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THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í

SEPTEMBER 8, 1998 ‘IZZAT / MIGHT BAHÁ’Í ERA 155 VOLUME 29, NO. 7

Execution draws world’s attention

A steady stream of government and media attention followed the execution in Iran on July 21 of Mr. Ruhollah Rowhani, and Iranian government officials first denied, then admitted that the execution took place.

Several key members of Congress have joined the White House and the U.S. State Department in condemning Mr. Rowhani’s execution and the circumstances surrounding it.

Meanwhile in Mashhad—where Mr. Rowhani was held until his execution—three Bahá’í men remained on death row after they were retried with a court-appointed attorney. The three were denied the opportunity to choose their own legal counsel.

Of the 15 Bahá’ís in prison in Iran in mid-August, seven were on death row.

RUHOLLAH ROWHANI

On July 23, President Clinton’s press secretary and a State Department spokesman condemned the execution and made urgent appeals for the lives of the other Bahá’í prisoners.

Their statements came a day after the National Spiritual Assembly’s Office of the Secretary for External Affairs had contacted officials at the White House and the State Department, urging the government immediately to protest vigorously and publicly against the execution and to exhort the Iranian government to protect the lives of the other

SEE EXECUTION, PAGE 20

Calling out to U.S. youth

‘Badasht’ meeting seen as launching pad for national movement

Youths from Ohio gather outside the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, during the Badasht 150 conference July 11. Photo courtesy of Susanne M. Alexander

The following message dated Aug. 4, 1998, on behalf of the Universal House of Justice was sent to participants in the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Conference of Badasht U.S.A.:

The Universal House of Justice was very pleased to receive your report on the recent conference to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Conference of Badasht. It warmly applauds your redoubled commitment to the major aim of the Four Year Plan and asks that you be assured of its prayers in the Sacred Shrines, that you may be divinely assisted in your endeavors to promote the Cause at this crucial time.

BY SUSANNE M. ALEXANDER

“It is the greatest thrill of my life to be a part of, and witness with my own eyes, Bahá’u’lláh’s assembled, vigilant, and powerful army of light,” said Vesal Dini, member of the National Youth Committee.

Dini was one of those who welcomed 250 youth and youth leaders from the Central States to the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette for a conference July 11 commemorating 150 years since the Conference of Badasht in Persia.

Sponsored by the Regional Bahá’í Council for the Central States, Badasht 150 was designed to make an appeal for the beginning of a national youth movement.

Youth were asked to dedicate them-

SEE BADASHT, PAGE 47

New round of broadcasts due in autumn

BY THE NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE OFFICE

As we gear up for another round of broadcasts of The Power of Race Unity and the premiere of several Bahá’í television commercials, there is every reason to believe wonderful victories are in store for us in the months ahead. As we continue the momentum started in the spring we recall certain points that are essential to our success.

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

LOCAL COMMUNITIES TYING IN

The National Teaching Plan is designed to provide a framework for local initiatives. By tying their local

SEE TEACHING, PAGE 33

IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER:

The Power of Race Unity national broadcasts:

• VH-1, Oct. 15 and 22
• Odyssey, Nov. 7 and 14
• E! Entertainment TV (dates TBA)

plus ads on various channels

DETAILS ON PAGE 33

AND IN 1999

New programs on:

• The Power of Prayer
• Equality of Women and Men

FOR MORE INFORMATION, WATCH THE NATIONAL WEB SITE AND THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í

· I · N · S · I · D · E ·

BLACK MEN’S GATHERING PAGE 3

ARTS SECTION PAGES 23-26

VINEYARD OF THE LORD PAGES 42-43

• CARTA A LOS AMIGOS · 6
• YOUTH PAGES · 16-17
• KID’S CORNER · 22
• UNIT CONVENTIONS · 27-30
• CLASSIFIED · 40-41
• PERSIAN PAGES · 44-46

THE NATIONAL FUND

Between May 1 and July 31, 1998

$6,750,000	Goal/All Funds
$3,580,327	Received/All Funds

See page 3 for details

· E · X · C · E · R · P · T · S ·

“The intention of the teacher must be pure, his heart independent, his spirit attracted, his thought at peace, his resolution firm, his magnanimity exalted and in the love of God a shining torch.”

—‘Abdu’l-Bahá [Page 2]

Open letter to the Bahá’ís of the U.S., Canada and the world

Beloved Friends,

Anne Morgan Zinke is officially in remission after over three years of battling a malignant brain tumor. Her family and her Bahá’í community, San Luis Obispo County Northwest, CA, attribute her healing to “all the forces of heaven and earth,” especially the prayers and donations in Anne’s name to the Arc Fund and other Bahá’í Funds.

Despite some permanent damage from chemotherapy, and resulting decreased immune system, Anne has managed to graduate from Coast Union High School in Cambria, with the class she has been with since kindergarten (except for a semester at Maxwell International Bahá’í School—where she became ill). By Bahá’u’lláh’s grace, she was able to achieve academic honors, and received the American Legion Award for “Courage, Honor, Leadership, Patriotism, Scholarship, and Service.” She also was voted “most considerate” girl in her Senior Class. She is now off to a new adventure: a year of service at Louhelen Bahá’í School.

Thank you for your support and loving wishes for our family, as we have gone through this ordeal. We pray for Bahá’u’lláh to bless each and every one of you.

With warmest Bahá’í love, Nancy Vincent Zinke, John, Anne, and Matt Zinke ◆

EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS

TARAZ BUCK, a 10-year-old Bahá’í from Decatur, Illinois, scored in the 99.9 percentile in his cumulative test results on the Stanford Aptitudes Test, the highest mark possible. Having made the High Honor Roll with his 4.0 GPA at the Lutheran School Association, a parochial school in Decatur, Taraz has skipped sixth grade altogether and is being placed in seventh grade in September.

LUKE CONTE, a 17-year-old Bahá’í from Gaithersburg, Maryland, and an honor student, is the 1998 Montgomery County wrestling champion in the 152-pound weight class.

ALEX R. COUGARMAN, a computer student at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington, was one of 90 winners selected from 20,000 participants in the Xoom Build-A-Better-Home Page contest in June. His entry was the Wilmington Bahá’í Web site (http://members.xoom.com/cougar9).

VAHID ELLIG, a 17-year-old Bahá’í from Aitkin, Minnesota, earned a place at the International Science Fair in Fort Worth, Texas, after winning top prize at the Northern Minnesota Regional Science Fair. His research paper and project, “Microprocessor-Based Climate Control,” was later judged the state’s best in the computer, science, engineering, physics and chemistry category.

KALEE GOLTSCHER, a 13-year-old Bahá’í from Mukilteo, Washington, was named Young Philanthropist of the Year in May by the American Lung Association of Washington. She has raised more than $6,000 over the past six years through the Lung Association-sponsored Tri-Island Trek bicycle ride.

ROYA HAJBANDEH of Coppell, Texas, was honored as Outstanding Student of the Year at Coppell Middle School East for overall excellence in several categories of study. Two other Bahá’í students at the school were also honored: NADIA ESSA for excellence in mathematics, and MONA ROUHANI for excellence in history.

LADDA INDHARA, a 13-year-old Bahá’í in Modesto, California, was honored for her school’s highest academic achievement in math in the Gifted and Talented Education program. She attends Blaker Kinser Junior High School.

MAXINE OLIVER, a Bahá’í from Gaithersburg, Maryland, made news locally as the first woman ever elected as president of the local Lions Club, as well as the first African-American. The club opened its membership to women in 1989.

BEHNAZ ROUHANI, a mathematics instructor at the Athens Area Technical Institute in Athens, Georgia, was selected for the annual Commissioners Award of Excellence in Teaching. Awarded by the faculty, this honor recognizes innovation and leadership in teaching.

WIL SHAHROK, a 13-year-old Bahá’í from Austin, Texas, won a college scholarship worth $16,000 for his gold medal performance at the National Science Olympiad in May. He was a member of the Westview Middle School science team, which won first place in Texas. He earned a rare perfect score in the Texas academic skills test for his grade level, and served as student council president for the second straight year.

VAHID SHAKIBAI, a Bahá’í from Fountain Valley, California, graduated as valedictorian from Los Amigos High School in June after earning the highest cumulative grade point average in his class. His speech to more than 1,000 at graduation ceremonies stressed the need for unity of the human family and quoted a brief passage from Bahá’u’lláh.

RYAN SIEGEL, a 14-year-old Bahá’í from Philomath, Oregon, was selected by faculty members as Student of the Year for the freshman class of Philomath High School. Raised in Chile, Ryan had arrived in Oregon only the previous fall.

ERIN SNYDER, a 16-year-old Bahá’í from Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, recently was one of 90 students, chosen from a field of thousands, as a full-scholarship participant in the Governor’s Program. This intensive five-week advanced study seminar in the sciences is conducted annually at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh. ◆

A Bahá’í graduate of Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, will be studying economics at Oxford University in England as one of this year’s 32 Rhodes Scholarship recipients.

Bryan S. Graham, 22, learned of his honor while studying in Canberra, Australia, on a Fulbright Scholarship.

Graham is no stranger to Oxford, having completed a year at the university’s Pembroke College in 1995–96.

He is no stranger to international life, either. He grew up in places such as Chile, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Mexico and Iran with his parents and sister.

As a baby, he was privileged to visit the House of the Báb and other Holy Shrines in his youth prior to the Islamic Revolution.

His father, now living in Singapore, was a hostage in Baghdad during the Iraqi crisis. His mother, Margaret E. Livingston, lives in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Graham has an impressive list of research and professional experiences to his credit. But in his Rhodes Scholarship essay, Graham focused on his Bahá’í beliefs and how the principles of the Faith support his goals as an economist.

In one passage he writes: “Adam Smith, the father of economics, argued in his Theory of Moral Sentiments ‘that to restrain our selfish, and to indulge our benevolent affection, constitutes the perfection of human nature.’ This assertion resonates with my own spiritual beliefs as a Bahá’í. For ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ world citizenship means ‘to consider the welfare of the community as one’s own.’ ... I hope that through my work as an economist I can begin to fulfill this spiritual injunction.” ◆ [Page 3]

A vision of unity, transformation

Black Men’s Gathering pays emotional tribute at gravesite of Gregorys

BY MARK E. PERRY AND PHYLLIS RING

“Such love, such love, such love.”

An amazed Walter Heath shook his head, standing in the sunlight of a perfect summer day at Green Acre Bahá’í School in Eliot, Maine.

Each of the 120 souls gathered at Green Acre for the 12th Annual Black Men’s Gathering in late July seemed to mirror Heath’s expression, moving between the incredulous gaze of the awestruck and the alertness of the visionary. The group of men here assembled—this veritable pupil of the eye—had beheld a vision.

THE PROCESSION

On July 25, 1998, after an intense and spiritually dynamic week together, participants in the Black Men’s Gathering joined with hundreds of friends and well-wishers in a procession from Green Acre’s main campus to the graveside of the Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory and his wife, Louisa.

The procession followed a mile or so of road to the cemetery, then shared music, prayers and readings at the graves.

Special prayers were offered there for the release of forces that would assist in the achievement of the goals of the Four Year Plan, and for the establishment of true racial unity in America.

Before the procession began, the school’s Bahá’í Hall resounded with waves of sound and spirit.

Drumbeats, like a waterfall, beat a pathway into chests; the singing of “God

SEE BLACK MEN’S GATHERING, PAGE 36

A procession of 120 participants in the Black Men’s Gathering at Green Acre Bahá’í School walks toward the burial place of Louis and Louisa Gregory. Photo by Marilyn F. Hickey

Committee changes name to reflect scope of mission

To dispel the myth that the National Committee for the Advancement of Women is “the Women’s Committee” (a sentiment too often raised by the friends throughout the country this past year), the National Spiritual Assembly responded positively to a request by that committee to change its name.

Its new name, the National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men, more clearly reflects the vital roles that men and women have in pursuing the spiritual principle of gender equality in this country. Even the word “equality” speaks to justice, balance and collaboration, while “advancement” could be misconstrued to imply a more competitive and adversarial situation.

This new name is also more in line with the emphasis of the statement Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men. This statement serves as the reference point and guiding tool for the actions of the committee.

For more information about the committee or how you can become more involved in the pursuit of gender equality, please contact us at:

National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men, Bahá’ís of the United States, 1320 19th Street N.W. Suite 701, Washington, D. C. 20036 (phone 202-833-8990, e-mail)

REGIONAL PLANS TAKING SHAPE

BY RAMZIA DUSZYNSKI

Seven months after they were activated in an emotional, energetic orientation meeting conducted by the National Spiritual Assembly, the four Regional Bahá’í Councils in the United States met again with the National Assembly on June 12–14.

The meeting was called for consultation on each Council’s development of its plan for advancing the process of entry by troops. One significant announcement was that the National Spiritual Assembly has assigned all four Councils the responsibility for overseeing regional training institutes.

The American Bahá’í asked each of the four Councils questions about their Regional Plans including: How was your plan devised? What are your strategies and plans of action? How is your plan unveiling?

They were also asked about important and memorable aspects of the June meeting, and how it has affected their planning and consultation.

The Councils’ responses have been edited for length. All had some common themes:

• Regional Plans were devised to be consistent with the Tablets of the Divine Plan, the Four Year Plan goal of the advancement of the process of entry by troops, directives from the Universal House of Justice and the National Spiritual Assembly, and consultation with Counselors.
• Communication has continued with Local Spiritual Assemblies, the “focal centers” of Bahá’í activity, to help the shaping of plans to meet their needs and foster their development.

Responding to The American Bahá’í on behalf of the Councils were: Northeastern States, Nina Dini, secretary; Southern States, Robert James, chairman; Central States, L. Caswell Ellis, chairman; Western States, Shannon Javid, chairman, and Charleen Maghzi, secretary.

THE REGIONAL PLANS WESTERN STATES

Six initial strategies include:

1) Developing collaboration with the Assemblies and the friends.

2) Supporting the strengthening of

SEE REGIONAL, PAGE 37

THE STATE OF THE PROFESSION

How do Bahá’í journalists feel about their field? Its influence on society? Their potential for fulfilling the mandate of Bahá’u’lláh?

The American Bahá’í draws responses from several Bahá’ís in varied fields of journalism—print, radio, education—and finds a hopeful and realistic view of how they can “win victories for the Faith in their own sphere of life.” See pages 14-15

Enrollments

July 1998	119
Since May 1, 1998	412

THE FUND

May 1–July 31, 1998

Contributions received by National Treasurer

Received since May 1, 1998:	Goal for entire year:
$3,580,327	$27,000,000

13.3% of year’s goal was met

25% of fiscal year has passed

April 30, 1999

Allocations to other funds

Arc Projects Fund	$397,787
International Bahá’í Fund	$203,853

The two amounts above add up to 17% of contributions received by National Assembly (goal is 26%)

Continental Bahá’í Fund

$52,663

1.5% of contributions received by National Assembly (goal is 2%)

Other contributions: $58,674

Total revenues and expenses at Bahá’í National Center

May 1– June 30, 1998 (latest available)

Revenues	$3,217,819
Expenses	$2,906,118

To avoid additional borrowing, some critical projects have been deferred, resulting in revenues temporarily exceeding expenses.

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

‘Prospects for dramatic growth hang in the balance’

A message from the Office of the Treasurer

Memory struggles to find a parallel with the results of the National Teaching Plan now under way, and yet Fund support is lower than it has been in years.

At the same time that more than 60,000 seekers have sought information about our beloved Faith and record levels of involvement by individuals and Assemblies have been registered, the contribution total through July 31 was the lowest at any time since July 1994.

This would appear to be a testing time for American Bahá’ís. Every victory brings a test so we can become worthy of further blessings, and we have finally begun to see important victories.

When we recall another testing time, in 1995 when the goals for the Arc hung in the balance, the American community responded magnificently, gave record sums and passed its test. The prospects for dramatic growth now hang in the balance.

Unity in support of Fund means staying focused on our priorities

BY THE OFFICE OF THE TREASURER

Response to the article in the June 24 American Bahá’í about the confusing array of fund-raising events so many communities face was most encouraging, and prompts your Office of the Treasurer to share an added word on this matter.

It is surprising to hear how many communities have abandoned the practice of fund-raisers. They have found them to be confusing and disunifying, and they distract the friends from the most important thing: cementing our relationship with Bahá’u’lláh and His Faith through our giving. Activities that do not always promote the greatest good are given more attention than they really deserve, compared to the larger picture of the Faith’s advancement.

In one of His letters, the beloved Master shared with an individual friend this beautiful explanation of the value of concentrating on priorities:

“So long as the thoughts of an individual are scattered he will achieve no results, but if his thinking be concentrated on a single point wonderful will be the fruits thereof.

“One cannot obtain the full force of the sunlight when it is cast on a flat mirror; but once the sun shineth upon a concave mirror, or on a lens that is convex, all its heat will be concentrated on a single point, and that one point will burn the hottest. Thus is it necessary to focus one’s thinking on a single point so that it will become an effective force.” —Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pp. 110–111

Is not “focusing one’s thinking on a single point” another way of describing united action? Unity is, the Guardian writes, the “hallmark of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation and the pivot of His teachings,” and the Universal House of Justice promises us that “The unity of the believers, rich and poor alike, in their support of the Fund will be a source of spiritual confirmations beyond our capacity to envisage.” It needs therefore to be our most important operating principle in every one of our activities.

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

It thus makes sense that we would try to find ways of covering our expenses that are better than an endless stream of fund-raising activities. So many calls for our attention cannot but help distract us and divert our resources, and that holds back the progress of the Faith we love. With one approach, we “achieve no results”; with another, we receive “spiritual confirmations beyond our capacity to envisage.”

Pennsylvania group sees small change making a big difference

Small efforts make a difference over time, as the Bahá’í group of Warren, Pennsylvania, has discovered. Members are making a point of collecting loose change in a can, which is brought regularly to the Feast. Progress of the yearly collection:

• 1994–1995: $50
• 1995–1996: $290
• 1996–1997: $510.90
• 1997–1998: $846

The group’s report hints at the mystical connection between spiritual giving and growth of the Faith: “Since Ridván 1998 we have a brand new Bahá’í, and we have two seekers who are very close to signing the declaration card,” it states.

THE TREASURER’S CORNER

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

STEWARDSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT SEMINARS

More than 60 trained facilitators are available to conduct Stewardship and Development Seminars around the country. These seminars offer an opportunity to explore the guidance given us in the Sacred Writings and by the Universal House of Justice on the true nature of supporting the Funds and how our spiritual lives are changed through giving. Guidance for local treasury management is offered as well. All believers are welcome to attend when a seminar is offered in their area. Local Spiritual Assembly members are especially encouraged to attend. The evaluations by last year’s attendees were very positive. To hear more about the seminars, contact someone you know who participated, or contact Jennifer Torrence (phone 847-733-3421).

ANNUAL AUDITS OVERDUE

As the work of Local Spiritual Assemblies increases in complexity, it becomes more important than ever that annual audits be performed in an effective and timely manner. Audits were due to the National Spiritual Assembly June 30. If your Assembly has not arranged for its audit of the local treasury for 154 B.E., arrangements should be made promptly and the results forwarded to the Office of the Treasurer as soon as possible. Any questions should be directed to Jeremy Phelan (phone 847-733-3475).

ACS FOR THE LOCAL FUND?

Monthly contributions to the Automatic Contribution System (ACS) for the National Bahá’í Fund continue to increase steadily. These are contributions that can be counted on each month for the work of the National Spiritual Assembly.

For most local Bahá’í communities, such a system is too costly. However, a modified form of the ACS is possible: Members of the community can arrange individually with their banks to have a set payment made each month to the local Fund. This process is identical to paying an insurance premium or any regular bill from one’s account. Treasurers may wish to seek information from banks to help community members make these arrangements.

INFORMING NEW BELIEVERS ABOUT THE FUNDS

Did you know that a survey of Local Spiritual Assembly treasurers indicates that new believers, on average, make their first gift to the Fund two years after becoming Bahá’í? Could it be that we fail to teach our new believers the privilege and obligation to give? The Universal House of Justice tells us, “Contributing to the Bahá’í fund constitutes an act of spiritual discipline which is an intrinsic element of the devotional life of the individual. No believer should be unaware of the privilege of contributing to the advancement of the Cause of God, irrespective of his material circumstances.” Therefore, we should never hesitate to share the bounty of supporting the work of the Cause with the money that Bahá’u’lláh has provided us.

“Every believer can contribute to the Fund. Not all believers can give public talks, not all are called upon to serve on administrative institutions. But all can pray, fight their own spiritual battles, and contribute to the Fund.” —Universal House of Justice, Wellspring of Guidance, p. 39 [Page 5]

Local Assemblies to have choice of software packages

A new three-pronged approach is shaping plans for a nationwide Bahá’í computer software system, the five Local Spiritual Assemblies participating in its development have learned.

Depending on how complex a particular Assembly’s needs are, it can choose between Thick Client, Outlook Client, or Web Client software when the network is developed across the nation, staffers of the Information Services Office at the Bahá’í National Center said at the May meeting of a development group.

Five Assemblies—Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego, California; Portland, Oregon; and Salt Lake City, Utah—have participated in regular meetings with Information Services staff to help development of the Local Spiritual Assembly Automation and Integration Project (LSAI).

Starting with the least elaborate software, proposed features of each set are:

• Web Client. This package will provide for Internet access, on-line forms, Web-based e-mail, encrypted communication and secured access.
• Outlook Client. Based on Microsoft Outlook 98, this package will include everything in the Web Client plus public folders, discussion forums, and some offline usage.
• Thick Client. This will include a complete set of features plus off-line usage. A full membership database will reside in the computer on the local site and will be updated along with the national database on a regular basis. Security will be managed locally and will afford more complete reporting capabilities. While the Thick Client model requires more training and greater technical support, it provides for a greater set of features in the Assembly’s secretariat and treasurer functions.

The project’s phased approach will have the Web Client released for Assemblies’ use first, then the more complex ‎packges packages‎ released in their turn.

This new approach came about as a result of new technology on the market and means the solution to automation and decentralization will require less custom development. This, in turn, means lower costs, less effort and faster implementation.

The May meeting was the first for this group held in Los Angeles, at the new Unity Center next door to the Bahá’í Center. The Local Assembly met the challenge of accommodating nearly 40 out-of-town guests with the assistance of the local Management Information Team and a cadre of dedicated volunteers.

The planning group also used the occasion to bid farewell to Farzad Mogharabi, who departed his job as coordinator of national Information Services to serve at the Bahá’í World Center. In his closing remarks, Mogharabi thanked his co-workers and said, “We are closing in on our goals as initially stated in the pilot project and, in spite of delays, it looks like we are still pretty much on schedule and within budget.” The friends gathered in the Unity Center Little Theater gave him a standing ovation in appreciation for his loving stewardship of the decentralization pilot program.

John Fletcher, new Information Services coordinator, joins veteran project staff members Bernal Schooley, Brian Armstrong, Zhinoos Armstrong and Shadan Tofighi. The five Assemblies involved in the LSAI project plan another weekend conference this fall.

John Fletcher and Farzad Mogharabi of the national Information Services Office greet the friends in Los Angeles at an LSAI development meeting.

—Information submitted by Randolph Dobbs, Los Angeles

Stewardship and Development seminars ready to move forward

Regional training for Stewardship and Development facilitators has been completed successfully with sessions in the Metro Atlanta area Aug. 6-9 and at Green Acre Bahá’í School Aug. 20-23. Generous hospitality by the Local Spiritual Assembly of South DeKalb County lent a special Southern flavor to the Georgia gathering of 15 Bahá’ís, while another 12 facilitators felt the loving welcome of the Green Acre staff.

Their assignment: Return to their home areas and carry out seminars for Local Spiritual Assembly members and the friends in general.

As in the earlier sessions held at the Bahá’í National Center and at the new local Bahá’í center in Las Vegas, Nevada, the training took an intensive look at new guidance about the spiritual nature of the Funds of the Faith, fund-raising, planned giving and the role of the Local Spiritual Assembly in its responsibilities for managing the Faith’s financial resources.

“The Fund is not really about money,” one participant said. “It’s about our relationships with God, with His Institutions, and with each other as Bahá’ís.”

Preconceived notions about money and its evils, and old ideas from earlier stages in the Bahá’í community’s development, were cited as obstacles to meeting the financial objectives of the Faith.

The 65 facilitators trained this summer left these sessions with a high sense of commitment to helping Bahá’ís change their views to keep up with the times.

Local Stewardship seminars are set to begin in the fall. For information, call the Office of the Treasurer, 847-733-3421.

HUQÚQU’LLÁH THE RIGHT OF GOD

Payments to Huqúqu’lláh should be made to “The Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust” (please write your Bahá’í identification number on your check) and sent to one of the Trustees:

• Dr. Amin Banani, [Address Redacted], Santa Monica, CA 90402 (phone 310-394-5449)
• Mr. Stephen Birkland, [Address Redacted], Arden Hills, MN 55112 (phone 612-484-9518)
• Dr. Daryush Haghighi, [Address Redacted], Rocky River, OH 44116 (phone 216-333-1506)

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

Surveys help regional, local planning

Surveys are being used more to aid the research and planning of local and state Bahá’í communities. Two recent examples:

MINNESOTA

The Minnesota Bahá’í Institute conducted a three-month study to determine the best means of communication, to identify courses the friends would like to see the institute offer toward achieving the goals of the Four Year Plan, and to meet the needs of the state’s diverse community.

Nearly 10 percent of the Minnesota friends responded to the survey. Among key conclusions:

• Newsletters (local and statewide), Feasts, Bahá’í events and e-mail/Web sites are the most effective modes of communication with the friends.
• Means other than those used in this survey are required to assess the needs of Bahá’ís with cultural backgrounds other than European-American. One possibility is focus groups.
• Small-group discussion should be the preferred mode of training by the institute. Courses are needed on community unity, appreciating cultural diversity, Bahá’í history, and understanding Bahá’í teachings and laws.

COLUMBUS, OHIO

A study of at what ages Columbus Bahá’ís enrolled in the Faith yielded some interesting results.

James Reinoehl, who conducted the study, found that age 15 is most common. That’s to be expected. He also discovered that ages 20 and 23 are next most common, and the numbers taper off then up to age 52—although there is a little peak around age 40.

His conclusion is that for this small sample, “traditional teaching” was successful for people up to age 52. Thus there is no reason to target only younger people.

Reinoehl did not discover any correlation between age of enrollment and relative activity of any individual. The sample includes inactive believers, some withdrawals and some cases of lost rights.

Research, unified action help friends in Houston suburb establish center

Renovation is under way on what will be the Bahá’í center in Missouri City, Texas, in the Houston area.

The center was purchased after several months’ research, fund-raising and deepenings on the importance of a center to the advancement of community life.

Fund-raising, which continues, has included a dinner auction at the Missouri City Civic Center and a candle-light dinner. All the surrounding communities, including Houston, have generously contributed time and money.

A committee has been formed to prioritize space utilization for the center, and many Bahá’ís with skills in various construction areas have been consulted.

A cleanup day early in May concentrated on the outside grounds: clearing, mowing and shrub planting. A wonderful effort by local youth was much appreciated.

Many more work days are planned, along with a large gathering of surrounding communities to celebrate this wonderful monument to the advancement of the Bahá’í Faith. —Submitted by the Bahá’ís of Missouri City

ARE YOU A PRINT DESIGN PROFESSIONAL? Do you want an opportunity to serve on The American Bahá’í and Brilliant Star? See page 40 for details. [Page 6]

Letter to the friends from the Latin-American Task Force

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

Who are the Latino Bahá’ís in these United States?

The Latin-American Task Force wishes to thank the friends who have responded to the census of Hispanic Bahá’ís. The response of the friends so far is very encouraging. However, we suspect that thousands of Latino believers have not been identified, and if you are one of them or know of someone, we would be very happy to know this. While some of the friends have limited themselves to sending us only their biographical data (name, place of birth, etc.) others have been very generous in sharing with us their stories, with moving details as to how they become Bahá’ís, who were the Bahá’ís at that time serving in their communities, what happened to those friends, etc. To all of you, MANY THANKS!

To the friends who have sent only their biographical information, we would be very happy if you could share with us something more about your “journey of discovery”: How did you become a Bahá’í? What moved you to it? Who taught you the Faith? What about your first community? About your service to the Faith? Are you the only Bahá’í in your family? Have you been a pioneer, a traveling teacher?

Here are some examples of what has been shared with us.

“I was born in Detroit’s Mexican-American barrio. ... I declared as a Bahá’í on November 20, 1972. At the time I knew nothing about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, about the principles, about the laws or anything other than the vision (which I would later confirm was indeed of Bahá’u’lláh). I only knew this was from God. ... My parents and older brother were opposed. My mother discussed the matter with my maternal grandmother who, very happy that I had turned to religion, told my mother to leave me in ‎peace!. peace!‎ ... Lincoln Park became part of a great teaching axis between East Lansing and Ann Arbor in the early ’70s. The declarants were mostly young people. These Lincoln Park Bahá’ís have spread all over the world. ... There were some extraordinary Bahá’ís, somewhat older, helping the youth, such as Peter and Janet Khan, Robert and Erma Hayden, David Earl (who just recently passed on), Richard and June Thomas. The sacrifices of David’s heroic wife Joy Earl, who died shortly before I declared, influenced both the teaching and my own declaration.”

Another friend wrote the Bahá’í story of a friend:

“Shortly after G. declared his belief in Bahá’u’lláh, he traveled on business to the United Arab Emirates and was jailed there for a week due to his filling in ‘Bahá’í’ on his entry permit, not realizing that someone traveling on a Chilean passport with a Norwegian visa and declaring himself a Bahá’í, on reaching the Emirates in the early ’70s, should expect to be received badly. The Norwegian government got him out of jail after an interminable week.”

Dear friends: Every single one of you is very precious to the Faith. We see in your desire to be counted the expression of your love for this Cause and of your willingness to rise up and share the Message with many others. Please keep sending your wonderful personal stories; they are truly inspiring.

With loving Bahá’í greetings, The Latin-American Task Force ♦

Carta a los amigos de la Comisión de Trabajo Latinoamericana

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

¿Quiénes son los Bahá’ís latinos en los Estados Unidos?

La Comisión de Trabajo Latinoamericana desea agradecer a los amigos que han respondido al censo de Bahá’ís Hispanos. La respuesta de los amigos es hasta ahora bastante alentadora. Sospechamos, no obstante, que hay miles de creyentes latinos que aún no han sido identificados, y si eres uno de ellos o sabes de alguien, nos encantaría saberlo. Mientras algunos de los amigos se han limitado a enviarnos solamente sus datos biográficos (nombre, lugar de nacimiento, etc.), otros han sido bastante generosos en compartir con nosotros sus historias, con detalles conmovedores de cómo se hicieron Bahá’ís, quiénes eran los Bahá’ís que en aquel entonces servían en sus comunidades, qué fue de esos amigos, etc. A todos ustedes, ¡MUCHAS GRACIAS!

A los amigos que han enviado solo sus datos biográficos, nos encantaría si pudiesen compartir con nosotros algo más de su “jornada de descubrimiento”: ¿Cómo te hiciste Bahá’í? ¿Qué te impulsó a hacerlo? ¿Quién te enseñó la Fe? ¿Algo acerca de tu primera comunidad? ¿De tu servicio a la Fe? ¿Eres el único Bahá’í en tu familia? ¿Has sido pionero o maestro viajero?

A continuación algunos ejemplos de lo que ha sido compartido:

“Nací en el barrio ‎Mejicano Mexicano‎ Americano en Detroit. ... Me declaré Bahá’í el 20 de noviembre de 1972. Al tiempo no sabía nada acerca de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, de los principios, de las leyes o de otra cosa excepto de la visión (que luego confirmara haber sido efectivamente de Bahá’u’lláh). Solo sabía que esto era de Dios. ... Mis padres y mi hermano mayor se opusieron. Mi madre discutió el asunto con mi abuela materna quien, feliz de que yo me hubiese vuelto hacia la religión, ¡le dijo a mi madre que me dejara en paz! ... Lincoln Park se convirtió en parte de un gran eje de enseñanza entre East Lansing y Ann Arbor a comienzos de los 70. Los declarantes eran en su mayoría jóvenes. Estos Bahá’ís de Lincoln Park se han esparcido por todo el mundo. ... Había algunos Bahá’ís extraordinarios, algo mayores, ayudando a los jóvenes, tales como Peter y Janet Khan, Robert y Erma Hayden, David Earl (quien ha muerto recientemente), Richard y June Thomas. Los sacrificios de la heroica esposa de David, Joy Earl, quien muriera poco antes de mi declaración, influenciaron tanto la enseñanza como mi propia declaración.”

Otra amiga escribió la historia Bahá’í de un amigo:

“Poco después de que G. declarara su fe en Bahá’u’lláh, viajó por asunto de negocios a los Emiratos Árabes y fue encarcelado allí por una semana, debido a haber escrito ‘Bahá’í’ en su permiso de entrada, sin caer en cuenta de que alguien viajando bajo un pasaporte Chileno con visa Noruega y declarándose Bahá’í al llegar a los Emiratos al comienzo de los 70 debería esperar mal recibimiento. El gobierno Noruego lo sacó de la cárcel luego de una interminable semana.”

Queridos amigos: Cada uno de ustedes es precioso para la Fe. Vemos en su deseo de ser contado la expresión de su amor por esta Causa y de su voluntad de levantarse y compartir el Mensaje con muchos otros. Por favor, continúen enviándonos sus maravillosas historias personales; son verdaderamente inspiradoras.

Con cariñosos saludos Bahá’ís, La Comisión de Trabajo Latinoamericana ♦

PARA EL CENSO DE LOS BAHÁ’ÍS HISPANOS EN LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS (FOR THE CENSUS OF HISPANIC BAHÁ’ÍS IN THE UNITED STATES)

Srta. / Sra. / Sr. Miss / Mrs. / Ms. / Mr. _________________________________ Dirección/Address ___________________________________________ Ciudad/                            Estado/              Código postal/ City _________________ State _________ ZIP code _______ Número telefónico/                        Número de fax/ Telephone (______) ___________________ Fax (______) ___________________ Dirección de correo electrónico/E-mail address _________________________ País de origen/Country of origin _________________________________ ¿En donde Ud. se hizo Bahá’í?/Where did you become a Bahá’í? ___________________

¿Ud. es o ha sido miembro de?:/Are you or have you been a member of?: Cuerpo de Consejeros Continentales/Continental Board of Counselors ______ Cuerpo Auxiliar/Auxiliary Board ______ Asamblea Espiritual Local/Local Spiritual Assembly ______ Asistente a un miembro del Cuerpo Auxiliar/Assistant to Auxiliary Board member ______        ¿A quién?/To whom? __________________ Comité nacional/National committee ______ Comité local/Local committee ______ ¿Cuántos miembros de su comunidad Bahá’í son latinos?/ How many members of your Bahá’í community are Latinos? ___________ ¿Cuántos en su Asamblea Espiritual?/How many on your Spiritual Assembly? ___________

Enviar a la Comisión de Trabajo Latinoamericana/Send to Latin-American Task Force por correo a/by mail to: Vera Breton _________________________ Vienna, Virginia 22181 por fax a/by fax to: Larry Kramer (773) 509-0466 por e-mail a/by e-mail to: LATFORCE

[Page 7]

Wilmette Institute students take energy home

BY CAMILLE COLLINS

A contingent of Wilmette Institute students dispersed across the country for the third straight year in August, ready to spread a new energy in bringing the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to life in service to humanity.

“The Wilmette Institute has increased my knowledge and understanding to such an extent that I feel comfortable to help deepen other Bahá’ís,” said Fitzgerald Dick of Sunrise, Florida.

Michael Wildhack of Yukon, Oklahoma, was similarly inspired. “I think the program is spectacular,” he said. “I’ve only been a Bahá’í for about a year and a half and I’ve learned better ways to handle issues that come up, which I hope to carry back to my community.”

The commitment to teaching and service provided a quick result. The owner of a local restaurant, already somewhat familiar with Bahá’ís, was inspired to embrace the Faith in the presence of two enthusiastic Institute students.

“The students themselves are incredible,” said Robert Stockman, administrator of the Institute. “It’s been a privilege to do a program with such good students.”

Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization, the Wilmette Institute’s four-year program, brought friends of diverse ages and backgrounds from all over the country to the environs of the House of Worship and the Bahá’í National Center for its three-week residential session.

Bill Collins of Virginia, Wilmette Institute faculty member, leads a class on the writings of the Guardian. Photo by Manuchehr Derakhshani

Listing of upcoming Wilmette Institute courses:

• Correspondence courses for home study
• Mini-courses at Bosch Bahá’í School

See page 36

The program, on this year’s theme Community and Local Governance, drew 27 students—17 returning for the second or third time. Classes were held at National-Louis University in Wilmette.

Designed to create a new generation of diverse, knowledgeable teachers and administrators of the Bahá’í Faith, the program aims to impart knowledge and help students develop practical experience in teaching and fostering a Bahá’í identity.

Topics of classes included Bahá’í writings on governance and community, the theology of the Administrative Order, the relationship between the Faith and governance, the history of the Guardianship and the life of Shoghi Effendi, political theory and sociology, and a workshop on teaching.

Students showed a striving for higher levels of service while still at the National Center. “Many of the students used their free time for service in addition to the three hours a week that they were required to do,” said Heather Gorman, registrar of the Institute.

For instance, Wildhack stayed in the area days after the summer program was over to complete a service project for the Office of Media Services. In the meantime, he said, “I’ve been introduced to phenomenal people and this has been a fantastic experience.”

Sandra Miles of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, gained a new perspective on the functioning of the Bahá’í National Center through her service in the Office of Assembly Development. “The service component teaches us how to serve God. By doing service at the National Center you have a better understanding of the work being done here and a better apprecia-.

SEE WILMETTE INSTITUTE, PAGE 36

Training, unific activity gains momentum in Navajoland

A new mandate and new board of directors for the Native American Bahá’í Institute; children’s classes at NABI and on the Navajo Reservation at Tonalea; an all-night Blessingway ceremony; a two-week local training institute for children and youth in the Lukachukai mountains, called the Dawnbreakers Camp; traveling teachers; record-breaking Navajo attendance at the Four Corners Bahá’í Summer School; youth projects; and more.

These are colorful and inspiring pieces of the rich mosaic of activity in Navajoland this summer.

The summer began with the National Spiritual Assembly’s establishment of a new nine-member board of directors for NABI, along with the appointment of Alice and Jerry Bathke as interim Institute administrators for the summer.

The board met in late June with Education and Schools Coordinator Beatriz Reyna Curry and former National Spiritual Assembly member Alberta Deas. The meeting explored NABI’s new mandate: to serve as a regional training institute for the development of human resources in the region’s American Indian communities.

To fulfill this mandate, NABI has been given a special focus on local community empowerment, training of children and youth, and development and dissemination of Bahá’í materials in the Navajo language.

These new beginnings were blessed by a beautiful Navajo Blessingway ceremony at NABI, organized in mid-July by the Bahá’í community of Pine Springs.

Next step for the board will be a new budget and staffing pattern in line with the new mandate, to include recommendations on the hiring of administrative, program and property personnel.

The Institute’s summer focus has been on fostering the spirit of reunion and participation among the Bahá’ís of the area, building relationships with individuals, communities and institutions, and providing support for spiritual training activities initiated by the Bahá’ís in local communities. This work has been reinforced by a flow of volunteers, including traveling teachers inspired by consultation on Indian teaching at this year’s National Convention.

With the aid of these volunteer resources, NABI supported the two-week “Dawnbreakers Camp” sponsored by the new Reservation-based Local Spiritual Assembly of Tsaile-Wheatfields Chapter and held on the beautiful lands of the Annie Kahn family in the Lukachukai mountains. Among the children participating were fourth-generation Navajo Bahá’ís, the grandchildren of Annie Kahn and Chester Kahn and descendants of the late Jack and Alta Kahn of Pine Springs.

NABI also participated in the Four Corners Bahá’í Summer School in the pine tree highlands south of Gallup, New Mexico, in late July, where more than 40 of the 200 participants were American Indian. The summer school included daily “Native Learning Circles,” in which the Bahá’í teachings were discussed and Bahá’í prayers and passages were recited and memorized in the Navajo language. A special session on NABI and its new directions and plans was well attended.

NABI will host a Reunion Gathering Aug. 28-30 for past and present staff, volunteers, pioneers and friends of the Institute.

—Submitted by Jeff Kiely ◆

James Foguth, 7, a fourth-generation Navajo Bahá’í, was part of the two-week Dawnbreakers Camp. Photo courtesy of Jeff Kiely [Page 8]

An event-filled season at Green Acre

Ladjamaya Green-Mahoney performs part of “The Black Experience—a Cry for World Peace” at Green Acre during the Concert/Picnic July 5. Photo courtesy of Green Acre Bahá’í School

Summer at Green Acre Bahá’í School in Eliot, Maine, was rich with music, performances and special events.

More than 400 were on hand for the first Concert-Picnic of the season July 5, featuring dramatic, artist/singer Ladjamaya Green Mahoney plus musician/composer Eric Dozier directing the Northeast Regional Bahá’í Gospel Choir. Performance themes emphasized race unity and the oneness of the human family. In a stirring presentation, Ladjamaya offered segments of her performance piece “The Black Experience—A Cry for World Peace.” The choir delighted the crowd with a high-spirited concert featuring original compositions of joy and praise.

Green Acre once again marked the birthday of its founder, Sarah Jane Farmer. About 150 attended the event, hosted by the Sarah Farmer Women’s Center.

Dramatic vignettes and 19th-century setting and costuming recalled the summer of 1848, the year of two significant events highlighted at the evening program:

• Táhirih’s role at the Conference of Badasht.
• The revolutionary actions of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Frederick Douglass, who spoke for the advancement of women at the first Women’s Rights Conference in Seneca Falls, New York.

The life and contributions of Sarah Farmer were celebrated through portrayals of her; her mother, Hannah Farmer; poet John Greenleaf Whittier; the Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory; and Green Acre champion Harry Randall.

This celebration closely followed the Black Men’s Bahá’í Gathering, which made a history-making procession July 25 to the grave of the Hand of the Cause of God Louis Gregory.

Green Acre celebrated the release of the school’s first music CD at its second Concert-Picnic Aug. 2. The performance brought together musicians Bill Fagan, Larry Gray, Allison, Bruce and Dick Grover, LuAnne Hightower, Leona and Larry Hosack, Terry Reimer-Weiss, Bev and Mike Rogers, Chris Ruhe and Jeannine Sacco.

Green Acre’s first music CD, Her Name is Green Acre, is available through the Green Acre Bookstore (contact the school for ordering information). Produced by Chris Ruhe, its variety of music includes blues, gospel, folk and inspirational. Performers include Nura Creitz, Mary Davis, Eric Dozier, Jim Flood, Van Gilmer, Red Grammer, Varga Hadazadeh, Jeanne Murday, Mark Perry, Rose-Marie Peterson and Jeannine Sacco.

Green Acre’s fall programs begin Sept. 25–27 with a College Club Weekend hosted by the National Youth Committee.

“The Bahá’í Faith and the State of Humankind” will be offered by National Spiritual Assembly member William Davis and Constance Davis Oct. 9–12 (ending midday Monday). The themes, relevant to the advancement of the cause of God, will include family life, professional life, applying spiritual principles to race unity and the equality of women and men, and the escalating growth of the Bahá’í community.

A special U.N. Day program will be offered Oct. 23–25, with presenter to be announced.

Green Acre will host three programs the weekend of Oct. 30–Nov. 1. Peter Oldziey offers “Don’t Yell At Your Watchman: Seeing the End in the Beginning,” an exploration of how changing the way we view our tests can alter our environment, and our response to the challenges we meet.

Also that weekend will be a Junior Youth Institute for those in grades 6–8. A Pioneering/BYSC/SITA Institute hosted the same weekend by the Office of Pioneering will begin Thursday, Oct. 29.

An Institute for High School Youth (grades 9–12) will be offered Nov. 6–8.

Counselor Tod Ewing will present “The Most Vital and Challenging Issue: Meeting the Challenge With Honor” the weekend after Thanksgiving, Nov. 27–29 (beginning noon Friday). This text-based study, drawing on the compilation Toward Oneness, will explore how to create vibrant models of unity in our communities, with applications for “deliberately cultivating” freedom from racial prejudice.

For further information or a program brochure, contact Green Acre, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903 (phone 207-439-7200, e-mail ). ◆

Louhelen emphasizes youth development in summer programs

Participants in the Youth Eagle Institute, July 10–15 at Louhelen, listen intently to a presentation by Habib Riazati. Photo by Jim Cheek

Louhelen Bahá’í School dedicated five weeks this summer to the empowerment of children and youth. The series of youth development conferences aimed at a threefold transformative process:

• To provide youth the means to independently connect their hearts to the message of Bahá’u’lláh.
• To enable them to begin to understand their role in the spiritualization of the planet.
• To contemplate the service they will offer the Cause of God in this priceless day.

Each session wove prayer, teaching, service, consultation and study of the Sacred Texts into the fabric of the daily program as essential components of a life of service to the Cause:

Maiden of Heaven Young Women’s Institute, May 23–31. The weekend was designed to help young women realize their responsibilities, their true capacity and potential in promoting the equality of men and women.

Workshops focused on the true meaning of love, media influences and strategies to combat the destructive messages latent in the secular world, and the inspiring example of the revolutionary women of the Bahá’í Faith.

Camp Louhelen Children’s Institute, June 21–26. Children ages 8–12 got an active and exciting opportunity to build daily habits of spiritual living to help them advance the process of entry by troops. The session focused on building a deep love for Bahá’u’lláh through varied and fun activities in and out of the classroom.

Youth Eagle Institute: The Role of Youth In America, July 10–15. Through exploration of The Advent of Divine Justice and the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the youth studied their critical role in every aspect of the Bahá’í Faith and ‎refected reflected‎ on questions that puzzle and challenge youth. Daily interactive sessions facilitated by Habib Riazati and intense group study of the Aqdas and its relation to individual, community, and societal transformation culminated in the presentation of individual and group research papers to parents and guests. The youth also researched, consulted on and planned interactive deepenings on a variety of subjects, presented in innovative forms such as talk shows, skits and question-and-answer sessions.

Spiritual Empowerment for Junior Youth, July 17–22. This institute fostered devotion, study, consultation, skill development, recreation, music, fellowship and fun. Youth studied heroes of the Bábí dispensation and the Conference of Badasht—many of whom were not much older than the students—and compared those deeds of the past with their role in this dispensation. The institute culminated in their thoughtful preparation of Heroic Deeds of Service pledge sheets.

Bahá’u’lláh’s Challenge to Today’s Youth: Facing Social Issues, Aug. 21–23. This conference provided an open learning atmosphere for exploring difficult issues youth face day-to-day with their peers. Facilitated by Counselor ‘Abdu’l-Missagh Ghadirian, the session empowered youth to uphold the law of chastity with dignity vigilance. Students gained understanding of how to influence humanity, by being steadfast in mirroring forth “in their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh.”

Summer features also included four family sessions ranging in focus from spiritual parenting, to the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, to implementing justice, to promoting oneness, all with a focus on the importance of the individual in advancing the process of entry by troops.

Autumn programs at Louhelen offer children, youth and adults continued possibilities for study, devotion, service, and fellowship. Louhelen will celebrate “Bahá’u’lláh’s Vision of Oneness” with a family session Nov. 13–15. Upcoming youth sessions include a College Club Weekend convened by the National Youth Committee Oct. 30–Nov. 1, and a Youth Eagle Institute Nov. 6–8.

For information or a brochure, contact Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 810-653-5033, e-mail ). ◆ [Page 9]

BOSCH BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL

Bahá’í education enhanced by focus on arts, agriculture

Bosch Bahá’í School offers dynamic educational programs in a quiet environment and warm family atmosphere. Nestled in the forest at 2,200 feet elevation, Bosch combines rustic simplicity with modern comfort.

On the central coast of California, seven miles inland from Monterey Bay, Bosch offers classes year-round. It is a popular post for youth volunteers from all over the nation and the world, who give from three months to a year in service to the Faith.

This Bahá’í institution originated in 1927 at a former vineyard in Northern California, then was relocated nearly five decades later at the current 67-acre property. In 1999 Bosch will celebrate its 25th anniversary at the new site, and administrators have planned special programs next summer as a commemoration.

Promoting the arts is a special focus at Bosch. Visitors can enjoy music camps, a class on “The Arts and Teaching” and the integration of art into many classes through Core Curriculum methods. The goal of this artistic focus is to help the friends develop skills and creative ideas for teaching and for more interesting Feasts and community activities.

“Music and art have a truly transformative power,” commented Linda Bedford, who is a school co-administrator with her husband, Mark. “We see the changes that take place in students of all ages when they connect with their spiritual natures through music and creativity.”

Bosch is also home to the Gwen Wakeling Endowment for the Arts, which runs under the direction of Marsha Gilpatrick, program coordinator for the school.

A significant addition this year has been a full-time children’s program coordinator, in charge of developing, overseeing and often teaching the children’s curriculum.

An organic garden—another unique feature of the school—produces fresh vegetables for the kitchen and flowers for the cabins, dining tables and classrooms. Many Bosch students volunteer to work in the garden, and an agricultural project curriculum for youth and children has been developed.

Bosch’s facilities have expanded over the last 10 years to include a large meeting hall and three conference rooms. These improvements allow for expanded programming and make Bosch a popular rental site for outside conferences and celebrations.

The administrators foresee additional expansions in the near future. “In order to meet the needs of the increased number of guests we have on campus, we really need to expand our facilities,” Mark Bedford says. “This includes a new dining room, kitchen, laundry room and office complex.” Existing facilities would be redesigned to allow for a reception area, a larger bookshop and café space, a bigger library area, and a new Art Center.

“We have the vision,” Mark continues, “now all we need are the funds!” ◆

A new harvest grew from the Bosch family VINEYARDS

A case of sacrificial obedience was a turning point leading to creation of Bosch Bahá’í School.

John David Bosch had studied wine-making in his native Europe from his early teens. Though he went into other businesses when he came to America in 1879, he was drawn back to wine-making on moving to Northern California two years later. He eventually found himself in charge of the largest, most up-to-date winery in the Napa Valley.

At age 49, in 1905, Mr. Bosch embraced the Bahá’í Faith. With few of the Writings available in English, and those not widely circulated, he had the bounty of receiving several Tablets from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. In the meantime, he invested in land among America’s richest vineyards.

Prosperous, respected, knowledgeable, and walking a new spiritual path—before long he discovered that the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh forbid the drinking of not only liquor, but wine as well.

No wine! Mr. Bosch naturally faced a dilemma. The Master addressed his concerns with the loving advice that he should move gradually to another line of work.

Fortunately, John Bosch was involved in several areas of food production: prunes, olives and unfermented grape juice. He redeveloped his lands and severed his association with the wine industry in 1916.

When the first permanent Bahá’í school in the Western States was founded in 1927, the sessions were held on the Bosch acreage in Geyserville north of San Francisco. That land was deeded to the National Spiritual Assembly in 1936. In the early 1970s a freeway was planned to run through the property, so it was sold and Bosch Bahá’í School was located at its current site uphill from Monterey Bay.

Mr. Bosch’s other roles in the history of the Faith are well-documented: as a companion to the Master on His U.S. visit and at His passing in Haifa; as a delegate to the first national Bahá’í administrative gathering on this continent; as a pioneer with his wife, Louise, in the Pacific; as a tireless teacher of the Faith in California. But the institution now known by his name was a great and cherished labor of his final years. ◆

Photos courtesy of Bosch Bahá’í School

BOSCH BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL 500 Comstock Lane • Santa Cruz, CA 95060 • 408-423-3387 • [Page 10]

Ocean of Light illuminates outstanding season at Bosch

Summer got off to a busy start at Bosch Bahá’í School, with several conferences and sessions creating bonds of love and unity among friends of all ages and diverse cultural backgrounds.

The Pacific Islanders’ Teaching Conference: Ocean of Light on July 2–5 was a highlight, with more than 90 Bahá’ís from across New Zealand, Tahiti, Tonga and the Marshall Islands, and many former pioneers living in the U.S.

Elahe Young and Derek Cockshut, members of the Regional Bahá’í Council for the Western States, spoke on the conference theme “Share the Pearls of Bahá’u’lláh” and encouraged the friends in their teaching. Workshops, consultation on teaching, reports of teaching in progress—including a beautiful video from the teaching conference in Kiribati—and time for sharing and getting to know one another were all part of the program. The conference received a message from Princess Tōoa Tōsi Malietoa-Savusa of Samoa, and participants returned their thanks in a letter to her.

The children went teaching, wearing “Racism, the Curable Disease” T-shirts. They sang, danced and marched their way through a local Fourth of July parade with an interfaith group, marching in support of the NAACP. Afterward the children continued to teach at a Bahá’í booth and won first place as a children’s group.

The following week, the first-ever Bahá’í Youth Music Academy drew praise for its culminating concert: “Outstanding!” “Superb!” “What talent!” This performance by the 28 students followed a week of study and practice with six professional musicians. Students’ comments express the spirit: “I realize now that music doesn’t have to be full of ego and competition. There are those who perform music as worship and as an act of love.” “I was overwhelmed by the possibilities for teaching the Cause with music.” “I’m inspired!”

More than 90 Bahá’ís brought a wonderful spirit to the Persian Session July 18–23 for outstanding classes in Persian and English, music, dance, flower arranging, great food and fellowship.

• In Persian, Farhad Sabetan, representative for the Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh, presented classes on Huqúqu’lláh, the Covenant and the letter from the Universal House of Justice to the Persians. Habib Riazati, member of the Regional Bahá’í Council for the Western States, discussed the Kitáb-i-Aqdas.

• In English, Sheila Banani, chair of the Executive Board of the Association for Bahá’í Studies, presented a course on the Tablets of the Divine Plan. It was during the session that the announcement was made about the execution of Mr. Ruhollah Rowhani in Iran. The group was saddened by the news, but took immediate action to contact Persian-language media in the Los Angeles area to inform them of the accurate details of the situation. ♦

Children attending the Ocean of Light conference assemble in readiness to participate in the local Fourth of July parade. Photo courtesy of Bosch Bahá’í School

Helping mothers help kids

Mothers have become involved in mentoring of Southeast Asian children as part of an after-school program carried out by Laurian Harris of San Diego, California, the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office reports. Chia Her (left), a Hmong woman, has helped her children Manee (standing) and Pasheng with their schoolwork since attending an English class for Hmong women in her community, then English-as-second-language classes at a community college. For information on the work of the Refugee Office, call 847-733-3547.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office

‘Irfán session in English is moved to October

An English-language session of the ‘Irfán Colloquium has been rescheduled for Oct. 9–12 at Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan. The session will be held at the same time as Persian language programs, and participants may attend parts of both.

The Colloquia for 1998 will focus on the world religions in Bahá’í perspective. The English and Persian ‘Irfán Seminars will focus on the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh during the Istanbul and Adrianople periods (1863–68). They will examine a number of important writings of Bahá’u’lláh such as the Súrih-yi-Ghusn, many of the tablets addressed to the kings, the two tablets of Ahmad (Arabic and Persian), the Mathnaví-yi Mubárak, the Tablet of the Celestial Nightingale and the Kitáb-i-Badí’ (Bahá’u’lláh’s response to questions from some Bábís). The tablets of Náqis, Sarráj, Tuqá, Ashraf, Salmán, Nuqtih, Zibh and Vidád will be discussed in light of Bahá’í concepts of Divinity and Manifestation.

Presentations will be made by Muin Afnani, Iraj Ayman, Tal’at Bassari, Ted Brownstein, Iskandar Ha’i, Chris Jones, Moojan Khadem, Ruhullah Khushbin, Parivash Samandari, Sohrab Kourosh, Azar Movagh, Behrooz Sabet, Nader Saiedi and Robert Stockman.

For reservations and registration contact Louhelen (phone 810-653-5033, e-mail ). For information on the program contact Robert Stockman (phone 847-733-3425, e-mail ). ♦

SING AT THE HOUSE OF WORSHIP “GLOBAL TRADITIONS”

FALL CHORAL OFFERING, NOV. 14 AT FOUNDATION HALL

CONCERT To feature selections based on Scriptures of the world’s great revealed religions by composers from around the world. Celebrates the unity of the human family through diversity of song, in honor of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh.

STUDY Ladder for the Soul Institute, a training program on music in the pattern of the Core Curriculum. Designed to help musicians and aspiring musicians understand the great spiritual gift of music, and how to unleash its power for teaching. Will include intensive deepening in the Writings on music and related subjects, plus a practicum in techniques for discovering spiritual symbols in music and translating them into teaching tools.

WHEN Classes and choir rehearsals will be held Tuesday, Nov. 10 through Saturday, Nov. 14. Singers will be expected to know their music by the time they arrive in Wilmette; rehearsal time will be spent blending and polishing.

JOIN US This application must be received by Oct. 12. To cover the cost of materials, please include a $35 check or money order, payable to the Bahá’í House of Worship. If you have not sung with us before, send an audition tape demonstrating your vocal range and ability.

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Voice part (circle all that apply):      Sop I / II      Alto I / II      Tenor I / II      Bass I / II

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SEND APPLICATION AND MATERIALS TO: Music Director, Bahá’í House of Worship • 100 Linden Ave., Wilmette, IL 60091 For information: phone 847-853-2328, e-mail [Page 11]

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Ali’s Dream The Story of Bahá’u’lláh by John S. Hatcher illustrated by Mary Holveck $22.95 SC (ADS)

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In this children’s book the life of Louis Gregory is chronicled in a manner that any child can readily identify with. His hardships and triumphs and, most importantly, his example are painted as vividly as the full-color illustrations in the book. Sharing this story with your child will leave an impression they won’t soon forget.

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Adapted from Dr. Hatcher’s popular book The Ocean of His Words, this stand-alone revision of the first chapter of that work deals specifically with the concept of revelation as an art form. This insightful analysis and the conclusions drawn offer the reader an excellent framework for regarding the role of art in a religious context and, more importantly, the benefits of deeper understanding derived from the examination of revelation in this context.

5 1/2"x6", 60 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust

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Adapted from the popular Windows to the Past series, this translation of Basics of the Bahá’í Faith into Persian will facilitate deepenings and teaching efforts among the Persian Friends. Includes two cassette tapes and a companion booklet that give a synopsis of various aspects of the Bahá’í Faith.

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Would You Have Known Jesus? by John Adler $3.50/10pk, $25.00/100, $180.00/1,000 (WYHKJ)

"Would you have known Jesus?," is a question that many teachers in the Cause would like to ask a Christian, but without risk of offense. In this pamphlet the question is put directly in the context of Christian belief and brought into the present by presenting Bahá’u’lláh as the Promised One foretold by Christ. At once challenging and subtle, this pamphlet may well help a seeker to look more closely into their own hearts for the answer to this question.

Stonehaven Press [Page 12]

Love, Power, and Justice: The Dynamics of Authentic Morality

by William S. Hatcher

$11.95 SC (LPJ)

What is authentic morality? How do we know that we are being true to an authentic, and not self-conceived, moral standard? The purpose of this book is to facilitate the understanding of how a person can reach these critical conclusions and come closer to the truth, about the value of their convictions and the worth of those convictions relative to a higher authority. Using precepts and arguments from three disciplines with something to say on the subject of morality, namely philosophy, science and religion, Dr. Hatcher explores with fascinating insight an ages-old problem with freshness and vigor, bringing into this mix the considerable force of the arguments provided by the Bahá’í revelation itself. A truly groundbreaking effort into one of the more intractable debates of our time, a time when so many factions and individuals claim to speak with “authentic morality.”

5 1/2"x8 1/2", 155 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Walking the Talk

Bahá’ís and Racial Unity $2.00 / 10 pack (WT10)

Walking the Talk has been carefully written and designed to appeal to the target audience for the video The Power of Race Unity. Addresses succinctly a number of issues related to the African-American experience and racial unity.

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The Brilliant Proof

by Mírzá Abu’l-Fadl $14.95 HC (BRP)

In 1911 Mírzá Abu’l-Fadl penned this response to an attack on the Bahá’í Faith written by Peter Z. Easton and printed in Evangelical Christendom. This illuminating rebuttal displays the learning and style of its author and was given the name “The Brilliant Proof” by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. This edition also contains the original article that provoked the response.

5"x7 1/4", 80 pp. Kalimát Press

MUSIC

Reliance

Ben Koen and the Unity Ensemble $15.95 CD (RCD)

Reliance, a dynamic journey of jazz saxophone including soulful vocals of two Hidden Words, follows Dizzy Gillespie’s footsteps creating unity in diversity in the music, band and listeners. Powerful and compelling, Koen’s “music speaks for itself—it promises to make an impact on the jazz world and contribute to the history of the music.” “Ben produces warm tones from his saxophone much like the magic flowers found in the tone world; his sound is full of the cry of hope, peace and joy.”

52 minutes

Bird

Susan Lewis Wright $15.95 CD (BCD), $10.95 CS (BCAS)

Bird, about the soul taking its flight to the next world, is the title song on the brand-new release from nationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Susan Lewis Wright. Regarding her first album, Down In Mexico, Recording Magazine wrote, “Judy Collins has nothing on Susan. Neither does Joan Baez for that matter.”

51 minutes

Walking from Jerusalem to Mecca

Dirk Anderson and Jerry York $15.00 CD (WJMCD), $10.00 CS (WJMCS)

A blend of smooth harmonies and exotic instruments breathe life into heartfelt compositions that journey through jazz, pop and world music sounds. Features guest vocals by Lynn Rosser and Mary Davis. Produced by Chris Rosser.

39 minutes

Dash Crofts Today

Dash Crofts $15.95 CD (DCTCD)

You may think you know Dash Crofts’ music, but your experience won’t be complete until you add this one to your collection! Yes, those same distinctive vocals are there, though the music has changed to reflect a jazzier approach to life.

39 minutes

The Magic Bird

Quinn Arts $15.00 CD (MBCD)

This album is the Quinns’ uniquely beautiful soundtrack of this world-renowned travel teaching production. Fourteen songs that capture a portion of the drama of events associated with the birth of the Bahá’í Faith.

73 minutes [Page 13]

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The Bahá’í World, 1996-1997 $25.95 HC (BW97H) $13.95 SC (BW97S)

The Bahá’í World series provides both non-Bahá’ís and Bahá’ís with valuable information about the activities and concerns of the Bahá’í world community and is suitable for presentation to dignitaries, researchers, and others. This latest installment includes a retrospective essay on Shoghi Effendi, an essay on contemporary human rights discourse, a report on Bahá’í participation in Habitat II, a profile of five moral development activities undertaken by Bahá’ís in different parts of the world, and other significant articles.

346 pp. World Centre Publications

The Servant, the General, and Armageddon by Roderic and Derwent Maude $11.95 SC (SGA)

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Mahmúd’s Diary translated by Mohi Sobhani with Shirley Macias $39.95 HC (MD)

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This record of achievements by the worldwide Bahá’í community during the Three Year Plan was compiled by the Research Department at the Bahá’í World Center. The number of activities represented in their respective goal areas demonstrates the international scope and full range of Bahá’í activity around the world. An impressive reference work and an equally impressive reflection of the efforts of the Bahá’í world community.

178 pp. World Centre Publications

Developing Distinctive Bahá’í Communities Office of Assembly Development $24.00 PC (DDBC)

The long-awaited revision to this Local Spiritual Assembly manual is now completed. Originally created in 1989, this manual has become a standard reference used by Assemblies to facilitate their consultations and their efforts to apply spiritual and administrative principles to the situations before them. An extensive revision process brings the contents up to date with the latest guidance from the Universal House of Justice and the National Spiritual Assembly.

Office of Assembly Development 585 pp.

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THE STATE OF THE PROFESSION

INTERVIEWS BY TOM MENNILLO

Bahá’ís in journalism who responded to an online survey are greatly troubled by the state of their profession.

But they are confident by and large that the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh will exert the influence needed for journalism to become a unifying agent in society.

And most see a role for themselves—and for young Bahá’ís they help bring into the field—in canalizing that transformation.

The survey questions were asked on the international “Bahai-Journalists” e-mail list. Response was invited from journalism practitioners, educators, and students in the “lower 48” United States.

Four American news people and a communications instructor answered the call, along with a Norwegian journalist who asked that his comments be included. All responses were edited for length.

If you were a Bahá’í when you entered journalism, how did your Bahá’í identity influence your choice of field and how has it influenced your career moves within the field?

David Freeman: I think I have been influenced mostly in the sense of trying to be conscious of the power of divine assistance in where I have ended up. While most folks in the field are “climbing the ladder” and are tightly focused on market size and money, I have always felt that I would end up where the Faith needed me. When it comes time to consider this, we just hit the prayer book hard and look for doors to open.

I might also say that doing weather is very much a service-oriented part of the TV news business, and it also puts me in a position to be a positive force in the community, in a positive light.

Finally, I have found that being a Bahá’í strongly influences my style of management (I supervise five employees). We try to employ consultative decision-making to create a positive and supportive work environment, and I take great joy in developing the potential of each individual.

Lesa Morey: I got into journalism, oddly enough, the same year I became a Bahá’í. I’ve never strayed from the Faith nor the field. Not sure there’s a real connection, though!

My “Bahá’í parents” both happened to be broadcast journalists. ... One word of advice one of them gave that sticks with me today: “Anyone can write about problems. A good reporter writes about solutions.” So that has been one approach I’ve always taken, and with some success.

The business has polished my rusty communication skills (not very high at the onset—I had some borderline speech problems), given me confidence about ‎approching approaching‎ and speaking to “important” people—skills any Bahá’í should have.

Neda Najibi: I chose this field because I love to write and because of my parents, especially my mother, being so proud and telling me how I can spread the Bahá’í message through this career. So I became more motivated, stimulated to accomplish this goal.

In all honesty, I don’t feel I’ve done much in the area of spreading the Bahá’í message; it is difficult. Journalists are taught to not take a side. Occasionally when I know of a Bahá’í event that could use some publicity I’ll leave a message for our assignment desk at the TV station.

If you weren’t a Bahá’í when you entered the field, what role did being a journalist play in your decision to become a Bahá’í and how has becoming a Bahá’í influenced your career moves within the field?

Brad Pokorny: I was not a Bahá’í when I joined the [Boston] Globe. So I had to deal with the whole transition of trying to practice journalism in a Bahá’í way.

I’ve always been interested in journalism because it seemed to me the best way to find out the truth of things or, to put it in Bahá’í terms, to investigate reality.

When I became engaged with the Faith, this exposure to so many aspects of reality led me to see how the Bahá’í Faith was the answer to so many questions, the antidote to so many world problems.

I tired very much of covering politics, which is the meat and potatoes of modern journalism, and decided to apply within the Globe for a position as a science reporter, a position that I got shortly before I was invited to come to the Bahá’í International Community (BIC).

I think, however, that Bahá’ís should not be afraid of covering politics. There is no need to take a stand in your reporting—indeed, good reporters should not do so. So, in my view, Bahá’ís could really make the best political reporters. It just became a tiresome business.

What particular daily challenges do you face in your work because of your beliefs?

Brad Pokorny: Now, working for the BIC, this is not really an issue. I am able to combine belief and work. At the Globe, though, it took some time to figure this one out.

Ultimately, I found that being a Bahá’í reporter was easy. All I had to do was to strive to really find out the truth, to listen to all sides, and then to set it down accurately—just as Bahá’u’lláh counsels in the Sixth Taráz, the best bit of journalism advice ever.

Neda Najibi: I believe that my behavior and the respect I give to my tasks and to all my co-workers has been apparent to them, and the majority know that I’m a Bahá’í.

There are times when I don’t want to do a particular story because I really believe that it is not accurate, but ... my executive producer decides we’ll do it and I have to assign it.

This makes me uncomfortable, but there are times when I have chosen stories that have actually helped people. And this is gratifying, because I know I’ve done good.

David Freeman: This is a very competitive field, and I often catch myself getting wrapped up in all of that. This requires constant vigilance.

I would like to think we can vie with each other without being mean-spirited and without resorting to knocking the other guy. Backbiting is pervasive in the industry.

The other big challenge is dealing with the public—from handling calls that come in at the wrong time from folks who really aren’t using their brains to responding to sometimes-virulent criticism. This is becoming my Bahá’í barometer—a measure of how I can walk the walk.

Lesa Morey: I’ve not really encountered any conflicts between my faith and my job.

Is there a fine line you have to tread in bringing a Bahá’í perspective to your work?

David Freeman: That is one of the great joys of being a meteorologist: In school visits, in public appearances, etc., I have much more freedom to express my own views! Less of a conflict or test for me than for reporters, I think.

Lesa Morey: I’ve never tried to bring a Bahá’í perspective to my reports. I simply use my own perspective, which is pretty well steeped in Bahá’í approaches anyway. Although I am an isolated believer, I have to wonder if any passing-through Bahá’í were to pick up the paper and think to himself: “Ah! She must be a Bahá’í.” I doubt it.

Brad Pokorny: Except for a column I wrote at the Globe on the persecutions in Iran, I never wrote about the Faith.

I did try, however, for a while, to lobby for what I called the “peace beat” at the Globe. That was a time of much talk about nuclear disarmament and all, and I felt it was under-covered and I felt it should be covered better. They never assigned me full time to it, but they let me do an occasional story.

“All I had to do was to strive to really find out the truth, to listen to all sides, and then to set it down accurately—just as Bahá’u’lláh counsels in the Sixth Taráz, the best bit of journalism advice ever.” —Brad Pokorny

ABOUT THE RESPONDENTS

• David Freeman is chief meteorologist and weather reporter for a television station in Wichita, Kansas. He is also a member of the Auxiliary Board for Protection of the Faith.
• Michael Karlberg is a communications lecturer and graduate student in Bellingham, Washington, engaged in media research and education.
• Thor Henning Lerstad of Lillehammer, Norway, is a news editor/news presenter for the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation.
• For 22 years, Lesa Morey of Sebring, Florida, has reported for local newspapers and a trade magazine and been a university public relations specialist.
• Neda Najibi is a producer/consumer news for a television station in Austin, Texas, and a marketing project specialist for Dell Computer.
• Brad Pokorny edits One Country magazine at the Bahá’í International Community office in New York City. He was a staff reporter for The Boston Globe from 1980 to 1987.

[Page 15]“There must be revived among the individual believers a sense of mission, a feeling of empowerment to minister to the urgent need of humanity for guidance and thus to win victories for the Faith in their own sphere of life. —Universal House of Justice, from the May 19, 1994, letter to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

To what extent are the news media seen by journalists and the public as a catalyst for unifying the forces of society?

Lesa Morey: Hardly! The media are viewed as divisive, I believe. And with good cause. We are. We’re all clamoring for attention as never before and barely pass on the temptation to sensationalize and/or create controversy where there really was none before.

Thor Henning Lerstad: As I see it, journalism in general is in deep crisis due to the common lack of a spiritual understanding of who we are, why we are and where to go, individually and collectively.

I like to look upon journalism as a genuine way to practice the essence of faith, defined as an attitude of love for the unknown. But many times I feel discouraged working with news because our common motivation for work only seems to be built upon a combination of critical philosophy, civic arrogance and plain devilry. The ideology might boil down to a “Watergate complex”: Our main objective is to go hunting for the crook of the week.

Brad Pokorny: If they do their jobs well and correctly, that is, if they report fairly and accurately and without sensation, they will accomplish much in this regard, without even trying, inasmuch as the trends toward peace and unity are the major trends today.

Unfortunately, however, most of the focus of journalism today is on covering the decline of the old world order, without any sense that there is a new one being made at the same time.

Michael Karlberg: Contemporary surveys suggest that public opinion of the news media and journalists has fallen to an extreme low point. Journalists tend to be viewed as part of an elitist group of political players that excludes the public from meaningful participation in public decision-making and affairs.

Newspaper readership has been in a steady decline for over a decade now. In addition, the news audience (both print and television) among the young “generation X” appears to be lower than any previous (modern) generation.

Regarding journalists’ self-perceptions: Surveys again suggest that journalists tend to be a highly disillusioned group. Many enter the field with high ideals and aspirations of public service, only to become cynical and burnt out from the various pressures and constraints they must operate under.

David Freeman: Zippo. I think the media are, unfortunately, viewed with great skepticism ... as either a neutral or disunifying force in society. But this question is deeper. Are the media a shaping force or merely a reflection of society? Bahá’u’lláh refers to newspapers as a “mirror” that “reflect the deeds and pursuits” of the people.

I think this is manifest in the sophisticated marketing research that is increasingly the basis for the modern media. Unfortunately, this often results in the lowest common denominator in news and programming. So, in a sense, society gets exactly what we deserve.

However, there are also instances where there is discretion in what areas will receive special attention and focus. And that is noted in the next phrase of that statement by Bahá’u’lláh, that the media should be “purged from the promptings of evil passions and desires and to be attired with the raiment of justice and equity.” (Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, page 40)

Neda Najibi: I strongly believe that journalists are a catalyst. I only pray and hope that one day news can be reported not merely for ratings but for information.

What can Bahá’í journalists do individually or collectively (perhaps through an organization of Bahá’í journalists) to foster that media role (i.e. assist the exploration of these issues, influence the profession’s evolution, encourage young people to enter the field)?

Michael Karlberg: In its “Individual Rights and Freedoms” letter, the Universal House of Justice stated that “the code of conduct of the press must embrace the principles and objectives of consultation as revealed by Bahá’u’lláh. Only in this way will the press be able to make its full contribution to the preservation of the rights of the people and become a powerful instrument in the consultative processes of society, and hence for the unity of the human race.”

All Bahá’ís, including those who work in the media, need to expand their thinking about both consultation and the media. The statement above suggests that the principles and objectives of consultation can somehow be carried out society-wide, facilitated at least in part by the mass media. Bahá’ís need to figure out ways of influencing the practice of the media/journalists in the direction indicated by the House statement.

Bahá’í journalists and media workers will be able to influence practices from within the profession to some degree. They may want to ally themselves with like-minded reform efforts within the media, such as the “public journalism” or “civic journalism” movements, which have a vision of journalism that parallels the consultative vision set out by the House of Justice in many ways.

Bahá’í educators outside the media may be able to influence audience preferences and expectations [outside and inside the Faith] through “media education” or “media literacy”—a growing movement within education circles that is attempting to raise the critical awareness of students and citizens.

And closely related to these developments, Bahá’í scholars in related fields may well want to turn their attention to the media analysis, research, and theory that can often lend valuable insights to media education itself.

Bahá’ís who practice in public relations, external affairs and similar fields—whether representing Bahá’í or secular institutions—also have a role to play in their interactions with the media. Public relations, when conceived of in a consultative framework, takes on new dimensions of meaning that in turn call for corresponding changes in practice.

Bahá’í [national and global] institutions may also be able to develop organized ways of influencing the media and the public’s thinking about the media, in consultative ways ... by drafting statements on the role of the media, by attending or contributing to policy discussions regarding the media, and so forth.

Finally, this [e-mail] list could be a valuable starting point for further exploring the implications of the statement by the House of Justice quoted above.

“[A statement by the Universal House of Justice] suggests that the principles and objectives of consultation can somehow be carried out society-wide, facilitated at least in part by the mass media.”

—Michael Karlberg

Neda Najibi: I think we can do a lot. Basically, journalism classes always teach how important ethics are, just like the Bahá’í Faith teaches how important it is to abide by the Teachings. ... We also can [develop] this within our ‎Bahai Bahá’í‎ Journalist organization.

Thor Henning Lerstad: [In addition to exploring Mr. Karlberg’s suggestions above], may I suggest that, if possible, some of you members of this list in the States could meet (and share the results of the consultation with the rest of us afterwards)? I would think Tom’s and Michael’s questions already make an agenda.

Lesa Morey: I do NOT encourage young people to pursue journalism as a career. In fact, I recently wrote a long, impassioned letter to a college-bound nephew contemplating such a move. I instead counseled him to pursue some area of practical expertise about which, someday, he could write from a platform of authority.

As Bahá’ís, we are blessed to have tuned into the big story. As journalists, we have great difficulty sharing the good news despite our gateway access to mass communication. Does being a Bahá’í journalist make a difference? From my experience, no.

And so, last year, at the ripe age of 42, I started back to school to earn a two-year degree in a practical field, one which Bahá’u’lláh called the most important profession: agriculture. My plans are to specialize as an agricultural writer.

David Freeman: We have to stay in the field and encourage young people to get in the field, so that this important group of people is exposed to the Bahá’í concept of justice and equity, along with the positive value of diversity.

I think this is one area where we can reach people of capacity, as the Universal House of Justice encourages us.

Brad Pokorny: Report more on the other side of things: the building up of a new world order. This is the real story of the century. But you will have to lobby for this in your newsrooms. ♦ [Page 16]

SERVING AT THE WORLD CENTER:

The intensity, the diversity, the flow of spirit

BY KARIM BEERS

Onescore and a half Bahá’í months have passed since I served for one year at the Holy Land. Having seen the inner workings of the Bahá’í World Center, my confidence in the efficacy and potency of the Faith grew, as did my faith.

In one sense, the work I did in the gardens was unimpressive: I mowed lawns, cut down trees, planted and watered petunias, pansies, geraniums, and calendula, tended a compost heap, and pulled more weeds than I’m willing to admit. However, regardless of the mundane description of my labor, anything anyone does at the Bahá’í World Center somehow attains a superlative status, due to the Spot in which the deed is performed. I mean, we were working in the precincts of the Qiblih of the World, the Point of Adoration, the Most Holy Spot! It is as if all your actions and their implications become magnified a zillion times.

Karim Beers is an education student at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

Some World Center staff maintain that because of this magnification phenomenon, the tests received while serving in the Holy Land tend to be rather immense. They reason that since we serve around the Qiblih, if you try to stick your little ego up and go against the flow of the current, then the blast from the torrential Waters will be potent. Yet even so, the grace and mercy of God offset the pains of the tests—like a giant comfortable life raft, so to speak.

There is something so very special about visiting the blessed Shrines in ‘Akká and Haifa. Visiting the Shrines, you could revel in the perfumed, simple ambience of the carpeted rooms; you could pray fervently to that Manifestation of God Whose earthly remains were but a few paces from you; and you could reflect on how lucky you were for having been allowed to actually enter the Shrines (for in the future, such a bounty will be impossible due to the sheer number of pilgrims). But the power and effect of visiting the Shrines was greater than all these things combined.

One aspect of service that made the experience so much fun and so rewarding was the diversity of the servants at the World Center. In my orientation group of about 15, Ghana, Portugal, England, Singapore, the Congo (Zaire), Malawi, Trinidad, South Africa, Ukraine, Swaziland, Sweden, Eritrea and the USA were all represented. Being a witness to the diversity as well as the efficient and joyous functioning of this heart of the Bahá’í world instilled in me an added degree of hope for the future of our planet.

The intensity of laughter was also directly proportional to the degree of diversity. Never have I laughed so hard, so much, as I did during my short months in Israel.

How I wish I could convey an accurate picture of the place, which is at once uniquely charming and so different from any other community on Earth. Alas, neither time, nor space, nor wit, nor memory permit. I do hope, however, that I gave some sort of glimpse of that Spot. Alláh-u-Abhá! ♦

A HEROIC DEED OF SERVICE IS PLEDGED

“We look to the members of the Bahá’í community in the United States to perform, during the Four Year Plan, heroic deeds of service to the Cause, which will astonish and inspire their fellow-believers throughout the world.” —Universal House of Justice, Ridván 153 B.E. message to the Bahá’ís of North America

Youth around the country are deepening on the spirit of heroism and sending in pledges for the Heroic Deeds of Service to the Cause campaign. The National Youth Committee will collect hundreds of pledges that will be sent at Ridván 156 to the Universal House of Justice as a gift from the Bahá’í youth of the United States.

If you would like to participate in the campaign, please send a letter or e-mail to the National Youth Committee that includes the following: 1. What heroic deed of service to the Cause will you perform? If your heroic deed is of a private nature, you may describe it in a general way that conveys the spirit of your efforts without including details. 2. Why is this heroic for you? 3. What other thoughts or quotes do you have related to heroism? 4. Your name, age, address, e-mail, phone number. 5. The date by which you expect to complete your heroic deed of service to the Cause.

Individuals who send in pledge sheets will be contacted some time after their sheets have been received to see what was easy or difficult about converting their pledges into action (not to check up on them). Please send this information to the National Youth Committee, c/o Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL, 60201 (e-mail ).

A PLEDGE...

My heroic deed has two parts, but the overriding theme is a change in the spirit and manner in which I live my life. On a personal basis, it involves an increase in reading the Writings, being consistent in saying my obligatory prayer and really making each day a spiritual journey rather than setting up one specific act that I see as heroic in my spiritual quest. However, the second part is that I apply this new spirituality to more effectively teaching the issue of race unity on campus. I am involved in a group that was started by Bahá’ís but not limited to Bahá’ís. I would like to raise my involvement to a higher spiritual level. I will not let frustration and lack of others’ participation dampen my own degree of commitment. I have not met with much success in getting involvement from the campus community, but that is my goal. I will make an effort to publicize meetings, events, etc. and try to involve more people, even if they only come to one meeting. Whatever the reaction from the community, my main focus is heightening my commitment, responsibility and spirit to the issue of race unity. This deed is heroic for me because it involves a large sacrifice of the time I reserve for relaxing, the rare times I have when I can take a break from my work. It also involves overcoming obstacles (such as fear, despair, embarrassment, disappointment, etc.) and persevering because of my beliefs. And it is a challenge for me that I am rising to face. ♦

POEM

Dawnbreakers

BY FITZGERALD DICK

The blackest of the night is right before the first light. A new day has begun with the coming of the dawn. When one has lived in darkness, One’s eyes fear the light and eyelids quickly close, to help preserve the night.

The chosen few who strive to bring mankind the light, must unfortunately battle the forces of the night. Táhirih, Quddús, Mullá Husayn and Vahíd Hujjat, Badí, Martha and Naím. Like the burning candle, that dies to give its light, they spent their whole lives striving to exterminate the night.

The Equality of Women and Men, the Oneness of Humanity. The One God up in heaven, desires us to live in unity. These teachings were the light ‎or for‎ which they gave their life. Yet the peoples of the night filled their life with strife.

Táhirih was killed, strangled with her veil. Mullá Husayn shot, Quddús taken to jail, Badí had molten lead poured down into his throat, to stop him from speaking the words which God had wrote.

Such undaunted, peerless courage. Such selfless acts of devotion. Their love, a burning raging fire, brought light to all the nations. I give props to thee, O breakers of the dawn! Were it not for thee we would have had no light to signal in the morn. Eyelids have been opened, we can appreciate the light. Without those first few rays We would have lived always in the night.

Fitzgerald Dick is a Bahá’í from Sunrise, Florida. [Page 17]

HOW DO YOU GUYS DO IT?

GETTING A COLLEGE CLUB STARTED

BY ARGHAVAN RAHIMPOUR

Arghavan Rahimpour is a sociology and natural science student at the University of Southern California.

First, let me tell you a story. My family, like many other Bahá’ís, escaped from Iran when I was 5 years old. Between Illam, Tehran, Isfahan, ‎Rawelpendi Rawalpindi‎, Vienna, Brigham City, Colorado Springs, and now Los Angeles, I have never lived in one place long enough to become attached to it. I don’t really know where to call home.

I’ll never forget the day I asked my mother, who had spent the first 35 years of her life in Iran, if she ever wished she could go back there. To my astonishment, she said, “No!”

“But why?” I asked, completely confused. “It’s so beautiful there, and you grew up there, and the history of our Faith began there, and . . .”

“Arghavan, you’re right about all of these things, but my dear, these things are only exciting at the beginning. Ultimately, it is friends that make a place wonderful. People always want to be where their friends are.”

Now let me try to answer your question. The best advice I can give anyone about how to have a great college club is to remind them of my mother’s words:

“People always want to be where their friends are.”

Of course, it does not just come about overnight. In fact, over the past two years, our club has been working on it. While we have done the usual firesides, deepenings, and prayer sessions, those are not the things that come to mind when I think about all the great times we’ve had together.

I remember the drive back from Bosch College Club Weekend in the Bahá’í center’s van. The window shattered while we were driving and we had to drive the next six hours with a trash bag taped to the door. Needless to say, we were yelling the whole trip because of all the noise the bag was making and some of us lost our voices.

I also remember the three all-nighters Samir pulled with me to help me study for my molecular biology exams.

Then, I remember the thoughtful Ayyám-i-Há presents, especially the orange vase that Tajalli gave me because orange is my favorite color and she remembered.

I will never forget the many times Seth, the cinema major, let me borrow his VCR, or the vegetarian Thanksgiving Hope invited me to when I didn’t go home for Thanksgiving. And of course, there’s Damion (one of the greatest cooks I know) and all of the delicious Chinese dishes he made for us. Finally, I remember all the things we found out about each other in our late-night games of spoons and all the pots of coffee we drank.

Whether there are two Bahá’ís on your campus or 200, forming close friendships with each other is the only way to keep any club active. After all, who wants to be a part of something that’s not fun?

And honestly, this goes right along with the basic and fundamental principle of the Bahá’í Faith: UNITY.

Since we try to have a good time, we’ve even attracted some older youth from the community to come to our meetings and events. We call them our “adopted members.” Their experiences are invaluable because most of them have already graduated. Not only do they have experience dealing with their own college clubs, but now that they’re in the “real world” they have tons of contacts to help us out.

The next step is to think SIMPLE.

This last year when the Hindu Student Association was forming, I decided to go to the first meeting. I introduced myself as a Bahá’í, and said that I would really like it if they would study the Bhagavad Gita so that I could learn more about Hinduism. For four months, Hindu students came up to me asking about the Bahá’í Faith.

The lesson we all learned was that while events that had cost us more than $1,000 from sponsors had been successful, we didn’t need to go all-out to teach. Sometimes, simplicity is the most successful method.

Looking back on the past 25 years of records for the University of Southern California Bahá’í Club, we have a lot to live up to. Our campus has been the site for Bahá’í youth conferences, concerts, firesides, theatrical productions, deepenings, book signings, talks, displays, discussions, film screenings, youth forums, and prayer sessions. This last year was filled with a lot of great teaching opportunities and many good memories. We definitely learned a lot. What we have found is that ultimately, it makes no difference how many members a club has or even what they do as long as they do something and they do it in unity.

And of course, don’t forget the prayers! ⬥

COLLEGE CLUB WEEKENDS

AT THE PERMANENT SCHOOLS

The College Club Weekends, sponsored by the National Youth Committee, help college clubs become part of a united network of Bahá’í college students regionally and across the country. The session focuses on mobilization of fresh approaches to teaching and serving on campus. Come and learn more about the special role that youth play in the Four Year Plan. Call the school nearest you for registration information and details.

Scheduled programs:

• Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot, Maine, Sept. 25–27 (phone 207-439-7200, fax 207-438-9940, e-mail).
• Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, California, Oct. 16–18 (phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, e-mail).
• Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan, rescheduled for Oct. 30–Nov. 1 (phone 810-653-5033, fax 810-653-7181, e-mail).

Hosting for BYW Web sites

Ben Barbour of Wilmington, NC, owns the Web site www.byw.org and would like to provide a service for Bahá’í Youth Workshops to get free Web site hosting. He can provide services such as the following for each workshop/youth group:

• 2MB disk space
• Unlimited forwarding addresses
• ‎Unliminted Unlimited‎ auto-responding
• Calendar of events
• Photo gallery
• E-mail Ben at

To serve locally with world-embracing vision

Bahá’í youth, arising in the Heroic Deeds of Service campaign, have in these last two years of the Four Year Plan a special opportunity to apply Bahá’í principles to the many problems of “a planet at odds with itself.”

The Universal House of Justice noted in its 1996 Ridván message that the “outstanding contributions of the youth” include “participation in external affairs activities.” Historically, both Badí, who proclaimed the message of Bahá’u’lláh to the Shah of Iran, and Táhirih, who removed her veil at the Conference of Badasht to demonstrate that this was “the day on which the fetters of the past were burst asunder,” sacrificed their lives in speaking the truth to powerful people.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of both the Conference of Badasht and the Women’s Rights Convention that took place in Seneca Falls, New York, where equal rights for women were first proclaimed in North America. The United Nations is also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Participation in U.N.-related activities provides an excellent opportunity for youth to teach the Faith to like-minded individuals and get the Bahá’í perspective on world issues known.

The US/UN Bahá’í Office has ideas and resources available for both new and veteran college clubs, youth workshops, and individuals about U.N.-related activities.

Some examples of avenues for service and teaching are:

• Sponsor an activity or link with others in organizing activities for International Day of Peace on Sept. 19, United Nations Day on Oct. 24, Human Rights Day on Dec. 10 and International Women’s Day on March 8.
• Commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with other student organizations. Use the “In Your Hands Community Action Guide for Human Rights Year and Beyond” (see the Web site http://www.udhr50.org) and/or the UNA’s “UN Day Program Manual ’98” (see http://www.unausa.org).

For further information and materials, please contact the US/UN Bahá’í Office, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017 (phone 212-803-2500, e-mail). ⬥

Pounding pavement in Texas

Bahá’í youth in Tarrant County, Texas, distribute fliers about the June broadcasts of The Power of Race Unity. Pictured are Chuck Freeman, Amelia Villagomez, Hamed Yazhari, Nathan Cain, Pedram Panbechi and Jordan Carter; not pictured is Robin Cain. [Page 18]

Diversity, love are hallmarks of gospel choir tour

A passage from the Holy Bible, “The harvest is truly plenteous, but the laborers are few” [Matthew 9:37], was the theme of a 10-day Harvest Tour of the One Human Family Workshop Choir.

The June 4-14 tour, directed by composer/gospel musician Eric Dozier, began and ended in Durham, North Carolina.

It brought together 40 singers from more than a dozen states, diverse in age, race, cultural and socioeconomic background. After rehearsals at the Durham Bahá’í Center the singers traveled by bus through Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina; Lake City and Columbia, South Carolina; and Atlanta, Georgia.

With the tour organized by co-coordinators Dilsey Davis of Durham and Cara Williams of Columbus, Ohio, the choir sang in several organized concerts and numerous musical firesides, devotions and teaching activities sponsored by Local Spiritual Assemblies.

Dozier and the choir also attracted media attention, including appearances on radio stations and television news.

Matching black shirts worn on tour by the diverse choir sparked curiosity, providing plenty of teaching opportunities. On the front was the legend “One Human Family Workshop Choir” and a design depicting six faces of varied race. On back, in big-bright letters: “Uniting the World One Song at a Time.”

Members of the One Human Family Workshop Choir perform at a Race Unity Concert at North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina, near the end of the Harvest Tour. Photo by Pamela Brode

The singers proved that the laborers may be few, but when the souls are united and turn to the Holy Spirit with radiant and pure hearts, the “angels of the Abhá Paradise, in continuous succession, will come down to their aid.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 81)

A few highlights of the tour:

• The windows were open at the Bahá’í Unity Center in Raleigh, and as the lively and rhythmic gospel music reverberated out to the streets of the mainly African-American neighborhood, adults, teens and children trickled in and filled the little building. Some guests stood up and joined the choir in singing both old-time spirituals and praises of Bahá’u’lláh.
• While most members dispersed for organized teaching activities in Lake City, Dozier and 12 choir members sang at a Baptist church in Raleigh for the funeral of a woman who had been a beloved neighbor of the Bahá’í Center in Raleigh. Church members received Dozier’s updated arrangement of the old spiritual “Go Down Moses” with love and enthusiasm.

Later at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, the small group sang to feed the energy of a meeting of the local believers with the Regional Bahá’í Council for the Southern States. Counselor Alejandra Miller and Firuz Kazemzadeh of the National Spiritual Assembly were present.

• At the end of a concert in Charlotte, North Carolina, audience members were so moved that everyone jumped out of their seats and stood in the outer aisles forming a big hand-holding circle around the auditorium. The audience followed the still-singing choir out of the building and formed another large circle. It all ended with prayers, group hugs, happy tears, and a lot of teaching.

One woman marveled, “I haven’t felt this kind of loving spirit since I attended a Pete Seeger concert in the ’60s!”

Wherever the choir sang—at churches, theaters, Bahá’í centers, universities, race unity picnics, and at facilities such as the Martin Luther King Center—the choir not only delighted the hearts of their audiences with the soul-stirring beauty of gospel music, but they promoted the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.

The music also brought the choir members themselves together—as did their association in between performances. Through love, patience, selflessness and continual consultation, prayers and deepenings, many barriers were stripped away and understanding, unity and fellowship were strengthened. —Submitted by Pamela Brode, Durham, NC

Cincinnati project: Service with a smile

Cincinnati, Ohio, Bahá’ís were looking for an easy but different way to publicize their Bahá’í center, proclaim the Faith, and be of service to the wider community at the same time.

Then one of the friends suggested a yard sale. After some brainstorming, the friends came up with the “Cincinnati Take and Give” project.

Here’s how it worked:

• Bahá’ís and their friends contributed items of modest value.
• The Bahá’ís prepared fliers and teaching pamphlets. They did not advertise, but will next year.
• Whenever someone stopped by, assuming that this was yet another yard sale, the friends told them they could simply take anything they wanted free—if they agreed to provide a service to someone they knew.

They could visit a neighbor, shop for a shut-in, read to a child, provide any service to others. They were on the honor system; no one would check to see if they had followed through.

Almost everyone said they love the idea and want to return next year. A few wanted to know about the Bahá’í Faith. Some took a tour of the Bahá’í Center and mentioned they had been curious about it.

One person was adamant about wanting to pay, saying, “I don’t have time to serve anyone and if you don’t want my money I’ll leave.”

The Bahá’ís had a chance to be outside, get a little exercise helping to load trucks and cars, and chat with each other. The community shared items that someone no longer needed. A lot of interest in the Bahá’í center was generated.

Everything left at the end of the day was donated to a local group to resell. ♦

Center dedication raises momentum for Bahá’ís in San Luis Obispo County

Bahá’ís and their friends—including a county supervisor who made an emotion-filled speech praising the community—packed the Cambria, California, Bahá’í Center to overflowing when the building was dedicated in May.

The event inspired one seeker to enroll in the Faith. She helped form the Bahá’í group of nearby Atascadero the following week.

The dedication ceremony began with a prayer for mankind read by Anne Zinke, a youth whose inspirational battle with brain cancer has made her a local heroine as well as capturing the hearts of Bahá’ís nationwide through reports in The American Bahá’í. Tim Franklin, a facilitator for the Institute for the Healing of Racism, spoke on the message of the oneness of mankind.

Then came the surprise: San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Bud Laurent spoke for 20 minutes, his eyes welling with tears and his voice often choked with emotion. He described the Bahá’ís as “an island of peace and serenity in a chaotic world.”

“You may be simply standing in line at a supermarket, and the person behind you doesn’t even know that you’re a Bahá’í, but somehow that faith and love you have radiates out from you and touches all of us; you heal us,” Laurent said. The supervisor also noted he keeps a copy of The Promise of World Peace, presented to him in 1985, mounted on his office wall as a prized possession.

The Bahá’í Center of Cambria, California, was the scene of a tribute from a county official and a declaration of faith by a seeker during its dedication in May.

The festivity of the day was topped off with African drumming and dancing performed and led by Francisca Atule of Ghana. ♦ [Page 19]

TV interview publicizes Faith in Virginia

Greg Slominski (center), a Bahá’í from Lynchburg, Virginia, is flanked by talk show host André Whitehead (left) and Michael McKenzie, a religion professor, during a public access TV program that was acclaimed as a “proclamation success.”

A public-access TV interview by a popular Central Virginian helped raise the profile of the Faith in Lynchburg and Bedford County, Virginia.

Since the area does not have the Odyssey Channel on local cable, the Bahá’ís contacted André Whitehead about arranging an interview on his regular public access channel show. He agreed to invite a Bahá’í along with a religion and philosophy professor from Liberty University, a well-known Christian institution.

Though the interview, aired in early June, got started with a question on whether the Bahá’í Faith is a cult, it was Professor Michael McKenzie who dismissed that issue right away. From that point the conversation with Greg Slominski, a local Bahá’í, continued in an informational and congenial tone, according to a report from the Bahá’í public information representative.

As the teachings of the Faith were explained, several audience members asked questions seeking to clarify points. Only one phone-in participant was openly hostile to the Faith.

“The Bahá’ís and Christians lingered afterward to eat and talk,” the report said. “The local Bahá’ís decided that the evening was a big proclamation success in Central Virginia, where the Faith is little known.” ♦

Teaching Skills #6: Sharing Bahá’í literature

The sharing of Bahá’í literature is critical for effective teaching. Dissemination of the Faith’s sacred literature, the Guardian said, “is an essential prerequisite to any effectively organized campaign of teaching.” (The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 9) We must strive to “get out more literature, which is the very backbone of the teaching work.” (Lights of Divine Guidance, Vol. 1, p. 265) “[B]ooks can do infinitely more work than teachers. Sitting in a chair in a solitary corner one is infinitely more receptive to truth than in a lecture hall or in a discussion group.” (Dawn of a New Day, p. 39) Moreover, pamphlets will “enable the teaching work to progress more rapidly.” (Letters of the Guardian to Australia and New Zealand, p. 123)

As teachers, we must develop the skill of widely and wisely disseminating Bahá’í literature. One aspect is knowing what literature to give. Giving a seeker a piece of literature unsuitable for him is much like telling him about a subject that is of no interest to him or beyond his capacity to digest. It may well turn the seeker away from the Faith. Thus, it is helpful to be familiar with the seeker’s background and interests.

One way to determine the seeker’s interests is to ask directly. An example: “John, you said you wanted to read some literature on the Bahá’í Faith. Is there something in particular you would be interested in reading? Do you want to know about its history or social teachings or spiritual teachings or administration or other aspect?”

Even without asking directly, the teacher can, through conversation and observation, indirectly determine the seeker’s background and inclinations. For example, does the seeker appear to be oriented more toward the mystical or the practical? A book like The Seven Valleys may well be appropriate for the former, but not the latter. Similarly, a work such as The Promise of World Peace may interest the latter, but not the former. As another example, a strong Christian may be turned off by a general pamphlet that refers to Jesus as one in a series of “Prophets,” but may well be attracted by a pamphlet written for a Christian audience.

As the above suggests, in addition to being familiar with the seeker’s “character and mind” (Arohanui: Letters from Shoghi Effendi to New Zealand, p. 28), the teacher must know about the Bahá’í books or pamphlets he will be sharing.

Not all Bahá’í literature is of equal status. We must distinguish between the primary literature of the Faith (the Sacred and authoritative Writings) and its secondary literature (writings by individual Bahá’ís).

We know the Sacred Writings have a special power and influence. Therefore, if the seeker has expressed a direct interest in the Faith, it may be best to share the Bahá’í writings or works extensively quoting them.

On the other hand, if the teacher is trying to take an indirect approach, sharing secondary literature on topics of interest to the seeker may open the door for the study of the Writings later.

Secondary literature is of varying quality. Simply because a book or pamphlet has been published does not guarantee its quality. Through study and consultation with Bahá’í institutions or more experienced teachers, the teacher can identify secondary sources that are well-written and well-grounded in the Teachings.

How we give literature will often affect how it is received. Sometimes we may want to give it to the seeker in a very casual or neutral manner (“Please read this” or “You might find this interesting”). Or we may want to share our excitement and enthusiasm about a piece of literature (“This book has transformed my life” or “I have learned so much from this book!”). We can also emphasize the particular value a book will have for that seeker (“This specifically addresses the points you have raised” or “This may well challenge your thinking about...”).

We want to show, by our reverence and humility, the sacred nature of what we are offering (“This is worthy of your most careful and prayerful consideration” or “You will find that this speaks to the heart and soul of those who are sincerely seeking the truth”). The idea is to help the seeker appreciate what is being given him.

Some teachers have found that lending books, instead of giving them away, conveys the value of the books.

Keep literature readily available. Have there been times when we have had teaching opportunities, but did not have literature with us? Keeping ample supplies of literature at home and copies nearby (e.g. at work, in the car, in the backpack or pocketbook) will ensure we have it handy when needed.

How do you effectively share Bahá’í literature?

Extract from Raising the Call: The Individual and Effective Teaching (Palabra Publications, 1998). Used by permission of the author. ♦

BRIEFLY

HOUSE OF WORSHIP ON THE WEB

A major newspaper’s World Wide Web site features a profile of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, with plenty of photos and short articles on the teachings and history of the Faith.

The Chicago Tribune, on its Digital Cities Online site, posted a “virtual tour” with links to pages headed “Temple,” “Beliefs,” “History” and “Bahá’í Life.”

Each of those pages has a brief introduction and links to articles and related photos. Also presented are passages of Bahá’í-composed music, accessible to Web browsers with audio software.

The site was prepared after members of the Tribune staff, working through the Office of Public Information at the Bahá’í National Center, visited the Temple in March and interviewed local Bahá’ís.

The Internet address for the site is communities.chicago.digitalcity.com/evanston/special/1,1575,bahai,00.frm

BIG IMPACT THROUGH MEDIA

San Mateo, California, has seen a pair of successful proclamation meetings attracting 50–60 people each since it began a systematic outreach through the media.

Though small, the community has reached tens of thousands of readers throughout the San Francisco Bay area through newspaper ads, television spots and nightly ads on a flashing race-track sign, seen by hundreds of motorists every hour on a major freeway.

ORIGINALITY AWARD IN PARADE

Twenty-three Bahá’ís won first prize for originality as they marched in the Fourth of July parade in Mead Valley, California.

Most of the group traveled from San Bernardino, Temecula, Redlands, Perris and Lake Elsinore to join the Three Lakes Judicial District community in the event.

After the parade the Bahá’ís sponsored an information table at the Country Picnic, making pamphlets and mini-cards available in English and Spanish.

YOUTH REUNION DRAWS ATTENTION

A July 4 reunion of friends who became close during the intense youth activity of the early 1980s provided opportunities to introduce the Faith to numerous people in the Smoky Mountains area of North Carolina.

The group of 17 friends from six states “had a magnetic appeal in the small town of Bryson City because of the diversity of the group and loving and happy attitudes,” a note from the gathering said. “We were thrilled and humbled by the effect that just gathering together had on so many.” ♦ [Page 20]

EXECUTION

Bahá’í prisoners.

That week, the Office of the Secretary for External Affairs began informing key members of Congress about the execution. Over the following weeks Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas and Reps. Benjamin Gilman of New York, Christopher Smith of New Jersey and John Porter of Illinois submitted to the Congressional Record strong statements decrying the recent execution and the Bahá’ís' inability to practice freely their religion in Iran.

The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times and other national newspapers have covered the execution. Wire services and prominent international media such as the British Broadcasting Corporation, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Le Monde, Agence France-Presse, International Herald Tribune, Reuters, Associated Press and United Press International also covered the execution.

On July 24 Voice of America interviewed top government officials about the execution on a program broadcast directly to Iran; on July 28 and 30, the English-language editorial broadcast worldwide was about the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran. Worldnet television program On the Line broadcast worldwide Aug. 1-2 a program on the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran.

IRANIAN GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

On July 26 Judge Gholam-Hossein Rahbar-Pour, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran, was quoted as saying, "Essentially, none of the branches of the court has issued a death sentence for a person named Ruhollah Rowhani, affiliated to the Bahá’í sect. The report of his execution is a total lie."

On July 27 the Chargé d'Affaires at the Iranian Embassy in Australia, Mr. K. Sheikh-Hassani, denied the execution took place, in a letter to an Australian senator.

On July 29, contrary to Judge Rahbar-Pour's July 26 denial, a spokesman for the Iranian Embassy in Australia, Mr. Zaboli Mohammed, said Mr. Rowhani had been executed after being convicted three times of acting against the national interest of the government.

On Aug. 3, in a second letter to another member of the Australian Parliament, Mr. Sheikh-Hassani confirmed that the execution took place and repeated the unsupported statements that Mr. Rowhani had been arrested twice before for engaging in crimes against national security.

The Aug. 3 letter stated that Mr. Rowhani "had long records of being engaged in activities which endangered and undermined the national security of his country since 1984." In reality, Mr. Rowhani's previous arrests came as a result of (1) his membership on a Local Spiritual Assembly before such institutions were disbanded in 1983 by the order of the Iranian Attorney General and (2) his participation in the planning of activities such as children's classes and prayer meetings.

"For the last 19 years the Iranian government has engaged in a consistent pattern of duplicity, giving to United Nations officials, foreign governments and the foreign press an entirely different set of explanations for the treatment of the Bahá’ís than is reflected in government documents," a statement from the Office of the Secretary for External Affairs said. "Yet in all that time the Iranian government has failed to produce a single document to substantiate the vague explanations given to foreigners that Bahá’ís are guilty of espionage and crimes against national security.

"The execution of Mr. Rowhani is another result of completely unfounded claims and surreptitious actions against the Bahá’ís in Iran," the statement continued.

In the U.S. Government's Words

These statements were issued July 23 in response to news of the execution two days earlier of Mr. Ruhollah Rowhani in Mashhad, Iran.

EXECUTION OF BAHÁ’Í IN IRAN

The President was deeply troubled to learn of the July 21 summary execution of Iranian citizen Ruhollah Rowhani for the exercise of his Bahá’í faith. The United States condemns this action, which violates the most basic international norms and universal standards of human rights.

Furthermore, The United States deplores the gravely flawed process by which Mr. Rowhani was charged and executed, including the absence of due process or the announcement of a sentence.

The world has been encouraged by the recent statements from Iranian leaders about the need for rule of law and the rights of individuals. Such words have little meaning so long as the human rights of the Iranian people, including the right to worship freely, are not upheld, and until the persecution of and violence against Iranians of the Bahá’í faith stops. Tuesday's action was the first known execution of a Bahá’í since 1992 and is a most unhopeful sign.

The President urges President Khatami to take the necessary steps to ensure that others are not victimized for the peaceful expression of their faith. The United States will continue to monitor closely Iranian treatment of the Bahá’í community, and particularly the treatment of those who remain imprisoned or under sentence of death for their religious beliefs.

The President wishes to extend his condolences to Mr. Rowhani's family.

SUMMARY EXECUTION IN IRAN

On July 21, Iranian authorities executed by hanging Ruhollah Rowhani, an Iranian Bahá’í who had been charged with converting a Muslim to the Bahá’í faith. There is no evidence that Mr. Rowhani was accorded due process of law.

The United States strongly condemns the execution of Mr. Rowhani for the exercise of his freedom of conscience. We call on the Government of Iran to protect the lives of the fifteen other imprisoned Bahá’ís, seven of whom are sentenced to death on charges of apostasy and so-called "Zionist Bahá’í activities." We understand that three of the condemned Bahá’ís are threatened with imminent execution and urge the Iranian authorities not to carry out the death sentences.

Since the Islamic Republic came to power more than 200 Bahá’ís have been executed because of their religious beliefs. Mr. Rowhani is the first Bahá’í to be executed in Iran since 1992. We have repeatedly urged the Government of Iran to ease restrictions on the practice of religion and to recognize and uphold the fundamental human right to freedom of conscience and belief. We have also called for the release of all those serving sentences for the peaceful expression of their religious or political beliefs. We do so again today.

The President and Secretary Albright have made it clear that the issue of freedom of conscience and belief is a central component of our human rights policy in Iran and around the world. Our concerns about restrictions on the practice of religion will play an important role in any future dialogue with the Government of Iran.

STATUS OF THREE BAHÁ’ÍS ON DEATH ROW IN MASHHAD

The three prisoners on death row in Mashhad, Mr. Ataullah Hamid Nasirizadeh, Mr. Sirus Zabihi-Moghaddam and Mr. Hedayat Kashefi Najafabadi, were arrested in fall 1997 for holding "family life" meetings.

Apparently when the sentences of the three men were sent to Tehran for confirmation, the Supreme Court had detected a technical error in the original proceedings: The three Bahá’ís had no defense counsel during their trial.

For their retrial, the three were forced to accept someone appointed by the court to act as their attorney. Apparently the court-appointed lawyer made statements to the court that were contrary to the facts and to the wishes of the Bahá’ís on trial.

At present, Bahá’ís fear that the appointment by the court of the lawyer to represent the prisoners was made simply to meet the technical requirement of the Supreme Court and that the judiciary of Mashhad already had made the decision against the Bahá’ís. Families of the three men on death row have recently been granted permission to visit the prisoners every other Tuesday.

The day after the execution, the Iranian authorities forced the three men to attend a memorial service for Mr. Rowhani.

"This psychologically cruel act has brought about fear that these three prisoners might suffer the same fate as Mr. Rowhani," the Office of the Secretary for External Affairs said.

STATUS OF THE BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY IN IRAN

This information is drawn from a "current situation" report released July 22 by the National Spiritual Assembly:

• The Bahá’í Faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion; as "unprotected infidels," Bahá’ís have no legal rights. More than 200 Bahá’ís have been executed since 1979, solely on account of religion. Fifteen Bahá’ís are in prison, compared with nearly 750 in 1986.

• Bahá’ís are denied jobs and pensions, and barred from universities. Bahá’í marriages and divorces are not recognized. The right to inherit is denied.

U.S. and world response: Congress has adopted seven resolutions condemning Iran's persecution of Bahá’ís and urging religious rights for the community. The 1997 U.N. General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/52/142) calls for emancipating the Bahá’í community. [Page 21]

The Execution of Mr. Ruhollah Rowhani

Mr. Rowhani, 52, had been imprisoned in solitary confinement in Mashhad, Iran, since September 1997. He had been charged ‎withconverting with converting‎ a Muslim to the Bahá’í Faith. The woman whom he was accused of converting refuted the accusation, stating that she had been raised as a Bahá’í. She has not been arrested.

After his execution another prisoner told a visiting relative that Mr. Rowhani had been sentenced to death. There is no evidence that he was accorded any legal process or access to a lawyer.

Mr. Rowhani was a person of a deeply gentle and innocent character. He was the father of four children: sons ages 24 and 17, and daughters ages 22 and 9.

He made a modest living as a salesman of medical supplies and health products, an occupation he had engaged in for about 20 years.

Approximately 12 years ago he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment because of his membership in the Bahá’í Faith and to an additional year’s internal exile in the village of Najafabad, which he was not permitted to leave and where he had to report daily to the police. After this he returned to Mashhad to continue his profession.

Just before his arrest in September 1997 the family had decided to move to Isfahan, as Mr. Rowhani had found it increasingly difficult to make a satisfactory living in Mashhad. On the day of the family’s intended departure, revolutionary guards arrested him at his home.

Ruhollah Rowhani was the father of four children, the youngest age 9.

Since September 1997 the family had seen Mr. Rowhani only once, about a month after he was arrested. Afterward the authorities refused to give them any information about him, even whether he was alive or dead.

On July 20 his family was informed they could see him for one hour. It is understood that this meeting was the first time Mr. Rowhani had breathed fresh air in three months.

On the night before the execution, Bahá’ís learned from the Iranian Intelligence Office that Mr. Rowhani was to be executed the next day. The statement was not taken seriously because authorities have often made similar threats without carrying them out to harass the Bahá’ís, and so the family was not informed.

The next day the family was called to the prison to collect his body. They were given only one hour to bury Mr. Rowhani, despite their appeal for more time to enable other relatives to attend the funeral. Rope marks on Mr. Rowhani’s neck appeared to indicate Mr. Rowhani had been executed by hanging.

Mr. Rowhani is the first Bahá’í to be executed since March 1992. In mid-August, 15 Bahá’ís being held in Iranian prisons on charges stemming from their adherence to the Bahá’í Faith. Seven of these prisoners are on death row, two on charges of apostasy and two on charges of “Zionist Bahá’í activities.” ♦

U.S. Government Reaction

On July 23 the White House and the State Department issued strong statements condemning the Iranian government for the execution of Mr. Rowhani; President Clinton offered his condolences to the Rowhani family.

On July 29 Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Martin S. Indyk condemned the execution of Mr. Rowhani and called for the safety of other Bahá’í prisoners in testimony before the House International Relations Committee.

On July 30 Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas submitted to the Congressional Record a strong statement condemning the execution of Mr. Rowhani.

Voice of America: On July 24 U.S. government officials were interviewed on program broadcast to Iran; on July 28 and July 30, the English-language editorial broadcast worldwide was about the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran; Worldnet television program On the Line broadcast Aug. 1–2 worldwide a program on the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran. By law Voice of America may not broadcast its radio or television programs in the United States.

Iranian Government Responses

On July 26 Judge Gholam-Hossein Rahbar-Pour, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran, was quoted as saying, “Essentially, none of the branches of the court has issued a death sentence for a person named Ruhollah Rowhani, affiliated to the Bahá’í sect. The report of his execution is a total lie.”

An Iranian television report was quoted as saying, “The U.N. committee on human rights, influenced by this propaganda and in line with it, referred to the execution of this imaginary individual and protested the action on Friday, announcing that it was very concerned about the human rights situation in Iran.”

On July 29, contrary to Judge Rahbar-Pour’s statement that Mr. Rowhani had not been executed, a spokesman for the Iranian Embassy in Australia, Mr. Zaboli Mohammed, said Mr. Rowhani had been executed after being convicted three times of acting against the national interest of the government.

Other Government Reactions

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer, and the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have issued strong public statements condemning the execution. ♦

Three Bahá’ís Under Threat of Imminent Execution

Three other Bahá’í prisoners in Mashhad have been sentenced to death. The death sentences have not been made public but were conveyed orally to the prisoners, one of whom told a relative about the sentences during a prisoner visit.

The three prisoners on death row in Mashhad—Mr. Ataullah Hamid Nasirizadeh, Mr. Sirus Zabihi-Moghaddam and Mr. Hedayat Kashefi Najafabadi—were arrested in October or November 1997 for holding “family life” meetings.

Mr. Nasirizadeh told visiting relatives of the death sentences. He explained that existing regulations require that all death sentences meted out by courts in any part of Iran had to be confirmed by the Supreme Judicial Court in Tehran before executions could take place.

Mr. Nasirizadeh said that when his sentence and that of two other Bahá’ís had been sent to Tehran for confirmation, the Supreme Court had detected a technical error in the proceedings in their cases and had referred the cases back to the Mashhad judiciary for a retrial. The technical irregularity was that three of the Bahá’ís had had no defense counsel during their trial.

The three Bahá’ís have been retried. They were not allowed to choose and hire their own lawyers to defend them but were forced to accept someone appointed by the court to act on their behalf. Apparently the court-appointed lawyer made statements to the court which were contrary to the facts and to the wishes of the Bahá’ís on trial. A heated argument between the lawyer and the Bahá’ís ensued during the retrial.

Bahá’ís fear that the appointment by the court of the lawyer to represent the prisoners was made simply to meet the technical requirement of the Supreme Court and that the judiciary of Mashhad already had made a decision against the Bahá’ís.

Families of the three men on death row have recently been granted permission to visit the prisoners every other Tuesday. The most recent visit was July 28. Because Iranian authorities brought the three prisoners to a memorial service for Mr. Rowhani, there has been fear the prisoners might suffer the same fate as Mr. Rowhani. ♦ [Page 22]

Race Unity Word Search

Activity by Meg Anderson

ACROSS

2. friendship with many others _________ 4. opposite of hate _________ 5. the one kind _________ 6. variety _________ 8. work together _________ 11. tactful _________ 13. opposite of war _________ 14. nobility _________ 17. oneness _________ 18. show honor to others _________ 19. to fix wound of racism _________ 21. flowers of one _________

DOWN

1. exchange ideas _________ 2. walk with the same _________ 3. _________ citizen 7. we’re all made of the _________ dust 9. who racism hurts _________ 10. we’re all members of the same _________ 12. dwell in the same _________ 15. eat with the same _________ 16. obligatory _________ 20. number of races _________

See the answers in the next issue of The American Bahá’í!

Do you want to be a PEN PAL? Do you have something to submit to BRILLIANT STAR like photographs, stories, poems, or drawings? Tell us what you are doing lately in your Bahá’í community!

Our upcoming themes:

• Force of Transformation
• Dynamics of Prayer
• Study of the Holy Texts
• Inspired to Teach

Send mail to: Brilliant Star (Submissions) Managing Editor BRILLIANT STAR c/o Bahá’í Media Services 1233 Central St. • Evanston, IL 60201 tel/847.853.2355 • fax/847.256.1372

Brilliant Star in Color!

ATTENTION UNIT CONVENTION CHILDREN’S PROGRAM COORDINATORS: Use the new color Special Edition of BRILLIANT STAR and accompanying tape (with music from Red and Kathy Grammer) for your children’s programs.

Order from the Bahá’í Distribution Service (1.800.999.9019). Or for information, contact the Education and Schools Office at 847.733.3492 or at their e-mail address (________________).

What is a covenant? A covenant is a promise. To learn about the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh, see the latest issue of Brilliant Star called Power of the Covenant. This colorful and informative issue is available through the Bahá’í Distribution Service (1.800.999.9019).

Answers to last issue’s word puzzle: (Crossword grid)

SUBSCRIPTION FORM

Name ________________________________________

Bahá’í ID # ________________________________________

Street ________________________________________

City & State ____________________________ Zip _______

Phone ____________________ E-mail _______________

MARK YOUR SUBSCRIPTION ☆ $18 United States, one year (six issues) ☆ $32 United States, two years ☆ $18 All other countries, surface mail, one year ☆ $32 All other countries, surface mail, two years ☆ $28 Air mail, one year ☆ $52 Air mail, two years

Please enclose payment. Canadian/International orders enclose international money order or bank cheque drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars. To charge your credit card account, give number, expiration date and name.

VISA/MC#/AMEX ________________________________________

Exp. Date ________________________________________

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Signature required for credit card orders ________________________________________

Total enclosed ________________________________________

Mail to: Bahá’í Subscriber Service 5397 Wilbanks Drive • Chattanooga, TN 37343 Fax: 423.843.0836 E-mail: ________________________________________ [Page 23]

Pittsburgh South Arts

BY BARBARA CURRY

Bahá’ís in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, are involved in a community arts organization to advance a vision of bringing together diverse people in harmony for cultural development.

South Arts, a nonprofit arts organization, has Bahá’ís on its board of directors, on committees and in the membership. We are a diverse organization dedicated to coordinating, promoting and assisting in the development and advancement of cultural activities of the arts in the south hills and surrounding areas of Pittsburgh through the collaboration efforts of individuals and organizations.

The group has brought a variety of people together from different areas working toward a common goal through the arts. Recently, we opened a gallery space in a prime downtown office building, the Koppers Building at 7th and Grant. We are currently conducting a Cultural Assessment of the south hills area of Pittsburgh, funded by a grant, with a consulting firm hired to facilitate the process. This firm will conduct interviews with government officials, educators, youth, parents, religious organizations (including Bahá’ís), artists, financial institutions and many other individuals and organizations to give South Arts a better vision of what the area needs in terms of cultural programs to improve community life.

The person most responsible for taking the leadership role is Ruth Richardson, currently president, who became a Bahá’í almost two years ago. Over the years she has been honored by several organizations, including the YWCA, for her involvement in programs that truly make a difference in Pittsburgh-area community life. Recently, South Arts sponsored world-renowned watercolor artist Zoltan Szabo for a week-long workshop. He said our workshop looked like a mini-United Nations. He spoke at our annual meeting about his escape from Hungary in the 1940s. It was a nice way to get people thinking about our next juried exhibit at our gallery on Racial Harmony, beginning June 1.

We see South Arts as a wonderful way of putting the Bahá’í teachings in action in this area and supporting local teaching efforts. We ask for sincere prayers to help us let this be a magnet of attraction for Bahá’u’lláh through our deeds and actions.

Barbara Curry, a Bahá’í, is vice president of South Arts. ◆

ON THE WEB

Got a Web site that features the arts? Send your URL to the National Arts Task Force care of __________

Below is a sampling of what we’ve received so far:

• www.globweb.com/wyandt.paintings
• www.netbistro.com/~iankluge/aiktitle.htm
• www.mindspring.com/~faraday/
• www.unit-e.com/sjb
• www.unit-e.com/studio182
• www.geocities.com/SoHo/7795
• www.geocities.com/Athens/9941
• www.isomedia.com/homes/mspittal/wisdomtree.html
• www.isomedia.com/homes/mspittal/photographs.html
• www.iquest.net/~wittman/soulspeak.html
• www.wyndows.com/gb
• www.ee.pdx.edu/~pamela/designs.html
• www.ee.pdx.edu/~pamela/bahai/comp/arts/
• www.ee.pdx.edu/~pamela/bahai/comp/arts/annes.html
• www.pagecreator.com/~newsroom/
• www.nh.ultranet.com/~mwvquinn/quinnarts.html
• www.warble.com/BahaiArtGallery/
• www.innovating.com
• www.highfiber.com/~lhb/nizhoni.htm
• www2.southwind.net/~bahais/
• www.geocities.com/~rkogan
• www.farsinet.com/neda/
• www.nwlink.com/~designs
• www.highwire.com
• www.xenonarts.com/artists/dtaylor
• http://electricstores.com/susan
• http://members.aol.com/donerdman/index.html
• http://members.aol.com/donerdman/hotswing.html
• http://personal.inet.fi/private/mjg/index.html

A Family Creates Two Shows about Bahá’í Faith

BY SENTA AZARKADEH

“On the hard alone road of my life, I once met together a little Bird, a Flower and a Rainbow, coming from the far West, singing and dancing God, His Prophets and Love.

“They were like rays shining; a great sweetness and a lot of humanity emanated from them. Around that Bird, that Flower and that Rainbow, I saw such as fire flies, who seemed to be earth stars, in a great harmony. And I found it beautiful and I felt it graceful and I thanked the Lord for His gifts.” —From me to you with tenderness Paul Simon (but you can call me Al) (A seeker’s poem following a performance of The Magic Bird in Verviers, Belgium, Aug. 9, 1994)

Over the past six years Wendy, Marty and Caitlyn Quinn have produced two outstanding shows, The Magic Bird and The Seven Valleys, about the Bahá’í Faith. Their goal is to present the Faith to the peoples of the world through the arts. They have toured in Taiwan, Belgium, Hungary, the United States, Canada and twice in Germany, performing over 70 shows. Everywhere Bahá’ís and the public have responded enthusiastically.

“This poem is an example of the response that we receive. It is one of the many wonderful gifts you get when travel teaching for the Faith,” the Quinns explain. “Here was a beautiful and mystical soul, who worked as a tax assistant in Belgium and who came to our concert The Magic Bird. He spent a few days with us, learning about the Faith. On our last day he gave us this poem among other precious things. Later we heard that a number of people declared in Verviers, and they were able to form their Local Spiritual Assembly. We do our performances so that the hearts of the people will be moved, like his was.”

Firmly believing in the beloved Guardian’s words that “the stage will be the pulpit of the future,” the Quinns and other Bahá’í artists are proving that the public is ready and willing to attend Bahá’í-inspired performing arts.

“Play explores Bahá’í Faith” read the headline in Bristol, Vermont, where one Bahá’í and her family hosted The Seven Valleys. Sixty-five people attended, just under half of them Bahá’ís.

“We are excited to be able to offer our newest production of The Seven Valleys for the public,” Marty said. “When you combine these potent words with sensitive and, at times, powerful music and dance, along with family unity, it surely fosters an appreciation for Bahá’u’lláh’s mystical and poetic work. People have said they have gained new insights by watching the production. We know we have in creating it.”

This hourlong concert intersperses mesmerizing instrumental music, lyrical dance and dramatic recitation. Only Bahá’u’lláh’s text is uttered.

Highlights include Marty Quinn drumming as he recites the Holy Words of Bahá’u’lláh, and Caitlyn, 12, joining her parents to recite in two sections, bringing the text to life as a story. Further special moments involve Wendy and Caitlyn dancing together during the “Valley of Love.” This mother/daughter dance is tender and inspiring.

The Magic Bird was the first show by the Quinn Family. With song, dramatic recitation, instrumental music, dance and powerful visual effects, the two-act piece portrays Mullá Husayn’s search for his Beloved, the sacred and mysterious moment in which the Báb reveals Himself, the sacrifices of the Letters of the Living, and the ministries of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi.

A centerpiece is a dance portraying Bahá’u’lláh’s terrible imprisonment in the Síyáh-Chál and His transformation from wealthy nobleman Mírzá Husayn-‘Alí to scorned prisoner and, ultimately, Holy Messenger. Wendy says she chose the image of a bird to depict this transformation, carrying a Native American bird fan and using birdlike ballet movements. She points out that Bahá’u’lláh referred to Himself as the Bird of Paradise, the Royal Falcon, or even a small sparrow.

The Magic Bird ends joyously with a song about the unity of the human family, with the audience invited to join a Balkan-style circle dance. This piece has moved non-Bahá’í audience members to tears as they realize that the Bahá’ís are truly working on the dream of unity.

Last year the Quinns produced a CD of The Magic Bird. The music is celestial and their voices sweet.

Both The Magic Bird and The Seven Valleys are graced with costumes and beautiful hand-painted silk sets produced by Vermont artist Ellen Spring. The sets feature expert Persian and Arabic calligraphy by Burhan Zahrai, the great-grandson of Mishkín-Qalam. The overall effect is of a sacred atmosphere filled with vibrant and shimmering beauty. ◆ [Page 24]

EYE Of Things

BY DORIAN C. HYLAND

Creating unity is artist Suzanne Klotz’s guiding principle. Her work—drawings, enormous multi-layered tapestries and sculpture—offers the viewer visually moving, spiritually inspiring images, but creating art is only part of her real work. She uses art as a means of unifying diverse groups of people: those from the East and West Banks of Jerusalem, children living near the national headquarters of the Ku Klux Klan, the indigenous peoples of South Australia and the Anglo population. She has presented workshops that give children and adults the time and space to practice unity. She has prepared art shows for the Bahá’í Office of the Environment of Taiwan, which include children’s art from almost every country.

To understand how one person can create unity on five continents, one must take seriously and accept the process of spiritual transformation inherent in the Bahá’í Writings and putting the powerful principle of oneness into action.

One evening several years ago, Klotz told me she had just started a painting she thought would be titled “Watcher at the Sea of Galilee,” a large painted and stitched canvas of an exotic landscape. The next morning when I visited her, she had barely slept. During the night the watcher had evolved through several personas to become a guardian with guardian birds—symbols of glorious souls—atop the man’s shoulders. At first glance he seemed a bit ominous, his featureless back hovering in the brush, overlooking a bright riverscape. Yet this figure exuded no ill will, but rather a benevolent presence that cared for the spirit that resides within.

As work progressed on the painting, it naturally changed, as did its name. Today it is called “The Traveler on the Journey,” and the thoughtful figure on the canvas winds his way through the thick undergrowth of the world with his beautiful companions, those silken, shimmering birds.

“The Traveler on the Journey” by Suzanne Klotz

In a book she recently put together, Klotz took writings from various religions to accompany her paintings. Two of the quotes used to explain this painting are “The divine guidance often comes when the horizon is blackest,” from the Hindu tradition, and “For every soul there is a guardian,” from Islam. Although other quotes applying to this painting are just as pertinent and encouraging, these two are the essence of the search within all her paintings: her faith that guidance is always present even if we do not recognize it until we are caught in the thick undergrowth; and that always we are watched, guided by souls who aid and protect us on our journey back to God. Her journey with this particular painting shows a deep trust and faith in the Word of Bahá’u’lláh. She trusts in that journey that the seeker makes to God, guided by the wisdom of the Writings and the purity of the heart.

“Men Praying in Mosque” by Omar Al-Kurd, age 15, Shufat Refugee Camp, Jerusalem

For Bahá’ís, art has an exalted place in God’s plan, creativity being an attribute of God. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote, “When the studying of art is with the intention of obeying the command of God, this study will certainly be done easily and great progress will soon be made therein, and when others discover this fragrance of spirituality in the action itself, this same will cause their awakening.” (Bahá’í World Faith, p. 377) True art, when conceived as an act of worship, will speak heart to heart, unveil evidence of the unseen and glorify the Word of God.

As the artist works with a purity of intention that is inspired by the creative Word of God, she manifests the divine attribute of creativity, and the work itself becomes imbued with a spirit that transforms it from something pleasant on a wall to spirituality made visual in a way that touches us and coaxes us to embark on the process of seeking.

Nearly eight years ago, at the height of her success as an artist with works in major museums on three continents, Klotz decided she wanted to put into action Bahá’u’lláh’s Message that art will bring about peace. For the sole purpose of putting into action the virtue of unity, she began giving workshops around the world. “Art and related art activities are non-confrontational vehicles for creating unity and understanding among all people and their respective cultures,” Klotz said. “Art transcends political, religious and cultural differences and gives people the opportunity to participate in the establishment of unity.”

In 1990, Klotz began a series of seven trips to Israel, where she ultimately gave art workshops bringing together Israeli and Palestinian adults and children in a social setting for the first time since the Intifada had been declared in 1987. At first she made friends with Palestinian and Israeli artists, discovering what they wanted and hoped for. This would have been impossible if Klotz didn’t consciously apply the principle that “the only politic is the politic of God.” She looked for a way to conduct workshops that would join children and adults of both banks of Jerusalem. After many meetings with various individuals in East and West Jerusalem, the workshop was agreed on. This became another continuing theme in Klotz’s efforts: whenever she persevered toward creating unity, something in the world responded.

Balloons drawn with faces welcoming “Bubba” International School, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

The children in these workshops produced a moving testament to unity and the desire for peace. Conducted in three stages—before, during and after the peace talks from 1991 to 1994—the effort showed a dramatic change in the children’s subject matter as the peace talks progressed:

• Before the talks, the drawings reflected a world of tanks, bombs and stretchers.
• As the talks progressed, the children introduced flowers and brightly colored landscapes into their drawings.
• At the last workshop, images of burning tires and soldiers were replaced with images of homes, families and smiles.

After several shows, Klotz donated three large canvases with the children’s pictures and photographs, “Life in the Camps,” to the Arizona Museum of Youth in Mesa, Arizona.

Klotz refused to allow negatives in her workshops, no reference to prejudice because it introduces a negative. She applied the teaching of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that we must focus on the positive if we are to attain a positive result. The children therefore worked in pairs and in groups, always observing tolerance, courtesy, respect and understanding. This gave the children an opportunity not only to share their reality and dreams visually, but to [Page 25]

Not Seen

From International Traveling Children’s Art Exhibit Sponsored by the Bahá’í Office of the Environment of Taiwan

discover how similar their dreams and desires are.

The assistant to the mayor of Jerusalem opened their show at the Municipal Art Gallery in Jerusalem by declaring that for the first time since the beginning of the Intifada, Palestinians and Israelis were together in a social, non-politically motivated setting. Klotz takes the principle of unity to its logical conclusion. To label any human being as an alien is insanity, she said. In her “We are Unity People” workshop near the national headquarters of the Ku Klux Klan, she asked the culturally diverse group of children, “Would you befriend someone who came from another planet? If we are unity people then no one is considered an alien.” She described “Bubba,” an imaginary new friend, and his many characteristics. The children refused to welcome Klotz’s ET until she said “Bubba” could really dance. When they recognized a quality they admired, “Bubba” became someone they would invite home, would befriend and definitely would invite to parties. By refusing to allow a negative attitude into the workshop and by stressing the spiritual quality of oneness, the children had a chance to practice unity: taking a positive approach and concentrating on similarities. That makes it easier for them to choose positive options in the future.

“Art transcends political, religious and cultural differences and gives people the opportunity to participate in the establishment of unity.” —Suzanne Klotz

This practical experience also helped them develop an expanded world view. After a slide presentation and discussion of clothing, design and lifestyles of diverse cultures, their first assignment was a self-portrait as a world person. When they had examined and discussed each other’s work, the children were paired to collaborate on a drawing that portrayed world unity. Personal development during the workshop was as important as the visual products. During the week, each child recorded in a journal any negative or uncomfortable events outside class. They discussed those problems with the class and shared their positive solutions. Later, in preparation for the reception, the children role-played meeting the guests, introducing themselves and their partners, discussing their drawings, making visitors feel comfortable, and providing refreshments. The children focused on courtesy, unity, respect and kindness. Finally, the children planned what to wear and designed a name tag with the theme that everybody is a star.

“Capturing the Golden Moment” by Suzanne Klotz

At the opening two children conducted sales of the art, from which all proceeds were distributed to the children. The larger world unity drawings became available for display at the public library and city halls.

The parents were amazed at the change in their children’s behavior during the workshop week. Quiet children became confident and expressive; rowdy children directed energy toward positive activities and helping other students. For a week, these children received the gift of focusing on spiritual virtues through creativity exemplified in their conduct, which reflected cooperation, courtesy and respect. They learned the difference between words and actions, between discussing what is good and the feeling of having done it. They pledged to create unity in all future situations. Most astonishingly, they learned they could create unity in any situation and live in the solution and not the problem. The sponsor was impressed by the children’s art, and even more by the manners and qualities the children displayed at the reception and in their thank-you letters.

Among her teaching ventures, Klotz went to Southern Australia where she was an art consultant for the Ngarrindjeri Aborigines. Klotz arrived to find a community with few resources and a limited connection to the larger art world. By the time she left six months later she had arranged an exhibit of their art at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff as well as guest lecturer positions for two of the Ngarrindjeri.

The idea for an international collaborative exhibit came to Klotz when she was talking with Palestinian artists in East Jerusalem about their dream to see the United States.

Her solution to creating the opportunity for them to realize their dreams took four years and culminated in an exhibit, “Visions of Unity: A Multi-Cultural Exhibition,” that included 24 artists from five continents at the Salt Lake City Art Center. She contacted artists around the world to collaborate on works. Considering visual styles, she paired artists who produced 12 works of art that evolved from their respect for unity, and they wrote movingly about unity. Funds were raised in the U.S. to have four Israelis, two Palestinians and one Aborigine attend the opening.

“The Wings of Love” by Suzanne Klotz

These results from one person’s efforts to practice the virtues of friendship and respect have culminated into a shared experience by everyone involved. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote, “In this great dispensation, art is identical with an act of worship and this is a clear text of the Blessed Perfection. Therefore, extreme effort should be made in art and this will not prevent the teaching of the people in that region. Nay, rather, each should assist the other in art and guidance.”

Effort, then, is the first and major step in teaching. Arising as an act of worship in obedience draws those beautiful glorious souls to our efforts. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá continued, “Likewise, managing art with propriety will become the means of sociability and affinity; and sociability and affinity themselves tend to guide others to Truth.”

Klotz’s work can be seen at the Suzanne Brown Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the Threshold Gallery in Santa Monica, California. The children’s show, prepared for the Bahá’í Office of the Environment of Taiwan, is available for display upon request. ◆ [Page 26]

SELECTED Poems

Dark Dance
by Anne Gabeler

The room was crowded
with all the faces of possibility.

Then,
then Yesterday
asked me to dance.

We remembered everything together.

The music stopped
and Now
passed the Canapés
which I refused,
crying
as he went away again.

“When will I refuse to dance?”
I asked myself.

When will Yesterday’s ghost cease to hold me?

The Breaking
by Anne Gabeler

Life sail, nearly open
Torn by a storm.

Will the ship return?
Will there be life after death?

The silence, where the dream breaks
bleeds all the torn tomorrows
of a thousand faces
in a sculpture garden
of shocked stone.

There is a longing, full of tears,
reaching for better times
and massive regret.

I stand among these icons of pain
overwhelmed, not knowing
if I dare to feel publicly.

Please, someone,
give me permission to cry.

The New Creation
by Robert E. Kogan

Day One
It was seven years after the time of the end,
And the rains had washed the smell of destruction
Into the heart of the Earth.
Inside the Soul of Man,
The Message,
Silent and dead for so many years
Began to stir and move.
Were this to have happened in the past,
Man would have felt a surge of feelings within him--
Joy! Wonder! Awe! Love!
But hope was left behind in the ashes of the cities,
And only a scattered few felt the warmth
Of the first ray of sunlight.
Others went deeper into the caves,
Unaware that this was not to be another day of fire.
The Soul of Man began to move,
The Letters spoke the Message,
And the evening and the morning were the first day.

Day Two
Somewhere in the long forgotten past
The breeze of memory
of what once was
and might have been,
Like gentle hands,
lifting life from the womb of darkness,
Guided and pushed man through
The Valley of Search.
Three days travel from his cave, man again
discovers the green of a leaf and a blade
of grass, and cultivates it into a garden
of love.
Something intrinsic in the Soul of Man
reacts
and places value on green. This time
as a symbol of life and birth.
And at this point of time, the greatest need
of man is man.
Clinging desperately to each other
The Soul of Man is still afraid of tomorrow,
And in His final longing to forget the pain
of the past, He discovers the pain of today.
And the evening and the morning were the second day.

Day Three
The great Council Hall was empty,
and the massive gate
connecting the twin pillars
awaited the coming of the Tribunal.
The Soul of Man,
caretaker and protector of the Hall
walked the empty corridors
igniting incense of wisdom.
The building itself was so arranged
that the rays of the sun
would constantly fall on the nine paintings
of the Year of Destruction.
All who entered the Hall paid homage
and felt the warmth of Justice and Peace
captured so vividly in ‎the the the‎ painting of
the beginning of the end of the beginning.
When the Tribunal entered, its first formal act
was to take the Vow of Ignorance.
The Soul of Man rejoiced and cried,
for He had witnessed an act of knowledge.
And the evening and the morning were the third day.

Day Four
High above the Great City
the Soul of Man
became as one with the mountain.
Across the bay,
the sea of humanity
in a multitude of voices
suddenly gave melody
to the All Glorious.
Never since Creation
had all mankind
assembled
together.
Never again would man know
the feeling of being alone.
The People Earth discarded
its veil of plurality,
and the Shrine
rested on the carpet
of Oneness.
The Soul of Man suddenly realized
the most great mistake
of the past.
If man is to enter
the Valley of Unity,
he must do it
with others!
And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

Day Five
It was the beginning of the Season of Rapture
and the winds of divine contentment
caressed the Fruits of the Earth.
The Soul of Man looked deep into the fountain
in the center of the garden;
and the myriad of reflections
gave testimony to the new creation.
He felt the presence of the room,
and so strongly did it speak
of the fulfillment
of love and want and need
that time itself was captured and discarded.
The Soul of Man awaited his return
to the Universe;
mindful of the fact that in yesterdays
man had reached for the stars,
and in his eagerness
forgot to tend the meadows.
And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

Day Six
The Consultation Chamber of every House
Instantly received visual transmission
from the depths of the Universe;
enabling all mankind
to behold the wonders of space,
and travel from astonishment to
astonishment.
The Soul of Man left the House and the city,
and crossed the meadow
and the sea
breathing the air of creation
and touching the wonderment of life.
He stopped to watch the children play,
and became as one with the distant travelers;
discovering the secrets and mysteries
of the many Worlds of God.
And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Day Seven
The Soul of Man returned
to the caves
from whence he came.
tilling the soil of the fields
and planting deep the seeds
of the remnants of
the Golden Age of Man
Since the beginning
that has no beginning
man has harvested
the Wealth of Poverty
the Diversity of Oneness
and the Birth of Death.
In reaching for the Universe
and finding that man is not alone,
The Soul of Man discovered himself,
And all of creation---
and the countless million Words of God
spoke the Message
and trembled at the dawn of infinite unity.
And in another time,
and in another place,
it was seven years after the time of the end:
And the evening and the morning were the seventh day.

From the Writings

“Every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God is endowed with such potency as can instill new life into every human frame, if ye be of them that comprehend this truth. All the wondrous works ye behold in this world have been manifested through the operation of His supreme and most exalted Will, His wondrous and inflexible Purpose. Through the mere revelation of the word “Fashioner” issuing forth from his lips and proclaiming His attribute to mankind, such power is released as can generate, through successive ages, all the manifold arts which the hands of man can produce .... No sooner is this resplendent Word uttered than its animating energies, stirring within all created things, give birth to the means and instruments whereby such arts can be produced and perfected. All the wondrous achievements ye now witness are the direct consequences of the Revelation of this Name.”

— Bahá’u’lláh

Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

“... in accordance with the Divine Teachings, the acquisition of sciences and the perfection of arts is considered as acts of worship. If a man engages with all his power in the acquisition of a science or in the perfection of an art, it is as if he has been worshipping God in the churches and temples .... What bounty greater than this that science should be considered as an act of worship and art as service to the Kingdom of God.”

— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Bahá’í World Faith

“Observe carefully how education and the arts of civilization bring honour, prosperity, independence and freedom to a government and its people.”

— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

The Secret of Divine Civilization

The materials submitted and contained herein are the personal opinions of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Arts Task Force or the National Teaching Committee. [Page 27]

1998 ELECTORAL UNIT CONVENTIONS

Here is the latest information available on Electoral Unit conventions, which will be held across the country in early October.

• This is the first year the Conventions are being overseen by Regional Bahá’í Councils. Your Electoral Unit is listed here under one of the four regions.
• If you don’t know your Electoral Unit (EU) number, it will be printed on the envelope in which you will receive your ballot in a few weeks. If you have Internet access, you can find out your Electoral Unit number on the National Spiritual Assembly’s Administrative Web Site (www.usbnc.org). You will need your U.S. Bahá’í ID number to log into this site.
• If information here is incomplete, the contact number or the local Assembly hosting your Convention may be reached for further details.

For holding children’s programs at Unit convention: See Kid’s Corner (page 22) for information on enhancing your curriculum with the Special Edition of Brilliant Star magazine and the accompanying music tape.

NORTHEASTERN STATES

EU001: Green Acre Bahá’í School, 195 Main St., Eliot ME; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.–1:15 p.m. (Register 8 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Portland, P.O. Box 674, Portland, ME 04104–0674. Phone: 207-797-9068

EU002: Hartford High School, Highland Ave., White River Junction, VT; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Rochester Town, P.O. Box 24, Rochester, VT 05767–0024. Phone: 603-448-2297

EU003: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Boston, P.O. Box 1207, Boston, MA 02104–1207. Phone: 617-469-4317

EU004: Chelmsford Community Center, 1A Noah Rd., Chelmsford, MA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Chelmsford, P.O. Box 544, Chelmsford, MA 01824–0544. Phone: 508-970-0646

EU005: Site, time TBA; Sunday, Oct. 4. Mail ballots to LSA of Wilbraham, Wilbraham, MA 01095–1426. Phone: 413-596-9487

EU006: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Providence, P.O. Box 41001, Providence, RI 02940–1001. Phone: 401-943-3013

EU007: Tunxis Community College, 271 Scott Swamp Rd., Farmington, CT; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (Register 8:15 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Farmington, Unionville, CT 06085–1164. Phone: 860-677-4460

EU008: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Cortlandt Town, P.O. Box 547, Crugers, NY 10521–0547. Phone: 914-737-6224

EU009: Waldorf School, Cambridge Ave., Garden City, NY; Sunday, Oct. 4. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Brookhaven Town, East Patchogue, NY 11772–6137. Phone: 516-289-2006

EU010: New York City Bahá’í Center, 53 E. 11th St.; Sunday, Oct. 4, 1–5 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of New York City, New York City, NY 10003–4601. Phone: 212-674-8998

EU011: Rutgers University, Busch Campus Center, Bartholomew, Piscataway, NJ; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (Register 9:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Piscataway, P.O. Box 1406, Piscataway, NJ 08855–1406. Phone: 732-699-0240

EU012: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Montclair, P.O. Box 3407, Memorial Sta., Montclair, NJ 07043–3407. Phone: 201-509-9695

EU013: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Schenectady, Schenectady, NY 12304–3107. Phone: 518-346-2731

EU014: Rochester Bahá’í Center, corner of Oxford and East Ave., Rochester, NY; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Pittsford c/o Mitra Dianat, Pittsford, NY 14534–1077. Phone: 716-264-1180

EU015: Gettysburg Middle School Gettysburg, PA; Saturday, Oct. 3, 1–5 p.m. (Register 10:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Frederick County, Frederick, MD 21702–3406. Phone: 301-694-6439

EU016: Philadelphia Regional Bahá’í Center, 2462 Bryn Mawr Ave., Philadelphia, PA; Sunday, Oct. 4; time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Lower Merion Township c/o Melanie B. Etemad, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010. Phone: 610-527-1928

EU048: St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY; Sunday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Olean, P.O. Box 9, Olean, NY 14760–0009. Phone: 716-372-3663

CENTRAL STATES

EU049: Baker Hall, CWRU, 10950 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH; Sunday, Oct. 4; 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH 44102–3337. Phone: 216-752-4679

EU050: Recreation Unlimited, 7700 Piper Rd., Ashley, OH; Sunday, Oct. 11 (Register 8 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Upper Arlington, P.O. Box 21166, Upper Arlington, OH 43221–0166. Phone: 614-923-7215

EU051: Edison State College, Piqua, OH; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Yellow Springs, P.O. Box 93, Yellow Springs, OH 45387–0093. Phone: 937-426-3350

EU073: C.K. Newsome Center; time TBA. Mail ballots to Glen Peirce, Evansville, IN 47711. Phone: 812-421-0667

EU074: Teachers College, Ball State University, McKinley Ave, Muncie, IN; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Muncie, P.O. Box 586, Muncie, IN 47308–0586. Phone: 765-284-5656

EU075: Charles Martin Youth Center, 802 Lincolnway West, South Bend, IN 46616; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Mishawaka, P.O. Box 42, Mishawaka, IN 46546–0042. Phone: 219-255-9186

EU076: John Grace Recreation Center, 21030 Indian Rd., Southfield, MI; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Southfield, Southfield, MI 48075–1733. Phone: 313-353-2939

EU077: Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Rd., Davison, MI; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Ann Arbor, P.O. Box 6021, Ann Arbor, MI 48106–6021. Phone: 734-665-0562

EU078: Central Michigan University, 100 Grawn Hall, Mt. Pleasant, MI; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Saginaw, Saginaw, MI 48602–2711. Phone: 517-792-8999

EU079: Thompson Community Center, 832 W. College Ave., Appleton, WI; Saturday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. (Register 10:45 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Appleton, Appleton, WI 54911–2747. Phone: 920-731-7724

EU080: Wilson Town Hall, 5933 S. Business Dr., Hwys. O&K South, Sheboygan, WI; Sunday, Oct. 4, 1–4 p.m. (Register noon) Mail ballots to LSA of Cedarburg, Cedarburg, WI 53012–2125. Phone: 414-377-5877

EU081: 4-H Building, ‎Olmstead Olmsted‎ County Fairgrounds, 310 14th St. S.E., Rochester, MN; Sunday, Oct. 4, Noon–4 p.m. (Register 11 a.m.) Mail ballots to Pauline Mcfarlin, Rochester, MN 55904. Phone: 507-289-4682

EU082: Holiday Inn of Greater Beloit, 200 Dearborn Ave., South Beloit, IL 61080; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Beloit, P.O. Box 1278, Beloit, WI 53512–1278. Phone: 608-365-7879

EU083: Arlington Park Hilton, 3400 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights, IL 60005; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to Susan Peterson, Highland Park, IL 60035–4422. Phone: 847-432-1756

EU084: Bahá’í House of Worship, Linden Ave. and Sheridan Rd., Wilmette, IL; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m. (Register 8:15 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Park Ridge, Park Ridge, IL 60068–2246. Phone: 847-827-9462

EU085: Chicago Bahá’í Center, 3321 S. Calumet Ave., Chicago, IL; Sunday, Oct. 4, 1–5 p.m. (Register 12:30 p.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Chicago, 3321 S. Calumet Ave., Chicago, IL 60616–3933. Phone: 312-482-1772

EU086: Georgetown Clubhouse, 301 S. Prospect St., Wood Dale, IL; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Naperville, P.O. Box 851, Naperville, IL 61566–0851. Phone: 630-416-8189

EU087: Levis Faculty Ctr., 919 W. Illinois, Urbana, IL; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (Register 8:45 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Champaign, Champaign, IL 61821–5836. Phone: 217-356-9654

EU088: Willkie House, 900 17th St., Des Moines, IA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Des Moines, Des Moines, IA 50310–5267. Phone: 515-279-1730

EU089: McNutt Hall, 2nd floor, University of Missouri–Rolla, Rolla, MO; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Phelps County, P.O. Box 446, Rolla, MO 65402–0446. Phone: 573-364-0845

EU090: Creve Coeur Community Center, 300 N. New Ballas, Creve Coeur, MO; ‎Sat. Oct. 4 Sun. Oct. 4‎, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of University City, P.O. Box 3121, St. Louis, MO 63130–0521. Phone: 314-997-5864

EU106: Student Union, Hutchinson Community College, 1300 N. Plum, Hutchinson, KS; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Hutchinson, P.O. Box 1332, Hutchinson, KS 67504–1332. Phone: 316-662-4680

EU107: Kansas Union, University of Kansas, 1321 Oread Ave., Lawrence, KS; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Lawrence, P.O. Box 3518, Lawrence, KS 66046–0518. Phone: 785-749-5151

EU108: Nebraska City High School Auditorium, 141 Steinhart Park Rd., Nebraska City, NE; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Lincoln c/o Terry L. Johnson, P.O. Box 80601, Lincoln, NE 68501–0601. Phone: 402-464-0452

EU109: Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka, MN; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Plymouth, P.O. Box 41068, Plymouth, MN 55441–0068. Phone: 612-476-9530

EU110: Radisson Hotel, Viking Room, 505 W. Superior St. Duluth, MN; Sunday, Oct. 4, Noon–4 p.m. (Register 11:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Duluth, Duluth, MN 55802–2555. Phone: 218-722-3818

EU111: Jamestown Civic Arena, 212 3rd St. N.E., Jamestown, ND; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Minot, 400 Lincoln Ave., Minot, ND 58703–2216. Phone: 701-839-4072

EU112: Treehaven Institute, Kyle, SD; Sunday, Oct. 11, 12:30–4:30 p.m. (Register 11 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Custer, P.O. Box 502, Custer, SD 57730–0502. Phone: 605-673-2380 [Page 28]

SOUTHERN STATES

EU017: Ramada Inn, 348 N. Dupont Hwy., U.S. Hwy. 13 S., Dover, DE; Sunday, Oct. 4, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Salisbury c/o George Stroop, Salisbury, MD 21801–4229. Phone: 410-742-7739

EU018: Burleigh Manor Middle School, 4200 Centennial Lane, Ellicott City, MD; Sunday, Oct. 4, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Howard County, P.O. Box 488, Columbia, MD 21045. Phone: 410-531-5073

EU019: Rock Terrace School, Rockville, MD; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.–4p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Rockville, Rockville, MD 20849. Phone: 301-762-7956

EU020: Greenbelt Community Center, 15 Crescent Rd., Greenbelt, MD; Sunday, Oct. 4; 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Greenbelt, P.O. Box 245, Greenbelt, MD 20770. Phone: 301-474-4090

EU021: Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA; Sunday, Oct. 4; 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Fairfax County E., P.O. Box 1325, Falls Church, VA 22041–0325. Phone: 703-931-6146

EU022: George Mason ‎University,, University,‎ Student Union Bldg. #2, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, VA; Sunday, Oct. 4; 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Mount Vernon, P.O. Box 6398, Alexandria, VA 22306. Phone: 703-922-0561

EU023: Hilton, Washington-Dulles Airport, 13869 Park Center Rd., Herndon, VA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Loudoun County, P.O. Box 291, Sterling, VA 20167–0291. Phone: 703-406-2988

EU024: Girl Scout Camp, Williamsburg, VA; Sunday, Oct. 4; 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Chesapeake, Chesapeake, VA 23321. Phone: 757-483-6971

EU025: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28401–4724. Phone: 910-762-0354

EU026: Inter-community Bahá’í Center, 5103 Revere Rd., Durham, NC; Sunday, Oct 4, time TBA; Mail ballots to LSA of Durham County, P.O. Box 12324, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2324. Phone: 919-309-9900

EU027: Coastal Carolina University, Admissions Bldg., Room 003, Conway, SC; time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Conway, P.O. Box 348, Conway, SC 29528–0348. Phone: 803-248-6224

EU028: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Williams Hill, Hemingway, SC 29554–4017. Phone: 803-558-9494, ask for Ernest Hilton

EU029: Felix Davis Community Center, 4800 Park Cir., North Charleston, SC; time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Mount Pleasant, P.O. Box 1389, Mount Pleasant, SC 29465–1389. Phone: 803-881-9599

EU030: Host Assembly TBA.

EU031: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of St. Helena Island, P.O. Box 977, St. Helena Island, SC 29920–0977. Contact: Laura Smalls. Phone: 803-838-1139

EU032: North Family Community School, 616 Main St., North, SC; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Lexington County North, P.O. Box 8501, Columbia, SC 29202–8501. Phone: 803-772-6757

EU033: Earlwood Park, Columbia, SC; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Richland County North, P.O. Box 210351, Columbia, SC 29221–0351. Phone: 803-798-7116

EU034: Home of Sandra Lally, 104 Swails St., Kingstree, SC; Friday, Oct. 2, 1–5 p.m. (Register 11 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Kingstree, P.O. Box 26, Kingstree, SC 29556–0026. Phone: 803-354-7119

EU035: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Donnelly, P.O. Box 915, Hemingway, SC 29554-0915. Phone: 803-558-9289

EU036: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Johnsonville, P.O. Box 1012, Johnsonville, SC 29555–1012. Contact person: Jenni Green.

EU037: Florence Bahá’í Center, 541 W. Evans St., Florence, SC; Saturday, Oct. 3, 2–6 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Florence, Florence, SC 29501–3407. Phone: 803-667-1540

EU039: Host Assembly TBA.

EU040: Host Assembly TBA.

EU041: Host Assembly TBA.

EU042: Home of Elizabeth Martin, 208 Woodward St., Winnsboro, SC; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m. Mail ballots to Elizabeth Martin, P.O. Box 178, Winnsboro, SC 29180–0178. Phone: 803-635-9602

EU043: Peachtree Apt. clubhouse, Ft. Mills, SC; time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Rock Hill, Rock Hill, SC 29730–5311. Phone: 803-328-8395

EU044: Greenville Bahá’í Center, 132 Greenacre Road, Greenville, SC 29604; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Greenville, P.O. Box 8026, Greenville, SC 29604. Phone: 864-242-6506

EU045: Alexander Graham School, 1800 Runnymeade Lane, Charlotte, NC; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Charlotte c/o Dell Campbell, Charlotte, NC 28227–1155. Phone: 704-344-3501

EU046: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-2330. Phone: 919-932-3554

EU047: Avanti Restaurant, 119 E. Washington St., Charles Town, WV; Sunday, Oct 4; 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Jefferson County, Harpers Ferry, WV 25424. Phone: 304-876-3995

EU052: College of Law Courtroom, University of Kentucky, Limestone St., Lexington, KY; Sunday, Oct. 4; 8:30 a.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Lexington, P.O. Box 22102, Lexington, KY 40522–2102. Phone: 606-263-1820

EU053: Hardin Park Elementary School, 361 Jefferson Rd., Hwy. 194, Boone, NC; Sunday, Oct. 4, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Watauga County, P.O. Box 1406, Boone, NC 28607. Phone: 828-264-2297

EU054: Cherokee County Rec. Center, 7545 N. Main St., Woodstock, GA; Saturday, Oct. 10, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Cherokee County, P.O. Box 283, Woodstock, GA 30188–0283. Phone: 770-928-2483

EU055: Bahá’í Unity Center, 2370 Wesley Chapel Rd., Decatur, GA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 12:30–5:30 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of DeKalb County North, P.O. Box 942131, Atlanta, GA 31141–2131. Phone: 770-496-1565

EU056: East Roswell Park, 9000 Fouts Road, Roswell, GA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 1–5 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Fulton County Central, Duluth, GA 30097–1730. Phone: 770-360-1363

EU057: Life College, 1269 Barclay Cir., Annex C, Room 106C, Marietta, GA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Cobb County West, Marietta, GA 30064–5020. Phone: 770-919-1919

EU058: University Hospital Medical Center, Columbia County, Martinez, GA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Augusta, P.O. Box 14031, Augusta, GA 30919–0031. Phone: 706-738-3104 or 706-833-2515

EU059: Riverview Park Golf Course Auditorium, next to clubhouse off Hwy. 19, Dublin, GA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Peach County, P.O. Box 5136, Fort Valley, GA 31030–0600. Phone: 912-825-3542

EU060: Dunkan House, #3 Mink Court, Midland, GA; Saturday, Oct. 3, 1–5 p.m. Mail ballots to Dunkan House, Midland, GA 31820. Phone: 706-568-0108

EU061: Jacksonville Bahá’í Center, 2140 St. John’s Bluff Rd. S., Jacksonville, FL; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Jacksonville, 2140 St. John’s Bluff Rd. S., Jacksonville, FL 32246. Phone: 904-221-4212

EU062: Brevard Community College, Melbourne Campus, 3865 N. Wickham Rd., Bldg. NM114, Melbourne, FL; Sunday, Oct. 4, 12 noon. Mail ballots to LSA of Brevard County c/o Laen Dalpak, Melbourne, FL 32935. Phone: 407-242-4959

EU063: Magdalene Carney Bahá’í Institute, 130 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Belle Glade, FL; time TBA. Mail ballots to Eleanor Walker, Belle Glade, FL 33430. Phone: 561-993-0607

EU064: Palm Beach County Bahá’í Center, 420 U.S. Hwy. 1, North Palm Beach, FL; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Registration 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to Iris Tarafdar, Boca Raton, FL 33433. Phone: 407-488-1949

EU065: Sawgrass Springs Middle School, Sawgrass Expressway at Sample Rd., Coral Springs, FL; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Coral Springs, P.O. Box 9746, Coral Springs, FL 33075–9746. Phone: 954-757-1957

EU066: Edison Community College, Collier County Campus, 7007 Lely Cultural Pkwy., Naples, FL; Sunday, Oct. 4; 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Collier County, P.O. Box 3081, Naples, FL 34106–3081. Phone: 941-495-6154

EU067: Holiday Inn Express, 400 East Bearss Ave. and I-275, Tampa, FL; Sunday, Oct 4, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Hillsborough County NW c/o Nancy Rykwalder, Tampa, FL 33618–3710. Phone: 813-933-9329

EU068: St. Petersburg Bahá’í Center, 676 2nd Ave. S., St. Petersburg, FL; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of St. Petersburg, P.O. Box 15343, St. Petersburg, FL 33733–5343. Phone: 813-866-3220

EU069: Tallahassee Bahá’í Center, 1310 Cross Creek Cir., Suite D, Tallahassee, FL; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Tallahassee c/o Florence Reed, Tallahassee, FL 32303. Phone: 850-671-6684

EU070: Catholic Service Center; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Montgomery, P.O. Box 1131, Montgomery, AL 36101–1131. Phone: 334-270-0589

EU071: University of Alabama-Birmingham, Great Hall, 1400 University Blvd.; Saturday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35222–3465. Contact: Keitha Hudson, 205-599-3399

EU072: James E. Ward Agricultural & Community Center, 945 Baddour Pkwy. (off I-40 at exit 239), Lebanon, TN; Sunday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Wilson County c/o Joyce Maneck, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122. Phone: 615-758-3336

EU091: Site, time TBA; Sat., Oct. 3. Mail ballots to LSA of Memphis c/o Janice Peterson, Memphis, TN 38107. Phone: 901-276-4106

EU092: Park Inn Intl., I-20 at Exit 4-B, 4137 I-20 Frontage Rd., Vicksburg, MS; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Vicksburg, Vicksburg, MS 39180–5249. Phone: 601-638-5537

EU093: Baton Rouge, LA, Bahá’í Center; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of New Orleans c/o Cheryl Johnson, New Orleans, LA 70131. Phone: 504-433-2621

EU094: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Edinburg, Edinburg, TX 78539–7313. Contact: Wilson Ballard, 210-383-3189

EU095: Barrington Place Community Center, 13318 Rosstown Ct., Sugar Land, TX; Sunday, Oct. 4; 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Sugar Land, P.O. Box 2103, Sugar Land, TX 77487–2103. Phone: 281-491-6806

EU096: Houston, TX, Bahá’í [Page 29]

SOUTHERN STATES

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28

EU097: Austin Bahá’í Center, 2215 E.M. Franklin Ave., Austin, TX; Sunday, Oct. 4, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Austin, Austin, TX 78723. Phone: 512-467-0645

EU098: Texas A&M University, Rudder Tower, College Station, TX; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Round Rock, P.O. Box 433, Round Rock, TX 78680-0433. Phone: 512-863-6328

EU099: Tyler Bahá’í Center, 406 NNW Loop 323, Tyler, TX; time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Tyler, Tyler, TX 75707-1600. Phone: 903-566-8058

EU100: Southern Methodist University, Hughes-Trigg Student Center, University Park, TX; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Irving, P.O. Box 154636, Irving, TX 75015-4636. Phone: 214-529-5802

EU101: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Richardson c/o Linda Jenson, Richardson, TX 75081. Phone: 974-437-4604

EU102: Tarrant County Bahá’í Center, 723 E. Border, Arlington, TX; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Dawn prayers 6:30 a.m., register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Bedford, P.O. Box 211482, Bedford, TX 76095-8482. Phone: 817-498-5026

EU103: El Paso Bahá’í Center, 9931 McCombs St., El Paso, TX; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m. Mail ballots to Mrs. Patricia Lang, El Paso, TX 79912-1950. Phone: 915-565-2211

EU104: University of Tulsa, Keplinger Hall, Tulsa, OK, off Harvard Ave. between 4th and 5th Pl.; Sunday, Oct. 11, 9:30 a.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Tulsa, P.O. Box 251, Tulsa, OK 74101-0251. Phone: 918-749-2859

EU105: Oklahoma City Bahá’í Center, 1201 S. Blackwelder, Oklahoma City, OK; Sunday, Oct. 4; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Edmond, P.O. Box 1178, Edmond, OK 73083-1178. Phone: 405-359-7013

WESTERN STATES

EU113: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Fort Collins, P.O. Box 1118, Fort Collins, CO 80522-1118. Phone: 970-229-5962.

EU114: Metro Denver Bahá’í Center, 225 E. Bayaud Ave., Denver, CO; time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Denver c/o Leota Malleck, Denver, CO 80209-1706. Phone: 303-221-1077

EU115: Beech Street ‎Kindergarden Kindergarten‎, 510 N. Beech, Cortez, CO; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Cortez, P.O. Box 165, Cortez, CO 81321. Phone: 970-565-2632

EU116: College of Santa Fe, 1600 St. Michael’s Drive, Santa Fe, NM; Sunday, Oct. 11, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Santa Fe, P.O. Box 22907, Santa Fe, NM 87505. Phone: 505-983-8740

EU117: Albuquerque Bahá’í Center, 202 Harvard S.E., Albuquerque, NM; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Albuquerque c/o Jenni Beory, P.O. Box 21517, Albuquerque, NM 87154. Phone: 505-255-8639

EU118: NM School for the Visually Handicapped, Reese Hall, 1900 N. White Sands Blvd., Alamogordo, NM; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Alamogordo, P.O. Box 1461, Alamogordo, NM 88311-1461. Phone: 505-434-4192

EU119: La Tierra Linda Guest Ranch, 7501 N. Wade Rd., Tucson, AZ; Sunday, Oct. 11, 1-5 p.m. (Activities before and after; register 9:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Oro Valley, P.O. Box 36771, Tucson, AZ 85740-6771. Phone: 520-544-8834

EU120: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Mesa, P.O. Box 5487, Mesa, AZ 85211-5487. Phone: 602-981-6172

EU121: Phoenix, AZ, Bahá’í Center, 944 E. Mountain View; time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Phoenix, P.O. Box 9961, Phoenix, AZ 85068-0961. Phone: 602-997-2826

EU122: Dysart Union High School Dist. Ofc., 530 E. Riley, Avondale, AZ; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Avondale c/o Susan Cunningham, P.O. Box 507, Avondale, AZ 85323. Phone: 602-925-0989

EU123: Arizona State University, Pima Room—Memorial Union, Apache Blvd., Tempe, AZ; Sunday, Oct. 4, 1-5 p.m. (Register noon) Mail ballots to LSA of Tempe, P.O. Box 504, Tempe, AZ 85280-0504. Phone: 602-839-1963

EU124: Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 510 N. Leroux, Flagstaff, AZ; Saturday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Flagstaff, P.O. Box 2533, Flagstaff, AZ 86003-2533. Phone: 520-526-4801

EU125: (Tentative) Native American Bahá’í Institute, Houck, AZ; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Gallup, P.O. Box 1822, Gallup, NM 87305. Phone: 505-722-0039

EU126: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Salt Lake County, P.O. Box 57775, Salt Lake City, UT 84757-0775. Phone: 801-967-6680

EU127: Best Western Colonial Hotel, 2301 Colonial Dr., Helena, MT 59601; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (Register 8 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Helena c/o Sandi Marisdotter, Helena, MT 59601-3202. Phone: 406-442-7526

EU128: West Valley High School, 8301 E. Buckeye, Spokane, WA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Spokane CCD #2 c/o David Simmons, Veradale, WA 99037-9001. Phone: 509-255-9926

EU129: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Toppenish, Toppenish, WA 98948-1037. Phone: 509-865-5062

EU130: Winnemucca Convention Center, 50 W. Winnemucca Ave, Winnemucca, NV; Saturday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Sparks c/o Nancy Jeppson, P.O. Box 505, Sparks, NV 89432. Phone: 702-626-5454

EU131: Las Vegas Bahá’í Center, 7035 West Oakey Blvd., Las Vegas, NV; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Clark County West, Las Vegas, NV 89103. Phone: 702-873-3318

EU132: Helix High School cafeteria, 7323 University Ave., La Mesa, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of La Mesa c/o Jim Schechter, P.O. Box 1113, LaMesa, CA 91944-1113. Phone: 619-464-6761

EU133: San Diego Bahá’í Center, 6545 Alcala Knolls Dr., San Diego, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 2-5 p.m. (Register 1:30 p.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of San Diego, 6545 Alcala Knolls Dr., San Diego, CA 92111. Phone: 619-262-8462

EU134: Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave., Carlsbad, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Escondido c/o Unit Convention Ballot, P.O. Box 300691, Escondido, CA 92030. Phone: 760-744-6228

EU135: Harris Department Store, 3635 Riverside Plaza, Central Ave., Riverside, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Riverside c/o Riverside Bahá’í Center, Riverside, CA 92501. Phone: 909-683-6515

EU136: Bahá’í Center, 3316 Ave. Del Presidente, San Clemente, CA; Sunday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Laguna Niguel, P.O. Box 7776, Laguna Niguel, CA 92607. Phone: 714-831-1609

EU137: Tustin Community Room, 300 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 1-5 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Tustin, P.O. Box 681, Tustin, CA 92781. Phone: 714-838-2011

EU138: Fullerton Senior Center, 340 West Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Orange c/o Jean Gruber, P.O. Box 5441, Orange, CA 92613-5441. Phone: 714-633-3435

EU139: Furman Park, 10419 Rives Ave., Downey, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 1:30-5 p.m. (Register 1 p.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Long Beach c/o Travis Williams, P.O. Box 4150, Long Beach, CA 90804-0150. Phone: 562-425-4676

EU140: Culver City Veterans Memorial Bldg., 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. (Register 10 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Santa Monica, P.O. Box 1066, Santa Monica, CA 90406. Phone: 310-829-9625

EU141: Arcadia Community Center, 365 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Monrovia c/o Joanie Yuille, P.O. Box 346, Monrovia, CA 91017-0857. Phone: 626-358-8254

EU142: Los Angeles Bahá’í Center, 5755 Rodeo Rd., Los Angeles, CA; time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Los Angeles, 5755 Rodeo Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90016-5013. Phone: 818-908-1020

EU143: Canyon Country Park, 17615 Soledad Canyon Rd., Canyon Country, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Newhall JD c/o Mojgan Tabrizi, Castaic, CA 91384. Phone: 805-257-4398

EU144: Rancho Santa Susana Community Center, 5005 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to H. Rastegar, Agoura Hills, CA 91301. Phone: 818-991-3512

EU145: Nine Oaks Bahá’í Institute, 1201 Old Oak Park Rd., Arroyo Grande, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Bakersfield, P.O. Box 9002, Bakersfield, CA 93389-9002. Phone: 805-398-6203

EU146: Site TBA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Toro and Laguna Seca, P.O. Box 422, Salinas, CA 93902. Phone: 408-484-9351

EU147: Fresno Bahá’í Center, 2240 E. Angus Ave., Fresno, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Clovis c/o Pattie Lacefield, P.O. Box 462, Clovis, CA 93613. Phone: 209-297-7137

EU148: Regional Bahá’í Center, 995 Willow St., San Jose, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of San Jose c/o Don Burt Jr., P.O. Box 6381, San Jose, CA 95150. Phone: 408-997-2621

EU149: Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Mountain View, P.O. Box 1223, Mountain View, CA 94042-1223. Phone: 650-961-3374

EU150: Kiwanis Community Center, 1017 Cedar St., San Carlos, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of San Carlos c/o Mehran Bashiri, San Carlos, CA 94070. Phone: 650-596-9635

EU151: ‎Chabat Chabot‎ College, 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Fremont c/o Farzaneh Sani, P.O. Box 3531, Fremont, CA 94539. Phone: 510-657-7777

EU152: Bancroft Elementary School, 2200 Parish Dr., Walnut Creek, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Orinda, P.O. Box, Orinda, CA 94563-0064. Phone: 925-253-0412

SEE WESTERN STATES, PAGE 30 [Page 30]

WESTERN STATES

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

EU153: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Vacaville, P.O. Box 2101, Vacaville, CA 95696-8101. Phone: 707-447-3609

EU154: Roseville High School, 601 Tahoe Ave., Roseville, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. (Register 8:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Roseville c/o Sandra Moline, Roseville, CA 95678. Phone: 916-774-9392

EU155: Gold Run Elementary School, 470 Searls Ave., Nevada City, CA; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Nevada County Central, P.O. Box 1092, Nevada City, CA 95959-1092. Phone: 530-477-1351

EU156: Petaluma Community Center, 320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, CA; Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (Register 9:30 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Petaluma, P.O. Box 23, Petaluma, CA 94953-0023. Phone: 707-769-1591

EU157: Ashland Community Center, 59 Winburn Way, Ashland, OR; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Medford, P.O. Box 534, Medford, OR 97501-0036. Phone: 541-770-9128

EU158: Umpqua Community College, 1140 College Rd., Roseburg, OR; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Douglas County, P.O. Box 212, Winchester, OR 97495-0212. Phone: 541-459-9763

EU159: LaSells Stewart Center, 26th at Western S.W., Corvallis, OR; Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Corvallis c/o Melissa Putzke, P.O. Box 309, Corvallis, OR 97339-0309. Phone: 541-752-7066

EU160: Site TBA; Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Milwaukie, P.O. Box 22517, Milwaukie, OR 97269-2517. Phone: 503-652-9319

EU161: Mt. Hood Community College, 26000 S.E. Stark, Gresham, OR; Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. (Register 9 a.m.) Mail ballots to LSA of Portland, P.O. Box 83297, Portland, OR 97283-0297. Phone: 503-736-9388

EU162: Tigard Senior Center, 8813 O’Mara St., Tigard, OR; Sunday, Oct. 4, 1–5 p.m. (Register noon) Mail ballots to LSA of Beaverton c/o Mary Steiger, 10360 S.W. Cynthia St., Beaverton, OR 97008-6032. Phone: 503-644-6751

EU163: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of King County East Central, P.O. Box 722, Issaquah, WA 98027-0027. Phone: 425-396-8253

EU164: Carco Theatre, 1717 Maple Valley Hwy., Renton, WA; Sunday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Mail ballots to LSA of Kirkland c/o Patt Savage, P.O. Box 128, Kirkland, WA 98083-0128. Phone: 425-823-1349

EU165: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Burien, P.O. Box 373, Seahurst, WA 98062-0373. Phone: 206-244-3757

EU166: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA of Everett, P.O. Box 2001, Everett, WA 98203-0001. Phone: 425-259-0993

EU167: Bremerton High School, 1500 13th St., Bremerton, WA; Sunday, Oct. 4; 1–4:30 p.m. (Register 12 noon) Mail ballots to LSA of Bremerton c/o Pat Sloan, Bremerton, WA 98310-6201. Phone: 360-377-1977

Countries/territories in need of pioneers and traveling teachers

These international pioneering and traveling teaching needs for the Four Year Plan are in categories as defined by the Universal House of Justice in 1996. Parentheses indicate the National or Regional Spiritual Assembly under whose jurisdiction a country or territory falls.

CATEGORY 1

The needs are especially pressing.

Africa: Equatorial Guinea, Lesotho, Gambia

Australasia: Cook Islands, French Polynesia (Hawaii)

Europe: Yugoslavia (Austria)

CATEGORY 2

The Faith is established, but pioneers are needed to stimulate the process of growth and to help open new centers.

Africa: Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Cape Verde, Eritrea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Namibia, Niger, Réunion, Sao Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, St. Helena (South Africa), Tanzania, Uganda

Americas: Argentina, Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao (Venezuela), Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands (Jamaica), Chile, Chiloé Island (Chile), Dominica, East Leeward Islands, Easter Island (Chile), Falkland Islands (United Kingdom), French Guiana, Galápagos Islands (Ecuador), Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Jamaica, Juan Fernández Islands (Chile), Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Turks and Caicos Islands (United Kingdom), Venezuela, Virgin Islands, West Leeward Islands

Asia: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Armenia, Asiatic Russia, including Sakhalin, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Korea South, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Ogasawara Islands (Japan), Ryukyu Islands (Japan), Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

Australasia: Christmas Island (Australia), Eastern Caroline Islands, Fiji Islands, Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, Nauru (Kiribati), New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands, Norfolk Island (Australia), Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Caroline Islands

Europe: Albania, Andorra (Spain), Azores (Portugal), Balearic Islands (Spain), Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Channel Islands (United Kingdom), Corsica, Croatia (Slovenia and Croatia), Cyprus-Northern, Cyprus-Southern, Czech Republic, Denmark, Elba (Italy), Estonia (Baltic States), Faroe Islands (Iceland), Finland, Gibraltar (United Kingdom), Greece, Hungary, Latvia (Baltic States), Liechtenstein (Switzerland), Lithuania (Baltic States), Macedonia, Madeira Island (Portugal), Malta (Italy), Moldova, Monaco (France), Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino (Italy), Sardinia (Italy), Sicily, Slovak Republic, Slovenia (Croatia and Slovenia), Spitsbergen (Norway), Ukraine

CATEGORY 3

The process of expansion and consolidation has a significant momentum, but there is a need for pioneers who can undertake specific tasks, such as arousing the interest of prominent people, strengthening the communities in certain areas, or assisting with projects of social and economic development.

Africa: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rodrigues (Mauritius), South Africa, Swaziland, Togo, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Americas: Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay.

Asia: Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Taiwan.

Australasia: Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa.

Europe: Canary Islands, Iceland

CATEGORY 4

Pioneers are greatly needed, but entry is difficult due to restrictions on Bahá’í activity, lack of security, or other circumstances. These conditions present a need for believers who will resourcefully seek out opportunities for pioneering. “Bahá’í World Center” appears in parentheses next to particularly sensitive areas, and those interested in pioneering or traveling to teach in such areas should contact the World Center directly.

Africa: Angola, Burundi (Bahá’í World Center), Comoros (Mauritius), Djibouti (Ethiopia), Liberia, Mauritania (Bahá’í World Center), Mozambique, Rwanda (Bahá’í World Center), Somalia (Kenya), Sudan.

Americas: Cuba, Haiti, St. Pierre and Miquelon (Canada)

Asia: Afghanistan (Bahá’í World Center), Bhutan (India), Brunei (Malaysia), Indonesia (Bahá’í World Center), Korea-North, Laos, Maldives (Sri Lanka), Myanmar, Tajikistan, Vietnam (Bahá’í World Center).

Australasia: Wallis and Futuna (New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands)

INFORMATION ON YOUR INTERNATIONAL TEACHING TRIP

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

Just fill out and send this form to the Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3511, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail ). Please include the names of all Bahá’ís traveling, the names of each country and the one or two main localities visited, the dates of your trip and the main purpose of your travel.

Name(s): __________________________________________________________________ I.D. #(s): ______________

Name(s): __________________________________________________________________ I.D. #(s): ______________

Street: _____________________________________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Did you arise in response to the call of the Universal House of Justice to particular ethnic groups in the Ridván B.E. 153 message to North America? If so, please indicate your background:

___ American Indian ___ African descent ___ Hispanic ___ Other _________________________________________

Countries/Localities	From (dates) To	Main Purpose

Please attach any comments. [Page 31]

Badasht and Seneca Falls: Parallel forces for equality

BY BRADFORD W. MILLER

The Conference of Badasht shares several noteworthy parallels with the Seneca Falls, New York, First Women’s Rights Convention. Each was held in July 1848, and each marked emancipation of women. And men played a vital role in each case.

Badasht, of course, is known to Bahá’ís for being the occasion at which Táhirih unveiled herself at a gathering of the Báb’s followers in a tiny Persian village. Here Táhirih introduced the revolutionary feminine within an exploding Islamic framework in a drama that would see the abrogation of Islamic law itself and the inception of the Bahá’í Dispensation in which the equality of men and women would stand as a pillar.

Fewer Bahá’ís, however, are aware that Elizabeth Cady Stanton, one of the United States’ earliest feminists, made a similarly dramatic and revolutionary gesture concerning the rights of women in Seneca Falls. The 150th anniversary of this was celebrated in mid-July, with first lady Hillary Clinton attending.

In 1848 at the Wesleyan Chapel, Stanton and her abolitionist and reformist colleagues put forth, together with an eloquent Declaration of Rights and Sentiments and assorted grievances and resolutions, the first public demand for women’s right to vote. This convention inaugurated the women’s suffrage movement in America.

Stanton’s demand for the vote was supported by only one man at the convention, Frederick Douglass, a former slave legally free only since December 1846. In this way, it is the Seneca Falls Convention’s personification of complex gender and racial relationships that recommends it as a broad frame of reference by which U.S. citizens might face the usually recalcitrant forces of their own identity acquisition, their own coming of age in social, gender, racial and spiritual terms.

The 150th anniversary of the Seneca Falls Conference, celebrated July 16–19, became a venue for a prominent Bahá’í presence. The Bahá’ís of New York and surrounding areas participated in an interfaith devotional service in honor of the Women’s Rights Convention; artistic presentations on the issue of equality were performed by the Rochester Bahá’í Choir, Youth Workshop, and community members; and more than 1,000 copies of the statement Two Wings of A Bird: The Equality of Women and Men were disseminated.

The National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men encourages Bahá’ís and local communities to study the 1848 Seneca Falls event and help like-minded groups raise public consciousness of its significance to women’s rights in America.

Táhirih’s daring presentation was likewise the decisive deed of Badasht. She, too, was assisted by a significant man, Quḍḍús, who coordinated his efforts to support and enhance hers, following a previously agreed-upon arrangement with Bahá’u’lláh, also present at Badasht. Like the Seneca Falls Convention, the Badasht Conference is a representative rite of passage in which the male and female elements were symbolically brought into balance.

It is as though spiritual shock waves from Badasht put in motion the events of Seneca Falls, Badasht the divine word and Seneca Falls its worldly creation. Indeed, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá writes, “Among the miracles which distinguish this sacred Dispensation is this, that women have evinced a greater boldness than men. ...” (The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 57). Furthermore, continues ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “The continent of America is in the eyes of the one true God, the land wherein the splendors of His light shall be revealed, where the mysteries of His Faith shall be unveiled. ...” (ibid, p. 5)

The seemingly secular and rather local Seneca Falls Convention, if properly understood and revalorized in the light of the Bahá’í Faith, should represent to Bahá’í thinkers, writers, and teachers a spiritually transformative drama in which the seeds of the full equality of men and women, and, indeed, of the destiny of America, are latent.

Bradford W. Miller, a Bahá’í in Northfield, Massachusetts, is author of Returning to Seneca Falls. ♦

Club gains inroad at UCLA

Niky Farid (left) of the UCLA Bahá’í Club presents university official Carol Peterson with a copy of Two Wings of a Bird as part of a presentation on women’s role in world peace earlier this year.

The Bahá’í Club of the University of California at Los Angeles has been invited to become part of the campus Student Religious Steering Committee.

The goal of the committee is to establish a core of students to organize educational and cultural events aimed at increasing interreligious tolerance, fellowship, and love.

In inviting the Bahá’ís to join this body, the Chancellor’s Committee for Religion, Ethics, and Values praised the active club for its warm and inclusive nature.

Among significant activities last school year, the Bahá’í Club planned and executed an effective 1998 One Voice Campaign program in response to the call of the National Committee for the Advancement of Women (now the National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men).

Earlier, Judge Dorothy Nelson spoke to 130 students and faculty on the role of women in establishing world peace.

Students and faculty said they found the talk “valuable and enlightening,” according to an extensive article printed the following Monday in the college newspaper, The Daily Bruin.

Following the talk, the Bahá’í Club made a formal presentation of the National Spiritual Assembly’s statement on the equality of women and men to Carol Peterson, vice provost in the College of Letters and Sciences and special assistant in the Chancellor’s Office; Carry Porter, senior associate dean of students; and Susan French, professor of law. ♦

Community involvement boosts unity event

Involvement of like-minded groups helped the second annual Race Unity Celebration in Springfield, Oregon, grow to twice the size of last year’s event.

The planning team attended meetings of like-minded organizations and presented the event’s vision—not as Bahá’ís, but as members of the Race Unity Celebration Team.

Within each packet handed out, however, was The Vision of Race Unity statement. And the more the planners didn’t mention the Faith, the more it was mentioned by others.

More than 90 percent of the organizations responded positively to the invitation to support the event.

Because the planners could not accept donated funds, they suggested checks be written to a third party, such as a newspaper to help pay for advertising. Next year the team plans to set up an account with a tax ID number for the celebration.

The June 20 event included a proclamation issued by the mayor at Springfield City Hall. Blessings were given by a minister, an assistant to the rabbi, and an American Indian.

Mistress of ceremonies Ernestine West Berkey said a few words, and an award was presented by the Springfield Bahá’ís to Naomi Fellows, a local middle-school teacher who teaches her children each year how to accept those who are different from them.

Participants then marched to a nearby park, where there was a variety of entertainment, booths, games, face painting, a balloon artist and much more.

All three major television channels and two local papers covered the event. ♦

CALL FOR KELLUM AWARD NOMINEES Role models for youth Community service

The Committee for the Celebration of Humanity and the Bahá’í House of Worship invite nominees for the 1999 David Kellum Award. Distinguished servants of humankind need not be members of the Bahá’í Faith to receive this award. The National Spiritual Assembly presents this award yearly to people or organizations who “represent positive role models for youth of all races and who contribute outstanding service to the community.” The award honors the memory of David Kellum, a longtime member of the Chicago Bahá’í community, who dedicated his life to improving relations between the races. He directed Bud Billiken activities and was city editor of the Chicago Defender. You are invited to nominate someone you feel deserves recognition for efforts of this type. The 1999 Kellum Award will be presented Feb. 20, 1999, at the Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois. For information or a nomination form, please contact the Bahá’í House of Worship Activities Office (phone 847-853-2326, e-mail           ). Return your candidate’s information to the Bahá’í House of Worship by Nov. 15, 1998, to be considered for the 1999 award. ♦

[Page 32]

U.N. observances offer chance to serve

RESOURCES FOR U.N.-RELATED ACTIVITIES

For general information on these events or to order the UNA-USA program manual The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 50 (free) or the UDHR50 manual In Your Hands: A Community Action Guide ($9.50 including shipping): Bahá’í US/UN Office, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017 phone 212-803-2500, fax 212-803-2573, e-mail [email protected] For information on joining the UNA-USA in your area: United Nations Association of the USA, 801 Second Ave., New York, NY 10017 phone 212-907-1300, fax: 212-682-9185, Web http://www.unausa.org/ Web information on U.N. special events: www.un.org Web information on the Declaration of Human Rights: www.udhr50.org Web posting of statements of the Bahá’í International Community submitted to the United Nations: www.bic-un.bahai.org For recent relevant issues of the publications World Order and One Country: Bahá’í Distribution Service (phone 800-999-9019) How to support efforts for Senate ratification of the Women’s Convention and payment of U.S. arrears to the U.N.: National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, Washington Office, 1320 19th St. NW, Suite 701, Washington, DC 20036 (phone 202-833-8990, fax 202-833-8988, e-mail [email protected])

The National Spiritual Assembly invites local Bahá’í communities, permanent schools and college clubs to join with others in the observance of International Day of Peace Sept. 15 and United Nations Day on Oct. 24.

The third Tuesday in September was designated by the U.N. in 1981 as the International Day of Peace. The U.N. General Assembly traditionally opens on this day and observes a minute of silence at noon for world peace. People all over the world will join in this minute of silence, and many will also perform an act of kindness or local peace-building.

The anniversary of the entry into force of the U.N. Charter—Oct. 24, 1945—has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. It has been marked throughout the world by discussions and exhibits on the achievements and goals of the United Nations.

The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) has made available the U.N. Day program manual, titled The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 50, which offers practical tips on planning for U.N. Day.

The National Coordinating Committee for the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR50), of which the National Spiritual Assembly is a member, has also developed In Your Hands: A Community Action Guide. The guide includes the complete text of the Declaration and suggests ‎activites activities‎ relative to human rights for groups at the community, national and international levels.

The Bahá’í community has historically given strong support to U.N. special event days and activities, which provide opportunities for Bahá’ís to share the teachings of the Faith on a wide range of related topics. The National Assembly encourages Bahá’ís—on their own or with other community groups—to plan public meetings, seminars, proclamations or other activities to commemorate the International Day of Peace and United Nations Day. It also encourages public information representatives to coordinate publicity related to these events.

Commemoration of U.N. observances gives Bahá’í communities the opportunity to support two National Assembly-endorsed campaigns:

• To promote U.S. ratification of the U.N. Convention to End All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

The National Spiritual Assembly is co-chair with Amnesty International USA of a Campaign for Commitment on CEDAW to urge Senate action in support of ratification of the Convention. A total of 10,000 letters—half of which were sent by the Bahá’í community and other CEDAW supporters through the National Spiritual Assembly’s Office of the Secretary for External Affairs—were delivered to Senate offices in the days before and after March 8, International Women’s Day.

• To urge full U.S. payment of its debt to the U.N.

In March, the National Spiritual Assembly joined the United Nations Association and dozens of other organizations in sending yet another open letter to Congress calling on the government to fulfill its financial obligations to the U.N. The United States could lose its U.N. General Assembly vote if its dues are unpaid at the end of the year.

The National Spiritual Assembly is a long-standing member of the UNA-USA, which is dedicated to strengthening the U.N. system and enhancing U.S. participation. Spiritual Assemblies and individual Bahá’ís are encouraged to become members of local UNA chapters.

Bahá’í responds to appeal for minority marrow donors

BY TOM MENNILLO

Diana Gale Kite was prepared for the worst, but when the news came it was “the saddest thing I can imagine.”

What the Bahá’í from The Dalles, Oregon, learned was that she is not a bone marrow match for a 25-year-old man who without new tissue will die.

“A young man doesn’t have a match yet,” she said, “because the registry doesn’t have enough ethnic/bi-racial people in it.”

She added, “I am so disappointed. ... All I can do now is ask my family to test in the hopes that one of them might match.”

Diana is still high on the marrow program. She urged anyone interested in becoming a donor to call 1-800-MARROW2, write National Marrow Donor Program, 3433 Broadway St. NE, Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55413, or check out the program’s Web site (http://www.marrow.org).

All of a donor’s medical expenses are covered by the recipient’s insurance, and some employers offer paid time off, she said.

More than 60 fatal diseases are treated with donated bone marrow, including leukemia and aplastic anemia. The marrow is where the body produces new blood components, including red and white blood cells and platelets.

It was back in 1991 when she signed up to be a potential donor and her name went into an international registry. Her blood was analyzed for some of the leukocyte antigens she carries—much like a blood type, but more specific.

Tissue types are genetic and some are unique to certain groups; thus there’s a critical need for ethnic and racial minorities to enter the registry, Diana said.

Her emotional roller-coaster started in mid-June when she got an urgent message: Please call the bone marrow donor program office at once.

She did so and learned she was a preliminary match.

“I didn’t think twice. Within two seconds I was thinking, ‘Great,’” said Diana. “I was very excited and even a little dizzy at the idea of having something to do in life that I consider second to giving birth to my daughter [Stefi].”

The next day she drove the 85 miles to Portland, to give blood for further testing.

Then came the waiting game.

Diana said she was flooded with “great responses from so many people all over the world” after she announced on a Bahá’í e-mail list in June that she was a preliminary match.

“I can’t tell you the depth of love I feel surrounding me from the Celestial Kingdom and from the friends right now,” she wrote at the time.

“I personally believe that God created medicine, and that to take advantage of it to save someone’s life, especially a young person, [there] can be no greater thing.”

It turned out that not all her antigens matched those of the patient. If they had, she would have gone on to another series of tests and a complete physical exam.

When the donor makes the final commitment to give marrow to a specific patient, it can’t be reversed—because when the patient undergoes intense chemotherapy and radiation treatment to destroy diseased cells, it also destroys the immune system. Without the donated marrow, the patient would not survive.

In a two-hour procedure, marrow is removed from the donor’s hip bone. It is transported to be infused into the patient within a day in the United States, or within 48 hours elsewhere.

A patient’s best chance of finding a donor is within the family or ethnic group, Diana said, but only 30 percent will find a match that way. ♦

“I personally believe that God created medicine, and that to take advantage of it to save someone’s life, especially a young person, [there] can be no greater thing.” —E-mail posting by Diana Kite

Performance furthers gender equality message

Bahá’ís in Oakland, California, used a performance on the life and poetry of Táhirih to acquaint dozens of people with the Bahá’í principle of gender equality and to benefit a local non-profit group.

At the well-received production May 23 of a solo performance by Muhtadia Rice, each person in the audience of 225 received a copy of the National Spiritual Assembly’s statement Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men.

Proceeds from the show were donated to the Hale Laulima Family House, which provides housing and support for women with HIV and their children. ♦ [Page 33]plans into the national plan, communities across the country have greatly increased their activity.

Hundreds of new firesides, devotional gatherings, social functions and development projects are happening throught the United States. Since the beginning of the media intiative we have had more than 60,000 responses from seekers. Most of these have been in response to activities that local communities have held to support the release of The Power of Race Unity video.

The national teaching plan helps identify seekers, but it is in local communities where the teaching of seekers happens and where the entry by troops will occur.

TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM

• Quick and efficient follow-up of seekers. Follow-up is crucial. When you receive a request, the seeker should be contacted as quickly as possible. Several communities have found that the ideal follow-up time is 24 to 48 hours after a request for contact. The longer one waits, the less interested the seekers are in being contacted. We do not want to lose opportunities to teach the Faith.

• Immediate deepening for new believers. Columbus, Ohio, developed a special deepening program based on "We are Bahá’ís." Anyone who enrolls is invited immediately to join the program. New Bahá’ís who have gone through the program within a month of enrolling show a much higher degree of community participation than do others.

• Individuals Arise! When it comes down to it, each one of us is responsible for teaching. We work with our Assemblies (local and national) to formulate and organize plans, but it is up to each one of us to do the actual teaching. Nothing beats the individual contact, the one-on-one, to bring someone into the Faith.

• Create a joyous and happy community. People are desperate for places to belong, for places where they feel welcome and loved. The more we can make our communities safe and joyful havens, the more we will attract people to us.

PRACTICAL STEPS TO ENHANCE LOCAL TEACHING

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

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

The principle of individual transformation is the same for every human being we all must progress along a path of growth towards God.

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

PATTERNS OF COMMUNITY LIFE

Individual action in teaching is 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 Bahá’í life, and offers opportunities for service.

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

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

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

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

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

Training and deepening. There

MAKING THE MOST OF THE VIDEO

• Develop a spiritual atmosphere in your community
• Create a loving and joyful environment that will attract people
• Use the video as a launching pad for local activities:

Devotional gatherings Social events Art events Youth activities Development projects Children's classes Extend personal invitations for people to watch the video or national broadcast with you: In your homes At your local Bahá’í Center In a rented hall At a local civic organization At the local college

• Work with your local media
• Work with like-minded organizations
• Advertise our toll free number: 800-22-UNITE
• Advertise our public Web site: www.us.bahai.com

CELEBRATING THE ONENESS OF MANKIND

Bahá’ís and others support a three-day Race Unity Walk in two coastal counties of California northwest of Los Angeles. Starting from opposite directions, two groups of participants converged on San Luis Obispo.

San Luis Obispo/Santa Barbara counties, California

ahá’ís and others covered 93 miles of highways and byways in their ambitious third annual Race Unity Walk, June 12-14.

Some joined the walk for a few miles and others utilized car support. One walker was in her 70s; for the two youngest walkers, Nathan Parrish, 7, and Chad Booker, 8, this was already their third annual walk.

Corrie Bryson walked all three days with her three sons, Fred, 12, Victor, 9, and Anthony, 8. They and many others found out about the walk through fliers posted around the area. For several, the Race Unity Walk meant a 60-mile trek over three days: blistered, hobbling, but still smiling and waving to passing cars.

The journey began 8 a.m. Friday in Lompoc after prayers were said for racial unity. Eleven souls walked all 23 miles to Santa Maria and finished at 5 p.m. They were joined partway by a reporter for the Lompoc Record, resulting in a front-page article the next day.

Saturday morning a group of 32 walking north from Santa Maria included the mayor pro tem, a county supervisor and a representative of an African-American group with whom the Bahá’ís had been trying to establish a relationship for many years. Most walkers were not Bahá’ís, and most walked every step of the 22 miles to Arroyo Grande.

The same morning, 17 walkers—half of them children and youth—headed south from the Cambria Bahá’í Center, southward 22 miles to Morro Bay.

On Sunday, Race Unity Day, by the time the groups met in San Luis Obispo, the northbound team was large and racially diverse. and the southbound group was joined six miles from the end by 15 AmeriCorps volunteers.

Then the real celebration began with a Race Unity Festival at Mission Plaza. Music in the styles of India, the Middle East, Australia, West Africa and down-home America were interspersed with an "open mike" at which walkers and well-wishers could voice their positive feelings and experiences regarding the oneness of mankind.

In a keynote address, County Supervisor Bud Laurent, a friend of the Faith, asserted, "There is only one race—the human race!" and quoted a Bahá’í prayer.

At the end, the audience was invited to join in a final walk, circling four blocks of downtown San Luis Obispo. With Aba-ko-Ma of Ghana drumming energetically, more than 100 danced in celebration. —Submitted by Karen Olin Parrish

THE POWER OF RACE UNITY NATIONAL CABLE TV BROADCASTS

VH-I, Thursdays, Oct. 15 and 22: 6 a.m. Eastern, 5 a.m. Central, 4 a.m. Mountain, 3 a.m. Pacific

Odyssey, Saturdays, Nov. 7 and 14: 6 p.m. Eastern, 5 p.m. Central, 4 p.m. Mountain, 3 p.m. Pacific

• E!: Two broadcasts in October and/or November; dates/times unavailable

30- AND 60-SECOND TV COMMERCIALS:

• Various national cable channels in October and November; see the National Spiritual Assembly's Web site (www.usbnc.org) as details come available.

The National Spiritual Assembly had hoped to broadcast The Power of Race Unity on the Family Channel and the Inspiration Channel. Their programming departments approved the show, but senior mangement reversed that approval at the last minute. We don't know why this happened. The National Assembly is pursuing this and asks that the friends take no action themselves at this time. [Page 34]

Flint, Michigan

Race Unity Day by The Fall

The kids enjoyed food, music and dancing at a family-centered Race Unity Day outing in Flint, Michgan.

Broward County, Florida

ace Unity Day brought a vibrant Peace Jam ’98 in Lake Worth and a Rredoubling of past success in the Fort Lauderdale area.

The relatively new Bahá’í community of Lake Worth-12 adults strong- teamed with several civic organizations to attract about 600 people to Peace Jam, including the mayor, despite midday heat and a rain shower.

Music from five local bands ranged in style from folk to jazz to African drums. The Broward County Bahá’í Youth Workshop was received enthusiastically. Bahá’ís, community leaders and others offered short unity talks.

Local vendors offered ethnic food. Children were treated to creative games, storytelling, a soap bubble extravaganza and face painting. Information on Calling All Colors and the Institute for the Healing of Racism was made available. Bahá’ís arranged potlucks and firesides to follow up.

A little south, the Bahá’ís of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County capitalized on wide media attention and prestige from last year’s Race Unity Day celebration. That event inspired the Broward County Board of Education to make wider-scale plans for Race Unity Day.

Nosrat Scott, a Bahá’í invited by the board to help form an organizing committee, was elected chairperson. Represented on the committee were the school board, the county Human Rights Division, Museum of Discovery and Science, Florida Institute for Peace Education and Research, NAACP, the county library, Hispanic Unity and the Urban League.

After six weeks’ discussion and several changes of plan, the committee decided to hold the celebration at the museum, across the hall from a traveling exhibition called "A Question of Truth" from the Ontario Science Center in Canada. The Sun-Sentinel newspaper wrote: "That eternal oneness of mankind was the thrust of the museum exhibit. ... In a scientific approach some 40 exhibits showed that classifying people by race and sex is more political than biological."

The museum generously reduced the admission charge for that day and added multicultural entertainment to its afternoon schedule.

The Race Unity Day program consisted of speeches, music, dance, and readings of race unity proclamations signed by U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles, and the Broward County Board of Commissioners. Almost 20 local mayors also sent proclamations recognizing June 14 as Race Unity Day.

To top the day off, a Race Unity Day march organized by the Spiritual Assembly of Fort Lauderdale and the Healing of Racism Institute completed its route right outside the museum. The marchers were welcomed inside to attend the evening event.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

n editorial in Sidelines, the student newspaper at Middle Tennessee State University, passed along the Bahá’ís’ public invitation to a race unity dialogue in June as an example of a positive step toward "the process of healing racism in America."

"Racism is the most challenging issue confronting this country to date," the editorial said. "Ignoring this can only result in additional injuries to every American."

PRACTICAL

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

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

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

FIND THE SEEKERS IN YOUR AREA

Find out about the people who live around you: • What are their interests? What do you have in common? • What kind of activities are they interested in? (For example, some cultures and groups prefer activities based on devotions, others prefer music, others prefer talks or lectures. Also, some people prefer family-oriented events, others prefer events that focus on particular age groups.) What is the best way to deliver your message to them?

Get to know new people: Join local organizations. Lead a Girl/Boy Scout troop. • Volunteer at a local soup kitchen. •Teach an ESL class. Volunteer at a library or museum. These are only a few ways to meet new people. If we don’t meet new people we don’t have people to teach. (See Rúhíyyih Khánum’s pamphlet on teaching)

Don’t be afraid to talk: Just about any subject can give you an opening to talk about the Faith. You can bring in Bahá’í concepts or use quotations from the Writings. For example, if the discussion is about education you can introduce the Bahá’í view on education. You can talk about the Core Curriculum program and the service projects at Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute. We often hesititate to mention the Faith but it is surprising how many people are willing to listen.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

Individuals, progressing at their own Ipace, are systematically deepened, trained and included in the life of the community. Community activities confirm individuals; they multiply and grow in complexity as more and more individuals arise to serve. This combination of processes helps move a population toward the New World Order.

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

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

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

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

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

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

A COMMUNITY’S EXPERIENCE

The TV broadcast was a great rallying point for us. It helped bring the community together and got us excited about, and interested in, being involved in teaching. While our Assembly didn’t start out with a year-long plan, we came to realize the importance of planning ahead. Once you get people’s interest you have to have activities and events in which to include them.

We’ve found that some people enjoyed the program but weren’t ready to explore the Faith. However, they did want to be part of the unity-building activities profiled in the program (such as Calling All Colors, the Cemetery restoration project, Bahá’í Youth Workshop etc). Some even wanted to spearhead initiatives and have the Bahá’ís help.

This made us realize the importance of the service projects in which we are involved. They show the community that we really believe in what we say. Our particiation helps those people who are not active seekers learn about the Faith. [Page 35]

NATIONAL TEACHING PLAN SUMMARY

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.

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

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

• The vast majority of the initiative must be local. The National Spiritual Assembly has only enough resources to implement modest efforts at the national level. This will surely change as our community grows, but it underscores the importance of local activity to complement national programs.

Every local community should do whatever it can to undertake proclamation activity. This can include local television, press and radio usage, public events of various types, race unity dialogues, and so on.

• Proclamation must be complemented by other activities. It is essential that local communities provide for adequate follow-up with seekers. Firesides, devotional gatherings, social activities, service projects and other programs should be established, and seekers should be included in all of them.

• Local communities can work together.

• 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.

THE ENTERPRISE BEHIND THE VIDEO

The Satellite Initiative Development Corp. (SIDCorp), producer of The Power of Race Unity, was founded at a Bahá’í media conference in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1994 as a response to a message of the Universal House of Justice.

That message called on believers to have "a sense of mission, a feeling of empowerment to minister to the urgent need of humanity for guidance and thus to win victories for the Faith in their own sphere of life" and to "feel a greater sense of freedom to engage in a wide range of activities originating with themselves."

Today, in addition to The Power of Race Unity, SIDCorp has programs on several subjects in various stages of development: prayer, spiritual transformation, spiritual leadership of American Indians, community, equality of men and women, a talk show and a Spanish language program.

The keynote address at the Nashville conference called for creation of a series of documentary TV programs about the Bahá’í Faith for satellite broadcast over national cable networks.

The founding group of SIDCorp included David Ruhe, a former member of the Universal House of Justice, as executive producer; Counselor Isabel Sanchez of Peru; Mary Kay Radpour; and two members of the National Teaching Committee, William Geissler and Pat Steele.

They presented the National Spiritual Assembly with a proposal to produce a series of magazine-format programs. The Assembly gave the non-profit group permission to raise funds.

SIDCorp adopted two principles to govern production:

• Programs would be designed to communicate as effectively as possible with a designated "target audience" among the mass audience, by addressing its interests and concerns.

• Each program would be tested in its first rough-edit version with a focus group of non-Bahá’í viewers representing this target audience.

Audience research turned up a category that was small but seemed uniquely susceptible to the message of our Faith: those 10 million-20 million Americans who regard themselves as "seeking a new religion." It turned out this target audience was made up mainly of Baby Boomers, women, African-Americans and youth.

Working closely with the National Teaching Committee, SIDCorp struggled through many development phases to create a process for testing and re-editing programs before release.

A focus group criticized the first edited version of The Power of Race Unity in many ways. They concluded that the Faith was a cult and that Bahá’ís did not believe in God, even though God and prayer were spoken about frequently. The program was put through three more complete re-edits before it reached its final version, to ensure the program would not create wrong impressions of the Faith.

Race Unity Day 1998

Beaufort, South Carolina

Preparation, perseverance and loving assistance were key to the Beaufort community capitalizing on the Black Entertainment Television broadcast of The Power of Race Unity. Two newspaper stories and a television interview resulted from the broadcasts and the community's Race Unity Picnic on June 28.

A local TV station made good on a promise to interview Bahá’ís on the subject of race unity in early June, coinciding with the BET broadcasts. "We were able to present the Faith and our local upcoming activities during a news broadcast that reached a maximum audience," a report from the small coastal community said.

Bente Osteras and Gracie Reddicks pose under the community banner at the Race Unity Day picnic in Beaufort, South Carolina.

The prospect of an interview stemmed from several months before, when the Beaufort Bahá’ís trying to work around the fact that the national broadcast on the Odyssey Channel wouldn't reach their cable system approached the station to air The Power of Race Unity. They were unable to arrange that broadcast, but the contact was established so that the community could more readily set up the June interview. "This was the first of several surprises," the report said.

A reporter for the Carolina Morning News, a daily paper distributed in several counties, saw the TV interview and was inspired to write an article in advance of the picnic. It ended up filling most of a page, including photos of the Shrine of the Báb and the House of Worship as well as background information the community had received from the Office of Public Information. The reporter "attended the Race Unity Picnic and became a new friend," the report said.

Meanwhile, a reporter from the Gullah Sentinel, a paper read mainly by African-Americans, attended the picnic and produced a large article on the event, which was printed alongside several pictures of people of varied races having fun together. The story made lengthy reference to the National Spiritual Assembly's statement The Vision of Race Unity and scenes from The Power Of Race Unity program.

"A special thanks is extended to our friends from the neighboring community of Savannah, Georgia," the report said. "They immediately sent a spokesperson to assist one of our community members in the TV interview. Then in further follow-up, their community came out in full force to support our Race Unity Picnic."

—Submitted by Laurent Bernad, Beaufort, SC

Denton, Texas

IN MY HEART NO ROOM FOR PREJUDICE

Denton Bahá’ís proclaim their conviction at their Race Unity Day Picnic.

Mayor Jack Miller issued a proclamation and various grocery stores donated food, drinks and grilling charcoal for the Race Unity Day picnic June 14 at a Denton city park.

John Eddy, professor of intercultural studies at the University of North Texas, spoke on race relations. The celebration culminated with dances of universal peace with a handcrafted banner as backdrop.

The following Saturday, June 20, the Bahá’ís participated in a parade and operated a game booth during the local celebration of Juneteenth, an African-American festival day that began in Texas. [Page 36]

BLACK MEN'S GATHERING

Is Sufficient Unto Me" from some deep, hidden ocean surged with a soul-shaking tenor; prayers fell as a gentle rain, then a shower, and finally as a morning dew. When devotions were done, faces were wet from what closed eyes had witnessed.

THE PROGRAM

Music and prayers are the springs from which the Black Men's Gathering gets its life.

Heath, a first-time attendee, can testify: "Coming out of the prayers, coming out of the singing.... This is the first time in my life I've prayed for two hours.... It's the most incredible feeling in the world."

The gathering is about spiritual transformation. One attendee remarked, "The first day we were here, we deepened all day on the Ridván message. That let me know that it was not about personal stuff, not about anger. It was about Bahá’u’lláh."

Deepening topics included the Ridván 155 message from the Universal House of Justice, the equality of women and men and the education of children. By the end of the week, men had committed themselves to take the spirit they received here back to their communities, and to lovingly and firmly move them to action.

A subject of great importance in the group's consultations was the Universal House of Justice's request that Americans of African descent become traveling teachers and pioneers to the African continent.

Many attendees from previous years have responded to this call, several pledged to go this year, others plan to go in the future, and still others are digging deep to deputize those who wish to go. The men's response to this request is an evidence of the degree of love and obedience they feel toward the Supreme Body.

"I haven't been in a place with more love... more unconditional love. I let down every guard I'd had my whole life." -Daryll King, Tampa, Florida

MOVE TO GREEN ACRE

From the first, the Black Men's Gathering, initiated through the efforts of then-Counselor and now-National Spiritual Assembly member William Roberts, was identified with the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute in South Carolina.

For 11 years, it grew and established itself there. Last year it was suggested the gathering might move north, to a place blessed by the footsteps of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, a place that holds the earthly remains of the first Hand of the Cause of the black race, a place where, indeed, black faces are few.

Response and participation from the greater community was enthusiastic. Local newspapers provided coverage before and after the week's events, including emphasis on the gathering's desire to honor Mr. Gregory's memory and his tireless efforts as a worker for race unity.

On the day of the procession, all were engulfed by the love and unity emanating from these dynamic souls. Even those grown accustomed to the spiritual atmosphere of Green Acre perceived a difference.

"They literally transformed the environment as they walked through," said Green Acre program coordinator Phyllis Ring.

Daryll King of Tampa, Florida, said he was glad a member of his community helped him overcome reluctance to attend the gathering: "I haven't been in a place with more love.... more unconditional love. I let down every guard I'd had my whole life."

King added, "I cannot go back to my community now and be lazy. We've been moved to action by this gathering and by Bahá’u’lláh's Message."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá said that Bahá’u’lláh compared the black people to "the pupil of the eye" that is "surrounded by the white." The Black Men's Gathering seemed to help that pupil bring its powerful vision into focus.

The prayer of that gathering is that the American Bahá’í community embrace this vision with eagerness and gratitude.

WILMETTE INSTITUTE

tion for the people. There is a small staff doing a tremendous amount of work," she said.

Participants also elect a student council, which acts on decisions from weekly 'feasts' that provide an opportunity for the students to pray, consult about issues affecting the group and the Bahá’í world in general, and to socialize.

Consultation during the 'feasts' ranges from discussions about how to keep the group unified through application of the spiritual teachings to more somber topics such as the recent martyrdom of Mr. Ruhollah Rowhani in Iran.

Dr. Stockman described the student council and the weekly feasts as an opportunity to "create an ideal Bahá’í community." The social portion of these feasts, with lots of games and refreshments, helped to build a sense of belonging among what Wildhack calls "a transient community."

Students also made field trips to Holy Name Cathedral and to the resting place of the Hand of the Cause of God Corinne True and her family.

During the farewell dinner on the last night of the Institute, Juana Conrad, assistant secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, gave a talk on "Morality the Government of One's Self." The student council donated a new copy of The Dawn-Breakers to the Wilmette Institute library, and certificates of achievement were awarded to each student.

Dr. Keyvan Nazerian, a staff member of the National Teaching Office and faculty member of the Institute, said a feeling of warmth permeated the night that the students and faculty had together. "The atmosphere was joyous, loving and uplifting."

Alice Fero of Afton, Oklahoma, now in her third year of the program, feels an increased level of devotion to the Faith and is ready to share her positive experiences with others.

"The Institute has confirmed me in the Covenant. It has made me dig into the books," she said. "I've read more in the past three years than I had in the past 25 before. It has taught me what the Bahá’í Faith really is. The Institute teaches people by doing and then you teach others how to do. They've taught us to be systematic and to have a plan. It has taught us to be servants of Bahá, that to serve is what we're here to do."

Miles echoes Fero's enthusiasm and appreciation of the program's emphasis on systematization, as encouraged by the Ridván 155 B.E. letter from the Universal House of Justice. "I'm more relaxed now about teaching and I know where to find the answers in the Bahá’í writings. In addition to studying the Faith we've studied sociology and psychology. I understand other people's perspectives and I've learned to listen to them," she said.

"We're only at the start of building this world order. Every community should make an effort to deputize or send people to the Wilmette Institute. They [the community] will receive an invaluable reward from it."

WILMETTE INSTITUTE UPDATE

• Mini-course on world religion, philosophy, and theology at Bosch Bahá’í School

Sept. 11-13: Dr. Behrooz Sabet will speak about "Modern Philosophy and the Bahá’í Faith." The program will begin Friday evening and end Sunday at noon. In addition to Bosch's weekend registration fee, the course costs $75 if you register two weeks in advance, and $100 at the door. The program is open to anyone curious to learn a bit about philosophy from a Bahá’í perspective and how philosophy helps us understand and appreciate the insights in the Bahá’í writings.

Dec. 18-20 there sill be a course on Islam from a Bahá’í perspective.

CANCELLATION: A course on Bahá’í theology Oct. 30-Nov. I has been canceled.

• Correspondence courses

Home study (no residential requirement)

Sept. 4-Feb. 28: Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Students will read the Aqdas and related documents from beginning to end, then consider them topic by topic. Registration will close when the course fills; if space remains, late students may be enrolled throughout September. Course has been extended to run six months.

Oct. 3-March 30: Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, 1868-92. Students will study the major works of Bahá’u’lláh revealed in 'Akká, including some Tablets to the Kings, the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, tablets revealed after the Aqdas and the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf. Students wishing to extend their study beyond March 30 will be assisted to do so. This is a second session of the course; the first began in July.

Cost for either course is $200, or $160 per member of a registered local study group of three or more. All correspondence courses include participation in an e-mail listserver (if one has e-mail), the opportunity to participate in conference calls, and use of the course's special Web site.

For more information Contact the Wilmette Institute at 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 847-733-3415, automated information line 847-733-3595, fax 847-733-3563, e-mail Web site www.usbnc.org/wilmette). [Page 37]

REGIONAL BAHÁ’Í COUNCILS

"[We] urge the members of the Regional Councils to press forward quickly in effecting sound action that will boost the thrust in the expansion and consolidation of the community, so that there will be no slackening of the momentum already achieved, but rather a greater upsurge in activity than has as yet been evident." -Universal House of Justice, in its letter to the Regional Bahá’í Councils of the United States, Dec. 12, 1997

SOUTHERN STATES

Our Council has appointed almost 40 agencies to help advance the process of entry by troops in the South. Twenty-one of these agencies have been mandated to focus specific attention on teaching activities (ie. State Teaching Committees in each of the 16 states and five Coordinating Teams in various metropolitan and rural areas that we feel have tremendous potential for large scale growth).

Some of the other agencies are developing strategies on race unity, regional training institutes, travel teaching, publishing material specifically designed for Southerners, unit convention, e-mail communication, etc.

Our regional plan is developing through an organic process. At our first meeting we identified five items that we felt were challenges for the Southern believers. They included:

1) Feeling a personal spiritual connection to Bahá’u’lláh 2) Having a clear sense of mission 3) Teaching with confidence and courage and providing for effective teaching skills training 4) Nurturing a loving, accepting environment that embraces diversity of all kinds 5) Ensuring effective and sustained collaboration between the twin arms of the Administrative Order

Almost 100% of the Assemblies we asked agreed with that assessment of challenges. We are developing lines of action to address each one.

We are encouraging individual initiative to get more people involved in the process. We support and encourage an intensification of all types of teaching and a much greater reliance on Bahá’u’lláh to effect the acceleration of entry by troops in the South. As the plan continues to be unveiled we feel assured that victory will soon be at hand.

We have our Council meetings in a different state each month and make it a point to always meet and greet the friends in each area. Getting to know them and experiencing their enthusiasm is very energizing for our Council.

WESTERN STATES

3) Devising a region-wide youth program while promoting collective endeavors by the youth. 4) Enhancing, nurturing and networking regional training institutes. 5) Improving Unit Convention quality and attendance. 6) Accelerating expansion and consolidation efforts, and foster initiatives aimed at reaching all strata of the diverse human family.

Among initial lines of action:

• Communicated with all 470 Local Spiritual Assemblies in the region, sharing the Council's vision, inviting them to share their expansion and consolidation plans and encouraging them to continue the planning in collaboration with the Auxiliary Boards.

This correspondence has informed Assemblies of initial phases of the regional plan, for their consultation and sharing with their communities.

• Encouraged plans to continue developing the Assemblies themselves, such as the use of the training modules provided by the National Office of Assembly Development.

• Continuing to meet with the friends throughout the region.

• Inviting suggestions from and consultation with the youth.

• Assessing how training institutes are working in the region and how they are customized to the local population.

Established a Unit Conventions Office and appointed a coordinator, who is developing written and videotaped training materials for convention planning teams. Sent out a deepening booklet on Unit Convention. Asked Assemblies to aid development of the conventions in their unit.

• Investigating ways to set up collaborative efforts for teaching the Faith to the many cultural groups in this region.

Planning a Media Coordinating Office to work with Local Assemblies to assure systematic response to national proclamation efforts.

As the Council members become more familiar with the region, as Assemblies share their plans and actions, as the Counselors and their Board members offer advice, the regional plan is evolving through consultation.

NORTHEASTERN STATES

The Regional Teaching Plan for the Northeastern Region mirrors the National Teaching Plan with regard to the core and supporting strategies. We have tailored the regional plan to the needs in our region.

The plan is focused on raising the spiritual dedication and action of the individual believers and Local Spiritual Assemblies. Individual prayer, deepening, meditation, teaching and service are emphasized as the friends express their love of Bahá’u’lláh and His redeeming message.

In some areas we are still in planning stages. In other areas, such as the media initiative, we are well advanced in the process. At this point the Council is laying a firm foundation and is trying to develop a loving relationship with our region through letters and community meetings.

CENTRAL STATES

The regional plan for the Central States has been constructed over six months.

The Universal House of Justice emphasized two complementary, interwoven and sustained activities for advancing the process of entry by troops: "working towards embracing masses of new believers" and "setting in motion the means for effecting their spiritual and administrative training and development." The Council believes that the believers and institutions can repeatedly perform these two activities best by focusing on the following five goals:

1) Generate new expansion and consolidation projects, or refine or enlarge such projects already in motion. 2) Enhance the teaching effort among racial minorities and youth. 3) Strengthen and support efforts to promote racial unity and the equality of men and women. 4) Promote an increase in contributions to the Fund, and develop regional economic resources. 5) Enhance and increase efforts to train human resources in the fundamental verities of the Faith, with emphasis on developing knowledgeable and active teachers of the Faith.

Strategies to accomplish these goals:

Distribute the Council's plan to encourage new and existing projects, with Assemblies, communities and individuals, to be supported by regional training institutes.

• Create a task force for youth and promote participation in conferences among youth.

• Create task forces for American Indian, Latin American, African-American, and Chinese teaching.

• Support the national media campaign for race unity, promote the Two Wings of a Bird statement, appoint a Regional Committee for the Advancement of Women, and promote diverse participation in conferences.

Encourage attention to the needs of the Fund, seeking help from Auxiliary Board members and assistants. Support the National Treasurer's Office's Stewardship and Development seminars, and educate the friends about regional Bahá’í funds.

Encourage development of local training institutes, establish and/or strengthen regional training institutes, support and promote a network of travel teachers, and support participation of Assemblies in the Local Spiritual Assembly Development Program.

The Council has sent letters and other communications to the friends with the text of the plan, as well as discussing the plan wherever the Council or its representatives have met with the friends. E-mail and telephone communications will also be used to discuss the plan and answer any questions. [Page 38]

NORTHEASTERN STATES

The love and a genuine sense of intimacy with which the members of the National Assembly once again showered the Councils was revitalizing, motivating and felt like a breath of fresh air at this critical time of the Four Year Plan.

The issues were discussed in a spiritual atmosphere permeated with love, honesty and candor. The topics of consultation such as the challenges to advance, foster systematization and assure consistency in the teaching work, training institutes, youth, building the Bahá’í system, fund development and budget challenges and creating strong Local Spiritual Assemblies enabled the Councils to develop a deeper insight into these challenging issues.

It truly was a spiritual conference. Judge [James] Nelson and Jack McCants lightened the room with their wonderful senses of humor. Judge Nelson did a fantastic job in chairing the meeting.

WESTERN STATES

Like other Bahá’í experiences, the spirit of the gathering built as the weekend sessions progressed. The National Spiritual Assembly set a wonderful example by giving the large majority of the sessions for the Councils to share their progress and challenges and ask questions to learn from each other.

It was also a wonderful experience to informally discuss the needs of the Cause with the members of the National Assembly. The bond that was developed between the Councils and the National Assembly, and between the Councils, was perhaps the most energizing part of the weekend gathering.

World Order

YOUR WINDOW TO TEACHING, DEEPENING, AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS WORK

Spring 1998 issue: The practical application of spiritual principles in the past and the future • A provocative editorial called "2000-Apocalypse or Rebirth?" calls for thought about the much-discussed end of the century. "Language as Justice in the New World Order" takes up the vexed problem of a universal auxiliary language and the matter of justice in its realization. "American Bahá’í Publishing: 1896-1922" explores the means by which the early North American Bahá’ís met the challenge of making information about their newfound Faith available to as many as possible—and, in the process, ends up showing how the more things change the more they stay the same.

Don't forget the Fall 1997 issue: A collector's item devoted to Shoghi Effendi on the 100th anniversary of his birth

To subscribe Fill out form, mail to: Bahá’í Subscriber Service 5397 Wilbanks Drive Chattanooga, TN 37343-4047 Phone 800-999-9019 (Single issues available on phone orders for $5 plus shipping/handling)

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

SHIP TO: Address City & State ZIP/Postal Code Daytime

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Is this a gift for person listed in "Ship To"? Circle one: Y N Daytime phone e-mail or fax Credit card order? Circle one: VISA MC Amex Discover Credit card# Exp. Cardholder sign here. Date

Type of subscription (check one): United States: 1 year $19, 2 years $36 All other countries, surface mail: 1 year $19, 2 years $36 All other countries, air mail: 1 year $24, 2 years $46

Also memorable was going to the House of Worship for morning prayers preceding each of the full-day sessions. The ride back and forth to the House of Worship provided wonderful opportunities for one-to-one exchanges between individual Council members and networking of Council secretaries to share methodologies, challenges and solutions.

SOUTHERN STATES

Our beloved National Spiritual Assembly conveyed to us their immense love and appreciation. Feeling this tremendous love and having several hours of serious and heartfelt consultation gave us a lot of confidence, insights and energy.

We felt a greater actualization of the May 19, 1994, letter from the Universal House of Justice as the National Assembly took us into its confidence; it allowed us to consult openly and frankly, and there was a greater sensitivity to the participation of women in the meetings.

CENTRAL STATES

The Council energized itself through prayer with the National Assembly and the other Councils, and by drawing upon the knowledge, love, wisdom, connection to the Covenant, warmth, and spiritual intimacy expressed by the Assembly and the other Councils. The flow of spirit experienced in such circumstances miraculously energizing.

It was memorable to hear the reports of the other Councils, learning of the Assemblies', believers' and institutes' achievements in different parts of the country. The process is advancing!

SOUTHERN STATES

As a result of the meeting, we feel more of a partnership with the National Assembly and our sister Councils. We also feel a greater sense of urgency realizing that we have a "date with destiny." We have only a few precious months left to accelerate the process of entry by troops.

We want to focus more of our time and energy on what will accelerate the process of entry by troops. There will be a greater emphasis on teaching, youth, music and strengthening Assemblies.

Some of the most memorable Council activities are our meetings with the senior institutions (i.e. the National Spiritual Assembly twice, and two members of the Continental Board of Counselors for the Americas—Tod Ewing and Alejandra Miller). The love and insights gleaned from these meetings are wonderful.

CENTRAL STATES

The Council has been building its love, unity, efficiency, sense of vision, and how specific detailed matters fit into that vision. Our meeting after the sessions with the National Spiritual Assembly showed an acceleration of that movement.

The Council's goals were clearly defined and refined already, due to the intense and prolonged effort directed toward constructing our plan over the last six months. Listening to the National Assembly's views, concerns, confidences and vision, plus learning from the other Councils' progress, helped to confirm the directions we had previously begun to take, and highlight the efficacy of our intentions.

NORTHEASTERN STATES

The topics of consultation during the weekend deepened our understanding of the critical nature of the issues at hand and heightened our awareness and sense of urgency "to press forward quickly in effecting sound action that will boost the thrust in the expansion and consolidation of the community...."

Before the Council even met after the June meeting, we already felt its impact in our conference calls.

It seems every time we are together is very special. The orientation meeting of the councils in Wilmette in December, this one in June, our meetings with youth and community that take place every month at a different location in the region, are extremely energizing and uplifting for the Council.

WESTERN STATES

The December gathering put the Councils in motion; the June gathering was a shift into a higher gear of maturity and action. The Regional Council felt reassured that it was on track with its strategies and lines of action.

What was very clear from the comments over the weekend was an urgent need for more individuals to arise with heroic action as courageous teachers of the Cause, as well as the need for more campaigns and projects that create a higher-level teacher effort through collective community enterprise.

As the national media initiative continues to draw more seekers to investigate the message of Bahá’u’lláh, the communities are challenged to lovingly and systematically share His healing message and befriend the receptive masses the media effort will produce.

The Council views training the friends as vital to expansion and consolidation of the Faith in this region. A major portion of the Council's meeting immediately after the June session was devoted to developing strategies for boosting the thrust in the further development of regional training institutes. [Page 39]

A personal tribute

BY DAN GEIGER

How a weekend with Ronald Van Pelt hastened the evolution of a 'rookie Bahá’í’

It has only been four years since a friend told me she was a Bahá’í and I replied, "What's that?"

Little did I realize that God was pushing the fast-forward button on my life. I investigated the Faith and eventually declared, determined to enjoy this gentle religion in the solitude and peace of a comfortable corner.

I found peace but not solitude. Bahá’u’lláh dispatched a cadre of the faithful to evict me from my corner. Not the least of these spiritual warriors was Ron Van Pelt, who passed away in April, a year after we met. He had disarmed my ego, laid aside my vanity and shone the light of Bahá into my life.

Thursday, April 24, 1997. I am checking into the Holiday Inn O'Hare Airport near Chicago while the lobby fills with the delegates to the 88th National Bahá’í Convention.

As a rookie Bahá’í representing my electoral district, I am amazed by the energy and activity filling the lobby. Standing in line at the registration desk, I have a sinking feeling there is no room at the inn.

I am sent to one room, only to find it occupied. Conversation between the clerks at the registration desk rings of overbooking.

Standing next to me is a gentleman whose room has an extra bed because his family was unable to accompany him. Two, maybe three sentences are exchanged and we become roommates. I add my name to his registration and pick up my bags.

Upstairs, I find my roommate has already unpacked. Weary after a long day of traveling, I empty my pockets. I toss $300 in cash, several credit cards and other personal effects onto the nightstand before leaving to change clothes in another part of the small suite. It is not my habit to trust my valuables to strangers but my new roommate already seems more like a friend.

Realizing I don't know his name, I say, "My name is Dan. What's yours?"

"Ron," he replies.

"Are you a Bahá’í?" I ask.

He smiles. "Yes, and I know you are." He says he can spot fellow Bahá’ís.

The exchange explains my comfort in trusting this stranger in a big city. He was my brother in Bahá, showing that "pure, kindly and radiant heart" that Bahá’u’lláh describes in the Hidden Words.

The experience is comfortable but novel. I grew up in rural Montana with little or no diversity. I'm a Caucasian country boy; Ron is a city-bred African-American. I standing 5'9" and Ron towers well over 6 feet. But the differences prove to be only superficial.

The next four days unfold like lotus blossoms. Ron showers me with kindness, compassion and permission to be human as our acquaintance generates gems of beauty and fragrance.

Newfound friendship generated nourishment for our souls, nourishment for our marriages, nourishment for salvation.

Weary from a busy day we sink into our beds, turn out the lights and exchange goodnights. Moments later one of us asks, "You awake?" and two hearts connect for another hour of conversation.

We would break it off at 1 a.m. And again at 2 a.m., 3 a.m. and 3:30. The excitement of newfound friendship in the Faith holds sleep hostage.

There is much territory of the heart to explore. "How did you become a Bahá’í?" "What is your family like?" "How long have you been married?" More important, "What is Bahá’í marriage like?" "Do you ever suffer vain imagination?" and all the questions, thoughts and feelings reserved for those we trust.

Newfound friendship generated nourishment for our souls, nourishment for our marriages, nourishment for salvation. Glimpses of Bahá and what it means to be a follower of Bahá’u’lláh, challenges and a calling to step forward as a spiritual warrior for the Cause, were just a few of the bounties I reaped from this deepened Bahá’í. Bahá’u’lláh had placed me face to face with a man who would lead me, push me and on occasion roust me from my comfortable corner of the Faith. More important, he brought a gift of healing.

At Convention's end I drive Ron to Union Station. I try to put our meeting in perspective. He talks of growing up black and his struggle to heal the hurts of racism.

As we park the car and retrieve his bags from the trunk, I thank him for his kindness, love and understanding during the past four days.

He looks at me and says, "You may not understand this, but key in the healing of a black man's wounds from racism is his need to feel the love of a white man. I feel that love from you. Thank you."

I look into his kind eyes and say, "I feel the same."

Today Ron looks down from the Abhá Kingdom, a mighty member of the Concourse on High. I caution any Bahá’í who might call upon him for assistance in teaching the Faith to beware. He will stretch you, lead you, roust you out of your comfortable Bahá’í corner and push you to places you have only seen in your dreams. Be prepared to pick up the Banner of Bahá’u’lláh, be prepared to march into the fray of spiritual battle for the Cause and be prepared to be victorious.

Casey Walton was 'spiritual father' to many in Nashville

The Nashville, Tennessee, Bahá’í community was saddened by the passing May 7 of Casey Walton, a devoted servant of Bahá’u’lláh and spiritual father to many Nashville Bahá’ís.

In a life dedicated in service to his Faith, his family and his community, Mr. Walton also built a thriving insurance business.

Born March 3, 1911, in Rail, Georgia, he was a small child when his family moved to Chicago. It was there he first heard of the Bahá’í Faith as a young man, but he began investigating the Faith seriously after moving to Nashville, marrying and developing his business. He declared his faith in Bahá’u’lláh soon after meeting Maude Barnes, one of the first Bahá’ís in the city.

First elected soon after his declaration, Mr. Walton served on the Spiritual Assembly of Nashville for almost 45 consecutive years. He was instrumental in teaching of the Faith throughout Tennessee and the South, and served on various district and regional teaching committees.

In 1979 he served on the National Teaching Committee; for numerous years he was a delegate from Tennessee to the National Convention; and he served as an assistant to Auxiliary Board member Sam McClellan.

Casey Walton was a member of the Nashville, Tennessee, Spiritual Assembly for nearly 45 straight years and was host to weekly firesides for decades.

For decades the Walton family hosted weekly firesides in their home, and many Nashville-area Bahá’ís credit Mr. Walton for their confirmation in the Faith. He continued to teach as long as he could, still hosting firesides until illness and repeated hospital visits prevented him. Even gravely ill, he found ways to teach the hospital staff.

He was also active in the community at large, and received several awards and accolades for his service.

Mr. Walton is survived by his wife, Alice; his daughter and son-in-law, Marcia and Paul Lample of Haifa; and three grandchildren.

IN MEMORIAM

Debi Ann Bekele Buda, TX June 8, 1998

Madeline Boyle El Centro, CA April 1998

Madelyn V. Floyd Chicago, IL March 19, 1998

Yuki Hachisu Cambridge, MA May 19, 1998

Dossie Lee Hathaway Raleigh, NC June 23, 1998

Hayat Jarrah Jordan June 25, 1998

John Charles Jones Norfolk, VA July 24, 1998

L. Beryl Kendrick Hinsdale, NH May 29, 1998

Suzanne Kuykendall Quinlan, TX July 23, 1998

Torrell Mason Chicago, IL June 26, 1998

Batoul Farrokhzadeh Naraghi Menlo Park, CA July 14, 1998

James Neill Lincoln, NE July 22, 1998

Maria Novak Frazier Park, CA June 29, 1998

Hossain Sabeti Orlando, FL June 20, 1998

Beatrice Somerhalder Suamico, WI July 22, 1998

Waverly Trent Farmville, VA March 19, 1998

Antoinette Tummarello Hollywood, FL March 25, 1998

Lillie Willis Portland, OR July 2, 1998

Shamsozzoha Rajai-Dana Columbia, MD June 19, 1998 [Page 40]lassified notices in The American Bahá’í are published free of charge to the Bahá’í community. Because of this, notices are limited to items relat- ing to the Faith; no personal or com- mercial 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

Project Manager for the Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois Will supervise ongoing restoration and conservation of the Holiest House of Worship and coordinate development projects at the National Center, permanent schools and insti- tutes. Will provide technical guidance in design, project development, project management, acquisitions, facility man- agement and construction.

Qualifications include professional training and a minimum of eight years' responsible experience in the develop- ment and project management field. A strategic and spiritually rewarding position for the achievement of the highest standards of maintenance of the properties which are a sacred trust of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Please send résumé to the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733- 3427, fax 847-733-3430). For more information about the position, please contact Louis Offstein, Support Ser- vices Coordinator at the Bahá’í Nation- al Center (phone 847-733-3435, e-mail ).

Administrator, the Bahá’í Home A unique opportunity for "work in service to others," which Bahá’u’lláh has raised to the status of worship. You won't find a more rewarding challenge. Administrative and supervisory expe- rience desirable but a loving heart and a desire to serve, grow and learn are the most important qualifications.

Contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430).

AT THE BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER

Accountant, Office of the Treasurer. Applicant should have strong interper- sonal and analytic skills and be familiar with integrated PC-based accounting software. Experience in implementing internal control procedures is highly desirable. Must have degree in account- ing or equivalent accounting experience. Some travel required. Must be able to maintain a sense of humor while working in a fast-paced, flexible environment. Appreciation for the importance of confi- dentiality essential. If interested, contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430).

THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í & BRILLIANT STAR MAGAZINE

Print Production Specialist for Bahá’í Media Services. Provides production support for The American Bahá’í and Brilliant Star magazine. Assists in design and layout of both publications. Works with printers and outside vendors to ensure smooth production of each issue; with freelance authors, illustrators, writ- ers and designers to acquire content for both publications. Qualifications include a strong command of all phases of digital print production, including design, lay- out, photo editing, copy editing, produc- tion, and digital prepress; a minimum of two years' experience with Quark Xpress and Adobe Photoshop in a newspaper, magazine or other print production environment; experience with Illustra- tor and Freehand; skill in verbal and written communication; ability to work with minimum supervision. If interest- ed, contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430).

Service opportunities at the Bahá’í World Center

THE MOUNT CARMEL PROJECTS, constructing the buildings and terraces of the Arc in Haifa, Israel, have the following opportunity for service:

• Interior designer. Needs experience in execution and supervision.

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 BAHÁ’Í OFFICES, NEW YORK

Professional translators, Spanish/French. The Bahá’í Internation- al Community United Nations Office in New York is seeking to identify Bahá’ís with strong language skills to assist with periodic translations from English to either French or Spanish. The highest- caliber skills are essential given the sensi- tive nature of the materials to be trans- lated. Prior experience in professional translation is extremely helpful. Please contact Dorothy Longo, Operations Officer, Bahá’í International Community, United Nations Office, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017 (phone 212-803-2500, e-mail ).

AT BOSCH BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL

Immediate opening for full-time Regis- trar. Responsible for all aspects of session registration: requests for information, registering guests, associated financial transactions. Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong phone skills desirable. Must be well-orga- nized, thorough, patient, flexible and skilled in consultation. Should project enthusiasm for the work, sincere feeling of caring and desire to serve others. Needs common computer skills; experi- ence in advanced word processing, data- base and e-mail highly desirable. Basic accounting knowledge preferred. Experi- ence in hotel, school or office environ- ments is desirable. Some college experi- ence required; bachelor's degree prefer- able. Limited on-campus housing may be available, best suited to single individuals.

Assistant facilities manager. Responsible for maintenance of buildings, grounds, equipment and vehicles for Bosch; helps direct the work of volunteers. Responsi- ble for creating and maintaining operat- ing procedures and system documenta- tion. Works on all renovation, repair, restoration and new construction. Must have knowledge and skills in building and equipment maintenance, plumbing, elec- trical, carpentry, roofing, painting, masonry, etc. Strongly prefer applicant with five years' experience in facility management (hotel, motel, school, con- dominium, light industrial plant, etc.), with at least three years supervising three or more workers. Basic computer literacy (database, spreadsheet, word processing) is necessary; CAD experience desirable. Organization and consultation skills, flex- ibility and enthusiasm are essential. Building contractor experience very desirable. Vehicle maintenance skills desirable.

A diverse field of applicants is strongly encouraged. If interested in either posi- tion, contact Mark J. Bedford, Co- Administrator, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, e-mail ).

AT GREEN ACRE BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL

Maintenance worker. Enthusiastic, industrious, spiritually motivated. Gener- al knowledge of custodial duties, building maintenance and repair, grounds work, and mechanical systems helpful. High skill in interior/exterior painting a plus. Work environment requires a resourceful person dedicated to courtesy, meticulous attention to detail. Minorities, women encouraged to apply. Professional training available. Contact James M. Sacco, Co- Administrator, Green Acre Bahá’í School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903-1800 (phone 207-439-7200, fax 207-438-9940, e-mail ).

AT THE WILHELM PROPERTY

Caretakers needed at the Wilhelm Prop- erty in Teaneck, New Jersey. Mature per- son(s) to perform custodial and mainte- nance duties for the buildings and grounds of this historic property. Includes coordination with the Local Spiritual Assembly of Teaneck and other Assem- blies in the area for regional Sunday school and other programs on the prop- erty. About 20 hours of service each week is necessary for proper upkeep. An apart- ment including utilities is provided on the second floor of the Wilhelm House. For more information and to discuss your qualifications, please contact Sam Con- rad, Properties Department, Bahá’í National Center (phone 847-853-2314).

INTERNATIONAL

China: Numerous openings for English teachers and professionals willing to trav- el for service in this rapidly developing country. For more information contact Susan Senchuk (phone 847-733-3506, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail ).

PIONEERING/OVERSEAS

Although the Office of Pioneering tries to help by providing information on employment opportunities that come to its attention, it does not have the resources for actual job placement.

AFRICA: Botswana Chief executive officer Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority. Burundi Assistant country representative (CRS), community health nurse, intern primary health care nurse, field managers (IRC), site manager/construction rehab manager (IMC), shelter manager. Cameroon- World Bank financial management spe- cialist. Côte d'Ivoire-Finance manager. Gambia-Manager for Permanent Insti- tute. Ghana-Executive director National Development Planning/Poverty Reduction/Social Investment Fund. Kenya Country program adviser (UNAID), medical coordinator Kakuma Refugee Camp, program coordinator (IRC). Liberia Field project manager (IRC). Malawi-Country director (Care). Mali-USAID team leader infor- mation and communication. Mozam- bique-Child survival training coordina- tor, program manager (HNI), senior auditor. Nigeria Director Resource and Crop Management Division, director Crop Improvement Division, economist (IITA). Rwanda-Field coordinator, Unaccompanied Minors Program techni- cal adviser (IRC). Senegal Small enter- prise development trainers. Sudan- Capacity building manager (IRC), health officer, field manager (IRC). Swaziland Senior special education adviser. Uganda-Country program adviser (UNAIDS). Zambia-Senior associate health finance adviser (USAID), teachers, basic education adviser, disaster mitigation and preparedness coordinator, Africa monetization technical adviser.

AMERICAS: Bahamas-Self-support- ing couple to caretake National Center. Bermuda Coordinator of 50th Anniversary activities in July. Bolivia- Child Survival Project manager. Brazil Project manager (CRS). Costa Rica- Political and ecological resource econo- mist. El Salvador Teachers, tutors, traveling teachers for SED projects. Guyana Volunteer trainers for Literacy Project. Haiti-Director human rights education, area representative. Honduras Teachers. Jamaica-Envi- ronmental program manager, environ- mental specialist, project coordinator. Mexico Marine resource social scientist, Community Service Program (AFSC), area representative, teachers Universidad de Quintana Roo. Nicaragua-Basic Educational and Training Program (AID). Suriname Clinical specialists. Trinidad and Tobago Team leader, pro- curement specialist (MCDI). Turks & Caicos Marine resource economist, environmental planner, marine policy and resource planner, government doc- tors, health educators. Venezuela-care- takers for National Institute.

ASIA: Afghanistan-Project manager (MCI), Field coordinator (IRC), gender adviser/director level (UNOPS). Arme- nia-Environmental law liaison, country director (OSI). Azerbaijan-Small enterprise development and micro-credit specialist (IRC), Reconstruction Program officer. Bangladesh-Technical adviser for training (INTRAH), director for International Center for Diarhoeal Dis- ease Research. Burma-Program manag- er, special projects director (PST), senior projects director. Cambodia-Program manager (HNI), prosthetist, orthotist lecturer, reproductive health adviser. Georgia Human rights field officer (UN). India-Program manager, Alliance representative. Japan-ESL teachers, engineering manager, R&D mechanical engineer. Kazakhstan- Engineering manager, R&D mechanical engineer, Au-Pair/teacher. Korea-Uni- versity ESL teacher. Malaysia-Principal adviser, senior specialists, senior advisers (UNOPS). North Korea-Analyst (CRS). Philippines-Librarian Asian Development Bank. Singapore Fitness membership salesperson. South Asia- Development managers. Thailand- Country director (IRC), country pro- gram adviser (UNAIDS), volunteer physician. Taiwan-Teachers. Ukraine- Environmental law liaison. Vietnam- National data management consultant (UNDP), field project manager, (Viet- nam and Southeast Asia) industry consul- tants.

AUSTRALASIA: Australia-Natural resource economist tropical agriculture. Postdoctoral fellowship/research fellow- ship in international relations. Fiji- Director Pacific Regional Rights Resource Team Project. Kiribati-Print- ing set-up/train for National Assembly. Solomon Islands-Custodians at the Bahá’í Center. Western Caroline Islands Self-supporting assistant to the [Page 41]National Assembly secretary. EUROPE: Austria—Chinese translator (IAEA), technical writer (IAEA), treasurer (IAEA), legal officer(IAEA), director Division of Conference and Document Services (IAEA), personnel officer, head-Office of Internal Audit and Evaluation support, senior auditor. Belgium—SME and economic reform advisers. Bosnia—Country director, NGO Program manager (IRC), project manager information centers (IRC), physical therapy educator, occupational therapy educator, orthotist (Project Hope), program manager, senior media professional. Czech Republic—Primary and secondary teachers in mathematics, science, humanities, Spanish, English as a secondary language, Montessori teacher. Germany—Personnel officer (ESO), postdoctoral fellows in Center for Economic Studies U. of Munich, manager of information support (UNFCCC), economists. Ireland—Research post for Northern Ireland Economic Research Centre. Italy—Administrative director. Kosovo—Emergency project officer (MCI). Moldova—Commercial law adviser. Netherlands—Senior lecturer in international relations and development. NIS—Economic program adviser. Poland—Junior lecturer in public policy. Russia—Biomedical research fellow, head of business consulting, partner audit-head of oil and gas, economic research expert, international finance, economic development/regional investment specialist, facility protection officers, agricultural lending/credit specialist, international finance, women’s issues legal specialist. Slovakia—Teachers and English teachers. Sweden—Assistant professor total quality management, project manager, professor in project management, associate professor in project management, Chalmers U. of Technology. Switzerland—Chief Water, Sanitation and Health, chief Urban Environmental Health, technical officer (WHO), international corporate editor, business development analyst, head of media relations, assistant corporate editor. Ukraine—Senior adviser (IRF), program director (economics education), Economic Reform Program adviser, Commercial law adviser. United Kingdom—Program officers, consultants, program assistants, director of sales, professorship in the Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Dept. U. of Reading. Yugoslavia (former)—Program support manager (IOCC), program managers.

MULTI-REGIONAL: Highway engineers and specialists in Francophone West Africa. Microfinance professional, Africa. Livestock restocking project officer, Burundi and Rwanda. Agribusiness consultants worldwide, project managers, social development consultants, international management consultancies, consultants for private, public and social sector development, intermediate technology consultants. Support services for agricultural projects, project identification and development, sustainable project management (CTS). International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX), teaching for economists, lawyers and social scientists. USAID trainers Central and Eastern Europe and NIS. Advocacy training specialists (ADF). Senior judicial and legal reform advisers for Central and South Americas (ARD). Staff public finance specialist (ARD). Senior sales manager South America. FMS contract administrator, training specialist, supply management analyst. Area representatives for mainland Southeast Asia and Central America (World Neighbors). Managers and specialists for SAC International. Peace Corps—foresters, parks and wildlife, environmental education and awareness. Water and sanitation engineers, Agronomists for Action Against Hunger. American Refugee Committee, Breast Cancer

Treatment/Prevention Central Europe, Consultants in Eastern and Central Europe, English Teaching Fellows (ETF), Teachers in international training in women’s and development projects, international sales and marketing, internships (some paid positions) reproductive health program, rural self-help, HIV/AIDS education. Volunteers in Africa and Latin America (Visions in Action). Rule of law specialists (ARD), associate liaisons, rule of law liaisons, intellectual property legal specialist NIS, Central and Eastern European Law Initiative (ABA/CEELI). Volunteer country specialists (AIUSA). Field internships Central Asia. Senior special education advisor (Habitat for Humanity). CEELI law related opportunities in 19 countries throughout the world. GFA Medical public health staff and short-term consultants. International Medical Corps (IMC). Global Classroom Inc. offers free placement assistance to English as a second/foreign language (ESL/EFL) professionals seeking overseas employment. All positions require at least an ESL/EFL certificate or one year ESL/EFL teaching experience.

URGENT NEEDS

BAHAMAS—Self-supporting couple to serve as caretakers for National Center.

BELIZE—Couple or single individual to serve as caretaker for Bahá’í Center in Belmopan, national capital.

COSTA RICA—Full-time service for 6–12 months for Spanish-speaking, self-supporting (preferred) youth to work with Bahá’í Youth Workshop.

HONDURAS—Elementary and secondary school teachers.

MACAU—The School of Nations needs qualified kindergarten, primary and secondary teachers.

SOLOMON ISLANDS—Self-supporting couple to serve as custodians of the Bahá’í Center in Honiara. Volunteer to train National Center office staff.

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS—Medical personnel including family physicians with a variety of specialties, internist, obstetrician, health care service manager, clerical officer, biomedical technician and medical records officer.

VENEZUELA—Self-supporting couple (preferable) to serve as caretakers of the Bahá’í National Center and assistants to the National Assembly secretary.

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

PIONEERING/HOMEFRONT

Cortez, Colorado offers a great pioneer’s challenge and opportunity. A dedicated Spiritual Assembly will be in jeopardy when a couple pioneers to Cyprus. This small city in the Four Corners area is the hub of a ranching/farming county, near desert and mountains. Within 45 minutes of Durango (home of Ft. Lewis College), Cortez is next door to Ute and Navajo Indian Reservations. We can refer you to housing; recent want ads call for a journalist/educator, sales and insurance executive, medical and other professionals, and construction workers. Contact Art and Ruth Hampson, 1202 Melrose St., Cortez, CO 81321 (phone 970-565-2632, e-mail ).

Service-minded friends needed to keep the Bahá’í groups of Jeddito, Arizona, and the Hopi Indian Reservation alive and functioning. An opportunity to teach and work with the Navajo, Hopi and Tewa peoples. There are openings for special areas educators at the local school district. For information, please contact Penny Boivin (phone 520-738-5424).

PROJECTS WITHIN U.S.

Help the Bahá’ís of Canton, Ohio, work toward a Spiritual Assembly by teaching through music! We cordially invite singers to participate in the Bahá’í One World Choir and Concert, directed by Tom Price, Nov. 14–15. The event, sponsored by the Kent Spiritual Assembly, will be held in the prestigious Players Guild Theater at the Canton Civic Center. There will be an all-day rehearsal and an evening performance on Saturday. We will perform Sunday afternoon at nearby Walsh University. For information, please contact Barbara Baumgartner, Director, Bahá’í Choir of Northeast Ohio, Solon OH 44139 (phone 440-248-7817, e-mail ). Deadline for registration is Sept. 30.

WANTED

Wanted: Students to help establish a Bahá’í Club on the Montana Tech campus in Butte, Montana. U.S. News and World Report has recognized the excellence of a Montana Tech education in a number of critical areas: America’s No. 1 smaller comprehensive science and technology institution, best value in the West, most efficient in the West, top 15 in quality in the West. With a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, it has programs in engineering science, environmental, geological, geophysical, metallurgy, mining and petroleum engineering; also in occupational safety and health, technology/business development and computer science, as well as technical communication. College inquiries to Montana Tech (phone 800-445-8324). Contact the Spiritual Assembly of Butte-Silver Bow, P.O. Box 3922, Butte, MT 59702 (phone 406-782-8194, e-mail ).

Musicians, composers wanted: To create more music with themes celebrating Ridván. Enter a competition with a $50 prize in each category: English lyric, Persian lyric, other language lyric, and instrumental, by composing and presenting music on cassette, CD, sheet music, 8mm or VHS video (NTSC) related to Ridván. Historical accuracy important; poetic imagery encouraged; various styles sought, particularly gospel and new age. Plaintive song about a nightingale sought. We have ideas for themes and a listing of known music about Ridván. Send music (with title, length, names of composer(s)/performer(s), translation of lyrics if other than English, address of contact person, and permission to use in Ridván programs) by Nov. 19, 1998, to Anne & Tim Perry, Arts Afire, 9235 Chimney Corner Lane, Dallas, TX 75243 (fax 972-680-9128, e-mail ).

ARCHIVES

The National Bahá’í Archives is seeking original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: William J. Cawthon, Chita Cazares, Millin Chafin, Gertrude M. Chamberlain, Isabel (Zoraya) Chamberlain, Louise Champion, Amelia K. Champney, Ada I. Chandon and Rifi Chapary. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these Guardian’s letters is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 or phone 847-853-2359.

Photographs of Local Spiritual Assemblies, local communities and local activities, especially early pictures, are being sought by the National Bahá’í Archives. Please identify the photographs if possible with name of locality and date. Anyone with photographs they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611.

Bahá’ís from the north suburbs of Chicago march in the Highland Park Fourth of July parade, one of three in which the group participated.

Communities join forces for parades

The friends in three communities in north suburban Chicago have made their local Fourth of July parades an occasion for unified action and mutual support for 10 straight years. The Deerfield, Northbrook and Highland Park Bahá’ís annually plan a float-construction gathering for the Thursday before the Independence Day weekend.

With advance planning “there is very little time wasted when the hammers are flying and the ribbons attached,” a report from the parade committee states. “This evening has become a warm tradition for all those attending.”

This year’s theme for the entry, which traveled through all three parades along with 20–25 Bahá’ís and friends, was “Think Unity.”

—Submitted by Tom Gindorff ◆ [Page 42]

VINEYARD OF THE LORD

PHOTOS BY RUHI VARGHA VIA BAHÁ’Í INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE

CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF THE TEXTS APPROACHING FINAL COMPLETION

Except for a few minor items, the contractor was ready to hand over the building for World Center use by midsummer. The electrical infrastructure for lighting control, fire alarm, closed circuit television and access control have been installed. Soon the more complex task of installation, programming, engineering and testing the main equipment will begin. Room-by-room inspection of electrical outlets, points etc. is under way. Cabling for the telecommunication system is nearing completion.

Desks, chairs, filing cabinets and computers for offices are being ordered. Maintenance equipment is also under consideration. Every effort is being made to prepare the Center for the Study of the Texts for occupancy by the end of 1998.

ELEGANCE OF THE TEACHING CENTER BUILDING BEGINNING TO EMERGE

The International Teaching Center building (left photo, upper left) appears to be turning out as elegant as the Center for the Study of the Texts as marble work progresses. With all 18 front and rear portico columns in place, as well as the marble on the walls of the front portico, preparations are under way to place tile soffit. All the nine precast marble panels of this soffit have already been cast.

In levels 1–3 the partition walls are being painted, and in most areas of these levels the metal grid for acoustic lay-in tiles has been installed. In level 4 the major focus of work is in the kitchen and dining area. The stud walls to support the partitions are in place, and work is under way in the other parts of this level.

The kitchen space is designed to cater for at least 1,000 people and will be fitted with the latest equipment, including walk-in freezers and coolers, dishwashing machine, and electric and gas-operated cooking equipment. The considerable storage spaces include separate preparation areas for meat and vegetables. Additionally, the server area has places where people can comfortably circulate and collect their food.

The adjoining dining room will seat about 300. A few private dining areas with different capacities for special guests and occasions have also been provided at level 4. The staff dining room has an audio-visual link to the Auditorium, which occupies parts of levels 4 and 5.

PRELUDE TO THE INTERNATIONAL BAHÁ’Í CONVENTION

Before the formal program of the Convention, the delegates and Counselors from most parts of the globe toured the Upper Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb and sections of the building of the Center for the Study of the Texts, providing them with a unique perspective of the Projects. Special tours were arranged beginning from Panorama Street at the crest of Mount Carmel, moving down through the five completed Terraces and the construction site of Terraces 14–11, with a detour to the Center for the Study of the Texts, before ending on the bridge over Hatzionut Avenue. The eagerness and excitement expressed by these esteemed guests of the Universal House of Justice was thrilling beyond words. [Page 43]

RAPID STRIDES IN WORK ON THE BRIDGE OVER HATZIONUT AVENUE

The structure of the bridge over Hatzionut Avenue has been raised. This intense effort used more than 150 tons of steel reinforcement and about 13,000 cubic feet of concrete. Stressing of the cables has been completed, and removal of the formwork from the bridge has begun. Most of this work will be carried out at night to cause the least disruption to traffic on this busy thoroughfare.

An interesting feature of this trapezoid-shaped bridge is the five-pointed star design incorporated into its structure. The 100-foot-long star, appearing to be carved in relief, was created by using 3-foot structural beams dropping below the ceiling of the bridge. These beams could have been laid straight across the span, but in this skillful arrangement the five-pointed design also serves a structural function. Each point of the star will have a custom-designed light fixture, which will illuminate the ceiling for pedestrians under the bridge.

One of the goals of the office of the Project Manager was to complete the concreting of the bridge before the International Convention. The central section with the structural beams underlying the five-pointed star was deliberately left unconcreted during the visits to enable the friends to see the complexity of the bridge structure. The day before the Convention this last section was concreted.

The elevations of the structure of the bridge will be covered with local stone. Some of the special stone, such as the Sajur straight arches, are being cut in Italy. In fact, 18 container loads of huge blocks of this stone have been shipped not only for the bridge but also for all the remaining columns and pedestals on the Upper Terraces and the pools of Terraces 13 and 15.

Work around the pedestrian tunnel near the school on Hatzionut Avenue has begun to coincide with the school holidays. Within weeks the construction of walls and stairs leading to the tunnel will be completed.

THE ONGOING EMERGENCE OF THE FAR-STRETCHING FEATURES OF THE TERRACES OF THE SHRINE OF THE BÁB

Terraces 3—9 below the Shrine of the Báb and Terraces 15—19 above the Shrine continue to flourish under the care of solicitous hands. Landscaping has started on the inner areas of Terraces 12—14 and preparations are under way to plant Terrace 2. Within two years at least 12 acres of garden areas will be brought under cultivation each year. A new nursery is being set up on Bahá’í property to the extreme west of Terrace 18.

When the Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb are completed, they are expected to draw a great number of tourists and visitors. The need for disciplined movement and crowd control on the Terraces will have to be carefully addressed. An advanced security system is a major step in this direction.

Concomitant with the “ongoing ‎emergenee emergence‎ of the far-stretching features of the Terraces” (Universal House of Justice, Ridván B.E. 154 message), a motion-detection security system is under consideration to prevent intrusion. [Page 44]بهترین تدبیر برای دادن آثار امری به مبتدیان است و این را می‌توان با اندکی تأمل یا مشورت با دیگر دوستان حاصل کرد.

به یاد دوست

Bi Yád-i Dust (In Memory of the Friend)

همانگونه که در شمارهٔ قبل به استحضار یاران رحمانی رسید انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی مجموعه‌ای تحت عنوان به یاد دوست در ۲۲۴ صفحه در بزرگداشت حیات و خدمات ایادی عزیز امرالله جناب ابوالقاسم فیضی منتشر نموده است.

در این کتاب شرح حیات جناب فیضی (بقلم سرکار خانم گلوریا فیضی و ترجمهٔ جناب دکتر حشمت مؤید)، خاطرات جناب دکتر مؤید از دیدارشان از خانوادهٔ فیضی در زمان مهاجرت در بحرین، نمونه‌هائی از آثار قلمی جناب فیضی، شرح چهار سال و نیم اقامت جناب فیضی در نجف‌آباد و خدمات تاریخی ایشان به تعلیم و تربیت نوباوگان بهائی در آن مدینه که تا کنون منتشر نشده است،

نمونه‌هائی از خوشنویسی‌های جناب فیضی و تعدادی عکسهای رنگی و سیاه و سفید درج شده است. بدون شک این کتاب مورد توجه و استفادهٔ دوستان و علاقه‌مندان آتی متصاعد الی الله خواهد بود.

قیمت کتاب ۱۵ دلار تعیین شده و بوسیلهٔ مرکز توزیع انتشارات امری (تلفن ۹۰۱۹-۹۹۹-۸۰۰-۱) و مؤسسهٔ ایمجز اینترنشنال (تلفن ۴۵۲۵-۴۷۰-۸۰۰-۱) و مؤسسهٔ معارف امری بلسان فارسی در کانادا (تلفن ۳۰۴۰-۸۲۶-۹۰۵) در دسترس علاقه‌مندان قرار می‌گیرد.

مجمع عرفان

IRFAN COLLOQUIUM

قرار است دوره انگلیسی زبان مجمع عرفان از ۹ تا ۱۲ اکتبر سال جاری در مدرسه بهائی لوهلن تشکیل شود. این دوره قرار بود از ۶ تا ۸ نوامبر تشکیل شود و تغییر آن به این علت بوده است که با برنامهٔ فارسی زبان مجمع همزمان باشد تا شرکت‌کنندگان بتوانند در یکی از برنامه‌های مذکور شرکت داشته باشند.

موضوع اصلی مجمع عرفان در سال ۱۹۹۸ "ادیان جهان از دیدگاه بهائی" است. سمینارهای فارسی و انگلیسی بر آثار حضرت بهاء‌الله در دورهٔ اسلامبول و ادرنه (از سال ۱۸۶۳ تا ۱۸۶۸) تمرکز خواهد کرد.

در این سمینارها آثاری چون "سورهٔ غصن" و "لوح احمد فارسی" و "لوح احمد عربی" و "مثنوی مبارک" و "کتاب بدیع" و "لوح ناقوس" و "لوح سراج" و "لوح تقی" و "لوح اشرف" و "لوح سلمان" و "لوح نقطه" و "لوح ذبح" و "لوح وداد" در رابطه با مفاهیم الوهیت و مظهریت در امر بهائی مورد مطالعه و بررسی قرار خواهد گرفت.

گردانندگان سمینارها عبارتند از: خانم دکتر طلعت بصاری و خانم پریوش سمندری و خانم آذر موفق و آقایان معین افنانی و دکتر ایرج ایمن و دکتر اسکندر هائی و روح‌الله خوشبین و موژان خادم و سهراب کوروش و بهروز ثابت و نادر سعیدی و Ted Brownstein و Chris Jones و Robert Stockman.

دوستان می‌توانند برای دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر با آقای رابرت شاکمن و برای رزرو جا و نام‌نویسی با مدرسه بهائی لوهلن تماس حاصل نمایند.

تلفن آقای ستاکمن: ۳۴۲۵-۷۳۳ (۸۴۷) e-mail: تلفن مدرسه لوهلن: ۵۰۳۳-۶۵۳ (۸۱۰) e-mail:

ابتکار احبای سینسیناتی

CINCINNATI INNOVATION

احبای سینسیناتی در ایالت اوهایو در پی یافتن راه جدیدی برای اعلان عمومی امر مبارک و اشتهار حظیرة‌القدس و تقدیم خدمت به جامعه بودند. احباء پس از مشاورات دقیق و عمیق یک برنامهٔ حراج (yard sale) طرح ریختند که "برنامهٔ بده بستان سینسیناتی" نام گرفت و شرح آن بدین ترتیب است:

• احباء و دوستانشان اشیائی را که می‌شد با قیمت نسبتاً کمی به فروش رساند تقدیم کردند.
• احباء اوراق اعلامیه و جزوات تبلیغی تهیه کردند. حراج مذکور را آگهی نکردند ولی قرار است سال بعد آن را آگهی کنند.
• هر گاه کسی برای نگاه کردن به اشیاء حراجی توقف می‌کرد، پیش از اینکه گمان کند این حراج هم مانند سایر حراج‌های از این نوع است، احباء به او می‌گفتند، در صورتی که موافقت کند خدمتی برای کسی فراهم سازد، هر قلمی را که می‌خواهد می‌تواند مجاناً ببرد.

این خدمت می‌تواند به صورت دیدار با همسایه یا سر زدن به یک شخص علیل یا خواندن کتابی برای کودکان و چه و چه باشد. البته موافقت شخص قول شرف او حساب می‌شد و کسی از احباء نظارت نمی‌کرد که آیا کسی به قولش عمل کرده است یا نه.

تقریباً همهٔ کسانی که به این حراج آمده بودند آن را طرح جالبی می‌دانستند و اظهار علاقه کرده بودند که سال آینده هم در آن شرکت کنند. چند نفر هم خواسته بودند اطلاعاتی دربارهٔ امر بهائی به دست آورند. چند تن هم از حظیرة‌القدس دیدار کردند و اظهار داشتند که کنجکاو بوده‌اند که ببینند در داخل آن چه می‌گذرد.

در طی این حراج ابتکاری احباء فرصتی یافتند که هم با حمل و نقل اشیاء حراجی کمی ورزش کرده باشند و هم با یکدیگر گپ بزنند و هم حظیرة‌القدس محل را به افراد غیربهائی نشان بدهند.

اشیائی را که در طی حراج به فروش نرفت به یک گروه محلی اعانه کردند که برای تأمین مخارج خود آنها را بفروشند.

داستان رشید

RASHID'S STORY

لجنهٔ ایام متبرکهٔ شهر بتلحم Bethlehem در ایالت پنسیلوانیا تصمیم گرفته بود که برای بزرگداشت روز ۱۲ رضوان امسال احباء داستان‌هائی از چگونگی اقبال خود یا کسانی که می‌شناسند حکایت کنند. آنچه در زیر نقل می‌شود بخش‌هائی از داستان واقعی یکی از احباء به نام رشید است که مدتی بی‌خانمان بوده و زندگی سختی داشته است.

رشید با امر مبارک در یک جلسه ایام هاء که در محل مخصوص افراد بی‌خانمان تشکیل شده بود آشنا شد. او بر اثر بیماری مزمنی بی‌خانمان شده بود و چند روز پیش از جلسهٔ ایام هاء در ضمن دعا از خدا خواسته بود که او را هدایت کند که به دین مسیحی در آید یا از اسلام که دین او در ۲۰ سال گذشته بوده پیروی کند.

رشید در ضمن شنیدن یک مناجات بهائی منقلب و مجذوب امر بهائی شد و پس از اینکه توانست آپارتمانی برای خود تهیه کند با احباء تماس گرفت و تسجیل شد.

رشید در جلسهٔ رضوان داستان ایمان خود را باز گفت و با خواندن آن حاضران را شدیداً تحت تأثیر قرار داد. ایمانش استوار باد! [Page 45]برنامۀ تبلیغی جدید بیش از ۶۳ هزار پاسخ از مبتدیان دریافت شده است. بیشتر این تماس‌ها در رابطه با پخش ویدیوی ”نیروی وحدت نژادی“ بوده است. برای این که نیروی محرکۀ حاصل از فعالیت‌های جدید ادامه یابد نکات زیر را باید در نظر داشت:

• باید هر چه زودتر با مبتدیانی که با احیاء یا تشکیلات تماس گرفته‌اند ارتباط حاصل کرد. بسیاری از جوامع ۲۴ یا ۴۸ ساعت پس از تماس اولیه از طرف مبتدی، با او تماس می‌گیرند. تجربه به ثبوت رسانده است که هر چه بین تماس اولیه و تماس بعدی فاصلۀ زمانی بیشتر شود تمایل مبتدی به دریافت اطلاع کم‌تر می‌شود.
• باید برای تازه تصدیقان در اسرع وقت جلسات تزیید معلومات تشکیل داد. در شهر کلمبوس واقع در ایالت اوهایو برنامه‌ای برای تازه تصدیقان طرح شده است. تازه تصدیقانی که به فاصلۀ یک ماه پس از تصدیق این دوره را گذرانده‌اند بیش از دیگر تازه تصدیقان شور و حال تبلیغ دارند.
• شاید لازم به تذکر نیز نباشد ولی باید اشاره کرد که مسؤولیت نهائی تبلیغ امر مبارک بر عهدۀ افراد احباست. بُرد برنامه‌های تبلیغی لجنۀ نشر نفحات یا محافل محلی تنها تا آنجاست که احباء همت کنند و مورد اجرا قرار دهند. هیچ برنامه‌ای نمی‌تواند جایگزین تماس شخصی احباء با غیربهائیان و ابلاغ کلمه بدانان شود.
• ایجاد یک فضای شاد و گرم در جوامع محلی نیز اهمیت ویژه‌ای دارد. بسیاری از مردم نیاز مبرم دارند که به گروه‌هایی بپیوندند که در میانشان احساس گرمی و محبت کنند. هر چه فضای جوامع بهائی گرم‌تر و شادتر و بامحبت‌تر باشد تعداد بیشتری به امر مبارک روی خواهند آورد.

دیگر پیشنهاداتی که برای تحقق نقشه‌های تبلیغی شده یافتن مبتدی در جوامع محلی است. به عنوان مثال می‌توان از کسانی که مجاور محل سکونت احباء زندگی می‌کنند آغاز کرد و از علائق آنان و فعالیت‌هائی که در آن شرکت دارند پرس و جو نمود و سپس بهترین راه ابلاغ کلمه را بدانان اتخاذ کرد.

یکی دیگر از پیشنهادها آشنا شدن با افراد است از طریق:

• عضویت در سازمان‌های محلی
• شرکت در امور پیشاهنگی
• داوطلب شدن برای امور خیریه از جمله مراکز کمک به فقرا
• کار داوطلبانه در موزه یا کتابخانۀ محلی

آنچه در بالا ذکر شد فقط به عنوان ‎مشا مثال‎ عرضه شده است و دوستان می‌توانند با ابتکار شخصی خود به هر گونه فعالیت که باعث آشنائی تعداد بیشتری از مردم باشد مبادرت فرمایند.

نکتۀ دیگری که نباید فراموش کرد این که دوستان نباید از سخن گفتن دربارۀ امر بهائی ابا داشته باشند. مثلاً اگر دوستان با آشنایان غیربهائیانشان دربارۀ تعلیم و تربیت حرف می‌زنند می‌توانند اصول تعلیم و تربیت در آئین بهائی را با ذکر نام به میان آورند. باید به خاطر داشت که تعداد شنوندۀ علاقه‌مند و مبتدی بالقوه بیشتر از آن است که گاهی در ظاهر به نظر می‌رسد.

نکاتی که در زیر می‌آید می‌تواند در زمان پخش ویدیوی ”نیروی وحدت نژادی“ تأثیر آن را در متحرین بیشتر کند:

• ایجاد یک فضای روحانی در جوامع محلی
• ایجاد محیطی گرم و شاد و پر محبت
• استفاده از ویدیوی مذکور به عنوان سکوی پرتاب برای دیگر فعالیت‌های محلی از جمله در:
  • جلسات دعا و مناجات
  • جلسات الفت
  • جلسات نمایش و هنر
  • فعالیت‌های جوانان
  • برنامه‌های توسعه و عمرانی
  • کلاس‌های درس اخلاق
• دعوت از متحرین برای دیدن ویدیو در:
  • منازل احباء
  • حظيرة القدس محلی
  • سالن اجتماعات
  • سازمان‌های شهری
  • کالج‌ها و مدارس محل
• همکاری با رسانه‌های گروهی محلی
• همکاری با سازمان‌هائی که اهدافی مشابه اهداف احباء دارند
• در دسترس گذاشتن شمارۀ تلفن مجانی 800-22-UNITE

و ناگفته نگذاریم که در اوایل سال ۱۹۹۹ دو برنامۀ ویدیویی دیگر از شبکه‌های تلویزیونی پخش خواهد شد. عنوان این برنامه‌ها یکی ”نیروی دعا و مناجات“ و دیگری ”دو بال یک پرنده“ خواهد بود. اطلاعات بیشتر دربارۀ ویدیوهای مذکور در شماره‌های آینده نشریه ”امریکین بهائی“ به آگاهی خوانندگان عزیز خواهد رسید.

تبلیغ امر مبارک از طریق آثار مبارکه و کتب و جزوات بهائی

SHARING BAHA’I LITERATURE

یکی از مؤثرترین راه‌های تبلیغ امر مبارک دادن کتب امری به متحرین حقیقت است. حضرت ولی امرالله در آثار خود اهمیت نشر آثار مبارکه را در میان مردم خاطرنشان ساخته‌اند.

در یکی از مراسلات هیکل مبارک اظهار شده که توزیع نصوص مبارکه شرط لازم همۀ فعالیت‌های تبلیغی است. در جای دیگری فرموده‌اند که کتاب‌های امری می‌توانند بیش از مبلغان کارآئی داشته باشند. در مورد دیگری فرموده‌اند که جزوات امری کار تبلیغ را سرعت بیشتری می‌بخشد.

بنا بر آنچه نقل شد، در اهمیت توزیع نصوص مبارکه و نوشته‌های امری شکی نیست، منتهی هنگام دادن آثار امری به مبتدیان و متحرین حکمت و تدبیر را نباید به دست فراموشی سپرد. دادن کتاب یا جزوه‌ای که موضوع آن مورد علاقۀ ‎متحرى متحری‎ نباشد، به جای روی آوردن او به امر مبارک ممکن است باعث روی گرداندن او از آئین الهی باشد.

فرد بهائی باید پیش از دادن آثار امری به متحرین، از سلیقه و علاقۀ آنان باخبر باشد. یکی از راه‌های مطمئن باخبر بودن از علائق مبتدیان این است که از آنان بپرسیم که به چه موضوع‌هائی علاقه دارند. سپس متناسب با پاسخی که دریافت می‌داریم، می‌توان کتاب یا جزوه در اختیارشان گذاشت.

مشاهدۀ رفتار و مطالعۀ گفتار مبتدی نیز می‌تواند گویای علائق او باشد. بی تردید کسی که به مسائل عرفانی علاقه‌مند باشد از ”هفت وادی“ بهره‌ای می‌گیرد که از مثلاً ”نظامات بهائی“ نخواهد گرفت. یک مسیحی دوآتشه ممکن است از دیدن جزوه‌ای که در آن حضرت مسیح در مقام یکی از مظاهر امر ذکر شده آزرده خاطر شود و در عوض خواندن کتاب ”حضرت مسیح و حضرت بهاءالله“ به قلم ایادی امرالله جورج تاونزند را به وجد آورد.

نکتۀ دیگری که باید به خاطر داشت اینکه کتب امری از اهمیت یکسانی برخوردار نیستند. آثار نویسندگان بهائی را نمی‌توان با نصوص مبارکۀ طلعات قدسیۀ امر بهائی در یک ردیف نهاد. شکی نیست که نصوص مبارکه در مرتبۀ اول اهمیت قرار دارد، زیرا قوۀ خلاقه‌ای که در آن پنهان است، تأثیری ورای تأثیر اهل قلم دارد. کلام خدا را با کلام بشر البته اشتباه نمی‌گیریم.

در میان نویسندگان بهائی نیز مطلب از همین قرار است و کیفیت آثار آنان با هم تفاوت دارد. صرف چاپ و انتشار یک کتاب یا جزوه به این معنی نیست که محتوای آن در حد اعلی است. به همین دلیل است که باید تدبیر به خرج داد و آگاهانه به متحرین کتاب و جزوه داد. به فرمودۀ حضرت بهاءالله ”شیر به اندازه باید داد.“

چگونگی دادن آثار امری نیز مطلب قابل توجهی است و به برداشتی که نسبت به مبتدی داریم بستگی دارد. مثلاً وقتی کتابی به کسی وام بدهیم ممکن است اهمیت کتاب را برایش بالاتر ببرد تا اینکه کتاب را به او تقدیم کنیم و غیره و غیره.

آنچه مهم است رعایت حکمت و به کار [Page 46]

شهادت جناب روح الله روحانی

EXECUTION OF A BAHA’I IN IRAN

جناب روح الله روحانی روز ۲۱ جولای سال جاری در ایران به شهادت رسید.

شهادت جناب روحانی توجه دولت و رسانه‌های همگانی را به خود جلب کرد. اولیای دولت ایران نخست واقعه را انکار کردند و سپس اذعان نمودند که اعدام جناب روحانی به وقوع پیوسته است.

چند تن از اعضای برجسته کنگره ایالات متحده و دفتر کاخ سفید و وزارت امور خارجه آمریکا اعدام جناب روحانی را محکوم کردند.

روز ۲۳ جولای سال جاری سخنگوی رئیس جمهوری ایالات متحده و همچنین سخنگوی وزارت امور خارجه آمریکا به اعدام جناب روحانی اعتراض کردند و از حکومت ایران خواستند که از اعدام دیگر زندانیان محکوم به اعدام بهائی خودداری کند.

روز قبل، دفتر امور خارجی محفل روحانی ملی با مسؤولان کاخ سفید و وزارت امور خارجه تماس گرفته و از آنان خواسته بود که علناً و شدیداً نسبت به اعدام جناب روحانی اعتراض کنند و از دولت ایران بخواهند که جان دیگر زندانیان را در امان دارد.

دفتر امور خارجی محفل ملی در همان هفته با اعضای برجسته کنگره ایالات متحده درباره اعدام جناب روحانی تماس گرفت و در هفته‌های بعد سناتور سم براون بک Sam Brownback از ایالت کانزاس و چند تن از نمایندگان مجلس: آقای بنجامین گیلمن Benjamin Gilman از ایالت نیویورک و آقای کریستوفر شمیت Christopher Smith از ایالت نیوجرزی و آقای جان پورتر Porter از ایالت ایلینوی بیانیه‌هائی مبنی بر اعتراض به اعدام جناب روحانی و عدم توانائی بهائیان ایران بر اجرای آزادانه مراسم و شعائر دینی خود صادر کردند.

مطبوعات نیز شهادت جناب روح الله روحانی را گزارش داده‌اند و روزنامه‌های مهمی چون نیویورک تایمز و شیکاگو تریبیون و لوس آنجلس تایمز و دیگر روزنامه‌های ملی خبر اعدام را درج کرده‌اند.

رسانه‌های بین‌المللی نیز چون بی بی سی و Australian Broadcasting Corporation و روزنامه لوموند Le Monde و Agence France-Presse و International Herald Tribune و آژانس خبری رویتر و Associated Press و United Press International همگی خبر شهادت جناب روحانی را گزارش داده‌اند.

روز ۲۴ جولای رادیوی "صدای آمریکا" طی برنامه‌ای که مستقیماً برای ایران پخش می‌شد، با اولیای عالی رتبه دولت درباره اعدام جناب روحانی مصاحبه‌ای ترتیب داد. در روزهای ۲۸ و ۳۰ جولای برنامه انگلیسی زبان رادیو به تضییقات بهائیان ایران اختصاص یافت. شبکه تلویزیونی ورلدنت Worldnet نیز روزهای اول و دوم آگست برنامه‌ای راجع به تضییقات احبای ایران پخش کرد.

روز ۲۶ جولای آقای غلامحسین رهبرپور رئیس دادگاه انقلاب در تهران اظهار داشت که هیچ یک از شعبه‌های دادگاه حکم اعدام کسی را به نام روح الله روحانی متعلق به فرقه بهائی صادر نکرده و گزارش اعدام او دروغ محض است!

روز ۲۷ جولای نیز آقای شیخ حسنی، کاردار سفارت ایران در استرالیا در ضمن نامه‌ای به یک سناتور استرالیائی وقوع اعدام جناب روحانی را انکار کرد.

روز ۲۹ جولای آقای محمد زابلی، سخنگوی سفارت ایران در استرالیا، به رغم انکار آقای رهبرپور، رئیس دادگاه انقلاب، اظهار داشت که جناب روحانی، پس از اینکه سه بار به اتهام عملیات علیه منافع ایران محکوم شده بود، اعدام گردیده است.

روز ۳ آگست آقای شیخ حسنی (کاردار سفارت ایران در استرالیا) در ضمن نامه‌ای به یکی دیگر از اعضای پارلمان استرالیا همان اتهام واهی را تکرار کرد و نوشت که جناب روحانی قبلاً دو بار به جرم عملیات خلاف امنیت کشور دستگیر شده بوده است.

عملیاتی که در نامۀ کاردار سفارت ایران "فعالیت‌هایی که به امنیت کشور لطمه زده" توصیف شده، یکی این بوده که ایشان قبل از اینکه تشکیلات بهائی غیرقانونی اعلام شود در یک محفل روحانی محلی عضویت داشته است. "جرم" دیگر همکاری ایشان در ترتیب کلاس‌های درس اخلاق و جلسات دعا بوده است.

دفتر امور خارجی محفل روحانی ملی در بیانیه‌ای که راجع به اعدام اخیر صادر کرده، اظهار داشت که در ۱۹ سال گذشته دولت ایران روشی کاملاً دورویه داشته است، بدین معنی که مطالبی که در توجیه و توضیح رفتارش با بهائیان ایران به اولیای سازمان ملل متحد و دولت‌های خارجی و ارباب جراید اظهار کرده با آنچه در مدارک دولتی آمده در تضاد است. با این حال در تمام این مدت دولت ایران نتوانسته است حتی با ارائه یک مدرک اتهامات واهی و مبهمی را که به احبای ایران از قبیل جاسوسی و جنایات علیه امنیت ملی، وارد کرده است به اثبات رساند.

در بیانیۀ مذکور همچنین آمده است که اعدام جناب روحانی نمونۀ دیگری از مظالم ناشی از اتهامات بی اساس و عملیات پنهانی علیه بهائیان ایران است.

حکم اعدام سه بهائی دیگر

سه زندانی دیگر بهائی نیز در مشهد محکوم به اعدام شده‌اند. این سه تن، جناب عطاء الله حمید نظیری زاده و جناب سیروس ذبیحی مقدم و جناب هدایت کاشفی نجف آبادی در پائیز سال ۱۹۹۷ به جرم تشکیل جلسات حیات عائله دستگیر شدند.

وقتی که حکم اعدام این عزیزان جهت تأیید به ‎طهران تهران‎ فرستاده شد، دیوان عالی کشور به این علت که آن سه تن بهائی در جریان محاکمه وکیل مدافعی نداشتند، بر آن خرده گرفت.

این سه تن را در محاکمه مجدد مجبور به قبول یک وکیل تسخیری کردند. گویا وکیل مذکور در جلسات محاکمه مطالبی مخالف میل موکلانش و خلاف آنچه واقع شده ذکر کرده است.

در حال حاضر احباء نگرانند که تعیین وکیل تسخیری صرفاً برای رفع اشکالی که دیوان عالی وارد کرده بود و محض حفظ ظاهر باشد. بیم این هست که دادگاه مشهد تصمیم خود را از قبل گرفته باشد.

اخیراً به اعضای خانواده‌های سه محکوم بهائی اجازه داده‌اند که هر دو هفته یک بار به دیدار محکومان بروند.

روز بعد از شهادت جناب روحانی این سه محکوم بهائی را مجبور کردند که در جلسه تذکر شهید جدید شرکت کنند. این آزار روانی سبب نگرانی یاران ایران شده است که مبادا سه محکوم بهائی نیز به همان سرنوشت جناب روحانی گرفتار شوند.

برنامه لجنه نشر نفحات

ویدیوی "نیروی وحدت نژادی"

THE POWER OF RACE UNITY

همان گونه که خوانندگان عزیز آگاهی دارند قرار است در ماه‌های اکتبر و نومبر سال جاری ویدیوی "نیروی وحدت نژادی" و چند آگهی تازه درباره امر مبارک از شبکه‌های تلویزیونی VH-1 و آدیسه Odyssey و Entertainment Television پخش شود.

انتظار می‌رود که به دنبال پخش برنامه‌های مذکور در ماه‌های آینده توفیقاتی نیز حاصل گردد. پخش این برنامه‌ها از بهار سال جاری جوامع بهائی را وحدت بخشیده و به حرکت آورده است. برای ادامه این حرکت و دست یابی به توفیقات بیشتر نکاتی در زیر به استحضار دوستان می‌رسد.

برنامۀ تبلیغی رسانه‌ای برای پیشبرد امر مبارک و تحقق وعدۀ "يدخلون في دين الله افواجاً" اهمیت ویژه‌ای دارد و تا آینده‌ای نامعلوم ادامه خواهد داشت. این برنامه ساختاری کلی برای اقدامات جوامع محلی به دست می‌دهد. جوامع مذکور با هماهنگ ساختن برنامه‌های محلی خود با برنامۀ ملی بر فعالیت‌های تبلیغی خود افزوده‌اند.

در حال حاضر فعالیت‌های احباء در سراسر ایالات متحده از طریق تشکیل صدها بیت تبلیغی و جلسۀ دعا و مناجات و برگزاری جلسات عمومی و برنامه‌های گوناگون افزایش یافته است. از آغاز [Page 47]

Four National Assemblies launched

Liberia re-established; three newly created

As announced in the Ridván B.E. 155 message to the Bahá’ís of the world, three new National Spiritual Assemblies—those of Sabah, Sarawak and Slovakia—were established, and the National Spiritual Assembly of Liberia re-established, in late May.

Sabah and Sarawak are regions of Malaysia on the island of Borneo, remote from the nation’s mainland capital.

Excerpts of reports from National Conventions from each National Convention:

• Sabah: More than 100 Bahá’ís were present from all parts of Sabah. In attendance were a representative of the Universal House of Justice, Counselor Vicente Samaniego, as well as a representative from the National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia, several Auxiliary Board members and several former pioneers and traveling teachers. Present were 18 out of 19 delegates. The friends were thrilled to hear congratulatory messages from throughout the world, including 23 National Spiritual Assemblies.

• Sarawak: Three hundred observers and 28 delegates attended the Convention, with the Universal House of Justice represented by Counselor George Soraya and a representative of the National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia. Those present pledged their support to the new Spiritual Assembly.

Recommendations from the consultation focused on teaching, training institutes, education of children and adults, Bahá’í marriage and translation of Bahá’í writings to vernacular languages.

• Slovakia: This Convention was especially blessed by the presence of the Hand of the Cause of God ‘Alí-Muhammad Varqá, who urged the new Assembly to be a channel of the spirit of the Faith to the believers. Also present were Counselor Shapour Rassekh and members of the outgoing Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Czech and Slovak Republics. The 150 observers came from several countries.

• Liberia: Re-established after an eight-year dormancy during the civil war, the National Assembly was formed at a Convention attended by dozens of observers. The convention gave “special thanks to the Universal House of Justice, the International Teaching Centre, and the Continental Board of Counsellors for their endless support and generosity throughout the civil war.” ♦

Counselors from around the globe at a post-International Convention conference May 3—8 in Haifa are joined by the Hands of the Cause of God (front row) ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum and Dr. ‘Alí-Muhammad Varqá. Photo courtesy Bahá’í International News Service

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

• Uganda: Saying he had worked with the Bahá’ís for a long time, the National Minister of State for Internal Affairs called on the people “to embrace the Bahá’í Faith,” as he spoke at a public event that served as the kickoff for the Enoch Olinga Teaching Project. The minister, Col. William Omaria, also attended a book exhibition at which he “could not conceal his surprise at the richness of Bahá’í literature,” and was impressed on being told students at the Louis Gregory Memorial Bahá’í School had performed best in standard examinations in a cluster of three districts, according to a report from the National Spiritual Assembly.

At the same function, Parliament member Christine Aporu encouraged the friends to write the history of the Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga, as not only a prominent Bahá’í but “in the future ... a source of glory to Uganda when people get to know what he has achieved.” ♦

TEACHING

• Ecuador: A two-week teaching campaign in Esmeraldas and Tungurahua provinces drew 37 people into the Faith through a series of talks, youth workshop performances and organized courses on the Teachings. The project encompassed both personal interaction within indigenous communities and performances and book exhibitions in city parks. Interviews were arranged with several radio stations, and the youth workshop even performed live on television. The project was conducted by 26 Bahá’ís who had devoted a month to a training course at the Enoch Olinga Institute in Esmeraldas. ♦

BADASHT, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

selves to the Universal House of Justice’s appeal to “perform, during the Four Year Plan, heroic deeds of service to the Cause, which will astonish and inspire their fellow believers throughout the world.”

“In response to this request,” Dini said, “the Bahá’ís around the nation—especially the youth—are pledging to perform one heroic deed ... that will support the Four Year Plan process of entry by troops.”

Completed pledge sheets will be sent as a gift of love, faith and support to the Universal House of Justice. Information can be obtained via e-mail (_________________).

“We want to connect with your hearts,” Caswell Ellis said, welcoming the youth as chairman of the Regional Bahá’í Council. “We want to have a heart-to-heart talk about who you are, where you are, where we are, and where we would like to be together.”

Robert Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly, called participants to look beyond any feelings of inadequacy and “be confident that the Faith will triumph from our steadfastness and our willingness to believe.”

June Thomas reminded everyone of the call for systematization and of the Ridván 155 statement: “one thing above all else is necessary: to act, to act now, and to continue to act.”

Jena Khodadad stressed, “The most important lesson from the Conference of Badasht in 1848 for our youth is a new identity, consecration and spirit to be emulated.”

Both women serve on the Regional Bahá’í Council, and Khodadad also serves on the National Teaching Committee.

A key purpose of the conference was to ensure all participants understood the significance of the original conference of Badasht. Khodadad and her son Jian shared slides, dramatic stories and insights.

“In that conference the participants acquired a new identity and left Badasht consecrated knowing that the Cause they had espoused was a totally new Revelation. According to our beloved Guardian, that conference marked the inauguration of the Bábí Dispensation,” Jena Khodadad said.

“The impact of this awareness was that they demonstrated exemplary acts of heroism which can be emulated by our youth, the spiritual descendants of the Dawn-Breakers of the Heroic Age.”

At Badasht, a gathering of early Bábís met in obscurity in summer 1848. As a result of the conference, they declared their independence from Islam and the emancipation of women. Táhirih’s dramatic removal of her veil at this meeting forever influenced the position of women in the world.

Youth today are similar instruments of God. “Every one of you is special in the sight of God,” Henderson said. “Be committed to your path, be human beings who are lights to the world.”

William Smits and David Freeman, Auxiliary Board members, provided valuable wisdom to participants.

“Youth are the reservoir for the spark of faith,” Smits said. “When the youth rise up, the adults can’t help but follow.”

He echoed the call for a national youth movement, saying, “We are the most radical of the radicals. We are asking you today to lay down your life for Bahá’u’lláh.”

Smits and Freeman also shared stories of confirmations that happened when people prayed sincerely, and counseled everyone to “expect confirmations.” They stressed the importance of the obligatory prayers and reading the Writings every morning and evening as part of being faithful to the Covenant.

Youth shared some of the challenges they face with difficult people and tests. Smits and Freeman reminded everyone of the responsibility to be loving towards each person in their lives and leave judging others in the hands of institutions.

Insights from a Bahá’í Youth Service Corps panel prompted a wide range of sharing on the joys and challenges facing volunteers for this service.

“People can sense when you’re sincere. You have to establish a heart-to-heart connection and get the trust first before you move,” said Deanna Schmidt of Kansas City, Missouri, who had served in Mexico.

Ramine and Beth Yazhari and Juliet Clark and Rachael Priebe inspired everyone with their music and stories. Clark and Priebe had everyone on their feet participating in an energetic song.

Lynn Wieties, secretary of the Regional Council, inspired the participants to a standing ovation with a powerful call to action at the close of the day.

She exhorted, “Seek out the opportunity to train, develop, and advance your opportunity to serve the Cause. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá set the world on fire. It is now up to the youth to “add to its flame.” ♦ [Page 48]

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT EVENTS sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly or its agencies at the Bahá’í National Center, please phone 847-869-9039 and ask for the relevant department. The numbers for the permanent Bahá’í schools and institutes are as follows: Bosch Bahá’í School, phone 408-423-3387; fax 408-423-7564; e-mail bosch@usbnc.org; Green Acre Bahá’í School, phone 207-439-7200; fax 207-438-9940; e-mail greenacre@usbnc.org; Louhelen Bahá’í School, phone 810-653-5033; fax 810-653-7181; e-mail louhelen@usbnc.org; Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, phone 803-558-5093; fax 803-558-9136; e-mail lggbi@usbnc.org; Native American Bahá’í Institute, phone 520-587-7599; fax 520-521-1063; e-mail nabi@usbnc.org

SEPTEMBER

11–13: Wilmette Institute course on “Philosophy and the Bahá’í Faith” at Bosch.

12–13: Peace Fest at Louis Gregory Institute. Includes daylong festival of the arts and Sunday unity worship service geared toward the awareness of unity and peace.

17–20: National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men, Regional Training Seminar at Bosch.

18–21: Race Unity Trainer Training at Louhelen. Trainees will meet for a second session Dec. 4–6.

18–20: Green Lake Bahá’í Conference, Green Lake, WI. Contact Lori Block, 633 Porlier St., Green Lake, WI 54301 (phone 920-432-7110).

19–20: “The Bahá’í Faith and Chinese Culture,” conference at Texas A&M University, co-sponsored by National Chinese Task Force. Contact 409-775-6338 (e-mail nctf@usbnc.org).

24–27: Conference on AIDS, Sexuality and Addiction at Bosch. Sponsored by BNASAA.

24–27: Association for Bahá’í Studies 22nd annual conference at Hôtel du Parc, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Theme: “The Covenant: Pivot of the Oneness of Humanity.” For registration call 613-233-1903; hotel reservations, 800-363-0735.

25–27: College Club Weekend at Green Acre.

25–27: Youth Leadership Weekend at Louis Gregory Institute.

25–27: Oklahoma Regional Bahá’í School, near Stillwater, OK. Classes for adults, youth, children 3–up. Contact Dennis Rhine, 521 S. 107 East Ave., Tulsa, OK 74128 (phone 918-437-5644, e-mail drhine@webtv.net).

25–28: Marriage and Family Life Trainer Training at Louhelen. Second session Dec. 4–6.

27: Thornton Chase Memorial Service, Inglewood, CA. Phone 310-519-1811 or 310-419-0643.

OCTOBER

8–11: Pioneering/BYSC/SITA Institutes at Green Acre. Contact National Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, e-mail pioneering@usbnc.org).

9–12: ‘Irfán Colloquium: World Religions in Bahá’í Perspective, at Louhelen. Sessions in Persian and English.

9–12: “The Bahá’í Faith and the State of Humankind” at Green Acre.

16–18: Spiritual Empowerment Institute for Junior Youth at Louhelen.

16–18: College Club Weekend at Bosch.

16–19: Teacher Trainer Training at Louhelen. Trainees will meet for a second session Jan. 29–31.

23–25: U.N. Day Weekend at Green Acre.

23–25: Institute for Young Women at Louhelen.

23–25: Fund-Raiser Weekend at Bosch.

23–26: Parent Facilitator Training at Louhelen. Trainees will meet for a second session Jan. 29–31.

24: “Pupil of the Eye” at Louhelen.

30–Nov. 1: “The Station and Claim of Bahá’u’lláh” at Bosch.

30–Nov. 1: “Don’t Yell at Your Watchman: Seeing the End in the Beginning” at Green Acre.

30–Nov. 1: College Club Weekend at Louhelen.

30–Nov. 1: “The Source of Unity” at Louhelen.

NOVEMBER

6–8: Youth Eagle Institute at Louhelen.

6–8: ‘Irfán Colloquium (English language) at Louhelen.

13–15: “Healing and Integrating Women’s and Men’s Hearts: A Fuller Understanding of Bahá’í Mystical Theology” at Bosch.

13–15: Two programs at Louhelen: “One Family: Bahá’u’lláh’s Vision of Oneness” and “We Are Bahá’ís: From New Believers to New Teachers in the Cause of God.” Full children’s program and commemoration of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh.

14–15: Bahá’í One World Choir and Concert in Canton, Ohio, sponsored by Assembly of Kent. Performances Saturday evening at Canton Civic Center, Sunday afternoon at Walsh University. Contact Barbara Baumgartner, 3475 Sloane Dr., Solon OH 44139 (phone 440-248-7817, e-mail bbaumgart@aol.com).

20–22: “Preparation for Marriage,” course for single adults, at Louhelen.

21–24: Winter Children’s Academy for grades 4–6 at Bosch.

27–29: Divine Art of Living conference in San Diego, California. Sessions in English and Persian on eliminating racism and promoting racial unity. For details contact the Assembly of San Diego c/o 619-755-7623.

27–29: “Issues for Youth in Today’s World” at Bosch.

HAVE YOU SEEN BRILLIANT STAR MAGAZINE IN COLOR? ATTENTION ELECTORAL UNIT CONVENTION ORGANIZERS, enhance your children’s programs with Brilliant Star’s Special Edition 1998 in color. See pages 27–30 for Unit Convention information. See page 22 for information on how to get newly designed color issues of Brilliant Star.

Youngsters provide a living demonstration of a banner displayed at the Race Unity Picnic in June at Vernon Hills, Illinois.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

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

A. NAME(S)
1. ____________________ ID# ____________________
2. ____________________ ID# ____________________
3. ____________________ ID# ____________________
4. ____________________ ID# ____________________
B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS	C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS
Street Address ____________________	Street Address ____________________
Apartment # (if applicable) ____________________	Apartment # (if applicable) ____________________
City ____________________	City ____________________
State ________________ Zip code __________	State ________________ Zip code __________
D. NEW COMMUNITY	E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER
Name of new Bahá’í Community __________ Moving Date __________	Area Code Phone Number ____________ Name ____________
F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S)
Area Code Phone Number ____________ Name ____________	Area Code Phone Number ____________ Name ____________
G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE:	H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY
[ ] we do not have the same last name. We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) and ID number(s) listed above. [ ] the last names and addresses on our address labels do not match. We have listed above the full names of family members as they should appear on the national records, their ID numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy. || Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy. I have listed my name, ID number and address above.

BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER 112 LINDEN AVE WILMETTE, IL 60091-2849

SEPTEMBER 8, 1998 ‘IZZAT/MIGHT • B.E. 155