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[Page 1]THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í MAY 17, 1999 ‘AZAMAT/GRANDEUR • NÚR/LIGHT • BAHÁ’Í ERA 156 VOLUME 30, NO. 4

RIDVÁN B.E. 156 MESSAGE FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE • PAGES 4–5

‘With radiance and joy’

National Convention finds friends gearing up for last leg of Four Year Plan

BY TOM MENNILLO

It was with “radiance and joy,” in the words of a Counselor, that delegates to the 90th Bahá’í National Convention of the United States performed their twin duties: electing the National Spiritual Assembly and consulting on our progress entering the final year of the Four Year Plan.

Little wonder. Delegates had been drinking in love from the moment they took a respite from their busy lives and flew or drove into the Chicago area for the April 22–25 conclave.

Love radiated from the Mother Temple of the West itself. As delegates met in Foundation Hall, rain and fog gave way to achingly blue skies against which were etched the gleaming edifice and its lovingly maintained grounds blossoming with tulips.

Inside the House of Worship were other precious gifts of love: artifacts such as locks of hair from the Blessed Beauty, gifts lovingly bestowed on individual believers by the Master, and an exhibit memorializing the early African-American believers upon whose shoulders the delegates stood.

Enveloping the delegates in love throughout the Convention were:

• Counselors Wilma Ellis and David Smith, who spiritually prepared the delegates in a daylong deepening; later-arriving Counselors Stephen Birkland, ‘Abdu’l-Missagh Ghadirian and Jacqueline Left Hand Bull; and several Auxiliary Board members.
• Those who lovingly reported their hopes, cares, and plans to the delegates. They included members of our National Spiritual Assembly, who shared the national body’s first-ever Ridván letter and reports from the Office of the Treasurer and the Office of External Affairs; and members of the four Regional Bahá’í Councils, the Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh, and the National Teaching Committee, National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men, National Youth Committee and National American Indian Teaching Committee.

SEE CONVENTION, PAGE 19

Mike Defender, a convention visitor from Dunseith, North Dakota, adds in a prayerful way to the atmosphere of blessings around the Bahá’í House of Worship during a break in the Bahá’í National Convention. Photo by Vladimir Shilov

MEMBERS OF THIS YEAR’S NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY (listed alphabetically) AND OFFICES:

• Juana C. Conrad, assistant secretary
• William E. Davis, chairman
• Robert C. Henderson, secretary-general
• Firuz Kazemzadeh, secretary for external affairs
• Patricia Locke, member
• Jack McCants, member
• Dorothy W. Nelson, vice chairman
• William L.H. Roberts, treasurer
• David F. Young, member

Bahá’í faculty receive prison terms in Iran

Court verdict alleges crimes against national security

Four faculty members of the Bahá’í Institute of Higher Education (BIHE), who have been in detention in Isfahan since their arrest last fall, have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to 10 years.

The Islamic Revolutionary Court in Isfahan cited the Bahá’ís’ involvement in a program of Bahá’í Studies as evidence of crimes against national security.

On March 16, Dr. Sina Hakiman was sentenced to 10 years in prison, Messrs. Farzad Khajeh Sharifabadi and Habibullah Ferdosian Najafabadi to seven years, and Mr. Ziaullah Mirzapanah to three years. They were arrested in September and October 1998 as part of the Iranian government’s crackdown on the Bahá’í Institute of Higher Education.

Last fall Iranian government officials raided more than 530 Bahá’í homes, confiscated computers and classroom equipment, and arrested at least 36 teachers and administrators of the Institute. All of them had been released, with the exception of the four who have now been sentenced.

In late 1998 the Institute resumed its activities, although its functioning is still hampered by the loss of equipment, especially computers, that it suffered during the raids.

On April 20 the White House condemned the prison sentences and urged the Iranian government to release all Bahá’ís imprisoned because of their religion. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely,” a White House statement said.

SEE INSTITUTE, PAGE 6

Bahá’í named to religious rights commission • page 3

E·X·C·E·R·P·T·S

“Magnify My cause that I may reveal unto thee the mysteries of My greatness and shine upon thee with the light of eternity.” —Bahá’u’lláh [Page 2]

Anniversary of the Declaration of the Báb

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

ordeal with unflinching strength. The more His enemies endeavored to extinguish that flame, the brighter it became. ... Consider bow the Báb endured difficulties and tribulations; how He gave His life in the Cause of God; how He was attracted to the love of the Blessed Beauty, Bahá’u’lláh; and how He announced the glad tidings of His manifestation." —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 139 ♦

"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

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

"Six days before [Bahá’u’lláh] passed away He summoned to His presence, as He lay in bed leaning against one of His sons, the entire company of believers, including several pilgrims, who had assembled in the Mansion, for what proved to be their last audience with Him. 'I am well pleased with you all,' He gently and affectionately addressed the weeping crowd that gathered about Him. 'Ye have rendered many services, and been very assiduous in your labors. Ye have come here every morning and every evening. May God assist you to remain united. May He aid you to exalt the Cause of the Lord of being.'" —Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 222 →

Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Báb

A Bahá’í Holy Day • Observed sunset July 8 through sunset July 9; devotional gatherings should be held at 1 p.m. daylight time July 9 (noon where standard time is observed) • Work is to be suspended

"(The Báb) withstood all persecutions and bore every suffering and

CARMEN LINDSLEY, a 16-year-old Bahá’í from Skokie, Illinois, was awarded a certificate of excellence by her school district for "outstanding community spirit." She is president of her school Environmental Club and member of the WHO (We Help Others) Club, and participates in numerous service projects to help the homeless, the environment and animals. ✦

of two friends from a burning vehicle earned KAILASH GURUNG, a Bahá’í stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the Air Force Achievement Medal for his off-duty heroism. Gurung, an airman first class, had been at a get-together with friends last fall, according to the Bahá’í News from his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Some people at the party had been drinking, and when two of them drove back toward Lompoc, Gurung tried to follow but fell behind when the car ahead began speeding.

Soon, near Vandenberg Village, Gurung came by a wrecked car on the roadside. "Noticing the back end of the vehicle on fire and two unconscious people inside," the Air Force citation reads, "he quickly began rescuing the victims. ... He managed to safely evacuate both injured people just prior to the vehicle exploding into flames.

"He then maintained an open airway and spinal immobilization for the survivors until the ambulance arrived," the citation continued, praising Gurung's "expertise in field emergency medicine and decisive actions under trying circumstances."

Afterward, the Albuqerque newsletter added, Gurung realized the people he had just rescued were his friends from the party. He reportedly told his parents, Sarita and Richard Birkey, that he had been protected from harm by two decisions to abide by laws of Bahá’u’lláh: declining to drink alcohol at the party, and abiding by traffic laws by staying at the speed limit. ✦

Some significant dates in Bahá’í history

May and early June

May 23, 1844: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, eldest son of Bahá’u’lláh, was born in Tehran, Iran. Though designated as the Center of the Covenant, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá told the Bahá’ís not to celebrate His birthday, especially as it fell on the same day as the Declaration of the Báb.

May 9, 1863: Bahá’u’lláh and His family, with a few dozen companions and guards, began their 110-day journey from Baghdad, Iraq, to Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey.

May 21, 1897: Lua Getsinger became a Bahá’í in Chicago, Illinois. Her travels and services for the Faith until her passing May 1, 1916, earned her acclaim as the Mother Teacher of the West.

April 26-May 1, 1919: The Tablets of the Divine Plan, revealed in earlier years by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, were unveiled in a ceremony at the "Convention of the Covenant" in New York City.

May 1-6, 1953: The Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, was privately consecrated by the Bahá’ís, then dedicated in a public ceremony. These celebrations were followed by an Intercontinental Teaching Conference in nearby Chicago, one of several large-scale conferences that called on teachers of the Faith to carry out the plans of the Ten Year Crusade worldwide.

June 12, 1958: The central body of the Hands of the Cause of God released a definitive statement explaining that a second Guardian could not be named because Shoghi Effendi neither left a will nor designated a successor.

May 28, 1992: The Roll of Honor of the Knights of Bahá’u’lláh—containing the names of those who opened countries or territories to the Bahá’í Faith—was placed in a chamber at the door of the inner sanctuary of the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh.

Facts in this section compiled from A Basic Bahá’í Chronology ♦

EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS

MANOOHER MOFIDI, a Bahá’í and student at the University of Denver [Colorado] College of Law, was recently named alternate winner of the college's annual Leonard v. B. Sutton International Law Legal Writing Competition. The paper, "The Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and the 'Commercial Activity' Exception: The Gulf Between Theory and Practice," explores differences between the intent of a key international-affairs law and how it is routinely applied. ✦

DENISE Y. C. TRAN, a Bahá’í, was one of only 35 students at 20,000-student Cornell University designated a Merrill Presidential Scholar for outstanding results, leadership skills and innovation. The December 1998 graduate had been on the dean's list four years at the university in Ithaca, New York, and was invited to name two teachers—one from her secondary school and the other from Cornell—for a $4,000 award in the secondary teacher's name. ♦

THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í

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

Bahá’í National Center 847.869.9039

Office of The American Bahá’í 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201 Tel/ 847.853.2352 Fax/ 847.256.1372

Managing Editor/Editorial Content James Humphrey

Managing Editor / Art Director Amethel Parel-Sewell

Associate Editor Tom Mennillo

Associate Editor Ramzia Duszynski

Print Production Specialist Aaron Kreader

Facilities Manager Artis Mebane

Contributors Anne Breneman, William E. Dunning, Howard Hinterthuer, Soroush Mahboubi, Forough Olinga, Anne Gordon Perry, Vladimir Shilov, Ruhi Vargha, Warren Waren

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.

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

ISSN Number: 1062-1113 Canada: Publications Agreement # 1486683

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

ARTICLES should be clear and concise. Stories may be edited for length.

PHOTOGRAPHS may be color or black-and-white prints or slides. Please submit photos that are well-composed and in focus and identify people in photos when possible. If you wish photos returned, include a self-addressed envelope.

DEADLINES for upcoming issues: June 18 for the issue dated Aug. 1 July 30 for the issue dated Sept. 8

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

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

U.S. president names a Bahá’í to religious freedom commission

Firuz Kazemzadeh has been named by President Clinton to serve on the nine-member U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, the White House announced early this month.

As the National Spiritual Assembly’s secretary for external affairs, Kazemzadeh has testified frequently before the House International Relations and Senate Foreign Relations Committees on the religious repression of Bahá’ís, particularly in Iran.

His impending appointment was announced alongside those of two others:

• Laila Al-Marayati of California, a physician and leading U.S. spokeswoman on Islamic issues, who has helped organize opposition to ethnic cleansing abroad.
• Charles Z. Smith, a justice of the Washington State Supreme Court, who has long worked for inter-religious understanding alongside his leadership roles for American Baptist Churches, USA.

“The promotion of religious freedom abroad is a priority of the Clinton presidency,” the White House’s news release May 5 stated. “These three distinguished appointees will further ensure that international religious freedom continues to be an integral part of the Administration’s foreign policy.”

Established by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, the commission will study international violations of religious freedom and issue recommendations each year for U.S. responses.

The White House acknowledged Kazemzadeh’s long academic standing, most recently as professor emeritus at Yale University, where he taught Russian history from 1956 until his retirement in 1992.

Firuz Kazemzadeh, as external affairs secretary for the National Spiritual Assembly, has long been a prominent voice for religious freedom on behalf of the American Bahá’í community.

A son of an Iranian ambassador to the Soviet Union, Kazemzadeh has lived in the United States since 1944 and now resides in California. ♦

HUQÚQU’LLÁH THE RIGHT OF GOD

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

• Dr. Amin Banani, 1002 21st St., Santa Monica, CA 90402 (phone 310-394-5449, fax 310-394-6167, e-mail)
• Mr. Stephen Birkland, 1461 Amble Rd., Arden Hills, MN 55112 (phone 651-484-9518, fax 651-490-7521, e-mail)
• Mrs. Sally Foo, 3350 Woodlea Rd., Orefield, PA 18069 (phone or fax 610-398-7453, e-mail)
• Dr. Daryush Haghighi, 19975 Bonniebank Blvd., Rocky River, OH 44116 (phone 440-333-1506, fax 440-333-6938, e-mail)
• Mrs. Elizabeth Martin, 146 S. Garden St., Winnsboro, SC 29180 (phone 803-635-9602, e-mail)

Inquiries about Huqúqu’lláh should be referred to one of the Trustees or to the Office of the Secretariat, Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust, 19975 Bonniebank Blvd., Rocky River, OH 44116. ♦

Huqúqu’lláh board adds two members

Two new members have been named to the Board of Trustees of Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh in the United States. The board announced recently “with great joy” that Mrs. Elizabeth Martin and Mrs. Sally Foo will join continuing members Dr. Amin Banani, Mr. Stephen Birkland and Dr. Daryush Haghighi.

“Undoubtedly the addition of these two capable and dedicated friends will further strengthen the function and operation of the Institution of Huqúqu’lláh in expanding the range of its manifold activities throughout the United States,” the Board of Trustees said in its announcement.

A message from the National Spiritual Assembly said the Assembly was pleased by the news that the two were brought into the Board of Trustees.

“Their efforts to help educate the believers in this sacred law is of great importance as the significance of the payment of Huqúqu’lláh, as explained by the Hand of the Cause of God Dr. ‘Alí-Muhammad Varqá, is ‘a sign of our love and obedience, a proof of our steadfastness in the Covenant and a symbol of our trustworthiness in the Faith of God,’” the National Assembly’s message stated.

In the past few months, Dr. Elsie Austin had retired from the board. Another member, Mrs. Thelma Khelghati, resigned to take a pioneering post in Africa. ♦

Denver Assembly responds to tragedy

Bahá’ís in the Denver, Colorado, area were shocked and stunned—as was the whole world—by the shooting tragedy April 20 at Columbine High School in suburban Littleton.

But the Local Spiritual Assembly of Denver was prepared to do more than pray for the dozens of killed or wounded students and their loved ones.

The day after the tragedy, the Assembly established the Bahá’í Columbine Fund to provide the following services:

• Helping the brothers and sisters of the slain students.
• Providing assistance to the wounded students.
• Establishing dispute mediation services in schools.

This last was not a naive offering. The Denver community includes people with expertise in mediation, and the Assembly co-sponsors the Corinne True Justice Center, which provides training in dispute mediation.

Donations should be made payable and sent to: Bahá’í Columbine Fund, c/o Vectra Bank, 717 17th St, Suite 100, Denver, CO 80202.

For further information please contact the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Denver, Attn: Javid Djalili, PIO, Bahá’í Center of Metro Denver, 225 E. 16th Ave., Denver, CO 80203 (phone/fax 303-337-2120, e-mail). ♦

Assembly Formation Bulletins

In local elections during Ridván:

• Wyoming Bahá’ís re-formed two Local Spiritual Assemblies, in Cheyenne and Laramie. The state had no Assemblies before Ridván.
• Kenosha, Wisconsin, formed an Assembly for the first time since 1994.
• May 1999 is the centennial of Kenosha’s Spiritual Assembly, the first in North America.
• Spiritual Assemblies on Indian Reservations are on the rise, with five either restored or newly formed.

MORE DETAILS NEXT ISSUE. ♦

Enrollments

April 1999	127
Since May 1, 1998	1,473

THE FUND

May 1, 1998–April 30, 1999

Contributions received by National Treasurer

Received since May 1, 1998:	Goal for entire year:
$18,487,758	$27,000,000

68% of year’s goal was met

100% of fiscal year has passed

April 30, 1999

Allocations to other funds

Arc Projects Fund $2,420,980

International Bahá’í Fund $1,148,461

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

Continental Bahá’í Fund $254,393*

1.4% of contributions received by National Assembly (goal was 2%)

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

Other contributions: $710,564

Total revenues and expenses at Bahá’í National Center May 1, 1998–March 31, 1999 (Latest available)

$20,414,496

Revenues

$20,329,444

Expenses

To avoid additional borrowing, some critical projects were deferred over the last year, resulting in revenues exceeding expenses.

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

FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Ridván 156 B.E.

To the Bahá’ís of the world

early loved Friends,

Our hearts are aglow with hope as we survey what has been accomplished in the year preceding the fateful, final stretch toward the consummation of the Four Year Plan. From the year's momentous beginning with the Eighth International Bahá’í Convention, the Bahá’í world has sustained a rising pace of activity that has significantly advanced the process of entry by troops. Our community has grown appreciably, its human resources have been richly enhanced. From projects of expansion to endeavours at consolidation, from social and economic development to external affairs, from services of the youth to expressions in the arts, from the World Centre of the Faith to remote villages and towns—in fact, from whatever angle the community is viewed—progress has been made. The prospects for the Plan are impelling.

The momentum generated at the International Convention pervaded the Counsellors' Conference that immediately followed it, further galvanizing the indefatigable participants; and it charged the proceedings of the National Conventions held in May, including those of Sabah, Sarawak, and Slovakia which met for the first time to form their National Spiritual Assemblies. That same energy infused the International Teaching Centre, which has been displaying a remarkable potency in the short time since its sixth term began on the anniversary of the Declaration of the Báb. Concentrating on refining and consolidating their organization, the Counsellor members have refrained from their usual travels during this first year, but they can be expected after this to resume their visits to various parts of the world, so as to reinforce their vitalizing influence on the successful conclusion of the Four Year Plan.

Further to these happenings in the Holy Land, the construction projects on Mount Carmel, beheld with such thrilling astonishment by the delegates to the International Convention, press onward towards their scheduled completion at the end of the century. With the opening since last Ridván of all remaining areas of construction, the speed of work has reached a new peak. The Centre for the Study of the Texts and the Extension to the Archives Building are being readied for occupancy within a few weeks; the exterior of the International Teaching Centre building is fully clad in marble, while finishing work at all levels of its interior is proceeding. The lowering of Hatzionut Avenue, to accommodate the bridge which now connects the Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb on both sides of the road, has been completed and normal traffic restored. The unfolding magnificence of the Terraces has so captured public attention that the nineteenth terrace at the top of the mountain has already been opened to visitors on a daily schedule, evoking the enthusiastic response of a grateful populace. As part of a campaign to attract international attention to the city, the Municipality of Haifa has published a pictorial brochure on the Shrine of the Báb and the Terraces, available in five major languages besides Hebrew.

We feel compelled to mention at least two other developments at the World Centre of a wholly different order: First, the decision to raise the number of pilgrims in each group to 150 from 100 this to take effect when the revamping, now in progress, of the newly acquired building, situated across the way from the resting place of the Greatest Holy Leaf, has been completed and use can be made of its provision of a pilgrim hall and other facilities for the administration of an expanded pilgrimage programme. Second is the notable headway being made, despite the inevitable slowness of the process, in the plan to translate texts from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh with a view to publishing a new English volume of His works. Effort is being devoted to providing full versions of such major Tablets as the Súriy-i-Mulúk and the Súriy-i-Haykal, as well as complete texts of Tablets addressed to individual kings and rulers. Also scheduled for inclusion are the Súriy-i-Ra’ís, the Lawh-i-Ra’ís and the Lawh-i-Fu’ád.

The Cause of Bahá’u’lláh marches on resistlessly, quickened by the increasing application of an approach to the development and use of human resources that is systematic. The further creation of national and regional training institutes, now numbering 344, has pressed this development forward, with the result that, apart from North America and Iran where numerous courses have been given, some 70,000 individuals have already completed at least one institute course. All of this is contributing to a growing body of confirmed, active supporters of the Cause. The untold potential of this progression is illustrated in such reports as the one received from Chad, where in an area served by an institute more than 1,000 people embraced the Faith through the individual efforts of those who had received training. Understanding of the necessity for systematization in the development of human resources is everywhere taking hold.

Collateral with the demonstrated efficacy of training institutes is the pragmatic emergence of Regional Bahá’í Councils in selected countries where conditions have made the establishment of these institutions necessary and viable. Where there is close interaction between a Council and a training institute, the stage is set for a galvanic coherence of the processes effecting expansion and consolidation in a region, and for the practical matching of the training services of institutes to the developmental needs of local communities. Moreover, the operational guidelines whereby the Continental Counsellors and the Regional Councils have direct access to each other give rise to a further institutional relationship which, along with that connecting the Councils to the National and Local Spiritual Assemblies, effectuates a dynamic integration of functions at the regional level.

The ever-expanding work in social and economic development is also benefiting from the operation of those training institutes that give attention to such subjects as literacy, primary health care and the advancement of women. The more widespread efforts of the Office of Social and Economic Development to promote a global process of learning about relevant Bahá’í principles are enhanced by the work of these institutes, as well as by the rise of Bahá’í-inspired organizations scattered throughout the planet. Clearly, then, the institutional capacity to administer development programmes is gaining in strength. This is apparent in projects sponsored by Bahá’í institutions or initiated by individuals through the inspiration of the Faith. An outstanding example of the latter is Unity College, which was created by a family in Ethiopia as the first, and since late 1998, the only private college in the country, with a student body that swelled to 5,000 during this past year. Another example, on a smaller scale but of significance nonetheless, is the initiative taken by a family in Buffalo, New York: here, in their home, they have been assisting tens of children and youth from the inner city to develop, through Bahá’í spiritual and moral teachings, patterns of behaviour that will enable them to overcome self-destructive attitudes bred by poverty and racism.

In the area of external affairs, the most energetic actions have been prompted by two tragic happenings in Iran. The sudden execution in Mashhad last July of Mr. Rúhu’lláh Rawhání, the first such official action in six years, registered a shock that provoked a worldwide and unprecedented outcry by governments and United Nations agencies. In late September the government's intelligence agency launched an organized attack on the Bahá’í Institute of Higher Education, involving the [Page 5]

FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

arrest of 36 members of the faculty and raids on more than 500 homes across the country. The latter incident inspired a global campaign of protest, still in progress, in which academic institutions and associations, educators, and student groups have been participating, and in which the press has taken a special interest, as reflected in the appearance of substantial articles in Le Monde, The New York Times and other major newspapers. The successful passage in the United Nations General Assembly last December of yet another resolution on Iran, in which the Bahá’ís are distinctly mentioned, must surely have been influenced by these two conspicuous manifestations of an unrelenting religious persecution.

But intensive as has been the demand upon the friends in all parts of the world to defend our beleaguered brethren, much attention was devoted as well to a wide range of external affairs endeavours. The four-month-long mission undertaken by an emissary of the House of Justice, Mr. Giovanni Ballerio, to islands of the Pacific Ocean where he met with 22 heads of state, 5 heads of government and more than 40 other high-ranking officials; the efforts pursued by a number of National Assemblies, at the urging of the Bahá’í International Community's United Nations Office, to promote human rights education; the participation, by invitation, of representatives of South Africa's Bahá’í community in the proceedings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, at which they were able to recount their record of unflinching support of racial unity throughout the years of apartheid; the recent success of communities in Australia, Brazil, Finland and Portugal in obtaining the decision of educational authorities to include courses on the Bahá’í Faith in the curricula of primary and secondary schools—these, not to mention the public information projects that generated publicity through all forms of the media, are examples of the broadly based enterprises in external affairs that engaged the energies of the community.

A corollary spate of activities involved the use of the arts, of which the musical and other artistic performances associated with the celebration in Paris of the centenary of the establishment of the Faith in Europe were an outstanding instance. The Voices of Bahá Choir, composed of 68 members drawn from Europe and the Americas, delighted audiences in eight European cities and introduced the Faith to many. "Light and Fire", the completed part of an opera/ballet being written by Bahá’í composer Lasse Thoresen of Norway, was successfully performed last September at the prestigious music festival in Poland known as the Warsaw Autumn, which was opened by the Queen of Sweden. The work is based on recent heroic acts of the martyrs in Iran, a fact that exposed the audience to knowledge of the Faith. Europe's apparent lead in these particular endeavours was also marked by the occasion of the Austrian Chamber Music Festival when the Austrian Cross for Sciences and Arts, the highest award of its kind for Austria, was presented by the President of the Republic to Mr. Bijan Khadem-Missagh, a Bahá’í violinist and conductor. A programme at that same Festival featured the recitation of extracts from Bahá’í and other sacred scriptures. But a word, too, must be said in recognition of the prominent part being played by youth all over the world in their employment of the arts in the teaching work; renditions by their dance workshops, in particular, have acquired renown within and outside the Bahá’í community.

We therefore enter this Ridván season, as a community in a dynamic state of transformation, enjoying a coherence of vision and activity consonant with the aim of advancing the process of entry by troops. And we begin the final year of the Plan with a boost in administrative strength, as two countries in Europe—Latvia and Lithuania—convoke their first Conventions to form National Spiritual Assemblies and thus raise the number of pillars of the Universal House of Justice to 181. But beyond this festive moment is a chronology of expectations that lists, first and foremost, the conclusion of the Four Year Plan at Ridván 2000. This will be followed by the commencement on the Day of the Covenant of that very year of a new term of office for the Continental Boards of Counsellors, whose members will soon thereafter be called to the Bahá’í World Centre for a conference at which, among other matters, the features of the next global teaching and consolidation plan will be discussed. The Counsellors' Conference will mark the occupation by the International Teaching Centre of its permanent seat, an occasion for which Auxiliary Board members throughout the world will be invited to join the Counsellors in the Holy Land. The Mount Carmel projects will have been completed by this time and the preparations will have been well advanced for dedicatory events, scheduled to take place on 22 and 23 May 2001, to which a number of representatives from each national Bahá’í community will be invited. The details concerning these events are to be announced in due course.

This projection of portentous happenings cuts across the divide in time between the twentieth century and the new millennium, according to the reckoning of the common era. It is a projection that underscores the contrast between the confident vision that propels the constructive endeavours of an illumined community and the tangled fears seizing the millions upon millions who are as yet unaware of the Day in which they are living. Bereft of authentic guidance, they dwell on the horrors of the century, despairing over what these could imply for the future, hardly appreciating that this very century contains a light that will be shed on centuries to come. Ill-equipped to interpret the social commotion at play throughout the planet, they listen to the pundits of error and sink deeper into a slough of despond. Troubled by forecasts of doom, they do battle with the phantoms of a wrongly informed imagination. Knowing nothing of the transformative vision vouchsafed by the Lord of the Age, they stumble ahead, blind to the peerlessness of the new Day of God.

The pitiful conditions implied by such a state of heart and mind cannot but prompt us all to action, unabating action, to fulfil the intentions of a Plan whose major aim is to accelerate that process which will make it possible for growing numbers of the world's people to find the Object of their quest and thus to build a united, peaceful and prosperous life.

Dear Friends: The days pass swiftly as the twinkle of a star. Make your mark now, at this crucial turning point of a juncture, the like of which shall never return. Make that mark in deeds that will ensure for you celestial blessings—guarantee for you, for the entire race, a future beyond any earthly reckoning.

—The Universal House of Justice May 17, 1999 [Page 6]

LETTER FROM READERS

We welcome letters from readers on topics relating to the furtherance of the goals of the Four Year Plan, the principles of the Writings, and response to content in The American Bahá’í. The purpose of Letters from Readers is to encourage an exchange of ideas and opinions, never to denigrate another's views or attack anyone-openly or subtly.

• Opinions expressed are those of the writers, not necessarily of the editors.

• A 250-word maximum length is suggested. Letters will be edited for style and possibly for length. Please address letters to: Managing Editors, The American Bahá’í, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 e-mail

Unifying role envisioned in Bahá’í studies

To the Editors:

The recent message from the new executive committee of the Association for Bahá’í Studies-North America, published in the March ABS Bulletin, deserves a thoughtful study by all Bahá’ís.

In this message, Bahá’ís are urged to advance human knowledge and civilization through the study and application of the teachings and precepts contained in the Bahá’í writings and increasingly address the diverse and urgent problems that face a beleaguered humanity. The message reminds us to be "anxiously concern with the needs of the time" and combine the insights of the Bahá’í Faith with the advantages of scientific investigation.

We are also reminded that Bahá’í scholars are in a unique position to help bring about a profound transformation of scholarship itself. The message states:

"The academic world today increasingly recognizes that traditional practices and discourses of scholarship have arbitrarily limited what is defined and valued as 'knowledge.' The recognition and exploration of nontraditional forms of knowledge; a wider inclusiveness of diversity, valuing the 'different voices' of those previously excluded from being regarded as agents of knowledge by reason of class, race, culture, or gender; the rise of the interdisciplinary movement; the critique of knowledge élites; as well as an increasing awareness of the wider ethical responsibility that academicians and scientists bear toward the larger community beyond their specialized research enclave-these are all contemporary concerns on which Bahá’í scholars are uniquely positioned to shed illumination and to mark out new paths in theory and practice."

The message further invites us to contribute to the growth of the Association by actively participating in an enterprise that is both spiritual and social, an enterprise that is at the heart of the Faith itself. It encourages the "community of Bahá’í Studies" to come together as a "living communtiy" at this year's Annual Conference of the ABS, which will be held in Tempe, Arizona (near Phoenix) June 17-20. Among the many highlights of the conference will be an exploration of its theme, sacred justice, through presentations, workshops, and the arts, and Richard Thomas' address on "The State of Race Relations within the American Bahá’í Community: Progress, Challenges, and Future Directions." (See page 15.)

Over the years, I have noticed the continual efforts of the Association to define scholarship broadly and to encourage all Bahá’ís to consider themselves scholars of the Faith. Yet I have also noticed a lack of awareness about the Association among the generality of Bahá’ís. The Association promotes a vision that is all-inclusive, bold, and reflective of the true interests of the Faith. Can we arise, then, and support it to help us actualize more of the Faith's potential?

-Anne Gordon Perry, Dallas, Texas

Acting in defense of the ‘Open University’

Since the National Spiritual Assembly launched the campaign in support of the Bahá’í Institute of Higher Education (also known as the "Open University") last October, reports have been pouring in from Local Spiritual Assemblies, campus associations and individuals from around the country.

These efforts have had a significant impact on the defense of our beloved brethren in Iran. Letters from a vast array of people connected with universities and colleges were sent to the Iranian Ministry of Higher Education and the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, protesting the attempt to close the Bahá’í Institute. Because of the volume of letters and reports, the National Assembly has been unable to acknowledge each of them individually, but is deeply grateful for each of the efforts.

"closely the treatment of all minority religions in Iran," the statement says.

On April 23, the U.N. Commission on Human Rights passed a resolution on the situation of human rights in Iran expressing concern at "the continued discrimination against religious minorities, in particular the unabated and, in some instances, worsened pattern of persecution against the Bahá’ís, including death sentences, executions, arrests and the closure of the Bahá’í Institute of Higher Education."

Here is a summary of the results of those local efforts:

Presidents wrote letters: University of Northern Alabama Mira Costa Community College, CA College of the Desert, CA Moorpark College, CA Palomar College, CA Pomona College, CA Albertus Magnus College, CT (vice president) University of Hartford, CT University of New Haven, CT University of Sarasota, FL (provost) Stetson University, FL Southern Polytechnic State University, GA Boise State University, ID Danville Area Community College, IL Parkland Community College, IL University of Saint Francis, IN Butler County Community College, KS Louisville School of Dentistry, KY Bates College, ME Carleton College, ME University of Southern Maine Saint John's College, MD Salisbury State University, MD Boston University, MA University of Massachusetts at Amherst (chancellor) Mount Holyoke College, MA Springfield College, MA (assistant president) Olivet College, MI Carleton College, MN University of Nevada, Las Vegas University of Nevada, Reno Mercy College, NY Saint Joseph's College, NY State University of New York at Stonybrook Bryn Mawr College, PA Brown University, RI Francis Marion University, SC Lander University, SC Piedmont Technical College, SC University of Tennessee at Knoxville University of Texas at Dallas Seattle Community Colleges, WA (chancellor) Edgewood College, WI Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, WI University of Wisconsin at La Crosse (chancellor)

Deans wrote letters: University of Northern Alabama University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Georgetown University, DC University of Georgia Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, MD Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Massachusetts at Amherst (vice chancellor for student affairs) Saginaw Valley State University, MI Carleton College, MN Washington University, MO Cornell University, NY Pace University, NY Bryn Mawr College, PA University of Virginia Everett Community College, WA University of Wisconsin

Faculty wrote letters: University of Arizona University of California at Los Angeles University of California at Santa Barbara Humboldt State University, CA Moorpark College, CA Clark College, GA Georgia State University Bradley University, IL DePaul University, IL Eureka College, IL University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana Northern Illinois University Bates College, ME Carleton College, MN Tufts University, MA Olivet College, MI University of Montana Rutgers University, NJ State University of New York at Buffalo (president of Faculty Senate) University of Buffalo, NY (chair of Faculty Senate) Union Institute, OH Allen University, SC University of South Carolina University of Texas, Arlington University of Texas, Austin University of Washington University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire

Faculty senate resolutions: Moorpark College, CA University of Delaware Springfield College, MA Appalachian State University, NC Oregon State University Texas A&M University Western Washington University

Student government resolutions: Mount Holyoke College, MA University of Nebraska George Mason University, VA Michigan State University University of Virginia

Petitions circulated: University of California at Santa Cruz Claremont Colleges, CA University of South Florida Fort Valley State College, GA (president, deans and faculty signed) University of Georgia Saginaw Valley State University, MI Princeton University, NJ University of New Mexico Cornell University, NY Mercy College, NY State University of New York at Buffalo Bucknell University, PA University of Pennsylvania Brown University, RI Middle Tennessee State University University of Virginia Everett Community College, WA Tacoma Community College, WA

Articles in campus papers: University of Northern Alabama University of California at Berkeley University of California at Los Angeles University of California at Santa Cruz Mira Costa Community College, CA University of Delaware University of Illinois at Chicago Northern Illinois University Indiana University at Bloomington Purdue University, IN Harvard University, MA University of Massachusetts Mt. Holyoke College, MA Michigan State University Carleton College, MN University of Minnesota at Minneapolis University of Nebraska Princeton University, NJ University of New Mexico at Albuquerque Cornell University, NY State University of New York at Buffalo University of Buffalo, NY Kent State University, OH Pennsylvania State University University of Pennsylvania Brown University, RI Murray State University, TN Vanderbilt University, TN University of Virginia West Virginia University, Morgantown Beloit College, WI

Other organizations: • American Association for the Advancement of Science issued an Urgent Action Alert through its Science and Human Rights Action Network. • Committee of Concerned Scientists wrote letters. • Human Rights Watch Committee on Academic Freedom wrote to the Iranian government to protest the treatment of Bahá’í teachers. [Page 7]

SPREADING the TEACHINGS

Helen Camp speaks from a Bahá’í perspective as fellow panelists Brother Acquinas of Christ in the Desert Monastery, Cantor Mark Malachi of Temple Beth Shalom and the Rev. Eetla Soracco of the Healing Light Center Church look on during a Santa Fe, New Mexico, program on "The Power of Prayer." Photo by William E. Dunning

Santa Fe initiates sharing in prayer

INFORMATION FROM WILLIAM E. DUNNING, SANTA FE, NM

A panel discussion on "The Power of Prayer" organized by Bahá’ís in and around Santa Fe, New Mexico, drew about 50 people to the sanctuary of Temple Beth Shalom on March 14.

The program was the first in a series intended to follow themes of the national media initiative. The next is to focus on the equality of women and men.

Panelists offered Bahá’í, Jewish and various Christian perspectives and real-life examples of the value and results of prayer. Audience members were also invited to share their experiences.

Cantor Mark Malachi, who arranged for the presentation to be held in the temple's sanctuary, sang his contribution of traditional Jewish liturgy with his own music.

Those who attended received the pamphlet "Bahá’í Teachings for a New World Order" and copies of Shoghi Effendi's message on five steps to success in prayer.

One thing leads to the next in Nebraska community

Presentation of Two Wings is the talk of the town after two area newspapers provide coverage

The tiny Bahá’í community two adults of Sutton, Sutton, when it presented the National Spiritual Assembly's statement Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men to city leaders.

The presentation to the city clerk and the mayor's mother led to two articles in local newspapers and an extensive feature a month later in the Hastings Tribune.

It also has led to a shift in attitudes toward the Faith in the city of 1,353, say Sutton Bahá’ís Sharon Dennis and Larry Yost.

They find that speech and conduct around them has become more appropriate, with less profanity and more respect for other cultures.

"The personal treatment at coffee groups has changed," they wrote. "The conversations have elevated to different levels of dignity and respect. They are way more conscious of what they say than they were in the past."

The Hastings article also sparked interest in the Faith and its tenets by co-workers.

"My administrator came up to work on a Sunday evening and asked about the Bahá’í article in the Saturday paper," one of the Bahá’ís said. "She said, 'I heard around town that it is quite a story.' I showed her the article. While she was reading she kept saying, 'Neat.' Then she asked, 'What is a fireside?'"

For the presentation of the equality statement at Clark's Historic Alt Haus, the oldest structure in Sutton, the two Sutton Bahá’ís called on the friends from communities as far-flung as Hastings, Grand Island, Aurora and Lincoln.

A talk on the Bahá’í perspective of the equality of women and men was given by Ernie Ochsner of Aurora. Sharon Dennis presented the National Assembly statement. Prayers were sung by John Janowski of Aurora. Larry Yost arranged the event and invited officials and reporters personally by phone.

Naw-Rúz becomes an occasion for teaching, hospitality

Durham area, NC

About 400 people of many cultures shared in a special Naw-Rúz weekend celebration in North Carolina that embraced the American Indian spirit. Organized by a regional task force of the National American Indian Teaching Committee, the March 19-21 gathering included several traditional ceremonies at Raven Rock State Park, including a sweat lodge and a Saturday night celebration with ceremonial dances around a fire, plus a final session Sunday in Durham.

"I guess what impressed me most was how the ceremony integrated a number of activities such as prayer, eating, group dancing, and performances," said one visitor who brought his family of five. He said he got goose bumps when "during the circle dance you could hear people wishing each other love, best wishes and happy Naw-Rúz."

The compelling spiritual atmosphere prompted others to comment about the caring, kindness and patience they experienced over the weekend.

Carlos Velazquez, a task force member, praised the friends in the Raleigh-Durham area for their assistance. "Homes were opened for hospitality, land was offered for the erection of the sweat lodge, meals were served to all of the visitors, and love was shown to all," Velazquez said.

He added that several people—adults and children—said they felt the ground shaking during the Saturday night fire-lighting ceremony. He checked later with a government agency that said there was no seismic activity in the area. "The next morning we were surrounded by lightning and thunder but protected from the storm," Velazquez said. "Go figure."

Mai Vue Yang plays the daughter's role and Dao Yang plays her mother in a dramatic dance presentation in Modesto, California. Somsay Bouthsingkhone created the backdrop.

Modesto, CA

An original dance depicting a girl's flight from Southeast Asia into the United States was the centerpiece of a Naw-Rúz celebration in Modesto, California, that embraced about 150 people from several cities across the area, according to helpers of the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office in Central California.

The Modesto Bahá’í community brought in the new year March 21 with the public celebration at the Stanislaus County Library.

More than 50 children and youth from San Diego, Clovis, Fresno, Merced, Coarsegold and Modesto, California performed the moving story of a young girl who received a Pa'Ndau (a traditional tapestry Hmong families make to record their history) from her mother, as she fled to the United States. The dance represented recent Hmong history as well as the ancient Hmong culture.

The dancers received a standing ovation from an audience of more than 70, not least for the remarkable mingling of cultures among the dancers.

Ladda Indara, who danced the lead role, said, "I felt proud. It was fun." The youth plan to present the program to several communities in Central California.

For more information about the work of the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office, please call 847-733-3525.

Hemingway, SC

People from the entire surrounding community and Bahá’ís from across South Carolina celebrated Naw-Rúz at Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, with a barbecue and cookout and music that featured steel drums, calypso dancing and a jazz ensemble.

Seven new declarations of faith were announced, including three who were enrolled at the all-day Bahá’í New Year's itself and four who declared the night before as a result of the institute's rapidly expanding youth classes.

Rock Hill, SC

The Bahá’ís of Rock Hill and vicinity won many new friends for the Faith at a successful Naw-Rúz celebration hosted for the 11th straight year by the two-member Bahá’í Club at Winthrop University.

The more than 60 students, faculty, and other guests seemed reluctant to leave after the dinner and lively discussion in a well-decorated room on campus. Even when the Bahá’ís were cleaning up with the help of a few of the guests, 10 to 12 guests lingered near the entrance talking with the friends. [Page 8]

INFORMATION ON YOUR INTERNATIONAL TEACHING TRIP

To record achievement of traveling teaching goals, the Office of Pioneering needs information on all international trips undertaken for the sake of promoting the interests of the Faith. This information is important whatever the level or amount of service and regardless of whether your trip was exclusively for service to the Faith or was combined with a trip for business, holiday, family, study or otherwise. Just contact the Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail ).

Use the Multipurpose Form on page 32 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. ♦

SPREADING THE TEACHINGS

Africa expedition shines a loving spirit

For the third straight year, a delegation from the Black Men's Gathering in the United States traveled to Africa to spread the glad-tidings of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. This year's trip took 20 U.S. teachers to Kenya, Uganda (home of the Mother Temple of Africa) and Tanzania. They journeyed by bus, truck and foot to capital cities and farming villages. Among gifts they brought was a sum of money for the Bahá’í Faith to be officially registered on the island of Zanzibar.

The following excerpted message from Forough Olinga of Mbale, Uganda, shows glimpses of the spirit and love the 20 men brought and, in turn, experienced through their travels for the Cause:

The brothers came much attention. ... Kampala youth received them with drumming.

Men from the United States and Uganda get together during a teaching trip that brought 20 American men to Africa early this year. Photo by Forough Olinga

What a powerful group, what spiritual giants. This type of travel teachers we have not seen before. So much capacity, so much love, a new kind of people. ... The Faith in Africa needs such. We received them at the airport with a banner we made with a big eye in the middle!!! They liked it so much because it caused so In the evening Kampala had a get-together for them. The 20 men cried, sang, vibrated the whole room [meeting hall]. Wes Baker sang as if electrified! Harvey shed tears and could not stop hugging all the brothers. I also got so overwhelmed by their devotion I fell on the pots outside and hurt my legs, arms and hands badly. I cried of pain so many brothers [gave] first aid (spiritually and medically).

The next day George and I took seven of them to Teso [the Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga's home region]. What a joy they had—they all slept in the sitting room [of the home he built in the 1970s]... They prayed and heard stories, had a fireside. The first day there were 15 new Bahá’ís, second day 25, many more on the way.... I never saw in my life so much spiritual energy in one room!! I could feel Papa's soul so happy [referring to Enoch Olinga]....

This is the age of blacks to make history for the faith and advance the civilization of the world, this is the age of fulfillment, the age of the "pupil of the eye." God has chosen them for today. ♦

‘We Are Bahá’ís’ course is available again to help new believers

Available again in the final year of the Four Year Plan to help the process of entry by troops:

We Are Bahá’ís: From New Believers to New Teachers in the Cause of God

This interactive course is designed to bring forth the spirit of the Faith and to make every new Bahá’í feel loved and welcomed into the Bahá’í community. It is hoped that this course, developed by the National Spiritual Assembly, will set the foundation for ongoing study of the Faith and for the continual turning to the Sacred Writings for guidance and inspiration.

"We Are Bahá’ís" is intended to span a full day. It may also be extended to a weekend, week-long or ongoing study. The course consists of four parts:

• The Magnificence of This Day of God deals with one's relationship with Bahá’u’lláh and the magnificence of this Day of God.

• The Verities of the Faith is concerned with the transformation of civilization and applying the healing message of Bahá’u’lláh to a suffering humanity.

• The Twin Duties: A Prescription for This Age—Recognition and Obedience examines the Covenant and daily life, His call and our actions, tests and difficulties, and the aims, origins and purposes of the Administrative Order.

• Moving to Action talks about the believer's personal spiritual development and how memorization, service and action can help this process.

Costs of materials Facilitator Handbook and Cassette (with music) $5 Participant Workbook $2.25

Order these materials from the Bahá’í Distribution Service, 4703 Fulton Industrial Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30336-2017 (phone 800-999-9019, fax 404-472-0019). ◆

ARISING TO TRAVEL FOR THE FAITH

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 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 )

TEACHING WITHIN THE U.S. 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 )

INTERNATIONAL PIONEERING AND TRAVELING TEACHING 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 )

Birthday presents opportunity

Ivan Prueitt, a Bahá’í in Monterey, California, wanted a unique way to celebrate his 50th birthday. He decided to share the gift of his love for Bahá’u’lláh with his non-Bahá’í friends.

So, with the assistance of the local believers, Ivan hosted a party attended by his friends and business associates. A delicious meal was accompanied by music and followed by a brief presentation about the Faith.

It wasn't a traditional fireside, but who can say no to a birthday invitation? Many in attendance expressed interest in learning more about the Faith. ♦ [Page 9]

The Light of Unity

The Power of Prayer $1.25 SC (LUPP)

The Light of Unity The Equality of Women and Men $1.25 SC (LUEWM)

These full-color brochures are follow-ups to the first in the Light of Unity series, Healing Racism. Developed to support specifics of the National Teaching Plan, these two booklets reflect the themes of the latest video productions for the media initiative. They are bulk priced as follows:

1 copy	$1.25
2-9 copies	$1.00 ea.
10-99 copies	$ .85 ea.
100-499 copies	$ .65 ea.
500-999 copies	$ .50 ea.
1,000 and up	$ .40 ea.

16 pp., 3 1/2" x 5 3/4"

A Treasury of Bahá’í Prayers

Selections from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá illustrated by Rob Hain $19.99 HC (TBPH)

A Treasury of Bahá’í Prayers is a delightful selection of prayers from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Echoing the richly detailed style of a medieval Book of Hours, award-winning artist Rob Hain has embellished every page with beautiful hand-painted borders and original illustrations that reflect the diversity of the world of humanity.

96 pp., 6 1/2" x 7 1/2"

Servant of the Glory

The Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by Mary Perkins $17.95 SC (SG)

A clear, straightforward and easily readable account of the remarkable life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of Bahá’u’lláh, founder of the Bahá’í Faith. A companion to Hour of the Dawn and Day of Glory, this book continues the story of the establishment and growth of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh as it spread across Europe and North America.

324 pp., 5" x 7 3/4"

Birds of the Heart

by Gayla Gunderson $9.95 SC (BH)

The key to unlocking the human heart is the word of God. Yet some of us have difficulty understanding the words of the Sacred Writings, in recalling them exactly and applying them in our lives. Our appreciation, recollection, use and application of Sacred Writings can be greatly enhanced if we can find a way to make them more accessible to us. This book suggests a way that we can take the Sacred Writings into our hearts and provides a selection of verses centered on the fundamental principles of the Bahá’í Faith with which we might begin our endeavor.

112 pp., 5" x 7 1/4"

Literacy

Some Practical Suggestions by Lily Ayman $8.00 SC (LSPS)

In response to the Universal House of Justice’s call to Bahá’ís to eliminate illiteracy in their communities, the author presents her experience as an international worker in literacy and adult education, and invests it with her vision as a Bahá’í. This material is certain to be of value and assistance to individuals, institutions and literacy programs throughout the world.

122 pp., 6 1/2" x 9 1/4"

Love of Bahá II

$15.00 CD (PLBIICD)

Five years in the making, Love of Bahá II was recorded in Hollywood, California, and enlisted the talents of well-known Persian musicians, songwriters and sound engineers. Includes four Persian songs, three prayers, one Hidden Word and an instrumental featuring the santour.

A New Framework for Moral Education

edited by Iraj Ayman $10.00 SC (NFME)

“Humanity is going through a major transformation—from the state of childhood and adolescence to maturity, from disintegrated nations to a global society, from disunity to unity. Education, in order to be holistic, and to be able to meet the needs of the time, should ensure a balanced development of the physical, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions of life.” Thus, this collection of essays delves into ways to build a solid foundation for defining and implementing such a curriculum, a curriculum that rises above “theoretical models and slogans.”

66 pp., 6" x 8 1/4" [Page 10]

God’s Big Book of Virtues

A Treasury of Wisdom for Living a Good Life compiled by Juliet Mabey $11.95 HC (GBBVH)

From the sacred texts of ancient times to the spiritual writings of contemporary authors, from poets and philosophers, this thoughtful anthology for personal reflection offers a wealth of inspiration from around the world and down the ages. For all those seeking personal development and re-evaluation, this compendium of virtues offers timeless wisdom to inspire and enrich our daily lives.

160 pp., 6" x 6"

God’s Big Instruction Book

Timeless Wisdom on How to Follow the Spiritual Path compiled by Juliet Mabey $11.95 HC (GBIBH)

Drawing on the rich diversity of humanity’s common spiritual heritage, God’s Big Instruction Book explores the eternal themes of the spiritual life: our relationship with God, the purpose of life, and the way to spiritual consciousness. Together these gems of wisdom from the world’s sacred scriptures have transformed the lives of people all over the world for thousands of years.

160 pp., 6" x 6"

Alzheimer’s Disease

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. Also recommended for supplemental reading is the book Aging: Challenges and Opportunities (ACO).

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

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 five spiritual principles crucial to development and 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.

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.

Approaching the Millennium

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.

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 a positive feeling, as well as thoughts, about the Faith and its principles. This full color, beautiful presentation can be utilized in a full range of teaching activities.

11" x 8 1/2", 32 pp.

Issues Related to the Study of the Bahá’í Faith

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 to understand 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

The Universal House of Justice $2.00 SC (TRINS)

A compilation of extracts from messages of 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.

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. [Page 11]

NOW IN STOCK!

A new selection from the Animal Tales series for children!

The Story of Percival 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.

Toby’s Boy 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.

What a Mess! 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 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.

The Story of Daphne Duck 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?

The Story of Warren Wallaby 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 ‎run away runaway‎ who discovers the truth of his mother’s love.

The Story of Frederick Fox 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?

MUSIC

Love Letters Trios for flute, viola & cello composed by Gwendolyn Watson $15.00 CD (LLCD) This music is easy-listening, classical-sounding music to accompany you at work, play, rest ... wherever ... whenever. Many of the pieces were inspired by the Bahá’í writings. The performers are three women from three continents and of three faiths, yet united as musicians at the “Allegro Vivo International Chamber Music Festival” in Austria.

Bahá’u’lláh’s Way A Song Cycle The Doug Shaffer Project $15.00 CD (BWCD) Warning! Music for Bahá’ís and seekers! An explosion of rhythmic pop (in ‎the the the‎ best sense of the word) with rock, soul, jazz and reggae influences, exploring both the celebrations and struggles of both the believer and the seeker. You will move your feet, and your spirit will follow.

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Bahá’í Distribution Service • 4703 Fulton Industrial Blvd. • Atlanta, GA 30336 [Page 12]

Who is Writing the Future? Reflections on the Twentieth Century: Part 1 of 3

On May 28, 1992, Brazil's Chamber of Deputies met in special session to commemorate the centenary of the passing of Bahá’u’lláh, whose influence is becoming an increasingly familiar feature of the world's social and intellectual landscape. His message of unity had clearly struck a deep chord with the Brazilian legislators. During the course of the proceedings, speakers representing all parties in the Chamber paid tribute to a body of writings which one deputy described as "the most colossal religious work written by the pen of a single Man," and to a conception of our planet's future which, "transcending material frontiers," in the words of another, "reached out to humanity as a whole, without petty differences of nationality, race, limits, or beliefs."

The tribute was all the more striking because of the fact that, in the land of his birth, Bahá’u’llah's work continues to be bitterly condemned by the Muslim clergy who rule Iran. Their predecessors had been responsible for His banishment and imprisonment in the middle years of the nineteenth century, and for the massacre of thousands of those who shared His ideals for the transforming of human life and society. Even as the proceedings in Brasilia were under way, refusal to deny beliefs that have won high praise throughout most of the rest of the world were bringing the 300,000 Bahá’ís living in Iran persecution, privation, and, in all too many cases, imprisonment and death. Similar opposition characterized the attitudes of various totalitarian regimes over the past century.

What is the nature of the body of thought that has aroused such sharply divergent reactions?

I

The mainspring of Bahá’u’lláh's message is an exposition of reality as fundamentally spiritual in nature, and of the laws that govern that reality's operation. It not only sees the individual as a spiritual being, a "rational soul," but also insists that the entire enterprise that we call civilization is itself a spiritual process, one in which the human mind and heart have created progressively more complex and efficient means to express their inherent moral and intellectual capacities.

Rejecting the reigning dogmas of materialism, Bahá’u’lláh asserts an opposing interpretation of the historical process. Humanity, the arrowhead of the evolution of consciousness, passes through stages analogous to the periods of infancy, childhood, and adolescence in the lives of its individual members. The journey has brought us to the threshold of our long-awaited coming of age as a unified human race. The wars, exploitation, and prejudice that have marked immature stages in the process should not be a cause of despair but a stimulus to assuming the responsibilities of collective maturity.

Writing to the political and religious leaders of His own day, Bahá’u’lláh said that new capacities of incalculable power beyond the conception of the generation then living—were awakening in the earth's peoples, capacities which would soon transform the material life of the planet. It was essential, He said, to make of these coming material advances vehicles for moral and social development. If nationalistic and sectarian conflicts prevented this from happening, then material progress would produce not only benefits, but unimagined evils. Some of Bahá’u’lláh's warnings awaken grim echoes in our own age: "Strange and astonishing things exist in the earth," He cautioned. "These things are capable of changing the whole atmosphere of the earth and their contamination would prove lethal."

II

The central spiritual issue facing all people, Bahá’u’lláh says, whatever their nation, religion, or ethnic origin, is that of laying the foundations of a global society that can reflect the oneness of human nature. The unification of the earth's inhabitants is neither a remote utopian vision nor, ultimately, a matter of choice. It constitutes the next, inescapable stage in the process of social evolution, a stage toward which all the experience of past and present is impelling us. Until this issue is acknowledged and addressed, none of the ills afflicting our planet will find solutions, because all the essential challenges of the age we have entered are global and universal, not particular or regional.

The many passages of Bahá’u’lláh's writings dealing with humanity's coming of age are permeated by His use of light as a metaphor to capture the transforming power of unity: "So powerful is the light of unity," they insist, "that it can illuminate the whole earth." The assertion places current history in a perspective sharply different from the one that prevails at the end of the twentieth century. It urges us to find within the suffering and breakdown of our times—the operation of forces that are liberating human consciousness for a new stage in its evolution. It calls on us to re-examine what has been happening over the past one hundred years and the effect that these developments have had on the heterogenous mass of peoples, races, nations, and communities who have experienced them.

If, as Bahá’u’lláh asserts, "the well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established," it is understandable why Bahá’ís view the twentieth century—with all its disasters—as "the century of light." For these one hundred years witnessed a transformation in both the way the earth's inhabitants have begun to plan our collective future and in the way we are coming to regard one another. The hallmark of both has been a process of unification.

Upheavals beyond the control of existing institutions compelled world leaders to begin putting in place new systems of global organization that would have been unthinkable at the century's beginning. As this was occurring, rapid erosion was overtaking habits and attitudes that had divided peoples and nations through unnumbered centuries of conflict and that had seemed likely to endure for ages to come.

At the midpoint of the century, these two developments produced a breakthrough whose historic significance only future generations will properly appreciate. In the stunned aftermath of World War II, far-sighted leaders found it at last possible, through the United Nations organization, to begin consolidating the foundations of world order. Long dreamed of by progressive thinkers, the new system of international conventions and related agencies was now endowed with crucial powers that had tragically been denied to the abortive League of Nations. As the century advanced, the system's primitive muscles of international peacekeeping were progressively exercised in such a way as to demonstrate persuasively what can be accomplished. With this came the steady expansion throughout the world of democratic institutions of governance. If the practical effects are still disappointing, this in no way diminishes the historic and irreversible change of direction that has taken place in the organization of human affairs.

As with the cause of world order, so with the rights of the world's people. Exposure of the appalling suffering visited on the victims of human perversity during the course of the war produced a worldwide sense of shock—and what can only be termed deep feelings of shame. Out of this trauma emerged a new kind of moral commitment that was formally institutionalized in the work of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and its associated agencies, a development inconceivable to the nineteenth century rulers to whom Bahá’u’lláh had addressed himself on the subject. Thus empowered, a growing body of nongovernmental organizations have set out to ensure that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is established as the foundation of normative international standards and is enforced accordingly.

A parallel process took place with respect to economic life. During the first half of the century, as a consequence of the havoc wrought by the great depression, many governments adopted legislation that created social welfare programs and systems of financial control, reserve funds, and trade regulations that sought to protect their societies from a recurrence of such devastation. The period following World War II brought the establishment of institutions whose field of operation is global: the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and a network of development agencies devoted to rationalizing and advancing the material prosperity of the planet. At century's end—whatever the intentions and however crude the present generation of tools—the masses of humanity have been shown that the use of the planet's wealth can be fundamentally reorganized in response to entirely new conceptions of need.

The effect of these developments was enormously amplified by the accelerating extension of education to the masses. Apart from the willingness of national and local governments to allocate greatly increased resources to this field and the society's ability to mobilize and train armies of professionally qualified teachers, two twentieth century advances at the international level were particularly influential. The first was the series of development plans focussed on educational needs and massively financed by such bodies as the World Bank, government agencies, major foundations and several branches of the United Nations system. The second was the information technology explosion that has made all of the earth's inhabitants potential beneficiaries of the whole of the race's learning.

Next: the advance of science, erosion of prejudices, and painful lessons.

Footnotes

1. Remarks by Deputy Luis Gushiken and Deputy Rita Camata, "Sessao Solene da Camara Federal em Homenagem ao Centenario da Ascensao de Bahá’u’lláh," Brasilia, 28 May 1992. 2. Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1997), p. 69. 3. Bahá’u’lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1988), p. 14. 4. Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, section CXXXI. 5. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912 rev. ed. (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1982), pp. 74, 126. [Page 13]

Rich & Noble, too

“…in every aspect of life, purity and holiness, cleanliness and refinement, exalt the human condition and further the development of man’s inner reality. Even in the physical realm, cleanliness will conduce to spirituality…” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pp.146–147

Spring Into Service!

Liang

Liang the Lion is excited that spring is here! It’s a great time to practice cleanliness by doing “spring cleaning.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says that being physically clean helps us to grow spiritually. Liang will practice cleanliness by keeping himself clean, by having his room neat and tidy, and by helping his family keep the rest of the house clean. Liang loves to serve his family by helping with cleaning. Liang remembers how happy it makes ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to serve others. And making ‘Abdu’l-Bahá happy makes Liang very, very happy. In the springtime, Liang dusts the corners of the house and vacuums under the furniture. Sometimes he finds spider webs and other misplaced items. In the activity at left, help Liang find the cobwebs and misplaced things as he cleans the living room. ♦

Brilliant Star Special Edition

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.

Activity Directions:

Can you help Liang find the spider webs and misplaced items? Also, can you find Liang’s name written in Chinese? Circle them as you find them. Here’s a list to help you with the search. Have fun!

• 6 spider webs
• 1 cooking pot
• 1 cooking spoon
• 1 teapot
• 2 teacups with saucers
• 1 shoe
• 1 pair of socks
• Liang’s name in Chinese — it’s in the picture two times. Can you find them both? It looks like this:

亮

Activity by Treasurer’s Office

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[Page 14]

SC community brings public into race dialogue

BY ANNE BRENEMAN, FLORENCE, SC

The Florence, South Carolina, Bahá’í community drew enthusiastic participation from the public in its second annual “Pupil of the Eye: African-Americans and America’s Spiritual Destiny” conference Feb. 13.

The daylong program, on the theme “Focus on Women,” involved more than a dozen friends of the Faith from area educational institutions, churches and civic organizations—as speakers and presenters, on an afternoon women’s panel discussion, or in dramatic or musical performances.

“We are truly grateful to Bahá’u’lláh and are confident that the results of this conference will be far-reaching, contributing to the advancement of entry by troops,” stated a report from the Spiritual Assembly.

More than 60 people overall participated, about 20 of whom were not Bahá’ís. They were presented with quotations from Bahá’í sources on racial unity and gender equality, and each of its workshops operated along consultative guidelines based on the Writings.

Keynote speaker was Ethel Crawford of Columbia, South Carolina, a member of the National Teaching Committee, whose address was on “African-American Women as Pupils of the Eye.”

The program culminated in an exploration of the issue “Where Do We Go from Here?” by Auxiliary Board member Annette Reynolds. The Louis Gregory Gospel Choir, which had performed several times that day, sang as candles blazed to honor women of African descent, forming a joyous circle of faces lighted by candlelight and prayer.

Youth and children were highly in evidence as registrars, ushers, and performers in “Two Wings of a Bird,” a dramatization of a passage from the Sacred Text.

Despite the illness of several members of the Bahá’í community, the Assembly pressed on toward what all felt was a joyous and successful gathering. “The power of the Supreme Concourse was clearly present, the Assembly report stated. ♦

Texas border Bahá’ís help women’s shelter

Volunteer work is one way to put the Word of God into action when you want to help establish the equality of women and men. But sometimes art can be enlisted to share the inspiration, two South Texas women found.

Roya Missaghi Khademi of McAllen, Texas, and fellow Bahá’í Cynthia Haggerty of nearby Mission are volunteers for Mujeres Unidas in McAllen. The organization provides services and temporary shelter for battered women and their children.

They noticed something wrong with the shelter. The walls were bare. So they teamed to create a work of art that would send a hopeful message.

The result of this collaboration of Persian and Anglo cultures in a Hispanic region was a pastel painting featuring a quotation from Bahá’u’lláh, in Spanish and English:

“The friends of God must be adorned with the ornament of justice, equity, kindness and love. As they do not allow themselves to be the object of cruelty and transgression, in like manner they should not allow such tyranny to visit the handmaidens of God.”

About a fourth of the painting shows the dark side of injustice and inequality—the angry face of the aggressor and the fist that leaves a child terrified and a woman’s face battered. The rest symbolizes justice and equality.

“The leaves are signs of life,” Khademi explained. “The vibrant colors and beautiful happy faces of the family unit inspire the individuals to change their patterns and make a new and positive beginning.”

The painting has been reproduced as a poster, sold locally by the Spiritual Assembly of McAllen, with proceeds going to Mujeres Unidas. An article in The Monitor newspaper drew attention to the Bahá’í principles involved. ♦

A broad range of nationalities, races and faiths was represented at the Thanksgiving World Assembly in Dallas, Texas, in mid-March. The event, sponsored by the Thanks-Giving Square Foundation, was aligned with the United Nations’ declaration of 2000 as the International Year of Thanksgiving.

Photo by Anne Gordon Perry

Dallas contributes view on gratitude

INFORMATION FROM ANNE GORDON PERRY, DALLAS, TX

Two representatives of the Dallas Bahá’í community were among the 89 women and men taking part in a global-scale consultation on giving thanks and expressing gratitude, during the Thanksgiving World Assembly in Dallas, Texas, March 12-15.

The event drew people from five continents and numerous ‎religious religions‎—Bahá’í, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Native American, Sikh and Zoroastrian.

Its sponsor was the Thanks-Giving Square foundation, which funds a 3.5-acre interfaith monument amidst the skyscrapers of downtown Dallas.

Results of the sessions will be condensed into a document and presented to the United Nations General Assembly, which has declared 2000 as the International Year of Thanksgiving. Many of the most significant statements centered on the oneness of humankind and the importance of dialogue between faiths.

John Leonard of Denton and Kambiz Rafraf of Dallas were local Bahá’í delegates. Other members of the Dallas Bahá’í community participated in the opening and closing ceremonies and contributed food to an ethnically diverse dinner.

Prominent participants included Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the Vatican’s Council for Interreligious Dialogue; George Carey, the archbishop of Canterbury; the Venerable Achok Rinpoché, a representative of the Dalai Lama; Dr. K.L. Seshagiri Rao, editor-in-chief of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism; Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, renowned scholar of Talmudic Studies in Jerusalem; and Muzammil Saddiqi, president of the Islamic Society of North America.

Bahá’ís have been involved in programs and events associated with Thanks-Giving Square for a number of years, including a Multifaith Exploration and Exchange program that has brought dozens of people to the Dallas Bahá’í Center. One multifaith group visited the Bahá’í shrines in Haifa together on a trip to Israel.

Kambiz Rafraf noted, “We have had an astonishing relationship to many people from diverse religious backgrounds in the Dallas area. While these people are highly committed to their own faiths, they have a strong appreciation for the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.” ♦

Oregon events venture ‘Beyond’

The Spiritual Assembly of Corvallis, Oregon, has launched a series of monthly “Beyond Black History Month” events designed to bring year-round attention to the rich contributions African-Americans have made to the nation’s culture and history.

Topics will include the history of African-Americans in science, African-American authors and poets, and the history of African-Americans in the Northwest.

The inaugural program was presented by Robert Thompson, an assistant professor in the Department of Ethnic Studies at Oregon State University. He shared details of the life of Shirley Graham Du Bois, a prolific author, playwright, composer, musicologist and civil rights worker who was the wife of W.E.B. Du Bois. ♦ [Page 15]

Professor shows she applied equality principle the hard way

A recent presentation at the Daniel Jordan Bahá’í School in Springfield, Massachusetts, gave readers of the Springfield Republican newspaper an excellent primer on the principle of the equality of women and men.

Linda Luccia Meccouri, a professor at Holyoke Community College, spoke to a crowd of 100 about her research on women who were not identified as achievers early on, yet went on to be successful.

According to the newspaper article, “Meccouri said that if more women are to become educated and successful, then it will be increasingly important that they be the recipients of scholarships and special programs, obtain spiritual support and establish a home-girl network of mentorships and friendships with other women who have succeeded.”

Meccouri, the article said, made good the hard way, having grown up in the housing projects of Roxbury, Massachusetts.

“I quit school at 16 because we were socialized to reproduce our class, and I never heard the word ‘college’ until I joined the Bahá’í Faith at 23,” the newspaper quoted her as saying. She now holds a doctorate and teaches computer information systems.

The article said Meccouri “interspersed her presentation with principles of the Bahá’í Faith” and quoted her as saying, “I was moved to be educated by God.”

In the talk, the article reported, Meccouri also said women’s empowerment need not come at men’s expense.

“Men, there is a job in this for you, and we’re not saying ‘us instead of you,’” the article quoted her as saying.

The Bahá’í school meets each Sunday morning in Marsh Memorial Chapel on the campus of Springfield College. ♦

BRIEFLY

NEW YORK: Rights of the indigenous

Several United Nations officials mingled with others interested in the culture and development of the Quechua peoples of Peru at a program Feb. 5 at the Bahá’í Center in New York City.

Elsa Stamatopoulou, deputy to the director in the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, spoke on “Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and the United Nations.” Luis Delgado Hurtado, an artist and president of Yachay Wasi, showed a slide presentation on the pueblo Quechua. Roberto Mucaro Borrero, a Taino artist and vice chair of the NGO Committee on the U.N. International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, provided musical interludes.

Yachay Wasi, which sponsored the evening, is a non-governmental organization associated with the U.N. Department of Public Information. Several Bahá’ís play prominent roles in the organization.

JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI: Newspaper keeps track

Efforts by area Bahá’ís to promote race unity and the equality of women and men have been the focus of three articles in The Clarion-Ledger by religion writer Charlotte Graham.

The articles contain excerpts from The Vision of Race Unity and Two Wings of a Bird statements of the National Spiritual Assembly, and extensively quote Nosratollah Ghaemmaghami, a physician in Ridgeland. They also tell of unity gatherings held twice monthly by the community.

HOUSTON, TEXAS: Two Wings presentation

Several representatives of the Bahá’í community presented the National Spiritual Assembly’s statement Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men to the members of the Houston City Council on March 30.

The statement was well-received and council members asked several questions afterward. ♦

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF

Held every year in October, “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF” educates American children about the needs of other children in developing countries and encourages community fund-raising efforts that support UNICEF programs.

Through support of friends like you, “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF” 1998 raised almost $3 million for UNICEF programs that save children’s lives and build children’s futures.

Place an order now for our free educational materials and the famous orange collection cartons available in September. To learn more about “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF” please

Call:	800-252-KIDS*
Write:	“Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF” U.S. Committee for UNICEF 333 E. 38th St. New York, NY 10016
Or visit:	www.unicefusa.org

*Please let us know that you are a member of the Bahá’í Faith so we can express our personal thanks.

UNICEF works to provide basic health care, nutrition, education and clean water in more than 160 countries and territories.

Sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the U.S., United Nations Office, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017

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

Featuring:

• 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. Information is available by fax (613-233-3644), by phone (613-233-1903) or by mail through Association for Bahá’í Studies, 34 Copernicus Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 7K4.

Registering by mail: Use the Multipurpose Form on page 32; 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: On-site registration: member $110, non-member $150; couple: member $200, non-member $250. 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]O MY SERVANT! The best of men are they that earn a livelihood by their calling and spend upon themselves and upon their kindred for the love of God, the Lord of all worlds.

—Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words

Sharing the energy

Members of Messengers of the Dawn, a Bahá’í youth workshop from Dallas, Texas, share dance steps with members of a Baptist children’s choir at a public proclamation event for Black History Month in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Photo by Warren Waren

TRUE WEALTH

SYSTEMATIC STRIVING LENDS MEANING AND FULFILLMENT

The Universal House of Justice stated in the Riḍván 155 B.E. message that systematic action or having an orderly method of doing things is vital to bringing about entry by troops. They said that being systematic, “While allowing for individual initiative and spontaneity, ... suggests the need to be clear-headed, methodical, efficient, constant, balanced and harmonious.”

Whether we are teaching the Faith, serving Bahá’í Institutions, or working on personal goals, having a plan of action is very important in all that we do. The Supreme Institution explained, “Becoming accustomed to such a procedure of systematic striving lends meaning and fulfillment to the life of any Bahá’í.”

So, how might all this relate to the Bahá’í Funds?

Establishing a system of how we earn, spend and save our money can most definitely lend meaning and fulfillment to our lives. Management of our money is instrumental to ensuring that we fulfill our spiritual obligation to contribute to the Bahá’í Funds. Also, striving to be “clear-headed” or “methodical” about our money not only assists us to better serve the Cause, but is an amazing way to express our deep love for Bahá’u’lláh.

BEGIN YOUR FINANCIAL PLANNING NOW!

If you haven’t already done so, now is a great time to begin setting a plan of action for your finances. Start by making a list of short- and long-term goals. Consider what you need and want today and a year or two from now.

Also, think about what you need and want in five, 10 and 20 or more years.

A short-term goal might be buying clothes, giving to the Bahá’í Funds, going to the movies, purchasing school supplies or buying CDs. A long-term goal might be getting a job, traveling teaching, pioneering, continuing school, having a family or buying a car. Once you have a sense of where you want your life to go, you can begin planning your finances.

You may want to include prayers and meditation as you begin to decide what you think Bahá’u’lláh wants for you and what you want for yourself. You can also consult with your parents, your Local Spiritual Assembly or an Auxiliary Board member.

Remember! There is a difference between things you need and things you want. Don’t let all your “wants” prevent you from getting the things you need. A benefit of being systematic with your money is that you will probably be able eventually to have both the things you need and the things you want!

Also, your plan is not written in stone. It doesn’t have to be perfect for you to get started. You are always free to change things as you deem necessary. As the Universal House of Justice tells us, the most important thing is “to act, to act now, and to continue to act.” ♦

YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES for service and fun!

CENTRAL REGION

Algonquin, Illinois, May 21–23: Bahá’í Youth Summit ’99 “The Return.” Contact Cher Gupta (phone 630-579-4724, e-mail ).

Wilmette, Illinois, May 1–Aug. 6: Wilmette Institute’s 1999–00 Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization residential session begins July 17. Tuition for the year is $825; housing costs are $462. Contact the Wilmette Institute (phone 847-733-3415, e-mail ).

Wilmette, Illinois, May-September: The Bahá’í House of Worship’s needs include guiding, garden teaching, tour guiding, ushering and choir. Contact Pamela Barrett (phone 847-853-2325).

Davison, Michigan, June-September: Louhelen Bahá’í School’s needs include housekeeping, children’s classes, kitchen, grounds maintenance and clerical positions. Contact Rick Johnson (phone 810-653-5033, e-mail ).

Wilmette, Illinois, Aug. 7–8: Institute for Bahá’í Studies conference “Revealing the Splendors of His Light: Exploring Spirituality in Bahá’í Life.” Contact Lynne Yancy (phone 847-733-3548, e-mail ).

Green Lake, Wisconsin, Aug. 27–29: Green Lake Bahá’í conference 40th anniversary. Contact Lori Block (phone 920-432-7110, e-mail ).

SOUTHERN REGION

Atlanta, Georgia, June 18–20: Social and Economic Development Facilitator training workshop (ages 14–19 only). Cost is about $75 including meals; lodging extra. Contact Mottahedeh Development Services (e-mail ).

Charlottesville, Virginia, July 1–11: Crimson Ark Project, training institute followed by teaching projects (e-mail ).

Hemingway, South Carolina, June-September: Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute’s needs include general program support, agriculture, education, radio station. Contact Lanita Barnes (phone 803-558-9133, e-mail ).

WESTERN REGION

Salt Lake City, Utah, June 26–29: Youth conference, “Passing the Torch through Time—The Bahá’í Faith: Past, Present and Future” (e-mail ).

Salt Lake City, Utah, June 29–July 4: Color Me Human Week for Bahá’í Youth Workshops (e-mail ).

Houck, Arizona, June–September: Native American Bahá’í Institute needs dedicated souls who are willing to bear unique hardships and take on whatever tasks are necessary. Volunteers are needed to help with children’s classes, kitchen service, office assistance, property repairs and maintenance, and teaching through community service. Contact NABI (phone 520-587-7599, e-mail ).

California/Arizona, August: Navajo–Hopi Reservations teaching trip, “Desert Breeze.” Prior deepening at NABI required for participation. Contact Kris Misaghi (e-mail ).

Merced, California, August: Teaching and consolidation of Southeast Asians in the Central Valley. Prior deepening by Local Spiritual Assembly required. Contact Kris Misaghi (e-mail ). ♦

NORTHEASTERN REGION

Eliot, Maine, June–September: Green Acre Bahá’í School’s needs include food service, maintenance, housekeeping, children-pre-youth program, recreation, library, office assistance, bookstore/cafe. Contact: Jeannine Sacco (phone 207-439-7200, e-mail ).

Eliot, Maine, June 10–13: Bahá’í Network on AIDS, Sexuality, Addictions and Abuse conference at Green Acre Bahá’í School; theme: “Love and Responsibility.” Contact Green Acre (phone 207-439-7200, e-mail ).

WANNA BE ON THE YOUTH PAGE?

CALLING ALL WORKSHOPS!

A future issue of The American Bahá’í Youth Page will exclusively feature Bahá’í Youth Workshops! Please submit any stories, highlights or pictures that you would like to appear in the next issue!

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

WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR EXCITING AND INFORMATIVE MATERIAL TO HELP ALL BAHÁ’Í YOUTH ARISE TO SERVE THE FAITH. [Page 17]

INTERNATIONAL BAHÁ’Í YOUTH SERVICE CORPS OPPORTUNITIES

IF YOU CAN ARISE to meet one of these or other critical international needs, please contact your Local Spiritual Assembly for initial consultation and to receive a copy of the Pioneer/Bahá’í Youth Service Corps volunteer form. As you work toward your goal, the Office of Pioneering will also work closely with you.

Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, e-mail )

AFRICA

Botswana (Tswana, English): John Robarts Long-Term Teaching Project and other projects. Detailed information available. Cameroon (French): Youth service organizer to help mobilize youth and further organize the youth service program. Ethiopia (‎Ahmaric Amharic‎, Italian, Arabic, English): Youth with office experience to assist the national Secretariat. Gambia (English): Assist the National Youth Committee and other national committees, as well as the national office, with their work throughout the country. Help at the permanent institute, with the urban pre-school, or the Rural Education Center. Madagascar (French): Long-term teaching project needs help in teaching and consolidation in rural villages, training children’s class teachers, social and economic development projects, editing the national bulletin. Tanzania (English, Swahili): Assist the Local Teaching and Training Nucleus in Dar es Salaam. Senegal (French): Olinga Teaching Project near Dakar needs French-speaking youth to help with teaching, children’s classes, activities for women and for youth. Abilities in drama welcome. South Africa (Afrikaans, Tswana, Xhosa, English): Check the new Web site listing youth service opportunities (www.icon.co.za/~mojdeh/service.htm). Zimbabwe (English): Help with the development of the permanent deepening institute and teaching the Faith in secondary schools.

AMERICAS

Alaska (English, indigenous languages): Several teaching projects plus summer Alcan Youth Institute programs. Belize (English, Spanish, indigenous languages): Caretaker of Bahá’í center and visitor’s center host. Bermuda (English): Youth needed to help with performing arts workshops. Bolivia (Spanish): Variety of opportunities, from teaching projects in warm Santa Cruz to work with Radio Bahá’í or social and economic development projects in the cool highlands. Help with Youth Workshop development needed. Brazil (Portuguese): The School of the Nations needs volunteers to serve at the school, work with the Bahá’í community and help community development in the Brasilia-area favelas. Canada (English): Maxwell International Bahá’í School has ongoing needs for volunteers in areas such as administrative, finance and personnel, gardening, student services, academic and facilities services. Chile (Spanish): Volunteers needed at Colegio Núr in Santiago to help with administrative and teaching work for six months to a year. Colombia (Spanish): Seven-week “year of service deepening course,” offering ideal preparation for Latin American service posts, offered twice per year at Rúhí Institute. Costa Rica (Spanish): Active Dance Workshop in San José open to more volunteers. Ecuador (Spanish): Project Badasht, teaching through planned Bahá’í activities in rural communities with full logistical and training support of the national and regional teaching committees. Many youth participants. El Salvador (Spanish): Variety of needs for volunteers at the Jamálíyyih Bahá’í Institute, New Garden Bahá’í Institute, Badasht Institute and Ridván School, as well as supporting other local youth efforts. Guadeloupe (French): Help with national office administration and development of training institute. Guatemala (Spanish): Rúhíyyih teaching project in Petén, in the tropical rain forest and Mayan ruins area, needs youth to help with direct teaching, community development, children’s classes, deepening and training believers. Haiti (French): Serve at the Anís Zunúzí school teaching English, oral French, and arts and crafts, among others. Jamaica (English): Assisting youth workshops, teaching in rural areas, helping with the radio show and/or a television conference, with institutes and other training programs, teaching children’s classes, or administrative work at the National Center. Mexico (Spanish): The Furútan Project focuses on promoting the Cause among students and faculty of universities, the Edna Ford Continuous Teaching Campaign in Juárez on carrying the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to the Tarahumara Indians. Panama (Spanish): Project Muhájir, working to establish a model community to accelerate the process of entry by troops in an area of Panama City via teaching, children and youth classes and public school presentations. Venezuela (Spanish): Three “entry by troops projects” and an ongoing year of service program supported by local youth, incorporating proclamation, teaching, consolidation, theater, music and other aspects, need 6–10 youth at a time for at least six months’ service. Knowledge of Spanish a must. Low living costs.

In the National Youth Committee spotlight: a project serving goal areas in Europe

The European Bahá’í Youth Council plans to launch a youth service project beginning this summer: youth in teams of three to five, pioneering in a goal town in Europe.

Each team will deepen and pray together, consult, study the history of the Faith, teach and consolidate new believers, use their talents in promoting and teaching the Cause, and as a result grow together spiritually and numerically. Each National Spiritual Assembly hosting such a project will provide the group with a strong support structure.

With materials prepared by the Youth Council, the groups will have a few days’ orientation and preparation upon their arrival in the goal town, to study together the practical, spiritual and cultural aspects of their pioneering experience.

Countries that will accommodate pioneering youth groups are Germany, Iceland, Hungary, Macedonia, Switzerland, Serbia and Poland.

Any youth in the U.S. interested in this project should contact the Office of Pioneering (phone 847-733-3508, e-mail ). ♦

ASIA

Cambodia (Khmer, English, French): Coordinate movement of traveling teachers. Kazakstan (Kazakh, Russian): Help the 200+ Bahá’í youth of Kazakhstan develop youth workshops. Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyz, Russian): Open new areas of the country to the Faith and work toward their development. Macau (Cantonese, Mandarin, English, Portuguese): Variety of ongoing opportunities at the increasingly renowned School of the Nations, as well as office administrative assistant needs. Thailand (Thai, English): Dedicated volunteers needed at the National Bahá’í Center, Nongkhai Bahá’í Center and Omgoi Development Project. Other urgent needs in Asia: Contact the Office of Pioneering as soon as possible.

AUSTRALASIA

Cook Islands (Cook Island Maori, English): Visiting youth performance groups needed to help local youth reach a wider audience through drama, dance and music. Eastern Caroline Islands (Carolinian, English, Japanese): Youth teaching, development and consolidation work. Hawaiian Islands (English): Volunteers needed to help the Maui Bahá’í Youth Workshop. Min. period of service 6 mos. Kiribati (Gilbertese): The Ootan Marawa Bahá’í School needs mature youth to serve as teacher aides, helping the school’s 30 students learn English, and to help with various school-related social and economic development projects. Mariana Islands (Chamorro, Carolinian, English): The Marianas Bahá’í School on Guam offers service opportunities for one or two youths as teachers’ aides in the nonprofit school guided by the National Spiritual Assembly. Marshall Islands (Marshallese, English): Teaching, development and consolidation work, continuance of dance/drama workshops. Samoa (Samoan, English): Guide at the Temple, work with children at the Montessori Bahá’í School nearby, help organize displays and Bahá’í literature at book sales, teach and deepen new believers, teach children’s classes, learn new songs with youth and other friends, and more. Solomon Islands (Pidgin and English): Drama, music and dance abilities needed for development of youth in villages. Tonga (Tongan, English): Youth to help develop youth workshop. Tuvalu (Tuvaluan, English): Encourage local youth and help develop children’s classes. Vanuatu (French): Drama, music and dance abilities needed for development of youth in villages.

EUROPE

Europewide: European Bahá’í Youth Council project encouraging youth to serve in small teaching groups in European countries, initially Macedonia. Administrative assistant in Council office also needed. Baltic States (Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian, Russian): Muhájir Mass-teaching Project July-September. Study engineering or medicine in English at Kaunas Medical Academy in Lithuania for an annual tuition equivalent to U.S. $3,000! Belarus (Belorussian, Russian): Youth to serve at the National Office, preferably with computer skills, to staff Bahá’í centers and carry out teaching work, with option to study Russian simultaneously. Art and music especially effective in teaching. Belgium (French, Dutch): 2–3 youth to serve half time in the national Secretariat and half in the youth Secretariat. Bulgaria (Bulgarian): Dynamic youth to aid the work of the National Youth Committee and other work. France (French): Periodic needs for volunteers at the Office of Public Information of the Bahá’í International Community in Paris. Hungary (Hungarian): Join a team of one Roma and one Hungarian youth to teach the receptive Roma people of Hungary, beginning with two-month orientation starting in July. Iceland (Icelandic, English): Urgent need for experienced Bahá’í Youth Workshop member with artistic and organizational ability. Malta (Maltese, English, Italian): Urgent need for youth to join teaching project aiming to establish the first National Spiritual Assembly of Malta by end of Four Year Plan. Poland (Polish, some German): Dance workshop facilitator/coordinator, national office worker, community builder, carpenter. Switzerland (French, German): Periodic needs for volunteers at the office of the Bahá’í International Community and at the Bahá’í National Center, in Geneva, as well as to live in goal towns near Zurich and Lausanne. ♦ [Page 18]

House of Justice updates priorities for pioneering posts

The pioneer calls of the Three and Four Year Plans encouraged the friends to consider the entire world as their arena for pioneering and traveling teaching. Those responding to the call are asked to examine their own particular experiences, inclinations and possibilities, and after prayer and consultation, choose a destination. This is the most recent list of countries and territories. (Universal House of Justice, letter dated March 7, 1999)

CATEGORY 1

The needs are especially pressing.

Africa: Mauritania, Rodrigues

Americas: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, Martinique, Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Australasia: Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna

Europe: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Corsica, Croatia, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Macedonia, Malta, Slovenia, Yugoslavia

CATEGORY 2

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

Africa: Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Chad, Congo Republic, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Namibia, Réunion, Rwanda, Sao Tomé and Principe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, St. Helena, Swaziland

Americas: Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Chiloé Island, Dominica, East Leeward Islands, Easter Island, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Galápagos Islands, Greenland, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Juan Fernández Islands, Nicaragua, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Turks and Caicos Islands, Virgin Islands, West Leeward Islands

Asia: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Armenia, Asiatic Russia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Georgia, Japan, Korea-South, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Ogasawara Islands, Ryukyu Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan

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

Europe: Albania, Andorra, Azores, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus-Northern, Czech Republic, Denmark, Elba, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Madeira, Moldova, Monaco, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Sicily, Slovakia, Ukraine

CATEGORY 3

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

Africa: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Americas: Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela

Asia: Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Kazakhstan, Macau, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sabah, Sarawak, Taiwan

Australasia: Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa

Europe: Canary Islands, Iceland

CATEGORY 4

Pioneers are greatly needed, but entry is difficult due to restrictions on Bahá’í activity, lack of security, or other circumstances that may present serious difficulties. These conditions present a need for believers who will resourcefully seek out opportunities for pioneering.

Africa: Angola, Burundi, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan

Americas: Cuba

Asia: Afghanistan, Bhutan, Brunei, Indonesia, Korea-North, Laos, Turkmenistan, Vietnam

Europe: Spitzbergen ♦

Singapore stamps honor Bahá’ís among major faiths

The Bahá’í Faith is prominently mentioned in a series of stamps issued in Singapore, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the country’s Inter-Religious Organization, one of the world’s oldest interfaith organizations. Established in 1949, the group participates in national and community events, and planned a series of free public seminars in March highlighting the different religions in the country. The stamps list the organization’s nine participating religions: Hindu, Jewish, Zoroastrian, Buddhist, Taoist, Christian, Muslim, Sikh and Bahá’í.

TEACHING

• Congo Republic: With fighting and indiscriminate violence continuing in this war-torn region, a believer in Dolisie not far from the Atlantic coast says the Bahá’ís there have been taking advantage of the relative calm to help the Faith progress rapidly and publicly.

In one nearby province, the report notes, as many as 15 Local Spiritual Assemblies were expected to form—while at the same time last year teaching activity was at a standstill. The government has forbidden most meetings, but still allows Bahá’ís to gather, the report added.

“There are frequent showings of Bahá’í films and large numbers of seekers come to enquire about the topics, and the new [believers] are engaged in the institute programs,” the believer’s report said. Recently, “there was a teaching conference ... in which, despite the prevailing situation, 50 persons participated.” ♦

DEVELOPMENT

• Kiribati: With the aim of empowering believers to serve the Faith and humanity, the Ocean of Light Conference was held on Butaritari Island in mid-January. Believers traveled from as far away as Australia, Papua New Guinea and Hawaii. “One of the striking features of this conference was the degree of participation of non-Bahá’ís,” a Counselors’ report said. A principal method of training participants was “Playback Theatre,” a role-playing exercise used to encourage community consultation on social issues. A day was set aside for developing individual plans for action. Afterward a teaching team comprising all ages stayed for several weeks.

• Zambia: A seven-member Bahá’í delegation at an interfaith seminar on AIDS issues helped promote the spiritual aspect of Africa’s AIDS crisis. While the government Ministry of Religion treated the situation as a social crisis, Bahá’ís distributed literature and appealed for a return to spirituality to address the root cause of the crisis, not just to expend all energies on stemming the physical disease. ♦

EDUCATION

• El Salvador: The Spanish version of a book by Gayle Woolson, a Bahá’í in Evanston, Illinois, has been approved by a government agency for distribution to official cultural centers throughout the nation. In addition, the book, Divina Sinfonía, has been donated by the Bahá’í community of Santa Tecla, El Salvador, to public schools to accompany talks on moral values and moral leadership for parents.

Published in English as The Divine Symphony by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust of India, the book tells the story of progressive revelation. Woolson, a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh, has long championed the development of public speaking skills by Bahá’í children and youth.

• Finland: The government has granted the National Spiritual Assembly permission to implement official Bahá’í curricula for primary- and secondary-level religious education. The plans are aimed in part at instilling universal thinking in students and preparing them to be trained in skills needed for service to an evolving global society.

• Uruguay: Twenty-one members of five National Spiritual Assemblies gathered in Montevideo “in an atmosphere of great love ... with deep, inspiring and enlightened consultation” at the third meeting of the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Southern Cone. Two Counselors joined participants from Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay.

Common goals were drawn up for promoting institutes and teaching public school educators. Discussion also focused on youth service, indigenous people and personal initiatives. ♦

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

• Italy: A trip to Malta found “a great thirst for spirituality” awaiting Farzin and Nancy Davachi. Arranged by the office of the Bahá’í External Affairs Committee of Italy’s National Spiritual Assembly, the trip included conferences with health and anti-drug-abuse officials and local dignitaries, a university medical conference, a talk at a high school about spiritual solutions to social turmoil, and a public meeting on women’s issues. A recurring theme, which consistently gained an enthusiastic response, was the need for moral education in schools and the home.

• Greece: Bahá’í women of Greek and Turkish backgrounds played key roles in an effort last November to demonstrate peaceful collaboration between the rival countries. WINPEACE, a Greek-Turkish women’s organization, organized a conference in Athens. Three of the 30 core members of the group are Bahá’ís—two Turkish and one Greek—and a theater piece organized by a Bahá’í member was recognized as a cultural collaboration between the two countries. ♦

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. [Page 19]

CONVENTION, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

• Staff of the national agencies and offices, who advise the National Spiritual Assembly, execute its plans, and provide service to the friends nationwide.
• Such special visitors as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Turkmenistan, who passed along the love of the friends in Ishqabad, site of the first Bahá’í House of Worship; 21 representatives of American Indian nations, who offered a prayer in Navajo for success of the deliberations; about 40 Convention delegates and visitors who had pioneered abroad; and such dear servants of Bahá’u’lláh as David and Margaret Ruhe, Javidukht Khadem, Thelma Jackson, Nancy Phillips (just turned 89), Janet Marks, Gayle Woolson, and Leonard and Eunice Braun.
• Unseen, the members of the Universal House of Justice, whose love emanated from the Ridván 156 message read on opening night to the thrill of delegates and observers alike. And all those who lovingly sent the delegates on their way through Unit Conventions in cities and villages throughout the land last October.

Little wonder, as well, that delegates reciprocated measure for measure. Love oozed from all their interactions, formal and informal.

Saturday morning in prayerful session, delegates elected the National Spiritual Assembly.

After the results were announced, delegates joined in a groundswell of appreciation for the longtime service of James F. Nelson, whose resignation from the Assembly was accepted before the Convention.

The new body then elected its officers, and afterward got a chance to welcome the members, including new member David Young of Grants Pass, Oregon.

Throughout the weekend, delegates consulted with wisdom, humility and a good portion of humor. One Counselor later called the consultation “eloquent and elegant.” Recommendations approved by the body of delegates—and suggestions made by individual delegates—will be forwarded to the National Assembly for its consideration.

Consultation focused at times on the reports of the institutions. Delegates asked questions. But they never questioned the guidance, plans and resources provided to the American Bahá’í community. Rather, they focused on how Bahá’í individuals, communities and institutions can systematize their considerable efforts for maximum impact in these precious few remaining months of the Plan.

Interspersed with the reports and consultation were special moments in which successes were shared and agonized concerns were expressed.

The tragic school violence in Littleton, Colorado, and war in the Balkans were ever on the mind. But delegates were greatly heartened by news of Local Spiritual Assembly formations in Wyoming and by the examples of audacious teaching and service shown in a special Convention edition of Bahá’í Newsreel. And they were refreshed by the House of Worship Choir’s performance of “The Most Great Bell” and musical interludes from Rosamond Brenner, Evander Gilmer, Phil Lucas, Marvin “Doc” Holladay and others.

As the delegates and observers departed Sunday, one was left with a single thought: Don’t be surprised if all this love comes our way in the year ahead and, through us, to the waiting souls.

Regional Councils weigh priorities

On Friday afternoon, delegates enthusiastically received and consulted on reports from representatives of the four Regional Bahá’í Councils:

• Western States. The region’s vastness—“from teeming ‎metropoli metropolises‎ to the most rural of rural”—has dictated a focus on Local Assembly development and traveling teaching coordination. Strong initiatives also are under way involving the West’s strong diversity: youth, indigenous, Persians, Hispanics, and Asians.
• Central States. The Council has developed a close relationship with 10 key areas. A planning conference was held at Louhelen Bahá’í School in February with committees and Institutions of the Learned. A special event also was held May 2 on the 80th anniversary of the unveiling of the Tablets of the Divine Plan.
• Northeastern States. A general theme of growth and development has centered on the need for the friends to connect their hearts to Bahá’u’lláh and lead prayerful lives. A Ridván letter was sent to friends in the region.
• Southern States. A vision has been created that challenges each believer to develop a new state of mind welcoming entry by troops, diversity, and full collaboration. Within the vision, the Council has focused on training institutes and the development of Local Assemblies.

■ MORE COVERAGE, PAGES 20-23

CONSULTATION

Delegates put forward issues of concern

A potentially divisive issue was transformed into a forum for unity when a delegate asked that a photograph of Thomas Jefferson be removed from the display on religious liberty that rings Foundation Hall at the House of Worship.

Delegates of all backgrounds, including American Indian and Persian-American, rose to support their African-American brothers and sisters, and the consultation was so loving that it set the tone for all that followed.

Other topics of consultation during the weekend included:

• Teaching Christians “where their heart is.”
• How to “invite” seekers into the Faith.
• How to model “economic justice” within the Bahá’í community.
• Redoubling support for training institutes.
• Use of social science in pursuit of personal growth.
• Social and economic development projects.
• How to follow up on seeker calls to 800-22-UNITE.
• Complementing national broadcasts with local video showings.
• Enhancing communal worship practices.
• Youth initiative.
• Online availability of materials and information.
• Analysis of people who have enrolled.
• Emphasizing the partnership of women and men as a unique feature of the Bahá’í perspective on equality.
• Violence toward American Indian women.
• The example we set for our sons and daughters.
• The need for an “equality day” akin to Race Unity Day.
• Use of applicable Assembly development and Core Curriculum modules.
• An examination of the benefits of equality beyond peace.
• Equality as a fundamental verity of Bahá’í teachings.
• A need to focus on the problem of divorce, particularly in the Persian community.
• Positive “rites of passage” for our youth.
• Guidance and tools for Bahá’í youth trying to help their friends battle destructive influences in their lives.
• The power of artistic expression and the need to embrace a variety of artistic forms.
• The need for “blowout, kicking, where-did-the-floor-go” devotional gatherings.
• Outlets for youth “fired up” by institutes and conferences.
• The needs of youth in rural areas.
• Older youth mentoring of younger youth and children.
• Concern over low participation in Unit Conventions.
• Need for materials on teaching Jews and Asians.
• Consolidation of Latino believers.
• Involvement in like-minded organizations.
• How delegates can meet National Convention costs through contributions.
• The need for more tools to help believers figure their Huqúqu’lláh obligation.
• Using the new statement “Who Is Writing the Future?” as a script for a video addressing millennial concerns.
• The need for Bahá’í’s to take the lead in aiding Kosovo refugees.
• How to move consciously from a “congregation” to “community” feeling to our Feasts and Holy Day observances.
• Retention of believers, especially our children.

CONVENTION REFLECTIONS

INTERVIEWS BY RAMZIA DUSZYNSKI PHOTOS BY VLADIMIR SHILOV

NEHRU ARUNASALAM CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

I AM FROM MALAYSIA AND THIS IS MY FIRST CONVENTION IN THE UNITED STATES. I participated in many National Bahá’í Conventions back in my country and I can feel the same spirit here. This proves to me that the Bahá’í world is one. I am amazed the way delegates do consultation here. It’s a new experience.

I met Native Americans here and I took photos of them. I am going to share them with my friends in Malaysia.

I was involved in native teaching in Malaysia. I was so impressed to see that the native delegates are so outspoken here! Back in Malaysia they are not so outspoken, so I hope they will achieve this level also. [Page 20]

CONVENTION REFLECTIONS

FARAN FERDOWSI NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

I AM A THIRD-TIME DELEGATE to the National Convention and I feel that the most positive thing I am taking back home, besides the Riḍván message of the Universal House of Justice, is the spirit of consultation. Exceptional love and respect, the openness of delegates, and quality of consultation were the highlights of the Convention.

It’s very exciting to hear so much positive news, including reports from the National Teaching Committee, the External Affairs Office and others. They all have done so much.

Our community has much wonderful news to share, too. Last year the teaching increased dramatically. We had 15 declarations—the highest number for our community of about 150.

One of the reasons is that we are having regular firesides and other activities. One of them is a Unity Feast, where people from all religions are invited to read from different Holy Books. Our monthly Unity Feasts attract about 50 seekers every time.

Our community was one of the first in the U.S. that had a Bahá’í center in 1955. The first Bahá’í center to be designed and built for that purpose in the U.S. was in Nashville in 1985, and in 1995 nine acres of land here was purchased for a regional Bahá’í center. ♦

The newly elected National Spiritual Assembly is introduced to the delegates Saturday night: (from left) William Roberts, Firuz Kazemzadeh, Patricia Locke, David Young, Robert Henderson, Juana Conrad, Jack McCants, Dorothy Nelson and William Davis.

Mehrdad Badian Eghrari (right), a delegate from South Carolina, takes time out to teach the Faith outside the House of Worship at lunchtime. As he explained that as a Bahá’í he was a “citizen of the whole world,” the visiting couple from India followed him slowly toward a waiting bus full of his fellow delegates. ♦

Counselors’ perspectives set the tone for a consecrated Convention

Reading of the Riḍván 156 letter of the Universal House of Justice on Thursday evening was followed by brief comments from Counselors Wilma Ellis and David Smith.

Ellis marveled at how clearly the Supreme Body surveyed gains made worldwide, calling attention to the message’s focus on social and economic development as service to humanity.

“The Universal House of Justice is looking into the future and will guide us there,” she said. “They have great confidence in us. Do we trust the House to have that confidence in us?”

She concluded that we constantly must read—not just the Texts, but messages and news. That way, she said, we can keep up with advancements in the Faith, take them to heart, and give hope to others.

Smith urged that the Riḍván message become part of our being for the whole next year to inspire and motivate us. If we study it, he said, the message will unite and focus our community.

Noting the message’s description of the bereft, despairing state of society, he said we must deliver Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings so humanity will not have to repeat mistakes of the past.

Remember, he concluded, “We teach not to gain numbers but to lift humanity from this despair.”

Convention closed with final comments members of the Continental Board of Counselors.

Jacqueline Left Hand Bull relayed greetings from Counselor Tod Ewing, who she said was reciting the Fire-Tablet each day for the success of the Convention. She congratulated delegates for their eloquence, heart and quality of thinking and said the consultation here was what it is meant to be like. She also expressed her appreciation of the pioneering stories and urged that the friends prayerfully study the new list of goal countries. Go or help someone else go, she said.

Stephen Birkland acknowledged the presence of so many indigenous leaders and the reception they received. He also singled out the work of the National African-American Teaching Committee and praised believers of African descent for their persistent, patient and magnanimous efforts. Race unity endeavors, he said, have advanced so that dialogue has been principle-centered and believers who are not black have buried their fears in the power of Bahá’u’lláh and taken specific actions. He concluded by reminding us that it’s no accident we are serving the Faith at this time and that we must look at ourselves to discover how we can make our mark.

Abdu’l-Missagh Ghadirian praised the maturity, love and enthusiasm of Convention participants, but he warned that the station given our community is conditional on the preservation of unity among the friends—as one soul in different bodies. If we fail, great blessings will be deferred, he said. The answer is to put Bahá’u’lláh and the Covenant at the center of our lives, he said, and pay heed to the call of the Universal House of Justice to act with a sense of mission and empower others to lead humanity.

Ellis said she leaves Convention “feeling spoiled” because of the love this true family has exhibited. She expressed her appreciation over a delegate’s motion that a video be made on the topic of love and said she hopes that love starts in our own hearts and spreads outward. She called white men our “secret weapon” in the advancement of race unity, saying they can be warriors against racism and do things others can’t to move the effort forward. ♦

“We teach not to gain numbers but to lift humanity from this despair.” —Counselor David Smith

Top: The Bahá’í House of Worship Choir provided one of several inspiring musical moments at the beginning of Convention sessions.

Left: Three Chinese-American Bahá’ís—(from left) Hong and Sally Foo of Pennsylvania and Albert Cheung of Illinois—stand near a portrait (lower left corner) of Yan Kee Leong, the first ethnic Chinese Bahá’í to be named a Counselor and a groundbreaking teacher of the Faith in and around Malaysia.

CONVENTION REFLECTIONS

CHARLOTTE KAHN LUKACHUKAI, ARIZONA

I AM A FIRST-TIME DELEGATE FOR THE NAVAJO and Hopi reservations. I brought here not just myself but my people with me—not just the Bahá’ís.

It’s my first visit to the House of Worship. Seeing the Temple for the first time was so special. House of Worship in our language is “House Made of Dawn.” It’s in our ancient prayer chants.

My impressions of the Convention are simply wonderful because it’s the last year of the Four Year Plan and we are focusing on the community. In our Native American culture there is always a focus on community. I can see how Native Americans can contribute a wonderful share to the development of the Plan.

We see the spiritual light as Native Americans. Now we must develop administration, because we must be harmonized and be “walking in beauty.” It is our philosophy as Navajo people.

This is a path of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh. This is a consecration we are talking about.

I see how it’s relevant to our people and how it’s relevant to our community now. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had that wonderful prophecy about the future of the Native Americans, how properly educated and guided, we have that wonderful capacity to illuminate the world. I see that happening very, very shortly.

I am so excited because we are going to have entry by troops in Navajo reservation. This prophecy will be fulfilled. There were just three Bahá’ís in our community for a very long time. We had no LSA, never had. But this Riḍván we did form the LSA! We’re just so happy and joyous! It was a community effort. Alberta Deas moved to our community and she has been very instrumental because of her knowledge and her capacity and her experience in administrative affairs.

My children are saying Bahá’í prayers and Hidden Words by heart. My 8-year-old son gives firesides. My son says that through prayer we become a channel of the light Bahá’u’lláh. He is teaching the Faith to his classmates and to his teacher.

Entry by troops will be achieved because it’s our Navajo tradition—we believe in including all our extended family in this decision. We educate our families as well before we consecrate ourselves. That is why it’s going to happen. Our community will thrive again. ♦

CONVENTION REFLECTIONS

BONNIE FITZPATRICK-MOORE GARDEN VIEW, SOUTH AFRICA

I AM AN AMERICAN OF AFRICAN DESCENT and originally from Bloomington, Indiana. I’ve been pioneering in South Africa for 20 years.

It’s really wonderful for me to witness the progress of the Faith in Africa. It’s almost like when you leave home and your relatives and then you come back and see how they’ve grown up. This is what this National Convention is like for me. It’s amazing how the American Bahá’í community has developed!

It was very interesting to me to hear all those people from all of those different race groups saying the same thing united in the love for Bahá’u’lláh and being directed by that spirit.

Sometimes we are not really aware of what impact we have when we began to teach. My husband and I taught a group of young people from the village outside of our town. They became Bahá’ís. And one young man recently has returned from an extended teaching trip into Russia! To see him arise was the one thing. But to greet him on his return from Russia and hear the stories about how this African boy moved the hearts of Russians was another thing.

When the House of Justice reissued the call of the Guardian for the Americans of African descent to arise and travel teach in Africa, I was asked by Counselor Barnes to write a book about my experiences in South Africa. I was a long-term African-American pioneer, and there wasn’t a chronicle that had been kept yet. I finished the book. It was published by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust of South Africa. The name of the book is My African Heart. Just before I came here they sent me 10 copies of the book. I put a lot of energy and prayers in this book. My heart and soul are in it. ♦ [Page 21]

CONVENTION REFLECTIONS

GUITY JAM SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA

THIS PAST YEAR WE ACQUIRED A BEAUTIFUL BAHÁ’Í CENTER. ... We are very excited. We did fund-raising for almost 20 years to save money. We have about 130 children that have registered and come regularly to the center from all of Santa Clara County. We were renting a space and we were like nomads going from one place to another place.

Now we have a large sanctuary for Feasts and Holy Days, and eight classrooms for the Sunday school. Some families bring their kids from one hour away. I am so happy!

This is my third year as a delegate and it’s always a wonderful experience to come here to the Mother Temple ... The exciting part is the level of consultation that I see here. It’s so spiritual. ... And the process of election is so different from the outside world. I feel comfortable about voting and being in an atmosphere of prayers and ‎mediation meditation‎. I always have my batteries charged up when I come here.

My goal is to encourage our community to get involved with the outside community. There are three Bahá’ís on the board of the Martin Luther King Association and we made such a big impact. ◆

National Assembly shares cares, triumphs

Friday morning, delegates received the first-ever Ridván letter of the National Spiritual Assembly, read by Robert Henderson and Juana Conrad.

The secretary-general explained that the letter, which opens the National Assembly’s Annual Report (to be published in the next issue of The American Bahá’í), is part of a continuing effort to conform to the guidance of the Universal House of Justice that the national body share its hopes, cares, and plans with delegates and the believers. Thus, the letter constitutes a self-assessment of progress.

In remarks prefacing the reading, he noted several joyful developments since the letter was written: Ten people declared their faith in Bahá’u’lláh in the area surrounding the Native American Bahá’í Institute in the past two weeks; Suheil Bushrui, holder of the Bahá’í Chair, was voted outstanding professor at the University of Maryland; two Local Spiritual Assemblies were formed at Ridván in Wyoming, which had none the past year; and channels added to the broadcast schedule for The Power of Race Unity will increase its reach to 72 million households.

Treasurer: William Davis, last year’s treasurer, using the theme “I Desire Distinction for You,” focused on growth and development, not needs or wants.

He shared the good news that our community managed to “escape the summer swoon” in contributions to the National Bahá’í Fund. He also said those Bahá’ís who contribute are giving generously—at a rate three times the national average for household contributions to religions.

Other benchmarks: Automatic contributions account for 23 percent of income from giving; a new planned giving program has generated excellent response; $500,000 in debt has been paid down; and there is no new deficit, though contributions fell $8 million short of the $27 million goal.

Thus the National Fund, he said, is in a position to respond to unforeseen circumstances in a variety of ways. The bulk of spending, he said, is for teaching and education, the Regional Bahá’í Councils and capital improvements.

Internationally, Davis noted, our “Stewardship and Development” seminars and materials have been adopted by 16 other national communities. Financial assistance to sister communities is being maintained: $132,000 this year and $374,500 for the Plan to date.

Among challenges he listed:

• The need to help individuals increase their sense of Bahá’í identity and their application of Bahá’í principles.
• New responsibilities for local treasurers and Assemblies to educate the friends and to support the Faith’s local to global material needs.
• Growth, as our community is still too small to support the Faith’s aims.
• Raising $35 million over a five-year period to fund a community development plan, now under consideration by the National Assembly, that would expand the teaching plan, provide for capital investments and endowments, and support long-term national, regional and local programs.

External Affairs: Firuz Kazemzadeh, secretary for external affairs, defined his office’s work as “where the Bahá’í Faith comes in contact with power.”

He traced our community’s efforts from the 1930s, when Shoghi Effendi urged U.S. Bahá’ís to inform the leaders on whom depend the destinies of the world. Today, he said, our visibility is such that the U.S. government knows us and cannot exclude Bahá’ís from its discourse and programs.

As one example, Kazemzadeh noted Wilma Ellis’ service on a State Department advisory committee that has just given way to a more ambitious international religious freedom commission. And he told of his recent trip to Geneva, Switzerland, as part of a panel outlining the U.S. position before the U.N. Human Rights Commission.

Kit Cosby, director of the Office of External Affairs, praised the local work of Bahá’í campus associations and professors. That work has prompted a flood of letters from college and university presidents, faculty and student governments, registering protests with key Iranian and U.N. agencies over Iran’s attempt to close the Bahá’í Institute for Higher Education.

She brought news that the White House press secretary had issued a release that week condemning the latest Iranian government action: the sentencing of four Bahá’í faculty members to prison terms ranging from three to 10 years. She urged Bahá’ís to follow up with local media.

Cosby also urged the friends to continue to focus on the United Nations and other international arenas so people who rail against the forces of world order will not be the only ones heard in public discourse. ◆

Van Gilmer plays and sings for the inspiration of the delegates at the beginning of a Convention session.

CONVENTION REFLECTIONS

DALE RICKLEFS TAYLOR, TEXAS

I AM A FIRST-TIME DELEGATE, and the difference in being here as a delegate is an overwhelming sense of responsibility, especially in consultation. I have to take back the sentiment, the feeling, words, the expression of the delegates to my community.

The most impressive thing about this Convention is the kindness that people show during consultation, when people make suggestions or recommendations, even if it’s one of concern. ... I am taking back to my community a sense of unity, a sense of detachment and loving consultation.

We lived in a very firm, very strong community but our response to the Four Year Plan was to leave this very nice and comfortable middle-class community and move to Taylor, Texas, a town with 30 percent black, 40 percent Hispanic and 40 percent white population.

Taylor had had an Assembly in the past. There are 12 people on the list, but we couldn’t locate the majority of them. [But] we had an election. We have to develop plans on finding these people, deepening, get with the Auxiliary Board members, get a teaching team going. ... ◆

CONVENTION NOTES

OFFICERS As Convention chair, Dorothy Nelson used a light touch, gently keeping consultation focused and well-paced. Her greatest challenge came when delegates who had pioneered were invited to share inspiring stories. They could have gone all night, but alas, there wasn’t time. At her side was William Davis, secretary.

NEW TEACHING MATERIALS As delegates voted for the National Spiritual Assembly in private session, convention visitors enjoyed a spiritually charged presentation by three committees concerned with cultivating the Faith among ethnic minorities. (A complete report will appear in the next issue of The American Bahá’í.)

Central to each committee’s presentation was a gift in the form of a new or upcoming publication:

• Protocols for American Indian Teaching, a handbook from the National American Indian Teaching Committee.
• Exploring the Historical and Spiritual Significance of Being a Person of African Descent in the Bahá’í Faith, a workshop manual from the National African-American Teaching Committee.
• A soon-to-be released prayer book in Spanish and English, announced by the Latin American Task Force.

The Protocols and African Descent books are available through the Bahá’í Distribution Service, as are a number of materials to support teaching and deepening of Chinese believers in the United States. They may be ordered by phone at 800-999-9019. For information on the latter materials contact the Chinese Teaching Task Force (phone 847-733-3509). ◆ [Page 22]

MESSAGES TO AND FROM THE NATIONAL CONVENTION

From the Delegates to the 90th Bahá’í National Convention to the Universal House of Justice April 24, 1999

Beloved Members of the Universal House of Justice,

With humility and devotion we greet you from the Mother Temple of the West. Expectantly awaiting your Ridván 156 Message, we received it with joy and gratitude. Our hearts were truly refreshed and gladdened by your precious words. Your informative review of the achievements made thus far during the Four Year Plan enlightened and inspired us. Indeed, your report of victories from around the Bahá’í world awakened within our hearts feelings of the organic connection between our own small individual efforts to serve the Cause and the inexorable progress of the global Bahá’í community.

We marveled at the progress of the Mount Carmel Projects, the emergence of new National Spiritual Assemblies, the initiation of significant social and economic development projects throughout the entire planet, the creative mobilization of Regional Bahá’í Councils and training institutes, the expansion of positive artistic endeavors, and the increasing reliance of external agencies and organizations upon the participation of Bahá’ís in solving common social problems. We are eternally grateful for your wise guidance which made each and every one of these wondrous accomplishments possible.

The rarefied atmosphere of this Convention was further edified by the presence of Counselors Stephen Birkland, Wilma Ellis, Abdu’l-Missagh Ghadirian, Jacqueline Left Hand Bull, and David Smith and by the company of retired Universal House of Justice member David Ruhe and his beloved wife Margaret. Adding to the unifying spirit, the dignity and diversity of this sacred gathering was the presence of three members of the Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh in the United States and twenty-one American Indian guests, joined by three American Indian delegates, representing the Athabascan, Cherokee, Chippewa, Choctaw, Lakota, Navajo, Nez Perce, Pueblo and Yakima tribes. A prayer was offered in the Navajo language and we were excited to hear of the formation of new Local Spiritual Assemblies on the Indian Reservations, many due to new enrollments.

The love and maturity which characterize our consultations have lifted the spirit of this Convention to new heights. The historic Ridván message of our beloved National Spiritual Assembly, the incisive analysis and recommendations of its National Teaching Committee, and the progress reports of our dear Regional Bahá’í Councils have not only assured us of the strength and maturity of the Administrative Order, but also convinced us that we now need only act on the plans that have been laid before us by these institutions.

With a renewed sense of urgency we pledge that, through unabated action, we will make every possible effort to complete successfully the Four Year Plan. The ultimate sacrifices continually made by our Iranian brothers and sisters compel and propel us to make total commitments to use our entire energies and resources to attain its goals. We hereby declare our determination to make our mark upon this “crucial turning point of a juncture, the like of which shall never return.”

We humbly request your continued prayers and guidance as we move forward, strong in our Faith, towards the unprecedented possibilities of the new millennium.

Delegates to the 90th United States Bahá’í National Convention ◆

From the Universal House of Justice to the Delegates to the 90th Bahá’í National Convention April 25, 1999

Dearly loved Friends,

Our spirits have been uplifted, our expectations emboldened, by the confidence, dedication and determination reflected in your welcome message. No greater guarantee of your success could be imagined than the unity of purpose evident in the description you have given of the state of readiness of the American Bahá’í Community to meet the fate-laden challenges of the final stage of the Four Year Plan. March on to victory, dear friends, assured of our supplications at the Holy Threshold that the Blessed Beauty may more abundantly pour His benedictions upon every step taken in His Name to capture the countless opportunities at this propitious time to hoist ever higher the banner of His Cause throughout your vast, beloved land.

The Universal House of Justice ◆

National committees outline their plans for the upcoming year

The National Teaching Committee and several of its partner committees made presentations to the delegates Friday and Saturday.

National Teaching Committee members took turns reading from their detailed report, which first noted progress in the past three years in the areas of mobilization of individual and local community initiatives; building of the necessary infrastructure for sustained growth; and a well-rewarding series of national media experiments.

At this juncture, the committee reported, the belief is that “growth is now an issue that can be mastered with knowledge, intelligent initiative, and thoughtful cooperation.” As the number of seekers increases dramatically, our challenge will be to attend to the needs of people with diverse backgrounds and interests.

The report noted that most of these seekers are Christian but more are Jewish than their percentage of total population would indicate. Many of the seekers are African-American and more than a fourth are youth. In forming a national strategy, then, sensitivity to diversity is a key element for individuals, communities and institutions.

Media outreach also is intended to reach more diverse audiences, the committee reported. The next video is on the theme The Power of Prayer, and future projects will address American Indians, Hispanics, and equality between women and men.

National American Indian Teaching Committee: Members outlined the body’s 29 goals for advancing the process of entry by troops. Significant among them are the Protocols for American Indian Teaching booklet, which has won praise for its wide range of uses, and the Tree of Life institute curriculum, which is nearing publication.

National Teaching Committee report A brief list of highlights

Signs of progress: Individual and local community initiatives have grown. Regional Councils and training institutes are forming a framework for growth. Our national media experiments have gotten promising response. One conclusion: Growth is an issue that can be mastered with knowledge, intelligent initiative and successful cooperation, as well as faith and courage. Among things we have learned: Most seekers come from definable groups and have specific religious needs. Still, we face the complex challenge of attracting and keeping a variety of people, many with special needs, in the Bahá’í community. Development approaches our National Teaching Plan continues to foster: Training of individual believers to cultivate sensitivity to diversity. Leadership approaches by our institutions that encourage diversity. Ongoing strengthening of our community life. National-level media efforts to reach a more varied audience. Expansion of our Internet presence and entry into the retail book market.

The committee also reported on major conferences on Indian teaching that have been held in Washington state and North Carolina.

National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men: Members shared the committee’s concern that the Bahá’í community has not arisen to tackle this issue with the same intensity as it has race unity. A systematic process has been outlined, but little feedback had been received.

The role of men also was spotlighted. Men need to recognize the ‎different difference‎ between the intent of their behavior and the impact of it, said committee members, without becoming defensive.

In the time that followed, male delegates responded by taking the lead in consultation on a variety of topics.

Also, Juana Conrad related plans for a conference, possibly in 2000, at the University of Maryland targeting people of prominence.

She also noted that in late June the Office of Women’s Affairs of the National Assembly will host an invitational seminar of Bahá’í women from many backgrounds. The hope is to develop language Bahá’ís can use in public to advance the issue of equality.

National Youth Committee: Two members, Leili Towfiq and Vesal Dini, took the stage to an emotional greeting by delegates.

They focused on three areas of the committee’s endeavors:

• Decentralization and research. The committee’s role has shifted from grassroots to information with the advent of the Regional Bahá’í Councils. Research conducted on behalf of the committee is providing a better picture of our youths’ needs, vision, and direction, they said.
• The “double life syndrome.” Youth are pulled in many directions today and hear contradictory voices about their nature and destiny. The message Bahá’í youth need to hear is that they don’t have to wait until later years to play a great leadership role in transforming humanity.
• Positive trends leading into the final year of the Plan. Examples include Bahá’í campus clubs, which have distinguished themselves in this “fertile field” through their teaching efforts and the campaign in support of the Bahá’í Institute for Higher Education in Iran; Bahá’í Youth Workshops, which will benefit in years ahead from planned pilot training for coordinators; and the “Heroic Deeds of Service” campaign, which has elicited hundreds of pledges that will be passed along soon to the Universal House of Justice. ◆

[Page 23]

Assembly manual becomes available free on the Internet

The reference manual Developing Distinctive Bahá’í Communities: Guidelines for Spiritual Assemblies is available without charge on the National Spiritual Assembly’s Administrative Web Site (www.usbnc.org).

This is a new way of using a definitive research tool for Bahá’í consultation. It should further help individuals and Local Spiritual Assemblies study the application of Bahá’í principle to daily life.

Features include:

• A search function that allows the user to find key words.
• Links from the table of contents to corresponding sections in the text, including sections on Local Assemblies and their formation and organization; consultation; protection of the Faith; community membership; Feasts, Holy Days and other special events; external affairs; Bahá’í education; Bahá’í properties; personal matters; and other subjects dealt with in the manual.
• The option of printing pages that correspond to those in the printed manual.

To access the on-line version of Developing Distinctive Bahá’í Communities, log in to www.usbnc.org (you will need your U.S. Bahá’í ID number for access). To purchase the print version or the soon-to-be-available CD-ROM version, contact the Bahá’í Distribution Service (phone 800-999-9019).

Future developments of the site will include additional links, particularly from the index.

“This Web version is refreshingly easy to use,” said Heather Ivanov, a developer of the revised manual. “With a click of the mouse I immediately found what I was looking for.”

This Web version is based on the latest revision of Developing Distinctive Bahá’í Communities, completed a year ago. This manual is a standard reference for individuals and Local Spiritual Assemblies to facilitate their consultations and their efforts to apply spiritual and administrative principles to the situations before them.

Most of the manual represents a compilation of Bahá’í writings, including excerpts from the writings of the Central Figures of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice. It also includes current policies of the National Spiritual Assembly on a variety of topics.

Most Assemblies choose to have one or more copies of the manual on hand during their consultations. Some Assemblies even provide a copy of the manual for each member.

Individual Bahá’ís also turn to this manual in their personal efforts to understand the Administrative Order and how Bahá’í teachings can assist them in dealing with personal issues, problems and opportunities.

The Office of Assembly Development is again updating this reference manual, and will issue insert pages for the printed manual containing the additional information. Updates will also be added to the Web-based version and the upcoming CD-ROM version. ◆

Find out about new Assembly Development Modules

In its Four Year Plan message, the Universal House of Justice called us to a new state of mind on the evolution of Local Spiritual Assemblies as one key to the process of entry by troops.

Assemblies looking for help with their maturation and the development of a new state of mind now have 10 new resources available: the new Assembly Development Module Workshops. They can help your Assembly systematically develop a unified vision of its vital responsibilities, and can provide practical insights on how to achieve them. They comprise part of an ongoing process of Spiritual Assembly development.

Module workshops cover a variety of topics to suit a wide range of needs, including Assemblies at all stages of maturation and communities of every size. Here are a couple of commonly asked questions and answers:

What’s new and different about these workshops? Module workshops use the techniques (such as case studies and small-group exercises) that are most effective in helping adults learn, retain and apply information to real-life situations. The newer expanded and refined workshops have a more practical orientation than the originals, but still are firmly grounded in the Bahá’í writings. The Facilitation Guides and Participant’s Handouts are designed to be attractive and easy to use, and include materials addressing a variety of learning styles.

Participant’s reaction: “Members all feel that the workshop has broken new ground for our Assembly’s functioning.”

Some new Module Workshops available this summer:

• Builders of Communities: Developing a Strong, Vibrant Community
• Builders of Communities: Fostering Racial Unity
• Builders of Communities: The Equality of Women and Men, Part One: A Shared Responsibility
• Builders of Communities: The Equality of Women and Men, Part Two: The Assembly’s Role in Fostering Partnership

JOIN OR HOST A STEWARDSHIP SEMINAR NEAR YOU

Join your fellow community members at a scheduled Stewardship and Development Seminar near you, or consider hosting a seminar in your area. Together, we’ll learn more about how we can change the world through our systematic efforts to support our Faith. For a list of planned seminars, or information on the Stewardship and Development program, please contact Jennifer Torrence in the Office of the Treasurer, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3421, fax 847-733-3471, e-mail • ◆

Order through BDS (phone: 800-999-9019).

For more information, contact the Office of Assembly Development (phone 847-733-3490, fax 847-733-3486, e-mail • or access the Administrative Web site (www.usbnc.org). You will need your Bahá’í ID number to log in to the Web site. ◆

Local TREASURER’S Corner

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

Honor Roll now recognizes audits and goals In addition to recognizing a pattern of regular contributions to the National Fund, this year’s Honor Roll will acknowledge Local Spiritual Assemblies that have submitted their annual audits and goals for the National Fund. This will not be a new requirement for Honor Roll, but will be an additional recognition of an Assembly’s commitment to sound financial management.

Audit time If you have not already made arrangements to begin the annual audit of the local Fund, it is time to do so, as the audits are due to the Office of the Treasurer by June 30. Your Spiritual Assembly may not have had its treasury audited for some years and feels that it may be unnecessary. However, not only is sound financial management the mark of a maturing Assembly, it is also essential preparation for the growth in material resources that will surely come with entry by troops.

National treasurer’s Feast reports Many treasurers report that they see the Feast report from the treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly only minutes before Feast begins because it has been received along with other Feast communications by the Assembly secretary.

It is very important that the secretary arrange for the treasurer to receive communications from the national treasurer as soon as possible. This will allow the local treasurer to review the message and reflect on ways to help the friends understand and internalize the critical information conveyed by the national treasurer. Messages to the Feast from the national treasurer are messages from the National Spiritual Assembly, and should be treated as such.

Planned Giving program As a service to the friends, treasurers will want to be familiar with the new program of Planned Giving that has just been announced by the National Spiritual Assembly. The term “planned giving” refers to all gifts other than outright cash gifts. Some arrangements result in tax benefits only, while others, such as gift annuities and remainder trusts, benefit the giver by creating additional income for living expenses as well as considerable tax benefits. All result in a generous gift to the Faith. To learn more, contact the Office of the Treasurer (phone 847-733-3476).

Every believer can contribute to the Fund. Not all believers can give public talks, not all are called upon to serve on administrative institutions. But all can pray, fight their own spiritual battles, and contribute to the Fund. —Universal House of Justice, Wellspring of Guidance, p.39 ◆ [Page 24]

New Yorkers build momentum toward universal participation in Fund

Universal participation in the Bahá’í Funds has long been the ideal: that every believer regularly steps up to make some contribution, no matter how large or small, toward the material means of the Cause.

In New York City, the Spiritual Assembly is taking steps to bring that ideal into reality by declaring the month of Núr (Light), June 5–24, to be Universal Participation Month.

“Over the course of a Bahá’í year, the number of New York City Bahá’ís that contribute to the Fund is quite substantial,” reports Reja Sabet, a member of the Local Assembly’s Office of the Treasurer. “Unfortunately, in any given Bahá’í month, the number of participants is a disappointing 25% of the annual total.”

So the local Office of the Treasurer convened to study the situation and concluded that while the total number of participants was satisfactory, there was a need to educate and encourage the friends to participate every month. “Therefore, the focus should be on universal participation, not the total dollar amount contributed,” Sabet said.

To raise awareness in the months leading to Núr, the Assembly has mounted a series of campaigns including:

• Monthly Feast reminders.
• Monthly local newsletter articles.
• Community-based initiatives designed to enlighten the friends of the importance of regular monthly participation.

“Even if a friend can only give 19 cents, they will be encouraged to give those 19 cents in 19 monthly installments as it is the spirit of regular participation that is so vital to the growth and development of our community,” the report says.

Assemblies gain from Weekend Visit

INFORMATION FROM HOWARD HINTERTHUER, MILWAUKEE, WI

Assemblies from several localities in Wisconsin have reported gaining a greater understanding of the workings of the Bahá’í National Center, as well as some ideas for collaborating on inter-community projects, at a recent Assembly Weekend Visit sponsored by the ‎Natioanl National‎ Assembly’s Office of Assembly Development.

Members of several of the participating communities expressed gratitude to the National Spiritual Assembly and staff for developing the Weekend Visit program.

“The National Center staff was really friendly,” said Jerry Johnson of Glendale. “I had a lot of questions answered. If someone didn’t know an answer, they volunteered to get the information for me. In fact, when I got home, I found a response from the National Center on my e-mail.”

Others appreciated the fact that neighboring Assemblies could arrange a visit as a group. “I think it’s helpful to get together with other Assemblies and find ways to work cooperatively,” added Pat Miller of Milwaukee.

Visitors in this special program meet members of the National Spiritual Assembly, tour offices of the National Center and the Bahá’í House of Worship including the Archives, and participate in presentations and other activities.

If members of your Assembly, or a group of Assemblies in your area, wish to travel to Wilmette and Evanston for a Weekend Visit, please contact the Office of Assembly Development, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60202 (phone 847-733-3484, e-mail ______________).

Members of Milwaukee-area Assemblies pose on the steps of the Bahá’í House of Worship during their recent Weekend Visit to the Bahá’í National Center.

PLANNED GIVING extends our options

“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

There are a number of ways to support the Funds of the Faith in addition to our regular cash contributions: bequests through our wills, gifts of stock or other securities, gift annuities, etc. These methods—or any others that are not outright cash gifts—are commonly referred to as “planned giving.”

The National Spiritual Assembly has announced a Planned Giving Program that allows believers to make financial arrangements benefiting both themselves, through tax savings and, sometimes, increased income, while making a substantial gift to the Fund.

For a packet of information on how you might be able to plan a gift, please complete the form below or contact the Office of the Treasurer (phone 847-733-3476, e-mail ______________).

CLIP OR COPY THIS FORM

I/we would like more information about 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

Contributors share stories of sacrifice, systematic giving

From time to time the Treasurer’s Office will share letters from Bahá’ís supporting the Cause of God with their material means, in hopes their stories of sacrifice or systematic giving will inspire others. Here are a few excerpts from letters received recently:

• New York: Alláh-u-Abhá! This is a gift given with joy and radiance, or rather it is a simple redistribution of blood to the place where it belongs, transferred by mail with the wings of love! Hope it helps, even ‎it if‎ just a little!

• Oklahoma: We have been using the automatic bank draft program for our regular Fund contributions for several years now, and are very happy with the program.

We supplement this course of action by a conscious decision every day to set aside the change from our minor transactions throughout the day—by filling a “fund jar.” Every year just prior to Unit Convention we roll the coins, take them to the bank, and deposit them in our checking account so that we can mail you a check. This year, one of us had an unexpected windfall, and after applying most of it to debts, we were able to add a little to the fund jar.

Of course, the National Spiritual Assembly has more wisdom as to where these funds should be best used, but it is our fond hope that this modest contribution may be used to offset the cost of the new National Teaching Plan.

• Illinois: The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of [locality] has an annual goal of [amount] to the National Bahá’í Fund, or [amount] per Bahá’í month, in addition to amounts for the Arc, the Bahá’í International Fund, the Continental Fund and the Regional Bahá’í Councils, all of which are sent to the National Fund with only a ‘wish’ that they be used for those purposes.

To ensure regularity, we have an automatic contribution set up to ensure that at least [amount] goes to the National Fund on a monthly basis.

Because of some generous giving, we now find ourselves in the position of having more cash on hand than normal, and we would like to send in the balance of our annual goal now, less the amounts which will go by automatic contribution for the remainder of the year.

Our thinking is that if a number of major Assemblies around the country did this, we could help level out the slump. Before we do this, however, the Assembly asked me to inquire from the Office of the Treasurer whether you would encourage such an approach, as it will also mean that our contributions later in the year will be less. [Page 25]

ENGLISH

Letter to the friends from the Latin-American Task Force

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

On the 23rd of this month of May, we celebrate another of our most joyous Holy Days—the Declaration of the Báb. On that same day all the Local Spiritual Assemblies throughout this country take part in the election of our four Regional Bahá’í Councils. The election of these Councils thus links them spiritually to both Founders of our Faith, for they were first elected on the anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh in 1997.

Now well-established, they have appointed many regional committees and other agencies to work under their direction and carry out their plans and decisions. Much of the responsibility for the teaching work that has been at the national level for so long is now in the process of being transferred to these Regional Councils, which are preparing for a great expansion of that work during this last year of the Four Year Plan.

But where are the souls we wish to reach? The 1990 U.S. Census shows the 30 areas with the greatest Hispanic population, so there we have target areas for Hispanic teaching. The Census also shows that more than half of U.S. Hispanics were born in this country, and that most either speak English only or are most comfortable speaking English.

This means, friends, that far from having only limited resources for teaching Hispanics, the potential pool of teachers is quite large. Those teachers can include not only Hispanic believers who mainly speak Spanish, but also those who are bilingual or who speak primarily English, as well as non-Hispanic believers—bilingual or not.

Therefore, we have the Bahá’í human resources necessary to reach all segments of the very large Hispanic population in this country, regardless of what their primary language may be.

What the Regional Councils now require and eagerly anticipate is the enthusiastic, wholehearted support and participation of the believers in each region. Dear friends, when they call upon you, please respond. These institutions are the generals directing the army of Bahá’u’lláh in its campaign to bring God’s healing message to all mankind—and we, the believers, are the soldiers they need to achieve victory.

However, they cannot call on you unless they first know who you are, where you live, whether you are bilingual, or speak primarily either English or Spanish, on what Bahá’í institutions you have been a member, and what other experience you have in the service of the Faith.

So, dear friends, we make another appeal, more urgent this time: that those of you who have not done so, please fill out the census form below and forward it as soon as possible. And if you are not Hispanics, but wish to take part in this work, please let us know this and give us your own personal and Bahá’í data.

Also, please publicize the need for this information. We know that not everyone reads our Letters to the Friends; please help us so that we, in turn, may provide as much information as possible to the National Spiritual Assembly, the Regional Councils. Thus, with the blessings and confirmations of Bahá’u’lláh, we shall attain our goal.

“When the victory arriveth, every man shall profess himself ‎as believer a believer‎ and hasten to the shelter of God’s Faith. Happy are they who in the days of world-encompassing trials have stood fast in the Cause and refused to swerve from its truth.” —Bahá’u’lláh

With loving greetings from the Latin-American Task Force ♦

ESPAÑOL

Carta a los amigos de la Comisión de Trabajo Latinoamericana

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

El día 23 de este mes de mayo, celebramos otro de nuestros Días Sagrados más felices—la Declaración del Báb. El mismo día todas las Asambleas Espirituales Locales del país toman parte en la elección de nuestros cuatro Concilios Regionales Bahá’ís. Así la elección de estos Concilios las vincula a los dos Fundadores de nuestra Fe, pues fueron elegidas por primera vez en el aniversario del Nacimiento de Bahá’u’lláh in 1997.

Ya están bien establecidos, han nombrado muchos comités y otras agencias regionales para trabajar bajo su guía y llevar a cabo sus planes y decisiones. Gran parte de la responsabilidad por la enseñanza de la Fe, por tanto tiempo a nivel nacional, ahora se está traspasando a estos Concilios Regionales que se preparan para una gran expansión del trabajo de enseñanza durante este último año del Plan de Cuatro Años.

Pero ¿‎a donde a dónde‎ se encuentran aquellas almas a quienes queremos alcanzar? El censo de 1990 de los Estados Unidos muestra las 30 áreas que tienen la mayor población hispana, así que aquí tenemos las metas para la enseñanza hispana. El censo también muestra que más de la mitad de los hispanos en este país nacieron aquí, que la mayoría de ellos, aun siendo bilingües, se sienten más cómodos con el inglés, o hablan solamente inglés. Esto significa, queridos amigos, que lejos de tener solamente recursos limitados para ‎las enseñanza la enseñanza‎ hispana, el grupo potencial de maestros es bien grande—pues incluye no solamente aquellos creyentes hispanos que hablan principalmente el español, sino también aquellos que son bilingües o hablan principalmente el inglés; y además los creyentes no hispanos, ya sean bilingües o no, que quieren tomar parte en la enseñanza de la Fe a los hispanos.

Por tanto, si poseemos todos los recursos humanos bahá’ís necesarios para llegar a toda la muy extensa población hispana en este país, sea cual sea su idioma principal.

Lo que los Concilios Regionales ahora requieren y esperan ansiosamente es el apoyo y participación, a la vez entusiastas y de todo corazón, de parte de los creyentes en cada región. Amados amigos, cuando llaman a ustedes, respondan, por favor. Estas instituciones son los generales que dirigen el ejército de Bahá’u’lláh en su campaña de traer el mensaje sanador de Dios a toda la humanidad—pero nosotros, los creyentes, somos los soldados que necesitan para lograr la victoria.

No obstante, no pueden buscar su ayuda sin saber primero quienes son ustedes, donde viven, si son o no bilingües, o si hablan principalmente el inglés o el español, en cuales instituciones bahá’ís han sido miembros, y que otra experiencia tienen en el servicio de la Fe.

Así, amados amigos, hacemos otra llamada—esta vez con mayor urgencia—que aquellos entre ustedes que no lo han hecho todavía, completen el formulario de censo a continuación y lo envíen lo más pronto posible. Y si no son hispanos, pero quieren tomar parte en este trabajo, por favor infórmenos así, dándonos sus propios datos bahá’ís y personales.

También, les pedimos que hagan conocer la necesidad de tener esta información—sabemos que no todos leen nuestras Cartas a los Amigos; ayúdennos, por favor, para nosotros poder proveer los mayores datos posibles a la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, al Comité Nacional de Enseñanza y a los Concilios Regionales. De este modo, y con las bendiciones y confirmaciones de Bahá’u’lláh, alcanzaremos nuestra meta.

“Cuando llegue la victoria, cada hombre se declarará creyente y se apresurará al refugio de la Fe de Dios. Felices aquellos que en los días de las pruebas que envuelven al mundo, se han mantenido firmes en la Causa y rehusado desviarse de su verdad.” —Bahá’u’lláh

Con cariñosos saludos de la Comisión de Trabajo Latinoamericana ♦

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

Srta. / Sra. / Sr. Miss / Mrs. / Ms. / Mr. ____________________________________________________	¿Ud. es o ha sido miembro de ... ? / Are you or have you been a member of ... ?
Dirección/ Address ___________________________________________________________	Cuerpo de Consejeros Continentales/Continental Board of Counselors ______
Ciudad/ Estado/ Código postal/ City State ZIP code ____________________________________________________________________	Cuerpo Auxiliar/Auxiliary Board ______
Número telefónico/ Número de fax/ Telephone ( ) Fax ( ) ____________________________________________________________________	Asamblea Espiritual Local/Local Spiritual Assembly ______
Dirección de correo electrónico/ E-mail address ____________________________________________________	Asistente a un miembro del Cuerpo Auxiliar/Assistant to Auxiliary Board member ______ ¿A quién?/To whom? ______________________________________
País de origen/ Country of origin ____________________________________________________	Comité nacional/National committee ______
¿En donde Ud. se hizo bahá’í?/ Where did you become a Bahá’í? ________________________________________	Comité local/Local committee ______
	¿Cuántos miembros de su comunidad bahá’í son latinos?/ How many members of your Bahá’í community are Latinos? ______
	¿Cuántos en su Asamblea Espiritual?/How many on your Spiritual Assembly? ______
Enviar a la Comisión de Trabajo Latinoamericana/Send to Latin-American Task Force por correo a/by mail to: Vera Breton ________________________________ Vienna, Virginia 22181 por fax a/by fax to: Larry Kramer (773) 509-0466 por e-mail a/by e-mail to: LATFORCE

[Page 26]

Tribute to the community’s elders

Elders of the Bahá’í communities in greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were treated to a special night of honor by the Spiritual Assembly of Radnor—in an event organized by youth. The event, part of a systematic effort to strengthen the community and increase teaching efforts, was aided with music and delicious food from the community at large. About 130 people of different ages, races and religions gathered as young people read short statements on the lives of a number of precious souls who have steadfastly carried the torch of commitment to Bahá’u’lláh and the Bahá’í way of life. At the end of the ceremony each person honored was given a rose. Photo by Soroosh Mahboubi

Organic garden plants seeds for youth growth

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

When the dream of a Bosch Organic Garden first became a reality about three years ago, not only were delicious fresh vegetables provided to the kitchen at Bosch Bahá’í School, but a new course of study and hands-on skills development has been provided for our youth.

Learning the techniques of high-yield, raised-bed gardening, biological pest control, crop rotation, composting, seed production, pruning, harvesting and utilizing the produce from the garden, students are introduced to the field of agriculture and market gardening.

Focusing on the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the spiritual principles of the Faith, students learn skills they can use in their own gardens or in social and economic development projects. They develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of the nature metaphors used in the Writings, as well.

The garden—created thanks to the fund-raising and hard work of Sima Cockshut and many other volunteers—also provides a great opportunity for “kids” of all ages to offer service to the school, to experience the fun of getting their hands dirty, and being a part of the wondrous process of making things grow.

A Youth Garden Project will be offered at Bosch July 10–15 for a limited number of students ages 12–16, directed by Sima Cockshut, and will run concurrently with Family Session 3. This program has attracted students from Daystar School in Japan for two-week programs each spring, and has been offered concurrently with other Bosch sessions as well.

A possible addition to our future Bosch programs will focus on collaborative community gardens as manageable development projects for Bahá’í communities. For more information on the Organic Garden, call us at Bosch!

Other upcoming sessions

• With more schools on year-round schedules, parents have requested a June Family Session so they can come to Bosch. We are pleased to accommodate these requests with a great start to the Summer Program, June 12–16: “Building Community” with Regional Bahá’í Council members Fereshteh Bethel (Western States) and Morris Taylor (Central States).

They will explore the role communities play in advancing the process of entry by troops. Do we have communities that attract people to the Faith? If not, how do we develop those bonds of love and unity that is such a powerful force?

Through study of the Writings, discussion and hands-on, interactive workshops, participants will gain practical ideas and skills to bring back to their communities to strengthen the bonds between individuals, families and the Institutions. Taylor’s book, Building Joe Strong, has been most helpful in building unified Assemblies.

Of course, a full program will be provided for children and youth.

• One of the highlights of our summer program last year was the Youth Music Academy. The outstanding young musicians who came to work with their professional teachers under the direction of Victor Wong thrilled the audience at their final concert, performing an original oratorio based on the life of Táhirih.

The Youth Music Academy will be offered June 20–27, again under the direction of Victor Wong. Interested students of high school and college age need to be at least on an intermediate level and each must submit an audition tape of two selections. Instructors will be provided for strings, woodwinds, brass, keyboards, guitar and vocal.

This is a truly inspirational program for serious young musicians, providing an opportunity to work with outstanding professional musicians for a week of intensive study and performance. Don’t miss out on this great session! ♦

Concert-Picnic means it’s officially summer

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

Green Acre’s summer season gets into full swing Sunday, July 4, with the school’s first Concert-Picnic. It will include the annual raising of the Peace Flag, and will feature gospel music by artists-in-residence Van Gilmer and Family. Monthly Sunday Picnics on the Piscataqua will also be held Aug. 1 and Sept. 5.

Among other exciting programs offered this summer:

• June 26–30: Institute on Relationships, Marriage and Family Life, led by Kambeze Etemad. Discover the power and potential latent in human relationships and family life.

• July 2–7: “Up Close and Personal with the Most Vital and Challenging Issue from African-American/Persian Perspectives.” Presenters Jayne and Ahmad Mahboubi explore guidance in Bahá’í writings and offer activities designed to enhance stronger feelings, thoughts and actions of unity and empowerment. Also presenting that week will be former Robert Hayden Poetry Fellow Peter Murphy with the course “Robert Hayden: A Life of Inspiration.”

• July 24–28: “Investigate Reality,” ‎preseted presented‎ by Ronald Tomanio and Diane Iverson, members of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for the Investigation of Reality. This series of spiritual exercises will offer insight into how to improve our relationships with each other and the institutions. Also offered that week will be “Mass Conversion: A Modest Proposal,” presented by author/lecturer Gary Matthews. It will address how we may, having learned how to generate inquiries in great numbers, convert those inquiries into declarations in such a way that new believers become truly consecrated in the Faith.

• July 30–Aug. 4: “It Is Not Rocket Science! Demystifying Training Institutes,” with Bob Harris. Other courses offered in that week’s session will be “Wings for the Spirit: Music in the Bahá’í Community,” presented by Regional Arts Task Force member Martha Yazhari, and “Building Vibrant Communities through Diversity,” with presenters Janet and Rodney Richards and Barbara Harris.

Future sessions include:

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

• Aug. 13–18: “The Transformative Power of Love in Our Personal, Family and Community Lives,” co-facilitated by Linda Meccouri and John Woodall.

• Aug. 13–18: Core Curriculum Teacher Training.

• Aug. 20–25: “Pathways to the Lesser Peace,” with Stephen Karnik; and “Greater Boldness: Seeking True Equality in the Bahá’í Community,” presented by Sophie and Corey Tamas.

For further information or to register, please contact Green Acre. ♦ [Page 27]

Wilmette Institute Update

Spiritual Foundations openings

Home study for the 1999–2000 Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization program of the Wilmette Institute began May 1.

Nevertheless, a few spaces remain open for this year’s program, which has as its theme “Carrying Forward an Ever-Advancing Civilization.” The home study is preparation for three weeks’ intensive classes July 17–Aug. 6, which will be held at Kendall College, less than a mile from the Bahá’í House of Worship. If anyone wishes to apply for the program, they should do so immediately.

Distance-education Courses

• “The Bahá’í Faith: A Comprehensive Introduction”: Enrollment now open. This course, running June 1–Aug. 30, is designed for Bahá’í college students and non-Bahá’ís who wish a systematic introduction to the Bahá’í Faith. Cost is $150, or $120 if you are registering as a member 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

• 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.

Refugee Office helps people in transition

The U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office was established in 1988 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.

It is responsible for:

• Providing for the spiritual well-being of all Bahá’í refugees throughout the resettlement process.
• Helping to coordinate the arrival of Bahá’í refugees and to introduce them to the appropriate Local Spiritual Assemblies, once resettlement agencies give the Office that information.
• Representing the National Spiritual Assembly in all matters pertaining to immigration, asylum and refugee status with governmental and non-governmental agencies.

In addition, the Refugee Office works closely with Southeast Asian Bahá’ís for years after their arrival in this country to ensure their immediate integration and continued spiritual development.

The U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office is here to serve you. If you are a representative of a Local Spiritual Assembly with questions related to immigration, refugee or asylum matters; if you are a U.S. relative of a refugee overseas; or if you are a refugee inside or outside the United States, and would like more information about the office’s services, the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office has been established for this purpose.

Puran Stevens, director U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201 Fax: 847-733-3545 E-mail:

Questions about the U.S. Bahá’í refugee program (excluding Southeast Asians) may be directed to Kevin Morrison (phone 847-733-3522).

Questions about the Southeast Asian teaching and consolidation program may be directed to Verne Larson (phone 847-733-3547). ♦

Trainers’ seminar is tribute to Greatest Holy Leaf

The room was transformed. An array of elegant silver candleholders with white lace table accents and framed pictures of the Greatest Holy Leaf, Bahá’u’lláh’s peerless daughter Bahíyyih Khánum, set the tone for the annual Advanced Core Curriculum Seminar, April 2–5 at Louhelen Bahá’í School.

Home of the National Teacher Training Center, Louhelen welcomes Core Curriculum trainers and facilitators each year to continue training and collaboration efforts so that they more effectively serve the goals of the Four Year Plan. This year’s theme was “Equality: A Tribute to the Memory of the Greatest Holy Leaf.”

Juana Conrad, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly and director of the Assembly’s Office of Women’s Affairs, addressed the 45 trainers on the status of women around the world and the efforts of Bahá’í institutions and Bahá’í-inspired organizations to advance the equality of women and men.

Counselor Stephen Birkland touched every heart through his review of the beloved Guardian’s tribute to the Greatest Holy Leaf, which described some of the spiritual qualities drawn forth from her long life of service to the Bahá’í Faith.

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

Through study, reflection and the performing and fine arts, the friends deepened their understanding of the role and station of Bahíyyih Khánum and her actions that can be a model for every Bahá’í seeking to serve God and serve humanity.

Seminar participants prepared workshops to offer each other, shared ideas and successful training approaches, and enhanced their training skills in Teacher Training, Race Unity Training, Parent Facilitation, or Marriage and Family Life Training.

The National Bahá’í Education Task Force announced the inauguration of the Core Curriculum training program for the Equality of Women and Men, with the first training for equality trainers to begin May 21–24, continuing Oct. 29–31. Participants also received timely instruction on the use of the soon-to-be released “Two Wings of the Bird” gatherings which will complement the ongoing National Teaching Plan.

The Youth Eagle Institute took place on the same weekend, April 2–4. Holly Hanson served as faculty to the 50 youth who attended. The youth and their counselors discovered how Bahá’u’lláh’s laws generate spirituality, transform human interactions and create justice in the world. Through fellowship, fun, consultation, mutual support and artistic expression they experienced a preview of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order.

Summer sessions ahead

Louhelen Bahá’í School convenes five family sessions this summer, focusing on the theme “Citizenship in the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh: The Role of the Community in Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops.”

Each session includes full programming for children and youth; and each includes music, devotional gatherings, recreation and fellowship for all. See the Calendar on page 40 for themes of each session. ♦

CORE CURRICULUM Parenting and Discipline

This is part 3 of a 3-part series on a vital parenting issue—disciplining. Many of the ideas expressed here are drawn from the Core Curriculum Parenting program.

BY THE EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS OFFICE

The first two articles in this series emphasized that learning is always the purpose of discipline. It is important to remember that punishment and discipline are not the same thing. Punishment is necessary because teaching that choices have consequences is at the heart of discipline.

Children must be taught both to love and to fear God. This may sound contradictory, but let’s examine it from a Bahá’í perspective: We were created to love Him and to worship Him. And while fear is usually an emotion to avoid, the fear of God is not negative. It is critical to protect a child from danger and to instill in her or him confidence in His bounties and in His love for us.

“Fear of punishment, fear of the anger of God if we do evil, are needed to keep people’s feet on the right path. Of course we should love God—but we must fear Him in the sense of a child fearing the righteous anger and chastisement of a parent; not cringe before Him as before a tyrant, but know His mercy exceeds His justice!” —from a letter on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Bahá’í Education, #151

The consequences of not fearing God are dire:

“In formulating the principles and laws a part hath been devoted to penalties which form an effective instrument for the security and protection of men. However, dread of penalties maketh people desist only outwardly from committing vile and contemptible deeds, while that which guardeth and restraineth man both outwardly and inwardly hath been and still is the fear of God. It is man’s true protector and his spiritual guardian.” —Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 93

“From their childhood instill in their hearts the love of God so they may manifest in their lives the fear of God and have confidence in the bestowals of God.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 54

If you would like more information on the Core Curriculum Parenting program, or to find Parent Facilitators in your area, please contact Louhelen Bahá’í School (phone 810-653-5033). ♦ [Page 28]

Regional schools focus on 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 your request to [obscured].

Here is a list of regional school sessions through Labor Day weekend.

Young participants in last year’s Four Corners Bahá’í School don safety belts and helmets for the popular ropes course, which simulates rock climbing. The school also has learning circles for Navajo speakers. Photo courtesy of Four Corners Bahá’í School

NORTHEASTERN STATES

NEW YORK “SOLOMON R.G. HILTON,” AUG. 13–23 Program: Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops. Location: 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 [obscured]) has rates. Registrar: Phil Cabot, P.O. Box 122, Norwood, NJ 07648 (phone 201-767-5806, e-mail [obscured]) 10% discount for pre-registration by June 30; 10% late fee after July 17; 15% after July 31.

SOUTHERN STATES

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: Melbourne, FL Facilities: Classroom settings. Dorm rooms, cafeteria. Tennis, swimming, other recreation. Fees: Ask registrar. Registrar: Denise Godsey: [address obscured], Pompano Beach, FL 33060 (phone 954-942-1844, e-mail [obscured]). Pre-register by June 15.

KENTUCKY, SEPT. 3–6 Program: Build Community with Unity. Location: 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, [address obscured], Gilbertsville, KY 42044 (phone 502-362-4228, e-mail [obscured]). 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, 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, [address obscured], Laurel, MD 20707 (phone 301-725-5604, fax 301-725-0464, e-mail [obscured]). $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: 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, [address obscured], Vicksburg, MS 39180 (phone 601-634-8867).

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

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

VIRGINIA “HEMLOCK HAVEN,” JULY 9–11 Location: Hungry Mother State Park, VA Registrar: Sarah Jane Lee, P.O. Box 2156, Lebanon, VA 24266 (phone 540-889-0445).

VIRGINIA “MASSANETTA SPRINGS,” AUG. 27–29 Program: Kindling a Fire that will Set Aflame the World: Developing the Spiritual Champion Within. With Counselor Tod Ewing, Ken Bowers. Location: Harrisonburg, VA Facilities: Camping or semi-private rooms; cafeteria-style dining. Outdoor sports, hiking. Registrar: Darren and Ruth Clements (phone 804-296-5238, e-mail [obscured]). Discount for pre-registering before July 15.

CENTRAL STATES

ILLINOIS “HEARTLAND,” JUNE 23–27 Program: Preparing Ourselves and Our Communities for Citizenship in the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. Location: 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, [address obscured], Aurora, IL 60504 (phone 630-898-0520, e-mail [obscured]). Pre-register by June 1 to guarantee meals. Web: www.bcca.org/orgs/schools/heartland

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

IOWA, JUNE 23–27 Program: Collective Expression of Virtues—the Role of the Community. With Lorelei McClure, Khosrow Rezai, Mark Ochu. Location: 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, [address obscured], 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: 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, [address obscured], Plymouth, MN 55441 (phone 612-557-6039). Pre-register by July 15.

NEBRASKA “GREAT PLAINS,” JULY 29–AUG. 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, 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, [address obscured], North Platte, NE 69101-4514 (phone 308-534-4939, e-mail [obscured]). Pre-register by June 29; late registration fee $5 per person or $10 per family.

WISCONSIN “MARIAN STEFFES,” JULY 19–23 Location: Brownsville, WI Facilities: Double rooms; dining hall. Hiking, crafts, swimming. Registrar: Lisa Riemer, [address obscured], West Bend, WI 53095 (phone 414-338-3023, e-mail [obscured]). Pre-register by July 5.

WESTERN STATES

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: Yucaipa, CA. Facilities: Cabins; group dining, vegetarian option. Swimming, court sports, hiking. Fees: Ask registrar. Registrar: Edye York, [address obscured], Ontario, CA 91764 (phone 909-983-1022, e-mail [obscured] or [obscured]). 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, 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, [address obscured], Woodland Park, CO 80863 (phone 719-687-3351, e-mail [obscured]). Pre-register by June 13.

MONTANA “JOHN H. WILCOTT,” JULY 25–30 Program: Role of the Community in Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops. With Pierre-Yves Mocquais, Katherine Williams. Location: 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, [address obscured], Helena, MT 59601 (phone 406-442-7526, e-mail [obscured]). 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: 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, [address obscured], 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 [obscured]).

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 [obscured]).

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 [obscured]).

UTAH, MAY 28–31 Program: Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops with Emphasis on the Community. Location: 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, [address obscured], 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 Djahangirloo. Location: 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, [address obscured], Richland, WA 99352 (phone 509-943-1236) or Wendy Diessner (e-mail [obscured]). 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: 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, [address obscured], Woodinville, WA 98072-8465 (phone 425-488-2673, e-mail [obscured]). [Page 29]

VINEYARD of the LORD

PHOTOS BY RUHI VARGHA

FINISHING WORK PROGRESSES ON INTERNATIONAL TEACHING CENTER BUILDING

Marble paving has been finished in the entrance portico of the International Teaching Center. The vaulted roof is being prepared for installation of green tiles, in harmony with the other completed buildings on the Arc: the seat of the Universal House of Justice, the Center for the Study of the Texts and the Archives Building.

Stone work is continuing in different sections of the building, including patios that allow natural light inside.

Walls, windows, doors, hardware and ceilings have been installed on Level 1, and this interior finishing work ‎in is‎ under way on Levels 2 and 3. Interior marble paving is 80 percent finished in the auditorium foyer and staff dining room on Levels 4 and 5.

In the auditorium itself, the ceiling and light fixtures are complete and wood paneling is being installed. Drywall work is under way or finished on Levels 6 and 7.

Just above the main entrance hall of the building on Level 8, aluminum frames are being installed for a semicircular star-shaped skylight.

Above: The extension to the Archives building features a unique central stairwell, here viewed from the base.

Top left: Facilities in the Center for the Study of the Texts stand ready to receive the offices of several Bahá’í World Center agencies.

Bottom far left: Fariborz Sahba (right), director of the Mount Carmel Bahá’í Projects, receives a cultural award from a panel including the mayor of Haifa (left).

Left: An artisan helps carry out the last of the marble work in the entrance portico of the International Teaching Center. [Page 30]

MOUNT CARMEL PROJECTS

Top: From the roof of the Center for the Study of the Texts, a view of the International Teaching Center (left) and Universal House of Justice buildings.

Bottom: Even as construction work continues on Terrace 13 above the Shrine of the Báb, a palm tree stands ready for planting. Palms are a feature of all the completed terraces.

OTHER NOTES ON THE PROGRESS OF THE PROJECTS

• Security command center takes shape: The Arc Complex security center, in the building under Terrace 11, is being fitted with a computer-controlled monitoring system in preparation for occupancy of the Center for the Study of the Texts, and training of staff is under way. Interior and exterior finishing is at various stages elsewhere in this building, which will also include a visitors center and an auditorium.

• Tests aid designers of Entrance Plaza fountain: With abundant fountains and pools, the design of the Entrance Plaza to the Terraces at the foot of Mount Carmel depends greatly on how water flows. Therefore, a number of tests were conducted with a life-size mockup of the elaborate central fountain to determine exactly how water would flow from the upper star-shaped bowl into the lower one. Those tests helped designers toward completing design drawings.

• Hatzionut Avenue traffic back to normal: With details of the Hatzionut Avenue project nearly finished, traffic has resumed its normal pace on the thoroughfare, which was lowered to provide a continuous, safe footpath between the Shrine of the Báb and the uppermost Terrace. Stone work on the footbridge over the avenue is complete, as well as the lighting and electric supply, drainage work and brick curbs for paths. The focus has shifted to landscaping work on the bridge.

• Hanging Gardens project honored with cultural award: The Bahá’í World Center garnered a prestigious local cultural honor for the design and execution of the Hanging Gardens project, which “provides Haifa a prime tourist attraction.” At a ceremony in the Haifa Municipal Theater, Mayor Amram Mitzna presented the 1998 Ephraim Lifshitz Award to Fariborz Sahba, director of the Mount Carmel Bahá’í Projects. In the same ceremony, a citation award was presented to designers of the German Templar Colony restoration project, also connected with the World Center grounds.

LIBRARY SPACE IS BEING PREPARED FOR STORAGE OF NEARLY 200,000 ITEMS

A collection of 193,700 books, periodicals and other items in 690 languages will be moved into the library facilities in the Center for the Study of the Texts, once the interior of the new building is completely ready.

Now that contractors have handed the finished building over to the Bahá’í World Center, workers are carrying out final deep cleaning and checking every floor for finishing details. Level 3, in particular, is soon to be the new home of the library collection at the World Center.

Nearly a mile of compact shelving has been installed on that floor. The U.S.-manufactured shelf system, mounted on rails, weighs more than 30 tons.

Publications of all kinds about or related to the Bahá’í Faith make up the collection: printed and Braille books, periodicals, posters, maps, CD-ROMs and other media.

Reference works and background material on different religions and other general subjects of interest to the Bahá’í World Center institutions are also in the collection. Another resource is a file of more than 35,000 newspaper clippings from countries all over the world.

As the Library moves into its permanent home, it will continue to work toward its goal of acquiring a copy of every book that mentions the Bahá’í Faith, whether or not it is published under Bahá’í auspices. All these materials will form the core of the future International Bahá’í Library.

MORE GARDENS EMERGE ON TERRACES ABOVE THE SHRINE OF THE BÁB

The crest of Mount Carmel affords a sweeping view of the Upper Terraces leading down to the Shrine of the Báb. Continuing construction and landscaping work gives way in more and more places to pleasing garden landscapes.

Stone work on the Terraces is in full swing with an increased number of masons:

• The pool on Terrace 17 is in place.
• The pool and paving are finished on Terrace 14.
• Circular stairs are completed on Terrace 13, and work has begun on the stairs of Terrace 12 just below.
• The massive earth-moving project to shape the western areas of Terraces 12 through 15 is finished, and the area is ready for landscaping. Before the area was backfilled, extensive drainage and sewer lines were laid and connected to city lines. Access is through 26 manholes.

Further down on the main Terrace of the Shrine of the Báb, a garden is emerging around the historic circle of cypress trees, graced by the presence of Bahá’u’lláh. ♦ [Page 31]

BAHÁ’Í SUBSCRIBER SERVICE 800-999-9019

World Order Your window to teaching, deepening, and external affairs

Fall 1998 issue: The Millennium Issues and A 1911 Meeting with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Two articles designed to add to your understanding of millennium discussions:

• Youli Iannesyan examines the concept of "the end" by looking at linguistic issues behind claims that the Bible predicts the end of the world. He demonstrates that the Bible is closer to Bahá’í scriptures than most of us have thought.
• William P. Collins, in the first of a two-part article, explores the Millerite movement, the Bahá’í interpretation of biblical time-prophecy, and their importance.

Also: Ahang Rabbani’s translation of notes by two prominent Persians who met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Paris in 1911 makes available historic documents of historical and psychological importance, while revealing yet another glimpse of effect of the Perfect Exemplar on those around Him.

Plan now to get the Winter 1998–99 issue, soon to be published. Bill Collins, in the second part of his discussion of the Bahá’í interpretation of biblical time prophecy, illuminates how to use Bahá’í books on the topic in reaching American Protestants influenced directly or indirectly by Millerite views on the return of Christ.

Subscription type/fee: U.S. ($19 / 1 year, $36 / 2 years) Outside U.S. surface mail ($19 / 1 year, $36 / 2 years) Outside U.S. air mail ($24 / 1 year, $46 / 2 years) Single copies available on phone orders for $5 plus shipping/handling

One Country Published quarterly by the Bahá’í International Community Subscription type/fee: U.S. ($12 / 1 year, $22 / 2 years) Outside U.S. surface mail ($16 / 1 year, $30 / 2 years) Outside U.S. air mail ($20 / 1 year, $36 / 2 years)

Herald of the South Quarterly magazine published by the Bahá’ís of Australia and New Zealand Subscription fee: U.S. ($28 / 1 year, $50 / 2 years)

The American Bahá’í 10 times a year, available by subscription outside continental U.S. Subscription type/fee: Surface mail ($24 / 1 year, $45 / 2 years) Air mail ($32 / 1 year, $60 / 2 years)

For Brilliant Star subscription information, please see page 13

Use a separate copy of this form for each subscription

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• 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

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Phone orders: 800-999-9019 • E-mail orders: Mail orders: Bahá’í Subscriber Service, 4703 Fulton Industrial Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30336 TAB 5/17/99

A SPIRITUAL OASIS

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

CLIP OR COPY AS NEEDED

For which event or activity? __________________________________________________

Name ________________________________________________________________________

Address _____________________________________________________________________

City ________________________________________ State, ZIP ______________________

Phone _______________________________________ E-mail _________________________

Special information: _________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________

TAB 5/17/99 [Page 32]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.

YOUTH

Youth and young adult volunteers needed

AT LOUHELEN, GREEN ACRE, LOUIS GREGORY INSTITUTE, NABI If you can give up to 2–3 months of your summer, we need people at these permanent Bahá’í schools and institutes to provide:

• office and registration help,
• kitchen and cleaning help,
• recreation and library help,
• maintenance and grounds help,
• children’s class teaching help.

We provide room and board. Contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430)

AT BAHÁ’Í U.N. OFFICES NEW YORK, NEW YORK NSA/BIC Internship program. The New York offices of the National Spiritual Assembly and Bahá’í International Community advance the interests of the Faith in the diplomatic and public information arenas. These offices include the U.S. United Nations Office, Office of Public Information of the National Spiritual Assembly and the BIC United Nations Office. Service may include short-term and long-term research assistance with programmatic work, professional consultative services, administrative and technical clerical support. Bahá’ís age 18 and older are welcome to apply. College credit for volunteer service may be arranged. Bahá’í Youth Service Corps opportunities are available. The Bahá’í Offices are not in a position to provide housing or other compensation. Please contact Jeffery Huffines, U.N. Representative, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the U.S., 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10017 (phone 212-803-2500, fax 212-803-2573, e-mail jefferyh@bic-un.org).

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

AT BOSCH BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA 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, 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 bosch@usbnc.org).

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AT THE BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTER
THE MOUNT CARMEL PROJECTS Constructing the buildings and terraces of the Arc in Haifa, Israel, have the following opportunities for service: Gardeners/‎borticulturists 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 mcp@bwc.org).
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 personnel@bwc.org)

INTERNATIONAL China: Numerous openings for English teachers and professionals willing to travel for service in this rapidly developing country. For more information contact Susan Senchuk (phone 847-733-3506, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail pioneering@usbnc.org).

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 pioneering@usbnc.org).

More full-time paid service opportunities at Bahá’í National Offices • see page 34

PIONEERING / OVERSEAS

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

WANTED

The Dallas, Texas, Spiritual Assembly is planning its 50th anniversary celebration. Did you once live in Dallas or serve on the Spiritual Assembly? Do you have an interesting story about and/or photograph of the Dallas Bahá’í community? Would you be willing to share them? Please contact: 50th Anniversary Celebration, Dallas Bahá’í Center, 4235 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas Texas 75220 (e-mail dallasbahai@juno.com and send material by June 15. Please limit your story to two letter-size pages.

Help the Green Lake Bahá’í Conference compile its history for the 40th annual conference, Aug. 27–29. The conference committee is seeking any memories, personal stories, pictures, videotapes, programs or other memorabilia you may have tucked away. Did you, family members, or friends declare at Green Lake? Serve the conference in some way? Have a transforming experience or realization there? Share your most outstanding memories. Contact Lori Block, secretary, at 2400 Green Bay, WI 54301 (phone 920-432-7110, e-mail lori-block@juno.com).

ARCHIVES

The National Bahá’í Archives is seeking original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following people: M. Conatser, Anthony Coniglio, Maxine Conrad, Graham P. Conroy, Solveig Velde Corbit, Angela G. Corea, Anthony Peter Corea, Ruth Jordan Cornell, Miriam Corolaita and Harriette C. Cosh. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these Guardian’s letters is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-853-2359).

The National Bahá’í Archives is seeking photographs of early Bábís or of Iran and Iraq during the Bábí period. Please identify the photographs if possible with name of the individual or locality and date. Anyone having photographs they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611.

PIONEERING / HOMEFRONT

Frankfort, Kentucky is seeking homefront pioneers to help strengthen our Bahá’í community. Within easy commuting distance of Lexington and Louisville, this beautiful river town is home to Kentucky state government and a historically black university. With an Assembly since 1976, this community has a Bahá’í center right next to City Hall! Frankfort is a great place to raise a family with a low cost of living. We need some dedicated souls to help in the teaching and consolidation work, as many seeds have been planted here. We would especially welcome a young couple or family. Please contact Nathan or Shannan Rome (phone 502-875-7987, e-mail nshan@juno.com).

Fayetteville, Georgia: Our youth tell us our community feels like one big family where everyone is welcomed and loved. Are you looking for a new place to live? We need several committed folks to help us form an Assembly. We also are quite social (we enjoy food and fun), there are plenty of job opportunities, great schools, and thousands of souls waiting to hear the message of Bahá’u’lláh. We are just south of Atlanta, and will help you look for work, housing, etc. Contact Claudia Phillips, Fayetteville, GA 30214 (phone 770 461-9548, e-mail fayebahai@bellsouth.net) or Jay and Bernice Hunter, Fayetteville, GA 30214 (phone 770 460-9831, e-mail jaybernice@aol.com). [Page 33]

AT THE BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER EVANSTON, ILLINOIS

Concrete Artesan-Apprentice, Conservation. Assists Concrete/Stone Conservator in the ongoing conservation of the Bahá’í House of Worship and its surroundings. Must be competent in mixing, placing, finishing and curing concrete flatwork or architectural precast components; experienced in building forms or making molds. Familiarity with pressure or acid cleaning, sandblasting or pneumatie demolition an asset, as is experience in a leadership/supervisory capacity. Valid driver's license required. Must be comfortable working at heights wearing full or half-mask respirators. Communication skills must include interacting with the public in a pleasant, friendly manner.

Conservation Coordinator, Conservation. Does inspection, recordkeeping, testing and research for the Conservation Program at the Bahá’í House of Worship; maintains information systems of the Conservation team; manages projects of limited scope. Duties require working at heights using roofs, catwalks, ladders, scaffolding, vertical lifts, bosun chairs, rope harnesses, etc. Must have three years' experience in engineering technology and/or conservation work; degree in engineering technology, museum science or related field. Skill in sketching and word processing. Well-organized, accurate, thorough and patient. Cooperative, consultative and flexible; preferably able to operate in teams. Preservation experience desirable.

Maintenance Technician, Bahá’í Properties Office. Responsible for preventive maintenance, inventory, inspection and coordination of repairs to Bahá’í properties. Needs general knowledge of building maintenance and operations; will work with electricity, plumbing, mechanical and masonry repairs. Ensures proper care of all buildings' mechanical systems and components to keep them operating at peak performance; surveys all facility equipment and creates routines for caring for each piece of equipment; installs/maintains upgraded pneumatic and direct digital controls of HVAC systems, motor controls, elevator systems and material processing equipment; installs/maintains fire alarm, burglar alarm, security video alarm, 2-way radio, electrical equipment and telephone equipment; basic plumbing.

Administrative assistant (part-time), U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office. Provides administrative support to the coordinator and assistant coordinator of the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office. Prepares correspondence to refugees, other individuals, Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í agencies (government and non-government) involved in refugee resettlement. Helps complete regular reports, form letters and memos; maintains records. Assists with information gathering, processing, and computer input of the Southeast Asian Bahá’í refugees. Helps compile and write the Southeast Asian Helpers Bulletin, articles for The American Bahá’í and other publications for the coordinator's approval. Proven ability to work with confidential information. Strong written and oral skills in English.

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).

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED 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

Office of the Treasurer, Evanston: Accountant. Needs strong interpersonal and analytical skills and familiarity with integrated PC-based accounting software. CPA and experience in implementing internal control procedures are 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 serve with a positive, spiritual attitude, work well under time constraints, coordinate a variety of duties; must have excellent phone skills. Expect to work more than one weekend a month. Meeting- and menu-planning experience is a big plus.

Office of the Secretary, Evanston: Administrative Aide. Provides support for National Convention, prepares logistics of National Spiritual Assembly meetings, provides telephone support, types correspondence as necessary, orders office supplies, copies, files, runs errands. Must show ability to work with confidential material; ability to work as part of a team; excellent organizational skills. Must type 45-50 wpm accurately; needs basic word processing skills; valid driver's license.

Persian/American Affairs Office, Evanston: Program Assistant. Helps the office's manager and program coordinator follow up on execution of programs and projects; performs general office functions, including records management; handles correspondence in Persian and English; translates documents and letters as needed. Must be skilled in Persian and English written and oral communication skills, familiar with Bahá’í administrative practices, familiar with Iranian culture. Must type 30 wpm in English and Persian, and be able to perform detailed work with frequent interruptions.

Mail Services, Evanston: Clerk (2 positions). Performs general mail service duties, including efficient handling of incoming and outgoing mail plus shipping, receiving, distribution and storage. Must be computer-literate, especially in Microsoft Office programs. Must help maintain atmosphere of cooperation, good will and teamwork in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Needs proven record in a customer service environment; ability to speak, read and write English; valid driver's license.

If interested, 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

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 LSAL. 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.

Transfer desk, Membership Office. Strong data entry and communication skills required. Helpful if Persian speaking. Will cooperate with Refugee, Persian American Affairs and Pioneering Offices.

Data entry clerk, Membership Office. Will transcribe contact information from the 800-22-UNITE voice-mail system. Needs transcription experience; will cooperate with the 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 LOUIS G. GREGORY BAHÁ’Í INSTITUTE HEMINGWAY, SOUTH CAROLINA

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).

AT BAHÁ’Í TRADE PUBLISHING WILMETTE, ILLINOIS OR FULTON COUNTY, GEORGIA

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. 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

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 34]بعنوان شهروند نمونه و برجسته سال بر می گزینند.

خانم دکتر ناناز پیرنیا روانشناس و مشاور مسایل زناشوئی و امور خانوادگی در عین اینکه از ۱۷ سال پیش در بورلی هیلز مطب شخصی داشته‌اند با بسیاری از مدارس شهر خودشان همکاری داشته و سمینارهای آموزشی متعددی برگزار کرده اند. بعلاوه ایشان موفق شده اند که مرکز آموزش کنتیتری و "گروه والدین خواستار آموزش برتر در بورلی هیلز" را تأسیس و اداره کنند.

در چهل و ششمین شب نشینی سالانه بورلی هیلز در تاریخ ۷ می ۱۹۹۹، لوحه و هدایای شهروندان نمونه به آنان اهداء گردید.

اعلامیه مؤسسه ویلمت

WILMETTE INSTITUTE UPDATE

مطالعات مقدماتی برای سال چهارم برنامه "اساس روحانی مدنیت جهانی"، برنامه چهارساله مطالعات امری مؤسسه ویلمت، از اول ماه می سال جاری آغاز شد. با این حال هنوز برای شرکت در برنامه مذکور در سال جاری فرصت هست.

هدف از این مطالعات مقدماتی آمادگی برای شرکت در دوره فشرده سه هفته‌ای برنامه فوق است که از ۱۷ جولای تا ۶ آگست در کالج کندال Kendall در فاصله یک مایلی مشرق الاذکار ویلمت دائر خواهد بود.

علاقه مندان باید هر چه زودتر برای شرکت در این برنامه ثبت نام نمایند.

Wilmette Institute 536 Sheridan Road Wilmette, IL 60091 Phone: (847) 733-3415 Fax: (847) 733-3563 E-mail: www.usbnc.org/wilmette

بزرگداشت ماه زن در لوس انجلس

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH IN LOS ANGELES

به تازگی دو برنامه نمایش موزیکال به مناسبت بزرگداشت "ماه تاریخ زن" در لوس انجلس به اجرا درآمد. نمایش مذکور بر اساس زندگی طاهره تنظیم شده است.

نمایش مذکور را خانم مهتدیه رایس Rice و پارک مک‌الیستر Parke McAlister تهیه کرده اند. "یک زن و سخنانش: داستان طاهره" عنوان این نمایش است.

هنگامی که نمایش موزیکال مزبور روز ۶ مارچ به اجرا در آمد جایزه‌ای تحت عنوان "جایزه طاهره برای خدمت به زنان" به خانواده خانم Amy Beihl تقدیم شد. خانم مذکور در جریان آماده ساختن شهروندان افریقای شمالی برای اولین انتخابات آزاد آن کشور به قتل رسید.

خانم Molly Beihl جایزه مذکور را از جانب خواهر مرحومش Amy دریافت کرد و سخنرانی مهیجی درباره درخواست بخشایش برای قاتلان خواهرش ایراد کرد. خانواده او اظهار داشتند که از دیدن نمایش طاهره تحت تاثیر قرار گرفته اند.

در این مراسم علاوه بر نمایش یک برنامه ویدیویی تبریک‌نامه‌هائی از رئیس جمهور افریقای جنوبی آقای نلسن ماندلا و نیز رئیس مجلس نامیبیا خوانده شد.

گفتنی است که افراد برجسته‌ای در مراسم مذکور شرکت کرده بودند از جمله یکی از سناتورهای ایالت کالیفرنیا و سرکنسول افریقای جنوبی و عده‌ای از رهبران شهر و مجریان برنامه‌های هنری و سرگرم کننده.

از جمله شرکت‌کنندگان بهائی در مراسم مذکور عبارت بودند از: مشاور قاره‌ای خانم ویلما الیس که همچنین عضویت یک کمیسیون رایزنی درباره آزادی دینی وابسته به وزارت امور خارجه را بر عهده دارد و همسر ایشان دکتر فیروز کاظم زاده منشی امور خارجی محفل روحانی ملی.

دانشجوی نمونه

EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS

به تازگی خبردار شدیم که آقای منوهر مفیدی دانشجوی دانشکده حقوق دانشگاه دنور Denver در ایالت کلورادو جایزه سالانه دانشکده مذکور را با عنوان Leonard v. B. Sutton International Law Legal Writing Composition به خود تخصیص داده است.

به آقای مفیدی تبریک می‌گوئیم و توفیق هر چه بیشتر این دانشجوی ایرانی تبار بهائی را چه در امور امری و چه در زمینه تحصیلات دانشگاهی از درگاه الهی می‌طلبیم.

مجله World Order

شماره اخیر مجله World Order که به تازگی نشر شد حاوی مطالب مفیدی خواهد بود از جمله:

- مقاله ای درباره مفهوم "آخرالزمان" با توجه به جوانب زبان شناختی موضوع

- مقاله ای درباره نهضت Millerite

- ترجمه انگلیسی یادداشت‌های دو ایرانی غیربهائی درباره دیدارشان از حضرت عبدالبهاء، در پاریس

از علاقه‌مندان دعوت می‌شود شماره جدید مجله World Order را خریداری فرمایند و از مقالات و مطالب آن بهره مند گردند.

نوروز در مؤسسه بهائی لوئیس گرگوری

NAW-RUZ AT LGI

نوروز امسال احیای حول و حوش مؤسسه بهائی لوئیس گرگوری Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute و دوستانی از سراسر ایالت کرولاینای جنوبی در محل مؤسسه گرد هم آمدند و آن روز مبارک را با ساز و آواز بزرگ داشتند.

در این گردهم‌آئی تصدیق هفت نفر اعلام شد.

کتابهای تازه

NEW BOOKS

• - نفحات ظهور حضرت بهاءالله

در مقدمه ناشر این کتاب چنین آمده است: "در بین آثار نویسندگان بهائی که بزبان انگلیسی نشر یافته، چهار جلد نفحات ظهور حضرت بهاءالله (The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh) از اهمیت ویژه‌ای برخوردار است."

این کتاب که در طی یک دوره ۱۳ ساله از ۱۹۷۴ تا ۱۹۸۷ منتشر گردید بزودی جای خود را در ادبیات انگلیسی بهائی که سالها خالی بود پُر نمود. در این اثر که به همت جناب ادیب طاهرزاده تالیف گشته شرح مختصر و مفید متن الواح معروف حضرت بهاءالله بیان گردیده است. همچنین باقتضای مطلب، شرح حال بعضی رجال برجسته دوره رسالت حضرت بهاءالله و وقایع عمده تاریخ امر الهی تبیین شده است.

حال خوشوقتیم که جلد اول این کتاب که مشتمل بر شرح الواح نازل در بغداد و وقایع عمده تاریخ امر تا سال ۱۸۶۳ است به همت مترجم توانا جناب دکتر باهر فرقانی بفارسی ترجمه شده و مؤسسه مطالعات بهائی در کانادا آنرا چاپ و منتشر نموده است. مطالعه این اثر نفیس را به عموم علاقه‌مندان به معارف بهائی توصیه می‌کنیم.

• - در خدمت دوست

مؤسسه معارف بهائی در کانادا اخیراً خاطرات جناب میرزا محمد ثابت مراغه‌ای را در ۲۵۰ صفحه چاپ و منتشر کرده است. این کتاب برای علاقه مندان به تاریخ و خاطرات خادمین امر بهائی که عمر گرانمایه خود را وقف انتشار پیام ظهور جدید نموده اند نمونه‌ای جامع و آموزنده است که با بیانی شیرین و جذاب به شرح چگونگی برخورد با بزرگان دین و مصاحبه و مفاوضه با آنان پرداخته است.

خواندن این کتاب را دوستان توصیه می‌کنیم.

• - تاریخچه مدرسه تربیت بنین

مدارس تربیت که از زمان حضرت عبدالبهاء در ایران تأسیس شدند نقشی اساسی در ترقی نسلی تازه در ایران نوین داشته‌اند. شرح ایجاد و گسترش این مدارس و انسان‌های فرزانه‌ای که در آنها تربیت شدند و به خدمت جمیع بشر قیام کردند فصلی مستقل از تاریخ تطور جامعه بهائی ایران را تشکیل میدهد. جناب عباس ثابت که خود سالها از شاگردان مدرسه تربیت بنین بوده اند با مراجعه به سوابق و مدارک مربوط به آن مدرسه کتابی جامع همراه با عکس‌های تاریخی متعدد تهیه کرده‌اند که برای سالها به عنوان مآخذ قابل استفاده محققین و مورخین رشد تربیت بهائی در ایران خواهد بود. این کتاب توسط مؤسسه مطبوعات مرآت در هندوستان چاپ شده است.

برای اطلاع بیشتر و خرید این کتابها با مؤسسه معارف بهائی در کانادا بشماره ۳۰۴۰-۶۲۸-۹۰۵-۱ تماس بگیرید.

در آمریکا میتوان این کتابها را از مؤسسه ایمجز اینترنشنال (۴۵۲۵-۴۷۰-۸۰۰-۱) خریداری نمود. [Page 35]

ترجمه دستخط بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی خطاب به نمایندگان نودمین کانونشن ملی ایالات متحده آمریکا

RESPONSE OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE TO THE MESSAGE OF NATIONAL CONVENTION DELEGATES

مورخ ۲۵ اپریل ۱۹۹۹

دوستان عزیز بهائی،

نشان ایمان و ایثار و عزم جازم و اطمینانی که در پیام آن عزیزان نمایان بود جان و روان این مشتاقان را طیران داد و انتظارات این جمع را نسبت به آن دوستان شایان نمود. در توصیفی که از آمادگی جامعه بهائی آمریکا برای رویاروئی با مسائل و مشکلات مربوط به مرحله نهائی نقشه چهارساله اظهار نموده بودید، وحدت نظری دیده می‌شد که برای توفیق مساعی آن یاران ضامنی برتر از آن تصور نتوان کرد.

پس ای یاران، در شاهراه پیروزی قدم بردارید و به یقین بدانید که این جمع در آستان الهی از جمال قدم ملتمسند که عنایات خود را بیش از پیش بر اقداماتی که به نام مبارکش جهت استفاده از فرصت‌های بی‌شمار این زمان فرخنده صورت یافته ارزانی دارد تا علم امر مبارکش در سراسر آن اقلیم عزیز و وسیع برافراشته گردد.

ترجمه عریضه نمایندگان نودمین کانونشن ملی ایالات متحده به ساحت رفیع بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی

MESSAGE OF NATIONAL CONVENTION DELEGATES TO THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

مورخ ۲۴ اپریل ۱۹۹۹

اعضای عزیز بیت‌العدل اعظم الهی،

با اظهار تواضع و ایثار از ام‌المعابد غرب آن عزیزان را تحیت می‌گوئیم. با شوق و سپاس پیام رضوان معهد اعلی را که در انتظارش بودیم، دریافت داشتیم و دل و جانمان از کلمات آن تازه و شاد گردید. تحلیل آموزنده‌ای که از توفیقات حاصله در طی نقشه چهارساله ارائه داده بودید، ما را آگاه ساخت و الهام بخشید. به راستی گزارش انتصارات یاران از سراسر عالم بهائی در جان و دل حس یگانگی و پیوند بین مساعی فردی یاران در سبیل خدمت امرالله و پیشرفت پیوسته جامعه جهانی را بیدار کرد.

از پیشرفت مشروعات کوه کرمل و تأسیس محافل ملی جدید و آغاز مشروعات عمران و توسعه اجتماعی و اقتصادی در سراسر جهان و اقدامات مبتکرانه شوراهای ناحیه‌ای بهائی و توسعه خدمات هنری و اتکاء رو به افزایش دوائر و مؤسسات خارجی به شرکت احباء در حل مشکلات اجتماعی به شگفت آمدیم.

حضور اعضای هیئت مشاورین خانم‌ها ویلما الیس و جکلین لفت‌هندبل جنابان ستیون پرکلند و دیوید سمیت و عبدالمیثاق قدیریان و عضو سابق بیت‌العدل اعظم دکتر روح و همسرشان کانونشن ملی را رونق بیشتری می‌بخشد. همچنین حضور سه تن از اعضای هیئت امنای حقوق‌الله در ایالات متحده و بیست و یک مهمان سرخپوست از قبیله‌های Athabascan و Cherokee و Chippewa و Choctaw و Lakota و Navajo و Nez Perce و Pueblo و Yakima که به همراه سه نماینده سرخپوست در کانونشن شرکت نموده‌اند بر روح وحدت و وقار و تنوعی که در این جمع مبارک بود می‌افزاید. مناجاتی به زبان ناواهو Navajo تلاوت شد و از شنیدن خبر تأسیس محافل روحانی جدید در نقاط سرخپوست‌نشین شور و هیجانی حاصل گردید.

پختگی و محبتی که در جریان مشاورات دیده می‌شد فضای کانونشن را آغشته بود. پیام رضوان محفل روحانی ملی و تحلیل‌ها و پیشنهادهای صریح لجنه ملی نشر نفحات و گزارش پیشرفت شوراهای ناحیه‌ای بهائی هم حاکی از نیرو و عمق و بلوغ نظم اداری بود و هم این نکته را آشکار می‌کرد که باید همت خود را صرف نقشه‌هایی کنیم که این مؤسسات طرح کرده‌اند، نمائیم.

با آگاهی بیشتری از اهمیت فرصت‌های موجود تعهد می‌کنیم با همتی کاهش‌ناپذیر تا آنجا که ممکن باشد بکوشیم که نقشه چهارساله را به اتمام رسانیم. فداکاری‌های بی‌دریغی که خواهران و برادران روحانی ما در ایران به منصه ظهور رسانده‌اند مستلزم آن است که قوای خود را به تمامی خود صرف نیل اهداف نقشه نمائیم. بدین ترتیب در این نقطه عطف تاریخی که مانندی ندارد قیام به اقدام می‌کنیم.

با اظهار تواضع از معهد اعلی تقاضا می‌کنیم که همچنان در حق ما دعا و طلب هدایت نمایند باشد که با ایمانی مستقیم به سوی امکانات بی‌سابقه هزاره جدید راه بسپاریم.

امنای جدید حقوق‌الله

HUQUQU’LLAH

هیئت امنای حقوق‌الله به تازگی اعلام کرد که خانم الیزابت مارتین Elizabeth Martin و خانم شلی فو Sally Foo به عضویت آن هیئت انتصاب یافته‌اند.

در مرقومه هیئت حقوق‌الله آمده است که عضویت این دو بهائی قابل و خدوم کارکرد هیئت امنای حقوق‌الله را تقویت خواهد کرد.

محفل روحانی ملی نیز در ضمن نامه‌ای از عضویت این دو عضو جدید اظهار خشنودی کرد. در نامه محفل روحانی ملی ذکر شده است که مساعی آن عزیزان سبب خواهد شد که احبای الهی با حکم حقوق‌الله آشنائی بیشتری حاصل نمایند. همچنین در نامه مذکور از قول امین حقوق‌الله، ایادی محترم امرالله جناب علی محمد ورقا نقل شده است که "ادای حقوق نشان محبت و اطاعت و دلیل استقامت بر عهد و پیمان و رمز اعتماد به امر الهی است."

از دفتر امین صندوق

TREASURER’S CORNER

نام محافلی که تبرعات جامعه محلی را به طور منظم به صندوق ملی ارسال دارند در لوحه افتخار قرار خواهد گرفت. همچنین محافلی که ممیزی سالانه و اهداف مالی سالانه خود را به دفتر امین صندوق ارسال دارند، در لوحه مذکور ذکر خواهند شد.

محافل محلی باید گزارش ممیزی سالانه خود را تا ۳۰ جون سال جاری به دفتر امین صندوق ارسال دارند. باید دانست که اداره امور مالی و رسیدگی دقیق به آن یکی از علائم بلوغ و کارآئی محافل محلی است.

بسیاری از امنای صندوق در جوامع گوناگون اظهار داشته‌اند که گزارش امین صندوق را که ضمیمه نامه ضیافات نوزده روزه است دقایقی پیش از آغاز ضیافت دریافت می‌دارند و بدین ترتیب وقت لازم برای آماده کردن مطالب یا بررسی آن ندارند.

در این مورد باید توجه داشت که منشیان محافل محلی باید ترتیبی دهند که مراسلات دفتر امین صندوق در اسرع وقت و پیش از جلسه ضیافت به دست امنای صندوق محلی برسد. در این صورت امین صندوق محلی فرصت خواهد داشت که پیام دفتر ملی امین صندوق را مطالعه کند و خود را با نکات آن آشنا سازد و بدین ترتیب احبای محل را هم از منویات محفل روحانی ملی و دفتر امین صندوق آشنا کنند.

کلاس‌های فشرده زبان فارسی

INTENSIVE PERSIAN COURSE

دفتر امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکایی 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. برنامه 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 فشرده فارسی در طی سه هفته ۴۵۰ دلار و مخارج خوابگاه شبی ۲۲ دلار برای هر دانشجو است.

علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند برای نام‌نویسی و یا دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر با دفتر امور احبای ایرانی-آمریکایی تماس حاصل نمایند. شماره تلفن: ۳۵۲۶-۷۳۳ (۸۴۷)

شهروند ممتاز

DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN

برای اولین بار یک خانم ایرانی بهائی، خانم دکتر ناناز پیرنیا بعنوان یکی از دو نفر شهروند برگزیده سال Citizen of the Year در شهر بورلی هیلز در کالیفرنیا انتخاب شدند.

این اقدام توسط اطاق بازرگانی شهر بورلی هیلز انجام شده و سنتی ست دیرینه که هر سال دو نفر از شهروندانشان را که از نظر خدمت به همنوعان، فعالیت‌های اجتماعی و دیگر شایستگی‌ها ممتاز بوده‌اند انتخاب می‌کنند. [Page 36]اخلاقی که زاییده فقر و تعصبات نژادی است و موجب فساد و تباهی ایشان میگردد فائق آیند.

در زمینه روابط خارجی دو حادثه دردناک در ایران موجب اقداماتی بسیار مجدّانه گردید. اعدام ناگهانی جناب روح‌الله روحانی در ماه جولای گذشته در مشهد، که پس از گذشت شش سال اولین بار بود که چنین اقدامی از طرف مقامات رسمی صورت میگرفت، ضربتی بود که در سراسر جهان بنحوی بی‌سابقه سبب اعتراض دولتها و نیز مؤسسات وابسته به سازمان ملل گردید. در اواخر سپتامبر سازمان اطلاعات دولت ایران بنحوی متشکل مؤسسه بهائی آموزش عالی را مورد حمله قرار داد و سی و شش نفر از اعضاء هیئت آموزشی مؤسسه مزبور را توقیف کرد و به خانه بیش از پانصد نفر از احباء در سراسر کشور هجوم و تجاوز نمود. این حمله و هجوم یک سلسله اقدامات اعتراض‌آمیز از طرف مؤسسات دانشگاهی و جوامع علمی و استادان دانشگاهها و مجامع دانشجویی را برانگیخت که هنوز ادامه دارد و بصورت مقالاتی جامع و مؤثر در جراید عالم از جمله در لوموند و نیویورک تایمز و سایر جراید مهم و مشهور منعکس گردیده است. موفقیت در تصویب قطعنامه جدید دیگری در بارۀ ایران توسط مجمع عمومی سازمان ملل که طی آن از بهائیان به وضوح نام برده شده است مطمئناً باید تحت تأثیر وقوع این دو حادثه که بنحوی بارز حاکی از تعرض و آزار بی‌رحمانه مذهبی است حاصل شده باشد.

اگر چه اقداماتی که توسط یاران الهی در سراسر جهان برای دفاع از خواهران و برادران ستمدیده در ایران معمول گردیده بسیار شدید بوده، ولیکن در عین حال به کوششهای بسیار متنوع دیگری در زمینۀ روابط خارجی نیز توجه زیادی مبذول گشته است. مأموریت چهارماهه‌ای که جناب جیوانی بالریو Mr. Giovanni Ballerio از جانب بیت العدل اعظم در جزایر اقیانوسیه انجام داد و با بیست و دو رئیس دولت و پنج رئیس حکومت و بیش از چهل نفر دیگر از رؤسای عالی‌رتبه ملاقات نمود؛ کوششهای تعدادی از محافل روحانی ملی بنا به تقاضای دفتر جامعۀ بین‌المللی بهائی در سازمان ملل در زمینۀ ترویج حقوق بشر و تعلیم و تربیت؛ مشارکت نمایندگان جامعۀ بهائی آفریقای جنوبی، بنا بر دعوت رسمی، در مذاکرات کمیسیون مصالحه و توافق که در نتیجۀ آن نمایندگان مزبور توانستند سوابق ممتد حمایت بلا انقطاع احباء را از وحدت نژادی در طول تمام سالهایی که تبعیض نژادی (آپارتاید apartheid) در آن کشور حکمفرما بود بیان کنند؛ و همچنین موفقیت اخیر جوامع بهائی در استرالیا، برزیل، فنلاند و پرتقال در اخذ تصمیم اولیاء امور تعلیم و تربیت جهت اضافه کردن مواد درسی در بارۀ امر بهائی در برنامۀ مدارس ابتدائی و متوسطه؛ و بالاخره طرحها و اقدامات مربوط به اطلاعات عمومی که موجب اعلان عمومی امرالله در جمیع رسانه‌های خبری شده است نمونه‌هائی از اقدامات وسیع در روابط خارجی است که قوای جامعۀ بهائی مصروف آن شده است.

نتایج اقدامات مبذول شده شامل بکار گرفتن انواع هنر هم بوده است که نمونۀ بارز آن مراسم بزرگداشت قرن تأسیس امر الهی در فرانسه بود که در پاریس برگزار شد. برنامه‌ای که بوسیله گروه سرودخوانی موسوم به «گروه نغمات بهاء» (The Voices of Baha Choir) که از ٦٨ عضو از اروپا و امریکا تشکیل شده اجرا شد مایۀ سرور شنوندگان در هشت شهر اروپائی گردید و امر بهائی را به جمع کثیری ابلاغ نمود. نمایش اپرا-بالت موسوم به "نور و آتش" توسط آهنگساز بهائی نروژی لاسه ثورسن Lasse Thoresen در سپتامبر گذشته در فستیوال معروف موسیقی در لهستان که به "پائیز ورشو" (Warsaw Autumn) شهرت دارد و توسط ملکه سوئد افتتاح شد با موفقیت به مرحله اجرا در آمد. نمایشنامه مزبور که بر اساس شهامت قهرمانانۀ شهدای اخیر ایران ساخته شده است سبب گردید که تماشا کنندگان از امر الهی مطلع شوند. پیشقدم شدن جوامع بهائی اروپا در این قبیل اقدامات از جمله شامل فستیوال موسیقی مجلسی اطریش (Austrian Chamber Music Festival) هم شد که در ضمن آن نشان صلیب علم و هنر اطریش که عالیترین نشان هنر و موسیقی آن مملکت است توسط رئیس جمهور اطریش به جناب بیژن خادم میثاق ویولونیست و رهبر ارکستر که از احبای اطریش است اعطا گردید. یکی از برنامه‌های این جشنواره تلاوت قسمتهائی از آثار مبارکه بهائی و سایر ادیان بود. ذکری هم از اقدامات چشمگیری که جوانان در سراسر جهان در بکار گرفتن انواع هنر در امر تبلیغ مبذول داشته‌اند باید به میان آید که مخصوصاً با برگزاری "کارگاههای پایکوبی" (dance workshops) در داخل و خارج جامعۀ بهائی شهرت یافته‌اند.

بنابر این جامعه بهائی در حالی که در جریان پرشور و تحرک تحول و دگرگونی، و برخوردار از وحدت نظر و اقدام برای پیشبرد جریان دخول افواج مقبلین است ایام رضوان را آغاز مینماید. آخرین سال نقشه را با افزایش قدرت اداری جامعه شروع میکنیم زیرا در سه کشور اروپائی لاتویا و لیتوانی و مقدونیه از کانونشن‌های ملی دعوت شده است که محافل روحانی ملی را تشکیل دهند و بدین ترتیب تعداد اعمدۀ بیت العدل اعظم به ١٨٢ بالغ میگردد. ورای این لحظات سرور انگیز، سلسله وقایعی در پیش است که اول و مقدم بر همه پایان یافتن نقشه چهارساله در رضوان سال دو هزار است. در یوم میثاق همان سال دورۀ جدیدی از خدمات هیئت‌های مشاورین قاره‌ای آغاز میگردد و به فاصله کوتاهی اعضای آن هیئت‌ها دعوت خواهند شد که برای شرکت در کنفرانس مشاورین قاره‌ای در مرکز جهانی بهائی حضور یابند. در کنفرانس مزبور از جمله مسائلی که مطرح خواهد شد بحث و مذاکره در بارۀ مختصات نقشۀ جهان‌شمول بعدی برای تبلیغ و تزیید معارف امری خواهد بود. کنفرانس مشاورین مقارن استقرار دارالتبلیغ بین المللی در مقر دائمی‌اش خواهد بود و برای شرکت در مراسم مزبور از اعضای هیئتهای معاونت در سراسر جهان نیز دعوت خواهد شد تا به مشاورین مجتمع در ارض اقدس بپیوندند. در آن زمان مشروعات کوه کرمل خاتمه یافته و مقدمات مراسم افتتاح آن که در ٢٢ و ٢٣ می سال ٢٠٠١ برگزار خواهد شد به مراحل نهائی خواهد رسید. برای شرکت در مراسم مذکور نمایندگانی از هر یک از جوامع ملی بهائی به ارض اقدس دعوت خواهند گردید. جزئیات مربوط به این رویدادها به موقع خود اعلام خواهد گشت.

رویدادهای بهجت افزائی که ذکر شد، بر اساس تقویم متداول عمومی، در حد فاصل قرن بیستم و هزارۀ جدید اتفاق خواهد افتاد. این پیش‌بینی تضادی را که بین دو دیدگاه مختلف وجود دارد مورد تأکید قرار میدهد. یکی دیدگاه اطمینان‌بخشی است که مساعی سازندۀ جامعه‌ای را به پیش میراند که به نور ظهور امر الهی منور است و دیگری وحشت و اضطراب گیج کننده‌ای است که میلیونها مردم را فرا گرفته است، مردمی که هنوز از شناسائی "یومی" که در آن زندگی میکنند غافلند، مردمی که از هدایت حقیقی و واقعی محروم و دستخوش خوف و هراس حاکم بر این قرن هستند و با نا امیدی نگرانند که این حوادث چه آینده‌ای را در بر خواهد داشت و به سختی متوجه این حقیقت‌اند که همین قرن واجد نوری است که بر قرون و اعصار آینده خواهد تابید. اینان چون برای تعبیر و تفسیر اضطراب و اغتشاشی اجتماعی که کرۀ ارض را فرا گرفته مجهز نیستند به آراء ناصواب گوش فرا میدهند و بیش از پیش در غمرات یأس و حرمان فرو میروند. از پیش‌بینی‌های فنا و نابودی در عذابند و با خیالات واهی و اطلاعات نادرست در ستیز. بی‌خبر از آرمان تقریب‌کنندۀ مالک ایام و نابینا از مشاهدۀ یوم بی‌همتای جدید الهی افتان و خیزان پیش میروند. احوال اسف‌باری که از مشاهدۀ این وضع بر قلب و روح مستولی میگردد باید ما را به عمل و اقدام، آن هم اقدامی قاطع، برای تحقق مقاصد نقشه‌ای برانگیزاند که هدف عمده‌اش تسریع جریانی است که تعداد روز افزونی از مردم جهان را قادر به یافتن مقصودی می‌نماید که آن را برای بنیان نهادن زندگانی وحدت‌بخش و صلح‌آمیز و پر از سعادت و رفاه جستجو می‌کنند.

یاران عزیز، ایام مانند چشمک ستارگان به سرعت درگذر است. حال نقطۀ عطف بحرانی است که هرگز شبه و مثلش دوباره پیش نخواهد آمد، فرصت را غنیمت شمارید و در این فرصت اقدامی نمایید که سبب شمول عنایات و الطاف الهیه گردد و برای شما و همۀ نوع انسان ضامن آینده‌ای ماورای ارزشهای دنیوی شود.

بیت العدل اعظم [Page 37]

ترجمه پیام بیت العدل اعظم

خطاب به بهائیان عالم، رضوان ۱۵۶

Message of the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the World -- Ridvan 156

یاران عزیز الهی

چون به فتوحات حاصله در یکسال اخیر، یعنی سال پیش از سال نهائی و سرنوشت‌سازی که منجر به خاتمه نقشه چهار ساله میگردد، نظر افکنیم قلوبمان سرشار از امید میگردد. عالم بهائی از آغاز پر شکوه سال گذشته با انعقاد هشتمین کانونشن بین‌المللی، سرعت پیشرفت اقداماتی را که به نحوی بارز سبب پیشرفت جریان دخول افواج مقبلین گردیده حفظ نموده و ادامه داده است. جامعه امر رشد و توسعه ای شایسته قدردانی حاصل نموده و منابع انسانیش افزایشی شایان داشته است. از مشروعات تبلیغی تا اقدامات مربوط به تزیید معارف امری، از خدمات توسعه اجتماعی اقتصادی تا روابط خارجی، از خدمات جوانان تا به کارگرفتن هنرهای گوناگون برای عرضه تعالیم الهی، از مرکز جهانی بهائی تا روستاها و شهرهای دور افتاده، به راستی از هر زاویه ای که به جامعه بهائی بنگریم پیشرفت حاصل شده است. چشم انداز نقشه چهارساله امیدبخش است.

نیروی محرکه‌ای که در کانونشن بین‌المللی ایجاد شده بود در کنفرانس مشاورین قاره ای که بلافاصله بعد از کانونشن مزبور منعقد گردید تاثیر گذاشت و شرکت کنندگان خستگی‌ناپذیر آن کنفرانس را نشاطی جدید بخشید و سپس به مشاورات کانونشنهای ملی که در ماه می تشکیل گردید روحی تازه دمید. کانونشنهای سال گذشته از جمله شامل کانونشنهای ‎سباح صباح‎ و ساراوآک و اسلواکی بود که نخستین بار برای تشکیل محافل روحانی ملی منعقد میگردید. همان نیروی محرکه به دارالتبلیغ بین‌المللی نیز تسری یافت به نحوی که در مدت زمانی کوتاه که از ششمین دوره فعالیت آن مؤسسه که از سالگرد بعثت حضرت نقطه اولی آغاز شده میگذرد قابلیت و توانائی شایان توجهی ابراز نموده است. مشاورین عضو دارالتبلیغ بین‌المللی در نخستین سال خدمت خود از اقدام به مسافرتهائی که معمولاً انجام میدهند صرفنظر نموده به تکمیل و تقویت تشکیلات خود پرداختند ولیکن انتظار میرود که از این پس مسافرت به نقاط مختلف جهان را آغاز نمایند و بدین وسیله سبب تشدید اثرات حیات‌بخشی شوند که این اسفار در اکمال موفقیت آمیز نقشه چهارساله خواهد داشت.

علاوه بر این رویدادها در ارض اقدس، پیشرفت مشروعات ساختمانی ابنیه کوه کرمل، که مشاهده آنها سبب اعجاب و شعف نمایندگان کانونشن بین‌المللی گردید، برای پایان یافتن در موعد مقرر در خاتمه این قرن همچنان ادامه دارد و با شروع امور ساختمانی در تمام قسمتهای باقی مانده در رضوان گذشته سرعت کارهای ساختمانی به منتهی درجه رسیده است. مرکز مطالعه و تحقیق در نصوص و الواح و ساختمان ضمیمه دارالآثار بین‌المللی در شرف آماده شدن است و تا چند هفته دیگر مورد استفاده قرار خواهد گرفت. نمای خارجی ساختمان دارالتبلیغ بین‌المللی کاملاً با سنگهای مرمر پوشیده شده و روکاری داخلی در تمام طبقات ساختمان مزبور ادامه دارد. پائین بردن سطح خیابان هاتزیانوت Hatzionut برای ساختمان پلی که حال طبقات تحتانی و فوقانی مقام اعلی را در دو طرف خیابان مزبور به یکدیگر متصل می‌سازد پایان یافته و عبور و مرور وسائط نقلیه در خیابان مزبور به حال عادی در آمده است. جلوه روزافزون زیبائی طبقات مقام اعلی چنان انظار عمومی را جلب نموده که از هم اکنون طبقه نوزدهم در بالای کوه کرمل همه روزه در ساعات معینی برای تماشاکنندگان مفتوح شده و موجب خوشوقتی و امتنان عموم مردم گردیده است. بعنوان یکی از اقدامات مربوط به جلب انظار بین‌المللی به شهر حیفا، شهرداری حیفا دفترچه مصوّری از مقام اعلی و طبقات کوه کرمل منتشر نموده که علاوه بر زبان عبری به پنج زبان دیگر نیز در دسترس عموم قرار گرفته است.

لازم است که حد اقل به دو اقدام دیگر از اقداماتی که در مرکز جهانی بهائی در جریان است و با اقدامات سائره کاملاً متفاوت میباشد نیز اشاره نمائیم : اول، تصمیم به افزایش تعداد زائرین در هر دوره زیارتی از یکصد به یکصد و پنجاه نفر است. پس از تکمیل ساختمانی که اخیراً در مسیر مقابل مرقد حضرت ورقه علیا ابتیاع شده و حال به منظور تأمین تالار زائرین و تسهیلات دیگر برای اداره امور تعداد بیشتری از زائرین در دست تعمیر و نوسازی است این تصمیم به موقع اجرا گذاشته خواهد شد. دوم، پیشرفت قابل ملاحظه طرح انتشار مجلد جدیدی از ترجمه آثار قلم اعلی به زبان انگلیسی است علی رغم مشکلات اجتناب ناپذیری که مانع ترجمه سریع آثار مبارکه میگردد. کوشش می‌شود که متن کامل آثار عمده ای از قبیل سوره ملوک، سوره هیکل، و متن کامل الواح نازله خطاب به ملوک و سلاطین و رؤسای ارض و نیز سوره رئیس و لوح رئیس و لوح فؤاد در دسترس یاران الهی قرار گیرد.

امر مبرم جمال قدم قاطعانه در تقدم بوده و در اثر اقدامات روز افزون برای پرورش و استفاده منظم از منابع انسانی شور و نشاطی تازه یافته است. مؤسسات آموزشی ملی و منطقه‌ای که به تازگی تأسیس شده و حال به ۳۴۴ مؤسسه بالغ گردیده موجب تحقق و تقدم این منظور شده و در نتیجه به استثنای آمریکای شمالی و ایران که در آنها دوره‌های آموزشی بی شماری به مرحله اجرا در آمده، در حدود هفتاد هزار نفر از احباء تا بحال لا اقل یک دوره آموزشی را در مؤسسات مزبور به پایان رسانده اند. این اقدامات سبب افزایش تعداد حامیان ثابت قدم و فعال امر جمال قدم میگردد. نمونه بارز قوای مکنونه در این اقدامات را به عنوان مثال میتوان در گزارشی که از کشور چاد رسیده ملاحظه کرد. در آن کشور در ناحیه‌ای که در آن یکی از این مؤسسات آموزشی فعالیت می‌کند یکهزار نفر توسط افرادی که در مؤسسه مزبور آموزش دیده‌اند به امر الهی اقبال نموده اند. ضرورت اقدامات منظم در پرورش منابع انسانی در همه نقاط عالم درک و اذعان شده است.

همزمان با ایجاد مؤسسات آموزشی و اثبات سودمندی آنها، شوراهای منطقه ای بهائی در تعداد منتخبی از کشورها، که به علّت شرایط و احوال موجود ایجاد چنین مؤسساتی در آنها ضروری و مقدور بود، تأسیس شد. هرکجا بین شورای منطقه ای و مؤسسه آموزشی روابط متقابل و صمیمانه وجود دارد زمینه برای ظهور و بروز توحید مساعی و ایجاد نیروی جدیدی جهت اقدام به توسعه و تحکیم نطاق امرالله در آن منطقه و مرتبط ساختن خدمات آموزشی با نیازمندیهای جوامع محلی برای توسعه و تحکیم فراهم شده است. علاوه بر این، راهنمائی‌های اجرائی که سبب میشود مشاورین قاره ای و شوراهای منطقه ای مستقیماً با یکگدیگر در تماس باشند همراه با ارتباط اداری شوراهای منطقه‌ای با محافل ملی و محلی، موجب همکاری بین مؤسسات مزبور و توحید مساعی و وظایف آن مؤسسات به نحوی ‎پرتجرک پرتحرک‎ و نیروبخش در سطح منطقه ای میگردد.

اقدامات جامعه‌های بهائی در زمینه خدمات اجتماعی و اقتصادی که پیوسته در حال توسعه یافتن است نیز از توجیه مخصوصی که این مؤسسات آموزشی به موضوع هائی نظیر سواد آموزی و بهداشت اولیه و ترقی نسوان مبذول میدارند بهره مند میگردد. این اقدامات و همچنین به وجود آمدن مؤسساتی که با الهام گرفتن از امر بهائی در سراسر کره ارض تأسیس می شوند بر میزان پیشرفت مساعی دائم‌الاتساع دفتر خدمات اجتماعی و اقتصادی در مرکز جهانی می‌افزاید که هدف آن اشاعه جریان جهان شمول فراگرفتن اصول امری مربوط به خدمات مزبور است. بنابراین آشکار است که پیوسته بر ظرفیت و توانائی مؤسسات امری برای اداره برنامه‌های خدمات اجتماعی و اقتصادی افزوده میگردد. این حقیقت را میتوان در مشروعاتی که با الهام از تعالیم بهائی یا در ظل مؤسسات امری و یا به ابتکار افراد احباء ایجاد شده است به وضوح مشاهده نمود. یکی از نمونه‌های بارز مشروعاتی که توسط افراد احباء تأسیس شده کالج وحدت (Unity College) است که اولین کالج خصوصی در کشور اتیوپی است و بوسیله یک خانواده بهائی در آن کشور تأسیس شده و از اواخر سال ۱۹۹۸ تنها کالج خصوصی در اتیوپی به شمار میرود و در حال حاضر پنجهزار دانشجو دارد. نمونه دیگر، در میزانی کوچکتر اما به همان اهمیت، ابتکار خانواده دیگری در بافالو Buffalo در ایالت نیویورک است که در خانهٔ خود نحوه رفتار و روش زندگی بر اساس تعالیم روحانی و اخلاقی بهائی را به ده ها کودک و نوجوان نواحی محروم شهر تعلیم می دهند و آنان را قادر می‌سازند تا بر احوال و [Page 38]

Louise Groger, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh

In the early hours of March 22, 1999, Louise A. Groger—a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh who opened the territory of Chiloé Island to the Faith—passed from this earthly plane.

"Despite hardships," a March 23 message from our National Spiritual Assembly to Louise’s family read in part, "this indomitable maidservant sowed the first seeds of the Teachings of the Lord of the Age in that fertile soil and nurtured plants which bore fruit and helped birth the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Chile."

Born April 11, 1907, in San Francisco, California, Louise was raised a Catholic. In later years she told her family that as a young girl she often told God in prayer: "If I had been born in the early days of Christ I hope that I would have recognized Him and been a follower." Little did she realize that wish would lead her to declare her faith in Bahá’u’lláh in 1936.

Her three children attended Bahá’í classes and soon embraced the Faith, followed within years by Louise’s husband, Ted, and his mother. Louise served on the Local Spiritual Assembly in San Francisco from 1938–1949. "During those years their home on ‎Auga Agua‎ Way was a guest house to many of the friends going through San Francisco," a message from her family said.

In 1950, a year after the untimely death of her husband, Louise went to pioneer in Punta Arenas at the southern tip of Chile by the Straits of Magellan. She remained there for two years, then returned to the United States.

When the Ten Year Crusade was launched, Louise asked to return to Chile. Before long she was on her way to Chiloé, arriving in Castro, the capital, in June 1954. She befriended another Bahá’í, Zunilda Gonzáles Jara de Palacios, and her daughter. Louise bought a house that provided ample room for all of them to live, and together they worked to bring the healing message of Bahá’u’lláh to the people of this mainly Catholic island.

On March 24, 1999, the Department of the Secretariat of the Universal House of Justice transmitted the following cabled message to the National Spiritual Assemblies of Chile and of the United States:

DEEPLY SADDENED LOSS VALIANT KNIGHT BAHÁ’U’LLÁH FOR CHILOÉ ISLAND GREATLY LOVED LOUISE A. GROGER. HER SETTLEMENT AND LONG YEARS PIONEERING THIS REMOTE ISLAND WILL EVER ADORN ANNALS BAHÁ’Í HISTORY. PRAYING FERVENTLY PROGRESS HER RADIANT SOUL KINGDOM ON HIGH. LOVING CONDOLENCES HER RELATIVES.

—THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Louise Groger was a part of the Bahá’í history of two nations.

It was slow work indeed, and few came to learn more. One seeker declared her faith in March 1955, but soon moved to Santiago. In 1957, another declarant was welcomed. In 1958, Zunilda and her daughter moved to Santiago so she could find work. This opened a new door.

Louise always looked to the youth and young adults, whose minds she felt were most open to new ideas. She befriended Peace Corps volunteers who came to Chiloé and sought to find those who might be able to hear the divine Message. She offered her home to young women boarders, supporting herself in addition through the sale of fruit, jam, vegetables and flowers.

In January 1968, because of her health and the increasing difficulty of living there, Louise returned to the United States after 14 years of devoted service. She operated a family-owned dry goods store in Columbia, California, then four years ago went to live with a daughter in Los Gatos, closer to the Bay Area.

At age 85 Louise visited Castro, where she found several people she had known during her pioneering days, including a young woman who lived with her.

This note she added to a letter in 1964 described her outlook on life:

"My life personally is enjoyable to me because as a gardener and pioneer of the old school at heart it has provided me with challenges I’ve been pleased to meet and overcome in an effort to live more or less as I might at home. A San Franciscan, born and bred, the lack of sunshine is not as discouraging to me as it is to the Chileans who come here from central or northern Chile. As for the rain, it can sometimes be depressing, but it frees me from responsibility for the garden and therefore gives me time to do the many jobs indoors that would otherwise wait indefinitely. And then there are beautifully sunny days, real summer weather, such as we seldom had to enjoy on the San Francisco hills. That such conditions don’t usually last for long makes them so much the more appreciated." ◆

Keith Quigley served in Africa and Hollywood

Keith Quigley pioneered to South Africa in the 1950s with his late husband, Bob, and the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears and his wife, Marguerite. The Quigleys continued to support Bahá’í pioneers, traveling teachers, and communities throughout their lives.

Mrs. Quigley died March 20, 1999, at her home in Beverly Hills, California, after a long illness. She was 87.

The Quigley home was always open for Bahá’í gatherings, visitors, mentoring and weddings for the friends. They met the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, on a pilgrimage to the Bahá’í World Center.

Bob Quigley won several Emmy Awards as a producer of television programs, including the original Hollywood Squares. Keith helped him in development and production of the programs.

Muhtadia Rice, a Los Angeles Bahá’í who has won rave notices for her stage tribute to Táhirih, said Keith Quigley recommended her for the role.

"From then on my life changed because of Keith and Táhirih," she says. "If it were not for Keith’s confidence and belief in me I would have never had the bounty I’ve so richly received over the many years of friendship with her."

"How ironic that on the day Keith left this world I learned that I will be touring my Táhirih show in South Africa. I will tour Táhirih with great joy, and the shows will ‎performed be performed‎ in the names of both Bob and Keith. ... I know they will guide and protect me."

Auxiliary Board member Brent Poirier also remembers the Quigleys fondly.

"Keith and Bob were a wonderful team. They were among those precious few of the Hollywood people who demonstrated, by the consecration of their time, talent, financial resources, and pioneering, their devotion to their Lord," he said. ◆

IN MEMORIAM

Yolanda Akujobi Geneva, IL March 27, 1999	Sheryl L. Cornelius Marietta, GA February 27, 1999	James Henry Miami, FL March 19, 1999	Toluieh Khavari Portsmouth, NH March 3, 1999	Keith Quigley Beverly Hills, CA March 20, 1999	Robert E. Sibole Prince Frederick, MD January 1999	Hendrik J. Van Leesten Aurora, IL March 14, 1999
Donald A. Bisson Concord, NH October 10, 1998	Elaine M. Eastman East Hartford, CT March 15, 1999	Leonard S. Henson Fairhope, AL March 8, 1999	Shiva Khayyam-Bahmardi Los Angeles, CA March 3, 1999	Michael Quinn Lombard, IL March 1999	Carl R Smith Urbana, OH February 26, 1999	Gary Walkup Ventura, CA March 20, 1999
Mark Boese New Paltz, NY November 1, 1998	Javaher Ferdowsian Pasadena, TX January 4, 1999	Jordan R. Johnson Colorado Springs, CO January 17, 1999	Thomas Lisota West Sacramento, CA January 30, 1998	Faranaz Malakooti Washington, DC November 10, 1998	Victoria M. Stafford Woburn, MA November 27, 1998	John R. Watson III Bethesda, MD January 16, 1999
Randolph Bolles Kent, CT February 19, 1999	Lois M. Gage Las Vegas, NV September 16, 1998	Elizabeth T. Kelly Sevierville, TN March 20, 1998	Marian McKee Auburn, CA February 2, 1999	Zona Murdock Carson City, NV October 30, 1998	Tommy H. Thomas Lakewood, CA February 18, 1999	Jamileh Zamani-Farahani Moore, OK January 20, 1999
James Champion Sr. Batavia, IL March 20, 1999	Donald D. Henderer Bella Vista, AR November 25, 1998	Gordon E. Kennedy Little Rock, AR August 6, 1997	Diane E. Bogolub Petit Lansing, IL January 1999	James C. Rainwater Alexandria, LA October 27, 1998	Dana Tucker Miami, FL February 9, 1999	Alicia T. Zehfuss La Crescenta, CA February 11, 1999

[Page 39]

CALENDAR • OF • EVENTS

For information about events sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly or its agencies at the Bahá’í National Center, please phone 847-869-9039 and ask for the relevant department. Numbers and e-mail addresses for the permanent Bahá’í schools and institutes are: Bosch Bahá’í School, phone 831-423-3387; fax 831-423-7564; e-mail __________ Green Acre Bahá’í School, phone 207-439-7200; fax 207-438-9940; e-mail __________ Louhelen Bahá’í School, phone 810-653-5033; fax 810-653-7181; e-mail __________. Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, phone 843-558-5093; fax 843-558-9136; e-mail __________ Native American Bahá’í Institute, phone 520-587-7599; fax 520-521-1063; e-mail __________.

MAY

28-30: Conference of Núr: “Achieving Your Heart’s Desire,” at Elizabethtown (PA) College. 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 29.

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.

SUMMER BAHÁ’Í SCHOOLS Details on sessions through Labor Day on pages 27-29.

JUNE

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 29.

4-6: Indiana Bahá’í School, LaPorte, IN. See page 29.

4-6: Four Winds Unity Gathering, Menoken 4-H Park near Bismarck, ND. Sponsored by National American Indian Teaching Committee. All welcome; contact Vernon Longie (phone 701-223-3475, e-mail __________).

6: Race Unity Rally at State Capitol in Springfield, IL, 2 p.m. For information call 217-544-9595.

10-13: “Love and Responsibility” at Green Acre; 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” at Bosch.

17-20: Association for Bahá’í Studies annual conference, 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 29.

23-27: Heartland Bahá’í School, Galesburg, IL. See page 29.

23-27: Iowa Bahá’í School, Grinnell, IA. See page 29.

25-28: Oregon Bahá’í School “Sis-Q” youth session near Klamath Falls, OR. See page 29.

25-28: Southern California Bahá’í School, Yucaipa, CA. See page 29.

26: Souvenir Picnic commemorating ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at Wilhelm Property, Teaneck, NJ. Speaker: William Smith. Bring picnic lunch.

26-29: “Passing the Torch Through Time,” youth conference in Salt Lake City, UT. Speakers: Erica Toussaint, Henri Cross, Aleda Nelson. Contact the local Youth Committee (e-mail __________).

26-30: “Choral Music and Community Growth” at Louhelen.

26-30: Two sessions at Green Acre: Institute on Relationships, Marriage and Family Life; Camp Green Acre, ages 8-12.

30-July 5: Helen S. Goodall School summer session, near Red Bluff, CA. Contact Jan Lopez, __________ Red Bluff, CA 96080 (phone 530-529-5856, e-mail __________).

JULY

1-5: Florida Bahá’í School, Melbourne, FL. See page 29.

2-5: North Carolina Bahá’í School, Salisbury, NC. See page 29.

2-7: “Up Close and Personal: The Most Vital and Challenging Issue from African-American/Persian Perspectives” at Green Acre.

2-7: Fourth annual Ocean of Light Teaching Conference at Bosch.

2-7: Persian-American Bahá’í Studies, bilingual family session at Louhelen.

4: Concert-Picnic at Green Acre with Van Gilmer and Family.

9-11: Hemlock Haven Bahá’í School, Marion, VA. See page 29.

9-14: Youth Eagle Institute at Louhelen, for youth ages 15 and up.

9-14: Two sessions at Green Acre: “A Short History of the Bahá’í Faith” (enrollment limited); “Spiritual Descendants of the Dawn-Breakers: Our Glorious Heritage,” for grades 7-12. ◆

PAID SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AT THE BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL OFFICES Accountant • Travel Assistant Persian-American Affairs Assistant Administrative Aide • Maintenance Many other openings See page 34

Children from the Lake County Bahá’í School pose outside the rented school building where classes are held in Mundelein, Illinois.

Photo by Vladimir Shilov

BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER 112 LINDEN AVE WILMETTE, IL 60091-2849

MAY 17, 1999 ’AZAMAT, NÚR • B.E. 156

CHANGE • OF • ADDRESS

To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving The American Bahá’í, send all family members’ names, new address and mailing label to: 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.