The American Bahá’í/Volume 31/Issue 7/Text

←Previous

The American Bahá’í Volume 31, Issue 7

Next→

Return to PDF view

[Page 1]

Selection of Extracts and Prayers from the Baha’i Writings Compiled by the Research Department

of the Universal House of Justice

Our ‘glorious’ mission

Historic meetings across

U.S. call on Baha’is to unlock spiritual energies

s the “chief trustees” of the Master’s Divine Plan, the American Baha’is have an

“unspeakably inescapable responsibility. Members of the National Spiritual

glorious” mission and an

Assembly, serving as its representatives and speaking on its beha

f, along with Counselors, members of the Auxiliary Board and members of the Regional Baha'i Councils, will be addressing the friends in a series of historic meetings

around the country, encouraging every adult, youth and child in America to unlock their individual spiritual capacity in order to arise and fulfill the goals of the Twelve Month Plan ¢ groundwork for the

nd to lay the Year Plan.

A special meeting on unlocking the capacity of youth will be held in conjunction with the general meetings.

Meeting dates and places:

Saturday, Oct. 21:

Denver, CO; Washington, DC; Portland, OR;

Louisville, KY; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Minneapolis, MN;

Phoenix, AZ; Rochester, NY; Lincoln, NE 5 Sunday, Oct. 22:

Orange County, CA; Philadelphia, PA; Seattle, WA;

Nashville, TH; Jacksonville, FL; Chicago, IL;

Los Angeles, CA; Detroit, MI; Des Moines, 1A Saturday, Dec. 2:

Indianapolis, IN; New York City, NY; Durham, NC,

San Diego, CA; St. Louis, MO; Salt Lake City, UT;

Baton Rouge, LA; Atlanta, GA; Burlingame, CA Sunday, Dec. 3:

Columbus, OH; Boston, MA; Dallas, TX;

Nibuquerque, NM; Wichita, KS; Las Vegas, NV;

Houston, TX; Columbia, SC; Stockton, (A ®

3

ayer ain dL IE

Our Supreme Institution has presented these newly authorized

translations of extracts and prayers from the Writings of Baha'u'llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha, “to further enhance the

believers’ insight into the far-reaching significance of these two great laws [of obligatory pray.

and fasting].” Pages 3-6

A song of joy

Wesley Baker, a U.S. pioneer to Uganda who is traveling for a year to serve at the Houses of Worship around the world, sings during a recent Sunday program at the Temple in Wilmette. Summer brought Baha’is and visitors from all over the world to the Mother Temple of the West; see article, page 12. Photo by Viadimir Shilov

Making friends of ‘strangers’

Media campaign poses new challenge to U.S. communities

BY THE NATIONAL national and local media

TEACHING OFFICE efforts. Many call, but

their calls are not all

he national media responded to in a timely

campaign is present- fashion. Many call, and are

ing many Baha’ communi- The national media campaign is a simply put on a mailing list

ties and institutions across component of the Kingdom Project, for the community America with a new chal-_ our National Spiritual Assembly's newsletter.

lenge: teaching “strangers.” comprehensive development plan. However, many call and

The tried-and-true More on pages 16-17 are. greeted are lovingly

method commonly associated with enrollments has been through being befriended and nurtured into the Cause. It is a slow process but a process that cannot be denied methodology that results in stalwart, avowed adherents to the Cause.

Now, thousands upon thousands of searching souls are responding to

welcomed into the community, are nurtured, and become a quick asset to their communi

ty. It is this scenario that the National

the

Spiritual Assembly is urging American Baha'i community to adopt the response to these waiting souls

SEE MEDIA, PAGE 25

SEPTEMBER 27, 2000

eoeoee eee e

MASHIYYAT/WILL “ILM/KNOWLEDGE BAHA] ERA 157

VOLUME 31, NO. 7

Conaress Passes RESOLUTION ON IRAN

fe are very pleased to inform

the American Baha’i community that the eighth congressional resolution condemning the situation of the Iranian Baha’is passed in the U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 19, 2000. The concurrent resolution in the Senate passed in July.

Four statements were made from the floor, by Rep. Gilman of New York, Rep. Porter of Illinois, Rep. Hilliard of Alabama and Rep. Christensen of the Virgin Islands. Two more representatives may also make statements for the Congressional Record. The resolution and statements are available on the Internet (http://thomas.loc,gov). Type in “H.CON.RES. 257” where it asks: “By Bill Number.”

The leading House sponsors of this year’s resolution were Reps. John Porter, Tom Lantos, Chris Smith and Steny Hoyer. The National Spiritual Assembly's Office of External Affairs has been working closely with the aides*to Rep. Porter, the primary sponsor of the resolution, and Rep. Ben Gilman, chairman of the House International Relations Committee. The National Assembly will contact selected Local Spiritual Assemblies to request that they write their representatives thanking them for co-sponsoring the resolutions. ©

ees YOUTH +8 CLASSIFIED + 22-23 IN MEMORIAM = 26 SEEKING YOUR RESPONSE. PERSIAN PAGES + 28-30. ett stescak ath obinlineutoadi tii ret ee tics aa eaten)

THE NATIONAL FUND

Between May 1 and August 31, 2000

$9,000,000 Goal/all funds

n

$5,235,467 Received

Excluding Kingdom Project See page 7 for details 4

• E°X°C°E-R-P-T'S:

“All the Prophets of God

... Soar in the same heaven, are seated upon the same throne, utter the

same speech, and proclaim the same Faith.” —Baha’u’llah

[Page 2]ALMANAC

Anniversary of the Birth of the Bab

A Baha’i Holy Day

• Observed between sundown Oct. 19 and sundown Oct. 20
• Work is to be suspended

“The Bab, whose name was ‘Ali-Muhammad, was born in Shiraz [in Persia], on the first of Muharram, in the year 1235 A.H. [Oct. 20, 1819]. He was the descendant of a house renowned for its nobility, which traced its origin to Muhammad Himself.” (The Dawn-Breakers, p. 14) A beautiful Tablet revealed by Baha’u’llah in honor of the anniversary of the Bab’s birth can be found on page 234 of Tablets of Babd’u'llab.

Anniversary of the Birth of Baha‘u'llah

A Baha’i Holy Day

• Observed between sundown Nov. 11 and sundown Nov. 12
• Work is to be suspended

Mirzé Husayn-‘Ali, Baha’u’lléh, was born in Tehran, Pe: Nov. 12, 1817. His birth signaled the dawning of the Day of God on earth and the appearance of the Greatest Name of God. “We should feel deeply gratified and thankful to God that at a time when all humanity seems to be struggling in despair we can come together and, with gr and be merry over the dawn of a new day; which envelops the world we see the approach of a new light and the breaking of a new era.” (Shoghi Effendi, Light of Divine Guidance Vol.1, p. 45)

Some significant dates in Baha’i history October

Oct. 10-12, 1848: Mulli Husayn, journeying to the Mazindarén region of Persia on instructions from the Bab, arrived with more than 200 companions near the town of Barfurtish. There a band of townspeople, stirred up by a local

cleric, attacked the Babis. Though Mullé Husayn’s company was victorious, several were slain. Suffering snipings and an attempted surprise attack, they presented an able defense and took sanctuary in the shrine of Shaykh Tabarsf. Within weeks they were besieged and the shrine became a fort.

October 1852: While imprisoned in the Siyah-Chal (Black Pit) in Tehran, Iran, Baha’u’llah had a vision of a Maiden that told Him of His station as the Manifestation of God for this age.

Oct. 26-Nov. 13, 1928: In the first in a series of appeals to the League of Nations (a forerunner to the United Nations), the claim of the Baha’is to the house of Baha’u’llah in Baghdad was upheld. However, the government of Iraq consistently refused to transfer the property to the Baha’is. October 1935: The Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, wrote to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada (then a single Assembly), affirming that the Baha’ laws of fasting, obligatory prayers, consent of parents before marriage, monogamy and avoidance of alcoholic drinks were binding on the believers. Oct. 7-15, 1953: T! he Asian Intercontinental Teaching Conference, one of several conferences held to energize the 1953-63 Ten Year Cru as held in New Delhi, India. It was the first interr Ea erie in Be S Oct. 12, 1977: tion radio station, in Sees ae its first Bron Oct. 20, 1983: The Universal House of Justice

ter to the Baha’f world outlining the principles of the Faith concerning social and economic development.

Upcoming Holy Days

Day of the Covenant: Nov. 26 Anniversary of the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Baha: Nov. 28

de, onal Ba

Facts in the “Some Significant Dates” section were compiled from A Basic Bahd’i Chronology.

ALL THINGS

ANDREW BRETON, a Baha’{ in Vienna, Virginia, was named a National Merit Scholar, a National Hispanic Scholar

achievements at Thomas Jefferson High

School for and Technology, where besides hi temic distinction he was senior class president.

ARTHUR ELLIOTT, a Baha’i in Victor, New York, has been designated a Melvin Jones Fellow—the highest honor given by the Lions Clu! International Foundation—in recogni* tion of lifelong service, including his involvement in the Finger Lakes Regional Lions Hearing Foundation.

JASON MILLER, a Baha’ in Port Richey, Florida, graduated as co-valedictorian of Ridgewood High School with a weighted grade-point average of 4.57.

term membership on the influential Council on Foreign Relations, which studies and develops ideas on U.S. foreign policy.

Council members include current and former senior government officials; experts in international relations;

™] Rosrra NayMi, a

| Baha’{ from Knox

| County, Tennessee,

| collected a number of awards on the way to graduating second in her Karns High School class with a

average. Some of her honors: in Who's Who Among American High School Students, Knoxville News Sentinel Student Citizen Award, Executive Women Internationa yard, Prudential Spirit of the Community award, and runner-up as “best attorney” in ‘Tennessee high school mock trial competition. She also had earned media interviews for her role in producing America’s Most Challenging Issue—Race Unity, a one-hour program made for public television.

publishes Foreign Affairs, the leading periodical on international relations. Miller Bashir was nominated for membership by two former assistant secretaries of State, a former general counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency, the general counsel of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the director of the President's Council on Women’ Initiatives and the dean of the School of International Relations in Denver.

Fights, h eet and hone groups. The ‘Council. y _ for a young woman from Togo, who

(CARMEN ORELLANA, a Baha’{ from Honduras—where she was valedictorian of her high school class—is attending Idaho State University on a full scholarship for international students in engineering.

FArtBorzZ OMID SARVIAN, a 13-year{in Malibu,

alifornia, was his school’s first-place winner in the Geographic Bee contest.

ADRIAN TREVINO, a Bah’ in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was recognized by the Institute for the History of Texas Music in San Marcos, ‘Texas, for his extensive research and donation of recordings and other materials on the Spanishlanguage music of the U.S. Southwest.

1990s legal fight to gain refugee status

faced the prospect of forced marriage and female genital mutilation if compelled to return to her homeland.

From that effort was born the Tahirih Justice Center, which taps the services of numerous lawyers and others to uphold women’ rights through the US. immigration system. It has worked on a high level with State Department and other government officials.

THE AMERICAN

Editor James Humphrey /

Associate Editor ‘Tom Mennillo

Facilities Manager, Baha’i Media Services Artis Mebane

Contributors Erik Anderson, Kirk E. Felix, Eric Horton, Barbara McCord, Cynthia McKenzie, Judy Hannen Moe, Jennifer Muratore, Russell Norman, Marilyn Ray, Vladimir Shilov, Duane Troxel, Nancy Wong

2000 by the National Spiritual UO Mee mre ce Ret World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

Sa

page 2

Tue AMERICAN BanA’i * ALMANAC/EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS

September 27, 2000

[Page 3]

Selection of Hane and Prayers at the Baha’i pwoanes 2

Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of, Haseicl

mined that it is imperative for all Baha’is

to deepen their awareness of the blessings conferred by the laws which directly foster the devo 'E he Universal House of Justice, in reviewing the further applicability of the laws of Baha’u’llh in the course of the past four years, deter tional life of the individual and, thus, of the community.” Among these laws are obligatory prayer and fasting which have been character ized by the Blessed Beauty as “two wings to man’s life.”

This present selection of newly authorized translations has been drawn from the vast ocean of the original Writings of Baha'u'llah and *‘Abdu’lBaha. It is intended to further enhance the believers’ insight into the far-reaching significance of these two great laws.

"1 From the Writings of Bahé’u’llah —

I. We, verily, have set forth all things in Our Book, as a token of grace unto those who have believed in God, the Almighty, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting. And We have ordained obligatory prayer and fasting so that all may by these means draw nigh unto God, the Most Powerful, the Well-Beloved. We have written down these two laws and expounded every irrevocable decree. We have forbidden men from following whatsoever might cause them to stray from the Truth, and have commanded them to observe that which will draw them nearer unto Him Who is the Almighty, the All-Loving. Say: Observe ye the commandments of God for love of His beauty, and be not of those who follow in the ways of the abject and foolish.

II. All praise be unto God, Who hath revealed the law of obligatory prayer as a reminder to His servants, and enjoined on them the Fast that those possessed of means may become apprised of the woes and sufferings of the destitute.

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

IV. Cling firmly to obligatory prayer and fasting. Verily, the religion of God is like unto heaven; fasting is its sun, and obligatory prayer is its moon. In truth, they are the pillars of religion whereby the righteous are distinguished from those who transgress His commandments. We entreat God, exalted and glorified be He, that he may graciously enable all to observe that which He hath revealed in His Ancient Book.

V. Know thou that religion is as heaven; and fasting and obligatory prayer are its sun and its moon. We entreat God, exalted and glorified be He, to graciously aid everyone who acteth according to His will and good-pleasure.

VI. Be not neglectful of obligatory prayer and fasting. He who faileth to observe them hath not been nor will ever be acceptable in the sight of God. Follow ye wisdom under all conditions. He, verily, hath bidden all to observe that which hath been and will be of profit to them. He, in truth, is the All-Sufficing, the Most High.

VII. As for obligatory prayer, it hath been sent down by the Pen of the Most High in such wise that it setteth ablaze the hearts and captivateth the souls and minds of men.

VIII. Concerning obligatory prayer, it hath been revealed in such wise that whosoever reciteth it, even one

1.A tradition attributed to the Imim ‘Ali

time, with a detached heart, will find himself wholly severed from the world.

IX. O My brother! How great, how very great, can the law of obligatory prayer be, when, through His mercy and loving kindness, one is enabled to observe it. When a man commenceth the recitation of the Obligatory Prayer, he should see himself severed from all created things and regard himself as utter nothingness before the will and purpose of God, in such wise that he seeth naught but Him in the world of being. This is the station of God's well-favored ones and those who are wholly devoted to Him. Should one perform the Obligatory Prayer in this manner, he will be accounted by God and the Concourse on high among those who have truly offered the prayer.

X. One of the deeds in obedience to the law is obligatory prayer. He Who is the Bearer of divine mysteries hath called it the ladder of ascent. He saith: “Obligatory prayer is a ladder of ascent for the believer’”' Within it are hidden and concealed a myriad effects and benefits. Indeed, they are beyond computation. How great would be a man’s indolence and his injustice to himself if he were to

abandon this ladder of ascent and attach himself to earthly treasures. It is our hope that we may be assisted to perform pure and acceptable deeds. We beseech God, exalted and glorified be He, to confirm us in that which He desireth and pleaseth and in that which will draw us nigh unto Him.Verily, He is the Almighty, the All-Powerful, He Who is wont to answer the prayers of all men.

XI. Of the new Obligatory Prayers that were later re vealed, the long Obligatory Prayer should be said at those times when one feeleth himself in a prayerful mood. In truth, it hath been revealed in such wise that if it be recited to a rock, that rock would stir and speak forth; and if it be recited to a mountain, that mountain would move and flow. Well is it with the one who reciteth it and fulfilleth God's precepts. Whichever prayer is read will suffice.

XII. We beseech God to assist His people that they may observe the most great and exalted Fast, which is to protect one’s eye from beholding whatever is forbidden and to withhold one’s self from food, drink and whatever is not of Him. We pray God to confirm His loved ones that they may succeed in accomplishing that which they have been commanded in this Day.

XIII. Praise be unto Him Who hath revealed laws in accordance with His good-pleasure. Verily, He is sovereign over whatsoever He wisheth. O My friends! Act ye in accordance with what ye have been commanded in the Book. Fasting hath been decreed for you in the month of ‘Ali. Fast ye for the sake of your Lord, the Mighty, the Most High. Restrain yourselves from sunrise to sunset. Thus doth the Beloved of mankind instruct you as bidden by God, the All-Powerful, the Unconstrained. It is not for anyone to exceed the limits laid down by God and His law, nor should anyone follow his own idle imaginings. Well is it with the one who fulfilleth My decrees for the love of My Beauty, and woe to the one who

neglecteth the Dayspring of Command in the days of his Lord, the Almighty, the Omnipotent.

XIV. This is one of the nights of the Fast, and during it the Tongue of Grandeur and Glory proclaimed: There is no God beside Me, the Omnipotent Protector, the SelfSubsisting. We, verily, have commanded all to observe the Fast in these days as a bounty on Our part, but the people remain unaware, except for those who have attained unto the purpose of God as revealed in His laws and have comprehended His wisdom that pervadeth all things visible and invisible. Say: By God! His Law is a fortress unto you, could ye but understand. Verily, He hath no purpose therein save to benefit the souls of His servants, but, alas, the generality of mankind remain heedless thereof. Cling ye to the cord of God's laws, and follow not those who have turned away from the Book, for verily they have opposed God, the Mighty, the Beloved.

XV. These are the days of the Fast. Blessed is the one who through the heat generated by the Fast increaseth his love, and who, with joy and radiance, ariseth to perform worthy deeds. Verily, He guideth whomsoever He willeth to the straight path.

XVI. Even though outwardly the Fast is difficult and toilsome, yet inwardly it is bounty and tranquillity. Purification and training are conditioned and dependent only on such rigorous exercises as are in accord with the Book of God and sanctioned by Divine law, not those which the deluded have inflicted upon the people. Whatsoever God hath revealed is beloved of the soul. We beseech Him that He may graciously assist us to do that which is pleasing and acceptable unto Him.

XVIL. Verily, I say, fasting is the supreme remedy and the most great healing for the disease of self and passion.

XVIIL. All praise be to the one true God Who hath assisted His loved ones to observe the Fast and hath aided them to fulfill that which hath been decreed in the Book. In truth, ceaseless praise and gratitude are due unto Him for having graciously confirmed His loved ‘ones to perform that which is the cause of the exaltation of His Word. If a man possessed ten thousand lives and offered them all to establish the truth of God’s laws and commandments, he would still be beholden unto Him, since whatsoever proceedeth from His irresistible decree serveth solely to benefit His friends and loved ones.

XIX. There are various stages and stations for the Fast and innumerable effects and benefits are concealed therein. Well is it with those who have attained unto them.

XX. In clear cases of weakness, illness, or injury the law of the Fast is not binding. This injunction is in conformity with the precepts of God, eternal in the past, eternal in the future. Well is it with them who act accordingly.

XXI. The law of the Fast is ordained for those who are sound and healthy; as to those who are ill or debilitated, this law hath never been nor is now applicable.

September 27,2000 = THe AMERICAN BanA’i * THe IMPORTANCE OF OBLIGATORY PRAYER AND FASTING page 3 [Page 4]

I. Obligatory prayer and fasting are among the most great ordinances of this holy Dispensation.

IL. In the realm of worship, fasting and obligatory prayer constitute the two mightiest pillars of God’s holy Law. Neglecting them is in no wise permitted, and falling short in their performance is of a certainty not acceptable. In the Tablet of Visitation He saith: “I beseech God, by Thee and by them whose faces have been illumined with the splendors of the light of Thy countenance, and who, for love of Thee, have observed all whereunto they were bidden.”? He declareth that observance of the commands of God deriveth from love for the beauty of the Best-Beloved. The seeker, when immersed in the ocean of the love of God, will be moved by intense longing and will arise to carry out the laws of God. Thus, it is impossible that a heart which containeth the fragrance of God's love should yet fail to worship Him, except under conditions when such an action would agitate the enemies and stir up dissension and mischief. Otherwise, a lover of the Abh4 Beauty will assuredly and continually demonstrate perseverance in the worship of the Lord.

Ill. The laws of God regarding fasting and obligatory prayer are absolutely incumbent upon His servants. Therefore, they must turn their faces to the Point of Adoration of the celestial Concourse, hold fast to the most sublime Station, and pray and supplicate that they may be freed from the doubts of misinterpretation. This is the way of ‘Abdu’l-Bahi. This is the religion of ‘Abdu’ Baha. This is the path of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. Whoever cherisheth the love of Bahé, let him, choose this straight path. Whoever abandoneth this path, verily, he is of them who are shut out as by a veil from Him. Shouldst thou observe any soul who is in doubt about this commandment or who misinterpreteth it, but hath no secret motive or defiance in what he doeth, be friendly towards him, and with the utmost cordiality and through kind speech, endeavor to turn him from the path of such interpretation towards the plain meaning of the verses of God.

IV. The laws of God, such as fasting, obligatory prayer and the like, as well as His counsels regarding virtues, good deeds and proper conduct, must be carried out everywhere to the extent possible, unless some insurmountable obstacle or some great danger presents itself or it runneth counter to the dictates of wisdom. For indolence and laxity hinder the outpourings of love from the clouds of divine mercy, and people will thus remain deprived.

V. O ye loved ones of God! Out of gratitude for firmness in the eternal Covenant arise to serve the threshold of the omnipotent Lord, observe obligatory prayer and fasting, and spend your time in diffusing the sweet savors of God and in spreading the Divine verses. Tear asunder the veils, remove the obstacles, proffer the life-giving waters, and point out the path of salvation. This is what ‘Abdu'l-Baha admonisheth you every morn and eve.

VI. © thou daughter of the Kingdom! The Obligatory Prayers are binding inasmuch as they are conducive to humility and submissiveness, to setting one’s face towards God and expressing devotion to Him. Through such prayer man holdeth communion with God, seeketh to draw near unto Him, converseth with the true Beloved of his heart, and attaineth spiritual stations.

2.“ I beseech God ... were bidden,” translated by Shoghi Effendi; see Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah, CLXXX 3. Ibid.

VII. O thou spiritual friend! Thou hast asked about the wisdom of obligatory prayer. Know thou that such prayer is mandatory and binding. Man under no pretext whatsoever is excused from observing the prayer unless he is incapable of performing it or some great obstacle interveneth. The wisdom of obligatory prayer is this: ‘That it causeth a connection between the servant and the ‘True One, because at that time man with all his heart and soul turneth his face towards the Almighty, seeking His association and desiring His love and companionship. For a lover, there is no greater pleasure than to converse with his beloved, and for a seeker, there is no greater bounty than intimacy with the object of his desire. It is the greatest longing of every soul who is attracted to the Kingdom of God to find time to turn with entire devotion to his Beloved, so as to seek His bounty and blessing and immerse himself in the ocean of communion, entreaty and supplication. Moreover, obligatory prayer and fasting produce awareness and awakening in man, and are conducive to his protection and preservation from tests.

VIII. Strengthen thou the foundation of the Faith of God, and worship the Almighty. Be constant in offering obligatory prayer, and be mindful of fasting. Day and night devote thyself to prayer, supplication and entreaty, especially at the prescribed times.

IX. The Obligatory Prayers have been set down by the Pen of the Most High and have been mentioned in the Persian “Questions and Answers”, which supplementeth the Kitib-i-Aqdas. They are clearly binding, and without a doubt everyone must perform one of these three prayers. ...

Through worship man becometh spiritual, his heart is attracted, and his soul and inner being attain such tenderness and exhilaration that the Obligatory Prayer instilleth new life in him. This is why in the Tablet of Visitation it hath been revealed: “I beseech God, by Thee and by them whose faces have been illumined with the splendors of the light of Thy countenance, and who, for love of Thee, have observed all whereunto they were bidden.” It is clear then that love of the beauty of the AllMerciful impelleth one to the worship of Almighty God.

X. O thou servant of God! Each morn God’s infinite grace confirmeth the ardent and tearful invocations of. ‘Abdu’l-Baha. Accordingly, let every awakened soul obtain, to the extent of its capacity, a portion of this spiritual grace. This can be achieved by fervently offering unto God prayers and supplications at evéry dawn and observing the law of obligatory prayer. Thus may his nostrils delight in the sweet savors wafting from the garden of the bounty of God, his soul attain new life, and his reality mirror forth the effulgences of the All-Mercifal.

XI. Obligatory prayer causeth the heart to become attentive to the Divine kingdom. One is alone with God, converseth with Him, and acquireth bounties. Likewise, if one performeth the Obligatory Prayer with his heart in a state of utmost purity, he will obtain the confirma~ tions of the Holy Spirit, and this will entirely obliterate love of self. 1 hope that thou wilt persevere in the recita~ tion of the Obligatory Prayer, and thus will come to witness the power of entreaty and supplication.

XII. Thou hast written concerning obligatory prayer. Such prayer is binding and mandatory for everyone. Most certainly guide all to its observance, because it is like unto a ladder for the souls, a lamp unto the hearts of the rightcous, and the water of life from the garden of paradise. It is a clear duty prescribed by the All-Merciful, in the observance of which it is in no wise permissible to be dilatory or neglectful.

XIII. Obligatory prayer and supplication cause man to reach the kingdom of mystery, and the worship of the Supreme One. They bestow nearness unto His threshold. There is a pleasure in offering prayers that transcendeth all other pleasures, and there is a sweetness in chanting and singing the verses of God which is the greatest desire of all the believers, men and women alike. While reciting the Obligatory Prayer, one converseth intimately and shareth secrets with the true Beloved. No pleasure is greater than this, if one proceedeth with a detached soul, with tears overflowing, with a trusting heart and an eager spirit. Every joy is earthly save this one, the sweetness of which is divine.

XIV. Obligatory prayer is the very foundation of the Cause of God. Through it joy and vitality infuse the heart. Even if every grief should surround Me, as soon as I engage in conversing with God in obligatory prayer, all My sorrows disappear and I attain joy and gladness. A condition descendeth upon Me which I am unable to describe or express. Whenever, with full awareness and humility, we undertake to perform the Obligatory Prayer before God, and recite it with heartfelt tenderness, we shall taste such sweetness as to endow all existence with eternal life.

XV. Observe the Obligatory Prayer which is available to thee so that the gate of bounty may be opened and utmost spirituality attained; great signs will be witnessed and the spiritual ascent will be realized.

XVI. Persevere in the use of the Obligatory Prayer and carly morning supplications, so that day by day thine awareness may increase, and, through the power of the knowledge of God, thou mayest rend asunder the veil of error of the people of doubt and lead them to His unfailing guidance. In every assembly, like unto a candle, thou shouldst give forth the light of Divine knowledge.

XVII. Recite the Obligatory Prayer and supplications as much as thou art able, so that day by day thou mayest attain to increased firmness and steadfastness and find greater joy and gladness. Thus the circle of divine knowledge will grow wider, and the fire of the love of God will burn brighter within thee.

XVIIL. Obligatory prayers and supplications are the very water of life. They are the cause of existence, of the refinement of souls, and of their attainment to the utmost joy. Exercise the greatest care in this regard, and encourage others to recite the Obligatory Prayers and supplications.

XIX. O thou servant of the True Lord! Obligatory prayer and other supplications are essential to servitude unto Him Who is the All-Sufficing. ...When the Obligatory Prayers and other prayers are joined together and follow each other, worship attaineth its perfection. It can be seen that these two are spiritual companions and are like one soul in two bodies. May God assist you all to thrive in love and fellowship.

XX. When saying the Obligatory Prayer, one must turn towards the Holy Reality of Baha’u'llah, that Reality which encompasseth all things.

XXI. As to the Obligatory Prayer, it hath a Qiblih that is fixed, specified, holy and blessed. I ask God that He may open the gate of the knowledge of this station to thine heart so that thou mayest apprehend whatever is necessary and proper, garner spiritual bounties from the heaven of the All-Merciful, obtain the effulgences of knowledge from the Sun of Reality, and become a manifestation of inspiration from the Unseen and a source of glad-tidings from the All-Merciful.

page 4

Tue American BanA’i ¢ The IMporRTANCE OF OBLIGATORY PRAYER AND FASTING September 27, 2000 [Page 5]

XXII. With regard to the Obligatory Prayer, this should be said individually, but it is not dependent on a private spot.

XXIII. O servant of the holy threshold! Thou hast asked about those prayers that are beyond what is prescribed, those that are recommended, invocations, and devotions honored by tradition. In this Dispensation that which hath been expressly prescribed is obligatory. But individual worship, invocations, supererogatory prayers, and specially recommended prayers are not binding. Nonetheless, the saying of any prayer individually after the Obligatory Prayers is well-pleasing and acceptable, but no particular ones have been singled out.

XXIV. Ordinances which are obligatory and decrees that are binding are those that have issued forth from the Supreme Pen or are issued by a decision of the Universal House of Justice. For we are the commanded, not the commander. We are the ones upon whom duties are imposed, not the ones who impose duties. This is the reality of the law of God and the foundation of the religion of God. As for devotions and invocations, whoever wisheth may, after the Obligatory Prayers, recite other supplications of the Blessed Perfection.

XXV. Thou hast written about the Fast. This is a most weighty matter and thou shouldst exert thine utmost in its observance. It is a fundamental of the Divine law, and one of the pillars of the religion of God.

XXVI. Well is it with you, as you have followed the Law of God and arisen to observe the Fast during these blessed days, for this physical fast is a symbol of the spiritual fast. This Fast leadeth to the cleansing of the soul from all selfish desires, the acquisition of spiritual attributes, attraction to the breezes of the All-Merciful, and enkindlement with the fire of divine love.

XXVIL. Fasting is the cause of the elevation of one’s spiritual station.

I. This is, O my God, the first of the days on which Thou hast bidden Thy loved ones to observe the Fast. I ask of Thee by Thy Self and by him who hath fasted out of love for Thee and for Thy good-pleasure—and not out of self and desire, nor out of fear of Thy wrath—and by Thy most excellent names and august attributes, to purify Thy servants from the love of aught except Thee and to draw them nigh unto the Dawning-Place of the lights of Thy countenance and the Seat of the throne of Thy oneness. Ilumine their hearts, O my God, with the light of Thy knowledge and brighten their faces with the rays of the Daystar that shineth from the horizon of Thy Will. Potent art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee. No God is there but Thee, the All-Glorious, Whose help is implored by all men.

Assist them, O my God, to render Thee victorious and to exalt Thy Word. Suffer them, then, to become as hands of Thy Cause amongst Thy servants, and make them to be revealers of Thy religion and Thy signs amongst mankind, in such wise that the whole world may be filled with Thy remembrance and praise and with Thy proofs and evidences. Thou art, verily, the All-Bounteous, the Most Exalted, the Powerful, the Mighty, and the Merciful.

4." ‘Observe, for My Beauty’s sake’ ... souls unto Thee,” translated by Shoghi Effendi; see Gleanings from the Writings of Bahé’u’llah, CLX

_The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting: Extracts and Prayers

IL. In the Name of Him Who hath been promised in the Books of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Informed! The days of fasting have arrived wherein those servants who circle round Thy throne and have attained Thy presence have fasted. Say: O God of names and creator of heaven and earth! I beg of Thee by Thy Name, the All-Glorious, to accept the fast of those who have fasted for love of Thee and for the sake of Thy good-pleasure and have carried out what Thou hast bidden them in Thy Books and Tablets. I beseech Thee by them to assist me in the promotion of Thy Cause and to make me steadfast in Thy love, that my footsteps may not slip on account of the clamor of Thy creatures. Verily, Thou art powerful over whatsoever Thou willest. No God is there but Thee, the Quickener, the All-Powerful, the Most Bountiful, the Ancient of Days.

II. Praise be unto Thee, O Lord my God! We have observed the Fast in conformity with Thy bidding and break it now through Thy love and Thy good-pleasure. Deign to accept, O my God, the deeds that we have performed in Thy path wholly for the sake of Thy beauty with our faces set towards Thy Cause, free from aught else but Thee. Bestow, then, Thy forgiveness upon us, upon our forefathers, and upon all such as have believed in Thee and in Thy mighty signs in this most great, this most glorious Revelation. Potent art Thou to do what Thou choosest. Thou art, verily, the Most Exalted, the Almighty, the Unconstrained.

IV. O my God and my Master! Thou seest me among Thy creatures who have rebelled and transgressed against Thee. Every time I invite them unto the ocean of Thy knowledge, their repudiation of Thy Cause increaseth and their rejection of the Dawning-Place of Thy Will waxeth greater. I beg of Thee, O my God, by those who have fasted for love of Thee and have quaffed the living waters of submission from the hands of Thy bounty, to ordain for Thy loved ones, who under the blaze of the orb of Thy trials have clung to the cord of patience, all the good Thou hast reckoned in Thy Books and Thy Tablets. Write down, then, for such as have been afflicted with adversities for Thy sake, the reward of those who have suffered martyrdom in the path of Thy good-pleasure. Send down, moreover, upon them, O Lord, that which will rejoice their hearts, solace their eyes, and exhilarate their souls. Thou art, verily, the Most Powerful, the Most Exalted, the Help in Peril, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

V. Praised be Thou, O God, my God! These are the days whereon Thou hast enjoined Thy chosen ones, Thy loved ‘ones and Thy servants to observe the Fast, which Thou hast made a light unto the people of Thy kingdom, even as Thou didst make obligatory prayer a ladder of ascent unto those who acknowledge Thy unity. I beg of Thee, O my God, by these two mighty pillars, which Thou hast ordained as a glory and honor for all mankind, to keep Thy religion safe from the mischief of the ungodly and the plotting of every wicked doer. O Lord, conceal not the light which Thou hast revealed through Thy strength and Thine omnipotence. Assist, then, those who truly believe in Thee with the hosts of the seen and the unseen by Thy command and Thy sovereignty. No God is there but Thee, the Almighty, the Most Powerful.

VI. Exalted art Thou, O Lord my God! I beseech Thee by those whom Thou hast bidden to observe the Fast for the sake of Thy love and good-pleasure, who have demonstrated their allegiance to Thy law and followed Thy verses and precepts, and who have broken their fast while enjoying near access to Thee and beholding Thy countenance. By Thy glory! Since they are turning to the court of Thy good-pleasure, all their days are days

of fasting. Were the mouth of Thy will to address them saying: “Observe, for My beauty’s sake, the fast, O people, and set no limit to its duration,” I swear by the majesty of Thy glory, that every one of them will faithfully observe it, will abstain from whatsoever will violate Thy law, and will continue to do so until they yield up their souls unto Thee,‘ for they have tasted the sweetness of Thy call, and become inebriated with Thy remembrance and praise and with the words proceeding from the lips of Thy command.

I beseech Thee, O Lord, by Thyself, the Exalted, the Most High, and by Thy Latter Manifestation through Whom the kingdom of names and the dominion of attributes have been convulsed, and the inhabitants of earth and heaven became intoxicated, and all who dwell in the realms of Revelation and creation trembled except such as have fasted from all that is repugnant to Thy good-pleasure and restrained themselves from turning toward aught besides Thee, to include us among them and to write down our names on the Tablet whereon Thou hast inscribed their names. O God, through the wonders of Thy might and the tokens of Thy sovereignty and grandeur, Thou didst send forth their names from out of the sea of Thy names, and didst create their inner essences out of the substance of Thy love, and their inmost beings from the spirit of Thy Cause. Theirs is a reunion not succeeded by separation, a nearness that knoweth no remoteness, and a perpetuity that hath no end. Verily, these are servants who ever recount Thee, who eternally circle round Thee, and who circumambulate the sanctuary of Thy presence and the Kaaba of reunion with Thee. Thou hast ordained, O my God, no distinction between them and Thee, except that when they beheld the lights of Thy countenance, they set their faces towards Thee, and prostrated themselves before Thy beauty, submissive to Tity greatness and severed from all things besides Thee.

We have fasted this day, O my Lord, by Thy command and Thy bidding in accordance with what Thou hast revealed in Thy perspicuous Book. We have withheld our souls from passion and from whatsoever Thou abhorest until the day drew to an end and the time arrived to break the Fast. Wherefore, I implore Thee, O Desire of the hearts of ardent lovers and Beloved of the souls of them who are endued with understanding, O Rapture of the breasts of them that yearn after Thee and Object of the desire of them that seek Thee, to cause us to soar in the atmosphere of Thy nearness and the heaven of Thy presence, and to accept from us what we have performed in the pathway of Thy love and good-pleasure. Write down our names, then, among those who have acknowledged Thy oneness and confessed to Thy singleness and who have humbled themselves before the evidences of Thy majesty and the tokens of Thy grandeur, those who have taken refuge in Thy nearness and sought shelter in Thee, who have expended their lives in their eagerness to meet Thee and attain the court of Thy presence, and who have cast the world behind their backs for love of Thee and severed every tie with aught save Thee in their eagerness to draw nigh unto Thee. These are servants whose hearts melt in ardent desire for Thy beauty at the mention of Thy Name, and whose eyes overflow with tears in their longing to find Thee and enter the precincts of Thy court.

This is, O my Lord, my tongue which testifieth to Thy unity and peerlessness, mine eye which beholdeth the seat of Thy generosity and manifold bounties, and mine ear which is ready to hearken unto Thy summons and Thine utterance, for | am assured, O my God, that Thou hast decreed the words proceeding out of the mouth of Thy will to be inexhaustible, and unto them the ears which Thou hast sanctified to hear Thy words and vers¢s are at all times hearkening. And these are my hands, O my Lord, uplifted toward the heaven of Thy favor and

September 27, 2000 ‘Tne AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ THe IMPORTANCE OF OBLIGATORY PRAYER AND FASTING page 5 [Page 6]

tender mercy. Wilt Thou, then, turn away this poor one who hath taken to himself no beloved except Thee, no bestower beside Thee, nor king other than Thee, no shelter save beneath the shadow of Thy mercy, and no refuge but before Thy gate, which Thou hast opened unto all who dwell in Thy heaven and on Thine earth? Nay, by Thy glory! I am he whose confidence in Thy loving kindness will remain undaunted even though Thou wert to afflict me with torments for the duration of Thy dominion; and should anyone ask me about Thee, every limb of my body would proclaim: “He is beloved in His acts and obeyed in His decree, merciful in His nature and compassionate to His creatures!”

Thy might beareth me witness, O Well-Beloved of the hearts of them that yearn after Thee, wert Thou to turn me away from Thy door and abandon me to the swords of the tyrants amongst Thy servants and to the rods of the ungodly amongst Thy creatures, and should someone ask me about Thee, every hair of my body would still declare: “He is, in truth, the Best Beloved of the worlds; He is the Most Bountiful; He is the Ever-Abiding! He draweth me nigh whilst distancing me from Himself; He granteth me His sanctuary whilst debarring me from His presence. None found I more merciful than He, by Whom I have become independent of all else but Him and have been raised up above aught besides Himself”

Well is it with the one, O my God, who hath been so enriched by Thee as to be made independent of the kingdoms of earth and heaven. Rich is the one who hath held fast to the cord of Thy wealth, is submissive before Thy face, and for whom Thou art sufficient above all things. Poor is the one who hath dispensed with Thee, waxed proud before Thee, turned away from Thy presence, and disbelieved in Thy signs. Suffer me, then, O my God and my Beloved, to be numbered with those whom the breezes of Thy will move as they list, not with those whom the wind of self and passion stirreth and directeth as it pleaseth. No God is there but Thee, the Almighty, the Exalted, the Most Bountiful.

All glory be to Thee, O my God, for Thou hast graciously enabled me to fast during this month which Thou hast related to Thy Name, the Most Exalted, and called ‘Ala (Loftiness). Thou hast commanded that Thy servants and Thy people should fast therein and seek thereby to draw nearer unto Thee. The days and months of the year have culminated with the Fast, even as the first month began with Thy Name, Bahé, that all might testify that Thou art the First and the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden, and be well assured that the glory of all names is conferred only through the glory of Thy Cause and the word expounded by Thy will and revealed through Thy purpose. Thou hast ordained that this month be a remembrance and honor from Thee, and a sign of Thy presence amongst them, that they may not forget Thy grandeur and Thy majesty, Thy sovereignty and Thy glory, and may be well assured that from time immemorial Thou hast ever been and wilt ever be Ruler over the entire creation. Nothing created in the heavens or on the earth can hinder Thee in Thy governance, nor can anyone in the realms of Revelation and creation prevent Thee from fulfilling Thy purpose.

I implore Thee, O my God, by Thy name whereby all the kindreds of the earth have wailed, except such as Thou hast safeguarded with Thine unerring protection and sheltered beneath the shadow of Thy transcendent mercy, to make us so firm in Thy Cause and steadfast in Thy love that were Thy servants to rise up against Thee and Thy people turn away from Thee, and no one would

5. Mulla Husayn 6. Quddis

7. Idem

8.The Bab

remain on earth to invoke Thy name or set his face toward the sanctuary of communion with Thee and the Kaaba of Thy sanctity, I would still arise singly and alone to render Thy Cause victorious, to exalt Thy word, to proclaim Thy sovereignty, and to celebrate the praise of Thine august Self. And this, O Lord, even though each time I venture to extol Thee by any name, I am filled with perple exalted attributes and all of the most excellent names

, for I am fully aware that all of Thine

which I associate with Thee and by which in Thy holy presence I supplicate Thee, reflect naught but the measure of mine own understanding, inasmuch as whenever I have regarded a name to be laudable, I have associated it with Thyself.

Immeasurably exalted is Thy true state above the description or knowledge of anyone besides Thee, and sanctified art Thou from the glorification of Thy creatures and the praise of Thy servants in their attempts to ascend unto Thee. Whatsoever appeareth from Thy servants is limited by the limitations of their own selves and is created by their own idle fancies and imaginings.

Alas, alas, O my Beloved, for mine inability to befittingly praise Thee and for my shortcomings during Thy days! If I acclaim Thee, O my God, as Him Who knoweth all things, I readily perceive that shouldst Thou point to a mute rock with a single finger of Thy will, Thou wouldst enable it to unfold the knowledge of all past and future ages; and if I extol Thee as the AllPowerful, I find that one word issuing from the mouth of Thy purpose is sufficient to convulse the heavens and the earth.

Thy glory beareth me witness, O Beloved of all that recognize Thee, should any learned one fail to confess his ignorance before the revelations of Thy knowledge, he would be accounted the most ignorant of Thy people; and should any mighty one refuse to admit his weakness

before the evidences of Thy power, he would be considered the weakest and the most heedless of Thy creatures. Given my knowledge and certainty that this is so, how can I extol Thee or describe and praise Thee? Wherefore, knowing my weakness, I have hastened toward the shelter of Thy strength; and realizing my poverty, I have sought refuge under the shadow of Thy wealth; and recognizing my powerlessness, I have arisen to stand before the tabernacle of Thy power and might. Wilt thou cast away this poor one after he hath taken no one but Thee as his succorer, or turn away this stranger after he hath found no one but Thee to be his true beloved?

Thou knowest all that is in me, O Lord, but I know not what is in Thee. Have mercy then upon me through Thy loving providence and inspire me with that which shall give peace to my heart during Thy days and tranquillity to my soul through the revelations of Thy sacred presence. All created things have been illumined with the splendors of the lights of Thy countenance, © Lord, and the dwellers of earth and heaven are shining resplendently on account of the manifestations of Thine incomparable majesty, in such wise that I behold nothing without first beholding within it the revelation of Thyself, a revelation which is hidden from the sight of those among Thy servants who lie fast asleep.

Deprive me not, O my Lord, of Thy grace which hath encompassed all the realms of existence, whether visible or invisible. Wilt Thou stay far removed, O my God, after Thou hast invited all mankind to return and draw nigh unto Thee, and urged them to hold fast to Thy cord? Wilt Thou cast me out, O my Beloved, even when Thou hast promised in Thine incorruptible Book and in Thy wondrous verses to gather all those who yearn after Thee within the pavilion of Thy gracious providence, and those who desire Thee under the shadow of Thy bountiful favor, and those who search for Thee under the canopy of Thy mercy and loving-kindness?

I swear by Thy might, O my God, that my lamenta ‘ The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting: Extracts and Prayers

tions have halted my heart within me, and its groans have seized the reins from my hands! At whatever time I reassure myself and gladden my soul with the wonders of Thy mercy, the tokens of Thy gracious providence, and the evidences of Thy generosity, I tremble before the manifestations of Thy justice and the signs of Thy wrath. I recognize that Thou art known by these two names and described by these two attributes, yet Thou carest not whether Thou art invoked by Thy name the Ever-Forgiving, or Thy name the Wrathful. By Thy glory, were it not for my knowledge that Thy mercy surpasseth all things, the limbs of my body would have ceased to exist, my reality been extinguished and my inner being reduced to utter nothingness. But when I behold that Thy grace encompasseth all things and Thy mercy embraceth the entire creation, my soul and my inmost being become well assured.

Alas, alas, O my God, for the things that have escaped me during Thy days, and again alas, alas, O Desire of my heart, for what I have left undone in service and obedience to Thee during these days the likes of which the eyes of Thy chosen ones and trusted ones have never witnessed! I entreat Thee, O my Lord, by Thy Self and by the Manifestation of Thy Cause Who is seated upon the throne of Thy mercy, to confirm me in Thy service and good-pleasure. Guard me, then, from those who have turned away from Thee and disbelieved in Thy verses, who have denied Thy truth, resisted Thine evidences, and violated Thy Covenant and testament.

All praise, O Lord my God, be unto Him Who is the Manifestation of Thine Essence, the Dayspring of Thy oneness, the Mine of Thy knowledge, the Source of Thy Revelation, the Repository of Thine inspiration, the Seat of Thy sovereignty, and the Dawning-Place of Thy Divinity—He Who is the Primal Point, the Most Exalted Countenance, the Ancient Root, and the Quickener of nations; and glory be upon him who was the first to believe in Him’ and in His verses, whom. Thou didst make a throne for the ascendancy of Thy most sublime Word, a focal-point for the manifestation of Thy most excellent names, a dayspring of the radiance of the Sun of Thy providence, a dawning-place for the appearance of Thy names and attributes, and a treasury of the pearls of Thy wisdom and Thy commandments. And all honor be upon him’ who was the last to come unto Him, whose arrival was like His arrival, and Thy manifestation in him’ like Thy manifestation in Him’, except that he was illumined with the lights of His face and prostrated himself before Him and testified to his servitude unto Him; and glory be upon those who were martyred in His path and who offered up their lives for love of His beauty.

‘We testify, O my God, that these are servants who have believed in Thee and in Thy signs, who have sought the sanctuary of Thy presence and turned toward Thy countenance, who have directed their faces toward the court of Thy nearness and walked in the path of Thy goodpleasure, who have worshipped Thee according to Thy desire and detached themselves from all but Thee. O Lord, confer upon their spirits and their bodies at all times a share of the wonders of Thine all-encompassing mercy. Thou art, verily, powerful to do as Thou pleaseth. No God is there save Thee, the Almighty, the AllGlorious, Whose help is implored by all men.

I beseech Thee, O Lord, by Him and by them, and by Him Whom Thou hast established on the throne of Thy Faith and caused to overshadow all the dwellers of earth and heaven, to purify us from our transgressions, to ordain for us a seat of truth in Thy presence and to cause us to associate with those whom the adversities of the world and its misfortunes have not hindered from turning toward Thee. Thou art, verily, the All-Powerful, the Most Exalted, the Protector, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

Page 6 ‘Tue Amencan BanA'l * Te IMPoRtance Or OBLIGATORY PRAYER AND FASTING September 27, 2000. [Page 7]

Spirit Run

The lasting effect? It’s up to all of us

e Spirit Run is finished. The message of God’s new Day been carried on foot from Pacif ic to Atlantic. The proclamation “Baha'u'llah has drawn the circle of unity” has been sounded in cities, towns and Indian reservations across the northern United States and in Ontario, Canada.

Nine core runners and nearly a score of support staffers can look back at 2% months of pouring rain and pound: sun, blistered feet and s t unity-building with companions of many cultures, and a commitment to stay with the run whatever it took.

They also have memories of the loving hospitality of Indian nations and Baha’ communities across the country, people

Important material on the Administrative Web Site (www.usbnc.org)

• MESSAGES from the Universal

House of Justice about the Baha’i Administrative Order, sent to all National Spiritual Assemblies Aug. 13, 2000. Any Baha’i without access to the Internet may contact the nearest Local Spiritual Assembly for a copy of these messages. UPDATES on the locations of several upcoming Unit Conventions. The latest issue of Bahd’i Update, a quarterly digest report from the National Spiritual Assembly.

wil

ives, connections with the hearts of elds, parents, youth and children.

Only time will tell the full effect of the Spirit Run on the runners themselves, on the staff and supporters, on. the people who greeted them along their trail from Seattle to Long Island—and on the many of us who traced its progress and

eI

Approximate route of S ‘h some stops mid-July throu:

Onranio

heard the wondrous stories from those it touched.

How did it transform lives? How will that spirit and the newly made human connections be built upon in the months and years ahead? Some of us may only pray and speculate; some may be able to

August 2000 ..

Since May 1, 2000 ...

THE FUND

19% of year's

goal was met

SEE SPIRIT RUN, PAGE 24

The march of decentralization: Committee tasks move to regions

1 order to move vital consultation on teaching and development closer to the grass roots, the National Spiritual Assembly is going forward with its decision to discontinue several of its committees and task forces and assign aspects of their work to national offices and regional committees.

Already established are the offices of Women’s Affairs and Youth Affairs. ‘They are functioning as centers of research and expert advice for the National Assembly, and information resources for Baha’fs across the country.

Much of the consultation and organizational work of the former National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men and National Youth Committee has been moved to the regional level. of the four Regional Baha’i Councils already have designated regional committees for the equality of women and men, while each region has a youth network facilitated by an arm of

• Office of Youth Affairs/Page 8
• Office of Women’s Affairs/Page 15

the respective Regional Council.

Subcommittees of the National Teaching Committee that have been devolved to the Regional Baha’i Councils include:

• African American Teaching Commit

tee.

• Chinese Teaching Task For

• Latin American Teaching Task Force.

• American Indian Teaching Committee.

All the Councils have organized at least some committ task forces or desks to stimulate teaching among particular ethnic groups and to work with local Bahé’i communities. Further developments will be announced in future.

The National Teaching Committee itself is to remain a foremost advisory body to the National Spiritual Assembly. @

33% of fiscal year has passed

April 30, 2001

Total cash-basis revenues and expenditures for Baha’i National Fund May 1-June 30, 2000 (latest available)

Revenues (contributions, book sales, school fees ete.)

$4,059,961

Expenditures (operations, capital and debt payments etc.)

While these figures reflect the season

Please write Baha'i ID # on check

Friends reminded of our national policy on contact with officials

he National Spiritual Assembly wish ind the friends of its long-standing policy, stated in section 12.5 of the Local Spiritual Assembly reference manual Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities, that “Ba individuals and institutions must first obtain permission of the National Spiritual Assembly before contacting federal or state government officials” on matters directly pertaining to the Baha’{ Faith. Examples of official contact on behalf of the Baha'i Faith include invitations to Baha’i community events, presentations of Baha’f statements and expressions of Baha’f support for particular poli issues. Zonfusion and duplication of such

es to ren

ve caused embarrassment to the Baha’i community in the past, and the policy of checking with the National Assembly is meant to ensure that its external affairs efforts are unified and coordinated. The National Assembl policy on contact with government officials is designed to safeguard the unity and integrity of Baha’s efforts in external affairs at the local and national level. While Local Spiritual Assemblies have the authority to contact local government officials and elected representatives from their districts to their state legislature, contact with federal or state officials and agencies under the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly. These include all

and officials of the federal govstate governors and state

agencie ernment, legislacu

Individual Baha'is are fr and communicate with thei and other government officials on any matter that does not refer to the Baha’ Faith.

The policy on government contact does not apply in cases of informal contact with friends or family members who happen to hold public office. The National Assembly would appreciate being informed if a Baha’ has a personal relationship with a prominent person or government official, however, because such relations may facilitate official contact should such contact be required.

to appeal to elected rep

resentatives

In like manner, Bahé’is may inform the relevant Local Assembly if they have personal relations with a mayor, city council member, county commissioner, or other local official.

The Local Spiritual Assembly reference manual Developing Distinctive Baba’t Communities—in. particular Chapter 12, “External Affairs”—contains further guidance and quotes from the Writings on government relations.

Any additional questions may be addressed to the National Spiritual Assembly through its Office of External Affairs, 1320 19th St. N.E., Suite 701, Washington, DC (phone 202-833-8990, fax 202-833-8988, e-mail

).¢

September 27, 2000

Tne AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ THe SECOND FRONT page 7 [Page 8]

One HOT summer: Young Bahd‘s energize across US.

aha’i youth arose to new heights B this summer by participating in

dozens of regional and local teaching projects, as well as various activities abroad. Though too numerous to mention all of them, here are a few highlights:

Northeastern States. Youth participated in an intensive study of The Dawn-Breakers at Green Acre Baha’{ School. They later traveled to various locations to participate in local teaching initiatives.

Southern States. Ninety young Baha'is attended a six-day training conference in Florida before dispersing to cities throughout the South, where they joined local youths for several weeks of teaching and service activities organized by local Spiritual Assemblies.

Western States. More than 100 youths converged in Tucson, Arizona, for 14 days of intensive teaching. Several Baha’{ youth workshops, along with many other young people, joined forces

Guide ...

Office of Youth Affairs

Ts better meet the needs of a constantly evolving Baha’i community, the National Spiritual Assembly has created an Office of Youth Affairs at the National Center. This office builds on the foundation laid by the former National Youth Committee, whose work has been decentralized to the regional level through the creation of a variety of regional youth committees and desks.

Eric Horton, age 25, staffs the Office of Youth Affairs. Horton brings to the office two years of service on the National Youth Committee, on whose behalf he has served at the Baha’i National Center since May 1999.

The Office of Youth Affairs will work closely with the National Teaching Committee to conduct expert study and provide strategic advice to the National Spiritual Assembly and Regional Baha’i Councils on youth issues. It also will coordinate certain national programs, working closely with the el youth entities to ensure unity of thought and_ action in all youth activities throughout the country. Other responsibilities include administering the domestic _ Baha’i Youth Service Corps program Baha’i campus associations,

to bring the message of Baha'u'llah to the city. Efforts focused on South Tucson, and the project culminated in a large performing arts show drawing about 1,100 people. Central States. This region was blessed in several ways. The Spirit Run, which had begun in ttle, passed through in mid-July on its way to New York. Many local ners as they app House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. Drumming and chanting added to the spiritual intensity of the experience. ae so forth. Nearly 100 youths from J.8. arose in various international including I large contingents to Russia, Bulgaria and Canada. Furthermore, hundreds from the United States attended the International Baha’ Youth Congress in Canada, while many more attended the International Youth Congresses in Ecuador, lvador and the Dominican Republic. A dedicated group of youth also trav

~ “0 YE RICH ONES ON EARTH! in your midst are My trust; guard ye My

, and be not intent only on your own ease.” /—Baha’u'llh, Hidden Word #54 from the Persian

lead...

free... awaken’

BY ERIC HORTON, OFFICE OF YOUTH AFFAIRS

he Baha’i writings indicate that it is

the role of youth to “guide the wayward, lead the hapless, free the captives and awaken the heedless” (quoted from a prayer by ‘Abdw’l-Baha). It is on their shoulders that the Master has laid the principal responsibility of teaching. In a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi we find that “the Baha’{ youth constitute the main active element in the Cause.” This concept is stressed again and again in messages from the Universal House of Justice.

With a bold vision for the redemption of the entire planet, Baha’i youth participate in a wide variety of activities, including conferences, workshops, teaching and service projects, and systematic programs for the study of the Faith. These are important and essential components for the mobilization of youth. The momentum of these activities has steadily increased in recent years, with an espesurge during summer 2000. ss-oriented development of often referred to as a “youth movement.” A movement is more than a specific event or project, or even a long-term plan of action, and is made up of many individuals and groups. It is constantly evolving, building on the efforts of all who have gone before, and paving the way for future developments. Tt includes all the activities of Bahd’f youth, and is happening throughout the planet, as youth everywhere work to bring an entire generation one step closer to Baha’u'llih.

eled through the Central and Southern Si as part of the “Dawning of a New Light” project.

‘The challenge now is to continue the momentum gained over the summer, and to intensify our individual and collective efforts as we enter another academic year, which presents us with countless opportunities to serve our beloved Faith.

Encouragement to Baha’i youth from the Universal House of Justice (from July 20, 2000, letter to the Friends gathered at the youth conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, July 2-24)

“Be not dismayed if your endeavors are dismissed as utopian by the voices that would oppose any suggestion of fundamental change. Trust in the capacity of this generation to disentangle itself from the embroilments of a divided world. To discharge your responsibilities, you will have to show forth courage, the courage of those who cling to standards of rectitude, who champion the cause of justice, whose lives are characterized by purity of thought and action, and whose purpose is directed by love and indomitable faith.”

Bridging generations

For the second year, the youth of Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, organized an out-of-the-ordinary celebration of the 12th Day of Ridvan: a trip to a botanical garden with the community’s elder Baha’is as honored guests. In addition to regular efforts to build bridges between Baha’is of all generations, the Radnor youth gather monthly for dinner and fellowship.

Youth Committees in every U.S. region

Central States

Regional Youth Committee of the

Central States serving: Kansas, Nebraska, lowa and Missouri:

e-mail IMlinois and Indiana: e-mail Michigan and Ohio: e-mail North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota and

Upper Peninsula of Michigan:

e-mail

Northeastern States

Northeast Regional Baha’i Youth Committee: e-mail

Ad ht

COLLEGE §

Stand up and be counted!

One Baha’i representative from each university

and college in the United States is requested to register with the Office of Youth Affairs. You can find out more on the U.S. Baha’i Administrative Web Site (www.usbnc.org), or by contacting us:

Southern States Southern Regional Youth Coordinating Team: e-mail Western States Youth Office for the Western States: e-mail Youth & Children’s Desks: Children: e-mail College Clubs: e-mail Junior & Senior High School: e-mail Youth Traveling Teaching, Homefront Pioneering and Year of Service: e-mail Youth Workshop: e-mail

INTION

Office of Youth Affairs Baha'i National Center 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201 phone 847-733-3499 e-mail

page e THe AMERICAN Bana’i . Youtn September 27, 2000 [Page 9]

call us °

000-999-9019

Writin;

6%" x 9%", 1,368 pp.

Writings and Utterances of ‘Abdu'l-Babd is a compilation, in a single volume, of almost all the writings and talks of our beloved Master available in English. The book consists of two sections to allow for division between writings and talks. This anthology of ‘Abdu’lBaha’s writings in English is most gratefully welcomed as we strive to emulate His life through the study and application of His

that are “boundless in wisdom, consummate in form, generous and loving in spirit, and rich in significance.”

• toll free

Book 1: Ages 5-6 (BEC!) 58 pp.

Book 2: Age 7 (BEC2) 64 pp. Book 3: Age 8 (BEC3) 70 pp.

In light of the special focus given to us in the Ridvin 2000 message, this series of books provides yet another welcomed tool for educating children of various ages. Created years ago by the Hand of the Cause of God ‘Alf-Akbar Furttan, and later translated and revised with his permission, these lessons include Baha’f quotes regarding the education of children, lesson plans and lesson reviews.

SA" x BA"

FOR CHILDREN

One day Sally is invited to play with her friends. Her mother encourages her to have fun but to be careful with her new coat. Yet, during a game of tag, her coat is accidentally torn. In order to avoid her mother’s anger, she and her friends imaginatively create potential stories. After fabricating a great number of incredible scenarios, Sally must decide what to tell her mother. The story concludes with quotes from various sacred scriptures regarding truthfulness.

8%" x 5%", 40 pp.

i gs illustrated by Anja Shanmugampillat

$10.95 HC (RWBGBH) —

$6.95 SC (RWBGBS)

38 beautiful gems from the writings

are combined with wonderful illustrations depicting a child, seated and reading the writings, against a variety of settings that span the globe. These selected writings, covering a wide range of subjects, are of ideal length for memorization. 4%" x 6h", 48 pp.

September 27, 2000 Tue American BanA’i * BanA’i DistRiBuTION SERVICE

page 9

[Page 10]$6.00 each = $300 — $5.00 each = $375 — $4.00 each = $400

luals and communities engaged in 5 tive or interacting with seekers _who wish to have comnts access to fins greatly

professionally ted audio, 25 minutes of video, ripen of the . Ae Projects, text from the Central Figures, including excerpts from the Kitab-i-Aqdas and Some Ai red Questions as well as messages of the Universal House of Justice including The Promise of World Peace. Ideal for presentations to newspapers, TV . stations, religious leaders or university and local libraries. Provides a dignified elatives, for computer fires bulk.CDs do not

_ announce that these successful ee activities have been | released for general distribution through BDS. The flow of | activities within each series is designed to help. children meet —

~~ “knowledge,” “wisdom,” “spiritual perception” and reaeel speech” objectives. Each series of activities may be carried out over the span of several hours, or over several class periods. We are confident these will make a most valuable addition to your formal and informal children’s

Bahd’u’llah — ‘ $13.00 SC (CCLAB) BA"xI 8A" x 11", 140 pp.

The Bab $12.00 SC (CCLABAB)

[Page 11]

SN

“SA HAT DISTRIBUTION- SERVICE CO

| $5. 00 SC (SCWWM) Dr. Chew’s work documents in scrupulous Fescicied

_ detail a now half-forgotten and underappreciated

- movement in Singapore, which struggled for women’s — betterment throughout the 1950s. Based on interviews,

2 troduction

| the Bahs"f Faith and proceeds with a useful table of contents _ - detailing the 300+ items related to life, death and afterlife as

| taken from the Baha’ sacred writings, the Qur’{n and the

Old and New Testaments. The Glorious Journey to God is an

pay letters and records from the Singapore Council of Women, this inspiring fd for one seeking individual enlightenment on the topic and is a account documents the history of the women’s movement in Singapore, in most useful reference for one searching for the right words to console a grieving which Shirin Fozdar, a Baha’i, played a significant role. friend of any religion.

x 9A", 38 pp. Si" x 8%", 258 pp.

| Grant Hindin Miller —

| Based on the true story of pa 19*-Century Legend

starring Tadia

music by Ellis Hall

| $16.99 CD (WHWCD) ;

| Many audiences have had the bounty of experiencing

__ this remarkable theatrical music drama based upon

a story of Thirih. From the show’s breathtaking opening to the dramatic and triumphant conclusion, this production is exceptional

__ for its clarity and its presence. The lush music soundtrack and songs are adapted from Thirih’s poems from over 150 years ago.

___ by Mr. Miller as well as other ad Sacred Verses is a most reverent diverse x

Solace of the Eyes _ Songs of Tahirih Tadia

| music composed by M, S. Rice & Elis Hall

$14.99 CD (SOECD)

_ This enchanting and compelling production feat

songs from the musical drama 4 Woman and Her

s = “Words (also reviewed in this issue) that features the

In Quest of the Beloved ae inspired voice of Tadia. With haunting power and The Seven Valleys and other selections intellectual mystery, she brings to life the poetry of Téhirih. Continuum

1 from the writings of Baha’u’llah Magazine called Solace of the Eyes “entrancing, commanding, aay

recited by Lisa Fanti passionate. ... Powerful poetry sung beautifully.”

music by Bob Alcivar

-\ $15.00 CD (QBCD)

_ These selections from the writings of Baha’u’llah

__ represent some of the most inspirational and

mystical verses from His vast Revelation. The

Aclehae have been taken from The Seven Valleys, The Four

Valleys, Gleanings and the Hidden Words. Lisa Janti is the executive

producer of U.P. Inc., an arts and education organization for youth. Bob

Alcivar is a Grammy- and Golden Globe-nominated producer and arranger.

‘Together they have created a wonderful mix in which the spoken word and

original music interact in a uniquely beautiful and dynamic way.

Beyond This World Mansoor Sobhani $15.00 CD (TWCD)

Whether chanting a prayer by Baha’u’llsh or singing a heartfelt rendition of “Dastam Begir ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,” Mr, Sobhani empowers each familiar piece with his

radiant spirit. Many selections are accompanied by

santour. Prayers also include “The Healing Prayer” “and “Is There Any Remover of Difficulties.”

SEE TO CODE TITLE QUANTITY | COST EACH | TOTAL DAYTIME TELEPHONE #(—) BILLTO UNITED STATES: ADD 10% (MIN. $4.00, MAX. $10.00) ous AL CANADA: ADD 15% (MIN. $4.00) SHIPPING INTERNATIONAL: ADD 40% (MIN. $5.00,VIA AIR MAIL ONLY) SALES TAX CREDIT CARD # SALES TAX: SHIPMENTS TO GEORGIA ADDRESSES APPLY APPROPRIATE SALES TAX TOTAL EXP. DATE SIGNATURE Baha’i Distribution Service * 4703 Fulton Industrial Bivd. » Atlanta, GA 30336 NAME AS IT APPEARS ON CREDIT CARD. ii call us + 800-999-9019 + toll free ]

i

September 27,2000 Tne American Band’ » BanA’i Distamunion Service _— page I! [Page 12]

+ Make training institutes fully operational

On the next Baha'i Newsreel

Watch it at your local Feast of ‘Ilm, Oct. 15-16

+ Watch as the Baha’is of College Station, Texas, rally around their local teaching plan to advance the process of entry by troops.

(A video view of the front page story from The American Bahd’i, July 13, 2000.)

Photo by Duane Troxel °

See the mobilization of the youth of the South, as they participate in a region-wide summer teaching initiative that brought in more than 60 new believers. (Even more details will appear in the Nov. 4, 2000, issue of The American Bahd’i, along with a report on an amazing youth teaching project in the West.)

• Experience the momentum of the

Spirit Run, fueled by the dream of one Baha’i and the collaboration of local, regional and national institutions. (See also the story ‘on page 7, this issue.)

Witness the power of individual initiative, as illustrated by the Day of Honor Campaign and the Children’s Theater Company. Finally, see how every man, woman and child can contribute his or her share to build the Kingdom of God on Earth.

The disappearance of distances

Commentary: Contacts at Templ

BY CYNTHIA MCKENZIE, HIGHLAND PARK, IL

s I hung my volunteer guide’s At around my neck and start ed my Sunday afternoon shift at the Baha’i House of Worship Visitors’ Center in Wilmette, I felt the world shrink around me.

Although I live only 15 miles from the ‘Temple, I get there to volunteer much less often than I should. That 15 mil like the distance to the nearest because of my home respo! as far as the closest y volved with Baha'i community duties. But the real truth is—living so close, I take the House of Worship for granted.

Two fellow guides quickly opened my eyes to how far my 15 miles away shouldn't be.

Tania Steele and her friend Elba s drove all the way from their Brooklyn, New York, to volunteer a week of service. They even brought their children, who quietly played in the background all afternoon. ‘Tania told me that before she got to Wil

mette, she felt unworthy to volunteer’

and would willingly have swept floors or washed walls—whatever was needed. She was thrilled when she was asked to greet visitors and share the Faith.

Prayers and tears

Her crowning moment was reading prayers upstairs during devotions. Standing alone at the dais with reverent tears clouding her eyes, she barely saw the words on the page. She told me that, at that moment, she felt like a queen with the angels in heaven watching. ‘Tania wished all her loved ones in New York could see her.

Tania and Elba stayed at a hotel 45 minutes’ drive from the House of Worship. Elba found herself completely rededicated to service and teaching in Brooklyn after her uplifting experience that week.

Here were two faithful, dedicated volunteers who drove 1,000 miles to serve the Faith. Was I ever ashamed of my reluctance to take that 15-mile trek!

\

le provide perspective on sacrifice

=

Tania Steele (from left), Wesley Baker, Jane Goldstone, Arisa Goldstone and Elba Daniels pose at the Baha’i House of Worship Visitors’ Center. Photo by Viadimir Shilo

But moments later relative distances shrunk even more drastically when a charming lady from Japan approached us with her teen-age daughter. She had a question about a computer printout from the Internet which she used to plan her visit to the House of Worship. She pointed out a scheduled 2 p.m. event. “Where is it being held?” The miles between Tokyo and Wilmette were eystroke and a millisecond. Jane Hiroko Nishi Goldstone and her lovely daughter Arisa Goldstone were directed to the Sunday Fellowship meeting led by Wesley Baker in the Viewing Room.

Wesley, formerly of Seattle, Washington, and Alton, Illinois, is no stranger to long distances. He was serving at our House of Worship as part of a 12-month trip taking him to all the Baha'i Houses of Worship around the world. He plans to volunteer at each blessed spot for two months before returning to his adopted home of Uganda. His singing and speaking that afternoon were inspirational.

Just as he finished, a busload of distinguished-looking Asian men entered the Visitors’ Center with an energetic tour leader speaking Chinese to them. They caught Jane Goldstone’s eye and she was transformed from visitor to Temple volunteer in that flash. She is a translator, fluent in Japanese and English, and has knowledge of Chinese. So she grabbed

free Chinese-language Baha'i brochures from the wall display and fell in quietly behind the tour. She didn’t need to say a word to them because the group’s tour leader was doing an excellent job explaining the Ba Faith to these touring medical doctors—and the visitors had found the brochures themselves.

One doctor told Jane and me that this was the first time their tour included our place of worship. We were so pleased to know that these important men will take back to China an accurate impression of the House of Worship and our Faith.

A shrinking world

How small was the world that day? My friend Vladimir Shilov—a fairly recent immigrant from Russia and frequent photographer at the House of Worship—took a picture of our group: Tania and Elba from New York, Jane and Arisa from Japan, Wesley from Africa and me from just 15 miles away!

Einstein discovered time is relative, but I discovered distance is too.

Sometimes the world is just a willing heart and a short drive away. @

If you are planning a trip to the Chicago area and would like to volunteer at the House of Worship, contact the Activities Office (phone 847-8532300, e-mail »

Southern States Council plans region-wide conference

ae Regional Baha’{ Council of the southern States has organized its first-ever region-wide conference for Baha’is and their guests, “A Celebration of the South,” Nov. 23-26 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.

With the theme “Linking Our Hearts to Bah@’u’lléh,” the conference is intended to strengthen the believers’ bonds of love and obedience to the Blessed Beauty, and to reinforce their

consecration to service to His Cause in preparation for the Five Year Plan and the new century.

It will focus on the primary themes of the One Year Plan, as called for by the Universal House of Justice:

• Systematizing teaching efforts.

• Fully developing the network of training institutes.

• Addressing the needs of junior youth

and children.

Hotel rooms are available at a dis counted rate: $70 per night plus tax for a room that will accommodate up to four. ‘To reserve a room, contact the Renaissance Nashville Hotel (phone 800-327-6618 or 615-255-8400) by Noy. 2 and ask for the Baha’i Conference rate. Rooms may reserved with a credit or debit card.

For details and updates, check the Regional Councils section of the Administrative Web Site (www.usbne.org). #

Pee AUTON SOL

page 12

Tre AMERICAN BanA’i * NATIONAL TEACHING PLAN

‘September 27, 2000 [Page 13]

TRAINING

INSTITUTES

New confidence in teaching

‘Christians’ course earns ‘A’ in its test run

BY BARBARA McCORD, EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS OFFICE

n young Southern Califor became the first contingent of i in the new course Teaching ians Through the Use of the Holy

had) helpediche Schools Offic part of the da aren Ve

ckling the material— king 2 notes, looking up every in their Bibles, loving the art and the m: ching roleplaying activit Among the trainees’ comments:

• “This is so importa ant, SO urgent!”

is so well-org: ¢ “T always avoided Christians before bee: I didn’t know what to say. Now I feel I can talk with them.” “My God! I know things that almost no one el: ar-old who has b ating the Faith for

a few months, as the magnitude of the e later

Revelation was striking her. asked, “Do the adults who get to do all these ac doing?”

Origin of the course ‘The course was adapted from materials originally developed and presented in Northwest by David Young. “The Natio: al Assembly recognized the su of Dr. Young’s ch to the Bible

sed format that can be readily all over the country,” said Joannie Yuille, a member of the Education Task Force.

Young, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, said, “Since 87 per cent of the population out there is Christianoriented or of Christian background, it’s vitally important that most Baha’fs, virtually all Baha eed to be able to handle the most common questions that Christians are going to ask u

Those common questions, he said, are heard from Christians of every background. And they can be answered effectively from our Writings, if we keep in mind that we are fellow believers in Christ and in the Bible.

Left to right: Conference coordinator Karen Olin Parrish, Melanie King, Victoria Sannella, Sophia McDonald, Anne Zinke, Josh Johnston and Jenara Nerenberg discuss an aspect of the new course material on how to share the Faith with Christians.

Fundamental Verities Part IV: Teaching Christians Through the Use of the Holy Books, a course developed by the National Spiritual

Assembly, is available for $8 through the Baha’i Distribution Service (phone 800999-9019). Materials include looseleaf-style pages that can be copied as workbooks and handouts for participants.

The course is based on Teaching Christians More Effectively, the vibrant workshops designed by David Young, National Spiritual Assembly member. It is designed for ease of implementation and especially for use by regional training institutes. It evokes the spirit of the Faith while giving Baha’is—pre-youth through adults—basic knowledge of its principles.

Based on the Sacred Writings, the course utilizes a learning model built to develop a person’s knowledge, wisdom, spiritual perception and eloquent speech through in-depth exposure to the Writings.

The same reasons that lead people to accept Christ, the Bible and Christianity will also them to accept Baha’u’llah and the Baha’ Revelation, he added.

“This is exactly the line Baha’u’llah takes in using the models principles He does in the Kitéb-i-[qs to prove to a true seeker that in fact the Bahé h is the same religion. Baha’u'lléh says, ‘This is the change

“Since 87 percent of the population out there is Christianoriented or of Christian background ... virtually all Baha’is need to be able to handle the most common questions that Christians are

ing the Faith directly.”

‘The group staffed an information booth at a local beach one afternoon, then staffed another at a popular weekly farmer’s market in a college town.

Parrish said the young teachers felt very empowered to speak to peo

ple—including a Mormon, some atheists and a

born-again Christian, among others. “The youth be

less Faith of God, going to ask us.” came very excited eternal in the past, —David Young when they were eternal in the fu- asked the exact ture.’” same ques’

H ded, in the words of ‘Abdu’l- they had just covered in class!” she

Baha: “For the foundations of Christianity and the religion of Baha'u'llah are one. The foundations of all the divine Prophets and Holy Books are one.”

Classes, then action

In the five-day test run, Parrish adapted the course materials to a daily schedule of two classes, two hours each.

The group immediately put their training into practice each day with teaching activities. “We were out in public, wearing Baha’s ‘T-shir love and unity on four o rish said. “Two of those times were purely for fun, and two involved teach

Feeding the success of this conference was the strong support offered by many nearby Baha'i communities.

Funds donated by local communities reduced the youth attendance fees by half. In addition, adults from many localities contributed time and effort: preparing meals, organizing a beach cookout, providing mat for teaching events, doing laundry, buying groceries and doing other support tasks.

One extremely hot afternoon some adults offered to take the students to a beach. “But the youth declined and wanted to keep working!” Parrish enthused. @

Wilmettelnstitute

Distance Learning Courses: Bah4'i Theology; the Qur'an

Baha’i Theology, Nov. 1, 2000-Jan. 31, 2001

This course will explore the Baha’i epts of God, the Manifestation of ne revelation, the nature of human beings, and the nature and purpose of phy: ation. From these flow two related ideas: the Baha’{ concepts of the nature and purpose of the ates closely to the naf life) and of the jates to the idea of

progressive rev

All these fascinating and profound be explored through readiscussion and conference 2 will provide a Baha’f with an understanding of some of the Faith’s most important and basic, but less understood, teachings. Designed for most adult Baha'is. Tuition: $150*

The Qur’n, Dec. 1, 2000-Feb. 28, 2001

‘This course will provide Baha’fs with an ideal opportunity to familiarize themselves with the holy book of Islam, described by the Guardian as the only “absolutely authenticated Repository of the Word of God” before the writings of the Bab and Baha’u'lléh. Details will be available in futur s of The American Baba’.

The Kitab-i-Iqan, Sept.1 Registration for this open through the end of long as is available. The course will not be offered again until 2002. Tuition: $150*

• 20% discounts apply to local study

groups of three or more

All courses include e-mail listservers for students and faculty, regular conference calls, systematic lesson plans and a wide variety of learning projects to apply in your local community. All courses are available at an introductory, intermediate (college-level) or advanced (graduate) level. Financial aid is available for students unable to pay full tuition.

THE WILMETTE INSTITUTE 536 Sheridan Road Wilmette, IL 60091

Phone/fax: 877-WILMETTE (toll-free) E-mail: Web site: www.wilmetteinstitute.org The Web site is secure for accepting _

September,27, 2000. THE AmERICAY BANA’ » NATIONAL, TEACHING PL.

[Page 14]

ARISING TO TRAVEL FOR THE FAITH

Regions build teaching networks

BY MARILYN RAY, CENTRAL STATES TRAVELING TEACHING COORDINATOR

‘ould you like to have a visitor?

Do you need some Baha'i love and contact? Give your traveling teaching coordinator a call!

Does your community have an upcoming service project, proclamation event or teaching effort that could use some extra manpower? Give your traveling teaching coordinator a call!

Would you like to be part of a network of Baha’is who will offer hospitality to Baha'i traveling teachers? Give your traveling teaching coordinator a call!

Do you need forms to volunteer for traveling teaching, or to ask for travelers to come to your community? Look on the Adm tive Web Site (www.usbne.org) if you plan to travel in the Western or Central States, or ... give your traveling teaching coordinator a call!

Traveling teaching coordinators across the country have helped hundreds of Baha’fs travel through every region. The work they facilitate ranges from simple isits without formal programs to very complex media events.

The result:

• Invigoration of communities.

• Individuals arising to new levels of activity.

• Greater cohesion within communitie:

• Help with bigger projects from all

over a state.

One small community in Kansas was raised to Assembly status, due largely to the effect of several traveling teachers passing through the town. People in an

The Baha’i dance troupe Espiritu de Esperanza from Vermont performs recently in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. The Northeastern States, for more than a year, have had an organized, active network of traveling teachers. Photo by Kirk E. Felix

other state were seen at Unit Convention for the first time, after a family of traveling teachers touched their hearts. In St. Louis, Missouri, a Baha’i choir has been invited repeatedly to perform at churches. There have even been reunions of hosts of certain traveling teachers, to remini: about how wonderful it was to have them!

Remember the countless exhortations of the Master, including:

“Teachers must continually travel to all parts of the continent, nay, rather, to all parts of the world, but they must travel like ‘Abdu'l-Bahd, who journeyed throughout the cities of America. He sanctified and free from every attachment and in the utmost severance. Just as His Holiness C says: Shake off the very dust from your feet.” From a ‘Tablet of the Divine Plan to the United States and Canada

Would you like to bring joy to the

In the Central States: State traveling teaching coordinators (TTCs) are ~ forming networks of friends willing to host traveling teachers—for some_ thing as simple as a cup of coffee or __ housing a teacher for a night, or more _ complex tasks such as organizing a dinner or arranging publicity. The Regional Baha’i Council has asked each

Assembly and group to appoint a TTC

contact person to assist planning for

traveling teaching and local events.

In the Western States: Whether

you are an artist, orator, poet or mu sician, the West needs your love of

Baha’u’llah to infuse the “breath of

life” into the waiting souls within our

region! State traveling teaching coordinators look forward to hearing of:

• Your traveling teaching plans at

any stage, even if you have already carried them out.

• Your community’s future teaching

activities (and people to contact locally about them).

In the Southern States: The

Southern Regional Traveling Teaching

Team has formed a network of state

and metro area traveling teaching co ordinators throughout the South.

Names of the coordinators are avail able from the Regional Team and

eventually will be distributed to

Assemblies and registered groups.

t of ‘Abdu'l-Baha and facilitate travcling teaching? Give your traveling teaching coordinator a call! #

The below goals and opportunities have been designated or reviewed by agencies of the Regional Baha’ Councils.

Northeastern States S.0.S ave our Smithtown, New York, Assembly of 22 Our community has eight active s. On the North

memby hore of

Long Island, Smithtown offers

excellent schools and a

nearby

state sity and community

Arkansas: Fort Smith Pine Buf Florida: Daytona Beach, Hialeah,

S. Helbourne, Miami, Pensacola, Sarasota, West Palm Beach

Georgia: Albany

Kentucky: Owensboro

Louisiana: Bosier (ity, Kenner, Lake Charles, Honroe

listed at

ight.

‘The Regional Baha’

Southern Regional Traveling ‘Teaching and Homefront Pionecring Coordination Team

Western States

Souncil has

put emphasis on Assembly goals

Havre, Helena, Kalispell, Lewis and (lark Co, Northern Cheyenne Reservation’, St Ignatius, » Yellowstone County; Assembly communities seeking support: Bilings, Bozeman, Bute-Siver Bow, Missoula County, aval County Nevada: Boulder City, Churchill Co, lyon Co, Pahrump, Winchester

college; 14-hour commute to New York City offers emplo

Our industrial park

nent opportunities

ields. We have bea ing. Contact

Mildred Moore,

(phone or ). Urgently needed: Spanish speak ing traveling teacher for New Cassel (Long Island, New York). Please contact the community (phone 516-747-5853).

Southern States ‘The Regional Council has placed top priority for homefront pioneering on cities with populations of 50,000 or more and no Local Spiritual Assembly in March 2000.

North Carolina: Gastonia Oklahoma: Broken Arrow

South Carolina: North Charleston Tennessee: Jackson

Texas: Baytown, Beaumont, Galveston, Killeen, Laredo, Longview, Mesquite, Odessa, San Angelo

Virginia: Danville, lynchburg, Portsmouth, Suit

+ West Virginia: Huntington

Miami, Florida, with a highly developed tou three univer

industry, has

, an excellent transportation system with coun

tywide bus service and rail rapid transit, Despite a population of 480,000, there is no Local Spiritual Assembly. An ideal pioneer would be fluent in English and Spanish, because the city is 60% Hispanic. Please contact the

in the seven “breath of life” states designated by ‘Abdu’l Bahé in the Tablets of the Divine Plan: Arizona, Idaho, Montan Nevada, New Mexico, Ut Wyoming. Goal localities

nd

include the following (complete list on www.usbne.org). For communities on Indian reservations (marked with *), ntact the American Indian

regional traveling teaching homefront pioneering coordina tor listed at right.

+ Arizona: Apache Junction, Bapchule District", Buckeye, Chino Valley, Goodyear, Kingman, Houck Chapter, Suprise, Tolleson

+ Idaho: Ada Co, Fort Hall Indian Reservation*, Kootenai Co., Meridian

+ Montana: Blackfeet Indian Reservaton*, Grow Agency’, Fathead County, Great Falls,

New Mexico: Artesia, Deming, Grants, Jicarila Apache Reservation, Los Lunas, Lovington, Luna Co., Mountainair,

Rio Arriba Co., Shiprock Chapter*, Socorro Utah: Bountiful, Centerville Farmington, La Yerkn, Layton, Midvale, Ogden, Roy, VintahOuray’; Assembly community seeking support: West Yale City Wyoming: (asper, Cod, illete, Laramie County, Newcastle, Rawlins, Rock Springs, Weston County, Wind River Reservaton*; Assembly communities seeking support: Cheyenne, Laramie Colorado: 1 goal communities, indding jeopardized Assemblies in Lafayette, Manitou Springs

California: 42 goal communities, induding jeopardized Assembly in Sierra Hadre Oregon: 19 goal communities Washington: 40 goal communities; jopaudized Assembly in Washougal ®

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

The Office of Pioneering is friends preparing for interna

ger to assist the

ional service. For information regarding jobs and study abroad,

or international traveling teaching opportuni

ties and other events, please contact the

Office of Pioneering, Baha’i National Center,

entral St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone

847-733-3508, e-mail ts

Answers to frequent questions about serving internationally are posted on the Web (www.usbne.org, NSA Departments).

See page 27 to report an international trip.

HOMEFRONT. SERVICE

Detailed information to help those who wish to travel and teach or pioneer within the 48 contiguous states is available on the Administrative Web Site (wwW.usbnc.org), in the Regional Baha’i Councils section.

Northeastern States

To inquire about locating as a bomefront pioneer, contact the Northeast Regional Baha'i Council secreta

‘y, Joel Nizin (phone , e-mail ). To inquire about traveling teaching, contact the traveling teaching coordinator, Diana Rouse Kaufman (phone , e-mail

).

Central States To inquire about locating as a bomefront pioneer, contact the Central Regional Baha’

Council secretary, Lynn Wieties (phone

,e-mail ) To inquire about traveling teaching, comact the appropriate state traveling teaching coor

dinator (list is available on www.usbne.org in

the Regional Councils section) or contact

Marilyn Ray (phone ).

, e-mi

Western States To inquire about locating as a homefront pioneer or about traveling teaching, contact the appropriate traveling teaching-homefront pio neering coordinator for each state (list available

on www.usbne.org in the Regional Councils section), or one of the regional coordinators:

‘Traveling teaching: Jan Sa

dy (phone , e-mail . Homefront pioneering: Flor Toloui,

, e-mail For information on American Indian reservations, contact the American Indian regional

(phone

traveling teaching-homefront pioneering coordinator, Helen Kiely, (phone , e-mail

»

Southern States To inquire about locating as a homefront pioneer or about traveling teaching, please con

tact the Southern Regional Traveling Te: and Homefront Pioneering Coordination ‘Team c/o Anne Jalali, secretary (phone

ching

, e-mail yor

Connie Donley,

(phone e-mail

page 14

The AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ NATIONAL TEACH

PLAN

September 27, 2000 [Page 15]MATURING COMMUNITIES

+ Encourage success of the Project

• Strengthen social and economic development

New director for Office of Women’s Affairs

asha Williams of Lansing,

Michigan, has been named director of the National Spiritual Assembly’s Office of Women’s Affairs

Established in 1998, the Office of Women’s Affairs will continue to serve as a center of research and expert advice on gender equality and trends affecting women, for the National Spiritual Assembly as well for regional and local Baha’ efforts.

To the Office of Women’s Affairs, Williams brings a passion for social justice. In the past, this passion has been expressed through the study of race relations, gender equality, and the environment, work with youth, exploration of the arts, and engagement in local community development. Academically, Williams has pursued this interest with degrees in music and intercultural studies, with particular focus on ethnomusicology and how the social constructions of race and gender intersect.

Williams was a dialogue facilitator with the Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience at Michigan State University, and before joining the Office of Women’s Affairs she served as assistant to the National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men.

The Office of Women’s Affairs was inaugurated with Juana Conrad, assistant secretary of the

“barn oe

National Spiritual Assembly, as di rector. The office has helped facilitate a number of equality activities, and produced the essay collection Common Journeys: Babd’t Women on Gender Equality as a result of a seminar on equality from the perspectives of women of various cultures.

The Office of Women’s Affairs

may be contacted at 416 S.

Butler Bivd., Lansing, MI

(phone 517-484-8371, e-mail a ).

BY TOM MENNILLO

here’s no denying that the theft of $30,000 in equipment was a blow to the One Human Fami

ly Workshops. It came at a time the fledgling Bah inspired social and economic

development project is struggling to establish a solid financial foundation.

1 spokesperson Katharine Day, i in West Roxbury, Massachuetts, OHF hasn’t faltered in its work of creating “pockets of peace” communities can carry forward:

¢ Its choral tour hardly skipped a beat after the July 26 theft outside Philadelphia motel.

Corporate and organizational seminars aimed at combating racism continue. These examine such topics as the abolitionist movement, b theology, self-expression and music as ministry.

Affiliated choirs have formed in six urban areas: Boston, Massachusetts; Columbus, Ohio; Conway/Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Durham, North Carolina; Madison/Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Chicago, Illinois. Plans are being made for performances this fall in Belgium and the recording of a CD for mass distribution.

A workshop on “Uniting the World One Heart at a Time” will be conducted at the development seminar preceding this December's Bah Conference on Social and Ec« Development for the Americas in Orlando, Florida, and performances will be given during the conference.

‘The nonprofit OHF was created three

y

ars ago under the direction of gospel singer/musician Erie Dozier, a Baha’ in Durham, North Carolina, along with friends Dilsey Davis of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Cara Williams of Jumbus, Ohio.

Its aim, as stated on its Web site (www.onehumanfamily.org), is to foster tion of racism, the uplift the African-American community, and the creation of a multifaith, multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-generational community.”

“the erad

ment of

Diversity on tour ‘The “multi” nature of OHF’s work was quite evident on the recent tour, its thi Venue:

included churches,

and major performance halls in northern Virginia, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York and Boston. A triumphant final performance was given at Green Acre Baha’{ School in Eliot, Maine.

aid the participation of many recognized Christian gospel singers—some of them featured soloists— wonderfully helps make performances more acceptable to people who might otherwise claim OHF doesn’t sing authentic gospel.

One Human Family Workshop Choir performances are envisioned as “a feast for the eyes as well as the ear, rendering blessings for the soul.” Photo courtesy of Cara Williams

It also illustrates a potential for unity in diversity that cannot be expressed in words alone.

One attendee in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, wrote that the concert “presented the most vivid real-life image of the one human family that I have ever witnessed.

. What a great gift to give to this city! hank you OHF and may God con: to guide and bless you on this most inspired effort!”

At each stop, the choir presented a spirit-filled concert “showcasing the linkage of African to African-American music ranging from the rhythms of African drums, to spirituals, to contemporary gospel, to a new form which fuses gospel with sounds originating from our neighbors of the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Middle East,” as the Web site puts it.

Many art forms Performances included not just music, but also dance, interpretive text and projected images, making them “a feast for the eyes as well as

. the ear and rendering lessons and blessings for the soul.” In addition, the touring choir conducted several gospel music workshops, affording ” audiences an opportunity to “sing pra together and learn more about the historic: nce of the

signific spirituals and gospel music.” ch workshop culminated in every

one taking to the stage to sing during that night’s concert.

“Some of the people there were experienced gospel singers, some were singing gospel for the first time, and some just had a general desire and passion to promote the oneness of humanity,” Dozier ‘The goal is really unity, and music is a means to attain it.”

said

And the results are consistently promising, with regard to the music as well as the underlying goal of unity.

Ve bring people together to show them what they can create in a short time with that goal in mind—to promote peace on the planet,” Dozier said.

Also performing and conducting workshops during the tour was a youth group presenting a “unifying and encouraging message to their peers through song,

The 93-person OHF entourage had many challenges during the tour, including a youth’s bout with food poisoning and the news that one of Dozier’s close relatives had passed away.

Crisis and victory

But it was in Philadelphia that the 93person entourage was most severely tested.

The morning after performing at Congregation Rodeph Shalom synagogue, tour members awoke at their motel to discover that their rented truck had been broken into, a large number of musical instruments and sound equipment stolen, and the vehicle rendered inoperable.

Thanks to Philadelphia’s police commissioner, who had enthusiastically attended the synagogue performance, multiple units soon were on the scene hering evidence.

The tour went on.

A Baha’f’s generous contribution allowed equipment to be rented for the

i rance in a large Boston hall. Other venues had sound equipment ilable in-house or were small enough for the choir to go without amplification.

Financial repercussions remain, how

ever. OHF charges tour members only about $300 each to help cover expense And contributions from event sponsors and free-will offerings have not made up the remainder of the tour’s $50,000 cost.

On top of that, insurance did not of equipment because the

cover the los:

vehicle itself was not stolen.

The Regional Baha’{ Councils of the Northeastern States and the Southern States e encouraged support for OHE. For more information contact the Spiritual Assembly of Durham, P.O. Box 51116, Durham, NC 27717.

In the longer term, Day said, the OHF board is looking to make its finances more sturdy. The non-profit’s 501(c)3 status should be achieved soon, she said, opening the door to some promised grants.

So, don’t be surprised if the OHF caravan rolls into your town sometime next ‘Too many connections are being made within the one human fami

summer.

Ae

dance, rap, poetry, and speech.” ly for this work to be abandoned. September 27, 2000 Tne American BanA’i + MATURI ING Communities page IS TA nln esyoe valS onncast cance © DA Cees at theme [Page 16-17]*MATURING*COMMUNITIES

n 1916 and 1917, ‘Abdu’l-Ba

steps in achieving that mission. As “chief trustees” of this Di

4 sent us His Tablets of the Divine Plan, establishing the mission of the American B:

community and directing our first

ine Plan, we have inescapable obligations to our Supreme Body, to our sister national communities and to each other, all across thi

spe cially blessed land. Our effort to meet these goals will, in and of itself, hasten the

advancement of the fortunes of our Faith.

Our capacity must expand to foster approach tional Spiritual Assembly of the Bah

Comprehensive Development Plan to take the American B:

next level of advancement, maturation and

on the spiritual foundation laid by ‘Abdu’ A financial commitment of $60 million over the next five

achieve the ini ves listed below.

This development plan’s goals represent investments in our future, and demand sac rifices above and beyond the regular contributions needed to carry on the annua

d accommodate dramatic growth, which i . Therefore, with the blessing of the Universal Hor

¢ of Justice, the Nates has desig { community to our to the Cause of Baha'u'llah, building Baha.

of the United S:

ened a

years is required to

operations of our national community and our ongoing commitments to the interna

tional Funds of the F

KINGDOM PROJECT FACTS |

COMPREHENSIVE |

Mashriqul-Adhkar The Mother Temple and Gardens: Temple Visitor Center Baha’i Home for the Aged

National Haztratul- cui Haziratu’l-Quds

Advancing the Process Entry by Troops Media Initiative

Baha’i Publishing Baha’i-Owned Schools

uilding the Kingdom: It’s Our Time is a development plan of a type never before launched by our National Spiritual Assembly. Therefore, it is only natural that questions arise. Here are answers to some frequent questions:

What is a pledge? A pledge is a voluntary commitment—a promise. Each person or institution prayerfully considers their own capacity in a spirit of sacrifice, then pledges the total amount that can be offered between now and Ridvan 2005. Is my pledge in addition to regular contributions?

Yes. The operational expenses of our Spiritual Assemblies, both national and local, continue and must be maintained.

Why are pledges being requested by Ridv4n 20027

The National Spiritual Assembly must proceed with some components of the Comprehensive Development Plan immediately. While others will be undertaken later, planning for them

KINGDOM PROJECT Office of the Treasurer 112 Linden Ave. Wilmette, IL 60091-2839

_ phone: 847-733-3521 e-mail:

relies on the knowledge that resources will be forthcoming from the friends as they unfold.

How do I make my pledge? Once you have decided the total amount you can pledge to contribute during these five years, enter that amount on a pledge card (they have been mailed to Baha'is nationwide). If you wish to complete your pledge before Ridvan 2005, write in that date. Indicate how you would like to fulfill your pledge: by check, credit card or automatic contribution. Fulfillment of the pledge should be made systematically, with portions paid either monthly, quarterly or yearly over the pledge period. Where can I get a pledge card?

Contact the Kingdom Project (address, phone and e-mail at left).

Yes. A check made out to “Kingdom Project” can be mailed to the Treasurer’s Office using any Treasurer’s envelope.

ingdom Project is part of the National Baha’i Fund.

BUILDING THE

INGDOM

IT’S OUR TIME

BY JAMES HUMPHREY

uilding profe can be a tough crowd to impress. But when n the construction and design business the House of Worship in Wilmette, they’re almost certain to 1 in love with the building all over again.

And it was more than the building that captivated an invited group of B:

chitects, engineers, contractors others during an Aug. 12 program. It was the loving and pr: al process that is

being crafted to ensure the building serves humanity for centuries to come. “There's a lot of spirituality in the

whole proces aid architect Massoud Mohadjeri of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His wife, Roya Tahiri Mohadjeri, also an architect, at the vision, research, consultation and innovations that were evident from the day’s “I can see the foundations of a new ation in this.”

About 25 professionals from across the country traveled to the hi and to see, touch and hear about the elements of our Assembly's efforts to serve the Mother Temple of the West—a building born of spiritual vision but vulnerable to the same forces of ture that attack all works of concrete, steel and

marveled

itors had nearly two decade: perspective on the effort, having been 1983 gathering of building pro

bdu’'l-Bahé gave our community a

unique, vital role to play in carrying out

the Divine Plan. Shoghi Effendi specified, during Srusade (1953-1963), financial reinherent in our continuing mis “On the members of the America Community, the envied custodians of a Divi Plan, the principal builders and defenders of 3 mighty Order and the recognized champions of an unspeakably glorious and precious Faith, a peculiar and inescapable responsibility must arily rest. Through their courage, their selfpa their fortitude .. through their generous a

to the enormous and ever-increasing financial needs of a world-encompassing, decade-long and admittedly strenuous enterprise, yond the shadow of a doubt, vindi to the leadership of this World Crusade.”

ie

nes

Amoz Eckerson, an employee at the Temple concrete studio, demonstrates techniques used in casting the decorative white concrete for the Temple’s exterior for building construction and design professionals. Photo by James Humphrey d

of Temple restoration from the mid’ 1980s through the early 1990s. multimillion-dollar campaign helped reverse the destruc in many of the wall panels, and prevent it

FOR THE

That

n from water seepage *

“FUTURE Carturms Oprontummes: Stravecic RESERVES

Our National Spiritual Assembly has. had the honor of supporting the work of the Universal House of Justice through support of specific projects in communi-~ ties around the world. These are often unforeseen opportunities to foster significant growth in vital ar of development. It has become extremely clear that itis critical to have adequate relable to arise to meet these needs and opportunities as they emerge both internationally and in our national community. During the current plan, our National Spiritual Assembly will create strategic reserves to ensure that we are able to respond quickly when the course of events creates such opportunities.

ture. It ted a vas ning for long-term ‘Temple upkeep.

“One delightful surp) was that the National Assembly

has adopted a lot of the recommendations from 1983,” said Teck Leng Chua, a Washington, DC-area concrete spt st. “Tt was particularly delightful to see the youth involved in the conservation of the Temple” during the summers, he said.

in the current phase of Temple conservation, as explained to the Aug. 12 gathering, include:

• Making s

pair or repl: the Temple’ decorative concrete stays faithful to the igns of architect Bourgeois from the 1920s, and to the visionary work of John Earley Studios, makers, of the origi nal concrete.

Crushing quartz for the decorative concrete to the precise sizes of sand

re all re

Loui

Estasusue an EncowMent

The Universal House of, in 1979 that “National blies should s ide

national properti ir becomes nece: ilable without creating isis for the national fund.

ties will not only be fostering Baha’i community lif

Our National Spiritual Assembly in trust a property portfolio that includes dozens of different properties

holds i

stice wrote itual Assemnnually in their budgets for the maintenance of that when a rery the funds will a sudden

- Well maintained and regularly used propermeans of but will add to the prestige and dignity of ‘aith in the eyes of the non-Baha’i

and gravel demanded for the purpose, now that an international search found reliable sources of the required white quartz.

• Devising entirely new techniques for

repairing the eroded “skin” of: the structure, to avoid casting new panels where possible. Replacing the deteriorated monumental s and retaining walls cling the building, over the course of several years. Restoring the 1951 garden designs of Hilbert Dahl pproved by Shoghi Effendi, and renewing the four and irrigation lines in each garden at the same time.

ains

alks, tours and videos conducted by the Temple Conservation Team—both and summer youth work

ly presented future plans and past work in all those areas. ed by the detail of the work been done,” said Massoud Firouzi, a contractor and engineer from San Diego, California. For example, he said, “They're so careful about using the right mixture of concrete to resemble the e: 1g MIX.’

Other efforts funded by the Kingdom Project were explained to the group by Treasurer's Offi : transformation of the National Hazfratu’l-Quds; plans to expand the Baha’ Home for the Aged, the Temple Visitors’ Center and the National Baha’{ Archives; and renovations at the permanent Bah: and institutes.

nationwide, which repre trust for future generations of Baha’is. he Wilhelm New Jersey, which was given to the Faith by the Hand of the Cause Roy Wilhelm. ‘Abdu’lstayed at this home and held a special gathering of the early believers during his visit to America, which is commemorated every year with the Souvenir Picnic. The Louis Gregory Institute in

property in T

South Carolina also h: spiritual endowment, including gifts. from Rihiyyih Khinum: dust from the

Shrine of the Bab and the Shrine of Baha’u’llah and rose petals from the the

Shrines which are buried on grounds. This special garden serve:

building at the Louis G.

Hemingway, South Carolina, is being rebuilt, and already has been re-roofed (below right).

| THE KINGDOM

PROJECT IN ACTION:

LOUIS G.GREGORY

-BAHA’[ INSTITUTE After being stripped virtually to its frame

(right), a principal

Gregory Institute in

But the Temple project itself clearly won the hearts of this group, which watched in fascination as quartz-based white concrete samples were mixed, molded and cosmetically prepared under a tent across the street from the House of Worship.

“When people visit and look at what we do here, they are really surprised at what's involved in the concrete-making proce: said Barbara Geiger, conservation coordinator. “Their reactions are, ‘Wow, so that’s where the money goes!’ They understand better all the steps we have to take, and they appreciate it more.

One structural engineer whose specialty is the study and prevention of corrosion in building materials, James Reinoehl of Columbus, Ohio, remarked that the ation Team has been “taking the right menting with minerals, casting and other preparation to r work is worthy of a House of Worship that “is going to last a thousand years.”

Noushin Ehsan, a licensed architect in New York City, praised the team for its “meticulous” research efforts, inspired by love for the building symbol of the Cause. “They’re really doing their homework from the bottom of their heart,” she

on

mixing, make sure the re]

the Ki ngdom Project itself catch Tike nue Proj

and meditation. It is our responsibility to e1 e and other properties and without interruption. The first step is to create 2 ment. The concept is amount of money is vested in order to produce a stea flow of interest income; that income is used to pay current expenses, leaving the invested sum, or “corpus,” of the endowment untouched. It will take years to build an endowment capable of fully supporting our annual property maintenance expenses. Therefore, we must begin the process of building a strong foundation for this endowment immediately. @

THE KINGDOM PROJECT IN ACTION: THE BAHA’{ ‘HOUSE OF WORSHIP

Stairsteps on the Temple’s outer walkway are demolished in favor of a relatively level, wheelchair-accessible walkway. Photo by Erik Andersen

A 10-foot-deep trench outside two-ninths of the circumference of the monumental stairs has been dug for staging of garden and terrace reconstruction on the north side. Photo by James

Humphrey

Anew concrete studio several miles north of the Temple stands ready for casting of new concrete panels, including replacement parts for the terraces and monumental stairs. Photo by Erik Anderson

page 16

Tne American BanA’i ¢ Maturinc Communrmies

September 27, 2000

September 27, 2000 Tue American BanA’i ¢ Maturinc Communes:

page I7

[Page 18]*“MATURING*COMMUNITIES®s

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Blossoming through the arts

INFORMATION FROM JENNIFER MURATORE, MODESTO, CA

DE about 200 young people into small groups, give them two hours

to translate teachings of the Baha’{ Faith into artistic expression—and watch the astonishing transformation.

That's what happened Aug. 13 in Merced, California, as 228 youths, children and adults gathered for a Baha'i youth conference on the theme “Striving for Unity: Baha'is of the Future.”

‘The conference’s sponsor was Project 99, a Baha’f social and economic development project mainly among Southeast Asians in California’s Central Valley. It was greatly assisted by a $1,000 grant from the Regional Baha’f Council for the Western States.

The project committee and artists from all over California planned the Merced gathering, almost entirely via email. Some of the planners did not meet until the day of the event.

A highlight was a keynote talk by Lao Chue Cha, a Hmong leader who has served on the National Spiritual Assembly of Laos.

Speaking in Hmong with an English translator, he told the young Baha’fs to be conscious in choosing their*friends in two ways—to associate with people who uphold the Baha’é way of life, and to seek out friends from a variety of ethnic groups.

Youths take PRIDE in Beijing activity

BY RUSSELL NORMAN, ESCONDIDO, CA

INE Baha’{ youths from California, Arizona antCslorade spent summer teaching Engs part of the Youth Delegation Cultu hange 2000 organized by the Pacific Rim Institute for Development and Education (PRIDE).

The youths, ages 15-22, began their trip June 27 with a four-day stay in Beijing, with visits to the Great Wall, the Ming ‘Tombs and thi mmer Palace, as well as giving presentations. The group then split up into three groups to serve in the cities of Yueyang, Changsha and Nantong.

In addition to teaching English to Chinese students in grades kindergarten through 12, they learned the guage, tai chi, kung fu, and basics of se cooking. The youths formed strong friendships with the people at the schools where they taught, and many say they plan on returning next summer.

Th are only a few of hundreds of impressions recorded by these wonderful youths and adult companio

“It seems as though everyon knows who we are—we have even been on the cover of several newspapers in Beijing! Just walking down the street is

nese

But at the heart of the conference were a variety of youth artistic workshops— choral, dance, drama, technology/media and graphic arts—and a Children’s Corner.

Children and youth had two hours to create something that would express spiritual principles through various art forms. The results were presented on stage that evening:

Drama workshop. Children and youth acted out The Giving Tree, a story by Shel Silverstein, as the story was read to the audience. The play showed how the tree served a boy as he grew—giving its fruit, providing its wood, and at the end serving as a comfortable seat even when it was reduced to a stump. The play reflected many Baha’s themes, and drew laughs and smiles even from those who didn’t speak English, but understood the message.

Graphic arts workshop. This group produced a 10-by-10-foot painting from a sketch produced before the conference. It depicts a young Hmong man and woman in traditional clothing in front of an enormous picture of the earth, overarched by a banner with the conference theme. Other youths created smaller paintings, and took turns ex

• plaining the theme of each painting.

Technology/media workshop. This workshop had the enormous challenge of designing a computerized presentation on the Faith and a video

presentation of the conference. This group circulated among the other workshops and interviewed participants.

Dance workshop. This group, ages 11 to 20, managed to learn the “abuse dance” in only two hours. The diversity of the group really hit attendees: Asian dancing together with black, white with Latino. Those who have worked with the Southeast Asians for a long time cried when they saw the Hmong youth included and actively participating with members of a youth workshop from Stockton.

Choral workshop. The grand finale performance felt to many like a beautiful, united worship service led by the youth. The workshop choir sang “We Are One” by Dan Seals. Then as they sang “God Above Me, God Behind Me, to My Left and to My Right,” the audience joined in the gestures that accompanied the song.

The arts were vital to the conference from the opening gathering led by emcee Marsha Gilpatrick, Auxiliary Board member for propagation. After an opening prayer, the audience was enrouraged to sing Bahd’i prayers projected onto a screen on stage.

This reverent beginning moved to a lively singalong, as the audience marched in place to “I Got that Baha’f Feeling Up in My Head, Down in My ‘Toes, All Over Me.”

The students, directors and adult assistants for this summer’s PRIDE service trip to China pause for an airport photo just before departing in late June.

an adventure. ... There are some amazing souls at this school! The children are all-wonderful ... so bright and shining! They work so incredibly hard, and they’re sooo cute! Going down the hall is hysterical ... all of the kids gather around and put little books and pens in our faces for our auto; is... th like celebrities Aria Bruss-Sachs “The generosity, love and respect the Baha’is and Chinese accorded each other, and the friendships they developed, are true testaments that we are one family and that we can share, appreciate and delight in our differences and truly love one another. It was a great

treat us

bounty to be with them and live in the reality that we may table of humanit ance, considers willing to try.” —Melody Reed Participants also praised the project as helping them develop skills in leadership and service as “peace am lors to the world.” It also helped train them to take part in future PRIDE and UNICEF ac

if we are

ion and respec

Ba di in Carlsbad, Calfornia, PRIDE an international nongovernmental ori ial consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. @

Special chance to gain U.S. visa

he U.S. Baha'i Refugee Office

wishes to notify the friends that the U.S. government will open its “Diversity Visa 2002” lottery between noon Monday, Oct. 2, through noon Wednesday, Nov. 1. All applications received before or after these dates will be disqualified regardless of when they are postmarked.

Each year the U.S. Diversity Visa program makes up to 50,000 permanent residency visas available to people meeting the eligibility requirements, giving many non-U.S. citizens the chance to gain residential statu: reduced waiting time. Visas are i ly chosen through a random computer-generated lottery drawing.

Applicants must have either a high school education or its equivalent or two years’ work experience within the past five years in an occupation requiring two years’ training or experience.

Eligibility is open to those born in any country except Canada, China (mainland-born and Macau), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam. People born in Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan or Northern Ireland are eligible.

Lottery “winners” will be notified

_ between May and July 2001 and will be - provided instructions at that time.

Application is free; there is no form.

Only one entry may be submitted by

each applicant; however, a husband

and wife each may submit their own application and include spouse and eligible children. Information must be

clearly written or typed on a blank sheet of paper, and must include:

• Full name of applicant (last, middle,

_ first; last name underlined).

| © Date and place of birth (city/town, _ district/county/province, nation).

_* Name of spouse and children under

21 (if any), with birthdates/places.

© Full current mailing address. '* Photograph of the applicant (nota pho a _ tocopy) measuring 14"x14" (3.7 cm),

"with the applicant’s name printed on

the back. The photo must be attached

to the application with clear tape—do

NOT use staples or paper clips.

_¢ Applicant’s signature.

Mail applications to: DV-2002 Program, Kentucky Consular Center, Lexington, KY (with ZIP code, see following), USA. The ZIP code will depend on where the applicant was

_ born: Africa, 41901; Asia, 41902; Europe, 41903; South America/Central America/Caribbean, 41904; Oceania, 41905; North America, 41906.

Visit the State Department's Web site | (http://travel.state.gov/dv2002vb.html) _ or call the National Visa Center 24-hour “hotline (900-884-8840; not-a toll-free number) for more information. #

page 18 Tne AMERICAN BanA’i * MATURING COMMUNITIES

SAD Dyke erable

Naveen we " easing?

esepteni pee 27,2000 [Page 19]

MATERIAL MEANS

Joy is integral in Huququ’llah offering

This article is the second in a series containing excerpts from the Codi the Law of Huqdqu’llah, revi: at the request of the Universal House of Justice and presented to the delegates to the 91st Baha’i National Convention in late April. It was prepared with reference to the compilation on Huqdqu’llah, which is available from the Baha’i Distribution Service.

he following is a preliminary attempt at codifying the informa tion in the Writings on the subject of Hugqtiqu'lléh. It should be emphasized, however, that the friends should not attempt to read into it an element of rigidity or total comprehe (As mentioned in the previous issue of The American Baba’, the fundamentals of y of Huqtiqu’llih are promulgated in '-Aqdas. Further elaboration of e to be found in other writTablets from s from Shoghi rsal House of

, mostly in response to questions -d by the friends. All these major references have been compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice and separately published.)

Tiserve My commandments, for

the love of My beauty.” —Baha'u'llah

The questions put to Bahé’u'lléh, the Master and Shoghi Effendi were from friends residing in places and times with infinitely simpler economic systems and relationships than those which obtain today. What can be learned from the:

must be con: undoubtedly « of Justice in evol y, for a long ti

ation, as necesto come.

A Bounty Granted by God God, while being wholly independent as in His bounty

given us this law, for the progress and promotion of the Cause depend on material means. Obedience to this law enables the believer to be firm and steadfast in the Covenant, provides a reward in every world of the worlds of

THE BAHA’{ FUNDS

Gift, estate planning coordinator brings variety of expertise

pee Solon of Winnetka, Illinois, is now serving gift and estate planning coordinator at the

National Center.

ter’s degrees in adn linguisti

Women for Internatio

United Nations.

on of Unive

background.

If your community would like Pamela Solon to present a workshop on the writing of a will and testament,

please contact her (phone is

She has raised a daughter, traveled internationally for the Baha’ Faith, and served for several years

Arbitration’s representative to the

Solon’s extensive volunteer work for charitable organizations such as Hadley School for the Blind, the Girl Scouts of America, the American Asa sity Women and the Baha’ Faith led her to an understanding and appreciation of the need for sustained, systematic charitable giving. Helping others in their passion for charitable giving presents an opportunity to serve humanity while utilizing her legal

God, and is a unique test of true faith. The Huqiqu'llah is to be offered joyfully and without hesitation. When the Hugqtiqu'llah is offered in this spirit it will impart prosperity and protection to the friends, purify their worldly possessions, and enable them and their offspring to benefit from the fruits of their endeavors. #

Next issue: Guidelines for computing one’s Huqdiqu’llah obligation.

Copies of the revised Codificaton of the Law of Huqdqu’llah, from which this article was excerpted, have been mailed to Baha’i communities across the country. Spiritual Assemblies and groups may photocopy this four-page document for distribution among the friends and for local deepening sessions.

Video- and audiotapes on Huqdqu’llah in Persian and English are available from Badiyan Productions, 21750 Byron Circle, Excelsior, MN 55331.

HUQUQU’LLAH

THE RIGHT OF GOD

Payments to Huqdqu’ll4h should be made to “The Baha’i Huqdqu’llah Trust” (please write your Baha’i identification number on your check) and sent to one of the Trustees:

• Amin Banani,

» fax 310-394-6167

+ Stephen Birkland,

phone » fax 651-490-7521 e-mail

• Sally Foo,

phone » fax 609-671-0740 e-mail + Daryush Haghighi, phone , fax 440-333-6938 e-mail + Elizabeth Martin, P.O. Box 178, Winnsboro, SC 29180 2 phone » fax 803-635-9982 e-mail Office of the Secretariat, Baha’i Hugiqu’llah Trust, (phone

» fax 440-333-6938,

e-mail e “

Charitable Gift Annuities

now offered by our National Spiritual Assembly as a gift-planning option

passing.

Solon is an attorney who worked toward her law degree in the United States and in Israel. She is certified international law, and holds mas stration and

Age This eight-page as brochure from the

nd Office of the

Treasurer contains some Baha’i teachings and practical advice on:

• Importance and

advantages of a will

• Five steps to creating a successful

will

Pea

• Checklist for preparing a will

• Burial instructions

» e-mail

• Bequests to the Baha’i Faith

Individual copies may be requested free. There is a nominal charge for ordering brochures in quantity.

tion of which are non-taxable. + A charitable income tax deduction for a

annuity is established.

‘an appreciated asset.

• Increased support of the Baha'i Fund.

Examples (based on a $10,000 annuity):

Age 60: Charitable deduction $3,782.30; annual lifetime annuity $660

Age 70: Charitable deduction $4,261.20; annual li ): Charitable deduction $4,907.40; annual lifetime annuity $920

• Guaranteed fixed payments for life, a por

portion of the gift in the year in which the

time annuity $750

Acharitable gift annuity is a contract between you, as the donor, and our National Spiritual Assembly—providing advantages for both.

Under a charitable gift annuity: Benefits:

• A donor irrevocably transfers funds to our

National Spiritual Assembly, which are in vested with other annuity funds.

+ Regular quarterly payments are made to you, the donor, for your lifetime.

+ The remainder of the annuity fund is trans- * Reduced capital gains taxes if funded with ferred to the Baha'i Fund after your

Requirements:

© Must be at least 60 years of age to enter into an annuity agreement with our National Spiritual Assembly.

• Must establish the annuity with a minimum

of $10,000.

• Must irrevocably transfer the funds.

+ Will receive a lifetime annuity payment.

Not yet licensed in Arkansas, California, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin

The National Spiritual Assembly's Gift and Estate Planning Program

has been estab- —_* Providing for the Baha’j Faith lished to help _in your will believers make a —* Making a gift of securities variety of finan- * Making a gift of real estate cial arrange- _* Making a gift through life ments for them- insurance selves, their Receiving income from your gift: families and the — * Charitable Gift Annuities Baha’i Faith: * Charitable Remainder Trusts

To order The Writing of a Will or to find out more

about the gift and estate planning program:

• Phone 847-733-3466 / e-mail
• Or, fill out the form with the Baha’i Funds envelope

attached to this paper.

September 27, 2000 Tue American BanA’i * Maturinc Communes

‘Page 19 [Page 20]

AND COMMUNITIES “Y * Foster love, happiness and 4p pS spiritual dean

• Insure children and junior youth

acquire spiritual virtues and are free of prejudice

• Foster devotional life of individuals and community

‘Cultivating

Distinction

A national program of focused study in 2000

The study material for July through December

includes these six letters from the book

The World Order of Baha'u'llah:

• The World Order of Baha’u’llah

• The World Order of Baha’u’llah:

Further Considerations

• The Goal of a New World Order

• The Golden Age of the Cause of

Baha’u’llah

• America and the Most Great Peace

• The Unfoldment of World .

Civilization

Sparks of faith for junior youth

Development programs open a number of eyes across Western States

ore than 100 young people gained a great boost in their personal relationships with

Baha'u'llah, through jun outh development programs held in four Western states between June 23 and July 9. ‘our youths were the main facilitators, ing 3,000 miles to carry out the project, sponsored by the Regional Baha'i Council for the Western

“It was so uplifting that it brought tears to my eyes,” junior youth Ale: dria Thor ed after participating in the program in Reno, Nevada. “I will devote my life to the Faith and try to study it as much as I can.”

Other locations for the’ program were

Salt Lake C alifornia; and veral communities in Oregon. The four youth facilitators

| from Los Angeles and Pasadena,

Junior youths are at an age when “their hearts and minds are very open,” noted Mona Kashani and Zack Heern, who initiated the project. “They can recognize the fierce problems existing in the world, yet still young enough to possess the purity that allows them to accept the principles of the Faith.”

Inspiration for the project came from a

Remembrances renewed Descendants of Knoblochs, Hannens gather for tribute

INFORMATION FROM JUDY HANNEN MOE, ROCKFORD,

arly in the 20th century, the

Knobloch family of Washington, DC—mother Amalie, sisters Fanny and Alma Knobloch and Pauline Hannen with her husband, Joseph—were Baha’i teachers of. distinction that ‘Abdu’lrevealed numerous Tablets to them. He had encouraged the friends to read one of them at Amalie’s grav

But over the years, the graves the Knoblochs a Hannens at Prospect Hills Cemetery had lost all markings.

Some of their descendants banded together recently to set things right—and, in many cases, to get to know each other for the first time.

Eighteen of those descendants came together July 8 in Washington for a memorial service dedicating a new headstone listing nine members of the Hannen-Knobloch family buried at Prospect Hills Cemetery. Many Baha’is from Washington also attended, and Anita Chapman of the Local Spiritual Assembly gave'a glowing tribute to the memory of these faithful servants.

Alma Knobloch pioneered to Germany at the Master's request in 1907, and was one of the great early teachers and translators within that country’s Baha’f community. Fanny Knobloch was

of

the first traveling Baha’i teacher and the first pioneer to South Africa; Pauline joined her on several early teaching Joseph Hannen was designated a Disciple of ‘Abdu’l-Bahaé. He and his wife, Pauline—the first in the family to enroll in the Faith—were ground-break ers in the effort to include all race equally in the Baha’{ community. The couple taught the Faith to Louis Gregory, the first African-American Hand of the Cause of God.

Last year, Judy Hannen Moe, greatgranddaughter of Joseph and Pauline Hannen, contacted all the descendants of the Knoblochs and Hannens about coming together for a ceremony to dedicate a new headstone. The Washington Spiritual Assembly offered help, and Jim and Nancy Hannen put together a wonderful program, which included 10

tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha revealed for the Knoblochs and Hannens as well as short biographies.

The family has grown and developed separately in two different parts of the

country, some as Baha'is, others as Christians. They all expressed great love and respect for their wonderful great-grandparents Joseph and Pauline, and attributed their respect for all races and people to the lessons passed down for generations from these saintly souls. #

“It was so uplifting that it brought tears to my eyes. ... | will devote my life to the Faith and try to study

it as much as | can.” —Participant in Reno, Nevada

1 House of tive at

message within the Unive Justice’s Ridvin 157 letter: tention must be devoted to involving them [junior youth] in programmes of activity that will engage their inte! mold their capacities for teachin; service, and involve them in social interaction with older youth.”

That directive spawned a goal: to help empower young people to live a life of distinction and to discover the light of Baha’w'll4h in their own way.

With that in mind, hani and Heern devised a 40-page manual, to help participants study the Sacred Text. ‘Topics include the history of the Faith, teaching, service, the Administrative

Order, the Covenant and chastity.

Workshops—including storytelling, art projects and role playing—gave participants a creative outlet for expression as they gained understanding and appreiation of the Faith.

In the resulting atmosphere, particip: also felt comfortable discussing the and pressures that hinder young people from realizing their true destiny al descendants of the Dawn-Break

time they realiz being Others built on their trowledgs of the Faith and poe a pits So beens al con

wrote after ge ng aaah the program

Other part sed appres tion that the course was led by youth

Youth Ladan Saeed, who served as a counselor in Salt Lake, recalled: “The ne junior youth that had before kept me awake talking about Backstreet Boys or something like that now kept me up until 1 o'clock asking questions about The Dawn-Breakers and different Baha’i women.”

A variety of members of the families descended from sisters Pauline Hannen and Fanny Knobloch—outstanding teachers in the early history of the Baha’i Faith in the West—gather at Prospect Hills Cemetery in Washington, DC, for a July 8 tribute ceremony at which a new marker (left) for several family gravesites was dedicated. Photos courtesy of Judy Hannen Moe

Page 7 oe Tne American BanA’i & > SPIRITUAL Dismincrion,

SA HAGMAN S

Cie wu shal te

September 27, 2000

[Page 21]

BAHA’i EDUCATION

Parents praise Baha’ schools

BY BARBARA McCORD, EDUCATION AND SCHOOLS OFFICE

P= know. They just know.

parents are instructed by ih to educate their children and ich them the conduct required, the history and stories of the Faith and the priceless pearls of the Writings that help each young person become a Kingdom builder. Most parents comprehend the enormity of the task. And most appreciate receiving some help along the way.

Such is the case with the following three mothers who took advantage on behalf of their children of the wonderful opportunities provided at the permanent Baha’i schools this summer—opportunities that continue throughout the year and are listed in the calendar on the back page of every copy of The American Baba’.

Here are selections from some of the lovely “thank you” notes that have been recently received by the schools from grateful mothers.

Can't wait for next year

“Thank you, thank you, thank you—I remember reading somewhere that when ‘Abdu’l-Bahé wanted you to get something he would say it three times,” said Beth Lois of Meridian (Bois , Idaho, whose 14-year-old son Matthew attended the Junior Youth Institute at Bosch Baha’{ School, Santa Cruz, CA.

“I am so grateful for the energy, time, and devotion that everyone put into the Junior Youth Institute,” she said.

“From the time we picked him up all the way down the hill as we headed toward the Bay Area he could not stop talking about his time at Bosch, and about how he can't wait for next year's session.

“I have never seen Matthew so ‘on fire’—the way the classes were taught, the rules, everything was wonderful. I want you all to know how appreciative we I have told Matthew he may attend this course every year. Please continue to offer these. Oh, and he also cannot stop talking about the cabin counselors,” she added.

“Depth of knowledge”

“It’s been almost a week since the Junior Youth session ended, and I wanted to acknowledge the transforming power this week had on my son and another a child in our community,” said Regina Blum of Vernon Hills (Chicago area), Illinois, and mother of two young boys. who attended a session at Louhelen in Davison, Michigan.

“I want to thank the teachers, youth counselors, and administrators for an incredible session! It’s clear that the boys were affected and want very much to return next year. The depth of knowledge they both got from studying the Will and ‘Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahé, the

A special spirit shines from youths and children at a summer session at Bosch Baha’i

School. All the permanent schools and institutes continue to hold special programs designed for young students. Photo courtesy of Bosch

Tablets of the Divine Plan, and Some Answered Questions in such a short period of time is phenomenal.

“It sounds as if the final evening program was very moving. In the words of my son, ‘It was very spiritual!’

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard him describe a Baha’f event in those terms,” Blum said.

To illustrate the impact, she said that her son purchased a copy of Prayers and Meditations on his own and now insists on reading prayers from it instead of using a children’s prayer book or even a smaller adult prayer book.

“T've always suspected there’s something magical about Louhelen, and now I know it’s true,” she added.

“I know full well the time and energy that must have gone into planning such a session. It’s obvious that you [the staff at Louhelen] have taken the words of the Universal House of Justice in the Ridvan message to heart,” Blum said.

Spirit of service and love A communication from another mother completes the harmonious chord of approval. “Alléh-u-Abhé! Our hearts have been deeply moved forever by the spirit of service and love we enjoyed at Green

Acre this summer,” said Ellen Hakala of Highland Park (Dallas area), Texas.

“My son Christopher absolutely loved Camp Green Acre July 22-26, and wishes to return next year. My daughter Maggie cannot wait to be old enough next summer to go to Camp Green Acre.

“Matthew sings along with the joke, “What's the new wine in town? I want to go to Green Acre. I want to go to Green Acre,” she said.

“I have never seen the Green Acre campus as immaculately clean and wellgroomed as I did this summer. And I did not hear any complaints at Green Acre, nor have I ever felt so peaceful on a vacation,” added Hakala.

Thank you for such a wonderful experience for Matthew, with Bab love” —Beth Loi: “Thank you for creating a priceless experience.” —Regina Blum

“Thank you so very much. You were all so cheerful, happy and energetic!” —Ellen Hakala

“You are most welcome.” —From all the school administrators and staff who look forward to the very next opportunity to instruct, inspire, entertain and assist young Bahd’is across the country.

Ocean of Light

B: sch Bah chool entered its summer schedule with a burst of sustained energy and experienced a ve successful season of fellowship and

learning.

With an emphasis on strengthening the family, Bosch reworked its summer schedule to allow more time for families to simply spend time together on the campus in the redwoods. Rather than have a day crammed with classwork, the schedule was loosened so people would attend classes in the morning and then have a large block of time in the afternoon for recreation, service field trips

etc.

In July, Bosch hosted a session on the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi. When not in class, the 60 children and youths serving as cabin counselors were under the direct guidance of a staff made up of Institute directors, Elvia Ramirez and Bahia Farahi, as well as four teachers and 10 cabin counselors, who made sure the children were alw: ring smiles and carrying their prayer books.

By the last day, new friends shared tears of separation and exchanged promises of postcards and prayers from their departing cars and shuttles—obvious signs of a positive and successful experience. The Bosch staff was delighted to host so many children and it anticipates seeing those beautiful smiling faces next summer.

Upcoming sessions

To further build on the promising successes of this summer’s Family Sessions, Bosch has committed to hold intergenerational family sessions each week throughout the year. This is a way to continue the trend of unity these last few sunny months have seen, and include time spent at playgrounds, in the forest and on the beach with families.

The first three of these special sessions will be:

Sept. 29-Oct 1: “The Dispensation of Baba’wllah” with Baha'i scholar Dr. Muin Afnani.

Nov. 10-12 and Nov. 17-19: Study of the World Order Letters of Shoghi Effendi facilitated by Derek Cockshut, Regional Baha’ Council member. These back-to-back weekend sessions will study the beloved Guardian’s clear exposition of the fundamental verities of the Baha’f Faith.

As with all Family Sessions, classes will be offered for all children age 3 or older, and they too will study the fundamental teachings of our Faith as well as its relatively brief but dramatic history.

September 27, 2000

Tue AMERICAN Band’ ¢ SpirruaL Distincrion

_ Page 21 [Page 22]

lassified notices in The American

'Baha’t are published free of charge to the Baha’f community. Because of this, notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or com mercial ads are accepted. Some of the

opportunities have not been approved by the National Spiri sembly; the friends should judgment and care in responding.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

f you know of anyone who has skills in the following areas, or know of people who may know others with these

skills, especially for positions listed in the “Urgent Needs” section, please contact our Human Resources Department.

AT THE BAHA’| NATIONAL CENTER EVANSTON, ILLINOIS Concrete Journeyman, Conservation Office.

Utilize your skills in state-of-the-art concrete

repair for the historic Baha’i House of Worship.

Opportunity to manage and train concrete arti

sans in a unique studio environment. Administrative Assistant for National Teaching Campaign, National Teaching Office. Must have analytical skills to help assess success, strengths and weaknesses of the natiohnal media c

npaign and its results. Needs ger fi edge of E

eral computer skills, including

iarity with Windows 98, working knowl cel, PowerPoint and Publish

eral knowledge of computer database entry; also skills in preparing charts for presentation. Maintenance Team Leader; Properties. Will manage facility/buildin engineering staff to prov minimal cost

jc timely

plan, estimate, schedule main

eds at least five

years’ experience in all areas of building maintenance (HVA try, painting, cle

, plumbing, carpening etc.) with three to five

years as a maintenance manager; valid driver's

license; supervisory command of English. Staff Producer, Media Services. Full range of video/audio production tasks, especially writ ing/development of Baba’ to-day production process in order; researches, gathers news, writes, edits finished Newsreel stories, at times on own; helps develop network of correspondents; arranges duplication/distribution. Needs broad knowledge and experience in broadcast journalism; flexibility, organizational

fewsreel, Keeps day

Administrative Assistant (part-time). Prepares correspondence to refugees and to Bahé’s, government and other agencies involved in refugee resettlement. Develops reports, maintains records, helps process Southeast Asian Baha’ refugees. Helps compile and write the Southeast Asian Helpers Bulletin, articles for The American Babd’t and other publications. Needs proven ability to work with confidential information, strong skills writing and speaking English. Switchboard Operator/Receptionist, Office of Human Resources (part-time). Receives and > routes telephone calls; greets visitors to the Baha'i National Center in a pleasant and friendly manner; interacts with all staff and National Assembly agencies as well as the Baha'i community at large and some international contacts.

URGENT NEEDS

U.S. Baba’ Refugee Office, Evanston: Assistant Coordinator for Refugee Program. Helps coordinator in efforts to assure a loving welcome for Iranian Baha’s refugees, monitoring their immigration/asylum cases and credentials, communicating with refugees, Baha’{ agencies, government and other agencies. Must demonstrate high skill in preparing English-language correspondence, phone and other contacts, reports, articles, research papers; records/statistics maintenance. Reliable self-starter with attitude of service, confidentiality and flexibility under pressure; typing 40+ wpm.

Babia’i Distribution Service, Fulton County, GA, or Baba’ Publishing Trust, Wilmette, IL: Marketing Manager: Will plan, budget, implement, track and report on effectiveness of marketing campaigns for titles produced by Baha’f Publishing Trust for both Bahd’{ and retail markets. Will prepare research-based marketing strategies; sales estimates and sales/inventory reports; advertising in several media, publicity and other marketing materials. Should have marketing degree, professional marketing experience in publishing, catalog/advertising copy-writing experience, strong interpersonal skills. Knowledge of Baha’ literature and trends in religious and children’s publishing are highly desired.

Baba’s Distribution Service, Fulton County, GA: Customer Service Representative. Will process phone, fax and electronic orders, respond to customer queries, maintain customer records, and handle correspondence. Should have strong communication skills, strong data entry skills, experience in telephone customer service or related work, pleasant and patient demeanor. Knowledge of Baha’ literature is a plus.

Office of the Secretary, Evanston, IL: Administrative Assistant. Interacts with all departments, composes responses to all correspondence, handles high volume of detailed information with frequent interruptions. Needs sound problemsolving/organizational judgment, ability to work with confidential information and to work as part of a team (with and without supervision), written and interpersonal communication skills, proficiency in word processing, driver's license. Office of the Treasurer, Evanston, IL: Administrative Assistant. Coordinates administrative tasks; maintains relationships with institutions and volunteers through phone, mail and electronic correspondence; and helps in executing tasks assigned to the Office of the Treasurer by the National Spiritual Assembly.

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

Must be flexible, effective in service as a team

member in a fast-paced environment, able to

promote unity in the workplace.

For BRILLIANT STAR MAGAZINE WILMETTE, ILLINOIS

Activities Editor (10 hours per week). Will develop, acquire and compile fun and engaging activities for children and junior youths, network with contributors, help foster cultural diversity, participate in magazine and article development including research, writing, editing and on-site proofreading for all six issues each year. Must be able to stay abreast of trends and needs in Baha’ children’s activities, participate in regular staff meetings, assist with marketing and promotional activities. Should be self-motivated, flexible with time, comfortable with a creative, deadline-driven atmosphere, and broadly familiar with Bahd’f writings and principles. Needs background in education and in children’s varied learning styles. Must be a good communicator. Experience with publishing preferred. Applicants who live within 100 miles of Evanston, IL, are preferred.

OFFICE OF INFORMATION SERVICES Applications Developer. Provides high-level analysis, design, implementation of information systems. Familiar with variety of technologies: Visual tools, database and Web tools. Senior Applications Developer. Provides highlevel analysis, design, implementation of information systems. Familiar with a variety of technologies: Visual Basic, SQL7, Microsoft Access, Web tools, Delphi, C++.

Network Administrator/Engineer. Responsible for configurat y of N cabling, routers,

maintenance and s

ing infrastructure (

aintains documentation of network and servers setup and structure. SQL Database Administrator. Coordinates database development. Responsible for

Enterprise SQL server including security rights, table design, normalization. Respor design and implementation of user and departmental applications as front ends to SQL using MS Access, VB or other tools as determined. Help desk. Coordinates support activities for LSAI project. Provides t and support for LSAL. Handles or delegates requests for support. Develops training-related materials, assists promotion and education.

le for

If interested in any of these Baba’t National Offices posts, contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430).

AT GREEN Acre BAHA’i SCHOOL Euor, MAINE

Receptionist/Office Assistant. Receives phone, e-mail and fax communications; greets visitors in a courteous, efficient manner; provides administrative support for co-administrators, registrar, program coordinator; helps bookstore manager with sales and inventory. If interested, please contact Jim Sacco, coadministrator, Green Acre Baha’{ School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903 (phone 207-4397200, e-mail »

URGENT NEED

Director OFFICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION New York, NY For a complete job description with responsibilities and qualifications: Visit w \.usbne.org and click on the “Curre:t Opportunities for Service” !in{ in the What's New lis:.

We regret that no inquiries (by phone, fax or mail) or visits to the Office of Public Information or to the Office of External Affairs can be accepted.

AT THE WILHELM PROPERTIES TEANECK, NEw JERSEY Caretaker. If you enjc

mowing, raking, trim

ming shrubs, planting flowers ete., this could

at opportunity. Secking individual or

xperienced in minor household main

tenance/repair to take over custodial and

maintenance duties at Wilhelm House,

Log

Cabin and ‘etakers coordi

riage House nate with Institutions for Sunday school, Holy

Iwo-bedroom

Day observances, Feasts etc

apartment provided. We need to fill this posi

tion immediately. To discuss responsibilities, call Sam Conrad at National Properties Office

3-2314 or 847-853-2343),

(phone

AT NATIVE AMERICAN BAHA’! INSTITUTE Houck, ARIZONA Administrative Assistant. Mainains relation ships with institutions, volunteers, staff, public

through phone, |; prepares

bulk mailings, reports;

maintains financial records; coordinates pur

chasing; other duties. Must maintain confiden

ty of sensitive records and materials. Cook. Must be flexible in schedule, culturally sensitive to indigenous peoples of the Southwest. If interested, contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St. con, IL

60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430).

ACROSS THE NATION

‘The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the

ity of New York seeks an Office Manager/ Executive Assistant 35 hours/week. Staffs Bahai Center office year-round, answers phone/correspondence, coordinates volunteer services,

itors, communicates with community

members, public and vendors. Deepened Baha'i, well-organized, detail-oriented, able to take direction and communicate positively, willing to learn, calm, resourceful, self-motivated, comfortable in electronic office. Strong writing skills a plus. Annual salary, vacation, health benefits. If interested, please send résumé and cover letter with Bahs’{ and professional references to the Spiritual Assembly of the City of New York, 53 E. 1th St., New York, NY 10003 (fax 212674-6840, e-mail Dy Applications close Oct. 31.

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

SEE CLASSIFIED, PAGE 23

page 22 Tne American BanA’i* Ciasswten © September 27, 2000 [Page 23]

Opportunities abound for lending skills toward China’s development

he People’s Republic of China is

experiencing rapid social and economic development. With doors now open to the rest of the world, the people of China welcome ideas and consultation in many fields of endeavor, providing an avenue of service for individuals and groups with professional expertise in needed areas. Activities of this kind can ied out by traveling to China to nd consult with Chinese profesor by participating in such es with Chinese colleagues in d States.

For those who can travel to China, professional fields in which the Chinese are especially interested are:

• Public health and Western medicine.

• Psycholo; ling.

• Women and family.

• Education and moral development.

• Agriculture.
• Computer

Electronics and telecommunications.

• Bioengineering.

• New materials

¢ Environment Marine scien Aer Architectural engineering.

Advanced technologies of all kinds.

• Marketing and advertising.

¢ Public relations.

• Business management.

• Many other fields of endeavor.

Upon returning from a service project in China sponsored by Health for

ienc

nd energy sources. protection.

ace.

CLASSIFIED,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

PIONEERING / OVERSEAS

The Office of Pioneering is eager to

friends preparing for international servi For information regarding jobs and study

abroad, or international traveling teaching

opportunities and other ev tact the Off Center, 1233 Central St

of Pione

(phone 847-7

‘The National Baha’ Archives is seeking original letters written on bebalf of the Guardian

CA. Amalia

ickelberg, Elton H. las,

lingham, Margaret on and Ben Elli:

yone knowing

family m who might have

these Guardian's letters is asked to contact the National Baha'i Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-869 9039).

The

ational Baha'i Archives is maintaining a inglist of those who would like to receive

Humanity, an organization enabling health-care professionals to offer servic es and resources throughout the world, ‘one person wrote:

“[T]his was the first time that many of us had traveled to China. Understandably, we were filled with much excitement and anticipation. In a nutshell, we fell in love with China. There were many reasons for this. At the heart of our attraction was the nobility of the Chinese people which was evident in their daily lives, in their relationships with one another, and in how they treated us ... their simple, yet dignified lifestyle, genuine love, kindness and friendship. Our Chinese brethren left an indelible mark on our spirits; we cherished every moment we spent with them. The impression we left on the Chinese seemed to be equally deep. They, too, were moved by our spirit. ... They were impressed with our politeness, friendliness and openness to their way of life. ‘There are ample opportunities to serve China, irrespective of profession ... it behooves us to consider seriously the chance to devote our time, energy and resources to a land upon which ‘Abdu’lBaha bestowed the appellation ‘the country of the future.’ ”

If, in the near future, you are willing to make a trip to China to advise and consult with Chinese colleagues in your field, please contact Susan Senchuk for further information and (phone

guidance e-mail ).¢

copies of its duplicate book mail auction catalogs. ‘The Archives has one or two mail auc

tions of duplicate books each y would like to be on the

ing list ¢, address and Baha’ ID numb ional Baha’ Archives, 1233 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201-1611.

r to the

PIONEERING / HOMEFRONT

A change in homefront pioneering appeals

The four Regional Baha’i Councils have taken on responsibility for coordinating U.S. homefront pioneering. Because of this, The American Bahd’i has changed the way it presents appeals for homefront pioneers. We will regularly print contacts and/or top-priority localities in each region for homefront pioneers, as reported to us by each Council. Please see page 14 in this issue.

“Classified ads” seeking homefront

Your window to teaching, deepening and external affairs

Spring 2000 issue

Reflections on the Century of Light

• Editorial on the 20th century

reconcile the fact that the 20th

• How do ntu

y was arguably the bloodiest ever recorded

with the Baha'i view that it was the century of li hors weigh in with points of light in

what is commonly perceived to be a dark century: Stephen Friberg on science and religion, Geoffrey Marks on Chaim Potok, Gary Morrison on the ages of transition,

humanity’ family album, Milan Voykovie on transmission and consumption of culture and ideas

im Stokes on

Also Available: Winter 1999-2000 Issue

matu'l-Baha Ruihiyyih Khdnum 1910-2000 Subscriptions: examines “Religious Pluralism: A Baha’ US—$I9 / year, $36 / 2 years Perspecti Outside U.S. surface mail—

$19 / year, $36 / 2 years Outside US. air mailL—

$24 / year, $46 / 2 years Single copy: $5 + shipping/handling

Literary Life of Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khinum! Ahang Rabl

surveillan

translates into English a 1901 plan for:

f Baha'i activities in Palestine and Iran

Brilliant Star

Bimonthly children’s magazine published by the U.S. National Assembly Subscriptions: US—$18 / year, $32 / 2 years Outside U.S. surface mail—$18 / year, $32 / 2 years Outside U.S. air maitH—$28 / year, $52 / 2 years Single copy: $3.50 + shipping/handling

One Country

Quarterly about development by the Baha’i International Community Subscriptions: US—$12 / year, $22 / 2 years Outside U.S. surface mail—$16 / year, $30 / 2 years Outside US. air mail—$20 / year, $36 / 2 years Single copy: $3.50 + shipping/handling

Herald of the South

Quarterly by National Assemblies of Australia and New Zealand Subscriptions: U5.—$28 / year, $50 / 2 years Outside U.S.: Contact Herald of the South,

The American Baha’i 10 times a year; available by subscription to Baha’is outside the continental U.S. Outside US. surface mail—$24 / year, $45 / 2 years Outside US. air mail—$32 / year, $60 / 2 years Single copy: $3 + shipping/handling

e-mail Single copy: $8 + shipping/handling

Use a separate copy of this form for each subscription Which publication? Send to: Address

City State, ZIP.

Country Daytime phone or e-mail

Sold to (if different from recipient):

Address City State, ZIP Counuy Is this a gift subscription? (Circle one) Y N

Fax

Home phone

Work phone

ail

Check/money order payment must be in U.S. dollars from U:S. bank; payable to Baha’ Distribution Service. Do not combine subscript with payments for back issues or other single items. Georgia residents include

Credit card #

(if applicable) Exp. date Cardholder signature Phone orders: 800-999-9019 ¢ E-mail orders: Mail orders: Baha’i Subscriber Service, TAB 9/27/00

4703 Fulton Industrial Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30336-2017

September 27,2000... Tur, American. BanA’i¢ News/Contued., page 23. [Page 24]

Tales from the trail Mid-July through Aug. 15

South Bend/Mishawaka, Indiana: Runners got a welcome offer of free help from a sports therapist in Mishawaka, who had heard about the Spirit Run during an interview with a Bahé’i writer in Ohio. Leg, foot and back pains—and even road hazards such as gravel flying from truck tires— were well-known to the runners.

Angola, Indiana: Narendran Narasiah, a Baha'i who helped plan Spirit Run events for this five-member Baha'i community (with assistance from Fort Wayne), reported a series of connected blessings: 1. Advance work gave Narasiah opportunities to teach the Faith among colleagues at the school where he is a substitute teacher. One person enrolled.

2. The Spirit Run concept—and a radio interview involving several runners—impressed the radio station’s program manager so much that updates on the Spirit Runners’ visit were aired several times for two days.

oF Wahing to arrange indoor lodging for te ners and staff, Narasiah approached the president of TriState University for help. “To my great astonish. ‘ment, without thinking it over, he offered to sponsor cone of {the campus'] theaters. He then made an immediate phone call and made arrangements for 13 dorm rooms ...”

4. On the day of the visit, cy and county authorities changed their promise of an escort: rather than just two vehicles, they sent six cars and a motorcyde to escort the runners down local streets.

5. A day care center, whose workers had found out about the Spirit Run through an advance newspaper artide, prepared gifts for the runners, made with the help of the center's I- to 4-year-olds.

6. Guests at the “Spiritual Gathering of the Peoples” ‘on campus included not only the university president and his wife, but also (with their spouses) the sheriff and. police chief, all in. mid-vacation, and. the mayor, who attended despite his battle with cancer. ‘And more: Many students helped the Baha'is set up the event. Local restaurants donated food and beverages. And the connections made, especially with the university president, help pave the way for a future Baha'i dub on campus. Narasiah advises other communities, “Please make the effort to use the resources available. All you need to do is to tap into it and attract the blessings. To be able to witness and feel the aid of the Concourse on high is really a magical experience.”

Sylvania, Ohio: A gathering to proclaim the Bahl message at Lourdes College, supported by the Toledo Baha'i community, showcased Ohio's Spirit of Unity youth workshop, which performed after the Spirit Runners’ presentation. Baha'is from as far away a Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Maryville left the meeting reportedly energized by their contact with “a group of devoted people who sactficed. their comfort and their summer jobs and vacations in their selfless love for Baha'u'llah.” The Toledo Blade and local television covered the runners’ visit.

Wyandotte, Michigan: A local weekly newspaper printed a detailed front-page artide on a meeting of nearly 200 Detroit-area people at Bishop Park, in which a Wyandot chief welcomed the runners on behalf of the Anderdon first Nation of Wyandots. He praised the runners for “showing us that racial harmony is alive and well and living with you as ambassadors of good will and friendship.” That article also quoted a Cherokee audience member: “You think of all the hatred and violence in the world and here are some young people running for their summer for a higher goal. | wish everybody in the world could be a part of that”

SPIRIT RUN,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

act and keep the spirit flowing. A few glimmers of that ¢ After a speci: evening of feasting and gift-giving at the Indian Community House on Aug. 10 in Ma ant New York City Spiri reported: bridge between the Bah: and the Indigenous community in that these two families of man were able to express their common point of unity, respect and love for the Most Great Spirit and our path towards pea In Brantford, Ontario, a polic geant took great care to ensure the Spirit Runners, singing “Ya iu’ Abha” to a steady drumbeat, hi escort through town. “The de of the team, their joy and simplicity had affected him deeply,” wrote local Baha’f Ron Jacobs. By the time it occurred to the team to give the serg: the gift of a S$ though, the van carrying the shirts had left town. So runner Micah Reed donated the shirt off his back. “The sergeant was really moved,” Jacobs wrote. “What a story he would have for his family—and for the people back at the station house.” Spirit Runner Charles Nelson of Seattle, Washington, recently told a gathering of Baha’ National Center staff and visitors, “I wish all the Baha’i youth could go on a Spirit Run. You learn things no one could teach.” ‘Then he corrected himself: “Bahd’u’llah was the teacher, and He did a pretty good job.” One specific purpose of the Spirit Run was to forge connections locally, between Bal commun and the communities of American Indians in their areas. Sometimes that contact was stablished, and in many

er

eee Run cote i it

seeatons or r culty ters—Arthur Fernande:

would present the vision and purpose of the Spirit Run. On behalf of the run he would offer the gift of a “bundle of tal ing le:

»” a small poor of Ba nd wrapped in red, a ole signify credness in many indigenous alas.

In the City of the Covenant

New York City provided several da welcome for Spirit Run, as well nition for its mission in an intern: forum.

On Aug. 9, the 21-member team was greeted at the New York City ter by representatives of the Bah International Community and the National Spiritual Assembly. Then it set out for the United Nations headquarters to take part in a commemoration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, at which Patricia Locke repre

Telling the longer story

pire Wins eriboraces eveligh evories: perspectives: Ite lessons anti comnvinity breakthroughs to fill a book. And that’s exactly what planners have in mind

for the next step.

The Spiritual Assembly of Lynnwood, Washington, a primary sponsor of the Spirit Run, hopes to gather as many stories as possible “while memories are fresh and inspiration and enthusiasm are still active.”

They invite:

• Reports on events with the Spirit Runners.
• Reflections and stories about how these events changed the people and com

munities who participated.

• News about follow-up activity along the route of the Run and elsewhere.
• Photographs, printed or digital, as well as originals or good copies of any media

coverage.

sented the National Spiritual Assembly.

Originally the Spirit Run group was simply to observe as representatives of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson read messages of support for indigenous people’s rights, and as Lakota Chief Arvol Looking Horse performed a traditional sacred pipe ceremony.

But at the commemoration’s close, while highlighting the need to support the role of indigenous youth in society, master of ceremonies Roberto Muncaro Borrero formally welcomed S| to join him on stage. He praised them for completing their run across North America to promote unity and diversity, and recognized the chief elder and advi er, Bill Ekomiak of Canada well as organizer Arthur Fernandez-Scarberry.

Later the Spirit Runners attended UN di ions that focused on indigenous children and youth.

The evening of Aug. 10, the American Indian Community House was filled to capacity with nearly 300 people, including many indigenous leaders and UN dignitaries, for the Local / sponsored reception and gift-g ceremonies. Arvol Looking Hor. fered a prayer, followed by a drum circle and welcoming remarks by Ina McNeil mbly, then

and a banquet. where the support of the local

ry and the international indig nous community became overwhelmingly apparent,” the New York task force’s report stated.

An Aug. 11 fireside at the New York Baha’{ Center capped the visit to that city, with singing, drumming and stories from the runners about their crosscountry experiences.

“We were able to see the seed that

With such raw material, the Spirit Run Task Force plans to compile a book for posting on the Spirit Run News email list or the Spirit Run Web site. The task force notes that any material submitted would be subject to editing.

Reports should be submitted to Spirit Run News (e-mail

) or to Nancy Griffith,

Details on joining the e-mail list are available on the Spirit Run Web site (www.spiritrun.org). © Photo by Ken Duszynski they planted at every step and foresee

the beauty that will grow in their wake,” the report stated.

Into the ocean

How, then, do you finish a run that gave you the privilege of helping bear a sacred message from sea to sea?

You run straight into the Atlantic Ocean, of course. Unless your inner sense of the moment holds you standing on the damp edge of the beach, rapt in gratitude for the role God allowed you to play in this unfathomable drama.

That scene played out Tuesday, Aug. 15, as the company ran and walked the last few miles from the center of the Shinnecock Reservation on Long Island to the seashore. They were in the company not only of local B: and Shinnecocks, but also of visitors from across the continent.

“We chanted ‘Y4 Baha’u’l-Abha,’ we sang ‘God Sufficeth,’ and the sound vi brated through the trees,” relates Melody Reed, mother of core runner Micah Reed and a or to the Spirit Run at several junctures.

Ben Rhodd, a Lakota elder and Baha’f from South Dakota, carried the carved staff that served as a symbol of unified, ion. Jonathan Smith, a Shinnecock and the runners’ host the previous night, was one of two men singing and keeping a steady drumbeat. As we approached the sand,” Reed “tows of people, holding hands, walking up and over a small hill to the Atlantic Ocean, Arthur yelled ‘Yé Baha’u’l-Abhi,’ his voice breaking with the power of all of our emotion and we all answered ‘Ya Baha’u’l-Abha’ over and over agai!

After cresting the rise, the runners jumped into the waters of the Adantic,

SEE RUNNERS, PAGE 25

page 24 Tne American BanA’i ¢ ConninueD

September 27, 2000 [Page 25]

Tales from the trail Mid-July through Aug. 15

Windsor, Ontario: Permission was denied for the Spirit Runners to run in their usual singing procession across the Ambassador International Bridge from Detroit. After crossing the river into Canada in a more conventional fashion, the runners reasoned there was no harm, because ‘Abdu’l-Baha “asked us all to shout ‘Ya Baha’u'l-Abha’ over land, ‘not water,” reported Sharonne Fogle.

Six Nations Reserve, Ontario: The companny stayed at Chiefswood, the childhood home of E. Pauline Johnson, a Mohawk poet known for promoting racial tolerance and women’s rights. They consulted with the Baha'i Native Circle of Ontario, then participated in a drum circle with Indian and other families from the Brantford/Six Nations “area. Later at a ceremonial dinner, a chief of the Onondaga Nation praised the runners for sharing. in the vision of united humanity. All this was a joy for the two-member Baha'i community of the Six Nations Reserve.

Niagara Falls area, Ontario/New York: Baha'is in a string of communities cheered the runners in their procession, on a day that culminated in a prodamation at the Niagara Regional, Literacy Center and a presentation of gifts to the center's literacy coordinator, After heavy overnight rains, they were met in the morning by the mayor of Niagara Falls, Ontario and area Baha'is, then set off drumming and singing over the Rainbow Bridge to New York—thus raising the cry of “Ya Baha’u'lAbha” over water after all."We were impressed by their vim, vigor and vitatlity this late in their crosscountry run. It is evident that their spirits are renewed with every step,” wrote Phoebe Anne and Bill Lemmon of Chelsea, Quebec.

Tuscarora and Cattaraugus Reservations, New York: Torrential rains didn’t dampen the hospitality shown by residents of these two areas. The evening program at a Seneca family’s home, with 100 people present, was capped by placement of a stone bearing words of Baha'u'llah at the grave of the hosts’ son, who was a Baha’i at the time of his death in an auto accident.

Syracuse, New York: A meeting among the Spirit Runners, local Baha‘is and members of the Onondaga nation was energized by two apparent coincidences. Arrangements for the run to go through the Onondaga Reservation were uncertain when runners arrived in the city, but the doors of welcome were thrown open when it was discovered that an Onondaga in Minnesota had presented the run with a wampum belt replica—and that gift had been carried on foot all the way to New York. ‘Also, a Baha'i in Ithaca owned a vacant house near the reservation, providing a convenient place for the Spirit Run company to stay. A public meeting in a nearby library, filled to capacity, was the scene for the passing of the Minnesota gift to the Onondagas of New York.

Reflections on the run

Message from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Canada

Dear Friends,

We greet you with joy, dear friends, as you grace us with your presence in Canada for a brief time. We have followed your progress with great interest, as have Baha’{ communities across the United States and Canada. As you have passed through cities, towns and villages, raising the call for unity, you have touched hearts and minds through your example.

Baha’u'llah promises that “The movement itself from place to place, when undertaken for the sake of God, hath always exerted, and can now exert, its influence in the world.” (quoted by Shoghi Effendi: The Advent of Divine Justice, Page: 84) May you be ever strengthened as you pursue your worthy goals, may your path be straight, may your feet be firm, and may your efforts yield bountiful fruit. We add our prayers to the many, which surrounded you since you began spired and spiritual journey. ®

Excerpts from a letter by a Minnesota woman who was inspired by the Spirit Run to embrace the Baha’i Faith:

I know that I am just one of the many people you met from one of the many communities that you stopped in. I jusy needed you all to know, that here you made a difference. See, I have spenta long time wandering in the darkness of confusion and uncertainty. ... Then, one day I was told about the Spirit Run and that it might be possible to get the group to come through the community in which I live. ...

I really enjoyed being there for all of you and getting everything ready. But

but didn’t know why. Then someo me about Wilmette and the activi the House of Worship. All of a s my soul was being pushed to go. ...

I walked with the group to the House of Worship. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of it. ... [By that evening] things started to fall in place (I think I was struck by lightning!!!). The light that I could never find in my darkness was now

everywhere. ...

The uncontrollable desire to be in Wilmette was because it was my time to proclaim my faith and belief in Baha’u'llah. I am so grateful to all of you for helping me find my way.

RUNNERS,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24

laughing, crying, embracing. bundle carrier, a friend of the Bah: stood still at the shore. One core Spirit Runner, Alfred Kahn, also had to pause and let the emotions flow over him.

“One by one,” Reed wrote, “people were hugging and the hug grew and grew until there was this huge ball of

people holding each other on the shores of the Atlantic, the waves breaking around our legs. ...”

Celebration led to ceremony. Exercising his standing as an elder, Rhodd organized the Spirit Run company in a circle. Each core runner planted a foot on the shore in turn, then the circle ened to the entire company. “Each person following the last went around the circle shaking hands, hugging and sharing their love and gratitude for one another,” Reed wrote. @

Share your successes!

Do you know of a seeker who enrolled in the Baha’i Faith

ty through the national media campaign? E-mail your story to

Tw

‘Admittvotine Wt Se

who was led to your communi- —

The National Spiritual Assembly is interested in learning about your teaching successes. Please complete a form available on the Administrative Web Site (access www.usbnc.org and click on the “NSA Departments” icon at left, — then follow the links to the National Teaching Committee and “Teaching Success Survey Form”).

The Light of Unity

The latest issue of The Light of Unity, a newsletter designed for seekers, is available for downloading from www.usbnc.org (click on the “Media Campaign” icon at left, then click on the “Seeker Newsletter” link and scroll down).

The Light of Unity can be sent as is, or changed to include local news and information. If you have questions, please e-mail us

( . Also on the Web:

• Forms and step-by-step guidance on how to make the most

of your community’s voice mail box for seekers.

• Materials to help your publicity

and fireside development.

• Tips on using national media

campaign videos.

MEDIA,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE |

In the last two years, nearly 2,400 have enrolled in the Faith in the United States, and although this represents nearly 100 new Baha’fs per month, thousands more of these seekers are responding and eagerly waiting for assistance as they take a courageous step toward conversion.

Successful areas of the nation that have taken up the opportunity, to actively respond to these “strangers” offer meDEOTUE PORTA) home vis

wl enn a “stranger”—that is, a seeker who has responded to the Call of Baha’u’lléh without prior knowledge of the Faith— arrives at the doorstep of the Baha'is they must be able to look into the eyes of the friends and see the love of Baha’u'llah alive in their hearts and the unity inspired by His Faith alive in the community.

Surprising TV successes

The level of interest is undiminished in the quarter just ending, despite our inability to secure favorable national ast slots on several fronts: © The superstations had reassigned paid

programming slots to election-year

broadcasting.

• The Odyssey Channel had discontinued their paid programming offerings.

¢ The Fund could not sustain buying select time on other networks.

Black Entertainment Television and the TV Guide Channel, however, were still available to our Message of unity. In fact, the latest in the national media campaign’s selection of broadcast videos, We Are One, has found receptivity across a wide spectrum of Americans beyond its intended audience. In one of its first airings, the new video scored the third all-time highest weekend response in August wherit aired on BET.

We Are One features a country mu concept, but the theme of race unity strong component of previous other two high S had resulted from a combination of multiple videos showing on multiple cable outlets.

Growth in Web inquiries

In addition to national broadcasts, y local media campaigns are enthuand adding to the e campaigns have also enabled the Faith to reach another level of responders to the national public Web site (www:us.bahai.org).

During August, a normally slow television month, Web inquiries moved into double digits requests for information and local contact information reaching above 20 per day.

The National Spirit Assembly, as part of its national meetings tour in October and December, will speak directly to the absolute necessity of responding heart-to-heart with these waiting lovers of Baha’u'llih.

September 27, 2000

Tue American Band’ ¢ ContinueD

page 25 [Page 26]

arin Leonard served the Bal

with her husband, Bob, at pioneering posts on three continents for a total of 41 years. She passed away March 30, 2000, in Salinas, California, at age 64.

Born in Santa Monica, California, Karin Alethe Hégberg was the only child of Carl Sigurd and Alethe Alida Holsapple Hégberg. She grew up as a Baha’f in the Los Angeles area.

She was the niece of a towering figure in the history of the Faith: Leonora Stirling Holsapple Armstrong, the first Ba oneer in Latin America, who Brazil over most of the 20th century.

By age 20, Karin left Stanford Universi ty to marry Robert Allen Leonard and pioneer to Kodiak, Alaska, a goal of the ‘Ten Year Crusade.

During her 11 years in Alaska she maintained weekly firesides that attracted many seekers, leading to the first Local She organized and conducted children’s classes, and held Holy Day celebrations lcoming many guests. The small group saw such success that many in Kodiak thought the local Baha’f community must be more than 100 people.

Karin’s poor health forced the couple to move. They found an opportunity in the ing a U.S. goal of the Nine an. During those nine years in the Bahamas she not only taught the Faith, she also served as and h for numerous government officials, Baha’ dignitaries and traveling teachers as the community developed.

Unable to remain in the Bahamas due to political changes, Karin moved to new service in the Amaz

Karin Hogberg Leonard grew up Baha’i, and was the niece of the “mother of South America,” Leonora Armstrong.

gle city of Iquitos, Peru. Karin learned and immersed herself in a mass teaching/deepening campaign that brought in hundreds of believers in just one month, and culminated in a strong, active and deepened community.

re its difficulties, life in the Amazon held an added bounty. Karin found for several visits in Brazil with her beloved Aunt Leonora—particularly precious because Karin’s parents had passed away by 1966.

Karin accompanied her aunt to the dedication of the Baha’f House of Worship in Panama in 1972, and years later cared for her in the weeks surrounding the International Conference of Baha’i Women in Lima, Peru. Her daughter Kristine spent part of a year helping Mrs. Armstrong in Brazil.

On leaving Peru in 1978, Karin traveled to the Bahamas to help celebrate the formation of that country’s first National Spiritual Assembly.

Responding to their children’s educational nee ds, Ka nd Bob then moved temporarily to a 2a hormefiont g goal area near Houston, . Karin was an Assembly trainer and was Sinvolved in early media work. Within three y , both their

We were grieved to learn of the passing of Karin Leonard, stalwart maidservant of Baha’u’llah. Her long years of devoted service as a pioneer in the Bahamas and Southern Africa are remembered with gratitude. Kindly assure her family of our ardent prayers at the Sacred Threshold for the progress of her luminous soul in the Abha Kingdom.

daughters were married and at pioneering posts in Africa, and the Leonards prepared to serve overseas again.

Karin and Bob started a business and moved to Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa, where they helped form the first Local Assembly. Teaching work accelerated as the Universal House of Justice urged the South African commu to come out of obscurity in its 1985 message.

In 1988 they closed their business due to economic circumstances, and moved to Botswana. Working in an administrative post with the U.S. Embassy there, Karin met with many diplomats and local government officials. While unable to teach in rural areas of the Kalahari Desert, she served the Faith actively on summer school committees, as the liaison coordinating events with the United Nations, and working in media.

With the untimely passing of one of their sons-in-law, the Leonards rejoined their older daughter in the United States. After 15 years in Africa, America was quite ashock. At the suggestion of the Auxiliary Board, Karin and Bob settled in Salinas. Once again she opened her home and worked tirelessly in support of the Local Spiritual Assembly.

The Universal House of Justice

Focusing on the community and on her grieving daughter, Karin did not for some time discover the regrowth of a cancer she had successfully fought in 1971. She was blessed with a very short illness.

The U.S. National Spiritual Assembly wrote to the family, in part: “We are deeply saddened by the ing of beloved mai int of God, Karin Leonard, whose sterling services with her husband, Robert, spanned more than four decades. ... She has earned her place in the annals of the Baha’i world community and she will remain an inspiring example to present and future generations. ... Our hearts embrace [her family] as we pray the Almighty speedily wing her sweet and loving soul to the Kingdom of Immortality.”

A letter from the Continental Board of Counselors in At said in part: “Her devotion to Baha'u'llah and the memory of her services to the Cause in southern Africa will forever remain in the thoughts and minds of all who came in contact with her.”

Survivors include her husband; daughters Kristine Asuncion and Cynthia Adlparvar; son-in-law Payam Adlparvar; and six grandchildren.

A. Joseph Viafore was a constant teacher after finding Baha’i Faith late in life

pA ateay Joseph Viafore passed on to the Abhé Kingdom, June 21, 2000, at age 72 in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Joe became a Baha'i when he was 65 years old. According to a family mem ber, “When he turned his heart over to

Baha’w'llah, it totally changed his life.”

Joe was constantly teaching. The month after he enrolled in the Faith, he invited over 165 friends, neighbors and associates to a dinner at his home, to

hear about his new re!

Born Dee. 7, 1927, in Boston, Mas chusetts, Joe was raised in the Italian Home for Children in nearby Jamaicz Plain. He served in the armed forces during two wars.

Joe fathered two sons and two

daughters, raised four stepsons, and became a role model to many youths. Friends of all ages looked up to him for love and advice, which he gave abundantly.

Residing in Texas for 40 years, Joe opened and operated 54 busin

recent years, he devoted hi IN ™M EMORIAM ing ones and to te: Faith.

“Joe believed so strongly in the Easter L. Adams Michael J. Buonsanto _ Virginia S. Eilers Jenny Many Beads LaVerne Tolbert Baha’i Faith,” a family member reMarion, SC Westford Town, MA Decatur, IL Hard Rock Chapter, AZ South Bend, IN called, “that he would tell every person July 14, 1999 October 21, 1999 July 28, 2000 November 3, 1999 June 26, 2000 he met (even ministers and rabbis) that this Faith was from God.” He put Wilma I. Alexander Frank Capro Betty Garcia Mary Many Beads —_A. Joseph Viafore Baha’ principles on his business cards Miramar, FL Wilmington, DE San Leandro, CA New Lands, AZ Poughkeepsie, NY and on bulletin boards wherever he

August 5, 2000 July 26, 2000 August 7, 2000 December 6, 1999 June 21, 2000 went, reaching people from all over the

country.

Vahid Aminian Jofre Ritchie Card Ethel R. Johnson Modesta Marino Van Williams When Joe’s health started declining, Glendale, AZ Ferndale, WA Summerville, SC Fresno, CA Glendale, AZ his next teaching ground became the July 11, 2000 April 27, 1999 July 10, 2000 July 25, 2000 July 10, 2000 hospital. Along with his warm smile, he

freely handed out Baha'i brochures, Ruth Bailey Justina Collins Karin H. Leonard Raymond Morris — Thomas G. Woods willing to discuss his Faith with anyone Asheville, NC Lancaster, CA Salinas, CA Homewood, IL Skokie, IL and everyone. June 2, 2000 March 2000 March 30, 2000 June 30, 2000 March 29, 2000 Joe cherished his family, friends fi Faith with an uns ff _- Manoutchehr Djame ae ‘Thaddeus Swanegan- t wanting to give of himself. This preContra Costa Cty., CA i cious man, so greatly loved, will truly August 1, 2000 be missed by each person and life he aig: 13 sab Mid GA A os eh ana rel nah udindgle Tiamat a tee eee ASE Eel touched: © page 26 Tne AMERICAN BanA’i * IN MemorRIAM September 27, 2000 [Page 27]EKING*YOUR*RESPONSE

2000 BAHA’l CONFERENCE ON SOCIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE AMERICAS

December 14-17, 2000 ¢ Rosen Plaza Hotel ¢ Orlando, Florida

THEME: ADVANCING THE PROCESS OF TRANSFORMING THE WORLD

TOPICS

ic nature of social and economic

The org develo Whar is SED all abour?

A new vision for the a order. SED and In

» building Baha’u'llih’s new

n Peoples in the Americas.

Agriculture and Environment: Bound by the Covenant.

Us pecan uragpy vous Eloy Ancllo Elizabeth Bowen Eric Dozier Narges Children’s Theatre Co. dership for co gritty: identifying community realities as a first step in | ‘This year’s conference theme is “Advancing the Process of Transforming the World,”

development planning for the individual and

which was inspired by the draft compilation prepared by the Office of Social and Li the life of SED. Conflict

community plan

anereieneseba Economic Development: “Seminar on Social and Economic Development—July 1999.”

Virtually all the topics of the keynote addresses have been drawn from this valued

Leadership program ... and much

MUSIC AND DRAMA and profoundly enriching document. Key elements of the program plan include a

Inspirational learning through the arts, Leslie Asplund,

mixture of full plenary and smaller concurrent sessions featuring presentations on SED

director; principles, concepts and core processes and in-depth case studies, with a number of Khozein, Bridget Geo Anne and | repeat sessions to assist the friends in being able to attend sessions of interest.

Tim Perry, the Quinn Family (Martin, d Richard C

fendy and Featured speakers: Peter Adriance (U.S.), Douglas Allen (U.S. } Kathryn Tahiti, 1 Eloy Anello (Bolivia), William Davis (U.S.), Danielle Locke (U

Dwight Allen (U.S.), atricia Locke (U.S.),

Caitlyn),

Mansoor Sobhani, Ludwig ras, Susan Lewis Wight, Phil ee Mah | Gordon Naylor (Canada), Susanne and Andras Tamas (Canada), Ludwig Taman (U.S.), Ochu, Joyce Olinga, and more Mark Wedge (Canada), Donald Witzel (Venezuela), Johanna Merritt Wu (U.S.) Regist tion & Fees

Register online at our Web site: www.rabbanitrust.org For general information, call 407-740-5415 Adults $120 * Youth (15-20 years) $80 * Children and Junior Youth (3-14 years) $60 * Add $19 contribution if possible for scholarships Add $20 per person after Nov. 10 * No refunds for “no-shows” * All cancellations subject to a $20 cancellation fee TO REGISTER BY MAIL: Use the Multipurpose Form on this page * SEPARATE COPY FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL REGISTERING Mail check (in U.S. dollars) to Rabbani Charitable Trust * 2693 W. Fairbanks Ave. Suite A * Winter Park, Florida 32789 OR: To pay by credit card (Visa, MC, Amex, DC, CB), under “Special Information” write card number, exp. dare, amount paid, cardholder's signature HOTEL/AIRLINE/RENTAL CAR INFORMATION Hotel rooms at the Rosen (formerly Clarion) Plaza Hotel in Orlando: $50 per night (up to 4 people per room)

ited availability—call promptly 800-627-8258; mention Baha’ Families es discounts through American Travel Consultants 800-393-5050 File #164074 1600 * Avis Worldwide Discount Group #D131183,

Delta Ai Avis Car Rental discounts 800-3

“We loved the spiritual infusion of new energy into long-known concepts.”

For which event or activity?

INFORMATION ON YOUR Neusat Wu lo) \rva

BU Xo liN(em Big

“ie record achievement of traveling teaching goals, the Office of Pioneering needs information on

all international trips taken 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 847-7333509, e-mail ).

Use the Multipurpose Form

below to respond by mail.

Include the following special

information (use a separate sheet

as needed):

• Names and ID numbers of all

Baha'is 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

State, ZIP

— «a workshop participant Name Address Spiritual Assemblies are working a to build a new state of mind. City Join them by taking one of 15 Assembly Development Module Workshops. Contact the rss

nail

Office of Assembly Development at 847-733-3490, e-mail or go to wunw.usbne.org

Special information (plea

¢ include dates if reporting international teaching trip):

IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY 4, cc verjeenann,

Honor those you love on their special days or remember them + By mail from the Office of the Treasurer, after they've passed on with a gift to the National Baha’i Fund. 1233 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201

r 1 1 1 1 1 J t 1 1 I 1 I t 1 1 1 ' 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i i 1 1 ! 1 t 1 1 1 1 1 ! 1 I I 1 1 1 1 1 ' 1 .

TAB 9/27/00.

September 27,2000 Tre American BanA’l ¢ Srexiva Your Response _ page 27 [Page 28]

ol GIS pn 52 0S LS tee jl al 59 pele aro py 1S At ely stl Cd AS GS NG Sod ayy 4 yt

4S leasing po ole 45) 05l5 aS SSI Obs 4 Sloper Glen oti tot G opp ont ab,$ bs 52 gle 5 ILS» Gl ABS 32 5 LLL Jy AH ws Ql S GLE ods GAT ofp! Saas & 55 with eth cS)s

ee ISI ob5 4 GE BLS Eo ort abel pad obj 4 4S on Slegpoys gle PHS go tb Sl es Ke GY GEuly 2» le ot Geaky tte IS ISI ty 2» tay Side alo 5 ably ~ob

2 BAIS LS I le abe ole bial pal ys oT GU LS Gul, WV GY 5h GW a,5 oy oat os cb rth antl 9 tle Ly 255. bey Gaels 4 LOIS 55 JL ILE & ARIS pe SoS Ub! ls 55 et BEL gels 4 AS Spt ES Olle 52 vay Dal UE & 25 Gepaiee Obie yo SLETLES WS Sater USL L perte GrSI5 dpite gd cp eeee y

J ae 5! aS GLU! aS GL-S sl, 4S dy dt 03,5 bs 5s GlalSlae gJL. wrth Sl 5) AS ost ih LES ole le PEP 8 Mig oe etl alo polpe ghala,5 shee inn Soy ong QS

pl BS 59 GSAS ES po 5 ppqelzae brs, ete SI SS Shwe ni RS aS tle no WUBI dl actls CS, of 49 SG 0S wy Sle las JI Ste dey CS p27 oe! Lo 5 SS Le Gar % ph a WS BEL vay hel OL 52 yay Ly ghinss Sime Gar oP 9 2975] er ib 12S gt Sag

SO RS Col yaeel gars Bae ole sath oles pas GiLAS alte Q255 b 55 oT

0G cle ls

wile Cotaw 9 the Shy ileal ply sitet OST nt AS Glas pate 259 oe w 1S! sat parte a obs & SU: SL? > cel kee 9 he islet pital play rile Sil ES weed Boe YA » jects varie YA> > Gi hae 6S coed lil OLS Shey aged SES 5 by Glee & 52 ee NY 9p OLS or weed ott be Slo, St ee ols 2s Gookt & sty ob! uly VHAs -AF4-VAIY 2S \-O\V-VVY-VEPY coe E-mail: Website: www.globalperspective.org

2? SS 9 308 a) HL» b 955 Gb Sle “Dope styl ool

Lt ol cs ald al Ss ask, SW5reSlel ree Vere 4 oy ol age aap OT 6 Jolt 0S shanks Qats pl a Lb what ge apt by ol ole 5 10,5 ole SN At stile poem OF 52 Qn Jt! I Sous Stee Bl glaakd p51 Jag oR SL 0 Sa5F abe ae 9 HS “Lea ole G CL als! SOT at bel 6S i oe SS ew Ghul, SpexS SLUT 12,5 bel ohy & SLL gu hj,3 ak shanks (Slob Sole 5 Le) Val pad, lb Gye ped I eee tS Lol SLUT LY sae Qsle, St WE of 5! oy 5 9S 2S lel sleeby by Sole 5 ner dlow, Gs 5 SL Lets ww Ge oLUT ob 5» 22S lel clark» padine

arts dito

eb ere eb, cols CE ws 55> ole 5 or 5 OL OG L 4S sents rage SUT ealjageree diiley, GUT bays ye & Glanks was

Ly apd hse ps Be il, ay 55> Up 05 o> Ger obs & Sly CLL 4,L,9 JOU egy GLAl obaillp! Ola» oll 553 dal ne 9 gehosy Che 5 gos 259 Slagle Gl Cleese An 4 Gets 32 55 lle 5 try ALS & shank ge Loy GUT uae aye oly lyr hae SI bed pet GUT IST , 9,5 Lol 128 abal oT poles 5 ee WD 5 at partie

7S) age pe GS CU © slaakS 2G Lee 559 aed Gay Clb deal” kyo gal Gx! A59 IKT 49,5 Lol on 9 Mapa lal Sle pie O35 2 ole! ok, le 4 ley St ile bays clark PE and cae AE Lol aes pee ee slay! Ole aber iI sly Wars 2 UT 5! ab CAS gay) 259 9 Ahajle Job Ole

lt Gl Sa) eat Bal CLs (pe) sapped Geel GLUT 45 tary slo oage (S23) Griese Ly y GLI globe, gis P59 9 HE Cm S39 pe 59/5 Nel shanks ey HS Lol slab sly o oly b QE ye Sb slabs Sz b aby Sole GUT of 5! pis AST voyf aes a Lb ol vl 5 1425 Lol SUT glee 4 1325 Ss Glad GE by, ee bey PE ae wails iT Gh spare Sole 3 (obs) er Blows, ob&T s GL) 225 ST iI oy 9 22S Lol Glob, (523) oby SUT 5 3h Gpte bey BE ele a “ilo Bay ho Lely Glad Gib no

page 28 Tue AMERICAN BanA’i* Persian = September 27, 2000

29 ool oe 2 AS ge ee 5? SUT 5 (os) ony ee te I 22S Lol glabd (S23) gly Gol

eke 5 4b jl an» yh ST” Ub, doi Nel gla cdb 35> colb 1 LY weby ol Io on St ob IS urbe AST ass oo L glaakd ght JUL GUT 03 & AS GAT ole & pis Gy gel 559 SN my -ia,F alpl “sl a5 Glo Glas 5 pny Ls hy & sland ath jury GT gl! ghs pele Glecd te” ay acl Oly ped 25> ae HS Slide “ee 3 99

Lal ple, St BE colby Ot Eb, IIE SHAY Gy GET sly oles jt ate “Gloaw GS fap alee ob” GET gas & ssl Ly Gotme Sythe Koll Lbs SI Jos ky GUT , LS 5 Ube ghlT Soo ghey 59 ae 9S als 32 el AUS Siler ge G sla UG Ay Cael ilSapal gbyale 9 gill olor aS, ole es Voy ST 1, GG gliplh Gs 32 ol Shel ah ee SI Qe lesley lel Gieye BBSh 5 Grady tly & ASI bed oly GUT jal, sey 2 065 GUT eco of jae 2S Lol OLLS 4 ASI glob 59 Gt 95 ohy b Shanks “less Ge oS 22,5 lel 65L,5 Glide Sle, St GG an Cn» Sl gh ope ae ily! wt sly AS EL» & Glankd so ojle for GUT 42,5 alt low rh, Dhar) al ey Coy gape y SLY UES eae OLE ABS alae 4 WS Amey Gar! ty ole shal de slew aby thy Co GUT, BE +Wdg0s

aniigas Y dais

(Sptee) oey EG Coll & ero nb, SUT ed g Ole OG GI a oo ote BGG A Sy Cl, olSens wel Ge cole Ole & ple Gy gel -S> ee Sl we 39 5 2,5 abl “pee 93 39 ale! Olysl” or 079 eel or bh Spelt 5 Sires Jes chy & slanbd pay atlas, slat ST ups G ils 03h BUS 55-5 250 of HI Qe 5g SIS stooges spl pees 03 52 ler els Cay lnc

Cells a “ge ASG Hb 5! ae ob, ize Glo So at ppt Hla olb 53 SS ie by Sage oT SI ey 9 BIE SL glans 2 tyne NSH pee 5 lal oLsle” obte & amy AS 5 tes BS ESE O52 bee 5 pee Gy SUT 0 Gr! Soy pele! At spy dlprole JLE L 4S 2S oil 5! ey (hes) Saxe pay 752 5 (sly) She pl So he 55 S59 ae aS Nel sha [Page 29]

le ke Gl s bats 5 Gopai Ilbe 5

Egy css eal ae aceon ear OF 42 aS 29,5 pe Ls SKA 5» les 9 te eur ohn! Se a SS soa AT fl Be lRALs 5 298 ope whl gre Gab, iat ge 031 57 lal lane ne

ALES rahe 99 HB Comnsa 5 Ne jl Ay USES Gul, ily stl 655 gal CYL IR 5 028) s tee i pel Gs SIE tl hS Gleanly 51 AUS ohS 59,5 sslizul 2S or 2) tl lel ws &

canST PY anions

Vo ccle ape 52 Le Sle erie Cee reels il andes) Ae) GUbI gD Gt tay SNijeg aes GET 5 aT 5255 CSU LL, dey Ley dee 9 45) Cy OL OG SUT, oT LT BEL LAS Goub, (eth HIS Gre SEL olf

IT S153 HL» gL pare GUT GUT 5 2,5 Sle (SLE oW Le elt ak 4 by 33S Gael Lal wb 5 yilan abe bls HH Jebes 5 Ey 52 Glatt gblreuss 5 glta, cline seer ie pat GS tiny ghiene el 759 Lee Ay ober gel i ARNT JL Cay 59 af els wt STS 2p 35 ol & Gi GEL, lel Gb Ope Lege OL Jyh nnd QI UY L, rel GUT alee © Iiley oS cSl ply Pr Boe 2 9 2,5 bel Sh! Gi Gh wi Gphe try pile alae Wy 5 Sie oy 5 ob, L Giles aS riots Lele 6 de eb, AS dims J KG wee Gols Se clacl 9 IS pe IT AS pe ded LE | ale Lt ey 99 9 Aids pe AILS 4S ge Le, CLT Se (G35 Ks) gels OG) Galb dp Qhk aE Obs L Jy!

anti 1 daa

2 tloel GS BE | pre toby cols cA a ool ONG & Gre tak LU glaabd osbjrpere ales GUT pu at 5LeT pet shee 153 253 Fi oy 0S Lal a hal, iF ltd glol 4 gel ipae Cie hire LS ge HL, OUT lST 1) cul Bole ples Ope pe Srl ole he ibs, dale 9 lel olsly obs 2b, ool

satntls age

swap ate! Bol Sle

we b wre eb, Hel cb Sl ath ge pL ey 9s Le i HUG js i tS roles. LL «Lee ole abgt AD ALS bo olae apt & Slaw pe O8 0s & tly CULE & el QL, Sos 495

Je YY 5 255 elya5l

AS Bylat 4 polis oy ks be gy police gle! YV 52 teks VV) lie Qype Ke Ah oat ants oF out, polite pul aS (salen ae Lal ay me UIs jf oobi G UL Ke 5 & Gee & aS jf oli! 1th as Glall eS ae py Kloss laolBnws 52 oS dels Se a Qs at ald Lol Jbl tcl as ool 5! 5 Col Glo ab ps gal 52 oli 9,5 298 Gylorge lb 53 4 paar Se

Sr aac aa ed ea aa

AB sl aay BLS 4 JOS pul 5 polite Wy Jour weblols ols b Lb oSL at SLs oot AS Sank

weblols S, bd poli » jl oe » 95 AS sald api 8405 9 oS,* sly WEI Ge LabLole 42 Jy! L ails opt AS phy 99 Loge Gat wy 33 Sp! aly Jahpees 9 dat Ole PME AS Gb jl b A500 5 Pht GP bo GE 2S hg 5 AL! http://travel.state.gov

BI Se GUS 4 45 Baha'i Huguguitah Trust Ky 59 1

Jeet depts ul V8 drio 59 Erie dG, Glol wh

BYLe AS eens Gls Stel ed ohlariwgs 5ooni! FRIENDS OF PERSIAN CULTURE ASSOCIATION OLAS yet 22 Gale Jee peter FG UST YY iI ole! Sens Chicago O'Hare Marriott Hotel GLine pol SLR Joe euuS\Srhasces

ceed hey QL GAT ay tay jl SL

Giles ys zassl ao ees

LG Sel lal gle! ap! 25. VAM JL 59 Dae eld eel Ge Sls, firs j! jbl gl abe of Ghul

bls)! be Gly sls Slr! ololy & SS * abel > 9 Gal 5 Sind Sher & ad

4 PU: W255 5 gbhes 4 able Gd * eu 3b5. od y-T

Sia & ily tule Lael ie gS LUT OUT dy taliced syle ay ctl, gail alSohj vale

PULs a at aals aay Veo JL poy PIS capt holy QyG 92 ul jaw L 5 att salou ool ss abel 52 6S als! Gy GIL. asl. belt sel 28465 ol 2 OSA Gly gp wheat 4 aby oul 59 OSA Gly dale gat Ge awe dre & eG ol Say olatl Uys Jou PLL e! Je obey eee eee LET S55 cal 3 alse Al addy |b LL Cowl af 2 Pe8 seb 4 SF Slip! AS CS Se 5 Ere rt Glaley bij) AUS p+ 5455 pl She so (opeb 9 NWS gy aprtile 5 ny 1H ol ace lt pole Fae 3 gl 9 OSS 42 0G ath Cpl 59 SG nt arb 4 oS GLI soy wales 25403 gl 59 oS + glasl ls 48465 gale lS, Ly Cpa g SL YN 325 hd 5) 9d add tol se 2 obaly & gall, 25s gs Ll ath actls olan BaTigles alean pags Slalys AS 40,9 99 CS 50 Bd ALLEL pals y tS 483 ool 3 cSt pre aS col pole Obie y Lilt hb at ule wy ald aablolis Jib del of ak, ARG SSI cactys gb 5! lh Leesblol o eras SLE a Tes Ile ps Sol ae wagt holy Cul ort Mel WT gal Gly 5 ALS LL lel de GLeebLola ° PLY ol gr 22 let oS » rat weld aeblols Jib! del DV-2002 Program Kentucky Consular Center Lexington, KY 41902 USA Jul absent goa Gees 52 Ll ablols « Galen beeeaen Ye VB or al ot poe GOES) Lebush Gos eSNG 4 st also oly 25453 59 pSin & SS le et) gale Cy Gab 5! Yl eblole Jn CISL 455 aS lols 4 .3,4 JL! vals 51 55 apt JLo ord Coy Geb IL dt Jal, 5 Shoat le eb pad 25463 onl p> OS sly G9 Wh AS 46,5 42 Spt Glole .r)ls oy>5 Bn WL pj CLD! 5 opt hs LE S, SL el ep FU bby & ath at wb Ls

ae sp Coe

TAL oat Ao

pete seeps eee Ss meer edith oat ode be uh Sil sb

6339 It aS me oe Sol bet 4 Us Gb wJle am 5 ole ay

rapt 9 Qenl 5 ot Jolt Ws Joe NG gy pane ANS ALG 9 A5 Jor 5 pL

September 27, 2000 THe AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ PERSIAN

page 29 [Page 30]

gos Oblg> 9 olrogs

EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS

obel 49 Sle able 4 able 5 oles Bale 5 qottly 5 295 5 deer dele tee LS CPs a GE) » olds bb gpl Se jb Pai sea STM as cus lay ee & ks hel Ble able 5 oWaS ole ba Ko dhe C35 I AUT Ls al lo oe Seals 5 25 2 JL b oy ol lel Sle JI ae ole eye GOS 4 lib caps Fat OP 2b GEM IIe 29 Des Phines jarde ed jl gee gr S CLT © Olas 51 Eagle Scour pls ay shojle Gehl cILI ele gal clual pulse 3,8 cdL» pl Solr, std NS, odrce CYL SSVI G pte 59 SU 32 td Ce iI Gere LH LE * dae y2 ales 4S op ill IS Sure Shade Qh! C55 15 slid yp sole ory Race “galhs Gary bjL59 oSlie glare L Glo Shir «cual 93,5 519 Unity Dialogue oF ALI 32 FS SE 5! ars 5) SE * Bausch gale tule aber 51 2S CdlLy2 goats sle RaSbne So 52 SS carte p32 Bele 5 and Lomb Executive Women Sle & 3b} papas ipl » Ls 'y, Prudential Spirit of the Community 3jle 4 International Sp tle ute CSU 53 peeks iI gly tel 5d GUT» lee 4 be CLO 4 bye chp LAIN +28 S352 National Geographic Bee 99 Savannah G5av 5 (SLY V0) 515 tuys Gli © jms a Slt gle bb gles pls Gee SU 2H Sixt Hule ge sale GLE! 125 CdLy> ae Sele CA! CSL G35 Gen ple Bla Georgia Certificate of Merit bjyle alee jl Cul antl CdLy> «Presbyterian College Fellow Award ja 9 te 9 eS Sard |b olnie oe! G5 ile ob 5 sles So sy shal cle b af edeesil

Serko cl Gly 5 4053

VISA LOT

(jab ole! 25 jl aed 4 03S)

Balt Sol Ba gpl Ory Ge SI Sarl 4 oprler Gls bly AS a05 32 St Je 59 pele BIL, 88 40,5 LoL, oat Kel Us aes US: Nel dy ecaiay (Sal BSCS epee 51 VAN? SS Soph eer oo sd sy wil pp aS

by tb i) AS 4£3 9» Spt Gly Lola Jol Ge jy eb Gees Sly 251 ¥ aantys

Coley SE ls ojlel aS he ey, Jie PANG blot aS. col ce jeel 2 bys po wilel bas llas ASL antl Sle

pibime spel GLI! Ls 45 2,1, 5 ail el Sybe Cul gle Sly, jire jl jel he Olle 59 5,4 chy abt 5! oy09 Obey Gl Gea: mab gree & eer JI ole tele Shay Jbl ae

BAGUCY ols Kole pus alls Ble Bele GL 5 SS oly! Gel col VS

Se be shy Joe Sethe jl ee G98 4a WN eye gyal 4S Col gpl jlo! CS, 9 By 9 Shey 5 apt hI a SK y Klee ie he 5 ow che 2b Gl dele Cr @ wal

GAS wie oer Glos ble rz » es 32 25 Bye ALLS 5 Gow Jy GLI ol ARs Job Gs SILI Ge 5 banks 9 hee ee 50 2 al GIG Ys JE SR IISS gaze 5 Lytle 5 Gabres Ls pel cehya thay obfal IS 53 9 (govemon) YL be Sloy Jou O51 tbe » SU s b 5! cul

hLI I AS Sayles 59 4S Gait Lol ott pad cre (Banls Cash eels ily oll act ahs Jeo Els 34! GL! -L BUS aS ccajleai alain Golo gy laseet elles G slang. Lol de 52 G pert arb all soy aalec asl {Sals bCs,)

ably spel GLU G «Lol 5 ape > he Sly fis auth acth SLT Lt. daly, 6S she 42 WS oy ald Opts slaw oo daly, Sol Lj ath oS of ity 25 515 AS oe Sete L are! slot & bls)! cp) Supe

& slope & abl 5 ype 39 ee Soop bla! goer ayel sll & et chet pac AS ayy dale Deedes slew Ath act LAT & ST set gal IL op lo ley, Jie syle

Pty CLI! C5L,2 Gly A515 Qe glue dee ols de soy Jee Qt ae! =o &

(Y°1) APY-AS4- iyi BLS (Y¥) AYY-AMAA 2.53 BLS

e-mail:

elol & Jus Clitp NOTICE OF NATIONWIDE MEETINGS ls bh pl clol dhs Ope Ce 9 sath bls “Why, Oper anle ol” wheal OUT 99 2 Soy Cape C8 AS nl AGS pees he piles, fire tha ay daole GSLs Cie 52 Cre of slacl seb slacl 5 cisles cre clacl 5 lyr rile shel & slays Glade dake So 52 plains Jor 5 dlee 5 ILS 5! el ree CYLI GUasbiated 65 2L5 gop Ly glT , eS OL. BAB Ghat JS wy 5 ey Coe |) 0d nig Dlr 268 Gly Gil nde , wpb, SLY AS og ant Ole Gly ple Clb of wls cL jl ak sald sie ODL Lol Clb Obl 4 GAS apt ge Spee 5 Culpdy2 lal Obl ie Shah 4p Cas 99d AT 2 Olle gal 52 ape some CVU! ly tele

EP ets 44! > GEG 5 pee Clee! 4 2,5 ylts» WL wb saath actl gpl dele at, luke NGS y Soro 9 GHI6 Yoee Slr yi TY aay 99 Ayes fr 52 gaethy SyahydS CSL 59 359 o> due Sab 1 SES 52 Soy Sy) tolS 1 ILI Gaz t 52 ASS Gp ates 32 Ged eltee thy gl Sls SY 52 SS Soy 39 Anzl Yooe ln gait YY ais Hts Ls th AIs SU > SS wy! Bolo spipeasen sees 53 lone) (Eels Noles SLAMS 52 ules pd tote! v2 SIR thoy pb thal ILI 59 guye9 taBetee 53 Cure Voos Jlw proms YT daists 29 7939 Saeed HELAY! ILI po pp bb! ti te AIS 59 SF ay9 gee IL GLAS 2 Sy HG 9? ee SI SL tee 09 CU 2 Soden these » LAGI bbJ La idle Voor Jlw promsd TY drisaSs fompzlle 52 gray Eley! IL! 52 lS 22 Eges tS Sops 99 SSS lS 52 Me $ lS) 59) genet S151 5.59 GalSg God Sells) ADS 52 Se Soe GELS 32 Ll ‘te Me He ae 29! Shot & wld 6,49 545 CONTACT WITH OFFICIALS

ros ok el Jule hs Glog Jie BLUIEL ols Lb Sly tele WS Ou tls SysT9l spel

& ols 5 AL Sly OAK 5 obs! 5S DUI Sys 59 ae 9 JLd CSy9 59 ae aye! GLI

page 30) THe AMERICAN BanA’i * PERSIAN September 27, 2000 [Page 31]

• INTERNATIONAL*NEWSe

Audrey Robarts passes away after decades of service

udrey Robarts, a Knight of

Bahd’u’llih and the wife of the late Hand of the Cause of God John Robarts, passed away Aug. 24, 2000, in Rawdon, Quebec. She had lived there since the couple moved to the locality as a pioneering post in the 1960s.

She and her husband, both Canad born, embraced the Baha’i Faith in the late 1930s after being taught by his aunt Grace Robarts Ober. John and Audrey Robarts were vigorous servants of the Faith in the Toronto area in the years leading to blishment of Canada’s first National Spiritual Assembly in 1948, and on through 1953. year after oghi E announced the world-emb:

endi

cing pio

the couple accepted the Guardian’s suggestion to pioneer in Bechuanaland (now Bots with children Patrick and Nina. The family traveled to teach there at every opportunity even though they had to live in Mafeking, Bechuanaland’s

administrative capital, which was actually situated in South Afri he family moved in 1957 to

Southern Rhod (now Zimbabwe) and continued to teach in Bechuanaland. While John’s international duties intensified after his appointment as a Hand of

DEVELOPMENT

¢ Ethiopia: Two Counselors joined forces in a continental-scale training of for the “Equal Wings” program, April 7-11 in Addis Ababa. Counsellors Lee Lee Loh Ludher from Malaysia and Lally Lucretia Warren from Botswana trained a total of 22 Bah: Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibi South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda Zambia. The program was introduced in the United States in a session during May at the Baha’f National Center.

The five-day course was organized by the National Baha’i Women’s Committee, in collaboration with the Office of Social and Economic Development, in order to help create awareness of the equality of id women and to promote gender equality in the Baha’f community. ¢ Sarawak: A wealth of local development projects were reported on during a teaching conference in Bugu Mawang on April 8-9 focusing on the region’s Area Growth Program. Among the projects: Friends from Mujat reported that literacy and chils were on-going. Fish from a community pond had been harvested, with the money obtained from the sale to be used to build a new Baha’f center. They have pepper garden, and the women’s committee made and sold cakes to raise funds. Also, the Baha’fs of Bugu Mawang had finished builkding their own their community fishpond and repainted their Baha’{ Center. The women’s committee had also planted vegetables and made and sold cakes for the Fund.

rH

men

dren’s cl

farted 4

The Hand of the Cause John Robarts and wife, Audrey, are shown during a Minnesota visi' 1979. File photo

the Cause, Audrey traveled frequently to teach the Faith, helping to open numerous localities in remote areas of their two adopted countrie: In 1966, with a National Spiritual Assembly well-established in southern Africa, the Robarts moved back to Canada. lars of the Rawdon community, the couple taught continuously. As John Robarts’ age advanced, Audre i ly accomp: travels. He passed away in 1991. Audrey contributed a lively remini cence of Shoghi Effendi from the fami ly’s 1955 pilgrimage, which was included in the 1993 book The Vision di. She described her family

long John and Patri

An Aug. 24 message from the Universal House of Justice to the Robarts’ daughter, Nina Robarts Tinnion, said in part:

“We grieve with you at the loss of your dear mother, Mrs.

Robarts, but rejoice in the achievements of a life so totally dedicated to

ly loved, her pioneering to Africa, with your father, which won both of pom the inane tal Se wee on oF

side one other pilgrim at dinner with the beloved Guardian and sometimes with Hands of the Cause. One time Shoghi Effendi said John and Audrey were spiritual partners and told her, “You must vie with him spiritually.” She is survived by her sons, Aldham, Robarts, and daughter, Nina Tinnion, all of whom have neered for the Faith.

pio

Scouts’ session

A deepening session for Baha’i Scouts in Sao Tomé and Principe, an island nation off the western coast of Africa, is held in a classroom at School during a recent teaching and consolidation trip. Baha'i International News Service

‘a Peixe

TEACHING

EDUCATION

• ° Pakistan: The newly founded Academy

of the Kitab-i-Aqdas drew 22 participants from around the country for its first program June 23-25 at the Baha’f Center in Islamabad. The academy, a goal project of the Regional Baha’i Council of Punjab, focuses entirely on in-depth study of the Most Holy Book and supports research on its laws and ordinances.

Muhammad Ashraf Ali, joint secretary of the Federal Ministry of Minorities, helped inaugurate the Academy by unveiling a piece of glass on which was engraved the opening paragraph of the Kitab-i-Aqdas in Arabic and English.

Research papers on various religions presented by Baha'is and othe: ics made the study program informative and interesting,” stated, Spec the participants practical techniques for approaching study of the Most Holy Book.

• Canada: A conference to chart the road

ahead for training institutes was “suc ful beyond imagining,” reported the National Spiritual Assembly. Among the 200 participants were Penny Walker, a Counselor member of the International ‘Teaching Center, and six members of the Continental Board of Counselors—Gustavo Correa, Abdu’l-Missagh Ghadirian, Jacqueline Left Hand Bull, Carmen Elisa de Sadeghian, David Smith and Rodrigo ‘Tomas. Several other honored guests attended from Latin Americ:

“(T]he connection forged between the northern and southern regions of the Americas was profound,” stated the report, which praised the Latin American visitors for “humbly and wisely” expressing the advancement of the institute process in their home nations.

Particular attention focused on study of the Ruhi Institute’s Book Six, on teaching, and Book Seven (draft version) on tutor training. © Sweden: Just two days after the July | opening to vehicular traffic of the 10mile-long @resund Bridge, linking Denmark and Sweden for the first time ince the ice ages, the Danish and Swedish Baha'is held a joint summer school attended by 150 friends from several countri

Special guests were Suheil Bushrui, professor holding the Baha'i Chair for World Peace at the University of Maryland, and his wife, Mary. Bushrui gave talks about Shoghi Effendi, h: ethics, Islam and the Baha’ Faith.

“unique, a report | presentations provided

pn and

with a new vis

e Turks & Caicos Island: “biggest proclamation of the Faith this part of the world” was highlighted by a celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, attended by several dignitaries and bolstered by the presence of Jack McCants and William Roberts of the National Spiritual Assembly.

About 60 people representing 13 countries and several faiths attended the April 9 event at the home of a Baha’ in

Providenciales. They included Chief

Minister Derek ‘Taylor, opposition leader Washington Missick, Vice Consul Joseph Delan. All were given copies of Call to Remembrance and The Promise of World Peace. The Haitian official extolled the gathering as ple of the UN in Providenci In the days surrounding this event, the . visitors also spoke ata fireside, gave a lengthy interview for a national television program (which aired repeatedly) and consulted with the Local Spiritual Assembly.

© Portugal: The Baha’i community was represented in a wide-ranging forum on religious thought at the University of the Azores, May 25-26. A presentation by Rui Batista, a member of the inoal Spiritual Assembly, titled “The Fundamental Unity of Religions—Baha’w'lléh’s Vision,” aroused great interest among the 60 or 70 professors and university students attending, according to a report from the national newsletter. Spe: were invited from Italy, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain. #

September 27, 2000 The AMERICAN

ANA’’ © INTERNATIONAL NEWS page 31 [Page 32]

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY REACHES OUT

‘To encourage the American Baha’i community in our “unspeakably glorious” mission, the National Spiritual Assembly—along with several Counselors and Auxiliary Board members—is undertaking

an unprecedented series of meetings with the friends across the country, in 36 localities October 21-22 and December 2-3. Please see page | to find out about the meeting nearest you.

207-438-9940; e-mail

(653-5033; fax 810-653-7181; e-mail gory Bahé’t Institute, phone 843-558-5093; . Native American Bahai ee

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT EVENTS sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly i Sa \ or its agencies at the Baha’f National Center, please phone 847-869-9039 and ask for the relevant department. Numbers and e-mail addresses for the perma nent Baha’{ schools and institutes are: Bosch Baha’f School, phone 831-423 3387; fax 831-423-7564; e-mail

‘Green Acre Baha'i School, | SS

'1-1063; e-mail

mailings sent to individual Bahd’is in August. Updates for some Electoral Units have been posted on the Administrative Web Site (www.usbne.org).

6-8: ‘Irfin Colloquium and Seminar at Louhelen.

6-8: Local Spiritual Assembly Team Building: “Increasing Love and Trust Among the Members” at Bosch.

ee ‘Two programs at Green Acre:

king and Listening: The Art of Spiritual Parenting”; “A True Pattern in Action: Solving Problems and

Improving Relationshi 20-22: Assembly Development Forum at Green Acre.

ishing Traini litator Book 1 at Green Acre. Prior completion of Ruhi Institute Book 1 course required.

27-29: College Club Weekend at Bosch.

BAHA’i NATIONAL CENTER 112 LINDEN AVE WILMETTE, IL 60091-2849

http://bahai.home. mindspring. com); pre-register by Sept. 17 for discount. | Hotel reservations: Best Western (phone 800-934-3301); deadline Oct. 15 for special rate.

3-5: Local Spiritual Assembly Team Building: “Increasing Love and Trust Among the Members” at Bosch.

10-12: ‘Two programs at Green Acre: “Reaching Christian Hearts with Baha’u’llah’s Good News”; Junior Youth Session: “Get Real and Stay ‘Dry in the Sea’ ” for ages 12-15.

10-12: Family session at Bosch: The World Order of Baba’u'llab, letters | and 2. 10-12: Loui a Baha hool, Covington, LA; with Counselor Tod Ewing; Jeanette Hedayati and Farah Guchani-Rosenberg. Registrar: Marilyn Jennison,

(phone , e-mail ). Pre-register by Nov. 1; discount before Oct. 1.

Workers take jackhammer and shovel to a garden wall on the north side of the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, as part of a gradual renovation of Temple grounds. More photos on pages 16-17.

Photo by James Humphrey

SEPTEMBER 27-NOVEMBER 3, 2000 MASHIYYAT, ‘ILM * B.E. 157

17-19: Two family sessiowis at Bosch: The World Order of Baha'u'llah, letters 3 and 4; “Parenting in the Baha’f Faith.” 17-19: “Baha’i-Centered Management” at Green Acre.

23-26: ‘Irfan Colloquium at Bosch. 23-26: Southern regional conference, Nashville, Tenne: Regional Baha Southern States. Details on page 12. 23-26: Desert Rose Baha’f School, Casa Grande, AZ. Information available (phone 520-466-7361 or 520-4667767, e-mail

23-26: Florida Baha’i School, Orlz anid FL; with Jack McCants, Kerry McCord, Leota Lookman, Jeff Huffines, Rachel Huffines. Registrar: Denise Godsey,

, e-mail ); pre-register Nov. 9. 24-26: Conference on Children: “Functional Families and Caring Communities” at Green Acre.

(phone

National Center, 1233 ¢ g residence address (B) must be filled in. Please allow three weeks for processg. (This also updates the National Center's database.)

“Teaching

1-3: Assembly Development Module, “Builders of Communities,” at Bosch. 7-10: Family session at Bosch: The World Order of Babd’u'lldb. 8-10: Seekers Weekend at Bosch: “God's Messenger for this Day.” 15-17: “Challenges of Single Parenthood” at Bosch. 26-31: Winter School at Green Acre: Relationships, Marriage and Family Life. 26-31: Winter School at Bosch: “Comparative Religions” plus “Mediation and Conflict Resolution.” 26-3 neer Tr: g Program in New York City. Contact Office of Pioneering (phone 847-733-3508).

PAID SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES at the Baha'i National Offices

Refugee Offices Public See Information * Publishing

Marketing * More! page 22

dress and ), HL 60201-1611. If

A. NAME(S), 1D De

a oy ea

Street Address

Apartment # (applicable)

Street Address

Aparument # (ifapplicable)

City Gity Zip code” State Zip code D. NEW COMMUNITY FE. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER Name of new Baha'i Community Moving Date Area Code Phone Number Name UMBERG) ‘Name Area Code Phone Number Name

matel

the person(s) TP sae listed above.

only one copy.

BECAUSE: names and addresses address labels do not 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

H. 1 WOULD LIKE A COPY

[Oe bowsehold reccives ony ‘one copy of The American Babd't. 1 wish to receive my own copy. I have listed my name, ID number and address above.

Tae AMERICAN BanA’i