The American Bahá’í/Volume 29/Issue 9/Text

From Bahaiworks

[Page 1]





BAHA

An appeal to nation’s educators

Focused effort on Iran situation aimed at colleges

n a unique response to acts of suppression against the Baha'i Faith in Iran, the National Spiritual Assembly is waging a focused campaign

to raise the awareness of college-level about the Iranian


educators


government’ actions to close the Bahé Institute of Higher Education.

Through the four Regional Baha’i Councils, Local Spiritual Assemblies and Baha’i college clubs across the country, the National Assembly acted beginning in late October “to inform and mobilize public opinion in the higher education sector.”

“Our hope is that organizations and prominent individuals in this sector, including universities, academic departments, faculty and administrators, students, professional associations and others, will forcefully register their outrage at the Iranian Government’ efforts to prevent Baha'i students from obtaining higher education and to deny Baha’ educators the right to pursue their profession,” read part of an Oct. 29 letter from the Assembly to Local Spiritual Assemblies.







SEE IRAN, PAGE 22



“The National Spiritual Assembly asks that ... every Baha’i community, group, and individual believer devote their most ardent prayers for the protection of the Iranian believers and

the emancipation of the Baha'i Faith in Iran.”

1998, letter to the American Baha’i community

—from Nov. 3,


Remembering the Baha'is

in Iran

Erfan Ferdowsian, 10, lights nine candles in remembrance of the believers in Iran as part of the commemoration of the Birth of Baha’u’llah held in Edmond, Oklahoma,

on Nov. 11. Communities across the nation rose to the National Assembly’s call for special prayer during the Holy Day on behalf of the Baha’is in the Cradle of the Faith. For more photos, see pages 20-21.

Photo by Negeen Sobhani,

1} Edmond, OK




HOUSE OF JUSTICE COMMENTS ON TEACHING

A message from the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States, dated Nov. 15, 1998

he Universal House of Justice read with keen interest the report on the



progress of activities across the United States prepared by your National ching Committee and forwarded with your letter of 8 September 1998. We have been asked to express the immense

pleasure of the House of Justice at the high response to the media campaign; it is impressed with the analysis of the results to date and with the manner in which the campaign facilitates the teaching work throughout the country.

The deliberate effort being made to integrate the various aspects of teaching—proclamation with the



aid of the media, expansion through individual and collective activity, and consolidation through institute programs and deepening classes—is very much in keeping with the systematic action called for in the last Ridvan mes the House of Justice. In this respect your community has adopted a mode of operation that is highly exemplary. commendable, too, that the Jia campaign has begun with so ffective a theme race unity”, since this addresses a deeply entrenched problem of the American nation. In view of your success, the House of Justice welcomes your intention to proceed








e of

“the power of

with other themes, such as “the power of prayer” and “the advancement of w omen”.

The report reflecis the importance of the services being rendered by the National Teaching Committee to Regional Ba Councils, Local Spiritual Assemblies and individual believers in such a way as to reinforce their initiatives at the grassroots of the community. Kindly convey the warm appreciation of the House of Justice to that Committee.







Be assured also of its continuing supplications at the Holy Threshold for the uninterrupted progress of your dearly loved community.

—Department of the Secretariat @

NATIONAL TEACHING PLAN UPDATES: Local happenings, institutes, 800-22-UNITE ¢ Pages 23-25




NovEMBER 23, 1998

QAWL/SPEECH BAHAY ERA 155

VOLUME 29, NO. 9

“Te N°S°I-D°E:



CHAMBLEE CONSOLIDATION PAGE 27


VINEYARD OF THE LORD PAGES 28-29

KID’S CORNER > 5 CARTA A LOS AMIGOS + 18 YOUTH - 19 CLASSIFIED + 32-33 IN MEMORIAM + 34 PERSIAN PAGES +




THE NATIONAL FUND


Between May 1 a1

$13,500,000 Goal/All Funds


October 31, 1998

$8,607,045 Received/All Funds


See page 3 for details

convincing exhortation.” —Baha’u’ll4h [Page 2]

ALMANAC


Day of the Covenant

A Baha’i Holy Day

  • Observed between sundown Nov. 25 and sundown Nov. 26
  • Work is not suspended

“‘Abdu’l-Bahé told the Baha’is that ... [May 23] was not, under any circumstances, to be celebrated as His day of birth. It was the day of the Declaration of the Bab, exclusively associated with Him. But as the Baha'is begged for a day to be celebrated as His, He gave them November 26th, to be observed as the day of the appointment of the Centre of the Covenant. It was known as Jashn-i-A’zam (The Greatest Festival), because He w: i-Azam, the Greatest Branch. In the West it is known of the Covenant.” (H.M. Balyuzi, ‘Abdu'l-Bahd, p. 523)





n= the Day

Anniversary of the Ascension of ‘Abdu‘l-Baha A Baha’i Holy Day

  • Observed Nov. 28 at 1:00 a.m.
  • Work is not suspended

is clear how that most dire of calamities, that most great




“No more does the ardent nightingale carol its joyous songs, and the sweet and holy melodies of the immortal dove are hushed. That gleaming Moon is hidden now behind the clouds of everlasting life, that Orb of the high heavens sank down at the setting point of glory and rose into the skies of the world that we see not, and above the realm of the placeless He is casting forth His rays.” (Shoghi Effendi, Bahfyyih Khdnum, pp. 148-149)

“The Day of the Covenant, Nov. 26th, and the Day of the Ascension, Nov. 28th,

-. must be observed by the friends coming together, but work is not prohibited. In other words the friends must regard observance of these two anniversaries as obligatory but suspension of work not to be regarded as obligatory.” (Shoghi di, Letters of the Guardian to Australia and New Zealand, p. 89) urther study: ‘Abdu’l-Bahd by H.M. Balyuzi; Babiyyih Khanum:






ad The Greatest Holy Leaf, a compilation by the Baha’s World Center.


| sn —————}


and eeored our very limbs and 1 membei

settled on our souls, of blood were our t of sanctity cried out in fear, and the ge:

and lamented, while our own inner selves there was no peace left in the soul, no pat




April 21-May 2 @

Significant upcoming dates

-Hé (Intercalary Days), Feb. 26-March 1 { New Ye: ival of Ridvén (anniversary of Declars

March 21


n of Baha’u'lléh),


ALL THINGS


Kees Bentley, a Baha’i who aches second grade in Duluth, Georgia, was honored twice as teacher of the year—the same year.

  • BellSouth selected Bentley in

September from ey more pan 900


presentation in front pr nets at an Adianta Braves game.

  • More recently, her peers at

Berkeley Lake Elementary School selected Bentley for a similar honor.

“The biggest influence on my life and on my teaching has been the principles of the Baha’f Faith,” Bentley said. The importance and merit of educating children, of course, is high among. those principles.

“Te’s important to me to reach all the

children in my class and, in the process, ensure that each child’s selfesteem remains high,” she said, adding that she highly values communicating. with children and their parents outside of school. . Bentley employs an eclectic style in her teaching methods. She has created several characters who come to class, in costume, to teach special skills or lessons. For example:

  • Professor Schmitt, with a cap and

gown and a (fake) mustache, gives English or vocabulary lessons. _ © Miss Polly, a traditional Southern belle, likes to “drop names” and teaches about proper nouns and © Capital Kid, an eraser-toting cowboy, teaches capitalization and has “shootouts” with children to correct ¢ pitalization at the chalkboard.

_ Raised in New York state, Kathy Bentley taught in Virginia before moving to Georgia. She and her husband, Mark, have three children.

_ —Submitted by Al Viller, Decatur, GA



BRANDT BADOUIN, an 18-year-old Baha’ from Chino, California, graduated from Chino High School with a 4.03 grade point average. He was awarded two major scholarships and is atten-ding California Poly- technic University, Pomona.

ELizABETH Dwyer, 2 Baha’s from Long Beach, California, was one of 700 college graduates chosen to be trained for Teach For America, the national teacher corps. The Northwestern University (Illinois) graduate’s name was printed in a national magazine advertisement captioned “The Fortunate 700.”

CYNTHIA EATWeLL, an 11-year-old Baha'i from Hermiston, Oregon, was honored with the President's Award For Educational Excellence, after she earned the highest score in the Statewide Academic Achievement Test in the fifth grade level, scoring in the 99th percentile in math, reading and language.

CRAIG LANGRALL, an 18-year-old Baha’{ from Phoenix, Maryland, scored a perfect 800 on the verbal section of the Scholastic Aptitude Test. Since graduation from the Gilman School in Baltimore, where he was awarded school prizes for literature and community service, he has entered Princeton University.

ABBAS EARL MAHvaSH, a 16-year-old Bahé’i from Spring Valley, Texas, was honored last spring as “Outstanding Freshman Boy” at Memorial High School in Houston. As a_ninthgrader, he won the school’s 10th grade mathematics award. He also has been elected president of his class two years running.



Tanmrtn MCLAUGHLIN, a Baha’{ from Bastrop, ‘Texas, was presented with an award for devotion to duty, outstanding accomplishments, respect for authority, integrity and striving for excellence, during her graduation ceremony from Army basic training Sept. 30 in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.


JOHANNA OFNER, an 11-year-old Baha’i from Grimes, Iowa, received a Certificate of Merit at the statewide Invent Iowa competition last April after advancing through local and regional competitions. Her entry was the “Dish ‘n’ Dash,” a design for a dishwashing machine that eliminates pi by-piece unloading by cleaning dishes in racks that fit in a kitchen cabinet.


MIRANDA PELOQUIN, a 9-year-old Baha'i from Hernando County, Florida, won second place at her grade level in the Hernando County District Science Fair last spring, after gaining first place at her school. Her project compared the fabric-staining properties of several brands of commercial juice drinks.

JULIETTE WHITTAKER, 2 Baha’i from Peoria, Illinois, received a Women’s Equality Day award from the local chapter of the National Organization for Women in recognition of her lifetime effort to create understanding, appreciation and respect for the diversity of the human race. The retired educator is also a 1998 recipient of the David Kellum Award from the National Spiritual Assembly. #


THE AMERICAN BAHAI

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




PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’iS OF THE UNITED STATES Baha’i National Center 847.869.9039

Managing Editor / Editorial Content James Humphrey

Managing Editor / Art Director Amethel Parel-Sewell

Associate Editor ‘Tom Mennillo

Associate Editor Ramzia Duszynski

Print Production Specialist Jemeul Johnson

Facilities Manager Artis Mebane

Contributors

Susanne Alexander, Addison Bibb, Daniel Bolm, Sedona Callahan, jim Cheek, Hanuchehr Derakhshani, Jerry Dick, Ken Duszynski, Heidi Greengus, Gloria Haithman, Sandy Jasnau, Ken ParekSewel, Roger Reini Negeen Sobhani, Horgan Spriggs, Thad Taylor, Siavash Vojdani, Ruhi Vargha, Nancy Wong | a E—

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





SEND ADDRESS CHANGES to Office of Information 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611.


ISSN Number: 1062-1113

SUBMITTING ARTICLES AND PHOTOS Tim American Baud’{ welcomes news, letters or other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Baha’ Faith.

  • Arricizs should be clear and concise.

Stories may be edited for length.

  • Puorocrarns may be color or black-andwhite prints or slides. Please submit photos

that are well composed and in focus and identify people in photos when possible. If you wish photos returned, include a selfaddressed envelope.

  • Deaputnes for upcoming issues:

Nov. 25 for the issue dated Dec. 31

Jan. 4 for the issue dated Feb. 7, 1999



PLEASE ADDRESS ALL ITEMS for possible publication to Managing Editors, The American Baba's, 1233 Central St., Evanston, TL 60201-1611 (e-mail .

rr —————

©1998 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.





page 2


Tue AmeRicAN BanA’i ¢ ALMANAC/EXCELLENCE


November 23, 1998





[Page 3]

TE waeramaNy EN:


“THE SECOND * FRONT

SAE AR NRE


OUTSHINING THE DARKNESS

Service to Cause is big part of Buffalo believer’s emotional healing


BY TOM MENNILLO


while the Faith is are not.

hear often t

perfect, Baha'is

And we see it borne out every

After all, ev s into the F

baggage from the old world and must constantly struggle to shed it.

But that’s little comfort to a young girl

who has suffered abuse from people she



ryone ca



ho happened to be


Deana Choczynski had been that young girl. For years afterward she couldn’t reconcile that reality with her love for Baha’u’llah and her re s performed for the




pect for


the service her abu rest of humanity.

She erected b:



riers between herself and the horrible truth, Between herself and the Faith.

But in ushering her own he: Choez) come back to the Bal y has brought a number of young people onto a hopeful path, and helped her community glimpse a new view of service.




ling pro cess forward, as not only



A TRAUMATIZED YOUTH Part of a poem she wrote years ago reflects an emotional storm: “I know everything but feel nothing. I llow it to


see everything but will never be s


n. I hear everything but will nev allow it to be heard. This tion. It’s the way I exist, the way I go on, the way I’m able to live. It can never be shattered or broken,


is my protec


for not one word can ever be spoken.” Chocz lescence and young adulthood were one long self-medication to numb the pain insi Another poem, written r

reveals the depths she plumbed:



ski’ life had imploded. Her ado de.

ntly,





Deana Choczynski (seated, center) poses with some of the youth and children who

regularly attend


“I am shattered and battered, and it doesn’t even matter. I have no respect use it was taken from me. I have to y for what w:




s done to me. For now I


ed and abused. I have been I ha

is to see. I still c


everywhere there is to be. everything there n't find a place for me. For now Lam 16. I’ve been too high to cry. I would like to die.

Healing had to be; As the poem concludes, “For the Ba that stays i the as fc more. Honor the ra

Cho py, and through it what had lain hidden began to come out. But it scared her to think what else


ve seen




in sometim







eee he



might emerge. She left therapy.

she also sought to reconnect with the ith of Baha'u'llah. One day she prayed: “I don’t know how to live. I don’t know how to die. OK, Baha’u’llah,



‘tues classes in Buffalo, New York.


I’m stuck here. What do I do?”

BACK HOME TO THE FAITH Soon after, called a friend and le to Baha’s school in her community of Buffalo, New York She teaching Baha’ and with her husband,




ed fap | a



began sses

working


with youth, Young people need others who are

5 she says

re from experience.

‘Those were the mid-1990s, when the Army of Light was at its brighte: Bahai youth including, to her s her daughter—were hitting the streets to

and honest” in their live:


The




attract their peers to firesic

Before long the couple were bringing 10 to 30 young people to Baha’s school on Sundays. And they took the kids



SEE BUFFALO, PAGE 27

Gift helps Honduras gain a national center

BY THE OFFICE OF THE TREASURER

Wr the Universal House of Justic called on our National Spiritual Assembly to contribute toward the purchase of a Bahda’i National Center in

Honduras, it came by coincidence at one of the bleakest times in recent memory for


AS A RESULT of the devastation from Hurricane Mitch, our National Spiritual Assembly has sent a

substantial contribution specifically for the relief of the friends in

Honduras and Nicaragua.

If you wish to help this relief effort financially, send a check to the National Baha’i Fund (address at right) along with a note indicating the money is for the relief of the friends in Honduras and/or Nicaragua. This will allow for safe and expeditious transfer of funds.



the Central Americé Mitch had just struck.

Now, though it can’t erase the physical suffering, the $100,000 gift from the U.S. National Baha’i Fund will not only help advance the Cause of God over the long term and provide a beacon for humanity in need—it will provide a small boost to the economy of a recovering nation.

‘The Universal House of Justice and the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’fs of Honduras had consulted for nitable facility to house a new Baha’i National Center. The Supreme Body then gave the American Baha’i community the privilege and opportunity of helping bring it to reality.

On Oct. 29, the House of Justice notified our National Spiritual Assembly that funds were the our

nation: Hurricane





some time about a




needed to finalize ale. Miraculously, National Fund had enough cash and within hours $100,000 was on its way to the National Assembly of Honduras.

At Ridvan 1996, the beginning of the


Honduran




Four Year Plan, the House of Justice had asked several National Spiritual Assemblies to commit to international financial collaboration goals. No detai were given; it was understood that opportunities would emerge later in the Plan. Since that time, on notification by the Supreme Body, our National Fund has given nearly $375,000 to cover the costs of acquiring national centers in Malawi, Ukraine, Albania, Sao Tome and Principe, the West Leeward Islands




ids come from the unreted contributions of American believers and are over and above the the Baha’s



regular support of International Fund. Many of our sist world came into being 2 effort and sacrifice of Ame! at blessing for this generation of in. Baha'is to be joined with them build

communities in the




is a gr Ameri still in Baha’u’!



a shared endeavor to h’s World Order.



Enrollments




October 1998 ..


Since May 1, 1998 ....



THE FUND

May 1-October 30, 1998

Contributions received by National Treasurer

Received since Goal for May 1, 1998: entire year: $8,607,045 S27 OCOD

32% of year’s goal was met

50% of fiscal

year has passed

April 30, 1999







Allocations to other funds

‘c Projects Fund $1,077,792

International Baha’i Fund $604,402



‘The two amounts above add up to 20% of contributions received by National Assembly (goal is 26%)



1.3% of contributions received by National Assembly (goal is 2%)


Other contributions: $3 16,086




Total revenues and expenses at Baha’i National Center May 1- Sept. 30, 1998 (Latest available figures)

CE Ay

Revenues


$8,000,667

penses





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

Mail contributions to: National Baha’i Fund 112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091-2800 . Please write Baha'i ID # on check




November 23, 1998

Tue American BanA’‘i * THe Seconp Front

page 3 [Page 4]



SUBMITTING YOUR-ARTICLES


TST TATE REPT PET


How to help The American Baha’i inspire hearts

KEEP IT TIMELY

lease bear in mind that from the moment we receive any article, it

might not appear in The American Baha'i

in your mailbox until a month later—at the soonest. This is because of the time needed to edit, print and mail each issue.

‘These automatic delays make it all the more important that you:

¢ Alert the editors in advance by email, letter or phone if something that would interest the Baha’is nationwide is coming up in the next two months. We can then mention it in the Calendar of nts in a timely manner.

  • ¢ Send your reports on local events

promptly, id: a week after the happeni ses, if you wait much longer the report can lose relevance quickly.

° Be conscious of deadlines (which will be published on Page 2 of each issue). Send material so that it arrives well beforehand, when possible.

KEEP IT RELEVANT

‘he National Spiritual Assembly has

set the editorial agenda of The American Bahd’i to be concerned chiefly with winning the goals of the Four Year Plan, particularly as detailed in each year’s Ridvan message from, the Universal House of Justice.

  • This priority leaves plenty of

room for news of how commu sare spreading the Word locally, using the arts in all activities, establishing training stitutes, developing their administra tion, or otherwise advancing the process of entry by troops. But it will often prevent us from publishing articles that might otherwise be interesting.

  • Letters from readers are encouraged toward an exchange of ideas and

opinions, never to denigrate another's views or attack anyone. Letters should be brief (a 250-word maximum is suggested) and may be edited for length and style. They should deal with the goals of the Four Year Plan or be in response to content of The American Babd’t.

HOLD READER INTEREST

any of these points seem obvious, but they bear stating here:

¢ If it makes the biggest difference, put it first. What specific occurrences make your story come alive? What results helped your community advance the Four Year Plan? What did your event or project do for the community, for the good of humanity, for people’ hearts? ‘Try to make your first six to 10 words contain at least some element of this most important or interesting point. You can explain in detail later in the story.

  • Who, what, when, where, why, how.

At least the first four of these elements should be in the first paragraph of a straight, factual report. However, the “why” or “how” often can be the most interesting part.

  • Be economical with words. Rather






















s long ago as 1925 the beloved Guardian, in a communication to the tional Spiritual Assembly, wrote that the national Baha’i News Letter “should be made as representative as possible, should be replete with news, upto-date in its information, and should arouse the keenest interest among believers ... in every corner of the globe.”

The editorial staff of The American Baha'i hopes to continue progressing in the spirit of that mandate, bringing the American believers not only reports of activities at the national and international levels, but also helping to inspire them with news of the many local and regional successes that build the foundation for the Kingdom of God on earth.

This second part is where you come in.

We're asking you, in a way, to don a reporter’s hat when you send us material to be published. Put some thought into the stories, letters or photographs you send, and they will shine through in their truest spirit when we pass them along to the Baha’is across the country.

This page contains a few guidelines to consider. We will be updating and pub


ing them about once a year.

IMPORTANT POINTS r

  • Check page 2 of The American Baha’i every issue for

deadlines coming up within the next two months.

  • Please address articles, letters and photos to:

Managing Editors, The American Baha’i 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201-1611 * e-mail






than providing a complete list of activities ora session-by-session narrative, focus on this: What highlights would be interesting or useful to you if you lived far away?

  • Don’t be afraid to summarize,

then summarize further.

  • But: Don’t leave out places, dates

or full names. We



e’'d rather have too much factual information of this type than too little.

  • People like to hear from people.

Once you’ve summarized the essen


tials, add a few inter


ing direct quotes or actions demonstrating how people feel about the subject of your article.

  • Let the praise flow from the facts

or quotes. For example, if an activity contributes toward meeting national or international goals, say so. If somebody feels joy or admiration, quote that person in his or her words.

  • Please understand if we have to edit

for length. Even your most conscientiously condensed report may not quite fit the space we have available. We promise our best efforts to maintain accuracy and stay true to the spirit of the ai

SHOW YOUR FACES

hotographs showing active Baha’ an unequaled way for The American Babi’ to reach straight to the hearts of its readers and foster a feeling of unity. Ple: keep these tips in mind: Show activity or emotion, clearly. The best photos often show a single activity or a singular emotion in a simple, relatively uncluttered scene. Try these tests: Does the eye naturally go toward a person or thing near the center of the photo, and do you want to keep looking at it? Does the photograph evoke an emotion or mood such as joy, excitement or empathy? ¢ Remember appropriateness. Photos of activities should be unrehearsed, i.e. not set up. But dignity (not


















stiffness) of posture, clothing and setting remain essential.

  • Compose pictures well. In taking the

photo, try to get close to the subject, but don’t cut out tops of heads or essential parts of the action. Sometimes it’s best to hold the camera vertically, rather than horizontally, to frame the best image up close. In general, compose images with care.

  • Stay in focus. Blurry images usually

sable, so be aware of the focus and a steady,

  • Try to take pictures in consistent

light. Brightly lit surroundings are best, but beware of splotchy shadows i in the picture—they can be di ing and cause problems in printing.

  • Let the faces show. Make sure the

faces in the photos you choos well-lit and can be seen clearly against the background.

¢ Identify people and their activities. We don’t want to guess who is doing what in a photo. Rather than writing caption information on the back of a photo, the best method is to type or write it on a separate sheet included in the mailing. If two or more photos are included, state clearly which caption belongs to each photo.

¢ High-quality prints or slides. We can use color or black-and-white prints

ides. sending negatives.

° Handle with care. Mail photos in a proper envelope or with relatively stiff cardboard included to prevent folding.

A SPECIAL NOTE ON SENDING PHOTOS ELECTRONICALLY

We would really prefer that you send original photo prints or slides. This allows us to prepare the image for printing in a professional manner from the start.

However, if you must send a computerized version of a photo because of time constraints or other reas please note:

  • Scan the photo in a high resolution.

Photo prints should be scanned at 300




hold the



are





or



dpi resolution. The Internet standard (72 dpi) is simply too coarse for printing on paper. As for slides, unless you have them professionally scanned, please allow us to scan them to avoid more complex resolution problems.

¢ Send us a JPEG or TIFF-format image. Other formats, such as .bmp, .tga or .gif don’t translate well to the printed page.

¢ Ship the photo on disk if possible, rather than e-mail. Electronic 's suitable for our use are us arge (often larger than 1 MB) that sending them over e-mail raises the



lem will ruin the whole image.

SPACE LIMITS: ITEMS WE USUALLY WON'T PRINT

L order to keep the space in the paper manageable, here are some items we will most often turn down:

¢ Lengthy commentaries, unless filled with new, relevant information.

  • Articles not dealing directly with

the goals of the Four Year Plan, except for Excellence in All Things and obituaries.

° Advance articles/display ads promoting upcoming local activities, except those sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly, its agencies, or Regional Baha’i Councils. If a locally sponsored activity is truly geared to invite Baha’is from the whole nation, or at least from an entire region, it can be listed in advance in the Calendar of Events.

HELP US HELP YOU

Ae keep communication at smoothest, please take the fol lowing into consideration:

¢ Give us a means to contact you. Email and telephones (especially a daytime phone number) are the fastest and often most satisfactory channels for follow-up communication, so we encourage you to provide those along with your return address.

¢ Understand we can’t reply to every contributor. Let this stand as a blanket statement of thanks for yourgenerosity and helpfuln Ve have so many submissions that we can’t reply to every one separately and still produce the paper. However, you are welcome to call this office to confirm whether we received a particular article or photo.

¢ Understand we can’t always promise publication. Even if your article meets the deadline, last-minute deci sions often must be made that delay publication of otherwise deserving items.

° If you want photos or documents returned: Let us know clearly which items you wish returned. Please include a suitable self-addressed envelope in your mailing if possible, and state clearly any special requirements for mailing or shipping. @











page 4. - Tue American Band‘i »

CC edgy Qf F

A SD BE A ARR R aY

ST ea ae ane 23,1998... oo

AER EU Saye A 8 «





[Page 5]Brilliant Star K:72°S COrRoNERe



rich & roble, too!

LIANG FOUND A WONDERFUL STORY showing just how generous ‘Abdu'l-Baha was. After the story, Liang has a Jun activity for you! Enjoy! : n the home of Baha’u'llah, there was a beautiful rug. One day, a poor Arab brought a load of wood to the house. He saw the rug and was very much attracted by its beauty. Out of generosity, ‘Abdu’l-Baha told him, “If you like the rug, take it.”. The man could not believe it was really a gift, so he put it over his shoulder and began to run. ‘Abdu’l-Baha reassured him and said, “Go on, no one is going to take it away from you.”

—From Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdu'l-Baha

«a A GIFT FOR ‘ABDU'L-BAHA! (e> If you were going to make a rug as a gift to ‘Abdu’l-Baha, what would it look like? What colors or patterns would you use? Design your own beautiful rug in any way you like. We've started one for you below. Give your rug to a friend and tell them the story about ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s kindness. Or, cut it out and send it in with your contribution to the Baha’i Funds in memory of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s generosity!


Activity by Treasurer's Office

> =<

PIT Do you want to bea 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 Bahai community! Our upcoming themes:







aboub prayer?

The next issue of Brilliant Star will talk about the power of prayer. When we pray, we express our love for God. We thank God and ask for God's help, too. Why do we pray? What happens we you pray? How do you feel when you pray? Do you have a special story about how prayers helped you or your friends in a tough situation? Do you have a favorite prayer? Share your thoughts with us! Please include your age and Baha’i community with your name.


Dynamics of Prayer Study of the Holy Texts Inspired to Teach

Send mail to: ~ Brilliant Star Submissions) Managing Editor BRILLIANT STAR

/o Bahai Media Services 1233 Central St.- Evanston, 1L.60201 tel/847.853.2355 - fax/847.256.1372




Illustration by Heidi Greengus



BRILLANT STAR SUBSCRIPTION FORM ES





A

Please enclose payment. Canadian/International orders



Name enclose international money order or bank cheque drawn = ona U.S. bank in U.S. dollars. To charge your credit card

Ee account, give number, expiration date and name.

Street

City & State Zip VISA/MC#/AMEX

Phone E-mail Exp. Date

MARK YOUR SUBSCRIPTION Name on Account

WG $18 United States, one year (six issues)

x $32 United States, two years x

we $18 All other countries, surface mail, one year Ww $32 All other countries, surface mail, two years YW $28 Air mail, one year

YY $52 Air mail, two years



Signature required for credit card orders


Total enclosed

Mail to: Baha’i Subscriber Service

5397 Wilbanks Drive * Chattanooga,TN 37343 Fax: 423.843.0836

E-mail:


TAB/11.23.98.


‘November 23, 1998

Te AMERICAN BAnA’i * Kup’s Corner page 5 [Page 6]


Community of 1,400 rises at Green Lake event

BY RAMZIA DUSZYNSKI


he weekend of Sept. 18-20 went too fast—for me and for most of the 1,400 particip:

Green Lake Baha’i Confere:





in the



It was my first to this conference and I think w rted a family tradition for ourselves. Green Lake has become a special tradition to many famil opportunity to meet old and mal friends and to recharge spi








was so special about this event on the shores of picturesque Green Lake, Wi in? Why does it attract so


ma


y people, making it the largest 4’ conference of its kind? I think I know the answer: It’s the spirit of Green Lake—the great feeling of unity and togetherness that attracts the hearts of many friends. n Lake took my heart, too.

The conferen only a handful of





began in 1960 with articipants. Over the years those tiny seeds have been carefully nurtured into a beautiful garden of love and fellowship.

‘Three new aspects enlivened this year’s timely, informative gathering:

¢ The Regional Baha’i Council of the Central States, in its first year, participated as a whole.

© Dr. Peter Khan, a member of the





Uni

rea


al House of Justice, gave ching address to the friends on the condition of the Baha’i Faith in relation to the state of the world.

  • At the same time, Green Lake had

its first full-fledged youth conference, “In the Footsteps of Badasht.”

The theme of the conference—“The The Presen of -was based on the concept 1 teaching: What can you do as an individual to feel closer to God?

A blue bench in the main conference room symbolized the ence of Baha’w'llah, intended to inspire a clear vision of one’s personal relationship with Baha’w’llah.

Participants had the option to listen to speakers, meet with special gu or friends, participate in workshops and peed sean or children’s


1
















The Regional Baha’i Council took the opportunity “to appear before the ma any Baha'is of the region at one time,” Council chairman Caswell “Additionally, it allowed us the opportunity to present the primary elements of the teaching plan for the Central States The Council organized — two workshops, one for youth. “We had a



SEE GREEN LAKE, PAGE 39


Green Lake Baha’i Conference committee members Lori Block (left) and Jocelyn Boor (right) share a few happy words with conference-goers as the weekend event

in Wisconsin continues. Photos by Ken Dusaynski

“Twas an Au:









jary Board member in the Midwest

for a number of years. The highlight to me is seeing people who were new Baha’is 23 years ago when | left. ... now they have become very strong, very firm, very devoted in the Faith. ...

“1 think the central need for us is to persist in our efforts to express the teachings with confidence that those efforts will yield the practical result in

_ due course, ... in the spirit of understanding and ee aa eee ee

as

Bi)

National Assemblies get benefit of external affairs training


tual Assemblies from

five continents were rep) ted by 15 people at Green Acre Baha'i School Oct. 10-18 in a histori to help national Baha’i communitie: encourage their governments to support human rights education.

‘The weeklong Human Rights Education ‘Training Seminar, called for by the Universal House of Justice, was conducted by members of the Baha'i International Community (BIC) Office in New York, along with Kit Cosby of the Office of the Sece: for External Affairs in Wi gton, D.C., and Gerald Filson, a member of the Office of External Affairs of the National Spiritual Assembly of C2

The training session was aimed at supporting the development and implementation of external affairs strategies on a global scale.

‘Trainees enjoyed musical performances by the Northeast Regional Baha’s Gospel Choir, Susan Lewis Wright and the Salt River ”s

Other presentations focused on the history and spiritual significance of Green Acre. Trainees were led on tours to the sites visited by ‘Abdu’l-Baha during His 1912 visit, and to the grave of the Hand of the Cause of God Louis Gregory.

Fall programming at Green Acre continues the weekend after Thanksgiving,

ational Sj




















Fifteen National Spiritual Assembly representatives attending the Human Rights


Education Train right): Margaret



g Seminar gather at Green Acre Baha’i School. First row (left to Papua New Guinea; Humaida Jumalon, the Philippines; Tuku

Akuri John, Cameroon; Maria Morera de Keillor, Costa Rica; Brendan McNamara, Ireland; Jerry Jacobs, South Africa. Second row: Peyvand Khaleghian, New Zealand;

Jutta Bayani, Luxembourg; Amelia Youssefi, Brazil


(Latin American Office of External

Affairs). Third row: Bharat Koirala, Nepal; Sheryl Maillor, New Caledonia and Loyalty Islands; Elena Florentina Muntean, Romania; Afsaw Tessema, Ethiopia. Back row: Sergei Poselski, Russia; Valerie Lewis-O’Bryan, Jamaica. Photo courtesy of Green Acre

Nov. 27-29, when C presents “The Most Vital and Challenging Issue: Meeting the Challenge With Honor.” This text-based course will explore how to create vibrant models of unity in our communities, with applications for “deliberately cultivating” freedom from racial prejud: The


nselor ‘Tod Ewing




se will draw on the recently published compilation Toward Oneness. Registration begins at noon Nov. 27. Kambeze Etemad facilitates a special Study Intensive Dec. 11-13 for hi school youth in grades 10-12. This “Apostles Training Academy” will be a transformative program of study and


preparation to become Apostles of Baha’u'llah. Enrollment is limited; contact the registrar in advance for an application.

Green Acre’s annual Winter School, scheduled Dec. 26-31, will feature guest presenter Jane Faily on the role of individuals and families in response to the Four Year Plan. A variety of afternoon workshops and ies are incluided, plus sessions for all ages, including junior-high and high-school youth.

A Weekend Retreat for Seekers will be held Jan. 22-24. This cozy weekend by the fireside will offer the opportunity to learn more about Baha'u'llah and the teachings of His Faith.

Just in time for Ayyam-i-Ha and the Holy Days to follow, a “Special Days” Parent/Child Weekend will be offered at Green Acre Feb. 5-7. Families can deepen their spiritual connection to Ayyam-i-Ha, Naw-Riz, the Fast and Ridvan as they prepare for them with projects and activities facilitated by Pepper Old

Local Spiriesal Assemblies that would like to hold a weekend retreat at Green Acre’ Ole Bull Cottage during December, January or February can contact the registrar for information on special rates.

For more information or a brochure, contact Green Acre (phone 207-4397200, e-mail ). @








winter












page 6 THE AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ CONSOLIDATING THE VICTORIES

Ce gey ELEVONY

TEES ES

VER nw aN See

November 23, 1998

EHO Ka t ‘ ( [Page 7]secre oe

Ip

COoNs oO

sore


IDATING*THE



pre:

Vi


IES


Radio Baha’i finally gets a permanent facility

BY TOM MENNILLO

he Radio Ba force” has a shiny new base of operations but remains ‘s support role



ever aware of



in reaching souls with the hau’ lah. In recent months, WLGI FM 90.9 moved i the Louis G. Gr Institute in Hemingway, South Carolina, from a dilapidated trailer to a modern f ross the street.

The bri residence tion’s off






rancl former also houses the stas, bringing the on




air and admini staff together for the Construction began three


with volunteer:



years ago, from many communit

working side by side with station staff “to rip out

Sheetrock, knock down walls, and remove windows,” d veteran Radio Baha’i program manager Ernie Hilton.

Then new walls went up, separating three studios from office and storage spac along with new sandwich-type windows to soundproof the building—or at least muffle the sound. Hilton says recording of spots must pause whenever a mower passes outside, for example.

Outside contractors were called in to do the intricate finishing work. By February, tech adviser Stephan Dimitroff and former general manager Greg Kintz began hooking up the boards and consoles.





es,



The result is a home that WLGI personnel are proud to invite people into. In fact, a public grand opening was

Detroit community goes international to celebrate Assembly’s 75th year


planned upon completion of driveway paving.

“We had to deliver Baha’u'llih’s message from a raggedy trailer that was about to fall down around our ears,” recalled production manager Laurie “CJ the DJ” Cohen, a longtime staffe

At the new studios, by con


trast, “people feel the spirit when they come in,” she said.

Just as important, “our own spirit has lifted here,” Cohen said. “It’s so important for us to keep attracting people. If we let our struggles through over the air we will lose folk:

own come



Fortunately, that hasn’t happened.

“We really feel like we’re on a roll,” Cohen said. “We're getting more recognition and more people are listening.”

These days, radio staffers walk into a restaurant or store and “people recite dialogue from spots we put on the air,” she said. “Little indicators like that tell us we're doing the right things.”

Those “things” include pursuing the station’s core misn—to deepen area Baha’is—plus enhancing the teaching work and fostering the social and economic development of a rural, chiefly AfricanAmerican audience.

Cohen and Hilton know there’s a long way to go on that score. They put so much staff time into keeping Radio Baha'i on the air 15 hours a day, seven days a week that, for example, writing and producing in-depth deepening programs has taken a back seat.

“We've been really, really good at [priorities] No. 2 and No. 3,” Cohen said. “We’ve been really, really bad at No. 1.”






‘Then there are other timeconsuming tasks staffers perform willingly, from keeping computers at the Institute humming to answering phones and doing maintenance.

“Tt doesn’t matter what title’s on the door,” Hilton said. “If we get our hands dirty in the gardens or working the tractor, it doesn’t matter. We’re all here to do one thing: to get Baha’u’llah’s word out there and serve the Cause.”

But they acknowledged a lit



tle help from the friends could go a long way:

  • Additional Baha’i-produced

educational segments are needed on topics such as health care and gardening. The staff encourages experts in a topic area to send in 90- to 150-se ond scripts or, if they have to good equipment, to record the scripts. me plea goes out to

tans. Songs in such genres as jazz, gospel, R&B, and hip-hop are always wel


acces







Volunteer disc jockey Clifford Matthews (above) shows off Studio A at the new permanent facility for WLGI Radio (at left), near Hemingway, South Carolina. Photos by Tom Mennillo




come. And there’s a crying need for 30- or 60-second “music beds” for spots.

In the final analysis, though, a Baha’i radio station can do only


so much to advance the Cause

“We're like an air force, ‘bombing’ people 15 hours a day with the love of God,” Cohen said. “But Radio Baha’i doesn’t make Baha’is. It takes infantry to get out there and get in people’s faces and say, ‘OK, what do you need to know about Baha’u’llah

to become a Baha’??” @



tk PIONEERS


ore than 150 Baha’is and friends of Baha’ honored the 75th anniversary of the establish ¢ The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of

the United States. g to such a degree the essential

qualities of audacity * of consecration

ment of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Detroit at an Oct. 17 celebration in the International

¢ The Regional Baha’i Council of the Central States.

of tenacity ¢ of self-renunciation

and unstinted devotion that will prompt them to abandon their homes, and forsake their all, and scatter over the surface of the globe, and hoist in its uttermost corners the triumphant banner of Baha’u’Il4h (Requirements from The Advent of Divine Justice)


Institute of Metro Detroit.

Principal speaker Reggie Newkirk, secretary-g: eral of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha of Canada, gave an informative talk on the nature of a Local Spiritual Assembly—its functions, duties and responsibilities to the community as a whole as well as to the Baha’i community.

Opening prayers and three songs from the Detroit Baha'i Gospel Choir, based on Baha’s prayers, launched a program that featured several commemorations, honors and greetings for the Assembly from:

¢ The Universal House of Justice, which assured the Assembly of its prayers at the Sacred Shrines for the success of this event.

¢ The Local Spiritual Assemblies of Windsor, Ontario, and Grosse Pointe, Michigan.

¢ US. Rep. John Conyers and U.S. Sen. Carl Levin.

  • The state of Michigan, in a resolution presented

by state Sen. Jackie Vaughn.

  • A personal note of congratulations from Peter

Khan, member of the Universal House of Justice, who lived in the nearby Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti areas during the 1960s and 1970s.

After the formal program concluded with prayers, the atmosphere became truly festive, with dancing








Contact the Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail

and general celebration. ) —Submitted by Roger Reini, Westland, MI #







November 23, 1998. THe AMERICAN BAHA‘i * CONSOLIDATING THE VICTORIES ._ page 7 [Page 8]



Cc



Conferences at Bosch face equality and healing issues

he beautiful aucumn weather set the ene for two important conferences at Bosch Baha’i School.

The National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men presented a three-day training seminar for the Western Region, Sept. 17-20, featuring Randa Wilbur and Larry Miller in leadhip and public speaking skills training. mmittee members Cynthia Thomas and Mike Rogell facilitated a study and discussion of the statement Two Wings of 4 Bird. Attendance was limited, but interest in the workshop was high.

The Baha'i network on AIDS, Sexuality, Addiction and Abu: (BNASAA) Annual Conference, Sept 24-27, featured Counselor Wilma El as plenary speaker, with workshops on related topics and sharing/consultation on these important issues. The loving, spiritual, supportive environment was a demonstration of the power of the healing Message of Bahé’u'lldh, An “Evening of the Sacred” and tribute to the late Sam McClellan, who had worked closely with BNASAA prior to his passing, added a special spiritu











al quality to the weekend.

December programs at Bosch will present a ty of offerings for both head and heart, as well as practical application of the Writings in today’s world, starting with the outstanding Wilmette Institute’s course on Islam, Dec. 18-20 box at right).

‘Take a break from the materiali the holiday season with Winter School at Bosch, Dec. 30-Jan. 3. Hearts and spirits will be uplifted by the insp tional stories and personal accounts of Shelia and Ai








sm of



in Banani in “Glimps they share histo ersonal experien ’s father, the

God Musa Banani. As Knights of Bahd’u’llih who opened Greece to the Faith in 1953, the Bananis have many recollections from the time of the global expansion of the Faith orchestrated by Shoghi Effendi. Another perspective on the Guardian will be presented by Jerry Sinclair with “The Most Vital and Challenging Issue in Today’s World.” The San Francisco Baha’i Youth





will


Workshop perform and an “Evening of the Sacred” will begin the new year with beauty and reverence. The Grassroots Education Conference, Dec. 27-Jan. 1, will provide an opportunity to share and to learn what happ cation. This working conference meant to help Baha’i educators coop




eratively forge common principles, practices and admini: for

rative structures


spiritually based education.

ants will consult in depth on



ctical topics and problems, and parate in workshops sharing succ ful teaching methodologies, learning strategies, techniques and materials. If you are working in education—or are planning to open a Baha’s school—this conference is for you!

The Calendar of Events lists other winter offerings. With the variety of upcoming sessions, we’re sure there will be something for everyone. Contact Bosch Baha’i School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (phone 408-423-3387, fax 408-423-7564, e-mail .




LAST WILMETTE INSTITUTE MINICOURSE AT BOSCH

The last Wilmette Institute course on world religions, focusing on Islam, will be held Dec. 18-20 at Bosch Baha’i School. Presenters are Brian Miller and Muin Afnani, both researchers in Islamic studies. Topics will include:

  • Major Themes of the Qur’an.

+ Early History of Islam and Development of Islamic Civilization.

  • Islamic Doctrines and Beliefs.

+ Islamic Mysticism as a Context for Studying the Writings of Baha'u'llah.

Students will have the option of doing home study projects after the classes end to deepen their knowledge. The course costs $75 if one registers two weeks in advance, and $100 if one registers at the door. Call Bosch to register. If you have questions, call Robert Stockman at the Wilmette Institute, 847-733-3425. @

Youth programs at Louhelen help answer perennial question

hat do you want to be when you grow up?” Young people hear this question over and over. Yet the question i: meaning—career, profession or voc:

ce


usually asked with only one


tion. The richer meanings of this question are seldom considered.

What kind of person do you want to become? What kind of virtues and moral character do you want to develop and be known for? What spiritual attributes will define who you really are? What kind of husband, wife, father, mother, neighbor, friend will you be? “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Social influences can bind us into a sophisticated prison, where our possibilities seem limited. The vast potentials endowed on us by God may become narrowed by materialism, peer pressure and popular culture. How can we learn to hear the seemingly small voice within us that calls us to a higher path, to our nobler nature, to our full potential?

‘Thinking in new ways about these richer questions are a large part of what youth programs are all about at Louhelen Baha’i School.

Immepiate NEED FOR YoutH VOLUNTEERS

Louhelen has an immediate need for additional Youth Service Corps volunteers, age 18 or older. Enlarge your vision of service to the Cause and service to humanity! Watch as your efforts are connected to the progress of the Cause. Work hard. Experience the national and international ’f community firs! hand as thousands or students and







A youth counselor works with a participant in last summer’s Camp Louhelen Children’s Institute at Louhelen Baha’i School. This is one of a variety of ways youth can work on bringing out their full potential at the school. Photo by Jim Cheek


tors come and go at this major crossof Baha’i life. Deepen and grow spiritually. Volunteers are needed now! Contact Louhelen for details. Institutes FOR YouTH

Each of us is a fingerprint of ... How would you say it? ... of God? ... of the Universe? Each of us is connected to a large universal Plan of God that includes everything that has ever been created. Each of us urgently needs to know who and what we are and to take up our f


road





sonal work in the universal, eternal Plan of God.

All of history has been pointing toward this moment. All the forces of the universe are surging toward a new civilization on earth. Is each of us in tune with the Plan? Do we know how best to make a positive difference? Is our 4 signpost pointing in a new dir tion for humanity, or are we wandering lost among the confused masses of a declining society?






If we are truly a fingerprint of God, a signpost for humankind, we need time to honor this station, study its meaning, and reflect on how we can grow in our capacity to live an active, uplifting life.

All the youth courses are Louhelen are intended to stimulate spiritual reflection, study and growth toward who each of us really is as a blessed child of Baha’w'llah. Today’s youth are taking part in the most significant endeavor in earth’s history. Connect yourself to this story. Attend one of these upcoming programs at Louhelen. For details contact Louhelen Baha’f School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 810-653-5033, fax 810-653-7181, e-mail

).



Dec. 27-Jan. 1: Winter School, for families with children and youth of all ages. Concentrated study of the Four Year Plan and the Ridvan 155 message, in the light of the pinciples explained in the Kitab-i-Iqin. With Habib Riazati and music by Brenda and Rick Snyder. Feb. 26-28: Family Session, for families with children and youth of all ages. March 19-20: Naw-Riiz Session, for families with children and youth of all ages.

April 2-5: Institute for Young Women, for girls ages 12-17.

April 9-11: Youth Eagle Institute, for youth ages 15 and older.

April 30-May 2: Junior Youth Institute, for youth ages 12-15.

May 7-9: Parent-Child Weekend, for families with children and youth of



page's | PHEVAMERICAN' BAIA’? ¢ CONSOLIDATING ‘THE VitroRtes

Névembef 23,1998 Af [Page 9]— ae tases SA ER ad OEE ‘ a

BAHA’i*eDISTRIBUTION*SERVICE




0-999-9019

Garden of Freedom Oraea Varis

$15.00 CD (GFCD) and fi red, spi nt to celebratory, these ring and thought-provoking.









coustic



selections are soul-st


39 minutes Heartstream Records

Rivers of Light

Grant Hindin Miller $15.95 CD (RLCD)

“Tm listening to it now

and am loving it and

erying all at the same

time. It i y wonder:

ful.” — A CD and songbook, with words, notes and guitar chords. Fiftee

cent tracks of prayers, Writings, a Hindin Miller.

48 minutes

Nightingale Press Love Is Always There Parvin Davari $15.95 CD (PLATCD), $10.95 CS (PLATCS)

an album of Bah ». Includes four chants for spe

» NC sure to brighten everyone's

The Holy Passions _ by Michael Fitzgerald $24.95 SC (THPS)

George Ronald’s second m: collection of poetry by Michael





ongs and c














4l minutes



jor



crald has something genuine in every poem.

“Alice Quinn, Poetry Editor/ The New Yorker

5 1/2” x 8 3/4”, 384 pp. George Ronald; Publisher

Leroy loas: Hand of the Cause of God by Anita Toas Chapman $30.95 SC (LIS)

This book is more than a biography. It illuminates Baha’{ history in the isi 50 years of the Age, when Ba tions were pain: built up, principles given



teaching missions begun. Anita Ioas

Chapman’s ii account will be of alue to the many Baha’is who did not personally experi




ence those times and who wish to enhance their understanding.

6 1/4” x 9 3/4”, 416 pp.

George Ronald, Publisher





November 23; 1998 Fite AMBRIGAN BANA‘ * BAHnA’i DisTRIBUTION GERVICE page 9 [Page 10]


A Love Which Does Not Wait by Janet Rube-Schoen HC $18.95 (LWDNWH)

In these, the stories of nine Baha’is eulogized by Shoghi Effendi as a “distinguished band of coworkers,” Janet Ruhe-Schoen captures the essence of their service and sacrifice to a Cause they loved so dearly. Through stories, anecdotes, and personal correspondence, the author illustrates the exemplary characteristics of these early pioneers.

5 3/4” x 8 3/4”, 341 pp.

Palabra Publications






Stewardship and Development with 1998 Additions A Desktop Reference

Office of the Treasurer

with 1998 Additions $10.95 (SAD98); 1998 Additions only $2.00 (SAD98A) This valuable manual, when used in conjunction with the Stewardship and Development seminars, nd-alone guide to the spiritual principles related to our g' ntly been expanded to include many more references from the Sacred Writings. A brand-new chapter devoted entirely to sorting out the complex issues of acquiring a local Baha’{ center is particularly timely as we entry by troop: stewardship and Development include: guidance for local t sample forms for use in










ges never befo s in-depth

pendices and




ising make this expandable document a alike.


must-have resource for Local Spiritual Assemblies and individua 8 1/2” x 11”, 185 pp.

National Spiritual Assembly of the United States




a

= « =] PER: Bi-Yad-i Dust In Memory of the Friend $15.00 SC (PBYDS)

‘The Friends of Persian Culture Association presents this compilation of some of the writings of the Hand of the Cause of God Abu’l-Qasim Faiz/, an account of his life and services and loving reminiscences about him—as a gift to his many admirers throughout the world.

6” x 9", 211 pp.

National Spiritual Assembly of the United States




The Straight Path

(SP10) $4.00/10 pack

Excerpted from a message of the Universal House of Justice to

a Baha’i Unity Conference in Navajoland, this long out-of-print pamphlet has been redesigned and reissued to assist with teaching efforts among Native American populations. In a few short paragraphs the Universal House of Justice introduces Baha’u’llah as a Messenger from God, describes His mission and explains our part in it.

Baha’i Publishing Trust, United States




Racial Healing in the Baha’i Faith by Gary Matthews

$3.50/10pk, $25.00/100, $180.00/1000 (RHBF)

A balanced, well-written introduction to the Baha’i views on prejudice and its elimination. Presents concisely, yet formidably, the concept of prejudice and its origin, the spiritual solution for its elimination, and the concept of race in the Baha’i community. Stonehaven Press

/Ereating a Culture of Growth

The Four Year Plan $19.95 VT (ECCGN)

The Four Year Plan focuses the Baha’

world on one overriding aim—advancing the process of the entry of humanity into the Cause by troops. Creating a Culture of Growth documents exemplary efforts of communities in each of the regions which were addressed in special messages from the Universal House at the start of the Four Year Plan. It piring global vision of efforts to prepare for the next historic phase of the development of the Cause.

33 minutes

Baha’i International Community, Office of Public Information









kas See ey en Cceintiateiemlataneeteta tl Lead







The Modern Renaissance An Approach to a Healthier Lifestyle

by Reza R. Mobine

SC $6.95 (MODRS)

This book identifies the source of problems that exist in our society, problems which continue to escalate, threatening to become monumental obstacles to the progress of mankind. It goes on to onstrate, by m s of Baha'i t , how the sh: of our advei can be broken and the foundation of a New World Order laid.

4 1/4” x 7”, 231 pp.

Baha’i Publications Australia

RE



A Prayer for Fluffy

by Roxana Faith Sinex illustrated by Wendy Cowper-Thomas

HC $12.95 (PF)

Prayer as a means to an end is the lesson everyone should learn at an early age. But, be careful what you pray for, because as this story for children shows, there may be a delightful twist in your results as well! An excellent story for demonstrating to children the unique power, and wisdom, behind prayer. 712” x9 112”

30 pp., illustrations Bellwood Press


Would You Have Known Jesus? by John Adler $3.50/10pk, $25.00/100, $180.00/1000 (WYHKJ)

“Would you have known Jesus?” is a question that many teachers in the Cause would like to ask a Chi 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 Bah@’u'llah 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






8 Tin AeteieAN RAMA FALL



[Page 11]





Like Pure Gold

The Story of Louis G. Gregory by Anne Breneman illustrated by Gregory Newson $14.95 HC (LPG)

In this children’s book the life of Louis Gregory is chronicled in a manner that any child can readily identify with. ips 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.

9 1/4” x7 1/4”, 45 pp., illustrations Baha’i Publishing Trust, United States








BACK IN STOCK

Family Virtues Guide » (FVGS) $14.95 Baha’i References to Judaism, Christianity and Islam ¢ (BRJ) $24.95 Baha’i Wall Calendar + (BWC) $2.95 ; Baha’i Datebook + (BDB) $2.95 Multifaith Resource Planner « (MRP) $9.95 Multifaith Calendar + (MFC99) $11.95 Baha’i History Calendar * (BHC) $7.50


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 an

purpose of this book is to facilitate the J JSTAG Lett Sones The Dynamics of

understanding of how a person can reach these critical conclusions and come closer to

the truth, about the value of their convictions Authentic Morality and the worth of those convictions relative to r a higher authority. Using precepts and argu- . by William S, Hatcher

ments 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 Baha’i 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” x 8 1/2”, 155 pp.

Baha’ Publishing Trust, United States


te








Ali’s Dream

The Story of Baha’u’llah by John S. Hatcher

illustrated by Mary Holveck $22.95 SC (ADS)

d edition with all new ions to highlight this

ite story about Ali, an 11year-old boy whose life becomes a quest for the meaning of a dream. Weaving scenes from the history of the Baha’i Faith into the narrative, John Hatcher draws out of thi universal truths about

Si suffering, and spiritual qualities in a way that allows a personal identification with these es and with a cause greater than one’s own self.







33 pp., illustrations Baha’i Publishing Trust, United States



Peles CLT Divine Art of Revelation by Jobn S. Hatcher $4.95 SC (DAR) Adapted from Dr. Hatcher's popular book The Ocean of His Words, and-alone revision of the first chapter of that work deals ally 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” x 6”, 60 pp. Baha’i Publishing Trust, United States











SHIP TO

TITLE QUANTITY | COST EACH | TOTAL








DAYTIME TELEPHONE # ( )


PAYMENT METHOD






O CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ENCLOSED

O CREDIT CARD OVISA O MASTERCARD OAMER.EXP. O DISCOVER

CREDIT CARD #


EXP. DATE SIGNATURE



NAME AS IT APPEARS ON CREDIT CARD


UNITED STATES:ADD 10% (MIN. $2.00, MAX. $10.00) Svea CANADA:ADD 15% (MIN. $3.00) SHIPPING INTERNATIONAL: ADD 40% (MIN. $5.00, VIA AIR MAIL ONLY) SALES TAX SALES TAX: ONLY SHIPMENTS TO TENNESSEE ADDRESS

ADD 8.25% TOTAL







ca Baha’i Distribution Service * 5397 Wilbanks Drive * Chattanooga, TN 37343



November 23,1998 Tam AMERICAN BAMAY © BAnA'T DistaiBUTION SERVICE

paged


[Page 12]

A look at regional schools’ role at the dawn of ae ees


THE EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS OFFICE

ye role of regional summer and inter schools has never been more important than no\ than 30 regional summer and winter chools s mandated by Shoghi ing the knowledge, s ing the zeal, and fostering the spirit of fellowship among the believers in every Baha’ community.” Their role will become increasingly important as we welcome more and more new believers to the Faith of Baha’u'llih. Regional schools often provide the first opportunity for a new believer to deepen knowledge of the te: tory of the Faith in ion and to participate in “cle intense community life.” Summer school is a place for everyone to return, year after year, to replenish and refresh the soul, mind and body from daily devotion, study, fellowship and recreation. For many children and youth this is the place where their identity as Baha'is is cemented. This is the way it has been for more than 70 years since the first Baha'i schools started in America. ¢ Schools and institutes: centers of learning. Summer and winter schools are referred to by Shoghi Effendi as centers of learning. The Universal House of Justice uses same term for training institutes. Both these centers of learning have significant roles to play in advancing the process of entry by troop Schools and_ trai share many obj preparing teachers, infusing a deep love of Bahd’u’llih in the heart of each participant, and fostering a firm Bal identity. Both use devotion and intense study of the Sacred Writings as the primary vehicles for achieving these goals.


The more






fendi: imulat
























“ing “in the he:


Kids of all ages gather in the sunshine at last summer’s Four Corners Baha’i

School south of Gallup, New Mexico.

¢ Difference in focus. ‘Training tutes are charged with “ see kills needed “t foster and facilitate the process of eae by troops with efficiency and love.” ‘They are action- and goal-oriented. he work of the schools is no less important. In addition to seeing the schools as “the best preparation for all prospective Baha’ teachers,” Shoghi Effendi also envisioned the schools’ tremendous role in shaping Baha’i community life. They do this by fostering enthus to serve and infusof all those present such spirit as will enable them to ideals of the C









Cause into ve living .




not only i in their theore but first and foremost in thei


requireity life.”

Summer and winter schools offer a king model of Baha’i community life. Importantly, they offer recre


we


ation and fellowship as components of their curriculum in addition to study and devotion.

Another distinction is that regional schools at this point are limited in duration, lasting three to 10 days. Institutes, by contrast, are ongoing and offer courses year-round.




¢ Different organs, one body. As distinct parts of an Administrative Order, schools and institutes still are likely to work mes to create programs






observed, “Thus when that unifying force, the penetrating influence of the Word of God, taketh effect his diversity, this di is like the naturally created dissimilarity and variety of the limbs and organs of the human body, for each one contributeth to the beauty, efficiency and perfection of the whole. ...”

¢ New regional schools. The National Spiritual Assembly sees regional s vital element the life of the ‘American Baha’i com. It recently appointed new regional school committees in Western Washington and Indiana and new committees in Louisiana and Georgia are pending.

Surveying the opportunities and growth before us, we are reminded by the Guardian: “The institutions. of winter schools, so vital and benefige in the development of the Faith, must be continually expanded, and consolidated.”








ummer and


cial at the present

enriched


UPCOMING FALL AND WINTER SCHOOLS

  • Nov. 26-29: Menucha Baha’i School

(Western Oregon)

Facilities: Conference center east of Portland.

Program: Personal Spiritual Transformation/Individual’s

Role in Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops.

Speakers to include Joan McBride and William Allmart.

Cost: Adult $140, youth $100; more private lodging,

$180.

Registrar: Oregon Baha’i Schools Committee West c/o Portland, OR 97213. Pre-register with

50% deposit.

More information: Lynne Nesbit (phone 503-282-0182, e mail ).

  • Nov. 26-29: rida Baha’i School

Facilities: Holiday Inn, Cocoa Beach.

Program: “Action.” Speakers include John Hatcher,

Howard Tangler, Javidukht Khadem and others; Persian

sessions; youth and children’s classes.

Registrar and for more information: Denise Godsey,

Pompano Beach, FL (phone 954-9421844, e-mail )). Pre-register, pay by Nov. 9 for 20% discount.

  • Dec. 26-29: Montana Youth Rendezvous

Facilities: Ursuline Center, 2300 Central, Great Falls, Montana.

Program: For youth and mature pre-youth. Tentatively to be on marriage and preparing for marriage.

Cost: $60-$85 depending on accommodation; food and conference fees included.

Registrar: Sandi Marisdotter, Helena, MT 59601 (phone 406-442-7526). Pre-register with $10


deposit per person.

More information: E-mail Kay Maloney

( ) or see the Web site (www.nvdi.com/mtbahai/mbs/).

  • Dec. 31, 1998-Jan. 3, 1999: Texas Baha’i

Winter School

Facilities: Green Family Camp, Bruceville, TX.

Program: “The Life of Baha’u’llah”; speakers to include David and Margaret Ruhe, Darius and Grace Shahrokh. Registrar: Muhammed Mazidi, P.0. Box 381653, Duncanville, TX 75138-1653.

  • Jan. 1-2, 1999: Heartland Baha'i School (Illinois)

Facilities: Springfield Hilton, Springfield, Illinois. Program: “Strengthening the Family: Nuclear, Extended and Spiritual”; classes on marriage, preparation for marriage, parenting, aging, individuals and the Local Spiritual Assembly.

Registrar: Carl Clingenpeel,

60504 (phone 630-898-0520).

More information: See the Web site (empath. vp.uiuc.edu/heartland/).

© Jan. 29-31, 1999: lowa Baha'i School Facilities: Valley West Inn, West Des Moines, lowa Program: “Prepare the Way—Welcoming Diversity.” Programs for adults, youth and children.

Registrar: Al Prosser, West Des Moines, IA 50265 (phone 515-224-4966). @

Aurora, IL

Combined ‘Irfan Colloquia take intensive look at Tablets of Baha’u’llah


‘he first-ever simultaneous Persian

and English sessions of the ‘Irfan Colloquium drew nearly 150 people to Louhelen Baha’i School on Oct. 9-12, with most of the dozens of scholarly presentations focusing on the revelation of Baha’u'llah in the years before His exile to ‘Akka.

‘The 19th (Persian language) and 20th (English) ‘Irfan Colloquia were part of a series of conferences sponsored each year since 1993 in North Am and Europe by the Haj Mehdi Arjmand Memorial Fund.

“Trfin” is a Persian word referring to mystical, theological, and spiritual knowledge.

The Persian session, attended by about 120, featured 17 presentations






ing on the revelation of Baha’u’llah the Istanbul-Adrianople period (1863-68).

The colloquium opened with a summary of that period, then each presentation focused on a specific tablet—for cee the Tablet of the Branch, the

’ (the longest work by not yet translated into Baha’w'llah’s mathnavi (a pecan) the tablets to the Kings, ete.

Themed talks considered “The Vanguard of the Revelation of Laws,” “Pantheism and the Station of the Manifestation of God,” “The Most Great Separation,” “Human Rights and Collective Security” and “Principles of Baha’i T! heology.”

Every evening a panel discussion with




all the day’s spe: allowed the audience to ask qu . Persian songs and music by Shokouh Reza’i and Manuchehr Vahman followed, along with socializing.

The English ion, with an audience of 25, opened with three talks on the Baha’{ Faith and Christianity. The other 12 presentations over the weekend dealt with many of the tablets featured in the Persian session.

Both colloquia had speci devoted to the sesquicentennia | of the Conference of Badasht. Special programs for children followed the same themes as the conference.

‘The Haj Mehdi Arjmand Memorial Fund was established in 1992 to foster study of the scriptures of the world’s reli










s from a Baha’s perspective. It was named in honor of Haj Mehdi Arjmand (1861-1941), a Persian Baha’i wellknown for his profound knowledge of the Bible, Qur’én and Baha’i scriptures.

‘The booklet of abstracts from the 20th colloquium (36 pages), as well as abstract booklets for many other English-language sessions, are available for $3 each from the Research Office, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. Checks should be made to the Baha’i Services Fund.

Eventually many of the papers will be published in a series of Arjmand-sponsored volumes.

Next year’s ‘Irfan colloquia in English and Persian will be held at Louhelen over the Columbus Day weekend. @


8



page'l2. THe AMERICAN

RICAN BantA’l */ CONSOLIDATING THE VICTORIES

“November 23, 1998 [Page 13]



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 belpful 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

)

ACS Growinc

‘The Automatic Contribution System (ACS) is growing—both in the number of participants and in the total amount of contributions received. October's ACS contributions were well over $300,000, representing more than 2,600 individuals, Local Spiritual Assemblies and registered groups. The ACS is a great assistance in that it guarantees an amount each month that is available for the work of the Cause at all levels. Please share this information with your community and make available the forms for subscribing to ACS. Forms can be obtained from the Office of the Treasurer (phone 847733-3472) and copied for distribution locally.


SUMMARY STATEMENTS DISCONTINUED

As year’s end approaches, friends in your community may still be expecting an annual summary statement of r total contributions to the National Fund. Please remind the friends that these summary statements for mail-in contributions have been discontinued. The receip ued for each individual mail-in contribution n be used as proof of the contribution for tax purposSummary statements are now issued only for total annual contributions through the Automatic Contribution System. This change in procedure represents significant savings to the National Fund.





Ways To Give

There are a number of ways to support the Funds of the ith in addition to gifts of cash. Gifts of appreciated have been mentioned previously in this column. one of several methods known as “planned giving,” and can result in significant tax savings for the contributor, sometimes making it possible to make a larger gift than anticipated. “Ways to Give,” a booklet that describes many options for giving, is available through the Office of the Treasurer (phone 847-7333472, e-mail ). Individual copies are free and local treasurers can order a supply for $3.50 per dozen. Treasurers: The year’s end is a good time to share this information with the friends.



Detavep REMITTANCES

Occasionally treasurers delay in remitting contributions made for the International and National Funds. Unfortunately, this delays the fulfillment of the individual contributor’s wish to support the Faith. It may also cause interest income to be lost to the institution receiving the gift, as all interest accrued on the gift belongs to institution. In light of these considerations, whenle, we will want to avoid delays in remitting the contributions of the friends to the institutions for which they are intended.



REGARDING UNIVERSAL PARTICIPATION... “The unity of the believers, rich and poor alike, in their support of the Fund will be a source of spiritual confirmations far beyond our capacity to envisage.” —The Universal House of Justice, Sept. 17, 1992 @


Updated modules refresh Assembly training programs

ix new training workshops will soon be available

for the development of Local Spiritual Assemblies, in the broadest refinement yet of the 10-year-old Assembly Development Module program.

The Office of Assembly Development is releasing these module workshops on topics vital to Assembly functioning:

  • A Sense of Partnership: The Individual and the

Spiritual Assembly

  • Loving Shepherds of the Multitudes: Applying

Spiritual and Administrative Principles

¢ Builders of Communities: Stress Management and The Baha’i Community

  • Channels of Divine Guidance: The Spiritual

Nature of the Local Spiritual Assembly

  • Channels of Divine Guidance: Consultation Part

Developing the Requisites of Consultation nels of Divine Guidance: Consultation Part ‘Two: Consulting in Un mony

Some of th ely new, ule others are S Module workshops util is of experiential learning exerci nts understand the concepts, apply them to. their communities, and develop personal action steps to help cement the learning. ing theory, along with the Surriculum model of instruction, have been utilized to ensure that the experience is a practical step in an Assembly's development.

The modules are d Assemblies but can be used for groups of Assemblies or full communities. They can be done in any order except for the two modules on consultation, for which











ned for individual



Part One should be done before Part Two. Basic module workshops ound thre long, and contain optional that c the session if more time is available. Shortening the red, since the topi e multifaceted and the experiential nature of the exercises, tive, is more time-consuming than other formats. However, some shortening is possible


hours


n extend



modules is discour:



while more et

since the workshops are divided into separate segments by theme or objective.

mmunities without Development representative may purch: Facilitator’s Guide. This complete and_ specific guide makes it possible for anyone with training skills to present the modules. Assemblie:



access to an Assembly the




are


encouraged, however, to select objective fac from outside their community to increase tance by participants.

The Office of Assembly Development will continue to revise them and create new ones on topics of



HUQUQU’LLAH

concern to Local Spiritual Assemblies. These will be announced in The American Bahd’t as they become available.

Other modules, not yet revised but. still available, include:

  • Teaching and the Spiritual Assembly.
  • Connecting the Hearts to the Fund.
  • Baha’f Social and Economic Development.
  • Celebrating Diversity.

¢ That East and West May Embrace.

  • Cultivating and Integrating the Arts in our Baha’i

Community Life.



To ARRANGE AN ASSEMBLY DEVELOPMENT MODULE Worksuop IN Your COMMUNITY:

FACILITATOR

  • Contact one of the 56 trained Assembly

Development representatives around the country. If you don’t know which representative is in your area, check the Administrative Web Site (www.usbnc.org) or contact the Office of Assembly Development, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-7333490, e-mail ).

  • If your community doesn’t have access to an

Assembly Development representative, please select a facilitator, preferably somebody objective from outside your community.

MATERIALS + If an Assembly Development representative conducts one of the six new workshops, you may order handouts for participants in packages of 10 from the Baha’i ribution Service (phone 800-999-9019). ¢ Ifa non-Assembly Development representative is to conduct the workshop, your community may order a Facilitator’s Guide from BDS. This guide includes: guidelines for facilitation; information on the Assembly development process; resources available from the Office of Assembly Development; objectives for the module, explaining purpose of and activities for each segment; an agenda with suggested timing; a list of needed materials; and a package of handouts for participants.



Mee me gee 8)


Payments to Huqtqu’llah should be made to “The Baha’i Huqtqu’llah Trust” (please write your Baha’ identification number on your check) and sent to one of the Trustees:

  • Dr. Amin Banani,

¢ Mr. Stephen Birkland,

  • Dr. Daryush Haghighi,

Santa Monica, CA 90402 (phone 310-394-5449) Arden Hills, MN 55112 (phone 612-484-9518) Rocky River, OH 44116 (phone 216-333-1506)

Inquiries about Huqiqu’lléh should be referred to one of the ‘Trustees or to the Office of the

Secretariat, Baha’f Huqtqu’llah Trust,

Rocky River, OH 44116.



  • == “govember 23,1998

ran ee

Fe eS

BA ere vOn


APMONISTERNS HE OUR) PaRg 13 [Page 14]LSAT rare ‘DMT

soe oe 2 oe


NOR on or ea ee he

NISTERING:>TH

ORT

poorer ee

AUSE

LRT



Indy careful of spiritual vision in center project


BY TOM MENNILLO

nstant obedience has its rewards, the

Baha’is of Indianapolis, Indiana, have discovered as ground-breaking nears on their long-awaited center.

The capital city’s Center Fund started about 20 years ago. Over the years, money came in dribs and drabs, according to Center Committee member Phyllis Rapier.

Then, in 1994, the Spiritual Assembly decided the time had come to move the project to the forefront. It directed a committee to study every aspect of a Center and started a fund-raising push.

But the needs of the Faith dictated otherwise. When the Universal House of Justice called on the Baha’is of this generation to realize their privilege in constructing the Arc on Mount Carmel, Indianapolis responded. An outpouring of contributions allowed the community to send almost $70,000 to World Center of the Faith.

‘This could have been seen as a setback in the Bahda’i center quest. Rather, it brought the community together and helped the friends recognize their true capacity to give.






This architect’s drawing shows the proposed front view of the Indianapolis Baha’i Center. Drawing courtesy of Spiritual Assembly of Indianapolis

So, when fund-raising resumed, a momentum was built that has led to the purchase of 1.9 acres on the city’s northwest side for $42,500; rezoning of the site; site improvements and hookup to utilities for $40,000; and a center design that is nearly ready to be turned into reality for another $120,000 or so.

In the meantime, the Assembly rents an apartment in a former hotel with excellent meeting fa giving the commuin pcooaaney a facility





nee pact steona ind’viduals’ homes

ion on the ce ater is expected


Stewardship course helps build power to act systematically

he Universal House of Justice,

in its B.E. 155 Ridvan letter to the Baha’is of the world, cited three developments that brightened their expectations about the process of entry by troops:

+ A “greatly strengthened faith, a more conscious spiritual identity, and a deepened commitment to Baha'f service”;

“solid results being produced wherever training institutes are in operation.”

¢ A “notable improvement” in the “establishment and renewal of Local Spiritual Assemblies.”

+ A “new confidence in teaching” that is “stirring the friends” and “yielding impressive results.”

‘To bring about and be prepared for entry by troops, the Universal House of Justice tells us that we must have “a realistic approach” and take “systematic action.” A systematic approach to Baha’ service, for instance, requires methodical, harmonious and balanced action in order to develop our human resources.

Many other resources are needed, as well, including those of a material nature. And the stewardship of the Funds of the Faith is as important now as it ever was. It is one of the prerequisites for the future progress and achievement of the Faith.

After participating in one of four 3-day training sessions offered by Office of the ‘Treasurer, more than 50 new Stewardship and Development facilitators have begun the process of offering seminars to the friends across the country.


The facilitators “came alive” and

“felt spiritually renewed” as a result of the comprehensive training they received, and are sharing the same with those who attend the Stewardship and Development Seminars.

Participants’ comments from a recent seminar in California tell a part of the story:

“[T]he (Stewardship and Development) materials are very good and enlightening. The facilitator was warm and quite knowledgeable, and presented the information in a very interesting manner. I particularly liked the reminder of and emphasis on the spiritual aspects of giving. ...”

“The consultation, quotations, and stories about the Funds” were quite helpful, wrote another participant, adding that the most helpful aspect of the seminar was discussing the Sacred Writings.

More of the story will be revealed as we spend time together being immersed in the transformational power of the Writings about the “life blood of the Cause”—the Baha’ Funds. We will learn about the spiritual principles of privilege, of sacred obligation, and of universal participation. We'll see the many hats a Local Spiritual Assembly ‘Treasurer wears, and how we are all stewards of the Faith, asked by the Central Figures to inspire, to teach, and to rise to a new level of service.

As a companion to the seminars, the manual Stewardship and Development provides ample selections from the Holy





to begin in February and last six months. Final city approval of the design is expected soon. Then building permits can be obtained.

The one-story structure, with a stucco-like finish, will be 76 by 46 feet— nearly 3,500 square feet. A main meeting room seating about 200 will be augmented by classrooms, a kitchen, lobby, library/archives and restrooms. A handicap access ramp and beautiful landscaping will help make the facility inviting.

‘To enhance the building’s utility, all weight-bearing walls are on the exterior. That allows interior walls to change



with the community’s needs. The land also should be able to handle expansion of the building.

The neighborhood, convenient to an liverse and growing. Next door to the center site is a school and


expressway, is

across the street is a new subdivision. Some commercial activity is nearby.

Meanwhile, fund-raising continues and the Assembly anticipates having enough money in hand to obtain a manageable mortgage. One popular method—made easier by having a scale model built—has been to allow community members to “buy” a window, door, or other feature of the building.

Children have been instrumental in the effort. They’ve not only contributed to the Center Fund but suggested ways to raise money and assisted in those activities.

Indeed, the center project is a perfect example of universal participation. The Assembly and the committee ensured that all community members have a say in what the center will look like and how it will be used. As a result, it is a facility with which everyone will be comfortable.

“It’s not about you or the community,” Rapier sums up. “It’s about building the kingdom of God.” #





Jan. 9, 1999: Minneapolis, MN 9 a.m.

3471, e-mail ».


JOIN OR Host A STEWARDSHIP SEMINAR NEAR YOU

oin your fellow community members at a scheduled Stewardship and Development seminar near you. Or consider hosting a seminar.

Together, we’ll learn more about how we can change the world through our systematic efforts to support our Faith materially. Together, we'll learn to put spiritual principles into action in preparation for entry by troops.

Here is a partial list of scheduled Stewardship and Development seminars as of late October, along with phone numbers for information. Many more are in the planning stages. For an updated list and more information, visit the National Spiritual Assembly’s Administrative Web Site (www.usbnc.org).

Dec. 5: Philadelphia, PA Baha’i Center 8:30 a.m.—5 p.m.

Dec. 5: Kalamazoo, MI 13815 Drake Road Suite G 10 a.m.—4 p.m. Phone 616-382-3707 Dec. 5: Boise, ID Baha’i Information Center 10 a.m.—4 p.m. Phone 208-887-5692 Dec. 6: Charleston, WV Women & Children’s Hospital 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Dec. 6: Las Vegas, NV 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Phone 619-262-8462

Dec. 19: Charlotte, NC 9 a.m.—3:30 p.m. Phone 704-552-7117

Dec. 19: Springfield, IL 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Phone 217-546-6895

Dec. 19: San Diego, CA Baha’i Center 9 a.m.—4 p.m. Phone 619-262-8462

Jan. 3, 1999: Modesto, CA Enslin Park 9:30 a.m.—4 p.m. Phone 209-529-1936

30 p.m. Phone 612-789-5718

Jan. 30, 1999: Roseville, MN 9 a.m.—4:30 p.m. Phone 612-789-5718

Jan. 30, 1999: Asheville, NC 9:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m. Phone 828-258-3854

April 24, 1999: Boone, NC 9 a.m.—3:30 p.m. Phone 828-264-2297

To find out more about the Stewardship and Development seminars, materials, or program, please contact Jennifer Torrence in the Office of the Treasurer, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3421, fax 847-733




s, principles and application This comprehensive resource is a must-have for Local Spiritual Assemblies, groups and individuals. It was recently updated to include more references about planned giving and fund raising, and offers an entire chapter devoted entirely to communities considering a local Baha’i center. Manuals



(with the 1998 Additions) are available for $10.95 each through the Baha’i Distribution Service at 800-999-9019. We can all be a part of sustaining the continuous expansion and consolidation of our communities. Through systematic action, we'll grow in our understanding of the many privileges we:share as Baha



page 14

The AMERICAN BanA’i * ApMInsTERIYG THE CAUSE, _


November 23, 1998


[Page 15]

Cleveland events expose thousands to Faith

BY SUSANNE M. ALEXANDER:

leveland’s Baha’is reached out to many of the people seen to be most receptive to the Baha’ interested in spirituality, global thinking and advancement of women interest of thousands of visitors and a number of important contacts.

‘The Spiritual Assembly of Cleveland, Ohio, adopted an individual’ initiative when it got involved in the Whole Life Expo, Sept. 11-13, and the Everywoman/“Ie’ a Girl Thing” health exhibition Sept. 26. Both events were held at the International Exposition Center in suburban Brook Park.

“This was an incredible feat for any North American Baha’ community, but especially for Cleveland,” said Nik ‘Tressler of Ashtabula, a volunteer. “Here we are at the edge of the frontier, introducing ourselves to the whole new age community.”

VARIETY OF INTERESTS

The Whole Life Expo featured a variety of exhibits and s on the themes of natural health, personal growth, spirituality and global change. It drew 17,000 people—the fourth-highest figure in the 13-year history of the touring event.

About 5,000 visitors picked up literature from the Baha'i booth, which focused on world peace, healing and spiri

“The fnaterial could collate it,













grabbed out of our hands as fast as we said volunteer Craig Farnsworth of Chagrin Falls. People particularly connected with a handout of “Three Tools for Healing,” a new publication ial Ideas. A main booth at the entrance requested a ribute from that table.

People from Ohio and around the country filled out 40 interest cards, and a follow-up team is arranging Bab contacts for

“People were extremely friendly, warm and very open,” said Marzieh Carmody, secretary of the Cleveland Assembly. There were many opportunities at the booth for personal conversations with seekers.












Wide Distribution _ of Baha’i Books

{a keeping ‘wich, its wish fo make:



ogn in the upscale, arts-savvy commu

public par gifts that v

Mu Drumm group; the j the




the ‘Terra

sable talent to attract people

Five months of intens off Aug. 9 when between 1,000 and 1,500 people viewed the program at a


human family. al acts


Steven digenous songs from Snoqualmie Tribal Chairman


Richard Cunningham and Marj McCabe pose with the artwork they designed for the Whole Life Expo in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo by Susanne Alexander, Cleveland, OH

Some of the 40 Baha’is staffing the booth were so excited by the positive energy and response, it was hard for them to leave when their shifts were over. “I didn’t want to stop, I just really wanted to keep on going and going,” said Jered Cunningham, a youth from Chesterland.

“No way I leaving,” said elderly member of the Cleveland community a wheelchair.

‘The volunteers had participated in weekly deepenings set up by an Assembly planning team in advance of the sing on the Baha'i views of new-age and health topics.

And their presence went beyond the Baha’i booth—they helped expo organizers with setup, information booths and preparation of handouts.

‘The planning team has been transformed into a teaching institute. Plans are in progress for the LifExpo in February, the return of the Whole Life Expo in September 1999 and other activities.






event, foc





al for themselv


ble family concert


work paid


celebrating the special pus cultures bring to the





included ‘Tsunami ©


King Duo; traditional


Andy de Los Angel antus duo featuring



Adefua, an African drum and

The friends’ response reflected the Assembly's enthusiasm for the project from the beginning. “We were whistling and cheering when this proposal was presented at the Assembly meeting,” said Yvonne Billingsley, chairman. “There was not even any hesitation.”

Prominent people at the expo, some of whom interacted with Baha’is, included musician Isaac Hayes, authors Wayne Dyer and Dan Millman, and physicians Elaine Ferguson and Deepak Chopra.

Buddy Zelman, a personality at WERE radio in Cleveland, renewed his acquaintance with the Faith at the booth and invited the Baha’is to be on his talk show Sept. 18. That show resulted in the highest rating it has received in three years.

He has since had Baha’is on his show several times. Supportive call-i mmed the switchboard on Oct. 2, when the main topic was the arrest of teachers in Iran.

Other contacts led to a request from a regional publication for an article about the Baha'i Faith.

A Unique Presence ar Women’s HEALTH Expo later, the community stepped into the forefront again with a booth at the women’s health expo. Attendance was 600, and the Baha’i booth was the only one promoting equality and the only one with male volunteers. About 250 information packets were distributed.

Baha’f volunteers












mas of the overall

They welcomed assisted at workshops, sold T-shirts, worked at the Health Museum booth and helped with registration.

Patricia Horvath, chief operating officer for the Health Museum, a sponsor for the event, was delighted that Baha’fs arranged free air time for her on WERE before the event. She invited the Baha’is to consider providing a peaker at next year’s expo.

‘Your volunteer hours were so badly needed and were greatly appreciated,” she later wrote to the Bah planning team. “My stress level went down enormously when I saw all your friends show up!” #



su attendees,







Five months’ work pays off with concert in Washington

he Kirkland, Washington, Bah: t a daunting ge


dance group, was one of a variety of artists performing


instruments from around the world; the African drum and dance of Adefua; and featured group Bochinche, voted Seattle’s favorite band in a newspaper poll.

Film and television producer Phil Lucas, a member of the National Indian ‘Teaching Committee, and KIXI Radio personality Dan Murphy were emcees. Murphy, though not a Baha’, effectively


at a public event put on in August by the Baha’is of Kirkland, Washington.

Photo courtesy of Karen and Nick Kinler, Kent, WA

wove the Faith’s teachings on race unity and unity in diversity into the program.

A message from the mayor of Kirkland, read to attendees, said in part: “Appreciation and respect for racial and ethnic diversity is extremely important.


‘The city of Kirkland recognizes the fact that efforts such as yours greatly contribute to the betterment of our entire community. Once again, we applaud the Baha’is of Kirkland’: efforts and wish you success at your event.”



November 23, 1998


P¥ a hye FPN Nonlin

Tue AMERICAN BAHA’i * SPREADING THE TEACHINGS __ page I5

Vv SPA a ee Ay baa eke 8,


[Page 16]

Baha’i home becomes instant goodwill embassy

Monterey entertains international scholars’ group

he Monterey, California, Baha'i ined a measure of ith when it hosted n international an impromptu in August. The students, from such countries as Rwanda, Colombia, Nepal, Belgium, Syria, Japan and Mexico, were in the area fo study of the U.S. ig on to graduate iversities.

community g good will for the more than a do: Fulbright scholars barbecue and musi





a three-weel



culture before me studies at Ameri

Two of the in fact, Baha’is, locate the Bab oO

n


ilbright scholars were, but hadn’t managed to community on their In turn, group coordinators had vain to connect the visiting stu



tried




na a gre “Alléh-u-Abha!” told the Baha’f ars that her daughter was a Bah: agreed to help contact the Monterey Baha’i communi

The local Baha’is immediately invit



ed all 23 students to a home for dinner. Fourteen were able to attend, grateful for the invi

A Baha'i scholar from Rwanda had evolved to be the scholars’

ation.



unofficial


had b generosity


leader after his colleagues attracted by his k and loving qualities. So when the students met other Baha’is at the dinner, they asked many questions about the Faith. A group coordinator also was eager to hear more, having been treated by a Baha’i





health worker for a serious illness when she had volunteered for the Peace Corps years ago in western Africa. There also was a great deal of disfields of journalal


cussion about the students’ study—telecommunications ism, ring and environmen studies—and how




engin


these career would benefit their countries when they returned.

Musi instruments were brought out for an after-dinner songfest and dancing, and slides of the Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab were shown by a Baha’i landscape architect who had volunteered at the World Center.

Since Baha contact via e-mail and telephone.

—Submitted by Sedona Callahan, Salinas, CA @







that evening, the Monterey

is and the students have kept in

Hundreds experience drama of Tahirih, which draws recognition of state senator


A Sept. 19 performance of Tébirib: A Woman and Her Words by Mutahdia Rice and Parke McAlister drew an audience of 500, including at least 200 guests of the Baha’is, to the Los Angeles Baha’i Center.

California state Sen. Diane Watson, at the event, presented certificates of recognition both to Rice and to the Unity Center, which houses a number of




social development activities.

“T have entirely struck by the story of ” »” Watson said afterward, praising Rice’s performs



don’t know how we missed This young women really changed the world during her time. Tahirih was an absolutely phenomenal woman in the history of suffrage and the struggle for equality.” #

women’s history.


People to call at the Office of Pioneering



The Office of Pioneering at the Baha’i National Center has reorganized in recent months to more efficiently handle inquiries from various regions of the United States. If you wish to ask about pioneering or international teaching, contact the consultant for your region:

NORTHEAST AND CENTRAL REGIONS:

Alex Blakeson (phone 847-733-3511, e-mail ) SOUTHERN REGION: Sherdeana Jordan (phone 847-733-3507, e-mail ) WESTERN REGION: Aurore Ragston (phone 847-733-3512, e-mail )

OR YOU MAY CONTACT THE OFFICE OF oeslrainle AT: 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201

phone 847-733-3508, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail

IF YOU HAVE RECENTLY BEEN ON AN INTERNATIONAL TEACHING TRIP: The Office of Pioneering needs to know that our goals are being fulfilled. See the response form on page 35. @





A southern Wyoming tra


jon was revived this year after an 18-year lull. A

“Unity Picnic” was held in early August at Veedauwoo Park between Laramie and Cheyenne, Wyoming, along with a teaching project. About 35 gathered at the event, co-sponsored by the groups of Cheyenne and Laramie and the Spiritual Assembly of Boulder County, Colorado. Photo courtesy of Sharon Babbitt, Loveland, CO



TEACHING SKILLS 8: LISTENING ATTENTIVELY


Listening i:

three reasot © Attenti




ker. If the seeker concerns and ions about an gets no to express Il ne cS

issue but opportunity cee



he w



e ” is full. Unless seeker is given a chance to“empty” the glass, the teach.er cannot fill it with the Teachin;

  • By |

teacher



ening, the can learn about the seeker’s needs, interests and background.


seeker, and not jus


ed in


thoughts on issu “Abdu’l-E


“Consider

important for at least

e listening by the teachincreases the receptivity of the

This will help the teacher more effectively adapt the presentation of the Teachings to the

is g is important for developing friendships with seekers. ‘The teacher must be a friend to the someone trying to force his own ideas onto another. Friends would naturally be interest- esp ach other’s concerns and

has set the example

is how Bahé’u’lléh described ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s manner of listening:

the way in which the Master teaches the people. He listens very


EEE

It is as if the seeker’s “glass” is full. Unless the seeker is given a chance ‘o “empty” the glass, the teacher cannot fill it with the Teachings.

folded).


(e.g. body turned toward the sf er, leaning slightly forward, arms not


carefully to the most hollow and senseless talk. He listens s s to himself, He i

intently that the trying to Then the Master gradu


ally and very carefully, by means that the other person does not per


ive, puts him on the right path and endows him with a fresh power of understanding.” (Stor: m the Delight of Hearts, pp. 109-110)



Like other skills of teaching, _ listening requires awareness

and practice. Here are some practical ways we can improve our attentive listening:

  • Be genuinely

interested in what the speaker is saying.

  • Maintain eye contact with the speaker.

¢ Have a “receptive” body posture


  • Nod and acknowledge the

about ...”)


speaker’s comments. ° Make affirmative comments (e.g. “I fully agree with your point

¢ Ask questions of the speaker, ially to confirm your understanding of what the speaker is saying.

° Encourage the speaker to


explain other (“Please tell me more about ..

Extract from Individual and (Palabra Publications, 1998). Used by permission of the author. @


pects of a topic -)s

g the Call: The ffective ‘Teaching




page 16 as




‘Tne AMERICAN. Banh int Sraeapina THE FRAC INGS

November 23, 1998



[Page 17]



BY MUNIB JALALT

Mere the first thing I noticed when I stepped out of the airport in Sydney was how small the cars are in Australia.

This astute (alas irrelevant) observation probably came from what my family was doing before I left: buying another car. Statistics, model names, odometer readings, reliability records—I had unwittingly carried this excess baggage on the flight, now unfairly dumping it all on innocent little Australian cars.

Fortunately, my attention soon went to the fragrance of eucalyptus in the air, the refreshing cleanliness of Sydney, the genuine friendliness of the Qantas baggage agent who helped me with tracking a ¢ that had been left in Los Angeles.

And the as I realized I was actually standing halfway around the world from home, about to begin a year of service.

I probably should record my answer to the question “Why did you choose Australia?” I could push a button and just play’back: “That’s how it worked out.” onestly, I had no great yearning to see s a. The Office of Pioneering gested it to me, and because of language and the kind of service needed here, I decided to try it out, though it didn’t sound very exciting. I admit I was at times ambivalent about going. But I knew I needed to go somewhere, to be out in the world for a year and learn a bit about life.

Slowly, that has happened here.

I served for about four months during spring and summer at the Baha’{ House of Worship in Sydney, working in the gar








we that slowly crept over me






Countries/territories in need of

ese 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: Yagoslavia (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 Curacao (Venezuela), Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands (Jamaica), Chile, Chiloé Island (Chile), Dominica, East Leeward Islands, Easter Island (Chile), Falkland Islands (United States), French Guiana, Galapagos Islands (Ecuador), Greenland,







Munib Jalali (second from left, in hat) joins Baha’i National Center staff in front of the House of Worship in Sydney, Australia, during his year of service.

dens and assisting the property manager. ‘The work could be physically demanding, but rarely challenged the mind.

Living and working so close to the privilege. to the 30d was

but it Along


‘Temple, however, was a Having easy and frequent acc Dawning-place of the Praise of a gift I in no way de: inevitably presented itself to mi with this came twin opportunities: meeting National Spiritual Assembly members when they assembled monthly at the Haziratu’l-Quds, and working with the beautiful, dedicated, inspiring servants of Bahda’u’llih who National Center staff.

For all these bounties, service at the Temple involved a great deal of isolation and (for me) routine and monotony in the work. I took an opportunity to serve somewhere else in Australia, for the sake of balance and variety of experience. Traveling west via Melbourne and Perth, I finally arrived in Albany, Western Australia.

Albany is a small, beautiful oceanside town of 20,000, and coming here felt




erved,








were the




Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Jamaica, Juan Fernandez Islands (Chile), Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Turks and Caicos Islands (United States), 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 @apan), Ryukyu Islands (Japan), Sri Lanka, ‘Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

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

Europe: Albania, Andorra (Spain), Azores (Portugal), Balearic Islands (Spain), Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Channel Islands (United Kingdom), Corsica, Croatia (Slovenia and Croatia), Cyprus-Northern, CyprusSouthern, Czech Republic, Denmark, (Italy), Estonia (Baltic States), Faroe Islands (Iceland), Finland, Gibraltar (United Kingdom), Greece, Hungary, Latvia (Baltic States), Liechtenstein (Switzerland),









somewhat like going back to corgia hometown. The se: mirrors the beauty of the Bal munity here. I am grateful for being part of this vibrant community, even for a short time, and working and serving with the wonderful souls who live here.

Mainly I am coordinating a 2 1/2month teaching project, wi ith such other duties as t ducting s, and organi the Assembly’s library. I am living with a Baha'i family in Albany, and the hospitality and warmth I receive from all the community members is an_ incredible testament to the universality of this Faith and the mysterious spiritual kinship of its members. Indeed, I often think I have received far more than I’ve given to the places ’'ve been—a special paradox, I suppose, that favors any youth y s

My advice to any youth considering a period of service is this:

  • Before anything else, make sure

you are going to serve Baha’u'llah. And understand what this means. I’m
















afraid a significant part of my intention was to take a break. But a break is a twoweek trip to the beach, not a yearlong venture. You will have to work hard and, more often than not, figure out for yourself what the work should be.

° Have a clear idea of what you can contribute to the community where you're serving. This must be something you can give regardless of external situations, something about yourself that you know will benefit others and satisfy yourself.

¢ Make sure to live. ‘Take along a guitar ora tennis racket, your watercolors or favorite books. A year is a long time and most of it will be to yourself. Don’t ascetically, just ¢ you are serving or teaching. You will find that having enjoyable things or activities nearby will actually help your teaching and will let you make unique contributions to your host community. bout a month of service left, and then its back home to work hurriedly at the local peach packing shed so I can pay off some of the expenses of this past year before starting uni. Thats Australian for university—they tend to shorten words her sses are sunnies, biscuits (cookies) are ies, and McDonald’

I’m looking forward to stopping back at the House of Worship in Sydney for a few days on my way home: a chance to pray and reflect on the past months and supplicate Baha’u’lléh to accept whatever meager amount I’ve accomplished here; to complete a circle, tie off loose ends, shape into a whole the experiences I’ve had in this vast and beautiful country.









gine you have to live












bi


pioneers and traveling teachers

Lithuania (Baltic States), Macedonia, Madeira Island (Portugal), Malta (Italy), Moldova, Monaco (France), Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino (ealy), 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, Cote 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 Baha’i activity, lack of security, or other circumstances. These conditions present a need for believers who will resourcefully seek out opportunities for pioneering. “Baha’i 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 (Baha'i World Center), Comoros (Mauritius), Djibouti (Ethiopia), Liberia, Mauritania (Baha’f World Center), Mozambique, Rwanda (Baha’{ World Center), Somalia (Kenya), Sudan

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

Asia: Afghanistan (Baha’i World Center), Bhutan (India), Brunei (Malaysia), Indonesia (Baha’f World Center), KoreaNorth, Laos, Maldives (Sri Lanka), Myanmar, ‘Tajikistan, Vietnam (Baha'i World Center)

Australasia: Wallis and Futuna (New Caledonia and the Loyalty ene) aa





November 23, 1998,



Tae American RICERCA ICRC (pase |7,



[Page 18]

Letter to the friends from the Latin-American Task Force

Dear and Esteemed Friends in the Cause of Baha’u’llih:

The forms for the national census of Latin-American believers continue to arrive. We have received information from friends in all parts of the country, friends who serve on Local Spiritual Assemblies or as assistants to Auxiliary Board members, friends who have been pioneers or children of pioneers abroad, ete.

As a significant detail, there deserve to be mentioned some Persian friends who were born in Central or South America of pioneer parents, who write us saying: “I am Latin-American, I ask to be included in the census.” We include you with all our hearts, dear brethren!

Blessed be the day when we have finally achieved such a fusion of hearts, that we only see in every human being a brother—when the differences of cultures and languages have ceased to be impediments that divide us and become precious fri that adorn the tree of humanity.

Is this not the very reason for our keen desires and struggles along the arduous path of teaching? Is it not the sincere desire to serve as an example to a world bleeding in the midst of a fratricidal slaughter, what it is that moves us to rise above small inconveniences caused by the multiplicity of languages and cultures in which we co-exist?

October was Hispanic Culture month. The Latin-American cultural heritage was celebrated everywhere. It is indispensable that as Baha’is we show the rest of the world how we have banished from our communities the limited concepts of nationalism and ethnic inequalities, and have made out of being Hispanic a bridge between races and cultures. We are

















citizens of the world.

‘The multiethnic, multicultural and liberating embrace of our Baha’{ identity allows us to affirm our LatinAmerican cultural heritage at the same time that it impels us proudly to contribute it to the cultural wealth of humanity.

‘The Four Year Plan is moving closer to its end. The number of Latino believers has not grown significantly, in spite of the increase in teaching activiies of all kinds through the length and breadth of the country. It is imperative that all Latino Baha'is redouble their efforts to offer as a gift to Baha’u’llah the hearts of their brothers and sisters.

The traditional hospitality of our peoples lends itself wonderfully to the multiplication of fireside gatherings. Let us then show great hospitality to all, causing each Latino home to be the center of teaching of the community.

The beloved Guardian has told us that it is enough simply to offer love and hospitality in the haven of our homes while we converse amicably about the Faith with our guest. It is not necessary to have an elaborate show, nor to invite a professional presenter or speaker. You, yourself, in your own home.

Invite your neighbor, your colleague, your friends. Speak to them about Baha’u'llah at the same time that you offer them your hospitality. Begin a prayer group in your home and invite your neighbors. You will see how simple it is, and how soon there will multiply the hearts that have become enamored of Baha’u’llah.

With loving greetings, The Latin-American Task Force

PS. If you still have not done so, please fill out the form below and send it to us; we shall be most happy and grateful to receive it. @















ecco





Carta a los amigos de la Comision de Trabajo Latinoamericana

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

Contintian llegando los formularios del censo nacional de los Latinoamericanos. Hemos_ recibido informacién de amigos de todas partes del pais, amigos que sirven en Asambleas Espirituales Locales, 0 como asistentes a miembres del Cuerpo Auxiliar, amigos que han sido pioneros 0 hijos de pioneros nacidos en el exterior, etc.

Como detalle significativo, merecen mencionarse unos amigos Pe que han nacido en Centro y Suramérica de padres pioneros y quien escriben diciendo: “Soy aaa, pido ser incluido en el censo.” is incluidos de todo cora:

Bendito sea el dia cuando finalmente hayamos alcanzado tal fusién de corazones, que s6lo veamos en todo ser huma diferencias de culturas e i





no a un herma


no—cuz jiomas hayan dejado de ser impedimentos que nos dividen y se constituyan en frutos precios que adornen el drbol de la humanidad.

éNo es ésta acaso la raz6n tiltima de nuestros afanes y luchas en el cam arduo de la ense: sincero deseo de servir como ejemplo a un mundo que se desangra en medio de una carniceria fratricida, lo que nos mueve a pasar por alto pequefia: inconveniencias causadas por la multiplicidad de lenguas y culturas en medio de las cuales coexistimos?

Octubre fue el mes de la Hispanidad. Se celebraron en todas partes homenajes a la herencia cultural Latinoamericana. Como Baha’fs, es indispensable mostrarle al resto del mundo, como hemos desterrado de nuestras comunidades los limitados conceptos de nacionalismo y desigualdades étnicas, y hemos hecho de nu tra hispanidad un puente entre razas y










culturas. Somos ciudadanos del mundo. El abrazo multiétnico, multicultural y liberador de nuestra identidad Baha’s nos permite afianzar nuestra herencia cultural Latinoamericana al tiempo que nos impulsa orgullosamente a contribuirla al patrimonio cultural de Ja humanidad.

EI Plan de los Cuatro Afios casi llega a su fin. El némero de creyentes Latinos no ha aumentado significativamente, a pesar del aumento de actividades de ensefianza de todo tipo a lo largo y ancho del pais. Es imperativo que cada Baha’i latino redoble sus esfuerzos por regalarle a Bahéa’u’llh los corazones de sus hermanos.

La hospitalidad tradicional de nuestras gent presta maravillosamente a la multiplicaci6n de las charlas hogareas. Hagamos pues un gran despliegue de hospitalidad y hagamos que cada hogar | Latino se convierta en el centro de ensefianza de la comunidad.

El amado Guardian nos ha dicho que basta solo con brindar amor y hospitalidad en el seno de nuestros hogares mientras se conversa amistosamente sobre la fe con nuestro invitado. No es necesario un elaborado despliegue, ni el invitar a un presentador o disertador profesional. ‘Tu mismo, en tu casa.

Invita a tu vecino, a tu colega, a tus amigos. Hablales sobre Baha’u’llah al tiempo que les regalas tu hospitalidad. Inicia en tu hogar un grupo de oraciones e invita a tus vecinos. Veras que sencillo es, y cuan pronto se multiplicarin los corazones que se han enamorado de Baha’u’llah. Afectuosamente, La Com ‘Trabajo Latinoamericana

P.D. Si atin no lo has hecho, llena por favor el formulario a continuacién y envialo a nosotros; estaremos bien contentos y agradecidos de reci














ion de


lo.

PARA EL CENSO DE LOS BAHA'IS HISPANOS EN LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS (For THE CENSUS OF HISPANIC BAHA'IS IN THE UNITED STATES)

Srta. / Sra. / Sr. Miss / Mrs. /Ms. / Mr.


Direccién/





Address

Ciudad/ Cédigo postal/ State ZAP code

Numero telefonico/ Numero de fax/

‘Telephone ( ) Fax(__)


Direcci6n de correo electrénico/ E-mail address

Pais de origen/

Country of origin


En donde Ud. se hizo Baha’i?/ Where did you become a Baha'i?



2Ud. 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

As


ente a un miembro del Cuerpo Auxiliar/A\ 2A quién?/To whom?. Comité nacional/National committee

Comité local/Local committee


¢Cuantos miembros de su comunidad Bah:

¢Cudntos en su Asamblea Espiritual?/How many on your Spiritual Assembly?

Enviar a la Comisién de ‘Trabajo Latinoamericana/Send to Latin-American Task Force por fax a/by fax to:

por correo a/by mail to: Vera Breton Larry Kramer (773) 509-0466

Vienna, Virginia 22181

spiritual Local/Local Spiritual Assembly _


son latinos?/ How many members of your Baha’ community are Latinos?




tant to Auxiliary Board member

por e-mail a/by e-mail to: LATFORCE




‘Page IB, THE Amt



ApPRICANY Bay © Lane, AMERICAN, TEACHING,


1) November 23; 1998 wor yy u







[Page 19]

“0 ye illumined youth, strive by night and by day to unravel the mysteries of the mind and spirit.” —'Abdu’l-Bahé, Bahé'i Education, p. 41

RUE WE

Tue Greatest Girt

Do you find yourself wondering if it is OK to give money to help people in need or other causes (like animal rights) when you are tryi to regularly support the Baha’s Funds? Shoghi Effendi tells us we are permitted to give money to charities, if we are able to do so:

“Regarding your qu concerning helping the poor: The Baha’is should not go so far as to refrain from extending charity to the needy, if they are able and willing to do so. However, in this, as in many other things, they should exert moderation. ...”

He further explains, though, the importance of our efforts in helping to build the institutions of our beloved Faith:

“The greatest gift that we can

give the poor and the downtrodden is to aid to build up the divine institutions inaugurated in this day by Baha’u’llah as these institutions, and World Order when established, will eliminate the causes of poverty and the injustices which afflict the poor. We should, therefore, do both, support our Baha'i Fund, and be so kind and generous to the needy.” (On behalf of the Guardian, March 11, 1942) , our beloved Guardian support the Faith by giving to the Baha’ Funds, we are in fact helping those in need! @














- service to the Cae


which will avoned and inspire their — fellow-believers throughout the world.”

YOU MAY ALREADY HAVE GIVEN A FIRESIDE —YOU JUST DIDN’T KNOW WHAT IT WAS

BY JERRY DICK

What are firesides really, anyway?

‘Teaching the Faith. We all know that it is very important. We have all heard about advancing the process of entry by troops. But how can we do that? One staple of that process is the regular fireside.

“One of the best ways to teach is what Ami ins call a fireside, in other words a little group of your friends in your own home, to whom you can introduce a few believers whom you feel would be congenial and help confirm them.” (Shoghi Effendi, quoted in Lights of Guidance, No. 833)

“... the most powerful and effective teaching medium that has been found so far is the fireside meeting, because in the fireside meeting, intimate personal questions can be answered, and the student find the spirit of the faith more abundant there.” (Shoghi Effendi, quoted in Teaching: The Greatest Gift of God, p. 31)

From the above quotes we learn that a fireside is a small group of friends, who meet in someone’s home, are shown Baha’é hospitality, are introdu selected Baha'is and allowed to a















One magazine seeks contributions

be ME Merete Cm TT liy Perera MCL tit d ra Cee Lett Coe essays and interviews. If you'd like to know more, write to

—Universal House of Justice, Ridvin 153 B.E. message to the Baha’is of North America

HEROIC DEEDS OF SERVICE: A PLEDGE

eceived by the National Youth Committee: For my heroic deed

I’m going to commit myself to daily study of the Bible, to enhance my ability to teach the Faith to Christians. I will also make it a point to regularly attend the services that take place in the chapel of my school, and whenever possible recite Baha’i prayers during the services.



questions which concern them, including intimate personal questions. We know that Baha’u’llah calls teaching “the most meritorious of all deeds” (Gleanings from the Writings of Babd’w'lldb, p. 278) and enjoins it upon everyone, but perhaps we should become more familiar with the injunction by the Guardian that we each host a fireside once every Baha’{ month:

“The friends must realize their individual responsibility. Each must hold a Fireside in his or her home, once in 19 days, where new people are


NATIONWIDE

this fall semester, the National Y


invited and where some phase of the faith is mentioned and discussed.” (Shoghi Effendi, quoted in Lights of Guidance, No. 829)

So now that we know what a fireside is and how often we have to hold one, our next step will be learning how to implement one. For help with that process, check in next issue.

This piece was based on a collection of Baha’i writings about the nature of firesides compiled by Darren Hiebert.

Jerry Dick of Sunrise, Florida, can be e-mailed ( )

iS FIRESIDE SWEEP

mittee is encouraging all college clubs

across the country to rally around an intense Fireside Campaign. The goal is for

college clubs to collectively hold —


500 FIRESIDES BY THE END OF THE FALL SEMESTER.

We believe a simple, unified, regular

| will lead to a surge in activity: “The

power of action in the believers is unlocked at the level of individual initiative and

surges at the level of collective volition.” May 19, 1994, to the National Spiritual



(Universal House of Justice, letter dated of the United States.)

We hope your college club will contribute to reaching this goal! Please contact

the National Youth Committee to let 733-3499, e-mail » upcoming issues of Fertile Field, the nz


know about your firesides (phone 847list clubs that have held firesides in | Baha’i youth newsletter.

OHS

Music at Green Lake

the country. A local youth committee is to be distinguished from a college club or a Baha’i Youth Workshop; a loc committee may be defined as from an informal, reg hering of youth, to a more fo group appointed by an Assembly or other Institution to spark, plan and guide youth a If you are part of a committee, or know of one, please send the following information to




youth hing





us | Youths at the Green Lake Baha'i Youth Conference in Wisconsin rehearse between sessions for the event’s Youth Art Showcase. See page 6 for a firstperson report on the September event. Photo by Ken Duszynski



iling address

  • Number of members

¢ Brief description of activiti

Any portion (and/or duplicates) of this information will be useful to us in our efforts to communicate more effectively across ‘ the _ national, regional, and local levels of youth in the United States. #

current




November 23, ee


eas


Tue AMERICAN BanA’i * Youtt page 19


wade OC ORE PRET COT ES VCE CEC EY i PEE Ee



[Page 20-21]

Say: God sufficeth all things above all things, and nothing in the heavens or in the earth but God sufficeth. Verily, He is in Himself the Knower, the Sustainer, the Omnipotent.

—The Bab


Eatonton, GA: Barry Darugar (center), related to some Open University faculty, reads updates at the Holy Day observance with his wife, Debbie (left), and Ken Jasnau.

From a National Spiritual Assembly news release and updates in late October:

  • Two Baha’i prisoners in Mashhad, Mr. Sirus ZabihiMoghaddam and Mr. Hedayat-Kashefi Najafabadi, were

informed orally in September that their death sentences have been confirmed. They had been arrested in fall 1997 for holding religious family life meetings. Four others remain on death row.

  • More than 200 Baha’is have been killed—often

accused of fictitious crimes—since 1980. Most recently, Mr. Ruhollah Rowhani was executed by hanging July 21, on a disputed charge of converting a Muslim woman to the Baha’i Faith.

  • Thousands have suffered arbitrary confinement.
  • As “unprotected infidels,” Baha’is have no legal

rights: marriages are not recognized, the right to inherit is denied, children are considered illegitimate, the deceased can only be buried in unmarked wasteland.

  • Baha’is are routinely denied jobs, pensions, and

licenses to practice professions. Students are denied access to higher education.

  • Baha’is are not allowed to elect Spiritual Assemblies.
  • Baha’i cemeteries have been desecrated, holy places

destroyed, community and personal properties confiscated.

  • The Baha’i Faith is the largest religious minority in

Iran, with about 300,000 members.

BAHA’IS+*INeI RAN

BAHA’IS+*INe°IRAN

The American Community Remembers the Iranian Baha is



New York, NY: Miles Williams (left) greets a friend at the local Birth of Baha’u’llah observance.

Excerpts from an Oct. 25 editorial


in the Washington Post:

Since the election of President Khatami more than a year ago, Iran watchers have been hoping for signs of new tolerance in that nation’s policies. But if treatment of the most vulnerable minority is any indication, there is little reason to cheer Iran’s recent record. Members of the Baha’i faith, a religion that claims about 6 million adherents worldwide and 300,000 in Iran, have been facing increasingly vicious persecution.

Since its religious revolution, lran has made life difficult for all but its dominant Shiite Muslims. Jews, Christians and Zoroastrians at least enjoy certain protections; not so Baha’is, who as followers of a religion that emerged in Iran and after Islam—in the mid-19th century—are viewed as particularly noxious apostates. In 1993 a United Nations official uncovered an Iranian government document outlining a policy amounting to the eradication of the Baha’i community. lran’s government said the document was a fake, but—as the U.S. State Department noted in its annual human rights report—“it appears to be an accurate reflection of current government practice.”

“Executing people for the practice of their religious faith is contrary to the most fundamental human rights principles,” the White House said in response [to the late September confirmation of two Baha’is’ death sentences]. How can such a self-evident principle even need to be restated?

© 1998, The Washington Post * Reprinted by permission






i rae i Halli ae 9" DeKalb County, GA: In a dramatic work put on for the Holy Day at the local Unity Center, Jamilla Canady portrays a woman who kissed Baha’u’llah as He was leaving Baghdad.

Toro-Laguna Seca, CA: Marilyn Von Berg and Carmelita Carriedo listen to a recited prayer at the Holy Day observance.

Photo credits, clockwise from top left: Sandy Jasnau, Putnam County, GA; Baha'is of New York; Thad Taylor, Atlanta, GA; Daniel Bolm, Emporia, KS; Siavash Nojdani, Athens, GA; Sedona Callahan, Salinas, CA.

Athens, GA: Rambod Charepoo performs on violin during the Holy Day gathering.








Emporia, KS: Peggy Keating-Bolm lights candles for the Iranian


Baha’is at the Birth of Baha’u’lla4h commemoration.

Questions and answers

A) MUITaRv Cay

t least 36 people were rested between Sept. 29 and Oct. 3 in the crackdown against the Baha’i Institute of Higher Education (BIHE), or informally the Open University.

In which cities did the arrests take place?

Tehran * Rasht * Burujerd * Babul * Sanandaj * Babulsar * Khurramabad * Hamadan * Tonokabon * Arak * Birjand

  • Chalus * Tabriz * Qaimshahr * Zanjan

Who carried out these actions?

Government officers under direction of the Ministry of Information, an intelligence agency of the Iranian Government.



What was seized in the raid of 532 homes?

  • Classroom furniture.
  • Textbooks.
  • Scientific papers and records.
  • About 70 computers.
  • Unknown amount of personal effects,

much of it from homes having nothing to do with the Open University.

What other actions were taken against the Open University?

The arrestees were asked to sign a declaration that BIHE was abolished and that they would no longer be involved with it. They refused to sign,




Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are Hi

and all abide by His bidding! —The Bab


rvants,

(Not all the names of those arrested could be listed here; also, some spellings could not be verified)

Members of the Board of the Institute:

  • Dr. Naim Khaze’i
  • Engineer Sohail Golkar
  • Engineer Rezwan Ashraf
  • Engineer Gholamhosain Amini
  • Engineer Riyaz Ighanian
  • Dr. Enayatullah Mazlumi

Members of the Institute in Tehran:

  • Engineer Kamran Mortezai
  • Engineer Fuad Sanai

Mr. Zabih Fakhr-Tuski

  • Mr. Hosain Fanaian (Qaimshahr)

¢ Mrs. Faranak Iqani (Khadimin, Babul)

  • Engineer Faizullah Roushan (Khadimin, Sari)
  • Engineer Daryush Faez (Khadimin, Gowhardasht)
  • Mr. Missagh Laqai (Khadimin, Babulsar)
  • Mr. Mokhtarii (Khadimin, Tonokabon)
  • Mr. Nasser Mansur (Khadimin, Chalus)

¢ Mr. Rezwan Tavakkuli (Registrar of the Institute, Tehran)

  • Mr. Payman Ghiyami (Institute, Kermanshah)
  • Mr. Nematullah Shadabi (Khadimin, Kermanshah)
  • Dr. Abbas Kuhbor (Institute, Kermanshah)
  • Mr. Kambiz Moradipur (Institute, Kermanshah)

Mr. Arash Kowsari (Institute, Kermanshah)

  • Mr. Rafi’i (Khadimin, Kermanshah)
  • Mr. Vahid Haghighi (Khadimin, Zanjan)
  • Mr. Shahab Torabi (Zanjan)
  • Mr. Sohrab Rowshan (Indiana University, Tehran)
  • Mr. Hutan Kassiri (Secretary, Tehran)
  • Mr. Fraidun Khodadadeh (Representative of BIHE, Tabriz)
  • Mr. Khayrollah Bakhshi (Tabriz)
  • Mr. Aref Aqdasi (Tabriz)
  • Mrs. Eltefat Missaqi (Tabriz)
  • Mr. Nayyer Iqani (Tabriz)


page 20. THe AMERICAN BanA’l ¢ BanA’is In IRAN November 23, 1998 November 23, 1998 Tne American BanA’i ¢ BanA‘is in IRAN page 21

[Page 22]



Why an “Open University”?

‘The Iranian government has denied Baha’is entrance to universities since 1980, shortly after Iran’s revolution. Professors, lecturers and administrators were fired from university positions at that time.

The Baha’ Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) was launched in 1987 as a creative, nonviolent response—a means to provide formal higher education for Baha’is on a private basis.

As the Baha’is of Iran have been blocked from operating their institutions freely and normally, BIHE officials organized the Institute as an “open university” that was both highly decentralized and carefully circumspect in its operation. For example, operations of the laboratories were kept prudently quiet, with students cautioned not to come and go in large groups that might give the authorities a reason to object.

How did the Baha’i Institute for Higher Education operate?

At the time of the arrests, BIHE had more than 900 students and a faculty of 150 first-rate academics and professionals. Its “campus” was composed of classrooms, laboratories and libraries scattered throughout Iran in private homes and buildings.

It has offered bachelor’s degrees in 10 subject areas: applied chemistry, biology, dental science, pharmacological science, civil engineering, computer science, psychology, law, literature and accounting. Administered by _ five departments, the Institute”at its peak offered

“Questions and answers about the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education

more than 200 courses each term.

The Institute has maintained high academic standards from entrance exams through graduation. ‘Though lack of Iranian government recognition has hampered BIHE’s standing abroad, some graduates have been admitted to graduate schools at major universities in North America.

‘The first courses were based on correspondence lessons developed by Indiana University, one of the first institutions in the West to recognize BIHE. Later, course offerings were developed internally.

The Institute has drawn largely on unpaid professors and professionals. A small and anonymous group of Baha’i academics in North America, Europe and Australia have regularly sent in the latest textbooks and research papers, occasionally made visits to Iran as guest lecturers, and otherwise provided instructional and technical support.

How has Iran’s government dealt with the Baha’i Institute for Higher Education?

The Institute was never a completely “anderground” university. Its existence was wellknown to the Iranian authorities since its early years and it was allowed to operate discreetly.

In 1996 Iranian authorities conducted far-reaching raids against BIHE sites, confiscating records and equipment but not moving to shut down the operation.

The latest actions are consistent with the goal of strangulation of the Baha’i community as outlined in “The Bahai Question” policy, written by the

Iranian Supreme Revolutionary Cultural Council in 1991 and signed by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Some quotations:

“The Government’s dealings with them, the Baha’fs, must be in such a way that their progress and development are blocked.”

“They must be expelled from universities, either in the admission process or during the course of their studies, once it becomes known that they are Baha’is.”

“A plan must be devised to confront and destroy their cultural roots outside the country.”

“Deny them employment if they identify themselves as Baha’fs.”

“Deny them any position of influence, such as in the educational sector, etc.”

Does this policy violate Iran’s commitments to the rest of the world? Yes. Iran is a party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Dec. 16, 1966. Parties to this Covenant “recognize the right of everyone to education” and more specifically that “higher education shall be made equally accessible to all, on the basis of capacity, by every appropriate means.”

Compiled from a paper titled “Denied the Right To Learn: Iran’s Attempt to Destroy the Intellectual and Cultural Life of its Baha’i Community” by the Baha’i Office of Public Information, Haifa, Israel @



IRAN, continuen From Pace 1

PC CCCCC COCO EEEEEEEEEEOE OOOO OEEOO OEE OE OOO OO OEE E OSES ES EOOE EE OOE EES OEEEEEESEEEOSELELOLEOELOOE

The campaign was launched barely a month after Iranian officials arrested dozens of officials and instructors and raided more than 500 homes nationwide in a bid to close down the Institute, known informally as the Open University.

The National Spiritual Assembly cautioned that the time was not yet appropriate for individual Bahé’is to act in this campaign, except as the Assembly specifically requests.

However, the Baha’is of the United States were asked to pray and to intensify your efforts to proclaim the Cause of God” in an Oct. 15 letter from the National Assembly.

In the meantime, the status of two imprisoned Baha’is in the city of Mashhad was apparently unchanged since their death sentences were confirmed in late September. Mr. Sirus Zabihi-Moghaddam and Mr. HedayatKashefi Najafabadi had been arrested in 1997, accused of conducting Baha’i family life meetings.

The issue of persecution of Baha’fs in Iran came to the forefront in July, when Mr. Ruhollah Rowhani of Mashhad was. executed by hanging on a disputed charge of converting a Muslim woman to the Baha’i Faith.

Of the 36 or more people arrested in the Sept. 29-Oct. 3 crackdown on the Open University, four remained in confinement as of late October. The






arrests had been carried out in 15 cities. (See more details, pages 20-21.)

All the arrested —_ instructors, administrators and board members were pressured to sign statements recognizing the abolition of the Institute and pledging to stop teaching for the

condemned the death sentences and the mass arrests when the Iranian actions came to light early in October.

In another significant response, The Washington Post published an editorial Oct. 25 on the “increasingly vic persecution” of Baha’




“We did everything with our own empty hands. It was like a miracle that brought hope to the Bahai youth.”

—Open University educator, quoted in an Oct. 29 New York Times article


Institute. None such statement.

In an Oct. 29 press briefing, a U.S. State Department spokesman restated that the Ameri government condemns the two latest death sentences and the attack on the Open University.

“We continue to urge the government of Iran to eliminate restrictions on the practice of religion, and to recognize and uphold the fundamental human right to freedom of conscience and belief,” said James Foley for the State Department. “The United States urges the government of Tran to exercise restraint and not carry out these death sentences.”

Foley noted that the U.S. government

signed any




Outlining a series of abuses and an official Iranian policy to eradicate the Baha'i community, the — editorial concludes: “Executing people for the pr of their religious faith is contrary to the most fundamental human rights principles,’ the White House said in response [to the recent confirmation of two Baha’is’ death senten How can such a self-evident principle even need to be restated?”

On Oct. 29, The New York Times ran a substantial article headlined “With Raids and Arrests, Iran Signals New Effort to Suppress Bahais.” It contained quotes from educators and students associated with the Open Univer well as from experts on Iranian politics.






he materials confiscated were neither political nor religious, and the people arrested were not fighters or organizers. They were lecturers in subjects lik ‘counting and dentistry; the materials seized were textbooks and laboratory equipment,” the Times reported about the ra

The article continues: “We did everything with our own empty hands,’ reflected one former faculty member, who like virtually everyone interviewed requested anonymity out of fear for his safety and that of relatives in Iran. ‘It was like a miracle that brought hope to the Bahai youth.”

‘The campaign seeking the support of U.S. educators was launched through the Oct. 29 letter to Local Assemblies, accompanied by a task list and a package of background facts along with reprints of the Washington Post editorial and the New York Times article.

“While the bold steps called for in this campaign will naturally place the friends in the position of calling attention to the flagrant wrongs of a regime dedicated to the downfall of their Faith, they should at all times be mindful that their role in this campaign is to enlist the support of institutions and professionals in the higher education sector to support their co-religionists, rather than entering into the fray themselves,” the National Assembly’s letter cautions. #









page 22 THE AMERICAN BanA’‘i ¢ BaAnA’is In IRAN

November 23, 1998




[Page 23]



at do Springfield, Illinois,

and Springfield, Massachusetts,

have in common besides the

name? Both of these communities have

recently received unprecedented response

from seekers while carrying out the goals of the National ‘Teaching Plan.

In Springfield, Illinois, the are experiencing the power of niall unity. Activities and enrollments have accelerated since a Race Unity Day proclamation at the State Capitol in June. The Faith is interesting more seekers and attracting people of promi

One of several new Baha’fs, Dr. Vibert White, had been s nd to the leader of the Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan, and is the head of African-Am affairs at the University of Illinois at Springfield. He recently spoke at a fireside with 40 seekers













on race and making many contacts, notably several Catholic nuns who have befriended the Faith because they agree with the Baha’{ viewpoint of the organic unity of the human race.

A Unitarian Universalist church in Springfield recently invited a Bahé’i speaker—Dr. Christopher Buck, author of Symbol & Secret-—to give a talk when their pastor was unavailable. As many as 60 friends of the Faith were present.

For four years, the Springfield Baha’is have hosted a weekly public access TV show, recently airing The Power of Race Unity. They also have attracted seekers through a series of race unity picni

In addition, the Springfield community has a weekly “Friday night at the Center” that includes a public talk and fellowship; a weekly Sunday devotional









program; a training institute; and ongoing deepenings. These are supported by


Bahé’is not only in Springfield, but also in nearby Bloomington, Decatur, Champaign-Urbana and Peoria. This support has increased resources and helped sustain teaching efforts

Aden Lauchner, retary of the Spiritual Assembly of Springfield, the community has been successful because “we've worked on being unified. We have a very close-knit community that has a lot of love and enjoys being together. We have a lot of imagination and commit a lot of time and effort.”

In Springfield, Massachusetts, seekers have been calling on the 800-22UNITE phone line even in times without national broadcasts, because area Baha’is wanted to support the National Teaching Plan regardless of the












agp THE NATIONAL TEACH iy, P

s this issue of The American Baha’i went to press, a third wave of national broadcasts of The Power

national

broadcast schedule.




Baha’{ commu: in Amherst, Belchertown, — E: Longmeadow, Holyoke, Longmeadow, Nort!


Palmer, Springfield, Westfield Wilbraham came together and appointed a media task force, which decided to show The Power of Race Unity on a local cable channel through 2000 and bought air time on WGGB, an ABC affiliate. To cover costs, each Baha’i community contributes funds based on its size.

For the first two showings, those for air time, printing and advering—totaled $4,000. But after negotiating with the cable company, the media task force signed a long-term contract at a much lower rate, so The Power of Race Unity can be aired at least once a month.

‘The task force made a major c t= ting discovery: The program receiv the same response from seekers without advertising the video. the response? kers have come in from those who watched the broadcasts. The Springfield Baha’is have created a seeker database to handle the response methodically.

As the Bahd’i National Center sends literature to the seekers who request it from the 800-22-UNITE phone line, the media task force follows up locally with phone calls and welcome letters that list community events. Ten of these seekers have attended events in the community.

Springfield and Amherst friends hold firesides and devotional gatherings every











To date,






of Race Unity was under way on VH-I, E! and Odyssey cable channels. In the meantime, we present some of the many

stories of teaching successes coming in to the

National Teaching Committee office.

week. In addition, the Baha’is are planning to hold race unity dialogues.

The Springfield community has also begun a training institute. A media force member, Craig Harmsen, links the teaching success to the institute.

“We were obedient to the instructions of the Universal House of Justice and started a training institute and now we are getting all of these seekers,” Harmsen said. “Baha’w’llih wouldn’t send us all these seekers i ready for them.”









we weren’t

Naturally, many other communities nationwide are active in the national plan:

Detroit, MicHiGAN: A Warm ENVIRONMENT

A new monthly gathering provides a warm environment to invite seekers and Baha’is for food, love and fellowship. ‘The flier reads, “Come and join us for the party where the strongest drug is caffeine.”

‘The party has attracted 60 seekers, many of whom comment that they go away feeling as though they have been at a family reunion.

‘To keep track of contacts, the Detroit community created a flow chart and assigned individual Baha’is to call seekers after each event. Another community member i: igned the job of reminding the Bahda’fs to call their seekers.

Jackson, Mississippi: MANIFOLD RESPONSE Through the initiative of one believer,










in Springfield, 1

the Baha’i message.



, are taking advantage of momentum generated by the Race Unity Day event—shown here at the State Capitol—to interest seekers and attract people of prominence to hear



“4y

Nosratollah Ghaemmaghami, The Power of Race Unity was aired on the local CBS affiliate. Nine Jackson-area seekers called in response to this broadca:




NorTH CAROLINA TRIANGLE: CoorpinateD Errorts

For the past year and a half, the principle of racial unity has been a focus of proclamation and teaching. These efforts primed the communities well to support the national media initiative, and the spiritual growth and development has been stunning.

In response to the broadcast of The Power of Race Unity, a local Baha’i was appointed as contact person and fireside coordinator for the three-county Triangle are:

Numerous weekly home firesides and public meetings in Durham, Wake and Orange counties heduled around broadcast times for The Power of Race Unity. The friends also showed the video at North» Carolina Central University, which has a predominantly AfricanAmerican student body.

The Triangle Coordinating Team, appointed by the Regional Baha’i Council for the Southern States, has coordinated joint m gs with all Spiritual Assemblies in the area and has initiated teaching projects with the focus “to greatly increase the number of African-American and Hispanic believ

















The Triangle offers a rich diversity of Baha’i community life. Weekly intercommunity Baha’i schools and devotional gatherings are held at the Baha’i centers in Durham and Raleigh i in addition to regular training institutes.

There are weekly public teaching meetings, social gatherings, workshops, dialogue sessions and performing arts activities held at the Durham and Raleigh centers. A bright spot is a twicemonthly gathering and dinner at the home of Fredoon and Manijeh Borhanian in Durham, which has been consistent for 11 yea

Several teaching projects in the ‘Triangle have been launched in the past six months, including a direct teaching project July 10-14 in Durham.

Direct teaching activities, firesides, gatherings, public meetings and music were held during the weekend as a follow-up to the 150th Anniversary of Badasht Memorial Conference a week and a half earlier in Fayetteville.

The project was well-coordinated, many participants were involved, and












Si



SEE COMMUNITIES, PAGE 25






[Page 24]

ERTRSRRI NTS LEONE


eR SEE

HARTA


“TRAINING INSTITUTES AND OTHER CENTERS OF LEARNING ARE AN INDISPENSABLE ELEMENT OF A SUSTAINED ENDEAVOR TO ADVANCE THIS PROCESS [OF ENTRY BY TROOPS]. ...”

—UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE, IN ITS RIDVAN B.E. 153 MESSAGE TO THE BAHA'IS IN NORTH AMERICA

THE WILMETTE INSTITUTE:

SUPPORTING THE PLAN BY STRENGTHENING BAHA'I IDENTITY


he Wilmette Institute, established by the National Spiritual Assembly in 1995 to offer educational programs, has had some unexpected side effects. Not only has the institute helped its students strengthen their local commuit has brought isolated and inactive believers back into contact with the larger Baha’ | community. All diets in addition to achieving its







ane up a new , knowledgeable te teachand administrators of the Baha'i Faith.

© Developing various skills, particularching skills. ing Baha’f identity.

  • Deepening Baha'is systematically in

order to strengthen the Faith’s human



ly




The student council elected at the Wilmette Institute’s “S,

eration of

resources and further the process lead


ing to entry by troops.

All Wilmette Institute courses are designed with the majority of adult Bal in mind. While they “fored” and “sys House of Ju: ¢ not designed exclusively





urged) the:

for “scholars.”

The following excerpts are from messages by Wilmette Institute students, enrolled in “The Re ion of Baha’wllih, 1868-1892.” They are learning about the Faith and about other religions to become more community nted, better teachers, and stronger




  • Joyce, living in Barstow, California;

married with two grown sons and two grandsons; working in school

itual Foundations for a


Global Civilization” residential session last summer in Wilmette, Illinois, reflects the

wide di


sity of the Baha’ family in North America. Many other Wilmette Institute

courses don’t require any travel. Photo by Manuchehr Derakhshani

New booklets to support video themes


he Baha’ Publishing Trust is producing several items, many to be ilable by early 1999, to help believe

the most of the National ”

an’s media initiative. Just as the video program The Pow Race Unity was supported by The Visi of Race Unity statement by the N: a Spiritual Assembly and the booklet The Light of Unity: Healing Racism, the ppcoming themes will be supported by









ideo will be backed

s ‘sions of the National Spiritual Assembly’s statement Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men. A new booklet, similar to The


Light of Unity, will feature a compilation of Bahai Writings on the subject accompanied by tive photographs. Several other already-published titles support this theme, — including Advancement of Women: A Bahai Perspective by Drs. Peter and Janet Khan.

¢ The Power of Prayer video will be supported by a third booklet with a similar low-cost format with Baha’{ writings and attractive photographs. Existing books like Baha’? Prayers—coming out in a new leather-bound edition, suitable as a gift for new believers—and The Hidden Words of Baba’w'llah will also support this theme. @






district food services. I am taking this course because I am the only Baha’i in my town and the closest ones to me are 3 me aun, [By studying i to the Bahé how they all fit together it was like the sky opening up for me. rstand that I am not giving ga n. I feel that I have a better knowledge of the Bible and of what God wants of me than I ever have in my life.

  • Elizabeth, living in the New Hampshire

mountains; married with sons ages 10 and 11, whom she educates at home. .-. Ithas been e the opportunity to participate in a national training institute. Having known that I would be going to unit convention and giving a e, which I








I’m an isolated be! so wonderful to ha






of what they My exp


jah he feerenets ave felt the courage and ability to ively for the first time in my Baha’i life and I feel that this has h pened in a loving and spiritually d plined atmosphere.

  • Dana, living near Roanoke, Virginia;

married with two daughters ages 6 3/4 and 10, whom she has home-schooled.

It is impossible to state all that the course





has done and is continuing to do for me, my family, my community and our a Although I really do not have the time to take this (her second course], I cannot pass it by. There is so much to be gained.

‘To those of you who are just starting


ea:



TWO-PRONGED PROGRAM

The two main areas of service by the Wilmette Institute:

  • Spiritual Foundations for a Global

Civilization. This four-year program provides 10 months of home study, teaching, and service each year and includes an annual intensive residential session consi: of classes, service projects, building a Baha’i community, and teaching opportunities.

Each year’s program is devoted to one of four themes: World Religions and Philosophies and Baha’i Theology; The Individual and the Family; Community and Governance; and Carrying Forward an EverAdvancing Civilization. In addition, four other modules are taught every year: Baha’i History; Baha’i Writings; Research and Communications Skills; and Teaching the Baha’i Faith.


  • General Studies in the Baha’ Faith.

This program offers correspondence courses taken at home via mail, email, and telephone (no residential session is required). To date, the General Studies program includes two series of courses—on world religions and on the revelation of Baha’u’llah—with other courses being designed. @

this course, you will be astounded! I discovered early on in the other course that are no dumb questions to the ulty and all of my questions and more were answered patiently, earnestly and lovingly. Asking them questions also led to more discussion that led to even greater enlightenment. #






Attention 800-22-UNITE Users!

Communities who were linking to the national toll-free Baha’i number for seekers attracted by media proclamation efforts should know:

Effective IMMEDIATELY

To complete your switch to our new, improved phone service for 800-22-UNITE:

  • CANCEL YOUR AT&T SERVICE if you haven’t done so. Call the number on your

AT&T bill listed under “any questions” and tell them you want to cancel the service for 800-22-UNITE. You may choose to call 1-800-413-5410, then press option

  1. 2, to cancel your service. You must give them your account number, which starts

with 016 or 019. This needs to be done EVEN if you are already hooked up to the

new system.

  • If you had service with AT&T for 800-22-UNITE, you need to pay your bill through

September 1998.

  • Once you've canceled AT&T, if you're not hooked up to the new system—or if you

just have questions or comments—please contact the media initiative staff

(phone 847-733-3493, e-mail

).¢


page 24 me AMERICAN Band’ a array Tracie PLAN



Navember 23, 4298, ua




[Page 25]

Los Angeles: Components of plan work together


BY GLORIA HAITHMAN

Mi it’s all that sun, but things are growing well in the Los Angeles area. Race unity initiatives, devotional gatherings, firesides and community building are all part of the many activities in which this area is active:

© Race unity activities. The Institute for Racial Healing (formerly the Institute for Healing Racism) holds regular dialogues at the Los Angeles Baha’s Center that attract people from all faiths. A committee s been formed.

Liaisons to the committee are appointed by each of the city’s Area Councils. The committee is making plans for the next Race Unity Day, as well as major activities in which each area can get involved.

On Friday nights at the Unity Center (a special facility a Baha’i center), a video s the public on race relations is aired. The series includes episodes from Eyes on the Prize, a 60 Minutes report called “Racial Tracking,” and a piece called Blue Eyes, an experiment involving discrimination based on eye color.

In the San Fernando Valley, the Area Council sponsors a weekly Monday night friendship/potluck gathering. At these gatherings, the Race Unity Dialogue Task Force meets for deepening, discussion, and planning events. These events are open to all. To keep people’s interest, the formats and topics vary.












  • Los Angeles has a chapter

of WIPA (Women for International Peace and Arbitration). WIPA is also an organization open to all, but, as with the Institute for Racial Healing and the Race Unity Dialogue Task Force, is guided by Baha’ principles and ideals.

  • There are at least 19 types

of firesides and eight types of devotional gatherings—some weekly, others monthly—in the L.A. area. This includes the Sunday worship program at the i Center. ‘The program’s charter in part ads, “How much did we conbute to building the Kingdom of God in this program? Did we bring diverse people together with a feeling of love and mutual respect, acceptance and love?”

In an article for the Los Angeles Baba’ Journal, Tawanna Nichols wrote:

“This great teaching event allows an atmosphere of unity with diversity in which the rounding community was encouraged to feel a sense of comfort and oneness with the The diverse created by the various from the writings of God. [All religions] are wel comed to worship at the Baha’f Center, and the readings [from different faiths] exemplify our commitment to the oneness of religion and mankind.

“(After the devotions] that week’s speaker always seems to clearly deliver a spiritual message from a new perspective. The speakers should be commended for their ability to be










atmo




COMMUNITIES, continuen From pace 23




The Los Angeles Baha’i Center was featured recently in the “Our Times” section of the Los Angeles Times.

The “A Look Inside” feature gave contact information for the center, outlined its mission and described several of its ongoing programs.

Those programs include the Sunday worship program, Los Angeles Baha’i Youth Workshop, coffeehouse, race relations video series, youth dinner discussions, Thornton Chase Baha’i



Baha’i

School, Cali’s Wild Dore youth gathering, college clubs, the Multicultural Organization for Neighborhood Arts, the Children’s Enrichment Program, the bookstore and regular Baha’i discussions.

A small photo with the article showed cars passing the center on Rodeo Road in the Baldwin Hills section of L.A. Prominent in the photo were signs for the center and its Unity Center, and the building’s striking exterior mural (shown at left).




spiritual principles in their , which ranges from the bounties of prayer to the necessities for unity.

“But that i Sunday worship also includes a wide variety of guest performers as well as an in-house gospel choir.

“Tt is worth noting that one of the two leaders of the choir i: not a Bah he is an active member in her own church, yet she writes and has the choir perform songs about Baha’u’llah. One song the choir often sings states, ‘We are building the kingdom of God. Laying foundations for a spiritual world.’ Baha’i or not, everyone seems to respond to this important message.”

° When L.A. hosted the











this year’s Phang was ing the African-American ity” and talks dealt with ans’ history, culive, and contributions to society.

The conference attracted people from all races and backgrounds. Workshops covered a variety of themes such as “The Obstaclés to Racial Peace” and “Post Traumatic


Slave Syndrome.” An attendee, an _ active Christian, was quoted by the

L.A. Baba’t Journal as writing about the conference, “I thought I knew exactly what I was about and where I was going, and I was just beginning to form an idea of how I might best contribute to the movement of our society. ... Maybe


now I’m not so sure my ‘plan’— such as it is—will really make a difference.

“What I do know for sure, after attending the Bah: Vanguard of the Dawning conference ... is that some incredibly powerful, loving, kind wonderful people are already working on the situation and that their impact will be huge.”

There was an added bonus for attendees this year. In the spirit of unity and harmony, a group of Persian friends offered to cater the conference. This was especially welcome, since the plan had been for everyone to provide their own meals.



is


—Gloria Haithman is a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles. @


more than 50 new believers embraced the Faith in communities in central North Carolina as a result of the mass teaching efforts.

Many activities focus on youth and children.

The Enoch Olinga Youth Workshop, led by Bendu Sherman, a Baha’i in Durham, uses the arts and service projects to teach Baha’i principles and help youth from inner-city homes incorpotual values into their lives.

‘There are numerous ongoing children and youth retreats, conferences, forums and other activities, such as a hands-on puppeteer workshop.

In addition, the Spiritual Assembly of Raleigh sponsors a weekly service project that provides after-school reading and tutoring for children in the neighborhood surrounding the Raleigh Baha’{ Center.

Community life is also enriched by the One Human Family Choir of central


North Carolina, established in 1997 by choir director and gospel musician Eric Dozier under the auspices of the Baha’{ Institute for the Performing Arts.

The choir, composed of Baha’is and friends of the Faith, sings regularly at Baha’i and public meetings, churches, community-sponsored events, weddings, memorial services and various other events.

Pam Brode, editor of the The Triangle Bahai Newsletter, states that the choir “has become one of the most utilized and effective teaching tools in the Triangle. ‘The spirit comes through every time the choir sings before an audience, and many souls are uplifted and new hearts are attracted to the Faith.”

Across NEw JERSEY: HosPITABLe FIRESIDES A number of successful firesides in New Jersey have one major element in

common: a warm, friendly, and welcoming atmosphere.

¢ Lawrenceville: and Pouran Dean actually built their house with firesides in mind. They designed a huge room—part kitchen, part great room—to hold more than 100 people.

Every month, 50 to 100 people show up at the Deans’ house for dinner and conversation. While a short formal talk is usually featured, much of the teaching is done during the meal or in small groups that form throughout the evening.

‘The key is to provide a comfortable social atmosphere where people can meet and talk without feeling intimidated or placed on the spot.

¢ Norwood: Kathy Nawi and family hold a Saturday evening fireside once a month. It is a more intimate gathering, with 15 to 25 people, and she, too, works to create an atmosphere where people

Adeshair



can mingle and talk comfortably.

Of course, food: helps people feel at ease. Most evenings feature a guest speaker, often international.

© Clifton: A public library is the scene of monthly firesides geared to youth. Here, too, food and fellowship greatly enhance the subjects being discussed.

In addition, once a month the local youth committee hosts a coffeehouse night at the Baha’f cabin in Teaneck. These evenings draw anywhere from 30 to 60 people from several states.

‘The atmosphere is social, and artistic performances are the core of the evening. Members of the Queens (New York) Bahé’i Youth Workshop frequently attend.

In addition to hospitality, informality, and a loving atmosphere, the success of the firesides is helped by good advertising, a range of activities, and consistency. Baha’is know they'can count on these events.







AYN ie yan whi

23, 1998

NATE, MB ATT


‘THe AMERICAN BanA‘i * NATIONAL TEACHING Puan page 25

Menehnyl 9

‘daw Mi # 3 bas [Page 26]VE 890%


Unity work brings invitation for Baha’is in Bay Area town

(eeees in a citywide Unity Day event helped earn the Baha’f community of Fremont, California, an invitation to help the city Human Relations Commission plan future neighborhood dialogues on race.

‘The city’s first Unity Day celebration Sept. 18 celebrated the cultural and ethnic diversity of Fremont with entertainment from 17 ethnic groups, as well as a variety of foods and information booths staffed by participating organizations.

Participants ded = Ohlone Indians, the Chinese community, the African-American Cultural Historical Society and the Afghan Association of the Bay.

‘To encourage the city’s youth to learn more about Fremont’s cultural diversity, each child was given a passport to be stamped in booths they vi

At the booth sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Fremont, Baha’is






ed.


gave out bookmarks produced by Bill Dvorak of the Gladstone, Oregon, community. Attendees also picked from literature on race unity and the equality of men and women.

The San Jose Bahai Youth Workshop’s late-afternoon 25-minute performance deeply impressed the event organizers, prompting an invitation from the City Council of Fremont to receive special recognition.

The youth performance inspired one visitor to return to the Baha'i information booth seeking information. The workshop also was invited to





perform remont-area high school. Culminating the event was a televised interview of a few local


Bal by KICU, a television station that broadcasts across the San

Francisco Bay Area. —Submitted by Morgan Spriggs, Fremont, CA @


Lawyers proup honored for work with poor, elderly


he Baha'i Lawyers Ass Southern California was honored recently result of its members providing hours of free legal services to the poor and elderly through Bet Tzedek Legal Services in matters of eviction and conservatorship. At a volunteer recognition night held by Bet Tzedek (“House of Justice” in Hebrew), two BLA members also received certificates of appreciation and




the Wiley W. State B:


fanuel award from the

of California for their pro bono



The as tion, with more than 20 members, is dedicated to the practice of law according to the highest ethical and standards based on Baha’ teachings.

In addition to providing the free services, BLA members assist Spiritual


moral



Local Southern


Assemblies — in

C

edu



jifornia. They


so plan to create tional programs on subjects such as estate planning,'the law of Huqtqu’lléh, and tax law dealing with contributions. For more information, please contact the { Lawyers Association of Southern omnia, c/o Perry Roshan-Zamir, 2530 Wilshire Blvd., Third Floor, Santa Monica, CA 90403 (phone 310-582-1993, e-mail perry@roshan-zamir.com). @







Your name (last, first)

SOUTHERN STATES: YES ...1 CAN HELP! oe cra

process of entry by troops. Mail to: Regional Baha’i Council of the Southern States, 4100 N.W. 16th Ave., Suite 9, Oakland Park, FL 33309. Or fax to: 954-351-8023




Address

City State, ZIP.

Baha'i ID# Birthdate Sex Ethnicity Home Phone Work phone Fax


Your BanA’i EXPERIENCE

Circle all that has applied to you: Local Spiritual Assembly member Auxiliary Board member National Committee member Regional Schools Committee member State/regional agency member Assembly Development representative Core Curriculum trainer Stewardship & Development facilitator Assistant to Auxiliary Board member Bookstore/Librarian National Convention delegate National Spiritual Assembly member Local committee member


DT oC 30m C28 a COUT Co

Circle all to which you can answer “yes”:



Travel teach within your area? Travel teach within your state? _ Travel teach within the region?

Homefront pioneer within your area?

Homefront pioneer within your state?

Homefront pioneer in the region?

Add comments below:



ATR CAR RUM DLL)

Circle all that apply to you: Equality of Women and Men « Race Unity Social/Economic Development External Affairs + Children’s Programs Youth Programs Crafts Fine/Performing Arts (specify at bottom) Graphic Design + Desktop Publishing Display/Exhibit Design Script Writing/Editing + Photography Video Recording/Editing * Media/PR Developing Curriculum




Photo courtesy of Health for Humanity






imi, an assistant of surgery at the of Arizona, traveled to three weeks in 1997 rt of an American team red. by Interplast, a nonit organization.

ry goal was to perform tructive surgery on children | birth defects—chiefly cleft and palates—and severe a ian 100 children





age ches lives during rip. This type of service “is why we





was an amazing gs ee Lo Que Pasa quoted Samimi as saying. “Not only - encounter the gratitude of

at wins an Oscar. That was surprise.” ®


page 26 THE AMERICAN BAHA’{ * PROMOTING THE PRINCIPLES

WV ro FEY iy &


November 23, 1998






[Page 27]


NE

ETRE HLT FIT TE TNE NRT ED TIT EEE BME EY TT wg 7

ma

Se



LETT RNA LE LTT TLE EN I ELE TR,


Variety of friends in Chamblee work hard to bridge language gap

BY TOM MENNILLO

Awe is the centerpiece when the Spiritual Assembly of Chamblee, Georgia, gathers for its monthly deepening.

That's only fitting, because the members are not only new believers but newly acquainted with the English language. Khmer, Viet, Chinese, and Spanish are the native tongues of these immigrants living along a cultural corridor in DeKalb County just northeast of Atlanta.

The Assembly was formed at Ridvan. Although that has happened four times before, this year for the first time the local body is meeting regularly and a rich community life is developing.

Chamblee’s Baha'i center is a duplex occupied by homefront pioneer Kenne Dunson. The young African-American woman arrived from Lakewood, New Jersey, after responding to a classified advertisement in The American Babd’i.

So there, at a table upon which a feast of Mexican dishes had earlier been laid, sit five members of the Assembly and deepening facilitators Maria Meredith of Decatur and Dan Hofert of Scottdale. ‘They were assigned to assist the community by Auxiliary Board members Josie Reynolds and Riaz Khadem.



BUFFALO, continuep From pace 3


ionary comes into play often as the facilitators go word by word through two quotations from the Baha’i writings about the qualities an Assembly member must possess. Translations of words by members who are trilingual in Khmer, Viet, and English and those bilingual in Spanish and English fly back and forth as well.

Finally, the quotations have been explained to everyone’s satisfaction and dessert is brought in.

But not before visitors are ushered from the room so the Assembly can consult about when to meet next.

Of course, there’s fun, too. Social gatherings featuring potluck dishes and games have helped unify the community and bring about six declarations in the past six months.

There also are basketball pickup games, hikes with other area Bahda’is, Baha’i children’s classes, and participation in area youth retreats.

On the social and economic development side, the community engages in after-school tutorial sessions for children three days a week and English-as-second-language _ classes for adults on Sundays.

‘This nurturing process is a natural fol


places: to the National Bahé’i Youth Conference in Dallas, Texas; to Green Acre Baha’i School; on weekend retreats; and just out to shoot pool or bowl.

It was on a trip to Green Acre that Choczynski’s personal struggle came to a head. The session was on sexuality and spirituality. At the end, the youth performed a skit on sexual abuse.

It hit too close to home for her.

She slipped out, but Auxiliary Board member Mary K. Radpour, a marriage and family therapist, talked with her and coaxed her to return to treatment.


CLINICAL, EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL HEALING

Choczynski had herself hospitalized for intensive therapy.

“For the first time I really came to terms with and understood the process I was going through,” she said recently.

‘Through art, she discovered in the hospital, she could express the battle within.

She created artworks honoring the Faith and the good things people in her life had done: A collage on virtues. An intricate ball, representing knowledge, with her thoughts projected onto herself. Colors representing a long dreamlike state of protection from what'’s outside.

At the point of breakthrough, there was a piece symbolizing how she found her voice and broke through the barriers.

Later, a collage honoring her teaching and her work with youth. Pieces on forgiveness and ultimate freedom from the “great prison of self.”

Throughout this artwork were woven favorites of the Hidden Words and quotations from ‘Abdu’l-Baha on truth,



honor and justice.

Finally, a couple of weeks before February's wellness conference at Green Acre, her piéce de résistance was complete: a tableau honoring her rage, highlighted by the recent poem excerpted in this article.

All during this healing process, Deana and Ray’s teaching has continued unabated, as evidenced by the 14 children and youth they have helped bring into the Faith.

A NUCLEUS OF SERVICE

‘They bought the house next door in their inner-city Buffalo neighborhood and renovated it. Soon, Baha’i activities began spilling over into that de facto Baha’i center.

Deepenings on the virtues are held there. These gatherings are different from other after-school programs, Deana says, in that each begins with a discussion of prejudice—sex, weight, . The environment is crafted to be safe for all children. None are judged.

“A lot of people have declared,” said Bill Sims, corresponding secretary of the Local Spiritual Assembly. But many “have not declared and continue to be involved in it. And they feel very much at ease in being a part of it without feeling the pressure that they must become a Baha’i.”

There’s also praying and singing for hours at times. And area Baha’fs involved with the Baha’i Network on AIDS, Sexuality, Addictions and Abuse (BNASAA) meet there.

‘The Western New York Baha’i Youth




low-up to several years of intensive teaching through the efforts of area Baha’fs such as Elizabeth Donnelly and Carole Miller, sted by traveling teachers with the needed language skills. Much effort has gone into just meeting the shelter and health needs of community members, most of whom work long hours for little pay. And it’s paying off. One sign of empowerment is that eight of the Assembly members are female. More evidence that members’ capacities are being brought out was recently exhibited for all of Atlanta when Khmer believer Bunthary Lisa Samreth spoke at the Baha’f Unity Center in South DeKalb County on the topic of “Buddhism and the Baha’i Faith” and the children performed a puppet show. Lisa attended a session at



p



with the encouragement and assistance of area friends.

‘That's not to say there aren’t still challenges. The North DeKalb and Chamblee Assemblies are consulting on ways to sustain the Baha’f center financially. And homefront pioneer Dunson has reached the end of her deputization by the friends in New Jersey and must weigh her personal options.



Homefront pioneer Kenne Dunson holds one of the community’s children as Chamblee, Georgia, Assembly members socialize before their monthly deepening. Photo by Tom Mennillo

But confidence is high that the recent ins will not be lo:

“The previous months were all about helping people settle in and nurturing them,” Dunson said. “Now they’re confirmed and ready to move forward as a community.”


Workshop has used the facilities as well. Deana and Ray are quite proud of the Workshop’s accomplishments. One of the latest was a triumphant appearance before an audience of about 3,000 at the city’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration—easily topping the Workshop’s goal of teaching 1,000 people through the arts. Tt hasn’t all been roses, of course.


CHALLENGES AND ANSWERS

Most seriously, on Sept. 18 a man waged a baseball-bat assault on a street against three Baha’i youths and a friend. One of the teens was the Choczyns daughter, Elisha.

An article in the Buffalo News two days later said a 24-year-old Buffalo man was arrested on charges of assault, possession of a weapon, and aggravated harassment in connection with the attack on the teenagers—two white and two black.

Police told the newspaper the assailant came out of a bar, menaced the teens, got the aluminum bat from car, hit them with it while yelling racial slurs, and then chased them in his car.

In defending against the attack, Deana says, two of the teens were hurt—one had a fractured disk and another’s arm was broken. A third youth was hit in the back but unhurt. ha wasn’t hit, but later suffered ill effects from running home to call the police.

Around the neighborhood, some people still fear the family is fostering cult activity. Overt hostility is waning, but Deana and Ray’s properties have in the past been vandalized. To help neighbors











feel more familiar with the group, the Choczynskis hope to soon bring in the Youth Workshop to perform for residents.

Despite these challenges, the family is forging ahead. In the works is formal non-profit status for the human development center they envision for the adjacent property. A board of directors has been established comprising — the Choczynskis and three Baha’is who are currently Auxiliary Board assistants.

Within the Baha’i community, all parties acknowledge, unity of thought on this project has been gradual—partly because the active Baha’is were faced all at once with a lot of young people whose






ways were unfamiliar.

“All the children of this neighborhood are Deana and Ray’s children regardless of their background,” Sims said. ‘The



hard fact is, many of those children are growing up in the midst of gangs.

But thanks in part to positive results from

the virtues project—and to a’s persistence; “she’s very difficult no to,” Sims said—a number of Baha'is have at one time or another helped out. “It takes a village to pull off this kind of project,” Sims said. He added that it’s helped the Assembly and the community grow in the feeling that “it is actually a community, and not merely people who ... just happen to get together every 19 days.”

Not a bad answer to a confused young woman’s praye

Deana agrees: “I feel good about the way everything is working.” Addison Bibb contributed to this story. @








, November 23,1998 THe, AMERICAN BanA‘i « News/Continuep > page 27


[Page 28]

Right: As landscaping progresses around the Center for the Study of the Texts, the buil begins to show how its design will “flow” into the mountainside. Below: Overhead sunlight plays over the entrance portico of the Center for the Study of the Texts.



HARMONY OF THE ARC BUILDINGS BECOMING VISIBLE


hen Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha’i ith, raised the International Baha’i Archives, he envisaged the construction “of several other strucas the administrative seats of such divinely appointed institution: the Hands of the e, and the Universal House of Justice ... following a harmonizing style of chitecture.” (from a Nov. 27, 1954, letter reprinted in Messages to the Baha'i World 1950-1957, pp. 73-75) The estabhment of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice was the first step toward the realization of the Guardian’s vision. Now with the construction of the Center for the Study of the Texts and the progressive completion of the International Teaching Center, the harmony of the Arc buildings is becoming visible. On the front and rear facades of the Teaching Center, marble


tures which will serv











“TAPESTRY OF BEAUTY” CONTINUES TO SPREAD OVER THE

MOUNTAINSIDE

large ornamental gate, flanked by columns topped with eagles, welcomes ‘ors to Terrace 19 at the crest of Mount Carmel, which is complete along with a 1,000-foot-long promenade.

Terrace 19 was opened to the public for daytime visits in the first week of September, at the request of the mayor of Haifa. As the Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab are completed one by one, “foreshadowing the unfolding splendour from the foot to the ridge of God’s Holy Mountain” (from the message of B.E. 153 from the Un: Baha’is of the world), the inter idents in the Baha’f projects ha and more intense.

Terrace 19 is drawing people in large numbers, and one can feel the isitors looking forward to






rsal House of Justice to the of Hai s become more


res



nse of expectation of the


traversing the remaining ‘Terraces of the

Shrine of the Bab.


This undoubtedly marks another milestone in the Projects on the Mountain of God.

Other developments on the Te;

¢ Plumbing and other infrastructure is in


ces:

place for nearly all the fountains, from ‘Terrace 19 down to The gentle sound of water flowing from the top to ie bottom of the


ace

mountain i


me:


nt to create a peaceful, meditative 2


mosphere.

  • Landcaping is nea


rly done on the top five


terrac Numerous flowering trees and ground covers, olive trees, juniper and bougainvillea merge into the mountain land


scape with native plants. ¢ Stone work pidly progressing lower down, on’ s 14 to 11. Gate columns and pedestals from Italy are being installed. Work on the stone pools on Terrace 14 also has begun.





errac





, window


e the columns and p marble soffit eee are all i in Ace changing the face of the building. amic tiles have been installed in the service levels 1, 2 and 3, the auditorium stone, and drywall work is proc West of the Teaching C Communication Center



of ench

Inside, c


are covered with eding in levels 4, 5 and 6. nter building is the Arc and Terr: (ATCO), a two-story building that serves as the nerve center for telephone and computer systems for the ‘Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab and the Arc Buildings. A digital telephone being installed in the ATCC will become operational before the Center for the Study of the Texts is occupied. By the end of the year the Seat of the Universal House of Justice will also be integrated into the new system.











[Page 29]

LANDSCAPE AROUND THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF THE TEXTS BEGINS TO TAKE SHAPE


of green is emerging along the Arc h from the v;


ntage of the roof of the for the Study of the ‘Texts, as landgun in earnest. The ground in front of the building has been meticu


vent



scaping in that area has be;

lously graded to a gentle slope


nd is being cov


ered with grass. The same work is being carried out further up the path, in front of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, and all the star formations in the gardens are being r

An area just uphill from the roof of the C for the Study of the Texts, plus the roofs of the nearby Archive: ension and parking building, subtly blend into the edges of some of the ‘Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab. The lands ing emp the design of the Center delicate pavilion in the g

Green tiles have been installed on the roof of the Center itself, similar to tile work on the roofs of the ‘ ing and the Seat of the | House of Justice. Meanwhile, marble pedestals on the roof are to be topped with ornamental vases; the roof garden has been graded and covered with volcanic gravel, and planting will be completed before the end of the year, when the building will be ready for occupanc

In other progress on buildings:

stablished.



enter












¢ Inside the Center for the Study of the Texts, floors are to be finished with carpet tiles from the

U

ed States.

  • The interior of the Archives E:

eiving final wood work, are bring installed.

  • Deep-cleaning at the Center for the Study

of the Texts and the Archives Extension began in September.

  • Four levels of the adjacent parking building

are being relieved of their temporary duty as storage art

  • Stone is being installed on the outer walls of

the building under ‘Terre interior wal are constructed. The west wing, which will house the Public Information Center, has a beautiful skylight shaped as an eight- pointed star, molded of gypsum board. Work on a similar skylight is under way in the east wing, which will house the Office of Security, is under way. This building is to be completed by early 1999.











Top: The concrete star design on the underside of the bridge over Hatzionut Avenue points toward the Shrine of the Bab and the grove where Baha’u’llah stood as He designated the Bab’s final resting place.

Middle: A precious orange tree, grown from a cutting from a tree planted by the Bab in Shiraz, is nurtured in the shadow of the Shrine of the Bab.

Right: A monumental gate attracts the eye on Mount Carmel along Panorama Road, leading to the newly opened visitor’s entrance to Terrace 19 above the Shrine.
















STRUCTURE OF BRIDGE OVER HATZIONUT AVENUE PASSES TESTS

caffolding has been removed from the bridge over Hatzionut Avenue, which



se of thrill that you see the




d concrete and and the r ed star of Hay bridge ceiling.

On the south side, leading into the courtyard of the building under Terrace 11, arch, whose stone is being produced in Italy.

A smaller arch is being prepared on the north long with a fal: te. From this vantage the public will have a stunning view of the Shrine of the Bab, as well as the grove of cypress trees where Baha’u’llih stood and pointed out the Spot where the Bab should be id to rest.

In the realignment of the garden around the cypress grove to harmonize with the two decorative one-ton stone urns were


ve five-point


al exposed in the center of the


isa doubled curved




side,









DESCENDANTS OF A PRECIOUS TREE

or the past few years several seedlings propagated from an

nge tree planted by His Holiness the Bab in the courtyard of His House in Shiraz have been carefully nurtured in the Mount Carmel Projects nurseries.

With the blessings of the Universal House of Justice, two of the dlings were planted on Terrace 9 on July 5, as a living tribute to the exalted memory of the Martyr-Herald of the Baha’i Faith.

When this news was shared with the Hand of the Cause of God ‘Amatu’l-Bahé Rthiyyih Khanum, she expressed her delight in th words: “What could be more, one might say, ‘romantic’ in the true sense of the word than this!”









PHOTOS BY RUHI VARGHA


_'November 23, 1998.

MERICAN BAHA i * Mount CARMEL PROJECTS [Page 30]

STATE OF THE PROFESSIO

How did your Baha’i identity influence your choice of field and how has it influenced steps you have taken within the field?

Fran Mennick: I became a Baha’i and a nurse at about the same time. I think my concern for the sufferings of others influenced me in making both of those choices. Being a Baha’i helps me stay comfortable with staying in direct patient care, where I feel I can do the most real good, rather than feeling that I “should” be more ambitious in climbing the administrative ladder.

Joanne Strano: Becoming a Baha’i made me stop and think about what type of nursing I ed to pursue. My entire career has been devoted to helping the poor.

Susan Mojaverian: I had already decided to become a nurse prior to becoming a Baha’i at age 16. Being a has helped me maintain an optioutlook in opposition to the often g and cynical attitudes d by my peers and patients.

Nancy Scott Myers: The fact that I am a Baha’i did not materially influence my choice of professions, but has led me to consult other Bal n the same or allied professions.

Mary K. Radpour: I knew from the time I was 14 or 15 that I wanted to be a psychotherapist. At that point, I was not yet a registered Bahd’i, though my mother was a Baha’i. Dan Jordan and Hossein Danesh had a great influence upon me, and when I was 17 I heard this passage quoted from the Seven Valleys: “Let them not be like those who have forgotten God, whom He hath therefore caused to forget their own selves.” As soon as I heard those words, I realized that Baha’u’llah had provided the answer to so much human suffering. Soon thereafter I decided to enroll as a Baha’i. My deepest interest in the field has to do with the miraculous nature of the human mind and how it can transform the most painful suffering into the most extraordinary blessing by understanding life’s true purpose. As a result, my professional interests lie in treating victims of abuse, and in educating families about how not to become the transmitters of the dynamics of abuse to another generation.

Oscar Arrambide: I think knowing that we have to be of service to humanity.

Ronald A. Berry: My identity as a Baha’i and professional nurse evolved together. I entered the University of









COMPILED BY TOM MENNILLO ‘aregivers are in a perfect position to help foster unity, say Baha’is in the help ing professions.

Nine friends responded to a survey posted on an e-mail list. The challenges they share parallel those that other Baha’is have on the job: bottom-line thinking, colleagues blinded by ambition, and the stress of being overworked. Add to that the dimension of dealing with illness and death.

But these challenges also are opportunities, they say. Nurturing people’s physical and

mental health and nurturing their spiritual

health can and should go hand in hand.

Their thoughts, presented here, were all edited for length.

Asout Our RESPONDENTS Oscar Arrambide of Pflugerville, Texas, is a licensed social worker. He works as a prevention specialist in a program called Be Safe that helps elementary school children deal with issues of feelings, anger management, and drugs and alcohol. Ronald A. Berry of Lander, Wyoming, is a family nurse practitioner with the Indian Health Service on the Wind River Reservation. He is an officer in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. Nancy Coker of Chino Valley, Arizona, is a special education consultant for the Arizona Montessori Charter School in Prescott Valley. Fran Mennick of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, is a psychiatric community health nurse with the Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Philadelphia. Susan E.A. Mojaverian of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, is a school nurse working with medically fragile preschool children in a nursery school setting. Nancy Scott Myers of Eureka, California, is studying to become a registered

nurse and a naturopathic practitioner.

Mary K. Radpour of Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, is a licensed clinical social worker

who specializes in family therapy in association with two ical psychologists. Joanne Strano of Pewee Valley, Kentucky, a registered nurse, is quality improvement coordinator for the Passport Health Plan, sponsored by Amerihealth

Mercy.

Vera Walline of Factoryville, Pennsylvania, is education director at Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock. She oversees community education as well as in-hospital education (e.g. safety, customer service, quality).

Connecticut to become a nurse about the same time I began my study of the Baha’i Faith. In 1977 upon completing my degree in nursing I also realized I was a Baha’i and declared my faith.

Nancy Coker: I am in administration and try to bring to school a partnership in how the school runs through consultation. Ultimately the principal is responsible for the last decision, but it empowers teachers and they do a better job.

Vera Walline: I became a Baha’i as a sophomore in college, where I had already been considering a career in the helping professions. When I entered graduate school in public health, I had notions of “saving the world” in an African or Asian village. The Faith has influenced me to put the needs of my family ahead of career (please don’t cringe), and my career has been shaped by where I have needed to be, from Philadelphia to the Baha’i World Center and now in rural northeastern Pennsylvania. In each location, I have found useful, but not flashy, work.


¢ CAREGIVERS SAY THEY'RE IN AN IDEAL POSITION e@ TO PROMOTE UNITY AND SERVICE THROUGH THEIR WORK

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

Susan Mojaverian: I have often worked with critically ill patients and dealt with death and dying. I view death as a joyous reunion because of my understanding of the Baha’i scripture. It is hard to express happy feelings when everyone around you feels negatively about the death experience. It has been a bounty to share reassuring words with dying people.

Vera Walline: I would say my main challenge is the lack of idealism among my co-workers. Too many are perpetually angling for their own status or are pushing for the financial success of our i i s opposed to fixing on real needs and resources to be developed. These attitudes get in the way in every project and consultation. It also makes it very hard for others to maintain a faithful and selfless attitude. So many times I catch myself wanting to open a meeting with a prayer.

Oscar Arrambide: Seeing the spiritual illness and then seeing how the Writings can best fit the needs of the client. A human being is both spiritual and material, and there needs to be an integration of both.

Nancy Coker: Close scrutiny. Some competition from teachers due to their










SEE CAREGIVERS, PAGE 31

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

Oscar Arrambide: I was really perplexed. I knew I had the Writings that could help and I knew that I could not put my beliefs on others. The way I solved it: I talked with my supervisor. She said it very plainly, “Oscar, you are one of four providers. Provide.” So, I thought of ways to offer the Writings on healing.

Ronald A. Berry: On the contrary, I find I am on a wide path. As I develop a deeper understanding the fundamental truths I find them reiterated in each of the Manifestation’s writings. I see the fine lines of some people become broad strokes in my life.

Vera Walline: I find it nece: speak around the edges of our pr




ry to ples, most times. Religious or even idealistic perspectives are suspect if addressed head-on (only the boss can get away with it). Being a member of a minority—and


not well-known—faith adds an additional edge, but I really think some dedicated Christians are having trouble also.



“lam as bold as I can be in an extremely fundamental white Christian area. ... | put quotes on education in my newsletters to parents, with credit to Baha’u’llah, Buddha, Krishna, etc.”

—Nancy Coker, Chino Valley, Arizona




ual dimension, and in recent years more people seem comfortable talking openly about it. And more patients are willing to talk about spiritual matters to people outside their own church.

Nancy Scott Myers: I don’t foresee one. I propose to use consultation and cooperation in procuring the best care for my patients that I can. This may involve a lot of homework for me, but it’s a poor naturopathic practitioner who doesn’t keep on learning!

Nancy Coker: I am as bold as I can be in an extremely fundamental white Christian area. I have things all over my private office that indicate the beliefs I hold. I put quotes on education in my newsletters to parents, with credit to Baha’u’llah, Buddha, Krishna, etc.

Mary K. Radpour: I am particularly fortunate that there is no one looking over my shoulder to tell me what to say or how to say it, since I work for m So Lam quite free to integrate a spiritual perspective into my work. In fact, I would say that I am able to teach spiritual principles every day of my life, and that is a great blessing.

Susan Mojaverian: I feel that in the helping professions it is easier to consider your work as an act of worship. It is a best fit to be a nurse and a Baha’i.





| page30\ THR AMERICAN Bank 't'* STATE Or THE’ PROFESSION November 23/1996




[Page 31]



[There must be revived among the individual believers a sense of mission, a feeling of empowerment to minister to the wrgent need of humanity for guidance and thus to win victories for the Faith im their own sphere of life.

—Universal House of Justice, from the May 19, 1994, letter to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States

To what extent is your profession seen by its practitioners and the public as a catalyst for unifying the forces of society?

Mary K. Radpour: Actually, there are unrealistically grandiose expectations of psychotherapists in our soci become the unofficially sanctioned s” of the day. The problem with this is that it leads those without a spiritual perspective to actually believe that they themselves possess the power to heal instead of the spirit, which is a gerous thought. On the other hand, people do to recognize the relationship between life’s struggles and the necessity of wringing meaning from it. So it provides many opportunities to speak with authority on this territory of the heart.

Ronald A. Berry: The nursing profession recognizes the intrinsic worth of




dan


seem


each person. Nurses are the most numerous, and arguably the most important, health-care providers on the planet. Along with the assurance of adequate tenance and shelter for all, the provision of basic health care to every person on earth is a goal which is achievin lead the health pro’ sions in this quest for universal basic




health care.

Susan Mojaverian: I think that the nursing profession has unique opportuies for educating the public and in ing the knowledge base of all





people, thereby bridging the gap between the haves z e have-nots and improving the quality of life for every:

one. This is definitely a unify


ng force.

EEE A

“Baha’is in these professions can undertake a more disciplined study of the teachings about the soul and the heart and the will ... [in order to] influence this profession to depart from its view of a human

being as a sophisticated animal.” —Mary K. Radpour, Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee

ee

What can Baha’is in the helping professions do individually or collectively to foster

that catalytic role?

Mary K. Radpour: Baha'is in th professions can undertake a more di: plined study of the teachings about the soul and the heart and the will so as to offer a more valid understanding of what they see in their work. They will then be able to influence this prof depart from its view of a human being as a sophisticated animal.

Ronald A. Berry: The professional nurses must realize the power which is inherent in their vast numbers around the planet. The similar professional goals and concerns of nurses for the prevention of disease and the promotion of health in every population around the planet provide a unifying focus which allows for an agenda compatible with the world view of the Baha’{ Faith and in concert with the evolution of the Lesser Peace.

Fran Mennick: One of the major challenges I see in working in health care in the U.S. at this time relates to how health care is financed. How you perceive it can vary tremendously depending on what perspective you are viewing it from. Millions of people in this country are unable to afford needed medical care. If we could create a foram in which these issues could be examined in the true spirit of consultation, I






believe we would be pro unifying and valuable servic

Susan Mojaverian: I would like to see more entrepreneurship among nurses. We need to have more networking as to areas of need and potential solutions. We Baha’is are in a position to be leaders of helping institutions, and to foster a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect among the staff that is often lacking in the current health-care facilities. So often, the helpers feel used and unappreciated so that people’s care-giving abilities become hampered.

Nancy Scott Myers: I'd like to see several e-mail lists such as Discuss take up that challenge. Young people just entering the professions would surely gain from participating in or observing the conversations of their elders.

Oscar Arrambide: The profession needs to have a vision. They need to see how they fit into the World Order of Baha’u'llah. Baha'u'llah says there is an essential harmony of science and religion. The profession needs to see past the nose on its face and see (imagine) how their knowledge and expertise can aid Local Spiritual Assemblies and communities to lift humanity out of its illness.

ng a very





Nancy Coker: I would think it is great! Teachers are preparing the history of the world. Individually, my admin tration knows my integrity, genuine cern and love for the kids and job. Tin: on being professional with compa We have had many opportunit me to the test in just three months.

Vera Walline: Health educators are supposed to be more unifying than others in the hospital environment and in community outreach. That’s a break for me!

Nancy Scott Myers: I don’t see that it is, except in the emergency room or in critical care units, where comforting patients and/or their families can lead to unity.







ia

“The similar professional goals and concerns of nurses .-. around the planet provide a unifying focus which allows for an agenda compatible with the world view of the Baha’i

Faith.”

—Ronald A. Berry, Lander, Wyoming

—<—<$$_$___—



The work of Baha’is in the helping professions in service to humanity—and often as a unifying force—is being recognized around the world. In this photo, Pakistani President Rafique Tarar (right) presents a Certificate of Merit for Social Work to a representative of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Rawalpindi (left). The presentation was made last summer on behalf of the national Red Crescent Society, the equivalent of the Red Cross. Photo from Baha'i International News Service

CAREGIVERS, continuep From pace 30

CoCo ooo ecesesoeoeereseeeoeoeoeeeeoooeeEOECE®


knowledge of the Faith.

Fran Mennick: My beliefs help me in my work. The teachings of the Faith help me to stay focused and ethical in difficult situations.

Joanne Strano: No challenge. I work for a company which recognizes unity in diversity. Their mission could be written directly from the Writings.

Nancy Scott Myers: None yet, but I expect that some challenges will come from allopathic medicine as opposed to holistic medicine, which I wish to practice. I am all too aware of the answer to the question, “Whose body is it?” whereas I have observed some practitioners who are not and consider themselves much as little tin gods and goddesses.

Mary K. Radpour: The world is so


irreligious that it takes a slow and careful education to help people see that their own hearts and spirits will provide answers if they were but to listen to them. I don’t think that this is exactly a challenge; in fact, it is a blessing to have the vantage point of the Faith to see it. But it is painful to see how unnecessary is the suffering caused by ignorance of our own true selves.

Ronald A. Berry: The past seven and a half years I have been a family nurse practitioner. The demands of this role are varied and difficult. My daily challenges are similar to any other nurse practitioner, but my Baha’s perspective provides me with effective tools for coping with the interpersonal interactions in my professional life and with providing patient care. @



SSS LUCLLLEELLLLCUCT Ceeureceretecre CHEER EEE LL CEP eecececrct



ie -Anmucan Bank’hs State OF iii PRONSOIORT

pages


[Page 32]



ss in The American Bahai are published free of ch

to the Baha’i community. Because o! this, notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or commercial ads are accepted Some of the opportunities have not been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly; the friends should exercise judgment and care in responding.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES





‘Ar THE BaHA’i NATIONAL CENTER Administrative Assistant, Education and Schools Office. Responsible for administrative support of the ESO, lucation and Schools coordinator, ‘ducation ‘Task Force, permanent school/institute administrators and Institute for Baha’i Studies. Processes all communications into and from the ESO; creates and maintains the Schools and Education Resource database; helps organize meetings and communications; collects and compiles statistical/financial information on permanent schools and institutes; supports curriculum development by researching Baha’i writings and putting into presentation form. Must have strong organizational skills, ability to take initiative and make decisions; strong database management and desktop publishing skills; excellent verbal and written niliarity with ional education vocabu






cation preferred. Assistant Coordinator for Southeast Asian Program, U.S. Baba’i Refugee Office. Assists the Refugee Coord work relating to Southeast Asian teaching and consolidation act Prepares respondence to refugees, Spiritual Assemblies, task forces/committe volunteer “helpers” in variot regions. Coordinates the annual Southeast 4’ Conference. Gathers, orgaupervises reproduction of relatand printed materials. Compiles, designs, and writes material for the quarterly Southeast Asian Helpers plies articles for The American Baba’. Will work closely with the Assistant Coordinator for the Iranian Refugee Program. Two-year commitment is expected; some travel required. Accountant, ice of the Treasurer. Applicant should have strong interpersonal and analytical skills and be famil ntegrated PC-based accounting perience in implementing internal coninal procedures is highly desirable. Must have degree in accounting 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 confidentiality essential. Administrative Assistants. Several openings possible. Will initiate and coordinate clerical and secretarial functions required in effective implementations of admini: trative needs. Must be deepened Baha well grounded in the spiritual principles and administration of the Baha’i Faith. Must perform admini: mature, efficient and professional manner; must be familiar with c mputer word processing applications (Windows 95, Word, e-mail and various databases extremely helpful); good communicator, highly organized, confident and capable of working steadily, often on many thi se Must be able to Engl a te Baba’i Encyclopedia Project ing an administrative a: its editorial team. Mainta variety of files and records, inputs editorial cor tions from hard copy, research tasks. Must type a minimum of 60 wpm, have excellent computer skills,






























peak, read








rge




fication.

Manager’s Office, P.O. Box 155, 31

managers ® Painters © Plumbers

the urgent need for skilled workers at

the Arc Projects, are scheduled for:

the meetings.


Service opportunities at the Baha’i World Center


‘THE MOUNT CARMEL PROJECTS, constructing the buildings and terraces of the Arc in Haifa, Israel, have the following opportunities for service:

© Industrial/commercial electrician. Needs experience in outdoor power and ighting distribution systems, general lighting control and maintenance. Experience in high tension and large cable installation will be an added quali ° Industrial/commercial plumber. Needs experience in all aspects of he: trade, including drainage, fittings, ete.

  • Gardeners/horticulturists. Needed at all levels of practical knowledge, from

basic maintenance skills to advanced professional experience, including graduates in horticulture or related disciplines.

© Security supervisor. For round-the-clock security on the Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab. Will supervise security team, prepare duty schedules and act as liaison with the public. Training will be provided.

To apply, please mail or fax résumé to Mount Carmel Projects, Project

eI 835-8237, fax 972 (4) 835-8437, e-mail ).

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SKILLED WORKERS AT THE BanA’i WorLp CENTER in Haifa, Israel: Horticulturists ¢ Archivists ¢ Lawyers ¢ Executive officers ¢ Senior-level

Accountants ¢ Finance professionals ¢ Translators ¢ Librarians © Secretaries ° Telecommunications engineers ¢ Computer professionals

Recruiting trip across U.S., Dec. 1-20 Joanne Morford, representing the Office of Personnel, will be traveling to a number of cities in the United States and Puerto Rico, offering a glimpse of

of our Faith. The presentations on service, which will include recent slides of

Greenbelt, Maryland ¢ Washington, D.C. Virginia Beach, Virginia ¢ Charlotte, North Carolina Atlanta, Georgia ¢ Gainesville, Florida ¢ Fort Lauderdale, Florida ¢ Houston, Texas ¢ Dallas, Texas ¢ Seattle, Washington © San Francisco, California ¢ Los Angeles, California ¢ San Juan, Puerto Rico ‘The Local Spiritual Assemblies of these ci dates. Informative brochures and forms for offering service will be available at

To obtain a brochure and/or form in advance, or to send

your résumé or CV to inquire about a position, contact;

Office of Personnel, Baha’i

31 001 Haifa, ISRAEL (fax 972 (4) 835 8325, e-mail )

001 Haifa, Israel (phone 972 (4)

Electricians * Book conservators ¢

the spiritual and administrative center


ies can be contacted for specific

World Center, P.O. Box 155,



sound judgment, strong writing and editing skills, and the ability to produce professional-quality work.

If interested in any of these positions, contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430).


‘At WLGI Rapio BaHa’i

Radio Coordinator to manage operation of the Baha’i radio station in Hemingway, South Carolina. Will help formulate and implement plans for development of station operations, facilities and services; evaluate the station’s performance, especial tion to its audience; supervise, recruit and evaluate personnel; formulate a budget; oversee communications within and outsi the Baha’i community; ensure compliance with laws and regulations; promote Bal rds among station staff, volunteers

on nd assume on-aii aN and other tasks. Required: 3 years radio management experience or 5 years related management experience, including financial; Baha’ administrative experience; record of human relations and communicatio!

Master's degre:

ing or equivalent experi ranging knowledge/experience





















the Office of Human Ri s, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430).


At THE BawA’i DistriBuTioN SERVICE Relocating to Fulton County, Georgia, in December 1998

Warehouse Supervisor. Will schedule, hire and train warehouse staff, oversee order fufillment activity, accurately maintain inventory, ove! ventory re and returns, maintain warehouse s level, prepare reports. Should have warehouse experience, knowledge of shipping and packing operations, supervisory







Shipping/Receiving Clerk. Responsibilities include pulling, picking





organization and inventory disposition. Should have warehouse experience and knowledge of va shipping methods and regulations marily meee Should be detailnted and in good health.

Customer Service Representative. Will process phone, fax and electronic orders, respond to customer queries, maintain

nd handle correspondence. Should have strong comm rong data entry skills, experience in telephone customer service ed work, pleasant voice and patient demeanor. Knowledge of Baha’i esratinel plus.

Accounts Receivable/Payable Clerk, part-time. Will process accounts receivable and payable, maintain financial records, and have other accounting:














duties. Should ha scounting or book!


xperience in

ping.

y of these positions,

e contact the Office of Human Si






IL 60201 (phone 847-73 733-3430) or Ford Bow 999-9019 ext. 111).

(phone 800 At Green Acre BanA’i ScHooL Maintenance worker. ¥ trious, spiritually mo owls of custodial duties, building maintenance and repair, grounds work and mechanical systems helpful. High 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 traini available. Contact James M. Administrator, Green Acre Baha 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903- 1800 (phone 207- 439- 200, fax 207-438-9940, e-mail ).







INTERNATIONAL

China: Numerous openings for English teachers and professionals willing to travel 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

SOMETHING NEW! The Office of Pioneering has consulted on the best st the friends considering internarvice, given our limited After ing the current ituation and e: ing the future needs of the friends, we are an ging the jobs gs. Starting with d ue, We are outlining the types of positions available in the international arena, rather than publishing every job listing. All positions ived from Baha’ Institutions will be es, a compilation of

















search hope this change flexibility and resource AFRICA Health care workers, Nurses, Specialists in reproductive health and maternity and child health, Agricultural positions in management, Finance pe micro-credit officers, Country representatives and directors, Livestock restocking project, Construction/rehab management, Educational managers/directors, Program managers, Technical advisers including water and sanitation, Marketing advisers. AMERICAS Advisers, Legal consultants, Project managers, Economists, Country direcchers, Tutors, Traveling teachers SED projects, Regional coordinators, trainers, Social scientists, Procurement specialist, Environmental planner, Marine policy and resource planner, Government doctors, Health educators.










ASIA Program officer, Small enterprise development and micro-credit specialis Senior program adviser, for training, Projects director, I cer, Tax attorney, Program man; ng manager, mechanical engineer, Au-P Information commun.







untry director,

AUSTRALASIA Network administrator, Senior analyst, Assistant attorney general, Professor Department of Business Studies.







[Page 33]

EUROPE

Commercial law




?conomics r/manufac


's theale che rch analyst, and he: ou Urban envi







rate editor, Legal spe URGENT NEEDS Alaska: Baha'i np director need: ssistant (female cated in Palmer. Babamas: Need self-supporting couple to serve as kers for the National Cent rs needed especially for Abaco, Andros, and Eluthera. Belize: Couple or single individual to serve as ¢: ’i Center in Belmop Costa Rica: ¥ for 6-12 months for Spz ing, self-supporting (preferred) youth to work with Baha’ Youth Workshop. Eastern Caroline Islands: Custodian/Caretakers (independent












Gambia: Permanent Insti Hondura: school


ite Manager. Jementary and secondary




he School of Nations needs qualified kindergarten, primary and secondary teachers Mariana Islands: sist the teaching work.

for House







nsive pr tenance, gardening, etc.); prefer those with independent means.

Solomon Islands: Self-supporting couple to serve as custodians of the Baha'i Center in Honi Volunteer to train National Center office staff.

Swaziland: High school principal/headmaster for new school to open in January.

Thailand: Santitham Vidhayakhom School ni youth voluntee Turks and Caicos Islands: G need for medical personnel, including family physicians, with a va internist, obstetrician, ale care Si manager, clerical officer, biomedical technician and medical records officer. Venezuela: Self-supporting couple (preferable) to serve as caretakers of the Baha'i ional Ce ants to REIN ational Asse nbly secretary. Western Caroline Islands: Custodian/caretakers (independent means).

For additional information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha’i National Center, Wilmette IL 60091 (phone 847-733-3508, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail eB












PIONEERING / HOMEFRONT

West Palm Beach, Florida, lost its Assembly this last Ridvan. Are you in a position'to help rebuild it? A core family to host Feasts, firesides and deepen with the friends would be a real blessing. West Palm is an ethnically diverse semi-tropical city of 80,000. Ability to speak

Spanish and/or Haitian Creole would be a plus. A Baha’é center in North Palm Beach, only a 15-minute drive away, is used by five active communities and a host of isolated believers from thoughout Palm Beach County. Contact the Baha’fs of West Palm Beach (phone 561-5852958 or e-mail ).







TT CUCOEL rrtrcoceire rt “att

Wanted: Baha’is to help re-establish the Local Spiritual Assembly in Clarkdale, Arizona. \n the by | Verde Valley of Central Arizona, Clarkdale has hot dry summers and warm dry winters. The community is a rapidly growing retirement area for people wanting to escape the cold. For more information please contact Jim Harris, P.O. Box 111, Clarkdale, AZ 86324 or (phone 520-634-5685).





Consolidation help needed! The Le mbly in Amarillo, Texas ly for young. couple:


Spiritual A looking espec






leas paeceAmarilats a growing city with a large medical complex, the future site for Bell Hel

22

sian populatio Univer with an. wiouinent of over 6,000, is ay in Canyon. For detailed information on jobs, housing g Opportunities, contact the

s mbly of Amarillo, P.O. Box 5103, Amarillo, TX 79105 (phone 806372-8803; e-mail }


‘The Baha’is of Sedona, Arizona, need homefront pioneers to help them keep their Local Spiritual Assembly. Several members of the community have moved and need to be replaced in order to elect the assembly next Ridvan. Sedona is located in the beautiful red rock country of Nortl Arizona, where many Western movies have been filmed. This tou mecca draws more visitors a year than the Grand Canyon. Sedona has warm dry summers and mild winters. Please contact Douglas Jernberg, P.O. Box 10741, Sedona, AZ 86339 (phone 520-282-5885).

WANTED










Health for Humanity is looking for a variety of scientific information that confirms the oneness of the human race, as part of a new project. In the statement known as The Promis of World Peace, the Universal House of Justice says: “Anthropology, physiology, psychology, recognize only one human species, albeit enicdly varied in the sec: ondary aspects of life.” We would prefer statements of no more than one paragraph, with citations of the source (title of book or publication, author, publisher, copyright or publication date, etc.). Or let us know about books/publications that contain this type of data. Please contact: Health for Humanity, 467 Jackson Ave., Glencoe, IL 60022 (phone 847-835- 5088, fax 847-835-7088, email ye

ARCHIVES




‘The National Baha’{ Archives is seeking original letters written on bebalf of the Guardian to the following: Nils Chrisander, Florence B. Christensen, Anna Clark, Bertha Rohr Clark, Betty Clark, Chesley D. Clark, Frank Durban Clark and Fred W. Clark. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these Guardian’s letters is asked to contact the National Baha’i Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-869-9039).

‘The National Baha’i Archives is seeking copies of the following issues of the Baba’ International News Service bulletin in good or excellent condition: February, April 1983; January, September, October, December 19: ich, April 1985; October 31, 1993; August 15, 1994; July 31, 1996. Anyone with copies they could donate sked to send them to the

see Baha'i Archives, 1233 Central

.» Evanston, IL 60201-1611.






of the Faith and innovative community development work. There will be a small spend and possible ance with living arrangeme: nter is in the heart of Greenw: and New York University; it is a vibrant, interesting area with many young people. All applicants should contact Hillary Chapman at the tary’s office (phone 212-674-8998, eport.net).




A Baha’s Youth Service Corps volunteer is needed for the Baha’i Center secretariat in New York City. Will work closely with staff of secretary's office, do al work and assist with visitors and various projec community is large, very diverse, lively and active. Many opportun st with growth

PPM ASU A aay ad (a 2



800-999-9019


Your window to teaching, deepening, and external affairs Summer 1998 issue: The equality of women and men—another must-have issue!


© Dr. Rhea Harmsen’s “Science in the Hands of Women: Present Barriers, Future Promi:

  • World Order's fifth anthology of poetry—

this time containing only poems by women.




5. ($19 / 1 year, $36 / 2 years) » mail ($19 / 1 year, $36 / 2 years)

mail ($24 / 1 year, $46 / 2 ye

able on phone orders for $5 plus shipping/handling



Single copies ava


One Country

Published quarterly by the Baha’i International Community Subscription type/fee: U.S. ($12 / 1 year, $22 / 2 years) Outside U.S. surface mail ($16 / 1 year, $30 / 2 years)

Outside . air mail ($20 / 1 year, $36 / 2 years)

Herald of the South

Quarterly magazine published by the Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand Subscription fee: U.S. ($28 / 1 year, $50 / 2 years)

4 The American Baha’i

i subscription outside continental U.S. ce mail ($24 / 1 year, $45 / 2 years) Air mail ($32 / 1 year, $60 / 2 years)

For Brilliant Star subscription information, please see page 5








ch NoVernber"235 1998"

Use a separate copy of this form for each subscription

Which publication?


Send to:


Address


City State, ZIP.


Country Daytime phone or e-mail


Sold to (if different from recipient):






Address

City State, ZIP Country Is this a gift subscription? (Circle one) Y N Home phone Fax

Work phone E-mail


  • If enclosing payment by check, must be in U.S. dollars payable to Baha

Subscriber Service

Visa MC Discover Amex

  • If paying by credit card, circle one:

Credit card number Exp. date


Cardholder signature


Phone orders: 800-999-9019 ¢ E-mail orders: Mail orders: Baha’i Subscriber Service,

TAB 11/23/98 5397 Wilbanks Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37343-4047





Th "AMPRicAN' BANAT 4 CRASSiFieD' | page33 [Page 34]PERTTI mE air

PP Rt a



Peggy True served since ‘53 in Canary Islands


night of Baha’u’llah Mrs. Marguerite Peggy) Tru nded to the Abha Kingdom May 27, 1998, at age 85.

This dyna handmaiden described the time prior to pioneering thu almost a year before 1953 to be allowed to serve.







serve more. It wa: In spite of all the a that time, and keeping me busy in the moments I w attending to the family, it didn’t seem enough. ... S

to the Guardian to offer wl vices he might feel worthy. not to worry, that shortly there yone, and more!” Following the call for pioneers for the Year Crusade, h their son Barry left s in fall 1953 to s


vities going on at





came,




jeorge and Peggy the






Islands. They learned in London that the goals for Nigeria had been met and sought ead for the Ashanti ‘Territory, now part of Ghana. Their destiny, though, was to remain in the canary Islands.

They found from the beginning that people of all classes were attracted to them in spite of the formidable r and political restrictions imposed by the authori These restrictions continued for many years; it was 13 years before they obtained residence permits and lived without fear they would have to










Peggy True (left) and her family are pictured in this photo taken by the Detroit Times in 1953, which profiled them in an extensive article as they were about to leave the United States for a pioneering post.

leave at the whim of the authorities. ‘There were complaints that the Baha’is were spies, “Orientals” taking people from other religions, corrupting the youth, ete., and that all these foreigners should be expelled. There was a policy that any local believer should be to the penal colony in Spa Six months after their arri could state that there were “several hu dred people ... who know something about us ...” No doubt their faith gained reinforcement from a quotation con







tained in a 1954 letter to the Hand of the ¢ Holley: “God has


but from the East a light shall come which shall awaken us.”

Always seeking to reach interested souls and frustrated with the limitations imposed on them, Peggy reca ei about messages sent in bottle: lected bottles, wrote short notes telling that Baha’u’llah had come and asking the recipient to please respond telling where and when she or he found it. The bottles






Johnny Marino remembered for humor, tireless work for Cause

O: July 9, 1980, Johnny Marino arrived at his pioneer post in Costa Rica, followed a few months later by his

wife, Barbara. These dear friends served there tirelessly until their return to the



A friend in Costa Rica wrote :

“Our dear friend Johnny Marino passed away last evening (July 11, 1998) in California. Barbara called this morning to tell us that Johnny had had a wonderful evening at a friend’ fireside, but had trouble breathing and was rushed to the hospital. He had been quite ill for some time,



but was i


n good spirits as always. We will sorely ... I wonder who he’s aking jokes with now!”

With a renowned sense of humor, this beloved pioneer captured the hearts and brightened the souls of all he came to know. @




Navid Anvar Dallas, TX October 1, 1998


Peggy J. Feightner Ligonier, IN September 2, 1998

July 17, 1998

IN MEMORIAM


Violette Ames Tahereh Eghrari Elaine Huff Clifford G. Neale Beatrice Vega Carpinteria, CA Diamond Bar, CA Meridian, ID Plattsburgh, NY Chicago, TL. August 27, 1998 August 27, 1998 May 31, 1998 July 16, 1998 June 5, 1998 Mary Elizabeth Anderson Abdul Husayn Dan Lewis Paul K. Newcomer Robert Wendel Dexter, OR Bashir Elahi Panorama City, CA Bremerton, WA Walker August 12, 1998 Campbell, CA March 11, 1998 September 27, 1998 Decatur, GA

September 25, 1998

Curtis Dean Lovell Woodland, CA September 7, 1998

James Howard Jaxine Tunnell Marshall John D. Sargent Jr. Brewster William L. Fountaine Yuba City, CA Zimbabwe Kathleen V. Wicker Carson City, NV Willoughby, OH. September 1, 1998 August 1998 Sarasota, FL July 31, 1998 August 24, 1998 September 17, 1998 Betty J. Meller Leghayeh Ralph W. Campbell Patricia Joanne Fuller Medford, OR Sedaghat Edna B. Wilson Jackson, MS Bradenton, FL August 30, 1998 Fort Washington, MD Cedar Rapids, IA April 14, 1998 September 23, 1998 July 7, 1998 September 25, 1998 Yamina Modabber Harry Joseph Hoey La Jolla, CA Kathryn S. Tomes dL, Hattiesburg, MS October 3, 1998 Sumren'SC jf

Catherine Parr Reno, NV August 30, 1998

September 12, 1998

September 4, 1998

O.Z. Whitehead Dublin, Ireland July 29, 1998



usually took a year to arrive; one, in the


pioneer wer to prepare for their elections. E wrote, “In one town where there are at



brought us your note which she found on the shore in a bottle near her home.



a was opened to the Fai Dunbar in the ‘The in other towns we visited were very excited about this and it helped them really to fell the oneness of the Bah: all the world. The e even more excited to know that I knew you and to think it arrived on the only full day I had spent in their town!”

In 1984, George passed away from cancer. Peggy continued on at their post until her own death.

The following words from the email advising of her passing sums up the fulfillment of her heart’s desire: “She was a Knight of Bahd’u’ll4h and with her husband, George R. True, pioneered to the Canary Islands. They remained at their posts and the

Canary Islands now has its National Spiritual Assembly!” #

Hooy 10 Year Crusade.






w







Curtis Dean Lovell, a member of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Woodland, California, passed away Sept. 7, 1998, from brain cancer. He was a computer programmer at the University of California at Davis.

Clifford Neale aided in Plattsburgh Assembly's founding

Clifford Neale was a homefront pioneer to Plattsburgh, New York, in 1978 and stayed with the community as it grew into a registered group and later founded its first Local Spiritual Assembly.

ed away July 16, 1998, survived by his laughter,



n, “Tk



page 34

Tue American Band’i * IN Memoriam

November 23, 1998 [Page 35]


1998 CONFERENCE ON SOCIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE AMERICAS [UBB INOUE GB CO Dec. 17-20, 1998 * Clarion Plaza Hotel * Orlando, Florida j 3 ON YOUR


Vine ~ SONI, ‘ RUE MENT. IS ; Yo ICIN Se a ‘THEME: SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS _ ‘TEACHING TRIP

nd




Representatives and program participants invited from 200 Baha'i projects, Institutions/agencies

aye 3 2 hievement of traveling Baha’i-inspired organizations from 27 countri i €

“goals, the Office of s information on all trips undertaken for

ri] i : »moting the interes |. This information is F be of assistance, ...” ropes I social and economic development ieatateao or bes


The conference is designed to fit the needs of practitioners of social and economic development as ‘oncerned with the needs of the well as novices, and to help participants offer their ideas in a dialogu ing atmosphere and ind center your delit learning environment with a minimum of lectures, ‘To quote from the Baha’{ World Center Office

and requirements.” Gleanings from nd Economic Development in its letter to the Rabbani ‘Trust dated March 23, 1997 ings of Baha’ulléh, p. 213.







gather together to share information and experiences—both challenges and successes.”

Featured Guest Pierre J. Beemans, Vice President, Corporate Services for the International Development Research Centre, Canada

Featured Speakers and Presenters





¢ with individuals who c: learn about principles and prac






David Ruhe (US), Jack McCants (US), Jaime Program tracks include Advanced Concepts in I \dvancement of Women, Agriculture, mily; study or otherwise: Duhart (Chile), Arini Beaumaris (Canad), Environment, and Rural Development, Business, lcalth, Indigenous Peoples, Law, Justice v William Davis (US), Eloy Anello (Bolivia), and Human Rights, Peoples of African Descent and Race Unity onbiencering

Bradley Porkorny (US), Dwight Allen (US), nston, IL 60201





Jacqueline Left Hand Bull (US), Hassan Abdel a 9 Fattah Sabri (UK), Michael Horton (Bahamas), 2 SII, fax 847-733Kenneth Bowers (US) and many more. g 4 a ). Music and Drama programs coordinated by Jack 3 5 & Lenz featuring Red Grammer, the Van Gil a e B he form below to respond ray Sandy Webster, Roya Bauman ==) z Q il. ‘Nations ‘ = as ed formation: 2 Ze a es and ID numbers of all Baha'is S 24 3 each trip.


  • Names of each country,visited, plus

the one or two main localities; and















: 3 date(s) of visit(s).

For general information call 407-740-5415 * Main purpose of your travel. Adults: $109 * Youth 15-20 years: $69 * Children & Junior Youth 3-14 years: $49 * Please add $19, if possible, to assist with scholarships. * Did you arise to meet the call of the Add $20 if you register after Nov. 20 * No refunds for “no-shows” ject to a $20 cancellation fe Universal House of Justice for: Mail check (in U.S. dollars) to: RABBANI CHARIT. TRUST # 2693 S A WINTER PARK, FLORIDA 32789 Native Americans to teach in the HOTEL/AIRLINE GROUP RATE INFORMATION Use the form below to respond by mail oO RD CSS /AIRLINE GROUP RATE INFORMATION Use the form below to respond by mail. Hispanic believers to teach in Latin

  • Hotel rooms at the Clarion Plaza Hotel in Orlando $47 per night (up to 4 persons), Special information: tasneviess)

Limited availablity; call promptly: 800-627-8258 or 407-354-1703, + Names and ages of all attending, including children EH aRIGESEER to teach in Africa?

  • Airfare Discounts from American ‘Travel Consultants * Your total conference fees eseipepiiesce sheet as needed.

Call 800-393-5050 (outside North America 407-354-1703) File 115179A * Any special needs ae ahs P wha, i “ WILMETTE INSTITUTE YOUNG AT HEART StupIEs IN THE BAHA’i FaitH ‘9 7 Correspondence Courses in Support of the Four Year Plan CAMPAI G

  • Designed to deepen adult Baha’is systematically to strengthen the human yt ie . soe a

resources of the Baha’i community and further the process of entry by troops Association of American Baha’is 50 years and older + Home study via mail, e-mail, and telephone (no residential session required) Organized by a task force under the auspices of the National Teaching Committee World Religions: Exploring Baha’ u'llah’s OUR MISSION: To facilitate seasoned Baha'is to utilize their life and a dA h Revelati professional expe s, talents and resources, knowledge and skills n Integrated Approac : Revelation in continued service to Babi’. Dialogue and Deepening Series: The Revelation of marc . Hinduism Jan.-Feb. 1999, $100 Baha’u’llah : Please return form to: Use the form below to respond by mail. 1853-63 Jau Deanna McCollum Seco reas gies ea YOuaTea(?) On serene 1863-68 Jul or experience: teaching, pionecring, administrative NESS 729) Houston; TX 77006 Seco es tay, eal eco OERIEAL Bias 1874-92 Jul a escorted traveling teaching, advancement of women, (phone 713-527-9124) youth tutoring, public speaking or other.




June: Aug. 2000, $150 eRe ios coke CLIP OR COPY THIS FORM AS NEEDED

  • The courses introduce the origin, by Baha'u'llah in two years.














founder, teachings, practices, and + Tablets are studied in context and in Fonvhats iia followers of each of the various chronological order. world religions. * Extensive background information + The faiths are studied as integral parts on each Tablet is provided. Name of the ever-developing religion of God. et Siete eee FOR MORE INFORMATION or to fee

interacting with people of other is Sey religions and explaining the Faith to beskincl ieniaada lta tah Gy pene them) and deepening (understanding 4 Phone E-mail the basics of the religion being studied | Road, Wilmette, IL 60091 (you and, by comparison, the Baha’i Faith). may use the form at right) or: Special information:

  • The courses help you teach the Faith Phone 847-733-3415

to people of various religious 24-hour automated information backgrounds. line 847-733-3595

Fax 847-733-3563 - - E-mail

All courses offer a variety of projects Web site www.usbne.orgwilmette adaptable to many learning styles. College credit may be possible. ‘TAB 11/23/98







November 23, 1998 Tre AMERICAN BAnA’l ¢ SEEKING YouR RESPONSE page 35

ce CeCe ce cere were POOL CCAM RAMU ORTH A ELE TED PANY EOE (Oat


[Page 36]

Be Geesroee & dnlis 32 pepoye Corsl (naa Nebo sycoalea asa nee

ced of LSAs 5) Gur 5 prose L Les col Jlos a 5 c}ay 5 jLS edge Ope> tayo, Bel I Sy bes BAS MG,b Gl als Olels ol ey Cel IE gl & cl tle gi Le ly aS po 59 Sot LS Sipze glinss gulply 995 lal Yet 3,L, SSS lop perl BYLL cle YS 49 OS ,+ Ds Osho 9 Sule b oll 4 wee cee of TS S85 5 Gey Hs Gb) wh il > Gant 45 59 Jlss) wily bE « | obs PUBLICATIONS

> wi SL SES sI5 2 pe gly Images International duu52 Geb 51 ci 955 0 (A+) fV--f0Y0 iyi ble .uies te 99>9 CgSbo

vis ne Spar oJ) Ct > SLY, oI P59 lps GSly 52 5 9S Megs dog 359 4 gail fates eso com aniaceall| cssslajislea he weed hey Ge GLIT 52 tue poe Lenpe nt 9 Sole Go) 5 dedde Jol 55d de prre AS debs tol I ge Gayl -So Ono tea & ot Colin 5 Jae syd 52 Co) lee Pa ey GLE thd OLS! LY Ely» (A) sim 9 9h cp09> Hf iW aiig>

ee 5) pleated gee dope onl eg ee oS ed eg Dl BE a Us AGL Cid! Juls 5 al Yolas! epee cel OUT lye Vs 5 led 5 pee et Ope pb gre Se! EL GIs UT 5 Sel 5 “aly saz 4 Al" 5 “Gail seed ob 9 GES SHIT 5 “lay 33 Oolg> 318 9 ile cits

ASL BIS sie 2b 25> bb WL ol Atul 49 vals tol Co gu ole Jols 5 Bas diz yo valle by, 4 lS lS tly ted 9 ab! Hil ale a SUS Le 151 fools ale aber 4 ute Salt tool sls AB 5 2S Sac toll 2 per 9 bl al pind ChE 15a 4 gues oSlt orl pb tolsb Joo oly LE! 49 valle

eer OI bo

Be ee kee phi WS OLS ol Jul ae oo gel UT le ted te at lS Rin Clb upi lexmte teas sks paces Gus: Gob yd AS, cal lg tone, Cam lies 5! Oh ee felt OLS cul tye, F ash! anic arto V5 odinays jf Soo Ulis siz ys ole dtl ge pel Cyphe Corgi

9 Sas Slee & 95 bls! be Gl, Js ole! Ae 5 gol 4 bs ll Sle abhes 4 obhe Gots

8 obj & gat ae Be y 4317

Saad & Sle eel -Lacl gol Lif + pes Salle GI obT j2ty joliul ppb oll Sle -l ab, bats,

Alas Je pe 5 She Ghel & ore Gly OT 53 5 ooh ee JK oT tee L SK 1» ope & oll pe 5 Sas a Sb,5 soar 1338 ce Cree tek 9 Sze Olule 5 il oe 4 th af 4,5 2 jl sie Lob y galas gain dla e SUT 5! sl lhtls 55 5 af 22 Lal Ob) & pal, oder opt 0 ols O55 fel ach) ob 65 SES Cle ISI MLV GY glSa,5 gl. LAT oly 5 a4 2S J SEW all Sars 5 obj &

PWEILS SF Cul ay gl sls Gu LI dy te OIL! a SUS LW yo at oll gly oS oo elel AES opty pj capt Jlos pier Gye SO LAS LS L GS 5 ot gl bw So GES | gel GoGw oly SK p29 SIL

we by et Ghat bl abl jl Gr Se ooh yay ge At $3 ag 5! 5095S Coe SE Mey & ES Oh! Slot, Glo! & bly! coke gee 59 45 snl rr See lea 21 perl le Las Sole pl fel Cees! Eye 45 1S ly ae GL pel slangt CHS» & alge & says olpel ppSlmaalis ob 5 Grol Ley kes AS se rb Sire gal 0 ile henry 5s ua ali DU ble a aS jlo JK ae Wee oS pe ot OES LL Gesdl OLS ASI HL 2 se SN BpS aSylee GUT Comal LT Sap le “Soul pat G dpe & Gils by

WySST i! gla gteny 9 Leslgites 4 fouls v9 shen, Addl AS CAS uly Cond oat Cpe YL yo 4S 9 Sie pol Bhs Cel Hlyo AF Cod sels a Slee pel gape Gling CHAS) 4 all Grier PEWS > 3 Clie So pte Eros Lm 22 Ig AS Coll ley pluS aul 4 -ayt lo SUT Sos & tl Olbrwe GLE Aalee Coral UP aS ays lh tin Foyle by 19,5 alr she eis ole “ale! Saad ale & Las ALAS SILT Sou soled Gegsoye UL! edd KAS I Gpim lal Comal 42,5 953455 cle BUs joj rpUlel, Hj lee as 31 ee So nr Sant all ibs oT oo pe “Uke LY “olay Cad 9 pele” 4 eeh Wiles (SoS 055 59 Geyd Glo gldls L429 Cul pline Fogd Slide voyle oF creel gat 59

et oe Abas ge des glans ASL

Ly 5 MA--)ero-frY4 fee gs

(AFY) WV —110 Sin yd 99 oolgil> 9 > iS 5 >,» JRtee act ty we eta cul pil «Sime Shale ech trew tls BSUS slate jl eed obj) 4 Sle cope OH OLul Fee dol spe Gey 5 gS GEIS Geylet 42 oy dale one 5 Gad, » HL © ham thes ool Sle er pb C5 Gay Ries) eal s-2 glaerg3) pela) eee hel Gly glee 5 lis hl wy glade Gs Sle dd glu & 525 ~~ ob, cle by ae Sibel 255 Ge by Grty app Cem ALS Mel Gail TS gal 52 GD CEP dome yee 9 lp! Sao,3 gblices garel HN b5 SF Sub, 559 wry 5 lee 5! sy coll lel gpel pp. ay VANE Ls Ls hl oat OGG! lee 5b 52h le Bi th a) Shel spel 52 GA oat cops reals Le! (ARV) VPP—POYA (SK 1 - S11

teu! G13 gel I pis

Persian-American Affairs Office Baha'i National Center

1233 Central Street

Evanston, IL 60201

E-mail

DYLs cle il as 8jL,9 Slo Wo Slt Kad Ol lariwge Gon! SOME CONSIDERATION ABOUT THE FRIENDS OF

PERSIANCULTURE CONFERENCES

ot Pe KA5 oS GAS pl aS Cte b 59 Bly orgie Ub] & QGaSeS pt 5 sly cul cee earl w SES plealgzts gol y Leal gy Le Slash ate |} aylacl 5 ole ts dS dala) 05> olan SIs WS Ay 5 ray Dhedpe GTUUT ES» slot, MEET ,U | Xo col ulyy elas Wal es Ll chlo sald be G5 Ge ol Sls cel Same aS oda ote pai lap ls oyu Alf PSL ersl Ghul jf glans ATL 5! 46 Ath vo Ghat of eps 52 oblSulews 99 Ly Che ile! Saad oblateys gerd glee Lys Ss gl Guy Slits 49 45 Cusilo ol SRG 4 WY reas 94> BIL Gl Las A Al op OSS ooh y GLY Oty, Lb gan US dpb chal ee sleul acmey a1,

opal 739 aS 2S GoTo YL odie glicow Ba Cast: \ARN Qs 58 oer lel eee 3 al Gaztl” odes OILI ley, yale Jims 5I ay Lady gerd pag Gael “USL! Sua, wkd Gots “shel Saad ghlacuys gar!”

iia ise iss gard oul aS tbl toy 3 1d & del

Spl pele le! oll, 4 KS *


‘page 36 | Tue AmeRICAN BANA’ © PERSIAN November 23,1998), VEVEY EY.



[Page 37]PVT F TAT CIT


ob com IRFAN COLLOQUIUM

oG6 poles 5b oes le WE JL 52 Ho aSTeANY GEA gUapunt peclSslle, eagle sat JS glad sly re

Geto SuS L VAAN JLe GI glbc ele Gal 4 Slat lop! 52 reer! sige CE opob Ne pea\scss

Ns ayte ylac game Qu ody > Sper UT syrup Cole Ere 0S cSt Ore Islel > 5. 5/45 jolly dpeeeeet yah a gs 2S tpl sli WV gles

elas a places alee) pasta) cla: 2 SES Ch Gee 9 ae GET VA-V ANY cH lon be Cll el O55 15 toy Co cole oy) Sylee gpite can GES «pat C2) cots Co) GLI ey Od) et 9 rb tol Boyne 9d Bye Stl OJ Sole) TJ «cle ox Seb oo) ceed ape cole,

(QU3l sure 259 251 troy CylLe gblww cab 252 el Ext AS> SEN gree Cle ee obser Cle «plts,> 2 P52 «gla ST AS 3 PaaS Clte E> coemtige Glee! ole P59 roky Cee (tay Bray oll BE «Gdye voted Grew Gh GE «gape o9b

Jay lake ghl sre & oSlie Glue Ws PG 5 HT pe Gel sy hey 9 on SY Shel & ams sees Gottee Cle 5 dle, 252 Boyle Er Gy 7 Gime GEuob,

09S OS pb 5 YO 9b; Qed Olle 59 tle WSs GI Cee BL 52 GE a oy Oper {UT Lys ae Soo Gb VV 4 at oll Boys asl sul eaalaas ores eal aly

fare elles LAE Cale ay ule aS clus eth gle eames EL» SL WI & ob. Bada oS. v5 Bylad Li’ JI3 (0

(AfY) V¥-1O°1

ly! Be ol fariwgs cpoonil FRIENDS OF PERSIAN CULTURE ASSOCIATION Saad ghlocuss geal BIL, QoL AS oe 95> Cilejy, 444 59 Holiday Inn O'Hare )» (|! ole YN agetns pac V cols jl St dey Sts VAAN ge ale FY dts gb WY Ge erate tL GLI 45) Gly Ui) at sols SAAR ls Sie foe b tee wil Baha'i Arts Conference 53 cS ,5 Gln 155% onl 32 OS pt le erate Zp ty pY Gb Po 9 Sell ate Gly Yo AV (SUI Liles CF onl alse ls C2 8 lee GH SI GLI 9 Sb, Cl od Spree VANA Coe Ab LG Ys let cud lee Jor 4 O'Hare S25 i! wT


hie YE ares 3 Shyrtil wat Jradlpb & ay) Ipheng Steal aeaeasral lps > faScol Ua: aan ao by sbeel eS 95d gal 5 tt ps Cree, SI ey cel ALL Ito G45 GI OE Bel she 2 Dherard slarils Deal pb Jkss Cyl GloolKtsls 59 of 22 5 WLI 3,5 AS haslRe Guar Ghee pp BIS Conds 9 Ao ee otal ogy oat anys LL! (Stile 5. elbale iss louaysec ls ssc coat lyepeesapilecane eee aARtsls 0S Cod gyfoly ay SY -U9S pe a AS dep ot Ge dmne Ooty alee Gh LOad! pes) Comseyias I> (slg 515) alSetalsy ens “abit olSutsle” 52 aS 2d Jol 5 gloleul ila ge Cede al & Glue Scents AS (ge 5 led Mpa gSLe ile glalel jl g3 we dhe 9 AS Spe Shut & 55 Wu! » by! Obed ay pie LS 5s phar OV 5 Qo 51 elem ay dupe Tyo Qu 4 1S Ode w sBog dtuley ot 2 5h a9> 9 blsrl by she tengo Son! & a en plRtih SoS jee pe aeea St abel 39 spel GUY! aps “Le” abel 5 daogs AlST gf Grol gu 5! “obT Suis” WS ay bhsrl 4 CaS Olel» & 4S thoy sols 51 29> OF OG ,3p0 a VAAN JL 59 Cdys glSals sybian 1) lay 5 Sybre 5 GaysT pyzr aumnpe kG 1 ol Subs jy2eo Sy 09,5 ly dele CaS Gly Gly 73! Obl! 9S MGI Se hat pte bb |G 5 WS Spo he DoT glasl a VA4V JL expe Spde 32 eos wes AURSligisleslg.) atlemenyeyy once taal 14S Cul oral 5 Sh0 Ste 59 94h pb GITL aot SrSsle Sly bel Cb 2y jl © 5) gat als So 5» LL olily Wigt gle! eslKasls OUT Saad coat, voy oleil uly Lb © 2905 Tb Glade GE oo lpi dy AF ee 99 olSLy placa! jl ° oot SrSole wiped als Sly WAth pyre bpd GL Gleplic grils 5! of “oT olSuasls” ay abe LG glel CIs AES dtp Gly 995 4S MI Glooby lSaS. Lael i! So ole! ctys 9 ptltel 5 Qladl Gb Md, .-t Bor VAN Ulemyeeee\N on aStuccell 2, Sanne 22 vty dove fle gloss gepee ame Capa Be He SaaS. lca aS. cel ail leas al Fre 3 "ajlad ce pe ober Gly b Jeans Shey Gals y Se ears’ Sn! of 5! WB glee uyter 39 Sao Hey 2 4 Cd “eb F sald

Cont odajyy

ELE LR EERE ETT



of gas, Sens jl See eS ela! |, of 59 13353 elaal 1)

teed 25 SF wy GWas,Saus pl ©

Bde Com Giios\

WSS ete Gates rele pe So ceed ee ME ettge GS pt! ole) Qtr poles levies So glob! Ly ree

Auman Stee S29

S53 digs Slate GlalS Guttge QL SLS gee Le ough 5 Ged Ge «Sw kee conte, db ad Getips (SAI LS BE rel ole «JW Ges obe «SU Spr! (hd goby he (dS ole, Cle ope he tS he 55s eghls show ole (rds he sad BI coke on sile poll Che Cle ls OU ole Gh toy ole colle Oped Oba 1ortS pe olhe tot pole etd Gye Lee ety LS Ole lil pb Ole «sli Oli! "oAjT otKdsts” 6459 Jeb!

CYL! Je Gly Jer Qrb a1 =» eed 99 “Shi ol Sut” jLy2 Ue mre € 2) 09 Oh MeN aS cull ols 415 ylde 2398

a olsle oy iI VMAs JLo jt ale! Coys Tpncilcclacs! oo esl Slel as cecuss aS St Cope g b> a Sean) plictel 52 CGI GI Gh AS pe LIS wad ELS! WS 51 way AS cleslKssls

Go Gly VAAV JL jo (sly abst ol Kittle wel ayes Sle paper Ole Draw vil ole! olsle ibs 4 whl oh of LT 5! ope obit ol Stsl cco ont shu (6G F oslo Se 5 pe Olle Ls po KS eels 32 of GMA LT Je glee wt GLprtsls ay 5 aby oll hops 5 blsol sy eT Sy Glad 59 25 4959 aals S55 ls g“lJbe cos we “lol, G wth athe sath

1A CBI; amepe gal gale aS (palhee 3 dpe Gnas & of yo srt 4b 4-5! ote 9 BAAS boy, OUT Get Jape b V0> bab » J Goilhnu , bolts SI y gle! BW ple 52 3 SLS cle ghsh ly andy Ve yo Sd ge dee ool SLyretil oy Cube att, gl wipt Ob wld bl a cgplengsls (pStze alse cl cme) (pent 15! (Srv lS pple hs 5 ol prin Least, gol a gylble lol ire elsoly 99 p9Sde lStsls 4 the oylal 0,5 0 Gepb Gl Vos SN ty dees pp 52 ae Glease gs Ibd tls IS

43S 5999 glee 51 IKAsls gal ale jLecl



November 23,1998. - - THE PR ER ea




[Page 38]

SRE AT a Te ee aa Ee


ASG ay ils Lily oS Cul Qe ghke lhe yl lb SS 5 IG 539195 40039) Vio

‘The New York Times josl5 Syyrgei 52 gered (YAMA 251 YA Gyye) Soph dali eater CAhik 5 pels & ole!” glee coo Leis Us ol 2S G2 “eel htly GS BLT 5 5I Ktsls’ ghyrtils 5 ghlul J3 Je wb Je del Bly slLs all of op ties 55 5 “abl stooge acts slgbl

Bolas & pel pol Srp dolijy, Wie 52 pica Spcesl! Ae, gayi Seuss Steen s\Sessioge Scleolee 9 So Ch ol ot lee 1S Bl drei) ey pee Slieas seo ean

Win ite wet Colas 4 apt gSursogljl


ore Glee DL» Gur GECLS s Lupe Joly Glide 5 ~Strolis 4 libre Call 0997 Rts!

SV Se 5) SB 4p apd lis 95> gree Baw 5 yd 5 Ole bie Gly 2S gba! eniiceasl wWallas'ets) Soiree AS) 9555), coalys59 ildier pill glans JE cw b | LW del tle able 4 6S op lores Joe Hel Pals

eS cle b 2 bp Le Gos jouw PES NN Gyye Lasdpe & rlGsils jtsy Cole 25 jUT Ghee ily, lbs 4 GUS wl JL Blas jh clare 4g SY CLOW g Sle ae aS wig Cony tly Lob5y,

flees eases eel nut 53. wees ol le Dard globe cole SF apt Ge Culsye alets ees SIL OUT 4» eS Ge | oleh 5 age Lol le IT lel lel » a3, Glepe » AS cgyloag> part GL! 5I wb sol lol Cuila58 6)639 56>

CBI5b. a1 HG pak VA5l as) ls itheoy 2) Ga at 5! was

a Gre a Gy dean 9 Oy leh Bere 9 SL 5 ISS 5 glee 5 obT pd s -bLb 083 9 4G 4s 2s eo

ees dy GWTrrls 5 toy ole DLL « Glagljle jl Se 6S SLO! o4);, Gl seul glal Cys pletblis

IB pre rare le iS Jour OFT EWer ingatecealigy jis gals) ai Goa 25S)

WS Jae 5 ge >

wd AS

pple Sn 5 onl =

Pagel Vo syd vlele a Glos part «Lt Glie bab

GlAyy 999 od scul,d GlSasctljl jl

ee jt Gloag 9 2pShe Rtils GLU 2 ee

rt ay Gls) 59 jee BF at Soe oe ype Ghose 44 V0 9» botljl tp cas

g oblast Jols os Seu ols! ols 5I AS Ad deed 495 4 GUTS 5 ope Cte clacl UG tLaaal)jysike) olRtsl. LNs reales aday eal SS Gay yp dene of 59 aS 4S ys 5 clarel 1, jie By alt jl Gee ol coh, Cael 09,55

CYL 42,5 gyal Sys Slepbe isl, »» Clhy Gre sla Je 351 V8 Gype odode doe SILI S99 0S 9,5 255 Sur ob Sin atRtsls” a alr 5 yyShe le gi 99 plucl SS wl ge pou |) “obit

Mh cys aS cubls) GBI 5 Si eyes BS espinal (oyaa Slade N53 A eglenam ok IL ap PEA 2 aye Gre sage saljl oy40 52 | pe Gell Ge 4 xh» pide GIL 6S CS gtzer Gy lat [ Seccaead eglae Oke 5 pide ed Gore Glee pliucl pS 1 “bjt olStsls’ as pp 9 wrbtins nls SI AS ald co alot CUy2 jl y AS 2 pow soph Grate y Sie sly 52 placl > cle! Sans Sistilg 40059) Vtio

‘The Washington Post Cams gly pee i055, a> Wiens hol gts (VAMA 251 YO Gay) ola! shite “G93 39 9 9 Bley gy Cline” 4 | wala Golasdl

Gal gl jl 4S Gul sel 5,51. Wie 50 gles! oLbE vty JL SB it ty 2 Qe ott 7 dlarel olen gle! Clys 4S io, shave! ole RSHPgE3y, Sil, Calin dads Shay gy Seaman Utst01! coal! dlasel Coben Se Gly deole Glacl Lb clys Ls BL Glew! cle Gabe ul of it Ne Foo Gh ke obbter 4S ole! olsly wl odd gy) Glojb Clings & ccul

gL 5h aS Cul ote CU Uae gal ela! 50 es > eh at A LS LI OE 9 here 5 Ghee 1435 515 Gt Ge cule jl 4 tylo Cree) pF Coro ale! olato,; eee ST ob SF oldly, Ll ln dy is Gheael 09S seh olpl 59 pA2593 0,5 Lauds! 52 4 SN SQ pte AG ADS 5 pas las Spe VAAN Sls 59 doce fle glajls grubs cot C399 Coles of 59 aS ala asl! gle! Cdyo GI Cys sayy at 53 pgilyy daale G25 ySatyy » Sify Lol 9,5 shud ler |) yySde Spe oll dpb YL ByI;S jo ctace SYLI te, 4p! OF sie day ge By WS ays pL Gy HL,» ASL actls bles gli chy bd (bd, b Se

EW BH Glee HI LB ap Gege ySdo lie 52 Clpatie Glel uly pop plael aS cul eal nie Reese eal am ch econ Us tasliNs hed

oll clot Clas IRAN SITUATION eet ol ets BLS 42 aS 5,5 ye ONSEN) 5h ps MY) ey apes Sucre eal) wdiloat Sims shel 52 sly “bt olStsls 4 Ge oo soe SILI Je by Joe wae Gb pS ul I 9 I Clans Ly galStile, » 09,5 Juana 31,3! _palST «closes debs & abl, 52 oll lel pay 4H Os 5b Le, aLIpe 82,5 papree 4 ypSie Kittle dao Gul sl JE es Geb jt he iby, fer 251 ole Ju! GI 9 Gee Sly pile 4 Glaike cl, al SF Cul ray) WS jal Cons alRtil Geol lignes 4 I 02,5 fears all ole 5 Qepre als We 3! JL SIVA Cope he Sly Joe Eb 5» aS Cul deel aS otel Gles Jobe 4 Old wb SI dnole jl Abe gel Meee ots 4 Lagi 3 lee 49 ole gles 5 LolKtsls abe OSES Glead> Jal s alyrtil 5 Lol ok5l6 Jel ay Cyd 1) age slel Sao dey ape & le obyrtil gSL pp 2 te dle! ods SI OUT gle pyres dae gy SLE ars jl style SUB! 33 5 a> Cb! SI gay ole SY ape he hy, jie Lau pore 9 “abst olStsls’ clacl jl ys PY Rea ay Glee BE Oe + Gl te & ale! Cly> byob 99 elel a She olKtsls Sloe ole , Lol coke ey I Sly OAS aldol poy (Ere GOwkLy oe srl Koy plhtl 5 ole be ge gly Joe gob sp! 3: Slab ploy! gan le cle a aS cul al GO GIBS ibys Lads cel slal uf Cus De As Syypo SLI! 31 dase 3p he Gly Joe JE ore » culyo 52 Copel shel jl ole JLo 25110 Gye ad py AS Clos 4 Leo 4S Cul 02,5 Se pl peyee DE! Gly 9 Ge tt, wali pie oasis aT 4 iy HLS 52 Sole ed are ole lel Glel 3! 92 Ae dhe 52 Golhazs dtl cule Glee 4 pie Geist lela tc len eS todas) pms 2 VAY. gy gale Conds gliolicl So Guan 9 a Siu cal gles! 52 cel oe S ayls GLtul iI oy wel cdols Grol Grid mete ye 99 prere Se ol wl Jb Wye lL »» 9 eet she & alal Gel sbl 4 olin 0s Se Gls pel & by Way, olka colt CBS NB dey 2550 ololun UUM es | eG ter si secauayn oh


page 38 THe AMERICAN BaniA‘ie PERSIAN November 23, 1998






[Page 39]



s were opened to the Baha’i Faith during the Paymani Green Light teaching project, which saw the enrollment of 612 souls into the Cause of Baha’u’llah in Sophala province through August. New children’s classes have seen their total enrollment grow to 70 in areas with Local Spiritual Assemblies.





ts exte to the deepening of 95 teachers in this fledgling national Baha’i_ community, and they in turn helped 189 people find the light of Baha’u’llah by the finish of six summer schools held as the culmination of the project.

¢ United Kingdom: The experiences of the author of Olya’s Story among







imprisoned 4’i women in Iran were the center of a BBC-TV feature broadcast four times across Great



Britain last summer. The minute interview with Olya Rool included mention of the ex

Mr. Ruhollah Rowhani in July.

emer

adegan ion of


¢ Tanzania: The government approved a family life education project initiated by the National Spiritual Assembly. The Ministry of Education authorized the Baha’is to approach local school officials



with the curriculum on the reality of man 's purpose, human virtues, and ial importance of education. The principles in the Baha’i gained footholds in the life of two states. Amazonas, a new religious educ curriculum partly prepared by Baha’is refers to the mystical and social s religion, and includes a bibliography. In Bahia, quotes from Baha'u'llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha were included in a new training manual for all the state’s school boards.

¢ New Zealand: The Associations for Studies of Austr: and New Zealand held their first joint conference in July at the University of Auckland, with the theme of moral development.

¢ Czech Republic: The first Cz summer Bab hool drew 83 attend and centered on the theme “Some Answered Questions.” All but two of the lectures were given by Czech Bahd’is, and one of the 14 non-Baha’fs declared is belief in Baha’u’llah.

rrr

tional Bab ty lly registered

government in July as a religious community with the status of a legal entity. This registration had been delayed for 15 years, because authorities were anticipating a new law that was finally put into effect in January.





h







° Aust commu: with the








es

  • South Africa: The Baha’i

Stutterheim formed a Back to Agriculture Development Institute (BADI) to help serious farmers and

group of

eners at the village level develop the st, least expensive ways to improve their agriculture and livestock systems. BADI has taken the role of relaying research, knowledge and technology as well as organizing training and


GREEN LAKE, continuep From pace 6

eocccccccccccce


good dialogue about what they [youth] could do to promote the process of entry by troops. The Regional Council announced the appointment of four regional youth committees for the Central States, so the youth asked many questions about it,” Ellis said.

Dr. Khan, at his standing-room-only address Saturday evening, articulated the relevance of the Cause to the world and gave insights into how the Bahai institutions are developing—from the House of Justice to Local Spiritual Assemblies. He emphasized that we must mature quickly, take on greater responsibility, and engender the revelation of Baha’u’llah.

Dr. Janet Khan brought considerable attention to the importance of women’s education in an eloquent address emphasizing the beloved Master's teaching that “... they are partners and co-equals ...”

Dr. Robert Henderson moved the audience with an address on the significance of moral decay in our political institutions. The only real answer to the problems facing today’s world is the Baha’i Faith, Dr. Henderson said, emphasizing that we have to act and be distinctive to make a difference.

Dr. William Hatcher's presentation “Living in the Presence of Baha’u’lléh” connected the friends directly to a vision of Baha’u’llah sitting on the blue bench in the Garden of Ridvan.

Youth sessions have always been a vital part of this conference, and this year’s youth conference brought together about 100 youths with an impressive spirit.

Saturday night’s Youth Art Showcase was a beautiful bouquet of diverse talents from Baha’u’llah’s garden that included a presentation by concert pianist Mark Ochu and performances by more than 20 youths.

Children’s classes truly mirrored the advice of Dr.




“Pve been a Baha’i for eight years and for all eight of those years I considered Green Lake to be my rejuvenation to go on with my work in the Faith and in my spiritual development for the next 365 days until | can come back again. The wonderful speakers ... they radiate that love with their intellect and they give me the information | need to go back and do what | have to do in my own

community.” —Jean Wright, St. Paul, Minnesota


—$—S $a

Peter Khan. In a spot interview he said, “It’s important that your children not feel neglected by their parents’

involvement in Baha’f activities, but rather that children feel that they are part and parcel of the

eeoccccccccccce

demonstration projects.


family’s activities in support of the Faith.”

He added that parents need to “facilitate the children’s discovery of the Baha’i teachings and also cater to diversity of characteristics in the children, so the children will grow up as strong Bahé’is. Not necessarily according to the model of their parents ... but finding their path to express the Teachings in their own lives.”

Many children have made lifelong friendships at the conference. “We love the Green Lake conference. We've been here for the past 15 years, and we only missed it once,” said Vida Chapman of Naperville, Illinois. “We love it, kids love it, we are happy to see our friends, we love the program, especially this year—we really enjoyed the program. The place is wonderful, the kids are having good classes.”

Many activities planned by Core Curriculum-trained teachers gave kids chances to participate actively. Young teens made it a special point of pride to serve as volunteer staff.

Seminars and workshops at the conference gave an opportunity to learn more about race and gender unity, the basics of training institutes, Local Assembly development and dealing with community unity.

The refreshing and revitalizing spirit of Green Lake united the hearts and souls of hundreds of people for those two days. We were in the midst of a Baha’i community, a foretaste of the future of mankind.

Of course, over the rest of the year we’ll miss the giant trees, the rolling hills, the shining waters. But what we’ll miss most is the spirit of unity and fellowship. The mystique of the Green Lake Baha’i Conference is nothing more or less than this. #



COCCLA Ct

November 23, 1998


Tne American BanA’i ¢ International News/Conninuved page 39


[Page 40]


FOR INFORMATION ABOUT EVENTS sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly. or its agencies at the Baha’i National Center, please phone 847-869-9039 and ask for the relevant department. The numbers for the permanent Baha’i schools and institutes are as follows: Bosch Baha’i School, phone 408-423-3387; fax 408423-7564; e-mail Green Acre Baha’i School, phone 207-439


7200; fax 207-438-9940; e-mail Louhelen Baha’s School, phone 810-653-5033; fax 810-653-7181; e-mail Louis G. Gregory Baha’i Institute, phone 803-558-5093; fax 803-558-9136; e-mail

Native American Baha’{ Institute, phone 520-587-7599; fax 520521-1063; e-mail



NOVEMBER D

R JAN


26-29: Desert Rose Baha'i School, Francisco C Hotel, Casa Grande, AZ. Starts with Thanks; dinner. Presenters include Fred and Julia Dwight Allen, Derek Cockshut, Dan and Linda Kavelin Popov, Homayoun Mahmoudi, Susan Lewis Wright. For more information phone 520-466-7961 or 520466-7767.

26-29: Menucha Baha’ School, east of Portland, OR. Registrar/information c/o Portland, OR 97213 (phone 503-282-0182, e-mail




y 26-29: Florida Baha’i School, Holiday Inn, Cocoa Beach, FL. Registrar/information: Denise Godsey,

Pompano Beach, FL (phone 954-9421844, fax 954-946-9299, e-mail ). 26-29: Washington, D.C. Thanksgiving Bah’ Youth irview Marriott, Falls Church, VA. “Our What Role Will You Play?” Phone il or see the





ing c gfe ence in San Diego, ons in English and P n and promoting racial w the Assembly of San Diego c/o 619-755-7623 27-29: “The Most Vital and Challenging Issu the Challenge With Honor” at Green Acre. 27-29: “Issues for Youth in Today's World,” training conference for youth ages 15 and up at Bosch.





REGIONAL SCHOOLS See page 12 for more details on regional Baha’i school fall and winter sessions.



1-20; Presentations on service at the Baha’i World Center, in several cit ross the United States and Puerto Rico. See page 32 for locations.

4-6: “Shoghi Effendi’s World Order of Babd’wllah” at Louhelen.

11-13: “Apostles Training Academy”: Institute for high school youth (grades 10-12) at Green Acre. Enrollment limited.

18-20: Wilmette Institute course on Islam at Bosch. 24-27; Grand Canyon Baha’i Conference and Grand Canyon Youth Conference at Hyatt Regency Hotel, Phoenix, AZ. Theme: “Race Unity: Rising to the Spiritual Challenge.” Registrar/information: Spiritual Assembly of Phoenix, P.O. Box 9961, Phoe: AZ 85068-9961 (phone 602-922-1919). Hotel reservations: 800-233-1234.

26-29: Montana Youth Rendezvous, Great Falls, MT. Register c/o Helena, MT 59601 (phone 406-442-7526). More information: e-mail Kay Maloney ( Jor see the Web

site (www.nvdi.com/mtbahai/mbs/). ‘6-31; Winter!









Green Acre: in Response to the Four Year Plan.”

27-Jan. 1: Winter School genera ion at

Study of Four Year Plan and Ridvan 155 message in light of principles explained in the Kitabi-Lqan.

27-Jan. 1: College Institute at Bosch.

27-Jan. 1: Grassroots Education Conference at Bosch. 30-Jan, 3: Winter School general ion at Bosch: “Glimpses of the Guardian”; “The Most Vital and Challenging Issue in Today's World”; presentation by San Francisco Baha’{ Youth Workshop.






avoid unnecessary delays in r





si ng at Louhelen. Fundamental Verities of the Baha'i Faith,” threeveekend trai at Bosch. Participants must be referred by Sp bly, Auxiliary Board member or regional training institute board; participants must also attend sessions Jan. 29-31 and Feb. 19-21. 15-18: Pioneering/BYSC/SITA Institutes at Bosch. Contact Office of Pioneering (phone 847-733-3508). 15-18: “Facilitating Social and Economic Development” at Louhelen. A two-part course; second part to be held April 23-25. 22-24; Assembly Team Development at Bosch. Call Bosch if your Assembly is interested in participating. 22-24: Weekend retreat for seekers at Green Acre. fl nd Economic Development Facilitator ‘Training at Louhelen. Trainees will return for a second







rer School, Valley West Inn, West Des Moines, IA. Registrar: Al Prosser, West Des Moines, IA 50265 (phone 515-224-4966).

FEBRUARY

“Special Days” Parent/Child Weekend at Green


5~7: Youth Workshop Coordinators’ Retreat at Bosch. 12-15: “Racism/Race Unity: Two Sides of the Same Coin” at Bosch. 15: Interfaith Brotherhood/Sisterhood Breakfast, 10 a.m.—noon, Teaneck, NJ. Featured speaker: Dr. David Ruhe. For tickets, information and hotel accommodations, contact Spiritual Assembly of Teaneck,

‘Teaneck, NJ 07666 (phone 201-837-3638).

new address and

ing The American Babd’t, send all fami

Shirin Precht, almost age 5, of Arlington Heights, Illinois, shows off her copy of Brilliant Star magazine’s special edition after each child received one at the Green Lake Baha’i Conference, Sept. 18-20 in Green Lake, Wisconsin.

A brilliant star

Photo by Ken Duszynski

BAHA’{ NATIONAL CENTER 112 LINDEN AVE WILMETTE, IL 60091-2849



mailing label to: Information Services, Baha'i National


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)


“IDE

IDe Bea: IDe

i, Sa RRR aaa aE 15s 5 oe

ID#


B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS



Street Address Street Address


Apartment # (if applicable) Apartment # (applicable)








City City State Zip code State Zip code D. NEW COMMUNITY E, HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER

‘Name of new Baha'i Cor ity Moving Date Area Code Phone Number Name

F WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S)

‘Area Code Phone Number Name ‘Area Code Phone Number Name


H. 1 WOULD LIKE A COPY

Our household receives only one copy of The American Babd't. 1 wish to receive my own copy. I have listed my name, ID number and address above.


G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE:

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.


we do not have the same last [i name? We do not want extra Copies, so please cancel the

the person(s) and ID number(s) listed above.

Retrieved from "https://bahai.works/index.php?title=The_American_Bahá’í/Volume_29/Issue_9/Text&oldid=211456"
Powered by MediaWiki