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Volume 30, Issue 3

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THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í[edit]

APRIL 9, 1999 •••••••••• JALÁL/GLORY JAMÁL/BEAUTY BAHÁ’Í ERA 156 VOLUME 30, NO. 3

Peace Among the Nations[edit]

As we approach the 21st century, a number of inquiries have been received by Bahá’í communities and individuals about our expectations for the year 2000. The Bahá’í International Community has provided us with a “brief statement on peace among the nations which may be used as the basis for responding to such queries” which we are pleased to share with you. —The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States ♦ (See page 4)

BDS thrives in new home[edit]

Transition was a smooth one[edit]

BY TOM MENNILLO

As the national media initiative heats up, be assured “operators will be standing by” at the Bahá’í Distribution Service to take orders for materials you can give seekers.

That’s the case even though BDS, the sales arm of Bahá’í Publications, moved in January.

The new, larger home for BDS is in an office park near where Interstates 20 and 75 meet in western Fulton County, Georgia.

The facility was relocated from Chattanooga, Tennessee, one year ahead of its lease expiration chiefly to add capacity in time for the teaching push, said A. Ford Bowers, BDS manager.

After a swiftly coordinated move, the new offices opened for business on Jan. 4, having been closed only since mid-December.

A concern of the National Spiritual Assembly, Bowers said, “was that the Distribution Service not be inoperable or at substandard service levels during the national teaching initiative. So it was very important that we get up and running.”

The process began with site analyses in August and September, he said.

“We looked at a number of different cities—about a dozen—during those two months.” Sites ranged from “Texas on up through the center of the country

SEE BDS, PAGE 4

A personal goal won in India[edit]

David Bowers of Poughkeepsie, New York, checks out an upper sleeping berth (next to ventilation fans) in a train during his travels to help spread the teachings in India last fall. Rising to a challenge last summer to tell 9,000 people about Bahá’u’lláh, David has met that goal several times over. See story on page 7.

Universal House of Justice changes external affairs policy for Councils[edit]

In a Jan. 21, 1999, letter to the National Spiritual Assembly, the Universal House of Justice conveyed its decision that the Regional Councils should not have responsibility for the work of external affairs and that the National Spiritual Assembly should direct the external affairs work of the Local Spiritual Assemblies and, as appropriate, of the Regional Councils.

Therefore, questions dealing with external affairs (e.g. defense of the Bahá’ís in Iran; contact with the federal government, governors, or state legislatures; contact with national organizations and nationally prominent individuals) should continue to be directed to the National Spiritual Assembly’s Office of the Secretary for External Affairs in Washington, DC (phone 202-833-8990, e-mail ).

At present the National Spiritual Assembly has decided that when individuals, Local Spiritual Assemblies and Regional Councils wish to contact national communications media, they should continue to contact first the Office of Public Information in New York.

When Bahá’í institutions are engaged in a media campaign or in contact with local affiliates of national communications media, they should inform the Office of Public Information in New York regularly and consistently about such contact (phone 212-803-2500, e-mail ). ♦

National cable TV broadcasts • SPRING 1999[edit]

The Power of Race Unity (30-minute program) Court TV, May 2-June 27 • Sundays 9:30 a.m. EDT International Channel, until June 29 • Sundays noon–12:30 p.m. EDT • Tuesdays 4:30–5 a.m. EDT • Thursdays 4:30–5 a.m. EDT

Commercial spots (30 or 60 seconds) • Lifetime: Evenings May 1-July 1 • BET: 10 spots/week daytime until April 25 • International Channel: Various times until May 1 • Odyssey: 10 spots/week until April 25

Remember the phone line and the Web site for inquirers: 1-800-22-UNITE • www.us.bahai.org

I•N•S•I•D•E[edit]

SUMMER SCHOOLS PAGE 16–18

ARTS SECTION PAGES 19–22

VINEYARD OF THE LORD PAGES 30–31

••••••

YOUTH • 12 KID’S CORNER • 13 CARTA A LOS AMIGOS • 26 IN MEMORIAM • 32 CLASSIFIED • 34–35 PERSIAN PAGES • 36–38

THE NATIONAL FUND[edit]

Between May 1, 1998, and March 31, 1999

$24,750,000
Goal/All Funds
$16,835,718
Received/All Funds

See page 3 for details

E•X•C•E•R•P•T•S[edit]

“[F]rom the very beginning, the children must receive divine education and must continually be reminded to remember their God.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá [Page 2]

ALMANAC[edit]

Festival of Ridván[edit]

Bahá’í Festival and Holy Days

Observed sunset April 20 through sunset May 2
Work is to be suspended on three dates: First Day of Ridván, observed sunset April 20 through sunset April 21; Ninth Day of Ridván observed sunset April 28 through sunset April 29; Twelfth Day of Ridván observed sunset May 1 through sunset May 2

Bahá’u’lláh has called Ridván the “King of festivals”; the word “Ridván” means “paradise.” During this period, Bahá’ís commemorate the 12 days in 1863 when Bahá’u’lláh resided in a garden in Baghdad—later called the Garden of Ridván—and in that time proclaimed His mission as God’s Messenger.

“Verily, all created things were immersed in the sea of purification when, on that first day of Ridván, We shed upon the whole of creation the splendors of Our most excellent Names and most exalted Attributes.” —Bahá’u’lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, para. 75

The Universal House of Justice is elected every five years during the Festival of Ridván; the last such election was in 1998 (B.E. 155). National Spiritual Assemblies are elected each year, usually during Ridván, though during years of House of Justice elections the National Assembly elections are moved to late May. Local Spiritual Assemblies are elected each year at meetings held during the First Day of Ridván. ◆

Anniversary of the Declaration of the Báb[edit]

A Bahá’í Holy Day

Observed sunset May 22 through sunset May 23; devotional gatherings should be two hours after sunset May 22
Work is to be suspended

“With this historic Declaration the dawn of an Age that signalizes the consummation of all ages had broken. The first impulse of a momentous Revelation had been communicated to the one “but for whom,” according to the testimony of the Kitáb-i-Íqán, “God would not have been established upon the seat of His mercy, nor ascended the throne of eternal glory.” —Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 7

The four Regional Bahá’í Councils in the United States are to be elected on this day, with votes cast by Local Spiritual Assembly members in each region. ◆

Anniversary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh[edit]

A Bahá’í Holy Day

Observed sunset May 28 through sunset May 29; devotional gatherings should be at 4 a.m. daylight time May 29 (3 a.m. where standard time is in effect)
Work is to be suspended ◆

Upcoming Holy Day[edit]

July 9: Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Báb ◆

EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS[edit]

L. DAVID APOSTLE, a Bahá’í from Glassboro, New Jersey, was recently given the annual “Outstanding Service Award” by the South Woods State Prison, New Jersey’s largest correctional facility, where he works as an educator. ◆

MARGARET LANDERYOU, a Bahá’í from Saginaw, Michigan, was selected as one of the Saginawians of the Year, featured on the front page of the Saginaw News. She was honored for her 10 years’ volunteering to teach classes for adults “on the fringe of society” and her activity with ARC, an organization to help the mentally challenged. ◆

MATTHEW LEVINE, a Bahá’í from Pearland, Texas, was one of three finalists in the Gospel/Inspirational category of the international John Lennon Songwriting Contest. His entry, “Forever Will Stand,” was one of more than 2,300 entries in the category. ◆

BRIAN PURNELL, a Bahá’í from Pendleton, Oregon, was last fall named Educator of the Year by the Oregon Association for Alternatives in Education. The East Oregonian newspaper printed a large front-page feature about Purnell, who was chosen for the honor from educators in 200 alternative schools statewide. ◆

NEGIN TOOSI, a 17-year-old Bahá’í from McKinney, Texas, was the first student from her hometown to score a perfect 1600 on the SAT college-entrance exam. Her service to the Bahá’í Faith includes being an assistant to Auxiliary Board member Robert Ramirez and facilitating devotional programs for a Bahá’í school in Plano. ◆

A new approach to local membership reports[edit]

With your help the Office of Membership and Records can become an even more efficient and dependable office serving the American Bahá’í community. In order for us to achieve this new standard, a much closer relationship must be forged between the Membership and Records staff and our co-workers across America.

To initiate this process, we are making some major changes in the way we serve you. First, we have organized our staff to streamline the processing of the many different types of requests that we receive. The chart at left lists services we offer and the contact information for each type of request. Please note that some reports need to be made in writing via mailed forms and reports, fax, or e-mail.

You can best help our staff by including accurate information as requested by the forms we send you, and following the instructions when you fill out paper forms. Please remember to include on all correspondence:

Bahá’í ID number and Bahá’í locality code (if there is one).
Full name of person and community.
Current address and phone number.

All information received (including address changes) is entered into a main database serving all Bahá’í National Center offices. There is no need to take the extra step of notifying The American Bahá’í of your address change.

Every year before we do a membership mailing or a Local Spiritual Assembly formation mailing, we strive to make our instructions, procedures, and forms easy to understand. We welcome your suggestions on how they can be clearer.

We appreciate all your help and will redouble our efforts to provide you with the best services possible. ◆

How to file membership reports[edit]

Write: Office of Membership and Records, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201, or Fax: 847-733-3543, or E-mail: for most reports ( for label requests or membership lists only) Phone the proper number below: Address changes: 847-733-3437 Bahá’í ID card replacements: 847-733-3438 Community contacts: 847-733-3438 General inquiries: 847-733-3438 Label requests: 847-733-3439 Membership lists: 847-733-3439	The reports listed below must be submitted by mail, fax or e-mail; phone numbers are provided for information and assistance. Child registrations: 847-733-3438 Death, report of: 847-733-3437 Divorce, report of: 847-733-3438 Enrollments: 847-733-3437 Marriage, report of: 847-733-3438 Name change: 847-733-3438 Transfers in/out of U.S.: 847-733-3441 Local Spiritual Assembly/registered group formation and changes: Central, 847-733-3441; Northeastern, 847-733-3438; Southern, 847-733-3439; Western, 847-733-3437

THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í[edit]

1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201 Tel/ 847.853.2352 Fax/ 847.256.1372 E-mail/

PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES

Bahá’í National Center 847.869.9039

Managing Editor / Editorial Content James Humphrey

Managing Editor / Art Director Amethel Parel-Sewell

Associate Editor Tom Mennillo

Associate Editor Ramzia Duszynski

Facilities Manager Artis Mebane

Contributors David Bowers, Jim Cheek, Shu Shu Costa, Chad Dumas, Ken Harper, Ken Krapf, Nushin Mavaddat, Larry Pedersen, Susan Rishworth, Ruhi Yargha, Lucki Wilder

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

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

ISSN Number: 1062-1113

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

Articles should be clear and concise. Stories may be edited for length.
PHOTOS MAY BE color or black-and-white prints or slides. Please submit photos that are well composed and in focus and identify people in photos when possible. If you wish photos returned, include a self-addressed envelope.
Deadlines for upcoming issues:

May 14 for the issue dated June 24 June 18 for the issue dated Aug. 1

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

Heroic story creates opportunities[edit]

BY JAMES HUMPHREY

Marty Ravellette doesn’t seek out these situations. Every now and then, he just does what’s right.

Last October the Bahá’í from Carrboro, North Carolina, found himself driving toward a burning van on a roadside. Ravellette stopped and discovered a woman trapped inside. So he kicked out the driver’s window, allowing his wife to unlock the door and help 86-year-old Elma Snedeker to safety.

He was risking one of his two limbs. Marty Ravellette, 58, has lived without arms all his life.

Local newspaper publicity fed national media attention, and within months the Today and Rosie O’Donnell shows helped spread the story of his heroism.

He used the occasions to plead from the heart for the rights and dignity of disabled people and, by his actions, to proclaim the transforming power of the Bahá’í revelation.

SEE RAVELLETTE, PAGE 39

At the Martin Luther King Jr. awards ceremony in Chapel Hill, Marty Ravellette and his wife, Marie, pose with William, a North Carolina youth born without arms whom Marty has been mentoring.

Enrollments[edit]

February 1999	93
March 1999	120
Since May 1, 1998	1,346

THE FUND[edit]

May 1, 1998–March 31, 1999

Contributions received by National Treasurer

Received since May 1, 1998:	$16,835,718
Goal for entire year:	$27,000,000

62% of year’s goal was met
92% of fiscal year has passed
April 30, 1999

Allocations to other funds[edit]

Arc Projects Fund	$2,193,650
International Bahá’í Fund	$1,085,164

The two amounts above add up to 19% of contributions received by National Assembly (goal is 26%)

Continental Bahá’í Fund	$205,024*

1.2% of contributions received by National Assembly (goal is 2%)

Note: Higher figures were reported by mistake in previous issues.

Other contributions: $631,064

Total revenues and expenses at Bahá’í National Center May 1, 1998–Feb. 28, 1999 (Latest available)

$16,544,560	Revenues
$16,249,053	Expenses

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

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

Covenant-breaker[edit]

The National Spiritual Assembly has the sad duty to inform you that the Universal House of Justice has announced that Mr. Franklin Tompkins of Lonoke, Arkansas, has broken the Covenant and has been expelled from the Bahá’í community.

We remind you of the admonition given to every Bahá’í to strictly avoid communication or contact with any Covenant-breaker.

“When a person declares his acceptance of Bahá’u’lláh as a Manifestation of God he becomes a party to the Covenant and accepts the totality of His Revelation. If he then turns round and attacks Bahá’u’lláh or the Central Institution of the Faith he violates the Covenant. If this happens every effort is made to help that person to see the illogicality and error of his actions, but if he persists he must, in accordance with the instructions of Bahá’u’lláh Himself, be shunned as a Covenant-breaker.” —from a March 23, 1975, letter of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer ♦

‘Open University’ survives despite closure attempt[edit]

Nearly four months after Iranian government officials launched a series of raids and arrests in an attempt to close the Bahá’í Institute of Higher Education, the Iranian Bahá’í community has rededicated itself to providing educational opportunities for Bahá’í youth who have been denied access to higher education in Iran since the Islamic Revolution.

Known informally as the “Open University,” the institute resumed activities for the new academic year, although its functioning is hampered by the loss of equipment, especially computers, that it suffered during the raids.

Three of the 36 administrators and faculty members who were arrested in September and October 1998 remain in prison in Isfahan: Mr. Farzad Khajeh, Dr. Sina Hakiman and Mr. Habibullah Ferdosian.

The arrested faculty members were pressured to sign a statement that they would no longer collaborate with the Bahá’í university. All refused to sign because no law in Iran forbids teaching dentistry, accounting or other academic subjects in private homes.

Meanwhile, responses to the situation in Iran have continued across the country. The National Spiritual Assembly asked Bahá’í campus associations and others to appeal to university educators to protest the Iranian action with that country’s ministry of higher education and with UNESCO (the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Here are just a few of the efforts reported since 1999 began:

Howard University, Washington, DC: Muslims, Christians, and Bahá’ís signed a letter of protest to be sent to Iran and to UNESCO. They were attending “Forum Iran: Human Rights Issues in Higher Education,” sponsored by the Recognized Campus Ministries and by the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center. Shirley Hayes Ganao, a local Bahá’í, and Glen Fullmer, assistant to the director of external affairs for the National Spiritual Assembly, participated in a panel with representatives of other faiths.

Amherst, Massachusetts: When Bahá’ís here began publicizing Iran’s attempt to close the Bahá’í Institute of Higher Education, two elderly Christian women spearheaded a petition campaign among Christians and Jews that ultimately involved the town’s Interfaith Council and all who attended the annual Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast. The two coordinated a mailing to 100 faith

SEE OPEN UNIVERSITY, PAGE 32

Restorations of administrative rights[edit]

The National Spiritual Assembly has restored the administrative rights of Mr. Mouhebat Sobhani of New York City, New York.
The National Spiritual Assembly has restored the administrative rights of Mr. Riaz Sana, Mr. Farzin Agahi and Mrs. Croce Theresa Agahi.

Local reports awaited on ‘Two Wings’ efforts[edit]

The National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men enthusiastically awaits the receipt of activity reports from Local Spiritual Assemblies and groups on the dissemination of the statement Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men to your mayors and college communities. Please use the “activities report” sheet in your Assembly/registered group packet to mail in your stories.

If your community or your campus Bahá’í association has not received a packet, please contact the national committee (phone 202-833-8990, e-mail ). Isolated or other believers who may have not heard about local plans for dissemination and use of the Two Wings statement should contact the nearest Local Spiritual Assembly or registered group. ♦ [Page 4]

Peace Among the Nations: a brief statement[edit]

From the Office of Public Information, Bahá’í International Community

World peace, a hallmark of the emerging global civilization, will be realized as a tangible expression of the principle of the oneness of humankind. This assurance is given in the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.

Such a peace will result from the culmination of two distinct but simultaneous and mutually reinforcing processes: one leading to the spiritual unity of the human race, referred to as the "Most Great Peace"; the other to the political unity of nations and known as the "Lesser Peace." The former is a distant goal, requiring a monumental change in human conduct that only religious faith can ensure; the other is more immediate and can already be detected on the political horizon. The one is directly related to the efforts of the Bahá’í community in promoting the pivotal principle of their Faith; the other is dependent on the actions of world political leaders and not on any Bahá’í plan or action.

The political unity of nations implies the achievement of a relationship among them that will enable them to resolve questions of international import through consultation rather than war and that will lead to the establishment of a world government. The attainment of peace in the political realm is discernible through the workings of a process that can be seen as having been definitely established in the twentieth century amid the terror and turmoil that have characterized so much of this period. It is noteworthy that the majority of the nations have come into being during this century and that they have opted for peaceful relations with one another by joining in the membership of the United Nations and through participation in regional organizations that facilitate their working together.

Moreover, the process of political unification is gaining acceleration through the awakening of a consciousness of peace among the world's peoples that validates the work of the United Nations, and through advances in science and technology, which have already contracted and transformed the world into a single complex organism. The horrific experiences of two world wars which gave birth at first to the League of Nations and then to the United Nations; the frequency with which world leaders, particularly in the decade of the nineties, have met and agreed on the resolution of global issues; the call for a global order that issued from the participation of these leaders in the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations; the multiplication of organizations of civil society that focus attention on a variety of international concerns through the operation of an ever-expanding network of activities; the widespread debates on the need for global governance and numerous organized efforts towards world peace; the emergence of international tribunals; the rapid developments in communications technology that have made the planet borderless—these are among the voluminous evidences of a momentum toward peaceful international relations that has clearly become irreversible.

The Bahá’í writings indicate that peace among the nations will be established in the twentieth century; they do say, however, that a universal fermentation and horrendous social upheavals would mark the transition from a warlike world to a peaceful one, but they do not point to the occurrence of any specific cataclysmic event at the end of the century. Inevitably, the movement leading to world unity must encounter opposing tendencies rooted in stubborn habits of chauvinism and partisanship that refuse to yield to the expectations of a new age. The torturous suffering imposed by such conditions as poverty, war, violence, fanaticism, disease, and degradation of the environment, to which masses of people are subjected, is a consequence of this opposition. Hence, before the peace of nations matures into a comprehensive reality, it must pass through difficult stages, not unlike those experienced by individual nations until their internal consolidation was achieved. But that the process toward peace is far advanced can hardly be denied.

BDS, CONTINUED FROM PAGE I[edit]

... to the Chicago area."

Several major considerations governed the selection.

"We needed some expansion room for inventory as well as staff," Bowers said. "We also needed to be in an area that gave us a larger pool of Bahá’ís to draw from for employment. And the operating costs needed to be low, as well as the cost of living, so we could afford to keep people."

The Georgia site turned out to be a good fit in several ways:

Location: The modern industrial park sits within sight of an overnight shipping hub. Nearby are Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport and customs brokers.

Terms: "We're here with a six-year lease," Bowers said. "We have the ability to move within that six years should it become necessary."

Space: "We can probably increase our inventory up to about 50 percent and our staff almost that much," he said. The current 600,000-unit inventory, worth $750,000, can be sold for about $3 million. "So that space will carry us for at least the first few years of that six-year stint," he said. "Hopefully, if we do have to move within six years, it will be for another good reason: We need more room because we're shipping more and taking care of more business."

Cost: Warehouse costs were equivalent to those at the Chattanooga facility.

Highly crucial was the need to preserve the present staff. "Had we gone a long way away from where we were, the chance of losing the majority of the staff or even all of them—would have been substantial," Bowers said. In the end, "we retained everyone except for one full-time employee," he said. "That's what allowed us to be open after 2 1/2 weeks."

There were new residences to find, homes in Chattanooga to put on the market, lots of packing to do. Toughest of all, there were Bahá’í communities to leave. BDS's departure left the Chattanooga and Hamilton County Assemblies needing to elect five replacement members.

And then there were the logistics: arranging for business licenses, contracting for services, building out the space to meet BDS's needs, and more. "We got a lot of support from the IS (Information Services) department at the Bahá’í National Center, which helped with moving the phones, getting a T1 (data) line run here, and kind of bringing us up to speed," he said.

BDS also received considerable assistance from the Treasurer's Office "in terms of planning and keeping the costs to a minimum," Bowers says. "It really helped spearhead the effort."

One irony is that business has boomed as teaching activity rises, creating the need for new staff. But that boom hasn't really translated into greater dollar sales. More transactions are being made through Assemblies, which get up to a 30 percent discount, and many of the titles sold are inexpensive teaching materials. Also, the low-priced pocket-size editions of the Sacred Texts continue to be subsidized by the National Assembly.

"With the amount of teaching materials that go out the door, which are by definition inexpensive and sell in heavy volume, our ability to be self-sufficient selling these items is more and more difficult each year," he said.

Retail bookstores show little interest in materials supplied through BDS; store chains such as Barnes & Noble or Waldenbooks will special-order Bahá’í books when customers request them.

In a few years, that function is expected to grow beyond BDS—a prospect that excites Bowers. Bahá’í Publications and other agencies, at the direction of the National Spiritual Assembly, are beginning to devise a strategy to produce and market products for sale to the public.

Temporary warehouse worker Sally Sheard packs books with gusto at the new BDS location.

HUQUQU’LLÁH THE RIGHT OF GOD[edit]

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

Dr. Amin Banani, Santa Monica, CA 90402 (phone 310-394-5449) Mr. Stephen Birkland, Arden Hills, MN 55112 (phone 651-484-9518) Dr. Daryush Haghighi, Rocky River, OH 44116 (phone 440-333-1506)

Inquiries about Huqúqu’lláh should be referred to one of the Trustees or to the Office of the Secretariat, Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust, Rocky River, OH 44116. [Page 5]

Your thoughts on the Fund[edit]

U.S. community provides wealth of input on our national finances

BY THE OFFICE OF THE TREASURER

Two issues ago the Office of the Treasurer published a graph under the question “What do you think?” A number of friends have responded and we wanted to share parts of their responses, together with some thoughts about the questions and issues these responses raise.

First, the treasurer was delighted with the responses. All were thoughtful and sincere. Some of the friends thought their comments might be unwelcome, as they said things they felt the National Spiritual Assembly might not want to hear.

But every sentiment the writers shared—even those who chose to be anonymous—was obviously deeply felt. The motives were uniformly constructive, and that made the responses part of a family discussion in which deeply held questions can always be shared.

The purpose of the comments offered below is not to indicate who is right or wrong. It is simply to share some information about the types of concerns raised, in hopes this family discussion can continue.

The cost of local initiatives[edit]

There is no question that local activity is up. Every survey done by the National Teaching Committee in recent months illustrates this fact vividly. Whether it is local teaching, a local center, or activities designed to raise the quality of community life, Bahá’ís are doing a lot, and it costs money.

The strategic challenge is to maintain a balance that meets all the needs. Most of the friends who have written seem aware of this. But let us consider letters from Local Spiritual Assemblies, for example, who say their new center is going to keep them from sending any money to the National Bahá’í Fund for several months while they adjust to the new load. Obviously the national and international work of the Faith cannot stop to wait; a different balance really needs to be struck by those local communities because it is in their own best interest to do so. Solutions to the world’s problems, which we are all concerned about, have local and national and international aspects.

So: Local investment is good and necessary; and a lot of other work needs to get done, too. We are actually finding that balance pretty well as a community. Maybe our innate generosity and devotion, coupled with effective consultation, are working!

Accountability[edit]

A writer from Nebraska asks, “What happens to the money? ... (T)he back-of-the-mind suspicions about book-juggling hanky-panky, inefficiency, personal misuse and diversion of funds ... are all there waiting.”

It is true that accountability is understood differently in the Faith than it is in connection with organizations in other arenas. We read in our Writings that our institutions are accountable to Bahá’u’lláh, not to those who elect them. In such a context, information is shared differently. There are twin responsibilities here: The institution’s, to earn the confidence of the believers; and the believers’, to understand that an institution may not share 100% of the information it has, but for good reasons.

“(Members) feel they should scrutinize the way their contributions are applied. ... Many such people would require more reporting on how the Bahá’í funds are spent before they would go beyond routine levels of giving,” writes a friend in Minnesota.

Our National Spiritual Assembly actually does share a lot of information, a good example being the Annual Report, which is shared each year with the entire membership via this paper. A reader can find there all the information she needs for any constructive purpose.

Is it an easy report to read? No, but it is regularly reviewed to make it more useful. Is there more information that might be shared? Possibly, but while some friends want every detail, as many friends see no need and would feel overburdened. Perhaps the question is: What level of information do we require as believers to know what the Faith needs at a given moment? The answer will be different for each of us, but the institutions have to make the best choices they can.

If our bedrock concern is protection, then our best protection is the Covenant.

Bahá’í membership[edit]

One writer called attention to the fact that many Bahá’ís are poor. That is true, but it is also true that the community as a whole covers the full range of economic conditions, and tends to mirror the national averages, with one important exception: As a group, we seem to be a good deal more generous than our fellow citizens who belong to other religious or church groups.

Another writer gave an interesting insight, categorizing the Bahá’ís they know into several groups: people who live the Faith; people for whom religion is just one facet of their lives; new Bahá’ís; “gone Bahá’ís” whose names are on the membership list only; inactive Bahá’ís; Bahá’ís with non-Bahá’í spouses; wealthy Bahá’ís; passionate Bahá’ís; women Bahá’ís; and people who give in other ways.

This is a helpful perspective because it points up a couple of important things. First, what we are really talking about is diversity, and it stands to reason that each of these “kinds of Bahá’ís” will give differently, at different times and for different reasons. A challenge to any institution is to communicate with them all, so they are as much a part of the community as they themselves feel the need to be.

Second, the literature on charitable giving does say that women are only recently hitting their stride as donors. We are probably seeing that in the Faith as well, but have no reliable information on patterns. It is something to think about, though: another area where full equality will add to the riches, spiritual and financial, of the believers and of the community as a whole.

Third, regardless of the particulars, we all share one thing: every Bahá’í can give to the Fund. The Universal House of Justice said that. That is a unity we share, along with our diversity.

ADMINISTERING • THE • CAUSE[edit]

Recommendations by delegates at the 1998 National Convention[edit]

This is a report from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States on recommendations by the delegates to the 89th Bahá’í National Convention, May 28–30, 1998.

Teaching[edit]

Recommended: that the National Spiritual Assembly and its National Teaching Committee develop a weekly radio broadcast to be syndicated throughout the United States.

Response: The National Teaching Committee is consulting with a group of Bahá’ís who have professional experience in radio production to develop a pilot program that will be tested in a limited number of areas. The program will be refined through a process of testing and experimentation before being made available to other communities. The Committee hopes to complete this project during the final year of the Four Year Plan.

Community Development[edit]

Recommended: that the National Spiritual Assembly produce new materials or use existing materials (such as letters from the Universal House of Justice dated November 14, 1991, and January 24, 1993, entitled “Violence and Sexual Abuse of Women and Children”) to bring greater awareness to the issue of domestic abuse and violence against women and to ensure that the materials are translated into as many languages as possible since that behavior is tolerated in many of our cultures including the Persian culture.

Response: The National Spiritual Assembly’s Office of Women’s Affairs and its National Committee on the Equality of Women and Men will continue to direct the attention of the national community to the many and varied issues which currently hinder the advancement of women, including those related to abuse and violence.

Education/Schools[edit]

Recommended: that the National Spiritual Assembly create a database of lesson plans cross-indexed by subjects on the Core Curriculum and made available on the Web.

Response: Developing cross-indexing of lesson plans is currently not possible. However, the Education and Schools Task Force is currently creating a Web page that will allow communities to share lesson plans. A Core Curriculum list serve is also available for Core Curriculum trainers to request and share lesson plans.

External Affairs[edit]

Recommended: that the National Spiritual Assembly ask the Regional Bahá’í Councils to hold a conference or a series of conferences or a mode of its choosing to educate local Spiritual Assemblies on the protocol and process of presenting themselves to the public and to invite community members to observe or participate in some way.

Response: Relevant guidance on this subject is currently available in Section 12 of Developing Distinctive Bahá’í Communities: Guidelines for Spiritual Assemblies. In addition, such education is provided periodically at various Bahá’í schools and institutes.

Recommended: that the National Spiritual Assembly begin preparation for the prophetic year 2000 by planning a dignified press conference in which the National Spiritual Assembly tells the world of the Station and Name of Bahá’u’lláh.

Response: Referred to the Office of the Secretary for External Affairs.

Publishing/Media[edit]

Recommended: that the National Spiritual Assembly use every means possible to ensure that books that contain the unique Bahá’í perspective of integrating both social principle and spiritual principle on race, gender and other such issues are available in commercial book markets and similarly—that the National Spiritual Assembly develop a systematic approach towards acquiring national bookstore shelf space for Bahá’í publications.

Response: The National Spiritual Assembly is currently creating a trade publishing entity for the specific purpose of providing publications that are of interest to the general public and available to commercial book stores and libraries. Initially, the book themes to be developed will be the ones featured in the national media campaign such as race unity, equality of women and men, and the power of prayer.

Race Unity[edit]

Recommended: that the National Spiritual Assembly encourage interracial marriages in any way possible as a way of promoting race unity.

Response: When an interracial couple prepares for marriage, the National Spiritual Assembly encourages the Bahá’í community to support them in every way possible as they demonstrate by example the pivotal principle of our Faith.

Training Institutes[edit]

Recommended: that the National Spiritual Assembly incorporate into its National Teaching Plan the requirement that all training institutes provide systematic courses on the skills of teaching, with particular emphasis on the National Teaching Plan related to race unity.

Response: This request was made by the National Teaching Committee to all regional training institutes in 1997, and was repeated by the Regional Councils in 1998, after the Councils assumed general supervisory responsibilities.

Recommended: that the National Spiritual Assembly set a specific goal for attendance at the institutes that train individuals on the skills of teaching the Faith.

Response: No specific national goal for attendance has been set; although, widespread support of the institutes has been strongly encouraged.

Youth[edit]

Recommended: that the National Spiritual Assembly write a letter to all Bahá’í youth as its institutional “parent” expressing both its love and its concerns as a way of challenging the youth. The letter would be one that youth could refer back to when going through difficult times—it would inspire, sustain and instruct them.

Response: Such communications are conveyed regularly to the youth in the American Bahá’í community through the National Spiritual Assembly’s agency, the National Youth Committee, via the Youth Page in The American Bahá’í and through the Committee’s efforts to build a loving and supportive network among teens and older youth and to inspire and instruct them on their unique responsibilities to the Cause. This is in addition to the regular focus on this population by the Regional Bahá’í Councils.

Recommended: that the National Spiritual Assembly ensure that there is a youth report at every National Convention and to explore the possibility of having a concurrent youth forum similar to the Convention visitors format so that the youth will have a more identifiable presence at every National Convention.

Response: The National Spiritual Assembly has invited the National Youth Committee to report at the upcoming National Convention. In addition, the National Youth Committee will plan a special gathering for all the youth attending this year’s National Convention as it did in 1998 and 1997. ◆

Forum helps Washington-area Assemblies gain and exchange ideas[edit]

The latest Assembly Development Forum gave 74 members of 30 Assemblies in the Washington, DC, area a stronger footing to help improve their Assemblies’ service to the friends.

Conducted by the Office of Assembly Development in cooperation with the Office of the Treasurer and the National Teaching Committee, the all-day forum Feb. 13 at the Washington Bahá’í Center also provided a lively exchange of ideas between Local Spiritual Assemblies and discussion on questions each Assembly brought to the gathering.

“In 27 years as a Bahá’í this has been one of the two or three most productive sessions I’ve attended,” one participant responded. Other participants apparently agreed, as evaluations gave the event an average rating of 4.46 on a 1–5 scale for effectiveness.

“Many [Assemblies] struggle with the same issues but all are purposeful in their efforts to overcome and grow.”

—Development Forum participant

Highlights included:

Seven workshops on such topics as “The Art of Consultation,” “Acting on Principle,” “The Implementation of Teaching Plans,” “Teaching the Troops about the Fund” and issues of concern to particular Assembly officers.
Information on resources available to Local Spiritual Assemblies.
Presentations by representatives of the Regional Bahá’í Council for the Southern States and the Regional Training Institute for that area.

“Your offering all the Assemblies in the DC Metro area the opportunity to learn together and voice questions/concerns is confirming and illuminating,” another participant wrote, adding that it was good to hear “that many struggle with the same issues but all are purposeful in their efforts to overcome and grow.”

The Regional Council’s Coordinating Team handled logistics such as invitations and registration, while the Spiritual Assembly of Rockville, Maryland, organized meals and devotions and the Washington Bahá’ís made their center available.

All but three of the 33 Assemblies in the Washington, DC, area pre-registered, with five Assemblies registering a quorum. Past forums have taken place at Chicago, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Green Acre, Dallas and Phoenix.

Assembly Development Forums are held several times a year in metropolitan areas around the country. Assemblies wishing information on hosting a forum for their area can contact the Office of Assembly Development, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3490, e-mail ).

The office is also in the process of developing a do-it-yourself kit for Local Spiritual Assemblies to host and run a forum, so that more communities can benefit from this process. ◆

page 6 THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í ADMINISTERING THE CAUSE April 9, 1999 [Page 7]

Commitment to teaching plans yields confirmations in Chicago[edit]

BY LUCKI WILDER, CHICAGO, IL

A story of commitment, nine hours in service and glorious confirmations:

It was the second day of 1999, and Chicago was in the throes of the second-worst blizzard day since record-keeping began.

It was also the day of the Open House/Open Mind Dinner & Discussion, a monthly supper gathering held by the Rogers Park neighborhood fireside team.

Snowdrifts were waist-high and the city was at a standstill. Worse, the home host was in the hospital, the Spanish host was out of town, and the evening’s speaker was stuck 20 miles away.

That left two other team members pondering what to do. Of course, they had the keys to the fireside location, and weeks’ worth of advance publicity through posters in the area. And of course, there was the commitment.

After consultation the two teammates decided to fulfill the commitment, prepare the home, cook a “canned” meal, and pray and deepen together if no speaker or seekers arrived. They got started at 3 p.m. to welcome guests at 6.

Each block they walked, toting bags of food and supplies, took half an hour. They even slogged to the nearest train station to write on the posters, “Yes, today; hot meal.”

Six o’clock, time to eat, and the doorbell rang. It was a man who was aware of the Faith, had seen posters every month, and had planned to attend that night. When he saw “Yes, today” in the train station, he knew he’d made the right choice. The hosts knew they had, too.

Seven o’clock, time to start the discussion, and the doorbell rang. It was a man who did not know about the Faith, had seen posters every month, and decided to take a chance tonight, walking more than half a mile through the blizzard. Another choice gloriously confirmed, for this was the first month that a white host was part of the team and here was the first white seeker ever to attend.

Eight o’clock, time to wind down, and the doorbell rang. It was a student from another country who had attended the previous month’s fireside. He had just decided to stop in and see if anyone was there. The hosts were exultant.

The seekers stayed till 11 o’clock, and by then the blizzard broke. The hosts cleaned up and started home around midnight, chattering excitedly all the way, for could there be any doubt that the Blessed Beauty rewards the efforts of those who strive to teach His Faith! ◆

Idahoans honor interracial couples[edit]

BY THE REGIONAL BAHÁ’Í COUNCIL FOR THE WESTERN STATES

An appeal from this Regional Bahá’í Council to “honor interracial/ethnic married couples” was taken to heart by the Bahá’ís of Nampa, Idaho.

They have begun hosting potluck dinners with the help of nearby Bahá’í communities in the Treasure Valley, and hope to keep them going on a regular basis.

About 50 people in interracial marriages participated in the initial dinner late last year. All showed great appreciation from the heart at this celebration of their marriages and asked to be invited again.

The weekend before Martin Luther King Jr. Day proved an ideal occasion for a follow-up celebration, and the event again brought a warm response.

“Some of the new friends of the Bahá’í community are now attending the local ‘circle of learning,’” said Jackie Richards of the Nampa community.

In about this same period, two people have embraced the Cause of God in Nampa, leading the community to happily report it expects to re-form its Local Spiritual Assembly at Ridván.

“We are so lucky to have diversity in our local community,” Richards said. “All we have to do is what we are supposed to. It works.” ◆

Tell 9,000 people about Bahá’u’lláh? No problem in India[edit]

At the Badasht 150 youth conference last July at the Bahá’í House of Worship, David Bowers arose to a challenge from Auxiliary Board member William Smits. Here are excerpts from a letter he shared with the Office of Pioneering, written from his service post in Hyderabad, India.

Dear Dr. Smits,

Alláh-u-Abhá! Greetings from India! This is David Bowers, a tall, blond 20-year-old you met this year at the 150th anniversary of the Conference of Badasht at the House of Worship in Wilmette. After you gave a talk and the whole event was over, I came up to you and, as you held your little baby in your hand, I promised you that somehow, someway, I would be one of those people to tell at least 9,000 people about Bahá’u’lláh and receive my copy of The Dawn-Breakers.

After that, I began to worry that I would have to break that promise. I told one person, then two, and considering the reactions I got, I thought I would never reach 9,000, so I stopped counting. Then, having learned this language called Telugu a bit over the summer at the U. of Wisconsin, I came in September to this place in India where it is spoken, and practiced as much as I could. Still, I didn’t count the people I taught at all.

Just back at the beginning of December, I was on vacation from school here for a while, and the Bahá’ís of this city of Hyderabad asked me to help out with the Bahá’í stall at a big book fair in town. So I came every day for about 10 days, and as it turns out, I was the only white foreigner working there like that. ... Obviously I drew some attention. ...

David Bowers (center left) gets together with Bahá’í friends in Hyderabad, India.

We estimated that we gave out about 2,000–2,500 pamphlets that week, and we definitely talked to many people about the Faith. One day, a Telugu TV news station had come to see the book fair, found out I spoke Telugu, and gave me an opportunity to tell those members out of the 50,000 Telugu speakers in this part of India that have a TV the bare-bone-basics about Bahá’u’lláh and His Faith, in Telugu! ...

So, then, the day after the last day of the book fair, I got on a train to Delhi, and volunteered at the Bahá’í House of Worship there for a month. I had made plans with them beforehand, of course, but I had only expected to stay for two weeks. I fell in love, though, as you might expect, and during the time I was there, an average of about 12,000–15,000 people came every day. We handed out countless pamphlets and talked to a portion of those people that asked questions and showed some interest in the Faith and/or the Temple. ...

I thought it might be nice to send you a message and remind you of my promise, and yours, and demand from you my reward for reaching at least 9,000 people—with one small change.

First, I can’t really say that I feel responsible for this. I didn’t anticipate any of it, nor was I really anything much more than an unwitting pawn in the hand of Bahá’u’lláh. All I did was pray to be a pawn.

Second, I’m in India, and sending me a special Dr. Smits copy of The Dawn-Breakers might be costly. ...

Rather, I would like to ask that, if you find this work I told you about worthy of your gift, could you please donate it to some school’s library, or any library where they don’t have that book. ...

On the other hand, if you know someone who doesn’t have The Dawn-Breakers, anyone at all, and who could use it to deepen themselves and become more devoted to the Faith, please give it to that person on my behalf, along with a promise that my prayers are with them for their spiritual success. ...

Thank you so much! Also, please pray for me and the success of my plans for the future. I hope to pioneer for the rest of my life. But we will see where the winds of Bahá’u’lláh’s guidance carry me!

Love, Dave ◆ [Page 8]

SPREADING THE TEACHINGS[edit]

NATIONAL TEACHING PLAN[edit]

CARRY THE MESSAGE OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH TO THE AMERICAN NATION

National Media Initiative
Regional and Local Initiatives
Individual Initiatives

DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF ACTIVE BELIEVERS

Training Institutes
Devotional Gatherings
Daily Prayer
Core Curriculum/Fundamental Verities
Ruhi Institutes

FOSTER THE MATURITY OF THE INSTITUTIONS AND COMMUNITY

Promote Race Unity
Promote Equality of Women and Men
Social and Economic Development

Friends celebrate World Religion Day[edit]

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA INFORMATION FROM NUSHIN MAVADDAT

Systematic action by the Bahá’ís of San Francisco brought nearly 400 people to the Bahá’í Center for an observance of World Religion Day.

More than 3,000 invitation cards were distributed throughout the Bay Area and information packets were sent to 105 Spiritual Assemblies in the vicinity. A huge banner atop the Center also alerted thousands of motorists to the January 17 event.

The program theme was "Poverty and Wealth: Scriptures to Inspire Action." It featured a speech by Carolene Marks, city commissioner, on the status of women; remarks by representatives of seven faiths; and lots of music.

U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer and U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi sent greetings. Mayor Willie Brown Jr. and state Sen. Jackie Speier issued proclamations and sent representatives to the event.

An elegant reception gave attendees an opportunity to meet the speakers and to enjoy conversation and fellowship. There were numerous requests for future such gatherings.

As a memento, each attendee was given a facsimile of the "Unity in Diversity" stamp series recently issued by Singapore.

Bahá’ís Randy Caran of New Jersey and Britney Williams of Hilliard, Ohio, read quotes from many religions during a World Religion Day celebration at Ohio Wesleyan University.

DELAWARE, OHIO[edit]

Writings, prayers and songs of several religious traditions mingled at the third annual World Religion Day celebration sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Delaware, Ohio, at Ohio Wesleyan University.

Students and other participants of Bahá’í, Christian, Muslim and Unitarian Universalist backgrounds shared scriptures, chanting, poetry and other spiritual presentations. The welcome was provided by the OWU chaplain.

Highlights included music on several woodwind instruments by Ben Koen and gospel-style songs by the Voices of Unity choir. Crafts from around the world were also displayed.

Opportunities for traveling teaching around the globe[edit]

In a document compiled by the Bahá’í World Center, 150 countries list specific needs and opportunities for traveling teachers. National Spiritual Assemblies and other institutions also continually write to our national community to advise of the following service opportunities, which serve as further examples of their diversity. Due to space limitations, the following needs are summarized only from letters recently received from Bahá’í institutions overseas and do not include the complete information available through the Office of Pioneering or your Auxiliary Board member.

Botswana: John Robarts Long-Term Teaching Project.
Bulgaria: One World Peace Tour July and August 1999, deadline to apply April 23.
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, an expansion and consolidation project.
El Salvador: Teaching Project in San Salvador summer 1999; ongoing deepening and social and economic development projects at the Badasht Institute, Jamáliyyíh Institute, and New Garden Bahá’í Institute.
French Guiana: "Sparks of Peace" Perles de la Caraibes Teaching Project, especially interested in those who speak French and/or have experience with theater, dance workshops, visual arts and music who can train and organize youth for proclamation shows.
Guatemala: Assisting in ongoing teaching, consolidation/deepening, and human resource development projects at the Rúhíyyih Project, Chimaltenago Shíráz Project and National Network of Institutes,
Hungary: Békéscaba Long-Term Teaching Project.
Ivory Coast: Various teaching projects.
Jamaica: Assisting ongoing teaching and consolidation efforts.
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.
Solomon Islands: 1-3 months assisting a Bahá’í Youth Workshop, teaching, and the development of creative youth activities in rural villages.
Zambia: Various rural teaching projects.

Please contact the Office of Pioneering (see box below for address etc.) for further information about these and other urgent needs and opportunities for international traveling teachers.

We have: A recently compiled list of conferences, schools and events in Europe. The schedule of summer schools, deepening institutes and Bahá’í camps in Canada. The 1999 program of the Landegg Academy in Switzerland. Project and event information received since the deadline for this publication.

Office of Pioneering 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 Northeast or Central States: phone 847-733-3511, e-mail Southern States: phone 847-733-3507, e-mail Western States: phone 847-733-3512, e-mail

HELP WANTED: PIONEERS[edit]

Combining to such a degree the essential qualities of audacity, of consecration, of tenacity of self-renunciation and unstinted devotion that will prompt them to abandon their homes, and forsake their all, and scatter over the surface of the globe, and hoist in its uttermost corners the triumphant banner of Bahá’u’lláh

(Requirements from The Advent of Divine Justice)

INFORMATION ON YOUR INTERNATIONAL TEACHING TRIP[edit]

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 on page 33 to respond by mail.

Special information:

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?

Use a separate sheet as needed. [Page 9]

Approaching the Millennium[edit]

Two Essays on The Promise of World Peace by John Lang $4.00 SC (AM)

In these two essays the author reflects on the vision presented in the Universal House of Justice’s message The Promise of World Peace. In them the author further examines some of the themes presented in that document and their implications for our collective future.

5 1/2" x 8 1/2", 46 pp.

Issues Related to the Study of the Bahá’í Faith[edit]

The Universal House of Justice $2.95 SC (IRBF)

The letters in this booklet were written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice over the past few years to believers who, conscious of the high importance Bahá’u’lláh attaches to the pursuit of knowledge and the use of reason, had raised various questions regarding the scholarly study of the Faith. Most inquirers whose letters elicited the responses published were academics, concerned with understanding more deeply the relationship between the truths of Revelation and the demands of science for rigorous and detached examination of documentary and other evidence.

5 1/2" x 8 1/2", 45 pp.

Training Institutes[edit]

The Universal House of Justice $2.00 SC (TRINS)

A compilation of extracts from messages from the Universal House of Justice about training institutes. Accompanying the references is a document that outlines the functions, methods and directives of training institutes also approved by the Universal House of Justice.

5 1/2" x 8 1/4", 40 pp.

Alzheimer’s Disease[edit]

An Eclipse Before Sunset by A-M. Ghadirian, M.D. $3.00 SC (ALZD)

Professor Ghadirian has captured the bittersweet experience of Alzheimer’s disease. For sufferers, the eclipse is often painfully visible before the sunset occurs. For those who support sufferers, the distress is equally intense and even longer-lasting. Here is a look at the ways in which treatments can be used to help slow the deterioration of functions and, to the extent possible, alleviate the patient’s suffering.

5 1/2" x 8 1/2", 16 pp.

NOW IN STOCK![edit]

A new selection from the Animal Tales series for children!

The Story of Percival[edit]

by Jennifer Lemon illustrated by Mariya Daliri Beale $4.95 SC (SPERC)

Percival’s story is a story of disability, prejudice and friendship ... it’s the story of a three-legged dog.

The Story of Daphne Duck[edit]

by Jennifer Lemon illustrated by Mariya Daliri Beale $4.95 SC (SDD)

"What should I do with my life, Mum?" Daphne asked. "I can’t tell you what to do," her mother replied, "You must decide for yourself. I can only suggest that you might enjoy doing something that is of service to others." What could she do that would be of service to others?

What a Mess[edit]

by Jennifer Lemon illustrated by Mariya Daliri Beale $4.95 SC (WAM)

The animals in the park are fed up with the pollution of their home. A story about the importance of the environment.

Ziba and the New Kittens[edit]

by Jennifer Lemon illustrated by Mariya Daliri Beale $4.95 SC (ZNK)

Ziba was so confused. Her friends thought she should be happy and excited, but actually she was feeling a little sad and uneasy. Her parents had just told her that she would soon have some new brothers or sisters, or maybe both.

Toby’s Boy[edit]

by Jennifer Lemon illustrated by Mariya Daliri Beale $4.95 SC (TOBY)

He’s special! Toby talks with his friend Barney about his boy. A story of the bond of love and friendship between a dog and his boy.

The Story of Warren Wallaby[edit]

by Jennifer Lemon illustrated by Mariya Daliri Beale $4.95 SC (SWW)

Warren and some friends play an outside game inside with disastrous results. "What should I do?" thought Warren. "Mum loved that vase. It was her favorite thing in this house. She probably won’t love me any more." The story of a runaway who discovers the truth of his mother’s love.

The Story of Frederick Fox[edit]

by Jennifer Lemon illustrated by Mariya Daliri Beale $4.95 SC (SFF)

On the way to school Frederick Fox finds two dollars. To him it meant chocolate for lunch instead of peanut butter sandwiches. Then he finds out that a friend lost two dollars on the way to school. Was it possible that this was Willamena’s money? What should he do? [Page 10]

The Metropolis of Satan[edit]

A world in which naught can be perceived save strife, quarrels and corruption is bound to become the seat of the throne, the very metropolis, of Satan. —Bahá’u’lláh

The Metropolis of Satan Evil and the Devil in Bahá’í/Christian Dialog by Gary L. Matthews $4.95 SC (METS)

In Metropolis Gary Matthews argues that “we have too quickly dismissed traditional ideas about evil and the devil ... This is not to say that Bahá’ís can believe in a ‘personal devil’ in the same way we believe in a personal God: Obviously, we do not. Just the same, Bahá’ís have as much to learn from traditional Christians as they can learn from us.” With honesty and humor, Matthews exposes the astonishing landscape of common ground that emerges from a fresh look at Christian and Bahá’í sacred teachings.

5 1/2” x 8 1/2”, 67 pp. • Stonehaven Press

Dynamics of Team-Building in Bahá’í Institutions[edit]

Dynamics of Team-Building in Bahá’í Institutions A Training Manual for Bahá’í Administrators Foundation for Advancement of Science $14.95 SC (DTBBI)

Dynamics raises many of the issues that administrators of the Faith face relative to building vision and integrity with adequate managerial and leadership skills. Creating and nurturing effective institutions will be a primary goal for years to come with the ever-expanding responsibilities being placed on those institutions, both administrative and humanitarian.

8 1/2” x 11”, 143 pp. • Bahá’í Publishing Trust of India

Valuing Spirituality in Development[edit]

Valuing Spirituality in Development Initial Considerations Regarding the Creation of Spiritually Based Indicators for Development by the Bahá’í International Community $4.95 SC (VSD)

This concept paper focuses on the importance of creating measures to assess development progress through the perspective of spiritual principles. Outlining a Bahá’í perspective on development, the paper then introduces the concept of spiritually based indicators for development. Also discussed are the five spiritual principles crucial to development and the five policy areas in which these principles might be applied. Brief examples are given to illustrate the development and use of indicators and finally the formation of a mechanism to continue a collaboration on this initiative is suggested.

6 1/2” x 8 1/2”, 36 pp.

Exploring the Historical and Spiritual Significance of Being a Person of African Descent in the Bahá’í Faith[edit]

Exploring the Historical and Spiritual Significance of Being a Person of African Descent in the Bahá’í Faith A Workshop Manual compiled by Richard Thomas $8.00 SC (PAD)

Based on the idea that Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation has transformed the historical and spiritual significance of people of African descent, this manual explores a variety of topics including: people of African descent in the Bahá’í writings, spiritual qualities of outstanding Bahá’ís of African descent, a history of Bahá’í women of African descent, and great teachers of African descent. It contains brief biographies of several African-American Bahá’ís prominent in the Faith from the early 1900s to the present, as well as study questions and exercises. It is an invaluable tool for teaching, deepening, firesides, workshops, and conferences.

8 1/2” x 11”, 62 pp.

Unlocking the Gate of the Heart[edit]

Unlocking the Gate of the Heart by Lasse Thoresen $22.95 SC (UGHS)

The greatest need of our time is to restore dignity and honor to the human race. A spiritual revival of the individual and society is the greatest challenge facing humanity. Through an examination of the Bahá’í writings and suggestions for spiritual exercises based on them, the author helps readers gain an understanding of their place in creation, learn how to change their attitudes and lifestyles, and discover the methods to use in their search for greater perfection.

5 1/2” x 8 1/4”, 336 pp. • George Ronald, Publisher

Uniting the Human Family[edit]

Uniting the Human Family (UHF)

1–5 copies	$2.50 ea.
6–99 copies	2.00 ea.
100 and up	1.50 ea.

An exciting new introduction to the Bahá’í Faith is now available! This brochure combines image and word to create a truly unique experience for the seeker. Designed to instill positive feelings and thoughts about the Faith and its principles, this beautiful full-color presentation can be utilized in a full range of teaching activities.

11” x 8 1/2”, 32 pp.

The Life of Thomas Breakwell[edit]

The Life of Thomas Breakwell by Rajwantee Lakshman-Lepain $9.95 SC (LTB)

Thomas Breakwell died in relative obscurity in a poor quarter of Paris, his brief life surrounded by an aura of mystery. Described by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as “a lamp amid the angels of high Heaven,” Thomas Breakwell enjoys a unique rank and station among the early followers of the Bahá’í Faith. Set afire with the love of God, he exemplified with his deep devotion that profound mystical relationship which unites the lover with his Beloved. He sacrificed all for the promotion of the divine teachings of universal brotherhood, and the brightness and purity of his faith will illuminate the hopes of many future generations.

4 x 6 1/2”, 88 pp.

Written in Light[edit]

Written in Light ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the American Bahá’í Community by R. Jackson Armstrong-Ingram $35.00 HC (WLH)

Discover this stunning pictorial history of the early days of the Bahá’í Faith in America. Most of the photos of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi have never been published until now. The pictures are accompanied by informed commentary giving meaning and depth to this truly outstanding collection of history.

10 1/2” x 8 1/4”, 133 pp. [Page 11]

BAHÁ’Í DISTRIBUTION SERVICE[edit]

From time to time the Bahá’í Distribution Service will offer texts which, though not Bahá’í in content per se, have much to say about areas of interest to our readers. The following selections are two such titles. Each of these presents some of the more current thinking on the phenomenon of religious conversion. Both are fascinating in their insights and, though not everyone will concur with each conclusion, the arguments are certain to stimulate the reader's thinking and interest about this critical juncture in the life of many souls. We hope you enjoy them.

Understanding Religious Conversion[edit]

by Lewis C. Rambo $16.00 SC (URCS)

Drawing on insights from psychology, sociology, anthropology, history, theology and missiology, as well as on interviews with converts from disparate backgrounds, Lewis Rambo provides a critique and evaluation of religious conversion throughout the world. He considers various theories of conversion, examines the role of cultural and social factors in the conversion process, and describes how different religions and disciplines view conversion.

6" x 9", 240 pp.

The Rise of Christianity[edit]

How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries

by Rodney Stark $14.00 SC (ROCS)

The idea that Christianity started as a clandestine movement among the poor is a widely accepted notion. Yet it is one of many myths that must be discarded if we are to understand just how a tiny messianic movement on the edge of the Roman Empire became the dominant faith of Western civilization. In a fast-paced, highly readable book that addresses beliefs as well as historical facts, Rodney Stark brings a sociologist's perspective to bear on the puzzle behind the success of early Christianity. He comes equipped not only with the logic and methods of social science but also with insights gathered firsthand into why people convert and how new religious groups recruit members. He digs deep into the historical evidence on many issues—such as the social background of converts, the mission to the Jews, the status of women in the church, the role of martyrdom-to provide a vivid and unconventional picture of early Christianity.

5 1/4" x 8", 246 pp.

A Companion to the Study of the Kitáb-i-İqán[edit]

by Hooper C. Dunbar $18.95 SC (CSKIS)

The materials gathered in this study companion are intended to stimulate study of Bahá’u’lláh’s Book of Certitude. With repeated use in classes they have evolved over a number of years into their present form, which may be used for individual and group study. It is intended that these notes will help the student acquire a broader vision of the fundamental themes and truths in the Book of Certitude and prove a convenient point of reference for explanations not always on hand.

5 1/2" x 8 1/4", 291 pp. George Ronald, Publisher

Spiritual Foundations for an Ecologically Sustainable Society[edit]

by Robert A. White $2.50 SC (SFESS)

Taking a broad macroevolutionary approach to our changing relationship to nature in light of the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith, this book delves into the phenomenon that finds humanity in the process of evolving consciousness leading to the development of a new planetary culture based on spiritual principles. While humanity is commonly perceived as a species ecologically out of control, the author presents a broader vision of our spiritual and social evolution and the momentous transformation to which we are heading. The author also links, quite clearly, basic Bahá’í principles to the emergence of this new and ecologically sustainable society.

6" x 9", 27 pp.

Do They Hear You When You Cry[edit]

by Fauziya Kassindja and Layli Miller Bashir $24.95 HC (DTHWCH)

This book chronicles the harrowing story of a young girl from Togo who seeks asylum in the United States to escape a polygamous marriage and genital mutilation. Instead of gaining asylum and putting her life back together after arriving in the U.S., she is stripped, shackled, and locked up in various INS detention facilities for 16 months. It is then that a young Bahá’í law student takes up the challenge of defending this young girl's right to asylum because of gender-based persecution and wins a landmark decision that has given hope to many who face the same circumstances.

6" x 9", 518 pp. ⚫ Delacorte Press

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YOUTH[edit]

"So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth." -Bahá’u’lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p.14

TRUE WEALTH[edit]

Giving Strengthens Connection with the Cause[edit]

The Universal House of Justice reminds us of the blessings bestowed upon those who give to the Bahá’í Funds in a spirit of sacrifice. We are also reminded that contributing to the Faith affects in a positive way our relationship with the Cause:

"Contributing to the Bahá’í fund constitutes an act of spiritual discipline which is an intrinsic element of the devotional life of the individual. No believer should be unaware of the privilege of contributing to the advancement of the Cause of God, irrespective of his material circumstances. The practice of giving to the Fund strengthens the connection between the believer and the Cause and enhances his sense of identification with it. Divine confirmations redound upon those who offer a portion of their material resources in a spirit of sacrifice, motivated by their love of the Faith and their desire to assist in its progress." -Universal House of Justice, in a message dated Sept. 17, 1992

How does the practice of giving to the Funds make our connections to the Cause stronger?

For young believers, why is this practice of giving significant to our spiritual development? How is it significant to our community's development?

COLLEGE CONFERENCE RALLIES MIDWESTERNERS[edit]

Nebraska event focuses on practical approaches to serving the Cause[edit]

INFORMATION FROM CHAD DUMAS

"Translating that which hath been written into reality and action" was the theme as more than 30 people from seven states and abroad attended a College Club Conference for the Central States Feb. 5-7 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Sponsored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Bahá’í Association, the conference was centered around four "how-to" workshops on:

Promoting race unity on campus, conducted by Louis Anderson of Kansas City.
Promoting the equality of women and men on campus, conducted by Marie Scheffer of Sioux City, Iowa.
Raising the visibility of the Faith on campus, conducted by Eric Horton of the National Youth Committee.
Performing heroic deeds, conducted by Jack McCants of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Participants in the conference gained knowledge, developed friendships, and were, God willing, inspired to go home and perform heroic deeds in the path of the Cause of God.

The vice chancellor for student affairs extended the university's welcome to all participants at the opening. He expressed his high regard for the UNL Bahá’í Association, even saying he hoped the Bahá’í Faith would grow.

A loving message from the Regional Bahá’í Council for the Central States included a beautiful copy of a Tablet revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for the region. Throughout the weekend, attendees said they keenly felt the spiritual energies that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had released when he visited Lincoln in the early part of the century.

Friends socialize between intense sessions of the College Club Conference for the Central States Feb. 5-7 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Photo by Larry Pedersen, Lincoln, NE

Susan Lewis Wright, who sang in a public performance Saturday evening, also joined in for much of the weekend. She even taught students a new way of singing the Greatest Name—in the form of a Native American chant!

The UNL Bahá’í Association expresses its gratitude to the workshop presenters, and to the National Spiritual Assembly for sending Jack McCants as its representative. His presence provided vibrant and stimulating discussion throughout the weekend.

BE ON THE YOUTH PAGE?[edit]

If you have articles or pictures you want published on this page, please send them to the National Youth Committee! We are looking for exciting and informative material to help all Bahá’í youth arise to serve the Faith.

National Youth Committee Bahá’í National Center 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201

‘HEROIC DEEDS OF SERVICE’ YOUTH CAMPAIGN: OUR GIFT TO THE HOUSE OF JUSTICE IS ALMOST WRAPPED![edit]

Dear friends,

Our pledges of heroism are funneling through our office—pledges from American Bahá’í youth of all ages! Our beloved Universal House of Justice has asked the North American Bahá’ís 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."

As lovers of Bahá’u’lláh, what choice have we but to show obedience and love, to do what is asked of us, and to demonstrate in the most tangible way possible that we have risen to the call! What a bounty to be able to give a gift to the House of Justice! A gift of service, of sacrifice, of heroism... to show our beloved institution that we, the Bahá’í youth of North America, won't linger or hesitate for one moment to fulfill our responsibility in fulfilling the goals of the Four Year Plan.

This month, at Ridván 156, the National Youth Committee will send the pledges we receive up to that point to the Universal House of Justice. Although we would be happy to receive more pledges with a little over a year left in the Four Year Plan, after April, we encourage you to send in your pledge sheet before then so it will be counted as part of the gift to the House of Justice.

We would be overjoyed to receive a letter or e-mail from you with the following information:

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

Those who send in pledge sheets will be contacted some time afterward to see what was easy or difficult about converting their pledges into action (not to check up on them). Please send this information to the National Youth Committee.

CAMPUS FIRESIDE CAMPAIGN UPDATE[edit]

Goal: 500 Northeast: 42 West: 31 South: 105 Central: 34 TOTAL: 212!

What summer activities for youth are being planned in your area?

Are you or your community involved in any ongoing, permanent teaching projects? Do you know of any short-term or summer teaching and service opportunities this year? Are there any youth conferences, projects or events that you know of in your area?

The National Youth Committee wants your information so we can compile this in a list that is available for anyone who wants it! Please send us the following:

Name, purpose and general description of the project, conference or event
Date(s) of project
Location of project
Age requirements
Any special preparation required
Cost involved
Registration information

[Page 13]

Brilliant Star Kid Corner: It's About Love[edit]

Liang is learning that love for God is important in every part of our lives. Liang found out what ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says about our love for God. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says that this love can help us understand the true purpose of money. Our love for God helps us to be kind, compassionate and generous. These qualities remind us that money is truly to help humanity to grow and to be healthy! Liang invites you to check out the word search. The word search has words from the quote by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá below. Enjoy!

WORDS to find! Liang WORD SEARCH Find words from the quote in the word search.

foundation God the this economics is true else love established of when will everything realized

"When the love of God is established, everything else will be realized. This is the true foundation of all economics." —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Brilliant Star SPECIAL EDITION[edit]

The 1999 Special Edition of Brilliant Star, made especially for Bahá’í schools, is about community life. We all are playing an important role in building a community—like pieces of a puzzle make a whole picture. Look for this special issue at your Bahá’í school this summer. For more information, contact the Education & Schools Office at 847.733.3492.

BRILLIANT STAR SUBSCRIPTION FORM[edit]

Name Bahá’í ID # Street City & State Zip Phone E-mail

Please enclose payment made out to Bahá’í Distribution Service. Canadian/International orders enclose international money order or bank cheque drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars. To charge your credit card account, give number, expiration date and name. Please do not combine subscription payments with payments for back issues or other single items.

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

VISA/MC#/AMEX Exp. Date Name on Account Signature required for credit card orders Total enclosed

Mail to: Bahá’í Subscriber Service 4703 Fulton Industrial Blvd. Atlanta, GA 30336 Fax: 404.472.0119 E-mail: [Page 14]

CONSOLIDATING the VICTORIES[edit]

Kansas City prepares ground for academic school[edit]

he Bahá’ís of Kansas City, Missouri, termed an institute and conducted a public seminar as first steps toward creation of a Bahá’í-operated academic school for children ages 2 through 18.

KC's Spiritual Assembly formed the Bahá’í Heart of America Learning Institute as a response to the city school system's mounting problems. The institute is constituted as a federal 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, with the Assembly's members as its board.

Recognizing that only the healing principles of Bahá’u’lláh could reverse the situation, the Assembly mandated the institute to develop and operate a Bahá’í school that would be a practical alternative to home schooling and private or public schools.

The Bahá’í school would be open to all students, regardless of race, religion, or gender. In addition to school classes for the young, it would provide ongoing parent and teacher training.

The school's guiding principles would be those enunciated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: wholehearted service to the cause of education; service to the cause of morality; and service to the oneness of the world of humanity. Within that framework, the school would provide students with physical, intellectual and spiritual training.

To explore the most effective means of delivering that training, the Assembly sent some of its members to Houston, Texas. There, they observed a unique private school, the Wilhelm Schole International, that teaches universal truths from a global perspective.

Impressed by what the observers saw and heard, the Assembly invited Marilyn Wilhelm, founder-director of the Houston school, to visit Kansas City and share her vision with both Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís.

A one-day seminar featured Dr. Wilhelm as keynote speaker. Among other speakers on the program were two respected Bahá’í educators, Dwight Allen and Ray Johnson.

Many Kansas City leaders of thought attended the seminar—several after watching a televised interview with Dr. Wilhelm early that morning.

Attendees' evaluation comments indicated the seminar was seen as a positive step toward creating working relationships among members of diverse groups concerned about the quality of education in the metropolitan area.

Many people lingered to speak personally with the presenters. Some indicated they want to be a part of the process and expressed a desire to remain in contact with the learning institute.

Even more expressions of interest followed publication of an article in the Kansas City Star about the seminar. They, too, want to be kept informed and become involved.

The day after the seminar, Drs. Wilhelm, Allen and Johnson spent an entire day consulting with the Assembly.

CLOSER TO HOME: the Decentralization Movement[edit]

NTC now provides services to Councils[edit]

In a continuing series about decentralization of U.S. Bahá’í administration, this issue we outline how the National Teaching Committee's role is changing as the four Regional Bahá’í Councils grow in their coordination of the teaching work.

Cefforts Nentral in national-level efforts to move decentralization forward is the National Teaching Committee.

The Universal House of Justice, in its letter of May 30, 1997, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, wrote the following passages in relation to the role of the National Teaching Committee as it operates alongside the Regional Bahá’í Councils:

"... develop further the advisory and executive aspects of its responsibilities in certain respects."

"... monitor the effectiveness of the teaching work throughout the country..."

"... service and assistance, rather than direction and supervision... "

Here are a few ways in which the U.S. National Teaching Committee is working with Regional Bahá’í Councils and their committees and task forces to pave new roads for the teaching work:

• Helping develop and implement media tests in selected local markets in conjunction with area teaching campaigns.

• Developing, in collaboration with members of the Regional Council of the Central States, tools to evaluate regional training institutes and measure the impact of their programs.

• Sharing statistics and other information about seekers who respond to the national media initiative, through regular reports and in-person consultation.

• Sharing analysis of the Bahá’í community as gleaned through an ongoing series of surveys of the Bahá’ís. This helps give the Councils a picture of the ways individuals and communities are becoming active, so their strategies for development can become ever more effective.

• Participating in regional conferences to share developments and prospects regarding the national media initiative.

• Working with the Councils to ensure the regularity and quality of local follow-up with seekers who call 800-22-UNITE in response to broadcasts, the public Web site, advertisements etc.

Red Grammer follows up on gift[edit]

Last year for Ayyam-i-Há, singer-songwriter Red Grammer donated about 200 copies of his cassette tape Teaching Peace for children and youth of Southeast Asian background. In this follow-up visit Jan. 19 in Merced, California, he found out the young people not only learned the songs, but kept up their end of the singing admirably. The gathering was in the home of John Jensen, a U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office helper.

Gala honors centenary of Faith in West[edit]

A gala three-day celebration is taking shape for the 100th anniversary of establishment of the Bahá’í Faith in the Western States, with events planned April 30-May 2.

Coordinated by the Spiritual Assembly of Oakland, California, with support from the San Francisco and Berkeley Assemblies, the events will include:

• A presentation honoring Robert Turner and Kanichi Yamamoto, respectively the first African-American and Japanese Bahá’ís, at a dessert social Friday evening, April 30, with music by Ron and Carol Lyles.

• A historical walking tour of places where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited in Oakland and San Francisco called "Walking in the Spirit of the Master." The Saturday, May 1, daytime tour will include a visit to the grave of Robert Turner. Cost for the tour is undetermined.

• A Centennial Celebration Gala Saturday evening at historic Jack London Square in Oakland, featuring dinner, dancing, and a speech by Bahá’í historian Robert Stockman. The cost for this evening is $45 for adults and youth, $25 for children 10 and under.

• A special devotional gathering Sunday, May 2.

Please RSVP for the tour and/or dinner to Cindy Haines, Oakland, CA 94602. Tickets will not be sold at the door, and space is limited for both events. Make checks payable to the Oakland Bahá’í Fund.

For more information, contact Cynthia Barnes-Slater (phone 510-653-4697).

Bosch, Louhelen to host ‘Irfán[edit]

The ‘Irfán Colloquium, a growing international forum for advancement of Bahá’í knowledge, will expand this year to be presented in two languages at both Bosch and Louhelen Bahá’í Schools.

Bosch will host separate Persian and English sessions of the ‘Irfán Colloquium on Nov. 26-28. As previously announced, Louhelen will the the site of separate sessions in each language on Oct. 8-11.

As usual each year, colloquia in both languages will also be presented in England in 1999.

The program at Louhelen will be devoted to the study of the writings of Bahá’u’lláh revealed in ‘Akká, 1868-1884.

The Bosch session will focus on the writings of Bahá’u’lláh revealed in Tehran and Baghdad, 1853-1863, including the Kitáb-i-Íqán, the Hidden Words, the Seven Valleys, the Four Valleys, Javáhiru’l-Asrár (Jewels of Mysteries), the Varqá’íyyih Ode, Tablets of the Maiden of Heaven, Shikar Shikan, Bulbul-i Firáq, Kullu’al-Ta’ám (All Food), Hurúfát-i-‘Alíyyín, Shattiyih, the Holy Mariner, Maryam, Madínatu’t-Tawhid and Madínatu’r-Rida.

At the English sessions in both locations, a number of other scholarly papers related to the Bahá’í Faith and its theology will be presented.

Each school will handle registration directly. Friends interested in presenting research papers at the Colloquia may send proposals by this Ridván to the Research Office at the Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201. [Page 15]

SPIRITUAL FOUNDATIONS[edit]

Enrollment will soon close for the fourth year of the Wilmette Institute's Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization program. The theme of the 1999-2000 program is "Carrying Forward an Ever-Advancing Civilization." Home study begins May 1 in preparation for three weeks of intensive classes July 17-Aug. 6.

The yearlong course will examine Bahá’u’lláh’s social teachings, interpreted and elaborated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, and illuminated through statements by the Universal House of Justice, including The Promise of World Peace, and by the National Spiritual Assembly, including The Vision of Race Unity and Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men. The course will study these and other issues—science, agriculture, and the environment—and the spiritual principles necessary for resolving them. Also, the program will cover the history of the Bahá’í Faith since 1957, Bahá’í writings on global civilization (the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, The Secret of Divine Civilization, The Advent of Divine Justice, The Promised Day Is Come, and various related messages), conflict resolution skills, public relations and media work.

DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSES[edit]

"The Kitáb-i-lqán and Related Texts," a six-month course, began April 1. Registration will be open until mid-April or until maximum enrollment has been reached. The six-month course costs $225 ($180 if you are registering as a member of a local study group of three or more). If you wish to take the course, call the Wilmette Institute immediately.

Registration has also begun for "Buddhism for Deepening and Dialogue," a two-month course that begins May 1. Tuition is $100 ($80 each for members of a local study group of three or more).

All distance-education courses include e-mail listservers for students and faculty, regular conference calls, systematic lesson plans and a wide variety of learning projects.

FOR REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION[edit]

You may use the automated telephone line (847-733-3595) or call the registrar (847-733-3415).

Information is on the Internet (www.usbnc.org/wilmette).

The Lamp, the Institute's quarterly newsletter, is also available online (www.usbnc.org/wilmette/lamp). Anyone interested in a free subscription should contact the Institute.

Southeast Asian conference to raise ‘champion-builders’[edit]

"Builders?" will be the theme of We Be Champion the 10th annual Southeast Asian Community Builders Roundtable Discussion Conference, June 4-6 at Bosch Bahá’í School.

Sponsored by the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office, the conference will focus on teaching, living the life, strong community and family life, and developing the spirit of unity between cultures. Programs will be interactive and inter-generational. The whole family is welcome for a very special session.

Last year's conference was highlighted by a talk given by Lao Chue Cha, Hmong leader and former member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Laos, on "The Equality of Women and Men." His talk was translated by his daughter Mai Thao. A video of that talk was produced and is being distributed by the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office.

To register, contact Bosch. For information on the work of the Refugee Office, please call 847-733-3525.

Spend the last year of the Century of Light in the ‘Country of the Future’[edit]

Take advantage of numerous opportunities to work and study in China. Bachelor's and master's degrees from China can be very attractive to graduate schools, and many universities offer credit transfer and grants for undergraduates (see Living in China by Rebecca Weiner, Margaret Murphy and Albert Li).

For more information, contact Susan Senchuk (phone 847-733-3506, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail).

FRIENDS OF PERSIAN CULTURE CONFERENCE[edit]

May 27-31 at Holiday Inn O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois

Conference quick facts:

Theme: Home and Family Life in Persian Culture.
Presenters and participants are expected to total more than 1,000, similar to last year's conference, which drew people from several countries in three continents. They will include both Bahá’ís and friends of the Faith.
Special classes for children 3-12 years old. Children who wish to perform (e.g. poetry recitation, dance, playing a Persian musical instrument) must be introduced to the Persian-American Affairs Office (phone 847-733-3528).
Concurrent sessions will be held in Persian and English.

Conference highlights:

Presentations on topics such as "Marriage in Iranian Culture," "Bi-Cultural Challenges and their Effect on Raising Children," "The Role of Women in Iranian Families," "Iranian Houses in Urban and Rural Settings."
A variety of musical, dramatic and dance performances.

In addition to the conference:

A tour of the Bahá’í historic sites in Chicago will be held Saturday morning. To pre-register for this tour, please include $15 per person in addition to the pre-registration fee (cost is $18 if paid on site).

Featuring:

Commemoration of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh at the Bahá’í House of Worship, about 3 a.m. May 29. Chartered buses will be available; tickets can be purchased at the conference.

Registration fees:

Adults $35 each if pre-registered before April 30 ($40 afterward).
Children $50 each for the entire conference or $20 per day per child.

To stay at the convention hotel:

Reserve rooms ahead (phone 847-671-6350). To secure the $81-per-room conference rate (1-4 people), make your reservation for "Bahá’í Arts Festival."
Parking will be $5 per day for conference participants.
Free shuttle service is available between Chicago O'Hare International Airport and the hotel.

For more information:

Contact the Persian-American Affairs Office (phone 847-733-3528); registration form in Persian is on page 36.

SACRED JUSTICE[edit]

Uniting the Human Family Association for Bahá’í Studies 23rd Annual Conference June 17-20, 1999, Tempe, Arizona Conference Web site: www.bahai-studies.ca/~absnam/news/conferences/1999.html

Thursday evening, the first ever ABS town meeting circle with community leaders. Annual Balyuzi Lecture by Dr. Richard Thomas.

Celebration of Southwestern, Indian and Hispanic arts, culture and music, including presentation by Jack Weatherford, author of Indian Givers.
Beautifully set amid palm trees, cactus, shaded gardens, fountains.
Adjacent to Arizona State University in thriving downtown Tempe.
Annual Members' Luncheon: Tickets $25 per person.
Youth Program: Special program for youth.
Children's Conference: Full-day program for 5- to 12-year-olds. Also sessions and outing for ages 12-15.

Registration: Please register for EACH person attending the conference by fax (613-233-3644), by phone (613-233-1903) or by mail to Association for Bahá’í Studies, 34 Copernicus Street, Ottawa, Ontario. Canada KIN 7K4.

Registering by mail: Use the Multipurpose Form; a separate copy for each person or couple registering. Add special information: In which country do you live? Is registrant a member of ABS? A life member? If child, what age?

Fees: Individual by May 1: member $90, non-member $130; couple by May 1: member $160, non-member $210. On-site registration: add $20 per person. Child/youth (must pre-register by June 1): $30. Per-day rates are also available.

Conference Hotel: Tempe Mission Palms, 60 E. 5th St., 10 minutes from airport. Reserve rooms directly: 800-547-8705 or 602-894-1400. Special rates for attendees who mention the ABS conference when reserving rooms. Hotel provides transportation to and from airport.

Airline: Special rates with United Airlines, Meeting ID# 525YT, and Air Canada, Event #CV991019. [Page 16]

CONSOLIDATING THE VICTORIES[edit]

Summer sessions at Bosch[edit]

May 28-31; Health Topics for a new Millennium: Combining Traditional and Alternative Care. Sponsored by the Southern California Chapter of Health for Humanity, this informative program for both health professionals and non-professionals will offer a variety of workshops on ways to help us live healthier lives.

June 4-6: Southeast Asian Leadership Community Builders Roundtable Conference. Sponsored by the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office in collaboration with Assemblies and individuals, this session provides an opportunity to develop leadership, plan teaching and consolidation activities, and create understanding and unity between cultures. Great food, too!

Bosch Bahá’í School 500 Comstock Lane Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-423-3387 Santa Cruz, CA www.bosch.org

June 12-16: Family Session 1: Building Community. Fereshteh Bethel and Morris Taylor will look at the role of the community in advancing the process of entry by troops. Do we have Bahá’í communities that attract people to the Faith? Through study, discussion and hands-on workshops, participants learn practical ideas and skills to build bonds of love and unity.

June 20-27: Youth Music Academy. A great opportunity for high school- and college-age vocal and instrumental musicians to work and learn together with professional musicians and teachers in performance of an oratorio especially written for this session. Directed by Victor Wong and Leslie Asplund.

July 2-7: Ocean of Light Teaching Conference. The fourth annual teaching conference for Pacific Islanders and friends will feature Counselor Ben Ayala of Australasia and Sione Tu'itahi of New Zealand, formerly of Tonga, discussing spiritual transformation and the teaching work in the Pacific. Come share the culture, music and dance of the Islanders but more important, their wonderful gift of love and spirituality.

July 10-15: Family Session 3: Spiritualizing Community Life/Youth Issues: Teaching Oneness. Presenters Dr. Dan Popov and Linda Kavelin Popov, creators of the Virtues Project, will look at the spiritual aspects of building community. A special concurrent session for youth and junior youth will focus on the issues of race and gender equality, with youth facilitators Justin Yuille, Ben Marx and Jennifer Day.

July 10-15: Youth Garden Project. With Sima Cockshut. For a limited number, ages 12-16, to work and learn in Bosch's organic garden.

July 17-22: Family Session 4: Persian Session. Habib Riazati will discuss the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, The Secret of Divine Civilization and The Advent of Divine Justice. Dr. Amin Banani, professor emeritus at UCLA, will share his perspectives on the writings of the Guardian. All classes are in Persian. A special class teaching the Persian language will be offered for children and youth. Wonderful Persian food, music and loving fellowship, too!

July 24-29: Youth Institute. For students entering grades 10, 11 or 12 in the fall.

July 31-Aug. 5: Junior Youth Institute. For students entering grades 7, 8 or 9 in the fall.

Both these institutes are disciplined educational programs that focus on the intellectual, physical and spiritual transformation of the individual through study, discussion, physical exercise, prayer and service. They also provide fun, active interaction among Bahá’í peers.

August 7-12: Preparation for Marriage and Family Life. This course is offered for people 20-30 years old, to help them make good choices for a successful marriage. Plenary presenters will be Auxiliary Board member Farhad Sabetan and Dr. Rabi Musha, and the course will be taught by Core Curriculum trainers Marsha Gilpatrick, James and Joannie Yuille and Nahid Azad, also a marriage and family life counselor.

Marsha Gilpatrick (left) welcomes LeNise Jackson-Gaertner to Bosch during the Feb. 12-15 session "Racism/Race Unity: Two Sides of the Same Coin." The course presented challenging, thoughtful workshops from various perspectives. Photo courtesy of Bosch

Aug. 7-12: Bahá’í-Inspired Curriculum for Teachers. Presented by Drs. Judith Johnson and Michael Higgins with the theme "Training for Spiritually Based Curricular Elements: Education as a Vehicle for the Institute Process." Materials include the International Education Initiatives Teacher Training Coursebook and Spiritually Based Curriculum. (IEI) Deadline for registration is July 1. Registrants will receive materials for study prior to the session.

Aug. 14-18: Children's Academy. This is a fun camp with a serious purpose! Students entering grades 4, 5 or 6 in the fall are given a rigorous course of study, exercise, service, prayer and moral training. Focus this summer will be on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, our exemplar in teaching. Sports and games, swimming, hiking, star-gazing, campfires—many fun activities. Children are supervised at all times by their cabin counselors and/or teachers.

Aug. 21-26: Family Session 5: Bosch 25th Anniversary Reunion. Don't miss this special session! Featuring James and Dorothy Nelson, Red Grammer and Van Gilmer—many surprises, too! Register early. This session will fill quickly!

Aug. 28-Sept. 1: Family Session 6: Awakening the Arts. Revitalize your teaching efforts and community life through the arts! Hands-on workshops provide experience with storytelling, collage, movement and magic featuring Blanche Grant, Larry Crason, Christa Schanda and David Pennington.

Sept. 3-6: Bay Area Bahá’í Social Group and Friends Retreat. A great way to end the summer! Morning classes will offer Muin Afnani presenting on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Auxiliary Board member Farhad Sabetan on Community Development and the Institute Process, movies, swimming and recreation in the afternoon, and entertainment in the evening. Wonderful food, too. Relax in the special loving environment at Bosch!

BOSCH BASIC SUMMER FEES[edit]

Weekend sessions: Adult $110, Child (3-17) $60

Three-day sessions: Adult $165, Child $90

Five-day sessions: Adult $275, Child $150

Bahá’í-Inspired Curriculum for Teachers: $435 including course/materials fee

Youth Music Academy: $575

Youth/Junior Youth Institute: $295 if registered by June 1, $325 after

Children's Academy: $220

Summer sessions at Green Acre[edit]

"The Role of Community in Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops" is the theme of a diverse line-up of programs for the summer session at Green Acre Bahá’í School in Eliot, Maine, an hour north of Boston. Also included will be a variety of special events in addition to the three-, four- and five-day sessions for all ages.

Other special events include: • Concert Picnics on the Piscataqua River: July 4 featuring Van Gilmer and Family performing gospel music, as well as the annual raising of the Peace Flag. The next two summer Concert-Picnics, the first Sunday of each month (Aug. 1 and Sept. 5) from 12:30-4:30 p.m., offer lunch, ice cream, snacks and beverages for sale. Admission is $3 per person (or $10 per family). All are welcome to attend, bring or buy a picnic lunch, and enjoy an afternoon of music, fellowship and fun at Green Acre.

• Commemorations of several special events, including Green Acre founder Sarah Jane Farmer's birthday in July, and the anniversary of the 1912 visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in August.

You may register by phone. Brochures are available by mail; updates on programs, news and other information are posted on Green Acre's Web site (www.greenacre.org).

Green Acre Bahá’í School 188 Main Street Eliot, ME 03903 207-439-7200 Eliot, ME www.greenacre.org

Session 1A, June 26-30: Institute on Relationships, Marriage and Family Life with Kambeze Etemad. Four-day program.

Session 1B, June 26-30: Camp Green Acre for grades 3-6 (ages 8-12) facilitated by educator Jill Berg. Four-day program.

Session 2, July 2-7: "Up Close and Personal: The Most Vital and Challenging Issue from African-American/Persian Perspectives" with Jayne and Ahmad Mahboubi; "Robert Hayden: A Life of Inspiration" with Peter Murphy. Five-day program.

Session 3A, July 9-14: Special Week for youth in grades 7-12: "Spiritual Descendants of the Dawn-Breakers: Our Glorious Heritage" hosted by the Regional Bahá’í Council for the Northeastern States and the Regional [Page 17]

Summer sessions at Louhelen[edit]

May 28–31: Love, Power and Justice: A Workshop on Moral Authenticity. With Dr. William Hatcher, Lonya Osokin, Mary K. Radpour, Dr. Sherri Dressler, Dr. Leslie Asplund, Dr. Roya Rahimpour, Carmel Hatcher. This interactive workshop fosters deep study of the questions: What is authentic morality? How do we know we are being true to an authentic moral standard? How can we cultivate love and justice in our relationships with God, each other, ourselves and society?

June 11–16: Principles of Psychological and Spiritual Development. With Dr. Hossain B. Danesh. This Landegg Academy-based course explores natural and metaphysical principles that animate the processes of psychological development and spiritual transformation. Using lecture, performance and workshops, it draws on the world’s sacred and philosophical writings as well as contemporary research in psychology, medicine and the arts.

June 11–16: Pioneer/SITA Trainer Training. The Office of Pioneering will be developing a special program to train trainers for Pioneer Training Institutes and SITA training. This session is by invitation only. Contact the Office of Pioneering (847-733-3508) for information and application materials.

June 20–25: Camp Louhelen Children’s Institute. With Rona Schechter, Angela Blackshere, Joannie Yuille, Gloria Holmes, Liz Reynolds, Mercy Saylor, Susan Modarai, Eileen Lozen-Kowalski and others. For ages 8–12, this provides an active and exciting opportunity for children to build the daily habits of spiritual living. Includes classroom learning, science and art activities, music, games and sports.

June 26–30: Friends and Families I: Choral Music and Community Growth. With Tom Price and Barbara Baumgartner. For singers and musicians of all ages, this session explores the relationship between music and community growth. Sing with old and new friends and learn Bahá’í music in popular, classical and gospel styles. Includes voice training, solo performance, a community concert, community development strategies and full children’s program.

July 2–7: Persian American Bahá’í Studies. With Counselor ‘Abdu’l-Missagh Ghadirian, Dr. Tahereh Ahdieh, Dr. Manuchehr Mofidi; musicians Narges and Shahram Shahriari. This session, offered in both Persian and English, provides concentrated study of the book Reflections on the Life of the Spirit, draws on the spirit of Badasht to stimulate efforts for victory in the Four Year Plan, and fosters a vibrant community life that embraces the best of Persian and American contributions to the Faith. Includes full children’s program.

July 9–14: Youth Eagle Institute. With Habib Riazati, Ruhiyyih Yuille. For Bahá’ís age 15 and up, this institute features close study of the Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, that peerless work energizing the double crusade to transform the self and society. Dynamic, interactive learning, warm fellowship, extensive service, recreation, and fun for all!

July 16–21: International Dialogue on Education: “Spiritual Hunger and Moral Dissatisfaction with Society: A Golden Opportunity for New Educational Approaches.” With the National Bahá’í Education Task Force, Dr. Iraj Ayman, Dr. Irene Taafaki, Dr. Rod Clarken and others. Keynote presentations, workshops and interactive dialogue focus consultation on applying spiritual principles to educational settings. This professional development seminar serves educators in all career stages.

July 16–21: Friends and Families II: Teaching and Community Growth. With Fred Schechter, Julie Schechter, Dr. Saba Ayman-Nolley, Charles Nolley; musician Bob Simms. What factors produce ‘a truly Bahá’í community, a light and haven for the bewildered’? Drawing on years of service in the Americas and in the Holy Land, this faculty team addresses community building and strategies for fostering unity and growth. Includes full children’s program, music, service and recreation.

July 23–28: Spiritual Empowerment Institute for Junior Youth. With Cam Herth, Liz Herth, Dr. Roxie Schell, Piri Miller, Ladan Cockshut-Miller, Rona Schechter, Larry Gholar, Traci Gholar. This institute for ages 12–15 explores the theme “Citizenship in the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh: The Role of the Community in Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops” by building Bahá’í community life on campus. Youth support each other through prayer, study, consultation, recreation, fellowship and fun.

July 30–Aug. 4: Friends and Families III: Community Growth through Divine Civilization. With Habib Riazati; musician Susan Engle. The theme of citizenship in the new world order takes focus through intensive study of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s book The Secret of Divine Civilization with lively, interactive lectures, participant study, spirited discussion and opportunities for self-transformation. Includes full children’s program, music, service and recreation.

August 6–11: Friends and Families IV: Spiritual Transformation and Spiritual Generalship. With Dr. June Thomas, Kevin Locke; musicians Brenda and Rick Snyder. Study the Guardian’s approach to building capacity, clarifying vision, choosing strategy, encouraging action, monitoring success, and planning future actions. A companion course helps the individual manifest the ‘vitality of faith upon which the success of the teaching work and the development of the community depend.’ Includes full children’s program, music, service and fellowship.

Aug. 13–18: Friends and Families V: Community Growth through Strong Families. With Dr. David Ruhe, Margaret Ruhe, Joannie Yuille, James Yuille. This lively session engages participants in the joys and challenges of parenting through prayerful reflection on the Writings of our Faith, varied learning experiences, and opportunities to apply Bahá’í teachings while studying, serving, and enjoying community life together. Includes full children’s program, music and fellowship.

Sept. 3–6: Homecoming: Strengthening Family and Community Life. With Dr. Holly Hanson; musicians Van and Cookie Gilmer. The annual Homecoming weekend brings together families, friends and all others dedicated to the oneness of the human family. Interactive learning also fosters the expression of the principle of the equality of women and men in families, community life and the world at large. Music adds a spirit of joyful celebration through performance and the Louhelen Homecoming choir.

Family sessions at the permanent Bahá’í schools present a number of creative, involving programs for children, alongside the adult and youth sessions. Photo courtesy of Louhelen

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

Louhelen basic summer session fees
Five-day programs, including Friends and Families sessions:	Adult/Youth $275, Child $100
Five-day Institutes for youth or children:	$275 per participant
Weekend sessions:	Adult/Youth $110, Child $50
Three-day session (Homecoming):	Adult/Youth $165, Child $75

Summer sessions at Green Acre[edit]

Youth Committee.

Session 3B, July 9–14: “A Short History of the Bahá’í Faith” with Farhad Rassekh. Enrollment very limited. Five-day program.

Session 4, July 24–28: “Investigation of Reality” with Ronald Tomanio and Diane Iverson; “Mass Conversion: A Modest Proposal” with Gary Matthews. Four-day program.

Session 5, July 30–Aug. 4: “It Is Not Rocket Science! Demystifying Training Institutes” with Bob Harris; “Wings for the Spirit: Music in the Bahá’í Community” with Martha Yazhari; “Vibrant Communities through Diversity” with Janet and Rodney Richards and Barbara Harris. Five-day program.

Session 6, Aug. 6–11: “Mystic Medicine: Health and Healing in a New World Order” with Babak Etemad; “Unlocking the Power for Action” with Eugene Andrews. Five-day program.

Session 7A, Aug. 13–18: “The Transformative Power of Love in Our Personal, Family and Community Lives” with Linda Meccouri and John Woodall. Five-day program.

Session 7B, Aug. 13–18: Core Curriculum Teacher Training. Five-day program.

Session 8, Aug. 20–25: “Pathways to the Lesser Peace: A Bahá’í Perspective” with Steve Karnik; “Greater Boldness: Seeking True Equality” with Sophie and Corey Tamas. Five-day program.

Session 9, Aug. 27–29: “Managing with the Wisdom of Love: Applying Bahá’í Principles to Business” with Dorothy Marcic. Weekend program.

Session 10, Sept 3–6: Special Labor Day Weekend session with guests William and Connee Davis.

Green Acre basic summer session fees
Discounts:
Five-day adult or all-ages programs:	Adult $275, Youth (12–17) $180, Child (6–11) $155, (3–5) $130
Four-day programs:	Adult $220, Youth $145, Child (6–11) $125, (3–5) $105
Weekend programs:	Adult $110, Youth $72, Child (6–11) $62, (3–5) $52
Holiday weekend session:	Adult $165, Youth $108, Child (6–11) $93, (3–5) $78
15% family discount (30 days in advance) 10% senior discount (age 62+) 50% discount for new students

[Page 18]

Our ‘civics classes’ for world citizenship[edit]

Regional summer schools across the country bring attention to the role of the community

“Citizenship in the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh: the Role of the Community in Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops” is the general theme of this year’s regional summer schools, presented in a curriculum outline produced by the Education and Schools Office.

We are happy to provide electronic copies of the materials to interested people. Please e-mail schools@usbnc.org with your requests.

Here is a partial list of spring and summer schools, from May through Labor Day weekend. More will be listed in the next issue of The American Bahá’í.

NORTHEASTERN STATES[edit]

NEW YORK “SOLOMON R.G. HILTON,” AUG. 13–23 Program: Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops. Location: Oakwood Friends School, Poughkeepsie, NY Facilities: Classroom setting. Semi-private dorm rooms (bring towels and linens); dining hall. Gym, tennis, hiking available. Fees: Adult about $50/day, Child about $36/day. School Committee at P.O. Box 355, Lincolndale, NY 10540 (phone 914-248-5963, e-mail bahaischool@juno.com) has rates. Registrar: Phil Cabot, P.O. Box 122, Norwood, NJ 07648 (phone 201-767-5806, e-mail pcabot@bellatlantic.net). 10% discount for pre-registration by June 30; 10% late fee after July 17; 15% after July 31.

SOUTHERN STATES[edit]

ALABAMA “ROYAL FALCON,” MAY 7–9 Program: Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops. With Jack McCants, Smokey Ferguson, Fitzgerald Dick. Location: Camp McDowell, ‎Nauvuoo Nauvoo‎, AL Fees: Ask registrar. Registrar: Aliyah Lombard, Edgewood Drive, Dothan, AL 36301 (phone 334-678-7463, e-mail bahaischl@aol.com). Web site: bahai.home.mindspring.com

FLORIDA, JULY 1–5 Program: For the Love of God: Building Bahá’í Communities. With Dr. Suheil Bushrui, Mehrdad Fazli, Jeanette Hedayati, Vahid Hedayati. Location: Florida Tech University, Melbourne, FL Facilities: Classroom settings. Dorm rooms, cafeteria. Tennis, swimming, other recreation. Fees: Ask registrar. Registrar: Denise Godsey; 1721 N.E. 42nd Ct., Pompano Beach, FL 33060 (phone 954-942-1844, e-mail deniseg@gate.net). Pre-register by June 15.

KENTUCKY, SEPT. 3–6 Program: Build Community with Unity. Location: Kentucky Leadership Center, Faubush, KY Facilities: Large and small meeting rooms. Rooms for 1–4 or cabins w/bunks; meals on site. Swimming, court sports, hiking, boat rides. Fees: School fee: $15 (family $35). Meals per day: Adult/Youth/Pre-youth $17.75, Child $8.88, Infant free. Lodging per night: Adult $6 in cabin or $30 in room, Youth $6 in cabin or $19 in room, Pre-youth/Child/Infant free with two paying adults. Registrar: Floyd Donley, Gilbertsville, KY 42044 (phone 502-362-4228, e-mail floydd@LDD.net). Pre-register by Aug. 26.

MARYLAND “DAYSPRING,” JULY 29–AUG. 1 Program: The Role of Community in Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops. Location: Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD Facilities: Classroom setting. Sign language interpreter may be provided if need is identified by ‎June 31 June 30‎. Campus housing and meals. Swimming, game room, gym. Fees: Family $450, Adult double occupancy $170 (single occupancy $200), Youth $140, Child $130 (sleeping on floor $80), Infant free. Discount if you lodge off campus. Registrar: Rob Chalmers, Laurel, MD 20707 (phone 301-725-5604, fax 301-725-0464, e-mail robchal@clark.net). $10 discount for pre-registration by June 15. Web: www.bcca.org/orgs/schools/dayspring

MISSISSIPPI, JUNE 4–6 Program: Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops: Focus on the Community. With Jacqueline Osborne. Location: Gray Conference Center, Canton, MS Facility: Conference center; meditation area. Volleyball, fishing, nature walks available. Fees: Per person $112. Day rates and individual meals available. Registrar: Linda Greaux, Vicksburg, MS 39180 (phone 601-634-8867). Pre-register with $5 conference fee by May 14.

NORTH CAROLINA, JULY 2–5 Program: Bahá’í Community: One Spiritual Family—Building the Order of Bahá’u’lláh. Location: Catawba College, Salisbury, NC Facilities: Classrooms, dorm rooms, cafeteria. Swimming, gym, outdoor activities. Fees: Ask registrar. Registrar: Sandra Miles, Winston-Salem, NC 27105 (phone 336-767-6888, fax 336-767-7033, e-mail miless@concentric.net).

TENNESSEE BAHÁ’Í INSTITUTE, SEPT. 3–6 Program: Entry by Troops: The Role of the Community. Location: Dubose Center, Monteagle, TN Fees: Ask registrar. Registrar: Kaihan Strain, Hixson, TN 37343 (phone 423-842-1750). Pre-register by Aug. 15.

CENTRAL STATES[edit]

ILLINOIS “HEARTLAND,” JUNE 23–27 Program: Preparing Ourselves and Our Communities for Citizenship in the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. Location: Knox College, Galesburg, IL Facilities: Classroom setting. Dorm rooms; hotels available nearby; dining hall, vegetarian option. Gym, swimming, tennis, other outdoor recreation. Fees: Adult/Youth (12+) $170, Child (2–11) $165, Infant $15. Day rates available. Registrar: Carl Clingenpeel, Aurora, IL 60504 (phone 630-898-0520, e-mail cc1@inter-linc.com). Pre-register by June 1 to guarantee meals. Web: www.bcca.org/orgs/schools/heartland

INDIANA “NÚR’U’LLÁH,” JUNE 4–6 Location: LaLumiere School, LaPorte, IN Facilities: Dorm rooms, dining hall. Hiking, volleyball. Fees: Ask registrar. Registrar: Susan Martig (phone 219-726-2362).

IOWA, JUNE 23–27 Program: The Collective Expression of Virtues—the Role of the Community. With Lorelei McClure, Khosrow Rezai, Mark Ochu. Location: Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA Facilities: Classroom setting. Dorm rooms, cafeteria; camping available nearby. Gym, green space, swimming, stage. Fees: Adult $180 for entire session, all meals. Discounts for children, youth and families. Registrar: Gary Scott, Mt. Vernon, IA 52314-1224 (phone 319-895-0519). Pre-register by June 1.

MINNESOTA “WILLIAM SEARS GREAT NORTH WOODS,” AUG. 11–15 Program: The Role of the Community in Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops. With Derek Cockshut and others. Location: Camp Onomia, Onamia, MN Facilities: Classroom setting. Semi-private rooms, meals on site. Swimming, playground, team sports, trails, canoeing. Fees: Adult $160, Youth $125, Pre-Youth $95, Child $60, Infant $20. Day rates available. Registrar: Ali Mahabadi, Plymouth, MN 55441 (phone 612-557-6039). Pre-register by July 15.

GREAT PLAINS SPRING RETREAT, MAY 8–9 Program: Teaching Christians More Effectively. With David Young. Location: Council Bluffs, IA Fees: $47.27 per person. Registrar: Cecil Peterson, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 (phone 712-322-6399, e-mail cecilp@juno.com). Pre-register by April 22; $5 late fee. Group discount for Bahá’í rooms reserved by April 22.

NEBRASKA “GREAT PLAINS,” JULY 29–AUGUST 1 Program: Community Inspiration and Action. With Jilla Simmons and David Simmons. Please bring copies of The Seven Valleys and long Obligatory Prayer. Location: Peru State College, Peru, NE Facilities: Classroom setting. Dorm rooms (bring towels/linens), cafeteria. Swimming (fee), court sports, wooded grounds. Fees: Adult/Youth (11+) $92.70, Child (10 and under) $73.20 with bed or $49.20 in sleeping bag, Infant $15. Day rates available. Registrar: Colin Taylor, North Platte, NE 69101-4514 (phone 308-534-4939, e-mail colintay@lakeland.com). Pre-register by June 29; late registration fee $5 per person or $10 per family.

WISCONSIN “MARIAN STEFFES,” JULY 19–23 Location: Byron Center, Brownsville, WI Facilities: Double rooms; dining hall. Hiking, crafts, swimming. Fees: Ask registrar. Registrar: Lisa Riemer, West Bend, WI 53095 (phone 414-338-3023, e-mail mstein@nconnect.net). Pre-register by July 5.

WESTERN STATES[edit]

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, JUNE 25–28 Program: Role of the Community in Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops. With Fred Schechter, Blanche Grant, Gary Bulkin. Location: Pilgrim Pines, Yucaipa, CA. Facilities: Cabins; group dining, vegetarian option. Swimming, court sports, hiking. Fees: Ask registrar. Registrar: Edye York, Ontario, CA 91764 (phone 909-983-1022, e-mail sdas@net-lynx.com or vahid@engr.ucr.edu). Web site: www.cs.ucr.edu/~vahid/scbs

COLORADO EAST, JUNE 23–27 Program: “The Role of the Community in Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops.” Location: Woodland Park Middle School and Red Rocks Campground, Woodland Park, CO Facilities: Classroom setting. Campground available or arrange your own lodging; meals at the school. Hiking, volleyball, basketball, bookbinding workshop. Fees: Adult $50, Youth (11–20) $40, Child (3–10) $30, Infant free. Day rates available. Registrar: Don Brayton, Woodland Park, CO 80863 (phone 719-687-3351, e-mail dbrayton@pcisys.net). Pre-register by June 13.

MONTANA “JOHN H. WILCOTT,” JULY 25–30 Program: The Role of the Community in Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops. With Pierre-Yves Mocquais, Katherine Williams. Location: Luccock Park Camp near Livingston, MT Facilities: A-frame meeting hall. Rustic cabins, hot showers, dining room. Swimming, horseback riding, hiking. Fees: Adult (18+) $145, Youth/Child (7–17) $120, Child (4–6) $85, Infant $10. Day rates available. Registrar: Sandi Marisdotter, Helena, MT 59601 (phone 406-442-7526, e-mail sandim@mt.net). Pre-register by July 9.

NEW MEXICO “FOUR CORNERS,” JULY 28–AUG. 1 Program: The Role of the Community in Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops. Location: Kamp Kiwanis, Vanderwagen, NM Facilities: Indoor or outdoor classes. Dorm-style bunkrooms, tent/RV sites; dining hall. Playground, volleyball, basketball, hiking. Fees: Adult (19+) $65, Youth (15–18) $55, Pre-Youth (11–14) $40, Child (7–10) $25, (3–6) $20, Infant free. Day rates available. Registrar: Bill Bright, Gallup, NM 87301 (phone 505-722-0039). Pre-register by July 19.

OREGON WEST “SIS-Q” YOUTH SESSION, JUNE 25–28 Location: 40 miles from Klamath Falls, OR Facilities: Dorm-style accommodations in remote site. Court and outdoor sports. Fees: About $80. Registrar: Ernie Sheehan (phone 541-773-1621, e-mail ernies@medford.net).

OREGON WEST “CARMEL,” JULY 31–AUG. 4 Program: The Role of the Community in the Four Year Plan. Location: East of Portland, OR Facilities: Retreat site; dorm-style cabins. Fees: Adult $110, Youth $90, Child $70, Family $330. Registrar: Sue Koos (phone 503-829-8423, e-mail suekoos@juno.com).

OREGON WEST “BADASHT,” AUG. 11–15 Program: The Role of the Community in the Four Year Plan. Location: 40 miles west of Roseburg, OR Facilities: Church camp; family or dorm-style cabins, tent and RV spaces. Fees: Adult $110, Youth $90, Child $70, Family $330. Registrar: Jim Smith (phone 541-259-1417, e-mail jsmith@proaxis.com).

UTAH, MAY 28–31 Program: Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops with Emphasis on the Community. Location: Clear Creek Family Ranch near Zion National Park, UT Facilities: Cabin or tent camping; meals included (vegetarian option by request). Fees: Cabin Tent—Adult/Youth (10+) $144, Child (2–9) $118. Tent rental—Adult/Youth $127, Child $100. Bring your tent—Adult $117, Child $90. Infant free. Registrar: Shokouh Imani, Layton, UT 84040 (phone 801-771-0586).

EASTERN WASHINGTON/NORTH IDAHO “SHELTERING BRANCH,” JUNE 26–JULY 2 Program: The Role of the Community in Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops. With Celia Johnson, Touraj Dajhangirloo. Location: Camp Wooten Environmental Learning Center, 30 miles from Pomeroy, WA Facilities: Classrooms, nursery. Cabins for 12, tent/RV spaces; meals provided. Swimming, court sports, outdoor recreation. Fees: Family $550, Adult (60+) $115, (19–59) $175, Youth (15–18) $115, Pre-Youth (11–14) $105, Child with parents (6–10) $85, (2–5) $55, Infant $32, Sponsored Child $132. Registrar: Shannon McConnell, Richland, WA 99352 (phone 509-943-1236) or Wendy Diessner (e-mail diessner@pocketmail.com). Pre-register by June 11. No day students or drop-ins.

WESTERN WASHINGTON, AUG. 15–20 Program: Citizenship in the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh: Creating and Cultivating a Community. Location: Double-K Christian Retreat Center, Easton, WA Facilities: Classroom setting. Dorm-style lodging, family meals. Indoor and outdoor recreation, lakes nearby. Fees: Adult $160, Youth $150, Pre-youth $100, Child $55, Infant $10. Registrar: Barbara Moses, Woodinville, WA 98072-8465 (phone 425-488-2673, e-mail bmoses@u.washington.edu). [Page 19]

CONTROVERSIAL QUESTIONS: STRAIGHT ANSWERS[edit]

What is blind imitation? What constitutes congregational prayer? What isn't confession? What is dignified? What is the effect of judgmentalism? What is healthy criticism?

These and other issues consistently arose during the regional artists gatherings last year. In an attempt to address some of these questions, the National Arts Task Force has compiled a small selection of relevant quotations from the sacred and authoritative writings.

NUDITY IN ART[edit]

In The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 25, Shoghi Effendi states that the Faith "condemns the prostitution of art" and "the practices of nudism" and instead calls for the "exercise of moderation in all that pertains to dress, language, amusements, and all artistic and literary avocations." However, the House of Justice does not know of any passages in the teachings prohibiting the delineation of the human body in works of art. It is the practice of nudism that the Guardian condemns in The Advent of Divine Justice, not nudity.

There are many variables in the question of the portrayal of the nude form in art, including that of local mores and attitudes. The intention of the artist is a very important factor. Normally that is a matter left to the conscience and good taste of the individual artist unless the Spiritual Assembly decides that the Cause is actually being harmed in a particular case.

—From a letter of the Universal House of Justice dated Feb. 25, 1988, to a National Spiritual Assembly

CONFESSION[edit]

To none is it permitted to seek absolution from another soul...

Bahá’u’lláh prohibits confession to, and seeking absolution of one's sins from, a human being. Instead one should beg forgiveness from God. In the Tablet of Bishárát, He states that "such confession before people results in one's humiliation and abasement", and He affirms that God "wisheth not the humiliation of His servants". Shoghi Effendi sets the prohibition into context. His secretary has written on his behalf that we "... are forbidden to confess to any person, as do the Catholics to their priests, our sins and shortcomings, or to do so in public, as some religious sects do. However, if we spontaneously desire to acknowledge we have been wrong in something, or that we have some fault of character, and ask another person's forgiveness or pardon, we are quite free to do so." The Universal House of Justice has also clarified that Bahá’u’lláh's prohibition concerning the confession of sins does not prevent an individual from admitting transgressions in the course of consultations held under the aegis of Bahá’í institutions. Likewise, it does not preclude the possibility of seeking advice from a close friend or of a professional counselor regarding such matters.

—The Kitab-i-Aqdas, Note 58

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER[edit]

Congregational prayer, in the sense of formal obligatory prayer which is to be recited in accordance with a prescribed ritual as, for example, is the custom in Islam where Friday prayer in the mosque is led by an imam, has been annulled in the Bahá’í Dispensation. The Prayer for the Dead... is the only congregational prayer prescribed by Bahá’í law.

The Prayer for the Dead... is to be recited by one believer while all present stand in silence ... [T]he recital should precede the interment of the deceased, and... there is no requirement to face the Qiblih when saying this prayer....

—The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Notes 19 and 10

RECITING PRAYERS IN UNISON[edit]

"You have asked whether it is permissible for the friends to chant a prayer collectively. There is a difference between chanting a prayer collectively and congregational prayer. The latter is a formal prayer usually led by an individual using a prescribed ritual. Congregational prayer in this form is forbidden in the Faith except in the case of the Prayer for the Dead."

—Lights of Guidance, p. 461

MUSIC AT BAHÁ’Í FEASTS[edit]

"Music is permitted during the spiritual part—or any part—of the 19 Day Feast."

—from a letter on behalf of the Guardian, Lights of Guidance, p. 246

HYMNS, POEMS & CHANTS[edit]

"With regard to your question concerning the use of music in the Nineteen Day Feasts, he wishes you to assure all the friends that not only he approves of such a practice, but thinks it even advisable that the believers should make use, in their meetings, of hymns composed by Bahá’ís themselves, and also of such hymns, poems and chants as are based on the Holy Words."

—from a letter on behalf of the Guardian, Lights of Guidance, p. 246

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC AT FEASTS[edit]

"Instrumental music may be used at the Bahá’í Feasts. There is no objection to showing appreciation by the clapping of hands."

—from a letter on behalf of the Guardian, Lights of Guidance, p. 247

USE OF GREATEST NAME, NAMES OF MANIFESTATIONS OR CENTRAL FIGURES IN SONGS[edit]

"We have found nothing in the texts forbidding the use of the Greatest Name, the Names of the Manifestations of God or the names of the Central Figures of our Faith in the lyrics of music. However, we feel that when they are used they should be used with reverence and respect, both in the manner in which they are incorporated in the lyrics and in the manner of presentation."

—from a letter of the Universal House of Justice, Lights of Guidance, p. 269

With the evolution of Bahá’í society which is composed of people of many cultural origins and diverse tastes, each with his conception of what is aesthetically acceptable and pleasing, those Bahá’ís who are gifted in music, drama and the visual arts are free to exercise their talents in ways which will serve the Faith of God. They should not feel disturbed at the lack of appreciation by sundry believers. Rather, in knowledge of the cogent writings of the Faith on music and dramatic expression they should continue their artistic endeavours in prayerful recognition that the arts are powerful instruments to serve the Cause, arts which in time will have their Bahá’í fruition.

—from a letter on behalf of the Universal House of Justice dated Aug. 9, 1983, to an individual

In accordance with our teachings, music and the arts are to be encouraged, and they add immeasurably to the vitality and spirit of the community....

—from a letter of the Universal House of Justice dated Aug. 20, 1985, to a National Spiritual Assembly

With reference to the question concerning the clapping of hands in songs where the Greatest Name is used, the House of Justice does not want to draw hard and fast rules. Clearly such matters are secondary and subject to cultural considerations, customs, and the social conventions prevailing in a given society. In some cultures, for example, clapping, as part of religious expression, is considered offensive; in other cultures, clapping is a means of keeping the rhythm of the hymn, especially in the absence of a musical instrument, and is integral to religious experience; among other peoples, clapping may constitute a demonstration of religious fervor.

Further, within any given country there may well be regional cultural differences. Therefore, it is left to the National Spiritual Assembly to weigh each case with care and sensitivity in light of the prevailing cultural milieu and, if necessary, provide guidance to the friends.

—from a memorandum of the Universal House of Justice dated Oct. 1, 1986, to the International Teaching Center

In response to your letter... in which you ask whether verses from prayers or selections from The Hidden Words may be repeated when they are sung in a choir or by individuals, especially in the House of Worship, we have been directed by the Universal House of Justice to say that there is no objection to the repetition of these verses in songs in order to conform with musical requirements.

—from a letter on behalf of the Universal House of Justice dated March 30, 1989, to a National Spiritual Assembly

With reference to your question regarding any limitations to the setting of Bahá’í Writings to music, we are to state that it is permissible to use selections from the Holy Writings as lyrics to be accompanied by musical compositions, and to repeat verses or words. A composer is free to determine the musical style, bearing in mind the spiritual obligation to treat the Sacred Texts with propriety, dignity and reverence.

—from a letter on behalf of the Universal House of Justice dated Nov. 28, 1990

We feel that it would be helpful to you to know that songs whose words are the primary Writings of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh... [Page 20]

ART AS[edit]

BY SHU SHU COSTA

The deep, cerulean blue paint waits and shimmers, as quiet as a calm sea. The creator is meditating, patiently meditating. Then, with a turn of the freshly-stretched canvas, the sea moves and shifts, running in broad rivers this way, then that. A swish of the paintbrush and the sea becomes a high mountain, the rivers a hidden valley. In a heartbeat of creation, a world, a beautiful, peaceful world, is formed.

I must have witnessed this act of creation a hundred times. My father, Malaysian-born Chinese artist Hong Tatt Foo, 58, used to paint in the room next to mine. How many late nights have I tiptoed in to see these fantastical worlds spring to life from his mind’s eye? How many times have I wondered at the look of reverence, of prayerful concentration as he sought to convey his inner soul?

“In this wonderful new age, art is worship,” the Writings say, and you need only to look at an artist in the act of creating to realize this stunning truth. My father is enraptured, enthralled, the room silent, yet vibrant. Like watching a true servant in prayer with his Beloved, you dare not make a sound, you can only stand in awe. A humble artist reaching toward God in his work never mutters with a lifeless heart, never wanders, mindlessly, from his quest. During those moments of creation, with one’s soul ascending on joyful wings, your prayer is most sincere, your heart most pure, your spirit most peaceful. The fragrance of my father’s worship fills the sunlit room, quickening and refreshing the spirit of all who enter.

The river of blue has now washed into a field strewn with flowers. His delicate fingers holding a bamboo brush, he paints quickly, spots of spirited pinks and yellows on the surging wave. Another pause, more contemplation, and a corner becomes a forest of gentle pines. A lump of paint becomes a river of rocks. Slowly, carefully, details begin to emerge out of the nothingness. I think suddenly of the Hidden Word: “With the bands of power I made thee and with the fingers of strength I created thee.” How much closer is the artist, a creator, to understanding God, the Creator? “One of the names of God is the Fashioner,” Bahá’u’lláh wrote. “He loveth craftsmanship. Therefore any of His servants who manifesteth this attribute is acceptable in the sight of this Wronged One.”

I must ask him one day. But I can already envision his answer. My father is a humble man. With a short laugh, he’ll look down and look away. Then, he’ll talk about art’s role as inspiration, not about his own spiritual journey. For that conversation, he prefers to let his art, created in places difficult to describe in mere words, speak for him.

“Peace Emerging,” acrylic

ART’S SPIRITUAL DIMENSION[edit]

My father’s work has been described by a major American newspaper art critic as “a Sung landscape painted by abstractionist Paul Jenkins.” Most of his pieces are landscapes, sweeping mountain passes, filled with beautiful gorges and fields, waterfalls and birds. Occasionally, the image of a face or a dove appears like a mirage from the side of a mountain cliff or the shape of a valley. Serenity reigns in this peaceful paradise, the flowing lines invite meditation and thoughtfulness. The colors stand sharp in places, soft in others; here the versatile acrylics take on the hard quality of oils, there the gentleness of watercolors.

The effect is unique, a reflection of his life in two distinct cultures—one of the East and the other of the West. From the East, my father inherits his love of nature. Much of the ancient work from China is of nature; human figures are very rarely seen. “They believed that nature was more important than man,” he says. The influence of the East must also contain the voice of his father, an accomplished local artist and source of inspiration for my father. From his training in the West, he receives his use of intense color and abstract style. His vivid blues, purples and pinks create impressionistic worlds perpetually dawning, perpetually in bloom. The free-flowing paint is Western; the tiny details inspired by the East.

But what transcends the mere brushings of paint, the accidental flow of color, is the vision which my father brings to each work. His art embraces both East and West to glorify a realm that has no borders, that is only of the spirit. Some of the titles of his work reflect this world, inspired by the soul-awakening teachings of Bahá’u’lláh: “Peace Emerging,” “Valley of Love,” “Land of Peace and Harmony.” The director of the National Gallery of Malaysia acknowledged this spiritual dimension in a review: “His works ... at times transcend into the spiritual realm. They propose a sense of inner bliss [Page 21]

WORSHIP[edit]

reflecting a state of peace with the elements.” And a recent article on my father in the leading Chinese paper of Malaysia gave this dimension a name: “The banner headline reads, “The Bahá’í Faith: An Ideal World.”

The Faith has had a profound influence on my father’s work, both in the manifestation of its teachings in these magnificent landscapes and also in providing the wellspring of his creativity. In the hallway of my parents’ home hangs a small painting quite different from my father’s usual landscapes. It is an hourglass formed with two worlds connected by an exchange of light. The worlds are multicolored, bursts of pinks and purples exploding from the blue. They are raw—to me, they appear in the state of birth, of evolution. In contrast, the center is calm. Geometric shapes fade into each other, like a kaleidoscope or a stained-glass window. Within this column of light, four circular symbols—one each representing Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Confucianism—orbit the Greatest Name, set within the traditional Taoist symbol.

As my father tells it, this unusual piece is his spiritual history. He was raised with a blend of traditional Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism in an Islamic country and educated by monks in a Catholic missionary school. When he found the Bahá’í Faith as an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois, he says, it was as if all the elements of his life fell into place. The painting encapsulates the start of his spiritual journey more eloquently than words can ever describe.

His early work from that period in his life is much more abstract, less peaceful. Today, his work reflects the transformation of a soul drawn to a higher beauty. Today, inspiration comes not just from his own background or training, but from his inner eye, released through the power of meditation.

“Inspiration is there in the subconscious,” explains my father. Before he begins any piece, he spends time meditating, relaxing, letting his subconscious awaken and his soul catch fire. When he first began this technique, he admits, it was difficult. Conscious thought interrupted his own creativity. Now he depends on these subconscious stirrings to create: “When you’re in a meditative mood,” he says, “all the subconscious knowledge surfaces and you’ll be able to do better than what you could have done with the conscious mind.”

Bahá’u’lláh affirms that the “source of crafts, sciences and the arts is the power of reflection.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in a 1913 speech in London described the phenomena of meditation and its critical effect on the arts. “The bestowal of the Spirit is given in reflection and meditation. ... In that subjective mood, [man] is immersed in the ocean of spiritual life. ... This faculty brings forth from the invisible plane sciences and arts. Through the meditative faculty inventions are made possible. ... Through this faculty man enters into the very Kingdom of God.” I look over at my father, quickly, awestruck by this quote. He is lost in his work, again dwelling in his subconscious. Could it be that this paradise my father sees is a faint reflection of the Kingdom of God? How powerful, how moving, is art that springs from this invisible plane?

BEAUTY THROUGH THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER[edit]

The writings of Bahá’u’lláh say the purpose of art, its ultimate and highest aim, is to ennoble the individual soul and the collective soul of humanity. The artist can do this in many ways. He or she can depict themes of social and moral issues, such as justice, equality and love. On a more mystical level, an artist can enkindle a soul by mirroring the divine, by attracting people to God.

My father once wanted to be a doctor. In that way, he thought he could heal the ills of humanity. Instead, he offers people through his art the healing message of Bahá’u’lláh. His work, which has won countless awards, has been shown throughout the world to high and low alike, from the hallowed halls of Lincoln Center in New York City and national museums of Malaysia, Singapore and China to summer fairs and one-man shows throughout the U.S. During his two years pioneering in Tanzania, Africa, international diplomats were introduced to Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings through his art. His work can be found in university and private collections in Australia, Switzerland, Netherlands and Korea, in publications, on gift cards, on calendars.

A card arrived in the mail the other day, reminding me of another side of my father’s influence. It was an irregular-shaped piece of thick cardboard hand-stamped with fish so humble, I almost threw it away. The writing on the other side stopped me. “Dear Mr. Foo,” it began and ended with “#1 Art Teacher in the World!!” For more than 30 years, my father taught art to high school students, mostly in Long Island, New York, where he and my mother, Sally, lived most of that time, but also in Singapore and Tanzania. He’s retired now, but still gets postcards, notices of gallery openings, appreciation letters from the many students he has inspired in his lifetime. Many have become artists themselves, others retain a vision of a world he has opened for them. They are ranked among his life’s greatest accomplishments. In his scrapbook full of newspaper clippings, notices of his students’ awards and accomplishments are chronicled right alongside his.

In the words of the Master, “Among the greatest of all services is the education of children, and the promotion of the various sciences, crafts and arts. Praised be God, ye are now exerting strenuous efforts towards this end. The more you persevere in this most important task, the more will ye witness the confirmations of God, to such a degree that ye yourselves will be astonished.”

I think my father is astonished. To him has been given a great, a precious bounty. Through his art, my father has touched thousands with the paradise he sees with his inner eye, inspired by the words of God. He has introduced innumerable people to Bahá’u’lláh, and has, perhaps for just a few short minutes or perhaps for a lifetime, shown them a vision of pure joy.

"Mountain Pass," acrylic

The painting is nearly complete now. My father looks tired but his eyes shine with a wonderful glow. What was once a small puddle of blue has become a great overflowing ocean, an impossibly high mountain. Out of humble beginnings has sprung a world of such contentment, such light, that a wanderer could seek its mysteries for a lifetime. Such is the power of the verses of God that it can transform a lowly canvas into wings that will uplift the souls. Such is the wonder of my father, the artist. ♦ [Page 22]...or ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are all quite fitting for the devotional portion of the Feast. Indeed, the Persian chants are such songs, out of a different tradition; they are a way of giving music to the holy Word, and each person who chants does it in a way which mirrors his feeling and expression of the Words he is uttering. As for songs whose words are poetic and the composition of persons other than the Figures of the Faith, these may be desirable but in their proper place. Inasmuch as the spirit of our gathering is so much affected by the tone and quality of our worship, of our feeling and appreciation of the Word of God for this day, we would hope that you would encourage the most beautiful possible expression of the human spirits in your communities, through music among other modes of feeling.

-from a letter of the Universal House of Justice dated Feb. 22, 1971, to a National Spiritual Assembly

ARTISTS SHOULD NOT BE ASKED TO DONATE THEIR TALENTS[edit]

The House of Justice is pleased to learn of your continued devotion to the Cause of God in spite of the difficulties you have experienced as a musician. With regard to your questions: the Bahá’í Teachings obviously do not condone the mistreatment of musicians or other artists, nor are artists expected to sacrifice their free will to the whims, or even the strongly held opinions, of other Bahá’ís. As for the tensions and difficulties arising between your teaching the Faith through music and your parallel need to be self-supporting, it is suggested that you yourself will need to set your own limits in this regard.

-from a letter on behalf of the Universal House of Justice dated Feb. 15, 1990, to an individual

THANK YOU[edit]

Many thanks to all who responded to our call for Bahá’ís involved in the arts to "introduce" themselves to us. We wish it were possible to respond to each of you individually. We now take the opportunity to express our deepest appreciation to you collectively.

Your information was added to a contact list that we used to send invitations for the regional gatherings last year. This list is being maintained so you can receive individual invitations and/or announcements for future events.

Please keep us informed as your contact information changes, so we can keep this database current.

-THE NATIONAL ARTS TASK FORCE

HOW DANCE IS USED[edit]

...traditional dances associated with the expression of a culture are permissible in Bahá’í Centres. However, it should be borne in mind that such traditional dances generally have an underlying theme or a story being represented. Care must be exercised that the themes of such dances are in harmony with the high ethical standards of the Cause and are not portrayals that would arouse base instincts and unworthy passions....

As for choreographed dances whose purpose is to reinforce and proclaim Bahá’í principles, if they can be performed in a manner which portrays the nobility of such principles and invokes appropriate attitudes of respect or reverence, there is no objection to dances which are meant to interpret passages from the Writings; however, it is preferable that the motions of a dance not be accompanied by the reading of the words. The principles which must guide the friends in their consideration of these questions is the observance of "moderation in all that pertains to dress, language, amusements, and all artistic and literary avocations."

-from a letter of the Universal House of Justice dated June 20, 1991, to a National Spiritual Assembly

OTHER SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS[edit]

During the devotional part of the Nineteen Day Feast any part of the writings of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and the Master can be read, also from the Bible and Qur'an, as these are all sacred scriptures. This part of the meeting need not be confined to prayers, though prayers can and should be read during it....

The question regarding the devotional part of the Feast has been obscured because once he used the term "devotional" in its strict sense, which of course means prayer, and once loosely, in the sense in which the Bahá’ís usually understand it, and that is the meeting together and reading from the teachings which precedes the administrative—or consultative aspect of the Nineteen Day Feast. The two statements in no way change the method of holding this part of the Feast which, in the East at any rate, is always opened with prayers and afterwards Tablets and excerpts from Bahá’u’lláh's, or the Master's or the Guardian's, writings may be read or, for that matter, the Bible or Qur'an quoted.

-from letters on behalf of the Guardian, quoted in Nineteen Day Feast, p. 449

PORTRAYAL OF MANIFESTATIONS OF GOD FORBIDDEN[edit]

"Your understanding that the portrayal of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh in works of art is forbidden, is correct. The Guardian made it clear that this prohibition refers to all the Manifestations of God; photographs, or reproductions of portraits, of the Master may be used in books, but no attempt should be made to portray Him in dramatic or other works where He would be one of the 'dramatic personae'. However, there can be no objection to symbolic representation of such Holy Figures, provided it does not become a ritual and that the symbol used is not irreverent."

-from a letter of the Universal House of Justice quoted in Lights of Guidance, p. 540

With reference to your question whether the figures of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh should be made to appear as characters in dramatic works written by the believers, Shoghi Effendi's opinion is that such an attempt to dramatize the Manifestations would be highly disrespectful, and hence should be avoided by the friends, even in the case of the Master. Besides, it would be practically impossible to carry out such a plan faithfully, and in a dignified and befitting manner.

-from a letter on behalf of the Guardian, Directives from the Guardian, no. 52, p. 19

We have found nothing in the texts forbidding the use of the Greatest Name, the Names of the Manifestations of God or the names of the Central Figures of our Faith in the lyrics of music. However, we feel that when they are used they should be used with reverence and respect, both in the manner in which they are incorporated in the lyrics and in the manner of presentation.

-from a letter of the Universal House of Justice dated March 14, 1968, to a National Spiritual Assembly

We see no objection to the use of natural phenomena as symbols to illustrate the significance of the three Central Figures, Bahá’í Laws, and Bahá’í Administration, and we also appreciate the suitability of using visual symbols to express abstract concepts.

-from a letter of the Universal House of Justice dated July 29, 1971, to an individual

... an examination of the letters of the beloved Guardian makes it absolutely clear that it is not permissible to portray on the stage the figure of the Manifestation of God, nor even of the Master... The Universal House of Justice considers it inappropriate to represent the Guardian of the Faith as a character in a play.

The use of light, either of great intensity or in different colours, needs your careful consideration. If the use of light in any way at all suggests a personification of the Manifestation of God it should not be used, but if it can be done without in any way giving the impression that the Prophet is being represented or personified then there is no objection to its use. As to the portrayal of living persons, there are occasions when this may be done, such as spontaneous or local presentations for the purpose of teaching or describing events, but generally it is unwise to do so.

-from a letter of the Universal House of Justice dated August 12, 1975

BLIND IMITATION[edit]

And the breeding-ground of all these tragedies is prejudice: prejudice of race and nation, of religion, of political opinion; and the root cause of prejudice is blind imitation of the past—imitation in religion, in racial attitudes, in national bias, in politics. So long as this aping of the past persisteth, just so long will the foundations of the social order be blown to the four winds, just so long will humanity be continually exposed to direst peril.

—‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 247

It is clear from the Writings that the arts are intended not to be used solely for decoration or entertainment.

"In this great dispensation, art (or a profession) is identical with an act of worship and this is a clear text of the Blessed Perfection. Therefore, extreme effort should be made in art and this will not prevent the teaching of the people in that region. Nay, rather, each should assist the other in art and guidance. For instance, when the studying of art is with the intention of obeying the command of God this study will certainly be done easily and great progress will be made therein; and when others discover this fragrance of spirituality in the action itself, this same will cause their awakening. Likewise, managing art with propriety will become the means of sociability and affinity, and sociability and affinity themselves tend to guide others to the Truth."

—‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’í World Faith

The arts can make the connection between the heart, the head, the body and the breath. We are intended and encouraged to use the arts in as many diverse ways as possible to bring joy and celebration to our community. It is hoped this will create an environment that is inviting, both to us and to those we are trying to reach.

We hope these writings will encourage you to take the steps, and even what may appear to be risks, in finding innovative ways to integrate the arts into your communities and your personal daily devotional practice. Let not our fear and intolerance hinder us from moving forward in unfolding the beauty of the diversity in our community. [Page 23]“The resources at the disposal of the community must, as a result of its expansion, be continually augmented and carefully extended.” —Shoghi Effendi, Unfolding Destiny, p. 215

PLANNED GIVING: Extend your options FOR FUNDING THE WORK OF THE CAUSE[edit]

Part two of two parts

In the last issue of The American Bahá’í a Planned Giving Program was introduced by the National Spiritual Assembly’s Office of the Treasurer.

We learned then that planned giving means any type of giving other than outright cash gifts, and encompasses a variety of means and methods used to make larger gifts, usually to charity. We also learned that many of these methods can be used by individual believers to make gifts to the Bahá’í Faith if they wish.

Why should we be interested in planned giving?[edit]

• The benefits of planned giving to the work of the Faith: are many. Planned giving empowers more of the friends to make larger gifts, because these gifts can be made from long-term or future assets—sometimes not necessary for current living expenses.

The work of the Cause can be carried forward with greater confidence when the Institutions of the Faith have the assurance that capital plans and projects, including major repairs to the Bahá’í House of Worship and other Bahá’í properties, will be adequately financed with the added assistance of income generated from planned giving methods.

• The benefits of planned giving to the individual: can be many as well. Planned giving can fulfill, for many Bahá’ís, their desire to make a substantial gift to the Faith beyond their regular giving. Certain strategies associated with planned giving allow the believer to maximize his or her available resources for increased giving, and in many cases, can make it possible to replace resources needed for daily living with a stream of income for life. This is achieved by taking advantage of direct tax benefits that are available to any individual who itemizes deductions on his or her federal tax return, and who supports one or more charitable or tax-exempt organization such as the National Spiritual Assembly.

Other planned giving arrangements allow a person, even with a modest estate, the opportunity to make an ultimate gift through his or her will. In addition, some arrangements can provide a stream of income to help meet living expenses after retirement. Above all else, there is the primary benefit to every believer of assisting the work of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, often to a level we may not have dreamed possible.

Is planned giving for me?[edit]

It could be. While we are not required to leave a bequest (a gift through our will) almost every Bahá’í can plan to make a bequest to the Faith if he or she wishes. This is one of the simplest forms of planned giving.

Other planned giving methods may be more complex or may require greater resources, but many of us are surprised to discover we might qualify for one or more of these plans, benefit the Cause by doing so, and often meet some of our own needs as well.

Where can I get more information about planned giving?[edit]

For a packet of information about planned giving to the Bahá’í Funds, please complete the form on this page and mail it to the Development Department in the Office of the Treasurer at the Bahá’í National Center. If you would like to contact someone about planned giving immediately, contact Rebecca Wilson at the Office of the Treasurer (phone 847-733-3476, e-mail ).

Two more ways it works[edit]

Actual cases—not their real names

In the last issue we looked at charitable gift annuities and gifts of securities. Here are two more ways you can plan ahead to help the Cause.

BEQUEST[edit]

• Mr. White, a widower, recently retired and is making plans to go traveling teaching for an extended period of time. He has a will in place, but would like to make sure it is updated to reflect his current wishes.

Mr. White is not a wealthy man, but he owns some stock, a retirement account and a nice home whose value has grown greatly since he bought it. He would like to provide for a portion of his grandchild’s education and would also like to leave something to the Bahá’í Faith.

He decides to leave the stock, his home and its furnishings to his grandchild, to be sold to provide for educational expenses. He will use the retirement account until he passes away, but decides to name the Bahá’í Faith as primary beneficiary of the remainder—because Mr. White remembers that his retirement account could be a considerable asset to the Faith.

BELIEVER: makes arrangements in will
↓
BAHÁ’Í FUND: Receives gift upon believer’s passing

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

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST[edit]

• The Browns, a married couple, worked hard for 30 years to build their company. They wish to retire, and they would like to sell their company and use the proceeds to supplement their other retirement funds.

Bahá’ís for many years, the Browns would also like to leave a considerable gift to the Faith. They learn that they will owe much in capital gains tax if they sell the company and take the profit. However, if they establish a charitable remainder trust, the trust can sell their business—worth about $250,000—and invest the proceeds, allowing the Browns an annual payment (about $12,500 the first year) to help them meet living expenses in retirement.

What they like most about this arrangement is that the remainder of the trust will go to the Bahá’í Fund when they pass away.

Note: Donors to charitable remainder trusts are required by law to take a minimum payout of 5% of the assets of the trust valued annually. That is why the Browns must take a $12,500 payment the first year after the trust receives their $250,000 worth of assets.

BELIEVER: transfers assets to trust
↓
CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST: invests the transferred assets
↙	↘
BELIEVER: gains income	BAHÁ’Í FUND: receives remainder

CLIP OR COPY THIS FORM[edit]

I/we would like more information about the planned giving techniques described here and about other ways to contribute to the Bahá’í Faith through planned giving. I am particularly interested in:

____ 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.

Return form to:
Development Department,
Office of the Treasurer,
Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St.,
Evanston, IL 60201

TAB 4/9/99 [Page 24]

STATE OF THE PROFESSION:[edit]

DESPITE DIFFICULTIES, EDUCATORS SEE GREAT POTENTIAL FOR THEIR ROLE AS A UNIFYING FORCE IN SOCIETY[edit]

COMPILED BY TOM MENNILLO

Professional educators who completed an e-mail survey for The American Bahá’í say they recognize the critical role their profession plays in advancing our civilization and fostering unity.

Indeed, many of them entered the field for that reason.

These superintendents, professors, teachers and teacher trainers also believe independent investigation of the truth is very much alive in the schools today.

But they stress that much more can be done to make education a safe, welcoming environment and give students the tools they need to make that inquiry.

On these pages are their responses, edited for length.

ABOUT THE RESPONDENTS:[edit]

Robin Cain, a homefront pioneer to Benbrook, Texas, teaches fourth through sixth grades at Como Montessori School in the Fort Worth Independent School District.
Ray Johnson is an associate professor of educational administration at Fort Hays (Kansas) State University.
Terry Kneisler is superintendent of schools in Philomath, Oregon. He says his work is about educating kids ages 5–18 and helping them be “healthy, happy and contributing citizens. It is good work.”
Robert Speirs of Maitland, Florida, teaches elementary gifted children in the Seminole County Public Schools and is an adjunct professor in the graduate department of special education at Nova Southeastern University.
Albert Taborn of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is employed by the Milwaukee Public Schools as a mentor and coach for new teachers.
Patricia Workman is a retired schoolteacher who lives in Culdesac, Idaho, on the Nez Perce Reservation. She is a Core Curriculum adviser for Idaho and Montana and, with her husband, Jim, is a teacher trainer and marriage and family facilitator. She says, “To me, mother, grandmother, and teacher are titles that have brought me the greatest joy and honor.”

If you were a Bahá’í when you became an educator, how did your Bahá’í identity influence your choice of field and how has it influenced steps you have taken within the field?

Johnson: I became a Bahá’í during my doctoral studies at Stanford University in 1968. Because I was a Bahá’í, after finishing the degree I went pioneering to India as the principal of New Era School (a Bahá’í school) in Panchgani, India, in 1971. I would never have thought of going overseas if I had not been a Bahá’í who wanted to go pioneering.

Workman: When I was 8 years old, I decided to become a teacher, and to start schools where teachers love and respect children and where the children can truly explore the questions they have about their world. Becoming a Bahá’í put my life, and particularly my interest in child education, into perspective. I became actively involved in Bahá’í education for children and adults and, ultimately, took the Core Curriculum teacher training course at Louhelen.

Speirs: Being a Bahá’í during college gave me the courage to pursue the field of education. I had wavered in that decision because of weak academic and social experiences in high school. But when I became a Bahá’í I felt transformed by the message of Bahá’u’lláh and felt that the true way to be an educator was to open up the spiritual hearts of students so they would feel comfortable and safe without the threat of failure.

As an educator for more than 21 years, I firmly believe that every individual has hidden gems and it is our responsibility as educators to help reveal the gems. Once students recognize their own talents through successful experiences, their academic and social confidence increases—allowing them to expand their ability to learn in other areas.

Taborn: Being a Bahá’í played a major role in my selection of the education field. I think that it gave me hope in the future, and the teachings helped me to realize the import that education would have in that future. So many of the practitioners in the field have adopted rather low views of what humans can aspire to, but the Faith has helped me to stay open-minded to the possibilities that a serious study of the skills and the basic principles of education could offer.

“When I was 8 years old, I decided to become a teacher, and to start schools where teachers love and respect children and where the children can truly explore the questions they have about their world.” —Patricia Workman, Culdesac, Idaho

If you weren’t a Bahá’í, what role did being an educator play in your decision to become a Bahá’í and how has becoming a Bahá’í influenced steps you have taken within the field?

Kneisler: I had been a professional educator for nearly 10 years when a fifth-grade girl in a school I served as principal made such an impression on me that I made a point of observing her family. She was exceptionally kind and never spoke ill of another, actually removing herself from groups that would gossip. Her parents were volunteers at all levels in the school. They were often the first to arrive to help and the last to leave, helping to clean up or do whatever was needed. I found out they were Bahá’ís, asked about that, and the rest is history.

My sense of service was expanded, understanding that helping others had everything to do with serving Bahá’u’lláh. From that point forward I used consultation as the method by which directions were set, whether in a staff meeting, a town hall meeting or the convening of superintendents countywide.

The role of school superintendent is a natural for a Bahá’í who wants to be an educator. The opportunities for assisting others and developing harmony among vastly different families and students is challenging and rewarding. People crave real listening, the opportunity to participate in a process that respects their interests, and the certainty that their child will be well-educated.

Cain: I learned about the Bahá’í Faith from a fellow education major. I wouldn’t have heard the name Bahá’í, or perhaps wouldn’t have paid any attention to it, had it not been for her sincere, loving interest in children and her deep insight into their spiritual reality.

Johnson: Being an educator I don’t think had anything to do with me becoming a Bahá’í, except it put me in an environment (higher education) that was compatible with inquiry and investigation. However, since becoming a Bahá’í in 1968 all our professional decisions have been taken with service to the Cause in mind. My wife and I had the bounty of serving full time in Bahá’í schools in India and Canada for 19 years. We have continued to be involved in Bahá’í education activities: national and state Bahá’í education committees, developing children’s materials, speaking at international and national Bahá’í conferences and workshops etc. Currently I serve on the National Education Task Force.

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

Cain: I think it is a challenge to live a Bahá’í life in a way that employs audacity and wisdom. I wish to teach my faith, live the life, share my perspective, and yet I must have consummate tact and wisdom so that I’m not overbearing or impose my “system of doing things” on others who aren’t receptive.

Taborn: The daily challenges of working in a profession that is of such a high calling, and the day-to-day reality of the present-day defective system which ignores the spiritual reality of the child, bring many difficult moments. But most of them are not apparent to me while I am in the thick of work—only after I have the opportunity to reflect upon the day do I realize how delicate a balance we walk between the opportunity to teach the Faith and the awful chance that we might fall into cynicism.

Johnson: While the environment of higher education is more liberal and open-minded, it is very political and has the same ills of society when it comes to gossiping and backbiting. Otherwise, that environment is ideal for promoting and protecting the Faith.

Kneisler: Inordinate number of requests for facilitation of groups and participation on boards—consultation is an attractive and desirable process. Another challenge occurs when people ask that you bend a contract or make exceptions to principle, though it is always proven out that people appreciate your holding to contract laws and principles if you actually listen to the depth and context of their need.

Workman: I am retired from public schoolteaching, which allows me to focus on Bahá’í educational endeavors. In public school, it hurt me to see how the politics of the old world order emphasized what is best for the system rather than what is best for the child. I was fortunate to be in special education, where I could often implement my own program to some extent. Even with this, I felt frustrated when a child came to me with a spiritual problem I could only answer in generalities.

Speirs: Although we should be operating under the guidelines of separation of church and state in the public schools, this law is not always followed or enforced by school administrators. At Christmastime there is an outpouring of religious expression that is centered on the occasion and generally does not embrace religious beliefs outside of Christianity. This is the time that I pray for strength and consult with the administration to allow celebrations to be inclusive of all cultural and religious beliefs. Our school has started cultural sensitivity training for all staff before the holidays begin. [Page 25]“[T]here must be revived among the individual believers a sense of mission, a feeling of empowerment to minister to the urgent need of humanity for guidance and thus to win victories for the Faith in their own sphere of life.” —Universal House of Justice, from the May 19, 1994, letter to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

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

Johnson: As an educator I have a captive audience. I have to make sure I do not proselytize and have to give a balanced view when quoting from the Writings or when making reference to the Faith. Otherwise everyone knows I am a Bahá’í and basically what the Faith stands for, particularly regarding equality or racism issues.

I am chair of the university committee on diversity and have been recognized by students of color with a special award for work done in promoting understanding about issues of diversity and the elimination of prejudice. The students and staff view the Faith as standing for these principles.

Kneisler: Not really. It seems to me that being an educator is about as noble a profession as imaginable. I enjoy the process of helping teachers, kids, parents and taxpayers alike, so I don’t find conflict—it comes to me. Occasionally, the public wants to know the root of my principles, and I find it best to share those privately and not while I’m in the schools.

“When independent investigation of truth is realized and fostered, I believe this principle will assist with the elimination of prejudice.” —Robert Speirs, Maitland, Florida

Workman: Of course. I couldn’t by law give direct “religious” answers to questions or problems. However, the concepts I taught and virtues emphasized reflected my Bahá’í beliefs and had an impact on the children’s behavior and attitudes toward themselves and others. I found this way of teaching had an impact on my co-workers as well. This presented an ongoing challenge to me to be the best Bahá’í I could be, and I hope I met this challenge to some extent.

Speirs: I don’t see a fine line because the principles of Bahá’u’lláh have been inculcated into the mainstream and the line has been blurred. One only needs to pick up the newspaper to read headlines that call for the unity of the nations, the unity of races, the equality of women and men. Those invisible forces—or, as the beloved Guardian referred to them, the twin forces at work—have become evident in our lifetime. The masses are becoming keenly aware of the principles and many of the laws. Still, the majority of those accepting the principles of Bahá’u’lláh remain ignorant of the Author.

Cain: Definitely. While some people are very receptive to principles such as consultation and concepts such as “spiritual reality of the child,” others are guarded. I have experienced walls because of my views and approaches to solving problems.

To what extent is your profession seen by its practitioners and the public as a catalyst for unifying the forces of society?[edit]

Taborn: Probably no other profession is looked to by society to remedy past inequities and level the playing field as education has been. Still, we really cannot say that we have been effective at unifying society; perhaps we have not seriously studied the possible alternatives.

Johnson: The higher education environment lends itself to confronting and consulting on societal issues. It provides a forum to host events around special days (United Nations Day, Human Rights Day, International Women’s Day, World Day of Prayer, World Religion Day etc.) and on issues such as elimination of racial prejudice.

Kneisler: Probably as much as any single entity I can think of, save for religion. Public schools are the melting pot of our society. When we can assist kids in seeing the value of diversity of approaches and individual styles, then witness them appreciating the role every person plays, it contributes mightily to a healthy school. Our high school is fairly remarkable in how it appreciates every kid.

Speirs: Although I would not feel comfortable speaking for my entire profession, I must reflect on the past to give a personal opinion. We know that in the past a few leaders controlled the majority of people. One of the controlling methods was prohibition of reading and writing. Certainly we have made progress in this area; however, we need to continue to make progress in the area of fostering independent thinking.

The ability to think for oneself—or, as Bahá’u’lláh stated, individual investigation of truth—is something that has taken ages to be received and schools have been slow to encourage its unfoldment. When independent investigation of truth is realized and fostered, I believe this principle will assist with the elimination of prejudice and hence will engage the process of unifying the forces of society.

Workman: This varies markedly from individual to individual. Some don’t seem to address the concept of “unifying the forces of society.” Others don’t feel it is the duty of the school to reach out to society or interact with society. Still others feel strongly the impact the schools can have on society and the possibilities that exist here to bring communities together.

Cain: My profession, elementary school teacher, is under tremendous forces of “accountability.” Testing drives everything. I don’t feel that teaching is considered to be a unifying force. I think schools are encouraging the recognition of multicultural diversity as a celebration of humanity, but school as a unifying force of society seems a bit beyond the scope of this trend.

What can Bahá’í educators do individually or collectively to foster that catalytic role (i.e. assist the exploration of these issues, influence the profession’s evolution, encourage young people to enter the field)?[edit]

“I love to think of encouraging young people to enter this profession, but it is a very difficult profession to enter, even in the best of circumstances. ... I have so many tasks competing for my time and energy. ...” —Robin Cain, Benbrook, Texas

Workman: As the bearers of our future, our children need the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh more than anyone. This must be foremost in our individual and collective thought, whether our field is education or not. We are teachers of children as long as we come in contact with children. Professional educators have the opportunity to empower others to be teachers of the children and to give them the tools and knowledge they possess. To do this, we educators must strive daily for spiritual growth, become knowledgeable in Bahá’í programs (such as the Core Curriculum and Virtues Project), involve ourselves in Bahá’í educational workshops and projects, and maintain positive meaningful friendships with the children and youth with whom we come in contact. If our children do have a “destiny before God,” then it is our responsibility and joy to play a significant role in helping them achieve this destiny.

Cain: I love to think of encouraging young people to enter this profession, but it is a very difficult profession to enter, even in the best of circumstances. I teach in a wonderful school with a great administrator, terrific students and supportive, active, caring parents. Yet the atmosphere of “raising the bar” every year makes it difficult. I have so many tasks competing for my time and energy that my Bahá’í community life has definitely diminished.

Speirs: I believe that as educators we can focus on one principle and wrap our curriculum around the principle. The principle does not need to be isolated (i.e. the individual investigation of truth can open the door to critical thinking, creative problem-solving and lead to the elimination of prejudice). When one principle is studied and used, other principles begin to unfold. This approach would be a great contribution to the public schools. If this process is started, a secular curriculum can be constructed around Bahá’í principles and Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í educators could access the curriculum from a central location such as the Bahá’í National Training Center at Louhelen (perhaps online).

Kneisler: I’m not sure, though I know that the educators’ conference held at Louhelen Bahá’í School each summer would be a great way for the professionals to exchange techniques and approaches taken in the field.

“I enjoy the process of helping teachers, kids, parents and taxpayers alike, so I don’t find conflict—it comes to me. Occasionally, the public wants to know the root of my principles, and I find it best to share those privately.” —Terry Kneisler, Philomath, Oregon

Johnson: Share what others are doing, raise issues for dialogue (like what Robert Stockman [director of the Research Office at the Bahá’í National Center] has done concerning the attempt to close the “Open University” in Iran), promote diversity, and show support for issue of equality and justice. [Page 26]

ENGLISH[edit]

Letter to the friends from the Latin-American Task Force[edit]

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

We are blessed with many Holy Days of great significance in our Faith, but on the 21st of this month, we begin the celebration of what Bahá’u’lláh Himself describes as “The Most Great Festival”—the 12-day period during which He made His public declaration that He was the Promised One of all ages, Who had come at last to establish the Kingdom of God on earth.

In God Passes By (pp. 153–154), Shoghi Effendi wrote:

“As to the significance of that Declaration, let Bahá’u’lláh Himself reveal to us its import. Acclaiming that historic occasion as ‘The Most Great Festival,’ the ‘King of Festivals,’ the ‘Festival of God,'’ He has, in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, characterized it as the Day whereon ‘all created things were immersed in the ocean of purification.’ ‘Rejoice, with exceeding gladness, O people of Bahá! … as ye call to remembrance the Day of supreme felicity, the Day whereon the Tongue of the Ancient of Days hath spoken, as He departed from His ‎bouse house‎ proceeding to the Spot from which He shed upon the whole creation the splendors of His Name, the All-Merciful …’ ‘Arise, and proclaim unto the entire creation the tidings that He who is the All-Merciful hath directed His steps towards the Ridván and entered it. Guide, then, the people unto the Garden of Delight which God hath made the Throne of His Paradise.”

So we have much reason to celebrate this event with great joy and gladness. And on the first day of this Festival, we also elect the members of our Local Spiritual Assemblies. What connection can there be between this most joyous Festival and the election of administrative institutions?

But, of course, these are not “institutions” as we are accustomed to thinking of them. There can be no comparison, for they are divinely ordained by the Promised One Himself to be channels for the flow of the Holy Spirit which He has once again brought to build the Kingdom of God on earth. And this Kingdom cannot be built “in the air”; it must rest on a solid foundation and that foundation consists of the Local Spiritual Assemblies. In God Passes By (p. 332), the Guardian quoted ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as follows:

“These Spiritual Assemblies are shining lamps and heavenly gardens, from which the fragrances of holiness are diffused over all regions, and the lights of knowledge are shed abroad over all created things. From them the spirit of life streameth in every direction. They, indeed, are the potent sources of the progress of man, at all times and under all conditions.”

What could be more appropriate than to elect, on the first day of the Festival of God, the members of these institutions ordained of God? And how vital our participation is in these elections, which are themselves a great blessing, for they also are completely different in form and spirit from all that mankind has ever known before. We are absolutely free to make our own choice from among all members of our Bahá’í community. In turn this places a great responsibility on us to prayerfully consider the believers and choose from among them wisely the members of our Local Spiritual Assembly.

What a great privilege and bounty we have to celebrate the Proclamation of the Promised One of All Ages and at the same time choose the members of the institution He Himself has ordained to be the shepherd of His flock, to guide the growth of His communities, to foster the spread of His Message and to assist in building the Kingdom of God on earth.

With loving greetings from the Latin-American Task Force ♦

ESPAÑOL[edit]

Carta a los amigos de la Comisión de Trabajo Latinoamericana[edit]

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

Hemos sido bendecidos con muchos Días Sagrados de gran significado en nuestra Fe, pero el día 21 de este mes de abril, comenzamos la celebración de lo que Bahá’u’lláh Mismo llama “La Más Grande Festividad”—el período de 12 días durante el cual Él hizo su declaración pública de ser el Prometido de todas las Edades, Quién había venido al fin para establecer el Reino de Dios en la tierra.

En Dios Pasa (p. 145), Shoghi Effendi escribió:

“En cuanto al significado de esa Declaración, dejemos que Bahá’u’lláh mismo revele su importancia. Aclamando esa histórica ocasión como la ‘Más Grande Festividad,’ el ‘Rey de las Festividades,’ la ‘Festividad de Dios,’ Él lo ha caracterizado, en su Kitáb-i-Aqdas, como el Día cuando ‘todas las cosas creadas fueron sumergidas en el mar de la purificación …’ ‘¡Regocijaos con gran alegría, oh pueblo de Bahá! ha escrito Él, en otra Tabla, ‘cuando recordéis el Día de suprema felicidad, el Día en que la Lengua del Antiguo de Días ha hablado, mientras se alejaba de su Casa, dirigiéndose al Punto desde el cual Él derramó sobre la totalidad de la creación los esplendores de su nombre, el Todo Misericordioso …’ ‘Levantaos y proclamad a toda la creación las buenas nuevas que aquél quien es el Todo-Misericordioso ha dirigido sus pasos hacia el Ridván y ha entrado en él. Guiad, entonces, a la gente hacia el Jardín de Delicia que Dios ha convertido en Trono de su Paraíso.”

Así tenemos mucha razón de celebrar este evento con gran alegría y gozo. Y en el primer día de esta Festividad, también elegimos los miembros de nuestras Asambleas Espirituales Locales. ¿Cuál puede ser la conexión entre esta Festividad tan feliz y la elección de instituciones administrativas?

Pero, por supuesto, estas no son “instituciones” en el sentido que normalmente pensamos. No puede haber comparación, porque son de origen ‎divina divino‎, ordenadas por el Prometido Mismo para ser canales a través de los cuales fluye el Espíritu Santo que Él ha traído otra vez para establecer el Reino de Dios en la tierra. Y este Reino no puede construirse “en el aire”; tiene que descansar sobre un cimiento sólido y dicho cimiento consiste en las Asambleas Espirituales Locales. En Dios Pasa (p. 315) el Guardián citó estas palabras de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

“Estas Asambleas Espirituales son lámparas brillantes y jardines celestiales, de los que se difunden las fragancias de santidad sobre todas las regiones, y las luces del conocimiento son ampliamente vertidas sobre todas las cosas creadas. Ellas son en verdad, las poderosas fuentes del progreso del hombre, en todo momento y bajo todas condiciones.”

¿Qué podría ser más apropiada, entonces, que el hecho de elegir, en el primer día de la Festividad de Dios, los miembros de estas instituciones ordenadas por Dios? Y cuán esencial es nuestra participación en estas elecciones que en sí representan una gran bendición, puesto que son también completamente diferentes de todo lo que la humanidad ha conocido hasta aquí. Estamos totalmente libres de hacer nuestra propia selección de entre todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad bahá’í. A su vez esto representa una gran responsabilidad para nosotros, de considerar a los creyentes en espíritu de oración y de escoger con sabiduría de entre ellos los miembros de nuestra Asamblea Espiritual Local.

Qué gran privilegio y bendición que tenemos de celebrar la Proclamación del Prometido de Todas las Edades y al mismo tiempo escoger los miembros de la institución que Él Mismo ha ordenado para ser el pastor de su rebaño, para guiar el crecimiento de sus comunidades, de promover la difusión de su Mensaje y de ayudar en edificar el Reino de Dios sobre la tierra.

Con cariñosos saludos de la Comisión de Trabajo Latinoamericana ♦

ARISING TO TRAVEL FOR THE FAITH[edit]

The decentralization process means a new view of coordinating the work of those who wish to pioneer or travel to teach the Faith—at home or abroad. Here is a list of people you should contact ahead of time.

HOMEFRONT PIONEERING	TEACHING WITHIN THE U.S.	INTERNATIONAL PIONEERING AND TRAVELING TEACHING
Central States: Lynn Wieties (phone 573-364-9618, e-mail __________________ ) Northeastern States: Joel Nizin (phone 201-652-6385, e-mail __________________ ) Southern States: Anne Jalali (phone 912-825-3542, e-mail __________________ ) Western States: Flor Toloui (phone 925-672-6686, e-mail __________________ )	Central States: Marilyn Ray (phone 785-628-1919, e-mail __________________ ) Northeastern States: Diana Kaufman (phone 908-709-1228, e-mail __________________ ) Southern States: Anne Jalali (phone 912-825-3542, e-mail __________________ ) Western States: Gloria Allen (phone 702-365-1538, e-mail __________________ ) ♦	IF YOU LIVE IN: Northeastern or Central States: Alex Blakeson (phone 847-733-3511, e-mail __________________ ) Southern States: Sherdeana Jordan (phone 847-733-3507, e-mail __________________ ) Western States: Aurore Ragston (phone 847-733-3512, e-mail __________________ ) ♦

ARE YOU A PRINT PRODUCTION OR GRAPHIC DESIGN PROFESSIONAL LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE?[edit]

Now is the time to put your valuable skills directly to work for His Cause and His servants! The Bahá’í National Center urgently seeks a print production specialist to assist with The American Bahá’í and Brilliant Star magazine.

See page 34 for details. [Page 27]

PROMOTING the PRINCIPLES[edit]

Breezes of inspiration flow over Kellum Awards[edit]

BY JAMES HUMPHREY

A series of surprises added special energy to the 15th annual David Kellum Awards ceremony Feb. 20, as the National Spiritual Assembly honored three Midwesterners who are working to improve the world for the young.

Karen Chavers, executive director of the Evanston (Illinois) Neighborhood Conference, and Leotha A. Stanley, artist-in-residence at primary schools in Madison, Wisconsin, were two of the honorees at the Feb. 20 ceremony at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.

This year a special award was added for Lorelei McClure, co-founder and organizer of the Chicago-area high school student forum Putting Race Unity into Practice.

“... to make greater strides, to build more bridges, to meet more neighbors, and to push ourselves further than where we are today.”

—Karen Chavers, on how David Kellum’s legacy inspires her

All three were praised at the ceremony as “paladins” of service to their communities and excellent role models for youth of all races. Those are the main criteria for the Kellum Awards, named for David Kellum, a Bahá’í who directed the Bud Billiken movement for youth through the Chicago Daily Defender from the 1920s through the 1970s.

“We tend to think of ‘servants’ as the lowly,” said Robert Henderson, secretary-general of the National Assembly. “But in Bahá’í belief, to be of service to others is the highest station a human being can attain, because it is the fullest and greatest expression of our purpose in existence.”

The swiftly arranged special award wasn’t the only surprise of the evening.

James Kellum, a businessman and son of David Kellum, was spontaneously invited up front. He shared a few stories of his father’s courage and resourcefulness before yielding the stage to the Gospel Choir of Chicago’s DuSable High School.

He told of how his father’s parents had sent the young David Kellum to Chicago because they feared he might be lynched in his Mississippi hometown. The youth had been beaten badly after he refused to yield a sidewalk to “people who didn’t want him on the sidewalk.”

“Had it not been for that, perhaps this award, perhaps the Bud Billiken Club, would not have been formed,” he said. “My dad was a believer in people. He loved people and he did so much for people.”

Earlier, video clips were shown along with the award presentations, providing vivid glimpses of how the honorees make a difference in their communities:

Chavers was featured in a video showing the grassroots ENC taking to the streets, coordinating volunteers for neighborly activities, and advocating for fairness in housing and other issues, all across one of Chicago’s most diverse suburbs. On accepting the award she revealed herself as a “card-carrying member of the Bud Billiken society,” and described Kellum’s legacy as an inspiration “to make greater strides, to build more bridges, to meet more neighbors, and to push ourselves further than where we are today.”

Stanley was shown on video at an electric piano, leading a mass of children of varied races and cultures in one of the many songs and stories of virtue he uses to encourage children’s self-esteem. Stanley’s acceptance speech provided a fresh surprise: after 17 years in other full-time jobs, the response to his efforts had inspired him to pursue music full time. It was time, he said, “to be able to soar and spread my wings, just like I tell all the kids to do.”

A third video showed two key projects co-organized by McClure: a Chicago Race Unity Parade in the early 1990s, followed by students from inner and suburban Chicago gathering for Putting Race Unity Into Practice to plan multiracial activities.

As a public information officer for the National Assembly, McClure is involved every year in choosing the Kellum Award winners. So the Assembly caught her off guard days before when they told her she would be onstage for a special award. She said the experience felt “hard and wonderful ... It’s hard because as soon as you hear of such an honor, your mind and your heart immediately call up all those who worked along with you side by side to make such a moment possible,” she said. “You want them to be right here with you.”

David Kellum was city editor for the Defender, Chicago’s pre-eminent African-American newspaper. He founded the Bud Billiken Club, a youth pen pal club and service organization that has involved thousands of young people. The movement’s main presence nowadays is the Bud Billiken Parade in Chicago’s South Side, televised nationally each year on cable.

Robert Henderson (left), the National Spiritual Assembly’s secretary-general, joins (from left) Kellum Award co-winner Karen Chavers, James Kellum, and award co-winners Lorelei McClure and Leotha Stanley at the Kellum ceremony Feb. 20 in the Bahá’í House of Worship. Photo by Ken Krapf

San Jose honors human rights work[edit]

The Bahá’ís of San Jose, California, bestowed their 1999 Community Service Awards on two Bay Area organizations and an individual at a banquet Jan. 30.

The Western Regional Office of Amnesty International was honored along with Global Exchange and human rights activist Henry Der.

Amnesty International is known worldwide for its promotion of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, particularly in the realm of prisoners of conscience. Global Exchange, which considers itself the little sister of Amnesty International, addresses immediate world emergencies. Der has led efforts to promote equal opportunities in employment, education and voting rights for Asian Americans and other minorities.

About 200 people attended the 18th annual awards banquet, including state Assemblywoman Elaine Alquist and Assemblyman Mike Honda.

Keynote speaker Robert Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly, commended the important work of the three award recipients. He also cited concrete examples of disparities in society that are within the spirit of man to arise and eliminate.

In return, the recipients praised the Bahá’ís for activities that go hand in glove with their own efforts to alleviate suffering and injustice in the world.

Cosete Thompson (left), regional executive director of Amnesty International; Bahá’í artist Vern Allie; Kristen Moller, co-director of Global Exchange; and co-award winner Henry Der gather at the 1999 Human Rights Award banquet presented by the Bahá’ís of San Jose, California.

Focus on unity at Mother Temple[edit]

The Bahá’í House of Worship recently appointed a team of Vision of Race Unity activity coordinators to develop racial amity activities centered on the Mother Temple of the West in Wilmette, Illinois.

Pooneh Rassekh of Chicago and LaDonna Johnson of Evanston are the coordinators, introduced at the David Kellum Awards ceremony Feb. 20. Their tasks are:

To raise the Chicago-area profile of the House of Worship as an institution that is a champion of equality, justice and harmony and a spiritual center for all with this vision.

To develop a consistent presence of race unity programs appropriate to the House of Worship.

To develop contacts with organizations committed to progress in this area.

To seek programs suitable for co-sponsorship with other organizations within and outside the Bahá’í Faith.

“We look forward to meeting a wider audience with more programs which more visibly address the ‘most challenging issue’ and making a vigorous contribution to the national teaching campaign spearheaded by the media initiative,” said Caswell Ellis, director of the Activities Office of the House of Worship.

In conveying the message of Bahá’u’lláh on race amity, programs are expected to illuminate concepts from the National Spiritual Assembly statement The Vision of Race Unity, promote a sense of the ultimate triumph of racial unity, foster positive relationships with like-minded organizations, and encourage commitment to helping humanity recognize and relish its oneness.

“We envision diverse formats for these events expressing the mission through such venues as sacred text, music, talks, consultative forums, illustrated presentations, and conferences or workshops,” Ellis said.

The coordinators may be reached by e-mail ( ). [Page 28]

Vermont believer raises Faith’s profile in U.N. funding effort[edit]

BY TOM MENNILLO

A check for $1,886 wasn’t likely to dent the $1.4 billion American debt to the United Nations.

But its presentation Jan. 8 to U.N. Treasurer Suzanne Bishopric brought widespread attention to the needs of the world body—and to two religious communities that spearheaded the grassroots campaign.

Margaret Parrott, a Bahá’í in Norwich, Vermont, cooked up the fund-raising effort with John Radebaugh, a Quaker from just across the Connecticut River in Hanover, New Hampshire.

The two had just completed work on the local leg of the Abolition 2000 Walk urging abolition of nuclear weapons by the year 2000. The natural question was: “What’s next?”

And a logical answer: America’s arrears to the U.N. The National Spiritual Assembly had recently asked Bahá’ís to write members of Congress urging payment of the dues.

Thus was FUND (Fund United Nations Deficit) born.

Radebaugh came up with the acronym and received authorization from his Quaker community to open a FUND account at a Hanover bank. Parrott and others drafted a letter to the editor of The Valley News inviting residents to contribute $2 or more to the fund.

The letter, printed Oct. 20, soon was followed by a half-page ad containing the names of 244 local supporters of the U.N. and FUND. The ad was timed to coincide with U.N. Day on Oct. 24.

Contributions poured in, and on Jan. 7 the check was handed to Helen Drysdale, a 16-year-old Quaker, for personal delivery to U.N. headquarters in New York City.

Local television station WNNE broadcast the handoff. The Valley News had published a favorable article earlier in the week and radio interviews were to follow.

The next day, Drysdale presented the check to Bishopric and Gillian Sorensen, U.N. assistant secretary-general for external relations. Also participating was ‎Jeffery Jeffrey‎ Huffines, the National Spiritual Assembly’s U.S. U.N. representative, whose help was enlisted on short notice by Parrott.

Reuters news service covered the ceremony. U.N. TV cameras recorded the presentation and an announcement by U.N. spokesman Fred Eckert at his daily media briefing. On both occasions, the collaboration of the Bahá’ís and Quakers was acknowledged.

Although the contribution cannot be used toward paying off the U.S. debt, it will go into a trust fund for humanitarian projects. And the small size of the check did not diminish the gratitude of the world body. When informed of the fund-raising effort, a U.N. secretary was moved to tears.

Success of the grassroots campaign indicates “there is much U.N. support in this rural New England community,” Parrott said. “It has also been apparent that FUND has enabled the very sympathetic media to focus attention on this baneful debt in a highly newsworthy method.”

She noted that selecting a teen-ager to present the check added greatly to media interest.

Parrott said she hopes similar efforts for the U.N. can be mounted throughout the United States, especially among religious ‎communites communities‎ and organizations that have a strong global perspective.

“The opportunity to work with others on this issue of great concern to the Bahá’í community increases the impact of Bahá’í efforts on behalf of the U.N.,” she said. “It also provides an opportunity to familiarize others with the principles of the Bahá’í Faith and with why it is that Bahá’ís are so committed to supporting an effective and powerful United Nations.”

Bahá’ís of the Upper River Valley have realized the bounties of this effort, Parrott said. “Everything we’re doing now is bearing fruit in this sedate, tradition-bound area. There’s a new spirit. We’re ready.” ◆

Manual now available[edit]

Developing Patterns of Community Life: A Guide to Consultation on the Process of Social and Economic Development for Bahá’í Communities, prepared by Mottahedeh Development Services

This practical manual presents both the supportive Writings and a 10-step method for planning, initiating and managing social and economic development projects. This guidebook has been developed by those working in the field of social and economic development. It has been developed by practitioners from both North and South America who have been involved in the most successful Bahá’í development projects.

Assemblies may use the manual in training communities or in other consultation on local development.

The core of the manual deals with 10 practical steps identified by Mottahedeh Development Services for communities to build projects:

Develop the vision.
Identify and prioritize issues.
Assess local resources.
Agree on one issue and its champions.
Identify spiritual principles.
Assess lessons learned.
Agree on the approach.
Set goals and objectives.
Design the project plan and implement it.
Evaluate and continuously improve.

This manual costs $16.50 plus $3 shipping and handling. Please order from MDS, Decatur, GA 30035 (e-mail ____________). Send check only, to Mottahedeh Development Services. ◆

Communities can take advantage of workshops on local development[edit]

“Until the public sees in the Bahá’í community a true pattern, in action, of something better than it already has, it will not respond to the Faith in large numbers.” —Shoghi Effendi, quoted in Promoting Entry by Troops, p. 10

For Bahá’í communities seeking help in developing service projects that will make a difference in their localities, Mottahedeh Development Services (MDS) announces a new series of workshops for training social and economic development facilitators.

This type of training represents a shift in emphasis for MDS, a social and economic development office of the National Spiritual Assembly. The office formerly was geared toward obtaining grants and establishing model projects.

Every community can take simple and easy steps to develop the habits and processes of a true community of service. A process—not one event, one activity or the force of one person—is a set of related activities directed toward a common purpose.

To help communities engage in this process, MDS already has held training workshops, and plans to hold more throughout the United States in the coming year. These workshops give the friends a basic understanding and initial experience needed to promote social and economic development (SED) in their home communities.

Bahá’ís are encouraged to attend future SED Facilitator Training Workshops being planned by MDS in each of the four regions of the United States. Assemblies may sponsor people to attend.

Registrations are open for the following workshops:

Atlanta, GA (Adults): Parts I, II and III: please contact MDS to find out dates or to register (contact information below). Cost: about $75 including meals, plus hotel.
Atlanta, GA (Youth 14–19 years): June 18–20; please contact MDS to register. Cost: about $75 plus hotel or home accommodation.
Green Acre Bahá’í School, ME (Adults): Part II—Oct. 22–24; Part I is prerequisite. For registration, costs or dates of future sessions, please contact Green Acre (phone 207-439-7200, e-mail ____________).
Louhelen Bahá’í School, MI (Adults): Part II—April 23–25; Part I is prerequisite. For registration, costs or dates of future sessions, please contact Louhelen (phone 810-653-5033, e-mail ____________).
Brighton Creek Conference Center, WA (Adults): Part I—May 14–16. Part II—June 25–27. For registration and costs please contact Carol Spell (phone 206-535-8990, e-mail ____________).
Bosch Bahá’í School (Adults): Part I—Oct. 29–31. For registration, costs or dates of future sessions, please contact Bosch (phone 831-423-3387, e-mail ____________).

Costs will vary. Additional workshops are being planned, including at the Louis G. Gregory and Native American Bahá’í institutes.

For more information, or to register for the Atlanta workshops, please contact Mottahedeh Development Services, Decatur, GA 30035 (e-mail ____________). ◆

Conference invites affiliated events[edit]

It’s not too late for local Bahá’í communities to join our National Spiritual Assembly in support of the National Town Meeting for a Sustainable America (NTM). Though the event is May 2–5 in Detroit, Michigan, Bahá’í individuals and communities may attend or arrange affiliated events all through 1999.

The NTM, sponsored by the President’s Council for Sustainable Development and the Global Environment and Technology Foundation, is expected to attract thousands of civic, government and business leaders to Detroit and to affiliated events around the country. Participants can learn, exchange information and bring home practical ideas to help foster sustainable development locally.

A representative of the National Spiritual Assembly will attend the Detroit gathering, and the National Assembly will host an exhibit relating the principle of the oneness of humankind to sustainable development.

Bahá’í communities may wish to register their relevant activities as affiliated events, which are listed on the NTM Web site (www.sustainableamerica.org). In one case, a Bahá’í-inspired organization in Detroit, Models of Racial Unity Inc., registered its annual race unity conference as an affiliated event.

To learn more about the NTM and affiliated events, consult the Web site or call the toll-free information line (888-333-6878). Other questions about Bahá’í participation in the NTM may be directed to the National Spiritual Assembly, Office of the Secretary for External Affairs, 1320 19th Street NW, Suite 701, Washington, DC 20036 (phone 202-833-8990, fax 202-833-8988, e-mail ____________). ◆ [Page 29]

KING DAY: Bahá’ís serve where needed[edit]

AUSTIN, TEXAS[edit]

BY CHRIS BISHOP

Nearly everyplace there was a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event in Austin, Texas, Bahá’ís were behind the scenes or on the stage—taking the stance of serving where they were needed.

The newly purchased Austin Bahá’í Center served as a “second home” for organizers of citywide events sponsored by the Austin MLK Committee.

“We have asked and the Bahá’í members always came through,” said Taneka Bazemore, chair of the 1999 MLK Community Celebration. “This is just the beginning of a loving, wonderful relationship.”

Among the responses from Bahá’ís during the events Jan. 16–Feb. 1:

Some of the friends helped judge a children’s poetry contest.
Liz Arrambide lent her incredible storytelling talent for a fund-raiser.
Chris Casey volunteered to provide photography for every aspect of the celebration.
Opportunities abounded during the MLK Day of Service. “I helped teach English and math to ESL [English as a second language] students,” said Emma Hutchcraft. “The directors really appreciated having four Bahá’ís come and serve. Some of the people just needed someone to talk to.”

Bob Hutchcraft said, “I went with another Bahá’í and helped build a ramp for an elderly woman so she could use her wheelchair to get to her dialysis appointments more easily.”

More than 50 Bahá’ís made a diverse showing in the MLK 5K Community Walk, and near the finish line at a park they gave away bottled water and small gifts—in bags that were packed by the thousands by many volunteers at the Bahá’í Center.
In a Feb. 1 program featuring a keynote address by the nation’s poet laureate, Maya Angelou, the audience also saw a 13-minute video, “Journey to the Mountaintop,” co-produced by Jane Froelich—a member of the Austin MLK committee who coordinated Bahá’í services in local King Day events.

This heartwarming video celebrated Dr. King’s dream through interviews with people of all ages and colors sharing their memories and dreams. It ended with messages from Bahá’ís telling how we can continue the work toward race unity.

“Throughout the months of work on these events, ‎Bahá’ís Bahá’í‎ assistance was always just one or two phone calls away,” Froelich said.

At the end, the Bahá’í Center was the site of a “wrap party” organized by the Austin Heritage Council to thank all those who helped in the MLK events.

“I don’t know of any other group, religious or secular, that has such a strong response when calls for help are sent,” concluded Donell Creech, founder of the Austin Heritage Council.

Belen, New Mexico: Bahá’í participation was highly visible in the Martin Luther King Jr. Candlelight Vigil in this Southwestern town—whose name is Spanish for “Bethlehem.” Louis Creitz, 85, played guitar to lead the Bahá’í Chorus in song, while other Bahá’ís spoke or displayed banners and posters at the vigil, which was attended by more than 200. Three Bahá’ís are on the mayor’s Martin Luther King Jr. Multi-Cultural Commission.

Torrance, California: The Los Angeles Bahá’í Workshop performed at this city’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration. The event was sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Torrance, who bestowed their Community Unity Award on Bob Owens of Torrance for his role in building communitywide support for an African-American family whose home was firebombed.

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND[edit]

INFORMATION FROM SUSAN RISHWORTH

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day tribute here took a quantum leap this year when the city was enlisted as co-sponsor, for the first time since the Bahá’í community and the Lakeland Civic Association had begun co-sponsoring the event eight years earlier.

A multi-hued crowd of more than 200 filled City Council chambers to overflowing, contrasting with the small affair held in local churches before this year.

There were performances by the D.C. Bahá’í Youth Workshop, the Metropolitan Washington Bahá’í Chorale, other gospel choirs, and a youth African drumming and dancing troupe, plus recitation of essays on the meaning of the day.

Keynote speaker was Tuwanda Smith, deputy director of the Prince Georges County Human Relations Commission.

Feature articles appeared in the College Park Gazette, which printed a large color photograph of the Bahá’í Chorale, and a regional edition of the Washington Post.

LAKE COUNTY, FLORIDA[edit]

The small Bahá’í community here found participation in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day events a great way to teach the Faith.

The friends joined the MLK committee and volunteered their services for several components of the celebration.

At a Jan. 15 breakfast in Leesburg, Sunny Aron arranged flowers on the tables and recited ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s prayer for America. The next day, Bahá’ís participated in the march in Tavares and set a table at which they sold a few “Color Me Human” T-shirts and gave away lots of pamphlets on race unity. The day after, Shirley Reichenbach said a Bahá’í prayer for mankind at a church service honoring Dr. King.

As a result of this new visibility, a local newspaper reporter promised to interview Bahá’ís for a feature article.

“The people in Lake County know that we are here, and we are going to be on the committee again this year so we can get more publicity next January,” Reichenbach said.

She noted, “Our community is small and I had to hunt up people to march ... [but] we were quite effective.”

PARADISE VALLEY, AZ[edit]

The first-ever local Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, hosted by Bahá’ís, drew dozens in the nearly all-white residential/resort community into discussion and spontaneous sharing on the most vital and challenging issue.

The planned program included harp music and talks on “Race Unity from Principle to Practice,” by a Bahá’í, and “Celebrating Diversity Among All People,” by a non-Bahá’í. Spontaneously, two members of the audience offered a poetry reading and a song. Some town officials lingered long after the program. ◆

Olean Bahá’ís use several avenues to promote unity in diversity in their area[edit]

Bahá’í efforts are helping make Olean, New York, a more united community.

“It appears that our decade-long period of watching each other and waiting to see what will happen is over,” report Brenda and Rick Snyder, members of the Olean Spiritual Assembly. “The race dialogues, started last year after the King celebration, seem to have drawn us together spiritually.”

Cases in point:

Area race dialogue groups got together and reported on successes at a Human Rights Day celebration Dec. 10. U.S. Rep. Amory Houghton spoke at the event, into which the Bahá’í community invested great energy and effort.
This year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day event brought 250 people together on a rare sunny January day, even though Bahá’í co-organizers got a late start because of the Human Rights Day activity.

People throughout the area came forward to offer their efforts in advance of the King Day tribute Jan. 17, co-sponsored for 10 years by the Olean Assembly, First Presbyterian Church of Olean and the local community college.

An African-American woman who owns the restaurant where a race dialogue meets asked to read a Maya Angelou poem. Several youth groups from black churches enlisted to mime and perform step dances. A minister volunteered to recite Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech.

“More African-Americans than ever showed up this year at the observance,” report the Snyders.

The Peace Choir, a Bahá’í-organized community group, suddenly became integrated when members of a gospel choir came to rehearsal.

“Friendships which have been slowly developing over the years between whites and blacks were being forged,” the Snyders say. “We don’t really know where we’re going or how it will all come out, but something different has happened this year and we plan to help it along as much as we can.” ◆ [Page 30]

VINEYARD of the LORD[edit]

ENTRANCE PLAZA TO THE TERRACES: A FINISHING TOUCH IS UNDER WAY

The eyes of travelers along Ben Gurion Avenue are involuntarily drawn upward to the imposing structure of the Shrine of the Báb, situated in the heart of Mount Carmel, regally surrounded by the Terrace Gardens. One can imagine the sight of the “Queen of Carmel” stirring many onlookers to visit the Shrine and walk amid those terraces.

An entrance plaza at the foot of the mountain has been designed to serve as a natural and welcoming approach to these wonders. Excavations for building this plaza open the last significant frontier of the momentous Projects on the Mountain of God.

Intended to complement the architecture of the Shrine, the plaza design centers on a large fountain with two stacked bowls, each in the shape of an eight-pointed star flower, surrounded by pools of water at three different levels. Nearly 300 jets will spout water in a star-shaped pattern. Water from the jets will fill the top bowl, overflow into the second bowl and then fill surrounding pools.

Sixteen other diamond-shaped pools will encircle the fountain with still, clear waters, amid broad stone expanses and landscaped gardens. Finally, a cascade of water will flow through 15 pools in between two staircases leading up from the entrance plaza to the lowest of the 19 terraces of the Shrine of the Báb.

Mechanical works for the elaborate water features will be installed below the main fountain and pools. Construction is to begin soon.

Above: Terrace 19, the highest of the Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb, is now open to the public.

Right: Excavation has begun for the Entrance Plaza at the foot of the mountain.

PHOTOS BY RUHI VARGHA

BUILDINGS ON THE ARC ARE BUILT TO THE HIGHEST INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

The Arc buildings, “branches of the World Administrative Centre of the Bahá’ís on this Holy Mountain,” have been built to last a long time in service to “the pivot of the agencies of the New World Order.”

The buildings have been designed and built according to the highest North American building codes and standards, and every effort has been made to equip them with state-of-the-art technology. They also incorporate the latest requirements for people with limited mobility. Ramps, elevator design, door hardware, handrails, toilet facilities and other features have been designed with this in mind. [Page 31]

EXTENSIVE PLANTINGS BEAUTIFY AREA AROUND THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF THE TEXTS[edit]

A panorama of different shades adorns about four acres of land around and above the Center for the Study of the Texts and the Archives Extension.

The emerald green of the lawns and the silver green of olive trees blends with the varied greens of the junipers and cycads, dotted with the red, purple, lavender, blue, pink and yellow of flowering plants like berberis, lantana and solanum. The colors will become more vibrant as the new plantings come into their own this spring.

The Arc path, edged with curbstones, has been extended to the entrance of the Center for the Study of the Texts. To prevent erosion of soil into the building, an extensive drainage network has been built on the slopes above the building.

Interior finishing work continues at the Center:

Carpet tiles have been laid at all levels.
Workstations are being assembled in offices.
The curved glass balustrade has been installed in the central stairway, and a wooden handrail is being fitted over it.
Custom-made chandeliers, matching the larger chandeliers in the entranceway, are to be delivered and installed soon.

Top: Landscaping near the Center for the Study of the Texts is still taking shape.

Left: Marble installation is complete on the rear portico of the International Teaching Center.

Bottom: Shelves await books in the library of the Center for the Study of the Texts.

ELEGANCE OF INTERNATIONAL TEACHING CENTER GROWS MORE VISIBLE[edit]

The beauty of the International Teaching Center building, visible on the Arc path from the direction of the Monument Gardens, is being refined as marble cladding on its vaulted roof has been completed. External windows were installed before the onset of heavy rains, making the building weatherproof in advance of interior finishing work.

In the kitchen area, floor and ceiling tiles have been installed and work is progressing on built-in features such as stove hoods and cooking aisles.

The Auditorium also has a completed ceiling—built from prefabricated fiber-glass gypsum—and interior walls are being built in that area. Interior walls are also progressing on levels 6 through 9.

HATZIONUT AVENUE BRIDGE EMERGES AS AN ELEMENT OF GRAND DESIGN[edit]

Bare concrete turns to marble-clad beauty on the pedestrian bridge over Hatzionut Avenue—linking the uppermost terraces to the Shrine of the Báb—as pedestals and balustrades are installed on both sides of the bridge. Stone work is under way around the opening in a wall under the bridge that provides a stunning view of the Shrine below.

On the east side of the road, a new entrance to the Shrine Gardens is being built after the recent lowering of the avenue obliterated the old path. The original monumental gate was saved and refurbished at the World Center workshop, and new columns and support stones have been built in the form of the old stone work, which was weather-beaten. This work preserves the original design by the architect and Hand of the Cause of God William Sutherland Maxwell.

Asphalt has been applied on the avenue, but the last layer will wait until the last heavy machinery work on the Mount Carmel Projects is finished. [Page 32]

Mehdi Armian served Faith, humanity[edit]

Mehdi Armian, 68, a longtime traveling teacher and volunteer with Health for Humanity, died Jan. 12, 1999, in Newton, Massachusetts.

The retired anesthesiologist served on the Newton Spiritual Assembly for 25 years and was a member of the Newton Interfaith Council and the Newton Clergy Association.

His father, Davood Mizrahi, was born into the Jewish faith. While on a business trip to Haifa in 1920, Mr. Mizrahi met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. But when he returned two years later to tell the Master he had embraced the Bahá’í Faith, Mr. Mizrahi learned the Master had passed away.

In 1954, Dr. Armian became a Bahá’í, having been taught by his father. A graduate of the Tehran University Medical School, he came to the United States in 1969 and settled in Newton.

After completing his residency, Dr. Armian worked for several hospitals and was an associate professor at Tufts University Medical School. He recently retired from Waltham-Weston Hospital.

Dr. Armian is survived by his wife Homa (Majidi) Armian; his daughters Haleh Hawley of Belmont, Massachusetts, and Neda Armian of New York City; his son Saleh Armian of Boston; and two granddaughters.

A frequent traveling teacher, Mehdi Armian also volunteered with Health for Humanity.

Jake Whiteplume was respected elder[edit]

Jacob “Jake” Whiteplume, 84, respected elder of the Arapaho Tribe, passed away February 3, 1999.

He was a traditional dancer known and liked throughout Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, and Oklahoma. In 1981 the lifelong resident of the Wind River Reservation was enrolled in the Faith by a team of teachers en route home from the Native American Conference.

A ditch rider for the Bureau of Indian Affairs until his retirement in the town of Arapahoe, Mr. Whiteplume was an avid photographer and loved to visit people.

“Jake could walk into a room and everyone would light up because of his presence,” said Michael Smith, a local Bahá’í. “In all the years I knew him I never knew him to complain.”

Smith continued, “He prayed daily not only for his friends but also for those who had been less than kind to him—this from a man who grew up not far from a town of whites who up through the early to mid-’50s prominently displayed signs in their stores that read ‘No Dogs or Indians Allowed.’”

Jake Whiteplume is survived by 13 sons, 15 daughters, 24 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; wives Angela Brown, Gertrude Dresser and Genive Whiteplume; a brother; two sisters; a son; and three daughters.

His funeral service filled the Church at St. Stephens to overflowing, and people spoke in tribute for more than two hours.

At the burial, Smith said, “I feared my tears would never stop flowing when the elders, men and women, circled the head of the grave and sang in Arapaho as the coffin was lowered.”

A significant number of young people took part at a traditional feast held by Mr. Whiteplume’s family later, Smith noted. “I feel Jake would have been proud that all his effort to encourage the youth to live a spiritual life and keep and respect their culture is having its effect,” he said.

IN MEMORIAM[edit]

Charles Abercrombie Greenville, SC February 18, 1999	Karen G. Donner Mission, SD April 22, 1998	David Kienitz East Palo Alto, CA January 31, 1999	Albert Segen Sewell, NJ February 12, 1999	Claudia D. Waite Concord, MA February 15, 1999
Billy Baird Charlottesville, VA December 1998	Georgina Eason Hartford, CT January 8, 1999	Susan S. Larsen Longview, WA January 6, 1999	Nannie Smith Chicago, IL December 26, 1998	Jake Whiteplume Arapahoe, WY February 3, 1999
Louise M. Barnish Hemet, CA January 14, 1999	Clifford A. Forsland Arlington Heights, IL February 6, 1999	Thanh Ly San Jose, CA February 1999	Florence K. Tiffany Madison, WI October 26, 1998	Lemancie Yates Kalama, WA January 27, 1999
Herman Bean Sugar Land, TX November 1998	Judith L. Glanville Kailua, HI February 16, 1999	Nancy J. Mackowiak Easthampton, MA December 27, 1998	Shahbahram Tirandaz McLean, VA November 12, 1998	Esther Young Petersburg, AK December 23, 1998
Evelyn Berry Colorado Springs, CO February 8, 1999	James G. Kiefer Salisbury, MD May 23, 1998	Mary Parker Spokane, WA August 13, 1998	Bryan A. Turnbull Kingston, NY November 19, 1998	Muriel Zitzloff Anoka, MN July 25, 1998

OPEN UNIVERSITY, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3[edit]

communities in the area asking clergy to support the petition. Information sent out included newspaper clippings from the Washington Post and New York Times and a fact sheet prepared from material published in The American Bahá’í.

Texas A&M University, College Station: The Faculty Senate passed a strongly worded condemnation of the attempted closure, which was forwarded to the university president to be sent to UNESCO and the Iranian government. Texas A&M, as a leader in agriculture and petroleum engineering, is well-known in Iran and regularly hosts Iranian scholars and graduate students.
Athens, Georgia: At the University of Georgia, a campus petition drive netted more than 600 signatures, with a goal of 1,000. A department head agreed to send letters of concern and to work for support among fellow educators.

The president and academic vice president of Athens Area Technical Institute were inspired to send letters of concern to Iran and UNESCO. Also, the superintendent of the county school system has met with a Bahá’í delegation. Bahá’ís have also visited four local radio stations.

DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois: A distinguished professor of human rights, who is a Muslim, wrote a strongly worded letter to the Iranian Ministry of Higher Education, citing Islamic law in defense of the Bahá’ís.
Frederick, Maryland: A local physician sent information on the situation in Iran to 267 colleagues, urging them to write.
University of Rhode Island, Kingston: This year’s Interfaith Passover Seder, an event organized annually by the Jewish chaplain at URI, was dedicated to the Iranian Bahá’ís.
University of Virginia, Charlottesville: The Student Council passed a resolution condemning persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran. This first such action in 30 years resulted in a campus newspaper article.
Bradford College, Massachusetts: After asking for help, local Bahá’ís were asked in turn to speak about the Faith in a public series on spirituality. A former “Open University” student was among the presenters.

Complete list in a future issue.

In the past few months:[edit]

Top administrators at these institutions have written or agreed to write letters of concern to UNESCO and the Iranian Ministry of Education:

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Santa Monica College, CA
Georgetown Univ., Washington, DC
Stetson University, De Land, FL
Fort Valley State College, GA
Bates College, Lewiston, ME
Olivet College, MI
Washington University, St. Louis, MO, which has expressed willingness to accept “Open University” students.
Oregon State University, Corvallis
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. The Wharton Journal covered a petition drive.
Brown University, Providence, RI
University of Texas-Dallas
Everett Community College, WA
University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire
University of South Carolina, Columbia
University of Washington, Seattle

Faculty members have agreed to send letters of concern or bring up the persecutions in their faculty senates at:

University of Arizona, Tucson.
University of Delaware, Newark.
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb. The campus newspaper printed an article on the situation, and the local Amnesty International chapter helped sponsor a petition table.
Macomb Community College, Warren, MI
N.E. Oklahoma A&M College, Miami

Student governments have passed or considered resolutions condemning the attempted closure at:

Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro; a petition drive here collected 700 signatures.
George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Publicity has been arranged at:

Indiana University, Bloomington: an extensive student magazine article with photos; radio interviews.
Purdue University, Lafayette, IN: local newspaper article.
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque: student newspaper article timed with a petition drive that brought 200 signatures.
Marysville and Stanwood, WA: Newspapers printed stories on discrimination that local Bahá’ís had faced in Iran.

Other efforts to disseminate information have been carried out at:

Greater Atlanta, GA: Emory University, DeVry Institute, DeKalb Perimeter College and other institutions.
University of Saint Thomas, St. Paul, MN
Duke University, Durham, NC
University of Texas-Arlington

[Page 33]

BAHÁ’Í SUBSCRIBER SERVICE 800-999-9019[edit]

World Order Your window to teaching, deepening, and external affairs

Fall 1998 issue: The Millennium Two articles designed to add to your understanding of Year 2000 discussions: • Youli Iannesyan explores the concept of “the end” by looking at linguistic issues behind the claim of some Bible students that the Bible predicts the end of the world, demonstrating that the Bible is closer to Bahá’í scriptures than most of us have thought. • Bill Collins, in the first of a two-part article, explores the Millerite movement and the Bahá’í interpretation of biblical time-prophecy and their importance to the American Bahá’í community and to the world. Also, Ahang Rabbani’s translation of notes by two prominent Persians who met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Paris in 1911 make available documents of historical and psychological importance, while revealing yet another glimpse of effect of the Perfect Exemplar on those around Him.

It’s not too late to order copies of the Summer 1998 issue devoted to the equality of women and men!

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City _________________________________________ State, ZIP __________

Country ________________ Daytime phone or e-mail ______________________

Sold to (if different from recipient): _____________________________________

Address __________________________________________________________

City _________________________________________ State, ZIP __________

Country ________________ Is this a gift subscription? (Circle one) Y N

Home phone __________________ Fax ________________________________

Work phone __________________ E-mail _______________________________

• If enclosing payment by check or money order, must be in U.S. dollars payable to Bahá’í Distribution Service. Please do not combine subscription payments with payments for back issues or other single items.

• If paying by credit card, circle one: Visa MC Discover Amex

Credit card number _____________________________ Exp. date __________

Cardholder signature _______________________________________________

Phone orders: 800-999-9019 • E-mail orders: Mail orders: Bahá’í Subscriber Service, 4703 Fulton Industrial Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30336 TAB 4/9/99

A SPIRITUAL OASIS[edit]

Bahá’í House of Worship SPECIAL VISIT REGISTRATION

You are invited to participate in a Special Visit this summer to relish a memorable experience at the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in Wilmette.

To register, please clip or copy this coupon along with the multipurpose form below.

General information: • Each visit program runs 6 p.m. Thursday through 2 p.m. Sunday. Tours include the House of Worship, Bahá’í Home, Publishing Trust, Media Services and Archives. • There will be presentations on properties and House of Worship conservation; enrichment sessions from the offices of Pioneering, National Teaching Committee and Wilmette Institute; audiovisual and film programs; and Bookstore shopping. • You may participate in garden teaching, guiding or reading for devotional programs. • Children’s classes (ages 5–11) are planned. Some youth-oriented activities will be included if a sufficient number register. Infant and toddler care is not provided. • Two lunches and occasional snacks will be provided. Other activities include group photo, time at lakeshore park with beach and other free time.

Lodging: Howard Johnson’s Skokie hotel will provide group rates ($85/one queen bed or $90/two double beds; hot buffet breakfast included). Bus transportation will be provided to and from this hotel. Free-time transportation will be on your own. • We will arrange hotel registration if Howard Johnson’s is your preference; you will be responsible for payment. Please state special needs associated with your lodging. • If you wish to select your own accommodations, we will send you a list of area hotels. You will in this case be responsible for your own transportation. • Please plan to lodge with members of your own family or with friends whose gender is the same as your own. This office does not match roommates.

Select the weekend for your visit: ___ June 24–27 (register by May 24) ___ July 15–18 (register by June 15) Family name of your travel group: __________________________________

Number in your party _________

Add special information to multipurpose form below (or use more sheets): • Your home and work phone number(s) and fax number, if applicable. • Name(s) and Bahá’í ID number(s) of all registrants. • Ages of any children/youth (ages 4 and up may register).

Please check one of the following: ___ We would like to stay at Howard Johnson’s at the group rate. ___ We will need _______ rooms with _______ people staying in each room. ___ Please send us a list of other area hotels. ___ We will stay with friends in the area.

Fees: Adult $25, Youth (12–20) $20, Child (4–10) $10

Send forms with fees to: Spiritual Oasis, Activities Office Bahá’í House of Worship 100 Linden Ave. Wilmette, IL 60091

Make checks payable in U.S. dollars to Bahá’í Services Fund. International visitors must pay with cashier’s check.

MULTIPURPOSE FORM[edit]

CLIP OR COPY AS NEEDED

For which event or activity? _________________________________________

Name ___________________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________

City _________________________________________ State, ZIP __________

Phone _______________________________________ E-mail _____________

Special information: ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ TAB 4/9/99 [Page 34]

CLASSIFIED[edit]

PAID SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AT THE BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL OFFICES[edit]

AT THE BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER EVANSTON, ILLINOIS[edit]

Clerk, Office of the Secretary. Will provide support for the National Convention; prepare logistics of National Spiritual Assembly meetings; provide telephone support; type correspondence as necessary; order office supplies; copy, file and run errands. Must have proven ability to work with confidential material; proven ability to work as part of a team; excellent organizational skills; accurate typing of 45-50 wpm; basic word processing skills; valid driver's license.

Program Assistant, Persian/American Affairs Office. Assists the manager of the Persian/American Affairs Office or the Program Coordinator in following up on the execution of programs and projects. Performs general office functions and related work. Monitors various related projects; handles incoming and outgoing correspondence in Persian and English; translates documents and letters as needed into and from Persian; handles records management. Needs written and oral communication skills in Persian and English; knowledge of Bahá’í administrative practices; familiarity with Iranian culture; English and Persian typing of at least 30 wpm; good knowledge of general office practices; ability to perform detailed work with frequent interruptions.

Administrative Assistants. Several openings possible. Will initiate and coordinate clerical and secretarial functions required to implement administrative needs effectively. Must be deepened Bahá’í well-grounded in the spiritual principles and administration of the Bahá’í Faith. Must perform administrative duties in a mature, efficient and professional manner; must be familiar with computer word processing applications (Windows 95, Word, e-mail and various databases extremely helpful); good communicator, highly organized, confident and capable of working steadily, often on many things at once. Must be able to speak, read and write English.

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

OFFICE OF INFORMATION SERVICES BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER[edit]

Systems and support manager. Responsible for management of operations group, technical support team, applications group and help desk. Assigns work orders to staff and tracks their timely completion.

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

Telephone administrator. Responsible for all phone systems including change/add orders, triage, vendor relationship, basic wiring. Planning for new phone system installation, including system selection (in consultation with others).

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

Database administrator. Coordinates all 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.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED[edit]

to submit your résumé for one of these paid positions at the Bahá’í National Center and other agencies of the National Spiritual Assembly. These are full-time positions (unless otherwise indicated) with very good medical and dental benefits. We look forward to hearing from you.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS[edit]

Bahá’í Media Services, Wilmette: Print Production Specialist. Provides production support for The American Bahá’í and Brilliant Star magazine and assists in design and layout. Works with printers and outside vendors to ensure smooth production of each issue; with freelance authors, illustrators, writers and designers to acquire content. Must have a strong command of print design, layout, photo editing, copy editing, production and digital prepress; experience with Quark Xpress (2 years), Adobe Photoshop (2 years), Illustrator and Freehand; skill in verbal and written communication; ability to work with minimum supervision.

Office of the Treasurer, Evanston: Accountant. Needs strong interpersonal and analytical skills and familiarity with integrated PC-based accounting software. Experience in implementing internal control procedures is highly desirable. Must have degree in accounting or equivalent accounting experience. Some travel required. Must be able to maintain a sense of humor while working in a fast-paced, flexible environment. Appreciation for the importance of confidentiality essential.

Office of Meetings and Travel, Evanston: Travel Assistant. Will help the office provide loving hospitality and service. Must be willing to serve with a positive and spiritual attitude, able to work well under time constraints, capable of coordinating a variety of duties; must have excellent phone skills. Should expect to work at least one weekend a month. Meeting planning experience, particularly menu planning, is a big plus.

Bahá’í House of Worship Activities Office: Assistant to Activities Director.

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

Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute: Summer Cook. Will serve the Institute June through August 1999, but it's possible the position could become permanent. If interested, contact Lanita Barnes (phone 843-558-9544 or 843-558-5093).

Internet developer. Assists the Internet Systems Development team in development of Web sites and Internet applications. Strong graphics design skills desired. Will coordinate appearance and production of Web sites.

Data entry clerk, Membership Office. Will transcribe contact information from the 800-22-UNITE voice-mail system. Needs transcription experience; will cooperate with National Teaching Committee office.

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

AT BOSCH BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA[edit]

Administrator: Chief executive officer of the school; supervises management of buildings/grounds, facilities and school programs. Executes the assignments of the National Spiritual Assembly under supervision of National Education and Schools Coordinator. Works with the Advisory Board and enforces its policies.

Children's teacher. Energetic and vibrant, needs experience teaching children of all ages professionally or with a Bahá’í school (Core Curriculum training helpful). Must be willing to adapt teaching style to new visions for spiritual education as directed by the National Education Task Force and National Spiritual Assembly; spiritual maturity, love for the friends and for children, service, exemplary behavior, friendliness and hospitality. On-campus housing may be available.

If interested in either position, contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430) or Administrators, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (phone 831-423-3387, e-mail).

AT GREEN ACRE BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL ELIOT, MAINE[edit]

Maintenance worker. Enthusiastic, industrious, spiritually motivated. General knowledge of custodial duties, building maintenance and repair, grounds work and mechanical systems helpful. High skill in interior/exterior painting a plus. We need a resourceful person dedicated to courtesy, meticulous attention to detail. Minorities, women encouraged to apply. Training available. Contact James M. Sacco, Co-Administrator, Green Acre Bahá’í School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903-1800 (phone 207-439-7200, fax 207-438-9940, e-mail).

AT WLGI RADIO BAHÁ’Í HEMINGWAY, SOUTH CAROLINA[edit]

Radio Coordinator. Will help formulate and implement plans for development of station operations, facilities and services; evaluate the station's performance, especially in relation to its audience; supervise, recruit and evaluate personnel; formulate a budget; oversee communications within and outside the Bahá’í community; ensure compliance with laws and regulations; promote Bahá’í standards among station staff, volunteers and members of the community; assume on-air shifts and other tasks. Required: management experience (3 years in radio or 5 years related experience, including financial); Bahá’í administrative experience; record of human relations and communications skills. Desired: Master's degree in radio broadcasting or equivalent experience; wide-ranging knowledge/experience in all aspects of radio station operations; training in principles of Bahá’í Radio. 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 TRADE PUBLISHING WILMETTE, ILLINOIS OR FULTON COUNTY, GEORGIA[edit]

Publisher. General manager and chief operating officer; public and legal spokesperson. Responsible for the product quality and financial results of the enterprise. Oversees general directions, policies, interdepartmental collaboration and business in a manner that achieves the wish of the National Spiritual Assembly to develop a presence for Bahá’í literature in retail bookstores and libraries. Qualifications: Excellent written and oral communication skills; excellent presentation, negotiation and problem-solving skills; expertise in publishing and business management, including financial, personnel and marketing management; extensive knowledge of literature and Bahá’í principles; at least bachelor's degree with related work experience; knowledge of or experience in distribution and/or publishing business; service on Bahá’í administrative institutions in various capacities.

Office Manager, Bahá’í Trade Publishing. Supervises day-to-day operations of Bahá’í Trade Publishing with special focus on acquisitions, editorial and administrative functions. Helps the publisher develop and manage this new enterprise. Develops and maintains office management systems for smooth administration. Qualifications: Excellent written and oral communication skills; expertise in publishing and business management; high level of organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines; at least bachelor's degree with related work experience; expertise with spreadsheets, word processing, database management and other business software; knowledge of or experience in distribution and publishing business; knowledge of literature and Bahá’í principles.

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

AT BAHÁ’Í DISTRIBUTION SERVICE FULTON COUNTY, GEORGIA[edit]

Assistant Manager. Supervises day-to-day operations of BDS with special focus on marketing and customer service. Promotes sale of Bahá’í books, music, periodicals and special materials through the Bahá’í Distribution Service and Subscriber Service. Qualifications: Ability to represent the National Spiritual Assembly and the Bahá’í Faith in a consistent and dignified manner in all communications; ability to apply Bahá’í principles and management skills to lead and develop people; varied expertise in communication: business reporting, correspondence, negotiating, consultation and facilitation; bachelor's degree with related work experience; familiarity with content and usage of Bahá’í literature; high degree of computer literacy with special focus on developing and maintaining Web sites; financial and business management experience; retail sales and marketing experience in a similar industry. If interested, please contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430) or Ford Bowers (phone 800-999-9019 ext. 111). [Page 35]Classified notices in The American Bahá’í are published free of charge to the Bahá’í community. Because of this, notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or commercial ads are accepted. Some of the opportunities have not been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly; the friends should exercise judgment and care in responding.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES[edit]

AT BAHÁ’Í U.N. OFFICE NEW YORK, NY[edit]

The Bahá’í International Community United Nations Office is seeking to identify Bahá’ís with strong language skills to assist with periodic translations from English to French. Documents to be translated often include statements to the United Nations, its agencies and other international organizations. Experience in professional translation is extremely helpful. Please contact Dorothy Longo, operations officer, Bahá’í International Community, United Nations Office, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017 (phone 212-803-2500, e-mail

ACROSS THE COUNTRY[edit]

Full-time Administrative Assistant to the Spiritual Assembly of Chicago, Illinois. This is a paid position with benefits, newly created to help the Assembly carry out decisions and projects. Will help Assembly officers with a variety of projects and regular duties, answer routine inquiries and correspondence, manage office/archival material and recruit volunteers, working alongside current part-time administrative assistant. We seek a mature, dedicated person with love, commitment and deep understanding of the fundamentals of the Bahá’í Faith; excellent interpersonal and communication skills; and ability to work with various computer applications. Please submit a résumé with cover letter and two letters of reference. To apply or for more information, contact the Chicago Bahá’í Center, 3321 S. Calumet, Chicago, IL 60616 (phone 312-225-1919, fax 312-225-3077, e-mail

INTERNATIONAL[edit]

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[edit]

The Office of Pioneering is listing all positions sent to us by other national Bahá’í Institutions. Soon, a compilation of Web site and e-mail addresses for job searches will be a standard feature.

BAHAMAS: Self-supporting couple to serve as caretakers for the National Center.

BELIZE: Couple or individual to serve as caretaker for Bahá’í Center in Belmopan, national capital.

COSTA RICA: Full-time service for 6–12 months for Spanish-speaking, self-supporting (preferred) youth to work with Bahá’í Youth Workshop.

EASTERN CAROLINE ISLANDS: Custodian/Caretakers (independent means).

GAMBIA: Permanent Institute manager.

HONDURAS: Elementary and secondary school teachers.

MACAU: The School of Nations needs qualified kindergarten, primary and secondary teachers.

SAMOA: Full-time caretakers for House of Worship with extensive practical skills (e.g. building maintenance, gardening, etc.); prefer those with independent means.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Self-supporting couple to serve as custodians of the Bahá’í Center in Honiara. Volunteer to train National Center office staff.

THAILAND: Volunteers needed in various areas of the country to help keep local centers open, assist with administrative tasks at the National Center, teach within hill tribe communities, etc. These opportunities are open to youth.

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS: Great need for medical personnel including family physicians with a variety of specialties: internist, obstetrician, health care service manager, clerical officer, biomedical technician, medical records officer.

VENEZUELA: Self-supporting couple (preferable) to serve as caretakers of the Bahá’í National Center and assistants to the National Assembly secretary. Pioneers are urgently needed in Mérida, a beautiful location in the Andes.

WESTERN CAROLINE ISLANDS: Custodian/caretakers (independent means).

For additional information regarding jobs and study abroad, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201.

If you live in:

Northeast or Central States, call Alex Blakeson (847-733-3511).
Southern States, call Sherdeana Jordan (847-733-3507).
Western States, call Aurore Ragston (phone 847-733-3512).

Or contact the Office of Pioneering (phone 847-733-3508, e-mail

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AT THE BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTER[edit]

THE MOUNT CARMEL PROJECTS, constructing the buildings and terraces of the Arc in Haifa, Israel, have the following opportunities for service:

Gardeners/horticulturists. Needed at all levels of practical knowledge, from basic maintenance skills to advanced professional experience.
Industrial/commercial plumber. Needs experience in all aspects of the trade, including drainage, fittings, etc.

To apply, please mail or fax résumé to Mount Carmel Projects, Project Manager’s Office, P.O. Box 155, 31 001 Haifa, Israel (phone 972 (4) 835-8237, fax 972 (4) 835-8437, e-mail

OPPORTUNITIES AT THE BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTER IN HAIFA, ISRAEL

Senior-level: Coordinator, Administrative Development Services (management, organizational analysis, staff training/development); Coordinator, Audio-Visual Department (media, audio-visual, preservation); Coordinator, Gardens Office (5–10 years’ management experience required); Coordinator, Statistics Office (records management, imaging, on-line retrieval systems); Coordinator, Office of Personnel (management, human resource development, budgeting, recruiting); Coordinator, Publishing Department (needs excellent command of English language, involves editing and publishing); Assistant Coordinator, Office of Holy Places (building restoration/conservation; management experience required).
12- or 18-month commitment: Cleaning maintenance helpers, data-entry clerks, gardeners, security guards, warehouse assistants.
18- or 30-month commitment: Accountants/auditors, administrative/clerical assistants, audio-visual technicians, document analysts, language specialists (Persian, Arabic and/or English), security dispatchers, fleet maintenance.
Other skills needed: Heating and A/C, building trades (supervisory and labor), cleaning, photography/darkroom, law, library/archiving and media, printing, information and computer systems.

To send your résumé or CV to inquire about a position, contact: Office of Personnel, Bahá’í World Center, P.O. Box 155, 31 001 Haifa, ISRAEL (fax 972 (4) 835 8325, e-mail

Wyoming goal cities: Cheyenne, Laramie and Casper! This beautiful state has no Local Spiritual Assemblies. It has clean air, no traffic, safe schools, unlimited opportunities for service to Bahá’u’lláh. Be part of history! Arise to the call raised in the Tablets of the Divine Plan! Dru Hanich, State Homefront Pioneering Coordinator, P.O. Box 273, Thayne, WY 83127 (phone 307-883-2277, e-mail

Bahá’ís in Clarkdale, Arizona, need help forming a Local Spiritual Assembly. This small Verde Valley town is near Jerome, a scenic ghost town, and Cottonwood, a growing retirement area with a variety of job opportunities. The high desert has hot, dry summers and mild winters. Please contact Jim Harris, P.O. Box 111, Clarkdale, AZ 86324 (phone 520-634-5685).

WANTED[edit]

Three authors seek inspiring stories of Bahá’í excellence (1,000 words or less) from Bahá’ís all over the world about personal transformation and spiritual growth. They should illustrate how your daily life is shaped by the sacred principles—for example, race unity or equality of men and women—or how you put them into practice. We are organizing a book geared to the general public. We want stories that will inspire readers, make them laugh or perhaps put a tear in their eye. Please send all stories by June 30, or suggestions for people we might contact, to Daniel and Tasha Curry-Corcoran, Manassas, VA 20110 (e-mail or Dwight Allen ( ).

PIONEERING / HOMEFRONT[edit]

Jersey City, New Jersey, needs people who are up to the serious challenge of living in and building a Bahá’í community in a fast-paced, inner-city urban environment. Located just over the Hudson River from New York City, Jersey City is a highly diverse community. Easy access to employment opportunities in New York City. Please feel free to contact Analita Mulligan (phone 201-435-0857, e-mail

Urgently needed: Motivated students for our Bahá’í Association at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC (part of the University of South Carolina system). Campus and community will provide opportunities to help the growth of the Faith. This nationally accredited university is especially strong in education, biology, dance and theater. The racially diverse campus has students from many nations, and has a “feel at home” atmosphere. If interested in serving, please contact the secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of Rock Hill (phone 803-328-8395, e-mail or Jen Vance, a Bahá’í student at Winthrop (e-mail

The Bahá’í community of Sedona, Arizona, needs homefront pioneers to reform its Local Spiritual Assembly in April. Sedona is a booming community in the scenic Red Rock country of Northern Arizona at the mouth of the beautiful Oak Creek Canyon. The community is a mecca for the movie industry, with beautiful scenery and the warm, sunny weather essential to moviemaking. Please contact Douglas Jernberg, P.O. Box 2692, Sedona, AZ 86339 (phone 520-282-5885).

YOUTH[edit]

What are you doing this summer? The Temple Conservation Group at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, IL, has summer employment opportunities for 1999. The meticulous and challenging work of caring for the Temple requires people with considerable self-discipline and maturity, but no specific experience is required. We seek a summer staff that is representative of the American Bahá’í community. Contact the office directly for additional information and to receive an application packet. Send applications as soon as possible. Phone interviews will be scheduled and employment decisions made by mid-May. Contact the Conservation group (phone 847-853-2320, e-mail or the Office of Human Resources (phone 847-733-3427).

ARCHIVES[edit]

The National Bahá’í Archives is seeking original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: Frances E. Coley, Catherine H. Collins, Cleone N. Collins, Ella Neely Collins, Eston C. Collins, Stewart F. Collins, Booth Colman, Joseph M. Colon, and Carol Burnell Comstock. 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 847-869-9039).

The National Bahá’í Archives is seeking photographs of the following African-American Bahá’ís: Alain Locke, Robert Abbott, George Henderson, Coralie Cook, Roy Williams, Mabry and Sadie Oglesby. Please identify the photographs if possible with name of the individual and date. Anyone with photographs they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. [Page 36]مسأله‌ای را که ممکن بود در آغاز صورت عمومی داشته باشد تبدیل به یک بحث داغ مذهبی می‌کنند. پای مخالفین را به میان می‌کشند و با اظهار نظرهای غالباً ناپخته و غیردقیق حربه به دست مخالفین می‌دهند تا آن اظهار نظرها را به حساب دیانت بهائی بگذارند.

شواهدی از قبیل آنچه که فوقاً به عرض رسید زیاد است که جملگی حکایت دارد از عشق وافر و بی آلایش دوستان بهائی به آئین الهی از یک سو، و بی‌تابی و هیجان زدگی آنان از سوی دیگر، غافل از آنکه این گونه امور در حیطهٔ مسؤولیت تشکیلات بهائی قرار دارد نه فرد.

من نمی‌دانم که وضع در سایر کشورهائی که ایرانیان در آنجاها دارای وسائل ارتباطی جمعی هستند چگونه است، اما در امریکا که این گونه وسائل از جمله رادیو حضوری وسیع دارند معمولاً بخش مهمی از فضای برنامه‌ها را با ایجاد ارتباط مستقیم با مردم پر می‌کنند.

قرار محفل ملی آمریکا با احبای ایرانی آن است که اهم شنیده‌ها یا خوانده‌های خود را که به دیانت بهائی مربوط می‌شود با دفتر امور احبای ایرانی/امریکائی که از دوائر آن محفل است، یا با یکی از شعبه‌های ناحیه‌ای آن دفتر در میان نهند. خود دست از اقدام بشویند و به آن دفتر فرصت دهند تا به هر ترتیبی که صلاح و مقتضی بداند عمل کند. ولی این طور که پیداست تذکرات مکرر آن مرجع هنوز در مورد معدودی از یاران آنچنانکه باید و شاید مؤثر نیفتاده و کماکان به ابتکارات و اقدامات فردی ادامه می‌دهند.

ادامه این روش زیان‌هائی در پی دارد:

اول مغایرت آن با لزوم اطاعت از تشکیلات امری،
دوم گشودن باب عقاید و استنباطات شخصی که همگی از مخاطرات آن آگاهیم،
سوم محروم کردن شنوندهٔ غیربهائی از دریافت اطلاعات دقیق و یک‌دست،
چهارم به میدان کشاندن مخالفین حرفه‌ای که همیشه منتظر چنین فرصت‌هائی هستند،
و بالاخره آسیب رساندن به جریانی که به طور طبیعی و بدون دخالت ما آغاز شده و به تدریج نیرو می‌گیرد.

آیا بهتر نیست که این جریان را به حال خود رها کنیم و اجازه دهیم به فعل و انفعالات شگفت‌انگیز، و در نهایت سودمند خود، ادامه دهد و آن گفتار حکیمانه پیر روشن‌ضمیر رومی را به یاد آوریم که فرمود:

خوشتر آن باشد که سرّ دلبران گفته آید در حدیث دیگران

استخدام تمام وقت می‌شوند. شرایط استخدام از این قرار است: ۱- داشتن روحیه خدمت ۲- تسلط کافی در نگارش و مکالمه فارسی ۳ اطلاعات لازم در کارهای دفتری ۴- اطلاعات کافی در باره نظم اداری بهائی ۵- آشنائی با فرهنگ ایرانی ۶- آشنائی با برنامه کامپیوتری Microsoft Word و تایپ فارسی و انگلیسی تا ۳۰ کلمه در دقیقه متقاضیان می‌توانند با دفتر امور احبای ایرانی آمریکائی به شماره ۳۵۲۶-۷۳۳-۸۴۷ تماس بگیرند.

آگهی کلاس‌های دکتر قدیمی[edit]

DR. GHADIMI'S CLASSES IN SAN FRANCISCO لجنه امور احبای ایرانی/امریکائی شمال کالیفرنیا تشکیل کنفرانس دکتر ریاض قدیمی را در حظيرةالقدس سن‌فرانسیسکو به آگاهی یاران می‌رساند. این کنفرانس از شنبه ۲۹ می ساعت شش و سی دقیقه آغاز می‌شود و بعد از ظهر روز ۳۱ می پایان خواهد پذیرفت.

علاقه مندان باید برای رزرو جا مستقیماً با هتل هالیدی این تماس حاصل نمایند. کرایه اتاق در صورتی که تا اول می رزرو شود شبی ۹۹ دلار است. توصیه می‌شود دوستان هر چه زودتر با شماره تلفن ۲۴۳-۱۱۳۵ (۸۰۰) تماس گرفته اتاق خود را رزرو کنند. یاران باید در وقت رزرو اتاق ذکر نمایند که اتاق را برای کنفرانس بهائی لازم دارند. مبلغ نام‌نویسی تا ۱۵ می نفری ۱۵ دلار، برای زن و شوهر ۲۵ دلار و برای خانواده ۳۵ دلار خواهد بود. بعد از ۱۵ می ۵ دلار باید به مبالغ فوق اضافه کرد.

باید توجه داشت که از شرکت‌کنندگان انتظار می‌رود وقت‌شناس باشند زیرا درهای سالن جلسات پس از شروع برنامه بسته خواهد شد. برای کودکان ۵ تا ۱۲ سال کلاس‌های مخصوص دائر خواهد بود.

این کنفرانس مخصوص احبای الهی است. دوستان می‌توانند برای دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر با آقای کامبیز پطری تماس حاصل نمایند. شماره تلفن: ۴۶۱۶-۹۷۲ (۴۱۵)

رفع طرد اداری[edit]

RESTORATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE RIGHTS محفل مقدس روحانی ملی اعاده حقوق اداری آقای موهبت‌الله سبحانی و همچنین آقایان ریاض سنا و فرزین آگاهی و خانم کروس ترزا آگاهی Theresa Agahi را اعلام می‌دارد.

انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی[edit]

FRIENDS OF PERSIAN CULTURE نهمین کنفرانس سالانه انجمن در هتل هالیدی این Holiday Inn O'Hare از ساعت ۷ شب پنجشنبه ۲۷ می تا ظهر دوشنبه ۳۱ می ۱۹۹۹ برگزار خواهد گردید. برای رزرو ‎اطاق اتاق‎ (۱ تا ۴ نفر شبی ۸۱ دلار بعلاوه مالیات) مستقیماً با هتل به شماره ۶۳۵۰-۶۷۱-۸۴۷ تماس بگیرید و بگوئید که برای Bahá’í Arts Festival ‎اطاق اتاق‎ می‌گیرید.

کلاس‌های فشرده زبان فارسی[edit]

INTENSIVE PERSIAN COURSE دفتر امور احبای ایرانی/امریکائی با همکاری مؤسسه ویلمت در صدد تشکیل کلاس فشرده‌ای برای آموزش زبان فارسی در تابستان سال جاری در نزدیکی مشرق‌الاذکار است.

کلاس‌های فارسی تابستان امسال در سطح ابتدائی، و در صورت وجود داوطلب، در سطح متوسط تدریس خواهد شد. برنامه کلاسها از ۱۹ جولای تا ۸ آگست سال جاری ادامه خواهد داشت. برنامهٔ درسی هر کلاس هفته‌ای ۵ روز و هر روز ۵ ساعت ادامه خواهد یافت. بعلاوه فعالیت‌های فرهنگی خاص در خارج از کلاس ترتیب داده می‌شود تا کمک به یادگیری دروس داخل کلاس کند.

قیمت ثبت‌نام برای هر کلاس فشردهٔ فارسی در طی سه هفته ۴۵۰ دلار و مخارج خوابگاه شبی ۲۲ دلار برای هر دانشجو است.

علاقه مندان می‌توانند برای نام‌نویسی و یا دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر با دفتر امور احبای ایرانی-امریکائی تماس حاصل نمایند. شماره تلفن: ۳۵۲۶-۷۳۳ (۸۴۷)

برگ نام‌نویسی نهمین کنفرانس سالانه انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی[edit]

(۲۷ تا ۳۱ می ۱۹۹۹) نام و نام خانوادگی .................................................... شماره تلفن ........................................................... نام و نام خانوادگی همراهان ...................................... ........................................................................... ...........................................................................

شماره چک یا کارت اعتباری ویزا/مستر کارد: ........................................................................... تاریخ انقضاء کارت اعتباری .................................. مبلغ پرداختی ...................................................... نام‌نویسی (۱۲ سال به بالا) تا اول ماه می برای هر نفر ۳۵ دلار و پس از آن تاریخ ۴۰ دلار، و برای کودکان ۳ تا ۱۱ ساله ۵۰ دلار است.

دیدار پنج‌ساعته از اماکن تاریخی شیکاگو با اتوبوس: شنبه ۲۹ می از ۹ صبح تا ۲ بعد از ظهر چنانچه علاقه مند باشید که در این دیدار شرکت کنید لطفاً نفری ۱۵ دلار به مبلغ نام‌نویسی اضافه کنید.

برای اطلاعات بیشتر با دفتر امور احبای ایرانی/امریکائی (۳۵۳۱-۷۳۳-۸۴۷) تماس بگیرید.

خدمت در دفتر محفل ملی[edit]

FULL-TIME SERVICE AT BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER دفتر ملّی امور احبای ایرانی/امریکائی نیازمند دستیار برای اجرای برنامه‌های متنوعی است که از طرف محفل مقدس روحانی ملی به آن محول شده است. متقاضیان با عنوان دستیار برنامه‌ها Program [Page 37]نامه‌ای اعتراض آمیز به یونسکو و مسؤولان دولت ایران ارسال گردیده است. نامهٔ مذکور به امضاء رئیس و نایب رئیسان و مدیران بخش‌های مختلف کالج و نیز امضای بیش از ۱۰ نفر از استادان و ۵۰ نفر از دانشجویان رسیده است.

شیگاگو[edit]

یک استاد ممتاز حقوق بین‌المللی که متخصص در حقوق بشر و خود مسلمان است و در دانشگاه دوپال DePaul تدریس می‌کند، نامهٔ شدید اللحنی به وزارت تحصیلات عالیهٔ دولت ایران فرستاد و در آن بخش‌هایی از قوانین اسلامی را در دفاع از بهائیان نقل کرد.

آرکانسا[edit]

چند تن از رؤسا، و مدیران دانشگاه آرکانسا در پاین بلاف Pine Bluff به همراه رئیس سازمان دانشجویان آن دانشگاه موافقت کرده‌اند که جهت اعتراض به اقدامات اخیر دولت ایران به یونسکو و ایران نامه بفرستند.

موارد بسیاری از اقداماتی که در مؤسسات تحصیلات عالی در رابطه با تحقیقات دانشگاه آزاد صورت گرفته به دفتر محفل ملی گزارش شده است. صورتی از نام مؤسسات مذکور در صفحات انگلیسی درج شده است. علاقه‌مندان به آن صفحات رجوع فرمایند.

احباء و رسانه‌های همگانی[edit]

BAHA’IS AND THE MEDIA

دوست عزیز ما دکتر ایرج خادمی مقاله‌ای دربارهٔ روش اهل بهاء، در قبال رسانه‌های همگانی نگاشته و به دفتر امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی ارسال داشته‌اند. نظر به اهمیت موضوع مقاله ایشان در زیر درج می‌گردد.

نقش وسائل ارتباط همگانی فارسی زبان در رابطه با دیانت بهائی و تقابل بهائیان با این نقش[edit]

"وسائل ارتباط همگانی" اصطلاح نسبتاً جدیدی است که از حدود نیم قرن پیش در فرهنگ زبان فارسی وارد شده است. مراد از این اصطلاح رادیو، تلویزیون، مطبوعات، فیلم و هر وسیلهٔ گفتاری یا نوشتاری یا تصویری دیگری است که شمار وسیعی از جماعات انسانی را مورد خطاب یا پوشش قرار می‌دهد.

به نظر می‌رسد که این اصطلاح برگردان Mass Media باشد که در زبان انگلیسی به کار می‌رود. برگردان دیگری هم از این عبارت رایج است به عنوان "رسانه‌های گروهی" که کمتر مورد التفات زبان‌شناسان قرار گرفته است.

خانواده مطبوعات که شناخته‌ترین عضو آن روزنامه است، مجله، هفته‌نامه، ماهنامه، فصل‌نامه، کتاب و امثال آنها را نیز در بر می‌گیرد. در دهه اخیر عضو دیگری هم به مجموعه وسائل ارتباط همگانی اضافه شده است به نام اینترنت Internet که کار آن انتقال اطلاعات است از طریق شبکه‌های کامپیوتری. دیگری در پیش است از بسط مطلب خودداری کرده، به چندتائی که ذکر شد بسنده می‌کنیم.

روزنامه در معنای اعم نزدیک به یک قرن و نیم است که به مردم ایران معرفی شده و تنها از زمان انقلاب مشروطیت به این طرف است که نضجی گرفته و رشدی پیدا کرده است. رادیو از سال ۱۹۳۹ میلادی و تلویزیون از سال ۱۹۵۸ به جمع وسائل ارتباطی فراگیر افزوده شده است. جالب آنکه تلویزیون نخستین بار توسط یک بهائی در خدمت مردم ایران قرار گرفت ولی به دلیل آنکه مباشر آن اقدام بهائی بود ضدیت‌های بسیار برانگیخت تا آنجا که منجر به مداخله دولت و تصرف فرستنده تلویزیونی آن رادمرد گردید.

با حفظ مقدمه بالا که به خاطر درک مشترک از مفهوم وسائل ارتباط همگانی تقدیم شد، اینک می‌پردازیم به اصل مطلب که عبارت باشد از نقش وسائل ارتباط همگانی فارسی زبان در رابطه با دیانت بهائی و تقابل بهائیان با این نقش.

رادیو و تلویزیون دولتی ایران تا پیش از وقوع انقلاب اسلامی معمولاً اشاره‌ای به دیانت بهائی یا وقایع مربوط به آن نمی‌کردند و سکوت دیرپا و مصلحت‌آمیز بهائیان را رنج می‌داد. زیرا اینان نمی‌توانستند باور کنند که دیانت بهائی در زادگاه خود تا آن حد مورد بی‌مهری و بی اعتنائی قرار گیرد. مطبوعات هم علی‌رغم تعلقشان به بخش خصوصی از این قاعده مستثنی نبودند. انگار نه انگار که آئینی با چنان مفاهیم عالی روحانی و نفوذ جهانی از سرزمین ایران برخاسته است. اگر گهگاه و به تلویح در وسائل ارتباط همگانی ایران اشاره‌ای به دیانت بهائی می‌رفت در جهت نفی بود و رد. رادیوی دولتی ایران فقط یک بار و آن هم به طور وسیع به دیانت بهائی اشارات مستقیم داشت و آن هنگامی بود که یکی از وعاظ معروف اجازه داد که در سراسر ماه رمضان سال ۱۳۳۴ شمسی به آئین الهی بتازد و جان و مال افراد بهائی و مستملکات عمومی آنها را مورد تهدید و تجاوز و تصرف قرار دهد.

و بعد از انقلاب اسلامی وسائل ارتباط همگانی یکسره به دست کسانی افتاد که امحاء آئین بهائی بخشی از منشور عمومی آنها را تشکیل می‌داد و معلوم است که در چنان اوضاع و احوالی جز خلاف گوئی و اتهام که تا حال هم ادامه دارد انتظار گفته‌های دیگری از آنان نمی‌توان داشت.

و اما در خارج از ایران نسل جدیدی از وسائل جمعی توسط ایرانیانی که به سبب وقوع انقلاب جلای وطن کرده بودند پدید آمد و به تدریج رو به رشد و توسعه نهاد. گردانندگان این وسائل غالباً دست‌اندرکاران سابق رادیو و تلویزیون و مطبوعات درون مرزی بودند. اینان در سال‌های اولیه فعالیت بنا به عادت سابق دربارهٔ دیانت بهائی کمتر صحبت می‌کردند ولی با گذشت زمان و ملاحظه اهمیت امر در خارج و نیز با شنیدن صدای اعتراض دولت‌ها و پارلمان‌ها و مراکز خبری بین‌المللی علیه مظالم وارده بر بهائیان ایران و انعکاس آن مظالم در گزارش‌های تکان‌دهنده کمیسیون حقوق بشر سازمان ملل متحد بالاخره حصار سکوت را شکستند و به حرف آمدند. نه تنها نویسندگان و برنامه‌ریزان و کارگردانان این وسائل که پاره‌ای از روشنفکران ایرانی نیز به خود جرأت دادند که برای نخستین بار واژه "بهائی" را علناً بر لب جاری کنند. از زبان معدودی از رجال سابق ایران و رهبران فکری جوامع ایرانی مقیم خارج شنیده شد که اعطاء آزادی به بهائیان از جمله شرائط حلول دموکراسی در ایران خواهد بود.

باید دانست که اشارات وسائل ارتباط جمعی برون مرزی به دیانت بهائی جز در موارد استثنائی از حد ایجاز فراتر نرفته است. شاید دلیل این امر آن باشد که اولا دوستان مطبوعاتی ما هنوز از کینه‌توزی افراطيون درون مرزی می‌هراسند و ثانیاً مجال آن را نیافته‌اند که حقیقت آئین بهائی را با مرور آثار بهائی شخصاً دریابند.

اکنون می‌رسیم به بازتاب دوستان بهائی در مقابل اظهار نظرهای مثبت و به ندرت منفی وسائل ارتباط جمعی برون مرزی ایران.

دوستی که مقیم یکی از شهرهای عمده آمریکاست حکایت می‌کرد که در یک مورد گوینده رادیویی که شخصی خیرخواه و بی‌نظر بود چند عید مذهبی متقارن از جمله عید رضوان را تهنیت گفت. دیری نگذشت که دوستان بهائی خطوط تلفن رادیو را اشغال کردند و مدت بالنسبه طولانی به تشکر و تقدیر از آن گوینده پرداختند و دامنه تحسین و تمجید را تا بدانجا کشاندند که خشم شنوندهٔ مخالفی را برانگیختند و گوینده را ناچار به قطع برنامه کردند.

دوست دیگری درد دل می‌کرد که گاه می‌شود یک نویسنده یا مترجم ضمن شرح و بسط یک مطلب اصطلاحی به کار می‌برد که معمول بهائیان نیست. مثلاً "منشی محفل ملی" را "دبیر جمعیت بهائیت" می‌خواند. در این موارد است که کاسهٔ صبر احباء به جوش می‌آید و در اندک زمان آن نویسنده یا مترجم را چنان به ستوه می‌آورند که دیگر کلامی یا سطری از او که ممکن بود روزی با هدایت صحیح به دفاع از امرالله برخیزد، شنیده و دیده نمی‌شود.

یکی از برنامه‌ریزان معروف رادیویی مطلب نیشداری را به نقل از یکی از روزنامه‌های داخلی ایران نقل کرد، شاید به منظور آنکه فضا را برای گفت و شنود باز کنند و به پایان بی‌اعتباری نوشته آن روزنامه را بر ملا سازد. البته دوستان بهائی مهلت این کار را به او ندادند و بلافاصله به داشتن رابطه با جمهوری اسلامی متهمش کردند. آن برنامه‌ریز بی‌نوا چنان پریشان‌خاطر گردید که محرمانه به یکی دو نفر از بهائیان معتدل‌تر که از قبل می‌شناخت متوسل شد تا مگر جلوی اظهارات تند و شتاب‌آلود احبای معترض را بگیرند.

گاه موضوعی روی میکروفون آزاد رادیو مطرح می‌شود که ممکن است دیانت بهائی هم به نوعی در آن ذی‌نفع باشد، مانند مسأله جدایی دین از حکومت و سیاست. دوستان کنجکاو بهائی که مترصد چنین فرصت‌هائی هستند با ورود در بحث، [Page 38]

ترجمه نامۀ محفل روحانی ملی[edit]

خطاب به جامعۀ بهائی امریکا PERSIAN TRANSLATION OF THE LETTER FROM THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY ABOUT A CALL TO PROCLAIM EQUALITY

دوستان عزیز بهائی،

شمس حقیقت، حضرت بهاءالله ما را اطمینان داده‌اند که درد تعصب یعنی داشتن عقیده‌ای بدون اعتنا به واقعیت، تنها با وحدت و تساوی حقیقی درمان می‌شود. جامعۀ بهائی امریکا قابلیت آن را دارد که برای دیار سرمشقی جهت گسترش این دو موضوع باشد. همان گونه که دوستان آگاهی دارند، محفل روحانی ملی در خلال نقشهٔ چهارساله تساوی حقوق زن و مرد و وحدت نژادی را موضوع مورد تمرکز جامعۀ بهائی معین کرده است. باید فرصت‌های موجود را برای ایجاد تغییری در حیات ملت امریکا مغتنم شمرد. پیشرفت جامعۀ بهائی باعث خواهد شد که حقوق بشر برای همگان تأمین گردد و سرانجام صلح و سلام حاصل آید.

سهم اهل بهاء، در مورد تساوی زن و مرد این است که بر لزوم ایجاد همکاری واقعی در بین زنان و مردان تأید نمایند. بیشتر افراد از پیشرفت‌هائی که برای تساوی در تعلیم و تربیت و استخدام لازم است آگاهی دارند. اما اهل بهاء باید مسائل دقیق‌تری را نیز در نظر داشته باشند. مثلاً باید بررسی کرد که آیا تعصبات ریشه‌داری که دربارۀ زنان وجود دارد در رفتار روزمرۀ افراد تأثیری دارد یا نه؟ در جوامع بهائی باید دید آیا زنان نیز از موقعیت‌ها و فرصت‌های مهمی که مردان دارند، به همان نسبت برخوردارند؟ آیا آراء آنان در خلال مشاورات مورد توجه قرار می‌گیرد؟ آیا در زمان انتخابات قابلیت‌های آنان نیز در نظر گرفته می‌شود؟ آیا زنان و مردان در ایفای وظایفی چون اجرای برنامه‌های کودکان و تهیه غذا و ادارۀ جلسات و ایراد سخنرانی و اجرای نقشه‌های تبلیغی و به طور کلی اجرای مسؤولیت‌هائی که برای کارکرد جامعه لازم است به نحوی یکسان همکاری دارند؟

در این مورد مردان بهائی به عنوان شریک و همدست زنان سهمی اساسی بر عهده دارند. مردان بهائی باید کوششی هماهنگ به عمل آورند و زنان را کمک کنند و حمایت و تشویق نمایند تا آرمان‌هائی را که در آثار مبارکه برایشان معین گردیده متحقق سازند. محفل روحانی ملی مردان بهائی را فرا می‌خواند که با گرایش‌ها و نگرش‌ها و رفتارها و پیشداوری‌هائی که در وضع اسفناک جهان کنونی تحقیر زنان را دامن می‌زند مقابله نمایند و بستیزند. مردان بهائی امکان آن را دارند و در واقع باید راهی برای تحقق بخشیدن آمال بر زبان نیامدۀ زنان در جامعۀ بهائی بیابند و آنان را تشویق نمایند که قوای نهفته خود را در عمل شکوفا سازند.

اندکی بیش از یک سال از صدور بیانیۀ "دو بال یک پرنده: تساوی زنان و مردان" می‌گذرد. در آن زمان محفل روحانی ملی لجنۀ ملی پیشرفت زنان را تأسیس نمود که موضوع پیشرفت امور زنان را در صف مقدم اقدامات جامعۀ بهائی امریکا قرار دهد. از آن زمان تاکنون بیش از صدهزار نسخه از بیانیۀ مذکور در سراسر کشور توزیع شده و جلسات تزیید معلومات و کنفرانس‌ها و مجامع عمومی متعددی دربارۀ تساوی حقوق زن و مرد تشکیل گردیده است. محفل عنوان لجنۀ ملی پیشرفت زنان را به "لجنۀ ملی تساوی حقوق زن و مرد" تبدیل نموده است.

علاوه بر این، محفل روحانی ملی در شرف تهیه و اجرای برنامه‌ای در سطح ملی است که بر محور تساوی حقوق زن و مرد مبتنی و متمم برنامۀ وحدت نژادی خواهد بود. در ماه مارچ سال ۱۹۹۹ ویدیویی دربارۀ تساوی حقوق زن و مرد پخش خواهد شد. در حال حاضر از محافل روحانی محلی درخواست شده است که تا اپریل سال جاری بیانیۀ "دو بال یک پرنده: تساوی حقوق زن و مرد" را به شهردار و انجمن شهر در جوامع خود نشان دهند و گزارش ماوقع را به لجنۀ ملی تساوی حقوق زن و مرد ارسال فرمایند.

از دوستان عزیز دعوت می‌شود که در خانواده و جوامع و محافل روحانی محلی موارد و مسائل زیر را مورد بررسی قرار دهند:

۱- جامعۀ بهائی باید چه کند تا نمونهٔ کاملی از وحدت زن و مرد و تساوی حقوق آنان باشد؟

۲- حضرت عبدالبهاء در یکی از خطابات مبارک می‌فرمایند: وقتی زنان ترقی کنند که مردان خود شهادت دهند که زنان با ما مساویند حاجت به جدال و نزاع نیست. (خطابات پاریس، چاپ مصر، ۱۹۲۱، صفحۀ ۱۶۵). مقصود مبارک از این بیان چیست؟

۳- برای اینکه کودکان بهائی تساوی حقوق زن و مرد را در عمل تحقق بخشند، چه روش تربیتی به کار می‌بریم؟

۴- چه اقداماتی برای آگاه ساختن جامعۀ غیربهائی از نظرگاه بهائی دربارۀ تساوی حقوق می‌توان صورت داد؟

۵- چگونه می‌توان از بیانیۀ محفل روحانی ملی "دو بال یک پرنده" به نحو مؤثرتری استفاده کرد؟ محفل روحانی ملی چشم انتظار دریافت گزارش نتایج مشاورات احباء در موارد بالاست.

آن عزیزان را اطمینان می‌دهیم که برای حصول توفیق در مساعیشان در این قرن انوار دعا خواهیم کرد.

با تحیات ابدع ابهی محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان ایالات متحده آمریکا

تعیین مسؤولیت امور خارجی[edit]

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS POLICY

بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی در دستخط مورخ ۲۱ ژانویۀ سال جاری خطاب به محفل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده مقرر فرموده‌اند که شوراهای ناحیه‌ای نباید مسئولیت روابط خارجی امر مبارک را بر عهده داشته باشند بلکه این مسؤولیت باید بر دوش محفل روحانی ملی باشد.

بدین ترتیب در مسائل مربوط به امور خارجی امر مبارک باید از طریق دفتر منشی امور خارجی واقع در واشنگتن دی‌سی اقدام شود. امور خارجی امر مبارک در برگیرندۀ مسائلی بدین قرار است: دفاع از بهائیان ایران، تماس با دولت فدرال و استانداران governors و قانونگزاران ایالتی، تماس با سازمان‌های ملی و افراد برجسته در سطح ملی. تلفن دفتر امور خارجی: ۸۹۹۰-۸۳۳ (۲۰۲) e-mail

در مورد تماس با جراید و رسانه‌های همگانی محفل روحانی ملی عجالتاً مقرر فرموده‌اند که جوامع و محافل بهائی نخست با دفتر اطلاعات و روابط عمومی بهائی Office of Public Information واقع در نیویورک تماس حاصل نمایند. شمارۀ تلفن دفتر روابط عمومی: ۲۵۰۰-۸۰۳ (۲۱۲) e-mail

اعلان طرد روحانی[edit]

COVENANT BREAKER

محفل روحانی ملی ایالات متحده با کمال تأسف به آگاهی یاران می‌رساند که بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی اعلان فرموده‌اند که آقای فرانکلین تامپکینز Franklin Tompkins ساکن ایالت آرکانسا به علت نقض عهد از جامعۀ بهائی طرد شده است.

بیت‌العدل اعظم در دستخط مورخ ۲۳ مارچ سال ۱۹۷۵ بیانی به این مضمون فرموده‌اند که افراد با قبول حضرت بهاءالله به عنوان مظهر امر الهی عهدی می‌بندند که بر اساس آن کل امر مبارک را قبول داشته باشند. در صورتی که فرد بهائی رویه خود را تغییر دهد و نسبت به طلعات قدسیه امر و تشکیلات اصلی آن خصومت ورزد، از عهدی که بسته است تخطی کرده و در واقع آن را شکسته است. در صورتی که چنین وضعی پیش آید باید تلاش کرد که فرد خطاکار بر خطای رفتارش آگاه شود و از انحراف انصراف نماید. اما در صورتی که فرد مذکور رفتار گذشته را تکرار کند باید از او به عنوان ناقض عهد دوری نمود.

بازتاب تضییقات دانشگاه آزاد[edit]

OPEN UNIVERSITY CAMPAIGN NEWS

جورجیا قرار است در دانشگاه جورجیا ۱۰۰۰ امضاء جمع‌آوری شود. تا کنون ۶۰۰ امضاء جمع‌آوری شده است. رئیس بخش ریاضیات موافقت کرده است که نامه‌هائی مبنی بر اظهار نگرانی خود از تضییقات وارده بر دانشگاه آزاد ارسال دارد و حمایت دیگر همکاران خود را نیز جلب کند.

همچنین رئیس و نایب رئیس دانشکدۀ فنی Athens Area Technical Institute نیز بر آن شدند که در این باره نامه‌هائی به یونسکو و ایران ارسال نمایند. به علاوه، از طرف Fort Valley State College نیز نامه‌هائی در حمایت از حقوق اساسی بهائیان در ایران جهت مقامات مربوطه فرستاده شده است. [Page 39]

Cambodia project serves Bahá’ís, seekers of all ages[edit]

Bahá’í activities across Cambodia, including teaching projects, deepenings, conferences and children’s classes, are resulting in a number of new enrollments. Among the most successful projects:

In Kampot, 10 children’s classes have grown to serve a total of 500 children, and three youth classes are held each day. A celebration of the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh attracted dozens of new friends, which helped open two areas to the Faith.

“The Faith in Kampot is now well-recognized,” the National Spiritual Assembly reported, noting that ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ have been invited to send a delegate to local meetings on religious activity, sponsored by the government Ministry of Religion.

“The Faith is known for its children’s classes, and the youth conducting the classes feel proud that they are a part of it.”

Since a special teaching project was launched in ‎Seam Reap Siem Reap‎ last August, 10 people have declared their faith in Bahá’u’lláh, attendance at children’s classes has increased and training in the Ruhi Institute program has gotten under way.

Supported by devotional programs at least once a month, plus a stronger resolve to observe Nineteen Day Feasts, the local friends have developed an extension teaching campaign that has opened a nearby area to the Faith.

In Battambang, 66 people have enrolled and four new areas opened to the Faith, and formation of new Local Spiritual Assemblies is expected. Weekend teaching trips are complemented by community visits. “The relationships with the people in authority are being maintained, elevating the Faith to one of the major religions now in the province,” the National Assembly reported.

Youth and teaching conferences in Kompong Som and Battambang brought out youth leadership in an unprecedented manner, the Assembly reported.

More news from the Bahá’í International News Service is available through the national Administrative Web Site (www.usbnc.org). You will need your U.S. Bahá’í ID number to log in to this site.

Recognizing the value of virtues[edit]

Solomon Islands National Spiritual Assembly representative Betty Oit presents a Virtues Guide chart to Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufa’alu during the Bahá’ís’ Blum Community Service Awards. Photo courtesy Bahá’í International News Service

TEACHING[edit]

Australia: The Seven Sisters Teaching Project brought 18 Aboriginal people from the center of the continent into the Faith within two weeks, including the first Bahá’í from the Anmatjere Tribe, according to the Continental Board of Counselors. Sponsored by the Local Spiritual Assembly of Alice Springs, the project involved Aboriginal, white and Maori traveling teachers in social events, group and one-on-one firesides and video presentations.

DEVELOPMENT[edit]

Canada: The “Points of Contact Conference” held by the Bahá’ís of St. John’s, Newfoundland, provided a major outreach to the hearing-impaired people of the province. About 153 attendees heard keynote talks by authors Leah Hager-Cohen and Frank Bowe. A specially commissioned play, Butterfly Wings, was performed twice for a combined audience in the hundreds.

The Bahá’í model of consultation, introduced via a pamphlet in all registration kits, was praised by “senior representatives of the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities,” the sponsoring Local Assembly reported.

EDUCATION[edit]

Papua New Guinea: The national Secretary of Agriculture spoke at the Bahá’í Study Center in Lae during its graduation ceremony, where the school awarded 35 10th-grade diplomas, its largest number ever, and granted 34 certificates in basic word processing. Founded with 20 students in 1984, the Study Center was in 1987 the first school in the nation to introduce courses in computer skills.

RAVELLETTE, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3[edit]

The Today feature showed Ravellette in North Carolina, mentoring a young African-American boy who was also born without arms. “I’m the old man who happens to be a white person, showing him how to fish and how to use a rod and reel,” he said in a recent interview.

He has received calls from all over the United States and beyond—calls of encouragement, of congratulation, of news that he has inspired individuals to improve their own approaches to life.

He has been invited to speak at churches, and the incident certainly adds to the stories he can use as a regular guest lecturer in journalism classes at the nearby University of North Carolina.

“God gave me a great gift,” Ravellette said. “He put me in a body with no arms and said, ‘Go out and show mankind the power of one.’”

That power has won many friends and the admiration of his fellow Bahá’ís along his life’s journey through Indiana, Florida, Oregon, New Jersey and other points on the way to Carrboro, where he works as an independent landscaper. On his van is painted the legend “Marty’s Hands On Lawn Service.”

He earned that sense of humor the hard way, by all accounts.

“I must learn to put my best pair of shoes on every time I go out of the house. You are constantly teaching whether you’re speaking the Bahá’í word or not.”

—Marty Ravellette

He taught himself at an early age to use his feet for tasks that most people reserve for their hands: writing, eating, grooming, doing chores, even tossing a baseball. He’s been a skilled physical laborer most of his life, to the amazement of many—even prospective employers who got a bit nervous once watching him use a chain saw.

But his feet are nothing special, he says, slipping a well-trained foot out of a loafer and gently mocking “old Twinkletoes here.”

“Am I,” he mused, “a physical being having a spiritual experience? Or a spiritual being having a physical experience? I believe it’s the latter.”

His study of the Bahá’í writings since he accepted the Faith in 1967 has reinforced this belief over and over. “It’s the truth that sustains you,” he said, noting that he often goes back to the well-known “hollow reed” prayer and the Hidden Words that assert how we were created noble.

“As you read, and reread some more, you glean out those particular truths.”

These truths also help him get past the tough times, when people have trouble accepting him and his ways of adapting his body to a civilization built for the four-limbed. Sadly, some Bahá’ís have been among them.

“How can I teach you to accept me? The only way I can do that is to accept myself,” he said, noting that in work, education and society, disabled people repeatedly must “buck the system—we’re constantly having to prove ourselves.”

And that character lesson imbues all parts of his life: “I must learn to put my best pair of shoes on every time I go out of the house. You are constantly teaching whether you’re speaking the Bahá’í word or not,” he said.

His unassuming way hasn’t prevented his contributions from being noticed. In January a civic coalition presented Ravellette with the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Award for his service to people.

As his wife, Marie, looked on, Ravellette accepted the award and told hundreds of government, business and community leaders that he was pleased to see how the multiracial gathering reflected the oneness of mankind that is so dear to his heart as a member of the Bahá’í Faith.

It wasn’t his first accolade. For his civic and volunteer work he received the Governor’s Trophy as the North Carolina Disabled Citizen of the Year in 1994 and the Orange County Disabilities Awareness citizen award the year before. And his hometown Bahá’í community recently held a special gathering in his honor.

A few days after the October rescue, State Sen. Ellie Kinnard sent him this note: “To those of us who know you, this comes as no surprise. You’ve always been extraordinary!”

The recognition, for him, reinforces a central lesson: “We all need to rise up to our abilities. It’s the character that you carry that gets you human respect, not the wallet you carry or the plaques on your wall.” [Page 40]

CALENDAR OF EVENTS[edit]

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, phone 520-587-7599; fax 520-521-1063; e-mail

APRIL[edit]

23–24: Youth Study Weekend: “Creating 21st Century Badí’s” at Bosch. For youth ages 15 and up.

30–May 2: 100th anniversary of the Bahá’í Faith in the Western States in Oakland, CA: historical presentations, tour of significant Bay Area sites, celebration gala, devotions. For information contact Cynthia Barnes-Slater (phone 510-653-4697, e-mail )

30–May 2: “Spiritual Values and Development” at Green Acre.

30–May 2: Two programs at Louhelen: Spiritual Empowerment Institute for ages 12–15 and Institute for Local Spiritual Assemblies. ♦

SUMMER BAHÁ’Í SCHOOLS

Look for details on sessions held from May through Labor Day on pages 16–18.

PAID SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AT THE BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL OFFICES

Print Production Specialist

Accountant

Many other openings

See page 34

MAY[edit]

7–9: Royal Falcon Bahá’í School, ‎Navauvoo Nauvoo‎, AL. See page 18.

7–9: Parent-Child Weekend at Louhelen.

8–9: Duluth (Minnesota) Conference, theme: “An Irresistible Movement Toward Global Unity and Peace”; co-sponsored by Spiritual Assembly of Duluth and William Sears Teaching Institute. Call 218-254-3101 (e-mail )

8–9: Great Plains Spring Retreat, Council Bluffs, IA. See page 18.

13–16: Pioneering/Bahá’í Youth Service Corps/SITA training in Wilmette, Illinois. Contact Office of Pioneering (847-733-3508).

20–23: Wellness conference at Louhelen, sponsored by Bahá’í Network on AIDS, Sexuality, Addictions and Abuse.

21–23: “Young at Heart,” on older Bahá’ís in community and family life, at Louhelen.

28–30: Conference of Núr: “Achieving Your Heart’s Desire,” on teaching, transformation and the Lesser Peace; Elizabethtown (PA) College. Sponsored by Spiritual Assembly of Harrisburg. Contact Mark Dunmire, Harrisburg, PA 17104 (phone 717-234-0916, e-mail )

28–30: “The Spirit of Children” Conference on Children’s Literature and Art at Green Acre.

28–30: Assembly Team Development at Green Acre. Call registrar if your Assembly is interested in participating.

28–30: “Women in the New Millennium” at Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute. Presenters include Fafa Guillebeaux, Joanne Yuille, Bonnie Taylor, Gwen Clayborne, Bea Curry. Registration: $35. Contact Lanita Barnes or Debbie Jackson (phone 843-558-9133, 843-558-9130).

28–31: Utah Bahá’í School, near Zion National Park. See page 18.

28–31: “Health Topics for a New Millennium: Combining Traditional and Alternative Care” at Bosch.

28–31: “Love, Power and Justice: A Workshop on Moral Authenticity” at Louhelen. ♦

JUNE[edit]

4–6: “The Nature and Dynamics of Love” at Green Acre.

4–6: Southeast Asian Leadership Roundtable and Teaching Conference at Bosch. Sponsored by U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office.

4–6: Mississippi Bahá’í School, Canton, MS. See page 18.

4–6: Indiana Bahá’í School, LaPorte, IN. See page 18.

6: Race Unity Rally at State Capitol in Springfield, IL, 2 p.m. Speaker: Robert Henderson; music by Bahá’í House of Worship Choir. For information call 217-544-9595.

10–13: “Love and Responsibility,” conference at Green Acre. Presented by Bahá’í Network for AIDS, Sexuality, Addiction and Abuse.

11–16: Trainer training for Pioneering Institutes at Louhelen. Contact Office of Pioneering (847-733-3508).

11–16: “Principles of Psychological and Spiritual Development,” Landegg Academy course at Louhelen.

12–16: “Building Community,” family session at Bosch.

17–20: Association for Bahá’í Studies annual conference, “Sacred Justice: Uniting the Human Family,” Tempe, AZ. See page 15.

20–25: Camp Louhelen Children’s Institute for ages 8–12 at Louhelen.

20–27: Youth Music Academy at Bosch.

23–27: Colorado East Bahá’í School, Woodland Park, CO. See page 18.

23–27: Heartland Bahá’í School, Galesburg, IL. See page 18.

23–27: Iowa Bahá’í School, Grinnell, IA. See page 18. ♦

Iowa Bahá’ís (from left) Carol Carpp, Jonathan Carpp, Mojdeh Prosser, Taraneh Prosser and Grace Carpp pose with a banner made by children at the Iowa Bahá’í Winter School and donated to Blank Memorial Children’s Hospital in Des Moines.

BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER 112 LINDEN AVE WILMETTE, IL 60091-2849

APRIL 9, 1999 JALÁL, JAMÁL • B.E. 156

CHANGE OF ADDRESS[edit]

To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving The American Bahá’í, send all family members’ names, new address and mailing label to: Information Services, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. If acquiring a Post Office box, your residence address (B) must be filled in. Please allow three weeks for processing. (This also updates the National Center’s database.)

A. NAME(S) 1. _________________________________ ID# ___________ 2. _________________________________ ID# ___________ 3. _________________________________ ID# ___________ 4. _________________________________ ID# ___________
B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS Street Address ________________________________________ Apartment # (if applicable) ___________________________ City __________________________________________________ State _________________________ Zip code ______________	C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS Street Address ________________________________________ Apartment # (if applicable) ___________________________ City __________________________________________________ State _________________________ Zip code ______________
D. NEW COMMUNITY Name of new Bahá’í Community _________ Moving Date ____	E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER 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.

THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í

THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í[edit]

Peace Among the Nations[edit]

BDS thrives in new home[edit]

Transition was a smooth one[edit]

A personal goal won in India[edit]

Universal House of Justice changes external affairs policy for Councils[edit]

National cable TV broadcasts • SPRING 1999[edit]

I•N•S•I•D•E[edit]

THE NATIONAL FUND[edit]

E•X•C•E•R•P•T•S[edit]

ALMANAC[edit]

Festival of Ridván[edit]

Anniversary of the Declaration of the Báb[edit]

Anniversary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh[edit]

Upcoming Holy Day[edit]

EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS[edit]

A new approach to local membership reports[edit]

How to file membership reports[edit]

THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í[edit]

Heroic story creates opportunities[edit]

Enrollments[edit]

THE FUND[edit]

Allocations to other funds[edit]

Covenant-breaker[edit]

‘Open University’ survives despite closure attempt[edit]

Restorations of administrative rights[edit]

Local reports awaited on ‘Two Wings’ efforts[edit]

Peace Among the Nations: a brief statement[edit]

BDS, CONTINUED FROM PAGE I[edit]

HUQUQU’LLÁH THE RIGHT OF GOD[edit]

Your thoughts on the Fund[edit]

The cost of local initiatives[edit]

Accountability[edit]

Bahá’í membership[edit]

STEWARDSHIP SEMINAR[edit]

LOCAL TREASURER’S Corner[edit]

TREASURER’S JOB DESCRIPTION[edit]

STORIES OF SACRIFICE[edit]

WHICH FUND IS THE MOST IMPORTANT?[edit]

ADMINISTERING • THE • CAUSE[edit]

Recommendations by delegates at the 1998 National Convention[edit]

Teaching[edit]

Community Development[edit]

Education/Schools[edit]

External Affairs[edit]

Publishing/Media[edit]

Race Unity[edit]

Training Institutes[edit]

Youth[edit]

Forum helps Washington-area Assemblies gain and exchange ideas[edit]

Commitment to teaching plans yields confirmations in Chicago[edit]

Idahoans honor interracial couples[edit]

Tell 9,000 people about Bahá’u’lláh? No problem in India[edit]

SPREADING THE TEACHINGS[edit]

NATIONAL TEACHING PLAN[edit]

Friends celebrate World Religion Day[edit]

DELAWARE, OHIO[edit]

Opportunities for traveling teaching around the globe[edit]

HELP WANTED: PIONEERS[edit]

INFORMATION ON YOUR INTERNATIONAL TEACHING TRIP[edit]

Approaching the Millennium[edit]

Issues Related to the Study of the Bahá’í Faith[edit]

Training Institutes[edit]

Alzheimer’s Disease[edit]

NOW IN STOCK![edit]

The Story of Percival[edit]

The Story of Daphne Duck[edit]

What a Mess[edit]

Ziba and the New Kittens[edit]

Toby’s Boy[edit]

The Story of Warren Wallaby[edit]

The Story of Frederick Fox[edit]

The Metropolis of Satan[edit]

Dynamics of Team-Building in Bahá’í Institutions[edit]

Valuing Spirituality in Development[edit]

Exploring the Historical and Spiritual Significance of Being a Person of African Descent in the Bahá’í Faith[edit]

Unlocking the Gate of the Heart[edit]

Uniting the Human Family[edit]

The Life of Thomas Breakwell[edit]

Written in Light[edit]