programs on your computer!

NEWS The most current letters from the National Assembly as well as the Universal House of Justice. [Page 22]

Service project helps a Zambian village stay on its feet

A family connection across the Atlantic helped inspire the Bahá’í group of Wayne County, New York, to provide timely assistance for a small farming village in Africa.

Chilundika, Zambia, was devastated last spring when too much rain washed away almost all the crops planted by villagers. At that point, very little could be replanted with any hope of a successful harvest. Without outside help, this village faced a bleak and hungry winter.

The Wayne County community found out about the problems through their connection to Godfrey Banda, leader of Chilundika village, who traveled to Sodus, New York, last year to visit his daughter Betty Dibble, a Bahá’í, and her family.

Mr. Banda and his wife, Margaret, visited churches and Bahá’í communities throughout the greater Rochester area, sharing stories and Zambian music. He also told the friends of the problems in getting aid to his village.

Sending money or goods was not enough. Mailed items might be delayed for weeks, might not make it to the village, or might be subject to a handling fee too steep for villagers to pay. Something was needed to provide the village the ability to feed itself.

One solution was within the reach of the Bahá’ís: a corn grinder to help the village produce corn meal.

A fund was established and a loan taken out. Once the funds were available in July, Betty Dibble and her sister-in-law Judy Green traveled to Zambia. They bought not only the corn grinder, but also a sunflower seed oil press and the transportation for both to Chilundika through Lusaka, the capital.

"Word had spread. Villagers from miles around knew the Bahá’ís were doing this," a news release from the Bahá’í group said. "Once it arrived and was set up in the village, Mr. Banda turned it on to test it for a few minutes. From that point on, there was no stopping it.

"People and their corn appeared, literally coming out of the bushes from miles around. It operated nonstop that first day, grinding corn and helping to feed a village. People would pay with cash or with corn to get their corn ground or their sunflower seeds pressed to create cooking oil. People in line would suddenly start dancing or singing in thanksgiving for the corn grinder and praising the Bahá’ís for feeding them."

Since then, the Wayne County group reports, the corn grinder and the oil press have run from sunrise to sunset every day, earning the village money and stimulating trade with nearby villages.

The Wayne County Bahá’ís are still working on raising funds to pay off the loan, but they report the village is assured of food and money to get through the winter.

A church group gathers recently at Chilundika village, Zambia, which has benefited from a service project of the Bahá’ís of Wayne County, New York.

Children enthusiastically present drama, songs and poems on Bahá’í themes at the first Children's Conference in October at the Ruhiyyih Bahá’í School in Jorebunglow, India, organized by the Himalayan Bahá’í Council.

TEACHING

• Côte d'Ivoire/Guinea: The second phase of the "Audace" teaching project in the Danané region of Côte d'Ivoire proved audacious indeed, as 15 teachers traveling from Europe joined 50 local believers to newly connect the hearts of 2,670 people to Bahá’u’lláh. The seven weeks of activity in July and August opened 144 new localities, of which 48 are already up to Assembly strength.

One goal of the second phase was to strengthen the more than 100 communities opened the previous summer in the first phase of the project, deepen new believers, and extend teaching activities to virgin territories. Ultimately it aims to expand teaching not only to other regions of the country, but to neighboring Guinea and Liberia as well.

Last fall, a member of the National Assembly of Côte d'Ivoire traveled through central regions of Guinea in a four-week project that resulted in 50 declarations of faith in the central Labe and Zerekore regions.

• Mongolia: An entire soccer team embraced the Faith at a tournament organized last spring by the Local Spiritual Assembly of Darkhan. Six local teams took part in the competition, accepting the "no alcohol during games" rule and hearing talks on unity, friendship and justice. After closing ceremonies, all 25 young men on the Selenge team accepted Bahá’u’lláh.

• Vanuatu: An effort by Counselor Afemata Moli Chang last fall furthered the Ocean of Light project for teaching the Faith to Pacific Islanders. Mr. Chang met with chiefs on Efate and Tanna islands to proclaim the Faith, offering customary gifts to councils of chiefs.

EDUCATION

• India: The first ever Ruhi training course for women only in Orissa state was held in September at the locality of Bapalmendi Gram Panchayat.

"Although the Local Assembly is located in a purely tribal area, the women who participated in the course are very active and are in the forefront of activities," a report from the State Bahá’í Council said.

• Russia: A deepening course in the village of Mikhailovka in the western Kalinin region more than doubled the size of the local Bahá’í community. Seven guests of the Bahá’ís declared their faith at the end of the session. The community previously had six members.

DEVELOPMENT

• Argentina: The First Native Peoples Meeting of the Conosur region in Puerto Tirol brought together Bahá’ís representing seven indigenous peoples in November, to find ways of advancing the process of entry by troops. The attendees discussed their histories and prophecies, and it was proposed they be compiled and distributed to help the teaching efforts.

• Ireland: The Faith was represented for the first time at the inauguration of a president of Ireland on Nov. 11. National Spiritual Assembly Chairman Brendan McNamara was seated with religious representatives and was a guest of the prime minister at a later reception.

SPECIAL EVENTS

• Western Samoa: Festivities for the Anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh Nov. 11-12 at the House of Worship in Apia set the stage for a four-minute news segment broadcast by TV Samoa. Interviewed on the Temple grounds, where the celebration included music and games, were the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly as well as children, who "managed to answer [questions] in a brilliant way."

• South Africa: President Nelson Mandela sent a message to the Nov. 14 observance of the Anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, hosted by the national Office of External Affairs. The message read in part, "Your community's pursuit of national and global unity and peace are pursuits and welcome initiatives."

ARTS

• Kazakhstan: About 130 Bahá’ís from nine countries—artists, musicians, dancers, actors, composers, writers and singers—attended a 15-day course in Almaty on using the performing arts to promote entry by troops. The October conference came a little over a month after a ground-breaking "Bahá’ís for Peace" concert drew more than 600 people in Kzyl-Orda.

• Uganda: A proclamation with music and drama, attended by about 700 people, helped launch the Kampala Bahá’í Teaching Project. The program included a dramatic presentation on progressive revelation, with music between acts led by a former member of the World Congress choir. [Page 23]

Orlando Youth Conference

The annual Bahá’í Conference on Social and Economic Development for the Americas, held in Orlando, Florida, was once again a huge success. This year, the conference attracted about 70 participants in its youth and young adults program. They explored themes such as the growth and development of the Faith, and the role of youth in this process.

Youths were privileged to hear from former House of Justice member Dr. David Ruhe and Mrs. Margaret Ruhe. Their discussions revolved around themes such as how a period of service can serve as "a rite of passage" to a lifetime of service to humanity, and how youth must learn to use the power of utterance to proclaim the teachings of the Cause.

Inspiring youth with the courage to serve, Counselor Eloy Anello facilitated a discussion on the Bahá’í conceptual framework of development as outlined in the document The Prosperity of Humankind. Dr. Anello stressed that in order for youths to transform their existing patterns of thought about development, they must begin by developing the seven capacities outlined in the Ridván 153 message.

At the close of the program, Colby Lenz spoke on the "Role of Youth in Building Bahá’í Communities of Service," offering a thought-provoking examination of our deeds and words. She challenged youth to explore the issues of racism and gender equality with like-minded individuals and institutions that may not be Bahá’ís. Instead of having the usual conference dance for entertainment, the youths engaged in what was designed to be a spontaneous and creative night of sharing and learning. It began with creation of a house band on the spot, complete with drums (pots) provided by the hotel restaurant and played by members of the audience, while a professional pianist, bass guitarist and trumpeter completed the quartet. The intent was to break down the traditional barrier between audience and performer, and to create a learning space where all felt able to join together in a spirit of friendship and unity.

Washington, D.C. Youth Conference

More than 600 people from all over the United States and abroad attended the 14th annual Washington, D.C. Thanksgiving Youth Conference titled "Obeying the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh." The speakers and workshop leaders focused on different aspects of the Covenant, laws of marriage, equality between the sexes, Bahá’í views on social issues such as homosexuality and abortion, life after death, teaching and conflict resolution.

The conference began Nov. 27 with a special program dedicated to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Center of the Covenant. Amid a candle-lit, flower-laden, rose-scented room, the participants in the commemoration program heard the readings read at the World Center program along with a recorded prayer chanted by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. With a renewed spirit, the youths learned about the heroes and heroines of the Faith, watching a dramatic presentation by local youths on the lives of Mona, Badí’, Táhirih and Juliet Thompson.

Saturday's morning program became a stepping stone in the reignition of the "youth movement" in the States, a period in the mid-'80s when the contagious dedication and spirit of youth to serve the Faith brought about changes in the lives of many young people, affecting the entire Bahá’í community. Several youths, ranging in age from 7 to 30, in a panel discussion addressed the conference with heartfelt openness regarding their experiences, ordeals and successes as Bahá’í youths. The first youth who spoke lighted a candle, then used it to light the candle of the next youth who was to address the audience. After the talks ended, the Auxiliary Board members made a very important request of the audience: Pointing to a table of unlit candles, they asked every person who was rededicating his or her life to serving Bahá’u’lláh to stand, come forward and light a candle. Within minutes, youths rushed forth to the stage and all the candles were lighted. The audience was then divided into groups by their home states to consult and devise plans of action to teach and live the life of Bahá’u’lláh upon returning home. As a result, the youths from the Northeastern States delineated specific goals in response to the Four Year Plan and submitted this commitment as a letter to the Regional Council for the Northeastern States.

To symbolically spread the fire ignited at the conference to other youth across the country, special buttons were distributed. Representing the Black Standard, the buttons had a white nine-pointed star against a black background. Each youth received two buttons: one to wear and one to give away to a youth who was not at the conference. In addition to holding a proclamation event Saturday night, the youths contributed $12,500 to the National Bahá’í Fund.

Calling Isolated Youth

The National Youth Committee is eager to hear from or about youths who are isolated in the Bahá’í community—separated by distance from other Bahá’ís, or perhaps the only youths in their community. We would like to help them find ways to connect with other Bahá’í youths around the country. Please contact the National Youth Committee.

Musicians Sought for Hidden Words Project

The Hidden Words has served as an amazing tool in teaching and deepening. The Central Figures have always exhorted us to commit the Writings to memory. With this in mind, an initiative has begun to set the entire Hidden Words to music. Talented and dedicated musicians, especially youth, both professional and amateur, are being sought to contribute to this national campaign. The goal of this project is to provide the friends with a tool with which to more easily commit this invaluable work to memory. Those interested in contributing please send your name, address, phone/fax or e-mail to: Samyar Bukovcan, Warwick, NY 10990 (e-mail by April 9.

MIT Junior Summit

Children with and without computer technology are invited to participate in the MIT Junior Summit, a global movement for children to change the future by participating in a six-month online forum, centered around a week-long international summit. The goal is to bring lifelong benefits back to children and their communities. For application information, see the Web site http://www.jrsummit.net or e-mail. Hard copies of the entry form in several languages may be requested by sending e-mail to the above address or a fax to 617-253-6215.

New Publication

If you would like to receive Fertile Field, a monthly campus club newsletter for college Bahá’í clubs, please contact the National Youth Committee with your e-mail and snail-mail addresses. [Page 24]

PROMOTING the PRINCIPLES

Bahá’ís across country pay tribute to King’s dream

Work for unity brings involvement, recognition

For the past few years, Bahá’ís all across the country have been encouraged to support Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January and contribute to activities in honor of the late civil rights leader and the vision of race unity.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA

Bahá’ís were an integral part of Washington, D.C., area celebrations Jan. 15-18, surrounding Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The city of Alexandria, which had asked specifically for a Bahá’í speaker to present a unifying message at the interfaith memorial service Jan. 15, welcomed in that role Robert C. Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly.

The mayor of Alexandria and other government officials, as well as religious leaders in the city, were among the racially diverse crowd for the televised speech, for which Dr. Henderson received numerous cheers and a standing ovation at the end. Another Bahá’í, event planning committee member Heitha Beane, acted as mistress of ceremonies for the memorial service.

The Bahá’ís of Alexandria report that the community gained contacts with many prominent people at the event, and could develop a partnership with the mayor's office to begin dialogues on race unity.

Three days later, the center court of the city's largest mall was the scene of more than four hours' performances by the Washington and Virginia Youth Workshops, singer Kala Cote and jazz pianist Chris Keller. Youth handed hundreds of spectators copies of The Vision of Race Unity.

Nearby, Bahá’ís in Mount Vernon helped stage the fourth annual Choir Festival in memory of Martin Luther King Jr. through their involvement in an interfaith organization called Ventures in Community.

Guest director Van Gilmer led the Metropolitan Washington Bahá’í Chorale in one of the festival performances, with the highlight being a new composition, "Cause Me to Taste," containing the words of Bahá’u’lláh from one of the long prayers for the Fast.

"All 1,000 members of the audience spontaneously rose to their feet in the only such display for any of the individual choirs that evening," a report from the Mount Vernon community states.

SALINAS, CALIFORNIA

Preparation, quick thinking and polite assertiveness helped the Bahá’ís of the Monterey Bay area ensure that the name of Bahá’u’lláh was proclaimed at the local Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration.

The Spiritual Assembly of Prunedale worked with the local NAACP chapter to include three dances by the Bay Area Bahá’í Dance Workshop in a program in Salinas, which featured a keynote speech, a gospel choir, a musical tribute and a final prayer—with a rabbi as master of ceremonies.

As the program began, a Bahá’í checked with the program director and found that the written introduction for the Bahá’í Workshop and the significance of their dances had been lost. He immediately drove home and retrieved his copy of the information, delivering it just in time for the performance.

The dance workshop brought a crowd of several hundred to their feet in applause. By mistake the master of ceremonies started to continue the program after one dance, but the workshop quickly sent word that its pause was only for a quick costume change. Two more dances by the workshop again brought the crowd to its feet.

At the program's close, the rabbi stated that he would finish with the Bahá’í prayer printed on the back of the program.

To top it off, the next day a local newspaper had an 8-by-6-inch front-page picture of the Dance Workshop's performance.

DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA

Two parades in the Miami area had a quite visible Bahá’í presence—on the same day.

In Miami, one of the largest King Day parades in the country proceeded before an in-person crowd estimated at 400,000.

A car adorned with various Bahá’í posters was driven along the route with a banner carried ahead that read: "The earth is one country and mankind its citizens/The Bahá’í Faith, a model for unity." The interracial group of seven Bahá’ís greeted the crowd, proclaimed the name of Bahá’u’lláh aloud, and handed out more than 1,000 pamphlets on race unity and the future of humanity.

Later, the banner was shown on local television coverage of the parade.

In the South Miami parade and festival for King Day, the Bahá’ís were among about 30 organizations and bands participating. More than 2,500 people received the proclamation, and literature including The Vision of Race Unity statement was presented to the mayor of South Miami.

SAGINAW, MICHIGAN

The black and white religious communities of Saginaw were determined to come together, and the Bahá’ís were invited to help make it happen.

The Ezekiel Group, a multiracial organization of local religious leaders, invited two Bahá’ís to serve on a committee for a reconciliation service the weekend before Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s prayer for mankind was used as the prayer of benediction during the service at Zion Missionary Baptist Church, which drew members of 200 local churches as participants. This prayer was announced from the pulpit as part of the Bahá’í vision.

The friends also were allowed to pass out 200 fliers on Bahá’í-sponsored events.

The Ezekiel Group had been formed by local Christian clergy after white religious leaders were distressed to find some suspicions and anger among black pastors.

DENVER, COLORADO

Karen Fallahi, a Bahá’í from Larkspur, Colorado, was recognized as a Martin Luther King Humanitarian for her volunteer service to individuals and families whose lives have been influenced by manic depression.

She was one of 10 recipients of this year's awards, bestowed by the Colorado King Holiday Commission at an awards ceremony and Colorado Symphony Orchestra concert Jan. 14 in Denver.

Ms. Fallahi was honored for her work in founding the Colorado Springs Chapter of the Depressive and Manic Depressive Association, initiating a self-help group for friends and families called "Initiatives," setting up a "Warm Line" and opening a consumer resource center.

This "empathetic dynamo" managed to turn grief into energy after her 25-year-old son, Erik, died in 1993 after a decade of battling the mood disorder.

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

The Western New York Bahá’í Youth Workshop earned the applause of thousands at the 19th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration held at Shea's Theater and Performing Arts Center in Buffalo.

Borrowing from the African-American fraternity "step" tradition, the workshop performed a "Martyr's Step Dance" after an introduction by Christopher Delaney that included a brief statement about the Faith and the martyrdom of the Bab.

The audience of about 5,000 reacted with several bursts of applause during the performance by the interracial workshop, which has members from the Rochester, Buffalo, Tanawanda and Amherst areas.

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA

Fifteen residents of the Santa Clara Valley, including a Bahá’í, were honored for extraordinary service to their communities at the Martin Luther King Jr. birthday celebration in San Jose, which was attended more the 480, including the mayor of San Jose and several other dignitaries.

Sue Mox, a Bahá’í from San Jose, was one of the 15 honorees for her work in youth development.

Paymon Zarghami, a 15-year-old Bahá’í, received a standing ovation for his keynote speech on "Slavery and its Root Causes," based on a talk by Frederick Douglass, the 19th-century speaker and writer. [Page 25]

Prayer event blooms from 2 years' work

Two years' work by the Bahá’ís of Upland, California, resulted in a gathering of 150 local dignitaries and citizens at the second annual Upland Prayer Breakfast, with Wilma Ellis, member of the Continental Board of Counselors, presenting a keynote speech on religious freedom and the "global family." The event was sponsored by the Upland Interfaith Council, organized through the energy of the Bahá’ís to bring together various religious congregations, civic organizations, local government and business and service groups.

"The Bahá’í Faith has chaired the committee for this event for the past two years, and under the theme 'unity in community' has made a remarkable progress in eliminating barriers of prejudice which have long impacted the diversified spiritual heritage of Upland," a report on the event says.

"Additionally, by sponsoring community events and educational and service projects through Upland Interfaith Council, the member faiths have finally managed to gain the trust and support of the local government, which historically resisted any and all movements of this nature, when initiated by one particular religious group."

The Upland High School Madrigals perform at an interfaith prayer breakfast arranged in part by Bahá’ís in Upland, California. Local photo

In her talk, Dr. Ellis reported on her role on the State Department's newly formed Advisory Committee on Religious Freedom Abroad, and spoke of an imminent and urgent need for humanity to come together as members of one family. She commended the efforts of communities such as Upland in giving true meaning to the realization and promotion of the concept of a "global family."

The program also featured a Bahá’í chant by Susan Millett of Rancho Cucamonga, recitations from the Holy Qur’an, talks and prayers offered by leaders of the community and various Christian congregations. The program ended with an inspirational choral performance by the Upland High School Madrigals.

KING DAY, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

African-American abolitionist. Paymon has been the keynote speaker for this event for past three years and is invited to next year's ceremony.

The event was sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Santa Clara Valley Inc., a support group for the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Its board includes Bahá’ís from San Jose and other Bay Area localities. Many Bahá’ís also were among the 20,000 marchers in the Freedom Train Ride from San Jose to San Francisco, which symbolizes the 50-mile walk Dr. King took from Selma to Montgomery. The march was sponsored by the Glide Church in San Francisco.

NORTHERN GEORGIA

Bahá’ís in northern Georgia figured prominently in three local Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations.

In Dalton, Ralph and April Breckle were honored with the Bishop C.H. Ellison Community Service Award during the city's King celebration banquet Jan. 10.

The Breckles were honored for their 12-year membership on the King Celebration Committee. They are the first married couple and first European-Americans presented with the award. The presentation was made by Bishop Nickey Starling during a banquet at Dalton St. James Church of God.

In the state's northeast corner, friends from Banks and Hall counties made up the bulk of 100 marchers participating in the 12th annual Northeast Georgia Peace Walk Jan. 18 in the small Habersham County town of Cornelia, Georgia.

Bahá’í Jake Hendrix, a Cornelia police officer who lives in Hall County, was quoted in an account published the next day in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "We don't have many problems here because we're small," Hendrix told reporter Devi Sen Laskar. "We're a cohesive community in a diverse county, but we're growing and we want to head off problems before they begin to arrive."

On Jan. 19, the Bahá’ís traveled to Gainesville in Hall County to participate in a King Day march and program at the E.E. Butler Center.

Friends step up to 'pinch-hit'

Each year the Jewish community through B'nai B'rith provides volunteers on Christmas Day to Atlanta-area hospitals. These volunteers fill in while Christians take time off to enjoy their Holy Day.

This year the Atlanta Bahá’í community participated in B'nai B'rith's "Pinch Hitter" program at several area hospitals, including Emory, Georgia Baptist, Crawford Long, Gwinnett Medical, and the VA Hospital.

Individual Bahá’ís have volunteered in the past. This year Bahá’ís organized to offer a block of volunteers to B'nai B'rith. Fifteen Bahá’ís worked across three shifts throughout Christmas Day and helped out at the nurses' stations and in the cafeterias, swept the floors and did whatever needed to be done.

"I read about the Jewish community volunteering for the Christians last year in the paper, and I've been thinking about it ever since," said Kathleen Jones of Lawrenceville, area Bahá’í service project coordinator.

Another Bahá’í volunteer, Paulette Trail, noted, "As Bahá’ís, we believe that family unity is very important, and this service provides us with an opportunity to help our Christian brothers and sisters spend time with their families. It just makes sense to me."

"The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens."

The Baha’i Faith: a model for unity

Bahá’ís in Miami, Florida, pose with the banner that was carried in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in their city, which was seen in person by about 400,000. The banner was shown on local TV coverage of the parade. Local photo

SANFORD, FLORIDA

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Steering Committee of Sanford, near Orlando, presented Benjamin Levy with its 1998 Brotherhood Award Jan. 17 for "having consistently demonstrated that you embrace Dr. King's philosophy by your dedication and commitment in assisting your fellow man in enhancing racial harmony."

A member of the Bahá’í community of Seminole County West, Mr. Levy is a trustee of the Rabbani Charitable Trust. He and his wife, Francine, have served on the MLK Steering Committee since it was established 11 years ago. The following afternoon, Bahá’í scriptures were read at an interfaith service commemorating Dr. King. [Page 26]

Turning the tables

At a workshop to train tutors for English as a second language, Lena Statsenko teaches participants some basics in Russian to show them the viewpoint of someone learning English for the first time. The Spiritual Assembly of Morgantown, West Virginia, co-sponsored the Dec. 19-22 workshop with the West Virginia University Foreign Language Department and the Literacy Volunteers of Monongalia County. Thirteen tutors from four states were certified in the Laubach method at the workshop. Local photo

Clinic in rural Arizona envisioned as unifying

BY TOM MENNILLO

Hannah Rishel has long dreamt of opening a Bahá’í-run health clinic that integrates Western and natural approaches to healing.

The clinic finally is up and running, in tiny Joseph City, Arizona, about an hour’s drive west of the Native American Bahá’í Institute.

An integrative approach to medicine remains far on the horizon, however. It awaits the participation of Bahá’í and other alternative health-care providers.

"Right now we’re just getting established," said Rishel, a physician. "We hope the clinic gains its own character as people integrate into it."

That could take some time.

The area offers vivid natural beauty and a good school system with a rich mix of "Anglo," Hispanic, African-American and American Indian students. Housing is inexpensive. One area Bahá’í community has a Spiritual Assembly and another is close to achieving that status. Larger cities such as Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Flagstaff, Arizona, are only hours away along Interstate 40.

But Navajo County is among the 10 poorest in the United States, making it a poor draw for health professionals. Rishel herself came to the area a decade ago through the National Health Service Corp.

Still, interest is being expressed in the clinic. A naturopathic practitioner in Oregon plans to relocate there in the spring if she gains Arizona licensure. A physician’s assistant/counselor has come on board and another family counselor may follow, especially as a Family Resource Center concept is developed.

The clinic, situated in an old restaurant alongside old Route 66, is busy enough. This winter the area’s busiest physician died and left lots of business. Rishel also had patients she treated via house call between the time she left her previous employer and the clinic’s November 1997 opening.

The Bahá’í Faith is not overtly a presence in the clinic, despite posters on the walls and mentions of the Faith and its principles in the brochure.

Rishel sees the clinic, rather, as a social and economic development project. "It is not easy to directly teach in this area, but the people respond to service and genuineness," she said.

The need for such a project was discussed extensively the past two summers in "Unifying the Paths to Healing" workshops held at NABI during the annual pow-wow. Those participants have urged Rishel and her husband, Brad, along and remain a source of advice and moral support.

Rishel remains confident the clinic’s potential ultimately will be achieved. "There is an interest here in healing in different forms," she said. "And we have the Bahá’í principles on health. Who knows where it will go?"

"It is not easy to directly teach in this area, but the people respond to service and genuineness." —Hannah Rishel, physician in Joseph City, Arizona

Physician shares perspectives of the Faith in series of conferences across southern Asia

A whirlwind November tour of India and Nepal afforded Athens-area Bahá’í Elizabeth L. Bowen an opportunity to share the Faith’s perspectives on health policy, the environment and the advancement of women with hundreds of leaders of thought.

Bowen, a physician and health educator, has represented the Bahá’í International Community at several international summits and conferences in recent years. On this 20-day trip she built on contacts and friendships she had previously made with many representatives of institutions and non-governmental organizations.

She spoke at several conferences, including one on "Creating Violence-Free Families" hosted by the Bahá’í Women’s Committee in Varanasi. She consulted with health professionals, educators, and literacy workers. And she led firesides and deepenings on many topics.

Media interest led to frequent interviews for newspaper articles and television programs. Local Bahá’ís will follow up with the journalists to obtain further coverage of social and economic development programs inspired by Bahá’í principles.

Bring this issue of The American Bahá’í to Feast!

Information presented in The American Bahá’í can be used by Assemblies and groups to inspire and focus consultation at the Nineteen Day Feast. For example, there are stories in this issue on:

• How to coordinate local teaching efforts with the national plan.
• Developing awareness of the verities of the Funds of the Faith.
• Social/economic development.
• Promoting public awareness of the Faith.

Environment partnership offers interfaith calendar

The United Nations Environment Program’s Interfaith Partnership for the Environment, of which the National Spiritual Assembly is a member, has produced an interfaith calendar poster that is available for general distribution.

The 24-by-36-inch poster contains a 1998 calendar with several images of the ocean and its life—this year’s U.N. environmental theme.

It lists holy days throughout the year from these traditions: Aboriginal spirituality, Bahá’í, Buddhist, Christian (Western and Orthodox), Hindu, Islam, Jain, Jewish, Shinto and Sikh. It also lists dates of significance to the U.N. Environmental Program.

The attractive calendar is available for $5, including shipping, through the Bahá’í US/UN Office, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120, New York, N.Y. 10017.

For more information or materials on involving Bahá’í communities in U.N.-related activities, contact the US/UN Office at the above address (or phone 212-803-2500, fax 212-803-2573). [Page 27]

CLASSIFIED

Classified notices in The American Bahá’í are published free of charge to the Bahá’í community. Because of this, notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or commercial ads are accepted. Some of the opportunities have not been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly; the friends should exercise judgment and care in responding.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AT THE BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER

Recruiting Specialist, Department of Human Resources: Identifies the staffing needs of the national Bahá’í administrative offices and agencies, and ensures those needs are quickly and efficiently filled with personnel who meet both the technical/professional requirements of the position(s) and the organizational standards of a spirit of service to the National Spiritual Assembly. Needs exceptional interpersonal skills that include courtesy, warmth, hospitality, tact, diplomacy in relaying sensitive information. Must be multi-tasked, extremely flexible, and able to respond to constant change with a kind and loving attitude. Background in recruiting desirable. Should be able to use WordPerfect and Word for Windows.

LSA Service Specialist, Office of the Treasurer and Development: Provides Local Spiritual Assemblies with a single entry point for questions on development and accounting issues. Meets a broad range of Local Assembly needs, including assistance or suggestions on managing the local Fund and on relating local concerns to the senior funds of the Faith; helping believers with questions and concerns about the Funds; and gathering feedback from Assemblies and believers in order to improve Treasury communication and program quality. Must be well-grounded in the fundamental verities of the Faith; have exceptional written and oral communication skills, supported by advanced computer skills; and be able to coordinate many tasks simultaneously. Prefer at least a bachelor's degree in human service-related field, and experience in program design and management.

If interested in any of the above positions, please mail or fax updated résumé to the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430).

AT THE WILMETTE INSTITUTE

The Wilmette Institute needs someone to serve as coordinator for its summer session, July 18-Aug. 8. Must be mature, deepened, and responsible; have excellent communications skills; be able to reside in the dormitory all three weeks; and be experienced at advising students, providing deepenings, and coordinating events. The person should arrive at least a week early to help with registration and setting up the dormitory. Compensation includes transportation to and from Wilmette, housing, meals and a modest honorarium. The coordinator will be able to attend some classes. A mature couple would be ideal. For more information contact Robert Stockman (phone 847-733-3425, e-mail

AT NATIVE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í INSTITUTE

Maintenance worker needed at the Native American Bahá’í Institute. Should have some knowledge of building construction and repair. Please send résumé to Joel Orona at NABI, Box 3167, Houck, AZ 86506 (phone 520-587-7599, fax 520-521-1063) and a résumé to the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430).

Critical Needs at the Bahá’í World Center

THE MOUNT CARMEL PROJECTS, constructing the buildings and terraces of the Arc in Haifa, Israel, continue to have a critical need for these personnel:

• Executive secretary. For the Office of the Project Manager in the Holy Land. Candidates are required to work in a culturally diverse environment, be fully computer literate, and possess excellent English skills.

• Industrial/commercial electrician. Needs experience in outdoor lighting distribution systems, general lighting control and power maintenance. Experience in high-tension and large cable installation is highly desirable.

• Mechanical/electrical technician. Needs experience in refrigeration and HVAC maintenance.

• Professional plumber. Needs experience in all aspects of the trade, including drainage, fittings, etc.

• Horticulturist for expanding formal gardens. Experience in gardens and general horticulture preferred.

• Professional gardener. Needs experience in general aspects of formal or informal gardens.

To apply, please mail or fax your résumé to Mount Carmel Projects, Project Manager's Office, P.O. Box 155, 31 001 Haifa, Israel (phone 972 (4) 835-8358, fax 972 (4) 835-8437, e-mail

AT THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, WASHINGTON, D.C.

NGO Liaison/Assistant to the National Committee for the Advancement of Women: Represents the National Spiritual Assembly on a broad range of women's issues with other national non-governmental organizations (NGOs), federal government agencies and offices, and leaders of thought. As necessary, communicates National Assembly policies on the equality of women and men to the U.S. Bahá’í community. Provides administrative support for the Committee for Advancement of Women, coordinates dissemination of the statement Two Wings of a Bird: the Equality of Women and Men, represents the committee at meetings and conferences, and conducts research on the status of women within the Bahá’í community and in U.S. society. Must show knowledge and experience in applying Bahá’í principles to the problems of society, especially concerning the advancement of women. Must have a bachelor's degree; an advanced degree is desired in women's studies, social sciences, political science, international relations or related field. Two to five years' work experience is essential; must have word processing skills, preferably Word. If interested, contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430).

AT BOSCH BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL

Assistant facilities manager sought for Bosch Bahá’í School. Responsible for maintenance of buildings, grounds, equipment and vehicles for Bosch; helps direct the work of volunteers. Responsible for creating and maintaining operating procedures and system documentation. Works on all renovation, repair, restoration and new construction. Must have knowledge and skills in building and equipment maintenance, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, roofing, painting, masonry, etc. Strongly prefer applicant with five years' experience in facility management (hotel, motel, school, condominium, light industrial plant, etc.), with at least three years supervising three or more workers. Basic computer literacy (database, spreadsheet, word processing) is necessary; CAD experience desirable. Organization and consultation skills, flexibility and enthusiasm are essential. Building contractor experience very desirable. Vehicle maintenance skills desirable. Contact Mark J. Bedford, Co-Administrator, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, e-mail

(UNFIPA). Central African Republic- Population development (UNFIPA). Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)-Information systems specialist. Eritrea-Advisers for international health management firm. Ethiopia Self-supporting volunteer to help the National Assembly secretary and to train a replacement; agricultural economist, assistant director of sustainable production systems. Ghana-Director, regional enterprise manager for CI. Kenya, research scientist (ILRI), director of finance and administration (ICRAF). Mauritius Chief executive for stock exchange. Namibia Project coordinator (HR development). Nigeria-Program office for arts, culture and media grant-making program in Western Africa, concession contract for water supplies. Rwanda Health program manager, PHC trainer, technical assistant for district health facilities, income generating program coordinator. South Africa-Tertiary educational specialist, Donald Gordon Fellowship in research methodology. Swaziland Environmental economist. Tanzania Project adviser. Zambia- Teachers. Zimbabwe-Project development coordinator, disaster mitigation and preparedness coordinator, Africa monetization technical adviser.

AMERICAS: Argentina-Management services contractors. Bolivia-Senior program officer (WWF). Canada Health economist. Chile-Program officer. Colombia Business development officer, economist (CIAT). Haiti-Field director (NDI). Honduras-teachers, language arts teacher. Mexico-Social sector development specialist, community service program (AFSC). Trinidad and Tobago Health program: communica-

AT BAHÁ’Í DISTRIBUTION SERVICE

tions coordinator, National Ambulance Service development manager, information systems/technology project director, A customer service representative is needed at the Bahá’í Distribution Service in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The representative will facilitate the distribution of Bahá’í literature and other products by timely data entry of telephone, fax and mail orders; respond to requests for information about accounts, publications and other materials; investigate and resolve customer complaints in a timely manner; and prepare timely correspondence. Ability to accurately pack up to several hundred orders per day is essential. For information or an application, contact the Office of Human Resources, National Community Care Development project manager. Turks & Caicos Government doctor. Venezuela-Computer outlet store for sale. 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430).

AT LOUIS G. GREGORY BAHÁ’Í INSTITUTE

Teaching-Education coordinator needed at Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute in Hemingway, South Carolina. Responsible for planning, implementation and evaluation of all teaching and education programs at the Institute. Four years' administrative/management experience and a graduate degree in education, management or a comparable field desired. Maintenance worker also needed. Should have knowledge of building construction and repair. For information or applications, please contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430).

INTERNATIONAL

Opportunities in China: Numerous openings for teachers of English. Professionals needed to serve in rapidly developing China. Many social and economic development opportunities! For more information contact Susan Senchuk (phone 847-733-3506, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail

PIONEERING/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: Angola-Project coordinator (agricultural development), agricultural coordinator, IMC site manager, water construction manager, immunization (EPI) trainer, maternal child health trainer, primary health care nurse. Botswana Senior research officer and principal research officers (bank). Burkina Faso Economist and epidemiologist. Burundi -Population development

ASIA: Armenia-Small business lending specialist, finance delegate, technical construction delegate, contracting specialist. Azerbaijan Community health education manager, field coordinator, administrative officer, country director for IRC. Cambodia Disaster preparedness delegate, HIV/AIDS program adviser (WB). India Vice-Principal for the New Era High School, program manager. Japan- ESL teachers. Kazakhstan-Country representative for ACDI/VOCA. Korea Program manager (computer/telecommunications). Kyrgyzstan Finance and administrative manager. Macau-Teachers. Sakhalin (Russia) Teachers. Nepal-Microfinance officer. Philippines-IRRI director-general. South Asia-Development managers. Taiwan Teachers. Uzbekistan Country Director (OSI).

AUSTRALASIA: Australia Professor of economics, secretary-general (CIVICUS), postdoctoral fellowship/research fellowship in international relations. Mariana Islands-Physician at a health center on Rota. New Zealand-Lecturer in economics. Papua New Guinea- Senior program manager (UN). Solomon Islands Custodians at the Bahá’í Center. Western Caroline Islands-Self-supporting assistant to the National Assembly secretary.

EUROPE: Austria-Legal officer (IAEA). Czech Republic Primary and secondary teachers in mathematics, science, humanities, Spanish, English as a secondary language. France-Marketing manager, head of media relations. Germany Social workers, registered nurses for advocacy programs on bases. Hungary University lecturers and professors for CEP, head of office (IOM). Italy Agricultural officer, information officer for TV, legal officer, personnel officers (legal matters and other), statistician, [Page 28]food security officer for FAO, project leader (CGIAR), weather and climate Specialists. Kosovo Project directors, nurses, nurse midwives, obstetricians, child psychologists, pediartic neurolo- gists, child welfare specialists, epidemiol- ogists (DOW). Luxembourg- Lending/credit specialist (EIB). Nether- lands Water enterprise development professional, director-general. Poland- Junior lecturer in public policy. Portugal Consultants in agricultural and rural development. Romania Junior lecturer in political science. Russia Facility protection officers, agri- cultural lending/credit specialist, interna- tional finance. Slovakia-English teacher. Switzerland-Senior training officer, director of international trade division (UN), special coordinator (UN). Ukraine Program director (economics education). United Kingdom-Dean and director of business school, readership in economics and deputy director center for study of African economies, lectureship in economic theory and mathematical economics.

MULTI-REGIONAL: Teachers for African Program of IFESH. University faculty to teach on military bases in Rus- sia (Irkutsk and Vladivostok), Europe and Asia. Entrepreneurial agricultural marketing specialist for Latin America. Director of operations and regional com- munications coordinator for WWF in Latin America and Caribbean. Educa- tional Services Institute (ESI) is recruit- ing instructors. Multi-disciplinary team for WRI (World Resources Institute). Country representatives for Africare. CEO for Central Asian-American Enter- prise Fund. Managers and specialists for SAC International. Economists for Latin America and Asia (EIU). Clinical legal specialists for Albania, Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine, Central and Eastern Europe, NIS. Associate Liaisons for Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kaza- khstan, Ukraine. Civic educators and organizers for Eastern Europe (NDI). Peace Corps: foresters, parks and wildlife, environmental education and awareness. Water and sanitation engi- neers, Agronomists for Action Against Hunger. Global Classroom Inc. offers free placement assistance to English as a second/foreign language (ESL/EFL) pro- fessionals seeking overseas employment. All positions require a minimum of an ESL/EFL certificate or a year's ESL/EFL teaching experience.

URGENT NEEDS

Honduras-Ele- mentary and secondary school teachers. INDIA-Experienced, qualified vice- principal for the New Era High School. Macau The School of Nations needs qualified kindergarten, primary and sec- ondary teachers. Solomon Islands-Self-supporting couple to serve as custodians of the Bahá’í Cen- ter in Honiara. Volunteer to train National Center office staff.

For additional information, please con- tact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette IL 60091 (phone 847-733-3508, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail

PIONEERING/HOMEFRONT

Moonlight in Vermont, or in New Hampshire if you prefer. The neighbor- ing communities of Hartford, Vermont, and Lebanon, New Hampshire have seven deepened adult Bahá’ís each, and have recently suffered the loss of their Assemblies (one established for 15 years). Hartford (find White River Junction on a map) and Lebanon are snuggled in the Connecticut River Valley, five miles from Dartmouth College and the Dartmouth- Hitchcock Medical Center and 60 miles from each state's capital. Lots of small high-tech companies, a large SCF postal facility, Veterans Affairs hospital and Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering facility, cou- pled with each state's lowest unemploy- ment rates, make Hartford and Lebanon an easy area to find work. Please contact the Hartford Bahá’í community, P.O. Box 14, Hartford, VT 05048 (phone Diane and Steve Langley at 802-295-6916 or e- mail or the Lebanon Bahá’í community, P.O. Box 2089, Lebanon, NH 03766 (phone Anne and Jim Bouchard at 603-448-2297 or e- mail

Please consider helping to establish the Faith in Fairhope, Alabama, a town where some of the earliest Bahá’í teach- ing in the U.S. took place in 1898 (join us May 8-10 for our centennial celebra- tion). We're a mostly white community seeking greater diversity; we are a group of four in a county where only 15 Bahá’ís reside. Please join us in this beautiful town where tree-lined streets lead to Mobile Bay, only 40 minutes from white sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. We will assist in every way we can from your first contact to "settling in." Please con- tact the Bahá’ís of Fairhope, Fairhope, AL 36532-4416 (phone 334-990-5718 after 6 p.m., e-mail

St. Cloud, Minnesota, is the nucleus of a vibrant extended Bahá’í community, including groups in Foley, Sartell and Stearns County. Our area is united in vision and looking for pioneers to join in the excitement of an audacious teaching project, plus monthly travel teaching opportunities to a nearby Ojibway reser- vation. Only minutes from beautiful lakes and parks, the area abounds in employ- ment opportunities in medicine, behav- ioral health, education, manufacturing and sales. There are several liberal arts, technical, business and beauty colleges. This lush farming area 75 miles from Minneapolis/St. Paul provides a choice of big-city, small-town and rural housing styles. For information, please contact St. Cloud Assembly Secretary Jane Mcpart- land (phone 320-253-0465, e-mail

The Bahá’ís of Jamestown, New York, are hoping to form a Spiritual Assembly by Ridván. On Lake Chautauqua, just minutes from the famous Chautauqua Institution, Jamestown has the lowest housing costs in the United States. We're 90 minutes from Buffalo, New York, and 45 minutes from Erie, Pennsylvania. Job opportunities include computer pro- gramming; teaching, including SUNY colleges and a local business college; manufacturing management; and social service industries. The Jamestown Bahá’ís sponsor a weekly "Dialogue on Racial Unity." We are working with Olean, New York, to develop a foothold at the Chautauqua Institution this sum- mer. If you are interested in speaking for either of these programs, or able to move to Jamestown, please contact Val Rat- cliffe (phone 716-483-6871).

The University of Arkansas, in Fayet- teville (population 50,000) amid the pic- turesque Ozarks, has an energetic Bahá’í Association that is steadily becoming more known and active on campus. But our numbers are small, and we will be losing some students next year. The uni- versity, with around 13,000 students, has several excellent programs and depart- ments, including the honors program, creative writing, architecture, Middle Eastern studies, engineering and poultry science. We also have many top-ranked athletic programs. Many departments have large financial resources devoted to scholarships for academics or area inter- est. For further information please con- tact Martha Clark (phone 501-582-5258) or e-mail the U of A Bahá’í Association

The Douglas, Arizona, Bahá’í group is actively seeking bilingual (Spanish/Eng- lish) Hispanic homefront pioneers. We are a very active group of five in a town of about 13,000 on the Mexican border. We have 100 percent participation. We especially need younger Bahá’ís or a Bahá’í family. Pioneers would be able to teach the Faith in Douglas and across the border. Employment opportunities are available in local government, health care, education, prisons, and retail estab- lishments. Employment opportunities are also available in Bisbee (25 miles) and Sierra Vista (50 miles), which has an Army post. For information, contact Joan Lozier, Secretary, P.O. Box 641, Douglas, AZ 85608 (phone 520-364-8207).

WANTED

Have you ever served on the Santa Monica, California, Local Spiritual Assembly? Have you ever been part of the Santa Monica Bahá’í community? We will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Santa Monica Assembly (1948-1998) at a special event to be held Sunday, May 17, 2-4 p.m. in the Santa Monica Main Public Library. If you cannot attend, please send us a let- ter of your memories of Santa Monica for display at our program. Send to P.O. Box 1066, Santa Monica, CA 90406 or e- mail Sheila Banani

The Indianapolis Spiritual Assem- bly is in the process of publishing a seeker's newsletter. We are inter- ested in receiving copies of newslet- ters from other communities to help our effort. Please send your newsletter to Indianapolis Bahá’ís, P.O. Box 20187, Indianapolis, IN 46220-0187 (e-mail

Wanted: Information on how to acquire the set of videos titled "Lasting Remembrances," the offi- cial video recordings of the Second Bahá’í World Congress in New York City in November 1992. They are no longer available from the Distribution Service. Contact Glo- ria C. Holmes, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (phone 616-458-7183, e-mail

ARCHIVES

The National Bahá’í Archives is seek- ing original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individu- als: Emma Buckley, Mary H. Buckman, George Buder, Clinton and Mariam Bug- bee, Frieda Bullinger, Ann Bulloch, Gor- don T. Burke, and Tom Burke. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these Guardian's letters is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 or phone 847-869-9039.

Copies of the following editions of The Promised Day is Come by Shoghi Effendi in good or excellent condition are being sought: clothbound 1941, 1951, 1961, 1969; paper 1943, 1969, 1980. Anyone with copies they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611.

TEACHING SKILLS

people. Here are just a few ideas for how we can plant the seeds of the Faith:

• Briefly mentioning the Faith in conversations. If we only have a few seconds or minutes, we may mention the Faith in the context of our activities. For example, a believer in line at the supermarket could say, "I sure am glad we are going to have good weather this weekend. I am looking forward to going to the Bahá’í Race Unity Picnic (or whatever other upcoming Bahá’í event)." Such brief mentions may catch someone's attention. If the teacher is likely to have more than a few minutes (e.g. while sitting next to someone on the bus), then a more substantive con- versation can be had.

Sharing Bahá’í cards or literature. As it is often customary to exchange business cards, many teachers give out cards containing Bahá’í quotations or principles. Even if the subject of the Faith does not come up in the conversa- tion, the person will later have a chance to look at the card and learn a little about the Faith.

If we are unlikely to ever see a person again (e.g. someone sitting next to us in an airplane), then we may consider shar- ing a Bahá’í pamphlet or small book, as he may never have a chance to meet another Bahá’í. However, if we are like- ly to be in contact with someone (e.g. the clerk at a store we regularly visit), it may be better to first develop the friend- ship, then gradually offer literature.

• Wearing clothing or jewelry with Bahá’í messages. We may wear T- shirts proclaiming Bahá’í principles or jewelry bearing Bahá’í symbols.

•Keeping Bahá’í-related materials visible in the home or workplace. We can display, for example, a copy of a prayer or a picture of the Shrine of the Báb. Similarly, seeds may be planted in our casual activities, perhaps reading a Bahá’í book on the bus.

• Initiating creative activities on special occasions. For instance, a believer may bring cookies or treats for his co-workers or classmates, in celebra- tion of a Bahá’í occasion like Ayyám-i- Há or Náw-Rúz.

• Being of service to others in their time of need. This may be one of the most effective ways of scattering the Faith's seeds. If we, with pure motives, console the grief-stricken, visit the sick, and assist those in distress, then oppor- tunities for teaching will arise. For example, we can comfort friends who have lost loved ones by sharing with them personal handwritten notes con- taining inspiring passages from the Writings about the afterlife. In times of illness or trouble, individuals welcome prayers for healing or assistance. Even if an immediate opportunity for teaching does not exist under such circumstances, the act of service with plant seeds that will germinate in the future.

Excerpted from the book Raising the Call. Used by permission or author. [Page 29]

Home version of Temple multimedia program available

The Bahá’í House of Worship is pleased to announce that a home version of The Dawning Place, the multimedia presentation about the House of Worship and the Bahá’í Faith, shown for visitors in Foundation Hall of the Temple, is available on a loan basis.

The 14-minute slide program with narration on cassette addresses the concept of progressive revelation and the central teachings of Bahá’u’lláh through the context of the architecture of the holiest House of Worship ever to be built. It includes photographs of the developing Temple during the construction years.

This “take-home” adaptation of the popular Temple presentation was created to assist the friends in their communities to understand their Temple, to foster visiting the House of Worship and for use in teaching groups of people about the Faith in a fashion acceptable to many program-seeking clubs and interest groups. It is well-received in varied public formats such as libraries, senior services centers, campus environments, world religion study groups, and art and architecture organizations.

The program is shipped in two carousel slide trays. Along with the cassette, a printed text of the script is included so that on-screen image changes can be timed with the narration. Required equipment includes a Kodak Carousel-type projector, a cassette player and a screen or other surface for viewing. Practice with the materials is needed for a smooth presentation.

Communities hosting the program will need to cover the cost of shipping both ways. To inquire about reserving this program, contact the Activities Office of the Bahá’í House of Worship (phone 847-853-2300, e-mail

SPIRITUAL FOUNDATIONS FOR A GLOBAL CIVILIZATION

WILMETTE INSTITUTE

The Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization program will help you gain—as the Universal House of Justice calls for in its December 26, 1995, letter to the worldwide Bahá’í community for the Four Year Plan—“spiritual insights, the knowledge, and the skills needed to carry out the many tasks of accelerated expansion and consolidation, including the teaching and deepening of a large number of people.”

1. A FOUR-YEAR PROGRAM OF STUDY OF THE BAHÁ’Í FAITH AS IT RELATES TO THE WORLD
2. DESIGNED TO RAISE UP A NEW GENERATION OF TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS OF THE FAITH
3. OPEN TO ANYONE ABLE TO HANDLE UNIVERSITY-LEVEL COURSES
4. EACH YEAR MAY BE TAKEN SEPARATELY
5. STUDENTS ARE ASSISTED BY A MENTOR & ELECTRONIC DISCUSSION GROUPS

FOUR ANNUAL THEMES:

1998-99: The creation of strong Bahá’í communities and a study of Bahá’í governance and community as they relate to other human social systems

1999-2000: The Bahá’í social and economic teachings for reforming civilization

2000-01: World religions and philosophies as they relate to the Bahá’í Faith, and Bahá’í theology

2001-02: The development of the individual and the creation of strong marriages and Bahá’í families

TEACHING THE BAHÁ’Í FAITH: Workshops on teaching the Faith are held during the residential session. Using course materials, you apply the skills you learn in firesides and deepenings in your home community.

OTHER SUBJECTS STUDIED:

Each year’s curriculum includes:

BAHÁ’Í SCRIPTURE 1998-99: Will & Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh 1999-2000: Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed After The Kitáb-i-Aqdas; The Advent of Divine Justice, The Promised Day is Come 2000-01: Kitáb-i-Íqán, Some Answered Questions 2001-02: The Kitáb-i-Aqdas

BAHÁ’Í HISTORY

SKILL BUILDING 1998-99: Consultation and Assembly skills 1999-2000: Conflict resolution 2000-01: Public speaking 2001-02: Writing

SCHEDULE FOR 1998-99:

Deadline for application: March 31, 1998 Preparatory home study: May 1-July 15, 1998

Summer Residential Session in Wilmette: July 18-August 8, 1998

Follow-up home study: September 1, 1998-March 31, 1999

Integration exercise: April 1-30, 1999

The summer residential session is a three-week period of intensive classes, skill building, service at the House of Worship and Bahá’í National Center, field trips, cultural activities, and community building. It is required of all students.

Costs: Tuition, $825; Dormitory, approx. $440; Food, approx. $300; Texts, $100

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR AN APPLICATION Contact the Wilmette Institute, 536 Sheridan Rd., Wilmette, IL 60091 PHONE 847-733-3415; FAX 847-733-3563 E-MAIL Automated 24-hour information line: 847-733-3595

WAVE OF ACTION,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

keep track of progress.

The letter concluded, “It is indeed a privilege to be allowed to contribute our wealth to such activities, a wealth He has bestowed upon us. Please God, let us not be neglectful of so high a calling. May we all arise, ‘end this destructive condition,’ and play our part in wiping out the national deficit.”

Reports started coming in almost immediately to Gainesville Treasurer Michael Derry. A total of $12,330 was raised at the Florida winter school in Cocoa Beach over Thanksgiving weekend. The Palm Beach County North community followed with a contribution of more than five $200 units.

By Jan. 1, a total of $21,807, or 109 units, had been contributed. Nine Assemblies and groups—Gainesville, Sunrise, Palm Bay, Nassau County, Palm Beach, Polk County, Port Richey, Largo, and Pompano Beach—and a handful of individuals were represented. Soon after, Greater Gainesville sent $1,521, or eight units, to the national office.

Clearly, the initiative had a long way to go at that point. But early communications problems were being worked out, and it was hoped that an envelope included with The Vision would spur more individuals to contribute through local treasurers.

Meanwhile, the excitement generated by this initiative was expanding to new areas.

On Dec. 30, Auxiliary Board members Jeanette Hedayati and Farah Guchani-Rosenberg urged their assistants in Louisiana and Mississippi to help “release the power residing in the believers.”

They related to their assistants the “incredible effort of those divine institutions of the rulers” in Florida, and they asked, “Are there Assemblies in Louisiana and Mississippi that can initiate such an effort?”

The Auxiliary Board members concluded, “On a more fundamental level, let our teaching efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi increase so dramatically that friends will gaze with wonder and remark, ‘Truly, the South has risen!’ Let all feel the heat of the love for Bahá’u’lláh.”

The message has been heard in those two proud states that are among the least prosperous. For example, in New Orleans the friends organized a social event with plenty of food at a home in the Algiers section of the city, with proceeds going to the National Fund.

Elsewhere in the South: In Atlanta a metro-wide Ayyám-i-Há party is being billed as a fund raiser for the National Fund. And in Marietta, Georgia, the friends have begun a concerted effort to increase the level of National Fund participation and contributions.

What is happening in your community? Let the Office of the Treasurer hear from you. [Page 30]

WALK ACROSS RUSSIA

"Nature there is in danger," Ms. Coester said. "I walked through rural Russia, crossed a lot of rivers and lakes, but I couldn't drink the water."

She added, "Teaching the Faith became another primary goal of my trip. It was an unique opportunity to meet many Russians in extremely remote, rural areas. It was a special privilege to mention the Faith for the first time. A very exciting, unforgettable time!"

She lined up sponsors in advance of the walk-200 people, both Bahá’ís and others.

"It turned out that I barely spent any money at all. I only spent $32 each year during the time I was walking. People put me up in their homes and fed me," she said. "Most of the money I spent was on phone calls. I didn't carry American dollars at all."

A typical day of walking saw her traveling 15 to 30 miles, usually along railroad tracks, the most reliable route between populated areas. She carreid a backpack that included a sleeping bag and a tent-which she used only 11 times.

"I followed my heart each step of the way, always praying for guidance, and the way became clear. The alone time while I walked was a very important time to pray and to think about how to become a better person, how to live.in harmony with others and nature."

Her meals were simple-largely because of allergies and without meat. "One Russian babushka,' an old lady I stayed with overnight, told me, 'You are the best guest I have ever had!' 'Why?' I asked her. 'Because you don't eat meat!' she said.... Supper was anything from noodles, to rice, to bread and wonderful Russian or Siberian jams. People were giving me the best food they had. They were extremely generous."

She stayed in the homes of "Christians, Muslims, atheists, Bahá’ís and others," and Ms. Coester said she tried to be sensitive to people's willingness to talk about the Faith.

"I met people who asked me to come to their villages and teach the Faith, because it was exactly what they had been looking for. Some individuals have wanted proof for the existence of God. When I could not answer a question I took note of the question and the person's name and address.

"After completing the walk I sent out 1,600 letters in Russian to all those people with information about the Faith, including the Statement on Bahá’u’lláh, the Nature Statement, the summary of the Peace Statement and an introductory flyer on the Bahá’í Faith. It is very important to have Bahá’í pioneers over there as contact persons to follow up."

Her walk also gained much media attention in Russia-newspapers, radio and television. She was prepared with printed materials.

"Of the 74 resulting articles that I collected, 44 of them mentioned the Bahá’í Faith," she said. "Media coverage by foreign press resulted in interviews with Reuters, Moscow Times, Chicago Tribune, Associated Press, New York Times, Stern, George Devault for Backpacker. There were three television interveiws that were aired throughout the former Soviet Union including a 17-minute interview on an extremely popular travel program.... People used to recognize me on the streets, like a TV star."

After the walk ended, Ms. Coester visited the Bahá’í World Center in Haifa before returning to Russia as a pioneer with her new husband, Ric, who "is not a Bahá’í, yet he has always been very supportive."

While serving on the Local Spiritual Assembly of Ulan-Ude, she began preparations for a book on her experiences and launched the "Unless and Until" environmental educational service project.

"It is a project which will endeavor to present a Russian translation of Arthur Lyon Dahl's Unless and Until-a Bahá’í Focus on the Environment and supporting materials to all the libraries, schools and institutions of higher learning in the Baikal Watershed Region. The book shows a way of saving our planet from environmental destruction, giving the best explanation of the of the environmental crisis that I have ever read," she said. Some 9,000 copies of the Russian edition have been published, most distributed to schools, libraries and universities. The project has recently gained the support of Regional Bahá’í Councils in Russia, she said.

Since she and Ric returned to the United States due to family commitments, she said, the adjustment has been difficult for her. "It was for many months a real culture shock to be here. The emphasis on material goods, consumerism, and the incredible waste, disposable everything, and concern with non-essentials," she said.

"Russia has been and is an experience of mixed emotions for me, and I have fallen in love with the place," she said. "I will never forget the engineer from Chita who stopped his train to offer me a lift and bandaged my bruised toe with birch leaves, the highway patrolman who offered me a place to rest at his command post, the Russian babushkas..."

"I love the people of the Russian Federation. I love their warmth and openness of heart and soul. I love their ability to talk about the soul and spirit."

CHANGING VIEWS

percent.

"This is 10 percentage points higher than any previous month, and we exceeded our monetary goal," Derry said.

4. "... all can pray, fight their own spiritual battles, and contribute to the Fund. If every believer will carry out these sacred duties, we shall be astonished at the accession of power which will result to the whole body, and which in its turn will give rise to further growth and the showering of greater blessings on all of us." (Universal House of Justice, from a September 1964 letter on universal participation) Express, in whatever way you would like, what effect you imagine this "accession of power which will result to the whole body" will have on Gainesville.

The friends were given poster paper, markers, and crayon and asked to respond.

"Their response was deeply spiritual and at times very moving, especially the children's," Derry later reported to the national Office of the Treasurer and Development.

The impact on the community was profound, said Derry. Out of 117 members, community participation rose to 42 percent.

"Remembrance of God can be swept away by feelings of inadequacy if one's personal resources cannot compete with those of the more affluent members of our community," he said.

"The most mysteriously wonderful thing happened, though, the morning after Feast," he said. "A family of friends who had not attended that Feast searched me out at work and insisted that I receive their enthusiastically given family contribution, and would I please remind them of any contribution missed in the coming months. This, without any direct knowledge of our Feast activity."

Another pivotal event in elevating the friends' thinking about the Funds was a silent auction.

Previous traditional auctions in the community had raised concerns that "when the focus inadvertantly turns to getting 'things' for 'bucks,' one can easily forget the spiritual purpose of this activity," Derry wrote in a report later to Auxiliary Board member Farah Guchani-Rosenberg.

But, he said, if done right "auctions can serve both functions of inspiring giving and accentuating spiritual bounties and attitudes as well." This was the case with Gainesville's silent auction.

"Beautiful, significant and inspirational items" were contributed by the friends, said Derry. All items were put up for bid and the identity of all bidders was held in confidence. All bids were collected and sent to the Funds. Winners were not announced, Derry said, and the objects were delivered to the highest bidders at a later date. A fund box was on hand for those who chose not to bid and as a means for anonymous contributions.

"The silent auction was preceded by music, prayer, and stories of historic interest with an emphasis on love and sacrifice," Derry wrote.

Gainesville plans to sustain its effort in coming months through little reminders at Feast, news of successes, stories about the Funds, and deepenings, he said.

The community also will benefit from concerted action on the teaching and other fronts, he said. The friends are starting small teaching groups with the help of the Magdalene Carney Bahá’í Institute and the children have completed a play about Badí’.

Derry felt this refreshed focus has been helped along by the energies released by formation of the Regional Bahá’í Councils. "If we can do this [eliminate the National Fund deficit], we can work together in other ways," he said. [Page 31]

تقاضای پناهندگی

NOTICE OF ASYLUM FILING DEADLINE

همه متقاضیان پناهندگی که به مدت یک سال یا بیشتر در ایالات متحده ساکن بوده اند، باید تا اول ماه اپریل سال ۱۹۹۸ تقاضای پناهندگی کنند. در غیر این صورت فرصت استفاده از حق "آزادی از ایذاء و شکنجه" را از دست خواهند داد و به کشورها متبوع خود باز گردانده خواهند شد.

به یارانی که وضعشان از لحاظ امور مهاجرتی روشن نیست، توصیه می‌شود برای دریافت اطلاعات درباره امور مهاجرتی با وکیلان متخصص در رشته مهاجرت تماس حاصل نمایند.

یادی از جناب شهود خاضع

IN MEMORIAM

این یادداشت از شرحی که جناب وحید خاضع نگاشته اند اقتباس شده است.

جناب شهود خاضع در دیسمبر سال ۱۹۲۴ در باکو متولد شد. ایشان دومین فرزند زوجی از دو خانواده معروف بهائی آن زمان یعنی بابایوف و فیاض اف بود.

پدرش آقا جواد فیاض اوغلی در سال ۱۹۰۸ یا ۱۹۰۹ به همت جناب سید اسدالله قمی به امر مبارک ایمان آورد. مادرش ریحانیه خانم نام داشت و دختر مشهدی حسین بابایوف بود.

جناب شهود خاضع در سال ۱۹۳۰ همراه خانواده خود از راه دریای خزر به ایران کوچ کرد. در آن روزها در ایران صدور شناسنامه تازه آغاز شده بود و پدر شهود موفق شد برای خود و خانواده اش با نام خانوادگی "خاضع" شناسنامه دریافت کند.

خانواده خاضع نخست در تبریز و سپس در ارومیه ساکن شد. پدر به زودی درگذشت و مادر به اتفاق چهار فرزند بعد از وقایع شهریور ۱۳۲۰ شمسی با توصیه و صوابدید محفل روحانی ملی ایران به طهران نقل مکان کرد.

جناب شهود خاضع تحصیلات ابتدائی را در ارومیه به پایان رساند و در طهران چند دوره کوتاه مدت حسابداری و بازرگانی را گذراند و بدین جهت اکثر مشاغلش چه در مؤسسات کوچک شخصی و چه در شرکت های بزرگ در همین رشته بود.

جناب خاضع در سال ۱۹۵۸ با خانم انوش غوغاسیان ازدواج کرد و ثمره این ازدواج پسری به نام انوشیروان بود که در حال حاضر در ایالت ماساچوست زندگی می کند.

جناب خاضع خدمات امری خود را به طور جدی از سال ۱۹۵۳ با عضویت در لجنه جوانان طهران آغاز کرد. این لجنه مسؤول ۵ هزار نفر جوان بود. بعدها به عضویت لجنه مهاجرت و لجنه ضیافات نوزده روزه در آمد. اما بزرگ ترین مسؤولیت تشکیلاتی ایشان سرپرستی مطبوعات امری ایران به مدت سه سال بود.

در سال ۱۹۷۶ همسر و فرزند جناب خاضع به آمریکا آمدند و خود ایشان هم چند سال بعد از انقلاب اسلامی به آنان پیوست و در شهر بلمانت در ماساچوست سکونت گزید و سوپرمارکت کوچکی نیز تأسیس کرد. ایشان به این فروشگاه علاقه داشت زیرا می توانست با مردم مختلف دنیا مصاحبت کند. بیشتر اوقاتی که فروشگاه خلوت بود با مشتریانش درباره خدا و دین و امر بهائی صحبت می کرد و به آنان جزوه های امری می داد.

فعالیت های امری جناب خاضع منحصر به بلمانت نبود: به محفل روحانی شهر بوستون در مورد تنظیم برنامه های جلسات کمک می کرد و با نشریه "پیام بدیع" همکاری داشت.

جناب خاضع در کارهای امری و تشکیلاتی جدی و صریح اللهجه ولی در دیدارهای شخصی و در مهمانی ها شوخ و بذله گو بود. فعالیت های امری احبای آمریکائی را همواره تمجید می کرد و کناره گیری برخی از احبا را صحیح نمی دانست.

در هفت سال اخیر زندگی در شرکت تکزاکو مشغول کار بود و با بیشتر کارکنان و رؤسای شعبات مختلف روابط صمیمی و دوستانه داشت. روز اول ژانویه که مردم اکثراً ترجیح می دهند کار خود را تعطیل کنند او برای خشنودی دیگران حاضر شده بود که دو نوبت کار کند که دیگر کارکنان عید خود را به سرور برگزار کنند.

جناب شهود خاضع چهارشنبه ۷ ژانویه سال جاری به ملکوت ابهی شتافت. یادش به خیر و روانش غریقه بخشایش ایزدی باد.

هدیه برای ایام هاء و نوروز

GIFT GIVING FOR NAW RUZ

در ماههای زمستان پیروان ادیان مختلف در این کشور چندین عید بزرگ را جشن می گیرند. فروشگاه ها هم از همه گونه وسایل تبلیغاتی برای جلب مشتری استفاده می کنند و هدف اصلی آنان در بیشتر موارد اطفال و نوجوانان است. کودکان بهائی نیز ناچار تحت تأثیر هیجانی که در اطرافشان بوجود آمده است قرار می گیرند و والدین خود را اغلب در محذور می گذارند. با وجود اینکه ما به آداب و رسوم ادیان دیگر احترام می گذاریم و می توانیم در جشن های آنان شرکت کنیم، ولی در محیط خانوادگی خودمان و در میان دوستان بهائی انتظار می رود که توجه اصلیمان به اعیاد و تعطیلات بهائی چون ایام هاء و نوروز معطوف باشد.

خوشبختانه در سال های اخیر انواع نشریات امری با چاپ مرغوب و در خور تقدیم بعنوان هدیه فراوان تولید شده است. برای نمونه مجلدات خوشه ها از انتشارات مجمع ادب و هنر آکادمی لندن، مجموعه نفیس آثار مشکین قلم از انتشارات همان مجمع، نشریات متعدد مؤسسه معارف امری به لسان فارسی در کانادا، یکی دو مجموعه از انتشارات مجله عندلیب و مجله پیام بهائی و مجله پیام بدیع و نشریات بسیاری از لجنه نشر آثار امری به لسان فارسی و عربی در آلمان را می توان نام برد. مقدم بر همه در این ایام کتاب مستطاب اقدس است که به زبان نزولی (عربی) به طرز بسیار فاخری خوشنویسی و همراه ملحقات و ضمائم به زبان فارسی ‎بطبع به طبع‎ رسیده و پس از سال ها انتظار در دسترس یاران گرامی قرار گرفته.

در این زمینه دفتر امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی نیز چند نمونه از اقلامی که برای تقدیم بعنوان هدیه در ایام هاء و نوروز مناسب است تهیه کرده:

۱. تصاویر رنگی ۸x۱۰ اینچی از خوشنویسی قطعاتی از آثار امری. بهای هر قطعه ۱۰ دلار است .

۲. پیک شماره یک که حاوی مجموعه سخنرانیهای فارسی و انگلیسی دو کنفرانس اول انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی است. علاوه بر متن سخنرانی ها، برگزیده ای از آثار خطاط شهیر بهائی جناب مشکین قلم نیز در این مجموعه گردآوری شده است که بعضی از آن تاکنون در جایی دیگر به چاپ نرسیده است. بهای این مجموعه فقط ۲۵ دلار است.

علاقه مندان می توانند برای دریافت این دو قلم با دفتر امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی تماس حاصل نمایند. شماره تلفن: ۷۳۳-۳۵۲۸ (۸۴۷)

کنفرانس انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی

FRIENDS OF PERSIAN CULTURE CONFERENCE

هشتمین کنفرانس انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی از ۳ تا ۷ سپتامبر سال ۱۹۹۸ در Holiday Inn O'Hare شیکاگو برگزار خواهد شد.

موضوع اصلی برنامه این کنفرانس حیات و خدمات حضرت ورقه مبارکه علیا و به تبع آن مسائل مربوط به زنان است. از جمله موضوع های سخنرانی ها عبارت است از: زن در ایران باستان، مقام زن از دیدگاه بهائی، طاهره قره العین، حضرت ورقه مبارکه علیا، نهضت زنان در ایران، نقش زنان در جامعه آینده بهائی.

موضوع جلسات همزمان و کارگاه ها عبارت خواهد بود از: تساوی حقوق زن و مرد، شعر و موسیقی، آموزش زبان فارسی به کودکان ایرانی تبار، زنان قهرمان ناشناخته، شرح حال خانم ژینوس نعمت محمودی، خانم اشرف، خانم اشراقیه ذبیح.

ناگفته پیداست که در طی کنفرانس برنامه های گوناگون هنری از جمله ‎تأتر تئاتر‎ و موسیقی و شعرخوانی نیز اجراء خواهد شد.

دوستان باید برای رزرو جا مستقیماً با هتل مذکور تماس بگیرند و ذکر نمایند که برای شرکت در Bahá’í Arts Conference اتاق لازم دارند. در این صورت نرخ مخصوص به دوستان تعلق خواهد گرفت. نرخ مخصوص اتاق ۷۹ دلار برای هر شب است و در هر اتاق از یک تا چهار نفر می توانند بخوابند. رفت و آمد از فرودگاه O'Hare به هتل مجانی است. شماره تلفن هتل: ۶۷۱-۶۳۵۰ (۸۴۷)

در شماره های بعدی اطلاعات بیشتری درباره کنفرانس به آگاهی دوستان خواهد رسید. [Page 32]...است.

اما پس از اینکه ویدیوی مذکور در جامعه‌ای پخش شود، باید احبای محل آمادگی لازم را برای پاسخ دادن به پرسش‌های علاقه‌مندان و تعقیب وضع آنان داشته باشند.

در صورتی که این برنامه ویدیویی در یک جامعه امری پخش نشود، می‌توان ترتیب نشان دادن آن را در محیط‌های کوچکتری مانند منازل احباء یا مدارس و کتابخانه‌ها و سازمان‌های اجتماعی فراهم ساخت.

برنامۀ ویدیویی "نیروی وحدت نژادی" به زودی از طریق مؤسسه توزیع مطبوعات امری به فروش خواهد رسید. قیمت این ویدیو ۱۰ دلار خواهد بود. علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند برای دریافت آن با مؤسسه مذکور تماس حاصل نمایند.

تلفن: ۹۰۱۹-۹۹۹ (۸۰۰)

دوستانی که مایل باشند از یک ایستگاه تلویزیونی محلی برای پخش برنامه‌های امری مانند ویدیوی "نیروی وحدت نژادی" یا برنامه‌های دیگری که خود تهیه کرده باشند استفاده نمایند، باید نکاتی را در نظر داشته باشند که شرح آن را در صفحات انگلیسی خواهند یافت.

درباره حقوق‌الله

QUESTIONS ON HUQUQU’LLAH

احباء سؤالات گوناگونی درباره حقوق‌الله مطرح می‌کنند. بی‌تردید در آینده بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی درباره این حکم مقدس احکامی صادر خواهد نمود اما در حال حاضر و با در نظر گرفتن قوانین مدنی کشورهای گوناگون معظّم خاطرنشان ساخته‌اند که دوستان کم و کیف و جزئیات حکم حقوق‌الله را به ویژه درباره نصاب آن در خلوت وجدان خویش بسنجند و با تمسک به دعا و توکل به خدا هر آنچه را خود به حکم ایمان تشخیص دادند مُجریٰ دارند.

یکی از سؤالاتی که بارها مطرح شده این است که چون در آثار امری آمده است که حقوق‌الله را باید پس از پرداخت "دیون" ادا کرد، آیا قبل از پرداخت وام‌های درازمدتی چون وام مسکونی یا وام ‎اتوموبیل اتومبیل‎ حکم حقوق‌الله مشمول افراد نمی‌شود؟

در پاسخ به این پرسش باید گفت که در اینگونه موارد مخارج سالانه وام - مانند پرداخت نزول و بخشی از اصل - از حقوق‌الله معاف خواهد بود نه کل مبلغ وام.

در اینجا شایسته است بیانی از معهد اعلی درباره منقبت حقوق‌الله نقل شود:

"بهائی مؤمنی که منقبت پرداخت حقوق‌الله را دارد به جای آنکه در طفره از این وظیفه روحانیه عذری بتراشد برعکس حتی المقدور در اجراء آن پیشقدم می‌گردد."

حقوق الله
از دوستان عزیز مستدعی است تقدیمی‌های حقوق‌الله را در وجه Bahá’í Huququ’llah Trust و به نشانی یکی از امنای حقوق‌الله ارسال فرمایند.
Mrs. Thelma Khelghati	Mr. Stephen Birkland
Lunenburg, MA 01462-2125	Arden Hills, MN 55112-3756
Dr. Amin Banani	Dr. Daryush Haghighi
Santa Monica, CA 90402-3154	Rocky River, OH 44116-1124

کنفرانس جوانان در واشنگتن

WASHINGTON DC YOUTH CONFERENCE

بیش از ۶۰۰ نفر از سراسر ایالات متحده در یک کنفرانس جوانان که در واشنگتن دی‌سی تشکیل شد شرکت کردند. عنوان این کنفرانس "اطاعت از عهد و پیمان حضرت بهاءالله" بود.

سخنرانان و مسؤولان کارگاه‌های گوناگون درباره مطالبی چون جوانب مختلف موضوع عهد و پیمان، احکام مربوط به ازدواج، تساوی حقوق زن و مرد، دیدگاه بهائی درباره مسائل اجتماعی مانند همجنس‌گرایی و سقط جنین، بقای روح، تبلیغ امر مبارک و حل اختلافات به بحث و مذاکره پرداختند.

یکی از دوستان ایرانی‌تبار که در کنفرانس جوانان شرکت کرده بود، شرحی از رویدادها و حال و هوای آن کنفرانس فرستاده که بخش‌هایی از آن با اندکی تصرف درج می‌شود.

"... در این چند روزه کنفرانس عالمی عشق و صمیمیت در میان دوستان موجود بود و هر انسان مُصفّیٰ را به این اندیشه می‌انداخت که چگونه ایمان به جمال مبارک در منطقه‌ای که هر روز در منجلاب بدبختی و دمار فرو می‌رود عزیزان جوان را... اینچنین گرد هم آورده که گوئی همه حکم یک جان یافته‌اند.

"شروع کنفرانس که مصادف با شب صعود حضرت عبدالبهاء بود، سالن جلسه در زیر نور شمع‌هائی که در میان خرمنی از گل می‌سوخت عالمی روحانیت به وجود آورده بود. سکوت عمیقی بر سالن حکم‌فرما بود و تنها طنین الواح و مناجات این سکوت سنگین را می‌شکست تا آنجا که با شنیدن صوت ملیح هیکل مبارک که قلوب بندگانش را سکون و قرار می‌بخشید، جلسه در نهایت ابهت و عظمت به پایان رسید....

"در یکی از جلسات شب، ناطق عزیز طبق معمول به ایراد خطابه نپرداخت بلکه شرح حال کسانی را بیان نمود که در دوره‌های مختلف به قوۀ عهد و میثاق جهان و جهانیان را تحت تأثیر روحانیت و خلوص خود قرار داده بودند.

"در نمایشنامه‌ای که اجرا شد یک دختر ژاپنی در نقش طاهره و جوانی دیگر در نقش بدیع و دیگری در نقش غصن اطهر و جوانانی دیگر در نقش روح‌الله و لوا کتیسینگر و بالاخره مُنا ظاهر شدند....

"صبح آخرین روز کنفرانس به همت دو نفر از اعضای هیئت معاونت بر میز بزرگی که روی صحنه قرار داشت شمع‌های مختلفی با اندازه‌های متفاوت گذاشته بودند. تعدادی از جوانان... ابتدا شمع‌های بزرگتر را که نشانه مظاهر امر بود روشن کردند و سپس به شمع‌های متوسط رسیدند که نشانه شهیدان امر بود و سرانجام نوبت به شمع‌های کوچک رسید و این شمع‌ها را به نشانه روشن کردن قلوب دیگران روشن کردند.

"هیئت برگزارکنندۀ کنفرانس سنجاق‌هائی با زمینۀ سیاه به شرکت کنندگان اهدا کرده و یادآور شده بود که جناب باب‌الباب پرچم سیاه را به امر حضرت اعلیٰ بر افراشته و به نصرت امر مبارک پرداخته بود. امید است که عزیزان شرکت کننده در کنفرانس هم حامل پیام الهی به جهانیان باشند...."

و گفتنی است که در این کنفرانس مبلغ ۱۲۵۰۰ دلار جمع‌آوری و به صندوق ملی تقدیم شد.

اعلان طرد روحانی NOTICE OF COVENANT-BREAKING محفل روحانی ملی به اطلاع یاران می‌رساند که به تشخیص بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی آقای تامس رایلی Thomas Riley از ایالت پنسیلوانیا نقض عهد کرده و بدین ترتیب از جامعۀ بهائی طرد روحانی شده است. ناگفته پیداست که احباء باید از تماس با ایشان اجتناب نمایند.

اطلاعیه مجمع عرفان

IRFAN COLLOQUIUM

نوزدهمین دورۀ مجمع عرفان از غروب روز جمعه ۹ اکتبر تا ظهر روز دوشنبه ۱۲ اکتبر سال جاری در مدرسۀ بهائی لوهلن در دیویسن، میشیگان تشکیل خواهد شد.

این دوره دومین بخش از برنامۀ مطالعۀ آثار قلم اعلی است که به آثار مبارکه در دورۀ اسلامبول و ادرنه اختصاص دارد. نظر به محدود بودن امکانات مدرسۀ بهائی لوهلن برای اقامت و پذیرائی از شرکت‌کنندگان، تقاضا می‌شود علاقه مندان هر چه زودتر برای ثبت نام و ذخیرۀ جا مستقیماً با مدرسۀ بهائی لوهلن تماس حاصل نمایند. دوستانی که با پرداخت هزینۀ اقامت و برای تمام دوره ثبت نام نمایند با حفظ نوبت برای ذخیرۀ جا حق تقدم خواهند داشت.

وجه نام‌نویسی و دریافت جزوه و اقامت و غذا برای تمام دورۀ مجمع عرفان مجموعاً ۲۰۰ دلار است. دوستان می‌توانند برای دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر با شمارۀ زیر تماس حاصل نمایند.

تلفن: ۳۵۲۶-۷۳۳ (۸۴۷)

زبان فارسی نوین

LEARNING PERSIAN

زبان فارسی نوین نام کتابی است که آقای منصور معتقد برای آموزش زبان فارسی به نونهالان و نوجوانان ایرانی و همچنین افراد غیرایرانی تهیه کرده‌اند. دو نوار صوتی نیز برای فراگیری تلفظ همراه این کتاب تهیه شده است. علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند برای دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر با آقای معتقد تماس حاصل نمایند.

تلفن: ۱۲۳۹-۸۳۶ (۵۰۵) فکس: ۱۸۰۳-۸۳۱ (۵۰۵) [Page 33]

از دفتر لجنة ملی نشر نفحات

NATIONAL TEACHING PLAN

صدها جامعهء امری از تقریباً همهٔ ایالات با شور و شوق برای کمک به اجرای نقشهٔ ملی تبلیغی به پا خاسته‌اند و با وحدت نظر و عمل در صددند که جریان اقبال دسته جمعی مردمان را به امر مبارک تسریع نمایند.

بسیاری از این جوامع با دفتر لجنة ملی نشر نفحات تماس گرفته‌اند که در اقدامات تبلیغی از طریق رسانه‌های همگانی سهیم باشند. جوامع مذکور اخبار فعالیت‌های تبلیغی خود را در حال حاضر و نیز برنامه‌های آیندهٔ خود را با لجنة ملی نشر نفحات در میان نهاده‌اند.

تقریباً همهٔ این جوامع عناصر گوناگون حیات جامعه را که بیت العدل اعظم بدان اشاره فرموده، مانند جلسات تبلیغی و جلسات دعا و برنامه‌های نونهالان و جوانان را در نقشه‌های خود گنجانده‌اند.

گزارش‌های رسیده حاکی از آن است که پیروزی‌های چشمگیری در ماه‌های آینده حاصل خواهد شد. لجنة ملی نشر نفحات در حال حاضر صلاح می‌داند نکات زیر را که برای حصول توفیق ضروری است خاطرنشان سازد:

• برنامهٔ ملی تبلیغی از طریق رسانه‌های همگانی بخش مهمی از تحقق وعدهٔ "یدخلون فی دین الله افواجاً" است و در آینده نیز همچنان ادامه خواهد داشت.

در ایالات متحده میلیون‌ها نفر به دنبال یافتن راه حلی روحانی برای مشکلات شخصی خویشند. محفل روحانی ملی در نقشه تبلیغی شیوهٔ منظمی برگزیده است که بر مبنای آن این افراد شناسائی خواهند شد و به نیازهایشان پی برده خواهد شد.

در ۱۸ ماه گذشته بسیاری از دوائر محفل روحانی ملی با جوامع محلی و افراد احباء همکاری داشته‌اند. یاران با برنامه‌های آزمایشی تبلیغی که در آتلانتا به اجرا درآمده است آگاهی دارند. تجربیاتی که در آن برنامه‌ها آموخته شد در سراسر کشور به موقع اجرا گذاشته خواهد شد و فعالیت‌های تبلیغی در سطح محلی و ناحیه‌ای و ملی در آینده ادامه خواهد داشت.

• تجربه اندوزی و ارزیابی مستمر

همهٔ عناصر نقشه چهارساله مانند کارآموزی و تحکیم جوامع و استفاده از رسانه‌های همگانی مستلزم یک جریان مستمر عمل و اقدام و تأمل دربارهٔ آنهاست.

محفل روحانی ملی در هر یک از مراحل اجرای برنامه‌ها و نقشه‌های تبلیغی به ارزیابی آنها خواهد پرداخت تا بهترین و مؤثرترین راه برای تبلیغ امر مبارک یافته شود. این جریان در سال‌های آینده ادامه خواهد داشت.

• بیشتر اقدامات باید در سطح محلی باشد

محدودیت منابع مالی محفل روحانی ملی باعث می‌شود که محفل ملی بتواند برنامه‌های محدودی را اجرا کند. البته رشد جامعهٔ امری سبب تغییر این روند خواهد شد اما آنچه باید بدان توجه داشت اینکه فعالیت‌های محلی مکمل نقشه‌های ملی باشد.

فعالیت‌های مکمل تبلیغ و اعلان عمومی

همهٔ جوامع محلی باید تا آنجا که امکان داشته باشد از طریق رادیو و تلویزیون و گردهم‌آئی‌های عمومی به اعلان امر مبارک بپردازند.

پس از اینکه مبتدی با امر مبارک آشنا شد، بسیار مهم است که وضع او تعقیب شود. باید مبتدیان را در فعالیت‌های گوناگون امری از جمله جلسات تبلیغی و جلسات دعا و دیگر برنامه‌ها و فعالیت‌ها و خدماتی که صورت می‌گیرد سهیم کرد.

تشریک مساعی جوامع محلی

در چندین مورد مختلف چند جامعهٔ محلی منابع خود را روی هم نهاده و به فعالیت پرداخته‌اند. این ابتکار برای جوامع کوچک بسیار مؤثر است.

همت افراد

افراد احباء باید به نوبه خود کمال همت را برای تبلیغ امر مبارک مبذول دارند. یاران نه تنها باید در دعوت از مبتدیان به جلسات امری بکوشند، بلکه باید خود به طور منظم به تشکیل جلسات تبلیغی در منازل خود همت ورزند.

فعالیت‌های تبلیغی محلی

ENHANCING LOCAL TEACHING ‎ACTIVTIES ACTIVITIES‎

پس از اینکه مبتدی با امر حضرت بهاءالله آشنائی حاصل کرد، می‌توان او را فرداً یا جمعاً هدایت کرد تا به امر مبارک اقبال کند و سپس خود مستقلاً به خدمت بپردازد.

اصول تقلیب روحانی برای همه یکسان است و هر فردی باید در این طریق رهسپار شود. باید دانست سرعت این تقلیب در افراد گوناگون مختلف است. تبلیغ پیام حضرت بهاءالله خود یکی از راه‌های سرعت بخشیدن به تقلیب روحانی است.

مطالعهٔ آثار مبارکه صفات ممیز مبلغ را روشن می‌سازد. برخی از این صفات عبارت است از: خدمت، محبت حقیقی نسبت به دیگران، ملاحظهٔ نیازهای دیگران، پشتکار و شکیبائی. همچنین در آثار مبارکه اهمیت تبلیغ فردی تأکید شده است.

نمونه‌هائی از حیات جامعه

فعالیت‌های فردی باید با حیات و فعالیت‌های جامعهٔ امری تکمیل شود و بدین ترتیب ایمان فرد تحکیم گردد و بنای محبت و دوستی پی‌ریزی شود و اعضاء جامعه را به تخلق به حیات بهائی رهنمون سازد.

هر چند اصول حیات جامعه در همه جا یکی است با این حال جزئیات و حدود آن بستگی به هر یک از جوامع دارد. مهم این است که فعالیت‌های امری از محبت و وحدت مایه گیرد و در آن نیازهای تبلیغی و اجتماعی و روحانی مورد توجه قرار گیرد. از جمله فعالیت‌هائی که می‌توان برای جوامع در نظر گرفت عبارت است از:

• تشکیل جلسات مشرق‌الاذکار بهائیان و غیربهائیان باید جلساتی برای تلاوت مناجات و تبتل تشکیل دهند. در این جلسات می‌توان از موسیقی نیز استفاده برد.

• فعالیت‌های تبلیغی یاران می‌توانند در بیوت تبلیغی و دیگر جلسات ویژهٔ تبلیغ مژده ظهور را به دیگران بدهند. اغلب در بیوت تبلیغی است که شعلهٔ تفحص و سپس ایمان در دل مبتدیان زبانه می‌کشد. ناگفته پیداست که هر گاه حرارت محبت حقیقی در این جلسات باشد، تأثیر آن جلسات به مراتب بیشتر خواهد بود.

• محافل روحانی و ضیافات نوزده روزه گر چه در برخی از جوامع هنوز محفل تأسیس نشده و ضیافات نیز برگزار نمی‌شود، اما نباید از تأثیر این جلسات در پیشبرد امر مبارک غافل بود.

• فعالیت‌های نونهالان و جوانان در تاریخ امر مبارک بسیار اتفاق افتاده است که کودکان و نوجوانان مبلغان موفقی بوده‌اند. گذشته از این، جامعهٔ امری مسؤول تربیت روحانی این عزیزان است.

• جلسات ‎تردید تزئید‎ معلومات باید جلساتی به طور منظم برای تردید معلومات اعضای جامعه تشکیل شود و بدین ترتیب کلمة الله در رفتار و افکار یاران تأثیری عمیق گذارد.

• فعالیت‌های اجتماعی جلسات و برنامه‌های اجتماعی که یاران در آن شرکت کنند، سبب تقویت پیوندهای روحانی و تحکیم عهد مودت می‌شود.

• خدمت به دیگران خدمت بی دریغ نسبت به دیگران یکی از مبادی امر حضرت بهاءالله است. درمان دردهای مردمان در آثار حضرت بهاءالله نهفته است. این درمان را می‌توان در نهایت صمیمیت با دیگران در میان نهاد.

تلفن رایگان برای تبلیغ

800-22-UNITE

به تازگی محفل روحانی ملی یک شماره تلفن رایگان برای کمک به برنامه‌های تبلیغی تأسیس کرده است. ۶۹۸۳-۲۲۸ (۸۰۰)

در گذشته اطلاعات امری از طریق نوار صوتی و ویدیوئی و جزوه و اعلامیه به آگاهی علاقه‌مندان می‌رسید. اکنون با پیشرفت تکنولوژی این امکان فراهم شده است که به پرسش‌های مبتدیان با سرعت بیشتری رسیدگی شود.

جوامع امری با قبول اشتراک این شماره تلفنی به بهترین وجهی خواهند توانست با مبتدیان خود تماس حاصل نمایند. شماره تلفن مذکور برای ارباب رجوع مجانی خواهد بود.

محافل و جوامع و افراد بهائی می‌توانند برای دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر با شماره زیر تماس حاصل نمایند: ۳۲۹۳-۷۳۳ (۸۴۷)

e-mail:

استفاده از تلویزیون برای تبلیغ

USING THE POWER OF RACE UNITY

یکی از نکاتی که در نقشه تبلیغی ملی تأکید شده تهیهٔ برنامه‌های متنوع برای آشنا ساختن مردم با امر مبارک است.

ویدیویی که محفل روحانی ملی با عنوان "نیروی وحدت نژادی" (The Power of Race Unity) تهیه کرده، یکی از جهات این تنوع در برنامه‌های تبلیغی [Page 34]

Samuel McClellan was renowned teacher

Samuel G. McClellan, who served the U.S. Bahá’í community in various capacities for more than 40 years, passed away on Jan. 5, 1998, in Danville, Kentucky.

Sam became a Bahá’í in Boston in 1953 after having learned of the Faith 25 years earlier through children's classes at the home of Mary Rodman in Winnetka, Illinois. His uncle, Albert Vail, was an early teacher of the Faith in this country. Sam's sister, Margaret Jensen, also had attended those classes and later became a Bahá’í herself.

Sam and his wife, Mimi, moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, in July 1954 to help form the first Assembly there, remaining for 20 years. During that time, Sam offered many years of service to the Green Acre Bahá’í School, both as a member of the council and as a teacher.

The McClellans became renowned for their Friday night firesides, rarely missing a week in 20 years. Scores of youth and adults came through their doors, many becoming Bahá’ís or being nurtured in their faith, and these "fruits" are spread throughout the world at pioneering posts and other positions of service.

A psychiatrist, Sam had obtained his medical degree at Harvard in 1944, returned in 1961 to obtain a master's degree in public health, and was a researcher and faculty member there from 1961-1967. In 1974, he and his wife and youngest child, Maggie, moved to Danville, Kentucky, as homefront pioneers. Sam became the first medical director of the regional public mental health program.

In 1979, Sam was appointed to serve as a member of the Auxiliary Board for Protection for a seven-state area. Traveling in his light-blue VW Rabbit, he covered almost 300,000 miles, stopping at many a Shoney's restaurant and Red Roof Inn, jogging around motel parking lots for his exercise.

After 16 years of service, including his dedication as an adviser to IASA (Institute for AIDS, Sexuality, and Addiction), he became ill with cancer and regretfully retired.

He is survived by his wife, Mimi; his sons, John and Charlie; daughter, Maggie, and granddaughter, Elizabeth. A memorial service was held Jan. 10 at Danville in a room filled to capacity with people representing the great scope of Sam's services within and without the Bahá’í community. Jack McCants read a message on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Wilma Ellis, member of the Continental Board of Counselors, shared a message sent from the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly on Jan. 6:

SHARE YOUR PROFOUND SENSE LOSS IN PASSING DEARLY LOVED SAM MCCLELLAN, STAUNCH, GENTLE, SELF-EFFACING, GENEROUS-HEARTED SERVANT BAHA'U'LLAH. HIS MANY DECADES DEDICATED SERVICE TEACHING AND ADMINISTRATIVE SPHERES EXEMPLARY. KINDLY EXTEND OUR LOVING SYMPATHY MEMBERS HIS FAMILY. ARDENTLY PRAYING HOLY THRESHOLD FOR PROGRESS HIS NOBLE SOUL THROUGHOUT DIVINE WORLDS.

Jessie Riemer met Master

Jessie Riemer, former resident of Kenosha and New Berlin, Wisconsin, died on Dec. 26, 1997, in her home in Lakeland, Florida, at age 89. Mrs. Riemer was a life long devoted Bahá’í who wrote the following recollection:

"I met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1912 in Kenosha, Wisconsin, at the age of four years. I remember we went downtown to a very large hall. There were a lot of people milling around outside. When we went inside, there was a long table stretched out from one end of the hall to the other. It was beautifully set with vases of flowers here and there. There were all kinds of food and fruit. There were chairs on both sides of the table. The chair at the head of the table was reserved for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. We children had to sit on chairs across from the table.

"I noticed when they came in to be seated ‘Abdu’l-Bahá walked in first followed by six other men. They wore long black robes and very tall tajs on their heads. When everyone else was seated, I noticed that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá never sat in His chair. He kept walking around and around the table waiting on everyone. After a while, He came over to us children and gave us each a piece of fruit. I remember that He gave me a banana. I was so fascinated by Him that I couldn't take my eyes off of Him. I had never seen anyone dressed like Him before. He wore a long cream colored robe and a white turban or taj on His head. He had the most beautiful eyes and His voice when He spoke had such a melodious tone. A voice you'd never forget.

"I didn't realize the significance of it all at the time but later when I was a teenager, I realized how very blessed I was to have even been in His presence. It had a very deep and profound effect upon the rest of my life."

John Adair helped chronicle Navajo heritage

John J. Adair, a ground-breaking cultural anthropologist who accepted the Bahá’í Faith late in life, passed away Dec. 14, 1997, at age 84 in San Francisco, California.

Beginning in the 1930s, Dr. Adair had made great strides in the study of the Navajo people and culture, producing several books and films on Navajo silversmithing, heritage and health. He spent months at a time living on the reservation, working with the residents so closely that he was one of the few people from outside the culture able to converse in the Navajo language.

"Everything he did really served the people he was working with," the San Francisco Chronicle quoted his daughter, Margo Adair, as saying. "So often anthropologists go and study people and publish and never see those people again."

His work in the reservation was centered on the Pine Springs region in Arizona, and he donated of his photographs, records of oral histories, and other archives to a newly established cultural center there—an unusual step in American anthropology. "He has always wanted the people in the community to determine what happens with their own history," a report from the Pine Springs Association said.

Dr. Adair was a co-founder of the Navajo Arts and Crafts Guild, as well as a co-founder with Margaret Mead of the Society of Applied Anthropology.

He declared his faith in Bahá’u’lláh in 1991 at the Native American Bahá’í Institute in Houck, Arizona. He was a longtime friend of several Bahá’í families on the reservation.

IN MEMORIAM

John J. Adair San Francisco, CA December 14, 1997

Nafe A. Alley Tualatin, OR December 8 1997

Warren Bradley Bexar County, TX December 8, 1997

Carrie C. Buttorf Huntington Woods, MI January 5, 1998

Lavonne Clifton Dansky Morganton, NC November 24, 1997

Vera Deats Peekskill, NY September 15, 1997

Dorothy A.E. Densmore Luck, WI December 3, 1997

David Gordon Taylors, SC January 3, 1998

Shohood Khaze Belmont, MA January 7, 1998

Leslie Jo Kutzler Andrews Air Force Base, MD June 21, 1997

Ellen Lindeman Maryville, TN September 22, 1997

Samuel G. McClellan Danville, KY January 5, 1998

Elsa Meyers Machesney Park, IL December 25, 1997

Dixie Savage Palmer Wilmington, NC December 11, 1997

Mariam Peikari Dallas, TX January 19, 1998

Virginia Pickens San Bernardino, CA January 5, 1998

Masih Rafiee-Ardestani Greer, SC January 5, 1998

Jessie M. Riemer Lakeland, FL December 26, 1997

Ali Mohammad Rowshan Skokie, IL January 14, 1998

Renee Schmidt Corvallis, OR December 25, 1997

Jerry W. Slade McMinnville, OR December 12, 1997

Robert Trouse Ferndale, WA May 15, 1995

John E. Waren Cameron, OK December 28, 1997 [Page 35]

CALENDAR • OF • EVENTS

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT EVENTS sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly or its agencies at the Bahá’í National Center, please phone 847-869-9039 and ask for the relevant department. The numbers for the permanent Bahá’í schools and institutes are as follows: Bosch Bahá’í School, phone 408-423-3387; fax 408-423-7564; e-mail [blank] Green Acre Bahá’í School, phone 207-439-7200; fax 207-438-9940; e-mail [blank] Louhelen Bahá’í School, phone 810-653-5033; fax 810-653-7181; e-mail [blank] Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, phone 803-558-5093; fax 803-558-9114; e-mail [blank] Native American Bahá’í Institute, phone 520-587-7599; fax 520-521-1063; e-mail [blank]

MARCH

6-8: Annual Spiritual Retreat for the Fast, Green Acre Bahá’í School.

6-12: Elderhostel Senior seminar program at Bosch Bahá’í School.

13-15: International Women’s Writing Guild annual conference at Bosch Bahá’í School.

16-21: Week of service and teaching in Austin, Texas, with march/rally March 21. Appearances by Alejandra Miller, Jack McCants, Van Gilmer. Camping accommodations available for a fee. For details, contact the Bahá’ís of Austin (phone 512-832-6175, e-mail [blank] Web site http://bci.org/Bahais_of_Austin_TX).

20-22: “Pilgrimage in the Days of the Guardian,” Louhelen Bahá’í School.

21: Open house for Naw-Rúz at Bosch Bahá’í School.

23-27: “Two Wings of a Bird: A Celebration of Human Equality,” a week of activities on the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles, sponsored by the USC Bahá’í Club. Nightly firesides, speakers and a panel discussion, lunchtime performances and a play about Táhirih. For information, contact Arghavan Rahimpour (phone 213-764-2649, e-mail [blank]

27-29: “Solutions for a Maturing Humanity: A Conference on Pressing World Issues,” at Rice University, Houston, Texas. Co-sponsored by Houston Assembly. Contact Stephanie Taylor (phone 713-630-8131).

27-29: “The Physician’s Challenge,” Louhelen Bahá’í School.

27-29: Two programs at Green Acre Bahá’í School: “Laying the Foundation for the Fortress” and Persian-American Weekend.

27-29: North Dakota Bahá’í School at Mayville State University, Mayville, North Dakota. Theme: “Flowers of One Garden”; with Habib Riazati. Advance registration deadline March 10. Registrar: Rosalin Chrest, [blank] Minot, ND 58703 (phone 701-839-1015).

APRIL

2-5: Mysticism conference at Bosch Bahá’í School.

3-5: Institute for Young Women, for ages 12–17, Louhelen Bahá’í School.

4: “Realizing the Vision of Race Unity,” conference 11 a.m.–10 p.m. at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, sponsored by Providence Assembly. Keynote speech by Nathan Rutstein; performances by Northeast Regional Bahá’í Gospel Choir. Contact Flora and Robert Salmon (phone 401-769-2418).

7-10: Children’s Academy at Bosch Bahá’í School, for fourth- through sixth-graders.

10-12: Study of the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, Green Acre Bahá’í School.

10-12: Two programs at Louhelen Bahá’í School: Youth Eagle Institute and “Spiritual Transformation.”

10-12: Texas A&M University Bahá’í Conference, College Station, Texas. For details see Web site (http://acs.tamu.edu/~ambc).

13-18: Junior Youth Garden/Study Project at Bosch Bahá’í School. Enrollment limited.

17-19: “One Human Family” multicultural Gospel singing workshop and concert at Metro Denver Bahá’í center, directed by Eric Dozier. Must attend all-day workshop Saturday to sing in the concert Sunday afternoon. Contact Global Visions Arts Alliance (303-404-3193, e-mail [blank]

24-26: Two programs at Green Acre Bahá’í School: “The Fortress and the Family,” marriage and family; “The Spirit of Children,” children’s literature and art.

24-26: Social and Economic Development Conference at Bosch Bahá’í School.

24-26: Wilmette Institute course on Old and New Testaments of the Bible, Bosch Bahá’í School.

26: Milwaukee Bahá’í community 75th anniversary gala 2–5 p.m. at the Italian Community Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Speakers to include Marguerite Sears; also music, entertainment and historical displays. Reservations can be made at $25 per seat. For more information, contact Pat Miller at (414) 444-8995.

MAY

1-3: Fund-raiser weekend at Bosch Bahá’í School.

1-3: Institute for Junior Youth, for ages 12–16, Louhelen Bahá’í School.

8-10: Centennial of the Bahá’í Faith in the Southern States, Fairhope, Alabama. Proclamation and training/deepening events in collaboration with Royal Falcon Bahá’í School Committee. Registrar: Penny Sebastiani, P.O. Box 2110, Robertsdale, AL 36567-2110 (e-mail [blank] For more information see Web site (http://bahai.home.mindspring.com).

8-10: Study session on The Seven Valleys at Bosch Bahá’í School.

8-10: Parent/Child Weekend at Louhelen Bahá’í School.

15-17: Seekers/New Believers Weekend at Green Acre Bahá’í School.

22-24: Two sessions at Louhelen Bahá’í School: “Who are the New Bahá’ís/Teaching Young People,” and “Two Wings of a Bird.”

22-25: Utah Bahá’í School, Clear Creek Family Ranch near Zion National Park. Speakers include Dr. Beatriz Curry, Auxiliary Board member Aleda Nelson, and LeRoy Jones. Register by May 15; contact Shokouh Imani, [blank] Layton, Utah 84040 (phone 801-771-0586).

22-25: Marriage enrichment weekend at Bosch Bahá’í School.

23-24: Gold Fever Conference at Indian Creek School in Placerville, California, sponsored by Assembly of El Dorado County Southeast. For information call 530-626-0341.

28-31: Bahá’í National Convention, Holiday Inn O’Hare, Rosemont, Illinois. See form on page 3.

29-31: Three sessions at Louhelen Bahá’í School: “Paying Special Regard to Gardening and Agriculture”; “Maiden of Heaven” young women’s institute for ages 14–17; “Fostering the Advancement of Women.”

National Center mailroom employee Vahid Farahani and full-time volunteer Mina Panahi work on some of the hundreds of packets being mailed to local PR representatives as part of the national teaching plan. Photo by Allegra Bosio

BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER 112 LINDEN AVE WILMETTE, IL 60091-2849

MARCH 2, 1998 ‘ALÁ/LOFTINESS B.E. 154

CHANGE • OF • ADDRESS

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

A. NAME(S)
1.		ID#
2.		ID#
3.		ID#
4.		ID#
5.		ID#
B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS		C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS
Street Address		Street Address
Apartment # (if applicable)		Apartment # (if applicable)
City		City
State	Zip code	State	Zip code
D. NEW COMMUNITY		E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER
Name of new Bahá’í Community	Moving Date	Area Code Phone Number	Name
F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S)
Area Code Phone Number	Name	Area Code Phone Number	Name
G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE:		H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY
[ ] we do not have the same last name. We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) and ID number(s) listed above.	[ ] the last names and addresses on our address labels do not match. We have listed above the full names of family members as they should appear on the national records, their ID numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy.	[ ] Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy. I have listed my name, ID number and address above.