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[Page 1]THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í

AUGUST 1, 1999

KAMÁL/PERFECTION ASMÁ’/NAMES BAHÁ’Í ERA 156

VOLUME 30, NO. 6

ABS views teachings as remedy

BY TOM MENNILLO

This spring the Association for Bahá’í Studies of North America vowed renewed effort to “bring about a profound transformation of scholarship itself”—turning it into an “active science” by applying the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to ease the problems of a suffering human race.

June 17–20, ABS turned philosophy into action as it hosted “Sacred Justice: Uniting the Human Family,” its 23rd annual conference, in Tempe, Arizona.

Sacred justice, explained co-convenor Steven Gonzales, is a form of justice—marked by a yearning for equity and fairness—practiced in traditional societies. It is a justice, according to Suzanne Tamas of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, that lies “at the heart and core of the advancement of civilization.”

Over the weekend, Gonzales promised, conference attendees would be shown “many different facets” of that gem.

How did this blend of elements work? Consider the following:

A town meeting on “Alternatives to Violence in Our Schools” drew a large audience and media coverage.

The theme of conflict resolution later ran through a major address, a breakout session focusing on the Corinne True Justice Center and on the process of consultation, and a talk on the power of mediation to promote unity of the human family.

In the annual Hasan Balyuzi Memorial Lecture, Richard W. Thomas traced “The State of Race Relations in the American Bahá’í Community: Challenges, Progress and Future Directions.” The Michigan State University professor’s talk was supplemented by the first Louis G. Gregory Symposium on Law and Unity and by a conference-closing panel discussion on “The Elimination of Prejudice.”

SEE ABS CONFERENCE, PAGE 16

The Turkish Dance Association of Arizona State University provided one of many artistic currents that infused a special spirit into the Association for Bahá’í Studies conference in Tempe, Arizona. Photo by Tom Mennillo

Study, sensitivity help propel ‘Two Wings’ effort in California

Research and persistence helped the friends in San Francisco, California, bring the Bahá’í teachings on equality and unity to the notice of local government—through heart-to-heart connections.

Local Spiritual Assembly representatives presented Mayor Willie Brown, the city Board of Supervisors and the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women with the National Spiritual Assembly’s statements Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men and A Vision of Race Unity. They even made a newspaper contact in the process.

And the task force is looking for more ways to support and encourage people who work for race unity and gender equality, principles that are central to our National Teaching Plan.

All was made more effective when the Bahá’ís discovered facts about city government, as well as the mayor’s career, that enabled them to make sensitive, well-received presentations.

“Our experience has shown that looking for heroic deeds performed by our public officials which are in line with the principles of the Faith, and then asking for the opportunity to honor these deeds and show them love, seems to be a sure way to build bridges between the old world administration and our New World Order,” said Paul Brady in a report on behalf of the Local Assembly.

The opportunity surfaced last spring when a task force of the San Francisco Spiritual Assembly was investigating how best to distribute Two Wings of a Bird to the mayor and the Board of Supervisors.

SEE TWO WINGS, PAGE 25

The steadfast Northwest

From the Pacific to the Black Hills, in ‎metropoli metropolises‎ and hamlets, the friends of the northwestern United States are more engaged than ever in advancing the process of entry by troops.

Even where Bahá’ís are few and far between and distances make communication difficult, such a spirit is present that their efforts—to attract, nurture and confirm souls and to transform their lives and communities—are infinitely greater than the humble parts might suggest.

A reporter for The American Bahá’í traveled across broad expanses of the country for the second time in the Four Year Plan, this time focusing on the northern tier of the western half, from Washington to the Dakotas and back to Oregon. The stories of the friends in those areas give a near-universal glimpse of the ways Bahá’ís serve locally with world-embracing vision.

SEE BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITIES, PAGE 6

I·N·S·I·D·E

LIGHT IN NAVAJOLAND PAGE 4

VOICES RISE IN THE SOUTH PAGE 5

LANDMARK AT LANDEGG PAGE 31

KID’S CORNER · 15 CARTA A LOS AMIGOS · 20 CLASSIFIED · 21–22 UNIT CONVENTION LIST · 23–25 YOUTH · 26 PERSIAN PAGES · 28–30

THE NATIONAL FUND
Between May 1 and June 30, 1999
$4,500,000 Goal/All Funds
$2,698,323 Received/All Funds
See page 3 for details

·E·X·C·E·R·P·T·S·

“Incline your hearts to the counsels given by the Most Exalted Pen and beware lest your hands or tongues cause harm to anyone among mankind.” —Bahá’u’lláh [Page 2]

ALMANAC

Some significant dates in Bahá’í history

August and early September

August 1844: A few months after the Báb first declared His mission, a Tablet of His was delivered to Mírzá Husayn-‘Alí in Tehran, Iran, who immediately declared acceptance of the Báb as the Voice of God. Mírzá Husayn-‘Alí is now known to us as Bahá’u’lláh.

Aug. 15, 1952: A bungled attempt to assassinate the Shah of Iran cast suspicion on many followers of the Báb. Soon, Bahá’u’lláh was among dozens imprisoned in the Tehran prison known as the Black Pit. While confined with heavy chains on his neck, Bahá’u’lláh months later received the first revelation that He was the Manifestation of God prophesied by the Báb.

Aug. 12, 1868: Bahá’u’lláh and His family, already exiled twice, set off on ship from Adrianople (Edirne, Turkey) toward the prison city of ‘Akká in the Holy Land.

August 1910: About two years after His decades of confinement officially ended, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá permanently moved His residence from ‘Akká across the bay to Haifa. This is the city in which the Bahá’í World Center has developed since then.

Aug. 20, 1921: Agnes Baldwin Alexander was the first Bahá’í to visit Korea.

Aug. 1, 1927: The Geyserville Bahá’í School was established on property donated by John Bosch north of San Francisco. It operated there until 25 years ago, when it was transferred to the Santa Cruz area and renamed Bosch Bahá’í School.

Sept. 4, 1943: Alaska’s first Local Spiritual Assembly was established at Anchorage. Alaska has had a National Spiritual Assembly since 1957, before statehood.

Aug. 2, 1951: The first Bahá’í pioneers to Uganda arrived in the capital: Músá Banání (later a Hand of the Cause of God) with his family, ‘Alí Nakhjavání (later a member of the Universal House of Justice) with his family, and Philip Hainsworth.

August 1971: The Universal House of Justice erected a 35-foot-tall marble obelisk on Mount Carmel near Haifa, marking the spot where a House of Worship will be built in future.

Aug. 29, 1983: The government of Iran banned the Bahá’í Faith and made membership in its institutions a criminal offense. In response, Iran’s National Spiritual Assembly dissolved all Bahá’í institutions in the country.

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

EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS

Constance Conrader, a Bahá’í in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, is included in the 1999/2000 edition of Who’s Who of American Women. The professional illustrator was included because of “outstanding achievement” in her field, “contributing to the betterment of contemporary society.”

Helaine Hashimi, a 16-year-old Bahá’í in Acworth, Georgia, received an honorable mention award at the Georgia State Science Fair for a project titled “Do Schooling Fish Detect Each Other Visually?” Her project previously won first place at the Cobb County science fair, where she was also one of only 13 entrants to win a corporate award for science and engineering excellence.

Tamesha Jennings, an 11-year-old Bahá’í in North Charleston, South Carolina, was a winner in the “Teachers’ Selections: Anthology of Fifth Grade Poetry” program. Her poem “Colors” was selected from entries from across the country to be published in the hardbound anthology.

Chris Jones, an 18-year-old Bahá’í in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been named a University of Iowa Presidential Scholar and a National Merit Scholar. Chris was a member of the Kennedy Academic Decathlon, and helped found a chapter of Amnesty International at the school.

Leslie McIntosh, a Bahá’í in Farmington, Missouri, was honored as the Young Careerist for Missouri, to represent the state Business and Professional Women’s Association at the organization’s national convention in July. Her selection was based on three levels of competition with her presentation titled “Baby, Briefcase or Both: Can Women Really Have it All?”

Jacqueline Peymani, an 18-year-old Bahá’í in Columbus, Indiana, received first place in the local Betty F. Brown Memorial Instrumental Competition, along with a college scholarship, with her clarinet performance.

Shiren Rattigan, a Bahá’í youth in Kenosha, Wisconsin, was one of 13 young people selected for the 1999 Mayor’s Youth Commission Award. She was selected for her school achievements and contributions to the community.

Rashunda Tramble, a Bahá’í in Greensboro, North Carolina, won the most recent North Carolina Associated Press’ “Rookie of the Year” award for first-year television reporters. Tramble is entertainment reporter for WGHP-TV in High Point, North Carolina.

Santana Villa, a Bahá’í in Renton, Washington, was recently elected student body president at Highline Community College (10,000 students) in Midway. Previously, this native of Mexico served as president of the college’s Multi-Cultural Club and initiated its first Unity in Diversity Week.

Dariush Nothaft, a 14-year-old Bahá’í in San Diego, California, was featured recently in the San Diego Union-Tribune for the effectiveness of his role in a Junior Model United Nations involving 400 middle and high school students.

Nothaft, who represented Germany in the exercise’s U.N. Security Council, co-wrote and successfully argued for a key resolution.

“It was about lowering taxes on Iranian oil in exchange for them allowing inspectors to inspect a nuclear power plant,” Nothaft explained to the reporter, who referred to the teen as a “master at communication with his persuasive speech-making and savvy deal-brokering.”

THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í

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

Bahá’í National Center 847.869.9039

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

Managing Editor / Editorial Content James Humphrey

Managing Editor / Art Director Amethel Parel-Sewell

Associate Editor Tom Mennillo

Associate Editor Ramzía Duszynski

Print Production Specialist Aaron Kreader

Facilities Manager Artis Mebane

Contributors Julie Badiee, Gretchen Border, Jim Cheek, Carla Fanaian, Lyn Frieden, Charlotte Kahn, Vladimir Shilov, Houman Vafai, Margaret Valentine, Jessica Zenker

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

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

ADDRESS CHANGES Please send address changes or requests to discontinue or consolidate mailings to the Office of Information Services, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 ( ). There is no need to contact the Managing Editors directly. A form is available on the back page of this paper.

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

• ARTICLES should be clear, concise and relevant to the goals of the Four Year Plan and the National Teaching Plan. Stories may be edited for length. We cannot print advance articles to publicize locally sponsored events, but may be able to list them in the Calendar.
• PHOTOGRAPHS may be color or black-and-white prints or slides. Please submit photos that are well-composed and in focus and identify people in photos when possible. If you wish photos returned, include a self-addressed envelope (you do not need to supply postage).
• DEADLINES for upcoming issues:

Sept. 3 for the issue dated Oct. 16 Oct. 15 for the issue dated Nov. 23

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

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

New training on strategies for equality

A new nationwide training program on the equality of women and men was launched when 19 people qualified as trainers in the first Core Curriculum Equality Trainer training May 21–24 at the National Teacher Training Center at Louhelen Bahá’í School.

Local communities may call on these new trainers—who had been selected for the May session by their regional training institutes or Local Spiritual Assemblies—to facilitate this systematic training program for Bahá’ís and others attracted by this principle of Bahá’u’lláh.

In support of the National Teaching Plan, this 32-hour training program focuses on strategies for living and teaching the equality of women and men in the home, in community life and in every field of human endeavor.

Components include:

• Systematic study of Bahá’í writings as a foundation for spiritual development, community unity and practical action.
• Practice in preparing firesides or spiritual gatherings dealing with equality, in part to support the broadcasts that are part of the National Teaching Plan.
• Strategies for raising children with equality.
• Study of the life of the Greatest Holy Leaf and other Bahá’í and Bábí heroines.
• Honing communication skills for home and community life.

The program supports girls and women in entering all professions; reinforces vibrant and loving community life, and SEE EQUALITY, PAGE 13

The next training program for Equality Trainers is scheduled as a two-weekend course: Oct. 22–25, 1999, and Jan. 28–30, 2000.

All Core Curriculum trainers work in teams to serve their communities and regions. Other Core Curriculum training programs train teachers of children and youth, parents, race unity workers, married couples, and youth preparing for marriage. The National Bahá’í Education Task Force, which develops and implements these programs under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly, anticipates inaugurating a new training program for youth facilitators later this year.

For more information on any of these training programs, or to schedule training in your area, contact the National Teacher Training Center at Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, MI 48423 (phone 810-653-5022, e-mail Web www.louhelen.org).

Oregonians rally again for Mount Carmel

Early in the Four Year Plan, the Oregon State Teaching Committee adopted a statewide goal to raise $500,000 for the Mount Carmel construction projects at the Bahá’í World Center in Haifa, Israel.

That goal was met in three hours during the visit of Universal House of Justice member ‘Alí Nakhjavání.

The friends didn’t stop there.

Learning that the construction of a single terrace on God’s Holy Mountain costs about $1.5 million, they increased the goal to that amount.

That goal was exceeded by Naw-Rúz this year.

Now, in response to the National Spiritual Assembly’s pledge to contribute $1 million to the Universal House of Justice by Ridván 2000, Oregon believers aim to provide $250,000 toward that pledge.

The latest campaign, “From Oregon, with Love,” began June 1 under sponsorship of the Spiritual Assembly of Washington County North.

The campaign will follow a process that led to a victorious conclusion of the previous drive, “Campaign Carmel.” Contributors may pay by check or transfer funds electronically from their banks.

In the earlier campaign, Oregon Bahá’í communities were guided and encouraged by Counselor Jacqueline Left Hand Bull and the Auxiliary Board members for Oregon and Washington, and were inspired by the involvement of children, youth and adults from SEE OREGON, PAGE 8

Bahá’ís and library seal friendship

Myron Casteel, librarian at the Northeast/Spruill Oaks Regional Library north of Atlanta, Georgia, accepts a donation of Bahá’í books from Nur and Ridvan Bruss, sons of Peter and Bushra Bruss. The Bahá’í community of Fulton County Central contributed nine books to the brand-new library, including Sacred Texts, introductions to the Faith and its history, a children’s book, and a prayer book. The community also will be using the library as the site for monthly public forums on social topics and a weekly class on family virtues. Photo by Carla Fanaian

World Center Library goes online

Readers, scholars, community and professional librarians have a new resource on the Internet, as the Bahá’í World Center Library has launched its public Web site (http://library.bahai.org).

“We have noted an upsurge of interest in organizing local and national Bahá’í libraries, evidenced by an increase in requests for information and assistance by communities and individuals,” a written announcement by the World Center Library stated. “It is hoped that this new Web site will supply at least a partial solution to some of the questions of the friends about establishing Bahá’í libraries.”

Main features of the site include:

• A general description of the library and some of its special collections.
• Expansions of both the Library of Congress and the Dewey Decimal System Classifications for the Bahá’í Faith, as well as a tutorial for the Library of Congress section.
• Direct access to a list of Bahá’í subject headings developed by the library and a selection of cataloging records.
• Links to other sites, such as “Scriptum: newsletter for Bahá’í librarians and information professionals” and the Bahá’í World Center FTP site.

Future developments of the site will include interaction with the online catalog, the library noted. ♦

Enrollments

June 1999	94
Since May 1, 1999	233

THE FUND

May 1–June 30, 1999

Contributions received by National Treasurer

Received since May 1, 1999:	$2,698,323
Goal for entire year:	$27,000,000

• 10% of year’s goal has been met
• 16.7% of fiscal year has passed
• April 30, 2000

Other Funds

Allocations to

Arc Projects Fund	$372,474
International Bahá’í Fund	$159,495
Continental Bahá’í Fund	$55,288

Other contributions: $82,424

Total cash-basis revenues and expenditures

for Bahá’í National Fund May 1–31, 1999 (latest available figures)

Revenues (contributions, book sales, school fees etc.)	$1,514,858
Expenditures (operations, capital and debt payments etc.)	$1,986,696

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

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

The Light of God shines brightly across Navajo country

BY CHARLOTTE KAHN

Dear friends,

‘Abdu’l-Bahá has stated, “You must attach great importance to the Indians, the original inhabitants of America ... should these Indians be educated and properly guided, there can be no doubt that through the Divine teachings they will become so enlightened that the whole earth will be illuminated.” This oft-quoted statement has been the subject of many a consultation in the area of American Indian teaching.

As a Navajo woman on the staff of the Native American Bahá’í Institute (NABI) and a member of its newly formed Board of Directors, I would like to share some thoughts and observations on teaching and consolidation on the Navajo Reservation as well as NABI’s goals and activity.

That day of dawn

The first light dawned like a mighty burst of sunlight that separated the darkness forever. This is that day of dawn upon the horizon where we stand. The Concourse on high, ancient chiefs dressed in their finest white buckskin and the woman warriors adorned in glistening white garments, are presenting the gifts to those who are the chosen ones of Mother Earth who have arisen to carry out the great message of peace and unity.

Step forward, children and youth. You are the recipients of the stallion as you ride to victory. They are chanting in heavenly harmony, “Mount your steeds, O heroes of God!” Step forward, O humble servants of the Blessed Beauty, and partake of the banquet of God’s grace. All is ready. All is answered. Bahá’u’lláh has come!

Long-awaited fulfillment

On the eve of Ridván 156, another great light shone forth from the community of Lukachukai on the Navajo reservation. It was the long-awaited fulfillment of a dream. The first Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Lukachukai Chapter was born, and three new declarants were among those nine believers. So was the first Navajo Indian to enroll in the Bahá’í Faith.

It was the talk of Lukachukai community for the next few days because this light was visible to quite a few discerning eyes that evening. People are seeking a light of guidance in their lives.

Sadie Joe Vicenti, the first Navajo Bahá’í, symbolizes the persistent and sustaining faith of her people. Nearly 50 years ago she enrolled as a result of the teaching of Mary and ‎AmoZ Amoz‎ Gibson. Her picture is in the Archives at the Temple. At Ridván, she became a member of this first-ever Assembly at Lukachukai.

When new Assemblies are launched, it is with the wise guidance of our elders not to “jump out of the rodeo chutes bucking wildly.” Patience and forbearance have been the watchword of the day.

From vision to dedication

In October 1997, 19 believers gathered to pray and dedicate the site for a new hogan (a traditional house) in Lukachukai. Among those 19 were Counselor Jacqueline Left Hand Bull, Auxiliary Board member Quill Head, friends and family.

This day came because of the vision of a young Navajo man named John Foguth, who was not a Bahá’í at the time. A few weeks before this day, he felt the need to go to his sweat lodge for meditation and spiritual guidance. As he prepared the fire to heat the rocks, he prayed the Holy Ones would hear his prayer.

While in the sweat lodge he had a vision. An elderly man with a white beard appeared to him and asked him to “build a house of worship for the faith.” John replied that he had no material means to do this. The kind, bearded man told him not to worry, that he would be assisted.

Today, the prayer hogan has been built and is in use. John has become a Bahá’í. He claims to have believed in Bahá’u’lláh since he was a boy, when in a dream he was taken down the dark steps of a terrible prison and shown a Holy Man in heavy chains. He, like Sadie Vicenti, is newly elected to the Spiritual Assembly of Lukachukai.

The first Spiritual Assembly meeting was held in the hogan of worship. The NABI Board has met there. It has housed numerous events, including a memorable, community-awakening visit from Kevin Locke.

When John tells the story of the prayer hogan at Lukachukai, he always says, “‘Abdu’l-Bahá built it using my hands.”

Taking a break at the Aneth Council Fire are (from left) NABI co-administrator Alice Bathke, Martha Yazdani of Tucson and Mary Clah of Aneth. Photo courtesy of NABI

A center of guidance

Two hours’ drive north of Lukachukai is Aneth, Utah. Its all-Navajo Local Spiritual Assembly formed this Ridván.

One cannot mention Aneth without abundant words of praise for a stalwart Navajo Bahá’í woman, Rose Morris. This selfless servant of the Cause has donated her home, the place of her childhood, to become the Aneth Bahá’í Center. This illumined soul is preparing for a teaching trip that will take her to proclaim the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh in Siberia. She sells beadwork to raise funds for the Cause.

At the recent Council Fire hosted by the Assembly of Aneth Chapter and supported by NABI, at least 50 adults and 30 children were attracted to the light of guidance.

Children’s classes were given by nine Persian Bahá’í youths from Tucson and Colorado who sacrificed part of their summer to be of service on the Navajo Reservation. Mention must be made of the Rouhani family from Monument, Colorado, who have lovingly assisted this community in a variety of ways. Siamak and his daughter Tannaz are special examples of faith and nobility of conduct in their unreserved support to the people of Aneth. It is my wish that every Navajo community had such dedicated helpers of the Cause.

Three-mile walk

Three miles down the dusty road from NABI, an elderly Navajo woman has put her sheep safely in the corral and is preparing for a walk to NABI. She wants to contribute to the Bahá’í Fund. Her name is Mary Navajo and she is a member of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Houck Chapter. Her love and dedication to Bahá’u’lláh shines forth as she takes time and effort to bring a donation to NABI.

A state of healing

I was serving as a delegate to the Bahá’í National Convention when I received news of the formation of the new Assembly in my community of Lukachukai. How great was my gratitude as the tears of astonishment flowed.

Friends, we are in a state of healing. The nations are becoming one as all rivers flow into one ocean. The Navajo Reservation, where my roots are strong, is a stronghold of spirituality where the winds of change have blown fiercely and the tree of being is showing the fruits of Bahá’u’lláh’s love. How sacred is this love.

I realize there are many dedicated servants of the Blessed Beauty and I can never tell all the beautiful stories. “However, he feels that the great point is to confirm people of true capacity and ability—from whatever social stratum they may be—because the Cause needs now, and will ever increasingly need, souls of great ability who can bring it before the public at large, administer its ever-growing affairs, and contribute to its advancement in every field.” (From an Oct. 30, 1941, letter on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)

The Native American Bahá’í Institute was brought into being by the great hand of God. As the Navajo people emerge from obscurity in the Bahá’í Faith, firm in the path of the Covenant, we shall make our mark now, at this crucial turning point of a juncture, the like of which shall never return. We shall make that mark in deeds that will ensure for us celestial blessings, and guarantee for us and for the entire race, a future beyond any earthly reckoning.

We continue to grow and progress only by the grace of God. We humbly ask for your prayers.

LETTERS FROM READERS

WE welcome letters from readers (250-word limit, please), particularly on topics related to furthering the goals of the Four Year Plan.

• The purpose of Letters from Readers is to encourage an exchange of ideas and opinions, never to denigrate another’s views or attack anyone—openly or subtly.

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

Address letters to: Managing Editors, The American Bahá’í, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 • e-mail

Diversity of all kinds means thinking twice about words, actions

To the Editors:

I read with great interest your reporting of the Indianapolis community’s methodical approach to building a Bahá’í center (Nov. 23, 1998). I was concerned, however, on two fronts, to read that the access ramp was referred to as a “handicap access ramp.”

First, handicaps are not given access; persons with disabilities are. This is a major distinction that must be understood by the American Bahá’í community because “handicap” is a label, and the first act of oppression—whether intentional or careless—is to place a label on the oppressed.

Second, access ramps are also used by women with children in strollers, old people, and delivery people with large loads they cannot carry up stairs.

The first issue is, unfortunately, consistent with the almost singular nature with which the American community has addressed prejudice: that being a matter only of race. We must integrate a variety of people. That is the meaning of diversity.

Whenever a community sponsors an event in a facility that is inaccessible to persons with disabilities, it is acting in a discriminatory manner—intentionally or not. We need to learn the hard facts about what constitutes accessibility.

“We’ll carry you up the stairs” is often the suggested solution. “Over my dead body” is always my response. For one thing, I don’t want to be dropped; the Local Assembly’s insurance carrier would frown on that. Also, being carried is a humiliation, making one feel that one counts less than others.

Prejudice, my friends—in all forms, in all venues—must be eliminated. It starts with us. If we as a community address this problem effectively, it could go a long way toward boosting our enrollments toward entry by troops, instead of a trickle.

C. Jeffery Evans Sacramento, CA [Page 5]

New videos offered through BDS

For broadcast or for home viewing, two new video programs to stimulate proclamation and teaching of the Bahá’í Faith are available to the friends through the Bahá’í Distribution Service.

The Power of Prayer and Family: The Seeds of World Peace can be bought along with five new 30- and 60-second commercial spots in a videotape format accepted by most television stations. Regular VHS tapes of the full-length programs for home viewing are available separately.

The programs are designed not only to attract spiritual seekers, but also to help motivate our communities to create welcoming activities for people who ask about the Bahá’í Faith.

Release of the new videos is a long-awaited step in the National Spiritual Assembly’s efforts to help the friends do their part locally in the media component of the National Teaching Plan.

Local broadcasts powerfully reinforce ongoing national broadcasts, the National Teaching Committee says.

Even more potent are local community-building efforts that can help create a loving atmosphere for people who ask about the Faith in response to the videos.

These could include a variety of regular fireside meetings, social and prayer gatherings, seminars on family virtues, dialogues on race unity and the equality of women and men, or other activities that show how Bahá’ís love and serve.

Everyone who orders either video will receive a packet with a wealth of information on using them best in a well-rounded teaching effort:

• A variety of ways to use the videos on and off TV.
• Steps in arranging local broadcasts, especially on public access cable systems.
• Instructions for setting up and using the 800-22-UNITE (800-228-6483) seeker-response system, as well as an application/confirmation form.
• Suggested scripts for calling inquirers back.
• A sample welcome letter for inquirers.

Format of the new videos is similar to that of The Power of Race Unity, the program released early in 1998 that till now was the main national broadcast program.

The videos present real-life stories of Bahá’ís and their friends, showing how Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings on prayer and family life make an everyday difference.

BROADCAST VERSION

If your community wants to arrange local airings of the programs, you may order a tape in Betacam SP format, generally accepted by local broadcast stations. This includes Family: The Seeds of World Peace, The Power of Prayer, and five commercial spots.

Cost: $115 • Order code EMC9902B Note: Many public-access cable stations can’t accept Betacam. Please inquire locally before ordering.

HOME VHS VERSION

Family: The Seeds of World Peace • Order code EFSWPN The Power of Prayer • Order code EPOPN Bulk pricing applies only to multiple copies of the SAME video:

1 copy $19.95

2–5 copies $15.00 each

5–9 copies $10.00 each

10+ copies $7.50 each

TO ORDER Call BDS (800-999-9019) or use the mail-in form on the bottom of page 11.

Interracial choir makes memorable mark in northern Louisiana

BY MARGARET VALENTINE AND LYN FRIEDAN, WEST MONROE, LA

Bahá’ís in Ouachita Parish, West Monroe and Monroe—without an Assembly among them—saw weeks of work pay off with the largest recent teaching event in northern Louisiana.

Eric Dozier and the interracial One Human Family Workshop Choir carried the Bahá’í messages ‎of of of‎ God’s love and race unity to two churches in West Monroe, including one that had voted early in its history never to allow a white person inside its doors.

Dozier and choir got busy immediately on arrival, holding a children’s workshop at Mt. Zion Baptist in West Monroe. The children learned prayers through song and were invited to sing with the choir at its performance the next day.

When the choir later sang on the last night of Macedonia Baptist Church’s three-day revival, the congregation and minister were visibly astonished that the racially mixed choir could sing gospel—and with energy.

Congregation members could be heard to shout “Amen,” “Yes, Lord,” “That’s right” as spiritual energy flowed from the choir to the people and back.

Between church performances, the choir sang in Center Court at Pecanland Mall. People of all cultures stopped and listened, then began clapping and swaying to the music.

During fellowship after one more evening performance at Macedonia, the minister exhorted all to hug someone of a different race in friendship.

While the choir was in the area, two radio stations aired interviews about the choir and the Faith, and the event was further publicized in the NewStar newspaper.

Not only was the Bahá’í Faith taught but the Bahá’ís have grown closer together, local believers say. The sacrifices by all have shown that God does indeed shower ‎comfirmations confirmations‎ on any who rise to the Call—no matter how small the group, no matter the depth of their learning.

The One Human Family Workshop Choir is led by Eric Dozier (with back to camera) at the Macedonia Baptist Church in Monroe, Louisiana, in one of several area performances that took the group into several communities.

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	TEACHING WITHIN THE U.S.	INTERNATIONAL PIONEERING AND TRAVELING TEACHING
Central States: Lynn Wieties (phone 573-364-9618, e-mail )	Central States: Marilyn Ray (phone 785-628-1919, e-mail )	IF YOU LIVE IN:
Northeastern States: Joel Nizin (phone 201-652-6385, e-mail )	Northeastern States: Diana Kaufman (phone 908-709-1228, e-mail )	Northeastern or Central States: Alex Blakeson (phone 847-733-3511, e-mail )
Southern States: Anne Jalali (phone 912-825-3542, e-mail )	Southern States: Anne Jalali (phone 912-825-3542, e-mail )	Southern States: Sherdeana Jordan (phone 847-733-3507, e-mail )
Western States: Flor Toloui (phone 925-672-6686, e-mail )	Western States: Cathy Yavrom (phone 209-234-2231, e-mail )	Western States: Aurore Ragston (phone 847-733-3512, e-mail )

• FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELING TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES—See listing on page 14.
• TO REPORT AN INTERNATIONAL TEACHING TRIP YOU’VE ALREADY TAKEN—See form on page 27.

Florida Bahá’ís bring in 1,500 for Peace Jam ’99

The small Bahá’í community of Lake Worth, Florida, opened up to the public by sponsoring Peace Jam ’99 for Earth Day on April 24 at a park on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Many community organizations joined in the effort to publicize the festival’s theme: One People, One Planet. Total attendance was estimated at 1,500.

Eight local bands provided musical entertainment, and the Bahá’í Youth Workshop performance was greatly appreciated. Speakers representing the Bahá’í Faith and several organizations delivered a message of unity and love.

A colorfully adorned Bahá’í information booth drew considerable attention. [Page 6]

Bahá’í communities in the Northwest:

Vast distances may separate the friends, but their efforts add up amazingly

A week before this year’s National Convention, with just over a year left in the Four Year Plan, Associate Editor Tom Mennillo hit the road for a 3,300-mile trip through the Northwest—a sort of sequel to his 8,000-mile car trip across the nation’s midsection undertaken in 1996—to hear the hopes and plans of Bahá’í individuals, communities and institutions.

Story and photos by Tom Mennillo

A weeklong trip through seven Northwestern and Plains states lay ahead, with eight- to 10-hour drives every day. I was concerned on setting out—could I stay alert?

I needn’t have worried. It was restorative to meet and talk with Bahá’ís in cities and small towns—about their activities, their accomplishments, their plans. The energy enabled me to get up at dawn each day and tackle another long ribbon of Interstate highway.

Many of the friends don’t even realize how great their services are until someone asks them to step back and list their streams of activity. I did just that in community meetings each evening.

As they spoke, they began to see how these trickling streams are merging to form a mighty torrent as systematization moves from vision into action.

April 15: to Spokane

An unusually sun-splashed Mount Rainier welcomes me to Seattle/Tacoma International Airport, as I begin the trip on a flight from Atlanta.

In a gleaming white rental car (soon to be festooned with bug remains), I head east on Interstate 90. A crosswind on Snoqualmie Pass gives me fits, but the beauty of the Wenatchee National Forest is captivating.

East of the Columbia River, the slopes are gentler. It’s downhill to Spokane, a city of 173,000 that is home to Gonzaga University and its “Cinderella” men’s basketball team.

My hosts, Merle and Gloria Thomas, take me out for a buffet dinner, then to our meeting. Merle’s in a particularly fine mood. It’s Tax Day, but he’s retired from postal work and can smile at hordes of last-minute filers.

About 30 believers are gathered at Greenacres Elementary School. They represent four area communities in Washington and Idaho.

Roughly half the believers are transplants to what they call a very conservative, working-class area. They say white supremacist groups operate openly, but at the same time more people are receptive to the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh.

In collaboration with Auxiliary Board members, the Bahá’ís have focused proclamation and external affairs on themes consistent with the National Teaching Plan.

The strategy has paid off in lots of exposure through fair booths, media, community service, billboards, virtues education—even a traveling quilt with religious symbols stitched into it. It’s all there in black and white, in the form of a handsomely bound clipping book presented to me by public information representative Joseph Urlacher.

David Simmons and others rattle off a list of connections made along the way:

• Churches Against Racism once shut out Bahá’ís but now would like one to join its board.
• The panel overseeing the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights observance in Idaho had a Bahá’í member.
• The Ecumenical Council has adopted a theme of unity in diversity, and drew on Bahá’í writings for an interfaith service.
• Schools are clamoring for a return visit by the Diversity Dance Workshop.
• A Gonzaga professor shows The Power of Race Unity video to all his classes.
• The week after my visit, the Bahá’ís were to present the National Assembly’s Two Wings of a Bird statement to the Spokane City Council.

On and on. Of course, once we get folks’ attention, it’s vital that the real teaching begin.

Many greater Spokane friends are reaching out to teach the Faith to Christians under the banner of Project Fulfillment. Some Bahá’ís are attending Bible study at churches and others are in dialogue with a Ukrainian congregation.

The area’s rich musical talent is employed effectively in teaching efforts. The singing group Passport travels extensively. A songbook was compiled for use in Bahá’í classes and summer school and for sale to support activities.

Community life also is drawing people in. An intercommunity Bahá’í school and vacation Bahá’í camp—filled with fun activities such as art, songs, games and concerts—serves the children.

Youth meet regularly, initiate traveling teaching trips, and hold retreats; in fact, they want to plan the next one themselves. And they communicate electronically with youth around the state and the world.

Young people are heavily involved in every Feast and Holy Day, whether it’s telling teaching stories, contributing to the Funds, or participating in singing, dramatizations, and pageants.

For the whole family there’s the Sheltering Branch summer school, which for 23 years has brought the friends from a wide area together for nearly a week of camping, fellowship and deepening.

A display of recent Spokane Bahá’í publicity.

The local training institute conducted a weekend course on the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh just as I left. Carol Hudson of Post Falls led the class.

Community service is high on the priority list. The Bahá’ís sponsor a room at a women’s shelter. In addition, the two Spiritual Assemblies on the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho are getting area Bahá’ís involved in programs to preserve wetlands and traditional native crafts.

The friends also wanted to stress that area communities are meeting their Fund goals and have conducted fund raisers for the Arc Projects.

April 16: to Billings

Eastbound toward Montana, I realize that from here until I loop back to Boise and Portland, the Bahá’í communities get smaller and the distances longer.

Almost immediately comes the Idaho panhandle. With snow all around, the road winds through mountains that dwarf postcard-perfect villages. Through Lookout Pass and into Montana (welcome to the Mountain Time Zone!) there’s more of the same until the grades become gentler.

Billings is a city of 81,000 with a bustling downtown. Just north, in the heights, is my rendezvous with hosts Rosalyn and Richard Cottrill.

We chat over pizza until Bahá’ís start arriving in ones and twos. About 10 eventually ring the living room.

Youth issues weigh heavily on the friends’ minds. The Bahá’ís in Billings are concerned about the “materialistic, atheistic” lifestyles of area young people and the lack of family cohesion.

Richard Cottrill, though, is optimistic. A [Page 7]high school teacher, he sees the vast majority of youth as well-adjusted despite society’s ills.

Bahá’í community cohesion also is a topic that evening. Perhaps it’s because unity is something they stubbornly work to achieve despite great challenges:

• The city and Yellowstone County have Spiritual Assemblies, but the county community has dwindled as Billings annexes land—including where we sit—and people move away in search of employment.
• Another difficulty is staying in touch with isolated believers in eastern Montana and in Wyoming, and with the communities in western Montana.
• Third is the important matter of maintaining ties with the American Indian friends. Trips to reservations take time that Billings-area Bahá’ís often don’t have.

The friends refuse to give in on any of those fronts.

City-county cooperation thrives, with joint Holy Day meetings and other events. The friends also collaborate on Bahá’í school, though the six youths and nine children must learn as a group instead of in age-specific classes.

Then there’s proclamation and teaching. Race unity efforts are doggedly pursued as the Bahá’ís work to capitalize on favorable responses to the president’s initiative on race by the mayor and college officials. Public meetings and firesides are held regularly.

A beautiful Naw-Rúz celebration gave the friends an inkling of what their community life can be like when they all take part. The event at a local park featured skits, a piñata, a fishing booth and opportunities to play in the gym.

Widening the focus, summer school is the glue that bonds the Billings-area friends with their Bahá’í family in outlying areas. I was to hear later what the Montana school means to Bahá’ís eight hours away in southwestern Wyoming.

And the Indian reservations? Trips, though few, are always enjoyable and meaningful—provided other Bahá’ís understand how the native people view religion. Longtime believers there are eager to chat about old times and collaborate in making new inroads for the Faith.

April 17: to Bismarck

On open stretches of Interstate 94 east of Billings and past the North Dakota line, the high plains fly by. Much of the land is rolling, dotted by outcroppings and lots of cows.

After several hours, I cross into the Central Time Zone and pull off I-94 into the Bismarck suburb of Mandan, where Auxiliary Board member Karen Pulkrabek is waiting. In a few hours we will meet with area friends over box after box of pizza.

There is a bonus this night. The North Dakota winter school committee has been meeting in town all day and these friends from Fargo, Minot and other points have joined us.

That’s right. Winter school. In North Dakota. It’s a highlight of the year for the friends statewide and has ‎an a‎ great impact on people in the host town of Mayville. Bahá’ís have been invited to speak at a church, where the minister correlated Bahá’í writings to Bible verses.

Bismarck (population 49,000) is typical of a state that is losing people as its well-educated inhabitants find opportunities elsewhere. The city was without an Assembly the past year.

But involvement with the International Club is winning the Bahá’ís respect and opportunities to serve people. Picnics, pow-wows and other public events—food seems to be a common denominator—also have attracted people. So have Bahá’í pianist Mark Ochu’s performance at the Anne Frank exhibit, a series of advertisements on bus benches, and the friends’ adoption of a stretch of highway.

In Fargo, where part of a three-story building serves as the Bahá’í Center, the friends have focused on community service, according to Marian Kadrie, Pulkrabek’s mother.

The Bahá’ís hold a homework night for schoolchildren and teach classes in virtues and English as a second language. They have helped two Iranian Bahá’í refugee families adapt to a new culture. Fargo has monitored the 800-22-UNITE seeker line for the whole state until now. On the horizon is a visit by the Project Wildfire year-of-service dance troupe.

Bahá’ís of the small Minot community raised money for the Arc Projects by volunteering at a mall’s coat and package check desks at Christmastime. They even expanded their service by providing a place for moms to nurse their babies. All this despite a virus that put several friends out of commission during the holiday season.

Also in Minot, the friends adopted and decorated a room in a shelter for battered women and sponsored a children’s poster contest for Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

As we wrap up the evening, the friends tell me Dunseith, near the Turtle Island Indian Reservation, formed an Assembly last year and immediately began its own consolidation. In fact, they are delighted to say, Indian believers are increasingly participating in Bahá’í events around the state.

April 18: to Rapid City

An early breakfast of bacon and deer sausage fuels me on the road into South Dakota. Back on Mountain Time, I backtrack a bit on I-94, then turn south on U.S. 85.

That takes me through farming and grazing country, flattest of the trip. Near Belle Fourche (pronounced “bell foosh”) I find the Interstate for the last few miles into Rapid City, population 49,000.

Keith and Alberta Schulte are home when I pull up. We instantly fall into a long conversation about all the Bahá’í communities we’ve lived in or visited. We also find we know many Bahá’ís in common (what else is new?).

Pretty soon the friends are knocking at the door. Over lasagna and salad, chicken and Della Brown’s out-of-this-world fry bread, we get to know one another.

I learn that Counselor Jacqueline Left Hand Bull lives in Rapid City. The Bahá’í community also is blessed that National Assembly member Patricia Locke and her son, Auxiliary Board member Kevin Locke, live in-state.

Obviously, there’s a strong connection between the Faith and American Indians in South Dakota, and it’s central to our conversation this evening.

Bahá’ís consciously try to provide a contrast to the hard reality of discrimination and separation of the races. Those who gravitate toward the Bahá’ís often are people who find society’s biases disagreeable but are afraid to stand up on their own.

The friends discuss how they reach out within Indian reservations and through the region’s many unity gatherings, again with wisdom and preparation.

Rapid City’s community life and teaching activities are also rewarding.

Artistic Bahá’ís made a tapestry bearing a healing prayer for a hospital. Brown and Alberta Schulte are on the committee planning a women’s observance. Bahá’ís are invited often to speak to classes at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

In a case of one good thing leading to another, Bahá’í participation in King Day events was noticed by a reporter who once had visited the House of Worship in Wilmette. The result was an excellent feature article.

The area boasts a small Bahá’í Youth Workshop. A recent visit from Project Wildfire energized the youth and inspired several to look into year-of-service opportunities. Children’s classes also are held.

Speaking of youth, two local Bahá’ís competed that very weekend in the statewide Odyssey of the Mind competition. One, from Custer, captured the title and will travel to Knoxville, Tennessee, for the national competition.

April 19: to Rock Springs

I can’t resist a side trip to the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore. Then I wind past the work-in-progress Crazy Horse monument and into Wyoming, ending up on Interstates 25 and 80 within sight of snow-capped mountain ranges.

A self-propelled parade float designed by Dale Morrow of St. Ignatius, Montana, has won prizes in various parades where it has been put into service in Montana and the Dakotas.

Over the Continental Divide, I slide through majestic rock formations all the way into Rock Springs, a city of 19,000.

There, because of a mixup, I’m unable to meet with a family I had contacted. That’s disappointing, because I want to learn firsthand what life is like in an area with only two Bahá’í families.

But I talk briefly on the phone with Pam Wolfe in nearby Green River. She and all 80-some far-flung friends in Wyoming are exhilarated about the prospect of two Assemblies—Laramie and Cheyenne—forming in a couple of days.

Weeks later, I again catch up with Wolfe by phone. Once again the spirit that permeates this state comes through in conversation.

Traveling teachers, she says, are the “lifeblood” of area Bahá’í life. They come through regularly, giving Bahá’í children a [Page 8]tangible connection with the wider Bahá’í community and supporting the friends’ regular firesides.

One group of youth teachers from Washington and California held firesides along a wide path and animated a youth retreat in Rawlins, about 115 miles away. This summer, as other teachers arrive, they’ll be pointed toward civic events in several cities so they can reach large numbers.

As a result, the local friends have several seekers to nurture. At the annual Ayyám-i-Há

Members of the Spiritual Assembly of Boise pose after the election.

party and other events seekers can see the Bahá’í community in all its diversity, since the friends come from all around.

Although another outreach effort—regular devotional meetings—has not yet borne fruit, Wolfe is not discouraged. As the Faith is becoming known here, it’s only a matter of time.

Still, there is a sense of urgency. The friends would dearly love to have an Assembly in western Wyoming by Ridván 157. Only a redoubling of effort could make that possible, and they’re willing to do whatever it takes.

April 20: to Boise

Picking up Interstate 84 in Utah, I slog through rain that obscures the geography around me. Too bad. It must normally be quite a sight: the Great Salt Lake on one side and the Wasatch range on the other.

Fortunately, the skies clear as I approach Idaho and it’s clear sailing through the Magic and Treasure valleys into Boise.

This booming city of 125,000 stretches out before me as I pull into a new subdivision to meet Bevin and Elizabeth Modrak, their two children and one seemingly inexhaustible canine.

Dinner is again at a buffet restaurant, then it’s off to the Bahá’í Center for a bittersweet annual meeting and election: sweet because the community is springing into the final year of the Plan, bitter because this is the last event before the Bahá’ís’ lease on this converted house runs out.

About 25 friends gather. I have only a little time to get a sense of the community before I take up my duties as a teller.

Proclamation and teaching include a Bahá’í phone listing; a Web site; showings of The Power of Race Unity video, with ads drawing attention to it; Bahá’í Youth Workshop performances; a fair booth on the oneness of religion; monthly firesides in homes and at the Bahá’í Center; and a seeker newsletter.

The Boise Spiritual Assembly functions as the local teaching committee, drawing in other friends as needed to execute the teaching plan. In addition, the Assembly has consulted with others in the area on establishing a new Center.

Consolidation and community activities include a course for new believers on the Web site; an active campus club; participation in the “Enough Is Enough” anti-drug campaign; a prison liaison program; adult and children’s classes; deepenings; community service such as Rake Up Boise; Bahá’í participation in the ordination service for the new Episcopal bishop; a teacher appreciation event; membership on the Religious Freedom Committee and participation in the Interfaith Devotional Service; and Fund goals exceeded.

Nearby, the friends say, are other active Bahá’í communities, including Ada County and Nampa.

The evening ends with sober prayers. This is the day 14 students and a teacher died at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado.

April 21: to Portland

Portland’s center—a work in progress.

Perhaps the prettiest stretch of real estate is saved for this last full day’s drive. Baker City and the Blue Mountains summit provide a memorable hello to the Pacific Time Zone in Oregon. Soon after Pendleton, where I see a Bahá’í adopt-a-highway sign along I-84, the Columbia River gorge looms.

Near noon, I enter Portland (population 437,000) and encounter the first real traffic in a week. My route takes me to the St. Johns section of town where the Columbia and Willamette rivers converge.

At 1 p.m. on the dot, I pull up in front of the impressive Bahá’í Center, a two-story brick former post office complete with Works Progress Administration murals from the Depression. With renovations, the Bahá’ís’ aim for the building to regain its standing as a focal point for the surrounding community.

I rush for a luncheon date with the Spiritual Assembly and Auxiliary Board member Henri Cross. We sit and talk over a potluck of Persian dishes.

On this community’s path to systematization, what’s especially impressive is the process the Assembly employs to boost participation and execute its plans efficiently. The process was forged when Bahá’í school faced a familiar crisis: too much to do, too few to do it.

Roger Nesbit, Nosratollah Rassekh and others explain how the committee process works, as it has been honed the past year. The Assembly:

• Studies the messages of the Universal House of Justice and the national teaching plan.
• Calls in the Auxiliary Board members and assistants and experts on various subjects to consult.
• Settles on a shared vision, identifies the committees needed and devises for each a set of goals and tasks.
• Approaches friends whose capacities fit the tasks, and asks them to meditatively decide whether to commit a year of service to that role.
• Then immediately meets with appointees to go over the mandate and get them off on the right foot.

The Assembly has instituted a system of neighborhood representatives, responsible for the “tender loving care” of the friends in their areas. They may eventually help devise localized teaching plans.

In discussion, I learn from Maggie Cha about efforts to serve the large Hmong Bahá’í community. Programs of instruction and socializing for Hmong children and youth have been put into place, though they’re on hold until the Center renovations are done. Similar programs among Hispanic believers are being studied.

And two members of the Portland State University campus club tell me of the club’s triumphs over adversity—a tale of stolen signup sheets and a vetoed student senate resolution against Iran’s attempted closure of the Bahá’í Institute for Higher Education, but ultimately a story of increasing awareness of and respect for the Faith on campus.

Later comes a delightful community celebration of the First Day of Ridván. After the readings, each local attendee grabs a brightly packaged plate of goodies to take to someone in his or her neighborhood who could not be here. It’s a great example of TLC in action and a perfect end to a perfect week.

OREGON

established Spiritual Assembly and group communities and isolated families.

The funds were raised in incredible ways.

• The children in one community, with permission from their Assembly, went door to door to the homes of local Bahá’ís to collect “pennies for the Arc” and raised $161.
• Many individual believers contributed units of $9,000 each. In fact, several families donated money they had saved for down payments on homes.
• Fund-raisers were held with priceless pieces of jewelry given, such as a small 18K gold Bahá’í ring from Iran worn by the Hand of the Cause of God Martha Root.
• Money also was received from Oregon pioneers to Japan and elsewhere in the world.

In response to the news that the Oregon friends had passed the $1.5 million goal, the International Teaching Center in Haifa wrote an April 6 letter to the Counselor, saying in part:

“This momentous victory will surely inspire and spur the friends in the field of teaching.

“Please convey to the friends in Oregon our deepest admiration for their spirit of sacrifice, unity and collaboration and assure them of our prayers in the Holy Shrines that Bahá’u’lláh may bless all their efforts.”

For information on “From Oregon, With Love,” contact Lydia McCarter, P.O. Box 230325, Portland, OR 97281-0325. [Page 9]The Phenomenon of Religion A Thematic Approach by Moojan Momen SC $29.95 (PRS)

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Protocols for American Indian Teaching prepared by the National American Indian Teaching Committee SC $3.00 (PAIT)

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The Haifa Tourist Board developed this booklet to showcase one of the major attractions for tourists visiting the Haifa area, an attraction the mayor refers to in this booklet as “The Eighth Wonder of the World,” the Shrine of the Báb and the Bahá’í gardens on the slopes of Mount Carmel. Full of beautiful photographs of the gardens and Arc and Terraces projects, this booklet is a stunning testament to the effect these projects are already having in the minds of those who see them. Unfortunately, only limited quantities will be available in the U.S. for distribution.

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A Special Regard for Agriculture

A Compilation of the Bahá’í Sacred Writings and Related Works edited by Winnona J. Merritt $4.95 SC (SRA)

This booklet brings together references from the Bahá’í writings related to agriculture and development. An excellent resource and study guide for those interested in this fundamental human endeavor.

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

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"

Explore! The Heart of the Bahá’í Teachings

A Comprehensive Guide to the Fundamental Teachings of the Bahá’í Faith

1 copy	$19.00 (EXCDR)
2-4 copies	$15.00 each
5 copies and up	$10.00 each

Explore!, a Windows software program on CD-ROM, contains 63 carefully prepared compilations to provide answers to the question, “What are the Bahá’í teachings on ... God, the Soul, Peace, Creation, Art, Marriage, Prayer, etc.” Dozens of topics are covered in a quick and easy-to-use format. It is a user-friendly and affordable teaching tool. Give Explore! to seekers, youths and new believers, or use it for deepening and study classes. Those interested in the Faith can select topics of particular interest to them, and best of all, they are researching these issues directly from the Writings.

requires 8MB RAM, color monitor, 386 processor or better [Page 11]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 the National Teaching Plan, these two booklets reflect the themes of 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"

Bahá’í Temple Choir Bahá’í Temple Choir, Australia $16.00 CD (BTCACD)

This recording, made within the Bahá’í Temple Australia itself, takes advantage of the building’s acoustics to enhance the a cappella singing. The choir was joined for this recording by Gary Sterling, a professional singer from the United States.

Love Setteth the World Aflame Roya Bauman $15.00 CD (LSWACD)

A collection of spiritually uplifting music in classical and folk styles. Features prayers and sacred writings of the Bahá’í Faith. Sung by acclaimed mezzo-soprano Roya Bauman, these tracks highlight the talents of 10 composers from three countries.

Red Grammer’s Favorite Sing Along Songs Red Grammer $15.00 CD (SASCD)

Once again Red is on a roll! This collection of favorites will have you and your child belting out these tunes together. Loads of fun for all ages (c’mon, admit it, you like singing along too!).

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.

MUSIC

Selections from the Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh Remembrance Ensemble $16.00 CD (HWBCD)

This is a new recording of original a cappella settings of several of the Hidden Words. Drawing on a variety of choral traditions, Remembrance Ensemble’s flowing, chant-like melodies stir the heart, and their rich contemporary harmonies reflect the unifying message in a sound that is both accessible and ethereal.

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

Counselor’s visit energizes newly established centers

INFORMATION FROM GRETCHEN BORDER, CHARLESTON, WV

A brand-new Bahá’í center in West Virginia was inaugurated with a visit from Counselor David Smith, whose teaching and consolidation presentations drew dozens of people June 18–20.

The Bahá’í Center in Charleston and the Bahá’í Information Center in nearby Huntington were purchased in the past few months with money donated by a Bahá’í couple.

The gatherings demonstrated the diversity of the Bahá’í family even in small cities—friends from Canada, Iran, Zimbabwe and four states attended—and attracted coverage by a newspaper and a television station.

Youth and children were prominent in their presence, reciting prayers and making musical and dramatic presentations.

The weekend was blessed even before the Counselor arrived at the center in Charleston. A June 18 fireside talk by Smith at the home of Cyrus and Behnaz Mali inspired a visitor to declare his belief in Bahá’u’lláh. He set a personal goal of teaching 20,000 people in six months in his home country of Zimbabwe.

The next day, the administrative function of the Charleston center—a two-story former church building—was exercised as the Counselor met with members of the Assembly, Auxiliary Board member Tahereh Ahdieh and three of her assistants, and the State Teaching Committee.

Fellowship was the order of the evening as 35 Bahá’ís were treated to a sumptuous potluck dinner and presentations by Smith and a number of children and youths.

On June 20, the visiting Counselor again met privately with Bahá’ís and later gave a public presentation, this time at the Bahá’í Information Center in Huntington.

The small building near the Marshall University campus, which had been inaugurated in February, has a small library and space for intimate firesides.

However, the scene shifted to the local YWCA for a larger-scale evening public meeting with talks by Smith and Ahdieh.

The Bahá’í Information Center in Huntington is one of two gathering places purchased for the Bahá’ís of West Virginia this year. Spiritual Assemblies in the area last year made it a goal to acquire at least one Bahá’í center in the state within five years.

Shared triumph

Karen Konrad (left) and M.J. Thurston (right), Bahá’ís in the Tacoma, Washington, area, celebrate with local YWCA volunteer coordinator Elaine Nevins after a service project by five Bahá’í communities in Pierce County to refurbish a resource library and a TV room in the YWCA building, which serves battered women and their children. “When work and love of service are intertwined the efforts become a prayer,” one local Bahá’í said.

Texas arts group keeps contest going

A Texas Bahá’í arts organization is continuing in its quest to develop the role of the arts in Bahá’í community life, particularly Holy Days.

“We want to encourage artists in general and musicians in particular to think about creating work related to specific Holy Days and other Bahá’í events,” said Anne Gordon Perry of Dallas. She is co-organizer of Arts Afire, which is conducting a Ridván songwriting contest for a third year.

“Because Ridván is the King of Festivals and the most holy time of the Bahá’í year, we have chosen to focus on it,” Perry said.

Several of the 1998 contest winners participated in a large program held at Southern Methodist University that attracted around 700 people. Dance was choreographed to several of the compositions.

Top prizes for 1999 were awarded to: Larry Magee of San Antonio, Texas, English-lyric song; Tahereh Najmi of Knoxville, Tennessee, Persian-lyric song; and Chris Ruhe of Beacon, New York, other language (Spanish).

“We are collecting music potentially to be used at our special Ridván programs each year,” Perry said.

‘Irfán seminars slated at two locations this fall

The 1999 sessions of the ‘Irfán Colloquium will be presented this fall in Persian and English at both Bosch and Louhelen Bahá’í schools, giving scholars and many other interested Bahá’ís more opportunities to delve deeply into Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation.

Main themes of the colloquia will be “World Religions and the Bahá’í Faith” and “Principles of the Bahá’í Belief System or Bahá’í Theology.” Each session consists of two parts: a colloquium for presentation of research papers and a seminar on Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation.

The series of annual seminars were organized, starting the first year of the Four Year Plan, for the study of the writings of Bahá’u’lláh. In 1999, the seminars will be devoted to tablets revealed in the early ‘Akká period (1868–84). The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Questions and Answers, the Tablets addressed to the kings and rulers, the Tablets of Ridvánu’l-‘Adl, Ru’yá, Hikmat, Burhán, Ard-i-Bá, Hirtík, Ihtiráq, Mánikjí, Tibb, Ahbáb, Ittihád, Aqdas, Laylatu’l-Quds, Istintáq, and the Súriy-i-Haykal will be discussed at the seminar.

In 1999 a new series of ‘Irfán Colloquia will begin at Bosch Bahá’í School in California. The seminar at the Bosch session will be devoted to Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation in the Tehran-Baghdad period (1853–63). Presentations are planned on the Kitáb-i-Íqán, the Hidden Words, the Seven Valleys, the Four Valleys, the Javáhiru’l-Asrár (Jewels of Mysteries), the Varqá’iyyih Ode, the tablets of the Maiden of Heaven, Shikar Shikan, Bulbul-i-Faráq, Kullu’t-Ta’ám (All Food), Hurúfat-i-‘Álíyyin, Shattiyyih, the Holy Mariner, Maryam, Madínatu’t-Tawhíd and Madínatu’r-Ridá.

Those planning to attend the ‘Irfán sessions are requested to contact directly those institutions where each session will be held to register and make lodging reservations.

Those interested in presenting papers are requested to send their proposals to Dr. Iraj Ayman, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 USA (e-mail ).

1999 Programs of the ‘Irfán Colloquium in EUROPE:

22nd Colloquium (in English): Aug. 27–29, Trent Park, Middlesex University, London; c/o Mrs. Mirta Lopez, London, W14 8JL, U.K. (phone 44-171-371-6022, e-mail )

IN NORTH AMERICA:

23rd (in Persian) and 24th (in English) colloquia: Oct. 8–12, Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 South State Road, Davison, MI 48423-8603 (phone 810-653-5033, fax 810-653-7181, e-mail )

25th (in Persian) and 26th (in English) colloquia: Nov. 26–28, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060-9677 (phone 831-423-3387, fax 831-423-7564, e-mail ) [Page 13]

Toward true morality

Human life can be thought of as a journey, according to William Hatcher. At the beginning of this journey, the soul’s capacity is pure, unactualized potential—total unawareness, absolute unconsciousness. The fundamental purpose of our existence is to develop this potential in ourselves and others, leading to greater awareness and consciousness.

This journey was the subject of a course presented in late May at Louhelen Bahá’í School by a group of colleagues involved in research on “morally authentic” relationships: Hatcher, Leslie Asplund, Mary K. Radpour, Leonid Osokin, Carmel Hatcher, Roya Rahimpour and Sherri Dresler.

The course, “Love, Power and Justice: A Workshop on Moral Authenticity,” explored stages of personal development beginning with innocence, as all our needs are satisfied without effort on our part and we are unaware even of our own existence.

As childhood turns to adolescence, our autonomy grows along with our awareness of the suffering this world can inflict. We may conceive of a second, adolescent paradise where we have total freedom to act as we please—to seek gratification of all our desires without negative consequences.

Of course, the more irresponsible our use of our freedom, the more suffering we bring on others and ourselves. Misuse of freedom also reduces our autonomy, bringing on unnatural dependencies or addictions. When we are prey to impulses that we find difficult to resist—when we feel we “cannot live” without continual pleasures or the constant approval of others—abuse of freedom leads to loss of freedom.

The only escape from this vicious cycle is to replace it with a virtuous cycle of increasing self-mastery and self-development by gaining true knowledge of spiritual laws. We must understand short- and long-term consequences of our actions, thoughts and feelings toward others and ourselves.

We gain this knowledge by seeking the truth in our interactions with ourselves, with others and with God. Once we see the reality of our interactions, we feel attracted to the goal of acting rightly.

This thirst after righteousness or “love for the truth” energizes us to stay motivated to interact in accordance with spiritual principles. Though we may not always be successful, the very striving to do so gradually produces an inner development—an inner freedom that is the hallmark of autonomy.

The authenticity research group will be producing study materials and presenting additional courses in the future.

Future courses at Louhelen Bahá’í School are noted on the Calendar on page 32.

Ahmad Behrouzi keeps his focus sharp during the “Love, Power and Justice” workshop at Louhelen. Photo by Jim Cheek

Family focus on arts

The summer session at Bosch closes with two great programs of fun and participation:

Aug. 8–Sept. 1: “Awakening the Arts,” with Blanche Grant, Larry Crason and Christa Schanda, will provide intergenerational, hands-on activities to revitalize teaching and deepening through storytelling, movement and the visual arts. A special treat for children of all ages will be the magic of David Pennington. This is a unique and powerful session!

Sept. 3–6: The Bay Area Bahá’í Social Group and Friends Retreat is open to all who would like to enjoy a relaxed weekend in the loving environment of Bosch with swimming, sports, walks in the woods, movies in the afternoon, and visiting with friends old and new. Optional classes will be offered by Auxiliary Board member Farhad Sabetan on “Community Building and the Institute Process” and by Muin Afnani on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá—a wonderful time for rejuvenating both your spirit and body. Bring your family to Bosch!

Looking ahead to fall programs, the “Fundamental Verities” Training Institute series will resume Sept. 10–12, Oct. 15–17 and Nov. 12–14. These classes are free, sponsored by the donations of Local Spiritual Assemblies and groups throughout the Western States.

Participants must be recommended by a Local Spiritual Assembly, Auxiliary Board member or Regional Bahá’í Council member. Participants must commit to attending all three weekends. Space is limited—make your reservations soon!

If you attended the three previous trainings, don’t forget follow-up sessions Oct. 8–10 and Nov. 5–7. Come share your experiences and continue the training.

A complete schedule of upcoming programs appears on page 32.

EQUALITY, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

...proclaims the relationship between the establishment of equality and the achievement of world peace.

It also helps Bahá’ís develop more loving, welcoming communities that actively express Bahá’u’lláh’s principle of the equality of women and men.

Core Curriculum equality training reinforces other efforts by the National Spiritual Assembly to promote the principle of equality. For example, the National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men trains people in public speaking and workshop facilitation. The Local Spiritual Assembly Development Program includes Module Workshops that promote the principle of equality of women and men at the institutional level. The National Assembly’s statement Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men has been widely distributed through the efforts of all these groups as well as through Bahá’í campus associations.

To schedule a local or regional Core Curriculum Equality Training session, contact the National Teacher Training Center, Louhelen Bahá’í School.

Core Curriculum equality trainers include:

Northeastern States Denise Caldwell, Altoona, PA Lauretta Haynes, Farmington, NY Shirin Selph, Springfield, MA

Central States Beatriz Contreras, Oshkosh, WI Kathy Cornyn, Wilmette, IL Sandra Egerer, Milwaukee, WI Kathy Rewolinski, Dublin, OH Steven Thomson, Chicago, IL

Southern States Jane Goble, Norman, OK Ara Hessamy, Charles Town, WV Patria Jones, LaPlace, LA Regina Kienzle, Coppell, TX Aghdas Mahoodzadeh, Marietta, GA Kambiz Rafraf, Richardson, TX Naomi Rohrer, Shepherdstown, WV

Western States Heather Marsh, Alameda, CA Jeanine Taylor, Eugene, OR Cynthia Thomas, Los Angeles, CA Homer Tremain, Alameda, CA Joannie Gholar Yuille, Monrovia, CA

‘On to the Dawn’

As the American Bahá’í community enters the final months of the Four Year Plan, how can individuals and communities most effectively “act, act now, and continue to act” to bring the healing message of Bahá’u’lláh to the generality of mankind?

Join Nina Dini and John Joyce, members of the Regional Bahá’í Council for the Northeastern States, Sept. 3–6 in Green Acre Bahá’í School’s Labor Day weekend session, “Press on to Meet the Dawn.” The program will offer sessions focused on how to “make your mark” in these final months of the Plan, on Christian and Bahá’í prophecies, and on reaching and teaching minority communities.

The session will also feature Green Acre’s final Concert-Picnic of the season Sunday, and will include classes for ages 3–14.

Space is also available for some of Green Acre’s August sessions:

Aug. 6–11: “Mystic Medicine: Health and Healing in a New World Order” with physician Babak Etemad, examining teachings of Bahá’u’lláh relating to health and healing; and “Unlocking the Power for Action” with Eugene Andrews, discussing how individuals and institutions can work together to advance the process of entry by troops and using real-life examples of challenges communities have faced.

Aug. 20–25: “Pathways to the Lesser Peace” with Stephen Karnik, chief administrative officer of the Bahá’í International Community at the U.N. offices in New York and Geneva, examining the concept of the Lesser Peace and the process of its establishment throughout the world; plus “Greater Boldness: Seeking True Equality in the Bahá’í Community,” a series of workshops presented by Sophie and Corey Tamas, using arts-based participatory methods, drawing on Bahá’í writings and history to assist men and women, through joint and separate activities, to understand and promote equality.

Aug. 27–29: “Managing with the Wisdom of Love: Applying Bahá’í Principles to Business” with author/consultant Dorothy Marcic, a special weekend program on how spiritual virtues and love can transform the workplace.

Sept. 17–19: “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit,” a Ruhi Institute course facilitated by Tahereh Ahdieh. This training-institute-style course offers insight into spiritual matters, imparts knowledge of the Faith, and helps develop skills and human resources for service. Training requires attendance at all sessions, and this session runs through 3 p.m. Sunday. [Page 14]

Wilmette Institute Update

Distance learning: Christianity, Chinese religions, Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh

The Wilmette Institute’s course on Christianity for Deepening and Dialogue begins Sept. 1, with registration to stay open until mid-September. The two-month course costs $100 ($80 if you are registering as a member of a local study group of three or more). Faculty include Dann May, Michael Sours and Robert Stockman, all of whom have spoken and published about the Bible and Christianity.

The course should be particularly useful for Bahá’ís wishing to understand the basics of Christianity and the relationship of the different branches of Christianity to each other and to the Faith. It will also explore the Bible, the history of its composition, and questions of prophecy.

The course will be followed by a separate two-month course examining Chinese religions and philosophies.

Registration is also open for The Kitáb-i-Aqdas and Related Texts. This course is perfect for anyone wishing to study the Most Holy Book and the works explaining it. It begins Nov. 1, 1999, and ends April 30, 2000. Tuition is $225 ($180 if you are registering as a member of a local study group of three or more).

One can still register for The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Istanbul-Adrianople Period, 1863–68. The course began in July but can accommodate latecomers. It features the Tablets to the kings and rulers, both of the Tablets of Ahmad, the Tablet of the Branch and various mystical tablets. The six-month course costs $225 ($180 if you are registering as a member of a local study group of three or more).

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

• Introductory level for those unsure they can commit to taking a college-level course.
• Intermediate level for those wishing to go into more depth.

Those wishing to take the courses at an “advanced” (graduate) level or those seeking university-level credit should contact the Institute.

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). ♦

Traveling teaching opportunities around the globe

In a document compiled by the Bahá’í World Center, 150 countries list specific needs and opportunities for traveling teachers. Due to space limitations, the following needs are summarized only from letters recently received from Bahá’í institutions overseas and do not include all the information available through the Office of Pioneering or your Auxiliary Board member.

The Office of Pioneering has up-to-date information on these opportunities and:

• Other needs and opportunities for international traveling teachers.
• Conferences, schools and events in Europe, including programs of the Landegg Academy.
• Deepening institutes and Bahá’í camps in Canada.

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

Teaching Projects

• Botswana: John Robarts Long-Term Teaching Project.
• Cameroon: Teaching projects, including one affiliated with a regional institute center for training new believers.
• Canada: Ongoing teaching projects.
• Democratic Republic of Congo: Nine zonal teaching projects.
• Ecuador: Project Badasht, an expansion and consolidation project.
• El Salvador: Teaching project in San Salvador this summer; ongoing deepening and social and economic development projects at the Badasht Institute, Jamáliyyih Institute and New Garden Bahá’í Institute.
• French Guiana: The “Sparks of Peace” Perles de la Caraibes Teaching Project, especially interested in those who speak French and/or have experience with theater, dance workshops, visual arts and music who can train and organize youth for proclamation shows.
• Guatemala: Assisting in ongoing teaching, consolidation/deepening and human resource development projects at the Rúhíyyih Project, Chimaltenango Shiráz Project, and the National Network of Institutes.
• Guadeloupe: Teaching project, Aug. 21–29, 1999. Youth who speak French or artists such as musicians, singers or dancers would be ideal.
• Hungary: Békéscsaba Long-Term Teaching Project and a permanent consolidation program where the Roma friends reside.
• Ivory Coast: Various teaching projects.
• Jamaica: Assisting ongoing teaching and consolidation efforts and a special youth project.
• Liberia: Quddús Project.
• Madagascar: Roddy Lutchmaya Long-Term Teaching Project.
• Mexico: Furútan Project teaching on college campuses, and an exchange program with the Huasteca Potosina.
• Panama: Project Muhájir, focusing on proclamation and consolidation.
• Poland: Martha Root teaching project through Aug. 29.
• Russia: Various teaching projects in areas including the circumpolar region, Sakhalin, the Far East, Baikal and Chita regions, Central and Western Siberia, Ural region, Volga-Kama and Central region. Especially looking for those who could assist and form youth workshops and children’s classes.
• Slovenia/Croatia: “Act Now” Teaching Project through Aug. 25.
• Romania: A small teaching project at the Black Sea during August.
• Solomon Islands: 1–3 months assisting a Bahá’í Youth Workshop, teaching and development of creative youth activities in rural villages.
• Zambia: Various rural teaching projects, including a special youth teaching project.

Conferences, schools and events

• Zambia: Youth conference Aug. 20–23.
• Kenya: International Youth Conference Dec. 23–27.
• India: International Roundtable on “The Content of Education in a Global Civilization” in Lucknow, Nov. 29–Dec. 6. Join a gathering of educators and policymakers from around the world, organized by the Bahá’í-inspired Council for Global Education. For information see: www.globaleducation.org/invitation (phone 202-496-9780, e-mail ).

Summer Bahá’í schools continue through Labor Day

“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

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

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 ) has rates. If you register after July 31, a 15% late fee applies. Registrar: Phil Cabot, P.O. Box 122, Norwood, NJ 07648 (phone 201-767-5806, e-mail ).

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 ).

SOUTHERN STATES

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, Gilbertsville, KY 42044 (phone 502-362-4228, e-mail ). Pre-register by Aug. 26.

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, Hixson, TN 37343 (phone 423-842-1750). Pre-register by Aug. 15.

CENTRAL STATES

MINNESOTA “WILLIAM SEARS GREAT NORTH WOODS,” AUG. 11–15 Program: The Role of the ‎Comunity 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, Plymouth, MN 55441 (phone 612-557-6039).

WESTERN STATES

OREGON EAST, AUG. 14–16 Location: Suttle Lake, OR Facilities: Church camp in Cascade Mountains. Canoeing, swimming, hiking, fishing, archery, volleyball. Fees: For cabins: Adult $100, Youth (13–17) $85, Child (6–12) $75, (5-under) $50. Lodge w/indoor bath higher; day rates available. Registrar: Dan Lincoln, Lyons, OR 97358 (phone 503-859-2390, e-mail ).

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 ).

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, Woodinville, WA 98072-8465 (phone 425-488-2673, e-mail ). [Page 15]

Rich & Noble, too

“For material civilization is like unto a beautiful body, and spiritual civilization is like unto the spirit of life. If that wondrous spirit of life enters this beautiful body, the body will become a channel for the distribution and development of the perfections of humanity.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 11

Keeping Our Bodies Healthy So We Can Serve!

Liang learned in the last issue of The American Bahá’í that being clean and taking care of his body is very important to his spiritual growth. It is important for all of us to keep our bodies healthy so that we can serve Bahá’u’lláh and the world as best we can! To stay healthy, Liang eats well, gets enough sleep, and exercises. Liang likes to go running, do Double-Dutch, play basketball, ride his bike, play Frisbee or hopscotch. Sometimes, when the weather is not so good, he’ll stay inside and dance, play hide-and-seek, or do jumping jacks, sit-ups or maybe some push-ups. Below is one of Liang’s favorite activities. What do you do to keep your body active and healthy?

Activity by the Office of the Treasurer

Make a Thaumatrope!

A thaumatrope is a way to see two images as one image, sometimes a moving one. To make a thaumatrope, you will need:

• colored crayons or markers
• scissors
• paste or glue
• two 3” x 5” index cards
• a hole puncher
• two rubber bands

Subscribe to Brilliant Star! Use the form on page 27.

Directions:

1. Color and cut out the two drawings of Liang.
2. Paste or glue each drawing to an index card.
3. Hole punch the circles on the drawings. There are two on each drawing. Can you find them?
4. Take one drawing, turn it upside down and place it back to back with the other drawing that is right side up. The side holes should match up.
5. Take a rubber band and thread it halfway through one of the side holes.
6. Take one loop of the rubber band and pull it through the other so that you have a half-hitch knot against the cards.
7. Use the second rubber band for the other side hole.
8. Hold a rubber band in each hand. Wind the card up with your forefinger and thumb until the rubber bands are twisted tightly. Stretch the rubber bands out to the sides and watch Liang in action!

[Page 16]

School violence: Town meeting seeks ways toward ‘culture of peace’

Little wonder the town meeting on “Alternatives to Violence in Our Schools” captured the attention of Phoenix-area residents. School violence, long a concern, was at center stage in public discourse in the wake of two highly publicized school shooting incidents.

The theme was poignantly brought home at the program’s opening when Susan Lewis Wright, a Bahá’í from Littleton, Colorado, performed a song she sang at a memorial service for victims of April’s Columbine High School tragedy.

But far from simply lamenting a troubling trend, the forum was conceived last December to make professionals and the public aware of conflict-resolution tools at their disposal in breaking this cycle of despair.

A diverse panel of Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’í educators, social workers, law enforcement and legal professionals and parents—was assembled by Steven Gonzales, chief judge of the Mohegan Indians in Connecticut and a leading proponent of alternative dispute resolution, and University of Arizona cancer researcher Nanci Aiken.

Dorothy W. Nelson, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly and a senior federal appeals judge, was a natural choice to helm the panel.

She has long championed conflict resolution, through formation of the Western Justice Center and fostering innovative use of mediators by the Ninth Circuit Court.

The judge said that in this era, “Notions of personal responsibility and common good have been overtaken by individual rights and punitive court systems.”

Instead of pointing fingers of blame or seeking quick fixes, Nelson said, we need to “create an alternative culture of peace that is collaborative, cooperative.” In this quest, she said, the school community will have to “move beyond school walls, and that’s what this forum is all about.”

Interconnected problems

Panelists showed that school violence is interlaced with many other tough issues: violence in the home, sexual and racial harassment, inability to manage anger, societal mobility and lack of values education.

Equally important, they are seeking innovative solutions: teacher training and appreciation; supportive, not punitive, discipline; mentoring; giving children a spiritual framework; and making schools community centers teaching everyone life skills.

Attendees’ questions and comments rounded out the town meeting. People approached the microphone one by one to plead, often emotionally, for society’s best efforts to protect and nurture our No. 1 resource—the young. They urged greater exposure to diversity and moral training and called on adults who create our popular culture to act responsibly.

Area Bahá’í communities had worked for months to publicize the town meeting, particularly inviting key local officials to a pre-forum reception.

Dorothy Nelson moderated the panel in a well-publicized town meeting.

Pathways to peace: ‘Transformative mediation’ aims to turn conflict into moral growth

As the first female dean of the law school at the University of Southern California, Judge Dorothy Nelson said, she wasn’t always taken seriously as she advocated alternative dispute resolution. “It’s that women’s thing,” she would hear. “She’s trying to bring people together.”

Since then, people’s longing for new ways to find justice has brought conflict resolution to the fore, Nelson said in her morning address on “New Forms of Conflict Resolution: Pathways to Peace.”

Lawyers and courts will always have a place, she cautioned, as long as lawyers must execute legal instruments and judges must decide points of law.

But still, she said, nearly everyone agrees our “adversarial system is too costly, painful, destructive and inefficient.” It will not help us solve great issues such as racism and the inequality of women and men.

Nelson explained that in mediation, one form of conflict resolution, the parties voluntarily arrive at an agreement with the help of an unbiased mediator. As “stakeholders” in their agreement, they are much more likely to uphold it than had a settlement been imposed.

Taking it a step further, she said, is a concept known as transformative mediation. The goal is nothing less than improvement—moral growth—of the parties themselves.

Later, Kathleen Kelly, president of a Toronto conflict management firm, fleshed out the concept of transformative mediation in her own speech.

Conflicts arise daily in life and result in the choices we make, Kelly said. If tension continues it develops into a dispute. Mediation can settle the dispute, while transformative mediation aims to resolve the underlying conflict.

Mediation is growing in popularity exactly because the parties control the solution, Kelly said. It gives people a voice and helps them make decisions with which they can live. It is also ethical and sustainable, balancing interests for the greater good of everyone involved. And it’s less costly.

In a breakout session on conflict resolution, William Mahoney reported on “Lessons from the Corinne True Justice Center,” a Bahá’í social and economic development project in Denver, and Trip Barthel examined “Building Trust in Consultation.”

ABS CONFERENCE, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Native approaches to sacred justice were examined in such talks as “American Indian Gifts to the World” and “Justice and Indigenous People” and through a weekend’s worth of native artistic expression. These led into a panel discussion on “Sacred Justice” featuring Bahá’ís from several American Indian cultures.

The arts were fully integrated into the conference’s theme. Poetry, music and dance all worked to connect attendees’ hearts with the messages.

Other presentations allowed Bahá’í scholars to present the latest thinking on marriage and family, Bahá’í administration, conflict resolution, the study of religion, community-building, education, intercultural issues, social and economic development and women’s issues.

Special interest groups spent a day fostering advancement in the arts, education, religious studies, and science and religion. They delved into the principles guiding their work and explored avenues for service to humanity.

Race relations among Bahá’ís: Professor is optimistic for our ‘laboratory of unity’

Midway through the conference, Michigan State University professor Richard W. Thomas characterized the American Bahá’í community as a laboratory of unity during the annual Hasan M. Balyuzi Memorial Lecture.

In his talk, “The State of Race Relations in the American Bahá’í Community: Challenges, Progress, and Future Directions,” Thomas shared partial results from ongoing research on the influence American Bahá’ís have had on race relations since ‘Abdu’l-Bahá blessed this nation with His presence in 1912.

Thomas said the Bahá’í community is creating bonds of love among people of different backgrounds, and he declared it to be America’s best hope for achieving a true multiracial society—if Bahá’ís live up to the teachings and our institutions’ continuing guidance.

That “if” is critical, he said. As Bahá’ís are increasingly called on to build bridges in the larger society, we’re still learning how to model unity within our own community.

Don’t punish ourselves

There’s no need, though, to beat ourselves up about the tests we face, Thomas said. Much progress has been made and continues to be made, enabling the Faith to position its unity paradigm at the center of American discourse on race relations.

Just in this decade, he noted, the National Spiritual Assembly has exerted a significant influence through such vehicles as The Vision of Race Unity statement, the Models of Unity project, the Carter Center race unity conference, response to the Los Angeles riots, an open letter to then-President George Bush, the twofold Holy Year agenda, continuing guidance through Feast letters and the national media initiative.

Thomas also called attention to the race unity training program, our efforts to raise the first generation of prejudice-free children, the National Teaching Committee’s plans and the developing role of the Regional Bahá’í Councils.

He underlined remaining challenges:

• Keeping our race unity work spiritual.
• Being courageous in presenting Bahá’í approaches to the public.
• Understanding the uneven development of race unity among Bahá’ís.
• Addressing remnants of segregation among suburban and center-city Bahá’ís.
• Increasing racial diversity at summer and winter schools and nurturing friendships within the Bahá’í community.

Richard Thomas admonished Bahá’ís to live up to our teachings on racial unity.

Justice for more people

Later, Sayena Rouhani presented research on “Improving Access to Justice” that showed hopeful early results from a mediation project in Oklahoma, in contrast with the dismal state of justice for African-Americans there.

In the afternoon, the first Louis G. Gregory Symposium on Law and Justice heard LeNise Jackson-Gaertner, Trip Barthel and Julia Doris discuss the role of culture in law and issues leading to a united human family.

And as the conference closed the next day, a panel of Bahá’ís of African, Persian, European, Hispanic and American Indian roots examined “The Elimination of Prejudice.”

Moderator June Thomas drew out participants’ thoughts on the most significant challenges:

• Setting aside emotions in discussing the issues.
• Seeing our own prejudices clearly.
• Standing up for our fellow Bahá’ís when they face discrimination.
• Furthering both twin foci (race unity and the equality of women and men).
• Grounding ourselves in the teachings.
• Listening to others’ stories.
• Setting an example for our children.

Sacred Justice: American Indians’ historic roles and future hopes bring fresh enlightenment

American Indians were generous in their contributions over the week-end: delightful stories, artistic expression, and gentle humor; enlightening information on native peoples’ contributions to America and the world; and sad tales of justice denied or delayed.

Greatly responsible for “demystifying” American Indians were four Bahá’ís—Laurie Cropley of the Tlingit nation, Ruby Gubatayo and Mary Hagen of the Tsimshian and George Holly of the Athabascan—who ventured from south-east Alaska to a much warmer Arizona for the conference.

They led the audience in chants accompanied by a haunting drumbeat; discussed traditional and contemporary symbols of their peoples; and shared their goal of “putting native culture in line with the new Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh.”

As Hagen put it, “The more I become a lover of Bahá’u’lláh, the more I become traditional. The more we become firm in the Covenant, the more bounties we have to restore our culture.”

Equally remarkable were talks on “American Indian Gifts to the World” and “Justice and Indigenous People” and the panel discussion on “Sacred Justice.”

Jack Weatherford, an anthropologist and professor at Macalester College in Minnesota, said he came upon the impact of Indians on the world quite by accident. He was studying the evolution of a German village when he noted that peasants’ quality of life improved drastically at a point in the 17th century.

Looking further, Weatherford discovered that this life-altering infusion coincided with potatoes, cotton fiber and other products introduced by people who had visited the New World.

Thomas also found:

• How the diversity of the Indian diet and the potency of Indian medicines helped shift power from southern to northern Europe.
• The ways in which Europeans adapted the democratic traditions of the Iroquois Confederacy.
• The loss of the Iroquois’ matrilineal traditions, which effectively balanced the masculine and feminine qualities of life, failed to take root.

A sadder series of events was related by Valerie Phillips, an assistant professor of Indian history and business law at Washington State University, in her talk on “Justice and Indigenous Peoples.”

Phillips listed injustices that have come about as dozens of treaties between the U.S. government and Indian nations have been subverted over the past two centuries: lands have been taken away, natural resources stolen, tribal governments broken up, and individuals forced to assimilate.

But in the “Sacred Justice” panel, six Indian Bahá’ís declined to dwell on the past, and focused on the great privilege and responsibility of being a Bahá’í at this time.

The Faith is key to liberating young and old Indians from a lack of purpose in life, they said. And they reminded us that by teaching the Faith—particularly in its purest form, the Creative Word—we uplift the morals of the general population and, therefore, of society’s leaders.

Captions

Top: Caswell Ellis and Anne Gordon Perry do a dramatic reading, portraying Louis and Louisa Gregory.

Bottom: Mediator Kathleen Kelly (from left), poet Rhea Harmsen and anthropologist Jack Weatherford sign books for conference-goers.

Top: Participants in the conference-opening Town Meeting on school violence gather afterward to share views.

Center: The interior courtyard of the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel.

Bottom: Participants line up to contribute questions or comments at the Town Meeting.

Stories and photos by Tom Mennillo [Page 17]

ADMINISTERING the CAUSE

Restoration for Temple gardens

Research finds original design from ’50s

For the 250,000 yearly visitors to the Bahá’í House of Worship, the gardens are the first statement of welcome. They complement the beauty of the Temple itself; they invite a quieter frame of mind; they provide an agreeable place for sharing the teachings of the Faith with visitors on late summer nights.

Indeed, formal gardens are part of the institution of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár as directed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Now plans are under way to restore the original visionary design for the gardens of the Temple in Wilmette, Illinois.

This design, rediscovered after two years’ research, had been approved by Shoghi Effendi. The landscape architect who developed the design was in correspondence with the Guardian for years, even as finishing touches were being put in during the early 1950s.

The opportunity to return to the gardens’ original design stems from major conservation work to restore the monumental steps and walkways surrounding the House of Worship.

Planned over the next few years, the concrete work itself requires replanting or replacement of many plants in the gardens.

HOW MUCH FOR THOSE TULIPS??

The Office of the Treasurer has heard many questions about a comment at this year’s National Convention to the effect that $40,000 is expended yearly for tulips for the House of Worship. Actually, the garden staff orders and plants about 40,000 bulbs each year, at a total expense of about $9,200. This is still an indication, though, of the cost of maintaining the gardens, an ‎indispensible indispensable‎ element of the spiritual atmosphere of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár.

Assemblies have assessment tool online

A unique instrument for giving Local Assemblies a clear view of their progress, the Self ‎Asseessment Assessment‎ Tool created by the National Spiritual Assembly, is now on line and available through the Administrative Web Site.

To access the assessment forms, with a supplement on “Where to Find Assistance in Achieving Particular Goals,” log in to the Web site (www.usbnc.org). You will need your Bahá’í ID number. The documents are in .pdf (Acrobat) format, and free software is available for reading them.

The Self Assessment Tool contains questions to provoke thought among Assembly members on a number of functions and goals, as outlined in guidance of the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice.

Assemblies have reported that completing the assessment has made them more energized, effective and goal-oriented.

For more information, contact the National Assembly’s Office of Assembly Development, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60202 (phone 847-733-3490, e-mail ________).

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

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 at right 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’i 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’i Bahá’í‎) ____________________

Address _____________________________________

City _________________________________________

State __________ Zip _________________________

Telephone ___________________________________

E-mail _______________________________________

__ I prefer that someone contact me by telephone.

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

TAB 8/1/99

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 ________).

Treasurer’s Office Q&A from National Convention 1999: Part 2

This month we are sharing more of the questions and answers from the Office of the Treasurer that were offered to the delegates at this year’s National Convention:

What are other major expense areas? The two largest expense concentrations are people and properties. A bit less than half the $21 million total expense is human resources—the hands that do the national work. The property portfolio—the 100 structures held in trust for the community by its National Assembly—required $2.5 million to maintain, while capital repairs and improvements added another $1.9 million. Some capital projects in fiscal 1999: a digital imaging system for video production ($122,000); computer equipment to support the Local Assembly Integration project and the 20-plus Web sites we host, including the Bahá’í World Center site ($300,000); new paving at Bosch School ($68,000 this year); a new roof at Louhelen ($67,000); and costs to configure the new Distribution Service facility in Atlanta for our use ($29,000).

How about the Regional Bahá’í Councils? These new institutions were active this year, and that means money was spent. Even though contributions dropped, the National Assembly reinforced its spiritual commitment to the Councils with almost $500,000 in funding. This sum includes only direct expenses; it does not include the time and effort of the many National Center offices that was also invested in collaboration with the Councils: Information Services, Teaching, Treasury and the Secretariat were among those whose agendas were willingly expanded to work on common goals and challenges.

What comes next? In addition to the immediate needs, the National Spiritual Assembly has preliminarily approved a plan to identify and meet medium- and long-term needs of the community. The main areas of focus being considered are special projects, capital investments, endowments and the creation of strategic reserves. The plan under consultation foresees significant investments in the House of Worship and the permanent schools; establishment of endowments to provide long-term facility maintenance and development; special projects in teaching, public information, information systems and community development; and the need for reserves that can be used internationally, regionally and locally to seize the rapidly changing opportunities our growth will create. The National Assembly’s Office of the Treasurer has been authorized to develop a comprehensive proposal to identify developmental objectives and the ways and means to fund them.

O YE THAT PRIDE YOURSELVES ON MORTAL RICHES! Know ye in truth that wealth is a mighty barrier between the seeker and his desire, the lover and his beloved. The rich, but for a few, shall in no wise attain the court of His presence nor enter the city of content and resignation. Well is it then with him, who, being rich, is not hindered by his riches from the eternal kingdom, nor deprived by them of imperishable dominion. By the Most Great Name! The splendor of such a wealthy man shall illuminate the dwellers of heaven even as the sun enlightens the people of the earth! Bahá’u’lláh, Hidden Word #53 from the Persian [Page 18]SPECIAL MESS GE.

Who is Writing the Future?

Reflections on the Twentieth Century: Part 3 of 3

As printed in the issues of May 17 and June 24, 1999, the first two-thirds of this statement recalled tremendous global changes during the twentieth century in the realms of politics, human rights, economics, education, religion and science—all changing the way people view each other, and reinforcing the teaching of Bahá’u’lláh that humanity is undergoing a great maturing process.

IV

The conception of civilization's future course laid out in Bahá’u’lláh's writings challenges much that today imposes itself on our world as normative and unchangeable. The breakthroughs made during the century of light have opened the door to a new kind of world. If social and intellectual evolution is in fact responding to a moral intelligence inherent in existence, a great deal of the theory determining contemporary approaches to decision-making is fatally flawed. If human consciousness is essentially spiritual in nature as the vast majority of ordinary people have always been intuitively aware its development needs cannot be understood or served through an interpretation of reality that dogmatically insists otherwise.

No aspect of contemporary civilization is more directly challenged by Bahá’u’lláh's conception of the future than is the prevailing cult of individualism, which has spread to most parts of the world. Nurtured by such cultural forces as political ideology, academic elitism, and a consumer economy, the "pursuit of happiness" has given rise to an aggressive and almost boundless sense of personal entitlement. The moral consequences have been corrosive for the individual and society alike and devastating in terms of disease, drug addiction and other all-too-familiar blights of century's end. The task of freeing humanity from an error so fundamental and pervasive will call into question some of the twentieth century's most deeply entrenched assumptions about right and wrong.

What are some of these unexamined assumptions? The most obvious is the conviction that unity is a distant, almost unattainable ideal to be addressed only after a host of political conflicts have been somehow resolved, material needs somehow satisfied, and injustices somehow corrected. The opposite, Bahá’u’lláh asserts, is the case. The primary disease that afflicts society and generates the ills that cripple it, he says, is the disunity of a human race that is distinguished by its capacity for collaboration and whose progress to date has depended on the extent to which unified action has, at various times and in various societies, been achieved. To cling to the notion that conflict is an intrinsic feature of human nature, rather than a complex of learned habits and attitudes, is to impose on a new century an error which, more than any other single factor, has tragically handicapped humanity's past.

THIS STATEMENT, FROM THE BAHÁ’Í INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S OFFICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION, HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í OVER THREE SUCCESSIVE ISSUES. COMPLETE TEXT IS ON THE WEB AT HTTP://WWW.US.BAHAI.ORG/HUMANRIGHTS/HRSTMTI.HTM

"Regard the world," Bahá’u’lláh advised elected leaders, "as the human body which, though at its creation whole and perfect, hath been afflicted, through various causes, with grave disorders and maladies."9

Intimately related to the issue of unity is a second moral challenge that the past century has posed with ever increasing urgency. In the sight of God, Bahá’u’lláh insists, justice is the "best beloved of all things."10 It enables the individual to see reality through his or her own eyes rather than those of others and endows collective decision making with the authority that alone can ensure unity of thought and action. However gratifying is the system of international order that has emerged from the harrowing experiences of the twentieth century, its enduring influence will depend on acceptance of the moral principle implicit in it. If the body of humankind is indeed one and indivisible, then the authority exercised by its governing institutions represents essentially a trusteeship.

Each individual person comes into the world as a trust of the whole, and it is this feature of human existence that constitutes the real foundation of the social, economic and cultural rights that the United Nations Charter and its related documents articulate. Justice and unity are reciprocal in their effect. "The purpose of justice," Bahá’u’lláh wrote, "is the appearance of unity among men. The ocean of divine wisdom surgeth within this exalted word, while the books of the world cannot contain its inner significance."11

As society commits itself however hesitantly and fearfully—to these and related moral principles, the most meaningful role it will offer the individual will be that of service. One of the paradoxes of human life is that development of the self comes primarily through commitment to larger undertakings in which the self—even if only temporarily—is forgotten. In an age that opens up to people of every condition an opportunity to participate effectively in the shaping of the social order itself, the ideal of service to others assumes entirely new significance. To exalt such goals as acquisition and self-assertion as the purpose of life is to promote chiefly the animal side of human nature. Nor can simplistic messages of personal salvation any longer address the yearnings of generations who have come to know, with deep certainty, that true fulfillment is as much a matter of this world as it is of the next. "Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in," is Bahá’u’lláh's counsel, "and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements."12

Such perspectives have profound implications for the conduct of human affairs. It is obvious, for example, that, whatever its past contributions, the longer the nation state persists as the dominant influence in determining the fate of humankind, the longer will the achievement of world peace be delayed and the greater will be the suffering inflicted on the earth's population. In humanity's economic life, no matter how great the blessings brought by globalization, it is apparent that this process has also created unparalleled concentrations of autocratic power that must be brought under international democratic control if they are not to produce poverty and despair for countless millions. Similarly, the historic breakthrough in information and communication technology, which represents so potent a means to promote social development and the deepening of people's sense of their common humanity, can, with equal force, divert and coarsen impulses vital to the service of this very process.

V

What Bahá’u’lláh is speaking of is a new relationship between God and humankind, one that is in harmony with the dawning maturity of the race. The ultimate Reality that has created and sustains the universe will forever remain beyond the reach of the human mind. Humanity's conscious relationship with it, to the extent that one has been established, has been the result of the influence of the Founders of the great religions, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad and earlier figures whose names are, for the most part, lost to memory. Through responding to these impulses of the Divine, the earth's peoples have progressively developed the spiritual, intellectual, and moral capacities that have combined to civilize human character. This millennia-long, cumulative process has now reached the stage characteristic of all the decisive turning points in the evolutionary process, when previously unrealized possibilities suddenly emerge: "This is the Day," Bahá’u’lláh asserts, "in which God's most excellent favors have been poured out upon men, the Day in which His most mighty grace bath been infused into all created things."13

Viewed through Bahá’u’lláh's eyes, the history of tribes, peoples, and nations has effectively reached its conclusion. What we are witnessing is the beginning of the history of humankind, the history of a human race conscious of its own oneness. To this turning point in the course of civilization, his writings bring a redefinition of the nature and processes of civilization and a reordering of its priorities. Their aim is to call us back to spiritual awareness and responsibility.

There is nothing in Bahá’u’lláh's writings to encourage the illusion that the changes envisioned will come about easily. Far otherwise. As the events of the twentieth century have already demonstrated, patterns of habit and attitude which have taken root over thousands of years are not abandoned either spontaneously or in response simply to education or legislative action. Whether in the life of the individual or that of society, profound change occurs more often than not in response to intense suffering and to unendurable difficulties that can be overcome in no other way. Just so great a testing experience, Bahá’u’lláh warned, is needed to weld the earth's diverse peoples into a single people.

Spiritual and materialistic conceptions of the nature of reality are irreconcilable with one another and lead in opposite directions. As a new century opens, the course set by the second of these two opposing views has already carried a hapless humanity far beyond the outermost point where an illusion of rationality, let alone of human well-being, could once be sustained. With every passing day, the signs multiply that great numbers of people everywhere are awakening to this realization.

Despite widely prevalent opinion to the contrary, the human race is not a blank tablet on which privileged arbiters of human affairs can freely inscribe their own wishes. The springs of the spirit rise up where they will, as they will. They will not indefinitely be suppressed by the detritus of contemporary society. It no longer requires prophetic insight to appreciate that the opening years of the new century will see the release of energies and aspirations infinitely more potent than the accumulated routines, falsities, and addictions that have so long blocked their expression.

However great the turmoil, the period into which humanity is moving will open to every individual, every institution, and every community on earth unprecedented opportunities to participate in the writing of the planet's future. "Soon," is Bahá’u’lláh's confident promise, "will the present-day order be rolled up, and a new one spread out in its stead."14

Footnotes

9. Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, section CXX. 10. Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words, No. 2 from the Arabic. 11. Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1997), p. 67. 12. Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, section CVI. 13. Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, section IV. 14. Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, section IV [Page 19]

Letter to the friends from the Latin-American Task Force

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

According to the Universal House of Justice, the buildings on Mount Carmel are nearing completion and their inauguration is approaching:

“The Mount Carmel projects will have been completed by this time [the Day of the Covenant in 2000] and the preparations will have been well advanced for dedicatory events, scheduled to take place on 22 and 23 May 2001. ...” (Riḍván 156 Message to the Bahá’ís of the world)

And our dear National Spiritual Assembly thus concludes its Riḍván 1999 message:

“When the Supreme Body began construction of the ‘metropolis of the Kingdom of Heaven,’ it explained that spiritual energies would be released with the completion of each stage of this ‘great enterprise’ ... [that] will transform the Bahá’í community and advance the Cause. ... Moreover, the Supreme Institution reiterated the prophecies of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi that ... entry by troops will be a prelude to mass conversion, ‘as a direct result of a chain of events, momentous and possibly catastrophic in nature,’ that will suddenly ‘derange the equilibrium of the world, and reinforce a thousandfold the numerical strength ... the material power and the spiritual authority of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.’”

Dear Bahá’í friend:

If entry by troops were to begin today in your community, if it suddenly became necessary to attend to the spiritual needs of a large number, perhaps hundreds, of new believers, what would be the capacity of your community to respond to such a challenge? How many dedicated and well-deepened teachers of the Faith can your community count on? What has been so far the preparation, both individual and collective, for the carrying out of such a task? Preparation by means of daily prayer and conscientious study of the Sacred Writings? Training that could make us capable of teaching, efficiently and effectively, the fundamental verities of the Faith to individuals or to groups of individuals? Participation in the life of the community looking to strengthen it?

We all ardently desire that multitudes of new believers enter the Faith. However, the preparations required to welcome such multitudes successfully require a sober evaluation of our resources, of our capacity to serve and of our personal, community and institutional maturity.

As humanity continues to bleed and fratricidal wars fed by racial hatred and religious prejudice fill the pages of all the newspapers, the warnings of the Master about the gravity of the racial problem and of the severe consequences of our lack of attention take on critical importance. The serious decision of committing ourselves to a vigorous teaching campaign, right where we are, becomes truly urgent as we face the perspective of the new millennium with the implications already stated. It is necessary only to renew our loyalty to the Covenant with Bahá’u’lláh, as recognizing Him means teaching His Cause. The one cannot exist without the other. Nor are extraordinary efforts required. Each one, in the measure of his capacities, can design his own personal teaching plan and execute it in a systematic, constant, deliberate manner.

Is there a regional training institute in your area? Ask it to train the friends in how to give a fireside, or in how to prepare as a teacher or facilitator of courses for adults or for children, how to work with the youth or to teach minorities, etc.

We end with the call of the Universal House of Justice directed to all the Bahá’ís of the world, found at the end of its Riḍván 156 Message:

“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.”

With affection, the Latin-American Task Force

Carta a los amigos de la Comisión de Trabajo Latinoamericana

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

Según la Casa Universal de Justicia, los edificios en el Monte Carmelo están a punto de ser terminados y su inauguración se aproxima:

“Los proyectos en el Monte Carmelo habrán sido terminados para esta fecha [el Día del Convenio del año 2000], y estarán bien avanzados los preparativos para su dedicación la cual tendrá lugar en mayo 22 y 23, 2001. ...” (Mensaje de Riḍván 156 a los bahá’ís del mundo)

Y nuestra querida Asamblea Espiritual Nacional concluye así su mensaje de Riḍván 1999:

“Cuando el Cuerpo Supremo comenzó la construcción de ‘la metrópolis del Reino de los Cielos’ explicó que con la culminación de cada etapa de esta ‘gran empresa’ serían liberadas energías espirituales ... [que] transformarán la comunidad bahá’í y avanzarán la Causa. ... La Institución Suprema reiteró además las profecías de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá y de Shoghi Effendi de que ... la entrada en tropas será el preludio a la conversión en masa como resultado directo de una cadena de eventos, trascendentales y de naturaleza posiblemente catastrófica que repentinamente trastornarán el equilibrio del mundo, y reforzarán mil veces más la fuerza numérica ... el poder material y la autoridad espiritual de la Fe de Bahá’u’lláh.’”

Querido amigo Bahá’í:

Si comenzara hoy la entrada en tropas en tu comunidad, si de repente fuese necesario atender a las necesidades espirituales de un gran número, tal vez cientos de nuevos creyentes, ¿cuál sería la capacidad de tu comunidad para responder a semejante reto? ¿Con cuántos maestros de la Fe, dedicados y bien profundizados, cuenta la comunidad? ¿Cuál ha sido hasta el momento la preparación tanto individual como colectiva para el desempeño de semejante tarea? ¿Preparación mediante la oración diaria y el estudio concienzudo de las sagradas escrituras? ¿Entrenamiento que podría capacitarnos para enseñar eficiente y eficazmente las veridades fundamentales de la Fe a individuos o a grupos de individuos? ¿Participación en la vida comunitaria con miras a su fortalecimiento?

Todos deseamos ardientemente que entren a la Fe multitudes de nuevos creyentes. Sin embargo, los preparativos requeridos para acoger con éxito a tales multitudes requieren una sobria evaluación de nuestros recursos, de nuestra capacidad de servicio y de nuestra madurez personal, comunitaria e institucional.

Mientras la humanidad se desangra y las guerras fratricidas alimentadas por el odio racial y el prejuicio religioso llenan las páginas de todos los periódicos, las amonestaciones del Maestro acerca de la gravedad del problema racial y de las severas consecuencias de nuestra falta de atención toman una importancia crítica. La resolución seria de comprometernos en una vigorosa campaña de enseñanza en nuestro medio cobra urgencia real frente a la perspectiva del nuevo milenio con las implicaciones ya enumeradas. Tan solo es necesario renovar nuestra fidelidad al Convenio con Bahá’u’lláh ya que reconocerle significa enseñar Su Causa. No puede existir lo uno sin lo otro. Ni se requieren esfuerzos extraordinarios. Cada quien en la medida de sus capacidades puede diseñar su propio plan personal de enseñanza y ejecutarlo de manera sistemática, constante, deliberada.

¿Existe en tu área un instituto regional de formación? Pídele que entrene a los amigos en como dar una charla hogareña, o en como prepararte como maestro o facilitador de cursos para adultos o para niños, como trabajar con los jóvenes o enseñar a ‎los minorías las minorías‎, etc.

Terminamos con el llamado de la Casa Universal de Justicia dirigida a todos los bahá’ís del mundo y que se encuentra al final de su Mensaje de Riḍván 156:

“Queridos Amigos: los días pasan aceleradamente como el ‎titular titilar‎ de una estrella. Dejen su huella hoy, en esta la hora crucial de una coyuntura cuyo igual nunca jamás volverá. Dejen su huella en hechos que les aseguren bendiciones celestiales, que les garanticen a ustedes y a la raza entera un futuro más allá de todo cálculo terrenal.”

Cariñosamente, La Comisión de Trabajo Latinoamericana

BRIEFLY

Porter County, Indiana

Catherine Souther got an A-plus for a class video presentation on race unity and, as a bonus, motivated two teachers and their families to attend the Bahá’í community’s Riḍván celebration.

The Bahá’í student incorporated elements from several sources in her presentation for a class at Ivy Tech in Valparaiso. They included the National Spiritual Assembly’s The Power of Race Unity video, a Human Relations Board of Chicago commercial called “Put a Bag on Racism” and materials lent by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

The showing prompted several positive comments concerning the topic and several questions about the Faith. Also, a teacher has borrowed the presentation to show in her sociology class.

Camp Hill, Alabama

In their continuing drive to achieve Spiritual Assembly status, Bahá’ís in Camp Hill launched a drive to place Bahá’í books and magazines in local libraries. Materials have been accepted at public, school, and hospital libraries, and the drive continues.

But the best teaching opportunity came when a librarian in a town more than an hour away refused the offer.

James Rhodes of Camp Hill headed to a restaurant for a little coffee after the disappointment. “Not realizing I still was carrying Bahá’í materials, I went to the counter ... and was about to order when the employees and shift manager came over and ‎starting started‎ reading the magazine The Bahá’ís,” he said. “I ended up leaving all my materials with the employees, so it really was not a wasted trip after all.”

La Crosse, Wisconsin

Pam Hale Bradley, a Bahá’í, is the only non-Catholic ever invited to join a round-the-clock prayer vigil the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration have held here for 121 years.

Since Aug. 1, 1878, at least two sisters at a time have prayed continuously in St. Rose chapel for the city of La Crosse and peace in the world. Bradley was invited, along with a few lay Catholics, to join the aging members of the order in their vigil. She uses a Bahá’í prayer book during her weekly scheduled time. [Page 20]lassified notices in The American Bahá’í are published free of charge to the Bahá’í community. Because of this, notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or commercial ads are accepted. Some of the opportunities have not been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly; the friends should exercise judgment and care in responding.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AT THE BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER EVANSTON, ILLINOIS

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

Media Coordinator, National Teaching Office. Helps Bahá’ís understand the national media initiative through The American Bahá’í, the Internet, Bahá’í Newsreel, regional training programs etc.; advises/assists local and regional media efforts; monitors national 1-800 telephone system for seekers; sets up research and testing. Needs professional background in media, education and/or public relations; extensive project management experience; knowledge of Bahá’í writings/administration.

Research Coordinator, National Teaching Office. Gathers, analyzes information on issues affecting growth and development of the Faith; communicates analysis and recommendations to National Spiritual Assembly and National Teaching Committee; conveys information to Regional Bahá’í Councils and to the believers in general. Needs advanced degree in research-oriented field such as social sciences or marketing, high organizational, analytical, interpersonal skills; extensive knowledge of Bahá’í writings/administration.

Concrete Artesan-Apprentice, Conservation. Helps Concrete/Stone Conservator in conservation of Bahá’í House of Worship and surroundings. Must know all phases of producing concrete flatwork or architectural precast components, especially making forms or molds. Cleaning and demolition knowledge preferred, as is supervisory experience. Needs valid driver's license. Will work at heights wearing respirator. Must be able to interact with the public in a pleasant, friendly manner.

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

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

Administrative Assistants; several openings possible. Performs and coordinates clerical and secretarial functions in a mature, efficient, professional manner, often handling many tasks at once. Must be deepened Bahá’í well-grounded in the spiritual principles and administration of the Bahá’í Faith. Must be familiar with computer word processing applications (Windows 95, Word, e-mail and various databases extremely helpful). Must communicate well in spoken and written 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).

IMMEDIATE NEEDS

Office of the Secretary for External Affairs, Washington, DC: Assistant to the Director: Researches/drafts documents for government, media and Bahá’ís nationwide to support National Assembly external affairs efforts; fields inquiries; analyzes correspondence; helps coordinate staff/resources. Needs college degree, preferably advanced (journalism, political science or related area); should have 5-10 years' experience in a fast-paced office environment.

Bahá’í Properties Office, Wilmette: Maintenance Technician. Responsible for preventive maintenance, inventory, inspection and coordination of repairs to Bahá’í properties. Needs knowledge of building maintenance and operations; will work with electricity, plumbing, mechanical and masonry repairs.

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.

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

Bahá’í Encyclopedia Project: Administrative Assistant. Carries out research tasks, inputs editorial corrections from hard copy, maintains files and records. Must be able to work with minimal supervision, including organizing/prioritizing the workload and finishing projects with professional, error-free results. Needs strong writing/editing and computer skills, 60 wpm word processing.

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 speak, read and write English; needs 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.

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

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

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 BAHÁ’Í TRADE PUBLISHING

Publisher. General manager and chief operating officer; public and legal spokesperson. Responsible for the product quality and financial results. Oversees general business, policies and interdepartmental collaboration toward developing a presence for Bahá’í literature in retail bookstores and libraries. Needs excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation, negotiation and problem-solving, expertise in publishing (including distribution) and business management; extensive knowledge of literature and Bahá’í principles; bachelor's degree; record of service on Bahá’í administrative institutions.

Office Manager. Supervises operations of Bahá’í Trade Publishing with focus on acquisitions, editorial and administrative functions. Helps publisher develop and manage this new enterprise. Develops and maintains office management systems for smooth administration. Needs excellent written and oral communication skills; expertise in publishing (including distibution) 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 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 operations of BDS, particularly marketing and customer service; maintains dignified manner in all communications. Needs varied communication expertise: business reporting, correspondence, negotiating, consultation, facilitation; bachelor's degree; familiarity with Bahá’í literature; high computer literacy with special focus on developing Web sites; financial and business management experience; retail sales/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).

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).

PIONEERING/OVERSEAS

The Office of Pioneering is listing all positions sent to us by other national Bahá’í institutions. Soon a list of Web site and e-mail addresses for job searches will be a regular feature.

BAHAMAS: Self-supporting couple to serve as caretakers for the National Center.

BELIZE: Couple or person to serve as caretaker for Bahá’í Center in Belmopan, the 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: 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 Bahá’í Center in Honiara. Volunteer to train National Center office staff.

THAILAND: Volunteers needed in various areas to help keep local centers open, assist with administrative tasks at the National Center. [Page 21]

Richard Walters, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh in Morocco

On July 15, the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States received this message from the Bahá’í World Center:

DEEPLY DEPLORE NEWS PASSING DEARLY LOVED RICHARD HARDING WALTERS. DISTINCTION HE ACHIEVED AS KNIGHT BAHA'U'LLAH FOR MOROCCO DURING BELOVED GUARDIAN'S TEN YEAR GLOBAL CRUSADE INDICATIVE HIS WHOLEHEARTED DEVOTION, SACRIFICIAL, HISTORIC SERVICE CAUSE OF GOD. CONVEY BEREAVED MEMBERS HIS FAMILY DEEPEST SYMPATHY ASSURANCE FERVENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HIS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Richard (Dick) Harding Walters departed this life May 12, 1999, in Arkansas after 60 years of homefront and international service.

In response to the beloved Guardian's appeal for pioneers to fulfill the goals of the Ten Year Crusade, Richard and Evelyn Walters arose with their family and settled in French Morocco in 1954.

Later that year, as secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of Casablanca, Richard wrote to the National Assembly of the U.S., "The friends in the States should realize how easy a time they have in teaching. One language will do fine there but in Casablanca it is necessary to teach in French, Spanish, English and Arabic depending upon which group your contact falls into.... Which means that to find contacts one has to attract them. This makes you realize more than ever that actions are your only instrument for teaching, since in not speaking their language you can't stir their attention by a well turned word or present a clear explanation from the teachings in answer to questions of the spirit. You must strive patiently to win friends before you can teach. And then you may have to turn him over to another Bahá’í for the study work. This is known as detachment...."

Richard Walters and his family served the Cause in North Africa, then in Portugal. He settled in Arkansas in his later years.

The Walters family spent six years in North Africa, then relocated in 1961 to Portugal where they laid to rest their son Richard, only one month after his declaration.

In 1966, Richard and Evelyn continued their services to the Portuguese community by settling in the Azores.

The Cause of God was Dick's first love and his greatest joy was helping to raise up an Assembly wherever he lived. His last teaching effort was to share the Message of Bahá’u’lláh in an all-African-American church in Texarkana, Arkansas.

William Cornelius Davis did significant work in Chad

William (Bill) Cornelius Davis passed away June 16, 1999, in Phoenix, Arizona, at age 80.

Bill first set out to serve his beloved faith internationally in 1966 when he went to Guatemala for a year. In 1969 he pioneered to Chad, where his teaching work was significant in the establishment of Local Assemblies, especially the one in Moundou.

He was described as being avid in his teaching, resulting in many coming into the Faith.

Bill served on the Regional Spiritual Assembly of Chad, Central African Republic, Congo and Gabon. Before his departure in 1972, he saw the establishment of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Chad.

In April 1973, Bill and his wife, Patricia, moved to Malta. Later that year they moved to Liberia, and settled in that country for three years.

Unknown to many, this servant was an extraordinary sculptor. Many of his works, even tables, were created from one piece of wood.

Despite the limiting effects of ill health, Bill engaged in traveling teaching in Africa and the Caribbean and arose to serve as a short-term pioneer to Romania during the Three Year Plan (1993-96).

Bahras Samimi was stalwart in Denmark

We recently learned of the passing of Bahras Samimi on May 26, 1999, in Los Angeles, California. Mrs. Samimi and her husband, Ata, served as pioneers to Denmark for over 35 years.

The National Spiritual Assembly of Denmark remembers her as "a warm center of hospitality," noting her dedicated services on the Spiritual Assembly of Frederiksberg from the time it was established in 1962.

In a message dated June 1, 1999, addressed to the National Assembly of Denmark, the Universal House of Justice wrote:

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE RECEIVED YOUR EMAIL OF 28 MAY 1999 AND WAS SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE PASSING OF MRS. BAHRAS SAMIMI, WHO SERVED FOR MANY YEARS AS A DEVOTED PIONEER IN DENMARK WITH HER HUSBAND, MR. ATA SAMIMI. BE ASSURED OF THE LOVING PRAYERS OF THE HOUSE OF JUSTICE IN THE HOLY SHRINES FOR THE PROGRESS OF MRS. SAMIMI'S SOUL IN THE ABHA KINGDOM.

Philip O’Brien served in Ireland and in Wilmette

DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING PHILIP O'BRIEN NOBLE-HEARTED, STALWART SERVANT BAHA'U'LLAH. WE LOVINGLY RECALL HIS VALUED SERVICES HOUSE OF WORSHIP WILMETTE, HIS PIONEERING ACHIEVEMENTS IRELAND WHERE HE SERVED WITH GREAT DEVOTION TEACHING ADMINISTRATIVE FIELDS, AND HIS DEDICATED LABOURS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. HIS INDOMITABLE FAITH COUPLED WITH A SENSE OF HUMOUR PRODUCED A JOYOUS AND GALVANISING EFFECT UPON THE FRIENDS. PRAYERS WILL BE OFFERED HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HIS RADIANT SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. CONVEY LOVING SYMPATHY HIS BELOVED WIFE, CHILDREN AND MEMBERS FAMILY.

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Philip O’Brien departed this life January 9, 1999, after a long illness.

His wife shared the following: "The experience of the last few months with Philip was precious and extremely enriching in terms of the blossoming of his soul and growing strength of his spirit which seemed to override the pain he experienced and the weakening of his body. The family was with him throughout the time of his death which was in itself a profound gift for us all. This was a 'near death experience' of a different order in that we were like a team on this side assisting in a birthing process and sending him to a team on the other side. There could be no doubt of where he was going and the beauty of it, of his dilemma of not being quite ready when he told them to wait and of wanting to go when he asked us to let him go....

"There was wonderful cooperation between all of us, and he went off happily, peacefully surrounded on all sides by those whom he loves.

"It was a privilege, a life changing, transforming gift which he gave to us, his family, and to his many friends with whom we can share his story...."

Note

Due to an unexpected staff shortage and a resulting backlog of work in the Membership Office, we are unable to provide an "In Memoriam" list for this issue of The American Bahá’í. Complete listings will resume in future issues.

CLASSIFIED

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS: Great need for medical personnel: family physician, 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 (phone 847-733-3508).

YOUTH

Youth/Young Adult Volunteers Needed AT BOSCH, LOUHELEN, GREEN ACRE, LOUIS GREGORY INSTITUTE, NABI • 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)

ARCHIVES

The National Bahá’í Archives is seeking original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to: Walter Covington, Elah Cowart, Emily Craighead, Ethel Crane, Joan Crawford, Martin H. Crawford, Diantha Crisp, Gene W. Crist and William Day Crocket. Anyone knowing relatives who might have these Guardian's letters is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-869-9039).

Free information sheets on local archives and records are available to any Bahá’í community. To request a set, write the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-869-9039). Please supply your community's mailing address.

WANTED

If you (or an older believer in your community) have any remembrances of or associations with Hilda Yen (married name: Hilda Yen Male), a Chinese Bahá’í who gave many U.N.-related talks on peace in the U.S. and Canada in the 1940s and 1950s, please contact Mrs. M. Khavari, Portsmouth, NH, 03801 (phone/fax 603-431-8566). [Page 22]

1999 Electoral Unit Conventions

Here is the latest information on Electoral Unit conventions, which will be held across the country in early October to elect delegates to the Bahá’í National Convention of April 2000.

• Electoral Units are listed by region (some have areas that overlap regions).
• If you don’t know your Electoral Unit (EU) number, it will be printed on the envelope in which you receive your ballot in a few weeks. If you have Internet access, you can find out your EU number on the Administrative Web Site (www.usbnc.org).
• If information here is incomplete, the contact number or the Local Spiritual Assembly hosting your Convention may be reached for details.

For children’s programs at Unit Convention: Enhance your curriculum with the Special Edition of Brilliant Star ($3.50 each or $2.50 for five or more copies through BDS). Find out more at www.usbnc.org

Northeastern States

EU001: Green Acre Bahá’í School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Portland, P.O. Box 674, Portland, ME 04104-0674 (phone 207-282-3734).

EU002: Hartford High School, 2 Taft Ave., White River Junction, VT; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Rochester, P.O. Box 24, Rochester, VT 05767-0024 (phone 802-767-3303).

EU003: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Manchester c/o Dianne Richmond, Manchester, NH 03103-4622 (phone 603-668-2291).

EU004: Chelmsford Old Town Hall (Community Center), 1 A-North Rd., Chelmsford, MA; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Chelmsford, P.O. Box 544, Chelmsford, MA 01824-0544 (phone 978-250-0956).

EU005: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Wilbraham, P.O. Box 862, Wilbraham, MA 01095 (phone 413-572-4693).

EU006: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Providence, P.O. Box 41001, Providence, RI 02940-1001 (phone 401-831-7068).

EU007: Tunxis Community College, 271 Scott Swamp Rd., Farmington, CT; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Farmington c/o Ruth Gammons, Unionville, CT 06085-1164 (phone 860-677-4460).

EU008: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA New Canaan, P.O. Box 1597, New Canaan, CT 06840-1597 (phone 203-972-3082).

EU009: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Brookhaven c/o Marie McNair, East Patchogue, NY 11772-6137 (phone 516-289-2006).

EU010: New York City Bahá’í Center, 53 East 11th Street, New York, NY; Sunday, Oct. 3, 1–5 pm. Mail ballots to LSA New York City, 53 E. 11th St., New York, NY 10003-4601 (phone 212-254-6723).

EU011: Grice Middle School, Whitehorse Ave., Hamilton Township, NJ; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Hamilton, P.O. Box 2529, Hamilton Sq, NJ 08690 (phone 609-586-2931).

EU012: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Montclair Township, P.O. Box 3407, Montclair, NJ 07043-3407 (phone 973-509-2799).

EU013: State Univ. of NY at New Paltz, Lecture Center Room 100, New Paltz, NY; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA New Paltz, P.O. Box 1158, New Paltz, NY 12561 (phone 914-256-9133).

EU014: Pittsford Middle School, 75 Barker Dr., Pittsford, NY; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Pittsford c/o Mitra Dianat, Pittsford, NY 14534-1077 (phone 716-264-1180).

EU015: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA State College c/o Michael Stokes, P.O. Box 1376, State College, PA 16804-1376 (phone 814-867-4316, e-mail ).

EU016: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Lower Merion Township, P.O. Box 772, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 (phone 610-617-0436).

EU048: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Olean, P.O. Box 9, Olean, NY 14760-0009 (phone 716-372-3663).

Southern States

EU017: JD’s Conference Center at Concord Plaza; 3411 Silverside Rd., Wilmington, DE; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am–4 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA New Castle County North c/o Sandra Shoemaker, Wilmington, DE 19810 (phone 302-332-5644).

EU018: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Howard County, P.O. Box 488, Columbia, MD 21045-0488 (phone 410-964-1234).

EU019: Rockville Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Dr., Rockville, MD; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am–3 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Rockville, P.O. Box 1826, Rockville, MD 20849-1826 (phone 301-762-7956).

EU020: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Greenbelt, P.O. Box 245, Greenbelt, MD 20768-0245 (phone 301-474-4090).

EU021: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Fairfax County East, P.O. Box 1325, Falls Church, VA 22041-0325 (phone 703-941-0516).

EU022: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Fairfax County West, P.O. Box 2057, Centerville, VA 20120 (phone 703-968-5838).

EU023: Salem Station Elementary School, Fredericksburg, VA; Sunday, Oct. 3; 10 am–4 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Spotsylvania County, c/o Jeff Solka, Fredericksburg, VA 22408-2920 (phone 540-899-9690).

EU024: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Norfolk, P.O. Box 610, Norfolk, VA 23508 (phone 757-423-5849).

EU025: Home of Marlene White, Greenville, NC; Sunday, Oct. 3, 11:30 am–5 pm (register 10:30 am). Mail ballots to Bahá’í of Greenville, c/o Marlene White, Greenville, NC 27858-5229 (phone 252-321-5888).

EU026: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Fayetteville c/o Janis Holden-Toruno, Fayetteville, NC 28303-2611 (phone 910-867-2155).

EU027: To be announced.

EU028: Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, SC; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Williams Hill c/o Jamal Beckman, Hemingway, SC 29554-4017 (phone 843-558-5802).

EU029: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Mount Pleasant c/o Diane Holladay, P.O. Box 1389, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 (phone 843-881-9599).

EU030: To be announced.

EU031: To be announced.

EU032: North Family Community School, 616 Main St., North, SC; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Orangeburg c/o Pamela Laursen, P.O. Box 2464, Orangeburg, SC 29116 (phone 803-536-2752).

EU033: Site, time TBA. Host: LSA Richland County North c/o Ethel Crawford, P.O. Box 210351, Columbia, SC 29221-0351 (phone 803-798-7116).

EU034: To be announced.

EU035: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Donnelly c/o Debbie H. Jackson, P.O. Box 915, Hemingway, SC 29554 (phone 843-558-9289).

EU036: To be announced.

EU037: To be announced.

EU038: To be announced.

EU039: To be announced.

EU040: To be announced.

EU041: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Lydia c/o Jean Goss, Darlington, SC 29532 (phone 843-395-2123).

EU042: To be announced.

EU043: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Rock Hill c/o Helen R. Thomas, Rock Hill, SC 29730-5311 (phone 803-328-8395).

EU044: To be announced.

EU045: Alexander Graham Middle School, 1800 Runnymede Lane, Charlotte, NC; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am–4 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Charlotte, P.O. Box 221155, Charlotte, NC 28222-1155 (phone 704-892-9755).

EU046: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA High Point c/o David Martin, High Point, NC 27265-1257 (phone 336-883-2289).

EU047: Avanti Restaurant, 119 E. Washington St., Charles Town, WV; Sunday, Oct. 17, 10 am–4 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Jefferson County c/o Julie Gregg, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-9715 (phone 304/876-3995).

EU052: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Louisville c/o Iraj Rahmani, Louisville, KY 40217-1135 (phone 502-635-6396).

EU053: YWCA, 185 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville, NC; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9:30 am–2:30 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Asheville, P.O. Box 882, Asheville, NC 28802-0882 (phone 828-274-0716).

EU054: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Cherokee County c/o Jessica Smith, P.O. Box 283, Woodstock, GA 30188 (phone 770-928-2483).

EU055: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA De Kalb County North, P.O. Box 942131, Atlanta, GA 31141-2131 (phone 770-496-1565).

EU056: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Fulton County Central c/o Carla Fanaian, Alpharetta, GA 30022 (phone 770-360-1363).

EU057: Site, time TBA. Contact ‎Nalm Glalile Naim Galilee?‎ (phone 770-428-4559).

EU058: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Augusta, P.O. Box 14031, Augusta, GA 30919 (phone 706-738-3104).

EU059: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Savannah, P.O. Box 1093, Savannah, GA 31402-1093 (phone 912-927-2746).

EU060: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Columbus, c/o Scott Duncan, Midland, GA 31820-9392 (phone 706-565-9041).

EU061: To be announced.

EU062: To be announced.

EU063: To be announced.

EU064: To be announced.

EU065: To be announced.

EU066: To be announced.

EU067: To be announced.

EU068: To be announced.

EU069: To be announced.

EU070: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Montgomery, P.O. Box 1131, Montgomery, AL 36101-1131 (phone 334-269-6329).

EU071: UAB, Hill Univ. Center, Great Hall, 1400 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL; Saturday, Oct. 2, 9 am–3:30 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Hoover c/o Robert Hastings, Birmingham, AL 35226-1056 (phone 205-823-1965).

EU072: Gallatin Civic Center, 210 Albert Gallatin Ave., Gallatin, TN; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am–5 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Nashville c/o Kathy Bishop, Antioch, TN 37013-1343 (phone 615-367-2774).

EU091: Univ. of Tennessee-Memphis, Student Activity Center, 800 Madison Ave., Memphis, TN; Saturday, Oct. 9, 9 am–4 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Memphis c/o Dessie Heintz, P.O. Box 111101, Memphis, TN 38111-1101 (phone 901-276-4106).

EU092: To be announced.

EU093: Baton Rouge Bahá’í Center, 4270 Perkins Rd., Baton Rouge, LA; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9:30 am–4 pm (register 8 am). Mail ballots to LSA New Orleans c/o Parviz Mojgani, New Orleans, LA 70125-4844 (phone 504-522-9048).

EU094: Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 N. Hackberry, San Antonio, TX; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am-4 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA San Antonio c/o Margaret Leeds, San Antonio, TX 78204-1316 (phone 210-494-9752).

EU095: Challenger 7 Park Learning Center, 2301 W. NASA Blvd., Friendswood, TX; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am–5 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA League City, P.O. Box 724, League City, TX 77574-0724 (phone 281-332-6805).

EU096: Houston Bahá’í Center, 2121 Oakdale St., Houston, TX; Saturday, Oct. 9, 7–10 pm (register 6 pm). Mail ballots to LSA Houston, P.O. Box 301190, Houston, TX 77230-1190 (phone 281-480-6930).

EU097: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Austin, Austin, TX 78723-5834 (phone 512-467-8880).

EU098: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Bryan, c/o Monica Osterbuhr, Bryan, TX 77802 (phone 409-776-6472).

EU099: Tyler Bahá’í Center, 406 N. NW Loop 323, Tyler, TX; Sunday, Oct. 17, 10 am–5 pm (register 9:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Tyler c/o J.F. Eijsink, Tyler, TX 75707-1763 (phone 903-566-8058).

SEE SOUTHERN, PAGE 24 [Page 23]

UNIT CONVENTIONS 1999

Central States

EU049: Baker Hall, Case Western Reserve Univ., 10950 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9:30 am–4 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Cleveland, P.O. Box 602190, Cleveland, OH 44102-2190 (phone 216-752-4679).

EU050: Hilliard Heritage Middle School, 5670 Scioto Darby Rd., Hilliard, OH; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am–3 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Hilliard c/o Lisa Shademan, Hilliard, OH 43026 (phone 614-527-8894).

EU051: Lohrey Center, 2366 Glenarm Ave., Dayton, OH 45420; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am–4 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Dayton c/o Vurleen Guffey, Dayton, OH 45419 (phone 937-294-6869).

EU073: CK Newsome Center, 100 E. Walnut, Evansville, IN; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10:30 am–4:30 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Bloomington c/o Richard Hatch, P.O. Box 1004, Bloomington, IN 47402 (phone 812-334-2892).

EU074: E. Wayne St. Center, 801 E Wayne St., Fort Wayne, IN; Sunday, Oct. 3; 9 am–3 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Fort Wayne, P.O. Box 10007, Fort Wayne, IN 46850-0007 (phone 219-456-8331).

EU075: Kalamazoo Valley Comm. College, Technology Applications Center, 6767 W. "O" Ave., Kalamazoo, MI; Saturday, Oct. 9, 1-5 pm (register and lunch 11:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Kalamazoo c/o Virginia Lucatelli, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 (phone 616-344-1377).

EU076: Detroit Bahá’í Center, 19711 Greenfield, Detroit, MI; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am–4 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Canton c/o Barbara Laferier, Canton, MI 48187 (phone 734-459-3307).

EU077: Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Rd., Davison, MI; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am–4 pm (register 8 am). Mail ballots to LSA Troy c/o C Faye McInnis, P.O. Box 851, Troy, MI 48099 (phone 248-588-5542).

EU078: 100 Grawn Hall, Central Michigan Univ., Mt Pleasant, MI; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am–4 pm (register 8 am). Mail ballots to LSA Saginaw c/o Roxie Schell, Saginaw, MI 48602-2711 (phone 517-792-8999).

EU079: NMU-University Center, 1401 Presque Isle Ave., Marquette, MI; Sunday, Oct. 3, 11 am–4 pm (register 10 am). Mail ballots to LSA Marquette c/o Linda Maxwell, Marquette, MI 49855 (phone 906-249-3164).

EU080: Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Kenwood Blvd. and Downer Ave., Milwaukee, WI; Saturday, Oct. 2, 10 am–4 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Milwaukee, Milwaukee Bahá’í Center, 2526 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, WI 53205 (phone 414-265-5693).

EU081: Red Cross Bldg., 310 14th St. S.E., Rochester, MN; Sunday, Oct. 3, noon–5pm (register 11 am). Mail ballots to LSA Rochester c/o Pauline McFarlin, Rochester, MN 55904 (phone 507-285-3398).

EU082: Holiday Inn, 200 Dearborn, U.S. Hwy. 51 & 75, South Beloit, IL; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Beloit, P.O. Box 1278, Beloit, WI 53512-1278 (phone 608-365-7879).

EU083: Marriott Schaumburg, 50 N. Martingale Rd., Schaumburg, IL; Sunday, Oct. 3, 8:30 am–1 pm (register 8 am). Mail ballots to LSA Vernon Hills c/o Regina Blum, Vernon Hills, IL 60061 (phone 847-918-8587).

EU084: Bahá’í House of Worship, Linden Ave. and Sheridan Rd., Wilmette, IL; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am–1 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Skokie, P.O. Box 572, Skokie, IL 60077 (phone 847-329-7308).

EU085: Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Hermann Union Bldg., 3241 S. Federal St., Chicago, IL; Sunday, Oct. 3, 3-7 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Chicago, 3321 S. Calumet Ave., Chicago, IL 60616-3933 (phone 312-225-1919).

EU086: Georgetown Clubhouse, 301 S. Prospect St., Wood Dale, IL; Sunday, Oct. 3; 9:30 am-1:30 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Wheaton c/o Cynthia Keene, P.O. Box 782, Wheaton, IL 60187 (phone 630-690-9798).

EU087: Levis Faculty Center, 919 W. Illinois St., Urbana, IL; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9:30 am–4 pm (register 8:45 am). Mail ballots to LSA Champaign c/o Amelia Felty, Champaign, IL 61821-5836 (phone 217-356-9654).

EU088: Ambraz Recreation Center, 2000 Mt Vernon Rd. S.E., Cedar Rapids, IA; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am–4 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Cedar Rapids c/o Janet Kind, P.O. Box 2298, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-2298 (phone 319-377-0023).

EU089: Rolla Lions Club, Hwy. 63 S., Rolla, MO; Sunday, Oct. 3; 9 am–1 pm (register 8 am). Mail ballots to LSA Phelps County c/o Sandra Palmberg, P.O. Box 446, Rolla, MO 65401 (phone 573-364-0845).

EU090: Lafayette Park United Methodist Church, 2300 Lafayette Ave., St. Louis, MO; Saturday, Oct. 2, 9 am–4 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA St. Louis c/o Maharshah Johnson, St. Louis, MO, 63118 (phone 314-664-6696).

EU106: Wichita State Univ., CAC Building, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am–3:30 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Wichita c/o Linda Munhall, P.O. Box 1979, Wichita, KS 67202 (phone 316-683-8851).

EU107: St. Paul School of Theology, 5123 Truman Rd., Kansas City, MO; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9:30 am–4:30 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Kansas City c/o Jai Kenyatta-Anderson, Kansas City, MO 64138 (phone 816-756-3675).

EU108: Nebraska City High School Auditorium, 141 Steinhart Park Rd., Nebraska City, NE; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Grand Island c/o Jubi-Anne Maggiore, Grand Island, NE 68803-6333 (phone 308-381-2789).

EU109: Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka, MN; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am–4 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Eden Prairie, P.O. Box 46014, Eden Prairie, MN 55344-2714 (phone 612-437-6250).

EU110: Bunker Hills Activity Center, 550 Bunker Lake Blvd., Anoka, MN; Sunday, Oct. 3, 1–4:30 pm (register noon). Mail ballots to LSA Coon Rapids, P.O. Box 48244, Coon Rapids, MN 55448 (phone 612-755-0820).

EU111: Wrangler Motor Inn, 820 W Grand Crossing, Mobridge, SD; Saturday, Oct. 2, 10:30 am–4 pm (register 10 am). Mail ballots to LSA Pierre c/o Shiva Ziai, P.O. Box 214, Pierre, SD 57501-0214 (phone 605-224-6992).

EU112: Treehaven, Kyle, SD; Sunday, Oct. 10, 11 am–3 pm (register 10:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Rapid City c/o Alberta Schulte, Rapid City, SD 57702 (phone 605-343-4470).

SOUTHERN, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

EU100: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Garland, P.O. Box 450902, Garland, TX 75045-0902 (phone 972-495-2362).

EU101: Harvey Hotel, 1600 N. Central Expwy., Plano, TX; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am–3 pm (register 9:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Coppell, P.O. Box 586, Coppell, TX 75019 (phone 972-462-9695).

EU102: Tarrant County Bahá’í Center, 723 East Border St., Arlington, TX; Sunday, Oct. 3, 8:30 am–1 pm (register 8 am). Mail ballots to LSA Grapevine c/o Emma E. Valentine, Grapevine, TX 76051 (phone 817-488-0892).

EU103: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Midland c/o Lisa Schaffer-Harris, Midland, TX 79703-6944 (phone 915-520-5899).

EU104: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Sapulpa c/o John Algeo, Sapulpa, OK 74066-3848 (phone 948-227-2046).

EU105: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Oklahoma City c/o Sharron Alvi, Oklahoma City, OK 73108-7034 (phone 405-348-1690).

Western States

EU113: To be announced.

EU114: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Arvada, P.O. Box 923, Arvada, CO 80001-0923 (phone 303-425-9323).

EU115: La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 N. Main Ave., Durango, CO; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA La Plata County, P.O. Box 1265, Durango, CO 81302-1265 (phone 970-259-1803).

EU116: Diner’s Club, 336 Parker Ave., Santa Rosa, NM; Saturday, Oct. 2, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Hobbs, P.O. Box 5161, Hobbs, NM 88241-5161 (phone 505-393-6093).

EU117: Belen Recreation Center, 715 B S. Main St., Belen, NM; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Belen, P.O. Box 663, Belen, NM 87002-0663 (phone 505-864-3993).

EU118: Site, time TBA; Sunday, Oct. 10. Mail ballots to LSA Las Cruces, P.O. Box 1491, Las Cruces, NM 88004-1491 (phone 505-527-4292).

EU119: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Pima County N., P.O. Box 37121, Tucson, AZ 85740-7121 (phone 520-742-9641).

EU120: Chandler Comm. Center, 125 E. Commonwealth, Chandler, AZ; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Chandler, PO Box 3393, Chandler, AZ 85244-3393 (phone 480-899-4046).

EU121: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Phoenix, P.O. Box 9961, Phoenix, AZ 85068-0961 (phone 602-942-2836).

EU122: Hampton Inn, 8408 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria, AZ; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Glendale, P.O. Box 6447, Glendale, AZ 85312-6447 (phone 623-847-1820).

EU123: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Paradise Valley c/o Maureen Thur, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253-2627 (phone 480-948-3582).

EU124: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Flagstaff, P.O. Box 2533, Flagstaff, AZ 86003-2533 (phone 520-226-8707).

EU125: Native American Bahá’í Institute, 630 Burntwater Road, Houck, AZ; Sunday, Oct. 10, 9 am–4 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Gallup, P.O. Box 1822, Gallup, NM 87305-1822 (phone 505-863-9074).

EU126: Westminster College, 1840 S. 1300 E., Salt Lake City, UT; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am–4 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Salt Lake County, P.O. Box 57775, Salt Lake City, UT 84157-0775 (phone 801-278-5324).

EU127: Colonial Hotel, 2301 Colonial Drive, Helena, MT; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Helena, Helena, MT 59601-3202 (phone 406-442-7526).

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

EU129: Senior Citizen’s Center, 602 N. 4th St., Yakima, WA 98901; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Yakima County Comm Dist #1, P.O. Box 94, Selah, WA 98942-0094 (phone 509-697-3467).

EU130: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Boise, P.O. Box 585, Boise, ID 83701-0585 (phone 208-344-1886).

EU131: Las Vegas Bahá’í Center, 7035 W. Oakey Blvd., Las Vegas, NV; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Clark County West c/o Gloria Allen, Las Vegas, NV 89103 (phone 702-365-1538).

EU132: San Diego Bahá’í Center, 6545 Alcala Knolls Drive, San Diego, CA; Saturday, Oct. 2, 1-5 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Chula Vista, P.O. Box 287, Chula Vista, CA 91912-0287 (phone 619-421-1950).

EU133: San Diego Bahá’í Center, 6545 Alcala Knolls Drive, San Diego, CA; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA San Diego, 6545 Alcala Knolls Dr, San Diego, CA 92111-6933 (phone 619-574-1486).

EU134: Carlsbad Senior Center, Alcala Knolls Drive, San Diego, CA; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Encinitas, P.O. Box 230088, Encinitas, CA 92023-0088 (phone 760-944-6441).

EU135: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Riverside c/o Judith Hart, Riverside, CA 92505-1737 (phone 909-683-6515).

EU136: Orange County Bahá’í Center, 3316 Ave. Del Presidente, San Clemente, CA; Sunday, Oct. 10, 9 am. Mail ballots to LSA Laguna Niguel, P.O. Box 7776, Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-7776 (phone 949-249-2016).

EU137: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Irvine, P.O. Box 17254, Irvine, CA 92623-7254 (phone 949-552-5455).

EU138: Yorba Linda Comm. Center, 4501 Casa Loma Ave., Yorba Linda, CA; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Upland c/o Barbara Marino, Upland, CA 91786-6130 (phone 909-982-4239).

EU139: Cerritos Park Community Center, 13234 E 166th St., Cerritos, CA; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Cerritos, P.O. Box 4821, Cerritos, CA 90703-4821 (phone 562-402-4870).

EU140: Culver City Veterans Memorial Bldg., 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA; Sunday, Oct. [Page 24]

TWO WINGS, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

(equivalent to a city council), a job the National Assembly has asked Bahá’í communities to carry out within their areas.

The task force learned that a year earlier, San Francisco was the first city to pass an ordinance putting into practice the principles of the International Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

On a national scale, Bahá’ís have been acting for a decade to encourage Congress to ratify CEDAW. For four years, the National Assembly has been co-chair of a working group aiming at that goal.

The United States is one of a few countries that haven’t ratified that global treaty.

On finding out about the city ordinance, the San Francisco Bahá’í decided to publicly thank all local officials involved, principally the mayor and Barbara Kaufman, the supervisor who sponsored the ordinance.

The National Spiritual Assembly is heartened by the enthusiastic response of the Local Spiritual Assemblies and registered groups to present Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men to their mayors and/or city councils. As of mid-July, 166 localities had sent in reports of their actions to the National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men. The table below provides a summary of those reported by that date.

Activities in each region	S	NE	C	W
Number of localities reporting	43	21	33	69
Number of mayors presented the statement	38	15	30	48
Number of city councils presented the statement	32	7	29	40
Presentations to local women’s organizations	46	3	26	57
Donations to high schools	6	0	1	5
Donations to public libraries	6	2	3	7
Presentation to other community organizations	59	9	16	75
Firesides on equality	11	7	20	48
Proclamation events	4	2	11	33
Televised events	2	0	2	2
Newspaper coverage	15	4	6	20

To see the names of all communities, please check the Administrative Web Site (www.usbnc.org); you will need your Bahá’í ID number to log in. Click on the Departments and Agencies link, then click on the link to NCEWM.

If you don’t see your community listed there and/or you have new activities to report, please submit (or resubmit) a progress report to Cynthia R. Thomas, Secretary, National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (e-mail ).

Some communities reported that they needed a little more time to develop and implement their plans of action. As we continue to spread this world-refreshing message of Bahá’u’lláh and promote a greater awareness of these divine principles that are so needed in today’s society, let us take heart in the words of the Blessed Beauty:

“We behold you from Our realm of glory, and shall aid whosoever will arise for the triumph of Our Cause with the hosts of the Concourse on high and a company of our favoured angels.” Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 139

City supervisors

Kaufman, thrilled with the recognition, invited the Bahá’í community to meet with her as well as the full Board of Supervisors.

She was near tears several times when six Bahá’ís came to her office April 19 and presented her with a certificate of thanks from the Local Assembly and the two statements.

That evening, as a diverse Bahá’í group attended the Board of Supervisors meeting, an Assembly representative was invited to give a brief talk. Bahá’ís then presented each supervisor with a letter of thanks and a packet containing the National Assembly statements.

Lowell Grieves (right) of Peoria, Illinois, is one of more than 130 mayors presented with the National Assembly’s Two Wings statement in the past few months.

Mayor’s Commission

Meanwhile, the task force approached the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women through a member, Carolene Marks, who is an old friend of the San Francisco Bahá’í community.

At the commission’s May 26 meeting, the only four men in the room were Bahá’ís.

As Brady spoke, President Patricia Chang and a few other commissioners reportedly were “absolutely beaming,” and one later asked about the origin of the Bahá’í Faith. To top it off, Quddus Sinclair made a musical presentation praising the commission as leaders of this historic time.

The mayor

Even as the task force checked in with the mayor’s coordinator the morning of their June 5 appointment, a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle listened in and chatted with the friends for some time.

Six Bahá’ís then filed into a room where Brown was at a big round table. When the letter of thanks was passed to the mayor, the Bahá’ís drew on their research to express their community’s gratitude in a personal way rather than in a formal reading of the letter.

They praised Brown’s efforts through the years to eliminate discrimination and promote equality, from his work for fair employment opportunity on “auto row” in San Francisco to the fight against apartheid in South Africa.

The mayor’s eyes lighted up and he said, “You remember auto row? That was like in the early ’60s.”

In addition to the Two Wings and Vision of Race Unity statements, the Bahá’ís gave Brown a copy of the video The Power of Race Unity.

WESTERN STATES, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24

3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Santa Monica, P.O. Box 1066, Santa Monica, CA 90406-1066 (phone 310-394-5449).

EU141: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Pasadena, P.O. Box 91668, Pasadena, CA 91109-1668 (phone 626-398-6318).

EU142: Los Angeles Bahá’í Center, 5755 Rodeo Road, Los Angeles, CA; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Los Angeles, 5755 Rodeo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90016-5013 (phone 818-908-1020).

EU143: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA La Crescenta, P.O. Box 615, Verdugo City, CA 91046-0615 (phone 818-248-1782).

EU144: Borchard Community Center, 190 N Reino Road, Newbury Park, CA; Sunday, Oct. 10, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Thousand Oaks, P.O. Box 1137, Thousand Oaks, CA 91358-0137 (phone 805-499-4241).

EU145: Nine Oaks Bahá’í Institute, 1201 Old Oak Park Road, Arroyo Grande, CA; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA San Luis Obispo County N.W., P.O. Box 1221, Cambria, CA 93428-1221 (phone 805-466-1323).

EU146: YMCA, 600 Camino del Estero, Monterey, CA; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Prunedale c/o Jana Davis, Prunedale, CA 93907 (phone 831-663-0812).

EU147: Fresno Bahá’í Center, 2240 E. Angus Ave., Fresno, CA; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Fresno, P.O. Box 5501, Fresno, CA 93755-5501 (phone 559-447-1633).

EU148: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Los Gatos, P.O. Box 1772, Los Gatos, CA 95031-1772 (phone 408-356-8624).

EU149: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Palo Alto, P.O. Box 60418, Palo Alto, CA 94306-0418 (phone 650-858-8080).

EU150: Beresford Rec. Center, 2720 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo, CA; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA San Mateo, P.O. Box 409, San Mateo, CA 94401-0409 (phone 650-340-1512).

EU151: To be announced.

EU152: To be announced.

EU153: Unity Church of the Valley, 350 N. Orchard Ave., Vacaville, CA; Saturday, Oct. 2, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Fairfield, P.O. Box 985, Fairfield, CA 94533-0098 (phone 707-426-4187).

EU154: Roseville High School, 601 Tahoe Ave., Roseville, CA; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Roseville c/o Sandra Moline, Roseville, CA 95678-6911 (phone 916-774-9392).

EU155: Community Center Theatre, 2791 24th St., Sacramento, CA; Saturday, Oct. 2, 9 am-3 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Sacramento, P.O. Box 160966, Sacramento, CA 95816-0966 (phone 916-498-1792).

EU156: Petaluma Community Center, 320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, CA; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Petaluma, P.O. Box 23, Petaluma, CA 94953-0023 (phone 415-892-3377).

EU157: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Red Bluff City c/o Janet Lopez, Red Bluff, CA 96080-2753 (phone 530-529-5856).

EU158: Umpqua Comm. College, Science Hall, Room 10, 1140 College Road, Roseburg, OR; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am. Mail ballots to LSA Douglas County, P.O. Box 212, Winchester, OR 97495-0212 (phone 541-459-9763).

EU159: Philomath Middle School, 2021 Chapel Drive; Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 2-3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Benton County c/o Evelyn Martin, Corvallis, OR 97330-9561 (phone 541-929-2718).

EU160: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Milwaukie, P.O. Box 22517, Milwaukie, OR 97269-2517 (phone 503-653-5901).

EU161: Portland Bahá’í Center, 8720 N. Ivanhoe St., Portland, OR; Saturday, Oct. 2, time TBA. Mail ballots to Bahá’ís of Multnomah County c/o Barbara Rosenkranz, Corbett, OR 97019-9602 (phone 503-695-5784).

EU162: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Tualatin, P.O. Box 821, Tualatin, OR 97062-0821 (phone 503-825-6692).

EU163: Brighton Creek Conference Center, 4516 SR 702, McKenna, WA; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA King County East Central, P.O. Box 722, Issaquah, WA 98027-0027 (phone 425-392-8253).

EU164: To be announced.

EU165: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Burien, P.O. Box 373, Seahurst, WA 98062-0373 (phone 206-246-4275).

EU166: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Mt. Baker c/o Monta Wagar, Lynden, WA 98264-9011 (phone 360-398-2573).

EU167: To be announced. [Page 25]

A small campus group calls and hundreds gather

BY JESSICA ZENKER

Bahá’í Campus Associations at America’s colleges and universities have a long tradition of producing exciting results, sometimes with meager resources and few people. In the 1980s, the University of Louisville rocked Kentucky with a three-member club. In the middle of this decade, the University of North Carolina at Asheville was recognized as the most outstanding student organization on campus, with just four members.

Now, at the end of the 1990s, the Rice University Bahá’í Association is continuing in this awe-inspiring tradition!

With the help of a few local community members, the Association sponsored the “Open-Mic Coffeehouse” celebration in the campus’ Grand Hall. The event featured diverse acts including improv comedy, a barbershop quartet, breakdancing, Mexican folk singers, blues music, classical guitar and more. Highlighting the evening was an amazing performance by Los Angeles-based Justice Leeg, a Bahá’í hip-hop group.

By the end of the night, about 400 people filled the hall to standing room only, consuming dozens of cakes, trays of cookies, and a host of pies and other treats, and taking the 100 free Bahá’í T-shirts.

In the next four days, as their fellow students wore Bahá’í shirts to classes and more than 140 people visited the Association’s Web site, the three Bahá’ís on campus no doubt contemplated the power a small group of people can exert when, in complete faith, they arise to serve.

Mathai, Rey Luna and Papa Goose of the Bahá’í hip-hop group Justice Leeg provide a centerpiece for a popular “Open-Mic Coffeehouse” at Rice University.

TRUE WEALTH

Offering Up Our Hearts

crossword puzzle by the Office of the Treasurer

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Supporting the Bahá’í Faith helps the entire ______ 3. Regular and sacrificial giving causes this in us spiritually. 6. The doing of something; a deed; energetic motion. 8. The surest way of lifting the burdens of humanity. 11. “... contributing to the Fund should constitute an integral part of the ______ life of every Bahá’í and be regarded as the fulfillment of a fundamental ______ obligation.” —The Universal House of Justice 13. World ______ 14. To make an offering; to give up for the sake of something else. 15. Bahá’í Institutions are a ______ from Bahá’u’lláh to the world. 16. Contributing to the Funds is a ______ reserved only for Bahá’ís. 17. Giving and the amount given is ______ 18. ______ participation in the Bahá’í Funds brings many blessings.

2. “The essence of ______ is for man to turn his face towards the courts of the Lord, to enter His Presence, behold His Countenance, and stand as witness before Him.” —Bahá’u’lláh 3. Willingness to share or give. 4. Firm belief; to place confidence in. 5. Giving is a private matter. It is ______ 7. We can express this feeling toward our Institutions when contributing to the Funds. 9. We will receive this when giving to the Funds regularly and sacrificially. 10. “The greatest gift that we can give the poor and the down-trodden is to aid to build up the divine ______ inaugurated in this day by Bahá’u’lláh. ...” —on behalf of Shoghi Effendi 12. Contributing to the Bahá’í Funds demonstrates this emotion. Answers in next issue

Harvard club sees door opening

INFORMATION FROM HOUMAN VAFAI AND HARVARD UNIVERSITY BAHÁ’Í ASSOCIATION

In an effort to help education students in their yearning to get at the heart of deeply rooted issues of race and culture, members of the Harvard University Bahá’í Association—all four of them—knocked on doors. The doors opened and dozens of students benefited.

The project was to bring Joy DeGruy-Leary to speak in March at the Graduate School of Education. An educational model she developed is based on the high value certain cultures place on personal relationships.

Resources were needed to make this happen. Fortunately, Harvard has the Askwith Education Forum, an office that invites prominent speakers from around the country and world to present their work in the field of education.

The Bahá’í Association made its proposal, and the forum agreed to publicize the event with posters on campus and a notice in its nationwide newsletter.

The lecture, “Tolerate or Embrace: Understanding Cultural Differences,” attracted 85 people, including several prominent professors. A follow-up faculty dinner organized by the Askwith Forum attracted another 15.

In a short two hours, DeGruy-Leary engaged the audience as she explained through her “Relationship Model” the value of relationship-building in African-American and Latino cultures, and suggested ways educational institutions could apply her model.

A doctoral student said this was the best presentation she had been to all year. Another used her inspiration from the presentation, and the dinner afterwards, to plow through three drafts of her qualifying proposal in one week. Even scholars who had mixed emotions were appreciative that DeGruy-Leary spoke about such deeply rooted issues.

Responses from the presentation have provided opportunities for frank discussions about race and culture, both within the Bahá’í Association and with other graduate students.

Several factors were instrumental in this event:

• The Bahá’í Association worked as a unit yet allowed for individual efforts.
• They simultaneously strove to excel in their academic responsibilities.
• Most importantly, they sought to draw on the Holy Spirit by planning their efforts but at the same time “going with the flow” and allowing God’s will to take shape as it is supposed to, and not as we intend!

WANNA BE ON THE YOUTH PAGE?

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR RACE UNITY? Have you hosted or participated in a Neighborhood Race Unity Dialogue? Have you made friends of different races or cultures? What challenges have you faced? What have been some victories? Let us know!

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

WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR EXCITING AND INFORMATIVE MATERIAL TO HELP ALL BAHÁ’Í YOUTH ARISE TO SERVE THE FAITH. [Page 26]

BAHÁ’Í SUBSCRIBER SERVICE

800-999-9019

World Order

Your window to teaching, deepening, and external affairs.

Available in midsummer: Spring 1999 issue Defining Moments. An intriguing look at three periods in Bahá’í and world history

• Guest editorial: "Who Is Writing the Future? Reflections on the Twentieth Century"
• Ahang Rabbani's "The Conversion of the Great Uncle of the Báb"
• Aden Lauchner's "Albert Killius: Photographer of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá"

Still Available: Winter 1998-99 issue The Balkans, the Millennium, and the Báb Editorial: "The Restlessness of the Balkans"

• William P. Collins on biblical interpretation, Protestant Americans and the Bahá’í Faith
• Leila and Kaivan Milani on why the Báb was not an apostate

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)

Brilliant Star

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

Subscription type/fee: U.S. ($18/1 year, $32/2 years) Outside U.S. surface mail ($18/1 year, $32 / 2 years) Outside U.S. air mail ($28/1 year, $52/2 years) See page 15 for Kid's Corner

The American Bahá’í

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

Subscription type/fee: Surface mail ($24/1 year, $45/2 years) Air mail ($32/1 year, $60/2 years)

Use a separate copy of this form for each subscription Which publication?

WE ARE BAHÁ’ÍS: From New Believers to New Teachers in the Cause of God

An interactive course developed by our National Spiritual Assembly, designed to bring forth the spirit of the Faith and make every Bahá’í feel welcomed into the community.

We Are Bahá’ís is intended to span a full day, but may be extended to a weekend, weeklong or ongoing study.

Topics of this four-part course:

• 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 addresses the transformation of civilization and application of the Healing Message of Bahá’u’lláh.
• The Twin Duties: A Prescription for This Age-Recognition and Obedience includes the topics of the Covenant and daily life, His call and our actions, tests and difficulties, and the Administrative Order.
• Moving to Action talks about the believer's personal spiritual development, and how memorization, service and action can help in this process.

Facilitator Handbook (with music cassette): $5.00 Participant Workbook: $2.25

Order materials from: Bahá’í Distribution Service (order form on page II) phone 800-999-9019 fax 404-472-0019

INFORMATION ON YOUR INTERNATIONAL TEACHING TRIP

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

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

Use the Multipurpose Form below to respond by mail.

Special information (use a separate sheet as needed):

• Names and ID numbers of all Bahá’ís on each trip.
• Names of each country visited, plus the one or two main localities, and date(s) of visit(s).
• Main purpose of your travel.
• Did you arise to meet the call of the Universal House of Justice for: Native Americans to teach in the circumpolar areas? Hispanic believers to teach in Latin America? African-Americans to teach in Africa?

MULTIPURPOSE FORM

CLIP OR COPY AS NEEDED

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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 Credit card number Exp. date Special information: Cardholder signature

Phone orders: 800-999-9019 E-mail orders: Mail orders: Bahá’í Subscriber Service, 4703 Fulton Industrial Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30336 [Page 27]سفر کردند ولکن معالجات مؤثر نبود و در سال ۱۹۹۷ به ملکوت ابهی صعود کرد و ناهید خانم در حالی که بار سنگین فقدان همسر مهربان را بر دل داشت بازگشت به افریقا و ادامهٔ خدمت را تنها تسلی خاطر خود می‌دانست. بدین ترتیب راهی افریقا و شهر بنگی شد و دوباره در آنجا که سرشار از خاطرات خدمات خود و همسرش بود، اوقات خود را به ادامهٔ خدمت اختصاص داد.

این بانوی بزرگوار ضمن اینکه همسری فداکار و دختری مهرپرور و خواهری مهربان بود، از هوشی سرشار در جهت کسب و کار بهره داشت و همراه تمام خدمات امری در این زمینه نیز موفق بود.

دوستان افریقائی از سر مهر و محبتی که نسبت به او داشتند او را "مامان ناهید" یا "مادر ناهید" می‌خواندند. بانوئی ساده پوش و عاری از تجملات بود. بسیار ملایم صحبت می‌کرد و مواظب بود که باعث رنجش احدی نشود.

خانم ناهید عهدیه در ۱۲ مارچ سال ۱۹۹۹ در محل مهاجرتی و در منزل مسکونی به ظلم ظالمی پرکین جان شیرین را از دست داد و به عالم بالا شتافت.

روانش شاد و یادش گرامی باد!

نمونهٔ همت و پشتکار

به تازگی خبردار شدیم که خانم ایراندخت مشرف‌زاده (رسانی) موفق به دریافت مدرک لیسانس در رشتهٔ بازاریابی از دانشگاه ایالتی آریزونا شده‌اند.

البته احبای ایرانی داستان‌های بسیاری دربارهٔ موفقیت دوستان در رشته‌های تحصیلی شنیده‌اند. بسیاری از جوانان بهائی چه در ایران چه در دیگر کشورهای جهان همواره در صف اول دانش‌آموزان و دانشجویان موفق و ممتاز بوده‌اند.

آنچه در مورد خانم مشرف‌زاده حائز اهمیت است در نامه‌ای که همسرشان دکتر ماشاء‌الله مشرف‌زاده خطاب به دفتر امور احبای ایرانی-امریکائی نگاشته‌اند، ذکر شده است. در این نامه آمده است:

"پس از تقدیم تحیات خالصانه بدین‌وسیله به استحضار می‌رساند که همسر این عبد خانم ایراندخت رسانی (مشرف‌زاده) اخیراً موفق به اخذ لیسانس از دانشگاه در سن ۶۲ سالگی به عنوان شاگرد ممتاز گردیده و دو روزنامه محلی با وی مصاحبه به عمل آورده و ذکر شده که به علت تضییقات ایران مجبور به ترک وطن گردیده است.

"ایشان دیپلم فارغ‌التحصیلی کالج را نیز ۲ سال قبل با درجهٔ ممتاز گرفته‌اند. به ضمیمه عکس ایشان و شرحی که نوشته شده برای اطلاع تقدیم و متمنی است برای نشان دادن این حقیقت که هیچ سنی برای تحصیل دیر نیست آن را در "امریکن بهائی" منعکس فرمائید."

توفیق خانم ایراندخت رسانی مشرف‌زاده را به ایشان و همسرشان تبریک می‌گوئیم و مزید آن را برایشان خواهانیم. همتشان مستدام باد!

پیام مؤسسهٔ معارف بهائی

عندلیب

در این ایام که از مهد امرالله تعداد قابل ملاحظه‌ای از یاران الهی در سراسر عالم پراکنده شده‌اند، مجلات امری و نشریات بهائی که به زبان شیرین فارسی تهیه و نشر می‌گردد سهمی لایق در حفظ پیوند روحانی و فرهنگی آنان با کشور مقدس ایران ایفاء می‌کند و در ترویج معارف امری و تشویق یاران به آموختن زبان فارسی و ارتباط معنوی احبای ممتحن مهد امرالله با یکدیگر در کشورهای مختلف جهان نقشی سازنده به عهده دارد.

مجلهٔ عندلیب نیز به سهم خود وظیفه روحانی و مطبوعاتی خویش را در ارائه و اشاعهٔ نظرات امر بهائی ادامه داده و می‌دهد و امیدوار است با تأییدات واصله از معهد مقامات و استعانت فضلا و دانشمندان با نگارش مقالات تحقیقی و ارزنده و همچنین یاران عزیز فارسی زبان در اشتراک این مجله و معرفی آن به دوستان به موفقیتی درخور آستان جمال ابهی و خدمتی شایستهٔ دوستان حضرت رحمن نائل آید.

برگ اشتراک مجلهٔ عندلیب برای سال ۱۹۹۹

حق اشتراک مجلهٔ عندلیب سالیانه ۴۰ دلار و دوساله ۷۵ دلار است.
پرداخت حق اشتراک:
چک	ویزا	مسترکارد
شماره کارت اعتباری:
تاریخ انقضا:
مبلغ:
نام و نام خانوادگی و نشانی پستی:
شماره تلفن:
لطفاً چک را در وجه PIBS صادر فرموده به نشانی زیر ارسال فرمائید. Association for Bahá’í Studies in Persian P.O. Box 65600 Dundas, Ontario. L9H 6Y6 CANADA

نشریات

NEW PUBLICATIONS

عشق بهاء شمارهٔ ۲

آلبوم عشق بهاء شماره ۲ با صدای گیرای خانم گلی عطائی برای استفادهٔ دوستان آماده است. این آلبوم در استودیوی مجهز با همکاری نوازندگان و آهنگ‌سازان بنام ایرانی و برگزیده‌ای از اشعار شعرای معروف بهائی ضبط گردیده است.

قیمت کاست ۹ دلار و قیمت CD با دو قسمت اضافه ۱۵ دلار به اضافه ۲ دلار برای مخارج پُست.

دوستان می‌توانند جهت سفارش چک شخصی خود را در وجه Charlotte Bahá’í Fund به نشانی زیر ارسال فرمایند:

Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Charlotte P.O. Box 221155 Charlotte, NC. 28222

تقریرات دربارهٔ کتاب مستطاب اقدس

فاضل فقید جناب عبدالحمید اشراق خاوری در ایام حیات در کلاسی در طهران سلسله تقریراتی دربارهٔ مندرجات کتاب مستطاب اقدس داشته‌اند که بر روی نوار صوتی ضبط شده است. این بیانات بعداً بر روی کاغذ منتقل شده و به همت جناب دکتر وحید رأفتی تنظیم و تدوین گردیده و به صورت کتابی نفیس مدون شده است. این کتاب را اخیراً لجنهٔ ملی نشر آثار امری آلمان به نحو جالب و زیبائی به چاپ رسانده و در ۴۲۰ صفحه با چاپ و جلد نفیس در اختیار احبای فارسی زبان قرار داده است.

یقین است دوستان عزیز ایرانی چنین فرصتی را برای تهیه و مطالعهٔ این اثر گرانقدر غنیمت خواهند شمرد. احبای ساکن امریکا می‌توانند این کتاب نفیس را با تلفن رایگان به مؤسسهٔ ایمجز اینترنشنال سفارش دهند.

شماره تلفن: ۴۵۲۲-۴۷۰ (۸۰۰)

نغمه‌های ورقا

نغمه‌های ورقا دیوان اشعار یکی از شعرای بزرگ قرن اول تاریخ بهائی یعنی جناب میرزا علی محمد ورقا است که پس از واقعهٔ سوء قصد به جان ناصرالدین شاه در زندان طهران همراه با فرزند دلبند خود به وضع جان‌کاهی به شهادت رسید.

ورقا، شاعری چیره‌دست بود ولی آنچنان که باید و شاید به عنوان شاعر شناخته نشد زیرا اغلب آنها که با تاریخ دیانت بهائی سر و کار دارند او را شهید جانبازی می‌شناسند که چون قهرمانان جان در راه ایمانش سپرد.

پیش از این چندین بار کوشش‌هائی برای جمع‌آوری اشعار و آثار ورقا، به عمل آمد ولی به دلائلی این کار هیچ گاه به انجام نرسید.

این بار فضل الهی یار شد و لطف و عنایت خاندان جلیل ورقا و تعدادی از صاحبان فضل و هنر حل مشکل نمود و کتاب نغمه‌های ورقا در بیش از ۵۰۰ صفحه متضمن چندین هزار بیت از غزلیات، قصائد، ترجیع‌بند، ترکیب‌بند، مسمطات، مستزاد و مثنوی جمع‌آوری، تنظیم و منتشر گردید.

در این کتاب همچنین یک مثنوی و دو اثر منثور از روح‌الله ورقا، شهید درج گردیده است.

اکنون دوستداران هنر و شعر و ادب فارسی فرصت یافته‌اند که این اثر نفیس را در اختیار داشته باشند.

کتاب نغمه‌های ورقا، با جلد زرکوب به بهای ۴۰ دلار در کتاب‌فروشی‌های بهائی به فروش می‌رسد. این کتاب را همچنین می‌توان مستقیماً از ناشر آن در کانادا طلبید.

شماره تلفن: ۳۰۴۰-۶۲۸ (۹۰۵) [Page 28]فنی برنامه‌ها را بر عهده دارد. به زودی خانم گیتی اجتماعی که یکی از گویندگان اصلی و زبردست برنامه‌هاست نیز به جمع همکاران می‌پیوندد.

همه از یکدیگر می‌پرسند "برای برنامه چه آورده‌ای؟" از اینکه برنامه‌ای که به زودی پخش خواهد شد هنوز شکل و شمایلی به خود نگرفته است حیرت می‌کنم ولی دوستان با تبسم و رضایت توضیح می‌دهند این برنامه که سال‌هاست به طور منظم ادامه دارد همیشه به اصطلاح "خودجوش" است و در همان لحظه و مرحله‌ی پخش نظم و ترتیب نهائی خود را پیدا می‌کند و چون صمیمانه است و از قلب بر می‌خیزد لاجرم بر قلب شنوندگان می‌نشیند.

زمان به سرعت می‌گذرد و به زودی لحظه پخش فرا می‌رسد. فقط یک نفر هنوز باقیمانده و او آقای نیکان صادق‌زاده میلانی است. همکاران نگران آمدن او هستند. آخر او هم در برنامه شرکت دارد ولی هنوز کسی نمی‌داند که چه برنامه‌ای اجرا خواهد کرد.

نیکان جوان هنرمندی است که به تازگی از ایران آمده و اخیراً به این گروه کوچک که هدف خود را خدمت به نوع انسان قرار داده‌اند پیوسته است. او اغلب با پنجه‌های هنرمند خود با پیانو آهنگ‌های دلنوازی را برای شنوندگان رادیو اجرا می‌کند که به راستی سبب ارتقاء روح آدمی است.

در آخرین لحظات شروع پخش در حالی که همکاران با نگرانی چشم به راه هستند، نیکان از در می‌رسد. همه نفس راحتی می‌کشند! "نیکان جان برنامه چه داری؟" نیکان در حالی که هنوز نفس تازه نکرده فوراً می‌گوید "امروز از موسیقی خبری نیست. به جایش برایتان شعر زیبائی آورده‌ام."

پس از اتمام برنامه در حالی که همگی از اجرای برنامه‌ی آن روز رضایت کامل دارند با تشکر صمیمانه از یکدیگر پاداش این تلاش و زحمت را دریافت می‌کنند. آقای زبرجدی زیر لب می‌گوید "خدا را شکر که یک روز دیگر هم در رسیدن به هدف خود که ایجاد مهر و محبت و رفع شبهات است موفق شدیم."

از همکاران رادیوی "پیام دوست" خداحافظی می‌کنم و در حالی که به راه خود می‌روم با خود می‌اندیشم "به نظر می‌رسد برای این عزیزان که در نهایت فداکاری ساعات اولیه هر روز یکشنبه خود را صرف این خدمت ارزنده می‌کنند بزرگترین دستمزد و پاداش همین نتیجه‌ی رضایت‌آمیز از برنامه پخش شده است. جانشان گرامی باد."

یادی از خانم ناهید عهدیه

IN MEMORIAM

خانم ناهید عهدیه در سال ۱۳۱۸ شمسی مطابق سال ۱۹۳۹ میلادی در خانواده‌ای مؤمن در همدان به جهان آمد و دوران طفولیت و نوجوانی را در دامان مهر پدر، جناب حبیب‌الله اتحادیه و مادر مهرپرور تحصیلات ابتدائی و متوسطه را در همان شهر به پایان رساند و در نوزده سالگی با دکتر هوشنگ عهدیه، مهاجر عزیز آفریقا ازدواج کرد و در نقطه‌ی مهاجرتی در کنار همسر خود رحل اقامت گزید.

این دو مهاجر عزیز نزدیک ۲۰ سال از عمر خود را در حبشه در خدمت به امر حضرت بهاءالله گذراندند و دشواری‌ها را به جان خریدند و از حمل بار خدمت شانه خالی نکردند.

حضور این دو یار مهربان در حبشه موجب استقرار امر مبارک و استحکام اساس جامعه‌ی بهائی گردید. خود را شهروند آنجا می‌دانستند و به آن کشور وابسته و دلبسته بودند ولی در سال ۱۹۷۹ به علت تغییرات سیاسی و ایجاد تضییقات ناچار به ترک آن کشور شدند و به آفریقای مرکزی در شهر بنگوی مهاجرت کردند.

در محل جدید نیز وقت و همت و توان خود را صرف خدمت به امر مبارک کردند و عاشقانه به ایفای وظایف روحانی خود مشغول بودند و در نهایت تواضع موجبات توسعه دائره امرالله و هدایت متحریان حقیقت را فراهم می‌آوردند و سهم مهمی در تشکیل جامعه‌ی بهائی و محافل محلی و ملی داشتند.

بسیاری از اوقات خانم ناهید عهدیه به همراهی همسر مهربان به نقاط دور و نزدیک آفریقا سفرهای تبلیغی و تشویقی می‌کردند.

این زن مؤمن با دلی آکنده از مهر و ایمان به وضع جوانان و احباء می‌رسید و از هر جهت یار و یاور آنها بود و از هیچ خدمتی دریغ نمی‌ورزید.

در سال‌های اخیر دکتر عهدیه به بیماری سختی مبتلا شد و باتفاق برای معالجه به آمریکای شمالی

حقوق الله

از دوستان عزیز مستدعی است که تقدیمی‌های حقوق‌الله را در وجه Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust و به نشانی یکی از امنای حقوق‌الله ارسال فرمایند.

Amin Banani	Sally Foo
Santa Monica, CA 90402 (310)394-5449 fax (310)394-6167	Lawrenceville, NJ 08618 (609)671-9125 fax (609)671-0740
Stephen Birkland	Elizabeth Martin P.O.Box 178
Arden Hills, MN 55112 (651)484-9518 fax (651)490-7421	Winnsboro, SC 29180 (803)635-9602
Daryush Haghighi	Office of Secretariat,
Rocky River, OH 44116 (440)333-1506 fax (440)333-6938	Rocky River, OH 44116

بورس تحصیلی برای مهاجران

GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP FOR IMMIGRANT STUDENTS The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans

سازمانی به نام The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans بورسی به مبلغ ۲۰ هزار دلار برای ۳۰ نفر دانشجوی مهاجر برای تحصیل در دوره فوق لیسانس و دکترا در نظر گرفته است.

شرایط دریافت بورس مذکور به قرار زیر است:

• دانشجویان باید تا ۳۰ نوامبر سال ۱۹۹۹ سی سال یا زیر سی سال داشته باشند.
• دانشجویان باید دارای اجازه اقامت دائمی (کارت سبز) یا تابعیت ایالات متحده باشند یا فرزند پدر و مادری باشند که به تابعیت ایالات متحده در آمده باشند.
• دانشجوی سال آخر دوره‌ی لیسانس باشند یا اگر در دوره‌ی فوق لیسانس به تحصیل مشغولند، بیش از دو سال از دوره‌ی مذکور را نگذرانده باشند.

بورس مذکور مخارج دو سال تحصیل در یک دانشگاه معتبر را در ایالات متحده تأمین خواهد کرد. همچنین این بورس برای تحصیل در همه‌ی رشته‌ها منجمله دوره‌های حرفه‌ای و هنرهای زیبا قابل استفاده است.

افرادی که بتوانند نمونه‌هائی از خلاقیت و موفقیت ارائه دهند و تعهدی نسبت به قانون اساسی ایالات متحده نشان دهند و کسانی که برایشان تحصیلات عالیه ارتباطی با اهداف حرفه‌ای و شغلیشان داشته باشد امکان بیشتری برای دریافت بورس مذکور خواهند داشت.

فرصت ارسال تقاضانامه برای دریافت این بورس ۳۰ نوامبر سال ۱۹۹۹ است و نام کسانی که برای دریافت آن انتخاب شوند تا ماه فوریه سال ۲۰۰۰ اعلام خواهد شد.

علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند برای دریافت تقاضانامه یا اطلاعات بیشتر با سازمان مذکور تماس حاصل فرمایند:

شماره تلفن: (۲۱۲) ۳۳۳-۹۷۴۱ شماره فکس: (۲۱۲) ۲۴۵-۸۳۸۱ Web Site: www.pdsoros.org [Page 29]

ارتباط با اولیای امور سن فرانسیسکو

SAN FRANCISCO TWO WINGS’ EFFORT

پژوهش و پشتکار احبای سن فرانسیسکو را یاری داد که تعالیم بهائی را دربارهٔ تساوی حقوق زن و مرد و وحدت نژادی به آگاهی شهردار و دیگر اولیای شهر برسانند.

نمایندگان محفل روحانی سن فرانسیسکو دو بیانیهٔ محفل روحانی ملی را دربارهٔ تساوی حقوق زن و مرد و وحدت نژادی به آقای ویلی براون Willie Brown شهردار سن فرانسیسکو و مدیران شهرداری و کمیسیون شهردار دربارهٔ وضع زنان تقدیم کردند. هیئت اجرائی این طرح در پی یافتن راه‌هایی برای حمایت از کسانی است که در مورد این دو تعلیم اساسی امر مبارک می‌کوشند.

در گزارشی که از جانب محفل سن فرانسیسکو تهیه شده آمده است که تجارب ما نشان داده که یکی از راه‌های مطمئن ایجاد رابطه در میان نظام اداری قدیمی و نظم بدیع جهانی این است که اعمال پسندیده‌ای را که اولیای امور از خود نشان می‌دهند شناسائی کنیم و سپس از آن قدردانی نمائیم و نسبت به آنان محبت روا داریم.

هیئت اجرائی محفل سن فرانسیسکو در صدد یافتن راه‌هایی برای توزیع بیانیه‌های محفل روحانی ملی در میان دولت شهری بود که خبردار شد که شورای شهر "پیمان بین‌المللی جهت امحاء کلیه تبعیضات علیه زنان" را به عنوان قانون شهر تصویب کرده است.

جامعهٔ بهائی حامی تصویب پیمان مذکور بوده و در دو سال گذشته محفل روحانی ملی از احباء ایالات متحده خواسته است که با نمایندگان خود در کنگرهٔ امریکا تماس بگیرند و از آنان بخواهند که پیمان مذکور را به تصویب برسانند زیرا ایالات متحده یکی از چند کشور معدودی است که به پیمان مذکور نپیوسته است.

محفل روحانی سن فرانسیسکو دریافت که شهرشان نخستین شهری است در ایالات متحده که این پیمان را به عنوان قانون شهری پذیرفته است. بدین ترتیب احباء تصمیم گرفتند که رسماً از شهردار و همهٔ کسانی که در تصویب قانون مذکور دست داشته‌اند سپاسگزاری کنند.

در تماس‌هائی که با اولیای امور گرفته شد نخست با هیئت مدیران و بعد با کمیسیون شهردار برای رسیدگی به وضع زنان ملاقات‌هائی صورت گرفت. و ناگفته پیداست که مهم‌ترین این ملاقات‌ها دیدار با شهردار بود که در روز ۵ جون سال جاری صورت گرفت. در این دیدار علاوه بر دو بیانیهٔ محفل ملی نوار ویدیویی "نیروی وحدت نژادی" نیز به شهردار سن فرانسیسکو تقدیم شد.

در مورد بیانیهٔ محفل روحانی ملی راجع به تساوی حقوق زن و مرد باید متذکر بود که محفل ملی از پاسخی که احباء به صلای آن محفل در مورد توزیع آن بیانیه در میان شهرداران و شوراهای شهر داده‌اند، بسیار خشنود است.

صورتی از اسامی و آمار مربوط به توزیع بیانیهٔ محفل ملی در صفحات انگلیسی درج شده است که علاقه‌مندان می‌توانند به آن رجوع فرمایند.

کنفرانس مطالعات بهائی

ABS CONFERENCE

بیست و سومین کنفرانس سالانه انجمن مطالعات بهائی Association for Bahá’í Studies از ۱۷ تا ۲۰ جون سال جاری در شهر تمپی Tempe در ایالت آریزونا تشکیل شد. هدف از تشکیل کنفرانس امسال ایجاد دگرگونی اساسی در حرفه تحقیق و تتبع و شکوفا نمودن آن به عنوان یک "دانش و علم فعال" بود که با جذب تعالیم بهائی مشکلات بشر را مخاطب قرار دهد و در رفع آنها بکوشد. موضوع این کنفرانس "عدالت مقدس: وحدت بخشیدن به خانواده انسانی" بود.

به گفته یکی از برگزارکنندگان کنفرانس "عدالت مقدس" حاکی از عدالتی است که مشخصه آن پیگیری تساوی و انصاف است که در جوامع سنتی معمول است. به عبارت دیگر این عدالت، به گفته یکی از اعضای محفل روحانی ملی کانادا، در دل پیشرفت تمدن جای دارد.

آنچه در این کنفرانس روی داد و ارائه شد عبارت بود از:

• جلسه‌ای که در آن راجع به رفتار خشونت‌آمیز در مدارس گفتگو شد. در این جلسه عدهٔ زیادی از جمله ارباب جرائد حضور یافتند.
• چندین سخنرانی که موضوع آن به حل اختلافات و مشورت و نیروی وساطت جهت ایجاد وحدت اختصاص یافته بود.
• سخنرانی سالانه‌ای که به یاد جناب حسن بالیوزی ایراد می‌شود امسال به موقعیت روابط نژادی در جامعه بهائی و مشکلات و پیشرفت‌ها و راه‌های آینده اختصاص داشت. همچنین سمپوزیومی دربارهٔ قانون و وحدت دائر شد و جلساتی دربارهٔ رفع تعصبات، پیشبرد هنر، تعلیم و تربیت، مطالعات دینی، و همکاری دین و علم تشکیل گردید.
• در زمینه افراد بومی این سرزمین چند سخنرانی ایراد شد از جمله یکی دربارهٔ آورده‌های سرخپوستان امریکا برای جهان و دیگری راجع به عدالت و مردم بومی. همچنین جلسه میزگردی دربارهٔ عدالت مقدس با حضور نمایندگان قبیله‌های گوناگون سرخپوستان تشکیل گردید.
• برنامه‌های هنری شامل شعرخوانی و موسیقی و رقص که در سراسر برنامه‌های کنفرانس گنجانده شده بود.
• جلساتی که در آن فضلای بهائی فرصت یافتند تحقیقات خود را دربارهٔ مسائلی چون ازدواج و خانواده، نظامات بهائی، حل اختلافات، مطالعه ادیان، تعلیم و تربیت، مسائل بین فرهنگ‌ها، مسائل راجع به زنان و برنامه‌های توسعه اقتصادی و اجتماعی ارائه دهند.

رادیو بهائی «پیام دوست»

A BAHÁ’Í RADIO PROGRAM IN PERSIAN

گزارشی به قلم خانم مینو ثابت

صبح بسیار زیبائی است. در هوای لطیف بامدادی، خورشید اشعه طلائی خود را بی‌دریغ نثار گل‌های معطر و رنگارنگ بهاری نموده و در گرمای جانبخش آن شهر زیبای واشنگتن هنوز از آرامش و خواب صبح یکشنبه سر بر نداشته است.

قرار ملاقات با یکی از همکاران رادیو بهائی "پیام دوست" را دارم تا مرا به عنوان میهمان برنامه رادیو در آن روز صبح، با خود ببرد.

خانم و آقای افصحی را در پارکینگ ملاقات می‌کنم. این زن و شوهر که هدفشان را خدمت در رادیو قرار داده‌اند مرا با خود به استودیو می‌برند. در راه برایم توضیح می‌دهند که این برنامه رادیوئی به زبان فارسی ۵ سال است که بدون وقفه در صبح‌های یکشنبه ادامه دارد و هدفش ایجاد دوستی و تفاهم و رفع شبهاتی است که دربارهٔ دیانت بهائی ممکن است در قلوب هموطنانشان موجود باشد.

این رادیو در این مدت دوستان و شنوندگان بسیاری به دست آورده و گردانندگان آن اخیراً موفق شده‌اند که برنامهٔ مشابه و جداگانه‌ای به زبان انگلیسی نیز دائر نمایند.

رادیو بهائی "پیام دوست" در زیر نظر محفل روحانی ملی و با بودجه‌ای که از جانب احبای ویرجینیا و مریلند و واشنگتن در اختیار هیأت وسائل ارتباط جمعی قرار می‌گیرد، اداره می‌شود.

این رادیو در ماه می سال جاری پایان پنجمین سال خدمت خود را جشن گرفت و عدهٔ زیادی از شنوندگان برنامه‌های آن از بهائی و غیربهائی در این جشن شرکت کردند و بعداً نیز مقالهٔ تشویق‌آمیزی در دو هفته‌نامه "ایرانیان واشنگتن" راجع به این جشن و رادیو "پیام" دوست به چاپ رسید.

همکاران این برنامه رادیوئی بدون توقع هیچ گونه پاداش و یا حتی شهرت، در گمنامی ولی با شور و علاقه فراوان برنامه‌های خود را اجرا می‌کنند. به غیر از دوستان نزدیک رادیو، تا به حال کسی شاید حتی اسم آنها را هم کاملاً نمی‌داند ولی هر هفته پیام‌های محبت‌آمیز و سراسر دوستی آنان به گوش صدها تن شنونده می‌رسد.

وارد استودیو می‌شویم. با آنکه هنوز مدتی به آغاز برنامه باقی است ولی آقا و خانم زبرجدی در سر پست خود حاضر هستند. آقای سهیل زبرجدی علاوه بر گویندگی، ادارهٔ نوارها و موسیقی و پخش را نیز به عهده دارد.

خانم ملاحت زبرجدی با جدیت و حرارت مشغول تنظیم برنامه است و در ضمن با صدای ظریف و ملیح خود اشعار و قطعات ادبی را اجرا می‌کند. خانم مهین افصحی هر هفته مجری پخش قسمتی از تعالیم و احکام است و آقای فرزین افصحی مدیریت را بر عهده دارد. [Page 30]

Landegg reaches milestone

Landegg Academy in Switzerland celebrated two important passages—the welcoming of its first-ever bachelor’s degree class and the granting of seven master’s degrees—while looking forward to a new level of national and international recognition.

The Bahá’í-inspired higher education institution included the ceremonies in its annual convocation on the theme “Converging Realities: Integrating the Spiritual and the Scientific.”

Rector H.B. Danesh welcomed 10 young women and men from Ghana, Macau, the Middle East, Togo, Sri Lanka, Canada and the United States, who will be the founding class of Landegg’s Bachelor of Arts program. Their diversity is viewed as a step toward the academy’s goal of educating at least one student from every nation.

In one of two keynote addresses, Hans Höhener, former president of the Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Switzerland, and longtime minister of education, pointed out the important task of educational institutions in a global, complex and conflict-ridden world.

With the Swiss federal parliament preparing to enact new laws on university recognition, Höhener expressed joy that Landegg Academy will take a more prominent place.

“For me and also lots of people of this region, Landegg Academy is a synonym, a symbol for multicultural living, for frankness, international solidarity and humanity. ... I am convinced that these ideas are the most important foundation to the welfare of humanity and the progress of civilization.”

In the other keynote talk Moshe Sharon, a professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, explored how the scientific method has been applied to metaphysical themes. “There is no science without religion and no religion without science,” Sharon concluded.

Other presentations were given by:

• James Halseth, president of Olivet College in Michigan, who praised Landegg for the systematic yet visionary way in which Landegg conducted its rapid growth in the past five years.
• Lady Wedgwood Tudor-Craig from Cambridge, England, and Julie Badiee, United States, dealing with art as expression of beauty and transcendence in different cultures.
• Students and new graduates, including Graham Walker of Great Britain, who added a master’s degree in medical ethics to his credentials as a physician, through a distance learning program.

“It was no cakewalk, this degree,” Walker said. “Our feet were kept firmly in contact with earth by the considerable volume of work, especially for the distance learner, demanded by the high standards to which the Academy aspires. It is, however, the only degree I have felt sorry to complete.”

Musical performances celebrating the unity between East and West were integral to the ceremonies. Michael Neunteufel, Austrian pianist, performed a classical European program, while Kiu Haghighi of Evanston, Illinois, performed on the santour a unique blend of Persian and Far Eastern melodies.

Members of the founding bachelor’s degree class greet each other at this spring’s Landegg Academy convocation. Photo by Julie Badiee

TEACHING

• Barbados: A number of national television broadcasts featuring Bahá’í writings and teachings have resulted from good will generated by an outreach of the National Women’s Committee. The Bahá’í co-sponsorship of a workshop titled “Women Speak Across Faiths—Reflection and Action” and participation in other programs received newspaper coverage. After that, the national television station invited Bahá’ís to recite readings for morning and evening broadcast. Counselor Errol Sealy was a guest on a talk show on religion, In His Name, and the National Assembly reports many inquiries about the Faith and much literature shared as a result.
• Namibia: A large-scale proclamation effort spearheaded by the Bahá’í community of Windhoek is carrying the message of Bahá’u’lláh directly to the schools in this nation, which for decades suffered from the forced segregation of apartheid. More than 10,000 people have heard about the Faith through presentations to principals, teachers and students, and in many cases have been invited back.
• Bolivia: Fifty indigenous believers, enthusiastic about teaching the Cause after a three-day Ruhi Institute course, carried out an April teaching campaign that brought 179 people into the Faith in La Paz state and opened four localities.
• Kyrgyzstan: Forty-three members of National Spiritual Assemblies and 16 Auxiliary Board members from six nations in Central Asia gathered with Counselor B. Afshin in May for an Inter-Assembly Conference in Bishkek, focused on winning goals in the final year of the Four Year Plan. Main topics included study circles to support teaching and consolidation, and socio-economic development projects.

Music across cultures

A gathering in Sydney, Australia, is treated to a presentation by a group of Bahá’í musicians from Melbourne. Photo courtesy of Bahá’í International News Service

YOUTH

• Hawaiian Islands: The second annual Spring Break Teaching Campaign brought 70 youths from Guam, Japan, the U.S. mainland and all across Hawaii to the island of Oahu in March. Filled with deepening and performances organized by the Oahu Youth Workshop, the campaign attracted 10 new hearts to Bahá’u’lláh starting on its very first day.

DEVELOPMENT

• Turkey: Six Bahá’í physicians examined and treated 750 patients in Bursa province during a one-day clinic created at the request of the province’s Women’s Association.

EDUCATION

• Albania: A new training process with Ruhi Institute materials has the National Assembly optimistic about development of Albania’s Bahá’í community. The first effort trained 84 friends in nine localities.

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

• Cameroon: Ministers, ambassadors and other government officials from several nations were among 110 at a reception in Yaoundé co-sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Held alongside a Summit of African Heads of State, the event highlighted Bahá’í collaboration with WWF in several nations.

Pioneer’s tale shows power of constancy

The town of Bafilo was selected for a teaching project in the small West African country of Togo. It had proved to be a difficult region for teaching, but had one pioneer, Hassan Abdurahmane.

This soul was completely illiterate, knowing few of the Writings by heart including the short Obligatory Prayer and the “Remover of difficulties” prayer. But when Abdurahmane attended a training session for teachers in Niamey, Niger, and invited the friends to travel to support his efforts, several were captivated by his deep spiritual capacities and understanding of the Bahá’í teachings.

This pioneer has “tremendous love for the Faith and amazing courage and perseverance in teaching it. He teaches anybody who crosses his path,” the traveling teachers reported earlier this year to the Continental Board of Counselors.

“He is equally comfortable teaching schoolteachers, devoutly religious people, administrative authorities, shopkeepers, youth or elders. He calls to mind the Words of Wisdom in which Bahá’u’lláh states, ‘The source of courage and power is the promotion of the Word of God, and steadfastness in His Love.’”

Before the traveling teachers left, there were enough believers in Bafilo to form a Local Spiritual Assembly, thanks in large part to firesides Abdurahmane organized and contacts he had made over time.

“He speaks in simple but profound language, illustrating his ideas with examples given by Bahá’u’lláh or ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,” the traveling teachers reported. “People listen to him and respect him, responding to his sincerity and courage.” [Page 31]

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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

AUGUST

13–18: Two sessions at Green Acre: “The Transformative Power of Love in Our Personal, Family and Community Lives”; Core Curriculum Teacher Training for education of children.

13–18: “Community Growth through Strong Families,” Friends and Families session at Louhelen.

13–23: Solomon R.G. Hilton Bahá’í School, Poughkeepsie, NY. See page 14.

14–16: Eastern Oregon Bahá’í School, Suttle Lake, OR. See page 14.

14–18: Children’s Academy at Bosch, for students entering grades 4–6.

15–20: Western Washington Bahá’í School, Easton, WA. See page 14.

16–19: Fundamental Verities teacher training Session I at Native American Bahá’í Institute.

20–22: United Spiritual Gathering Council Fire, “Forging Enduring Bonds of Unity,” Neah Bay, WA. Small registration and camping fees apply. Please contact the Bahá’ís of the Makah Reservation, P.O. Box 306, Neah Bay, WA 98357 (phone 360-645-2153, e-mail ) or see Web site (www.olypen.com/jensens/).

20–25: “Pathways to the Lesser Peace”/“Greater Boldness: Seeking True Equality” at Green Acre.

21–26: Bosch 25th Anniversary Reunion, family session.

27–29: “Managing With the Wisdom of Love: Applying Bahá’í Principles to Business” at Green Acre.

27–29: 40th annual Green Lake Bahá’í Conference, Green Lake, WI. With David Ruhe, Counselor Stephen Birkland, Layli Miller Bashir, Joy Leary, Jack McCants and others. For program contact Lori Block (phone 920-432-7110, e-mail ). For housing/ meals, call 800-558-8898.

27–29: Massanetta Springs Bahá’í School, Harrisonburg, VA. See page 14.

28–29: Work Weekend at NABI.

28–Sept. 1: “Awakening the Arts,” family session at Bosch.

WE ARE BAHÁ’ÍS: FROM NEW BELIEVERS TO NEW TEACHERS IN THE CAUSE OF GOD

A training course available again through Bahá’í Distribution Service See page 27

PAID SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AT THE BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL OFFICES

• Information Services
• Accountant
• Persian/American Affairs

See page 21

SEPTEMBER

3–6: “Strengthening Family and Community Life” at Louhelen.

3–6: “Press On to Meet the Dawn” at Green Acre.

3–6: Reunion Council Fire at NABI.

3–6: Bay Area Bahá’í Social Group and Friends Retreat at Bosch.

3–6: Kentucky Bahá’í School, Faubush, KY. See page 14.

3–6: Tennessee Bahá’í Institute, Monteagle, TN. See page 14.

5: Concert-Picnic at Green Acre.

10–12: “Fundamental Verities of the Bahá’í Faith” training at Bosch. First of three weekend sessions; see page 13.

10–12: Oklahoma Regional Bahá’í School, near Stillwater, OK. Contact Dennis Rhine, , Tulsa, OK (phone 918-437-5644, e-mail ).

17–19: “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit” at Green Acre.

18–19: “Teaching Christians” at NABI.

23–26: Conference on Aids, Sexuality, Addiction and Abuse at Bosch.

24–26: Commemoration of the visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at Glenwood Springs, CO (information: phone 970-464-5196, e-mail ).

24–26: “A History of Black Bahá’ís in the Diaspora” at Green Acre.

24–26: Campus Association Weekend at Green Acre.

25–26: Work Weekend at NABI.

OCTOBER

Early October, weekends: Unit Conventions; dates and times will vary across the country. See pages 23–25 for partial listings.

8–10: “Fundamental Verities” (Part II) training institute at Bosch. For those who have completed Part I.

8–10: Two programs at Green Acre: “Talking and Listening: The Art of Spiritual Parenting”; Youth Weekend Institute on Preparation for Marriage.

9: Women’s conference at NABI.

15–17: ‎Bahá’í-Centered Management: Principles and Practice” “Bahá’í-Centered Management: Principles and Practice”‎ at Green Acre.

22–24: Assembly Team Development Weekend at Bosch.

28–31: Ruhi Institute Facilitator Training (on the “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit” session) at Green Acre.

28–31: Pioneering/BYSC/SITA Institute at Green Acre. Contact Office of Pioneering, 847-733-3508.

29–31: Two programs at Bosch: Social and Economic Development Facilitators Conference; “Don’t Yell at Your Watchman.”

30–31: Work Weekend at NABI.

30–31: South Carolina Bahá’í Family Reunion, Orangeburg, SC. Contact: Annette Reynolds, , Branchville, SC 29432 (phone 803-533-1289, fax 803-531-2769, e-mail ).

Bahá’ís from the North Shore area of suburban Chicago have a little fun in the sun as they carry out their traditional march in two Fourth of July parades on the same day—in Northbrook and Highland Park. Photo by Vladimir Shilov

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving The American Bahá’í, send all family members’ names, new address and mailing label to: Information Services, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. If acquiring a Post Office box, your residence address (B) must be filled in. Please allow three weeks for processing. (This also updates the National Center’s database.)

A. NAME(S)
1. _________________________________	ID# ________________
2. _________________________________	ID# ________________
3. _________________________________	ID# ________________
4. _________________________________	ID# ________________

B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS	C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS
__________________________________________ Street Address	__________________________________________ Street Address
__________________________________________ Apartment # (if applicable)	__________________________________________ Apartment # (if applicable)
__________________________________________ City	__________________________________________ City
State ______________ Zip code ______________	State ______________ Zip code ______________

D. NEW COMMUNITY	E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER
_________________________   ________________ Name of new Bahá’í Community      Moving Date	(________) ________________   ________________ Area Code   Phone Number              Name

F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S)
(________) ________________   ________________ Area Code   Phone Number              Name	(________) ________________   ________________ Area Code   Phone Number              Name

G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE:	H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY
[ ] we do not have the same last name. We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) and ID number(s) listed above. [ ] the last names and addresses on our address labels do not match. We have listed above the full names of family members as they should appear on the national records, their ID numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy.	[ ] Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy. I have listed my name, ID number and address above.

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

AUGUST 1, 1999 KAMÁL, ASMÁ’ • B.E. 156

THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í