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

From Bahaiworks

[Page 1]




BAHA



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QSuMMON THE PEOPLE

TO THE

INGDOM or



BY THE NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE

undreds of Baha’f communities in every state have H: n 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 Baha’u’llah in their areas.







—

conntaaniey life prescribed i the ° Univ such as firesides, devotional gatherings, training, youth and children’s programs, and so on.

From what we observe, there derful victories are in store for us in the months ahe:



very reason to believe won1. At this


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


SEE TEACHING, PAGE 16

Media efforts put friends to work 24 hours


aha’is are working around the clock in south Florida as the Victory 2000 te e spreads the name and teachings of Baha'u'llah 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 2 n stations are contracted. ine-member Victory 2000 week run of radio









Candy Grant, chairp Steering Committee. spots was designated as Phase I of a camps




ign it is hoped will

last at least six months.

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 Baha’is Greg Ives and Burl Barer.

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







SEE MEDIA, PAGE 21


Songs for racial unity


|ATIONAL CABLE





Members of the Stephen Barnes Baha’i 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. Local photo

BROADCAST JAMES,



MARCH 2, 1998

eoeoeeceeee

‘ALA/ LOFTINESS BAHA{ ERA 154

VOLUME 29, NO. 2

“E-N-S-1-D-E




you have been endowed.”

—‘Abdu’l-Baha


[Page 2]

LETTERS

Communities can prepare

your community and friends. Thi: for service to seniors

might take a few weeks and, as mor and more elderly people come, you could advance to a position where you can get support to become an offici service center.

Bear in mind that the good will pre: vail. I have been a Baha’{ for less than year and I realize that my involvemen' in this kind of activity will convey a pc ive message to my non-Baha’ friend nternationally concerning my decision to become a Baha’f.

Altricham Nokwindla Inglewood, California



To the Editors: king care of elderly people, whether they are Baha'is or not, nourishes both our spirit as Baha’is and taken care of, as well as the s concerned; it is God’s work and just good. County Inhome Support or similar agencies in all Amern states are doing the job, but only to a certain extent.

Each and every Baha’f 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 Baha’is 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









A reminder to adjust times forward during DST months

To the Editors: NARS of the United States has observed daylight-saving time ince 1967, and it will be in effect from the first Sunday in Apri through the last Sunday in October. We may enjoy having the extra hour of sunlight late in the day, but has caused some confusion for Baha’ in the observance of Holy Days that take place during this time.

As we are aware, the Universal House of Justice has asked Baha’fs in those countries that observe daylight saving time to adjust the time of Holy Days that are to be observed at spe




cific times—the First Day of Ridvan, the Ascension of Baha’u’llah and the Martyrdom of the Bab—to conform to standard time.

I’ve found that a number of Baha’s 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 me 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 Baha’u’llah, which we e asked to observe at 3 a.m. May 29, ould be observed at 4 a.m. if you are in an area using daylight time.

Thus, in Vancouver, British

Columbia, when the Bal are reciting the Tablet of Visitation at 3 a.m., the Baha'is 100 miles away in eattle, Washington, would be readg 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-savg time is in effect, the First Day of Ridvan should be observed at 4 p.m. April 21, and the Martyrdom of the Bab 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





. .










HINGS



NIKA BADIE , a 16-year-old Baha’i from Amy DESAUTELS, HORTON and Argyle, Texas, has distinguished herself JUSTIN STEIN, all Bahd’fs, were among in musical and school only six students at the University of pursuits. With her North Carolina at Asheville inducted this piano performances, year into the Omicron Delta Kappa she placed first in the National Leadership Honor Society at the 1997 Dallas Sym- University of North Carolina at Asheville. phonic Competition, Criteria for induction include a nominaas well as the North tion from the university faculty, a high ‘Texas Youth Piano grade point average and involvement in Solo Competition and both on- and off-campus projects that a similar contest that benefit campus life and/or the community qualified her as one of 12 soloists in a at large, foster good will, and address state competition. She also has been an _ social issues. The three senior-year stuhonor recitalist at several college and uni- _ dents—active in the UNCA Baha’i Associversity festivals, and is an honor student ation, which last spring was honored as with an A average. outstanding association on campus—are listed in Who Who Among American College Students.


CESCHINO BROOKS DE ViTA, an 11year-old Baha’i from Pueblo, Colorado, has been accepted into the National Junior Honor Society as an eighthgrader 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.

EDIE Foster, a Baha’i 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-yearold Baha’ from Pueblo West, Colorado, was the winner of a “Scary Story Contest” sponsored by the Pueblo Library District. She is an excellent [aaa student who participates aNNe HOUSMAN in sports and music.


CESCHINO BROOKS DE VITA


JENNIFER (PHILLIPS) Lewis, a Bahai 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 Mocuaresi, 2 Baha'i 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 Baha’i School in Davison, Michigan, was named chef of the year at the 10th annual Hospitality Awards ceremony sponsored by the GARY SCHMICKER Flint Area Conven tion & 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.”



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THE AMERICAN BAHA’i ¢ EXCELLENCE March 2, 1998

page 2


[Page 3]PROT



THE*SECOND-FROT





Reunion a catalyst for unity in Georgia town

BY TOM MENNILLO

lannery O’Connor would have loved this


mbolism and the South's


played out. was her adopted

And the setting hometown of Milledgeville, city of 17,700 about 30 mil of Macon that served as



from 1803 to 1868.

‘The occasion was a joint church service. It was the first time the blacks of anes 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 Baha’s fs Ken and dy Jasnau and ed by the Calling All Colors confere!










ed has about 25 members dedicated to the oneness of humanity, with the Jasnaus the only Baha

When the group approached the two churches’ ith the idea of a joint the cl



members.



pastors



cs were wary of how



their congregations would react. But they came to a meeting and became excited at the prospect of bridging


a gap

half-block but


that is physically on!

emotionally miles On the appointed day, not a seat at

st Was empty.

who is anyone was there,

ee and the sher1. “There were no


ide.






“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



tives to this whatsoever.”

Indeed, when the two choirs processed to “O Come All Ye Faithful,” few eyes were dry in the hou

After the s half-block to Flagg Chapel Baptist, where they enjoyed food and cach other’s company at a reception.



‘The day's events were covered exten sively 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








The Baha'i community of Baldwin County has about 20 people on the rolls, though few are active. Nearby Putnam County, where the Jasnaus reside, ight believ

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 Baha’i community’s leap of faith in bringing the production to tow:

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 of the South. How might the world have seen this new development in Milledgeville through her writing?











vivid ve

Asylum seekers face April 1 deadline for filing


ylum seekers who have been in

he 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.

ates continue to fight the deadIl as the expedited exclusion s 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 con tion attorney or any refugee o} n your locality for further information.



ct an immi





89™ BAHA'I NATIONAL CONVENTION


MAY 28-31, 1998 AT HOLIDAY INN O’HARE, ROSEMONT, IL Registration form




Enrollments




Bote Total since May |, ‘97: 1270

January ’98 ....




THE FUND

May 1, 1997—January 31, 1998 Contributions received by National Treasurer

Goal for entire year:


$16,848,600




$27,000,000 of goal has been met 75% of fiscal year has passed AD AprilA 30, January 31, 1998 1998





Allocations to other funds

rc Projects Fund

$2,461,972

15% of contributions received by National Assembly (goal is 19%)



International Baha’i Fund


23% of contributions received by National Assembly (goal is 7%)

OO ONcesrr wee $237,221


1.4% of contribu National Assemb

ons received by (goal is 2%)


Other contributions

$545,020


Total revenues and expenses













This will be an open convention. Believers wishing to attend the convention as observers at Baha’i National Center may pre-register with the Baha’i National Center. Questions about details should be May 1-December 31, 1997 referred to the Conventions Office at the Baha’i National Center (Latest available) (phone 847-733-3529, e-mail 11,759,043 Baha'i ID# Full name Revenues @ Aatkoss $13,401,333 Expenses ¥ City/State/Zip Resulting deficit: $1,642,290 Includes contributions plus revenues Delegate __ Visitor ___ Agency/Office/Other Home phone from Baha'i Publishing Trust, Baha’f Home, permanent schools, ete. Y Operating and capital expenses, not Other notes: Work phone including depreciation. RETURN FORM TO: HOTEL RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE: Mail contributions to: Conventions Office, Baha’i National Center Holiday Inn O’Hare National Baha’i Fund Wilmette, IL 60091 5440 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018 112 Linden Avenue Phone: 847-733-3529 Phone: 800-HOLIDAY Wilmette, I. 60091-2800 or Fae Oe atede Please write Baha’ ID # on check March 2,1998 TiiE AMERICAN BAHA‘i * THE SECOND FRONT _ page 3 [Page 4]

Understanding of Huqtiq is evolving

s we endeavor to find the answers to myrA@ questions that come up in figuring

our Huqiqu’lléh obligation, it is helpful to keep in mind that we are continuously deepening in our understanding of this wondrous law of Baha’u’llah.

Many ramifications of the law of Huququ’llsh will undoubtedly be the subject of 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 Baha’u’llah.

As we grope with these questions, one thing becomes abundantly clear: that Baha'u'llah 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 Huqiqu’ll4h until after we pay off our long-term loans, such as real estate mortgages, or mediumand 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 Huqiqu’llah obligation.



ANSWERING QUESTIONS ON HUQUQU’LLAH

Payments to Huqiqu’llih should be made to “The Baha’f Huqiqu’llah Trust” (please write your Baha’i 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 508582-9216)

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

Inquiries about Huququ’lléh should be referred to one of the Trustees or to the Office of the Secretariat, Baha’f Huqtiqu’llah 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 Baha’i to strictly avoid communication or contact with any Covenantbreaker. As the Universal House of Justice has explained in a letter to an individual believer:

“When a person declares his acceptance of Bah@’u’llah 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 Baha’u’llah 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 Baha’u’lléh Himself, be shunned as a Covenant-breaker.

“The seriousness of Covenant-breaking is that it strikes at the very center and founda



tion 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-Baha has stated that Covenantbreaking is a spiritual disease and that the believers are commanded to shun Covenantbreakers 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 Baha’is 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 Covenantbreaker 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

he 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 partici



pation from all regions and all levels of ioning. Data received from th Il be useful to the National ssembly and its offices and ager formulating plans to serve the community.

Highlights of this information will be reported to the community in future issues of The American Bahd'i.







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. Ifyou 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 oe { Development (phone 847-733-3472, e-mail ‘

APPEALS FOR FUNDS Hy AS individual and community projects expand in aarnber i ind 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. 5

For instance, individual believers should seek the guidance i 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 Baha’i 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 divinely ordained institution.

ACS FoR THE LOCAL FUND?

onthly contributions to the Automatic Contril

System (ACS) for the National Baha’f Fund conti increase steadily. These are contributions that can be on each month for the work of the National Spiritual / bly. A number of Local Spiritual Assemblies have whether such a program can be launched for the benefit local Fund. Given the size’ of most focal Baha’ comn a system exactly like the national one is modified form of the ACS, however, is local level.

Members of the community can jane their banks to have a set payment made each month | local Fund. This process is identical to paying an i premium or any regularly occurring bill from one’ ‘Treasurers may wish to seek information from local their communities to assist the friends in ma arrangements. :

[ATTENDANCE AT FEAST IMPACTS LEVEL OF CONTRI

‘ost communities find that Feast attendance:

related to the level of contributions. Past exj

may indicate to some, particularly among new beli

contributions are made only during services where ing is accepted as a part of the service.

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

REGIONAL BAHA’| COUNCILS AND THE FUNDS,

n the initial phase of their development, the exy

Regional Baha’{ Councils will be met by the itual Assembly, therefore contributions should contin made to the National Fund. There will be Regional Funds created at this time. The guidance versal House of Justice in this matter was that Regi¢ Councils “can be authorized by the National Spiritu: bly to act as its agent in operating a regional branch national Baha’i fund.” (May 30, 1997, message, section Our National Spiritual Assembly has chosen to follow guidance.














“The unity of the believers, rich and poor alike, in their 4 support of the Fund will be a source of spiritual confir- | mations far beyond our capacity to envisage.” —Universal House of Justice, in a message dated Sept. 17, 1992 _



page 4 THE AMERICAN BAHA’i ¢ ADMINISTERING THE CAUSE

March 2, 1998 [Page 5]

Wave of action for Fund is started in Florida

BY TOM MENNILLO

any pivotal Bahi’f initiatives have sprung from the South. Most recent was the Cam paign of Glorious Privilege to ensure timely completion of the Mt. Carmel Projects.

Nor




challenge pted by Florida becoming a challenge to other Baha'is, and they have begun



to act.

Tt was last Oct. 25 at a teaching conference in Orlando that Counselor Tod ing called on Sunshine State friends, who con: about 10 percent of American Baha’is, to contribute their share—roughly — $200,000—toward eliminating the National Fund deficit.

If Florida believers met this challenge head-on, he said, Baha’is 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.









Letters show loving dedication

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

  • Oregon: I am in my 80th year as a

Baha’i 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.

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

chs you know, the National ious defi lion dollars to date,” the letter explained. “This deficit comes at a time when funds are needed most in order to undertake the growth-produc LS “[People are] more receptive to the Revelation of Baha’u’llah than ever before. With so much at stake, how can we permit this [deficit] to continue?”

—Nov. 25 letter on Elevate and Educate initiative





ing initiatives required to ‘understand, welcome, initiate, and sustain’ the process of entry by troops.”

‘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 Baha’u’llah than ever before. With so much at

. Washington: We tadughe 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 Baha’ year gone, this Community was over half-way toward


Contribution in tribute to Regional Councils




Members of the Baha’i community of Mentor, Ohio, gather at their observance of the Anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u’llah, where the community offered a special contribution to the National Baha’i Fund in honor of the election of the Regional Baha’i Councils. Local photo




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 sp: piritual gatherings and/or fund-raising events in the spirit of Universal House of Justice member Ali Nakhjavani’s 1995 visit to North America. The “unique nature of the Baha’i funds” should be emphasized in setting goals and raising money.

3. That Assemblies and groups report their goals and contributions as soon as ble to the treasurer of the ville Assembly, with a deadline of Ridvén 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










SEE WAVE OF ACTION, PAGE 30

of believers

meeting its annual commitment to the: National and International Funds, this Assembly received the recommendation that we consider raising our original commitment.

Ata meeting following this Feast, the Assembly considered the recommendation and came to the decision that we will attempt to complete our goal five Baha’i 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.

  • Florida: After numerous years of

not having a Local Spiritual Assembly.

.. we formed a Local Spiritual Assembly this Ridvin. We are delighted to present to you the enclosed check ... to ist with alleviating the economic criat 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

  • 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




si





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.


3 Should be


CHANGING VIEWS ABOUT CONTRIBUTING

ere are signs that the

Elevate and Educate campaign in Florida is achiev ing 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 Baha’u’llah.

“Then, come to the next Feast ready to starta new pattern of giving regularly to the Funds every Bahai 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 be blessed with manifold increases, goodly — gifts’ and | bestowals, you can always increase your contributions,” the letter stated! eCaaverssiy~ 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.

SEE CHANGING VIEWS, PAGE 31



March 2, 1998

THE AMERICAN BAHA’i * ADMINISTERING THE CAUSE


page’ 5 [Page 6]



UTEP TT

Assemblies benefiting from National Center visits

everal Local Spiritual Assemblies

from around the country have

taken advantage of the opportu nity in recent months to attend a special two-day visit to the Baha’f National Center and Baha’i 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 mbly who share information on new initiativ news, concerns or ques ing 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 Baha’i National Center.

Each visit rans from Friday morning until late Saturday afternoon and accommodates three to four Assemblies. This schedule allows visitors to parti pate in the monthly devotions and gen







and listen to ions from visit








eral staff meeting with the National Spiritual Assembly, then tour the offices at the Baha’i National Center on Friday while most of the staff ailable. 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 re SD Meets for the








ted for participating Assemblies to share issues, ideas, etc. among themselves with facilitation by the Office of Community Administration and Development.







County, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; Great Falls, Virginia; Highland Park, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana;

s City, Missouri; King County ast, Washington; Naperville, is; Oak Park, Illinois; Philadelphia,






Special Visits help Baha’is gain closeness to House of Worship

L June 1972, 18 adults and an 8-yearold child attended the first Special it Program.

hese gatherings, now presented sev



eral times each summer, began for the purpose of welcoming the friends to the Temple for an in-depth experience with the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar and the Baha’i National Center.

This event, a very spiritual journey giving the believers an opportuni connect with their material and spiritual center on this continent, w ration of the staff of the Baha’i 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, Tin

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, oaeting: time to be a believer.

Visitors can:

  • Learn about the meaning of the

‘Temple.

  • Hear firsthand about the work of the

Baha’i 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

Mew

ou are invited to par ticipate in the 1998 Special Visit Program at the Mashriqu’l-Adhkér. 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.

Pennsylvania; Pinella and Springfield, Ilino Assemblies are invited using a variety of methods, including an_ inv appearing occa section of The American Bah \s blies 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 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

County, Florida;










nd




the Baha’ 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

the:







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 ional Center, from the National Spiritual Assembly down to the least senior staff member,”

Assemblie: in a special twoNational Center should notify ene









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.


Participants from a previous Special Visit session relax at a picnic in Gilson

Park near the House of Worship in Wilmette, I!

Activities Office


Photo courtesy House of Worship

Choose one of these schedules (all Thursday through Sunday):

  • June 25-28 Register by May 10.
  • July 23-26 Register by June 1.

Highlights of the visit

  • Aug. 13-16 Register by July 5.
  • Guided visits to the Baha'i 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 ¢ Baha'i 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

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

Please direct inquiries to the Activities Office (phone 847-853-2326,




page 6

THE AMERICAN BAHA‘i * ADMINISTERING THE CAUSE

March 2, 1998 [Page 7]



PANN


i


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-Baha “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 mani In the past 11 months that I have resided here, I have observed the profound need












of pioneers not only i many others. Shoghi “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 ities. The numbers are small but e, and certain enlightened











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

i Association for the ncement of Arts and has been formed as a tion committed to cul



tivating the spirit and teachings of the Baha’f 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





Conferences and forums are envisioned to bring together those who can produce and promote high-quality works.


Force so that resources are used to the fullest extent and efforts are complementary.

Among goals of the association are to:

  • Implement a prog) e 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 distri tion in forums to encourage collaboration and sharing of ideas and resources.



excellence in the expression of

  • Encourage individuals and communities to commission projects and develop agencies to help fund them.

¢ Encourage print, video and other biographies on Baha’f artists.


  • Study and support messages’ of the

Universal House of Justice and Nation al Spiritual Assembly pertaining to the Four Year Plan.

  • Promote creation and utilization of

materials to deepen our understanding of the Baha’{ perspective on the arts and media.

  • Promote linkages between artists

and media professionals within and beyond the Baha’i 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 Baha’s community who will welcome your offer to assist them to bring the message of Baha’u’llah 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 Baha'i Association for the Advancement of Arts and Media (BAAAM), c/o Leslie Asplund, Redmond, WA 98053 (phone 206-6099086, fax 425-868-2493, e-mail








souls who have vi 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 technici: teachers, doctors, engineers, music and students (many international uni versities 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 Baha'u'llah to thos tive souls.

Dear friends, the ground is fertile and

ed this country can








recep the time is at hand. Do not be deprived of this bounty that we can all partake off 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 dynam vigorous communities. I would like to impart to you the fervor of my confidence in the success of the teachi work throughout the world and cite the words of Baha’u’llah: “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.








Dancing Hoops

the

Local photo courtesy David Cronin



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


lorida,




Teaching Skills Exercise 2: Developing the skill of ‘scattering seeds’

Ov 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 Baha’u’lléh 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 Bahd’u’lléh 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

SEE TEACHING SKILLS, PAGE 29


March 2,1998 = THE AMERICAN BAHA’


SPREADING THE TEACHINGS page 7 [Page 8]

An extraordinary journey across Russia

Iowan reflects on prayerful cross-country walk


BY RAMZIA DUSZYNSKI


We 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 Baha’i or American had ever set foot, to meet with ordinary people who live away from the big cities and tourist attractions, To teach the Baha’{ 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.” i

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. e

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


MONGOLIA


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

need for Baha’fs 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.”



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 chil


iday, family, study or otherwise. 60201 (phone 847-733-3511, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail travel. We look forward to hearing from you.

Name(s):

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, hol ‘To make this easiest for you, just fill out and send this form to the Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL

ing, the names of each country and the one or two main localities visited, the dates of your trip, and the main purpose of your

). Please include the names of all Baha’s travel ID#G):


Address:

DATES COUNTRIES and/or LOCALITIES FROM TO he La ol ada eit | Bee BIE yes Fat y.

ea Pace].

Please attach any additional comments.


MAIN PURPOSE

Phone:



dren and teachers, ecqlogists 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 Baha’f 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.

SEE WALK ACROSS RUSSIA, PAGE 31


_ page 8 THE AMERICAN BAHA’i SPREADING THE TEACHINGS

March 2, 1998 [Page 9]

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page 10 THE AMERICAN BAHA’i ¢ BAHA’i DISTRIBUTION SERVICE

March 2, 1998


[Page 11]


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An exposition on the Baha’i theme of the relationship between science and religion by noted Baha'i author William Hatcher.

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Historias Sobre los Fondos Baha’is

compiled by Marzich Gail

$6.95 SC (SHSFB)

Ani inspiring collection of stories about giving to the various Baha'i funds.

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El Arco Iris

by Sergey Valdivieso-Sinyakov

$4.95 SC (SEAT)

What would the world be like if there were no color? Find out when seven brothers, Red, Yellow, Blue, Green Orange, Indigo and Violet ‘Jay 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 Baha’i Espafia

SHIP TO

Two Wings of a Bird

The Equality of Women and Men

National Spiritual Assembly of the Babdis of the United States

WMPE)

ation edition of the

| Assembly's statement



National Spi on gender equa 7 x9”, 15 pp.

Baha’i Publishing Trust, U.S.


SPN: Wall Calendar

$2.95 CA (SWC)

A Spanish-language wall calendar featuring the Baha’i House of Worship in Panama.

ri’xt7” National Spiritual Assembly of Panama

PER: Kitab-i-iqan by Baba@'wllab $14.00 SC (PKI)

The Persian edition of Baha’u’llah’s “most important book wrii ten on the spi tual signi of the Ca 51/2”x81/4", 199 pp.











Windows to the Past, Volume |

by Darius and Grace Sharokh

$50.00 CS (WP1)

Occasionally it is difficult to find the time to attend a conference or to rea thereby limiting our option: ig our knowledge of the Ba faith. With this new s of audiotapes you now have another option. Windows to the Past, Volume 1, co t of 12 audiotapes on various

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top he: perfect for travelling or home be used by a wide variety of audiences, from seekers to longtime me of the tapes in this set are: History of ‘Abdu’l-Baha,






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This comprehensive ré for the student or te: vides guidance on including the Baha’i lege and university courses. It contains carefully prepared curriculum guides, lecture outlines, annotated bibliographies, lists of educational materials and Internet resources.

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earch and educational tool



Messages to the Antipodes Communications from Shoghi Effendi to the Baha’i Communities of Australasia Shoghi Effendi

$29.95 HG (MAH)

This volume brings together, for the first time, the communications addressed to the followers of Bahé the period of his More than a historic



aha from 1921 to 1957, as pCi ardian of the Baha’i record, the book mwa na the development of th A the complex dyr of the poe of a Baha’ community ina ae soci nd into the gradual emergence of that community from unmitigated obscunto 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.

Bah: ishing Trust, Austr:















DAYTIME TELEPHONE # ( )



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‘THE AMERICAN BAHA‘i ¢ BAHA’i DISTRIBUTION SERVICE _ page I! [Page 12]ag



‘CONSO

ee

LIDATING the VICTORIES





= .

nity focused on unity and featured a


“\» The light of unity

Raven Morrison of the Manhattan Beach Baha’i 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 commuperformance Gospel Choir. Kwanzaa was developed in Los Angeles in the 1970s. Local photo

the Stephen Barnes Baha’i



Applications being accepted for Hayden poetry fellowship


he Louhelen Baha’i 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. Haycollaboration with the Louhelen



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


ack in 1988 a small revolution began in the Baha’i community, ely unnoticed by the general

public, with the potential to make enormous, far-reaching changes inside and




Baha’i 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 Baha’i School has been instrumental in developing a growing number of Core Curriculum programs, including Race Unity Training, Marriage and Family Life ing, and Parenting Facilitators. Friends selected by local or regional Baha'i 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 Baha'i Distribution Service—the new believers course “We are Baha’is,” 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 — Baha’i Education Committee the task of uncovering writing a comprehensive curriculum for Baha’i children, ages 6-12. This curriculum, the National Assembly requested, should result in children becoming consecrated Baha’is, 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




ST

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

—————o __ or

Core Curriculum were determined: s need to become child



The content of Bab iritual edu



cation is based on knowledge, wisdom, spiritual perception and eloquent speech.


he roles of parents, hers and Local Spiritual Assemblies in the educ: tion of children are supremely important.

¢ The phases of s are awake




iritual development ing, 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 teacherse worthy of the considery 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.




Numerous reports from around the country show the impact of the Core Curriculum Teacher Training.

One community in California wrote, allie 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 Baha’is 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 Baha’i School, 3208 South State Rd., Davison, MI 48423-8603 (phone 810-653-5033, fax 810-653-7181, e-mail



page 12

THE AMERICAN BAHA‘I * CONSOLIDATING THE VICTORIES

March 2, 1998 [Page 13]N

OR


Regional Council tours communities across Northeast

he Regional Baha'f Council for the tern States has launched a series of public meetings for the friends. in various areas of the region to help formul: stimulate teaching. ng was held Jan. 17 in chusetts, and a later across the region. s pirit of that evening will remain with us alw: “The Spiritual Assembly of Springfield contributed to the success of the meeting with their attention to detail,






Louhelen has

busy schedule

for spring Balisol neat Davison, Micha

will be launched with: igrimage in the Days of the









Guardian,” with Dr. Amin Banani and Sheila Banani, March 20-22. These Knights of Baha’u’llih share

their experience of pilgrimage. The weekend will include program and a Naw-Ruz filled with musi



  • “The Phy

with Drs. David L Bowen, Joanne M. Langley and John LeBlanc, March 27-29. This interac


tive program explores paths of sernd health issues for Baha’s ns in the Four Year Plan.

  • Institute for Young Women,

with Dr. Hoda Mahmoudi, Auxil





iary Board Member, and Nasim Ahmadiyeh, April 3-5. This i tute, specifically di oe ed


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 Youth Today.” Darah John_Dr. Kirk Johnson and Dr. ts will lead classes ig ce of B. ation to youth today, eye on actively teaching the F to other youth.

  • “Spiritual

with Jennifer Wi Inte mate








Transformation,” ‘on, April 10-12. ‘active workshops will explore alism, the practice of divine




“ences of Baha’u’l


hospitality, love and overwhelming unity. Approximately 130 filled the auditorium of Springfield College and we all received spiritual bounty from the vibrant Northeast Regional Baha'f Gospel Choir,” the Council said in 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;

pril 11-12 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;

  • May 16-17 in Rochester, New York;

¢ June 13-14 at Green Acre Baha'i School in Eliot, Maine.

Each of these weekends begins with a Friday youth evening with a pizza dindeepening and di: involvement. tach Saturday evening there will be an open meeting for friends from the area Communities, including short pre








Workers and volunteers at Louhelen Baha’i 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 Baha'i School

love, and re-creation of the mind in light of the transformative influih. The chall e the auspicious unparalleled





is to arise and se

opportunity at t time in hi


story. ute for Junior Youth, Il Ballew, May 1-3. gned for ages 12-16, this instincludes consul » varied activities, games and fellowship. tudy centers on three prerequ tes fe 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 prac tical skill development with study











of the Baha’i Writings. It concludes with a Mother’s Day luncheon.

¢ “Who are the New Bah /Yeaching 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 Bah teachings, and learn ways of gai ing and holding the interest of young people.

  • “Two Wings of a Bird,” with

the ional Committee for the Adv Women, May rence on gender i is organ such fields as enero medicine, apy, and other









ncement of

equit



mar


Wakeling Endowment opens new round of arts grants

¢ Gwen V


akeling

cations for grants to fund artistic projects, with an application

deadline of June 1

The council for the endowment is lookin;


either professional or not




endowment



ple: Baha’t School, (phone 408-423


for projects from artists in all fields.



Due to the limited size of the endowment, a maximum of

$50,000 in grants for about five projects will be funded. expected to be awarded in the next tions received in 1997.

“We encourage artists to apply, keeping your application

A first round of grant few months from applic:



and c profession and po:


al_and_ professional,”

For a project application form, larsha Gilpatrick, Art Center Director, Bosch 500 C



reference should not be a Baha’

statement from the


or for further guidelines,


CA 95060 » e-mail or

mstock Lane, Santa Cru

In the application, the project description should be brief

avoiding redundancy

ion of the person cited, and at least one

References should list the


logue on youth

sentations, 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 confid increased reliance on God, profound love for humanity, eagerness and a burt ing 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.

Wilmette Institute activates Web site

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

















The site has extensive descriptions of the Institute’s programs, including ¢ syllabi. and biographical

riptions of its faculty.

udents of the Institute’s programs password to obtain addiformation and istance with their homework. The site will supplement the Institute’s listservers for its students and its 24-hour information li








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 Baha’i School 408-423-3387 500 Comstock Lane Santa Cruz, CA 95060

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

Louhelen Baha’i School 810-653-5033 3208 S. State Road Davison, MI 48423 Louis Baha’ Institute 803-558-9131 Route 2, Box 7! Hemingway, SC 29554

Native American Baha’i Institute 520-587-7594 Box 3167 Houck, AZ 86506


March 2, 1998

‘THE AMERICAN BAHA'I ¢ CONSOLIDATING THE VICTORIES page 13 [Page 14]


Bosch planning varied youth programs


he spring program at Bosch Baha'i School in Santa Cruz, California, opens with a Youth

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 ing efforts.

will be a hands-on class with a new curriculum encouraging the expression of Baha’i-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


Regional schools meet for spring


‘Three regional Baha’ hool committees have scheduled sessions for spring, the Education and Schools Office reports. }

North Dakota, March 27-29 ‘lowers of One Garden. include Habib R i lle State Unive:






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: hetp://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).



Yuille, the marill use a variety of instructional methods that are fun and 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 Eco




Kalon Stoakley and his grandmother Charles Ella Stoakley were among the more than 130 Baha’is who attended the Heartland Baha’i 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.” Local photo


Friends of Persian Culture Conference rescheduled

e 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 “Baha'i Arts Festival” to obtain this rate. Free shuttle service is provided from O’Hare International Airport to the hotel.

nomic Development April 24-26, facilitated by Robert Phillips, will explore and discuss many aspects of development 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!


Next ‘Irfan Colloquium seeks papers

‘he 20th session of the ‘Irfin Colloquium will be Nov. 6-8 at Louhelen Baha’i School. The main part of the program will be devoted to presentations on the revelation of Bahé’w'llah during 1863-68, the Istanbul and Adrianople period. Presentations of research papers on topics related to Baha’ scripture are welcome.

Please contact Louhelen Baha’{ School for registration and reservation of accommodation. For presentation of papers and program inquires, please contact the Institute for Baha’i Studies at the Baha’i National Center (phone 847-7333425, fax 847-733-3563, e-mail



Retreat for Fast will herald Green Acre spring sessions

inter/spring program ming at Green Acre

Baha'i School near

  1. Eliot, Maine, continues

March 6-8 with a Spiritual Retreat

for the Fast. Refresh and gladden your

spirit with prayers in ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s

room and ample time for reflection,

meditation and retreat, as well as deep ening 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 Baha'i marriage. Enrollment is limited, and attendance at all program sessions is required, beginning at 9 a.m. Friday.

Green Acre will host a PersianAmerican Weekend March 27-29, with guest presenter Dr. Talat Bassari conducting concurrent Persian- and English-language sessions on “‘Abdu’lBaha 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 Baha’u’llah includes His summary of the nature of His Revela






tion, 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 atopy’ 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 Baha’u’llah.

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 Baha’) 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 14

THE AMERICAN BAHA‘i * CONSOLIDATING THE VICTORIES

March 2, 1998


[Page 15]

WELCOME TO THE

Back to the Basics


DOWN

1. Food of the Soul 2...___& men are equal 3» Prince of virtues

5. Days in Baha’i month 6. First Baha'i month

7. Age of maturity

9. Visitor to Holy Land 11, Humanity is one___ . All religions are _

14. Oneness



15. Number of Baha

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 18. Four Year 2. Counted as worship 20. Dawn of a new____ 34. Brilliant ____ magazine 4. The Faith began here 22. Baha’i age 35. See the dawn in this direction 8. Book of laws, Kitab-i- 25. Baha’i New Year 36. Protects the Cause 10. Teach the Faith in your home 26. Arise to. - 5 11. Activity during ‘Ala’ 30. Most Great Prison Yooh for aneprers nea a! 12. Discuss in a group 32. Study the sacred Writings

33. Beam of light Crossword by Meg Anderson

16. Helping others



(of susscrirrion FORM




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Mail to: Baha’i Subscriber Servjég/ 5397 Wilbanks Drive ¢ Chattangoga,TN 37343 Fax: 423-843-0836 "

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Brilliant Star KID’S corner SS

did you know...

arch 2 is the Feast of ‘Ala’

(which means Loftiness in Arabic). It is also the first day of the Nineteen Day Fast. The end of the Fast marks Naw-Ruz, the Baha’i New Year on March 21. During the Fast, Baha'is meditate, pray and revive themselves spiritually.

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

yh y — 2

Prin

Weare LOOK ing

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

Ai of the Holy Texts

=—Ahspired to Teach


BZ Please contact: Amethel Parel-Sewell Managing Editor/Art Director

BRILLIANT STAR c/o Bahai Media Services 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201 tel/847853,2355 - fax/847.256.1372




March 2, 1998

THE AMERICAN BAHA'I ¢ BRILLIANT STAR KID‘’S CORNER

page 15 [Page 16]

Practical steps to enhance local teaching activity

GUIDING INDIVIDUAL SOULS

nce seeking souls have

learned about Bahda’u’llih,

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.

Baha’is 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 qual of a successful teacher. Among them are a spirit of service, genuine love for others, sensitivity to the needs of seekers, perseverance and patience. T 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 Baha’u’llah.



PATTERNS OF COMMUNITY LIFE

ee action in teaching is complemented by a regular cycle of community life that confirms the individual's faith, provides fellowship and worship, guides individuals and families in the practice of Baha’ life, and offers opportunities for service.

While the general principles of com munity 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 com



‘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.


bine 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. Baha’is 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 inti



TEAC H I NG, CONTINUED FROM PAGE |

Pome cere reece cece eeee reese eee ee sree sees esse sees sees eeee sees eee eeeeeEE ESSE EEEOEOE OOOO ESSE E EOE EEEEEEEEE EEE Eeeeeeeeeee®

into the indefinite future.

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 county.

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 Baha’i 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 proclama mate, 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 Baha’u’lléh’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 Baha'i 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. Baha’u’llah’s teachings provide solutions for the problems of humanity. Baha’is can work together to apply them through a variety of activities.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER




Ee 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



his can include local


television, press and radio usage, public events of various types, race unity dialogues, and so on.

¢ Proclamation must be comple


provide for adequate follow-up with seekers. , devotional gatherings, social ac 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.



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 Baha’u’lléh for the transformation of society. Individuals and communities are galvanized through divine power and love.

Embracing the entire population. If our activities involve only Baha’is, we cannot grow. Baha’u’lléh 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 effectivene:

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.





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 16 THE AMERICAN BAHA’‘i ¢ SUMMON THE PEOPLE TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD March 2, 1998 [Page 17]

How to arrange for local Baha’i broadcasts


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

The power to

oO: 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 tollfree 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 Baha’f community nearest to the caller.

By subscribing to the 800 number sys tem 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



BY JOSEPH GALATA

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

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

And they are providing Baha’fs 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 Baha’i communities want to use a community television station for broadcasting Baha’f 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 week respond to phone inquirers


TaD y


847-733-3502, e-mail Administrative Web Site


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. Tt 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

or visit the national for an automated form.



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 standalone answering machine. Please note that this option, while low in cost, will accomodate only one call ata 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).

day 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 highestquality 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 Baha’i-produced programs attracting the most community ers are informative, entertaining and ii ring—those that present colorful, visually striking, energetic and eve 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 Baha’i 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 v g interest.

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





“A systematic campaign

designed to proclaim the Faith to the masses

through the press and radio

must moreover be

launched and maintained with

vigilance, persistence

and vigor.”

—Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 130


March 2, 1998

‘THE AMERICAN BAHA’i ¢ SUMMON THE PEOPLE TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD _ page 17 [Page 18-19]

COORDINATING THEIR FORCES: COMMUNITIES FIND STRENGTH IN UNIFIED ACTION 23 Portland/Vancouver communities join =

teaching campaign in the Portland, Acree er, Washington,

area has the 23 Baha’i communities 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 un goals for firesides, devotional a and simply touching hearts with the message of Baha’w’llah.

The campaign named in. lovi 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 Baha’is from every area community consulted with Auxi 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, diversitybuilding, 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 Baha’i Center showed, as of January, 140 firesides, 758 hearts touched and 83 devotional gatherings.

















The Guardian's definition of the mate fireside is central to the campaign.


Outstanding work also is being done in an

community development, — with tional gatherings and especially inspiring model that invites attention to Benton County, Oregon.

In the area of external affairs, a conference is envisioned for spring to prepare

Baha


increase in d





to rec and respond to



ing opportu The media task force is positionir self to help communities make Bah: events newsworthy.

Responding to our National Assembh call for dialogue on race unity and di sity, the Baha’i Center is being offered as a “haven” for the dialogue and an expe: y, especially with a series of Saturday evening gatherings.

The youth task force iblishing Grapevine, a publication distributed to youth in the campai 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 Ridvan to support the campaign with programs, based on a survey of Assemblies’ needs:

  • To enhance human resources.














Followup means more personal involvement for Columbus Baha’is

he Assembly in Columbus, Ohio, had a problem. Lisa Shademan, Assembly secre tary, reports that while the A: bly had maintained a datab: about 300 seekers since 1985, few had enrolled.

The database included such information as where and with what Baha’i 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 Baba’t).

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





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

  • 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 Baha’i Council for the Western

States was being elected, Portland-area Baha'is 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.’”

Working toward the next level in metro Atlanta


BY TOM MENNILLO

Was 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 Baha’i community and with the media and public. The strategy was unveiled Jan. 31 in a ylong conference conducted by the Office of Communications and Media Relations (OCMR). Twenty public information offi and other representatives of area Baha’{ communities participated.

OCMR was created by the Atlanta Baha’i ‘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 Baha’{ 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 informa



tion 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 ¢ maintainers. ds’ talents will be employed on an as-needed basi s, freeing them from having to attend Regula meeting








expertise. Information from the new task force— or the Atlanta Baha’{ Information Center, as the outside world will know it—will flow through OCMR to the Baha’i 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


planring 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 broadcas ated ja that, for






a county will be coordinated by one mbly in that county. Media that serve single community will be within the jurisdiction of that Baha’i community. Public information officers were urged a



A single metro-Atlanta task force now coordinates support for the teaching efforts, event information, promotional and teaching materials, and a database of communities and media contacts. eee

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 Adanta Baha'i public information officer directory was handed to par


ants 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 Rela Council introduced to the Internet, Internet providers, and Bal ites on the Internet. |




ions id were




president of the organiapter, said the RPRC ded” 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 Baha’i Web site.

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

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







community has not stopped there. They have developed a local training institute with a deepening program based on “We Are Baha’is.” 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

ccommodate the troops.”

he n 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

).







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

If your community does not receive the broadcast:

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

es, 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


follow up on inqui

American Baha’i.

  • 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).


¢ 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


800-999-9019

in these formats:

Home VHS $9.95 Broadcast SVHS $9.95

Broadcast Betacam SP

ic 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 Baha’i Distribution Service

The Power of Race Unity videotape, 28 1/2 minutes,

Broadcast U-Matic SP (3/4”) $35

$60




page 18 THE AMERICAN BAHA‘i * SUMMON THE PEOPLE TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD

March 2, 1998

March 2, 1998

‘THE AMERICAN BAHA’i © SUMMON THE PEOPLE TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD

page 19


[Page 20]SPECIAL SECTION *


HOV

REE OF A CONTINUI




1G SERIES


RECHT



“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 open 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-Baha: Tablets of the Divine Plan, Pages 49-50





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 Baha’i 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 Baha’i Administrative Web Site, www.usbnc.org (you will need your Baha’i ID number to log in at this site).







in Faith are

Most new believers

women,

national study shows

Proportion of young adults shows increase

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

“In this study we were looking for emerging patterns in enrollments of new believers, id Ken Bowers, Secretary of the National Teaching Committee. “We found a number of ng trends.” study of new believers supplements a general survey of Baha’i activity conducted by the NTC during 1997, he said. Together, he added, these studies begin to give a sense of the history and ectory 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 Baha’f 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 Baha’f 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 evers in almost all age o higher than their corg proportion in the gener 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 Baha’is. Women account for 79 percent of new believers in the 35-44 age range, compared with 65 percent of total Baha’is 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 e have grown up in Baha’i households.

Fewer new believers in the group surveyed were introduced to the Faith by members of their famili Overall, about 45 percent of Baha'is 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 Baha’is gen




ae

“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


erally. In fact, 50.4 percent of women said they were introduced to the Faith by a friend.

“The implication of this is that individuals are reaching out more in their efforts to proclaim and teach the Baha’i 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 Baha’ 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 Baha’fs. 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 Baha’ adults enrolled between January 1996 and March 1997.


page 20

THE AMERICAN BAHA‘i * SUMMON THE PEOPLE TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD

March 2, 1998 [Page 21]

KOR:

SPECIAL SECTION ©


PART THR


EE OF A CONTINUI



G SERIES


Local success helps stir fresh wave of goal-setting


he 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 Baha’is have set their sights on: doubling the number of active believers; holding monthly potluck firesides; advertising in local ney arranging to have the Bal Workshop perform at local schools for MLK Day and Black History Month; hosting a Chamber of Commerce breakfast; and offering speal 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

MEDIA EFFORTS.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE |

Pe ccccccccccccccccccccccscces




As the campaign got under way, the Baha’i toll-free telephone number was staffed from 8 a.m. to midnight each d Later that was extended to 24 hou 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.

Baha’is 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 Babd’és m several pamphlets, the addresses of Baha'i centers in all three counties, and the f special weekly firesides and spiritual meetings.

In this wa









caller can be directed to is 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.






home of Joanne and Badi Sabet. The Royal Falcons teaching group the Coral Springs


“Our heroes this day in the teaching field were Gene Pritchard, Bobby, Leila


selly, 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 Ridv old 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 pic 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:

  • Hold firesides with guest speakers on

open topics.








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 Local photo


are being planned, as well as the ‘CViprogram The Power of Race Unity in these subsequent phases.

All of this was enabled by the raising of $50,000 at a “ off fund raiser” in September. With 98 pe icipati

comme!





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. cial conference was held the day and-raiser. Com



Baha’i spots as part of the media effort.

munities consulted and shared their ideas and plans for teaching.

According to Mrs. Grant, th ing Committee formed spe 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.

Steer







3 Time zones Ap sie Odyesey Charset Eastern Central Mountain Pacific on a cable TV system ‘tiers you live, this’ the Saturday, March 28 5:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 2:30p.m. schedule by which The Sunday, March 29 8:00 a.m. 7:00 a.m. 6:00 a.m. 5:00 a.m. Power of Race Unity will Wednesday, April | 1:00 p.m. 12:00 noon 11:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. be broadcast in most Saturday, April 4 5:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. places (check your local Sunday, April 5 8:00 a.m. 7:00 a.m. 6:00 a.m. 5:00 a.m. listings to be sure): Wednesday, April 8 1:00 p.m. 12:00 noon 11:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.






  • Mail brochures groups,

offering to give talks on topics of interest.

  • Conduct family virtues seminars.
  • Coordinate radio ads with door-todoor 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 Baha’i books

and offer to speak on Baha’i subjects.

  • Have a street festival for neighborhood children.
  • Hold potlucks and social gatherings.
  • Have a personal teaching plan.
  • Hold firesides, firesides, firesides!


“Nothing will further your ends more quickly

than the greatest

love, unity

and

cooperation

amongst yourselves. These are

the very soul

of the Order Baha’u’Ilah 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)




March 2, 1998

THE AMERICAN BAHA’i *SUMMON THE PEOPLE TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD page 21 [Page 22]

ENGLISH

Letter to the friends

from the Latin-American Task Force


Dear and emed Friends in the Cause of Baha’u’llah:

The efforts of the friends in Florida go on. A radio program about the Baha’i 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 Baha'is 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 Baha’u’llah.

The task force also met with Baha’i 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 sucin teaching the Hispanic populan is united collaboration and coordination among various Baha'{ institutions such as the Regional Baha’i Councils, Teaching Institutes, Auxiliary Board members, Regional Train





ing Institutes and Local Spiritual Assemblies, as well as groups of interested Baha'is 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 stereotype:

  • 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 Englishspeaking 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 Hi: panics 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 ssings and confirmations ahé’u’llah on all the efforts intended to carry His Message to the Hispanic population of this country.





















ie ESPANOL

Carta a los amigos de la Comision de Trabajo Latinoamericana

Queridos y Estimados Amigos en la Causa de Baha’u’llah:

El esfuerzo de los amigos de la Florida contintia. Con gran éxito se inicié un programa de radio sobre la Fé Baha'i,



en una de las emisoras mas potentes del sur

Estados Unidos: “La 670 AM) con un

xtiende desde Orlando, Florida, hasta el Caribe, incluyendo Cuba.

de los



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

Este programa de radio, que seguiré transmitiéndose a las 8 p.m. los sébados, es parte del proyecto de proclamacién “Victory 2000” organizado por todos los Baha'is de la Florida del sureste.

REUNION EN DALLAS

Esta Comisién de Trabajo se reunié en Dallas, Texas, del 30 de enero hasta el 1° de febrero, y en la mafiana del 31 hizo una presentaci6n a Consejeros Continentales y miembros del Cuerpo Auxiliar de los Estados Unidos reunidos alli sobre el enfoque y planes de esta Comisién en su esfuerzo por alcanzar la poblacién latina con el Mensaje de Baha'u'llah.

‘También se reunié con los clubs universitarios Baha’is del area de Dallas, puesto que una de las consideraciones en la ensefianza es la de alcanzar a los estudiantes universitarios latinoamericanos a través del pais. Otra consulta fue con la Comisién Local de Asuntos Persas-Americanos debido a la importancia de colaboracién entre los creyentes hispanos y los creyentes persas.

Un esfuerzo que ha de garantizar el éxito en la ensefianza a la poblacién hispana es la unida colaboracién y coordinaci6n entre las diferentes instituciones como los Concilios Regionales

Institutos de Ensefianza,







miembros del Cuerpo Auxiliar, Institutos Regionales de Entrenamiento, Asambleas Espirituales Locales, asi como grupos de Baha’fs interesados y pioneros que han retornado de sus puestos. También es importante la movilizacion de pioneros locales a Latino América.


REFUTANDO ESTEREOTIPOS

Todos los grupos de poblaci6n categorizados de ser diferentes de la mayoria de la gente son percibidos dentro de estereotipos por dicha mayoria. La poblacién hispana no es ninguna excepcién.

De acuerdo con nuestro propésito de promover mejor comprensién sobre el pueblo y la cultura hispana, nos dirigimos. aalgunos de los estereotipos mas 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 afio 1565 en San Agustin, Florida, y 1610 en Santa Fe, Nuevo México—ambos primero que ninguna colonia impor tante de idioma inglés.

  • La identificacién de los hispanos

como una raza. En realidad, la poblacién hispana no pertenece a ninguna categoria racial especifica 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 suposicion de que la mayoria de los

hispanos no habla inglés o que lo aprendieron recientemente. En realidad, un gran porcentaje de la poblacién hispana utiliza el inglés como su primer idioma y muchos hispanos no hablan espanol.

Hasta la proxima, queridos amigos, pedimos las bendiciones y confirmaciones de Baha'u'llah sobre todos los esfuerzos encaminados a llevar Su Mensaje a la poblacién hispana de este pais.





Ti U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY Administrative Web Site


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


serve the National A

questions the:



as well as the Universal House of Justice.

News headlines and announcements. Your window to what's happening in the U.S. Baha’i community.

Descriptions of the departments and agencies that

mbly along with answers to

are most frequently asked by the friends.

The most current letters from the National Assembly





page 22

THE AMERICAN BAHA’i ¢ LATINAMERICAN TASK FORCE

March 2, 1998 [Page 23]


family connection across the Adantic helped inspire the Baha’ group of Wayne County, New York, to provide timely assistance for a small farming vil

Chilun Zambia, last spring when too much rain w: away almost all the crops planted by vi lagers. 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 Baha'i, and her family.

Mn. Banda and his wife, Margaret, vis ited churches and Baha'i communities throughout the greater Rochester area, sharing stories and Zambian music. He also told the friends of the probl getting aid to his village.

Sending money or goods was not enough. Mailed ight be delayed for weeks, might not make it to the vil













ms in






TEACHING



The )second ching, project 6te d'Ivoire

  • Cote d’Ivoire/Guinea:

phase of the “Audace”, te: in the Danané region of C proved audacious-indeed, as 15 teachers traveling from Europe joined 50 local believers to newly connect the he 2,670 people to Bah: . The s of activity in July and August of which 48 ready up to Assembly strength. One goal of the second phase was to strengthen the more than 100 commu nities 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 Céte 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 Baha’u’ll4h.

  • 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.














lage, or m too steep for village was needed to provide the ability to feed itself.

One solution was within the reach of the Baha'is: 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 Baha’is were doing this,” a news release from the Baha'i 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














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

Photo courtesy Baha'is of Wayne County

oil. People in line would suddenly start dancing or singing in thanksgiving for the corn grinder and praising the Baha'is 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,











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

Baha'i International News Service

EDUCATION

DEVELOPMENT


¢ 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 Baha’f Council said.

  • Russia: A deepening course in the

lage of Mikhailovka in the western on more than doubled the e of the local Baha’s community. n guests of the Baha'is declared faith at the end of the session. The community previously ha members.









  • Argentina: The First Native Peoples

Meeting of the Conosur region in Puerto Tirol brought together Baha’is 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.



earning the village money and stimulating trade

The Wayne County Baha fs 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.


oe


SPECIAL EVENTS


  • Western Samoa: Festivities for the

Anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u’llih 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 groun 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 Baha'u'llah, hosted by the national Office of External Affairs. The message read in part, “Your community’s pursuit of national and global unity and pe: ce are pursuits and welcome ini










  • Kazakhstan: About 130 Baha’is 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 “Baha'is 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 Baha’i 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.


March 2, 1998

THE AMERICAN BANA’ * INTERNATIONAL NEWS _ page 23 [Page 24]


“SyouTH’™


6 YOUTH HIGHLIGHTS )

ORLANDO YOUTH CONFERENCE

The annual Baha’{ 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 Baha'i 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 Ridvan 153 met message. i i At the close of the program, Colby Lenz spoke on the “Role of Youth in Building Baha'i 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 Baha'is. 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 Baha'u'llah.” The speakers and workshop leaders focused on different aspects of the Covenant, laws of marriage, equality between the sexes, Baha'i 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-Baha, 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-Baha. 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, Badi’, Tahirih 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 Baha'i 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 Baha'i 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 Baha'u'llah 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 Baha’u’llah 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 Baha'i Fund.

TRY


ae

CALLING ISOLATED YOUTH

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

© ACTIVITIES & SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

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 Bukovean, 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 weeklong 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 Baha'i clubs, please contact the National Youth Committee with your e-mail and snail-mail addresses.


CONTACT THE NATIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE

MAIL: 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201-1611 PHONE: 847-733-3499 E-MAIL:



page 24 THE AMERICAN BANA’i* YOUTH — March 2, 1998 [Page 25]

- PROMO


TING


PRINCIPLES.




Baha’is across country pay tribute to King’s dream

Work for unity brings involvement, recognition

For the past few years, Babd’is 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

were an integral part of celebrations Martin


Bah hington, D.C., are Jan. 15-18, surrounding Luther King Jr. Day.

The city of Alexandria, which had asked specifically for a Baha’s speaker ge 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 Baha’s, event planning committee member Heitha Beane, acted as mistress of ceremonies for the memorial service.

The Bahd’is 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, Baha’is 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 Baha’i Chorale in one of the festival performances, with the highlight being a new composition, “Cause Me to Taste,” containing the words of Bahd’u'llah 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


The Washington and Virginia Baha’i Youth Workshops perform for spectators and passers-by at a mall in Alexandria, Virginia, as part of Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations Jan. 18. Local photo

polite assertiveness helped the Baha’is of the Monterey Bay area ensure that the name of Baha’u’lléh 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 Baha’i 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 Baha’ checked with the program director and found that the written introduction for the Baha’i 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 Baha’f prayer printed on the back of the program.

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

DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA

‘Two parades in the Miami area had a quite visible Baha’i 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 Baha’i posters was driven along the route with a banner carried ahead that read: “The earth is one country and mankind its citizens/The Baha’f Faith, a model for unity.” The interracial group of seven Baha’is greeted the crowd, proclaimed the name of Baha’u’llah 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 Baha’is 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 Baha’is were invited to help make it happen.

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

‘Abdu’l-Baha’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 Baha’ vision.

The friends also were allowed to pass out 200 fliers on Bahé’i-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 Baha’i from Larkspur, Colorado, was recognized as a Martin — Luther King Humanitarian for her volun




teer service to individuals and families | whose lives have been


influenced by manic dep! n.

She was one of 10 recipients of this year’s awards, bestowed by the Colorado King Holiday Commission in awards ceremony and Colorado ymphony 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, initiati f-help group for friends and called “Initiatives,” setting up a “Warm Line” and opening a consumer resource center.

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

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

The Western New York Baha’i 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 Baha’i, 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 Baha’i from San Jose, was one of the 15 honorees for her work in youth development.

Paymon Zarghami, a 15-year-old Baha’i, received a standing ovation for his keynote speech on “Slavery and its Root Causes,” based on a talk by Frederick Douglass, the 19th-century

KAREN FALLAHI







SEE KING DAY, PAGE 26


March 2, 1998

THE AMERICAN BAHA‘i * PROMOTING THE PRINCIPLES

page 25 [Page 26]

Prayer event blooms from

wo years’ work

in


resulted



at the ond ann Prayer Breakfast, with



ing a freedom



Baha igious organi



congregations,



“The Bah the committee for thi the past two ye



and



the divers

of Upland,”

event says. “Additionally,


report


tional and ser

by Baha’fs of Upland, Califora gathering of dignitaries and citizens Upland Wilma Ellis , member of the Continental Board of Counselors, presentkeynote speech on religious nd the “global family.” The event was sponsored by the pland Interfaith Council, organized through the energy of the is to bring together various

ations, local government and business and service groups.

  • { Faith has chaired

event for under the theme ‘unity in community’ w has made a remarkable progr in eliminating barriers of prejudice which have long impacted ied spiritual heritage on

by sponsoring community events and educa€ projects through Upland Interfaith Council, the member faiths have ly managed to gain the trust and support of the local government, ti


the

civi



Friends step up to ‘pinch-hit’

Be year the Jewish community through B’nai B'rith provides volunteers on Christmas Day to Atlantaarea hospitals. These volunteers fill in while Christians take time off to enjoy their Holy Day. This year the Adan nity participated in B’n: Hitter” program a hospitals, including Emory, Georgia Baptist, Crawford Long, Gwinnett Medical, and the VA Hospital. Individual Baha’is ha the past. This year Ba organized to offer a block of volunteers to B’nai Brith. Fifteen Baha’is worked across






{i commu






e volunteered in







religious group.”

the on her role on the

ment’s


inal


Kl NG DAY, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

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African-American abolitionist. Paymon has been the keynote speaker for this event for past s and is invited to




year’s ceremony.

The event 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 Baha’fs from San Jose and other Bay Area localities.

Many Bahé’is 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 Franci:

NORTHERN GEORGIA

Baha’fs in northern Georgia figured prominently in three 1 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 EuropeanAmericans 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 gia a’ Jake Hendrix, a Cornelia e officer who lives in Hall County, was quoted in an account published the next day in the Adanta 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 proble before they begin to arrive.”

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















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

ich historically resisted any and all movements of this nature, when initiated by one particular

In her talk, Dr. Ellis


newly formed Advisory Committee on Religious dom Abroad, and spoke of an imminent and urgent need for humanity to come together as members of one family. She com- an mended the efforts of communis such as Upland in gi

three shifts throughout Ch: and helped out at the nu and in the cafeterias, swept the floors and did whatever needed to be done.

“T read about the Jewish commu: volunteering for the Christians in the paper, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since,” said Kathleen Jones of Lawrenceville, area Baha’{ service project coordinator.



meaning to the realization and promotion of the concept of a “global family.”

The program also featured a Baha’i chant by Susan Millett of Rancho Cucamonga, recitations from the Holy Qur’an, talks and prayers offered by Another Baha'i volunteer, Paulette leaders of the community and Trail, noted, “As Baha’fs, we believe that various Christian congrega- family unity is very important, and this tions. The program ended with _ service provides us with an opportunity spirational choral perfor- to help our Christian brothers and sismance by the Upland High _ ters spend time with their families. It School Madrigals. just makes sense to me.”






reported ate Depart





Free







ing true



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

King’s philosophy by your Charitable Trust. He and The Dr. Martin Luther i

dedi n and commitment his wife, Francine, have


King Jr. Steering Committee of Sanford, near Orlando, presented Benjamin Levy with its 1998 Brotherhood Award Jan. 17 for “having consistently de strated that you embrace Dr.



mon



in assisting your fellow man in enhancing racial harmony.”

A member of the Bah community of Seminole County West, Mr. Levy is a trustee of the Rabbani



served on the MLK Steering Committee since it was ablished 11 years ago. The following afternoon, Baha’ scriptures were read at an interfaith service commemorating Dr. King.


est


Sa




page 26

‘THE AMERICAN BAHA‘i ¢ PROMOTING THE PRINCIPLES

March 2, 1998 [Page 27]PROMOTING->-THE*PRINCIPLES




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 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


H nah Rishel has long dreamt of open a Baha’i-run health clinic that integrates We n 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 Baha'i Institute.

An integrative approach to medicine far on the horizon, however. It awaits the part n of Baha'i 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

“Anglo,” Hispanic, African-American and American Indian students. Housing is inexpensive. One area Baha’i commusembly and anothg that . LargAlbuquerque, New Mexjagstaff, Arizona, are only ay along Interstate 40. ajo County is among the 10 poorest in the United States, making ita 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.







remai




















Physician shares perspectives of the Faith

in series of conferences across


“It is not easy to directly teach in this area, but the people

respond to service and genuineness.”

—Hannah Rishel, in in Joseph City, Arizona


physi ———


situated in an old restaubusy

The clinic, rant alongside old Route 66, enough. This winter the area's b n died and left lots of bus Rishel also had patients she treated via all between the time she left her previous employer the clinic's November 1997 oj

The Bal ence in the clinic, despite posters on the walls and mentions of the Faith and its

ples in the brochure.









is not easy to directly teach in t 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 Baha’ principles on health. Who knows where it will go?”




southern Asia

Environment partnership offers interfaith calendar

whirlwind November tour of India and Nepal afforded Atlanta-area Baha’i Elizabeth L. Bowen an opportunity to share the Fai 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 Baha'i International Community at several international summits and conferences in recent yea On this 20-day trip she built on contacts and friendships she had previously made with many representatives of institutions and non-governmental organizations.





spoke at several conferences, including one on “Creating Violence-Free Families” hosted by the Baha’i 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 Baha’ will follow up with the journalists to obtain further coverage of social and economic development programs inspired by Baha’i principles.








Information presented in The American Baha’i 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

Bring this issue of The American Baha’i to Feast!


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.




‘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 distribtuion.

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, Baha'i, 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 Baha’i US/UN Office, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120, New York, N.Y. 10017.

For more information or materials on involving Baha’i communities in U.N.-related activities, contact the US/UN Office at the above address (or phone 212-8032500, fax 212-803-2573, e-mail





March 2, 1998

THE AMERICAN BAHA‘i * PROMOTING THE PRINCIPLES page 27


[Page 28]


in The American {are published free of charge to the Baha’i 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 BAHA’{ NATIONAL CENTER Recruiting Specialist, Department of Human Resources: \dentifies the staffing needs of the national Baha’f adr tive 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 s rds of a spirit of service to the National Spiritual Assembly. Needs. ccehtonall interpersonal skills that include courtesy, warmth, hos; i tact, diplomacy in relaying sei information. Must be pe et k, extremely flexible, and able to respond to constant change with a kind and loving attitude. Background in recruiting desi able. 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 fu f the Faith; helping believers with questions and concerns about the Funds; and gathering feedback from Assembli beli n order to improve ) communication and program quality Must be well-grounded in the fundamen ave exce|




















writte supported by advanced computer and be able to coordinate many task: simultaneously. Prefer at least a bachelor’s degree in human service-related field, and experience in program design and management.

If inte



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 847733-3425, e-mail



AT NATIVE AMERICAN BAHA’{ INSTITUTE Maintenance worker needed at the Native American Baha’{ 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 Baha’i World Center


HVAC maintenance. ing drainage, fittings, etc. general horticulture preferred.

informal gardens.


‘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. Vor 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 power and lighting distribution systems, general lighting control and maintenance. Experience in high-tension and large cable installation is highly desirable.

© Mechanical/electrical technician. Needs experience in refrigeration and

  • Professional plumber. Needs experience in all aspects of the trade, includ

¢ Horticulturist for expanding formal gardens. Experience in gardens and

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

‘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 SpirituAssembly on a broad range of women’s sues with other national non-governmental organizations (NGOs), federal government agencies and offices, and leaders of thought. As necessary, communicates National Assembly polic equality of women and men to the U.S. Baha’{ community. Prov i tive support for the Ce cement of Wome: dissemination of the statement Two Wings of a Bird: the Equality of Women and Men, represents the committee at meetings andl ebniferenices! andeSAthiees research on the status of women within ind in U Ige and experi‘’{ principles to the

















- Soci


ence in applying Bal problems of ing the ad


degree i

social nce, interna tional relations or related field. five




rs’ work experi t have word processing ably Word. If interested, contact Office of Human Resources, 1233 Ce tral Street, Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430).







AT BOSCH BAHA’i SCHOOL Assistant facilities manager sought for Bosch Bal hool. 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, sort 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, CoAdministrator, Bosch Baha’{ School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 xehone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, e-mai











AT BAHA’| DISTRIBUTION SERVICE

ic tative is istribution Service nooga, Tennessee. The representative will facilitate the distribution of Baha’ literature and other products by

y data entry of telephone, fax and mail orders; respond to requests for information about accounts, publications and other materials; investigate resolve customer complaints in a timely ind prepare timely corresponity to accurately pack up to dred orders per day is essen For information or an application, contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Cent Street, ton, IL. 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430).












AT Louis G. GREGORY BAHA’l INSTITUTE e ucation coordinator needed Gregory Baha’i Institute in , South Carolin: i ble for planning, implementation and evaluation of all teaching and edu programs at the Institute. F administrative/manag and a graduate degree in edu agement 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. Prot sionals needed to serve in rapidly devel‘oping China. Many social and economic development opportunities! For more information contact Susan Senchuk (phone 847-733-3506, fax 847-7333509, 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: An; 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 dlevelopimieae



(ONFIPA). Central African Republic— Population development (UNFIPA). Céte a@’ooire (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 grantmaking program in Western Africa, concession contract for water supplies. Rwanda—Health Poe manager,

PHC trainer, technical assistant for dis s, income generati program coordinator. South Africa—lertiary 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.

ICAS: Argentina—Management services contractors. Bolivia—Senior program officer (WWE). 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 spe: , community service program (AFS Trinidad and Tobago—Health program: communications coordinator, National Ambulance Service development manager, informaion systems/technology project director, National Community Care’ Development project manager. Turks & Caicos—Government doctor. Venezuela—Computer outlet store for sale.

ASIA: Armenia—Small business alist, finance delegate, techni struction delegate, contracting spec Azerbaijan—Community health edu tion manager, field coordinator, admini trative officer, country director for IRC Cambodia—Disaster preparedness delegate, HIV/AIDS program adviser (WB). India—Vice-Principal for the New E















lending









ESL teache: 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 fellows! rp search 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 Baha'i Center. Western Caroline Islands—Self-supPerans assistant to the National Assemly 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. Hun-—University lecturers and professors CEP, head of office (IOM). h Agricultural officer, information officer for TY, legal officer, personnel officers (legal matters and other), statistician,












page 28 THE AMERICAN BAHA’i * CLASSIFIED

March 2, 1998 [Page 29]

food security officer for FAO, project leader (CGIAR), weather and climate Specialists. Kosove—Project directors, nurses, nurse midwives, obstetricians, child psychologists, pediartic neurologists, child welfare specialists, epidemiologists (DOW). LEE Lending/credit specialist (EIB). Netherlands—Water enterprise development professional, director-general. Poland— aciot lecturer in public poli Bar eepal™ bas erie in agri and rural development. Re Junior lecturer in political science. Russia—F n officers, agricultural lending/credit list, international finance. Slovakia—English teacher. Switzerland—Senior training r, director of international trade on (UN), special coordinator (UN). Ukraine—Program director (economics. education). United Kingdom—Dean and








economics. MULTI-REGIONAL: African Program of IF) faculty to teach on mili

‘Teachers for SH. Universi





and Asia. marketing speciali: Director of operat munications coordinator for Latin Ameri i




ing instructors. Multi-discip for WRI (World Resources Institute). Country representatives for Africare. CEO for Central Asian-American E prise Fund. Managers and specialists for f Economists for Latin cal legal 5 nia, Bulgaria and Ukraine, Central and Eastern Europe, NIS. Associate Liaisons for Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kazakhstan, Ukraine. Civic educators and organizers for Eastern Europe (NDI). Peace Corps: foresters, parks and wildlife, environmental education and awareness. Water and sanitation engineers, Agronomists for Action Against Hunger. Global Classroom Inc. offers free placement assistance to English as a second/foreign language (ESL/EFL) professionals seeking overseas employment. All positions require a minimum of an ESL/EEL certificate or a year’s ESL/EFL teaching ex






rience. URGENT NEEDS: Honduras—Ele pny. and secondary school teachers. INDIA—Experienced, qualified vicerincipal for the New Era High School. Macou—The School of Nations needs qualified kindergarten, primary and secondary teachers. Solomon Islands—Self-supporting couple to serve as custodians of ue Baha'i Center in Honiara. Volunteer to train National Center office staff. For additional information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha'i National Center, Wilmette IL 60091 (phone 847-733-3508, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail


Moonlight in Vermont, or in New Hampshire if you prefer. The neighboring communities of Hi Vermont, and Lebanon, New Hampshire have seven deepened adult Baha’is 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 DartmouthHitchcock 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, coupled with each state’s lowest unemployment rates, make Hartford and Lebanon an easy area to find work. Please contact the Hartford Baha’f community, P.O. Box 14, Hartford, VT 05048 (phone Diane and Steve Langley at 802-295-6916 or email or the Lebanon Baha’i community, P.O. Box 2089, Lebanon, NH 03766 (phone Anne ane lim Bouchard at 603-448-2297 or email

Please consider helping to establish the Faith in Fairhope, Alabama, a town where some of the earliest Baha’f teaching in the U.S. took place in 1898 (join us May 8-10 for our centennial celebration). We're a mostly white community seeking greater diversity; we are a group of four in a county where only 15 Baha’fs reside. Pleas is beautiful where tr ed streets lead to Bay, only 40 minutes from white ches on the Gulf of Mexico. We every way we can from your contact to “settling in.” Please contact the Baha’fs 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 Baha’f community, including groups in Foley, Sartell and Stearns County. Our area is united in vision and loo! for pioneers to joi the excitement of an audacious teaching project, plus monthly travel tea opportunities to a nearby Ojibway reservation. Only minutes from beautiful lakes and parks, the area abounds in employment opportunities in medicine, behavioral 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 Mcpartland (phone 320-253-0465, e-mail







The Baha'is of Jamestown, New York, are hoping to form a Spittal Assembly by Ridvan: 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 programming; teaching, including IN colleges and a local business college; manufacturing management; and social service industries: The Jamestown Baha’is sponsor a weekly “Dialogue on Racial .” We are working with Olean, New York, to develop a foothold at the Ch Institution this summer. If you are interested in speaking for either of these programs, or able to move to Jamestown, please contact Val Ratcliffe (phone 76-483-6871).


‘The University of Arkansas, in Fayetteville (papcnon 30,00 amid the picturesque Ozarks, has an energetic Baha’i 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 university, with around 13,000 students, has several excellent programs and departments, 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 fnaneal resources devoted to

scholarships for academics or area interest. For further information please contact Martha Clark (phone 501-582-5258) or e-mail the U of A Baha’{ Association

The Douglas, Arizona, Baha'i group is actively seeking bilingual (Spanish/English) Hispa iSaeEonG 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 Baha’is or a Baha’ 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 establishments. 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, Coifernis, Local Spiritual Assembly? Have you ever been part of the Santa Monica Baha’i community? We will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Santa Monica Assembly (1948-1998) at a special to be held Sunday, May 17, 24 p.m. in the Santa Monica Main Public Library. If you cannot attend, please send us a letter of your memories of Santa Monica for display at our program. Send to R.O. Box 1066, Santa Monica, CA 90406 or email Sheila Banani






The Indianapolis Spiritual Assembly is in the process of publishing a seeker’s newsletter. We are interested in receiving copies of newsletters from other communities to help our effort. Please send your newsletter to Indianapolis Baha’is, P.O. Box 20187, Indianapolis, IN 46220-0187 (e-mail f

Wanted: Information on how to acquire the set of videos titled “Lasting Remembrances,” the official video recordings of the Second Baha’i World Congress in New York City in November 1992. They are no longer available from the Distribution Service. Contact Gloria C. Holmes,

Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (phone 616-458-7183, e-mail

The National Baha’i Archives is seeking original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: Emma Buckley, Mary H. Buckman, George Buder, Clinton and Mariam Bugbee, Frieda Bullinger, Ann Bulloch, Gordon T. Burke, and Tom Burke. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these Guardian's letters is asked to contact the National Baha’i Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL, 60201-1611 or phone 847-869-9039.

ies of the following editions of The eal nS Shee by Shoghi Effendi in good or excellent condition are bein; sought: clothbound 1941, 1951, 1961, 1969; paper 1943, 1969, 1980. Anyone with copies they could donate is asked to send them to the National Baha'i Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL. 60201-1611. 5


TEACHING SKILLS,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7


eee


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 ds or minutes, we may mention ith 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 Baha'i Race Unity Picnic (or whatever other upcoming Bahs’i 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 conversation can be had.

  • Sharing Baha’i cards or literature.

As it is often customary to exchange business cards, many teachers give out cards containing Baha'i 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 sharing a Baha’{ pamphlet or small book, as he may never have a chance to meet another Baha’i. However, if we are likely to be in contact with someone (e.g. the clerk at a store we regularly visit), it may be better to first develop the friendship, then gradually offer literature.

  • Wearing clothing or jewelry with

Baha’i messages. We may wear Tshirts proclaiming Baha’i principles or jewelry bearing Baha’i symbols.

  • Keeping Baha’i-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 Bab. Similarly, seeds may be planted in our casual activities, perhaps reading a Baha’i 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 celebration of a Baha’i occasion like Ayyam-iHa or Naw-Riz.

  • 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 opportunities for teaching will arise. For example, we can comfort friends who have lost loved ones by sharing with them personal handwritten notes containing 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.


March 2, 1998

‘THE AMERICAN BAHA’l * CLASSIFIED _ page 29 [Page 30]

Home version of Temple multimedia program available


¢ Baha’i 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 Baha aith, shown for visitors Foundation Hall of the Temple, is available on a loan basi:

The 14-minute slide program with narration on cassette addresses the concept of progressive revelation and the




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 peo able to many program-seeking clubs and interest groups. It is well-received in ied 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 nar



a Kodak Carousel-type projector, a cassette player and a screen or other surface for viewing. Practice with the material. 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 Baha’i House of Worship (phone 847-853-2300, e


central teachings

of Baha’u’lléh

ple about the Faith in a fashion accept



FOUR ANNUAL THEMES:

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

1999-2000: The Baha’i social and economic teachings for reforming civilization

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

2001-02: The development of the individual and the creation of strong marriages and Baha’i families

TEACHING THE BAHA'I 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.



SPIRITUAL FOUNDATIONS FOR A GLOBAL CIVILIZATION

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 Baha'i 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.”

S@eeeoeeeeSoeoeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeeeeee ee @

OTHER SUBJECTS STUDIED:

ich year’s curriculum incl BAHA’i SCRIPTURE

1998-99: Will & Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, The World Order of Baha’u’llah

1999-2000: Tablets of Baha’u’llah Revealed after The Kitib-iAqdas; The Advent of Divine Justice, The Promised Day is Come

2000-01: Kitab-i-fqan,

Some Answered Questions 2001-02: The Kitib-i-Aqdas BAHA’i HISTORY

SKILL BUILDING

1998-99: Consultation and Assembly skills

1999-2000: Conflict resolution 2000-01: Public speaking 2001-02: Writing

@ A FOUR-YEAR PROGRAM OF STUDY OF THE BAHA' FAITH AS IT RELATES TO THE WORLD

@ DESIGNED TO RAISE UP

A NEW GENERATION OF TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS OF THE FAITH

© OPEN TO ANYONE ABLE TO HANDLE UNIVERSITY-LEVEL COURSES

@ EACH YEAR MAY BE TAKEN SEPARATELY

© STUDENTS ARE ASSISTED BY A MENTOR & ELECTRONIC DISCUSSION GROUPS

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 Baha’i 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


ration. Required equipment includes

mail

WAVE OF ACTION,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

eeccee


keep track of progress.

The letter concluded, “It is indeed a privi allowed to contribute our wealth to such 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, Sunrises Palm Bay, Nassau County, Palm Beach, Polk County, Port Richey,

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 Baha’u’llah.” te

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 Ayy4m-i-Ha 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 THE AMERICAN BAHA’i ¢ CONTINUED

March 2, 1998 [Page 31]

“Nature there is in danger,” Ms.

Coester said. “I walked through rural Russia, crossed a lot of rivers and lakes but I con t drink the water.” aching the Faith me another primary goal of my It was an unique opportunity to ns in extremely remote, rural areas. It was a special privilege to mention the Faith for the first time. A very exciting, unforgettable time!”




trip. meet






She lined up sponsors in adv: the walk—200 people, both Bah: others.

“Tt 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 liv harmony with others and natur

Her meals were simple—largely because of 2 i thout 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 thing from


noodles, to rice, to bread and wonderful Russian or Siberian jams. People were giving me the best food they



Janet Coester is greeted by Natasha Kistova in Moscow in November 1992, after completion of the first leg of her cross-country walk in Russia.

Photo by Valeri Bagmut


had. They were extremely generous.

She stayed in the homes of “Chri: tians, Muslims, atheists, Baha’is 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 vi and teach the Faith, because i ‘actly 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 Baha’u’llah, the Nature Statement, the summary of the Peace Statement and an introductory flyer on the Baha'i ith. It is very important to have pioneers over there as contact persons to follow up.”













CHANGI NG VIEWS, SCONTINUED FROM PAGE 5


Brit all can pray, ‘fight bike 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 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 mem





eecccee


oe ba community participation rose to 42 percent.

“This is 10 percentage points higher than any previous month, and we exceeded our monetary goal,” Derry 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 aucti

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





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, of them mentioned the Baha'i Faith,” she said. “Media coverage by foreign press resulted in interviews with Reuters, Moscow Tim Chicago Tribune, Associated Pre: 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 isited the B: World ter in before returning to Russia as a











pionee who “is not a Baha’, yet he has always been very supportive.”



this activity,” Derry wrote in a report later to Auxiliary Board member Farah Guchani-Rosenberg.

“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.

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 Fund:

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



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 Bahd’t 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 envi ronmental 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 Baha’{ 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,” shé 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 ...”

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














eee 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 Baha’i Institute and the children have completed a play about Badi‘.

Derry felt this refreshed focus has been helped along by the energies released by formation of the Regional Baha’f Councils. “If we can do this {eliminate the National Fund deficit],

we can work together in other ways,” he said.




March 2, 1998

‘THE AMERICAN BAHA‘i * CONTINUED

Page 31 [Page 32]

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page 32 THE AMERICAN BAHA’i ¢ PERSIAN

March 2, 1998 [Page 33]

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March 2, 1998

THE AMERICAN BANA‘i* PERSIAN _ page 33 [Page 34]

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page 34. THE AMERICAN BANA’ * PERSIAN

March 2, 1998 [Page 35]

Samuel McClellan was renowned teacher

amuel G. McClellan, who served S the U.S. Baha’i community in various capacities for more than 40 passed away on Jan. 5, 1998, in Danville, Kentucky. Sam became a Baha’i in Bo: 1953 after having learned of th er through children’s cl:



on in ith 25 sat






country. er, Margaret Jensen, also had attended those clas nd later became a Bal 3

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 Baha'i 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






Jessie Riemer met Master

essie 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 Baha’i who wrote the following recollection:

“T met ‘Abdu’l-Bahé in 1912 in Kenosha, Wisconsin, at the age of four years. I remember we went downtown toa 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-Baha. We children had to sit on chairs across from the table.

“I noticed when they came in to be seated ‘Abdu’l-Bahé 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-Baha 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.

“ 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.”








Samuel McClellan with his wife, Mimi

and adults came through their doors, many becoming Baha’is or being nurtured in their faith, and these “fru are spread throughout the world at pioneer ing 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 Auxili Protection for a seven-state 2 ing 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 ality, 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 Baha'i community. Jack McCants read a message on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Wilma Ellis, member of the Continental Board of Counred a message sent from the

House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly on Jan. 6:





STAUNCH, GENTL ING, GC Ss VANT BAHAU’LLAH. DECADES DEDICATED SERVICE ‘TEACHING AND ADMINISTRATIVE SPHERES EXEMPLARY. KINDLY EX’ D OUR LOVING SYMPATHY MEMBERS HIS FAMILY. ARDENTLY PRAYING OLY ‘THRESHOLD FOR PROGRESS HIS NOBLE SOUL THROUGHOUT DIVINE WORLDS.






John Adair helped chronicle Navajo heritage

tural anthropologist who accepted

¢ Baha’i 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

Jes J. Adair, a ground-breaking culql


“Everything he did really served the people he was working with. So often anthropologists go and study people ... and never see those people again.”

—Margo Adair, interviewed about her father


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 pho tographs, 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 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 Anthropolo He declared his faith in Baha’u’llah in 1991 at the Native American Baha’i Institute in Houck, Arizona. He was a longtime friend of several Baha’i families on the reservation.


John J. Adair San Francisco, CA December 14, 1997

Nafe A. Alley Tualatin, OR December 8 1997


Vera Deats Peekskill, NY September 15, 1997

Dorothy AE. Densmore Luck, WI December 3, 1997

IN MEMORIAM


Leslie Jo Kutzler Andrews Air Force Base, MD June 21, 1997

Ellen Lindeman Maryville, TN September 22, 1997

Warren Bradley David Gordon Samuel G. McClellan Masih Rafiee-Ardestani Jerry W. Slade Bexar County, TX ‘Taylors, SC Danville, KY Greer, SC McMinnville, OR December 8, 1997 January 3, 1998 January 5, 1998 January 5, 1998 December 12, 1997 Carrie C. Buttorf Shohood Khaze Elsa Meyers Jessie M. Riemer Robert Trouse

Huntington Woods, MI Belmont, MA Machesney Park, IL Lakeland, FL Ferndale, WA

January 5, 1998 January 7, 1998 December 25, 1997 December 26, 1997 May 15, 1995

Lavonne Clifton Dansky Dixie Savage Palmer John E. Waren Morganton, NC Cw Wilmington, NC Cw Cameron, OK November 24, 1997 December 11, 1997

Mariam Peikari Dallas, TX January 19, 1998

Virginia Pickens San Bernardino, CA January 5, 1998

Ali Mohammad Rowshan. Skokie, IL January 14, 1998

Renee Schmidt

Corvallis, OR December 25, 1997

December 28, 1997




March 2, 1998

‘THE AMERICAN BAHA’I ¢ IN MEMORIAM

page 35 [Page 36]


6-8: Annual Spiritual. Baha'i School.

6-12: Elderhostel Senior seminar program at Bosch Baha’ School.

13-15: International Women’s Writing Guild annual conference at Bosch Baha’f 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 Baha’is of Austin (phone 512-832-6175, email Web site http://bci.org/Bahais_of_Austin_TX).

20-22: “Pilgrimage in the Days of the Guardian,” Louhelen Baha’i School.

21: Open house for Naw-Riiz at Bosch Baha’i School.

23-27: “Two Wings of a Bird: A Celebration of Human Equality,” a week of activities on the University of Southem California campus in Los Angeles, sponsored by the USC Baha’i Club. Nightly firesides, speakers and a panel discussion, lunchtime performances and a play about ‘Tahirih. For information, contact Arghavan Rahimpour (phone 213-764-2649, e-mail

27-29: “Solutions for a Maturing Humanity: A Conference on Pressing World Issues,” at Rice University, Houston, Texas. C red by Houston Assembly. Contact Stephanie Taylor (phone 713-630-8131).

27-29: “The Physician's Challenge,” Louhelen Baha’i School.

27-29: Two programs at Green Acre Baha'i School: “Laying the Foundation for the Fortress” and PersianAmerican Weekend.

27-29: North Dakota Baha'i School at Mayvi University, Mayville, North Dakota. Theme: One Garden”; with Habib Riazati. Advance rej deadline March 10. Registrar: Rosalin Chrest,

Minot, ND 58703 (phone 701-839-1015).

the Fast, Green Acre


lle State lowers of ion




2-5: Mysticism confetence atBosch Baha’i School.

3-5: Institute for Young Women, for ages 12-17, Louhelen Baha’i 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 Baha’i Gospel Choir. Contact Flora and Robert Salmon (phone 401-769-2418).

7-10: Children’s Academy at Bosch Baha’{ School, for fourth- through sixth-graders.

10-12: Study of the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf , Green Acre Baha’{ School.

10-12: Two programs at Louhelen Baha'i School: Youth Eagle Institute and “Spiritual Transformation.”

10-12: Texas A&M University Baha’i Conference, College Station, Texas. For details see Web site (http://acs.tamu.edu/~ambc).

13-18: Junior Youth Garden/Study Project at Bosch Baha'i School. Enrollment limited.

17-19: “One Human Family” multicultural Gospel singing workshop and concert at Metro Denver Baha’ center, directed by Eric Dozier. Must attend all-day workshop Saturday to sing in the concert Sunday afternoon. Contact Global Visions Arts Alliance (303404-3193, e-mail

24-26: Two programs at Green Acre Baha’i 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 Baha’i School.

24-26; Wilmette Institute course on Old and New ‘Testaments of the Bible, Bosch Baha’i School.

26: Milwaukee Baha’i community 75th anniversary gala 2-5 p.m. at the Italian Community Center, Milane Wisconsii Speakers to include Margu Iso music, entertainment and rvations can be made at $25 per information, contact Pat Miller at (414) 444 8995.







National Center mailroom employee Vahid Farahani


sualliog label tos Manager



1 Information S


1-3: Fund-raiser d at Baha’f School.

1-3: Institute for Junior Youth, for ages 12-16, Louhelen Baha’s School.

8-10: Centennial of the Baha’i Faith in the Southern States, Fairhope, Alabama. Proclamation and training/deepening events in collaboration with Royal Falcon Baha’i School Committee. R : Penny Sebastiani, P.O. Box 2110, Robertsdale, AL 36567-2110 (e-mail For more information see Web site (http://bahai.home.mindspring.com).

8-10: Study session on The Seven Valleys at Bosch Baha’i School.

8-10: Parent/Child Weekend at Louhelen Baha'i School.

15-17: Seekers/New Believers Weekend at Green Acre Baha’i School.

22-24: Two sessions at Louhelen Baha’i School: “Who are the New Baha’is/Teaching Young People,” and “Two Wings of a Bird.”

22-25: Utah Baha'i 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,

Layton, Utah 84040 (phone 801-771-0586).

22-25: Marriage enrichment weekend at Bosch Baha'i School.

23-24: Gold Fever Conference at Indian Creek School in Placerville, California, sponsored by Assembly of El Dorado County Southeast. For information call 530-6260341.

28-31; Baha’ National Convention, Holiday Inn O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois. See form on page 3.

29-31: Three sessions at Louhelen Baha'i School:

“Paying Special Regard to Gardening g and Agriculture”; “Maiden of Heaven” young women’ institute for ages 14-17; “Fostering the Advancement of Women.”



sw address and

National Center, 1233, Cental Evanston, IL.



ing plan. Photo by 4. ‘Mllegra Bosio De




and full-time vol- 60201-1611. If acquiring a Post Office box, your Feaidcace address (6) mise be filled in" Plcaae ely ares wecks unteer Mina for processing. (This also updates the National Center's database.)

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some of the hun- =(S)

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BAHA'I NATIONAL CENTER 112 LINDEN AV! WILMETTE, IL 60091-2849


C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS


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Street Address.








State Zip code D. NEW COMMUNITY PHONE NUMBER Name of new Baha'i 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 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.


WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE:

H. 1 WOULD LIKE A COPY

oO; ir household receives only

copy of ‘The American wish to receive my own ba have listed my name, ID number and address 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.






page 36 THE AMERICAN BANA’i * CALENDAR

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