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To the Bahá’ís of the world

Messages of the Universal House of Justice

November 26, 1999

Dearly loved Friends,

On this special day, when our hearts and thoughts are focused on the immortal example set by the life of the Centre of the Covenant, we pause to note, with feelings of deep gratitude, the current progress of the Divine Plan which He conceived, and to glance at the future beyond the four-year stage now rapidly coming to an end.

The accomplishments during this period are encouraging indeed. An impressive network of training institutes on a scale but dimly imagined at the start of the Plan has been established throughout the world. These nascent centres of learning have made significant strides in developing formal programmes and in putting into place effective systems for the delivery of courses. Reports indicate that the number of believers benefiting directly from training courses has climbed to nearly 100,000. Without question, the capacity of the worldwide community to develop its human resources has been distinctly enhanced.

The effects of this systematic approach to human resource development are making themselves felt in the lives of all three protagonists of the Plan—the individual believer, the institutions, and the local community. There has been an upsurge in teaching activities undertaken at the initiative of the individual. Spiritual Assemblies, Councils, and committees have grown in their ability to guide the believers in their individual and collective endeavours. And community life has flourished, even in localities long dormant, as new patterns of thought and behaviour have emerged.

As we survey the Bahá’í world, we see a greatly strengthened community, internally sound and notably reinforced. Its achievements in reaching the general public, governments and organizations of civil society and in winning trust in all these circles are striking. Agencies specialized in external affairs, following a well-defined strategy, have broadened the range of the Faith's influence nationally and internationally, and projects of social and economic development, which seek the spiritual and material upliftment of entire communities, are penetrating society at the grassroots.

The two stages in the unfoldment of the Divine Plan lying immediately ahead will last one year and five years respectively. At Ridván 2000 the Bahá’í world will be asked to embark on the first of these two stages, a twelve-month effort aimed at concentrating the forces, the capacities and the insights that have so strongly emerged. The Five Year Plan that follows will initiate a series of worldwide enterprises that will carry the Bahá’í community through the final twenty years in the first century of the Formative Age.

APPLICATION OF LAWS OF THE KITÁB-I-AQDAS

December 28, 1999

Beloved Friends,

In the course of the Four Year Plan, we have been reviewing those laws of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas which are not yet universally applied, in order to determine which of them it would be timely to implement now.

In every land we see a growing thirst for spiritual life and moral clarity. There is recognition of the ineffectiveness of plans and programs for human betterment which are not rooted in lives of spiritual awareness and ethical virtue. Who should be better equipped to satisfy this longing than those who are already inspired by the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and aided by His Power?

We have determined, therefore, that it is imperative for all the believers to deepen their awareness of the blessings conferred by the laws which directly foster the devotional life of the individual and, thus, of the community. The essentials of these laws are known to all Bahá’ís, but acquiring greater insight into their significance must include carrying out all the divinely revealed aspects of their observance. These are the laws which pertain to obligatory prayer, fasting and recitation of the Greatest Name ninety-five times a day.

Bahá’u’lláh asserts: "One who performeth neither good deeds nor acts of worship is like unto a tree which beareth no fruit, and an action which leaveth no trace. Whosoever experienceth the holy ecstasy of worship will refuse to barter such an act or any praise of God for all that existeth in the world. Fasting and obligatory prayer are as two wings to man's life. Blessed be the one who soareth with their aid in the heaven of the love of God, the Lord of all worlds."

The friends have long been familiar with the great importance which Bahá’u’lláh attaches to daily obligatory prayer and to the observance of the fast, but a number of aspects of the law, such as those concerning ablutions, travelling and the compensation for prayers missed, remained to be made universally applicable. This step is now taken. Thus all elements of the laws dealing with obligatory prayer and fasting are, without any exception, now applicable.

Cultivating Distinction

During 2000, Bahá’ís in the United States are being asked to deepen our understanding of the Administrative Order with a yearlong focused study of two important books of letters by the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi.

EXCERPTS

"Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths." -Bahá’u’lláh [Page 2]Faith’s Formative Age. These global Plans will continue to focus on advancing the process of entry by troops and on its systematic acceleration.

It is essential that, during the one-year effort, national and regional institutes everywhere bring into full operation the programmes and systems that they have now devised. National communities should enter the Five Year Plan confident that the acquisition of knowledge, qualities and skills of service by large contingents of believers, with the aid of a sequence of courses, will proceed unhindered. Ample attention must also be given to further systematization of teaching efforts, whether undertaken by the individual or directed by the institutions. In this respect, the International Teaching Centre has identified certain patterns of systematic expansion and consolidation for relatively small geographical areas consisting of a manageable number of localities. Through the collaboration of Counsellors and National Spiritual Assemblies, several "Area Growth Programmes" are being established in each continent. They will be carefully monitored during the Twelve Month Plan and their methods will be refined so that this approach can be incorporated into subsequent Plans.

Strategies to advance the process of entry by troops cannot ignore children and junior youth, if the victories won in one generation are not to be lost with the passage of time. It is imperative, then, that at this point in the process of systematization of the teaching work, definite steps be taken to ensure that the vision of the community fully embraces its younger members. The education of children, an obligation enjoined on both parents and institutions, requires special emphasis so as to become thoroughly integrated into the process of community development. This activity should be taken to new levels of intensity during these twelve months and then be further raised in the years immediately after. That the programmes of most institutes in the world provide for the training of children's class teachers represents an element of strength. Spiritual Assemblies and Auxiliary Board members will need to mobilize these newly trained human resources to meet the spiritual requirements of children and junior youth.

The period of the Twelve Month Plan will be marked by great activity in society at large as the twentieth century draws to a close. Already keen interest is being shown by leaders of thought in the destiny of the coming generations, and we hope that the fervour of the Bahá’í community, both in its internal operation and its interactions with society, will convey a sense of confidence in the future of humanity.

We will pray ardently in the Holy Shrines that Bahá’u’lláh will bless your exertions to bring the Four Year Plan to a triumphal conclusion.

The Universal House of Justice

We have also decided that it is timely for Bahá’ís in every land to take to their hearts the words of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas: "It hath been ordained that every believer in God, the Lord of Judgment, shall, each day, having washed bis bands and then bis face, seat himself and, turning unto God, repeat 'Alláb-u-Abbá ninety-five times. Such was the decree of the Maker of the Heavens when, with majesty and power, He established Himself upon the thrones of His Names." Let all experience the spiritual enrichment brought to their souls by this simple act of worshipful meditation.

The spiritual growth generated by individual devotions is reinforced by loving association among the friends in every locality, by worship as a community and by service to the Faith and to one's fellow human beings. These communal aspects of the godly life relate to the law of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár which appears in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Although the time has not come for the building of local Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs, the holding of regular meetings for worship open to all and the involvement of Bahá’í communities in projects of humanitarian service are expressions of this element of Bahá’í life and a further step in the implementation of the Law of God.

Bahá’u’lláh has written: "We have adorned the heaven of utterance with the stars of divine wisdom and holy ordinances as a bounty on Our part. Verily, We are the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous. O friends of God throughout the regions! Know ye the value of these days and cling unto whatsoever bath been sent down from God, the Most Great, the Most Exalted. Verily, He remembereth you in the Most Great Prison, and instructeth you in that which will cause you to draw nigh unto a station that delighteth the eyes of the pure in heart. Glory rest upon you and upon those who have attained unto that living fountain which floweth forth from My wondrous Pen."

It is our prayer at the Sacred Threshold that the greater attention to the spiritual heart of the Teachings which these laws express will enhance the devotion of the friends to the Source of all bounties and attract to the Cause the receptive souls among His spiritually famished children.

The Universal House of Justice

EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS

KAREN BROOK, a Bahá’í from Harvard, Illinois, was named a Bronze Tablet scholar at the University of Illinois. As one of the top 3 percent of graduates, she will have her name engraved on the 1999 Bronze Tablet, displayed permanently in the Main Library.

NATEGHEH DABESTANI, a Bahá’í in Bel Air, Maryland, was named Employee of the Year at St. Joseph Medical Center, where she is registered nurse for post open-heart surgery. She earlier received a "Spirit of St Francis" certificate from the medical center in praise of her attitude toward spiritual and physical care for patients including one instance where she consulted with hospital officials to arrange rent payment for a patient who had just lost her son.

WILLIAM J. MORRISON VII, an 18-year-old Bahá’í from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, was recently given three top awards at his high school, including a scholarship for his continuing education in computer engineering. The criteria for all three awards, included character, leadership abilities, scholarship and service.

MICHAEL TAMADDONI, a 17-year-old Bahá’í in Colorado Springs, Colorado, received an honorary Bausch and Lomb science award, the only junior at his high school to do so. The award comes with a scholarship to the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York.

NAHAL TOOSI, a Bahá’í from McKinney, Texas, who attends the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was selected as one of the top 10 journalism students in the United States by the Scripps Howard Foundation. Based on academic merit and hard work in journalism, the award came with a $10,000 scholarship.

JON R. WHITROCK, a Bahá’í and disc jockey at WHOW radio in Clinton, Illinois, was recently presented an Award of Merit from the Local Talent Organization of Nashville, Tennessee, for his work in promoting local recording artists and songwriters.

THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í

PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES Bahá’í National Center 847.869.9039 Office of The American Bahá’í 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201 Tel/ 847.853.2352 Fax/ 847.256.1372 E-mail/ Managing Editor/Editorial Content James Humphrey Managing Editor / Art Director Amethel Parel-Sewell Associate Editor Tom Mennillo Associate Editor Ramzia Duszynski Print Production Specialist Aaron Kreader Facilities Manager Artis Mebane Contributors Fred Delgado, Ken Duszynski, Andrea Zivari-Giannoglou, Laura Harley, Gloria Hernandez, Richard Mellman, Vladimir Shilov, Puran Stevens, Nancy Wong

PUBLISHED ONCE EVERY 38 DAYS (plus one special issue) for a total of 10 issues per year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. Periodical postage paid at Evanston, IL and additional mailing offices. ISSN Number: 1062-1113 Canada: Publications Agreement # 1486683

ADDRESS CHANGES If you have an address change, or want to discontinue or consolidate mailings, please contact the Membership Office, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 ( ). There is no need to contact the Managing Editors directly. A form is available on the back page of this paper.

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

ARTICLES should be clear, concise and relevant to the goals of the Four Year Plan and the National Teaching Plan. Stories may be edited for length. We cannot print advance articles to publicize locally sponsored events, but may be able to list them in the Calendar.

PHOTOGRAPHS may be color or black-and-white prints or slides. Please submit photos that are well-composed and in focus and identify people in photos when possible. If you wish photos returned, include a self-addressed envelope (you do not need to supply postage).

DEADLINES for upcoming issues: March 2: Special issue (no regular content) April 9: Deadline Feb. 25

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

© 1999 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. [Page 3]

Media responses roll in steadily

The numbers are in, and they show Americans and the Bahá’í community eagerly responding to the efforts of the national media initiative coupled with well-conceived, systematic local plans aimed at advancing the process of entry by troops.

Nearly 3,000 seekers called 1-800-22-UNITE during October, the first month of the stepped-up fall schedule of national broadcasts. The inquirers were responding to the 30- and 60-second television spots and the 30-minute video presentations on national television, as well as to local efforts utilizing the media products.

Many inquiries on 1-800-22-UNITE and on the public Web site (www.us.bahai.org) are made during the actual airings on national television. For example:

• Programs and ads on the Bravo Channel, the WGN SuperStation, Black Entertainment Television and Court TV generated a consistent stream of calls by inquirers requesting information.
• During each of the 40 times a spot aired on the TV Guide Channel, an average of six seekers would call the 800 number.
• An average of four callers would contact the Bahá’ís each time a program was aired on the Odyssey Channel between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m.!

Statistics on Web site contacts were unavailable. But as a rule, the public Web site (www.us.bahai.org) receives as many contacts as the phone response system.

Selection of the networks was guided by audience market research and amount of money available for air time. But significantly, nearly half of all inquires were secondary responses.

THE SECOND FRONT: Cultivating distinction

A national program of focused study in 2000

"...the coming of age of the human race must signalize, in its turn, the inauguration of a world civilization such as no mortal eye hath ever beheld...." —Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 206

We may occasionally catch a glimpse of a world civilization greater than any humanly conceived, but in order to make this vision a reality, we must prepare spiritually. In our personal lives and in our communities, we must go through a transformative process before we can expect to attract the hearts of humanity, before we can expect entry by troops.

The Guardian reminded us that the American Bahá’í community needs to "... weed out, by every means in their power, those faults, habits, and tendencies which they have inherited from their own nation, and to cultivate, patiently and prayerfully, those distinctive qualities and characteristics that are so indispensable to their effective participation in the great redemptive work of their Faith."—Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 20

Cultivating distinction is what is called for. To help us in this process, the National Spiritual Assembly has asked for a yearlong study of two collections of letters addressed to the American Bahá’í community by the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi: The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh and The Advent of Divine Justice.

The primary aims of this period of study are to prepare ourselves more fully to welcome and teach new believers and seekers, and to further our own understanding that the foundation of the Administrative Order acquires its inspiration from none other than Bahá’u’lláh Himself.

In contrast with social movements or religious systems of the past, Bahá’u’lláh not only has enunciated certain universal principles, but has unfolded a set of laws, established institutions, and provided for...

Spotlight on the conscientious

Carl Murrell (middle left), United Nations alternate representative for the Bahá’ís of the United States and co-chair of the Values Caucus, greets Alfredo Sfeir Younis (right), representative of the World Bank to the U.N., who was honored at the Bahá’í U.N. Offices in New York City for his contributions to the U.N. community. The reception was held Nov. 3 by the Values Caucus, which provides a forum for discussion of incorporating values in all aspects of the United Nations' work. Photo courtesy of U.S. Bahá’í U.N. Office

Enrollments

November 1999 .... 139 December 1999 .... 133 Since May 1, 1999 .............. 971

THE FUND

May 1–Nov. 30, 1999

Contributions received by National Treasurer Received since May 1, 1999: $9,781,903 Goal for entire year: $27,000,000 36% of year's goal has been met 58% of fiscal year has passed April 30, 2000

Total cash-basis revenues and expenditures for Bahá’í National Fund May 1–November 30, 1999

$12,211,661 Revenues (contributions, book sales, school fees etc.) $14,602,286 Expenditures about (operations, capital and debt payments etc.)

Critical projects that could no longer be deferred have forced our Bahá’í national operations into a cash deficit.

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

91ST Bahá’í National Convention

April 27–30, 2000 • Sheraton Arlington Park • Arlington Heights, IL.

The National Spiritual Assembly looks forward to greeting the elected delegates at the 91st Bahá’í National Convention. The Convention will open Thursday evening, April 27, and close midday Sunday, April 30.

Complete information on the Web: www.usbnc.org

Delegates and Visitors may pre-register with this form or a copy (separate copy for each person, please). Mail to: Conventions Office, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette IL 60091 OR: Fax 847-869-0247 OR: Register through www.usbnc.org OR: e-mail No phone registrations, please

Last name: First name: Bahá’í ID number: Mailing address: Day phone: Evening phone: Delegate/Visitor? (Please circle one) E-mail:

ROOM RESERVATIONS AT THE SHERATON: Phone 847-394-2000 Fax 847-394-9868 Please contact hotel directly by March 28 • Ask for Bahá’í contract room rate [Page 4]

Media effort energizes Raleigh-Durham friends

Bahá’ís in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina have pulled together in a systematic plan sparked by Bahá’í broadcasts and followed through by dedicated activity. Among early results: many seekers and two enrollments.

In response to the Ridván 156 B.E. (1999) message from the Universal House of Justice, the nine communities in the Research Triangle formed a joint media committee to develop a plan.

"We already had a strong relationship with the communities in the area on other issues, and a core media team was in place," according to Eric Johnson, a Triangle media committee member. "But once the national media campaign began, it jump-started our whole process... and it has galvanized the Bahá’ís in unified action."

RESPONSES

made during times of day when no Bahá’í programs and relatively few spot ads were being aired nationally.

"The quantity of responses is a combination of reaction to the national campaign and supportive local plans developed through a process of mature ideas, consultation with the institutions of the Faith and individual action and support," said Ken Bowers, secretary of the National Teaching Committee.

A campaign in Durham, North Carolina, is one of a dozen examples of communities that have mobilized and systematized their media efforts since Ridván (see article above).

But the media effort itself merely opens the door, as the Universal House of Justice cautioned in its Ridvan 1988 message:

"Recognizing that the Spiritual Assemblies and their designated committees have devoted much to proclaiming the Faith through the mass media and sundry other means, that the enormous resources poured into such proclamation represents an investment in the teaching work which paves the way for the action of the individual teacher, and the publicity, however much it may arouse the public interest in the Cause, is incapable of replacing personal teaching efforts, let the individual Bahá’í renew his resolve to 'arise and respond to the call of teaching.'"

MAKE THE MOST OF THE VIDEOS!

When you order The Power of Race Unity, The Power of Prayer or Family: The Seeds of World Peace video, you can receive a set of related fireside/workshop ideas complete with detailed instructions.

If you've already purchased the videos, you may order the materials from the National Education and Schools Office (phone 847-733-3492, e-mail

The friends consulted with the Southern Regional Bahá’í Council and the National Teaching Office, selected public relations representatives from each community, and secured a sponsoring Assembly.

Surrounding communities ensured that regular teaching opportunities and regular devotions were planned in advance for the two Bahá’í centers in the area, and that the friends were united behind the effort with individual firesides.

In September the 30-second spots were aired. Then the 30-minute programs were broadcast on the local Fox affiliate in October. In November, the television exposure was supported with ads in local newspapers. In coming months, the television products will be aired on local public access cable television.

As a result of the Triangle Media Campaign, 30 inquirers from the area called 1-800-22-UNITE during times when programs weren't aired nationally.

The campaign also has helped increase interest calls to the two local centers. Important aspects of the North Carolina effort are the growth in unity among the Bahá’ís, an increase in the level of excitement, and the inspiration to undertake personal initiatives in teaching the Cause.

The campaign will soon be augmented by the development of a Web site for Bahá’ís in the Triangle area. A nine-community newsletter, delivered to each Bahá’í household, will keep the area community informed of the progress of the plan.

Always a favorite

An attendant hands a "Teach This Generation to be Prejudice-Free!" bookmark to a visitor at the Bahá’í booth in the annual New Jersey Education Association Convention Nov. 11-12 in Atlantic City. More than 26,500 bookmarks, pamphlets, coloring books and stickers were distributed at the booth, organized by the Ventnor community, which always attracts many teachers with its Bahá’í-inspired materials.

Diverse views inspire new videos

Last year, a lone new video production was available to support the friends' teaching efforts.

By Ridván, that number is expected to grow to nine videos all produced to spark the teaching process along with the 30- and 60-second television commercials.

And one production in development, We Are One, met with amazing acceptance from its first focus-group audience.

That production, by Mare Said of Texas, features Dan Seals discussing aspects of the Faith, performing some of his songs, and interviewing Bahá’ís in various country settings. Jack McCants, a National Spiritual Assembly member, explains the station of Bahá’u’lláh in one segment.

As with all the recent national video efforts, We Are One is reviewed by non-Bahá’í focus groups, conducted by a non-Bahá’í research firm. That lets the producers hear viewers' most honest reactions right away, free of any Bahá’í bias.

When an all-female focus group in Dallas, Texas, saw We Are One, the response was stunning: For the first time in three years of testing, all members of the group eagerly stated they would call the 1-800-22-UNITE number and check out the www.us.bahai.org Web site.

The video is nearing final editing and should be ready in January.

More news will emerge in the next few weeks about more media campaign materials to join the videos The Power of Race Unity, The Power of Prayer and Family: The Seeds of World Peace. Productions near completion or far along in development:

An English-language version of a production for a Hispanic audience has tested well and should be complete soon. The Spanish version is still in development.

• I Am a Bahá’í, with Bahá’ís sharing stories of why they joined the Faith, is scheduled for a focus test in January.

Unity in Diversity is set for a focus group test in January.

• A video appealing to indigenous people is scheduled for review in February.

• Two Wings of a Bird, on the equality of women and men, should be available in early spring.

Revolutionary Change, on race unity, is being developed for the Southern Regional Teaching Committee.

All but one of these videos are being developed by independent Bahá’í producers across America.

1800 22 UNITE

How does your community apply for the 1-800-22-UNITE voice-mail program?

Local Spiritual Assemblies can register for a voice-mail box by either:

• Filling out the "Seeker Retrieval Voicemail Program-Application/Confirmation Form" sent to all communities in July 1999 (if you need a paper application form please call the 800UNITE office at 847-733-3497), or:

• Accessing the Administrative Web Site and taking the following steps:

1. Log onto the Administrative Web Site (www.usbnc.org). 2. Click on the 1-800-22-UNITE button with the red telephone on the left side of the main page. 3. Click on the menu option "Voicemail Box Application/Confirmation Form." 4. Complete the application. Be sure to list all ZIP codes and city names your community wishes to cover. Please consult with any other communities in your area to make sure you're not attempting to take care of ZIP codes that other communities already have claimed. 5. When satisfied with the information given, press "Submit" and the 800UNITE Office receives it immediately. 6. Please allow 10-15 business days to receive your voice-mail box number and password, plus instructions on how to access your voice-mail box.

Seekers are distributed by matching their ZIP codes with those claimed by communities in their area.

E-mail 800UNITE Office Phone 847-733-3497 [Page 5]"Let all the believers consider the extent to which they can use familial and ethnic ties to other regions of the world for the fulfillment of the global mission conferred on the recipients of the Tablets of the Divine Plan." -Universal House of Justice, Ridván 153 (1996) message to the Bahá’ís of North America

A POSTCARD FROM GREECE

BY ANDREA ZIVARI-GIANNOGLOU, MONTCLAIR, N.J.

About six years ago our Auxiliary Board member handed me a letter from the Bahá’í World Center urging ethnic Greeks to pioneer to Greece.

This letter planted a seed in our hearts, because Greece is the ancestral homeland of my husband, Panagiotis "Pete" Giannoglou, and he knows the language. But at the time we were expecting our first child.

Sometime later we contacted the Bahá’í National Center with the intention of traveling teaching or even pioneering. While we were on pilgrimage three years ago, a member of the International Teaching Center gently encouraged us to pioneer in Greece. Two years ago we went to a pioneering institute, while I was expecting baby No. 3. Finally, after corresponding with the National Spiritual Assembly of Greece, Pete planned a summer trip around the Greek Bahá’í School.

Being the practical mommy, I dreaded the thought of traveling with three young children—Paul, 5; Lillian, 3; and Karl, 16 months. But Pete convinced me.

In Athens, we spent a few days overcoming our jet lag and introducing the children to the Parthenon, to the changing of the guard and to their Thea (Aunt) Theodora. Then came the long drive through central Greece and a ferry trip across the Gulf of Corinth to the Bahá’í School. Looking around the ferry I wondered if any Bahá’ís were on board. Sure enough, a man saw Pete’s Bahá’í ring and a friendship was forged with a Greek Bahá’í family. What a relief to find a friend in a foreign country!

At Bahá’í school it was as if we were celebrities. People Pete had corresponded with via their National Assembly were urging us to pioneer to Greece.

In this country of 11 million, there are about 200 Bahá’ís. Only two dozen are actually Greeks, the rest being pioneers from Iran, Germany, the U.S. and other countries. The law says you are Greek if your father is Greek, so if we moved there, the ethnic Greek population of Bahá’ís would increase by 20 percent!

During our travels we came on city after city with few or no Bahá’ís. We tried to tactfully tell as many Greeks as we could about the Faith (there are laws against "proselytizing"). One taxi driver said he had seen pictures of the House of Worship in Wilmette belonging to a cousin who lives in Chicago. Another young man responded that as mankind progresses, it makes perfect sense that religion progresses as well. People on the beach, cousins, drivers and even bureaucrats were told of the New Day.

A European Bahá’í dance workshop was touring Greece during our visit. Thanks to Pete’s family connections, the workshop gained permission to perform at the public square in Preveza. We were told they had a roaring crowd, the best response of their entire Greek tour. The media came and a dance instructor was impressed.

With small children the three-week trip was not always easy. But we hope our small efforts to help spread the Cause of God will somehow be fruitful.

We would have to get over some big practical hurdles before pioneering to Greece. But if we Bahá’ís don’t teach there, how will the Cause of God spread? God willing, with a lot of prayers, He will aid our family to somehow get across that vast ocean, continent and sea to settle in Pete’s ancestral homeland for our beloved Faith.

Lillian Giannoglou, 3, does some drawing just outside her family's room at the Greek Bahá’í School last summer. The American family of Greek ancestry traveled there to teach the Faith as well as attending the school.

Web has resources for teaching Chinese

The Chinese Task Force of the National Teaching Committee has added resources for teaching the Faith to Chinese people onto the Administrative Web Site.

The site states goals and objectives in the areas of teaching, consolidation and proclamation among the U.S. Chinese population. Special emphasis is put on training of the friends and reaching out to those on college campuses.

Detailed information appears on:

• Befriending Chinese people.
• Getting started.
• Elements of effective teaching.
• Books and materials in Simplified Chinese.
• Concept of God in Chinese culture and the Bahá’í Faith.

To access these pages, log on to the Web site (www.usbnc.org) with your Bahá’í ID number; click on the "NSA Departments" icon at left; follow links to the National Teaching Committee and the Chinese Task Force.

Pioneering goal in sight!

Only about 100 more short- or long-term pioneers are needed to arise by Ridván, to achieve the U.S. goal of 1,200 international pioneers in the Four Year Plan.

The Universal House of Justice told us in its letter of June 27, 1993, to the Bahá’ís of the world, "There are still vast areas of the world where no Bahá’ís have set foot. There are millions desperately thirsting for the Water of Life. There are countries where believers are laboring day and night to foster the growth of the tree of the Cause, and are in urgent need of reinforcements. It is our fervent prayer at the Sacred Threshold that stalwart, self-sacrificing friends will arise and that a wave of pioneers and traveling teachers will surge forth to raise the banner of the Cause and reinforce the cohorts of God in every land."

The last two pioneering institutes of the plan will be held:

• Jan. 13-17, Bosch Bahá’í School.
• March 29-April 2, Bahá’í National Center.

If you can arise and take even your first steps toward pioneering, whether in this plan or the next, or answer the call to deputize someone to go in your stead, please contact the Office of Pioneering immediately (phone 847-733-3508, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail).

To report any international trips you have taken to promote the interests of the Faith, contact the Office of Pioneering or use the form on page 27.

A complete list of goal countries for pioneering will be published in the next issue of The American Bahá’í.

Sacred music festival puts spotlight on L.A. Bahá’ís

INFORMATION FROM GLORIA HERNANDEZ, LOS ANGELES, CA

A global feast of music dedicated to the divine spirit was spread before Los Angeles in October. The Bahá’ís, by supporting and participating in the World Festival of Sacred Music-The Americas, gave the wider community a glimpse of "what the Bahá’í Faith is and what we're about... totally dedicated to service and unity," in the words of volunteer Troy Flowers.

The Bahá’í Center was the site of two performance events out of the dozens staged for the Oct. 9-17 citywide festival:

Oct. 14: "My Heart is In the East," a much-welcomed display of musical solidarity between Jews and Arabs, featuring the California ensembles Za'atar and Kan Zaman.

Oct. 16: "The Sounds of Oneness," featuring The Jeffrey Barnes Bahá’í Gospel Choir.

Za'atar and Kan Zaman were brought together by Ivri-NASAWI, an organization dedicated to promoting understanding of Sephardic and Middle Eastern cultures. Both groups spoke on the origin and evolution of their music, and in the spirit of unity Kan Zaman recited prayers of varied faiths including our own "Blessed Is the Spot."

The two groups' programs featured a range of Arab-Jewish and Sephardic sacred melodies as well as Muslim and Christian sacred music of the Arab world.

Before the performance, the host Bahá’ís provided a coffeehouse atmosphere for fellowship and bookstore browsing. One Turkish-Jewish member of the audience later commented about her conversation with a Muslim woman from Syria: "After five minutes, we felt like we had known each other forever."

For the gospel choir's Saturday night performance, the Bahá’í Center’s lobby was transformed into a gallery of African-American art. Sharon Barnes coordinated the exhibit and also served as emcee. From the opening song, a setting of the teaching prayer for the Western States, "The Sounds of Oneness" was an embrace of many cultures and races in music:

• A generous selection of gospel singing, most based on Bahá’í sacred writings and composed by John Barnes, musical director. Soloists included Kristin Barnes, Sandy Simmons-Williams, John Barnes III, Tara Ellis and Joey Diggs.
• Powerful recitation by Rumi Fassy, Susan Haggerty and Nick Tate of Scripture verses from several faiths.
• "Humility," a majestic combination of three art forms: singing by Ginger Grant, modern dance by Ann Nguyen and spoken word by Tate, a renowned voice-over artist.
• Manoochehr Sadeghi presenting a virtuoso performance on the santour, a Persian hammered dulcimer.
• The Latin salsa beat of "Celebrate the Power of Love," sung by KC Porter and featuring guest drummer Machito Sanchez.

Other studio musicians and Bahá’í artists performing were J.B. Eckle, Bob Helwig, Kazoo Okoshi, Richard Peikoff and Romeo Williams.

"The opening 'Prayer for the Western States' [sung] by Walter Heath ... was [Page 6]

Still time to help with CEDAW

Bahá’ís in the U.S. still have a special opportunity to continue to help the National Spiritual Assembly in its efforts to encourage the U.S. Senate to ratify CEDAW, a United Nations agreement setting international standards for the equal rights of women and men.

For 15 years the National Assembly has been urging the U.S. government to ratify various international human rights treaties. Now the Assembly is collaborating with more than 100 national organizations on U.S. ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The United States is the only democracy in the world that has not yet ratified CEDAW.

This treaty made news in October, when several congresswomen interrupted a Senate hearing to speak with the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about ratification of CEDAW. They were ejected from the hearing.

In response to that incident a longtime women’s rights leader, Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, on Nov. 19 introduced S. Res. 237. That resolution calls for hearings on CEDAW and for Senate action by March 8, International Women’s Day.

Due to this recent movement and publicity, the National Assembly encourages Bahá’ís throughout the United States to act on the following:

Encourage your U.S. senators to co-sponsor S. Res. 237. You can write to their Washington, DC, offices or reach them through the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121. When writing to government officials, individuals may mention that they are Bahá’ís but should avoid quoting from the Bahá’í writings.

For a wealth of information on CEDAW, see Web site www.us.bahai.org/cedaw

If you have questions on the Bahá’í campaign to encourage CEDAW ratification, contact the National Spiritual Assembly’s Office of the Secretary for External Affairs (phone 202-833-8990).

On the streets for UNICEF

Above: A group of young Bahá’ís in Fort Wayne, Indiana, consulted on and organized their "Trick or Treat for UNICEF" outing in October. Bahá’í children and youths nationwide participated in the annual fund-raising event for UNICEF, with the encouragement of the National Assembly’s US/UN Office in New York.

Right: Kailan Oliva, 6, takes collections for UNICEF in Vallejo, California, where Bahá’ís have participated in the UNICEF drive for 21 years.

HUQÚQU’LLÁH

the foundation of a divine economy. Bahá’u’lláh has inaugurated "a pattern for future society... the one agency for the unification of the world." (The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 19)

The focused study begins in January. Specifically, the National Spiritual Assembly would like the nation to devote three months to study of "The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh," followed by three months studying The Advent of Divine Justice, then the last six months of the year studying the remaining letters of The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.

The National Education and Schools Office is producing its annual theme document, "Cultivating Distinction." It will offer a basic curricular framework for the study of Shoghi Effendi’s letters to the American Bahá’í community. To further reinforce this study, the permanent and regional Bahá’í schools will offer courses on the themes found in these letters.

"The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh," one of the seven World Order letters, delineates the spiritual truths underlying our Faith the uniqueness of this Revelation, the relationship of the Bahá’í Faith to past Revelations, the stations of each of the Central Figures, the significance of the Administrative Order and the roles of the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice.

The Hand of the Cause of God Horace Holley, long a National Assembly member, wrote, "[T]he (World Order) letters ... unfold a clear vision of the relation between the Bahá’í community and the entire process of social evolution under the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh... [and establish] the Bahá’í Administrative Order as the nucleus and pattern of the world civilization emerging under divine inspiration at this focal point of human history...."

The document most directly related to the life of the individual, The Advent of Divine Justice, describes with astute accuracy the basic ills afflicting the American people. The Hand of the Cause of God Paul Haney noted that this document provides a "clearer understanding of the true purpose of our Faith, of America’s spiritual destiny, and of the manner in which the individual believer is called upon to contribute to the achievement of this destiny. ...” The Advent of Divine Justice also specifies the human and social relationships that must be developed and integrated into everything we do.

Spirituality cannot be separated from the myriad roles we play in our daily lives. The beloved Guardian again clarified this point: "We cannot segregate the human heart from the environment outside us.... Man is organic with the world. His inner life moulds the environment and is itself also deeply affected by it. The one acts upon the other and every abiding change in the life of man is the result of these mutual reactions.

"No movement in the world directs its attention upon both these aspects of human life and has full measures for their improvement, save the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. And this is its distinctive feature. If we desire therefore the good of the world we should strive to spread those teachings and also practise them in our own life." —Compilation of Compilations, vol. 1, pp. 84-85

We invite you to further "cultivate distinction" in your own life and in the life of your community by studying The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh and The Advent of Divine Justice.

THE RIGHT OF GOD

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

• Amin Banani, Santa Monica, CA 90402
• Stephen Birkland, Arden Hills, MN 55112
• Sally Foo, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
• Daryush Haghighi, Rocky River, OH 44116
• Elizabeth Martin, P.O. Box 178, Winnsboro, SC 29180

Office of the Secretariat, Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust: Rocky River, OH 44116

FESTIVAL

“overwhelming,” said audience member Dorothy Laidley. She added about Porter’s performance, “And then we have a white European-American man singing gospel music in Spanish! This was good.”

Counselor Wilma Ellis addressed the audience on the origin of African-American gospel music as an effort to transform incredible pain into a spiritual expression. “We invite all the different music to come together because we’ll only be complete when we make the sounds of oneness,” she said.

Linda Almonte, a member of the Local Spiritual Assembly task force that coordinated Bahá’í participation in the festival, reflected: “This experience has changed me.... Working so hard and seeing everybody working so hard, being happy in that work and enjoying every minute of it was a whole other level of performance that I don’t feel I had ever achieved before and I don’t think I’ll ever be the same.”

John Barnes praised the intense collaboration that brought the events into being, and noted: “Abdu’l-Bahá says that we are to work until the diverse parts of humanity become as a single being... and that this condition only happens when the Holy Spirit is present.”

The ongoing World Festival of Sacred Music was initiated by the Dalai Lama, and is scheduled to continue in Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe through this spring. [Page 7]

Bahá’í Distribution Service

The Light of Unity CALL 1-800-999-9019

THE FAMILY

Light of Unity: The Family BKT (LUF) Bulk priced as follows:

1 copy 1.25 1-9 copies 1.00 10-99 copies .85 100-499 copies .65 500-999 copies .50 1,000 and up .40

This full-color brochure is the fourth in the Light of Unity series reflecting the themes of video productions for the media initiative. 3 1/2" x 5 3/4", 32pp.

Talk by Mr. Hooshmand Fatheazam

Member of the Universal House of Justice $6.00 CS (HFCS)

This talk given by member of the Universal House of Justice Hooshmand Fatheazam rekindles our sense of mission through recounting the instructions and guidance given to us by the Central Figures and the beloved Guardian. An insightful talk that assists one in his or her endeavor to make one’s mark in these closing months of the Four Year Plan.

The Power of Prayer

A talk by Jack McCants $6.00 CS (POPCS)

This talk given by Jack McCants, in his spiritually profound yet down-to-earth style, provides deep insights into the potential power of prayer. Dr. McCants focuses our attention on familiar and lesser-known prayers while weaving in relevant stories that inspire both new and veteran believers to create a more disciplined pattern of prayer.

In Search of Certitude

Deepening Our Understanding, Strengthening Our Faith Extracts from the Bahá’í writings, with introduction and notes by Geoffrey Gore $6.95 SC (ISC)

This book provides fresh insights into becoming firm in the Covenant. Through extracts from the Bahá’í writings, the process of attaining spiritual fortitude is treated as an exciting journey of discovery. Such a path leads one to a condition of spiritual happiness and true liberty. In so doing one fulfills the spiritual destiny of the soul, and attains to what Bahá’u’lláh describes as “the City of Certitude.”

Insightful summaries conclude each chapter. 5 1/2" x 8 1/2, 104 pp.

Safinih-i ‘Irfán (Persian)

Studies in Bahá’í Sacred Texts, Volume One $12.00 SC (PIRFAN)

Selected papers of such well-known Persian scholars as Faridu'd-Din Rad Mihr, Iraj Ayman and Vahid Ra’fati are collected here in the first volume of presentations made at ‘Irfán Colloquia. Provides exploration and insights into such works as The Seven Valleys, the Kitáb-i-Íqán and major writings of Bahá’u’lláh during the Tehran-Baghdad period. 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", 210 pp.

Malakút-í-Vujúd (Persian)

The Majesty of Existence Thoughts on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablet to Dr. Auguste Henri Forel Alí Murád Dávúdí, Ph.D. $20.00 HC (PMAJESTY)

Dr. Dávúdí shares his insights into the Master’s well-known Tablet to a scholar who questioned the existence of God. 6 3/4" x 9 1/2", 172 pp.

Safiniy-i ‘Irfán (Persian)

Studies in Bahá’í Sacred Texts, Volume Two 12.00 SC (PIRFAN2)

Selected papers of such well-known Persian scholars as Vahid Behmardi, Vahid Ra’fati and Manuchehr Mofidi are collected here in the second volume of presentations made at ‘Irfán Colloquia. Provides exploration and insights into such subjects as the laws of the Bayán and reference to the people of the Bayán in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the Book of the Covenant and the Tablet of The Holy Mariner. 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", 210 pp.

ملکوت [Page 8]

From Copper to Gold

The Life of Dorothy Baker by Dorothy Freeman Gilstrap $29.95 SC (FCG)

This new edition of the long out-of-print—and much-requested—biography of the Hand of the Cause of God Dorothy Baker is available! Included in this revised edition are 18 new photographs, brand-new appendices containing radio talks and articles presented by Dorothy Baker, additional precious stories and recollections, and a new foreword written by the researcher of this volume, Louise Baker Matthias, the daughter of Dorothy Baker. 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", 569 pp.

To Serve Humanity

Teaching Our Faith Nathan Rutstein SC $15.95 (TSH)

Nathan Rutstein’s second book on teaching the Faith offers insights and observations gained from personal experience. Purposely avoiding discussion of teaching methods, he focuses instead on identifying and overcoming personal barriers to teaching and on developing oneself spiritually so the desire to teach will spring from within. With humility and candor, Rutstein uses solutions drawn from the Bahá’í sacred writings as well as his own successes and mistakes in the teaching field. He helps identify ways to become more effective, enthusiastic teachers. 6" x 9", 189 pp.

Teaching with the Media

A compilation on Media, Knowledge, Audience, Persuasion, and Unity $4.95 SC (TWM)

“This compilation pulls together from the writings ... a detailed exploration of the importance of the use of media, knowledge, audience, persuasion, and unity in teaching the message of the Bahá’í Faith. Created in response to, and in an effort to develop an understanding of, the use of the media in teaching, this compilation not only serves to deepen our knowledge of the importance of using the media available to us in our current teaching work, it also places the recent systematic efforts of the National Teaching Campaign in a historical and spiritual context.” —National Teaching Committee 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", 47 pp.

Communion With God

Bahá’í Prayers BKT (CG)

1–9 copies	$1.25 ea.
10–99 copies	$1.00 ea.
100+ copies	$ .75 ea.

A sampling of Bahá’í prayers suitable for giving to friends and acquaintances. A revised version, this edition has an elegant, blind-embossed cover. Specifically suited to ‎compliment complement‎ The Power of Prayer program for the media initiative. 2 3/4" x 4 1/2", 28 pp.

Every Eye Shall See

Bible Evidence for the Return of Christ Gary Matthews BKT (EESS)

1–9 copies	3.95 ea.
10–24 copies	3.00 ea.
25+ copies	2.60 ea.

Every Eye Shall See is a digest version of Matthews’ popular He Cometh with Clouds. Detailing the biblical evidence for the Second Coming of Christ, the abridged work is suitable for distribution in mass or individual teaching. 6" x 9", 80 pp.

The Bahá’í World

1997–98 HC $25.95 (BW98H), SC $13.95 (BW98S)

The sixth installment of the annual series, this edition contains:

• An article titled “Knowledge and Civilization: Implications for the Community and Individuals.”
• A report on the World Faiths and Development Dialogue.
• Selected statements by the Bahá’í International Community, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South Africa.
• An article on models of Bahá’í community life.
• Regular features including a selection of Bahá’í sacred writings, the “Year in Review,” update on the situation of the Bahá’ís in Iran, progress report on the Mount Carmel Projects and more.

6" x 9", 312 pp.

Sexual Ethics in the Bahá’í Faith, 10/pk

Gary Matthews PA (SE)

1–9 packs of 10	$3.50 ea.
10–99 packs of 10	$2.50 ea.
100+ packs of 10	$1.80 ea.

Sexual behavior may well be the most intensely discussed subject of our time. This fascination reflects a widespread yearning for clear moral standards and for a community that, by precept and example, supports us in living up to those standards.

Life Eternal and the Bahá’í Faith, 10/pk

Gary Matthews PA (LEBF)

1–9 packs of 10	$3.50 ea.
10–99 packs of 10	$2.50 ea.
100+ packs of 10	$1.80 ea.

Only by consciously living in the light of eternity can we be truly happy in the here and now. One of the greatest joys, therefore, that the Bahá’í Faith brings its followers is new perspective on the age-old mystery of life after death.

New Heaven—New Earth

The Divine Order of Bahá’u’lláh Part One: Historical Evolution of the Bahá’í Faith and Its Covenant compiled by Heidi Lakshman $27.00 SC (NHNE)

The first installment of a series of compilations prepared as a resource for communities on Bahá’í administration. Bringing together texts from a range of writings, this volume gives an overview of the main historical events from the inception of the Faith to the formation of its Supreme Institution. It describes the ministries of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, introduces the fundamental tenets and verities they taught, outlines the Covenants they successively established, and traces the subsequent development of the Bahá’í Administrative Order and systematic international expansion of the Bahá’í community under the leadership of Shoghi Effendi. 6 1/2" x 8 1/2", 312 pp.

Coming of Age at the Millennium

Embracing the Oneness of Humankind Nathan Rutstein SC $16.95 (CAM)

Moving into the 21st century, humanity is in a far different condition than at the last turn of the century. We stand at the threshold of a reality that has always existed but which has never before been recognized by the masses: the oneness of humankind. Aware of the formidable obstacles barring universal acceptance of this principle, Rutstein offers powerful evidence that they will be overcome. Based on his clear understanding of man’s social evolution, Rutstein asserts persuasively that the next logical step in human progress is the internationalization of our planet. The end result, he suggests, will be global acceptance of the essential oneness of all people, regardless of skin color, ethnicity, gender or culture, and the realization of universal peace. 6" x 9", 211 pp. [Page 9]

MUSIC

Traces Geoff and Michaela Smith $15.00 CD (TCD)

Traces is a sparkling collection of 15 original tracks through which the Faith is represented in an appealing, accessible way—uplifting and joyous to Bahá’ís and seekers alike. Michaela sings her refined and soulful songs with exceptional clarity, warmth and beauty. A delightful blend of diverse musical styles.

Bahá’í Prayers At The Sacred Threshold Selected and recited by Lisa Janti Music by Bob Alcivar Flute by Sam Most $15.00 CD (BPCD)

Prayers from the Bahá’í sacred writings offer inspirational and spiritual insights for Bahá’ís and seekers alike, helping us draw nearer to God and gain a deeper awareness of our own spiritual reality and collective purpose. This CD is an uplifting addition at Feasts, firesides and other public events.

72 minutes

Mystical Realities: The Báb Inspiring Stories of the Báb’s Revelation Minnesota Bahá’í Institute $16.00 CD (MRBABCD)

Set to beautiful Persian music, this is the first in a series of nine new CDs produced by the Minnesota Bahá’í Institute to convey the history and mystical realities of the Bahá’í Faith. This CD is excellent for seekers, study classes and Holy Day commemorations. The stories, prayers and Tablets in this unique production will stir your heart and lift your soul. You will want to listen to it over and over again!

Celebration Congo Music $18.00 CD (CCMCD)

The sounds of this production are as diverse as the performers—there are songs in English and French, as well as the local language of Congo. The album contains a variety of selections that combine the traditional instruments and rhythms of Congo with synthesizers and modern sounds in a unique blend that will have you dancing and singing along from start to finish. The original text of each song is included along with its English and French translations, so that everyone may appreciate Bahá’u’lláh’s message of unity and hope, which these talented musicians can now share with all mankind.

Quest for Peace $16.00 CD (QPCD)

As humanity enters the turn of the century, the call for peace has been raised in every land. Quest for Peace consists of selections on the themes of Love, Unity, Friendship, Hope, Peace, Faith and the Covenant. This is music for music lovers, unique, improvisational, upbeat and sweet. The first CD publication from Malaysia!

Songs From Green Mountain Ben Koen $17.95 CD (SGMCD)

Produced in response to the call of the Universal House of Justice for devotional gatherings, this is a wonderful resource and tool for teaching, deepening, meditation, devotion, Feasts, Holy Days and other gatherings. Also a powerful tool for relaxation and healing, this soundscape blends indigenous flutes and instruments of the world (featuring the xiao, a Chinese bamboo flute), recorded sounds of streams and waterfalls, and recited prayers and passages from the Bahá’í writings.

Watercolor Greeting Cards, 8/pk. EA $10.00 (WGC)

These all-occasion cards are created from original watercolor paintings by Barbara Curry with a Bahá’í prayer or quote on the inside cover, making them appropriate for sympathy, thank-you, hospitality, get-well, new baby, birthday, thinking-of-you and holiday. Eight assorted cards with envelopes per boxed set.

SHIP TO ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________

DAYTIME TELEPHONE # ( ) ___________________

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Bahá’í Distribution Service • 4703 Fulton Industrial Blvd. • Atlanta, GA 30336 [Page 10]COMMON JOURNEYS: Bahá’í Women on Gender Equality

This essay is part of a collection titled Common Journeys, published by the National Spiritual Assembly’s Office of Women’s Affairs.

To provide perspectives on gender equality through the eyes of women of diverse backgrounds, more such essays will be printed periodically in The American Bahá’í.

Iranian women and their challenge to achieve equality

BY AZAR MOVAGH

There is so much to speak of regarding the process of change for women in Iran. I can only touch the surface.

Prior to Islam, the condition of women in Persia was quite different. I do not know enough about “old Persia” to expound on it, but I do know women at times ruled the country, namely Queens Purandokht and Azarmidokht.

Although Islamic law raised the status of women and gave them rights, their worth was still considered to be only half of a man’s. A woman was secluded and completely covered so no men other than her father, brothers, husband or male children could see their faces.

In that society’s view, a woman’s place was at home, raising her children and providing comfort to her husband. Women were subjected to loveless, arranged marriages, child marriages and polygamy. They were manipulated and controlled by their fathers, brothers, husbands and clerics.

Most women were illiterate and gained much of their knowledge through storytelling inside the home. Some were taught to read the Qur’án; others were schooled enough to enjoy poetry. For hundreds of years this was the way of life for women in Persia.

During the reigns of two Qájár Dynasty shahs, Násiri’d-Dín (1848–1896) and Muzaffaru’d-Dín (1896–1907), a constitutional movement grew. In 1906, a new House of Representatives opened and new electoral laws were ratified. These laws gave the right to vote to certain categories of people—princes, members of the Qájár tribe, the clergy, theology students, nobility, landowners etc. Women were excluded; Articles 3 and 5 ranked them alongside murderers, thieves and other criminals.

Laws change—somewhat

Though still veiled, many bright-minded women contributed a great deal to the constitutional revolution. Yet even with a newly free press, few could express the condition of women. Still, there always have been women who could exhibit their equality to men despite severe limitations.

In 1920, a coup d’etat by Reza Pahlavi put an end to the Qájár dynasty. A few years later he became shah and proposed many laws to modernize the country. For example, the national dress for men became suits, ties and hats instead of cloaks and turbans. Women were ordered to discard the chador (traditional veil). To set an example, Reza Shah told his queen and their two daughters to accompany him to a graduation ceremony without their chadors. But to fully modernize, the shah knew he had to remove the power of the clergy.

In 1941, Reza was exiled from Iran and Muhammad Reza was seated as shah. The clergy regained power and women once again wore their chadors. But within a few years, most women chose not to wear them. And actually, most Persian women later became very fashionable.

“There always have been women who could exhibit their equality to men despite severe limitations.”

Muhammad Reza ruled for 37 years and pushed for several drastic changes, including equal rights for women and men. People’s hearts and minds did not change overnight just because equality was mentioned on paper, yet the door was opened for women to progress and to express themselves through many fields: politics, science, art, music, literature, poetry and journalism.

The influence of revelation

Under such extreme limitations, the manifestations of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh directly influenced women’s awareness of their status and their struggle to achieve recognition as equal citizens. The creative word of God influences the life of everyone, even those who are unaware of its source.

Táhirih, one of the Báb’s Letters of the Living, appeared without her veil during the Conference of Badasht in 1848 and established the emancipation of women.

During the time of the Bábís, women customarily remained unseen behind curtains. Yet throughout the persecutions, Bábí women supported their men hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, like strong pillars. Zaynab cut her hair, and carried sword and gun when she joined the Bábí men to fight in the upheaval at Zanján.

Of thousands of devoted Bábí women, history records only a few. The glorious names of the rest are kept in the Abhá Kingdom.

Bahá’í women, through the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, were ahead of their peers, especially in the early days when women’s lives and activities were limited. Later, women had greater chances to progress in every field, be it service, teaching, Bahá’í administration, or their professions. They showed outstanding abilities despite many obstacles.

Even during the Islamic revolution, when Bahá’ís were persecuted, imprisoned, executed and martyred, women not only were equal to men in courage, patience and dignity, but at times surpassed the men in strength and surprised friends and foes alike!

Growing up as a Bahá’í

I was born and came of age in Tehran, Iran. After receiving my medical degree from the University of Tehran, I came to the United States to specialize in anesthesiology at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

My parents each came from extremely fanatical Muslim families. My father became a Bahá’í at age 24, and my mother—whose parents did not even send her to school—married my father at age 16, and two years later accepted the Bahá’í Faith. She learned to read and write and gradually mastered the violin.

I lived with the general limitations that Islamic culture imposes on women in Iran. But thanks to Bahá’u’lláh and to my parents, within my family I never felt discriminated against because of my gender.

Equality is the right of women, bestowed on them by the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. It inevitably will come to pass. If we are interested in peace, it is up to women to achieve equality and it is up to men to facilitate it. ◆

IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY

Remember those you love or honor them on their special days ... with your gift to the National Bahá’í Fund. Each gift sent with an “In Honor” or “In Memory” form will be beautifully acknowledged by the National Spiritual Assembly. You may get these Treasurer’s Office forms: On the Web: Printable forms for these special contributions are available on the Administrative Web Site (www.usbnc.org). Through the mail: Printed forms are available from the Office of the Treasurer, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (e-mail [...])

LETTERS FROM READERS

Decorum in devotions

To the Editors:

I was deeply concerned when I read the following subject of consultation at the National Convention (The American Bahá’í, May 17, p. 19):

The need for “blow out, kicking, where-did-the-floor-go” devotional gatherings.

As an African-American who grew up in the church, where voluble emotionalism and physical responses often followed inspired preaching and/or praying, I think such forms of worship should be understood in context.

Although as a child I viewed them differently, I realize in retrospect that this type of service was a necessary and therapeutic release for a circumscribed people regularly subjected to all the humiliations and indignities which a racist society could inflict. “Talking back” could mean loss of home, or employment, and even life (or arrest if one refused to give up to a white person one’s paid-for seat on a public conveyance).

Safe within the walls of the black church, the week’s pent-up pain and rage could explode into acceptable expression.

As Bahá’ís, we have in our hands the exalted Scriptures of the Manifestation of God, including a copious revelation of powerful and transcendent prayers covering all our needs—physical, emotional, material.

In the opening pages of our prayer books we are given the key to their use (“Intone ... the verses of God. ...”) and guaranteed the results if we follow instructions. I believe those instructions are as applicable to community worship services as they are to individuals.

In the Universal House of Justice’s Aug. 27, 1989, message “To the Followers of Bahá’u’lláh,” reference is made to “a sense of decorum both in the presentation and reception of the devotional programme.” This is in specific reference to the Feast, but how much more so should it apply to community devotional meetings where non-Bahá’ís may be welcomed.

Nothing about the Bahá’í way of worship would suggest the kind of devotional meetings proposed at the convention, and I pray that no community will give serious consideration to this proposal.

Eloise Mitchell Flint, MI

We welcome letters from readers (250-word limit, please), particularly on topics related to furthering the goals of the Four Year Plan. The purpose of Letters from Readers is to encourage an exchange of ideas and opinions, never to denigrate another’s views or attack anyone—openly or subtly. Opinions expressed are those of the writers, not necessarily of the editors. Address letters to: Managing Editors, The American Bahá’í, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 • e-mail

[Page 11]

Justice center expands its world-embracing service

The Rabbani Trust’s Social and Economic Development Conference for the Americas each year highlights a number of ongoing development projects, partly to inspire ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ toward new dimensions in their service to humanity. The Tahirih Justice Center was one project held out for particular attention during the latest conference Dec. 16–19. A complete report on that conference will appear in the next issue of The American Bahá’í.

It’s been just over five years since Fauziya Kassindja decided to fight deportation from the United States to protect herself from forced marriage and female genital mutilation—common burdens for young women in her homeland of Togo. It’s been nearly that long since a Bahá’í law student stepped forward to help her.

From that now-famous case, the Tahirih Justice Center arose as a new voice in largely untouched areas of women’s immigration rights.

Support and staff grows

As it handles a flood of cases in U.S. immigration courts, the Tahirih Center has gained enough support to increase its full-time staff to five—not to mention increasing the astonishment of everyone involved.

“I had always known that there were divine forces at work in the world and in my own personal life,” said center founder Layli Miller Bashir, “but my experiences with the center have caused me to appreciate the power of God in a whole new and much more meaningful way.”

The Tahirih Center has been sought for its expertise by numerous organizations from the White House to CNN to Seventeen magazine. It has made presentations at high-level conferences on women’s rights, especially regarding immigration.

Recently, a senior presidential adviser met with Bashir as well as Eleanor Smeal of the Feminist Majority, an international women’s rights foundation. They discussed some of the harsh and even deadly ways women are treated in war-torn Afghanistan.

Bahá’í administrative principles

“Not only does the center attempt to realize Bahá’u’lláh’s vision of justice and equality for women around the world,” said Justin Greene-Roesel, a member of the board of directors, “it also integrates Bahá’í administrative principles into the very fabric of the organization’s management.”

That includes prayer, consultation and a spirit of service and gratitude day to day, giving the center what Greene-Roesel calls “a special strength and resilience.”

An attorney with a Washington, DC-area firm, Bashir founded the Tahirih Justice Center as a legacy of Kassindja’s ground-breaking case, detailed in the best-selling book Do They Hear You When You Cry?

With legal services donated by more than 30 lawyers from several firms, the center has helped about 220 people over the past year. Many of those cases bring new directions in human rights to explore.

Though inspired by Bahá’í principles, the Tahirih Center gets no major funding from Bahá’í institutions. Largely, it maintains its growing staff with grants from the United Way, the Feminist Majority, the Meyer Foundation, the Sister Fund, the Mennonite Church and private corporations; revenues from sales of Do They Hear You When You Cry?, some individual contributions and even federal money from the Americorps youth service program.

Then there’s the annual fund-raising banquet, which last April drew many prominent Washingtonians and featured Kerry Kennedy Cuomo, founder of a Kennedy family human rights foundation, as keynote speaker. She emphasized the importance of immigrants and the need to embrace those who come to America seeking protection.

First lady’s acknowledgment

Also, a message from first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton was read at the banquet, saying in part:

“In too many places we fail to see the injustice done to women. ... I am grateful for organizations like the Tahirih Justice Center that are committed to providing legal, medical, and social services to women facing international human rights abuses.”

Members of the Tahirih Justice Center staff (from left) Katy Parsi, director of programming and administration; Andrea Siemens, a paralegal; and Irena Lieberman, deputy director of legal services, go about the center’s business recently.

Some characteristics of the cases handled by the Tahirih Justice Center in the past year:

• Main focus is use of immigration and other foreign policy law to help women resist gender-based injustice.
• Clients include women, men and families from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin and Central America.
• Cases involve protection from torture, political reprisal and child abduction as well as violence against women.
• Medical evaluations are often conducted, not only as part of paying attention to all aspects of a client’s well-being, but also to document physical signs of torture and other persecution.

For more information on the many exciting and ground-breaking initiatives and activities of the Tahirih Justice Center, see the Web site: www.tahirih.org ◆

Update: five SED projects that received the national spotlight a year ago

BY TOM MENNILLO

Five U.S.-based social and economic development projects were showcased at the Rabbani Trust conference December 1998 in Orlando, Florida, as worthy examples of translating the Bahá’í principles into active service for humanity. All five were profiled in The American Bahá’í shortly afterward.

How are they doing a year later? All have progressed steadily along their original paths—often with a boost from the Orlando conference—and some have branched confidently outward.

They are:

• The Intercommunity Social and Economic Development Project in northern Virginia.
• Union Fidelity Development Inc. in the Belle Glade area of Florida.
• The Family Unity Institute in southern DeKalb County, Georgia.
• The Corinne True Justice Center in Denver, Colorado.
• HEARTS (Heaven on Earth Arts Resource and Teaching Service) based in Washington state.

VIRGINIA: Intercommunity Social and Economic Development Project

Input/inspiration from the 1998 conference: Consultation “motivated us to persist in our efforts,” said Susie Clay and Janice Sadeghian, who represent the Intercommunity project in Virginia. “We were encouraged to be patient and to accept that social and economic development is a process of crises and victories.”

Organizers also were urged to step back and “evaluate our progress and reassess our mission, vision, goals, and strategies,” Clay and Sadeghian said. “We followed this advice and, using the services of a professional consultant, we held a retreat and began a very productive internal evaluation process.”

As a result, “Some of the issues that troubled us last year have diminished in importance. As we have increased our level of activity and become immersed in the work, interpersonal problems have dissipated, and enthusiasm and commitment have been strengthened.”

How it’s working: “Our first project, a support group for single Bahá’í mothers, has met consistently throughout the year,” Clay and Sadeghian reported. “The numbers increased and two non-Bahá’í women joined the group, a testimonial to the quality of the program and the need for the services.” They added that ‎racial and ethnic and diversity racial and ethnic diversity‎ is high among the families they serve.

“We have recently initiated a new project, a tutoring/mentoring program for children and youth,” the organizers said. “Bahá’ís who were not previously involved ... are now coordinating the new project.”

Also, “Our committee is committed to finding a center where we can hold our development activities. Holding our activities in homes constrains our ability to expand and to reach out to non-Bahá’ís in the area.” [Page 12]

Long-distance course helps narrow the gap between women and men

INFORMATION FROM RICHARD MELLMAN, GAINESVILLE, FL

What was groundbreaking about that study class Oct. 24 on the statement Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men?

• The class met in Gainesville, Florida, while the presenter was in San Clemente, California. The lecture platform was a speakerphone.
• More men than women attended the session, presaging the day yearned for by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá when men “own” the equality of the sexes.

Cynthia Thomas, secretary of the National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men, gave the presentation via phone to a regular session of Sunday classes in Gainesville.

The energetic presentation—covering the goals of the committee as well as the content and uses of the National Assembly’s statement—was well-received by the nine men and eight women attending, including youths.

The Gainesville friends intend to take further advantage of this “fund-friendly” method of inviting experts to address their community.

Part of the purpose is to help the friends gain perspective from Bahá’ís in other parts of the country.

Thomas noted later that it may have been the first such presentation on behalf of the national committee that was attended by more men than women. The Gainesville organizers had publicized the class as “especially important for men.” ◆

SED PROJECTS, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

COLORADO/CALIFORNIA: CORINNE TRUE JUSTICE CENTER

Input/inspiration from the 1998 conference: Steven Gonzales, until recently director of the center, said Bahá’ís often are “stunned and excited” to discover that conflict resolution involves specific skills, training, national certification and professional associations.

‎They they They‎ ask “how they can bring conflict resolution to their local community and use to serve the Bahá’í and the greater communities,” Gonzales said.

How it’s working: “1999 has been a year of transition” for TJC Denver and of “exciting development” for a new center in Los Angeles, Gonzales said.

Each center is co-owned by the Local Spiritual Assembly and the Bahá’í Justice Society, a membership-based agency of the National Assembly.

The L.A. center was awarded an American Bar Association grant to train public school children in peer mediation and peace studies. He said this exciting development was particularly poignant “as we helplessly watched the explosion of violence within our nation’s schools this year.”

Both centers explored plans to offer mediation training “to assist in the maturation of local Bahá’í communities and to train Bahá’ís in skills they can offer to their local city and greater community.”

The Denver center also went beyond training programs to offer community services. The highlight was a February seminar by two TJC board members in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, at the request of the National Assembly of Venezuela. “The program, we were repeatedly told, attracted the largest number of seekers ever to a Bahá’í program in Venezuela.”

GEORGIA: FAMILY UNITY INSTITUTE

Spiritual education classes among Hispanic families are part of the mission of the Family Unity Institute in north central Georgia.

Input/inspiration from the 1998 conference: The Family Unity Institute has used the feedback from Orlando participants to “strengthen and expand our existing programs,” said Carole Miller of project sponsor Mottahedeh Development Services.

How it’s working: Miller said the Family Unity Institute, which at nearly 5 years old is a grandaddy of American Bahá’í social and economic development, has continued its popular programs in the past year under the guidance of Mottahedeh Development Services, an arm of the National Spiritual Assembly, and the South DeKalb Spiritual Assembly.

These include STAR, which combines tutorial sessions and character development with basketball for at-risk African-American youths; the Chamblee Project, which offers after-school sessions and family development education to Asian and Hispanic immigrants; and the Umoja Soldiers Youth Program, which consists of Friday night basketball and facilitated discussion.

In addition, a computer literacy program that started as an individual initiative has been adopted by FUI.

Small grants and volunteer services have allowed the Institute to get this far. To take these projects into the future, Mottahedeh Development Services is seeking a grant for principal funding of renovations at the Bahá’í Unity Center and computer acquisition.

This expansion, dubbed the Family 2000 Project, will allow FUI’s programs to serve a projected 350 people at a time, up from the present 125.

FLORIDA: UNION FIDELITY DEVELOPMENT

Input/inspiration from the 1998 conference: Alphonso Milligan said he and Russell Ballew gained greatly from consultation in Orlando when they presented the Union Fidelity project. It aims to “create individual net worth” among rural African-Americans by improving their skills and the region’s housing and job base.

“We have taken steps to further involve people in structuring the community itself,” Milligan said.

How it’s working: Milligan said Union Fidelity Development is “still on track in all areas.”

The project’s original plan to erect 157 housing units on a 31-acre tract in Palm Beach County turned out to be infeasible, he says. But out of that experience came a success.

“About 120 customers expressed interest in home ownership,” says Milligan. “We’re helping them get mortgage-ready.”

And a new, “market-driven” initiative is taking shape to build 100 homes. Three lenders are interested in getting involved in various phases, Milligan said.

On the job front, he said, Union Fidelity has helped parents of Head Start students create an entity that will fill a need for substitute teachers. Not only can parents—many previously unemployed—take courses for certification, but through stock options they will own a stake in the enterprise.

Union Fidelity also is working to bring diversified employment opportunities to the area, Milligan said. A manufacturer of products using recycled wood has shown interest in locating in the area.

WASHINGTON: HEARTS (HEAVEN ON EARTH ARTS RESOURCE AND TEACHING SERVICE)

Input/inspiration from the 1998 conference: Leslie Asplund said she and fellow organizer Janis Gaines were surprised that most feedback from the conference “was directed toward national and international issues.”

Institutions, participants felt, should provide more guidance for artists—with supportive input from arts organizations.

Communication between artists and potential employers, especially through the Web, was brought up, Asplund said. “There was encouragement for involving children and youth more ... and a call for more mentoring of developing artists by more experienced artists.”

How it’s working: Asplund says several of the HEARTS project’s objectives were put into practice in 1999.

One was “to translate Heart To Heart [their guide booklet for Bahá’í communities] into Spanish in response to a request from a number of Bahá’ís in Spanish-speaking countries,” she said. They hope to publish that version in 2000.

Another was “to assist Bahá’í communities in our region to better utilize the arts for teaching and service by helping them plan their programs, identify and contract with appropriate performers, and handle technical details.”

Programs in which HEARTS provided assistance included:

• A large Race Unity Day celebration at a local mall that included six hours of continuous entertainment by top Seattle-area acts.
• Eric Dozier’s One Human Family Gospel Music Workshop, a weekend session that culminated in two public concerts at a 400-seat theatre.
• Recruiting artists for an “arts weekend” at Brighton Creek Center.
• A post-concert mentoring event called “A Conversation with Red Grammer and David Parker,” where the performers explained how they developed their show “Together for the First Time.”

HEARTS also worked with the Bahá’í Association for the Advancement of Arts and Media on the Gospel workshop and the Red Grammer event. ◆ [Page 13]

‘Traces which shall last forever’

The Four Year Plan 1996-2000: A look back

Stories by Tom Mennillo • Part one of four parts

We’ve come a long way since Riḍván 1996.

With increasing systematization, we as Bahá’í individuals, communities, and institutions have laid a foundation during the Four Year Plan for the Faith to gain adherents and hasten civilization’s advance.

The changed condition might not be evident to us on a day-to-day basis. We may feel we don’t always pray or read enough, teach all strata with audacity, consult or collaborate effectively, serve others.

But we’ve been empowered to do so. More knowledge and tools are within our grasp than ever:

• Training institutes and other centers of learning.
• Ruhi Institute workshops and study circles.
• Core Curriculum-based courses.
• Research about the people we’re trying to reach and about our own community.
• The national media initiative.
• The 1-800-22-UNITE seeker response system.
• Ethnic teaching committees and task forces.
• The twin foci of race unity and the equality of women and men.
• Devotional gatherings.
• A blossoming cadre of artists.
• Galvanized children and youth.
• Assembly development modules.
• Stewardship and Development seminars.
• Regional Bahá’í Councils and their committees.
• Social and economic development projects.

And on and on.

Members of the National Spiritual Assembly and Regional Bahá’í Councils gather during the inaugural orientation of the four Councils—a high mark of the Four Year Plan in the United States. Photo by Ken Duszynski

Over the next four issues, The American Bahá’í will examine all facets of the Four Year Plan, using as a lens the six “specific activities that contribute directly to the process of entry by troops” identified in “Promoting Entry by Troops,” a document by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

This issue:

• Strategic, flexible teaching plans.

Part II, Feb. 7, 2000:

• Strengthening of Spiritual Assemblies.
• Efficient administration and prompt consolidation.

Part III, March 2:

• Goal-directed behavior.
• Relating the Faith to contemporary social and humanitarian issues.
• Reaching people of capacity.

Also, international highlights.

Part IV, April 9:

• Themes that have run through published Universal House of Justice messages and our National Spiritual Assembly’s messages and Feast letters during the Plan.

All this was presaged a full year before the Plan launched, when, in the Riḍván 152 (1995) message, the Universal House of Justice declared:

“There shall be mobilized [at Riḍván 1996] a world-embracing campaign to ensure a befitting crescendo to the achievements of a century regarded by no less than ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself as a period that will have ‘left traces which shall last forever.’”

Broad strokes of the Supreme Body’s vision were painted a half-year later in a letter dated Dec. 31 to the Bahá’ís of the world:

“The Four Year Plan will aim at one major accomplishment: a significant advance in the process of entry by troops. This is to be achieved through marked progress in the activity and development of the individual believer, of the institutions, and of the local community. Keen attention to all three will ensure a greatly expanded, visibly united, vibrant and cohesive international community by the end of the twentieth century.”

The Plan took on sharp detail at Riḍván 1996.

To the Bahá’ís of the world, the House of Justice wrote:

“Two main challenges face us: one is to mount a campaign of teaching in which the broad membership of our community is enthusiastically, systematically and personally engaged, and in which the activation of an extensive training program will ensure the development of a mass of human resources; the other is to complete the construction projects on Mount Carmel toward which every sacrifice must be made to provide a liberal outpouring of material means. The twin foci, if resolutely pursued, will foster conditions toward the release of pent-up forces that will forge a change in the direction of human affairs throughout the planet.”

A companion letter to the believers in North America proclaimed:

“... [T]here are opportunities for the advancement of the process of entry by troops, the like of which presently exist in no other place on earth.”

This multi-issue retrospective recalls many of the ways we have taken advantage of those opportunities during the Four Year Plan. ♦

NATIONAL TEACHING PLAN: PROPELLED BY A UNIQUE SEARCH FOR KNOWLEDGE

It was to an American Bahá’í community already accelerating its activity that the National Teaching Plan was unveiled in March 1997.

A continuing quest for knowledge, on a scale never attempted before, has helped that plan’s strategies evolve. Visions for action have come clearer as the National Spiritual Assembly gains an ever-more-detailed picture of the Bahá’í community and of the general population of those seeking spiritual answers.

At the same time the friends nationwide have been challenged, in a series of communications from the National Teaching Committee, to take a broad view of the growth of the Faith in the United States.

That view takes in three crucial strategies: proclaiming the teachings wisely through the mass media to increase the number of people we reach; shaping some of our word-of-mouth and fireside teaching to take advantage of that proclamation; and developing the abilities of Bahá’ís to form communities that welcome and serve humanity.

Beginnings

As early as December 1995, the friends were blessed with guidance from the Universal House of Justice about the roles individuals, communities and institutions must play during the Four Year Plan to advance the process of entry by troops.

And by Riḍván 1996 they had been given three tasks by the National Spiritual Assembly for the first year of the Plan:

• Double the active core of believers.
• Engage in study of the Riḍván messages.
• Establish training institutes where feasible.

In 1997, a strategy for the rest of the Plan was laid out for American believers in a document titled “A National Strategic Plan for Large-Scale Growth in the United States.” [Page 14]

RESEARCH: HOW OUR NATIONAL PROCLAMATION EFFORT FOUND ITS DIRECTION

Armed with the latest demographic research, the National Spiritual Assembly could be reasonably certain its teaching strategy was sound.

But a lot more would need to be known about Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís alike before the National Teaching Plan could be carried out with maximum impact.

Fortunately, with the cost of research coming down and new technologies coming on line, it would be easier and easier to generate a true picture of any situation.

Snapshot of U.S. Bahá’ís An important piece of the puzzle was supplied when the first survey of the American Bahá’í community in six years was carried out in mid-1997.

A company not owned or operated by Bahá’ís chose 2,000 names at random from all U.S. believers and polled them by telephone. About 650 of the friends agreed to participate.

The results were heartening: Compared to 1991, higher percentages of the friends said they mention the Faith to non-Bahá’ís at least once a week; mention the Faith several times a week; contribute to the Funds; and feel well informed about Bahá’í activities.

Nearly 82 percent said they are involved in other teaching activities, usually firesides.

They derive personal satisfaction from reading the Writings (88 percent), daily prayer (82.6), being part of the Bahá’í community (77.5) and teaching (77.2).

More than half reported being more enthusiastic about the Faith than when they joined and said being a Bahá’í gives them support “to a great degree” in dealing with social issues.

Reasons for enrolling were stated as: agreement with spiritual principles (84.6 percent); agreement with social principles (78.5); affinity for the Writings (76.4); love for one or more of the Central Figures (55); and esteem for Bahá’ís and/or their Bahá’í teacher (40).

And 83 percent said they first heard of the Faith through an acquaintance or relative and few through public meetings or other proclamation.

What about new believers? A separate survey of 205 people enrolled during 1996–97 showed they were not necessarily clones of the general Bahá’í population.

Women were in the majority of this cohort. “Baby boomers” still accounted for nearly half the enrollments, but younger age ranges were up significantly.

The level of education of these latest enrollees was high. Many are in the caring professions. Half reported they are married.

Path of the media initiative Research also was critical as the national media initiative geared up.

Early media campaigns in Atlanta, Houston, Phoenix and south Florida were instructive, of course. The Atlanta area reported that 5 percent of respondents were still attending events several months after the broadcasts. The experiment also showed that sustained teaching activity was responsible for much of the 50 percent increase in enrollments from June to August 1997.

But the real eye-opener came when focus groups were convened to test the new Bahá’í videos.

The painstaking process caused the first video, The Power of Race Unity, to be revised several times before it was broadcast-ready.

Subsequent videos had higher initial approval ratings because producers had learned to root out jargon and any references that led viewers to perceive the Faith as: a cult; foreign; all talk, no deeds; believing itself superior; non-spiritual; or devaluing personal choice.

Profile of the seekers By early 1999, it was clear the national media initiative had greatly changed the face of our seeker population.

A survey of 534 people on the public Web site showed that 47 percent of non-Bahá’í respondents first heard of the Faith through the media. Only 5 percent of the current Bahá’í community had first heard of the Faith that way.

What’s more, 41 percent of non-Bahá’ís said they had known of the Faith for one month or less, and 53 percent for six months or less.

As the Four Year Plan was heading into its stretch run, several more surveys were being conducted or drawn up, including a multiphase study of behaviors, attitudes and perceptions within the American Bahá’í community. ♦

LOCAL GLIMPSES

Armed with instructions from the Universal House of Justice and the National Teaching Plan, vast numbers of Bahá’ís, communities and institutions made systematic plans in the past four years to advance the process of entry by troops. These are but a few of the stories reported to The American Bahá’í during that time. We only wish more could be included to demonstrate the breadth and spirit of the friends’ efforts. ♦

Wyoming Waves of traveling teachers combined their efforts with those of Wyoming’s believers to bring about the election of two Local Assemblies at Ridván 1999. This in a state where none had formed the year before, but believers kept the spirit up (as at a summer 1998 Unity Picnic in Laramie, above).

Word of the accomplishment brought delegates and visitors to the Bahá’í National Convention to their feet in an emotional response.

Visits to the state by ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ young and old not only brought the Teachings to hundreds of residents but also served to help solidify the Bahá’í identity of isolated youths and children. ♦

Forsyth County, Georgia Among those who inquired early in the Atlanta media experiment were Deborah and James T. Jordan.

The nearly all-white county where they lived once was a symbol of racial hate and division. But change was in the air. And when Debbie, who had heard of the Faith years ago, read a Bahá’í-written guest column in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, she knew finally the Faith was just what they were looking for.

At a fireside in the home of Larry and Carole Miller, they viewed The Power of Race Unity and met a fellow Forsyth resident, Bahá’í Steve Parker.

Soon, the couple were enrolled in the Faith. The following Ridván, Forsyth’s first Local Assembly was formed.

Now the nascent institution is leading an intercommunity effort north of Atlanta to combine resources for enriched teaching, community life and service. ♦

TEACHING PLAN, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

The strategy’s underpinning was non-Bahá’í research showing that a large number of “baby boomers,” African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics are “actively searching for solutions to the challenging moral and spiritual questions of our time in an atmosphere of increasing social turmoil” and that many are finding the answers in religion.

In fact, according to the research, the concerns of these searching people remarkably parallel the issues Bahá’ís consider to be of great importance.

Also discernible from studies was that youths, women and leaders of thought might be particularly receptive to the Bahá’í message.

The task would be to ascertain these potential seekers’ needs through well-designed programs of research and to craft teaching approaches to address them.

Action follows research To that end, lines of action were chosen:

Design and implement a media campaign to proclaim the Faith to target audiences. The media campaign would use television, radio and the Internet, helped by print advertisements, to reach groups seen as most likely to respond in large numbers. Rates of response would be tracked. And, most important, Bahá’í communities would be prepared to follow up with opportunities for inquirers to learn more about the Faith.

Develop and implement systematic, balanced teaching campaigns in target areas. This would focus on places where significant, identifiable populations are likely to be receptive to the Faith, and where Bahá’í communities are strong enough to sustain a campaign of growth. Teaching approaches would be tailored to each population, tested, refined, then sustained.

Several elements were seen as critical to success:

• A well-designed, multifaceted approach to proclamation.
• Regular devotional gatherings.
• A wide variety of direct teaching activities, such as firesides, public talks and campus activities.
• Training and deepening for the believers through training institutes and other centers of learning.

[Page 15]

MEDIA INITIATIVE: DEVELOPMENT OF A POTENT VOICE TO REACH THE NATION

Even as the National Teaching Plan was being introduced, its first test was being rolled out.

The vehicle: a 30-minute video, The Power of Race Unity. The venue: Atlanta, Georgia, considered ripe for growth because of its demographics and its strong Bahá’í communities.

Over several months, National Teaching Committee members consulted with Auxiliary Board members, Local Spiritual Assemblies and area individuals. Excitement was generated and all the necessary elements put into place to embrace interested souls. A task force was appointed to coordinate efforts.

When local broadcasts began in June 1997, the campaign generated about 600 direct responses in its first two weeks.

Responses stayed consistently high. Dozens of seekers attended firesides, devotional meetings and other events. Within about three months, eight enrollments were directly attributable to the broadcasts and 23 to teaching efforts related to the campaign.

From Atlanta to the nation

By that point, the National Spiritual Assembly was confident the time had come to take its media effort nationwide starting in January 1998.

Cable television broadcasts of The Power of Race Unity would be supported by a public Web site, a toll-free telephone response line, new teaching literature and a national public relations campaign.

This initiative "builds on efforts already under way, and also lays a foundation for a new level of teaching in this country," Robert C. Henderson, secretary-general of the National Assembly, said at the time. "This will truly be a national teaching campaign, one that will potentially involve every individual believer as well as all of the institutions."

The aim, explained Ken Bowers, secretary of the National Teaching Committee, would be to enhance local efforts already under way:

"Mass media are not a substitute for individual teaching," Bowers said, "but they can create unprecedented opportunities for the friends, both individually and collectively, to share the Faith with their countrymen."

Bowers added, "There are three important things local communities should be planning for in this campaign: local proclamation efforts, intensifying firesides, and devotional meetings. If at all possible, the proclamation efforts should focus on race unity, the theme of the video to be broadcast first."

Equipped, the friends rally

Grassroots believers would have plenty of support in their pivotal role. In fact, the first national broadcasts were delayed until March 1998 to give the friends more time to gear up.

Tools they were handed included:

• Copies of the video that could be shown locally.
• The 1-800-22-UNITE telephone response line, which would route calls to a participating Bahá’í community near the seeker.
• A public Web site containing an introduction to the Faith, news and links.
• Public information materials and advice.
• Radio spots recorded at WLGI Radio Bahá’í.
• Literature tied to the video’s theme.
• Later, race unity workshops created for communities’ use.

Heartening news came on the financial front. It was announced that a Bahá’í couple had committed up to $300,000 over three years to support media efforts.

As a result of all this preparation, before the broadcasts even started 725 local communities contacted the National Teaching Office asking to be part of the media initiative. By rollout, that number was 1,100.

Many of these communities shared news of recent activities and their plans for the coming months. In nearly all cases, they were incorporating all the elements of community life prescribed by the Universal House of Justice.

First national broadcasts

Against that backdrop, The Power of Race Unity aired on the Odyssey Channel several times in late March and early April.

The first 10 days saw 6,000 people inquire about the Faith or attend a Bahá’í event by invitation. Calls to 800-22-UNITE totaled 3,000, and the Web site recorded 300 requests for information.

Also, the cost per response was well within expectations: $10, as compared to $50 at the beginning of the Atlanta test and $18 as that experiment was refined.

The initiative’s shakedown cruise, on a cable channel not even seen in many television markets, was a success.

By June, with broadcasts on Black Entertainment Television added, the media initiative had led 63,000 souls to inquire about the Faith or attend a Bahá’í meeting at the invitation of believers.

That month, a random survey of Bahá’í communities indicated that 78 percent had developed and implemented teaching activities in conjunction with the national initiative.

LOCAL GLIMPSES
Santa Clarita, California The Four Year Plan is the first in which the Internet has played a significant role. Bahá’ís in Santa Clarita (above, at a park service project) ran television advertisements promoting the local Bahá’í toll-free telephone line and Web site. The cable company was so impressed with the Web site that it offered to air the spots free for an additional period. Users also like the Web site—it received more than 1,000 "hits" in the first two weeks. ◆
West Virginia The Bahá’í Faith is alive in this state, despite the Covenant-breaking that led to dissolution in 1997 of the Huntington Spiritual Assembly. In fact, the Bahá’ís of Huntington, Charleston and other cities have turned up the heat of their activity so that at least two centers have opened and the Faith has become known to many more Mountain State residents than before. ◆

Other factors aiding the process of entry by troops by mid-1998 included:

• Establishment of 18 regional training institutes.
• Intensive expert study and audience testing to find opportunities and refine proclamation and teaching materials.
• Racial unity’s emergence as a defining theme for American Bahá’í activity.
• Growing participation and enthusiasm for teaching efforts at every level.

From building to performance

The second round of broadcasts marked the end of a two-year building phase.

Next would be a performance phase to bring all these elements into a more systematic way of advancing the process of growth in the rest of the Plan.

Said the National Teaching Committee: "In successive waves over the next two years, this teaching campaign will impact the fundamental dynamics of community development and activism. It will create upwelling response from specified audiences and generate a new surge in awareness of the Faith among our fellow Americans. It will continue to stimulate an array of activities that over time will emerge as more permanent patterns of community action."

In the new phase, broadcasts of The Power of Race Unity and several television spots would appear on such channels as VH-1, Odyssey, and E! Entertainment TV in October and November.

By mid-1999, two new videos—The Power of Prayer and Family: The Seeds of World Peace—and several short TV spot ads would enter the lineup, reaching a greater and more diverse audience than ever on such cable channels as WGN, Lifetime, Court TV, E!, Bravo and The International Channel. More videos are under development (see page 4).

Booklets supporting the themes of these videos were distributed. Hundreds of new firesides, devotional gatherings, social functions and social and economic development projects got under way.

Quick, efficient follow-up of seekers—and immediate deepening of new believers—gathered momentum. The 1-800-22-UNITE caller response system was streamlined so communities could subscribe free. Each would be assigned a voice mailbox and a password for dialing to hear messages. ◆

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• A rich array of other community activities, such as social activities, social and economic development projects, youth programs and children’s classes.
• Development of essential teaching and deepening materials.
• Local Assembly training and support.
• Use of the arts.
• Refined and more-effective Feasts.
• Efficient systems of communication and reporting.
• Coordinated use of funds.
• Fostering of universal participation.

Apply these models and approaches to other communities. Other Bahá’í communities that show great potential would then gain special attention. Varied teaching methods would be used, and local and national institutions would strive to collaborate at an unprecedented level.

Regional and local plans and individual action would flow from this national strategy. These would aim to guide individual souls, build a pattern of community life and foster the maturity of the institutions.

Looking further ahead

Keeping new believers active and involved in our communities is a key challenge the National Teaching Committee spelled out in a December 1999 report, "Issues Pertaining to Growth, Retention and Consolidation in the United States."

With an eye toward the next Plan, the report frankly acknowledges that even though the U.S. Bahá’í community has grown phenomenally in the past 30 years, and currently shows "healthy vital signs," the number of enrollments has slowly decreased in recent years.

Rather than sinking into frustration, the committee recommends that we stay the course and endure the natural cycle of "crisis and victory" that repeatedly has propelled "vast surges" of growth. It has specific recommendations in these areas:

• Achieving a new mindset about growth.
• Continued development of local and national outreach and follow-up.
• Building our communities: dealing with diversity of many kinds.
• Development of training ‎isntitutes institutes‎.
• Improving local stewardship.
• Improving our discourse on teaching.
• The leadership of Regional Bahá’í Councils. ◆

[Page 16]

Launching of the Four Regional Bahá’í Councils: December 1997

On Dec. 12–14, 1997, the National Spiritual Assembly had the privilege of giving the four Regional Bahá’í Councils an orientation and loving lift-off, only months after the Universal House of Justice had authorized their formation.

Here are a few images from that weekend, which was galvanized by special messages from the Universal House of Justice and the presence of many of the Continental Counselors for the Americas.

Emotional moments came as members of each Regional Bahá’í Council were presented with an illuminated replica of a Tablet of the Divine Plan for its region. Photo by Vladimir Shilov

Warm greetings by the National Spiritual Assembly at the Bahá’í House of Worship set a spiritual tone. Photo by Vladimir Shilov

The atmosphere was often lighthearted as the newly formed Councils got together in the precincts of the Holiest House of Worship. Photo by Ken Duszynski

Left: At Foundation Hall in the Bahá’í House of Worship, members of the newly elected Councils gathered with Counselors, National Assembly members and staff. Photo by Ken Duszynski

Left: Tod Ewing and other members of the Continental Board of Counselors for the Americas provided inspiration and encouragement to the gathering. Photo by Ken Duszynski

Local Glimpses

Rochester, New York Active teaching efforts in this city have been confirmed in a big way as Bahá’í-sponsored concerts on the theme “Celebration of the Oneness of Humanity” have drawn audiences of 500 in 1998—then 800 a year later.

In each case, area Bahá’ís worked for months to produce the programs to help galvanize the entire community. The concerts have served as opportunities to exercise loving hospitality and invite attendees to future events.

Knoxville, Tennessee Crisis led to victory when the National Spiritual Assembly was forced to cancel a national youth training conference in July 1997.

Enter the Spiritual Assemblies of Knoxville and Knox County, which quickly put together a teacher-training workshop for ages 12 to 30 and were rewarded when 100 young Bahá’ís showed up despite temperatures matching their number.

After three days of sessions, the youths fanned out over the area in groups to spread the message. A large number of seekers showed up for firesides (one later declared). And a brand new Bahá’í Youth Workshop and a permanent teaching team were born.

Georgia and Alabama A “systematic process for nurturing the Bahá’í youth movement” in these states was launched in April 1998 by Auxiliary Board members under sponsorship of the Assembly of Fulton County Central, Georgia.

Components of the movement include engagement, training, change, encouragement and review. The tools have been four biannual retreats designed to energize and prepare the young believers for teaching, and other activities in the meantime such as Ruhi study circles.

Decentralization: MOVING OUR CENTERS OF COORDINATION CLOSER TO HOME

The budding of Regional Bahá’í Councils, a new institution called into being by the Universal House of Justice, put decentralization at center stage in the latter part of the Four Year Plan.

Each Council oversees one of the four regions of the continental United States defined by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Tablets of the Divine Plan—a division of duties that the House of Justice praised as “both wise and of profound spiritual significance.”

The Councils’ functions include helping carry out the National Spiritual Assembly’s agenda for the Four Year Plan by devising regional teaching plans and overseeing projects those plans spawn.

Other Council duties include helping to establish strong Spiritual Assemblies and overseeing each October’s Unit Conventions.

But months before the House of Justice sent the May 30, 1997, letters authorizing creation of those Councils, the National Assembly had started filling the need for action that more closely fits local conditions across the country.

First came the four Regional Teaching Committees

Four Regional Teaching Committees, named in July 1996, were mandated by the National Assembly to “advance the teaching work by fostering the emergence and development of sustained patterns of proclamation, expansion and consolidation across their regions.”

It was foreseen that these committees, close to the grass roots, could expertly analyze and study the areas in their charge, provide strategic advice to the National Assembly through the National Teaching Committee and formulate, promote and execute regional teaching plans.

Several spheres of activity would be within each Regional Committee’s purview: establishing centers of learning, promoting individual teaching, launching campaigns, holding conferences, fostering collaboration, strengthening communities, coordinating traveling teaching, aiding distribution of materials to large-scale growth areas and developing human resources.

Close collaboration would be required to carry out these aims. Auxiliary Board members and their assistants, permanent schools and institutes, training institute boards, Local Assemblies and groups and isolated believers would all have to be fully engaged.

With their charge, the committees rolled up their sleeves and got to work. By early 1997 each was laying a foundation so Bahá’ís across the region could share ideas and resources and arise to serve to a degree never before possible.

Western States: Lines of action included extensive analysis of both local Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í populations and of local Bahá’í activities; promotion of individual prayer; assistance to traveling teachers and homefront pioneers; Local Assembly formation; establishment of training institutes; and development of individual members’ expertise in specific realms. Also notable was the committee’s involvement in the pilot phase of LSAI, the Local Assembly automation project.

Central States: A campaign was launched to use the prayer for the region revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The committee also moved to help establish regional training institutes and foster devotional meetings. To fuel local activity, the committee assembled reports from communities and turned them into a display shown off at National Convention and around the region.

Northeastern States: A regional teaching plan was formulated focusing on teaching through the arts, race unity, participation by youth and women, American Indian teaching, media initiatives and training institutes. Communication with believers was seen as critical to this effort, so the committee gathered a wealth of information on activities, resources, needs and receptive areas through a questionnaire.

Southern States: A regional teaching plan used quotations from the Writings to focus on the power of individual initiative. As part of this, a compilation titled Unlocking the Power of Action was published and distributed. Also among this committee’s activities were formulation of a vision statement and appointment of state teaching committees.

New level of commitment: Regional Bahá’í Councils

Just as all these regional initiatives were hitting their stride, the baton passed to a brand-new divine institution, the Regional Bahá’í Council.

These four Councils represented “a historic step,” in the words of the Supreme Body, that can “augment the stimulating effect of the decentralization” the National Assembly had already set in motion.

Elections for the first Councils were held on the anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh in 1997, with all members of Local Assemblies eligible to cast ballots. In December, the National Assembly lovingly took the Councils under its wing in the presence of the Continental Board of Counselors in a meeting at the Bahá’í House of Worship.

In such an atmosphere, the new Councils began their work. By Riḍván 1998, each had set committees or work groups in motion and begun planning revolving around an emphasis on individual transformation, teaching and training.

When the Councils again met with the National Spiritual Assembly in June 1998, their regional teaching goals were fully formed.

Western States: Six initial strategies included developing collaboration with the Assemblies and the friends; supporting the strengthening of Local Spiritual Assemblies; devising a region-wide youth program while promoting collective endeavors by the youth; enhancing, nurturing and networking regional training institutes; improving Unit Convention quality and attendance; and accelerating expansion and consolidation efforts, and fostering initiatives aimed at reaching all strata of the diverse human family.

Southern States: The five challenges identified by the Council were feeling a personal spiritual connection to Bahá’u’lláh; having a clear sense of mission; teaching with confidence and courage and acquiring effective teaching skills; nurturing an environment that is loving and accepting and embraces diversity of all kinds; and ensuring effective and sustained collaboration between the twin arms of the Bahá’í Administrative Order.

Northeastern States: The National Teaching Plan was tailored to the needs of the region. The regional plan focused on raising the spiritual dedication and action of the individual believers and Local Spiritual Assemblies. Individual prayer, deepening, meditation, teaching and service were emphasized.

Central States: The Council set goals to create and refine expansion and consolidation projects; enhance the teaching effort among racial minorities and youth; strengthen and support efforts to promote racial unity and the equality of men and women; promote an increase in Fund contributions and develop regional economic resources; and increase efforts to train human resources in the fundamental verities of the Faith, with emphasis on developing teachers.

Strides forward in 1999

On the anniversary of the Declaration of the Báb in 1999, Local Spiritual Assemblies again gathered to elect members of the four Councils.

Great progress had been made in an incredibly short time, and each Council could report at Riḍván strides in several arenas, some potentially far-reaching.

Western States: The Council developed a working draft for intercommunity collaboration and chose Montana, a large area with a small Bahá’í community, to be its testing ground. A landmark statewide meeting was followed up with creation of a state committee and the launching of several “beta” projects designed to boost activity and confidence among Montana believers.

Southern States: A campaign called “Date with Destiny” aimed to develop a new state of mind through pursuit in three areas: growth, challenging each Bahá’í to welcome and nurture one new believer into the Faith; training, with a goal of 5,000 participants in training institute courses; and service, with a goal of establishing 50 new social and economic development projects.

Northeastern States: The Council undertook a campaign to encourage evolutionary growth. It employed five field workers in an attempt to recognize and acknowledge every meritorious deed; a series of “love letters”; extensive travel by the Council throughout the region; establishment of trust and cooperation among the Council, Local Assemblies and individuals; and establishment of an orderly means for individuals to express their creative energies.

Central States: Efforts included finding ways to systematically and energetically pursue the teaching work among the region’s American Indians. The Council has looked into the challenges and immediate conditions of the Indian teaching work through meetings in two states, then consultation with the National American Indian Teaching Committee. [Page 17]

Twin Foci: RACE UNITY AND GENDER EQUALITY PROVIDE MAIN THEMES FOR U.S.

Few could have been surprised when race unity and gender equality emerged as twin foci of the Four Year Plan in the United States.

The American Bahá’í community’s leadership on both fronts shone brightly as the Plan dawned.

Wide dissemination of the National Spiritual Assembly’s statement The Vision of Race Unity had heightened public awareness of the Faith’s tenets on the oneness of the human family, as had Bahá’í-sponsored race unity activities.

Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings on the equality of women and men were having impact on the loftiest summits, such as the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China.

Within the Bahá’í community, conferences in Charleston, South Carolina, on race unity and Louisville, Kentucky, on gender equality in early and mid-1996 addressed how we as individuals, communities and institutions could “live the life” at a more spiritual level.

Race unity

The new National Teaching Plan’s core strategy was crystal clear: “The issue of race is fundamental to all consideration of proclamation, expansion and consolidation. Our actions should reflect this priority.”

Lines of action were formulated to implement programs for interracial understanding; develop and apply a vision for race unity in the community; foster a greater involvement in the life of society; and reach leaders of thought.

At the same time, a National African-American Teaching Committee was appointed to specifically reach African-Americans.

Race unity also was at the forefront when the national media initiative was launched. The first video, The Power of Race Unity, invited people of every race and background to investigate the Bahá’í Faith in their local communities.

“We must prepare ourselves to be living witnesses to the truths ‘Abdu’l-Bahá tirelessly championed,” the National Spiritual Assembly reminded us in a December 1997 statement addressed to the American Bahá’í community.

LOCAL GLIMPSES

Sutton, Nebraska

This tiny Bahá’í community—two adults—started something when it presented the National Assembly’s Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men to city leaders.

The presentation to the city clerk and the mayor’s mother in this town of under 1,350 led to two articles in local newspapers and an extensive feature a month later in the Hastings Tribune. ◆

Denver, Colorado

Bahá’ís from metropolitan Denver and other areas in Colorado played a very visible role in the President’s Initiative on Race when it held town meetings in Denver in early 1998.

More than 30 Bahá’ís attended the meetings. They were allotted several seats in the special section reserved for groups that were known for commitment to race healing.

During the public comment segments, individual Bahá’ís spoke passionately of the need for race unity in the United States and the importance of spirituality in curing the disease of racism.

The comments of several Bahá’ís were reported by local and national media outlets. ◆

San Francisco, California, Bahá’ís took extra steps to make meaningful presentations of the Two Wings statement to city officials.

Against the backdrop of President Clinton’s national initiative on race, the National Assembly appealed to Bahá’í Assemblies, groups and isolated believers to host thousands of public gatherings “for open discussion of the requirements of race unity.”

Tools designed to stimulate neighborhood race unity dialogues soon followed as a complement to The Power of Race Unity. These workshops took participants through a process of familiarization with the Writings, understanding their role in race unity, developing skills to organize gatherings, and becoming an active promoter.

Gender equality

Completion, after an exhaustive process, of the National Assembly’s statement Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men signaled the beginning of a major proclamation and teaching campaign on equality.

The statement’s unveiling at Ridván 1997 was met with great enthusiasm. A new national committee—later named the National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men (NCEWM)—was charged with channeling that energy.

The committee plotted a strategy to distribute Two Wings and foster broad discussion of it within and outside the Bahá’í community. A complementary goal was to help raise up a new generation committed to gender equality.

Meetings were held nationwide to identify the needs of communities and encourage them to take action. A national training seminar helped Bahá’ís develop speaking and facilitation skills for use in gender equality activities.

Youth were not left out of the equation. A project dubbed One Voice focused the efforts of college clubs on promoting the equality of women and men and raising awareness about the Faith’s commitment to that agenda.

And the Office of External Affairs coordinated Bahá’í involvement in the campaign for U.S. ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

A new impetus came soon after, with the National Assembly’s creation of an Office of Women’s Affairs headed by Juana Conrad. Its mission was to participate in activities designed to promote equality and to advise the National Assembly on issues and trends dealing with women.

The office’s first act was to survey how Bahá’í communities were using Two Wings. The concern, said Conrad, was that the Assembly “didn’t see it receiving the same attention as the statement on race unity.”

A fresh effort to infuse the equality statement and its theme of a true partnership between women and men into American discourse was launched in December 1998.

A total of 100,000 copies of the statement had been distributed since the statement’s publication, and Bahá’ís had held numerous deepenings, training sessions and public meetings on equality.

But a more focused campaign was needed, said the National Assembly. Each local institution was asked to present Two Wings to its municipality’s mayor and city council, and each believer was asked to ponder how our communities could become true models of equality.

Sharing of the statement was focused on March, Women’s History Month. Packets prepared by NCEWM for Assemblies and campus clubs contained sample letters and other resources they could use.

Galvanized Bahá’ís responded enthusiastically. By mid-July, 166 localities had reported on their actions, and such high-profile efforts as one in San Francisco cheered the friends.

To keep up the momentum, Assemblies in state capitals later were asked to present the statement to their governors during September. Other communities were encouraged to consult on ideas for local activities.

Meanwhile, a new nationwide training program on equality graduated its first 19 trainers in May, and a diverse women’s seminar in June helped the Office of Women’s Affairs plan future projects. ◆

Training Institutes: NEW FOCUS ON SKILLS TO BOOST TEACHING AND SERVICE

If the Four Year Plan aimed at building a solid foundation for embracing troops, consider training to be the mortar. Without it, no such effort can long hold together.

At Ridván 153, the Universal House of Justice called on all North American believers, “new and veteran, to embark upon a systematic study of the fundamental verities of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh.”

This study, the Supreme Body said, would enable the friends to build knowledge and skills that Bahá’í institutions can channel into more effective and more spirit-filled service, teaching and community activities.

The primary tool would be training institutes. Our National Spiritual Assembly and its agencies—particularly the National Teaching Committee and Office of Education and Schools—began work immediately on establishing institutes and developing training curricula.

The Wilmette Institute already had been created to operate on a national scale. In August 1999, the institute graduated the first class of its four-year program “Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization.” Equipping students to teach the Cause and steeping them in service are central to the Wilmette Institute’s mission.

Early in the Plan the National Assembly, in phases, appointed boards for regional training institutes across the country. By mid-1998, 18 regional institutes had been established in the Atlanta area; Florida; North Texas; South Texas; North Carolina; metro DC; Rochester, New York; Boston; St. Louis area; Minneapolis area; Columbus, Ohio; Milwaukee; New Mexico; Arizona; Colorado; Oregon; Washington/North Idaho; and Southern California.

Add to that hundreds of local training institutes, as well as ongoing centers of learning such as the permanent schools and institutes and about three dozen regional schools.

Core Curriculum and Fundamental Verities courses developed by the National Teacher Training Center, as well as materials developed for the Ruhi Institute, have played a major role in helping institutes imbue new and veteran believers with deeper understanding of—and greater enthusiasm for—the Bahá’í teachings.

By Ridván 1999, the National Assembly could report that fully half the American believers had taken at least one training institute course. ◆ [Page 18]

ETHNIC COMMITTEES: STRIVING TO ADD DIVERSITY AND INFUSE RENEWED SPIRIT

The four ethnic teaching committees and task forces—Chinese, African-American, Latin-American and American Indian—could sum up their message in one sentence: If we but arise to teach, they’ll be right beside us.

Their labors during the Four Year Plan have yielded a bounty of materials, networks and wisdom essential to expansion and consolidation.

American Indian Teaching Committee

The fervent hope of Indian Bahá’ís is that American believers will come to understand the native peoples’ long tradition of spirituality and potential to spiritualize the entire world.

Native people are all around us in cities and towns as well as on reservations, they say, and are receptive to the message if it is presented wisely.

Perhaps the greatest buzz at this past spring’s Bahá’í National Convention surrounded release of Protocols for American Indian Teaching, a handbook containing general principles and specific guidelines for bringing the Teachings to the indigenous of this continent.

The 24-page document grew from years of consultation with many believers. Among other purposes, it is meant to help prevent well-meaning teachers of the Faith from accidentally offending the people they are trying to reach.

Publication of the booklet was one of the American Indian Teaching Committee’s 29 goals for advancing the process of entry by troops during the Four Year Plan.

Another major project is the Tree of Life institute curriculum, a training program for Indian believers and those interested in teaching American Indians. It nears publication.

The committee also conducts major conferences on Indian teaching and guides the efforts of regional American Indian teaching committees.

Critical to the committee’s work is the deepening of new believers, especially in the Covenant, so they can fulfill their destiny to become leaders not only within the Bahá’í community but in the wider society as well.

Early in the Plan, the “Breaking Loose” conference in Lyons, Nebraska, brought together Counselor Jacqueline Left Hand Bull, a representative of the National Teaching Committee, three members of the American Indian Teaching Committee and 100 to 200 Bahá’ís.

Significant as well were a gathering of indigenous believers in Florida and celebration in 1998 of the 50th anniversary of the formation of the first all-Indian Local Spiritual Assembly on the Omaha Reservation.

African-American Teaching Committee

Since its creation two years ago, the African-American Teaching Committee has aimed to bring African-Americans of every stratum into the Faith—and help make them feel welcome.

To that end it has produced a manual, Exploring the Historical and Spiritual Significance of Being a Person of African Descent in the Bahá’í Faith, that encourages study and teaching.

This loving and practical gift to the friends was compiled by race relations scholar Richard Thomas of Michigan State University.

The manual includes excerpts from the Writings and from literature, plus many biographical sketches. It also has exercises and a facilitator’s guide for group study.

The committee sees the workbook as a primary teaching tool for local events, conferences and proclamation activities across the country.

Another tool the committee has developed is a body of knowledge relevant to Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í people of African descent in the United States.

Focusing on four pilot cities—Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles and East St. Louis, Illinois—the committee has offered this data to the National Teaching Committee, the Regional Bahá’í Councils and Local Spiritual Assemblies.

Collaboration with the Regional Councils has brought into existence regional African-American teaching committees or task forces to aid in the teaching work.

Enthusiasm for teaching this population also has been generated through workshops at the Bahá’í National Convention and the Association for Bahá’í Studies and through direct contact with the National Youth Committee and college clubs.

LOCAL GLIMPSES
Snohomish County, Washington The hub of teaching in the Snohomish County Southwest Bahá’í community near Seattle is a monthly dinner fireside sponsored by the Local Assembly and supported by all the friends. The monthly event features a dinner served with “hospitality and the spirit of the Faith.” Next is a multi-course spiritual repast: music, prayers, a talk focusing on spiritual subjects, and sharing of literature. Guests sign a book and indicate whether they want to receive a periodic flier announcing upcoming Bahá’í events. Complementary efforts include weekly follow-up firesides, a weekly Sunday school, “diversity dinner” nights and consistent deepening of new believers. ♦
Charlotte, North Carolina, friends have been working to consolidate their gains since about 60 new believers, mostly Spanish-speaking, were enrolled into the Faith within a few months. Spanish-speaking year-of-service youths spearheaded early efforts to confirm these believers into community life. They are deepened in their homes, involved in weekly firesides and devotional gatherings and offered English classes and information about social services.

Latin-American Task Force

The Latin-American Task Force is riding a groundswell of interest throughout the United States in teaching this population—seen as world-bridging because many Spanish-descended people in the Americas also have indigenous and African bloodlines.

There is no “prescription” for teaching Hispanics. The committee has focused on helping the friends form working groups with solid plans of action and obtain the resources—material and human—they need in the field.

A bilingual prayer book is being added to the array of Spanish-language teaching and deepening materials available. This gift-quality book presents English and Spanish translations of selected prayers side by side.

Trained teachers also have emerged in larger numbers during the Plan, thanks to institutes employing Ruhi and Core Curriculum materials. They are augmented by traveling teachers, especially “snowbirds” heading south for winter or school breaks.

Why all the interest? There’s nothing like success, apparently.

Patient, long-haul efforts in such areas as Charlotte, North Carolina, and Huntington Park, California, have borne fruit. The new Hispanic believers have arisen, in turn, to share the message with family and friends.

Now their Bahá’í communities are rapidly being transformed into gatherings of true cultural sharing, and others across the country—particularly in Florida, Texas and Illinois—see their own potential.

In this quest, communities and their institutions are being brought together by the task force to systematize the teaching work.

For example, in Florida a regional committee was named to work under a Local Spiritual Assembly in cooperation with an Auxiliary Board member.

As the initiative expanded, a planning and teaching conference was held at the Magdalene Carney Bahá’í Institute. Later, a second conference was held there—carried out entirely by the regional committee. The ball is rolling.

Chinese Teaching Task Force

More than 1 million Chinese live in America today. They are in every major metropolitan area and college campus.

To teach them, the friends must become imbued with the Chinese spirit, know the Chinese sacred literature, study the Chinese customs and speak to them from a Chinese standpoint using Chinese terminology.

Enter the Chinese Teaching Task Force to promote this process of teaching and consolidation.

During the Plan, the task force has participated in Chinese teaching activities in several communities, conducted workshops, planned and facilitated conferences, established communications networks, and implemented an institute study process.

As a result, the Bahá’í Distribution Service has become the central source of books and materials in simplified Chinese.

Now, through consultation with the Regional Bahá’í Councils, the friends in many more cities are preparing to teach this population.

In a meeting between the Northeastern Regional Bahá’í Council and representatives of the task force, for example, the Council learned the importance of demographics, campus Bahá’í associations, host family projects, newspaper articles, participation in cultural festivals, invitations to scholars, the importance of the family unit in teaching and the availability of study materials for Chinese audiences.

The task force also corresponded with the Regional Bahá’í Council for the Southern States about its questions and concerns. The task force provided the Council with materials, human resource contacts, guidelines on important elements of befriending the Chinese and suggestions for ways to get started in reaching this element of the population.

In response to the Council’s request for a statement of its vision, the task force expressed that this vision includes an emphasis on the institute process, namely the establishment and development of small study groups focused on the Creative Word and community service.

In the planning stages is a process for establishing regional training for study group facilitators, using materials developed for the Chinese. ♦ [Page 19]

Brilliant Star Kid’s Corner!

Hurry! Liang needs your help. Liang is reviewing some important things he wants to share with Bahá’í kids but he needs some assistance. Would you kindly help him unscramble the words and figure out the important principles and facts about the Bahá’í Faith? Thank you for helping!

Do you have something to SHARE with BRILLIANT STAR, like PHOTOGRAPHS, stories, poems, or DRAWings?

We invite everyone to send in submissions for our upcoming themes:

The Harmony of Science and Religion

The Time Capsule

Making the World a Better Place

The Arc Projects

Send mail to: Brilliant Star Bahá’í Media Services 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201

Contact us at telephone: 847.853.2354 fax: 847.256.1372

Or e-mail us at

For subscriptions to BRILLIANT STAR, call Bahá’í Distribution Service at 800-999-9019 or see page 27 to subscribe.

Principles:

1. World ______. 2. This will illuminate the whole world! 3. When we share the Bahá’í Faith, we are ______. 4. To be used to help humanity so that no one is hungry or homeless. 5. How many Regional Bahá’í Councils exist in the United States? 6. Service to humanity is ______ to God. 7. Our way to talk to God. 8. Supporting the Bahá’í Faith helps the entire ______. 9. Where in the United States is a Bahá’í House of Worship located? 10. People of all races belong to one human ______. 11. Inspiration for taking care of our money. 12. Bahá’í Institutions are a ______ from Bahá’u’lláh to the world. 13. It is important for us to read the Bahá’í writings every ______ and evening. 14. Contributing to the Bahá’í Funds shows God this emotion. 15. Women and men are ______.

Clues: (unscramble these for the answers)

1. PCEEA	6. SIVEERC	11. OVLE OFR ODG
2. UTINY	7. PARREY	12. GFTI
3. TINGCHAE	8. WLORD	13. MIRNONG
4. MYEON	9. WMTILETE	14. LEVO
5. FUOR	10. FIMAYL	15. EALUQ

Answers:

1. PEACE 2. UNITY 3. TEACHING 4. MONEY 5. FOUR 6. SERVICE 7. PRAYER 8. WORLD 9. WILMETTE 10. FAMILY 11. LOVE FOR GOD 12. GIFT 13. MORNING 14. LOVE 15. EQUAL [Page 20]"We look to the members of the Bahá’í community in the United States to perform, during the Four Year Plan, heroic deeds of service to the cause, which will astonish and inspire their fellow-believers throughout the world." -Universal House of Justice, Ridván 153 B.E. (1996) letter to the Bahá’ís of North America

Heroic Deeds: How our Supreme Institution responded

For 18 months the National Youth Committee, through the Heroic Deeds campaign, strove to encourage our beloved youth to perform sacrificial deeds for the Cause.

Hundreds of youths responded, submitting powerful and amazing pledges. The National Youth Committee compiled these pledges and sent them as a gift to the Universal House of Justice.

Our hearts are filled with joy as we share with you the response from the Universal House of Justice to our National Spiritual Assembly.

Dear Bahá’í friends,

The Universal House of Justice was delighted to receive your letter dated 26 July 1999 enclosing a letter from your National Youth Committee together with a list of American Bahá’í youth who have pledged a wide range of "heroic deeds of service", and we are to assure you of its ardent prayers in the Holy Shrines that these youth may attain their heart's desire in service to the Faith.

With loving Bahá’í greetings, Department of the Secretariat

YOUTH-C.H.I.C.S. POWER: COUNTERING CORRUPTION

BY LAURA HARLEY, ST. PAUL, MN

"We are a group of loving and nurturing, spiritually aware women. We are dedicated to advancing the intellectual, emotional and spiritual development of young girls through adolescence into adulthood. We use the strength and inspiration we draw from Bahá’u’lláh, as well as our life experiences to provide unwavering support, unconditional love and spiritual solutions to the challenges facing women in our community."

That is the mission statement of C.H.I.C.S. (Courageous Handmaidens In Corrupt Society), a support network formed three years ago by several college-age women in Minneapolis, Minnesota, who wanted to help young Bahá’í women gain a sense of unity and a greater understanding of their importance.

Bombarded with images

At school, at work, with friends and in the media, young women are constantly exposed to images that tell them to look a certain way and to focus their energy on attracting men. They are told they are inferior to men and are discouraged from having confidence and reaching their goals.

C.H.I.C.S. challenges young Bahá’í women to tune out these negative messages while trying to live in accordance with Bahá’í standards. At retreats, deepenings, firesides and devotional gatherings, young women deepen their knowledge about:

• The high station Bahá’u’lláh bestows on women.
• Heroic women in Bahá’í history.
• Their own strengths and capacities.
• Listening to one's intuition.
• Self-esteem and the nobility of the soul.
• Creating boundaries within relationships, identifying unhealthy relationships and being assertive.
• Dealing with peer pressure.
• How to teach the Bahá’í Faith.

The Bahá’í writings are the basis, but they also draw from sociological books such as Reviving Ophelia or School Girls. Discussion and social activities help form strong bonds of friendship. Those bonds help provide support when a young woman is challenged and needs a Bahá’í friend or mentor with whom she can consult and create solutions.

The response from the Bahá’í community has been overwhelming. Young women really enjoy and look forward to the retreats. Their parents express great happiness and gratitude that C.H.I.C.S. gives their daughters love, support and education in this difficult age.

Core members were originally hesitant to call the group C.H.I.C.S. But parents and daughters like the name because it provokes conversation and gives a positive connotation to a usually demeaning term.

There is a great need in the Bahá’í community to support and strengthen Bahá’í youth. We feel groups like C.H.I.C.S. are an essential part of the process of achieving the equality of women and men.

"Glory to all womankind"

‘Abdu’l-Bahá has stated, "The individual woman should, today, follow a course of action which will be the cause of eternal glory to all womankind, so that all women will be illumined. And that lieth in gathering to learn how to teach, in holding meetings to recite the verses, to offer supplications to the kingdom of the Lord of evident signs, and to institute education for girls."

Based on our results and the encouragement we have received, we strongly encourage older youths to create groups to serve their younger Bahá’í sisters and brothers.

We must act now to help create a strong generation that will lead us into the future and teach the world, by example, about the transforming power of the Bahá’í Faith and the equality of women and men.

TRUE WEALTH

"Wealth is praiseworthy in the highest degree, if it is acquired by an individual's own efforts and the grace of God, in commerce, agriculture, art and industry, and if it be expended for philanthropic purposes. Above all, if a judicious and resourceful individual should initiate measures which would universally enrich the masses of the people, there could be no undertaking greater than this, and it would rank in the sight of God as the supreme achievement, for such a benefactor would supply the needs and insure the comfort and well-being of a great multitude." -‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 24

Want to know more about C.H.I.C.S. or to send them a comment? Pondering ways to mentor younger Bahá’ís in your area? E-mail

Gaining inspiration for campus action

Bahá’í college students take a little time out at the Bahá’í Campus Association weekend at Bosch Bahá’í School Oct. 29-31. Co-sponsored by the National Youth Committee and the Western States Regional College Club and Regional Youth Development desks, the event saw nearly 80 participants discussing the importance of social activism and spiritual revolution, and how to gain significant victories for the Faith on America's college campuses.

Photo by Nancy Wong

SERVICE TO HUMANITY

Have you put the Bahá’í teachings into action through social activism or community service?

Tell us how! Contact the National Youth Committee!

National Youth Committee Bahá’í National Center 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201 phone 847-733-3499 e-mail [Page 21]

‘That East and West may embrace’

Gathering advances steps locally toward real unity

The Unity Gathering Nov. 7 in Skokie, Illinois, brought together friends of Persian and Western origin for an evening of sharing. Photo by Puran Stevens

Grand ideas for unity often work only when you pay attention to simple things. For the Bahá’ís of Skokie, Illinois, on Nov. 7, that meant pomegranates and roses—and sharing and loving.

That evening one family arranged a gathering of serenity, purity and love that helped many of the friends feel a new closeness between East and West, an inspiration for service to the Cause of God.

In recent years, Skokie has attracted several Bahá’í families who had escaped persecution in Iran. These cherished friends often spent years in countries bordering Iran, patiently enduring hardship and even confinement as they waited for visas to enter the United States.

But when they get together with the American friends, new challenges to patience and courage arise. American culture and language are strange to the refugees. One Persian believer said, “In my country I couldn’t say I was Bahá’í or teach the Faith. But now I’m in a wonderful country where I can speak and say I’m a Bahá’í and teach, but now no one understands my language.”

The language barrier can also come between Bahá’ís. Many in Skokie were unaware, and surprised to find out, that their community had new arrivals who had recently endured such hard times.

Jonathan Ellis, a Bahá’í youth in Skokie, was concerned. He asked his parents if more could be done to create unity. At Feasts, he said, we really don’t get to know our fellow Bahá’ís—we just say a few prayers, have a cookie and a glass of punch and go home.

So his parents, Gwen and Caswell, consulted. They decided to have a “unity gathering” at their home, where the Iranian brothers and sisters could share stories of coming to America, and their new American friends could share things about their lives. Everyone has a story!

An agreeable date was chosen. Invitations in English and Persian were mailed, and the friends shared news of the gathering by word of mouth.

Pomegranates and other fruits, special Iranian cookies and ghand (sugar cubes) for Persian tea were a few of the treats enjoyed that evening. The hosts decorated their home with ornaments and arranged flowers to complement the colorful foods on reception tables. All this was a prelude to the real meaning of the evening: to really get to know each other.

After a warm welcome, the family conducted a program based on an extract from one of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablets of the Divine Plan. It seemed to have been revealed for just such a spiritual union: “Consider! The people of the East and the West were in the utmost strangeness. Now to what a high degree they are acquainted with each other and united together! ... God is powerful over all things.”

Then the guests were invited to tell of experiences and difficulties along their paths to the United States. One said that while she was fleeing Iran, she was forced to jump from one truck to another—both moving. Another woman told of spending most of her pregnancy in prison; as she spoke her 5-year-old child was playing in front of them.

On leaving, each guest received a long-stemmed rose.

Since that evening, Skokie believers have been heard to say they have been elevated by the loving feelings of a Bahá’í youth for his spiritual brothers and sisters.

That gathering proved to be a good beginning for bonding of hearts. It will not be the last. ◆

Latin-American committee consults with its ‘family’

A “family gathering” held by the Regional Latin-American Teaching Committee for the Central States encouraged a group of Chicago-area believers to “arise in the name of ‎Babá Bahá‎ and put on the armor of His love,” in the words of Bahá’u’lláh.

The call to action in our Sacred Writings was a springboard for consultation on ways the friends may reach the hearts of the many Hispanic believers in the greater Chicago area with the healing message of Bahá’u’lláh.

Morris Taylor, member of the Regional Bahá’í Council of the Central States, and Gayle Woolson, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh and longtime pioneer, reminded the gathering that many Hispanics in this country prefer to speak English—taking away a language barrier—and that the point of teaching is to reach each individual’s heart.

Latin-American culture, they noted, puts great importance on relationships, family and devotion to Christ.

“We must be in motion if Bahá’u’lláh is to guide us, and be assured that the seemingly limited efforts we are making today will affect millions of souls tomorrow, many of whom are eagerly awaiting the imminent return of their Lord,” the committee reported.

The Committee encourages believers to arise and teach in other areas of the Central States with a growing Hispanic population. For information, contact: Regional Latin-American Teaching Committee

Mary Martinez, Secretary Unit 1A Chicago, Illinois 60613 E-mail

Training institutes are key in the process of entry by troops

Region by region
Contacts in each region of the country for more information: Central States Lynn Wieties, Council secretary Phone 573-364-9618 E-mail Northeastern States Joel Nizin, Council secretary Phone 201-652-6385 E-mail Southern States Mahyar Mofidi Phone 919.858.7070 E-mail Western States Charleen Maghzi, Council secretary Phone 415-759-1996 E-mail

Making your mark, advancing the process of entry by troops, systematic striving—all these memorable phrases from our Supreme Body, the Universal House of Justice, appear in recent Ridván messages. All these phrases refer to specific processes, including training and the support of training institutes.

Establishment of training programs is a crucial piece in the process of developing human resources, we are told, is critical to advancing the process of entry by troops.

Training institutes, created under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly and the Regional Bahá’í Councils, are designed to advance the process of entry by troops in the United States. The Universal House of Justice confidently expects us “to make an energetic response to the call” for participation in training institutes and other centers of learning.

The boards of the regional training institutes, in consultation with the Regional Bahá’í Councils, have created balanced programs that incorporate the national training programs of the United States, programs created locally, and programs proved to be successful in other parts of the world.

Regional or local training institutes’ programs are succeeding because they are truly transformative—they have the capacity to connect hearts to Bahá’u’lláh rapidly, and perhaps more deeply than any other process. That is precisely what the Universal House of Justice is referring to when they advise institute programs to imbue “hearts with a deep love for Bahá’u’lláh—a love from which stems a desire to submit oneself to His Will, to obey His laws, to heed His exhortations and to promote His Faith.” —Ridván 1996 message to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bangladesh, India etc.

A recent training program participant wrote, “[T]his program has enriched and changed my life beyond all imagination ... to all of you who make this possible—thank you!”

Again in the most recent Ridván message, the Universal House of Justice guarantees us that when a training institute and a Regional Bahá’í Council interact closely, “the stage is set for a galvanic coherence of the processes effecting expansion and consolidation” that will enable “growing numbers of the world’s people to find the Object of their quest and thus to build a united, peaceful and prosperous life.”

Training institute courses will “enable you to intensify your individual and collective exertions in the teaching field and will result in a commensurate acceleration in the expansion of your communities.” —Ridván 1996 message to Cambodia, Hong Kong etc. ◆ [Page 22]

Louhelen Bahá’í School

3208 S. State Road • Davison, MI 48423 810-653-5033 www.louhelen.org

Youth and energy

What is the value of attending sessions at the Bahá’í schools? Let’s consider some examples from Louhelen Bahá’í School.

After a recent Junior Youth Institute, a youth from Farmington Hills, Michigan, met with her Local Spiritual Assembly to consult on starting a race unity project at her middle school. After the meeting, four Bahá’í youths who attend that school met to decide on steps to make this a reality.

Another youth from the same session reported, “I feel like I can be myself at Louhelen. I love the prayers and discussions and being with all these Bahá’ís! It’s easy to tell my friends about the Faith after I’m here!”

Other responses from youths:

“The teachers were awesome! I’m really shy and it really helped how the teacher kept reminding that he loved us.”

“We talked about how we could go back and make a difference. It was hard NOT to learn.”

“I love Louhelen and the spiritual atmosphere. It is my spiritual escape.”

“I would change: Zilch, zip, nada!”

Upcoming sessions

Jan. 21–23: “Developing Patterns of Community Life” with ‎Mottabedeh Mottahedeh‎ Development Services, Dr. Beth Bowen, Marzieh Carmody. Mottahedeh Development Services, a social and economic development agency of the National Spiritual Assembly, provides step-by-step training in skills needed for development as part of a local or regional plan for growth. This training program goes over the entire process: developing a vision; identifying issues, resources and spiritual principles; setting goals and designing a project; and evaluation.

Feb. 25–27: “Bahá’í-Centered Management Principles and Practice” with Dr. Larry Miller. This course for Bahá’í businesspeople, or those interested in applying Bahá’í principles to other management situations, explores how ethical business practice and successful management approaches include both judgment and the application of spiritual principles. Participants practice applying honesty, service, justice, unity and world citizenship to the world of business while developing skill in consultation. ♦

Bosch Bahá’í School

500 Comstock Lane • Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-423-3387 www.bosch.org

Love sparks teaching

When one is in love with Bahá’u’lláh, teaching others about the Bahá’í Faith is a joyous, natural expression of that love.

A fundamental mission of Bahá’í schools is to help every believer become a teacher. So imagine the delight at Bosch when someone who felt defensive about teaching went through training and then said, “I am now empowered to offer the Faith as a precious jewel.”

This is one of many victories that resulted from a decision more than a year ago to offer courses on the Fundamental Verities. The first part, “To Serve the Covenant,” was offered by Auxiliary Board member Marsha Gilpatrick over three weekends without charge—helped by the generous support of Local Spiritual Assemblies in the Western States.

About 80 friends have gone through all nine sessions of this special training. Comments from a few of the 20 friends who completed the course over the Nov. 12 weekend reveal newfound courage and confidence to teach the Faith.

“I plan to host a musical fireside/dinner in my home and invite my close friends,” said one. “There’s so much to share; Bahá’u’lláh has answers to our life’s problems.”

As these trainees in turn facilitate Fundamental Verities courses for local communities, a new energy appears in the community and more of the loving friends are moved to discover the joy of teaching: “I am more forthcoming about being a Bahá’í and telling my friends about the Faith.”

Upcoming program

Feb. 18–21: “Racial Unity: The Foundation of World Peace” with Charlotte Kahn, LeNise Jackson-Gaertner, Fernando Huerta and Cynthia Barnes-Slater. Participants will learn better how to celebrate different races and cultures and create a home and community that appreciate the unique contributions of all of God’s peoples. ♦

An exercise at a recent Assembly Team Development Weekend at Bosch Bahá’í School saw a “community building” activity help all participants toward cooperation on a project that was carried out in complete silence. Photo courtesy of Bosch Bahá’í School

Wilmette Institute

EST. 1995

Major changes in Spiritual Foundations program

Starting in May, the Wilmette Institute’s four-year “Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization” program is undergoing major changes so that more people can participate and students can focus on particular interests.

Shorter residential session. Each year’s required summer residential session will be two weeks, not three.

Reorganized home study. The new home-study schedule allows students to take Wilmette Institute distance-learning courses (no extra charge) to focus their study on particular areas of interest.

The schedule for 2000–01:

• May 1–July 20: Reading to prepare for summer residential session.
• July 29–Aug. 12: Residential session.
• Mid-August–September: Completing take-home exam or final project.
• October 2000–April 2001: Giving firesides, deepenings and study classes about materials learned; taking distance-learning courses.

Reduced tuition. Tuition will be $700, down from $825. Lodging and meals at Kendall College, the tentative location, will add about $500.

Registration is open. Contact the Institute for a brochure or catalog with more details.

Upcoming distance learning

Zoroastrianism for Deepening and Dialogue, March 1–April 30, $100

The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Early ‘Akká Period, 1868–77, April 1–Sept. 30, $225

Islam for Deepening and Dialogue, June 1–Aug. 30, $150

Registration and information

• 24-hour info line 847-733-3595
• Registrar 847-733-3415
• Web site www.wilmetteinstitute.org
• E-mail

♦

Green Acre Bahá’í School

188 Main Street • Eliot, ME 03903 207-439-7200 www.greenacre.org

Fresh vision of goals

How about approaching the new millennium with a fresh vision of what you’d like to accomplish, as well as encouragement to maintain noble goals? Wondering how teaching can more directly impart the Word of God, or what special part youths can play in advancing the process of entry by troops?

Winter courses at Green Acre Bahá’í School aim to help us become systematic in our teaching and arrange our lives to achieve the goals of the Divine Plan.

Jan. 21–23: “Choosing a Noble Goal: Transformation & Goal-Setting” with Brian Kurzius. This exploration of Bahá’í writings will help participants identify personal priorities and set “noble goals” for the months and years ahead. Classes will be offered for ages 3–14.

Jan. 21–23: Fireside Retreat for Seekers and New Believers led by Mary K. Makoski. This cozy weekend by the fireside will share Bahá’í spiritual teachings, the station of Bahá’u’lláh and the Faith’s history and relationship to other religions in a setting rich with Bahá’í history.

Feb. 4–6: “Finding Joy in Bahá’í Learning,” for youths 15 and older, with Dwight Allen. This institute will help youths deepen their spiritual understanding and learn creative, joyful ways to share it with others.

March 23–26: “Arising to Serve,” part of the “Establishing Training Institutes” series with Farah Rosenberg. Based on Book 2 of the Ruhi Institute series, this focuses on skills and attitudes required to deepen new believers, how to introduce Bahá’í ideas into casual conversation, and teaching as sharing the Word of God. Prerequisite: Ruhi Institute Book 1 course. Materials fee: $5.

March 31–April 2: “Removing Obstacles from the Seeker’s Path: Reaching Atheists, Materialists and Others Who Avoid Religion” with Holly Hanson. Bahá’u’lláh said it is inherent in everyone to be attracted to the City of God, but there can be obstacles in the path to this city. Classes for ages 3–10 included.

March 31–April 2: Spiritual Empowerment Session for junior youths. Activities and opportunities to discuss unique challenges the bearers of the Name of God face in this Day. Note: Junior youths must be housed with parent or approved sponsor. Enrollment is limited. ♦ [Page 23]Classified notices in The American Bahá’í are published free of charge to the Bahá’í community. Because of these notices, articles are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or commercial ads are accepted. Some of the opportunities have not been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly; the friends should exercise judgment and care in responding.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

AT THE BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER EVANSTON, ILLINOIS

Executive Assistant, National Teaching Office. Helps National Teaching Committee secretary: Coordinates projects related to National Teaching Plan; helps develop reports; communicates with other agencies; prepares articles for The American Bahá’í. Needs bachelor’s degree; knowledge of Bahá’í writings/administration; project management experience; writing, speaking, analytical skills; word processing, spreadsheet, desktop publishing, Internet skills. Some travel required.

International Consultant, Office of Pioneering (2 positions). Recruits, counsels, trains and dispatches international pioneers, youth volunteers and traveling teachers; assists current volunteers and those returning to the States. Needs excellent communication and organizational skills and computer/word processing skills; office experience preferable. Should understand cross-cultural interactions, international affairs etc.

Staff Producer, Media Services. Full range of video/audio production tasks, especially writing/development of Bahá’í Newsreel. Will keep day-to-day production process in order; research, gather news, write and edit finished Newsreel stories, at times without assistance; help develop network of correspondents; arrange for duplication/distribution. Needs knowledge/experience in all production aspects of broadcast journalism; flexibility, organizational skills, familiarity with Bahá’í administration.

Assistant Coordinator, Southeast Asian Program, U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office. Helps support teaching and consolidation activities: prepares correspondence; monitors/reports on programs throughout the country; coordinates annual Southeast Asian Bahá’í Conference; prepares printed and audiovisual materials for the Southeast Asian Bahá’ís; writes, compiles, lays out Southeast Asian Helpers Bulletin. Two-year commitment expected; travel may be required.

Conservation Coordinator, Conservation. Does inspection, recordkeeping, testing, research for Conservation Program at Bahá’í House of Worship; maintains Conservation Team information systems; manages some projects; must work at heights. Needs three years’ experience in engineering technology or conservation/preservation work; degree in engineering technology, museum science or related field; skill in sketching, word processing.

Maintenance Team Leader, Properties. Will manage facility/building maintenance and engineering staff to provide timely services at minimal costs; plan, estimate, schedule maintenance requests and projects; assure that all equipment and buildings are efficiently and effectively maintained. Needs at least five years’ experience in all areas of building maintenance (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting, cleaning etc.) with three to five years as a maintenance manager; valid driver’s license; supervisory command of English.

URGENT NEEDS

Office of the Treasurer, Evanston: Assistant Controller. Responsible for National Spiritual Assembly financial operations: budget and cash management, reporting and control. Maintains relationships with department heads. Needs high degree of honesty and integrity; five years’ experience as controller of mid-sized corporation or not-for-profit entity; bachelor’s degree in accounting (CPA preferred); experience in all areas of financial operations. Must be organized, skilled in communication, able to function in fast-moving, consultative environment.

Office of the Treasurer, Evanston: Program Coordinator I. Helps devise strategies for increasing regular participation in Bahá’í Funds and contribution levels; helps Local Assemblies apply principles underlying Fund contributions; helps administer Weekend Visit Program; helps prepare and present training materials. Must be well-grounded in the fundamental verities of the Faith; skilled in written/oral communication; able to coordinate many tasks; should have bachelor’s degree in human service field, experience in program design and management.

Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, SC: Administrator. Responsible for Institute development, programming, operation and maintenance with its new mandate, including service to its local community and a focus on social and economic development. Must have proven administrative abilities (planning, coordination, budgeting, staff and volunteer management); in-depth understanding of Bahá’í teachings, administration and community life; commitment to behavior that meets Bahá’í standards and serves as a positive model.

Human Resources, Evanston: Receptionist (part-time). Warm, hospitable, gracious style is desired in order to make each caller or visitor feel their contact with the Bahá’í National Center has been pleasant and helpful. A retired person will find this a rewarding opportunity. Will train. All are invited to apply and/or submit names of possible candidates.

If interested, contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430). ♦

AT BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST WILMETTE, IL

General Manager. Responsible for creation and execution of publishing agenda, policies; communication with other departments; smooth operation, product quality and financial results of publishing enterprise. Acts as its public and legal spokesperson. Helps achieve National Spiritual Assembly’s wishes to ensure that authoritative texts and related Bahá’í material are available to Bahá’ís; and to develop a presence for Bahá’í literature in retail bookstores and libraries. Needs high-level skills in communication, organization, consultation, presentation, negotiation, problem-solving; expertise in publishing and business management, including financial, personnel and marketing; ability to meet changing deadlines and establish priorities while holding firm to a long-term goal; bachelor’s degree, publishing experience, knowledge of Bahá’í literature and principles.

Editorial Assistant. Will assist editors: edit and evaluate manuscripts for mechanics, substance, organization; consult with editors and authors; help select photographs; write jacket and back-cover copy; help prepare manuscripts and electronic files. Needs liberal arts degree; knowledge of Bahá’í writings/literature; strong communication, organization and problem-solving skills; computer and typing competency; abilities to work in a consultative environment without constant supervision and to meet deadlines while juggling multiple projects; skill in writing, editing, critiquing manuscripts; trade publishing experience.

Gwen Clayborne, coordinator of the Office of Human Resources of the Bahá’í National Center, will be attending the Zia Baghdadi Conference in Augusta, Georgia, on Feb. 11-13. She is sincerely interested in talking to any believers interested in beginning a dialogue on a “systematic approach” to human resources development as called for by the Universal House of Justice.

She is also very interested in interviewing candidates for the following positions: Administrator, Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute; Assistant Controller, Treasurer’s Office; Program Coordinator I, Treasurer’s Office; General Manager, Bahá’í Publishing Trust; Manager, Bahá’í Distribution Service.

If you would like to interview for one of those positions during the Zia Baghdadi Conference, please call the Human Resources Office ahead of time (phone 847-733-3426 or 847-733-3427). Information is available on the conference itself (phone 800-214-9498, Web site www.scescape.net/bahai).

AT BAHÁ’Í DISTRIBUTION SERVICE FULTON COUNTY, GA

Manager: Will oversee general direction, policies/strategies, interdepartmental collaboration, business operations; ensure high level of service to the community, performance of financial mandates and safeguarding of employee welfare; recruit, train and develop personnel; coordinate marketing/customer service, buying, information services and fulfillment. Needs high-level skills in communication, organization, consultation, presentation, negotiation, problem-solving; expertise in publishing and business management/marketing; ability to meet changing deadlines and establish priorities; knowledge of Bahá’í literature and principles; bachelor’s degree; five years’ experience in business management/development, specifically in personnel and financial management; knowledge/experience in distribution or publishing.

If interested in any of these Bahá’í National Offices posts, contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430).

Maintenance Technician, Properties. Your proven experience in building maintenance (electrical, plumbing, mechanical etc.) may qualify you for outstanding opportunities. Superb buildings, great environment to work in.

Clerk, Mail Services. Handles incoming/outgoing mail; carries out shipping, receiving, distribution, storage duties. Must be computer-literate, especially in Microsoft Office programs. Must speak, read and write English; needs valid driver’s license.

Administrative assistant (part-time), U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office. Prepares correspondence to refugees and to Bahá’í, government and other agencies involved in refugee resettlement. Develops reports, maintains records, helps process Southeast Asian Bahá’í refugees. Helps compile and write the Southeast Asian Helpers Bulletin, articles for The American Bahá’í and other publications. Needs proven ability to work with confidential information, strong skills writing and speaking English.

OFFICE OF INFORMATION SERVICES

Applications developer. Provides high-level analysis, design, implementation of information systems. Familiar with variety of technologies: Visual tools, database and Web tools.

Network Administrator/Engineer. Responsible for configuration, maintenance and security of all computer networking infrastructure (LAN and WAN) including servers, cabling, routers, switches and NICs. Maintains documentation of network and servers setup and structure.

LSAI Support. Coordinates support activities for LSAI project. Provides training and support for LSAI. Handles initial requests for support, escalates support issues to help desk when necessary. Develops training-related materials, assists promotion and education.

Database administrator. Coordinates database development. Responsible for Enterprise SQL server including security rights, table design, normalization. Responsible for design and implementation of user and departmental applications as front ends to SQL using MS Access, VB or other tools as determined.

AT GREEN ACRE BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL ELIOT, MAINE

Assistant Facilities Coordinator. Helps with inspections, preventive and routine maintenance, exterior and interior repairs. Must have proven skills in housekeeping and maintenance of buildings, equipment, vehicles and grounds.

Receptionist/Office Assistant. Receives phone, e-mail; fax communications; greets visitors to the office in a courteous, efficient manner. Administrative support for co-administrators, registrar and program coordinator; helps bookstore manager with sales and inventory.

If interested in either position, please contact Jim Sacco, co-administrator, Green Acre Bahá’í School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903 (phone 207-439-7200, e-mail ).

LOUHELEN BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL DAVISON, MICHIGAN

Outreach Coordinator, National Teacher Training Center. Will support implementation of Core Curriculum programs in local communities and otherwise support the work of the National Teacher Training Center. Needs for- [Page 24]

Dale McCall was steadfast teacher in New Jersey

Dale Florence McCall was among the founding members of the Spiritual Assembly of Willingboro, New Jersey, on which she served for almost 30 years starting in 1970. She passed to the next world Oct. 1, 1999, at age 76.

Born Darlene Florence Weaver in Pennsylvania, she spent childhood in Winnipeg, Manitoba. A few years after her family returned to the United States, she became a Bahá’í at age 17 in West Chester, Pennsylvania. She soon began to travel and teach, giving her first public talk at age 18.

In 1951 she married John H. McCall. The couple raised two children and served Bahá’í communities in West Chester and York, Pennsylvania, and San Antonio, Texas, before moving to Willingboro.

In her nearly five decades as a Bahá’í, Dale held numerous firesides in her home and witnessed many joyous declarations. She also was public information representative for the Willingboro community for years.

She is survived by her former husband, their two children and three grandchildren, most of whom are Bahá’ís.

Avvie Gordon, educator, served Faith for decades in N. Carolina

Avvie Morrow Gordon, a longtime member of her state’s first-ever Local Spiritual Assembly, passed away on July 17, 1999, in Greensboro, North Carolina. She was 94.

She became a Bahá’í in 1945, two years after the first Assembly in North Carolina was formed in Greensboro. She was highly respected as a teacher of children’s classes, where she joyfully shared her love of the Faith and her many talents as a professional educator.

IN MEMORIAM

F. Karen Anderson Encinitas, CA October 16, 1999	William G. Carr Davis, CA Oct. 1, 1999	William Delaney Joplin, MO Nov. 4, 1999	Mamie F. Midget Saratoga, CA October 4, 1999	Jennie L. Rice Sarasota, FL October 18, 1999	Bessie C. Sims Novato, CA June 20, 1999	Fizolah Valapour Charleston, SC Nov. 13, 1999
Wallace D. Baldwin Sarasota, FL Oct. 31, 1999	Carol L. Clark Waterloo, IA Oct. 23, 1999	Maria A. Lauwereys Chicago, IL October 14, 1999	Lynne Q. McBride Fort Lauderdale, FL January 1996	Sonja M. Richmond Sebastopol, CA Jan. 15, 1999	Louise D. Sweeney Escondido, CA October 18, 1999	Eva Walker Covina, CA Oct. 16, 1999
Bess Bates Fayston, VT Oct. 16, 1999	Clarence W. Dawkins Portland, OR July 12, 1999	Tom Macy Rochester, MN Nov. 12, 1999	Keith B. Nelson Portland, OR Nov. 16, 1999	Harold B. Secrist Apple Valley, CA Nov. 7, 1999	Bobbye A. Taylor October 23, 1999 Beaverton, OR	Pernetta Wigfall Fremont, CA October 23, 1999

CLASSIFIED, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24

mal or informal educational experience; familiarity with Core Curriculum training programs; experience training children, youths and adults.

Properties Associate. Open in June. Full range skilled maintenance and manual labor, to care for Louhelen’s facilities and grounds year-round. Needs experience and training in any or all of the following: carpentry, construction, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, grounds etc.

If interested in either position, contact Rick or Barbara Johnson, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 810-653-5033, e-mail ) or see the Web site (www.louhelen.org).

ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Administrative Assistant, Regional Bahá’í Council-West, San Francisco, CA. Clerical/organizational tasks: filing, processing correspondence, phone duty, ordering supplies etc. Needs skills in computer word processing/data entry and general office tasks; patience, efficiency, initiative, attention to detail, ability to maintain confidentiality and work with minimal supervision; knowledge of Bahá’í teachings and administration; at least high school diploma. Must have access to regular transportation to or within San Francisco. Contact Regional Bahá’í Council for the Western States,

San Francisco, CA 94127 (fax 415-759-1991, e-mail ).

PC Hardware/Software Configuration, Information Services. Positions can be paid or voluntary. Need ability to replace and install parts and/or software in PCs, then reconfigure system. We are looking for people living near, or willing to travel to, Bahá’í schools, institutes, offices and communities in all parts of the country to perform these services when the need arises and scheduling permits. A few days’ orientation/training at Bahá’í National Center is requested. Contact Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430).

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

The Office of Pioneering is eager to assist the friends preparing for international service. To that end, the Office will post service opportunities related to the needs of other national Bahá’í institutions. For international job and study opportunities, we will provide Web sites, e-mail addresses and other resources. For more information regarding jobs and study abroad, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, e-mail ).

PIONEERING / HOMEFRONT

Southport, North Carolina, is a perfect retirement community by the ocean, less than an hour from Wilmington. The area is primed for entry by troops. Many residents are familiar with the Bahá’í Faith through a medical clinic for the poor started by a Bahá’í doctor, and also through hearing WLGI Radio Bahá’í. Employment centers include the nuclear power plant, hospital and education. Please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28401-4724 (phone 910-762-7074).

Beautiful Kootenai County, Idaho, is just one adult shy of re-forming its Spiritual Assembly for the first time in 13 years. Only 30 miles from Spokane, Washington, Kootenai County is a vibrant and rapidly growing resort area. Enjoy winter skiing, river or lake boating, hunting and fishing, world-class golf while teaching waiting souls. Contact Kyle Helmhout (phone 208-765-2607, e-mail ).

WANTED

I am researching issues that Bahá’í youths face, and am asking young people to write me about their most vital concerns: relationship with parents, peer pressure, goals and aspirations, role models, spirituality, courtship/marriage or others. You may elaborate, but please keep your entry to one page. Confidentiality respected; you may write anonymously. My goal is to write something that may be of help to youths. Please contact Hoda Mazloomian, Evanston, IL 60202 (phone 847-425-1476, e-mail ).

ARCHIVES

The National Bahá’í Archives is seeking original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following: Elsa Tudor De Pierrefeu, Elodie De Wendt, Grace Decker, Letha Deemer, Rena Demastus, Betty Dempster, Betty J. Dent, Dorothy Dent, Vera Deppe, Walter Deppe, Margaret Detwiler and Wandeyne Deuth. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these Guardian’s letters is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-853-2359).

The National Bahá’í Archives is seeking photographs of the following to add to its collection: Marion Jack, Dizzy Gillespie, Seals and Crofts, Alain Locke, Robert Abbott, Lutfu’llah Hakim, Paul Thiele, Mathew Kaszab. Anyone with photographs they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. Please identify the photographs if possible.

BRIEFLY

San Francisco, California

A little piece of the 1986 International Bahá’í Peace Conference resurfaced Oct. 3 at a high-profile program on human development and disarmament, sponsored by several U.N.-affiliated non-governmental organizations.

On less than a week’s notice, the San Francisco Bahá’ís—working with producer Charles Nolley, formerly of U.S. Bahá’í Media Services—arranged for a segment of the video about the 1986 conference to be shown at the October program.

The video, showing a montage of dances from around the world with Red Grammer’s song "Listen" in the background, was requested in turn to be aired by a local cable TV program.

Held at the Herbst Theatre—where the United Nations charter was drafted—the program contained two panel discussions that included such luminaries as actors Mike Farrell and Shelley Fabares, comic Will Durst, and physicians Helen Caldicott and "Patch" Adams.

Sherwood, Oregon

It was after years of volunteer service on Holy Days at the Sherwood Senior Center that the Bahá’ís here were invited spontaneously to say the blessing at the beginning of lunch Oct. 20.

When a youth read the well-loved short unity prayer ("Unite the hearts of Thy servants..."), it was the first time most residents of the center had heard the words of Bahá’u’lláh. The Bahá’ís were thrilled when people started asking questions, and one expressed interest in an upcoming youth workshop performance.

The Bahá’ís were known and trusted at the center because of service done regularly during Holy Days. In this case, they were washing windows during the Anniversary of the Birth of the Báb. [Page 25]

TREASURERS: NOT JUST MONEY-COUNTERS

Weekend Visit refreshes a gathering of local treasurers on their spiritual role

Local treasurers from Oregon, Illinois, Georgia, Oklahoma, Washington, Virginia and Missouri attended the first of a new series of Treasurers’ Weekend Visits Oct. 7–10 at the Bahá’í National Center and the Bahá’í House of Worship. Sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly, it was facilitated by members of the Office of the Treasurer.

The following was edited from notes on the visit compiled by Fred Delgado, treasurer of the Spiritual Assembly of Portland, Oregon.

Keep an eye out for scheduling of future sessions. For more information, contact the Office of the Treasurer (phone 847-733-3472, e-mail finance@usbnc.org).

What is a local Bahá’í treasurer’s job? Answers from National Spiritual Assembly members at the Treasurer’s Weekend Visit in October were clear: It’s an opportunity to encourage spiritual transformation, not an accounting post.

These words cannot adequately reflect the content or tone of our personal experiences during this visit—the prayers each morning at the House of Worship; the interaction with the beloved National Spiritual Assembly; or the one-to-one contact with the treasurer and other National Assembly members.

The controller and staff of the Office of the Treasurer supported us as we worked through an extensive agenda aimed at sharing an understanding of an expanded role of a local treasurer.

William Roberts, national treasurer, dispenses love with bear hugs, and we all appreciated his manner of expression. He shared many insights on the reality of being a treasurer of a divine institution, and the new skills we can learn for spiritual education and development of the community.

The true work of a treasurer is spiritual work. To the degree that we are ourselves spiritualized, our work as treasurers will help the friends in their spiritual transformation. All Bahá’ís, Roberts said, should be encouraged to deepen their spiritual identities and strengthen their loving bonds with the Covenant.

Jack McCants, another National Assembly member, eloquently urged local treasurers to work toward communing with the soul of the Manifestation. Progress in the development of the Fund will not happen, he warned, unless local treasurers develop spiritually.

Assemblies need to educate the friends in spiritual principles involved in contributing to Bahá’í funds. If this work is not done, then, in the words of the Universal House of Justice, this lack of education “is tantamount to consciously depriving them of the spiritual benefits accruing from giving in the path of God.” Roberts encouraged us to see every gift to Bahá’u’lláh as a sacred act.

Treasurers always should encourage the friends in their sacrifices during these challenging years, especially when so many are giving a great portion of their material means for the growth and consolidation of the Faith. Auxiliary Board members and their assistants are invaluable resources for education and inspiration of the friends.

A treasurer does not need accounting skills. If necessary, this portion of the work can be delegated.

Treasurers on the visit were also advised that the activities of the Faith supported by the National Fund are sized according to the money available: “We shrink to fit.” The shortfall in National Fund revenue reduces the means available for the Bahá’í International Fund, for help with the international work of the Faith, and in general for work to be accomplished at this critical time in the development of the Faith. Those who serve at the various departments at the National Center all face heavy workloads, which means their responses to the friends take longer than they would like.

Readings for local treasurers suggested at the Treasurer’s Weekend Visit:

• ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Christmas Eve 1912 talk at the Salvation Army Center, found in Star of the West.
• The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pages 250–253.
• Unfolding Destiny, pages 406–407.
• The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, last four pages. ♦

Bahá’í Faith has input into U.S. survey

For four years Bahá’ís have been sitting down with Roman Catholics, Southern Baptists, Jews, Presbyterians, Methodists, Muslims, Episcopalians and people from about 30 other faith traditions to design the most comprehensive survey of religious congregations in the United States.

This effort, “Faith Communities Today” (FACT), is aimed at a better understanding of religious communities’ role in serving the larger society.

Bahá’í involvement in FACT is a project of the National Spiritual Assembly, and the survey is to be sent to all Local Spiritual Assemblies in January. Each Assembly secretary is asked to look for the survey, fill it out and mail it back to the Bahá’í National Center; or to complete a form on a special Web site.

Organized by the Hartford (Connecticut) Seminary’s Center for Social and Religious Research, the project is funded through a $1.5 million grant from the Lilly Endowment.

A “comprehensive portrait”

FACT has brought together more than 40 religious bodies representing 95 percent of all worshipers in the United States. Bahá’ís were invited to take part in the planning process four years ago—an indication of the continuing emergence of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh from obscurity.

The project’s mission statement envisions “the first comprehensive portrait of congregations in the United States.” Along the way, project organizers hope to “complete a genuinely cooperative interfaith research project unparalleled in the breadth of participating religious groups and the number of participating congregations ... and to develop and implement plans for utilizing the survey research results in ways that will be appropriate within each participating group to strengthen congregations and the structures that support them.”

Aspects of religious life

The survey will address spiritual and organizational vitality of communities, variety and style of worship, level of community members’ participation and breadth of community activities.

One challenge of the project has been to adapt the questionnaire to consider unique aspects of the Bahá’í Faith. Unlike any other participating group, Bahá’ís operate without clergy and hold regular “worship” meetings every 19 days instead of weekly.

The process has deepened interfaith dialogue, as the ‎Bahá’í is Bahá’ís‎ involved had the opportunity to educate, and learn from, people from other religious bodies. ♦

The Writing of a Will

“The execution of the provisions of a will causes the spirit of the deceased to rejoice in the Abhá Kingdom.” —From a letter on behalf of Shoghi Effendi

This eight-page brochure from the Office of the Treasurer contains some Bahá’í teachings and practical advice on:

• Importance and advantages of a will
• Five steps to creating a successful will
• Checklist for preparing a will
• Burial instructions
• Bequests to the Bahá’í Faith

There is a nominal charge for ordering these brochures in quantity.

The National Spiritual Assembly has established a Planned Giving Program to help believers make a variety of financial arrangements for themselves, their families and the Faith. To order The Writing of a Will or to find out more about planned giving:

• Please mail the form at right OR:
• Phone 847-733-3466 or e-mail

CLIP OR COPY THIS FORM

_____ Please send me a free copy of The Writing of a Will

I/we would like more information on planned giving methods: _____ Providing for the Bahá’í Faith in my will _____ Making a gift of securities _____ Making a gift of real estate _____ Making a gift through life insurance

Receiving income from my gift: _____ Charitable Gift Annuities _____ Charitable Remainder Trusts

Name	__________________________________________________
Spouse’s Name (if Bahá’í)	__________________________________________________
Address	__________________________________________________
City	__________________________________________________
State	__________ Zip __________
Telephone	__________________________________________________
E-mail	__________________________________________________

_____ I prefer that someone contact me by telephone.

Mail form to: Development Department, Office of the Treasurer, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201

TAB 12/31/99 [Page 26]

SEEKING YOUR RESPONSE

BAHÁ’Í SUBSCRIBER SERVICE 800-999-9019

World Order

Your window to teaching, deepening and external affairs.

Now available: Spring 1999 issue Defining Moments "Who Is Writing the Future? Reflections on the Twentieth Century" Ahang Rabbani's "The Conversion of the Great Uncle of the Báb" • Aden Lauchner's "Albert Killius: Photographer of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá"

Coming: Summer 1999-Special Issue on Religious Freedom World Order surveys global response to the attempt to close of the Bahá’í Institute for Higher Education in Iran, and larger issues about religious freedom in a world community.

⚫Robert H. Stockman: "The Attack on the Bahá’í Institute for Higher Education in Iran" • Ghangiz Geula, Marianne Geula and John Woodall: "Health Care in a Persecuted Community: The Case of the Bahá’ís in Iran" Wilma Ellis: "Religious Freedom Abroad" Robert Hariman: "Radical Sociality and Christian Detachment in Erasmus' Praise of Folly" Amin Banani reviews Juan Cole's Modernity and the Millennium

Subscriptions: US $19/year, $36 / 2 years Outside U.S. surface mail- $19/year, $36/2 years Outside US. air mail- $24/year, $46/2 years Single copy: $5 plus shipping/handling

SPIRIT RUN

Crying out for race unity Carrying a sacred message across the nation

On May 29, nine consecrated, ethnically diverse youth will set out on a journey across North America, raising the call for race unity and carrying a special message to the indigenous peoples of this continent.

The Spirit Runners, like their dedicated Dawn-breaker predecessors, will sacrifice themselves in carrying the message of Bahá’u’lláh across the country on foot.

Please help us: • Pray for the project's success. • Identify potential youth runners. • Spread the word.

For more information on the project and its deputization fund: Phone 206-276-4549 Web site www.spiritrun.org Sponsored by National American Indian Teaching Committee

A Century of Light: Who is Writing the Future?

24th annual Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies

Aug. 31-Sept. 3, 2000 Toronto, Ontario, Canada Delta Meadowvale Hotel (near Toronto International Airport) More details will be published as they become available. www.bahai-studies.ca

Brilliant Star

Bimonthly children's magazine by the U.S. National Assembly

Subscriptions: US-$18/year, $32/2 years Outside U.S. surface mail-$18/ year, $33 / 2 years Outside U.S. air mail-$28/ year, $52/2 years Single copy: $3.50 plus shipping/handling See page 20 for Kid's Corner

The American Bahá’í

10 times a year; available by subscription to Bahá’ís outside the continental U.S.

Subscriptions: US-$24/ year, $45/2 years Outside U.S. surface mail $32/ year, $60/2 years Single copy: $3 plus shipping/handling

One Country

Quarterly about development by the Bahá’í International Community

Subscriptions: U.S.-$12/ year, $22/2 years Outside U.S. surface mail $16/year, $30 / 2 years Outside U.S. air mail $20/year, $36/2 years Single copy: $3.50 plus shipping/handling

Herald of the South

Quarterly by National Assemblies of Australia and New Zealand

Subscriptions: US $28/ year, $50/2 years Outside U.S.: Contact Herald of the South, 173 Mona Vale Rd., Ingleside NSW 2101, Australia; e-mail Single copy: $8 plus shipping/handling

INFORMATION ON YOUR INTERNATIONAL TEACHING TRIP

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

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

Use the Multipurpose Form below to respond by mail.

Special information (use a separate sheet as needed): Names and ID numbers of all Bahá’ís on each trip. Names of each country visited, plus the one or two main localities, and date(s) of visit(s). Main purpose of your travel.

Did you arise to meet the call of the Universal House of Justice for: Native Americans to teach in the circumpolar areas? Hispanic believers to teach in Latin America? African-Americans to teach in Africa?

MULTIPURPOSE FORM

CLIP OR COPY AS NEEDED

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 Country Home phone Work phone State, ZIP Is this a gift subscription? (Circle one) Y N Fax E-mail

Check/money order payment must be in U.S. dollars from U.S. bank, payable to Bahá’í Distribution Service. Do not combine subscription payments with payments for back issues or other single items. Georgia residents include applicable sales tax.

Credit card # Exp. date Cardholder signature

For which event or activity? Name Address City Phone State, ZIP E-mail

Special information (please include dates if reporting international teaching trip): (if applicable)

Phone orders: 800-999-9019 E-mail orders: Mail orders: Bahá’í Subscriber Service, 4703 Fulton Industrial Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30336-2017 [Page 27]چه زیباست که با مهر، دل از کینه بشوئیم چه نیکوست که با عشق، گل از خار بر آریم اگر تیغ ببارند، جز از مهر نگوئیم وگر تلخ بگویند، سخن از شکر آریم بیائید، بیائید، از این عالم تاریک دل‌افروزتر از صبح، جهانی دگر آریم (فریدون مشیری)

شیشه‌های رنگین گسترده به نفس‌های عطرآگین باغ و پرده‌های تور لرزان در وزش ملایم باد بهاران و بیش از هر چیز به یاد بازگشت دوبارهٔ چلچله‌ها زیر طاق ایوان و طُرّه بام.

چشم‌انداز این رنگین‌کمان در آسمان خاطره‌ها مرا غرق در رؤیای شیرینی می‌سازد، قلبم را به تپش می‌اندازد و در این غربت به یاد وطن و آرزوی مراجعت مجدد به زادگاهم ایران با خود زمزمه می‌کنم: ای سرزمین پاک! دیریست من، با حسرت و امید در انتظار دیدن خاک مقدست در خویش زنده‌ام اما عزیز من، روزی فرا رسد هنگام سال نو، در جشن فرودین با اولین ترانهٔ بلبل میان باغ همراه کوچ چلچله‌ها از دیار دور سویت سفر کنم. (سیمین شیبانی)

این رشته‌ای که مهر ایران بر گردنم افکنده است، مرا با افسون خود به سوئی که دلخواه اوست می‌کشد. لیک افسوس و صد افسوس که با این همه اشتیاق در این برهه از زمان مرا راهی به آن دیار نیست. آن مشرقی که خورشید عالمتاب از قلب آن برخاسته و از ورای دشت خاوران پرتوی تابناک بر جهان و جهانیان افکنده است، امروز در تیرگی شامگاهان فرو رفته و تیغ خون‌فشان تعصبات در میان یاران جدائی انداخته است.

آه آه! دلم برای فاصله‌ها می‌سوزد، برای دیوارها، زنجیرها، بندها، اسارت‌ها، جان باختن‌ها، دل شکستن‌ها، زندان‌ها و دورماندن‌ها از خویشان و دوستان و آشنایان. به راستی دلم برای زیستن در دنیای فاصله‌ها می‌سوزد. برای روز مرگ عشق‌ها، یکرنگی‌ها، دوستی‌ها و لطافت‌های روح انسانی که به آتش کشیده می‌شود. مگر نه اینکه نوروز اول فروردین ماه در فرهنگ کهن و باستانی ایران سرآغاز تجدید زندگانی پاکدلانه و پُر از مهربانی است، دمیدن شکوه محبت‌های بشری است؟ چنین فرهنگی با چنین ارزش‌های انسانی و معنوی به روزگاران سرمشق و الهام‌بخش دیگران بوده است. اینک چگونه و چرا هویت برخی از ایرانیان در طی روزگاران دگرگون گشته است؟

هر بهار طبیعت سر از خواب زمستانی بر می‌دارد. این بهار و رستاخیز طبیعت باید همراه با بیداری انسان از خواب قرون و دمیدن شکوفه‌های عشق و مهربانی بر شاخه‌های حیات بشری باشد. در این جشن کهن‌سال که طبیعت در ایران جان تازه می‌گیرد، درختان شکوفه می‌زنند، شاخه‌ها غرق شکوفه می‌شوند، پرندگان آوای سرور و شادی سر می‌دهند، رودهای پُرآب از دامنه کوهساران رفیع با جوش و خروش روان می‌گردند، چشمه‌ها از زمین یخ‌زده با جوششی گرم بیرون می‌آیند و ابرهای بهاری با ریزش باران بر طراوت و لطافت چمنزاران می‌افزایند تا موجودات روی زمین به هستی لبخند شادمانه زنند، آیا حیف نیست در سرزمین اجدادی ما ایران، هم‌وطنان عزیز ما پریشان و درمانده باشند و گروهی از ایرانیان دور از وطن، افسرده و آواره، تا جائی که نتوانند آنچنان که باید و شاید مقدم نوروز را با شادمانی گرامی دارند و همراه با ترنّم آوای پرندگان با شور و بانگی بلند بخوانند.

آگهی انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی

FRIENDS OF PERSIAN CULTURE CONFERENCE

۱- اطلاعات عمومی

دهمین کنفرانس سالانه انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی از ساعت ۷ بعد از ظهر، پنجشنبه ۳۱ آگست تا ۱۱ شب یکشنبه ۳ سپتامبر ۲۰۰۰ در هتل مریات Chicago O’Hare Marriott در شیکاگو تشکیل خواهد گردید.

موضوع محوری کنفرانس قرن بیستم: قرن انوار یا قرن تاریکی خواهد بود. از آنجا که همهٔ فرهنگ‌ها و تمدن‌های جهان، از جمله ایران، در قرن بیستم از یک سلسله روندهای فوق ملی با گرایش به سوی وحدت جهانی متأثر بوده‌اند، بعضی از این روندها در ایران و جهان به اختصار در این کنفرانس بررسی خواهد شد.

قیمت اطاق‌های هتل شبی ۸۰ دلار بعلاوهٔ مالیات است. تا چهار نفر می‌توانند هم‌اطاق شوند. از مزایای این هتل اینست که سوپر مارکت در نزدیکی آن قرار دارد. بعلاوه با داشتن دو رستوران در داخل هتل، نزدیک به ۷۵۰ نفر را می‌توان در یک زمان پذیرائی نمود. علاوه بر غذاهای معمول، غذای ایرانی هم جزء دستور غذا است که در هتل توسط آشپز با تجربه تهیه می‌شود.

برای رزرو اطاق، مستقیماً با هتل با این شماره تماس بگیرید: ۴۴۴۴-۶۹۳-۷۷۳-۱

۲- دیدار از اماکن تاریخی بهائی در شیکاگو

سال گذشته برای نخستین بار برنامه پنج‌ساعته دیدار از بعضی اماکن تاریخی بهائی در شیکاگو را به عنوان یکی از برنامه‌های جنبی کنفرانس اجراء نمودیم. این برنامه شامل دیدار از نقاطی بود که حضرت عبدالبهاء در سال ۱۹۱۲ به آنجا تشریف برده بودند. قرار است این برنامه یکی از فعالیت‌های جنبی کنفرانس باشد. این دیدار روز پنجشنبه صبح یا روز دوشنبه صبح خواهد بود. در هر حال فقط کسانی که از پیش بلیط تهیه نموده باشند می‌توانند از این برنامه استفاده کنند.

۳- دیدار از مشرق الاذکار

در هر روز کنفرانس، یک اتوبوس با ظرفیت ۴۸ نفر آمادهٔ حرکت بسوی مشرق الاذکار خواهد بود. این دیدار در محدوده وقت نهار (۱۲ ظهر تا ۳ بعد از ظهر) انجام خواهد شد.

۴- برنامه جوانان

این دومین سال خواهد بود که در کنفرانس سالانه برنامه جوانان خواهیم داشت. در سال گذشته، گرچه در بارهٔ آن از قبل آگهی نشده بود، تعداد چشمگیری از جوانان در آن شرکت فعال داشتند و در بارهٔ مسائل و امکانات پیشرفت جوانان ایرانی نسل دوم و سوم به مشورت نشستند. در برنامهٔ جوانان در کنفرانس آینده موضوع اصلی میراث قرن بیستم و امکانات جوانان در قرن بیست و یکم است.

بدینوسیله از جوانان عزیز دعوت می‌کنیم که با در نظر داشتن موضوع محوری کنفرانس داوطلب ارائه سخنرانی در بارهٔ موضوع‌های مورد نظرشان گردند و همچنین پیشنهادهای کلی خود را برای پیشرفت در کار انجمن به هیأت مدیره به نشانی زیر ارسال کنند:

Persian/American Affairs Office 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 Tel: (847) 733-3528, Fax (847) 733-3486 Email:

۵- بخش انگلیسی

در بخش انگلیسی نیز موضوع محوری قرن بیستم: قرن انوار، قرن تاریکی‌ها است. بعضی از سخنرانی‌ها، مشابه با موضوع سخنرانی‌ها در جلسهٔ فارسی است و بعضی ویژهٔ شرکت‌کنندگان انگلیسی‌زبان و موضوع‌های مطرح‌نظر آنان در مورد قرن بیستم و فرهنگ ایرانی است.

از دوستانی که علاقه مند باشند در بخش انگلیسی سخنرانی کنند یا به نحو دیگری با گردانندگان برنامه همکاری نمایند تمنا می‌شود آمادگی خود و جزئیات و شرایط برنامه‌ای را که در نظر دارند به نشانی فوق اطلاع دهند.

ENGLISH SESSION

OF THE TENTH ANNUAL PERSIAN CONFERENCE The theme of the English sessions is The Twentieth Century: Century of Light, Century of Darkness. Therefore, a certain number of presentations will be about major developments and aspects of the twentieth century. There will also be video presentations and discussions, on a variety of topics, some of which will be in coordination with the youth program.

A few sessions are devoted to workshops on Persian cuisine, Persian folk dances, Persian Calligraphy and the like.

Other activities of the conference include: Tour of the Bahá’í historical sites in Chicago, daily visit to the Bahá’í House of Worship during the lunch break, youth sessions, special program for children ages 3 to 11, a bookstore and an arts exhibit, and the Persian sessions.

۶- کتابفروشی و نمایشگاه

مثل معمول هر سال، کتابفروشی و نمایشگاه آثار هنری بخشی از فعالیت‌های جنبی کنفرانس سال آینده را تشکیل می‌دهد. فروشندگان کتاب، جواهرات، عکس و پوستر و دیگر اجناس مصرفی، هنرمندانی که در نظر دارند آثار خود را به معرض فروش یا نمایش بگذارند، همگی لطفاً مستقیماً با دفتر انجمن در دفتر امور احبای ایرانی به نشانی فوق تماس بگیرند تا طبق شرایط لازم و در حد امکانات انجمن از همکاری آنان برخوردار شویم.

۷- برنامه کودکان

با تشکر از آموزگاران مجرب که همه‌ساله در دورهٔ کنفرانس روزی ۱۲ ساعت مشغول آموزش فرهنگ ایرانی به کودکان و رسیدگی به نیازهای آنان هستند، امسال نیز به همان ترتیب برنامه‌های متنوع و آموزنده بوسیله این آموزگاران برای کودکان سن ۳ تا ۱۱ پیش‌بینی گردیده است. ضمناً دستیاران معلمین نیز برای جنبه‌های امنیتی و فنی برنامه‌های کودکان آماده به خدمتند.

در شماره‌های آینده اطلاعات بیشتری در بارهٔ جزئیات کنفرانس درج خواهد شد. [Page 28]

نوروز

Naw-Ruz

خانم دکتر سیمین شیبانی (شکوهی) از کتابی که تحت عنوان "در کوچه‌باغ‌های عطرآگین خاطره‌ها" در دست نوشتن دارند، بخش مربوط به نوروز را به هیئت تحریریه صفحات فارسی "امریکن بهائی" ارسال داشته‌اند که در زیر درج می‌شود:

باد نوروز سحرگه چو به بستان بگذشت گل صدبرگ برون رست ز پیراهن خاک (انوری)

سال‌هاست که در طلیعه بهار در هر نوروز دور از ایران که با تمام وسعت خاکش در تنگنای قلبم جای دارد، کنار سفره هفت‌سینی می‌نشینیم که در دیار غربت آن را با عشق به وطن گسترده‌ام. با گذاشتن آینه و شمعدان و دسته‌هائی از گل‌های نرگس، سنبل، لاله و بنفشه تلاش می‌کنم پلی از پیغام و عطر و رنگ و نور از شرق به غرب کشم و مقدم نوروز، این پیر سالخوردهٔ سپیدموی را که توالی هزاران هزار بهار را به همراه دارد خوش‌آمد گویم و با تمام سنت‌هائی که در موکب نوروز راه می‌پویند، همگام و همراه شوم.

بگذار که بر شاخه این صبح دلاویز بنشینم و از عشق سرودی بسرایم آنگاه به صد شوق چو مرغان سبکبال برگیرم از این بام و به سوی تو بیایم (فریدون مشیری)

هر بامداد عید، سیمرغ زرین پر خیالم از دیار غربت به سوی زادگاهم ایران بال می‌گیرد و به قلمرو رؤیاها و آرزوهای شیرین و عطرآگین کودکی، عشق‌های پاک جوانی، بی خیالی‌ها، بی‌ریائی‌ها، مهربانی‌ها، دوستی‌ها و عهد و پیمان‌ها پروازی ‎شکوهنمد شکوهمند‎ می‌نماید.

پرواز به آنجا که نشاط است و امید است پرواز به آنجا که سرود است و سرور است (مشیری)

دلبستگی بیش از حد من در سرزمین غرب به شکوفه و گل و آب و سبزه و درخت پیوندی است که هنوز با بهاران در خاک ایران دارم.

شکفتن‌ها و رستن‌های بهاری پیوسته چون خاطره‌ای سوزان و حسی گرم از هستی در نوازش‌های باد جان‌بخش آغاز فروردین مرا در پرتو نوری قرار می‌دهد که یادبودهای زندگی گذشته‌ام را در برابر دیدگانم زنده و روشن می‌سازد.

آن روزهای عید آن انتظار آفتاب و گل آن رعشه‌های عطر در اجتماع ساکت و محجوب نرگس‌های صحرائی که شهر را در آخرین صبح زمستانی دیدار می‌کردند (فروغ فرخزاد)

به خانهٔ دوران کودکیم می‌اندیشم، در کوچه‌ای باریک و بن‌بست که در بهار، گیج از عطر خوشه‌های اقاقی بود. به یاد دیوارهای آجریش می‌افتم، با نفس‌های رخوتناک پیچک‌ها، به یاد سپیدارها و درختان چنار گرداگرد آن، به یاد حوض کاشی فیروزه‌گون و حیاط سنگ‌فرش با باغچه‌های غرق در بنفشه و شب‌بو، به یاد گیسوان پراکنده بید در دست نسیم، و شعله‌های ارغوان در زیر چتر آسمان، به یاد تاج شکوفه‌های سیب و گیلاس بر فراز درختان تهی از برگ و بار، به یاد پرواز شاد گنجشک‌های عاشق در میان خیمه نارون پیر، به یاد آواز قناری و جشن پرشکوه بوته‌ها در شکفتن گل‌های زرد یاس، به یاد پنجره‌هائی با...

شناسایی عمده‌ای از امر بهائی

می‌فرمایند: الیوم دین‌الله و مذهب‌الله آنکه مذاهب مختلفه و سبل متعدده را سبب و علت بغضاء ننمایند. این اصول و قوانین و راه‌های محکم متین، از مطلع واحد ظاهر و از مشرق واحد مشرق و این اختلافات نظر به مصالح وقت و زمان و قرون و اعصار بوده.

و همچنین می‌فرمایند: دین الله و مذهب الله محض اتحاد و اتفاق اهل عالم از سماء مشیت مالک قدم نازل گشته و ظاهر شده. آن را علت اختلاف و نفاق مکنید.

"...چون با نظر انصاف در کلام مؤسسین ادیان بزرگ تحقیق شود و محیط اجتماعی زمانی که آن بزرگواران ‎بر سالت بر رسالت‎ خویش پرداخته‌اند در نظر آید معلوم می‌گردد که این مشاجرات و تعصباتی که سبب تدنی جامعه‌های دینی و بالنتیجه تدنی تمام شؤون انسانی گشته در پیشگاه دین مردود است." (نقل از وعده صلح جهانی)

برای اثبات این عقیده که ما "همه بار یک داریم و برگ یک شاخسار" که آفریدگار یکتا آفریده، و به منظور برطرف ساختن تدریجی همه انواع تعصبات و ناسازگاری‌ها و بیش از اختلافات، ابواب مشرق‌الاذکار بهائی که هر محل دیگر در دهلی مورد توجه بازدیدکنندگان واقع می‌شود بر روی همه مردم صرف‌نظر از سوابق دینی آنان گشوده است.

همچنین بهائیان هند از اینکه قبول فرموده و در مجمعی حضور یافته‌اید که نمایندگان جوامع دینی مختلف گرد هم آمده‌اند تا بی حاصلی پافشاری بر اختلافات را خاطرنشان سازند و جهات مشترکی را که سبب ایجاد یگانگی و وفاق در جهان می‌شود مورد تاکید قرار دهند مراتب سپاس و تهنیت خود را معروض میدارند.

بهائیان اطمینان می‌دهند که برای بقای عمر و تندرستی و سلامتی بازگشت سفر آن حضرت دعا می‌کنند.

ترجمه گزارش مجمع بین‌الادیان که در ۷ نوامبر ۱۹۹۹ در دهلی‌نو بمناسبت بازدید پاپ ژان‌ پل دوم از هند منعقد گردید.

از جمله قسمت‌های مهم برنامه سفر رسمی پاپ ژان‌ پل دوم، رئیس کلیسای کاتولیک، به هند از ۵ تا ۷ نوامبر ۱۹۹۹ حضور ایشان در مجمع بین‌الادیان بود. علی‌رغم تظاهرات همزمان گروه‌های مذهبی گوناگون که مخالف گردهم‌آئی ادیان هستند، شرکت ایشان در این جلسه بنحوی خاص مورد توجه قرار گرفته بود. نمایندگان عالی‌رتبه نُه دیانت، از جمله سرکار خانم شرایجی بنمایندگی جامعه بهائیان هند، در کنار پاپ ژان‌ پل دوم، در صدر جلسه قرار گرفتند. بسیاری از سفراء، و مقامات عالی‌رتبه دولتی و رهبران سیاسی و کشوری و پیشوایان افکار و اسقف‌ها و مطران‌ها و سایر نمایندگان برجسته دینی در این اجتماع بی‌سابقه که در تالار کاخ ویگیان در روز ۷ نوامبر منعقد گردید حضور داشتند.

هنگامی که پاپ وارد تالار شد همه حضار به پا خاستند و ابراز احساسات کردند و سپس نمایندگان رسمی ادیان به حضور پاپ معرفی شدند و چون بترتیب حروف الفبای نام ادیان معرفی می‌شدند نخست خانم شرایجی که تنها خانم در بین آنان بود معرفی گردید. هریک از نمایندگان رسمی دو دقیقه فرصت داشتند که خطاب به پاپ مطالبی ایراد کنند و خانم شرایجی آخرین نفری بود که صحبت کرد. در پرده تلویزیون دیده می‌شد که پاپ با دقت کامل به خیر مقدمی که خانم شرایجی ایراد کرد توجه داشت و معلوم بود که سخنان خانم شرایجی در حاضرین تأثیر فراوان کرده است. اسقفی که ناطقین را معرفی می‌کرد از خانم شرایجی برای سخنان دلنشینی که ایراد کرد تشکر نمود. پاپ بعدا به هریک از نمایندگان نشان یادگاری مخصوصی اهداء نمود. بعد از سخنرانی‌ها در موقع پذیرائی بسیاری از حاضران ضمن گفتگو با اعضاء هیئت نمایندگی بهائی از بیانات خانم شرایجی تمجید و تعریف نمودند و برخی از آنان تقاضا کردند که متن سخنان ایشان را دریافت دارند.

حضور تعداد زیادی از فیلمبرداران و مخبرین وسائط خبری جهان که این مراسم را بطور زنده در سراسر هند و بسیاری از نقاط جهان از طریق تلویزیون ماهواره‌ای پخش می‌کردند شاهد اهمیت این اجتماع بود. گزارش‌های رسیده حاکی است که احیای الهی در تعدادی ممالک از جمله در استرالیا و بنگلادش این برنامه تلویزیونی را دیده بودند.

به هریک از شرکت‌کنندگان دوسیه‌ای حاوی اطلاعات لازم داده شده بود که در آن برنامهٔ جلسه با رنگ‌های مختلف چاپ شده و منتخباتی از آثار مقدسه ادیان مختلف از جمله از آثار قلم اعلی در آن دیده می‌شد. بعلاوه دفتر یادبودی که از طرف اسقف کلیسای کاتولیک به حاضران داده شد متضمن پیام محفل روحانی ملی هند و نیز مقالهٔ دکتر ستّی علی مرچنت عضو محفل ملی هند تحت عنوان "همکاری بین‌الادیان به منظور ایجاد جامعه‌ای جدید برای مساعدت به رفاه و توسعهٔ ملی" بود. این دفتر یادبود بمناسبت کنفرانس ملی بین‌الادیان که در سال ۱۹۹۸ در بنگلور برای تهیهٔ مقدمات سفر پاپ به هند منعقد گردید طبع و نشر شده بود.

دعوت کلیسای کاتولیک در هند از بهائیان برای شرکت در این مجمع بسیار مهم و پُر حیثیت نشانهٔ شناسائی آئین بهائی بعنوان یکی از ادیان عمدهٔ هند است. تبلیغات بی‌سابقه ای که در وسائط خبری صورت گرفت فرصت‌های دیگری را نیز برای جامعهٔ بهائی هند فراهم می‌آورد که با پیشوایان ادیان جهان به تبادل‌نظر در باره روابط بین‌الادیان بپردازند.

اعضای هیئت نمایندگی بهائیان هند عبارت بودند از خانم زینا شرایجی، خانم فریده واحدی، جناب جیتین میشرا، جناب راجان ساوانت، جناب سیروس واحدی، جناب داریوش واحدی، دکتر بهمن طائی، خانم مریم طائی، جناب چودری، خانم مهناز مرچنت، خانم چهایا دیش، و خانم گلوریا بجاته.

نود و یکمین کانونشن ملی

NINETY-FIRST BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CONVENTION

نود و یکمین کانونشن ملی بهائیان آمریکا از ۲۷ تا ۳۰ آوریل سال ۲۰۰۰ در حومه شیکاگو در هتل Sheraton Arlington Park برگزار خواهد شد. ورقه نام‌نویسی و اطلاعات راجع به کانونشن ملی در صفحات انگلیسی درج شده است. علاقه‌مندان به آن رجوع فرمایند. [Page 29]

ترجمه پیام بیت العدل اعظم خطاب به بهائیان عالم مورخ ۲۶ نوامبر ۱۹۹۹

MESSAGE OF THE HOUSE OF JUSTICE NOVEMBER 26, 1999

یاران عزیز الهی،

در این روز مخصوص که قلوب و افکار همۀ ما متوجّه نمونه و سرمشقی جاودانی است که حیات مرکز میثاق به میراث نهاده، فرصت را غنیمت شمرده با ابراز کمال امتنان، جریان کنونی پیشرفت «نقشۀ الهی» را که آن حضرت ابداع فرموده بررسی می‌کنیم و به آینده، یعنی دوران بعد از مرحلهٔ چهار ساله‌ای که حال به سرعت رو به پایان میرود، نظر می‌افکنیم.

موفقیّت‌هائی که در دورۀ کنونی نصیب گشته به راستی امید‌بخش است. شبکۀ قابل ملاحظه‌ای از مؤسّسات آموزشی که در سراسر جهان تأسیس شده بمراتب وسیعتر از آنست که در آغاز نقشۀ چهارساله پیش‌بینی میشد. این مراکز یادگیری جدیدالتأسیس در تهیۀ برنامه‌های رسمی آموزشی و برقرار ساختن ترتیبات مؤثر برای تدریس و تعلیم دوره‌های آموزشی گوناگون به موفقیّت‌هائی شایان توجّه نائل آمده‌اند. گزارش‌های رسیده حاکی از آنست که تعداد احبائی که مستقیماً از دوره‌های آموزشی بهره‌مند شده‌اند به یکصد هزار بالغ گردیده است. بی‌تردید توانائی جامعۀ جهانی بهائی برای پرورش نیروی انسانی بنحوی بارز افزایش یافته است.

اقدامات منظم در پرورش نیروی انسانی را میتوان در نحوه زندگانی و فعّالیّت مجریان سه‌گانۀ «نقشه» یعنی افراد احبّاء، مؤسّسات امری، و جوامع محلّی که به تدریج آشکار میگردد ملاحظه نمود. اقدامات تبلیغی که به ابتکار افراد انجام می‌گیرد افزایش قابل ملاحظه یافته است. استعداد و توانائی محافل روحانی و شوراهای بهائی و لجنات امری در هدایت احباء برای اقدامات فردی و دسته‌جمعی بیشتر شده و جوامع بهائی، حتّی در نقاطی که دچار رکود بوده‌اند، با پیدایش طرز تفکّر تازه و نحوه‌های جدید برای اقدامات امری، حیاتی تازه و فعّال یافته‌اند.

هنگامی که وضع عالم بهائی را بررسی می‌کنیم جامعه‌ای را ملاحظه می‌نمائیم که به مراتب نیرومندتر شده و از سلامت درونی برخوردار گشته و بنحوی شایان توجّه استحکام یافته است. موفقیّت‌های جامعۀ بهائی در ابلاغ امر به عامۀ مردم و به دولت‌ها و به سازمان‌های اداری و مدنی و جلب اعتماد آنها شگفت‌انگیز است. دفاتر مخصوص روابط خارجی در جوامع بهائی، با پیروی از خطّ مشی و ترتیباتی که بنحوی مطلوب تنظیم شده، نطاق نفوذ امر الهی را در سطوح ملّی و بین‌المللی وسعت بخشیده و طرح‌های توسعۀ اجتماعی و اقتصادی که به منظور ارتقاء روحانی و مادّی جوامع طرح گردیده، در سطح محلّی جوامع نافذ و مؤثر واقع شده‌اند.

دو مرحله از مراحل پیشرفت و اجرای «نقشۀ الهی» که در پیش است یکی بمدت یکسال و دیگری به مدت پنج سال ادامه خواهد داشت. در رضوان سال ۲۰۰۰ از جامعۀ جهانی بهائی خواسته خواهد شد تا مرحلهٔ اوّل را که مدت آن دوازده ماه خواهد بود به موقع اجراء گذارد.

هدف این مرحله متمرکز ساختن استعداد‌ها و توانائی‌ها و امکاناتی خواهد بود که با چنان شدتی به منصه ظهور و بروز رسیده است. در نقشۀ پنج ساله که به دنبال خواهد آمد یک سلسله اقدامات جهان شمولی آغاز میگردد که جامعۀ بهائی را در بیست سال آخر نخستین قرن عصر تکوین مدد خواهد کرد. این نقشه‌های جهانی متمرکز در پیشرفت جریان دخول افواج مقبلین و تسریع منظّم جریان مزبور خواهد بود.

در دورۀ نقشۀ یکساله باید مؤسّسات ملّی و منطقه‌ای در همه نقاط برنامه‌ها و ترتیباتی را که تأسیس نموده اند کاملاً به مرحله اجرا درآورند. جوامع ملّی باید هنگام آغاز نقشۀ پنج ساله اطمینان حاصل نموده باشند که کسب معارف بهائی و ملکات و مهارت‌های لازم برای خدمات امری توسط گروه‌های عظیمی از احبّاء، از طریق تسلسل دوره‌های آموزشی بدون هیچگونه مانعی ادامه خواهد یافت. برای انتظام بیشتر و بهتر مساعی تبلیغی باید توجّه کامل مبذول گردد که این اقدامات توسط افراد انجام پذیرد و چه تحت نظر مؤسّسات امری باشد. به این منظور دارالتبلیغ بین المللی برای توسعه و تقویت و تحکیم منظّم اساس جامعه در نواحی کوچک جغرافیائی، که شامل تعدادی نقاط مناسب و امکان پذیر باشد، طرح‌هائی را مشخّص نموده است. در هر قاره با همکاری مشاورین و محافل ملّی چندین «برنامۀ رشد و پیشرفت ناحیه‌ای» در شرف تأسیس است. این برنامه‌ها در طول نقشۀ دوازده ماهه با کمال دقّت پیگیری خواهد شد و نحوۀ اجرای آنها اصلاح و تکمیل میگردد تا روش مزبور در نقشه‌های بعدی توسعه و تعمیم یابد.

خطّ مشی‌های مربوط به پیشرفت جریان دخول افواج مقبلین نباید از سهمی که کودکان و جوانان میتوانند عهده‌دار شوند محروم ماند تا فتوحات حاصله در یک نسل با گذشت زمان از دست نرود. بنا بر این، در این مرحله از منظم ساختن اقدامات تبلیغی، ضروری است که اقداماتی در نظر گرفته شود تا مشارکت عموم افراد جوانتر جامعه را در فعّالیّتها و نقشه‌های آینده تأمین کند. تعلیم و تربیت کودکان حکم الهی و فریضه ایست که بر عهده پدر و مادر و مؤسّسات امری هر دو است و نیازمند تأکید مخصوص است تا بعنوان یکی از اجزاء اصلی در جریان توسعه و تکامل جامعه کاملاً ادغام گردد. این اقدامات باید در این دوازده ماه با شدّت مجری گردد و در سال‌های بعد نیز پیوسته بر شدّت و شمول آن افزوده شود. اینکه برنامه‌های اغلب مؤسّسات آموزش بهائی در سراسر جهان متضمّن تعلیم مربیان برای کلاس‌های تربیت امری است یکی از عوامل مثبت است. محافل روحانی و اعضای هیئت‌های معاونت بایستی افرادی را که از این مؤسّسات فارغ‌التحصیل می شوند برای برآوردن نیازهای روحانی اطفال و نوجوانان به کار گیرند.

دورۀ نقشۀ دوازده ماهه مقارن با زمانی است که قرن بیستم به پایان خواهد رسید و کوشش‌های عظیمی در جهان روی خواهد داد. از هم اکنون پیشوایان افکار نسبت به سرنوشت نسل‌های آینده ابراز علاقه می‌نمایند، و ما امیدواریم که شور و شوق جامعۀ بهائی در اقدامات داخل جامعه و در مشارکت در اقدامات جامعۀ خارج احساس اعتماد و اطمینان نسبت به آیندهٔ بشری را القاء نماید.

در اعتاب مقدّسه علیا صمیمانه دعا می‌کنیم که تأییدات حضرت بهاء‌الله شامل مساعی شما در به پایان رساندن فاتحانۀ نقشۀ چهارساله گردد.

بیت العدل اعظم

ترجمه ابلاغیه دارالانشاء بیت العدل اعظم خطاب به عموم محافل روحانی ملی ۱۲ دسامبر ۱۹۹۹

MESSAGE OF DECEMBER 12, 1999

یاران عزیز الهی،

بیت العدل اعظم گزارشهای مربوط به تشکیل مجمع بین الادیان را که کلیسای کاتولیک در دهلی جدید در حضور پاپ جان پل دوم در هنگام سفر اخیر مشارالیه به هند ترتیب داده بود با خوشوقتی دریافت نموده اند. از نمایندگان رسمی ادیان مختلف دعوت شده بود که در اجتماع مزبور مطالبی به اجمال ایراد کنند و سرکار زینا خانم سرایجی سخنگوی جامعۀ بهائی بودند. نظر به اهمیت این واقعه که در برسمیت شناخته شدن آئین بهائی بعنوان یکی از ادیان ‎عمدة عمده‎ هندوستان گامی جدید بشمار میرود، بیت العدل اعظم مقرّر فرموده اند متن بیانات خانم سرایجی در جلسة مزبور همراه با شرح مختصری از جریان آن مجمع که بر اساس گزارشهای واصله از محفل روحانی ملی هند و سرکار خانم سرایجی تهیه شده است به ضمیمه باستحضارتان برسد.

دارالانشاء

ترجمه سخنان سرکار زینا خانم سرایجی عضو هیئت مشاورین قاره‌ای در مجمع بین الادیان که در حضور پاپ جان پل دوم در دهلی نو در تاریخ ۷ نوامبر ۱۹۹۹ تشکیل گردید

حضرت پاپ جان پل دوم، عالی جنابان اساقفه اعظم و مطران‌ها و ناطقین و مهمانان محترم: امروز این جانب به نمایندگی از طرف جامعۀ بهائیان هند در این مجمع با عظمت و شکوه که در حضور مهر ظهور حضرت پاپ، سرور روحانی میلیونها کاتولیک در سراسر جهان و رهبری که در بین ملل عالم مورد علاقه و احترامند برگزار می شود حضور یافته‌ام.

بهائیان هند به آن جناب که به منظور تسریر خاطر و تعالی روحانی جمع کثیر کاتولیک‌های هند که پیروان حضرت مسیح در این کشورند رنج سفر طولانی را تحمّل نموده اید خوش آمد و تهنیت عرض می کنند.

همانطور که دیروز اظهار داشتید، در هندوستان که قانون اساسی این حق را برای هر فرد تضمین نموده که آداب و رسوم دین دلخواه خود را معمول و مجری دارد بزرگترین تعداد از ادیان مختلف در جوار یکدیگر وجود دارد. همچنین متذّکر شدید که آنچه مورد نیاز است وحدت در کثرت و محترم شمردن همۀ ادیان است.

بهائیان عالم یعنی پیروان حضرت بهاء‌الله قویاً از هر اقدامی برای تأمین وحدت ادیان پشتیبانی مینمایند. این یکی از اصول اساسی آئین ماست که دین الهی واحد است و منشاء آن خداوند آفریدگار جهان است. ادیان مختلف فصول پی در پی کتاب دیانتند. حضرت بهاء‌الله [Page 30]Traveling teaching opportunities: teaching projects abroad

• Belize: Bahá’í Regional Institute for Training and Empowerment.
• Botswana: John Robarts Long-Term Teaching Project.
• Cameroon: Teaching projects, including one affiliated with a regional institute center for training new believers.
• Canada: Ongoing teaching projects.
• Democratic Republic of Congo: Nine zonal teaching projects.
• Ecuador: Project Badasht, expansion and consolidation project.
• El Salvador: Deepening and social and economic development projects at the Badasht Institute, Jamáliyyih Institute and New Garden Bahá’í Institute.
• French Guiana: “Sparks of Peace” Perles de la Caraibes Teaching Project, especially interested in French speakers and/or people experienced in theater, dance workshops, visual arts and music, to train and organize youths for proclamation shows.
• Germany: Dr. Muhájir Project, long-term national teaching project.
• Guatemala: Ongoing teaching, consolidation/deepening, and human resource development projects at the Rúhíyyih Project, ‎Chimaltenago Chimaltenango‎ Shiraz Project and the National Network of Institutes.
• Hungary: Békéscsaba Long-Term Teaching Project and a permanent consolidation program where Roma friends live.
• Ivory Coast: Various teaching projects.
• Jamaica: Ongoing teaching and consolidation efforts; summer youth project.
• Liberia: Quddús Project.
• Madagascar: Roddy Lutchmaya Long-Term Teaching Project.
• Mexico: Furútan Project, teaching on college campuses, and an exchange program with the Huasteca Potosina.
• Panama: Project Muhájir, focusing on proclamation and consolidation.
• Russia: Teaching projects in several regions. Especially looking for help with youth workshops and children’s classes.
• Solomon Islands: One to three months assisting a Bahá’í Youth Workshop, teaching, and developing creative youth activities in rural villages.
• Zambia: Rural teaching projects.

Conferences, Schools and Events

• Germany: The National Spiritual Assembly of Germany is looking for experienced, dedicated, mature Bahá’ís to serve as exhibition representatives at the Bahá’í exhibition during Expo 2000 in Hanover, Germany. Volunteers are asked to give at least 2 weeks’ service sometime between June and October. The Bahá’í exhibition is in a highly visible position on the first floor of the “Global House.”
• Kazakhstan: Almaty will host its first International Winter School Jan. 21–26; theme: “On the Threshold of the 21st Century.”

For more information: ... about these or other international events, projects and opportunities for traveling teachers, please contact the Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail ).

Conference brings together friends from northernmost regions of globe

The first-ever Circumpolar Bahá’í Conference brought representatives of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Norway, Russia and the United States and the Bahá’í Council of Lapland together with Auxiliary Board members and friends from 10 communities in the Canadian North.

Held Sept. 24–26 in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, the conference focused on developing new ways to link Bahá’í communities over the top of the globe and on reaching the hearts of all the peoples in the region.

Challenges facing Bahá’ís in the circumpolar areas include recovery from the lingering effects of colonialism, human rights violations, environmental degradation, addressing racism, establishment of gender equality, youth development, social scourges such as alcoholism and family abuse, and the pressures of conformity.

The importance of prayer and devotional meetings to help meet those challenges was stressed. Other methods discussed for strengthening a feeling of real community included:

• A teaching approach that aims to move entire communities toward Bahá’u’lláh, rather than just individuals. Those who are the only Bahá’ís in their families often face estrangement.
• Deputization and increased travel among the various countries, to multiply resources for teaching, community building and service.
• Strengthening communication ties all across the circumpolar region.
• Support from other Bahá’í communities.

“The warm atmosphere of the venue supported the development of new bonds of love and collaboration among the delegates and enhanced our visions of growth,” participants reported. ◆

Singing for future video

The choir of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Apia, Samoa, moves out into the Temple gardens during camera sessions in August for an upcoming series of video programs. Bahá’í International News Service photo

EDUCATION

• Mexico: The annual summer school in Aguascalientes July 30–Aug. 1 gained an infusion of love, harmony and energy from the National Teaching Campaign’s “Impulse 99—Nonstop Action” youth teaching project, which had resulted in 23 enrollments in five cities across the country.

Attended by 134 people including many new believers and seekers, the school reportedly was marked by “the great eagerness of the friends to learn more about the Word of Bahá’u’lláh.”

The July teaching project operated in three phases: deepening youths on the institute and teaching processes, putting the knowledge into practice through direct teaching, and a program of spiritual enrichment. Organizers reported great enthusiasm and commitment among youths and cooperating Assemblies. ◆

ARTS

• Austria: The Bahá’í Faith was a visible source of inspiration at the International Chamber Music Festival Aug. 14–Sept. 19 in Horn. A concert titled “Unity in Diversity—Music and Word” saw prominent Austrian artists read from the Holy Writings of the Bahá’í Faith, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism between movements of works by Mozart and Schubert.

Further proclamation of the Faith took place during “Composers in Residence,” a presentation that included two Bahá’í musicians: Italian pianist Alfredo Speranza, who introduced his new work “Toccata della nuova Era,” and American cellist Gwendolyn Watson, an expert in musical improvisation.

Violinist and conductor Bijan Khadem Missagh, a Bahá’í, is the festival’s founder and artistic director. ◆

TEACHING

• Ethiopia: Three new Bahá’ís in southern Ethiopia were jailed three days for teaching the Faith in their hometown.

That sacrifice was rewarded not only when a court released them with permission to teach the Faith peaceably, but also when news of the trial attracted such interest that many people investigated the Faith—and 33 more embraced the Cause within four months.

The episode began when a young man found the Faith in the capital, Addis Ababa, and shared it with two close friends when he returned to his homeland near the Kenyan border.

Though advised to use caution in spreading the Faith, the young men could not contain their enthusiasm. Soon some townspeople banded together to oppose the Faith and arranged for police to arrest the three.

They were charged with creating havoc by spreading a strange religion with “unfamiliar” materials. But the court released the three, declaring that the Faith is world-renowned and well-established in Ethiopia.

In August, with their ranks grown to 36, the town’s new Bahá’ís met and—not knowing it would be better to wait until April 21—elected a Local Spiritual Assembly. They also immediately collected a substantial sum to launch the local Fund. The National Spiritual Assembly said it was delighted to receive the new community’s four-page report.

• India: More than 750,000 people visited the Bahá’í House of Worship at New Delhi in June, July and August, and people from near and far are expressing love and appreciation for this Lotus Temple. Some comments from visitors, with the places they live:

“I bring all of my relatives and friends here. It is a very peaceful place and I have a special attachment to it.” (India)

“Beautiful architecture, an island of peace in a busy sea.” (U.S.)

“[I] was moved by the devotion and the belief in the unity of religions.” (Kenya)

“The Temple is beautiful, but also is inspiration for peace and love in our world.” (Cuba)

“This place is open, friendly and gives space for my belief.” (Switzerland)

“It’s a sacred place, a good place to stay on your own and think everything over. Thank you.” (Kazakhstan)

• Angola: Five Bahá’í communities were revitalized and more than 200 people came into the Faith after seven courageous teachers ventured into remote parts of Benguela province from July through September.

Travel in the war-torn country is difficult, with many people afraid to leave their villages. The friends put their trust in Bahá’u’lláh and went first to accessible communities with Local Assemblies, then to more distant localities.

They taught the Faith, held children’s classes, and invited interested people to take a course prepared by the Enoch Olinga Permanent Institute. Most of the new Bahá’ís participated in a course on basic verities of the Faith and 118 believers attended follow-up training. ◆ [Page 31]

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT EVENTS sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly or its agencies at the Bahá’í National Center, please phone 847-869-9039 and ask for the relevant department. Numbers and e-mail addresses for the permanent Bahá’í schools and institutes are: Bosch Bahá’í School, phone 831-423-3387; fax 831-423-7564; e-mail ; Green Acre Bahá’í School, phone 207-439-7200; fax 207-438-9940; e-mail ; Louhelen Bahá’í School, phone 810-653-5033; fax 810-653-7181; e-mail ; Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, phone 843-558-5093; fax 843-558-9136; e-mail ; Native American Bahá’í Institute (NABI), phone and fax 520-587-7599; e-mail .

JANUARY

21–23: Social and Economic Development Facilitator training by MDS at Louhelen (session 1).

21–23: Two programs at Green Acre: “Choose a Noble Goal”; Seekers and New Believers Retreat.

21–23: Colorado East Winter School, “The Role of the Community in the Process of Entry by Troops”; Estes Park, CO. With Carolyn Staples and Valerie Dana. Deposit/pre-registration by Dec. 16. Registrar: Don Brayton (phone 719-687-3351, e-mail ).

21–23: “Fundamental Verities, Part 2: Every Believer Is a Teacher” at Bosch; session continues Feb. 4–6 and Feb. 25–27. Recommendation by an Assembly, RTI or Auxiliary Board member required.

21–23: Assembly Team Development at Bosch.

21–23: Iowa Winter School, “Love, Faith and Service—Make Your Mark!”; West Des Moines, IA. With Curtis Russell. Hotel accommodations available (800-792-5688); reserve by Jan. 12 for special rate. Registrar: Al Prosser, West Des Moines, IA 50265 (phone 515-224-4966, e-mail ).

21–23: Arkansas Bahá’í Conference, “Teaching Christians,” near Little Rock, AR. With David Young. Information: phone 870-553-2513 before 10 p.m. CST, e-mail

21–24: Parent Facilitator training at Louhelen (session continues June 2–4).

28–30: Assembly Team Development at Bosch.

28–30: Social and Economic Development Facilitator training by MDS at two locations: Louis Gregory Institute (session 1) and NABI.

FEBRUARY

4–6: Two programs at Green Acre: “Special Days” Child/Parent Weekend; “The Joy of Learning” institute for youth.

4–6: Two programs at Bosch: “Effective Teaching: What Christians and Bahá’ís Believe about Christ”; Ruhi Book 1 course, “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit.”

11–13: Institute for Married Couples at Louhelen.

11–13: Valentine’s Weekend for Singles at Bosch.

11–13: Touchstone Conference for Youth, near Bastrop, Texas. Co-sponsored by Assembly of San Marcos and Aguila del Cielo Regional Training Institute. Registrar: Jeff Kester (e-mail ).

11–13: Social and Economic Development Facilitator training by MDS at Bahá’í Unity Center, Atlanta, GA (session 2).

11–14: Two training sessions at Louhelen: Equality Trainer (session continues May 5–7); Race Unity Trainer (session continues May 19–21).

18–20: “Islam and the Bahá’í Faith” at Louhelen.

18–20: North Dakota Winter School, Mayville, ND, with Beatriz Curry. Contact Rosalin Chrest, Minot, ND 58703 (phone 701-839-1015).

18–21: Marriage and Family Life trainer training at Louhelen (session continues May 19–21).

18–21: “Racial Unity: The Foundation of World Peace” at Bosch.

25–27: “Bahá’í-Centered Management Principles and Practice” at Louhelen.

25–27: “The Dawn-Breakers, Part 1” at Bosch.

MARCH

3–5: “Becoming a Champion of the Covenant” at Bosch.

17–19: Seekers’ Weekend at Bosch.

24–26: Family Naw-Rúz celebration at Louhelen.

25–27: Two programs at Bosch: “The Dawn-Breakers, Part 2”; Ruhi Book 2 course, “Arising to Serve” (Book 1 course is required).

29–April 2: Pioneer/BYSC/SITA Institute at Bahá’í National Center.

31–April 2: “Bahá’í Marriage and Family Life” at Bosch.

31–April 2: “Fundamental Verities Part 3: A New Civilization” at Bosch; session continues April 28–30 and May 19–21. Recommendation by an Assembly, RTI or Auxiliary Board member required.

31–April 3: Advanced Core Curriculum seminar at Louhelen.

PAID SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AT BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL OFFICES

Office of the Treasurer: Assistant Controller • Program Coordinator

Publications: Publishing Trust Manager • Editorial Assistant • Distribution Service Manager

Louis Gregory Institute: Coordinator

AND MORE!

See Pages 24–25

When 20 youths at the Great Plains Bahá’í School in Nebraska painted a mural on the theme of race unity at the Malone Community Center in Lincoln, the community service was part of several days of prayer, deepening and consultation.

BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER 112 LINDEN AVE WILMETTE, IL 60091-2849

DECEMBER 31, 1999 SHARAF, SULTÁN • B.E. 156

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving The American Bahá’í, send all family members’ names, new address and mailing label to: Membership Office, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. If acquiring a Post Office box, your residence address (B) must be filled in. Please allow three weeks for processing. (This also updates the National Center’s database.)

A. NAME(S)
1.		ID#
2.		ID#
3.		ID#
4.		ID#
B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS		C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS
Street Address		Street Address
Apartment # (if applicable)		Apartment # (if applicable)
City		City
State	Zip code	State	Zip code
D. NEW COMMUNITY		E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER
Name of new Bahá’í Community	Moving Date	Area Code Phone Number	Name
F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S)
Area Code Phone Number	Name	Area Code Phone Number	Name
G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE: [ ] we do not have the same last name. We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) and ID number(s) listed above. [ ] the last names and addresses on our address labels do not match. We have listed above the full names of family members as they should appear on the national records, their ID numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy.		H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY [ ] Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy. I have listed my name, ID number and address above.