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THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í

JUNE 5, 2001

NÚR/LIGHT RAḤMAT/MERCY BAHÁ’Í ERA 158

VOLUME 32, NO. 5

·I·N·S·I·D·E·

UN COMMISSION VOTES AGAIN TO URGE END TO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST BAHÁ’ÍS IN IRAN PAGE 6

FOCUSED STUDY PAGE 11

BUILDING THE KINGDOM IT’S OUR TIME ONE-YEAR UPDATE PAGES 19-20

• KID’S CORNER · 21
• HONOR ROLL · 27-28
• CLASSIFIED · 32-33
• IN MEMORIAM · 34
• YOUTH · 38
• PERSIAN PAGES · 39-42

MESSAGES FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

• Riḍván 2001 letter: pages 3-4
• Response to a question about the timing of the Lesser Peace: page 5
• Response to a video that reports on the U.S. national media campaign: page 5

five YEAR PLAN 2001-2006

Convention sees history

First indigenous officer of National Assembly welcomed

BY TOM MENNILLO

For the first time, an American Indian believer serves as an officer of our National Spiritual Assembly.

Patricia Locke was elected vice-chair by her colleagues in a dinner meeting immediately following announcement of the incoming Assembly at the 92nd Bahá’í National Convention, held entirely at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, April 26-29.

Members of the National Spiritual Assembly elected at the 2001 National Convention:

Dorothy W. Nelson

William L. H. Roberts Treasurer

Robert C. Henderson Secretary-General

William E. Davis Chair

Erica Toussaint

Patricia Locke Vice-Chair

David Young

Juana C. Conrad Deputy Secretary-General

Jack McCants

One hundred sixty-one delegates from across the nation had voted for our national body in an “atmosphere of joyous devotion,” with another eight delegates casting ballots by mail. Three members of the Continental Board of Counselors for the Americas witnessed the election.

Locke and her colleagues were introduced to Convention delegates and observers amid an outpouring of love that included the presentation of a

SEE CONVENTION, PAGE 22

Splendor on Carmel

As thousands look on, the pathway from the base of Mount Carmel to the Shrine of the Báb is lighted just after dusk May 22, during the dedication ceremony for the Terraces in Haifa, Israel. Story and more photos, pages 7-8. Bahá’í World News Service

Get ready to share our blueprints for the Kingdom in Milwaukee

Ten thousand seekers have been invited to the upcoming Bahá’í National Conference, Building the Kingdom for Every Man, Woman, Youth and Child.

These are the people who have already shown their interest in the Bahá’í Faith and its solutions for humanity—by reaching out for more information through 1-800-22-UNITE or www.us.bahai.org.

Of course, those invitations have been concentrated most heavily on eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, where

SEE CONFERENCE, PAGE 9

BUILDING THE KINGDOM

FOR EVERY MAN, WOMAN, YOUTH & CHILD

Bahá’í National Conference June 28-July 1, 2001 · Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Register now! www.kingdomconference.org

THE NATIONAL FUND

Between May 1, 2000, and April 30, 2001

$27,000,000	Goal/all funds
$17,279,826	Received

Excluding Kingdom Project See page 6 for details

·E·X·C·E·R·P·T·S·

“Call out to Zion, O Carmel, and announce the joyful tidings: He that was hidden from mortal eyes is come!” —Bahá’u’lláh [Page 2]

Special subject: The Fifth Epoch of the Formative Age

Epoch: An event or a time marked by an event that begins a new period or development. ... An extended period of time usually characterized by a distinctive development or a memorable series of events. —definitions from Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary

The exciting announcement by the Universal House of Justice of the dawn of the Fifth Epoch of the Formative Age of the Bahá’í Faith reminds us yet again that we are part of a process of history.

At this stage, our understanding of the importance of the process is limited. Yet we can glimpse ways in which Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation is to transform the human race spiritually and materially.

The questions naturally arise: What constitutes an epoch, what constitutes an age, and why do we refer to the progress of Bahá’í history in those terms?

Footnote: Two parallel progressions of epochs

While the succession of epochs of the Formative Age is largely concerned with the maturation of the institutions of the Faith, the Divine Plan of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is proceeding in its own series of epochs.

The First Epoch of the Divine Plan began with the Master’s addressing of the Tablets of the Divine Plan to the Bahá’ís of North America in 1916 and 1917. The Second and current Epoch of the Divine Plan was proclaimed in 1963 as the Universal House of Justice began coordinating the worldwide teaching plans.

As pointed out in “The Epochs of the Formative Age,” a document by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice distributed to National Spiritual Assemblies in 1986, Shoghi Effendi has said the Bahá’í Faith is destined to pass through three major evolutionary stages:

• The Apostolic or Heroic Age (1844–1921), associated with the Central Figures of the Faith: the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
• The Formative or Transitional Age (1921–??), whose hallmark is the rise and establishment of the Administrative Order, based on the terms of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will and Testament.
• The Golden Age, which will encompass the establishment of the Most Great Peace and the “birth and efflorescence of a world civilization.”

Within the Heroic Age, Shoghi Effendi identified three distinct epochs: the Dispensation of the Báb, the ministry of Bahá’u’lláh and the ministry of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The astounding spiritual energy of that age, the Guardian wrote, was generated “through the advent of two independent Manifestations and the establishment of a Covenant unique in the spiritual annals of mankind.”

The Formative Age, Shoghi Effendi wrote, would see the following tasks accomplished: “[T]he election of the Universal House of Justice will have been completed, the Kitáb-i-Aqdas ... will have been codified and its laws promulgated, the Lesser Peace will have been established, the unity of mankind will have been achieved and its maturity attained, the Plan conceived by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá will have been executed, the emancipation of the Faith from the fetters of religious orthodoxy will have been effected, and its independent religious status will have been universally recognized. ...”—Citadel of Faith, p. 6

Here are some characteristics of the first three epochs of the Formative Age, excerpted from the Research Department document:

First Epoch: 1921–1944/46

• Birth and primary stages in the structure of the Administrative Order of the Faith.
• Formation of local and national institutions on every continent, beginning the creation of the framework for future systematic teaching activities.
• Launching of the First Seven Year Plan (1937–1944) by the American Bahá’í community—the first large-scale, systematic teaching campaign, and also the initial stage of the execution of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan in the Western Hemisphere.

Second Epoch: 1946–1963

• Planning and carrying out of an increasing number of national teaching plans, culminating in the Ten Year World Crusade (1953–1963), in which Shoghi Effendi coordinated the plans of 12 National Assemblies.
• The rise and “steady consolidation” of the World Center of the Faith, including completion of the Shrine of the Báb and creation of the International Bahá’í Council—the latter disbanded once the Universal House of Justice was elected in 1963.
• Appointment and functioning of the Hands of the Cause; introduction of Auxiliary Boards; and increased effectiveness in use of the administrative machinery to advance toward goals of the Faith worldwide.

Third Epoch: 1963–1986

• The global Nine Year Plan (1964–1973), Five Year Plan (1974–1979) and Seven Year Plan (1979–1986), which ushered the Bahá’í community through a period of vast increase in its size and diversity.
• Emergence of the Faith from obscurity and initiation of activities to foster social and economic development of communities.
• Creation of the Continental Boards of Counselors and the International Teaching Center, and establishment of assistants to the Auxiliary Boards.
• Construction and occupation of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice at the Bahá’í World Center.

Fourth Epoch: 1986–2001

• The Six Year Plan (1986–1992), the Three Year Plan (1993–1996), the Four Year Plan (1996–2000) and the Twelve Month Plan (2000–2001), in which the Universal House of Justice outlined general aims and characteristics of each plan and left specific goal-setting to the National Spiritual Assemblies.

While the 1986 document could not foresee specific events of the Fourth Epoch, here are some developments highlighted by the Universal House of Justice in its letters to the Bahá’ís of the world:

• Identification of a process of entry by troops, with advancements in that process marked by teaching campaigns that increased the number of the world’s Bahá’ís by more than 1 million and vitalized teaching by indigenous believers everywhere, creation of training institutes, new systems for youth service, emphasis on child education, blossoming of artistic effort, growth of social and economic development projects, invitation to the public to worship with the Bahá’í community, and other developments.
• Prodigious events in external affairs including distribution of The Promise of World Peace to heads of government, great efforts in defense of the persecuted Bahá’ís in Iran, and world-level involvement in various development and environmental efforts.
• Establishment of dozens of new National Spiritual Assemblies, including those of most of the former Soviet republics and satellites a few years after they were opened or reopened to the Faith.
• Completion of the Mount Carmel Projects at the Bahá’í World Center, including the 19 Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb and two new administrative buildings on the Arc.
• Translation of the entire Kitáb-i-Aqdas into English and several other languages, and full application of a number of its laws including obligatory prayer and Huqúqu’lláh.
• Development of the institutions of the Counselors and their Auxiliary Boards in the work of teaching and protecting the Faith; also, establishment of Regional Bahá’í Councils to help carry out the plans of selected National Spiritual Assemblies.

Fifth Epoch: Just beginning

The evolution of the Bahá’í Faith and its Administrative Order cannot be precisely predicted. Still, letters of the Universal House of Justice since late 1999 (including the Ridván Letter, published on pages 3–4) indicate some developments we can anticipate:

• A series of global plans leading to the 100th year of the Formative Age.
• Further development of the Center for the Study of the Texts (with emphasis on translating more of the writings of Bahá’u’lláh) and other agencies of the Bahá’í World Center.
• Increasing cultivation of training institutes in efforts to develop individuals, communities and institutions in their capacities to serve the Cause and serve humanity.
• Creation of systematic growth programs, characterized by collaboration among local communities as well as among Counselors, Auxiliary Boards, Assemblies and Councils.
• A program to build National Houses of Worship after the Mother Temple of South America is completed. ◆

“Excellence in All Things” will return in the next issue of The American Bahá’í.

THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í
PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES Bahá’í National Center 847-869-9039
Editorial Office of The American Bahá’í Mail: 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201 Phone: 847-425-7963 Fax: 847-425-7969 E-mail:
Editor James Humphrey Associate Editor Tom Mennillo Facilities Manager, Bahá’í Media Services Artis Mebane Contributors Aidin Brown, Jim Cheek, Claire Cline, George Costant, Ladan Cockshut-Miller, Sam Conrad, Liz Donaldson, Pearl Fleischhacker, F. Gonzales, Helen Katz, Guity Kiani, John Leonard, Alex Mann, Vladimir Shilov, Viva Tomlin, Ruhi Vargha, Dean Willey
PUBLISHED ONCE EVERY 38 DAYS (plus one special issue) for a total of 10 issues per year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. Periodical postage paid at Evanston, IL and additional mailing offices. ISSN Number: 1062-1113. Canada: Publications Agreement Number 1486683
ADDRESS CHANGES If you have an address change, or wish to stop or consolidate mailings, contact the Membership Office, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (e-mail ). There is no need to contact the Editors directly. A form is on the back page.
SUBMITTING ARTICLES AND PHOTOS THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í welcomes news, letters or other items of interest from individuals and institutions of the Bahá’í Faith. • ARTICLES should be clear, concise and relevant to the goals of the worldwide and national teaching plans. We may edit stories for length. We cannot print advance articles to publicize locally sponsored events, but we may be able to list them in the Calendar. • PHOTOGRAPHS may be color or black-and-white prints. Please submit photos that are well-composed and in focus, and identify people in photos when possible. If you wish photos returned, include a self-addressed envelope (you do not need to supply postage). • DEADLINES for upcoming issues: Aug. 20 issue: Deadline July 3 Sept. 27 issue: Deadline Aug. 7
PLEASE ADDRESS ALL ITEMS for possible publication to The American Bahá’í, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (e-mail ).
©2001 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

[Page 3]

TO THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE WORLD

Dearly loved Friends,

With great joy in our hearts and high expectations, we come to this Ridván season at a change of time, when a new state of mind is evident among us all. Abroad in our world community there is a heightened awareness of the value of process, the necessity of planning and the virtue of systematic action in fostering growth and in developing the human resources by which expansion can be sustained and consolidation assured. The coherence of understanding about these prerequisites of progress cannot be overvalued, nor can the importance of perpetuating them through well-ordered training be overestimated. And so the arrival of our community at such a moment of consciousness is an occasion of significance for us. We are deeply grateful to the Blessed Beauty to be able to recognize and acclaim it at the very beginning of the global enterprise being launched during these festive days.

The power of will generated by this consciousness characterized the conference of the Continental Counsellors and the members of their Auxiliary Boards who gathered last January in the Holy Land. The event produced so illuminating an experience as to signalize the Faith's entry into a new epoch, the fifth of its Formative Age. Such a freshness of vitality as was displayed at this historic gathering came to be understood as a manifestation of the rising quality of activity throughout the community. Pursuit during the past year of the essentials for advancing the process of entry by troops confirmed this observation. The path was thus paved for the Five Year Plan, the first venture being entered upon in the Fifth Epoch.

In augmenting major efforts of the previous Four Year Plan that brought into being more than 300 training institutes, the Twelve Month Plan achieved its purpose. It gathered significance through the notable responses of institutions and individuals to the call for a greater focus on the spiritual nurturing of children and the involvement of junior youth in Bahá’í community life. The training of teachers of children's classes and the inclusion of junior youth in the institute process have become a regular part of Bahá’í activity in a number of countries. Despite its brevity, the Twelve Month Plan had an importance beyond the objectives specifically assigned. The Plan was a dynamic link between a highly eventful epoch in Bahá’í history and the immensely promising prospects of a new one, for which its achievements have so well prepared the community. It has been etched in our annals, too, for the enduring effects of the Faith's activities at the end of the twentieth century—a century that deserves to be reflected upon by any Bahá’í who wishes to understand the tumultuous forces that influenced the life of the planet and the processes of the Cause itself at a crucial time in humanity's social and spiritual evolution. As an aid to so worthy an effort, Century of Light, a review of the twentieth century, was prepared at our request and under our supervision.

On many occasions during this one-year endeavour, the external affairs activities of the Faith were especially visible. Consider, for example, the instances of Bahá’í representatives' having participated prominently in the millennial events that took place in May, August and September at the urging of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The implications of so close and conspicuous an involvement of the Bahá’í International Community with the processes of the Lesser Peace will require the passage of time to be properly understood. Among other highlights was the continental colloquium organized in India by the Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity, a new agency operating under the aegis of the Bahá’í International Community. Adopting the theme of "science, religion and development", the conference featured the participation of leading non-governmental organizations of India, as well as that of institutions of such renown as UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO and the World Bank. In October, the Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS) was launched on the Internet with the intention of reaching both Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í audiences with news stories about developments throughout the Bahá’í world.

The intensive activities at the Bahá’í World Centre during the last year were, for the most part, made known to the friends through previous reports that included references to such achievements as the occupation by the International Teaching Centre of its permanent seat on Mount Carmel; the Conference of Continental Counsellors and the members of their Auxiliary Boards held in the Holy Land last January; and the completion of the Mount Carmel projects, which are now receiving finishing touches in preparation for the celebratory events in May. Last October, for the first time, pilgrims and visitors were received at the new Reception Centre in Haifa, which became fully operational. At Bahjí the embellishment of the sacred site through the development of its gardens has proceeded continually; the effort has, however, received a boost from the new project initiated last year to construct a Visitors’ Centre towards the northern end of the property beyond the Collins Gate. Scheduled for completion in the next few months, the structure is fully in place, and work is progressing in all areas, including finishing and landscaping. The new facilities will improve the ability of the World Centre to receive increasing numbers of pilgrims, short-term Bahá’í visitors, and special guests.

To conclude this summary of the year, we rejoice in informing you that, after the lapse of almost three decades, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Indonesia was restored at the National Convention held in Jakarta last Ridván. A ban imposed on Bahá’í activities in August 1962 severely restricted the actions of the Indonesian Bahá’ís for all that time, but they remained steadfast and wise in their long-suffering until changed circumstances in that country resulted in the lifting of the ban. May we not venture to hope, then, that a similar happy report concerning our beleaguered co-religionists in Iran, Egypt and other countries will not be too far distant? [Page 4]

FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Dear Friends: Two decades from now the Bahá’í world will celebrate the centenary of the inception of the Formative Age. We look back at the dawning of the Age from the vantage point of attainments that could hardly have been imagined at the outset. Up ahead are horizons that urgently summon the community to even greater achievements in the short span separating it from that centennial. Those heights can and must be scaled. The Five Year Plan, to which we call the urgent and sustained attention of the friends throughout the world, is intended to meet this challenge. It constitutes the first of a series of campaigns that will be pursued during these twenty years. This Plan marks the next phase in the aim to accomplish a significant advance in the process of entry by troops. It demands an acceleration of this vital process and, furthermore, insists upon continuity in systematic endeavour on the part of its three constituent participants: the individual, the institutions, and the community.

No need to elaborate on the requirements of the Plan, for these were set out in our message to the assembled Counsellors in the Holy Land and subsequently shared with all National Spiritual Assemblies. Soon after their conference, the Counsellors began consulting with the National Assemblies about the execution of the Plan in their respective jurisdictions. The Plan's direction is therefore known to the friends everywhere, as regional and local preparations for pursuing its major aim are under way. There is a general awareness by now that efforts will be made to effect a deeper penetration of the Faith into more and more regions within countries. For example, where circumstances permit, local communities that exist in close proximity to each other will be mobilized to participate in intensive programmes of growth. Other approaches will require methodical opening of new areas for which homefront pioneers must be raised up in the same consecrated spirit that prompted those who scattered abroad at earlier times to open virgin territories across continents and seas. Suffice it to say that the process animating this divinely driven enterprise will eventually expand as related features are gradually introduced and systematically integrated into its operation.

A feature of the Fifth Epoch will be the enrichment of the devotional life of the community through the raising up of national Houses of Worship, as circumstances in national communities permit. The scheduling of these projects will be determined by the Universal House of Justice in relation to the advancement of the process of entry by troops within countries. This development will unfold throughout successive stages of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan. Upon the completion of the Mother Temple of the West, the Guardian started a programme of constructing continental temples. The first among these were the Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs in Kampala, Sydney and Frankfurt, which were built in response to Ten Year Plan goals. The Universal House of Justice continued along these lines with the building of Temples in Panama City, Apia, and New Delhi. But this continental stage has yet to be completed: one more edifice remains to be built. It is with profound thankfulness and joy that we announce at this auspicious moment the decision to proceed with this last project. During the Five Year Plan, erection of the Mother Temple of South America in Santiago, Chile, will commence and thus fulfil a wish clearly expressed by Shoghi Effendi.

Meanwhile, the time is propitious that further steps be taken at the World Centre to develop the functions of the institutions occupying the new edifices on the Arc. The International Teaching Centre having advanced significantly in its work, attention will be given particularly to organizing the work of the Centre for the Study of the Texts. Enriching the translations into English from the Holy Texts will be a special object of this attention. The purpose of the institution is to assist the Universal House of Justice in consulting the Sacred Writings and to prepare translations and commentaries on the authoritative texts of the Faith. Moreover, in the Holy Land, a continued effort will be devoted towards the devising of measures to make possible a further increase in the number of pilgrims and visitors to the Bahá’í World Centre.

In our Ridván message five years ago, we announced the holding of a major event at the World Centre to mark the completion of the projects on Mount Carmel and the opening of the Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb to the public. The moment is upon us, and we exult in the anticipation of welcoming friends from virtually all countries to programmes that will extend over a five-day period, 21-25 May. We are also happy to say that steps are being taken to connect the Bahá’í world to the proceedings through live transmissions on the World Wide Web and by satellite, about which information is being provided. As the World Centre focuses on the preparations, excitement is building up among the public in Haifa, where municipal authorities have undertaken to publish a book entitled Bahá’í Shrine and Gardens on Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel: A Visual Journey to coincide with the event. Moreover, the Israel Postal Authority is pursuing its decision to release at the same time a commemorative stamp featuring the Terraces. The significance of the occasion lies principally in the pause it will allow for a review of the remarkable distance the Cause has covered in its development during the twentieth century. It will be time, too, for considering the future implications of the phenomenal accomplishments symbolized by the rise of the monumental structures on God's holy mountain—a rise that opens the spiritual and administrative centres of our Faith to the gaze of the world.

As our community rejoices in these thrilling considerations, let every member bear in mind that there is no time for resting on laurels. Humanity's current plight is too desperate to allow for even a moment's hesitation in sharing the Bread of Life, which has come down from heaven in our time. Let there be no delay, then, in advancing the process that has every promise of success in ushering to the banquet table of the Lord of Hosts the souls of all that hunger after truth.

May He Who keeps watch over the destiny of His divine System guide and direct and confirm every effort you make towards the realization of the urgent tasks set before you.

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

The letter to the assembled Counselors in the Holy Land (dated Jan. 9, 2001), to which this letter makes reference, was published in the March 21, 2001, issue of The American Bahá’í. Its text is available on the national Administrative Web Site (www.usbnc.org). [Page 5]Dear Friends,

We have the privilege of sharing with you a recent letter received from the Department of the Secretariat of the Universal House of Justice responding to a question about the timing of the Lesser Peace. The study of this historic document will provide you with the proper perspective on the distinction between the unity of nations and the Lesser Peace.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

Note: Enclosed with the original letter was a 10-page memorandum that contains a compilation of Bahá’í writings on "Attainment of the Unity of Nations and the Lesser Peace." This compilation is available on the national Administrative Web Site (www.usbnc.org).

Message of the Universal House of Justice in reply to an individual and distributed to all National Spiritual Assemblies, dated April 19, 2001

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

The principal issue raised in your letter is that of the timing for the occurrence of the Lesser Peace, in light of your impression that the Bahá’í Writings anticipate its coming before the conclusion of the twentieth century; i.e., the end of December 2000.

Enclosed for your information is a copy of a memorandum prepared by the Research Department, at the request of the House of Justice, on the subject of the attainment of the unity of nations and the Lesser Peace. Assembled in this document are a number of pertinent passages from authoritative texts of the Faith.

In reviewing this material it becomes apparent that there is nothing in the authoritative Bahá’í Writings to indicate that the Lesser Peace would be established before the end of the twentieth century. However, there are clear statements affirming that the unity of nations would be, in the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, "securely established" during the twentieth century.

These statements, and others appearing in the enclosed document, should be viewed from the perspective that the evolution of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh is an organic process proceeding in accordance with the Divine Will and animated by a spiritual reality. In response to a question, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote: "The kingdom of peace, salvation, uprightness, and reconciliation is founded in the invisible world, and it will by degrees become manifest and apparent through the power of the Word of God!" As a result of consecrated human endeavour over decades, and indeed centuries, this spiritual reality is gradually expressed in physical form.

An orientation to process is apparent throughout the writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi concerning the attainment of world peace. For example, the Guardian reported the Master as having acclaimed actions taken at the conclusion of the First World War to have signalized "the dawn of the Most Great Peace". This stands in contrast to preoccupation with the short term in the wider society today which focuses exclusively on events rather than on evolutionary processes.

You should also take note of the distinction between the unity of nations and the Lesser Peace. Shoghi Effendi, in response to questions from believers, clarified that "unity in the political realm", to which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá referred in his enunciation of the seven candles of unity, "is a unity which politically independent and sovereign states achieve among themselves". As expressed in the passages cited in the enclosed memorandum, the Lesser Peace will initially be a political unity arrived at by decision of the various governments of the world. The unity of nations can be taken as that unity which arises from a recognition among the peoples of the various nations, that they are members of one common human family.

The twentieth century has been distinguished by the emergence of the unity of nations, to which both Shoghi Effendi and the House of Justice have referred in the enclosed document. This movement, the evidence of which accumulates with each passing day, stands in sharp contrast to the nationalistic tenor of the nineteenth century, and is an evidence of the spirit of a new age moving in the hearts of humankind. Viewed from this perspective, there can be no doubt that the promise of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has been fulfilled, and the unity of nations securely established in the century now concluded. The further expansion and strengthening of this consciousness of world solidarity in the years to come will have their effect in the political realm, and will influence the evolution towards world government.

It should not be imagined that the processes now moving in the world will be free from challenge or difficulty. There may well be set-backs, and conflicts may erupt periodically, as humanity proceeds towards the emergence and consolidation of the Lesser Peace, giving rise in due course to the establishment of the Most Great Peace.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

Message of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, dated April 17, 2001

With grateful hearts and much joy we share with you a message from the Universal House of Justice noting their delight at the increasing effectiveness of the media campaign. Their inspiring words of encouragement are certain to enable us to proceed unhesitatingly to attain the "great victories that hover on the horizon" of our community.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

The members of the Universal House of Justice took time today to view the video, "A Trumpet Blast of Knowledge: the New Face of the American Bahá’í Community," which you forwarded with your letter of 16 March 2001. We have been asked to express their delight at the increasing effectiveness, as shown by the video, of the media campaign under way in your country. They were deeply moved by the spirit of faith that shone through the expressions of the new believers interviewed on film and warmly encourage you to persevere with the media campaign as an integral part of your ongoing efforts to advance the process of entry by troops in the United States.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

HUQUQU’LLÁH / THE RIGHT OF GOD

Opportunities to learn about the sacred law of Huqúqu’lláh and applying it in your life:

New videotape: A Visit to the West by the Trustee of Huqúqu’lláh and Hand of the Cause of God Dr. Ali Muhammad Varqá prepared by the Office of Huqúqu’lláh in the Holy Land

To order this video within the U.S.: Please use the multipurpose form on page 35. Under "Special information," please list the number of copies of the video you wish to order, as well as the total cost. Each copy costs $9 plus $3 for U.S. postage. Please enclose payment by check or money order, made out to "Huqúqu’lláh Video Account." Mail the form and payment to one of the Trustees or to the Office of the Secretariat, Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust (see box at right for addresses).

Also: Huqúqu’lláh Web site accessible at www.usbnc.org Codification of the Law • Compilation of writings on Huqúqu’lláh • Practical guidelines • History of the institution • Prayers • Online videos • Directory of Huqúqu’lláh Representatives across the U.S. • Articles for study

Access www.usbnc.org with your Bahá’í ID number, then click on the "Huqúqu’lláh" link.

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

• Amin Banani
• Stephen Birkland
• Sally Foo
• Daryush Haghighi
• Elizabeth Martin, P.O. Box 178, Winnsboro, SC 29180
• Office of the Secretariat, Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust

[Page 6]

UN panel again admonishes Iran

Discrimination against Bahá’ís still present despite some 'positive steps'

or the 18th consecutive year, the United Nations Human Rights resolution on Iran on April 20, calling for full emancipation of that country's beleaguered Bahá’í community among other human rights concerns.

The United States and 20 other countries voted for the resolution as the commission met in Geneva, Switzerland. Seventeen countries voted against it and 15 abstained.

While noting "recent positive steps regarding the situation of the Bahá’ís, including the report that they will be allowed to re-establish their cemetery in Tehran," the Human Rights Commission pointed in its resolution to "the still existing discrimination against persons belonging to minorities, in particular against Bahá’ís...."

The resolution urged the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to eliminate discrimination against Bahá’ís and other religious minorities, to carry out previous UN recommendations for the "full emancipation" of those minorities, and "to address the matter in an open manner with the full participation of the minorities themselves...."

The commission notified Iran that it will "continue its examination of the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, paying particular attention to further developments, including the situation of the Bahá’ís and other minority groups...."

Comprehensive information on the status of the Bahá’ís in Iran is available on the Web (www.us.bahai.org/extaffairs/iran).

The resolution welcomed reports that Iranians will no longer be asked to state their religion when registering births, marriages, divorces or deaths—effectively removing some of the barriers to Bahá’ís' participation in society.

But it criticized Iran for failing to cooperate with UN human rights experts, who have been denied entry to the country since 1996.

In 1993 the UN special rapporteur for Iran, Maurice Copithorne, made public a government document outlining a strategy for suppression of the Bahá’í community in Iran.

Bahá’ís have been subjected to official persecution in Iran from time to time since the early days of the Faith. Since the revolution of 1979, more than 200 Bahá’ís have been executed—the most recent case in July 1998—and hundreds more imprisoned solely on the basis of their religious beliefs.

Also in 1998, officials arrested 36 educators and administrators of the Bahá’í Institute for Higher Learning and raided several sites where the institute held classes. This "Open University" has been the only source of higher education available to Bahá’í youth, who are barred from entering other universities in Iran.

Among other conditions still in effect:

The Iranian Constitution grants full protection under the law only to members of a few religions—not including Bahá’ís.

Seven Bahá’ís remain imprisoned on charges arising solely from their faith. Two of them are on death row.

Spiritual Assemblies have not been formed since the Iranian government banned Bahá’í administrative institutions in 1983.

Bahá’ís are barred from employment in government and universities, and in many cases have lost their pension benefits.

In addition to the United States, co-sponsors of the April 20 resolution are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Early Bahá’í findings from FACT

It is important to note that 72% of Bahá’í communities have 25 or fewer adult members. This community size may relate to some challenges we face.

Some areas with room for development

About half of the Bahá’í respondents said they found their community to be "spiritually vital and alive."

About half of the Bahá’í respondents report that their community helps them "deepen in their relationship with God."

• Fewer than half report that their Bahá’í community "is a moral beacon in the community."

Some areas of particular success

Three-quarters of Bahá’í respondents said that "our worship services are spiritually uplifting and inspirational."

65% report that "members are excited about the future of the community."

• More Bahá’í communities report that they are "working for social justice" than reported by other religious groups.

Bahá’ís are more likely to report that their community has "a clear sense of mission and purpose" than other religious groups.

• There was an increase of almost 10% in Bahá’í communities reporting that their financial health is excellent or good as compared to five years previous.

Interfaith survey demonstrates common ground on needs

Bahá’ís and other religious communities have virtually the same needs when it comes to maintaining their vitality, growth and financial stability, according to the recently completed Faith Communities Today survey (FACT), a statistical study of 42 denominations and faith groups across the United States.

"A Report on Religion in the United States Today," the first report on the survey's results released in April, can provide valuable input and encouragement for planning of our Bahá’í activities on national, regional and local levels, said Theresa Mullen, director of the National Spiritual Assembly's Office of Assembly Development.

"It should also be useful and encouraging for communities to see that these [identified needs] are not just challenges and opportunities for us, but are encountered by many religious groups," Mullen said.

Those issues—many of which could have been drawn directly from Universal House of Justice letters or National Spiritual Assembly goals include involvement of youth and attention to their needs; a wide range of teaching, service and education; uplifting worship; positive attitudes toward the future; and a focused sense of purpose encouraged by caring, disciplined leadership.

Conducted over several years by the Hartford Institute for Religious Research in Connecticut, the FACT survey asked representatives of congregations nationwide more than 200 questions in the broad categories of worship and identity, location and facilities, internal and mission-oriented program, leadership and organization dynamics, participants and finances.

An impressive 700 Local Spiritual Assemblies completed surveys that contributed to the Bahá’í data for FACT.

"The very fact that we were asked to participate indicates an emergence from obscurity," Mullen said.

She added that several national Bahá’í offices, including the Office of Research and Review, the U.S. UN Office and the Office of Public Information Chicago, have collaborated closely for up to four years with groups that were involved in the survey.

Enrollments

April 2001: 114 Since May 1, 2000: 1,362

THE FUND

May 1, 2000-April 30, 2001

Contributions received by National Treasurer (excluding Kingdom Project)

Goal for entire year: $27,000,000 Received since May 1, 2000: $17,279,826 64% of year's goal was met 100% of fiscal year has passed

April 30, 2001 Total cash-basis revenues and expenditures for Bahá’í National Fund May 1, 2000-March 31, 2001 (latest avail.; excluding Kingdom Project)

Revenues (contributions, book sales, school fees etc.): $21,375,182 Expenditures (operations, capital and debt payments etc.): $23,723,576

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

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

Bahá’í Newsreel on the Web!

See it on the Administrative Web Site:

• Uniting around the media campaign in Maine
• Nurturing future generations in New Mexico
• Intercommunity collaboration in North Carolina
• Maturation of an Assembly in Oregon
• Building the Kingdom across the globe, across the nation, in our hearts

The National Spiritual Assembly's Administrative Web Site has been redesigned for better readability and reorganized for easier browsing!

Check it out: www.usbnc.org Log in with your Bahá’í ID number [Page 7]

OPENING OF THE TERRACES OF THE SHRINE OF THE BÁB

First-time impressions of the Terraces...

"... paradise on earth.... The sound of the water is like a divine song. Combined with the smell of the flowers and the harmony of the col- ors, all these sensations, they give you a feeling of plentitude and peace." -Salomeea Romanescu, 37, educator from Bucharest, Romania

"It has been my dream to come here, and now my dreams have come true... For me, this is the holiest place on earth." -Jaipal Bali Singh, 42, businessman from Srinagar, India

"I came here directly from the bus and tears just came to my eyes because of the beauty and spirituality of these terraces. This is a fulfillment of the prophecies of our Faith, that these structures would be built here.". -Jean-Marie Nau, from Luxembourg

"To meet so many brothers and sis- ters, from different countries, speak- ing different languages, it brings me great happiness.... I feel like I am next to God, with people of different colors, from different places, and that we are flowers of one garden." -Claudio Limachi, from Bolivia

"When you see this place, you see that peace can come in the world. The beauty here, it can bring people together. It is, like the Bible says, the Kingdom of God on earth." -Peter Wathum Onega, 48, farmer from Uganda

From Bahá’í World News Service

Thousands of Bahá’ís, led by members of the Universal House of Justice, stream up the lower Terraces during a morning ceremony on May 23.

Above photos: Some 3,000 Bahá’ís from more than 200 coun- tries, along with hundreds of dignitaries and journalists, packed a specially built amphitheater at the Entrance Plaza of the Terraces for the evening program May 22. Among them was Mount Carmel Projects manager Fariborz Sahba (above right photo, lower left).

Right photo: The Congo Bahá’í Youth Choir sings at a devotion- al program at the Entrance Plaza that also featured the Bahá’í World Center Choir, on the morning of May 23.

BAHA’I WORLD NEWS SERVICE PHOTOS

BAHA’I WORLD NEWS SERVICE

In an expressive and emotionally powerful ceremony featuring a symphony orchestra, a amphitheater, and the setting sun, Bahá’ís from more than 180 countries and their guests cele- brated the inauguration of a majestic series of garden terraces on the face of Mount Carmel.

For Bahá’ís here, and for those around the world who watched via satellite and webcast, the momentous event marked the completion of a complex of buildings and gardens on what throughout history has been called "the Moun- tain of the Lord."

The Universal House of Justice, in a statement read during the ceremony, offered the project, the celebration surroundings it, and the golden- domed Shrine in glories, as a source of hope against the "turmoil and crises of our time."

"That our Earth has contracted into a neigh- borhood, no one can seriously deny," said the statement, read by Albert Lincoln, secretary-gen- eral of the Bahá’í International Community.

"The world is being made new. Death pangs are yielding to birth pangs. The pain shall pass when members of the human race act upon the com- mon recognition of their essential oneness."

Bahá’ís, dignitaries, journalists

The temporary amphitheater at the base of Mount Carmel was packed with more than 3,000 Bahá’ís, more than 650 dignitaries from Israel and international embassies, and at least 100 represen- tatives of the news media from around the world.

The dignitaries present for the ceremony included several Israeli government ministers and deputy ministers, three Israeli Supreme Court justices, and more than 30 ambassadors to Israel from around the world. Members of the Israeli Knesset and local officials, including the mayors of Haifa and Acre, were also present, as were local and regional religious leaders.

The ceremony featured two orchestral works composed especially for the occasion: "O Queen of Carmel!," a three-movement cantata com- posed by Tolib Shahidi of Tajikistan, and "Ter- races of Light," a five-movement oratorio by Lasse Thoresen, one of Norway's best-known composers.

Toward the end of the second composition, and just as dusk was falling, the lights on the 19 newly constructed terraces, which extend nearly a kilo- meter up the north face of Mount Carmel, were gradually turned on, illuminating the mountain- side in a dramatic climax.

"Coming of age"

"This in a sense represents the coming of age of the Bahá’í world community, which is emerging around the planet with the aim of helping to reshape and revitalize the social and spiritual life of humanity," said Douglas Samimi-Moore, Director of the Office of Public Information of the Bahá’í International Community.

Much of the evening program celebrated the ultimate triumph of the Báb and His message, in that there are now some 5 million Bahá’ís around the world, forming a community capable of financing and constructing the $250 million com- plex of terraces, gardens and two major new buildings that have virtually reshaped the north face of Mount Carmel.

"Today we commemorate a sacred history of unexampled love, supreme sacrifice and divine vision," said Matthew Weinberg, Director of Research for the Bahá’í International Community's [Page 8]

MOUNT CARMEL PROJECTS

Statement of the Universal House of Justice for the opening of the Terraces on Mount Carmel, May 22, 2001

With joyful and thankful hearts, we welcome all who have come from near and far to join us on this auspicious occasion for the Bahá’ís of the world. We acknowledge with deep appreciation the presence of so many distinguished guests.

A century and a half have passed since that unspeakable tragedy in the northwest of Persia when the Báb faced the volley fired at Him from the rifles of 750 soldiers. The soldiers had followed the orders of the highest authorities in the land. The Báb’s mangled body was then thrown on the side of a moat outside the city, abandoned to what His cold-blooded persecutors thought would be a dishonourable fate. They had hoped thus to put an end to the growing influence of His teachings on masses of people throughout the country. These masses had accepted, in the face of intense persecution, the Báb’s claim to prophethood, and their lives were being transformed spiritually and morally as He prepared them for what He said was the dawn of a new age in which a world civilization would be born and flourish. The expectations that stirred countless hearts were heightened even more sublimely by the Báb’s announcement that One greater than He would soon arise, One who would reveal the unparalleled character of the promised world civilization that would signify the coming of age of the entire human race.

We are met not to lament the tragedy of the Báb’s martyrdom and the persecutions that followed; rather have we come to celebrate the culmination and acknowledge the meaning of an unprecedented project that had its beginning over a century ago. It was then that Bahá’u’lláh, Whom the Ottoman authorities had banished to Acre to serve out His days in confinement, visited Mount Carmel and selected the spot where the remains of His Herald would be interred. We humbly trust that the wondrous result achieved by the completion of the nineteen terraced gardens, at the heart of which rises the Shrine of the Báb, is a fitting fulfilment of the vision initiated by Bahá’u’lláh.

The sufferings sustained by the Báb so as to arouse humanity to the responsibilities of its coming age of maturity were themselves indications of the intensity of the struggle necessary for the world’s people to pass through the age of humanity’s collective adolescence. Paradoxical as it may seem, this is a source of hope. The turmoil and crises of our time underlie a momentous transition in human affairs. Simultaneous processes of disintegration and integration have clearly been accelerating throughout the planet since the Báb appeared in Persia. That our Earth has contracted into a neighbourhood, no one can seriously deny. The world is being made new. Death pangs are yielding to birth pangs. The pain shall pass when members of the human race act upon the common recognition of their essential oneness. There is a light at the end of this tunnel of change beckoning humanity to the goal destined for it according to the testimonies recorded in all the Holy Books.

The Shrine of the Báb stands as a symbol of the efficacy of that age-old promise, a sign of its urgency. It is, as well, a monument to the triumph of love over hate. The gardens which surround that structure, in their rich variety of colours and plants, are a reminder that the human race can live harmoniously in all its diversity. The light that shines from the central edifice is as a beacon of hope to the countless multitudes who yearn for a life that satisfies the soul as well as the body.

This inextinguishable hope stems from words such as these from the Pen of Bahá’u’lláh: "This is the Day in which God’s most excellent favours have been poured out upon men, the Day in which His most mighty grace has been infused into all created things." May all who strive, often against great odds, to uphold principles of justice and concord be encouraged by these assurances.

In reflecting on the years of effort invested in this daunting project, we are moved to express to the people of Haifa the warmth of the feeling in our hearts. Their city will for all time be extolled by the Bahá’ís everywhere as the place in which the mortal remains of the youthful Prophet-Herald of their Faith finally found refuge, and this after half a century of having to be secretly moved for protection from one place to another in His native land. The patience and cordiality shown towards the Bahá’ís throughout the most difficult years of the construction work exemplify the spirit of goodwill in which so much of the world stands so greatly in need. Haifa is providentially situated on Mount Carmel, with its immortal associations with saintly visionaries, whose concern throughout the ages was largely focused on the promise of peace. May Haifa achieve wide renown not just as a place of natural beauty but more especially as the city of peace.

Let the word go forth, then, from this sacred spot, from this Mountain of the Lord, that the unity and peace of the world are not only possible but inevitable. Their time has come.

Careful planning ensures water is enjoyed, not wasted

The Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb have been created to give the impression of vast and rich gardens in bloom throughout the year. Water is a significant element of their design, appearing to flow along the entire length of the Terraces from the top to the bottom of the mountain.

Underlying that appearance, great attention has been paid to the conservation of water.

Members of the Universal House of Justice admire the completed fountain in the Entrance Plaza at the base of the Terraces during the Counselors' Conference in January. Photo by Ruhi Vargha

With the help of horticulture specialists from Israel and overseas, a careful selection of vegetation most compatible with the environment of Mount Carmel has been made, along with the choice of drought-resistant and deep-rooted plants. The use of the correct type of grass and ground covers was also a major consideration in conserving water.

The gardens are partly or fully cultivated in different seasons. Watering is mainly done during the early hours of the morning or at night, when evaporation is minimum and the water demand of the city is limited.

Recognizing that Israel is a pioneer in the field of irrigation technology, experts in this country, including professionals and university professors, were consulted, and a state-of-the-art irrigation system was put in place. A system of sprinklers, sprayers and drippers caters to the water requirements of various plants.

The decorative fountains and runnels along the sides of the stairs of the Terraces may seem to represent a great consumption of water but in fact, all of it is recycled. The total requirement for water in the fountains is limited to a couple of cubic meters a day, mainly lost through evaporation.

With special permission from the Water Commissioner of Israel, a tube well was installed near the entrance plaza, ensuring an adequate supply of water in case of shortage.

Terraces of Light

Office of Public Information, in a speech to participants before the ceremony.

Both the orchestral works were performed by the Israel Northern Symphony Haifa, under the direction of Stanley Sperber, with support from three Canadian soloists: mezzo-soprano Patricia Green, tenor Stuart Howe and baritone Brett Polegato. Also featured were Austrian violinists Bijan Khadem-Missagh, his son Vahid and daughter Martha, and the Transylvania State Philharmonic Choir of Cluj, Romania.

The musical climax of "Terraces of Light" was timed to occur just after the sun had set, and as the music reached its crescendo. The 19 terraces were lighted one by one in a brilliant flourish.

"It was stunning," said Nancy Oloro, a delegate from Zambia. "I felt myself in a different world. In the Bahá’í writings, it is said that music gives wings to the soul. And I felt that."

The terraces themselves were also designed to glorify the Shrine of the Báb, said architect Fariborz Sahba, who designed them and oversaw their construction.

"Our intention has not been merely to build just a beautiful garden. Beautiful gardens are everywhere. But these gardens are spiritual gardens," Sahba said. He explained that they were designed principally with Bahá’í pilgrims in mind, so that as they walked up the terraces towards the Shrine, believers could detach themselves from the outside world and focus on their own relationship with the Creator.

On June 4, the terraces were opened to the public. Because of the overwhelming interest in the terraces, a computer reservation system was set up to take requests for guided tours, to be offered at no cost.

An opportunity to serve in the Mount Carmel Bahá’í Projects

• Industrial/Commercial Electrician with experience in power and lighting distribution systems, general lighting control and maintenance. Experience in high-tension and large cable installation is desirable.
• Industrial/Commercial Plumber with experience in all aspects of the trade, including drainage and fittings.
• Horticulturist/Professional Gardener with experience in maintenance and general aspects of formal and informal gardens.

Résumés should be mailed or faxed directly to:

Mount Carmel Bahá’í Projects Project Manager's Office P.O. Box 155 31 001 Haifa, Israel Phone: 972(4)8358237 Fax: 972(4)8313330 [Page 9]

Why Milwaukee’s a great place in summer

It’s a city that spends more money per capita on the arts than nearly any other in the nation. It’s a safe place where people will smile when you greet them on the street. Its diversity has grown phenomenally in the past few decades.

And in summer, Milwaukee is the city of festivals. Capitalize that; the visitors bureau claims it as a title: City of Festivals. Weather is generally sunny and people are in a festive spirit. In fact, the Building the Kingdom Conference will be sharing downtown Milwaukee with Summerfest, a music festival that annually attracts many people from several states.

One bit of news lately has cast a more dubious light on Milwaukee’s reputation. Census statistics have identified it as the most segregated American city. But local Bahá’ís say this creates a sterling opportunity for the friends at the Building the Kingdom Conference to distinguish the Faith in the public view.

The city "may be geographically segregated," said local media veteran Jim Beasley, "but it’s not a city that’s hostile to diversity." Not only does the Bahá’í community have a long and active history in local civic life, but Beasley said the robustness of local interfaith activities and a remarkable embrace of interracial families over the decades have shown Milwaukee to be a city with an open heart.

Bahá’í communities in greater Milwaukee (in consultation with the Regional Bahá’í Council and its traveling teaching coordinators) have been organizing Project Malakút to help bathe that heart in the Bahá’í spirit of unity before, during and after the conference both face to face and through local news media.

"The Project will span the time from Race Unity Day weekend (June 8-10, with events in Kenosha/Racine and Cedarburg), to the Indian Summer festival (celebrating native cultures) and the Day of Honor observance by the Milwaukee Black Veterans Association, both in September," reports Charlene Olson, Project Malakút correspondent/secretary.

Nightly firesides, performances and other public teaching events are being arranged for every county in the metro area for a week leading to the conference and two weeks afterward. Another popular event with regular Bahá’í participation is the Fourth of July parade in the suburb of Wauwatosa, only days after the conference.

Access to the June 28-July 1 event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will be easiest. But the invitations have been extended nationwide as well. And several hundred seekers and friends of the Faith had already registered as of mid-May.

And well they might make an effort to join thousands of Bahá’ís in Milwaukee this summer. The main business of the conference will be to learn how the Bahá’í teachings can make a positive difference in our individual, family and community lives.

And real people, who have struggled and studied and carried out the process of making it work, will be the ones sharing their discoveries—through workshops, networking sessions and other programs.

Dramatic and artistic presentations, gatherings designed for all ages and plentiful opportunities to meet and greet people from across the country will help lift spirits and embolden hearts.

Advance registration by phone, fax or Internet is still open through June 14. The conference will also welcome those who register on site. Registration fees during June are $65 per adult and $40 per youth 15 and up. There is still no charge for children and junior youth, but they must register to participate in advance if possible.

We’ll see you in Milwaukee, June 28-July 1!

• Bring a friend
• Bring a seeker
• Deputize a friend
• Contribute so others may attend—earmark an extra National Fund contribution to "Building the Kingdom Conference"
• Find out if there’s a bus to the conference from your Bahá’í community or if there isn’t, talk with your Spiritual Assembly about chartering one!

Those who would like to perform or teach in the Milwaukee area before or after the conference, contact Project Malakút.

People attending the Bahá’í National Convention in late April grasp the opportunity to find out more about the Kingdom Conference at an information booth that featured registration forms and a computer on which they could browse the conference Web site.

NO CALL WILL GO UNANSWERED

What are the purposes of the Bahá’í National Conference?

• To launch the Five Year Plan.
• To help foster a learning community through sharing of ideas and action.
• To instill hope, joy and confidence in the hearts.
• To explore ways of integrating our various roles in life.
• To help consecrate the friends to the concept of "Building the Kingdom" in all aspects.

What can you expect to find at the Bahá’í National Conference?

• A learning community in progress, with opportunities for us to find out more from each other about growing as individuals, families, communities, institutions and servants of humanity.
• Dramatic and musical programs setting a theme for each day’s learning experience.
• Targeted sessions for children, junior youth, youth and adults in their 20s and 30s.
• The Conference Lobby and Day Star Café, with copious space for relaxing, socializing, meeting new or old friends, and enjoying performances.

A special appeal for assistance to refugee families

Once again the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office would like to encourage Local Spiritual Assemblies to consider providing scholarships to the Kingdom Conference for members of Bahá’í refugee families in their communities, in particular the youth.

If Bahá’í refugees need assistance and your community cannot do it alone, perhaps a few communities could provide a co-sponsorship.

LAST MINUTE DETAILS

• • Register now!**

Advance registration is a great investment in time. If you register by June 14, you will receive materials including a bar-coded sheet that will allow you to get through the conference check-in area quickly. Otherwise you would have to go through a longer process to register on site (though organizers will work to make that as hassle-free as possible).

Register via the Web site: www.kingdomconference.org ... or use one of the registration forms mailed to every Bahá’í household and Spiritual Assembly. ... or register toll-free by fax (877-608-1816) or by phone (888-802-8177).

Lodging updates

For up-to-date information on lodging, please check the conference Web site or these numbers: Lodging info: 847-733-3596 Transportation info: 847-733-3591

We can use your help

When you register, please think about volunteering a shift (usually three hours) to serve your fellow conference-goers in the following areas: hospitality, security, children’s classes, registration, ushering or Day Star Café help.

We are also seeking those with skills and experience in spoken translation (Persian, Spanish, Hmong or other languages), American Sign Language, lip reading, or physically assisting people (wheelchair assistance, lifting/carrying, etc.)

If you’d like to contribute time, leave a voice mail message.

Training for volunteers who will be greeting the public will be provided at various places around the country! This is based largely on the training provided from early on by the Milwaukee Regional Training Institute.

House of Worship tours

Information on signing up for a House of Worship tour will be included in the materials mailed to you after you register for the conference. Tour times:

Wednesday, June 27: 2 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursday, June 28: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, July 1, including special memorial program for Iranian martyrs and their families: 3:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Monday, July 2: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Cost: Adult $30, child/jr. youth $15 [Page 10]

Planning begins with self-assessment

The Five Year Plan has begun, and a number of Local Spiritual Assemblies indicate they will be using the Self Assessment Tool to help them gauge their past and progress and to set new local goals for the next few years.

Many Assemblies have reported that the Self Assessment Tool was useful in their planning process over the past two plans. Developed by the Office of Assembly Development, the Self Assessment Tool helps Assemblies look clearly at how they are carrying out their roles, defined by the Universal House of Justice, as "channels of divine guidance, planners of the teaching work, developers of human resources, builders of communities, and loving shepherds of the multitudes."

For a copy of the Self Assessment Tool, access the Administrative Web Site www.usbnc.org or contact the Office of Assembly Development, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (e-mail )

Each Assembly using this process deepens on the meaning of these terms, assesses how it is doing in each area and sets goals for future functioning.

Almost 50 percent of all Local Assemblies report having used this tool, and many have shared their results with the National Spiritual Assembly. Some have completed the form in a retreat setting and others have completed it at Assembly meetings one section at a time. Those reporting the results of the tool have cited many benefits:

• "The Assembly found the process helpful and we think it has laid the groundwork for our planning process for this upcoming year. ... We found it valuable, helpful and enlightening. It has led us on into new directions and helped the Assembly understand its roles and functions more completely. It has given us a chance to look at all we have done and to look at all we can do."
• "The process allowed frank expression of feelings and discussion of obstacles standing in the way of the maturation of the Assembly. Many ideas for improvement were generated and shared. Only recently, the Assembly has reviewed the recommendations and implemented a number of strategies that have improved our functioning and efficiency."
• "There was a unanimous feeling that the experience was tremendously valuable. The quotes at the end ... were excellent selections and gave rise to wonderful consultation. ... The assessment and consultations led to many good concrete decisions."

A pair of companion documents help make the tool even more useful. One presents quotations from the Writings that help clarify the meaning of terms used by the Universal House of Justice. The second tells where to find assistance in "rising to a new level" in carrying out any of an Assembly’s primary roles—for example, Assembly Development Module Workshops or other training materials.

SURVEY

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

planning FACT from the start.

One example of that collaboration came when Jeffery Huffines, director of the National Spiritual Assembly’s U.S./UN Office, arranged for two directors of the FACT study to present their findings at an April 12 meeting of the Committee of Religious Non-Governmental Organizations at the UN.

"There is nothing comparable to our Faith Communities Today research ... anywhere in the world," Hartford Seminary sociology professor David Roozen told the committee at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York City.

A main finding, he said, is that voluntary membership in religious congregations is growing across the country. Though many congregations are seen by their members as resources for preserving their racial or ethnic heritage, many others are conscious of a need to increase their diversity.

Ken Bowers, secretary of the National Teaching Committee, noted that the first results of FACT generally "confirm what the NTC has already seen in other scholarly studies and in our own surveys of the Bahá’í community," he said.

Such studies have consistently shown, Bowers said, that some of the features that attract people most to a religious community include the positivity of its basic spiritual message, its offerings for children and youth, the spiritual quality of its worship services and its involvement with the wider community.

== General results of FACT ==
Here is a list of issues that the 42 denominations and faith groups participating in the Faith Communities Today (FACT) survey were found to have relatively in common in their concerns with their community vitality, membership growth and financial stability.
Vitality Need for broad program offerings per capita Ability to attract and activate youth Having a positive assessment of the future Need for many teaching initiatives Need for worship programs to reflect desires of community, especially youth Growth Related attitude and vision issues: Community vitality Maintaining enthusiasm Confidence in the future Openness to change Sense of purpose, organizational focus, vision, action, especially as provided by leadership Care and discipline from leadership Related activities and programs: Need for wide range of program choices for vitality and growth Strong commitment to social justice Direct participation in social outreach Involvement in wider community	Related worship and deepening issues: Uplifting worship Need for changes in worship patterns to reflect desires of community, especially youth Aid in spiritual growth Emphasis on worship attracts new believers Need to provide for spiritual nurture through such programs as Sunday school, Scripture study, prayer and meditation Other related issues Size: Programs for spiritual and community development require a minimum critical mass of participants, funding and building space to sustain Small, struggling congregations also suffer from the perceived absence of sufficient volunteers Size and location makes a significant difference in the range of programs offered Youth: Ability to attract and mobilize youth affects confidence in the future and relates strongly to a sense of vitality and growth Youth have different ideas about what makes for satisfying worship services

Mullen noted that such confirmation of earlier findings can boost the confidence of the National Spiritual Assembly and its agencies when they are making decisions or developing programs and materials to meet the needs of our communities.

"Once we have more detailed results with cross-tabulations on the Bahá’í responses, we will be able to report information that should be even more useful to local communities," she said. Those applications could include helping communities target specific areas where improvement is needed, as well as identifying their areas of relative strength so that they can be emboldened to share their good ideas.

Health conference eyes spiritual basis

Bahá’ís from several states gathered to learn about a variety of healing approaches and about the spiritual basis for a healthy life at the second annual Bahá’í Health and Healing Conference, Feb. 9–11 at the Desert Rose Bahá’í Institute outside Casa Grande, Arizona.

Coordinated by Hannah Rishel, a physician in Joseph City, Arizona, the conference gave about 60 participants the opportunity to hear from a variety of mostly Bahá’í health professionals.

Among subjects referring directly to the Bahá’í teachings were healthful approaches to food and water, discussed by Bill Saunders, a retired physician in Smyrna, Georgia; application of Bahá’í principles to our work life, by Katia LeMone-Mooney; spiritual approaches to healing, by Arvind Auluck-Wilson, a physicist in Stillwater, Minnesota; the implications of Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablet to a Physician, in a group discussion led by Barbara Nakai of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; and taking an active part in our human evolution, by Kenneth Froefrock of Surprise, Arizona.

Participants could also benefit from presentations on "spiritual digestion" by Judy Petersen and Jack Daugherty of Grants, New Mexico; sessions on a variety of healing approaches by Randall Robinson of Mesa, Arizona, Kate Toussaint of Yuma, Arizona, and Chester Kahn of Bernalillo County, New Mexico; a program on the process of scientific data-gathering by Robert Waters; and a tai chi workshop led by Suni McHenry of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

John Cook of St. David, Arizona, provided music throughout the event, and briefly talked about the spiritual effect of music.

A Health Fair gave participants a chance to interact one-on-one with practitioners and product representatives.

Following up on a discussion led by Lee Panek, about 15 participants gathered at the end to share ideas for next year’s Health and Healing Conference.

== Assembly Development resources == on the Web! Access with your Bahá’í ID number www.usbnc.org Click on "NSA Departments," then on "LSA Development" Developing Distinctive Bahá’í Communities manual (search and print) Assembly Development Module Workshop descriptions Downloadable workshop handouts Contact information for workshop facilitators Self Assessment Tool with related quotes Guidance on how to use Self Assessment results to select workshops Descriptions of other resources and how to access them

[Page 11]

SPIRITUAL DISTINCTION

Compiled by Tom Mennillo

Many and varied are the ways the friends study the texts requested by our National Spiritual Assembly. Some read them alone and reflect on their meaning. Some read and discuss them with their children before bedtime. Some take online courses offered by the Wilmette Institute. Still others get together with fellow Assembly or community members to pore through the books—dictionaries and related texts in hand.

In many cases, they download materials from the National Assembly’s Administrative Web Site to guide and structure their study. Or they enlist the help of a veteran believer who has deepened on the texts before. Perhaps the Persian friends read along in their native language, then join in the discussion. Whatever the method or setting employed for study, Bahá’ís who responded to a call from The American Bahá’í report that the effort has enhanced their understanding of the Faith and their role as Bahá’ís in fostering transformation.

Here are some of the comments, in the friends’ own words:

Can you see the difference

F O C U S E D STUDY OF THE TEXTS

makes in your spiritual acuity?

Barbara McAtee, Overland Park, KS

I took the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh and Advent of Divine Justice courses offered by Wilmette Institute. I enjoyed the study of both of them.

The courses require much effort on behalf of the students, provide extra study material to enhance our understanding, as well as feedback from Bahá’í scholars—who served as mentors—and from other students.

These two courses helped to prepare me for some of the hardest tests and difficulties of my life. Because of them, I realized that these tests truly are a bounty from Bahá’u’lláh, to help prepare me for challenges ahead.

Ellen C Davis, Florence, AL

Our small community has been deepening on the materials recommended by National since January 2000.

I can speak only for myself, but I love learning the things I have learned from my studies. I have a greater understanding of the “larger picture” of being a Bahá’í, what we as a world community are aiming for and how the United States, especially, has a very important part to play.

I have learned more about how the Faith has spread—important knowledge for me, as I have been a Bahá’í only five-plus years now—and some of the obstacles the believers have had to deal with.

I am so grateful to National for giving us these specific materials to deepen on. I feel I have a much greater understanding of where our community is headed and how we will arrive there and that things truly are progressing “according to plan.”

Laura G. Lawrence, Bethlehem, PA

Our community is quite active: Ruhi institutes, Core Curriculum institutes, major teaching projects, etc. Even with all this organized activity we are still only on The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.

We read aloud in a small study circle every two weeks and only manage to get through about four or five pages a session. It’s slow going, but very beneficial. We probably will start The Secret of Divine Civilization next fall and the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf next winter/spring.

So, basically my report is that although it is very slow going, we are trying to internalize as much as we are able from the Writings.

I hope this is of some help as to how a community has been obedient to the guidance from our beloved National Assembly.

Judy Poltz, Hillsboro, OR

I had been reluctant to mark my copy [of Epistle to the Son of the Wolf] out of respect for its sacredness.

But it just occurred to me that my most beloved books—my prayer book, my copy of Gleanings, my copy of Bahá’í World Faith—are not pretty to look at, because I have read them so many times, have underlined favorite passages, have made personal notes, etc.

They remind me of my son’s favorite stuffed animal: no monetary value, cannot be displayed for others to admire, but oh so beloved to the owner.

So I decided to “love” my copy of Epistle to the Son of the Wolf—to mark beautiful passages, to insert my own subject headings and personal comments. And oh, how much more inspiring is the task of reading these sacred words, and how much more knowledge am I gaining, which perhaps I will be able to share with others in Bahá’í school or in firesides and deepenings.

Tamrat Seyoum, Hemet, CA

The materials we got from the Bahá’í Web page (www.usbnc.org) helped us focus on the specifics of the topics.

As we were studying these books we were very grateful to our National Assembly for asking us do this. It brought us [together as] a community, first of all, doing the same project together. Secondly, it helped us closely understand the works of Shoghi Effendi: his admonitions, hopes, advice, predictions for our world and the destiny of the Bahá’ís in general.

It also gave us strength in the Covenant and increased confidence and excitement in the Faith. It spurred us to more activities. Race Unity Week came out of that inspiration.

Maura Fox, Portland, OR

My 12-year-old son and I sit down every evening at his bedside and read a few pages.

SEE FOCUSED STUDY, PAGE 12

Guity Kiani, Clayton, CA: Dinner and discussion opens deepening to Bahá’ís, seekers alike

The books that National Assembly designated for us to study since last year I personally have read fully several times by myself, at summer schools, and at the community deepening—I have even taught some of them.

Yet I do not know them by heart or even understand them fully, and I was inspired by the National’s request to study these books now.

To obey them, to help others to do the same and use the opportunity and involve non-Bahá’ís, I organized special monthly gatherings in my home. I invited Bahá’í friends and close seekers. First I served them a simple dinner of soup and salad, encouraged conversation around the dining table, and then invited them to my living room to reading and discussion.

We started with The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh and then The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. Each person read one paragraph, expressing views and thoughts about it, and this way we went around the room. This format went very well, even though it was slow. I noticed that of about 10 Bahá’ís who participated, very few had ever read these precious books.

After the second session, in the hope of attracting more non-Bahá’ís, I decided to start the gathering sooner and devote the first part of the gathering to introducing and interviewing one or two who had an interesting work or stories to share. In this way I invited Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í painters and poets and authors and travelers.

For a few non-Bahá’ís who were not yet seekers this was the first exposure to the Bahá’ís and the Faith. They enjoyed sharing their work and brief stories of their lives.

I felt good about the outcome. It made non-Bahá’ís participate actively and be impressed with the Bahá’ís. One of them said, “You Bahá’ís are such incredible people.” I said, “It is because we are incredibly in love with our Faith.” Bahá’ís enjoyed learning something about their fellow believers that usually they do not know and about the talents of seekers.

Unfortunately, because of my house remodeling and traveling, these gatherings temporarily have stopped. I am now in the process of resuming them—this time hopefully with a better understanding of what to expect and more effective strategy to assure its sustainability.

In this short experiment I found that most of the Bahá’í friends are apprehensive to have non-Bahá’ís sit in their deepenings. It seems to me there is a strong desire to only show the polished side of us. I personally believe the genuine picture of our strengths and weaknesses is more appealing and produces more intimate friendships with non-Bahá’ís.

At this time, to resume the gathering the biggest challenge is the lack of enough committed, well-educated Bahá’ís who are willing to come regularly to establish a core group.

The reason that I am so interested to stick to this format is that for many years I have worked in the non-profit sector. I have made contact with lots of socially minded individuals whom I always longed to introduce to the Faith. I think a stimulating, authentic and warm atmosphere would be effective. God willing they may become serious seekers.

I can only pray that my endeavors bear fruits and we are able to cover all the books that National ‎recommmended recommended‎, even if it is not in the same months and years that they suggested. ♦ [Page 12]

FOCUSED STUDY, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

...of Epistle before he goes to sleep.

Sometimes we stay up way too late discussing what we have read, and other times we just read a little. We have finished half of the book so far.

Carol Black, West Lafayette, IN

Just thought I’d send a note about how The Secret of Divine Civilization affected me. In my 29 years as a Bahá’í, I had never read this little book. It has come across to me recently just how high the standard for education is in the Faith.

I have been wondering if academic study is worth my time and effort, but this little book encouraged me in that regard. To pursue education is a worthwhile and lofty goal, as long as it is done in the spirit of service to humanity.

Larry Gates, Visalia, CA

We are studying one paragraph in the The Advent of Divine Justice. It has nine sentences, the first containing the phrase “consider every avenue of approach.”

The Universal House of Justice says we lack confidence to teach. I observe that the friends are hungry to acquire skills that will enable them to win small victories and thereby increase their confidence. Increasing one’s knowledge and devotion without the skills to put these into action seems to often lead to frustration and loss of confidence.

Nancy Vincent Zinke, Cambria, CA

I loved rereading for the third time the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf. As you know, the layers of meaning deepen with each reading.

And I’m loving rereading The Secret of Divine Civilization for the second time. It makes me feel happy, which I believe is/was ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s purpose.

Don DeWald, Goleta, CA

I think the most important outcome in our studying these texts is that the discussion and consultation has invariably led to how we can apply the information and directives to current events both local and international. This includes and inspires our teaching efforts.

Valerie Phillips, Pullman, WA

After the National Assembly’s call, I started reading the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf again and renewed my efforts towards refining and expanding a presentation that I have given to both Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í audiences on justice questions and indigenous peoples.

Linda Head, Prince George’s County North, MD

I am studying the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf via the Wilmette Institute’s e-mail course. In addition, I am reading it weekly with another Bahá’í friend who is homefront pioneering.

As part of the course, participants are asked to prepare presentations on the book. So I have offered to give, for our local institute, an introductory talk on the subject.

As for The Secret of Divine Civilization, I will be going with the Voices of Bahá to Europe this summer, and am wondering if any on the tour will want to study together during bus rides, etc.

Naomi Komoda, Chicago, IL

Dr. Iraj Ayman served as a facilitator for a six-week course on the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf. I attended four of these sessions. We had to read about 35 pages per week.

Not only was it very interesting and informative, but it had a definite effect on me in terms of helping develop more reverence toward the early believers—for their long-suffering and martyrdom.

Carol J. Payne, Skipperville, AL

Our small community has been studying together every Saturday afternoon for an hour since January on the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf.

Our compliments on the wonderful outlines with summary, explanations of events, and definitions mentioned in the Epistle provided under the National Education and Schools Web site.

The study classes have brought our close community even closer together, I believe, and given us a confidence that we did not have before. Certainly they have provided answers to questions that we wish we had had earlier when we felt inadequate in answering many a seeker’s question.

Regina Thompson (left to right), William Hunter and Janet Rothman ponder the implications of a passage in the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf at a recent session of a “fortnightly” study group in Evanston, Illinois. The group has been meeting regularly since late 1999 to study the texts prescribed by the National Spiritual Assembly. Photo by James Humphrey

Andrea Schmidt, Milwaukie, OR

My mom and I were just talking this weekend about how nice it is that our National Assembly is giving us reading assignments. We are reading it individually as part of our daily readings.

I’m also in the middle of God Passes By, and it’s really cool to see how Bahá’u’lláh’s writings fit in with the history of the Faith.

Judy Maddox, Vista, CA

The Advent of Divine Justice was especially good for [our community]. We were able to talk ‎aboout about‎ the prejudices in our world and compare to experiences we have all had. We were able ‎to to to‎ find nuggets of truth that we had overlooked before.

I feel that this experience is bringing us closer to each other and has certainly dropped veils of misunderstanding.

Jim B. Thomas, La Crescenta, CA

This week our sixth class on the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf will be presented. They are rotated through the communities as evenly as possible.

Invariably, attendees remark that they have learned something that they had not known before, even though they may have read the material more than once. Many have now become facilitators who have discovered the joy that comes from researching the Writings for the purpose of presenting material.

Shirin Posner, Northport, AL

We have a program called “Spirit Lifters” named after a little book my mother, a longtime pioneer in Venezuela, wrote for the Bahá’ís. We sing Bahá’í songs and then discuss whatever issues we feel like sharing.

When the directive from National came to read the specific texts we switched our discussions to the specific book. The discussions have been valuable; at times we have turned to the Bahá’í Dictionary or other books to help clear up questions. It has helped us all realize what a wonderful message we have and what an incredible responsibility. Just this past time we looked up information on [the son of the Wolf] to see why he merited an epistle.

MaryJo Mineau, New Berlin, WI

The Local Spiritual Assembly set out to make a child-friendly gathering for young people to deepen their Faith and have social time with each other and us “older” Bahá’ís. This brought together different communities and age groups.

We feel this has really helped us to focus our studies, create a pattern of study and fellowship, and has given us the confidence to respond to seekers when they call from the ads we co-sponsor in the local paper or on 1-800-22UNITE.

We truly feel that “no call shall go unanswered” and this study has helped us respond. ♦

Viva Tomlin, Santa Monica, CA: Study fosters increased service

A group that fluctuates between seven to nine mostly very regular friends and 15 or more on occasions has been meeting weekly to read and discuss most of the suggested books.

As individuals, many of us have made a point of reading exactly as asked and, for example, read passages aloud to our children at bedtime, even if not the whole book. As a group, though, we have not always followed the order of Writings suggested, due to the wish to attract the deepened and also the brand-new Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís that attend.

The non-Bahá’ís have typically been to several firesides and wish to delve more deeply into the Faith. They have sought out the deepening as a way to spend more time with deepened Bahá’ís and to learn more than they get from firesides. One attendee declared on a recent weekend.

Another noticeable effect has been the deepening of loving friendship between the friends and their increased activities in service of the Faith. Each person has a different story to tell of their increased boldness to do what must be done and sense of urgency to arise in differing ways to tie up the loose ends of the Twelve Month Plan.

The host family is going [to live in another country] next week.

Another young man has made himself active in the service of unity by singing with the Gospel Choir, and as a result of deepening over this prolonged period now helps plan Feasts and Sunday worship in Los Angeles.

Another young African-American man who became Bahá’í during the onset of the deepenings is now regularly supporting the Latin American firesides and other gatherings, and gave his first talk at our Santa Monica fireside to much appreciation and loving support.

The Persian-speakers follow in the original texts and share anything illuminating that arises from discussion about words and phrases or references. Their English vocabulary has improved tremendously. Greater appreciation of East by West and West by East has also been achieved through discussions that have arisen.

The effect on the little daughter of the house and on other children who sometimes accompany their parents has also been significant. They say prayers by heart or read [Page 13]

Persian culture conference looks ahead

The eleventh annual conference of the Friends of Persian Culture Association, with the theme “At the Threshold of a New Century,” will be held Aug. 30–Sept. 2 at the Wyndham Northwest Chicago Hotel in Itasca, Illinois, near O’Hare International Airport.

Sessions will be held concurrently in Persian and English. Topics will include:

• Women’s Progress in Iran, their Future, and the Role of the Bahá’í Teachings in their Advancement, with Dr. Simin Sheybani.
• Social and Cultural Developments in Contemporary Iran, also, Iran of Tomorrow in the Future World Community, with Dr. Shapur Rassekh.
• The State of Scholarship in the Bahá’í World, with Dr. Vahid Rafati.
• Development of Education in Iran and the Role of the Iranian Bahá’í Community in that Process, with Dr. Iraj Ayman.
• The State of the Youth in Iran and the Role of the Bahá’í Youth There.
• Other presentations about the state of Iranian arts and literature to be announced.

As usual, a variety of music, drama, and folk dance performances ‎willbe will be‎ presented, both by Bahá’ís and by friends of the Faith.

Tailor-made sessions and performance opportunities will be available for youth, pre-youth and children ages 3 and up.

A visit to the Bahá’í House of Worship, a tour of Bahá’í historic sites in Chicago, poetry reading, talent shows and other activities are in the planning stages.

Information on registration and lodging is on page 35.

For more information please contact: Persian-American Affairs Office, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847 733-3531, 3476 or 3528). ◆

Drawing on the divine attributes

A Bahá’í youth group in Wilmington, North Carolina, created an Intercalary Days gift for Bahá’ís in their area: a 19-month Bahá’í calendar for B.E. 158, with original art for each Bahá’í month inspired by the divine attribute represented in that month’s name. “During a special study evening, they learned about the different attributes of God and then ... drew their interpretation for each of the months and attributes of God,” reported Elizabeth Dettle-Hashemi (left), instructor for the group’s regular Sunday sessions. “I am thrilled to be a part of this small youth group that is willing to do big things for their community.” Youth participants include (clockwise from top) Robert Hamrick, Casey Anderson, Sekou Alexander and Khamit Alexander. This effort came as another locally produced Bahá’í calendar was distributed by the Spiritual Assembly of Shaker Heights, Ohio. The friends are reminded that each Spiritual Assembly is responsible for reviewing many such Bahá’í-oriented special materials distributed within its locality (except for literature, recorded music, videos or other audiovisual materials, which are subject to national-level review). Information on the purpose and process of review is available on www.usbnc.org (click on “NSA Departments” then on “Research”).

Bahá’í language educators to meet at ABS conference

A new international group of Bahá’í language educators will hold its first meeting as a special-interest group of the Association for Bahá’í Studies—North America on Aug. 31, the first day of the association’s annual conference in Seattle, Washington. Professional language educators as well as those interested in language teaching, especially English as a second/foreign language (ESL/EFL), are invited to attend.

The group will focus on developing a Bahá’í-inspired English-language teaching curriculum. Presentations and discussion will focus on use of existing curricula, development of new materials and other professional information. Participants will also explore the establishment of a mentoring program to assist Bahá’í pioneers earning their living as English teachers overseas, as well as beginning language teachers.

Talks will include:

• “Assessing Your Gender-Fair Teaching Practices in the Language Classroom” by Dara Shaw.
• “Oneness and the Dialogic Word in Children’s Multicultural Literature” by Deborah Karres.
• “The Bahá’í Teachings on Learning Second Languages” by Nancy Joy Allchin.
• “A Sociocultural Model for Bahá’í-Inspired Classroom Consultation: Vygotsky, Bakhtin and Learner Empowerment” by Sandy Fotos.
• Roundtable discussions on “Designing and Delivering Bahá’í-Inspired Language Teaching Material and Activities” and “Mentoring the Bahá’í Language Teacher.”

Also discussed will be establishment of a Web site to deliver Bahá’í-inspired material, curriculum designs and professional information to ESL/EFL teachers. For information contact Joy Allchin (e-mail ) or Sandy Fotos ( ).

Other special interest groups of the association that will meet Aug. 31 at the conference are Agriculture, Arts, Business and Economics, Consultation and Conflict Resolution, Education, Environment, Marriage and Family, Racial Unity/Intercultural Issues, Science and Religion, Study of Religion, and Women and Gender Issues. The Special Interest Groups welcome all interested persons to attend their sessions. ◆

For more information about the Conference and to register, see page 33.

SERVICE, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

for the first time in an atmosphere of love and imbibe the habit by observing the adults. As my daughters say, “Being ‘spiritual’ looks fun and there are always such great cake and pies to eat!”

Another new believer now regularly tries out his musical compositions at the deepening and then performs them at firesides or at Feast. He has now felt confident to immerse himself in verses of the Writings and let it inspire him to compose, where before he largely found and shared secular songs.

For my part, each deepening brings new thoughts and inspirations for character and dialogue in my almost-completed science fiction novel based around the notion of beings from advanced worlds anticipating the coming of the Universal Manifestation.

Three other friends have split off, though come from time to time, in order to start or support deepenings in goal areas where Bahá’ís have asked for such support. These have begun to flourish and they gain much strength from knowing they have the loving support of their friends in our “mother” group.

Lastly, we are considering how to get all on board with changing the study to be a proper study circle, with service outcomes discussed and supported. Because we have so many new believers, we are planning on taking time out from the reading of the recommended books to participate in the Fundamental Verities courses. During the years of regularly meeting to read, three of us have trained as faculty members of the regional training institute.

These steps have had definite repercussions for the development of our community life, significantly so among the youth who teach all the children’s classes.

What has this process helped me experience of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh? The wonder of the privilege and responsibility of being called to “assist the Lord of Creation” with evolution on Earth. And in some mysterious way, at least in some of our gatherings and service, cause rejoicing in the many worlds of God, so Bahá’u’lláh assures me. ◆ [Page 14]

Louhelen Bahá’í School

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

A focus on the sacred

BY LIZ DONALDSON

“There are all these jewels and gems inside [each of] us, and if we just keep on digging for them we can become a better person.”

These words of innocence and hope came from a 9-year-old child just after he completed a March session in Louhelen Bahá’í School’s children’s education program.

“Our theme focused on ‘What is sacred in our lives, communities and relationships,’ ” said Larisa Cortes, who co-led 15 children, ages 7 to 11, at the Naw-Rúz family weekend with her husband, Cesar Cortes.

“We began with a discussion on what sacredness means, followed by activities meant to discover the sacred gems in each other. Children interviewed one another, wrote in a journal titled ‘A Treasury of Gems,’ played relationship-building games, and designed flip-books of virtuous heroes,” Mrs. Cortes said.

Later the class viewed a video of the Holy Places to find out what places are sacred, then worked on a community-building exercise. “My husband engaged them in several lively songs and spoke to them about building virtues,” she added.

The Corteses were pleased with the group’s spiritual maturity, noting how well the kids treated each other with respect and courtesy.

While the couple had taught Bahá’í children’s classes during previous family sessions at Louhelen, Kim Douglas of Holland, Michigan, was new to teaching at Louhelen. Douglas found her “first-time” experience to be exciting and memorable. Her youth class focused on investigating issues that trouble youth in contemporary society and on learning to apply Bahá’í principles to these complex issues.

The Universal House of Justice has said that Americans “live in a society caught in the tightening grip of moral decadence on a vast scale.” Douglas’ class investigated a few of the spiritual challenges faced by Bahá’í youth maturing in such a materialistic society. The class fostered spiritual reflection, investigation and consultation on such issues as media advertising, dating and chastity in light of Bahá’í teachings. “These issues are very relevant in the lives of our teens,” Douglas said.

Douglas’ students applauded her at the end of the class and praised her performance as a teacher during the Naw-Rúz family weekend. “Some even said it was the best Bahá’í class experience they had ever had,” she said with a smile.

“The benefit of attending Bahá’í school is twofold: It is about learning and about the fellowship one can experience. We know the youth need to form friendships during these sessions, for many of them are the only Bahá’ís [their age] in their communities. And during these sessions the youth both bonded and explored the topics that they are wrestling with in their own lives.”

Louhelen holds nine family sessions each year. And it is the job of Louhelen’s child education program coordinator, Debra Vincze, to connect with potential teachers, such as the Corteses and Douglas, and ask them to serve as educators of the young during these family sessions.

She is fully aware of how beneficial such sessions can be to families and the individuals within them. “Sessions at Louhelen Bahá’í School that include children’s programs are excellent opportunities for families to form new friendships with people from around the globe,” said Vincze.

Volunteers for this service are provided resources and guidelines from the National Education Task Force, whose work is overseen by the Education and Schools Office at the Bahá’í National Center. “In the writings we are told that every believer is a teacher, and this is definitely the case at Louhelen with these wonderful souls that arise to serve our precious gems and assist parents in the polishing process,” added Vincze.

Sarah Taborn (left to right), Yazmeen Vincze and Josh Vincze pay rapt attention to Jane Nash’s reading during Louhelen’s Naw-Rúz Family weekend. “I think it’s very important that children learn to love Bahá’í class and Bahá’í school,” said Nash. Photo by Jim Cheek

Complete list of upcoming Louhelen sessions in Calendar, back page

Green Acre Bahá’í School

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

Tutors of all ages trained

Development of the five regional training institutes in the Northeast took a stride forward April 5–8 at Green Acre, with the first Ruhi tutor training weekend in which all the trainees were selected by the institutes’ board of directors.

Farah Rosenberg, curriculum coordinator of Florida’s Magdalene Carney Regional Training Institute and an Auxiliary Board member there, facilitated the training, which was organized by Green Acre, the Regional Bahá’í Council of the Northeastern States and the regional training institute advisors.

The diverse group of tutors represented ages from youth to older adult and a wide cultural and racial variety. The joy and energy of the participants, their dedication to study and learning, and their willingness to strive to become servants of the Plan of God inspired us all in our service to the Cause.

In an effort to align its programs with the major themes of the messages of the Universal House of Justice, Green Acre works closely with the Regional Bahá’í Council in development of the regional training institutes. Attention to showing “all-embracing love” to children and to providing spiritual education to junior youth and to youth have also been top priorities in the One Year Plan.

Upcoming programs

Come participate this summer in the increasing variety of sessions centered on children, youth and teaching.

June 22–27: Junior Youth Academy: “Teaching the Faith to Your Peers” for ages 11–14, with Farah Rosenberg. Join other youth for intensive study and active participation and service.

Aug. 24–29: “Spirit of Children” Conference on Children’s Literature, Art and Music: a variety of workshops on writing, illustration and music to foster the spiritual nature of children. Open to all, sessions aim to support those who create such materials by providing resources, networking opportunities, education about publication and distribution, and encouragement for their projects and artistic development.

Featured workshops will include: Art and Image as Storytellers; Finding Your Story; Creating Picture Books for Children; Getting Published; Evaluating and Editing Spiritual Content; Songwriting for Children; Performing and Working with Children; Finding Personal Time and Space for Creating; Self-Promotion and Producing Materials; and more.

June 29–July 4: Consecration, Love of God and Teaching. Adults and youth will learn to immerse themselves in the love of God and its relationship to teaching. Classes available for ages 3–14.

July 21–25: Camp Green Acre for ages 8–12, with Jill Berg and Roger Davis. A summer camp experience infused with the spirit of Bahá’í community life, study and service.

July 21–25: Building a Divine Civilization through the Arts for adults and youth, with Anne Gordon Perry. Creative approaches to Feasts, Holy Days and other programs. Anne will also speak about Green Acre history and present a program honoring school founder Sarah Farmer and her birthday on July 22. Classes available for ages 3–7 and 13–14. ♦

Complete list of upcoming Green Acre sessions in Calendar, back page [Page 15]

Regional summer schools: a traditional part of Bahá’í life

“Establishing New Bases for Human Happiness”—the nationwide study program for 2001 prescribed by our National Spiritual Assembly—is the general theme of this year’s regional summer schools across the country. A curriculum guide and study aids, from the National Education and Schools Office, are available on the Web (log into www.usbnc.org with your Bahá’í ID number, click on “NSA Departments,” then follow the link to the Education and Schools Office).

Central States

ILLINOIS “HEARTLAND,” JULY 31–AUG. 4 Location: Bradley University, Peoria, IL. Program: Serving Humanity and Transforming the World Through Spiritual Leadership. With Marcia Gitchell, Auxiliary Board member. Facilities: Campus with cafeteria; dorms. Pool and other recreation. Registrar: Carl Clingenpeel, (phone ), e-mail ).

IOWA, JULY 20–22 Location: Best Western Inn, Newton, IA. Program: Bahá’u’lláh: Love Me That I May Love Thee. With Curtis Russell, member, Regional Bahá’í Council. Facilities: Hotel w/meeting/class rooms, catered lunch/dinner. Pool, game area. Fees: School fees (includes most meals): Adult $50, Youth/Pre-Youth $40, Child (6–11) $30, (3–5) $10, Infant free. Hotel $55+tax per night (double room). Day rates available. Registrar: John Hanke, (phone ), pre-register by July 6.

MINNESOTA “WILLIAM SEARS GREAT NORTH WOODS,” AUG. 15–19 Location: Camp Onomia near Onamia, MN. Program: Establishing New Bases for Human Happiness (emphasis on spiritual leadership). With Dr. David Ruhe, Margaret Ruhe. Facilities: Classroom setting, meals on site, private, family or dorm-style rooms. Lake, volleyball, outdoor recreation. Registration/Info: Ali Mahabadi (phone 612-545-7304), Abbas Tabibi (phone ), or Armaghan Asadi (phone ).

NEBRASKA “GREAT PLAINS,” JULY 19–22 Location: Peru State College, Peru, NE. Program: Establishing New Bases for Human Happiness. With Dawn and Chad Dumas, Ernie Dumas, Harron Von Lyle. Facilities: Campus with dining hall; dorms (bring bedding). Pool, court sports. Fees: Adult, Youth or Pre-Youth $95, Child $75 or $60 in sleeping bag on floor, Infant (w/o bed) $15. Day rates available. Registrar: Cecil Peterson, (phone , e-mail ). Pre-register by June 15 to avoid late fees.

OHIO “KALIMÁT,” JULY 13–15 Location: Bergamo Conference Center, Dayton, OH. Program: Establishing New Bases for Human Happiness. Facilities: Central meeting/dining, classrooms; on-site guest rooms (nearby hotel optional). Pool, indoor sports, nature trails. Fees: Including shared on-site room: Adult (21+) $160 (private room extra), Youth or Pre-Youth (11–20) $95, Child (3–10) $65, Infant free. Registrar: Greg Vaughan, (phone , e-mail ). Registration ends June 25.

WISCONSIN “MARIAN STEFFES,” JULY 16–20 Location: Byron Center, Brownsville, WI. Program: Establishing New Bases for Human Happiness. Facilities: Central meeting, dining; dorm-style lodging. Pool, outdoor/team sports. Registrar: Lisa Riemer, (phone , e-mail ). Pre-register by July 12.

Western States

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, JUNE 21–24 Location: Pilgrim Pines Conf. Ctr., Yucaipa, CA. Program: The Epistle to the Son of the Wolf and the Five Year Plan. With Angelica Huerta, Fred Schechter, Ed Diliberto, others. Facilities: Central meeting and smaller classrooms; carpeted cabins with bunks. Fees: Adult, Youth, Pre-Youth (12+) $140, Child (4+) $80; Infant (0–3) free; family discount. Day rates available. Registrar: Amy Schechter Vahid or Frank Vahid, (phone , e-mail ).

COLORADO EAST, AUG. 8–12 Location: Woodland Park, CO. Facilities: School classrooms and dining hall, primitive camping (hotels/motels nearby). Fees: Adult $55, Youth or Child (11–20) $45, Child (3–10) $35. Registrar: Don Brayton (phone , e-mail ).

MONTANA “JOHN H. WILCOTT,” JULY 29–AUG. 3 Location: Luccock Park Camp, near Livingston, MT. Program: Establishing New Bases for Human Happiness. With William Davis, Katherine Williams, Moen Sobhani. Facilities: Main lodge, dining room; cabin housing (bring bedding). Swimming, horseback riding, hiking. Fees: Adult $160, Child/Youth (8–17) $130, Child (4–7) $84, (0–3) $10. Registrar: Sandi Marisdotter, (phone , e-mail ).

NEW MEXICO “FOUR CORNERS,” JULY 11–15 Location: Camp Kiwanis near Gallup, NM. Program: Establishing New Bases for Human Happiness. With Dr. Martha Jalali Rabbani, Brent Poirier, Carolyn Staples, Jan Saeed, others. Facilities: Indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, chapel, dining hall; dorm, tent or RV lodging. Outdoor, team recreation. Fees: Adult $75, Youth (15–18) $60, Pre-Youth (11–14) $45, Child (7–10) $25, (3–6) $20; Family discount 15%. Registrar: Bill Bright, (phone , e-mail ). Pre-register by July 1.

OREGON “CARMEL,” SESSION I (FAMILY) JUNE 21–24; SESSION II (YOUTH/JUNIOR YOUTH) JUNE 24–27 Location: 20 minutes east of Portland, OR. Program: Establishing New Bases for Human Happiness. Facilities: Wooded camp; cabin, tent or RV accommodations (cabins for Session II). Fees: Per person $75, Family $225. Registrar: Sue Koos, (phone , e-mail ).

OREGON “SUTTLE LAKE,” JULY 27–30 Location: Suttle Lake United Methodist Camp, near Sisters, OR. Program: Establishing New Bases for Human Happiness. Facilities: Classrooms; cabins/lodge and meals (special diet requests honored). Outdoor and water sports, crafts. Fees: Staying in cabin: Adult $105, Youth (13–17) $85, Child (6–12) $75, (2–5) $50, Infant free. Staying in lodge: $5–$20 extra, depending on age. Day rates available. Registrar: Carol Picknell, (phone , e-mail ). Pre-register by July 1.

OREGON “BADASHT,” AUG. 15–19 Location: 1 hour west of Roseburg, OR. Program: Establishing New Bases for Human Happiness. Fees: Adult $115, Youth $95, Child (3–11) $75, Family $350. Registrar: Jim Smith, (phone , e-mail ).

WASHINGTON “TINY SEED,” JULY 27–AUG. 1 Location: Brighton Creek Conference Center, McKenna, WA. Program: With Todd Kutches. Facilities: Indoor/outdoor classrooms; cabins (some updated), tent or RV lodging; vegetarian/special meals accommodated; outdoor sports. Fees: Adult $175, Family $600. No day students. Registrar: Barbara Moses c/o P.O. Box 8265, Kenmore, WA 98028 (phone , e-mail ). Pre-register by June 30.

EASTERN WASHINGTON/NORTH IDAHO “SHELTERING BRANCH,” JUNE 30–JULY 6 Location: Camp Wooten ELC, southwest of Pomeroy, WA. Program: Establishing New Bases for Human Happiness. Facilities: Classrooms; cabins or tent/RV spaces; somewhat rustic. Indoor pool, court games, nature trails/outdoor sports. Fees: Family $550, Adult $175, (60+) $115, Youth (15–18) $115, Pre-Youth (11–14) $105, Child (6–10) $85, (2–5) $55, (0–1) $32, Sponsored Child $132. No day students/drop-ins. Registrar: Shannon McConnell, (phone , e-mail ). Pre-register by June 10.

Southern States

FLORIDA, JULY 6–9 Location: Florida Tech Univ., Melbourne, FL. Program: Happiness Is ... Answering the Divine Call. With Counselor Eugene Andrews. Facilities: Campus with cafeteria; dorms (optional; hotels nearby). Pool, tennis, soccer. Information: Donna Evertz (phone , e-mail ).

KENTUCKY, AUG. 31–SEPT. 3 Location: Kentucky Leadership Center, Faubush, KY. Program: Establishing New Bases for Human Happiness. Facilities: Meeting hall/classrooms; cabin or lodge rooms. Water, court, outdoor sports. Fees: School fee $15. Meals and cabin lodging: Adult/Youth/Pre-Youth $25.75/day; Child $15.88/day (Lodge room $7–$30 extra per night). Registrar: Joanne Strano-Barnes, (phone , e-mail ). Pre-register by Aug. 24.

MARYLAND “DAYSPRING,” AUG. 2–5 Location: Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD. Program: Attributes of Spiritual and Material Civilization. Facilities: Classrooms, workshop space; dorms, cafeteria. Pool, hiking trail. Registrar: Merlisa Lawrence Corbett c/o Dayspring Bahá’í School, (phone , e-mail , Web site http://dayspringbahaischool.org).

NORTH CAROLINA, AUG. 24–26 Location: The Summit, Browns Summit, NC. Program: Love of God and Teaching. Facilities: Large and small classrooms, cafeteria (please notify of special diet in advance); dorm-style and motel-style rooms. Gym, pool, tennis, playing fields, outdoor sports. Registrar: Sandra Miles, (phone , fax , e-mail ). Pre-register by Aug. 13.

SOUTH CAROLINA, JULY 6–12 Location: Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC. Program: Establishing New Bases for Human Happiness. With Erica Toussaint, Shahin Vafai, Annette Reynolds, Tod Ewing. Facilities: Campus with dining hall; air-conditioned dorms. Tennis, basketball, swimming. Fees: Adult $209–239, Youth (14–15) $169–199, Child (2–12) call Registrar for total; Infant free. Family and day rates available. Registrar: Doug Phillips, (phone , e-mail ). Pre-register by July 4.

TENNESSEE BAHÁ’Í INSTITUTE, AUG. 31–SEPT. 3 Location: DuBose Conf. Ctr., Monteagle, TN. Program: Establishing New Bases for Human Happiness. With Dr. and Mrs. D. Popov, M.K. Radpour, Dr. Jane Failey. Facilities: Dormitory, cabin, tent or motel-type lodging; main meeting and classrooms. Volleyball, swimming, hiking. Fees: School fee $7 ($25 for family). Meals: Adult/Youth $51; Child $41. Lodging depends on accommodation. Day rates available. Registrar: Kaihan Strain, (phone , e-mail ). Register by Aug. 15.

TEXAS, AUG. 31–SEPT. 3 Location: Greene Family Camp, Bruceville, TX. Registrar: M. Mazidi (phone , e-mail ).

VIRGINIA “SHENANDOAH,” AUG. 31–SEPT. 2 Location: Massanetta Springs Conference Center, Harrisonburg, VA. Information: See Web page (www.shenandoahbahaischool.org).

VIRGINIA “APPALACHIAN” (FORMERLY “HEMLOCK HAVEN”), JUNE 15–17 Location: Hungry Mother State Park, Marion, VA. Program: Establishing New Bases for Human Happiness. Facilities: Classrooms; cabins/lodges, meals on site. Outdoor/water recreation, pool. Fees: Adult $84, Youth $65, Child (3–12) $50. Day rates available. Registrar: Sarah Jane Lee, P.O. Box 2156, Lebanon, VA 24266 (phone , e-mail ). Pre-register by June 4. [Page 16]The Bahá’í Distribution Service is honored to distribute this most recent translation of “THE MOST HOLY BOOK.”

The Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Arabic)

The Most Holy Book Bahá’u’lláh

$30.00 HC (ARKA)

Published by Bahá’í World Center Publications with all sections translated into Arabic, this most recent publication is now available for national and international distribution. Exquisitely bound and with illuminated pages, it is quite likely that, regardless of one’s native tongue, many of the friends will wish to have the bounty of placing this historic publication within their homes and Bahá’í Centers.

7" x 10", 340 pp., contents, preface, introduction, supplementary texts, questions and answers, synopsis and codification, notes, glossary, key to passages, index

BULLETIN! Century of Light is now available from Bahá’í Distribution Service! $10.95 SC

Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb Commemorative Stamp and Leaf

created by the Philatelic Service Department of the Israel Postal Authority

$4.00 (TSTAMP)

In recognition of the completion of the Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb, the Philatelic Service Department of the Israel Postal Authority has issued a commemorative stamp and leaf which includes a description of the Shrine of the Báb and Terraces written in English. The souvenir leaves will be printed only once. Place your order now to assure your receipt of this historic collector’s item.

The Institution of the Counsellors

A Document Prepared by the Universal House of Justice

$4.95 SC (IC)

This digest will increase the friends’ understanding of the responsibilities of the Counsellors and their auxiliaries and the workings of the Administrative Order. It includes an overview of the components of the institution and their duties, and statements addressing aspects of its functioning.

6 1/2" x 9", 48 pp.

Kitáb-i-Íqán

The Book of Certitude Bahá’u’lláh

$3.95 PS (KIP) $15.95 HC (KIH)

Bahá’u’lláh’s explanation of the basic tenets of the Bahá’í Faith and of the continuity of religion as it has been revealed throughout the ages. This book affirms the unity of the Prophets, the universality of their Message, the identity of their fundamental teachings, the sanctity of their scriptures, and the twofold character of their stations. The book elucidates allegorical passages from the New Testament and the Qur’án that have caused misunderstandings among religious leaders. Termed by Shoghi Effendi “the most important book written on the spiritual significance of the Cause,” it should be “read and read over again by every soul who desires to serve” Bahá’u’lláh. Moreover, he says, “Every Bahá’í should master” this book and be able to explain its contents to others.

4 1/4" x 7", 274 pp., foreword, glossary and notes, index

The Priceless Pearl

Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum

$18.95 SC (PP) $29.95 HC (PPHC)

BACK IN PRINT!

This is a wonderful new printing of the biography of the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi. Work was initiated some months before Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum’s passing. She was very happy that this book would again be available to the friends—particularly the new generation of believers—to inspire and stimulate them with its definitive account of the life of their Guardian and his 36-year ministry as the head of the Cause of God. The new edition, designed by Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum herself, is illustrated with 75 photographs, comprising those in the first edition and those in the 1988 book The Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith.

5 3/4" x 8 1/4", 482 pp., contents, preface, introduction, index

Marriage: A Fortress for Well-being

$12.95 SC (MFWBS)

“Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í readers will benefit from this judicious argument for marriage as a building block of world peace.” — Publishers Weekly

An examination of the Bahá’í teachings on marriage in the light of God’s purpose for humanity. Presents the Bahá’í belief that marriage is based on the submission of both partners to the will of God, Who intended marriage to be “a fortress for well-being and salvation.” Provides guidelines for applying spiritual principles to the realities of daily life and for nurturing a union that is fundamentally spiritual and based on the Bahá’í writings.

5 1/2" x 8 1/2", 86 pp., table of contents, foreword, bibliography, index

Bahá’í Distribution Service Friends Serving Friends

• call BDS toll free 800 - 999 - 9019 • [Page 17]

New From Bahá’í Distribution Service

What’s In It for Me?

An Introduction to the Bahá’í Faith Phyllis G.L. Chew $8.00 SC (WFM)

Today’s global problems include imbalances in trade, instability in foreign exchange rates, bank failures, unceasing wars, racial and religious strife, and ongoing environmental pollution. Author Phyllis G.L. Chew reviews Bahá’í solutions to the global economic problems. She explores why this blueprint has often been ignored and answers a favorite question asked by many inquirers of the Bahá’í Faith: “What’s in it for me?”

8 1/4" x 5 1/2", 178 pp., illustrations, bibliography

Bahá’í Education for Children Book 4

A.A. Furútan $4.50 SC (BEC4)

The fourth book in this series includes presentations for children of reading age through pre-youth. Mr. Furútan’s teachers’ guide emphasizes classroom management and children’s practicum promotes individual study of the Holy Writings and development of spiritual virtues.

8 1/2" x 5 1/2", 64 pp.

The Search for a Just Society

John Huddleston $16.00 SC (SJSS)

Huddleston traces the history of the search for a just society from ancient times through 20th century efforts to move toward greater social, political and economic equality.

8 1/2" x 5 1/2", 508 pp., illustrations, tables, maps, appendix, bibliography

Bahá’í Education for Children Book 5

A.A. Furútan $4.50 SC (BEC5)

Designed for children ages 9 and 10, the fifth book in this series focuses on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s teaching that “the threat recorded in the Books of God may prevent them from that which is forbidden and adorn them with the mantle of the commandments.”

8 1/2" x 5 1/2" 60 pp.

The Light of a Good Character

New Era Development Institute $3.50 SC (LGC)

Originally designed for teaching children ages 4-6 in the villages of India, this book is an excellent resource for use around the world. Thirty-two lessons designed to facilitate weekly moral education classes are presented along with helpful suggestions for very low-cost supplemental materials.

8 1/4" x 10 3/4" 70 pp., lessons, instructions, roll call pages

Bahá’í Education for Children Book 6

A.A. Furútan $4.50 SC (BEC6)

Book 6 focuses on pre-youth who are over the age of 10 and are beginning to shoulder increased moral responsibility. Mr. Furútan includes historical references for inspiration and develops tools for meeting life’s challenges through the application of the Laws and Holy Writings.

8 1/2" x 5 1/2", 85 pp.

I Beheld A Maiden

Terry Culhane $19.95 SC (IBMS)

A fresh, new look at the Bahá’í teachings from the perspective of the spirit! Bahá’u’lláh tells us a woman spoke the first words of the Revelation to him: “Turning My face, I beheld a Maiden—the embodiment of the remembrance of the name of My Lord. ...” In this series of four essays, author Terry Culhane attempts to discover the meaning of the image of the Maiden in the fascinating discussion of feminine presence in the sacred writings of the Bahá’í Faith.

With sensitivity and insight, Culhane explores key symbols found in the sacred writings—symbols that connect the reader to the life of the spirit, the foundation for all Bahá’í notions of the Covenant, the Bahá’í Commonwealth, human knowledge, spiritual journey and modern life.

8 1/2 x 5 1/2, 143 pp., illustrations, bibliography

Substance Abuse: A Bahá’í Perspective

A-M. Ghadirian, M.D. $3.00 SC Booklet (SUAB)

This clear, easy-to-understand booklet is now available to the general public and professionals. The booklet provides accurate, up-to-date information about diverse addictive substances that are widely abused, including alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, marijuana, and heroin. Dr. Ghadirian considers the spiritual and emotional toll as well as the social costs of substance abuse. Most importantly, he points the way to help families and communities become free of substance abuse.

8 1/2" x 5 1/2", 32 pp., references

Islam and the Bahá’í Faith

Moojan Momen $18.95 SC (IBF)

An introduction to the Bahá’í Faith for Muslims. The Bahá’í Faith has its roots in Islam yet many Muslims lack accurate information about this fast-growing religion. Dr. Moojan Momen, widely published author in the field of world religions, uses the authoritative Sunni collections of Traditions and draws on Islamic prophecies to explain the Bahá’í Faith from an Islamic perspective. Momen describes the Bahá’í view of the Prophet Muhammad and of Islam, the spiritual and ethical teachings of the Bahá’í Faith in comparison to Islam, and much more. Easy to read and full of useful information, this book will also be helpful to Bahá’ís who want to see how their religion relates to Islam.

8 1/4" x 5 1/2", 293 pp., bibliography, references and notes, index

Bahá’í Essentials

Dr. Steven E. Ellis $16.00 SC (BENB)

A study course on the fundamentals of the Bahá’í Faith for consolidation of new believers and youth. Twenty-six subjects are available for study in the book based only on suggestions made by Shoghi Effendi or the Universal House of Justice. These subjects include the fundamental verities or essential beliefs upon which the Bahá’í Faith is based; the principles of man’s spiritual reality; the personal laws related to marriage, divorce, alcohol and drugs; the purpose of the Faith in establishing the unity of mankind; the origins, aims, purposes and processes of its divinely appointed Administrative Order; and more. Dr. Steven E. Ellis utilizes a study process combining the best in learning from the Personal Transformation Program, Core Curriculum, Ruhi, the Talking Circle and others. Includes guidelines for self-study and information for sponsoring agencies and facilitators.

8 1/2" x 11", 219 pp., appendices [Page 18]

“Establishing New Bases for Human Happiness”

Order these two books identified by National Education and Schools Office and the National Spiritual Assembly as the study curriculum framework for 2001.

Epistle to the Son of the Wolf Bahá’u’lláh $3.95 PS (ESWP)

A Tablet containing Bahá’u’lláh’s own anthology of His writings chosen to illustrate major themes of His revelation. Addressed to the son of an official whom Bahá’u’lláh named “the Wolf” because of his responsibility for the death of two outstanding Bábís, the epistle boldly proclaims Who Bahá’u’lláh is and why He has come. It affirms that God is the source of His revelation, gives proofs of His station, and outlines His general teachings and directives. The last major work Bahá’u’lláh revealed before His passing, it provides an extraordinary model of how to use Bahá’u’lláh’s writings to teach the Faith. 4¼" x 7", 194 pp., introduction, index

Check the Administrative Web Site (www.usbnc.org) for a free Epistle to the Son of the Wolf Study Guide available for download (link to NSA Departments, then to Education and Schools Office).

The Secret of Divine Civilization ‘Abdu’l-Bahá $3.95 PS (SDCP)

A treatise on the true nature of civilization and a blueprint for “the future reorganization of the world.” Its message appeals to world-mindedness and the highest human motives, emphasizing the spiritual basis of civilization. An excellent teaching and deepening tool that elaborates principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh and provides a basis for achieving a new world order. 4¼" x 7", 126 pp., introduction, index

The Bahá’ís magazine Regularly $2.50, NOW $1.00 (BM)

A comprehensive but inexpensive and highly readable full-color eighty-page magazine-style booklet conveying the teachings, history and activities of the worldwide Bahá’í community. Written in an informative, objective style, it is especially suitable for presentation to local officials, journalists and others who need complete but concise information about the Faith. 8¼" x 10¾", 80 pp., color photos, charts, maps, further reading

The Bahá’ís CD-ROM Regularly $19.95, NOW $5.95 (BCDR)

The Bahá’ís CD-ROM is a professional multimedia presentation of the Bahá’í Faith containing all of the material printed in the original magazine, The Bahá’ís. It also contains a suggested reading list of sacred texts and commentary based on the Writings, which can be viewed on screen or printed out in its entirety. The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, The Promise of World Peace, plus 10 additional books and 25 minutes of video. Features active links that expand on selected topics, including web links and help screens. Incorporate the latest in information age technology into your teaching efforts and reach those seekers whose computer is their source of information.

Multimedia

Season of Light Sonbol Taefi and Stephen Small $17.00 CD (SLCD) New!

Santour and piano arrangements are accompanied by the strings of New Zealand’s Philharmonic Orchestra in this collection of old-time melodies and new songs. Running time: 54 minutes

Splendor Anthony Appolito $15.95 CD (SCD)

Inspired by Bahá’í writings, Splendor delivers nine soul-stirring original guitar recordings combining marvelous classical and folk guitar artistry with just the right touch of light, orchestral accompaniment. This CD is wonderful for Feasts, Holy Days and gift giving. Includes a 20-page booklet featuring selected Bahá’í writings. Total time: 31:36 minutes, 9 tracks

Bahá’í Holy Places In Israel images by Denny Allen $20.00 CD-ROM (BHP)

One-hundred-forty-four stunning images of the Bahá’í holy places from ‘Akká to Haifa. Includes historic sites around ‘Akká, the Prison, the House of ‘Abbúd, the Mansion at Mazra’ih, the Ridván Garden, the mansion at Bahjí, the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh, the House of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Haifa Pilgrim House, the Monument Gardens, sites on Haparsim Street, the Arc buildings, the Terraces and the Shrine of the Báb.

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Bahá’í Distribution Service • 4703 Fulton Industrial Blvd. • Atlanta, GA 30336 call us • 800-999-9019 • toll-free [Page 19]

KINGDOM PROJECT BULLETIN: NEW PERMANENT TRAINING INSTITUTE

The National Spiritual Assembly has added a new component to its comprehensive development plan, it was announced April 26 at the Bahá’í National Convention. A second permanent training institute specifically serving an American Indian population is to be developed, though timing and site have yet to be announced. Part of the mission of the Kingdom Project, the development plan more formally known as Building the Kingdom: It’s Our Time, is to make needed improvements to the existing permanent schools and institutes—including the Native American Bahá’í Institute in Houck, Arizona, serving the Navajo and Hopi peoples—and to begin establishing new ones. Previously announced were plans to initiate new permanent Bahá’í schools in the Southern and Western regions, to complement the work of Green Acre, Louhelen and Bosch Bahá’í schools.

Our progress in the first year

BUILDING THE KINGDOM IT’S OUR TIME

It’s been a year since the launching of Building the Kingdom: It’s Our Time, the National Spiritual Assembly’s comprehensive development plan, known as the Kingdom Project. With one more year to secure the commitment of a minimum $60 million in pledges and contributions, where do we stand? Here, with information from the Kingdom Project Office, is an update:

House of Worship

On May 1, 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá laid the cornerstone for the House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, and later described its establishment as marking “the inception of the Kingdom of God on earth.” Throughout those early years, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá guided the believers in development of this “Holiest House of Worship,” calling it “the most important matter and the greatest divine institute.” Shoghi Effendi directed the completion of the Temple, naming it “the most important teacher of the Faith” and writing of “the vast, the immeasurable potentialities with which this Mother Temple of the West ... has been endowed.”

Demolition of some of the monumental steps and some portions of the walkway began last summer. In December, work began on installing new cast-iron storm drains in gardens 8, 9, and 1. Over the winter, the staff of the Temple Conservation Concrete Studio in Lake Bluff, Illinois, prepared wood forms for casting concrete beams to support the new terrace deck. They also experimented with various formulas to create the optimum concrete recipe for long-term durability of the new stairs.

Bahá’í Home for the Aged

Plans for the modernization and renovation of the Bahá’í Home, the only existing dependency of any House of Worship in the world, have been approved and work will begin in late spring. This extensive renovation includes a completely redesigned common area and dining room, individual room enhancements and redesign and landscaping of the front and back yards.

SEE PROJECT, PAGE 20

Above photo: Erik Andersen (right) of the House of Worship Conservation Team shows work in progress on the north side of the Temple during the Bahá’í National Convention in late April to Brande Watson of Xenia, Ohio, a Convention visitor. Left photo: A kiosk at the Bahá’í House of Worship Visitors’ Center informs visitors of highlights of the ongoing restoration. Below photo: Even with renovation and Convention going on, the Temple welcomed a stream of warm-weather visitors. Photos by James Humphrey

KINGDOM PROJECT OVERVIEW

ENSURING MATERIAL MEANS

• More than 4,600 people have pledged funds toward the $60 million goal.
• Nearly as many have participated by making cash contributions.
• More than $23.6 million in pledges or cash contributions has been committed to the Kingdom Project.

DID YOU KNOW ...

• The House of Worship has about 250,000 visitors each year?
• There are 972 monumental steps surrounding the House of Worship?
• Over $1,000,000 is required each year just to keep the Temple open?

What is the Kingdom Project?

It is our National Spiritual Assembly’s plan to build the infrastructure and prepare the American Bahá’í community for the dramatic growth that we are told is fast approaching.

Steeped in the vision of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for the American Bahá’í community and blessed by the Universal House of Justice, the Kingdom Project is designed to take the American Bahá’í community to our next level of advancement, maturation and service to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. It will also help us “prepare ourselves,” as instructed by the Universal House of Justice, “for ... the hour whose coming it is our task to hasten.”

Specifically, the Kingdom Project will ensure:

• Restoration and protection of the House of Worship, called by the Guardian “the most important teacher of the Faith.”
• Expansion of the dependencies of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, including the Visitors’ Center and the Bahá’í Home for the Aged.
• Redesign of the Hazíratu’l-Quds, described by Shoghi Effendi as “the visible symbol of the steadily growing National Bahá’í Community.”
• Fundamental development of Bahá’í-owned schools to their next phase as centers of Bahá’í learning.
• Expansion of the media initiative and other national teaching efforts.
• Founding and developing a new publishing entity to develop, produce and promote books for mass distribution.
• Creation of strategic reserves to give our community the flexibility needed to respond promptly to opportunities for significant growth.
• Establishment of an endowment to protect Bahá’í properties across the United States.

For information about the Kingdom Project and how you can contribute: KINGDOM PROJECT Office of the Treasurer • 1233 Central St. • Evanston, IL 60201 Web site www.kingdom-project.org • Phone 847-733-3521 • E-mail [Page 20]“This is not the hour of rest! This is not the time of silence! This is not the day of inactivity! Like unto one mighty spirit, moving through thousands of souls, arise ye from your seats and cry at the top of your voices: ‘Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá!’ ” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Left photo: The wood-paneled walls and rudimentary tables in the memories of many who have learned and served at Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute (such as in this photo from the 1980s) had worn and needed replacement.

Below photo: ready for use as of earlier this year, the new dining hall at LGI presents a more open, airy appearance. Photos courtesy of Bahá’í National Center Properties

Unity Hall (building at center right) stands with its exterior substantially complete earlier this spring. Photo by Jim Cheek

An architect’s rendering shows the anticipated appearance of a new meeting hall and classroom facilities at Green Acre.

PROJECT,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

COMPLETED: Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute The refurbishment of the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute in Hemingway, South Carolina, is the first construction project to be completed as part of the Kingdom Project. A modern kitchen and refurbished dorm spaces are among the highlights. The new renovations will help the Institute better fulfill its community outreach and service goals and more properly reflect the station of its namesake, Louis Gregory, referred to by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as “like unto pure gold,” and designated posthumously by Shoghi Effendi as a Hand of the Cause of God.

Green Acre Bahá’í School A June 2 groundbreaking ceremony was set for the new meeting hall and classrooms at Green Acre in Eliot, Maine. Construction is expected to proceed over several months.

Louhelen Bahá’í School An Aug. 12 dedication ceremony is set for Unity Hall, a new building that will enable as many as 200 people to gather at this Bahá’í school. Interior work should be finished soon, making it ready for use before summer is over. Previously the dining hall had to be inappropriately pressed into service for large gatherings.

National Media Campaign The national media campaign is in full swing and has attracted 200,000 people to begin or renew their investigations of our Faith. Funds pledged or contributed toward the Kingdom Project will help to develop additional television programs and purchase additional broadcast time in the coming months.

Bahá’í Publishing Bahá’í Publishing is preparing its first season of literature to enter the retail market in 2002. Bahá’í Publishing books will present Bahá’í principles, teachings, and writings to a new readership that extends far beyond our existing community. The books will be available in major chain bookstores such as Borders Books and Music and Barnes and Noble, independent bookstores, and libraries.

Endowment In 1979 the Universal House of Justice wrote that “National Spiritual Assemblies should set aside sums annually in their budgets for the maintenance of national properties so that when a repair becomes necessary the funds will be available without creating a sudden crisis for the national fund. ... Well maintained and regularly used properties will not only be a means of fostering Bahá’í community life, but will add to the prestige and dignity of the Faith in the eyes of the non-Bahá’í public.”

Through pledges and contributions toward the Kingdom Project, a significant sum has already been set aside to establish an endowment for the protection of Bahá’í properties across the United States. This represents the first step toward building an adequate endowment capable of sustaining operations and maintenance. ♦

How can our Local Spiritual Assembly and community support the Kingdom Project?

• Consider, as an institution, making a pledge on behalf of the community, in addition to individual pledges.
• Help the friends understand the spiritual significance of the Kingdom Project by requesting a presentation to your Local Spiritual Assembly or community by calling or e-mailing the Kingdom Project Office.
• Encourage parents and the community to participate in Kids for the Kingdom (gleaners, activity books, etc.) by calling or e-mailing the Kingdom Project Office.
• Help the friends understand the Kingdom Project is in addition to our regular contributions to the National Fund.
• Arrange for the community to view one or both of the videos associated with the Project (Building the Kingdom: It’s Our Time and Share the Joy).
• Keep abreast of the latest information, contribution levels and ideas by visiting the Kingdom Project Web site (www.kingdom-project.org) or by e-mailing to receive periodic updates about the Kingdom Project.
• Request information on components of the Project that you either do not understand or wish to know more about (such as Bahá’í Publishing, media campaign, House of Worship conservation, etc.).
• Help your community members understand the difference between a pledge and a contribution and how pledges work.
• Share information on the Kingdom Project in community newsletters and at Feast.
• Request a supply of pledge cards by calling or e-mailing the Kingdom Project Office, and make them available at community events.

For information about the Kingdom Project and how you can contribute:

KINGDOM PROJECT

Office of the Treasurer 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201 Web site www.kingdom-project.org Phone 847-733-3521 E-mail [Page 21]

Get Ready for the Kingdom Conference

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, June 28th-July 1st

With Liang and His Friends!

• I learned a new prayer to say at the conference, Wayne. Want to hear it?
• Oooh! Maybe you can teach it to me, too.
• I can’t wait to see all of my old friends and meet lots of new ones!
• I’m bringing my camera so we can get lots of pictures.
• It’s in Wisconsin, so everyone will say cheese!
• I’m going to volunteer as a greeter with my mom.
• That sounds fun. There will be lots of cool classes, too.

From the Western Region

From the Central Region Visit with Liang in person at the Kingdom Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, June 28th-July 1st!

The Kingdom Conference

From the Northeastern Region

From the Southern Region

Activity by the Office of the Treasurer and Brilliant Star

Directions:

What are you bringing to the Kingdom Conference? Unscramble these words and check off the things you’re packing!

In my backpack 1. rameca [ ] 2. dyria [ ] 3. yomen orf eht nuFd [ ] 4. kooobnte [ ] 5. wiplol [ ] 6. rayerp obok [ ] 7. scknas [ ] 8. yost [ ] 9. slagnusses [ ]

In my heart 10. syecourt [ ] 11. tivicreaty [ ] 12. thusensmia [ ] 13. lissenfrinde [ ] 14. plefnesshul [ ] 15. ssyoifulne [ ] 16. nidksens [ ] 17. evol orf Bahá’u’lláh [ ] 18. furlssenyapre [ ]

(Answers: 1. camera 2. diary 3. money for the Fund 4. notebook 5. pillow 6. prayer book 7. snacks 8. toys 9. sunglasses 10. courtesy 11. creativity 12. enthusiasm 13. friendliness 14. helpfulness 15. joyfulness 16. kindness 17. love for Bahá’u’lláh 18. prayerfulness)

Subscribe now!

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BSTAR AD 6.2001 [Page 22]

CONVENTION REFLECTIONS

ADALIA ELLIS CONWAY, SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST-TIME DELEGATE

INTERVIEWS BY JAMES HUMPHREY

• High point of Convention: The most special time for me was the period when we elected the National Spiritual Assembly. I’ve grown up a Bahá’í, I’ve been going to Unit Conventions all my life and served as a teller or just been there as a youth. But I haven’t been very aware of what happens at the national level.

I felt very prepared to elect the NSA because on Wednesday, the Counselors gave a deepening on the qualities to look for. ... To me, what made it a very spiritual thing was the quote by Shoghi Effendi about electing the representatives in a spirit of prayer and reflection and meditation. It said, basically, whoever comes to you when you’re in this mode is who you need to write down on your ballot.

That was a very humbling experience for me, because I forced myself to open more than just my head. My intellect came together with the heart and soul. ... I was in tears as I voted, very overwhelmed by the spirit I felt as I was in this process.

• What’s happening back home: At Louis Gregory Institute, Ellen and Frank Jordan are working tirelessly to bring in programs to support the local community there. And thousands upon thousands of people listen to WLGI Radio and hear the name of Bahá’u’lláh every single day. I’ve walked into businesses and have heard Radio Bahá’í on in their offices.

It’s very exciting to see this rejuvenation happening at Louis Gregory. I would highly encourage anyone who would like to be a part of that process to contact Ellen and Frank Jordan and find out ways they can provide service. ♦

CONVENTION REFLECTIONS

AFSHIN AHOURIYAN PHOENIX, ARIZONA THIRD-YEAR DELEGATE

• High point of Convention: One moment that comes to my mind right away is hearing that history was made: the first time an indigenous person has been an officer of the National Assembly. That tells me times are changing and the minds of people are changing.

Another was when the Office of External Affairs ‎Template:Bracket Director‎ Kit Cosby was making a presentation. Having read the Annual Report, I was wondering what has happened to the Bahá’ís who were arrested in Egypt. Hearing that Dr. Template:Bracket Kazemzadeh had an opportunity to meet with them through another organization, just to make sure they know we care about them—when you come from Iran, you feel strongly about those aspects of life.

• What’s happening back home: I don’t mean to brag, but the Phoenix area had one of the first local initiatives during the media campaign. Through fund raisers and the inter-community media committee, we were able to purchase sponsorships on public radio stations. Just to drive around and hear that this part of NPR is brought to you by the Bahá’í community ... and I hear about it from friends at work. It kind of puts an oomph in your day. We are trying to get time slots on local cable TV.

Sunday classes with devotional meetings have been going on in the Phoenix Bahá’í Center. Just as in any other community, our seekers want to have a program for their children. The dilemma we’re facing is whether we should continue having children’s classes all year, instead of ending them for the summer months—so that we don’t lose our seekers because there’s nothing going on for the children. ♦

CONVENTION,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Rather than repeat the text of the Annual Report, the National Spiritual Assembly, its agencies and other institutions opted to lend “heartfelt observations ... about the condition of the American Bahá’í community.”

Important subtexts running throughout the reports were the Kingdom Project, the National Assembly’s $60 million comprehensive development plan, and the Kingdom Conference, the gathering of our Bahá’í family—and extended family of seekers—set for June 28-July 3 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

rose to each incoming Assembly member and hugs from the Counselors present—Eugene Andrews, Stephen Birkland and Angelica Huerta.

A posture of learning

It was a scene very much in tune with the Convention as a whole.

At the dawn of a new epoch and new Plan, delegates adopted a humble posture of learning and set their sights on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Help was close at hand, as the Board of Counselors, the National Assembly and its agencies, the Regional Bahá’í Councils and the Board of Huqúqu’lláh shared information and insights about the American Bahá’í community today and where it is going.

The setting—Foundation Hall of the Mother Temple of the West—also lent spiritual potency to the proceedings. The white concrete dome shone as a beacon under sunny skies and the surrounding gardens burst forth in inviting color.

How could any delegate not feel a sense of purpose in lovingly giving recommendations and suggestions to the National Assembly and in prayerfully electing the members of that body?

Blessings flow throughout

Especially when such blessings flowed throughout the proceedings:

• A spirit-lifting observance of the Ninth Day of Ridván upstairs in the Auditorium of the Temple.
• Receipt of Century of Light, a Bahá’í perspective on the 20th century that was prepared under the supervision of the Universal House of Justice.
• Receipt of letters from the Supreme Body concerning the progress of the national media campaign, the Lesser Peace and unity of nations, and the sovereignty of Indian tribal nations.
• The presence of special guests such as Javidukht Khadem, several Knights of Bahá’u’lláh, Iranian believers Drs. Sholeh and Sina Hakiman, and Rwandan refugee Thomas Senzoga.
• Opportunities to see the Temple restoration in progress and hear a report on how it will unfold.
• Debut of the next Bahá’í Newsreel, featuring the recent experience of American Bahá’í communities in such arenas as attaining universal participation, responding to seekers, intercommunity cooperation, and children’s education.
• The participation of young South Carolina delegates Adalia Ellis, who recited a poignant poem she wrote, and Orlanda Young Perez, who lent her melodious singing voice to the proceedings.
• Inspiring session-opening performances by singer Evander Gilmer, Indian flutist Kevin Locke, saxophonist Marvin “Doc” Holladay and KC Porter and JB Eckl—not to mention National Assembly member Erica Toussaint leading everyone in song and delegate Charlotte Khan offering a Convention-closing blessing in the Diné tongue.

Borne on the wind of prayer

The vital nature of the proceedings was brought home in a unique way.

Word was received that the Roman Catholic Dominican Sisters in Springfield, Illinois, had recited prayers—Bahá’í prayers at that—since early in the week for the success of the Bahá’í National Convention.

In gratitude, delegates responded to the good Sisters:

“We, the delegates to the Bahá’í National Convention, were moved upon learning of your prayers for the success of our Convention. We wish to send our loving greetings and attest to the efficacy of your prayers. We have reaffirmed our dedication to the service of humanity and the Cause of Peace. We pray also for the blessings of the Divine Creator to descend upon our dear sisters and lovers in Christ.” ♦

Highlights of the report of the Secretariat by Robert C. Henderson

• National Assembly members’ hearts swell with pride about our efforts to transform the nation despite our tests and weaknesses.
• Knowing we are not tested beyond our capacity, we can move from strength to strength and lay a foundation of growth.
• Often, the Assembly meets leaders—among them the secretary of agriculture—who acknowledge that the Bahá’ís are champions of community service, social justice, unity and spiritual principle.
• We have gone a long way toward developing systematic programs of growth including training, devotional gatherings, and children’s and youth activities.
• Our challenge is to expand the circle of love and involvement until every Bahá’í takes an abiding interest in the community and devotes time, love and resources to it.
• The keys will be unity and a culture of learning. None of us has an idea that will build the Kingdom, but our unity will. Likewise, we must harvest ideas and accomplishments, starting at the Kingdom Conference in Milwaukee.
• And don’t forget, our failings can be put to good use as seeds for progress.
• An example of our opportunities is in extending a hand of love and partnership to tribal nations Bahá’ís are serving. The National Assembly also will establish a new American Indian institute as part of the Kingdom Project.
• At the dawn of the new Plan, we must recognize that all religious growth is cyclical and we are on the threshold of one of those waves.
• Buttressed by the House of Justice’s confidence that great victories are on the horizon, we can be assured this is the right time for our efforts to yield magnificent growth.

Highlights of the report of the Treasury by William L.H. Roberts

• The turtle can be seen as a symbol for progress: It’s risky to stick your neck out, but you can’t get anywhere unless you do so.
• We’ve sacrificially given to the National Bahá’í Fund the past few years, but a cash deficit remains—largely because anticipated revenue from bequests and the sale of a major piece of property did not materialize.
• Growth in use of the Automatic Contributions System has been a godsend, especially during summer months.
• There’s ample room, though, to expand the base of support by individuals and Local Assemblies for the National, Continental and International Funds.
• About 400 Local Assemblies and 7,000 individuals have made contributions and pledges totaling about $23.6 million to the Kingdom Project.
• Progress has been made, including Temple conservation and improvements at the permanent Bahá’í schools, with the money received.
• The National Assembly is thrilled by the achievement. It’s a great start. But there’s a long way to go. ♦

Highlights of more reports from National Convention:

• External Affairs: page 24
• National Teaching Committee: page 25
• Regional Bahá’í Councils: page 26

Captions

Helping sustain the spirit of the Convention was music provided by (photos clockwise from right) Kevin Locke, “Doc” Holladay, JB Eckl (performing with KC Porter) and Van Gilmer. Photos by Vladimir Shilov

Members of the new national Spiritual Assembly pose after they are formally presented to the Convention: (left to right) seated, Dorothy W. Nelson, Juana C. Conrad, Patricia Locke, Erica Toussaint; standing, Robert C. Henderson, Jack McCants, William L.H. Roberts, David Young, William E. Davis. Photo by Vladimir Shilov

Above: A photographer calls for the assembled delegates to stay steady as he takes the official Convention portrait. Photo by Tom Mennillo

Liang the Lion, mascot of the Treasurer’s Office who normally makes his appearances in children’s materials, draws smiles from delegates and visitors at the Convention. Photo by Vladimir Shilov

Left: Patricia Locke (in yellow) is embraced by Counselor Angelica Huerta as Dorothy Nelson looks on, after the Counselors presented each Assembly member with white roses. Above: Delegates and visitors in the audience are a study in concentration. Photos by Vladimir Shilov [Page 23]

CONVENTION REFLECTIONS

“NO CALL WILL GO UNANSWERED.” —NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES

ARLENE JENNRICH WILMETTE, ILLINOIS VISITOR

• High point of Convention: I love Convention; I always have. I was thrilled when I was investigating the Faith with the process of the Administrative Order.

I love having been part of and coming to conventions since 1961—the growth, the development, the excitement, the changes. The maturity of the general understanding of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, I think, is so evident at Convention—you see the changes in the veteran believers and the new believers. Each time I come to Convention it’s such a jolt of spiritual adrenaline.

Because I’m very involved in coordinating weddings for the Wilmette Assembly, I’m glad I was there [Saturday] when they were consulting on the ‎the the the‎ need to consider giving prospective married couples more preparation.

It is mind-boggling and soul-thrilling when you see the election process and welcome the new Assembly—which may look like the same names but it’s renewed for the new year. I love the process. ◆

Voices of consistent confidence

Counselors echo call for ‘new state of mind’

A thread of confidence was woven throughout comments made at the 92nd Bahá’í National Convention by Counselors Eugene Andrews, Stephen Birkland and Angelica Huerta.

Counselor Rebequa Murphy attended the Alaskan National Convention.

First thoughts

In the opening session, Andrews echoed the call in the Ridván 158 message for a “new way of thinking” and a “new state of mind.”

We need to reflect on our accomplishments and take the giant steps forward required at this time, he said.

The good news, he said, is that we have the capacity to meet these challenges and, thanks to the Universal House of Justice’s Jan. 9 letter to the Counselors, the road map is clearly marked.

Huerta recalled the connection to the worldwide Faith community she felt while in Haifa in January for deliberations among members of the Institutions of the Learned, and she urged us to duplicate and even enhance that feeling in our national community.

The key, she said, is to connect with our institutions and embrace the Plan in total submission to our beloved House of Justice.

That is our protection as we aspire to carry forward the Plan our National Spiritual Assembly will give us after consulting with the Counselors, she said.

Birkland said he could feel the confidence the Supreme Body and the National Assembly have in us as he read the Ridván message and our national body’s Annual Report.

He said the One Year Plan has been a learning experience: We found out how little we know.

But it’s a relief in a way, he said, to know we can accomplish much even without having all the answers. We can try things—even make mistakes—and learn from them.

The Ridván message

In comments following a recital of the Ridván message, Andrews echoed Birkland’s sentiment by focusing on how far we have come since the beginning of the Four Year Plan.

At that time regional committees were just starting to walk, he noted. Now the Regional Bahá’í Councils have taken on such responsibilities that our National Assembly has been freed to operate strategically—within this country and, as assigned by the House of Justice, worldwide.

At that time we knew little about the American Bahá’í community or about our seekers, he continued. Through painstaking research, we have gained that knowledge and found new appreciation for the value of process, planning, and systematic action.

This Cause is not an exercise but a journey, he concluded.

Huerta likened the collective vision she saw in Haifa to that coalescing here, in which each Bahá’í individual, institution or community brings different perspectives, needs, abilities, resources to the table yet can align with our National Assembly to move the process of entry by troops forward.

Closing comments

One last opportunity for comment awaited the Counselors at Convention’s end.

Huerta shared her pleasure that because our National Assembly so has openly expressed its hopes, cares and plans, we as believers have everything we need to make history.

We can proceed, she said, in a planned, not frenetic, manner with unity as our goal and openness to learn as our hallmark.

Birkland also talked about learning and encouragement.

He noted that the Jan. 9 letter emphasized a need for an intense process of prayer, consultation, action, evaluation, refinement and further action.

Only in that manner can we successfully initiate programs of systematic growth, he said.

And we’ll be able to boost ourselves in that direction as we join with thousands of fellow believers in Milwaukee to gain from what others have learned, he said.

It’s all about change, Andrews agreed.

But for change to take hold, he said, we must embrace a number of spiritual principles: encouragement, detachment, knowledge, patience, and perseverance.

Above all, he said, we must be what ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wished us to be: apostles of Bahá’u’lláh.

The overarching purpose of systematic action, then, is to help us bring Bahá’u’lláh to humanity, he concluded. ◆

Left photo: Counselors Angelica Huerta (left) and Eugene Andrews confer with a delegate. Right photo: Counselor Stephen Birkland addresses Convention. Photos by Vladimir Shilov

Highlights of the External Affairs report by Kit Cosby

• There are forces at work affecting all of us, and certainly affecting the external affairs work of the Faith.
• We are collaborating with those forces working toward the establishment of order in the world.
• The most important task is continued support for Bahá’ís in Muslim countries, even as the Mideast situation deteriorates.
• Another resolution condemning human rights violations in Iran and calling anew for the emancipation of Bahá’ís there was passed by the UN Human Rights Commission despite an active campaign to derail it.
• And three Bahá’í women in Egypt have just been released from detention.
• But Bahá’ís remain imprisoned in Egypt, where they are being held without charge, and in Iran, where some are on death row.
• Firuz Kazemzadeh, as a member of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, was able to meet with four of the Egyptian Bahá’ís and raise their spirits in signaling that he is a Bahá’í.
• It is part of our destiny and privilege to help deliver Bahá’í communities from the dangers posed by religious orthodoxy and to promote recognition of their independent status and religious character.
• A February meeting of national public information officers was held to work toward the broadest, deepest, best possible media coverage of the opening of the Terraces on Mount Carmel.
• Every day in our communities, within the partisan atmosphere that exists, Bahá’ís must show forth true unity and find opportunities to embrace the wider society.
• In a world starved for such examples, we can be a beacon. ◆

Kit Cosby (center), director of the External Affairs Office, poses with Sholeh (left) and Sina Hakiman, special guests from Iran. Photo by Vladimir Shilov [Page 24]

Tone of consultation: We’re ready

Delegates get to heart of our nation’s needs

As Convention delegates listened to reports and comments by the institutions of the Faith, a primary message came through:

Now that we’ve gained our sea legs as individuals, communities and institutions, we are ready to embark on that grand voyage known as the Five Year Plan.

The time is right, the guidance is there, and our skills and understanding of the fundamental verities have developed to the point we can move forward with confidence.

And if consultation during the weekend was any indication, delegates got the message.

Consultation topics ranged from teaching to the Funds, external affairs, training institutes, children and youth, community life, Huqúqu’lláh and beyond.

But specific issues took a back seat to the big picture that learning and doing can go hand in hand.

As a result, consultation was short on “you shoulds” and long on “we musts.”

Delegates took the guidance of institutions to heart, asked insightful questions, and drew on their individual and collective experiences.

Then they discussed how our faith community and the society at large can build the Kingdom for every man, woman, youth and child.

A sampling of items brought up for consultation:

• Training children and youth to take the lead in presenting the Faith.
• Adopting extension teaching goals among mass-taught people.
• Retention of believers and systematic consolidation of new believers.
• The urgent needs of young African-American men.
• Sunday services designed for seekers.
• Helping Persian believers become agents of change for race unity.
• Learning from our most successful teachers.
• Identifying measurable goals.
• Aiding Persian and other refugees and immigrants.
• Our obligation to become Bahá’í scholars.
• Assisting people who struggle with sexual issues.
• Learning from Christians even as we teach them.
• The need for involvement in community service.
• Expanding youth service options.
• The importance of traveling teaching.
• Expanding access to materials for local Bahá’í choirs.
• Removing barriers to children’s involvement in Bahá’í activities.
• Involving non-Bahá’í children in activities.
• Helping communities to become more aware of the issue of sexual abuse.
• Addressing the low turnout at Unit Conventions.
• Drawing on the example of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in our lives.
• Having our unity drive our plans and everything else we do.
• Mentoring children and youth.
• Helping young Bahá’ís prepare for marriage.
• Establishing study circles in remote areas.
• Aiding universal participation in training institute courses.
• Making better use of teachers trained through institute courses.

Delegates even consulted on how to enhance National Convention consultation in the future. ◆

Photo above: Convention delegates took every opportunity to form new bonds or cement longstanding ones during breaks between formal sessions—in this case, just after the formal photo of delegates was taken Saturday afternoon.

Left photo: Orlanda Young-Perez was one of two first-time delegates from the area of South Carolina near Louis Gregory Institute. Photos by Vladimir Shilov

CONVENTION REFLECTIONS

FERRIS PAISANO LAPWAI, IDAHO VETERAN DELEGATE

• High point of Convention: A special moment for me is to see the delegates who are young, sometimes 21, at the Convention for the first or second time, and seeing their obedience to the Universal House of Justice and their understanding of the Bahá’í processes.
• What’s happening back home: One thing that’s been effective in our community of Lapwai—which is about 900 people—is a [youth workshop-style] dance group started by two homefront pioneers, the Hansens. Two Bahá’í youths are in the group, and the other 18 are youths from the village, mainly American Indian. They’ve performed at the Martin Luther King service in Lewiston, at schools in Lewiston and Kendrick, and they were invited to the multicultural week at the University of Idaho in Moscow.

If we were asked a year before, we couldn’t conceive of what has happened. The parents of the youth who are not Bahá’í are really supportive of the program, and the youth seem happier. They are learning about these issues. When they do a dance on racism—and we’re steeped in it in this country—they have to write in their note log: Have you ever been discriminated against, or have you ever discriminated? You’re being honest by saying, “Yes, I have discriminated” or whatever your answer is. It’s wonderful for them to be able to express themselves and to begin to reflect on their inner selves. ◆

Highlights of the National Teaching Committee report by Ken Bowers

• About 200,000 people have begun investigating the Bahá’í Faith over the past few years.
• These folks of all backgrounds are overwhelmingly positive about the Faith.
• Their most common request is for information on ‎Bahá’í’s Bahá’ís‎ near them.
• Our challenge is to nurture their interest.
• The fewness of declarations thus far is not a cause for concern. It took years to learn how to get people to respond to our message. It will take time to learn how to speak to their hearts in a meaningful way.
• A fully functioning faith community must provide seekers with a safe haven for children, opportunities to do good works for others, close friendships and a connection with their Lord.
• Teaching is not one kind of activity but a rich interplay of devotional gatherings, service projects, children’s classes, and the like.
• Factors involved in teaching success include individual teaching efforts, youth and children’s involvement, a sense of community, diversity, strong local leadership, and confidence.
• Communities are putting into place the elements needed. Now they must refine and systematize.
• The story of the new Plan will be an increasing unity of vision combined with planning and action. ◆

North Carolina delegate Richard Pellegrino (left) and Chicagoan Walter Mays greet Thomas Senzoga (right), a special guest of the Convention. [Page 25]

CONVENTION REFLECTIONS

DAVID & SUBALA GILLETTE (WITH ASHIYA) EMPORIA, KANSAS; VISITORS

• High point of Convention: David: The neatest thing has been hearing all the delegates from the different areas, the things they’re doing that have been successful. I’ve found that inspiring. I’m really impressed by all that’s going on in the country.
• Subala: It’s so good to be at the Temple. I could not attend the whole Convention because of Ashiya, but I did hear the Ridván message bring read. I met many friends from across the United States and I could share with them many things because I was a Bahá’í. When I saw the gift of roses to the National Spiritual Assembly members it was really nice.
• What’s happening back home: David: In Emporia we just finished our first Ruhi course a little while ago, and for community service we’re doing a highway cleanup project. We’re getting ready for a big Race Unity Day celebration in June.
• We have devotional meetings every week; those have been successful. A friend opens up her house every Sunday evening, and invites people over and makes soup.
• Subala: We call it “Soup and Talk.”
• David: It opens with prayers, then we have dinner and everyone talks about what’s going on in their lives.

MESSAGES OF JOY

Letter from the U.S. Bahá’í National Convention to the Universal House of Justice, dated April 28, 2001

Esteemed Members of the Universal House of Justice:

The delegates at the 92nd United States Bahá’í National Convention, gathered under the dome of the Mother Temple of the West, honored by the presence of our beloved Counselors Eugene Andrews, Stephen Birkland and Angelica Huerta, the Board of Trustees of the Huqúqu’lláh for the United States, and our National Spiritual Assembly, send you our most loving greetings. May we humbly request that you convey to the Hands of the Cause of God ’Alí-Akbar Furútan and ’Alí Muhammad Varqá our warm affection.

Your Ridván message to the Bahá’ís of the World was received and read with a sense of deep gratitude. We acknowledge also with much appreciation your precious gift to the world of the Century of Light providing us with an accurate perspective of the 20th century.

It is evident from our deliberations that a new state of mind does, indeed, exist. These deliberations evince “heightened awareness of the value of process, the necessity of planning, and the virtue of systematic action.”

We are grateful for the inspiration of the Counselors, the constant and loving guidance of our National Spiritual Assembly, the close collaboration between these senior institutions and their auxiliaries, the evolving strength and maturity of the Regional Bahá’í Councils and the training institutes, and the progress of the Kingdom Project.

The confidence in the American Bahá’í community, as expressed by our senior institutions, has, in turn, given the delegates a new sense of confidence, a willingness to learn, and a collective vision that we stand ready to burst into a new phase of advancing the process of entry by troops.

Our hearts are joined with Bahá’ís all over the world in praise of the Blessed Beauty and His People of Bahá for the completion of the Arc Projects on Mt. Carmel as we anticipate the auspicious occasion of the opening of the terraces of the Shrine of the Báb to the public.

We humbly beseech your prayers in the Holy Shrines that the American Bahá’í community will respond unhesitatingly to your call and vigorously arise to fulfill the tasks of the Five Year Plan.

Delegates to the 92nd

Bahá’í National Convention

Letter from the Bahá’í National Convention of Alaska to the U.S. Bahá’í National Convention, dated April 27, 2001

Greetings from the delegates of the 45th National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Alaska.

As we begin this Fifth Epoch, we are mindful of your invaluable guidance and service. The synergy between the United States and Alaskan Bahá’ís has helped this community to grow and succeed from its infancy.

We look forward to our continued collaboration as we embark on the Five Year Plan.

Loving Bahá’í greetings,

From the Delegates assembled for the 45th National Convention

of the Bahá’ís of Alaska

Highlights of reports by the four Regional Bahá’í Councils

Northeastern States

• The Council’s aim is to inspire every believer to play his or her own unique role and move as one to win the goals of the Plan.
• Small cluster gatherings began in early 2000. They culminated at Green Acre in June with lines of action under a regional plan.
• As we move into the new Plan, regional training institutes will play a key role. Five are fully functional and offering a sequence of courses.
• Advisers are helping the RTIs share best practices, make plans and foster better administrative functioning.
• Six task forces on minority teaching were formed through cluster meetings and consultation.
• Also in operation are efforts aimed at use of the arts, equality of women and men, youth and junior youth, Local Assembly development and traveling teaching.
• Twenty-two youth teaching and service initiatives will be launched from the Milwaukee conference building on previous efforts.
• Further evolution of social and economic development is under way in a region in which 120 such Bahá’í-sponsored or -inspired projects already exist.

Southern Regional Council

• Training sessions in seeker follow-up are being accomplished through the RTIs and a network of local and state media contact people.
• Another thrust is creating strong Local Assemblies with the help of Auxiliary Board members and the Office of Assembly Development.
• Circle of Badasht meetings are giving Persian believers impetus to travel-teach, hold firesides, and pioneer on the homefront.
• The 12 RTIs are creating a new culture through text-based sequences and study circles. Increased efforts will be focused on children, youth and Assemblies.

Central Regional Council

• The ranks of RTIs have expanded from five to nine.
• Local Assembly strategic planning is being enhanced.
• Latino teaching has become a focus, especially in Chicago, as the great wave of immigration continues.
• The maturation of regional task forces is a challenge. The subregional youth committees, in particular, are doing amazing things.
• Several lines of action have begun in the area of American Indian teaching. Communication among teachers and funding of the teaching effort are improving.
• The Council has expended much effort to attain an atmosphere of love and unity.

Western Regional Council

• Cities with the most seekers are those that are working in conjunction with the national media campaign.
• Youth forums and junior youth development programs are serving hundreds of young Bahá’ís.
• The 10 RTIs and three locally based subregional institutes are moving toward full functioning with diverse curricula and study circles.
• Minority teaching desks have been established as part of the decentralization of this work.
• A strong traveling teaching and homefront pioneering network exists, particularly in Montana and Wyoming.
• Communication with Local Assemblies, groups and individuals has been aided by launching an e-mail newsletter and a regional Web site.
• Local Assembly desks have helped the region achieve the highest participation in development modules.
• A regional teaching plan, Victory West, will aim for a systematic process of expansion matched by human resource development. Characteristics will be communities that can sustain a long-range effort and provide a vibrant welcome for new believers. Youth will be on the front lines, and RTIs will train teachers and new believers and make study circles available.

Joel Nizin (left) and Nina Dini present the report of the Regional Bahá’í Council of the Northeastern States. Photo by Vladimir Shilov

After completing their voting for the National Spiritual Assembly members, delegates relax and take lunch on the steps outside the House of Worship entrance. Photo by James Humphrey.

SEE REPORTS, PAGE 28 [Page 26]

Community Honor Roll 157 B.E.

Local Spiritual Assemblies and registered Bahá’í groups with excellent patterns of giving to the National Bahá’í Fund

The National Spiritual Assembly is grateful to the communities who have met the Honor Roll for contributions to the National Bahá’í Fund during the past year.

The Honor Roll criteria for 157 B.E. were as follows: A community must contribute to the National Bahá’í Fund 15 times or more during at least 12 of 19 Bahá’í months or participate in the Automatic Contribution System (ACS) for at least 10 of 12 Gregorian months between March 2000 and February 2001. Communities whose combined contributions by mail and through the ACS fulfill either criterion are also included.

We recognize with sincere appreciation those 1003 communities who have demonstrated unified, systematic and regular contributions to the National Bahá’í Fund.

Please note the change in the Honor Roll criteria for the upcoming year (158 B.E.): a community must contribute to the National Bahá’í Fund 15 times or more during at least 15 of 19 Bahá’í months or participate in the Automatic Contribution System (ACS) for at least 10 of 12 Gregorian months between March 2001 and February 2002. Again, the Honor Roll will include communities whose combined contributions by mail and the ACS fulfill either criterion.

Alabama Birmingham, Florence, Homewood, Huntsville, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa

Arizona Avondale, Chandler, Chino Valley, Cochise Co SW, Coconino Co S, Coconino Co E, Flagstaff, Ganado Chapter, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Holbrook, Mesa, Oro Valley, Paradise Valley, Peoria, Phoenix, Pima Co N, Pima Co E, Pinal Co, Prescott, Scottsdale, Sun City, Tempe, Tsaile-Wheatfields, Tucson

Arkansas Fayetteville, Hot Springs, Little Rock, Rogers, Russellville

California Agoura Hills, Aliso Viejo, Altadena, Anaheim, Arcadia, Arcata, Arroyo Grande, Bakersfield, Belmont, Berkeley, Beverly Hills, Brea, Burlingame, Calabasas, Camarillo, Campbell, Carlsbad, Cerritos, Chico, Chula Vista, Citrus Heights, Claremont, Clovis, Concord, Corona, Covina, Culver City, Cupertino, Danville, Davis, Desert Jud Dist, Diamond Bar, Dublin, El Cajon, El Cajon Jud Dist, El Dorado Co NW, El Dorado Co SE, Encinitas, Escondido, Eureka, Fair Oaks-Orangevale, Fairfield, Fallbrook San Diego, Fillmore, Folsom, Freedom, Fremont, Fullerton, Gilroy, Glendale, Glendora, Goleta, Grass Valley, Hanford, Hawthorne, Hayward, Healdsburg, Hemet, Highland, Hollister, Inglewood, Irvine, La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta, La Habra, La Mesa, Lafayette, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Lakeside, Lakewood, Lancaster, Lemon Grove, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Los Altos, Los Angeles, Los Gatos, Madera Sierra Jud Dist, Manteca, Marin Co, Martinez, Marysville, Merced, Mission Viejo, Modesto, Monrovia, Monterey, Moorpark, Mountain View, Mount San Jacinto Jud Dist, Murrieta, Napa, Newark, Newhall Jud Dist, Newport Beach, North Fork, Novato, Oak Park, Oakland, Ontario, Orange, Orinda, Oxnard, Palm Desert, Palo Alto, Paradise, Pasadena, Petaluma, Poway, Prunedale, Rancho Cordova, Rancho Cucamonga, Rancho Santa Margarita, Redwood City, Richmond, Ridgecrest, Riverside, Riverside Jud Dist, Rocklin, Rohnert Park, Roseville, Sacramento, Sacramento Co SE, Sacramento Co NW, San Anselmo, San Bernardino, San Clemente, San Diego, San Diego Co N Jud Dist, San Francisco, San Juan Capistrano, San Leandro, San Leandro Hayward Jud Dist, San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo Co NW, San Luis Obispo Co S, San Marcos, San Mateo, San Mateo Co S Jud Dist, San Rafael, San Ramon, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Clarita, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co N, Santa Maria, Santa Maria Jud Dist, Santa Monica, Santa Paula, Santa Rosa, Santee, Saratoga, Scotts Valley, Seal Beach, Sierra Madre, Simi Valley, Sonoma Co Supv Dist 4, Sonoma Co Supv Dist 5, South Pasadena, South Sacramento, Spring Valley, Stanford, Suisun City, Sunnyvale, Temecula, Temple City, Thousand Oaks, Three Lakes Jud Dist, Tiburon, Toro And Laguna Seca, Torrance, Tuolumne Cent Jud Dist, Tustin, Union City, Upland, Vacaville, Vallejo, Ventura, Victorville, Vista, Westlake Village, Whittier, Windsor, Woodland, Yosemite-El Portal, Yucaipa

Colorado Arapahoe Co, Arvada, Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Cortez, Denver, Douglas Co, El Paso Co E, Fort Collins, Golden, Greeley, Jefferson Co, La Plata Co, Larimer Co, Louisville, Loveland, Mesa, Montezuma Co, Northglenn, Westminster

Connecticut Farmington Town, Hartford, New Haven, Oxford Town, Plainville, Stamford

Delaware Dover, New Castle Co N, New Castle Co W, Newark, Sussex Co, Wilmington

District of Columbia Washington

Florida Altamonte Springs, Atlantic Beach, Belle Glade, Brevard Co, Citrus Co, Clay Co, Clearwater, Collier Co, Cooper City, Coral Springs, Dade Co Cent, Dade Co N, Dade Co S, Davie, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Gainesville, Greater Gainesville, Gulfport, Hillsborough Co E, Hillsborough Co NW, Hollywood, Indian River Co, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Largo, Leon Co, Manatee Co, Marion Co, Miami Beach, Nassau Co, Okaloosa Co, Orange Co E, Orange Co W, Orlando, Osceola Co, Palm Bay, Palm Beach Co N, Palm Beach Co S, Palm Beach Gardens, Pembroke Pines, Pinellas Co, Polk Co, Pompano Beach, Sarasota Co N, St. Petersburg, Wilton Manors

Georgia Athens-Clarke Co, Atlanta, Augusta, Cobb Co SW, Cobb Co NE, Cobb Co S, Cobb Co W, Columbia Co, E, Dalton, Dekalb Co S, Fulton Co NE, Gwinnett Co N, Gwinnett Co S, Hall Co, Marietta, Peach Co, Roswell, Savannah, Valdosta

Idaho Blackfoot, Boise, Coeur D’Alene, Idaho Falls, Latah Co, Lewiston, Power Co

Illinois Arlington Heights, Aurora, Bloomington, Bolingbrook, Burr Ridge, Champaign, Chicago, Decatur, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Downers Grove, East Peoria, Elgin, Evanston, Glen Ellyn, Glencoe, Glenview, Grays Lake, Highland Park, Hoffman Estates, Joliet, La Grange, Lisle, Lockport, Mahomet, Maine Township, Northbrook, Oak Park, Park Forest, Park Ridge, Peoria, Rockford, Roscoe Township, Schaumburg, Skokie, Springfield, St. Charles, Urbana, Waukegan, Wheaton, Wilmette, Woodstock

Indiana Angola, Bloomington, Bloomington Township, Fort Wayne, Gary, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Mishawaka, Mount Vernon, Muncie, South Bend, Vincennes, West Lafayette

Iowa Ames, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Iowa City, Mount Vernon, Sioux City, Warren Co, Waterloo, West Des Moines

Kansas Butler Co, Derby, Dodge City, Hays, Hutchinson, Kansas City, Lawrence, Olathe, Overland Park, Topeka

Kentucky Boyle Co, Jefferson Co, Lexington, Louisville

Louisiana Avondale, Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, New Orleans, Shreveport

Maine Auburn, Augusta, Dexter Town, Eliot Town, Gorham Town, Kingfield, Lewiston, Portland, South Berwick, South Portland

Maryland Annapolis, Anne Arundel Co E, Baltimore, Baltimore Co Cent, Baltimore Co W, Carroll Co, Frederick, Frederick Co, Gaithersburg, Greenbelt, Howard Co, Laurel, Montgomery Co Cent, Montgomery Co N, Montgomery Co NW, Montgomery Co SE, Montgomery Co S, Montgomery Co SW, Prince Georges Co N, Prince Georges Co NW, Prince Georges Co S, Takoma Park

Massachusetts Amherst Town, Barnstable Town, Boston, Bourne Town, Brookline Town, Cambridge, Chelmsford Town, Dartmouth Town, Easthampton Town, Foxboro Town, Greenfield Town, Harwich Town, Ipswich, Lexington Town, Longmeadow Town, Malden, Medford, Milford Town, Monson Town, Montague Town, Nantucket, Northampton, Northfield Town, Somerville, South Hadley Town, Wareham Town, Watertown Town, Westford Town, Wilbraham Town, Worcester

Michigan Allen Park, Ann Arbor, Benton Township, Big Rapids, Canton Township, Clinton Township, Detroit, East Lansing, Flint, Grand Rapids, Hart Township, Holland, Huntington Woods, Kalamazoo [Page 27]

REPORTS, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

• Children’s classes and devotional gatherings will be expanded.
• Other clusters will be facilitated to accelerate growth—until the West is won.

Board of Huqúqu’lláh

The five trustees of Huqúqu’lláh for the United States—Stephen Birkland, Amin Banani, Daryush Haghighi, Sally Foo, and Elizabeth Martin—were present to deliver the following report:

• The law of the Right of God is integral to all our activities and to our own spiritual lives.
• The board works through a network of representatives that the trustees hope to extend to every state.
• These servants of the community and of Local Assemblies do not solicit payment.
• Since the board was established in the mid-1980s, tremendous progress has been seen in education, follow-up and obedience to the law.
• Local Assemblies have a key role in instructing the friends on the divine commandments.
• Classes for children and youth and deepenings also must be part of making the law integral to our spiritual life from the start. Fortunately, materials aiding this effort are continually being developed. ◆

HONOR ROLL, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

Lansing Marquette Midland Niles Township Saginaw Saginaw Township Saint Clair Shores Scottville Soo Township Southfield St. Joseph Sterling Heights Troy Washington Township White River Township Ypsilanti Township Minnesota Aitkin Co Arden Hills Beltrami Co Bemidji Chanhassen Duluth Eagan Eden Prairie Falcon Heights Foley Golden Valley Grand Rapids Greenwood Little Canada Maple Grove May Township Minneapolis Mower Co Plymouth Rochester Roseville Sartell St. Paul Stillwater West St. Paul Woodbury Mississippi Gulfport Jackson Vicksburg Missouri Columbia Jefferson City Joplin Kansas City Lees Summit Phelps Co Saint Charles Saint Charles Co Saint Joseph Saint Louis Saint Louis Co N Saint Louis Co S Saint Peters Springfield University City Wildwood

Montana Bozeman Butte-Silver Bow Flathead Co Great Falls Helena Nebraska Aurora Bellevue Gering Grand Island Lincoln Nebraska City North Platte Papillion Scottsbluff Co Nevada Carson City Churchill Co Clark Co W Las Vegas North Las Vegas Paradise Town Reno Sparks Spring Creek Sunrise Manor New Hampshire Concord Exeter Town Lebanon Lee Town Manchester Nashua Peterborough Portsmouth New Jersey Bloomfield Clifton Glassboro Hamilton Township Hopewell Township Lawrence Township Matawan Montclair Township Piscataway Township Trenton Ventnor City Wyckoff New Mexico Alamogordo Albuquerque Aztec Belen Bernalillo Co E Bloomfield Dona Ana Co S Farmington Gallup Grants Hobbs Las Cruces Los Lunas Rio Rancho San Juan Co Sandoval Co N Santa Fe Santa Fe Co

New York Albany Amherst Town Beacon Brighton Town Brookhaven Town Clarence Town Cleveland Greece Town Hamburg Town Hempstead Town Hoosick Falls Huntington Town Islip Town Ithaca Kent Mount Vernon New Paltz New York City Newark North Hempstead Town Olean Perinton Town Pittsford Town Rochester Saratoga Springs Schenectady Smithtown Town Sodus Point Tonawanda Town Utica Victor Town Webster Town White Plains North Carolina Asheville Black Mountain Buncombe Co Carrboro Cary Chapel Hill Charlotte Chatham Co Durham Durham Co Greensboro Guilford Co Hamlet Henderson Co High Point Kernersville New Hanover Co Orange Co Richmond Co Wake Co Wilmington Winston-Salem North Dakota Fargo Grand Forks Jamestown Minot

Ohio Bainbridge Township Bexley Bowling Green Bucyrus Centerville Cleveland Cleveland Heights Columbus Dayton Fairborn Harrison Township Hilliard Kettering Macedonia Mansfield Mentor Miami Township Poland Shaker Heights Stow Sylvania Upper Arlington Urbana Warrensville Heights Weller Township Yellow Springs Oklahoma Edmond Midwest City Moore Norman Oklahoma City Ponca City Shawnee Tulsa Co Yukon Oregon Albany Ashland Astoria Beaverton Benton Co Clackamas Co NW Clackamas Co S Deschutes Co Douglas Co Eugene Forest Grove Greater Grants Pass Gresham Hillsboro Jackson Co Klamath Falls La Grande Lane Co Cent McMinnville Medford Milwaukie Multnomah Co Philomath Portland Roseburg Sherwood Springfield Talent Tigard Tillamook Co Tualatin Wallowa Co Washington Co N

Pennsylvania Altoona Bethlehem Buckingham Township Elizabeth Town Borough Harrisburg Lancaster Lower Merion Township Nether Providence Township Philadelphia Pittsburgh State College Swarthmore Tredyffrin Township Rhode Island Hopkinton Town Warwick South Carolina Anderson Co Clemson Columbia Conway Florence Greater Orangeburg Greenville Greenville Co Greenwood Co Horry Co Kingstree Ladys Island Lexington Co N Mount Pleasant North Augusta Pendleton Pickens Co Richland Co N Rock Hill Spartanburg Spartanburg Co South Dakota Pass Creek Dist Pierre Rapid City Tennessee Brentwood Chattanooga Franklin Hamilton Co Hendersonville Knox Co Memphis Murfreesboro Nashville Rutherford Co Shelby Co Williamson Co Wilson Co

Texas Addison Allen Arlington Austin Bedford Bellaire Benbrook Brazoria Co Brazos Co Carrollton Cedar Park College Station Colleyville Coppell Corpus Christi Dallas Del Rio Denison Denton Duncanville Eagle Pass Edinburg El Paso Flower Mound Fort Worth Frisco Garland Grand Prairie Grapevine Harlingen Harris Co NW Harris Co SE Harris Co SW Hurst Irving Kerr Co League City Lewisville Lubbock McAllen McKinney Midland North Richland Hills Pasadena Plano Richardson Round Rock San Antonio Sugar Land The Colony The Woodlands Travis Co Tyler Victoria Waco West University Place Williamson Co Utah Logan Ogden Salt Lake City Salt Lake Co Vermont Bennington Town Brattleboro Colchester Fairfax Town Norwich Rochester Town Shoreham Town

Virginia Albemarle Co Alexandria Bedford Co Botetourt Co Bristol Charlottesville Chesterfield Co Fairfax City Fairfax Co Cent S Fairfax Co E Fairfax Co NW Fairfax Co W Falls Church Great Falls Hanover Co Henrico Co Loudoun Co Manassas McLean Mount Vernon Newport News Norfolk Prince William Co E Reston Richmond Roanoke Roanoke Co Scottsville Spotsylvania Co Staunton Vienna Virginia Beach Washington Anacortes Bellevue Bellingham Bothell Clark Co Comm Dist 1 Edmonds Everett Greater Walla Walla Issaquah Juanita Kenmore Kent King Co E Cent King Co NE King Co S Cent King Co SE Kirkland Kitsap Co Cent Kitsap Co S Longview Lynnwood Makah Reservation Mercer Island Mill Creek Moses Lake Mount Vernon Mukilteo Newcastle Olympia Pasco Pierce Co Peninsula Port Angeles Pullman Redmond Renton Seattle Shelton Shoreline Snohomish Co Council Dist 3 Snohomish Co SE Snohomish Co N Spokane Co Comm Dist 1 Spokane Co Comm Dist 2 Tacoma Thurston Co Cent Thurston Co E Toppenish Tumwater

University Place Vancouver Walla Walla West Richland Whatcom Co Council Dist 3 Woodinville Yakima Yakima Co Comm Dist 1 Yakima Co Comm Dist 3 Yakima Indian Res. West Virginia Charleston Jefferson Co Morgantown Wisconsin Algoma Antigo Appleton Beloit Brookfield Cedar Grove Cedarburg Chippewa Falls De Pere Delafield Eau Claire Farmington Town Fond du Lac Ft. Atkinson Glendale Green Bay Green Lake Greenfield Janesville Kenosha La Crosse Madison Menomonee Falls Middleton Milwaukee Muskego New Berlin Oshkosh Portage Co Racine Stevens Point Sturgeon Bay Sun Prairie Waukesha Waukesha Township Wausau Wauwatosa West Allis Wilson Township Winchester Township Winneconne Wyoming Cheyenne Laramie Newcastle ◆

[Page 28]

Story of a youth finding the Faith: Two views

Here is a teaching tale from Pittsford, New York, just outside Rochester. The American Bahá’í often retells such stories from the teacher’s viewpoint, but here we have the privilege of also presenting the story of the teen-age seeker who accepted the Faith. Both sides of the story are presented in the youths’ own words.

The teacher: Aidin Brown

The first few years of middle school, I didn’t have many friends, but there was one person that was particularly kind to me. His name was Alex. I didn’t consider him a friend at the time, but as the years grew, Alex and I became closer and closer friends.

Although we were in separate sections of the school, we continued our friendship through extracurricular clubs. We ended up seeing each other almost every day, and when summer came, we talked mostly over the Internet.

One day, I decided to invite him to a youth fireside in our area that we call a coffeehouse. During these events, we talk about whatever comes up, not necessarily related to religion. Alex came to one where we began with religion, but ended with exchange of various urban legends. He found the event quite fun.

As weeks passed, I searched for another event, and a “Youth Day” came up, the idea of two local girls. I invited Alex to this, which turned out to be the beginning of a 19-day teaching project. We had discussions, and played games about racism.

I originally wasn’t planning on inviting Alex to any other 19-day teaching project activities, but he called me the next day, asking me if he could get a ride to the event at the Rochester Bahá’í Center. This amazed me, and he said he wanted to come to ALL of the events the next few weeks. And he did.

I thought that some events, such as door-to-door teaching, would be awkward for him, but he turned out to be the best teacher of all the youth! In fact, when asked whether he was a Bahá’í or not, he said, “No ... not yet.”

A few days into it, he and another local Bahá’í friend of mine realized they knew each other in kindergarten through second grade. I found this to be a huge coincidence, and the three of us became a “friendship triangle.” Alex learned more and more about the Faith, and on the closing barbecue for the traveling youth, on July 30, he declared his faith.

The seeker: Alex Mann

While I was attending Pittsford Middle School three years ago, I met many people but one in particular, Aidin Brown, was especially friendly. We got along quite well, most likely because of our same taste in hobbies, music, and especially computers and electronics. After the 2000 school year was finished, I was to go to Sutherland High School, and Aidin was to attend Mendon High School.

Sometime toward the middle of spring, he invited me to a Bahá’í coffeehouse. This was followed in early summer by a “Youth Day,” which I was later told was the start of a 19-day Bahá’í youth teaching trip. I was very interested in learning more, as this was the first I’d ever heard of the Bahá’í Faith.

On the way home from that event, I found out that there would be many more similar events over the next 19 days. I asked if non-Bahá’ís could participate, and no one had any objections, so I assisted in the project.

We did such things as door-to-door teaching, hosting revivals, and many community service activities like helping work on public gardens, and cleaning litter. I became very impressed by the Bahá’í Faith and was surprised that with so many Bahá’ís I’d never heard of it before.

As I came to learn more about the Faith, I realized that I already shared most of its ideals, and so on the last day of the teaching trip I signed a declaration card. After I declared, two families have been fundamental in teaching me the dos and don’ts of the Bahá’í Faith, the Browns (of which Aidin is one) and the Hendrixes.

I have been a Bahá’í since July and I have not regretted this decision at all. ◆

Alex Mann holds a cake bearing the words “Alláh-u-Abhá Alex” at his first Feast last summer, with Aidin Brown standing next to him. Aidin’s mother at far left and other family members and friends stand by (Alex’s mother present but not pictured).

Sometimes we improvise to keep contact with seekers

Usually the 1-800-22-UNITE phone response system for seekers works as it should, yet sometimes there are circumstances beyond our control. However, the following two messages (edited for length) from Bahá’í contact people demonstrate that the most important part of the communication chain is swiftly contacting people who reach out to us for information on our Faith.

Altamonte Springs, Florida

I am the person who receives messages from seekers in my area. I usually check every 24 hours, but this week I didn’t because my condo was flooded.

But I was fortunate to receive a recorded message regarding someone nearby who wants to learn about the Bahá’í Faith. I e-mailed the seeker and told her about our Sunday morning Bahá’í programs and told her, if she wanted to attend, to call me and I would give her directions to the Orlando Bahá’í Center.

She called that evening and I asked her if she knew anything about the Faith. She said that she had read about it on the Web. She mentioned that she is an agnostic and is looking for a religion. She sounded young, so I asked if she would be coming with anyone, and she said she would be coming with her mother.

When she arrived at the Orlando Center, she had brought her mother and a friend. I welcomed them and as soon as I spoke, her mother said, “Oh, you’re Wendy’s mother!” She explained that she works as a speech therapist in the same school system as my daughter, and my voice sounds like hers.

The program was on “Transformation,” including the transformation of the world and of individuals when a new Manifestation appears. We opened it with prayers and I told the audience that if anyone wanted a prayer book, to raise their hands. All three of the seekers raised their hands.

Later the three guests expressed positive feelings about what they heard, and one asked about how a person becomes a Bahá’í—and promised to read a prayer aloud the next time she attended an event at the Bahá’í center. They took home a copy of The Bahá’ís magazine.

When I got home I called my daughter and told her what had happened. She told me she had talked at a county meeting for speech therapists with one of the seekers, who had said her daughter was looking for a religion. In a hurry, my daughter had given her a Web site address (www.bahai.org), and that was given to the speech therapist’s daughter, who later left the message I originally picked up.

My daughter and I had a good laugh about being told we sound alike. We agreed that of course we sound alike—we speak the language of Bahá’u’lláh! —Pearl Fleischhacker

Augusta, Maine

I wish to share with you the good news that the 1-800-22-UNITE pledge of having “no call go unanswered” is working for Maine. A caller in Maine had his request go to Oregon and to Maryland!

Both times the contact person in the locale that received this misdirected call called me—the contact person for the seeker’s locale in Maine—to give me his name and address. This information also went to the statewide call box.

It is working! I hope this note spurs all of us to make sure the callers get connected to a contact person in their communities. —Claire Cline

Resources for local teaching on the Web!
www.usbnc.org
Access www.usbnc.org with your Bahá’í ID number and click on “Media Campaign” Broadcast schedule for national TV ads appearing on WGN Superstation, MSNBC, TV Guide Channel, BET Channel The Light of Unity, issue 4: Downloadable newsletter for seekers; this issue focuses on physical and spiritual health. Media campaign brochures. A variety of teaching and training materials. Fireside Development program packages with programs that can be used in conjunction with various media campaign videos: The Power of Race Unity, The Power of Prayer, Family: The Seeds of World Peace, We Are One, and Latinos in the Bahá’í Faith. Enrollment form for 1-800-22-UNITE seeker response system and tips for your community to make the most of it!

[Page 29]

Thoughts on homefront pioneering

BY HELEN KATZ, URBANA, IL

It’s been a couple of years since I offered to write a piece about homefront pioneering for The American Bahá’í. At the time it seemed an easy task, but somehow I could never begin. My feelings about my pioneering experience were constantly changing, and anything I wrote at any given moment would be at least partially untrue a day or a week later.

Now, after six years in Galesburg, Illinois, I have moved away. I am no longer a homefront pioneer, the experience is finished, and maybe I can write about it.

As I look back I can’t begin to judge what was a “success” and what wasn’t, because I don’t know where and how the planted seeds will grow. In many ways, it seems our progress in teaching and community development was the harvest of many other seeds planted over the last couple decades—by a former pioneer, by extension teaching efforts, and especially by the steadfast work of Jim Rich.

Culture shock: metro to town

Moving to a small town (under 35,000) after 18 years in the Chicago area, I often felt I could never fit in, and therefore could never be effective as a Bahá’í teacher here. I didn’t like everyone I met and some people didn’t like me. It’s hard for a non-professional to make an adequate living in Galesburg, and unfortunately I brought my struggles with financial stability with me.

At times, too, it seemed it would take a dynamite blast to get ‎Galesburgites Galesburgers‎ to step out of their comfort zone for even a momentary look at the Faith.

In the past couple of years, those feelings gave way to frustration with myself. A loner by nature, I began to feel like a square peg in a round hole—that the kind of pioneer this town needs is much more people-oriented, whose idea of a good time is conversation with other humans rather than holing up at home with a good book.

My strong points are organizational and public relations skills, so at first I concentrated on getting local publicity for Bahá’í events, starting a weekly fireside, and instigating the formation of a teaching task force involving isolated believers who live near Galesburg. This last effort was especially blessed by the generous and continuous assistance of Tom and Diane Smith in Dahinda.

What I didn’t do well, and still don’t, is teach one-on-one. One time before the area task force was formed, a man from a fundamentalist Christian background enrolled in the Faith after meeting Bahá’í youth during a summer teaching project. I found myself taking personal responsibility for deepening him, a job I most likely would have avoided in a larger Bahá’í community. When he decided he had made a mistake and returned to church membership, I felt personally responsible for that, too.

Teaching Christians is one of the biggest challenges for me—a Jew who grew up in Christian neighborhoods and was often the target of sincere but unrelenting conversion attempts. Somehow in gathering my advance information about Galesburg, I failed to learn how church-centered it is. That was probably God’s way of leading me here to face my negative attitudes.

To make up for it, however, He provided Phil Turner in nearby Kewanee, an amazingly knowledgeable (and loving and patient) Bible scholar who spoke at many firesides in Galesburg.

Hearing the word “Bahá’í”

With the help of the annual summer school and then the task force, we made enough noise to get Galesburg residents used to hearing the word “Bahá’í,” and to attract a few seekers to the firesides. The Faith became better-known through my participation in Churchwomen United. The area task force helped set up teaching projects. Jim Rich helped coordinate a Healing Racism workshop series that served many segments of the local community.

Enrollments in those six years were few. One youth who enrolled then is still very active. Bahá’í students at Knox College have been involved in various ways, often bringing friends to firesides and devotions.

We met our goal of becoming an Assembly in 1999 after suddenly, for various reasons, several Bahá’ís moved here. However, we couldn’t sustain the Assembly. It looks as if Galesburg is returning to group status, but with more active members, and more members total, than it previously had as a group.

The campus Bahá’ís plan to hold firesides to replace mine, Jim will be continuing the weekly public devotions he has been hosting for a couple of years, and the area task force is still operating.

My commitment to pioneering here forced me to deal with problems in new ways. For example, in my struggle to earn an adequate income I worked at jobs I never would have taken before, such as being a personal assistant, and developed new abilities and skills. One of my most meaningful teaching experiences resulted from that work—reading God Loves Laughter (twice!) to an elderly friend in a nursing home.

No guilt

When family and financial concerns forced me to consider leaving Galesburg, many Bahá’í friends said I shouldn’t feel guilty about leaving a pioneering post because after six years I had “put in my time.” I responded that nowhere in the Writings had I ever seen a reference to “putting in your time.”

However, I finally saw that the community would not rise or fall according to my presence or absence. Indeed, sometimes when a seemingly “indispensable” person is dispensed with, other people’s talents and resources are released and create new opportunities.

Of course, I kept feeling a bit guilty about the move. Then a non-Bahá’í friend pointed out to me how well-known the Faith is in Galesburg now. That felt good!

It feels good, also, to realize how many friends I made, sometimes despite myself.

I can’t begin to judge what was a “success” and what wasn’t, because I don’t know where and how the planted seeds will grow.

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

The Office of Pioneering is eager to assist the friends preparing for international service. For information regarding jobs and study abroad, or international traveling teaching opportunities and other events, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, e-mail op@usbnc.org).

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

See below left 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 Bahá’í Councils section.

Northeastern States

To inquire about locating as a homefront pioneer, contact the Northeast Regional Bahá’í Council secretary, Joel Nizin (phone 718-444-1428, e-mail jnizin@aol.com).

To inquire about traveling teaching, contact the traveling teaching coordinator, Diana Rouse Kaufman (phone 781-438-1647, e-mail drkaufman@compuserve.com).

Central States

To inquire about locating as a homefront pioneer, contact the Central Regional Bahá’í Council secretary, Lynn Wieties (phone 309-663-5460, e-mail lwietaies@aol.com).

To inquire about traveling teaching, contact the appropriate state traveling teaching coordinator (list is available on www.usbnc.org in the Regional Councils section) or contact Marilyn Ray (phone 405-329-0557, e-mail marray@msn.com).

Western States

To inquire about locating as a homefront pioneer or about traveling teaching, contact the appropriate regional traveling teaching-homefront pioneering coordinator for each state (list available on www.usbnc.org in the Regional Councils section), or one of the regional coordinators:

Traveling teaching: Jan Saeed, (phone 360-692-7476, e-mail jsaeed@aol.com).

Homefront pioneering: Flor Toloui, (phone 714-996-2673, e-mail ftoloui@aol.com).

For information on American Indian reservations, contact the American Indian regional traveling teaching-homefront pioneering coordinator, Helen Kiely, Dr., Gallup, (phone 505-722-6831).

Southern States

To inquire about locating as a homefront pioneer, please contact regional coordinating team member Susan Crossley (phone 770-435-0158, e-mail slcrossley@mindspring.com).

To inquire about traveling teaching, please contact regional coordinating team member Kitty Schmitz (phone 770-427-0238, e-mail kitty-schmitz@juno.com).

INFORMATION ON YOUR INTERNATIONAL TEACHING TRIP

To 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 847-733-3509, e-mail op@usbnc.org).

Use the Multipurpose Form on page 35 to respond by mail.

Include the following special information (use a separate sheet as needed):

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

International service opportunities page 37 [Page 30]

An old friend rejoins Wilmette

Ramsey Zeine, coordinator for the 1996 summer session of the Wilmette Institute’s Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization program, will return to coordinate the 2001 summer session.

In that very first summer session, Zeine helped shape the content and tone of the entire program. His workshops on teaching the Faith were memorable, and the spiritual atmosphere he helped set became the standard for summer sessions since then. More students from the 1996 session returned than from any other year, and students remember him fondly.

Zeine brings a remarkable background to the program. He has served as chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Lebanon and has devoted considerable time and thought to the question of how one can teach systematically the subject of teaching the Faith. He has earned his living as an architect and as director of an English-language school in Lebanon.

In addition to informal classes on various subjects, the Institute has asked Zeine to teach two 90-minute classes on the writings and utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

If you haven’t yet signed up for this summer’s session, contact the Wilmette Institute about participating!

Ramsey Zeine, who coordinated the first session of Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization in 1996, returns for this summer’s session.

Upcoming courses

Watch for information on these fall courses: The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Sept. 1–Dec. 31; and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: The Exemplar, Oct. 1–Dec. 31.

Others planned for later: The Writings of Bahá’u’lláh: A Comprehensive Introduction, Nov. 1, 2001–Feb. 28, 2002 The Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Development of the Individual, Nov. 15, 2001–Feb. 15, 2002 The Bible, Dec. 1, 2001–Feb. 28, 2002

All courses include e-mail list-servers 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.

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 credit card payment of tuition.

Distance Learning: “Divine Civilization” and more

The Secret of Divine Civilization, July 1–Sept. 30

This course examines a major work on the development of society composed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1875, when He was Bahá’u’lláh’s personal secretary. The National Spiritual Assembly has asked American Bahá’ís to study The Secret of Divine Civilization in the last half of 2001.

Christianity for Deepening and Dialogue, June 15–Sept. 15

Sign up now for this exploration of Christianity’s origins, the life of its Founder, the composition of its scriptures, the systematization of its teachings, its subsequent split into many sub-movements, and the Bahá’í perspective on the religion that has more followers than any other in the world.

The Bahá’í Faith: A Comprehensive Introduction, June 1–Aug. 30

Registration may still be open for this college-level survey of the basic history and teachings of the Bahá’í religion, suitable for new Bahá’ís or those wishing to study the Faith in depth. As long as space is available, the Institute allows students to register as late as one month into a distance-learning course.

HOMEFRONT

myself. When I sat down to make a “goodbye” list it was much longer than I ever would have guessed. And as I ran my last errands around the town, I was surprised to realize that in many ways, I would really miss this place.

If I again choose to homefront pioneer, here are the lessons I hope to remember:

• My first duty as a teacher is to make friends. It’s necessary for me to get to know people and earn their respect and trust before I can expect to get much response to teaching efforts.
• Responses often come from the most unexpected quarters.
• I need to be financially stable and able to provide material resources and time without endangering that stability.
• Where results are concerned, I can “let go and let God” because Bahá’u’lláh will find ways to get teaching goals met, usually ways I could never dream up on my own.

Homefront pioneering is just that—pioneering, in every sense of the word.

Institute training boosts service

These two vignettes illustrate how the Wilmette Institute is aiding the Bahá’í service of its participants:

Concord, Massachusetts

To Rich Yamartino, the Bahá’í theology course he took “was like reading a really good book that you couldn’t wait to get back to.”

“My enthusiasm increased with each section,” he said. “I could feel it growing inside of me. I think it was the increasing love for Bahá’u’lláh.”

With enthusiasm came a desire to share.

“In one instance I sent a section on perfection to a minister in town who writes a weekly column in the local paper about spiritual matters,” said Yamartino.

“His theme for the week was perfection, so I thought it fitting to e-mail him the reading we did from Some Answered Questions on the proof and evidences of the existence of God.

“I spoke with him later and he asked to attend a Feast. He’s been invited and we’ll see where it leads.”

Yamartino also shared many of the Writings with a workmate whose mother had just passed away.

He said the course also gave him the confidence to chair an interfaith group.

“I was so intimidated at the start of the course with all of the clergy, but now I feel more comfortable in their midst,” he said. “They can still talk circles around me, but at least I know where to find the answers.”

Everett, Washington

Dean Martineau hosted a series of Internet radio programs on the Kitáb-i-Íqán as a Wilmette Institute study project.

“Nobody sponsored it, and I have no idea whether anybody will ever listen, though it will be announced and it will run live for 12 broadcasts as well as remaining on my web site,” he said before the launch.

Each program began and ended with music based on a poem of Táhirih sung by Tádia.

“In between, I discuss the background of the Íqán, try to offer some incentive for people to read it, list some of the major themes and read a few paragraphs discussing a few of the themes,” he said.

REGIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE CONTACTS

Southern States
Regional contact:
Susan Nossa • e-mail
Training institutes:
Aguila del Cielo Central Texas •
Amatú’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum Alabama, Georgia •
Crimson Ark DC, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, West Virginia •
Jubilee Tennessee, Arkansas •
Magdalene Carney Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi •
Mathew Kaszab South Texas •
North Texas •
Oklahoma •
Sam McClellan Kentucky •
South Carolina •
Supreme Talisman North Carolina •
Tree of Life Houston, Texas •

Central States
Regional contact:
Council secretary • e-mail
Training institutes:
Chicago •
Dorothy Baker Ohio •
Gateway Missouri •
Iowa •
Kansas •
Milwaukee Metro •
Minnesota •

Western States
Regional contact:
Council secretary • e-mail
Training institutes:
Arizona •
California Northeast •
California South •
Columbine Colorado •
Native American Bahá’í Institute •
Nevada South •
Oregon •
Rio Grande New Mexico •
Robert Turner California Northwest •
Seven Valleys Idaho, Montana, Washington, Wyoming •

Northeastern States
Regional contact:
Chet Makoski • e-mail
Training institutes:
Doris McKay Western New York state •
New York Tri State Metro NYC, Northern NJ, Long Island •
Sadie Oglesby Eastern New England •
Thornton Chase Connecticut River Valley •
William Sears Eastern Pennsylvania •

More on regional training institutes at www.usbnc.org

Access the Administrative Web Site with your Bahá’í ID number, click on “Regional Councils,” then link to the Web site for the Council in your region of the country! [Page 31]

CLASSIFIED

Classified notices in The American Bahá’í are published free of charge to the Bahá’í community. Because of this, notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or commercial ads are accepted. Some of the opportunities have not been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly; the friends should exercise judgment and care in responding.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

If 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 as “Urgent Needs,” please contact our Human Resources Department.

URGENT NEEDS

Treasurer’s Office, Evanston, IL: Certified Public Accountant. Will work in fast-paced, complex environment with diverse accounting, financial and administrative responsibilities. Should have a strong background in auditing and either for profit or not-for-profit activities. Minimum 10 years’ experience. Kingdom Project/Treasurer’s Office, Evanston, IL: Administrative Assistant. Will maintain database on pledges and cash contributions related to the Kingdom Project; produce regular large-scale mailings; make meeting/travel arrangements; provide telephone coverage. Must have exceptional ability to work with others; familiarity with computer software (Word, Excel, Access etc.) and some hardware; typing at least 50 wpm; experience as administrative or executive assistant. Information Services, Evanston: SQL Database Administrator. Coordinates database development. Responsible for Enterprise SQL server including security rights, table design, normalization. Responsible for design and implementation of user and departmental applications as front ends to MS SQL7 using MS Access, VB or other tools. Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, SC: Administrative Assistant. Performs general office management and bookkeeping, produces monthly newsletter/event calendar and brochures/fliers, serves as registrar, handles correspondence and maintains contact lists, manages book sales/library, supervises volunteers, guides tours. Must be “people person” grounded in Bahá’í principles, proficient in general secretarial/administrative skills, familiar with software including MS Word, Excel, Publisher and QuickBooks. Office of the Secretary, Evanston: Administrative Assistant. Interacts with all departments, composes responses to all correspondence, handles high volume of detailed information with frequent interruptions. Needs sound problem-solving/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. If interested, contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430). ♦

URGENT NEED
DIRECTOR, NATIONAL OFFICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION NEW YORK, NY For a complete job description with responsibilities and qualifications: Visit www.usbnc.org and click on the “View current job opportunities” link in the What’s New list. 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.

EVANSTON/WILMETTE, IL

International Consultant for Specialized Area, Office of Pioneering. Will facilitate Bahá’í administrative support, assist prospective pioneers and guide them through personal contact and correspondence regarding work and study opportunities, cultural guidance, personal concerns and suitability for the special conditions; will maintain statistics and provide regular and special reports. Must have excellent verbal/written communication skills; experience as pioneer or traveling teacher in areas of special sensitivity; familiarity with computer databases, Microsoft Word and Outlook (Excel and Publisher are a plus); training/group facilitation skills are a plus (including training institute experience).

International Consultant, Office of Pioneering. Counsels, trains and provides administrative support for prospective pioneers, Bahá’í Youth Service Corps volunteers and traveling teachers; assists volunteers in the field and those returning to the U.S.; helps develop and carry out Pioneer Training Programs. Must have excellent organizational, communication and group facilitation skills, experience with the training institute process, solid grounding in spiritual and administrative principles of the Faith, familiarity with word processing and e-mail software; experience as pioneer or traveling teacher is a plus.

Director, Office of Youth Affairs. Oversees all work of this key National Spiritual Assembly agency, including: advising the National Assembly and Regional Bahá’í Councils on patterns, issues and potential opportunities regarding teaching and consolidation of youth; executing relevant decisions of the National Assembly; communicating youth news to the Bahá’í community; providing resources and administrative support to Bahá’í campus clubs; promoting the Bahá’í Youth Service Corps program; publishing Fertile Field about six times per year; maintaining the Web site (www.bahaiyouth.com); preparing the youth page of The American Bahá’í; communicating with individuals and institutions as well as agencies of the National Assembly. Should have strong writing, analytical and organizational skills, ability to supervise and work collaboratively with others, firm understanding of Bahá’í administration and basic familiarity with U.S. Bahá’í youth activities.

Creative Director, Office of Youth Affairs. Designs Fertile Field, the national newsletter for Bahá’í campus activities (about six issues per year), helps edit and prepare material for Fertile Field, The American Bahá’í and the youth Web site (www.bahaiyouth.com), provides design assistance for miscellaneous projects; handles some correspondence and helps provide analysis on youth issues to Bahá’í institutions. Should have a degree in graphic design or equivalent experience in Adobe programs and Microsoft Publisher, strong writing skills, ability to delegate tasks and work collaboratively with others, ability and willingness to handle some non-design tasks as needed.

Media Campaign Assistant, National Teaching Committee. Must have outgoing personality, strong verbal and written communication skills, strong Windows computer and Internet skills. Media experience is preferred.

Database Analyst, National Teaching Committee. Needs strong database analysis experience; should have Windows computer experience and pleasant phone personality. Will communicate with Bahá’í communities and institutions concerning seeker responses to the national media campaign.

Administrative Assistant, Persian-American Affairs Office. Office skills should include Microsoft Windows 98 and/or 2000, possibly Excel; typing 55 wpm, calculator by touch. Excellent verbal and written skills in both Persian and English a MUST. Should be well-versed in both cultures, able to interact with all types of people; must possess in-depth knowledge of the Bahá’í Faith and have excellent consultative abilities.

Concrete Journeyman, Conservation Office. Utilize your skills in state-of-the-art concrete repair for the historic Bahá’í House of Worship. Opportunity to manage and train concrete artisans in a unique studio environment.

Maintenance Team Leader, Properties. Will manage facility/building maintenance and engineering staff to provide timely services at minimal costs; plan, estimate, schedule maintenance requests and projects; ensure that all equipment and buildings are efficiently and effectively maintained. Needs 5 years’ experience in all areas of building maintenance (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting, cleaning etc.) with 3–5 years as maintenance manager; valid driver’s license; supervisory command of English.

OFFICE OF INFORMATION SERVICES

Senior Applications Developer (2 positions). Provides high-level analysis, design, implementation of information systems. Familiar with a variety of technologies: VB/VBA (preferred), SQL7, Microsoft Access, Web Tools, Delphi, C++.

Applications Developer. Provides high-level analysis, design, implementation of information systems. Familiar with variety of technologies: VB/VBA (preferred), database, Web Tools.

Network Engineer. Responsible for configuration, maintenance, security of computer network infrastructure (LAN and WAN) including servers, cabling, routers, switches, NICs. Maintains documentation of network and servers. Should know NT4/Win2K.

Report Writer. Skilled in Access, Crystal Reports; Visual Basic helpful.

Help desk. Coordinates support activities for LSAI project. Provides training and support for LSAI. Handles or delegates requests for support. Develops training-related materials, assists promotion and education.

FULTON COUNTY, GA

Business Office Manager. Will manage all aspects of Business Office activities; coordinate/communicate with BDS manager and buying office, Office of the Treasurer, other Bahá’í offices, authors, publishers, vendors and others nationally and internationally; supervise business office assistants. Minimum five years’ experience in many aspects of accounting with a year’s management experience, extremely strong accounting skills through G/L; varied retail background a plus; strong computer skills including QuickBooks and Excel; must be highly motivated, a problem solver, able to work independently.

Buyer. Helps ensure timely, economical availability of Bahá’í literature and materials; communicates with publishers and vendors; negotiates sales agreements. Two years’ experience as a buyer, including work with purchasing contracts or two years’ experience retail ordering and stocking; experience with basic office administrative support including Microsoft Word.

SANTA CRUZ, CA

Assistant Cook (full time). Helps Head Cook, occasionally oversees kitchen and dining room operations; must have 2 years’ experience as cook.

Children’s Program Coordinator/Teacher (part-time). Looking for a dynamic, personable, energetic person with a bachelor’s degree in education or related field; must be trained in Core Curriculum; must have knowledge of curriculum building for children of all ages on a wide range of subjects; able to contact and supervise volunteer teachers. Will plan and organize children’s program as well as help with adult program. Organizational and leadership skills are a must; musical talents are a plus.

ELIOT, ME

Assistant Facilities Coordinator. Helps with inspections, maintenance, exterior and interior repairs. Needs skills in housekeeping, maintenance of buildings, equipment, vehicles, grounds.

Assistant Cook (part- to full-time). Helps Head Cook, occasionally oversees kitchen and dining room operations; must have 2 years’ experience as cook.

HOUCK, AZ

Children and Youth Program Coordinator. Carries out administrative, training and social tasks to coordinate day-to-day operation of youth programs, including Youth Service Corps volunteer program; collaborates with administrators to design and run an effective service, training and community involvement program for youth volunteers; communicates with youth from around the region and the country; develops youth newsletters, periodic conferences, organized retreats and deepenings, facilitating an abundance of good times for all; completes special projects and other duties. Needs driver’s license.

Maintenance Supervisor. Will manage facility/building maintenance and engineering staff to provide timely services at minimal costs; [Page 32]

URGENT NEED AT THE BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTER, HAIFA, ISRAEL

Maintenance/Janitorial Supervisors

The Works Office at the World Center is responsible for physical maintenance of buildings, involving renovations, repairs, carpentry, plumbing, electrical works, etc.

The Cleaning Maintenance Department is responsible for keeping the buildings clean; this involves janitorial work, protecting and cleaning floors, walls, furniture, art objects etc. The person heading this department not only must be knowledgeable and experienced in technical details—for instance, knowing what chemicals apply to what object—but also must be able to supervise a number of helpers. The buildings to be looked after cover a wide range, from the character of museums to that of ordinary offices.

plan, estimate, schedule maintenance requests and projects; ensure that all equipment and buildings are efficiently and effectively maintained. Needs 5 years’ experience in all areas of building maintenance (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting, cleaning etc.) with 3–5 years as a maintenance manager; valid driver’s license; supervisory command of English.

For more information see: www.usbnc.org

Please send your résumé to: Bahá’í National Center Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (fax 847-733-3430, e-mail ).

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

ARCHIVES

The Bahá’í World Center Library is interested in acquiring copies of the following newsletters for our permanent collection: **South Idaho bulletin**, Idaho Falls, ID (1989); **Montana bulletin**, Stevensville, MT (1989); **East Washington and Northern Idaho bulletin**, Moses Lake, WA (1989); **Northwest Washington bulletin**, Lynnwood, WA (1989); **Southwest Washington bulletin**, Olympia, WA (1989); **Bulletin on news writing** (1935); National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada, **Committee on training and teaching children, Bulletin No. 1** (1933); **Visi news bulletin**, West Englewood, NJ (1954); **World religion: the goal of the Bahá’í Faith**, quarterly public relations bulletin, U.S. (ca. 1950s); **California regional newsletter** (June 1975). We would be grateful to receive any original copies of the mentioned publications, but before sending them please contact the Bahá’í World Center Library, P.O. Box 155, 31 001 Haifa, Israel (e-mail ).

The National Bahá’í Archives is seeking original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following: Luhia C. Fleming, Roy C. Flickinger, Mrs. Stevie Flinn, Virginia Flood, Hannah A. Focke, Stephen Follett, Claire Fontanne, Amalia Ford, Leon S. Ford, Mary Hanford Ford and Jacob Forman. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these Guardian’s letters is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-869-9039.)

The National Bahá’í Archives is seeking copies of the following issues of Bahá’í Nachrichten (German Bahá’í News): February 1981; February and November 1982; March 1983; February 1984; February through November 1991. Anyone having copies they could donate is asked to send them to the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611.

WANTED

Original recorded music needed for a new youth-oriented series of proclamation TV programs to be produced for national broadcast by SIDCORP, a Bahá’í-oriented enterprise that has worked on production of The Power of Race Unity and several other national media campaign videos. We need a variety of recordings from Bahá’ís all over the world for use as background and theme material. All recordings received by SIDCORP will become a part of the reference collection used for making selections and will not be returned to the artists. Music of all styles, both religious and secular, is welcome: bands, soloists, instrumentals, drum loops, etc. We know there are a lot of musically creative Bahá’ís out there and we want to hear your music! Please send your submissions, with a brief bio and contact phone number, to: SIDCORP, Attn: Emily Curtis, 124 Main St. Suite 5, New Paltz, NY 12561. We do not credit any of our contributors including musicians. However, we will contact you for permission if your music is selected.

54th Annual UN Nongovernmental Organization Conference

NGOs Today: Diversity of the Volunteer Experience Sept. 10–12 • Registration deadline is July 20 To register, contact Bahá’í US/UN Office in NYC (e-mail ).

ACROSS THE NATION

Office Manager/Executive Assistant, New York City Bahá’í Center: Year-round, salaried 35-hour-per-week position managing and staffing the Bahá’í Center office and assisting the Assembly: answering phones and e-mails; managing correspondence and reports; coordinating volunteer services; maintaining an orderly, efficient office; interfacing with community members, visitors and vendors. Must be a deepened Bahá’í, well-organized, detail-oriented, able to take direction and communicate positively, willing to learn, tactful, calm, resourceful, self-motivated, comfortable in an electronic office. Strong writing skills a plus. Vacation and benefits. Send résumé and cover letter to Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the City of New York, 53 E. 11th Street, NY NY 10003 (e-mail ).

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 , fax 847-733-3509, e-mail ).

PIONEERING / OVERSEAS

The Office of Pioneering is eager to assist the friends preparing for international service. For information regarding jobs and study abroad, or international traveling teaching opportunities and other events, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, e-mail ).

Towards a Spiritual Civilization

25TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR BAHÁ’Í STUDIES—NORTH AMERICA

AUGUST 31–SEPTEMBER 3 ✰ SHERATON HOTEL AND TOWERS, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

Join us in exploring the process of the spiritual transformation of human civilization symbolized by the Mount Carmel Projects.

SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE

• ✰ Hasan M. Balyuzi Memorial Lecturers, Hossein Amanat and Fariborz Sahba
• ✰ Counselor Rebequa Murphy
• ✰ Counselor Eugene Andrews
• ✰ Holly Hanson, Mt. Holyoke College
• ✰ Anne Furlong, University of Prince Edward Island
• ✰ Lasse Thoresen, renowned composer and author
• ✰ Special Guest Speaker

ALSO PLANNED:

• ✰ Workshops and Panels on Apologetics/Defense of the Faith; Spiritual Dimensions of Medicine and Bioethics; Governance and Administrative Order; Bahá’í Book Collections/Archives/Conservation
• ✰ Roundtable Discussion on Persian and Arabic Translation
• ✰ Association for Bahá’í Studies in Persian

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (ALL DAY FRIDAY): Agriculture, Arts, Business and Economics, Consultation and Conflict Resolution, Education, Environment, Marriage and Family, Racial and Ethnic Unity/Intercultural Issues, Science and Religion, Study of Religion, Women and Gender Issues, Bahá’í Language Educators

ARTS PROGRAM: Master classes in music, drama, and other artistic fields; the premiere of Táhirih, a musical play composed by Mimi McClellan; gala concert; art exhibition

CHILDREN’S CONFERENCE AND PRE-YOUTH PROGRAM: Providing a full program of educational activities for children and pre-youth ages 5 to 15 (Note: children must be preregistered by Aug. 1)

YOUTH PROGRAM including session on Campus Clubs and Bahá’í Studies

Don’t miss the boat! Bring the whole family to Seattle for the ABS Annual Conference. The conference venue is only a 7-minute stroll from the shops and restaurants of Seattle’s Pike Place Market on the waterfront. (Photo: Seattle-King County Convention and Visitors Bureau)

REGISTRATION: Register by **July 31** to get the discounted rate. Download the registration form from the ABS Web site (www.bahai-studies.ca) or contact Parvin Rowhani, Association for Bahá’í Studies (phone 613-233-1903, fax 613-233-3644, e-mail ).

HOTEL RESERVATIONS: Must be made directly with the hotel. Special conference rates: single/double occupancy: $99; triple/quad occupancy: $109. Specify **“Association for Bahá’í Studies group”** to receive the special rate. Toll-free reservations: 1-800-325-3535; local: 206-621-9000 (Note: The conference rate is guaranteed until July 30. After that date, reservations will be accepted on a space-availability basis at the negotiated rate.) [Page 33]Margaret Leonard made her mark as an educator despite difficulties and even opposition at times. File Photo

Margaret Leonard a stalwart in Falkland Islands

45 years’ pioneer work included stays in El Salvador, Paraguay

INFORMATION FROM JOHN LEONARD

Margaret Mills Leonard, an educator and for 45 years a Bahá’í pioneer, served humanity with a spiritual vision that guided her beyond tremendous difficulties. She passed away at her post in Stanley, Falkland Islands, on December 16, 1999.

Born April 21, 1919, to Evan and Marion Mills of Chicago, Margaret had cataracts in both eyes at birth. Though her parents obtained the best surgical help, her vision was still limited and she was legally blind all her life. Attending college in New York, she earned a bachelor’s degree in 1942 and qualified the following year to become an infant teacher.

The harmonious home created by her father, a Roman Catholic, and her mother, a Bahá’í, set an example that lasted all Margaret’s life. As Margaret matured she became ever more attracted to the Bahá’í Faith, and made her declaration in 1942.

After several years’ rewarding work as an infant teacher, Margaret started working toward a master’s degree when, in 1953, Shoghi Effendi unveiled the Ten Year Crusade to the believers. Margaret’s desire to serve the Cause abroad led her to take a job in early 1954 at the American School in El Salvador.

It was the start of a 45-year pioneering career; never again would she make her home in the United States.

In El Salvador she worked with a dynamic pioneer, Artemus Lamb, and helped teach the Faith among Indian peoples, knowing that local church authorities looked on Bahá’í activities with suspicion.

Opening a school

After a few years in El Salvador, Margaret decided to open the town of Sonsonate to the Faith and to establish a badly needed infant school there. Conversations with some mothers were positive, so she bought a building and had it renovated.

Soon afterward, the church opened its own kindergarten there. Rumors were started that Margaret was a “devil” who would induce the children to become Bahá’ís. It was frightening for someone with restricted sight to walk down the road while seemingly faceless people on both sides called her a devil.

At registration time, hardly any children came. For Margaret, who had put so much money into the project, it seemed a disaster. Her mother and another Bahá’í friend offered to sustain her for a year.

Margaret then invited the most influential of the mothers to bring her child to the school and see what was done. The lady accepted, and came day after day with her child. At the end of term, she recommended Margaret’s school to her friends. The next year she had a waiting list!

After six years in El Salvador, Margaret was asked to go to Paraguay, where Bahá’í institutions needed strengthening. Soon she was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly, and finally became its chairman.

In 1963, she traveled to Haifa to assist in electing the first Universal House of Justice, then she participated in the first Bahá’í World Congress in London, England.

As she packed to return to Paraguay, she received a telegram from a former U.S. acquaintance. John Leonard, a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh, was inviting her to visit his pioneering post in the Falkland Islands, off the southern tip of South America.

She accepted, and arrived in the Falklands by boat on a sunny December day. Within a few days John and Margaret realized they did not want to separate. They were married Feb. 22, 1964, and the Bahá’í population in the Falklands doubled.

It wasn’t easy. The lifestyle was unlike anything she had ever known. Just learning to cook with peat, Falklands-style, was a major challenge. But she persevered with the help of warm friends.

And there were a few miracles—such as the time the superintendent of education invited Margaret to restore Spanish language to the curriculum. There was one small problem: he had no textbooks, no workbooks, no tapes—nothing.

Margaret accepted the challenge. Within months, a visitor from Uruguay, hearing of Margaret’s dilemma, airmailed a complete set of materials for her Spanish course.

Classes for all children

Children’s classes became her responsibility—and she loved them. Sometimes children from non-Bahá’í families far outnumbered the others.

The Leonards conducted a regular, high-spirited fireside. When a Local Spiritual Assembly was first formed in 1972, it was a great moment for all the Bahá’ís who had worked toward it.

Margaret’s greatest pain in the Falklands came from her inability to recognize people. For a pioneer not to be able to return wave for wave, or smile for smile, is a torture which only those who endure it can understand.

Margaret’s strength ebbed during her last few years. Her final illness was mercifully brief—an attack of pneumonia that lasted less than a day, freeing her to soar to the Abhá Kingdom.

IN MEMORIAM

Listings for “In Memoriam” come from the Membership Office of the Bahá’í National Center. To report the passing of a Bahá’í in the United States, please contact the Membership Office, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (e-mail ).

Minnie R. Addison Altadena, CA November 11, 2000	Janice M. Croy Littleton, CO October 28, 2000	Amiel A. Grams St. Cloud, MN June 11, 2000	Janet R. Johnson Rocklin, CA October 26, 2000	Margaret M. Marriner Mooresville, IN October 30, 2000	Jimmy E. Page Muskegon, MI May 5, 2000	Billie S. Terry Polk County, FL March 18, 2001
Doris Agnon Auburn, CA September 10, 2000	Michael Dagostino Ocala, FL March 30, 2001	Robert L. Gray Peoria, IL March 8, 2001	Robert K. Johnson El Paso County, CO January 17, 1999	Harry McCarty Jr. Neah Bay, WA December 17, 1999	Roosevelt Pickett Conway SC Fall 2000	Tahirih Udunawala Coppell, TX March 3, 2001
Carol H. Barnes Tucson, AZ March 31, 2001	Martha M. Drew Gresham, OR March 15, 2001	Robert Hagood Blackville, SC 1997	Jean Laws Deming, NM 1999	Molly Mendoza Deming, NM 1999	Marie J. Pursley Edmonds, WA March 20, 2001	Lizzie Vincent Waco, TX January 2001
John Baxter Blackville, SC 1997	Melvin A. Edwards Denmark, SC 1997	Stanley Hagood Blackville, SC 1998	Ida R. Lawton Denmark, SC 1997	Vera Moorhead Sarasota, FL August 16, 2000	Hilton S. Riley China February 2001	Bibi S. Vossough-Tafti Passaic, NJ February 27, 2001
Janet O. Bosserman Chicago, IL September 7, 2000	Jennette N. Elmblade Eugene, OR April 2, 2001	Robert Hart Sr. Riverside, CA November 9, 2000	Emma H. Lenk Pine River, MN March 6, 2001	Sedigheh K. Naderi Fremont, CA December 5, 1999	Conrad Rothman Skokie, IL March 12, 2001	Jake Wallings Orangeburg, SC August 2, 2000
Blake Browning Carmichael, CA November 22, 2000	Anastasia Farahnak Washington County, OR October 2000	Delwin L. Helmhout Coeur d’Alene, ID April 7, 2000	Melvin T. Magliocco San Rafael, CA February 23, 2001	Gene Neavitt Phoenix, AZ March 9, 2001	Thelma T. Stern Grants, NM December 4, 2000	Earl E. Wilkinson Forest Acres, SC December 25, 2000
Aline Cowan Warren, IN March 10, 2001	Virta V. Fuller Temple, TX February 23, 2001	Evelyn J. Hoffman Fremont, CA June 25, 2000		Alice Nicken Blackville, SC 2000	Leona Stork Spokane County, WA April 16, 1999	Carolyn Williams Conway, SC Fall 1999

[Page 34]

SEEKING • YOUR • RESPONSE

BAHÁ’Í SUBSCRIBER SERVICE • 800-999-9019

World Order

Making sense of the world by exploring the spiritual implications of 21st-century life

Now available!

Winter 2000–01

• Julio Savi: “The Declaration Dominus Iesus: A Brake on Ecumenism and Interfaith Dialogue”
• Gary L. Morrison: “Loulan Beauty: Encountering the Xinjiang Mummies”
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Coming soon: Special issues on topics related to family life, gender, and peace

Still available: Fall 2000 Gwendolyn Etter-Lewis on African-American women writers • Dorothy Marcic on organizational management and change • Gayle Morrison on convictry in Australia and slavery in the United States • Michael L. Penn on Oedipus today

Subscriptions:
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The American Bahá’í 10 times a year; available by subscription to Bahá’ís outside the continental U.S. Outside U.S. surface mail—$24 / year, $45 / 2 years Outside U.S. air mail—$32 / year, $60 / 2 years Single copy: $3 + shipping/handling	Herald of the South Quarterly by National Assemblies of Australia and New Zealand Subscriptions: U.S.—$28 / year, $50 / 2 years Outside U.S.: Contact Herald of the South, e-mail Single copy: $8 + shipping/handling

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Phone orders: 800-999-9019 • E-mail orders: Mail orders: Bahá’í Subscriber Service, 4703 Fulton Industrial Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30336-2017 TAB 6/5/01

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11TH ANNUAL

Conference of the Friends of Persian Culture

AT THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW CENTURY
WYNDHAM NORTHWEST CHICAGO HOTEL • AUG. 30–SEPT. 2

Presentations in both Persian and English ☫ Youth and pre-youth sessions on the conference theme; children’s classes for ages 3–11 ☫ Visits to House of Worship and Chicago Bahá’í historic sites

PRESENTERS TO INCLUDE: Dr. Simin Sheybani, Dr. Shapur Rassekh, Dr. Vahid Rafati, Dr. Iraj Ayman TOPICS TO INCLUDE: Women’s Progress in Iran, their Future, and the Role of the Bahá’í Teachings in their Advancement; Social and Cultural Developments in Contemporary Iran; Iran of Tomorrow in the Future World Community; The State of Scholarship in the Bahá’í World; Development of Education in Iran and the Role of the Iranian Bahá’í Community in that Process, The State of the Youth in Iran and the Role of the Bahá’í Youth there ARTISTIC PRESENTATIONS: Music, drama, poetry reading, folk dance performances

REGISTRATION:

Fees: Adult or youth (12+): $40 by July 31 or $45 at the door; Child (3–11): $20. One-day fee (all ages): $20.

To pre-register by July 31: Fill out the Multi-Purpose Form below and mail to Persian-American Affairs Office, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60202. Please use a separate copy for each person registering, and indicate age of each youth or child.

HOTEL RESERVATION:

Special rate: $82 per room (1–4 people) per night; please directly contact Wyndham Northwest Chicago Hotel, 400 Park Blvd., Itasca, IL 60143 (phone 630-773-4000). Please state you are participating in the “Persian Arts Conference” and inform them how many people will be staying in the room.

PHONE FOR INFORMATION:

Office of Persian-American Affairs, 847-733-3531, 3476 or 3528

Youths: Call ahead if ... ... you would like to share your thoughts or artistic or poetic talent. Contact Sheedeh Mahboobipoor (phone daytime, evening).

Children: Call ahead if ... ... you want to perform (poetry recitation, music, dance, etc.). Contact the Persian-American Affairs Office (number at left).

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MULTIPURPOSE FORM

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

TAB 6/5/01 [Page 35]

Looking history in the eye, steadily

BY LADAN COCKSHUT-MILLER

Sometimes when history is looking you directly in the eye, you don’t see it—you may sense that it’s there, but you cannot really see it. How often is that the case for Baháís living in this time.

When I was young I had an opportunity of the historical kind and I did not take full advantage of it. I regret it to this day. This regret revolves around Marzieh Gail.

Some years ago, when I was just a kid in the grand scheme of things, I had the blessing of spending some time with Marzieh Gail. A noted writer and translator, not only did she have the distinction of being in the presence of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as a very small child, but her lineage tied her to both the East and West.

What she gave to the Bahá’í community was not only many years of work and service, but she also gave us the gift of history. She helped translate many of our sacred texts into English, she wrote historical works as well as the introduction to Martha Root’s timeless work on Táhirih, she prepared the Bahá’í Glossary, she traveled in parts of the world doing things that we can only now read about in our history books. She was history.

I sat in her small apartment in San Francisco in the early 1990s. I was a very young yet enthusiastic Bahá’í youth at the time. I knew that Marzieh Gail was extremely interesting and I knew that she was important to the Bahá’í Faith. I had read several of her books, devoured them, with the vigor that distinguished my love of books.

I had no idea, though, in whose presence I sat.

If I had the chance to go back in time, I would tell that younger me to not forget the tape recorder those few times, not to choose to sleep late rather than spending as much time with her as possible. The fact that she even allowed me to interview her those few times must have indicated her own realization of her place in history.

Her apartment was a classic hodgepodge of material: a rug from Persia, overflowing shelves of books that had a wonderful musty smell, artifacts from her many travels, a gift from the Holy Family, other objects of great value that clearly pointed to her roots as a daughter of great wealth and stature. Like many of mixed cultural heritage, she retained the mysterious beauty of both the Persian and American cultures in her face, even at her advanced age.

You see, she wasn’t just a piece of our history from a literary standpoint. She was also the product of the very first marital union of a Persian Bahá’í and an American Bahá’í. All of the thousands of “half and half” Bahá’ís around the world have Marzieh (and her sister and brother) to look to as the first to experience the wonderful and irreplaceable confusion of allegiance to two such disparate worlds. One can only imagine how it must have been to grow up at the early part of this century with such a cultural mix.

In one of those precious days when I met with Marzieh Gail in her living room in that tiny apartment in San Francisco, I remember the look in her eyes as I asked her about the time she posed for a photograph with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at the age of 2. An indescribable light flashed in her eyes and she looked beyond me, through me.

“I remember looking out the window of where we were and memorizing the way that the trees appeared,” she said. “I told myself that I had to remember this day. I understood what it was that was happening so I tried with all my might to remember it.”

And all of those years later, she remembered it. History had looked her in the eye and she had known to look back. ◆

Photo from the files of The American Bahá’í

LETTERS FROM READERS

We welcome letters from readers on topics relating to the furtherance of the goals of the Five Year Plan, the principles of the Writings, and response to content in The American Bahá’í.

• The purpose of Letters from Readers is to encourage an exchange of ideas and opinions, never to denigrate another’s views or attack anyone—openly or subtly.
• Opinions expressed are those of the writers, not necessarily of the editors.
• A 250-word maximum length is suggested. Letters will be edited for style and possibly for length.

Address to: Editor, The American Bahá’í, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201.

Appreciation for articles on families in ‘all shapes’

Dear Editor and Staff,

I’ve been reading The American Bahá’í since 1988. I was so moved I had to write regarding an article in the March 21 issue titled “Bahá’í families come in all shapes, experiences, needs.” This is an article like I have never seen before, and I pray that you will include such articles again in the future. Finally an article that measures the pulse of actual Bahá’ís in the Bahá’í community.

I was overjoyed to read about the personal experiences of other Bahá’ís and to know that I am not alone with my inner struggles in dealing with other Bahá’ís (cited by Shoghi Effendi as one of the biggest tests of being a Bahá’í). Also it was inspiring to read about what being a Bahá’í means to other people and how it helps individuals in coping with life.

Please, please, please continue to survey the American Bahá’í community more and publish these inspiring stories of everyday Bahá’ís and their struggles.

I am a person who benefits greatly from “case example”-type writing. Some Bahá’ís in the article felt a lack of empathy or sometimes pushiness or hostility from other Bahá’ís. I believe an article like this will help to enlighten many to be more concerned with demonstrating the love and patience we are so enjoined to live by, but which sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of demands to teach, teach, teach, bring about entry by troops, and make the most of Local Assembly time despite the occasional weaknesses or struggles of its individual members. How do I know this? I’ve been one of those impatient people myself.

Sarah Zmick’s comments about being able to “love without reservation” and “become more tolerant, not of rudeness, but of immaturity” and how it’s easier to think about how I would like people to behave instead of loving them as they are, these are some of the most inspiring words I’ve read in years outside of the Writings.

I’m ashamed to admit that while these steadfast Bahá’ís have been marching forward with the love of Bahá’u’lláh, in His service, shouldering the burdens that people face in life, since 1994 I’ve been withdrawn from Bahá’í community life. The inspiring stories I’ve read help me to know that I was not, and am not, alone in feeling that being a part of the Bahá’í community can be difficult, but also that together as Bahá’ís when we rededicate our aim to understand and love, it makes the Bahá’í community, our larger Bahá’í family, worth the struggles involved.

Sincerely, Bess Swalwell, Hallandale, Florida

Dear Editor,

Your article on “Families” was well-written and comforting for me.

I married my high school sweetheart in 1973 as a Christian and a Quaker. My husband is a Lutheran. We married young and my father-in-law made us promise to remain churchgoers and to raise our children as Christians. It was an easy promise to make.

I met my spiritual mother, Patti Gill, in 1975. We worked with another young lady, a strong Christian. Our discussions on religion were respectful and illuminating. It took me a while—I became a Bahá’í in January 1981. I was full of joy to embrace this religion, which was everything I yearned for in religious philosophy and reality (and is still).

This religion, this Bahá’í life, was transforming; however, it did come with profound sacrifice. I no longer went to church with my husband. He was, and is, so very tolerant of our Faith, even though I changed the plan. After all, he had thought we would share Christian life all of our days together.

I miss this sharing of religious life, even 20 years later. Our children, as many children of bi-religious families become, are fairly neutral regarding organized religion. I think Bahá’í life was weird for them, as there were no other children in my beautiful local community.

It is wonderful to address this other side of Bahá’í life, as I have felt alone in this for many years.

With love, Kelly Van Gorder, Temple City, CA

IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY

Honor those you love on their special days or remember them after they’ve passed on

... with your gift to the National Bahá’í Fund. Each gift sent with an “In Honor” or “In Memory” form will be beautifully acknowledged by the National Spiritual Assembly.

You may get these Treasurer’s Office forms:

• On the Web: Printable forms for these special contributions are available on the Administrative Web Site (www.usbnc.org).
• Through the mail: Printed forms are available from the Office of the Treasurer, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (e-mail __________).

Other forms and information for individuals and treasurers on www.usbnc.org

• Local budget worksheets
• Audit and other report forms
• Fund-raiser notes
• Automatic Contribution System
• Stewardship and Development

[Page 36]

International opportunities

The following needs for international traveling teachers and opportunities to attend gatherings overseas are summarized from letters recently received from Bahá’í institutions overseas. A list of other opportunities for traveling teachers from the Bahá’í World Center is available through the Office of Pioneering.

Teaching Projects

• Belize: “Hearts Ablaze” Summer Teaching Project, June 23–Aug. 4. The institute process and empowerment of the community will be the focus and goal of a performing arts workshop and a consolidation team working to “infuse the youth and community of Belize with power and energy. ...”
• St. Lucia: Grandma Snyder Project Revisited, June 10–24, July 22–Aug. 5 and Aug. 12–26. Goals: to establish systematic study circles with trained tutors, to establish children and youth classes and to establish local devotional meetings.
• Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland: Kalinka-Baltics 21st Century Summer Teaching Campaign. Participants needed for five strong, devoted youth performing arts groups. Preparation phase at Bahá’í Summer Residence near Minsk, Belarus, July 19–29. Teaching July 30–Aug. 24, ending with two conferences-firesides in Belarus and the Baltics.
• Hungary: English conversational camp in near Lake Velencei. Teacher training July 15–21, camp July 21–31. Will acquaint Hungarian youth, Bahá’ís and others, with Bahá’í social and spiritual issues using English and having fun! Includes sports, games, music, singing and bonfire.
• South Africa: “Beyond Words” Performing Arts and Youth Empowerment Project, July 19, 2001–May 19, 2002 (part-time membership is possible). Dance, acting, speech and interaction as a catalyst in advancing the process of entry by troops by reaching hearts.

Conferences, Schools and Events

• Estonia: Interactive Summer School program July 25–30 in Viljandi, focused on “The Culture of Growth.” Teaching projects all over Estonia before and after. Special need for musicians, and all who would like to share their talent, for both. Registration deadline June 30.
• Uganda: Golden Jubilee Celebration, July 31–Aug. 2. This international Bahá’í conference in Kampala will celebrate 50 years of the Faith in Uganda with public events at the Mother House of Worship for Africa, followed by teaching conferences Aug. 3–5 in Bweyeyo-Luwero and Tilling-Kumi. The National Spiritual Assembly of Uganda writes that the Ugandan Bahá’í community is “not forgetful of the important role the Bahá’ís of the United States have played in lighting its torch of the Faith. ... The blessings of the Blessed Beauty, the historic links and bonds of love that He created amongst us are among those important things we wish to cherish and celebrate this coming year of our Golden Jubilee.”
• United Kingdom: International Society for Agriculture and Rural Development annual meeting, Aug. 9–11 at Sidcot Summer School in Somerset, England.
• Tanzania: 50th Anniversary of the Faith in Tanzania, mid-August, with pre- and post-celebration proclamation and teaching activities. All Bahá’ís, especially those who served as pioneers and traveling teachers in Tanzania, are warmly invited to attend and participate.
• Hawaii: “Fire in the Pacific” Centenary Conference in Honolulu, Dec. 20–23. Commemorating 100 years of the spread and progress of the Faith in the Pacific, “the celebration will weave a rich tapestry whose threads will be drawn from Bahá’í history, music and the visual arts.” Two heroines of the Heroic and Formative Ages will be showcased: the Hands of the Cause of God Agnes Baldwin Alexander and Martha Louise Root.

Please contact the Office of Pioneering for detailed information about these and other international opportunities. Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail ). ◆

INTERFAITH ACTIVITY

Topeka, Kansas

When a Bahá’í was elected president of Interfaith of Topeka Inc. in January, the outgoing president, a Catholic priest, declared the development “very appropriate since [the] Bahá’í Faith is the interfaith faith.”

Duane L. Herrmann of the Shawnee County Bahá’í community has been involved with Interfaith of Topeka since its founding in 1979, often as a director.

He presides over an agenda for the year that includes hosting a national interfaith conference to explore the interfaith process and the impact of new federal initiatives for religious-based community service.

Interfaith of Topeka, the successor to the Topeka Council of Churches, got over an early stage of awkwardness in which its first board two decades ago consisted entirely of Christians, Jews and one Bahá’í, Herrmann indicated.

The group now also embraces Muslims, Sikhs, Native Americans, Buddhists, Bahá’ís and others, Herrmann indicates.

This year’s annual meeting included all of the above plus a lone “neo-pagan.” It was held at the Islamic Center of Topeka.

TEACHING

Turlock, California

A pancake breakfast for World Religion Day arranged by a member of the Turlock group drew 11 guests out of 25 total participants, after preparations were aided by Bahá’ís from Stockton, Merced County and Ceres as well as Turlock.

Children at the Jan. 19 event had Bahá’í-inspired coloring books to work on and “I Am a Noble Being” crowns to wear.

The Stockton Bahá’í Stepdancers and a Persian youth performed dances.

Some of the guests had first heard of the Bahá’í community through the fliers publicizing the breakfast. One had previously corresponded with a local Bahá’í over the Internet. Several have attended firesides, family dinners and other events with Bahá’ís since then. “We found that people are really looking for friendship and belonging, and appreciated the Bahá’ís’ efforts to teach them,” reported group secretary Mary Allen. ◆

HELP WANTED: PIONEERS

Combining to such a degree the essential qualities

• of audacity
• of consecration
• of tenacity
• of self-renunciation
• and unstinted devotion

that will prompt them to abandon their homes, and forsake their all, and scatter over the surface of the globe, and hoist in its uttermost corners the triumphant banner of Bahá’u’lláh

(qualifications from The Advent of Divine Justice)

Office of Pioneering • 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60202 • 847-733-3508 Fax 847-733-3509 e-mail

Charitable Gift Annuities

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

A charitable 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:	Requirements:
A donor irrevocably transfers funds to our National Spiritual Assembly, which are invested with other annuity funds. Regular quarterly payments are made to you, the donor, for your lifetime. The remainder of the annuity fund is transferred to the Bahá’í Fund after your passing.	Guaranteed fixed payments for life, a portion of which are non-taxable. A charitable, income tax deduction for a portion of the gift in the year in which the annuity is established. Reduced capital gains taxes if funded with an appreciated asset. Increased support of the Bahá’í Fund.	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 lifetime annuity payment.

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 lifetime annuity $750 Age 80: Charitable deduction $4,907.40; annual lifetime annuity $920

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

The National Spiritual Assembly’s Gift and Estate Planning Program

8-page brochure from the Office of the Treasurer Individual copies may be requested free. Nominal charge for ordering in quantity.

The Writing of a Will

The National Spiritual Assembly’s Gift and Estate Planning Program has been established to help believers make a variety of financial arrangements for themselves, their families and the Bahá’í Faith: Providing for the Bahá’í Faith in your will Making a gift of securities Making a gift of real estate Making a gift through life insurance Receiving income from your gift: Charitable Gift Annuities 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 Bahá’í Funds envelope attached to this paper.

[Page 37]These youths were among more than 20 Bahá’í college students who gathered near Ann Arbor, Michigan, in late March to address issues of scholarship and social activism. Sponsored by the Regional Youth Committee serving Michigan and Ohio, it is one of two campus association weekends held in the area every year. The next will be held at Louhelen Bahá’í School in the fall. Be there! Photos by George Costant

Where will YOU be this summer?

the Youth Page

Youth from throughout the country are gathering at the national conference in Milwaukee and then dispersing to areas across the United States to participate in dynamic teaching and service projects organized on the regional and local levels.

Building the Kingdom Conference June 28–July 1 Milwaukee, Wisconsin E-mail Web www.kingdomconference.org

This could be the largest gathering of Bahá’í youth in the United States ever!

Try hard to attend this national Bahá’í conference, dedicated to creating an environment of love, joy and learning where young, old, individuals, families and institutions can share what they are learning about the systematic process of growth and development of the Bahá’í community.

Central • Youth teaching projects, June 26–July 30 Phone 573-364-9618 E-mail or

The four Regional Youth Committees serving the 12 Central States are hard at work planning a variety of teaching projects throughout the region, which will immediately follow the Building the Kingdom Conference in Milwaukee.

The project will begin with a week-long intensive training session in Milwaukee. Youth will then travel to one of the five regional target cities for direct teaching activities: Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Chicago, Columbus and Kansas City.

true wealth

PERSPECTIVE FROM THE WRITINGS

Waste not your hours in idleness and sloth, but occupy yourselves with what will profit you and others. —Bahá’u’lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, para. 33

E-mail connection Are you connected to your regional Bahá’í youth e-mail list? To subscribe, write an email to one of the following addresses: Central States Northeastern States Southern States Western States

Be sure to include the following info: Full name • E-mail address • Bahá’í ID number (or the name of someone who can vouch for your Bahá’í status) • City/State of residence

Near the end of July, youth will reconvene in Milwaukee to celebrate and evaluate their experience.

Northeast • Badasht Academy, July 6–12 Phone 207-429-7200 E-mail

and Northeast Regional Youth Teaching Trip, July 13–23 throughout the region E-mail

This second annual teaching trip, sponsored by the Regional Bahá’í Council of the Northeastern States and its Regional Youth Committee, strives to connect energetic and inspired youth with communities throughout the Northeast. Major components of the trip are teaching, service, training and deepening activities.

Youth must be at least 14 years old to participate, are encouraged to attend the Badasht Academy at Green Acre Bahá’í School in Eliot, Maine, and are required to attend a training session July 13–15 at the beginning of the teaching project. There is a $50 materials fee that includes transportation to the teaching posts; youth will be responsible for transportation home. Other food, lodging and transportation costs will be covered by the Local Spiritual Assemblies and groups sponsoring the projects. Scholarships are available upon request.

Office of Youth Affairs Bahá’í National Center 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 Phone: 847-733-3499 Fax: 847-733-3502 E-mail: www.bahaiyouth.com

Western • Youth teaching projects, various times and places Phone 415-759-1996 E-mail

Fresh off the experience of five youth forums held this spring in Utah, Arizona, California and Washington, youth are fired up for a summer of service! Youth from Los Angeles are traveling to Bulgaria, teams of youth are serving at Bosch Bahá’í School and the Native American Bahá’í Institute, and a host of others are involved in individual and local efforts in the United States and abroad.

Southern • July Teaching Initiative, June 26–July 30 E-mail

Sponsored by the Southern Regional Youth Coordinating Team.

This second annual teaching project begins as youth gather and travel together to the national conference in Milwaukee. After the conference, participants will remain a few days for additional training, then divide into groups and disperse throughout the Southern States to spread the message of Bahá’u’lláh! The groups will then reconvene for a debriefing (July 28–29) to discuss the trip and share stories before heading home.

Registration fee is $500, which includes food, materials and transportation (except for getting to the central gathering site and returning home). If one cannot come to Milwaukee and would like to join at one of the teaching sites, contact the Youth Team to make special arrangements. Applications are available at www.youth-south.org.

International

• Numerous teaching opportunities abroad (see page 37 for a partial list)

Phone: 847-733-3499 or 3508 Email: Contact the Office of Pioneering for information on summer and year-long service and teaching projects in other countries! ♦

Service opportunities

Beginning July/August/September Perfect for recent college graduates!

Office of Youth Affairs Staff: Director Creative Director See page 32 for a complete description of these and other paid service opportunities at the Bahá’í National Center.

Bahá’í Youth Service Corps Youth ages 17 and up needed to serve three months to a year at U.S. sites: Bosch Bahá’í School Green Acre Bahá’í School Louhelen Bahá’í School Native American Bahá’í Institute Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute College campuses throughout the Southern Region

For service information, contact: Office of Youth Affairs Contact information at left [Page 38]

انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی

FRIENDS OF PERSIAN CULTURE ASSOCIATION

موضوع اصلی یازدهمین کنفرانس سالانه انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی در آستانه قرنی نوین است. از جمله سخنرانان خانم دکتر سیمین شیبانی است که در بارۀ وضعیت زنان ایران و فرصت‌های آنان در قرن جدید سخنرانی خواهد نمود. دکتر شاپور راسخ در بارۀ تحولات فرهنگی و اجتماعی ایران و همچنین جایگاه ایران در جامعۀ جهانی فردا سخنرانی خواهد نمود. دکتر فرنکلین لوئیس در بارۀ مولانا جلال‌الدین رومی و توجه ویژۀ جهانیان به او در زمان حاضر سخن خواهد گفت. دیگر سخنرانیها بتوسط دکتر ایرج ایمن، دکتر وحید رأفتی، مهندس حسین امانت و دیگر میهمانان ویژۀ انجمن در بارۀ مسائل و امکانات قرن جدید ایراد خواهد شد. هنرمندان عزیز ایرانی برنامه‌های ویژۀ شعر و موسیقی اجرا خواهند نمود.

برنامه‌های انگلیسی برای بزرگسالان و جوانان و نوجوانان و کودکان مثل هر سال دایر خواهد بود. تاریخ کنفرانس ۳۰ آگوست تا ۲ سپتامبر ۲۰۰۱ است و محل آن در هتل ویندام شمال غرب شیکاگو است Wyndham Northwest Chicago Hotel, 400 Park Boulevard, Itasca, IL 60143 برای رزرو اطاق لطفاً با این شماره ۷۷۳-۴۰۰۰-۶۳۰-۱ مستقیماً با هتل تماس بگیرید. از هنرمندانی که علاقه مند هستند آثار هنری خود را در کنفرانس به نمایش بگذارند دعوت میشود که بوسیله شماره‌های زیر با انجمن تماس بگیرند: ۸۴۷-۷۳۳-۳۵۲۸ و ۸۴۷-۷۳۳-۳۵۳۱

یادآوری

۱- لطفاً به هزینۀ نام‌نویسی تا آخر جولای و در محل کنفرانس توجه فرمائید:

	تا آخر جولای	در محل کنفرانس
بزرگسالان (بالای ۱۲ سال)	۴۰ دلار	۴۵ دلار
خردسالان (۳ تا ۱۲ سال)	۵۰ دلار	۵۰ دلار
تور شیکاگو	۱۵ دلار	بلیط در محل بفروش نمی‌رسد

۲- برای رزرو اطاق در هتل محل کنفرانس لطفاً هرچه زودتر مستقیماً بوسیله شمارۀ ۷۷۳-۴۰۰۰-۶۳۰-۱ با هتل تماس بگیرید تا بتوانید از نرخ مخصوص کنفرانس (شبی ۸۲ دلار) استفاده کنید. لطفاً در تماس با هتل متذکر شوید که برای شرکت در کنفرانس فرهنگ ایرانی Persian Arts Conference اطاق میگیرید که Baha’i National Center مسؤول آن است.

۳- نشانی پستی انجمن به این شرح است: Baha’i National Center, Persian-American Affairs Office, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201

برگ نام نویسی برای شرکت در یازدهمین کنفرانس سالانه انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی ۳۰ آگوست - ۲ سپتامبر ۲۰۰۱

نام و نام خانوادگی _____________________ شمارۀ تلفن _____________________

نام همراهان ___________________________________________________________

تعداد بزرگسال (سن ۱۲ به بالا) ________ تعداد کودکان (سن ۳ تا ۱۱) ________

نحوۀ پرداخت: چک (لطفاً شماره چک را نیز بنویسید) ________ مبلغ پرداختی ________

ویزا --- مستر کارت --- شمارۀ کارت ________________ تاریخ انقضاء اعتبار کارت ________

مبلغ پرداختی ________ امضاء صاحب کارت __________________________

برگ نام‌نویسی برای دیدار از اماکن تاریخی بهائی در شیکاگو

پنجشنبه ۳۰ آگوست (۱۲ تا ۵ بعد از ظهر) --- یا دوشنبه ۳ سپتامبر (۹ صبح تا ۲ بعد از ظهر)-----

(لطفاً ناهار خود را همراه بیاورید)

تعداد نفرات (نفری ۱۵ دلار) __________________________________________

نام و نام خانوادگی _________________________________________________

تلفن: __________________________________________________________

نام و نام خانوادگی همراهان ___________________________________________

طریقه پرداخت: چک (لطفاً شماره چک را بنویسید) --------- کل مبلغ پرداختی --------

ویزا --- مستر کارت --- شمارۀ کارت _____________________________________

چک --- کل مبلغ پرداختی ________________ تاریخ انقضاء اعتبار کارت ________

امضاء صاحب کارت __________________________

انجمن ادب و هنر در آکادمی لندگ، سوئیس

۱۳ تا ۱۹ آگوست ۲۰۰۱

سیزدهمین مجمع سالانه انجمن ادب و هنر به مطالعه حیات و آثار و خدمات عارف و فاضل بزرگ صدر امر جناب آقا محمد فاضل قائنی که از قلم اعلی به نبیل اکبر ملقب گردیده اختصاص داده شده است.

در این دوره جمعی از فضلا و محققین بهائی جنبه‌های مختلف حیات این بزرگ‌مرد تاریخ بهائی را مورد بررسی قرار خواهند داد.

سخنرانی‌های دیگری نیز در زمینۀ ادب و هنر ایران ایراد خواهد شد و شبها جلسات شعر خوانی، موسیقی ایرانی یا نمایش فیلم فارسی برگزار میشود. از یاران و دوستان ایرانی مقیم آمریکای شمالی صمیمانه دعوت میکنیم که در این مجمع سالانه شرکت فرمایند.

برای نام‌نویسی و ذخیره جا با آکادمی لندگ تماس حاصل فرمائید: Landegg Academy, CH 9405 Wienacht, Switzerland Tel.: 011-4171-898-0505 Fax: 011-4171-898-0500 Email:

مجلۀ پیام بهائی

قابل توجه مشترکین عزیز

مشترکین مقیم آمریکای شمالی لطفاً وجوه اشتراک سالانه را در وجه Baha’i Services Fund و به نشانی ذیل ارسال فرمایند: Baha’i National Center, Persian-American Affairs Office, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201

انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی

FRIENDS OF PERSIAN CULTURE

اطلاعات در بارۀ کنفرانس سالانه انجمن ۱- شرکت کنندگان برای حرکت از فرودگاه به هتل ویندام میتوانند از وسائل زیر استفاده کنند: My Chauffeur Limousine Service (847) 294-5060

نرخ سرویس "مای شوفر" از فرودگاه اوهر به هتل ویندام به این شرح است: برای یک نفر ۱۷ دلار برای دو نفر، نفری ۱۳ دلار برای سه نفر، نفری ۱۲ دلار برای چهار نفر، نفری ۱۰ دلار

همچنین میتوانید برای اطلاعات بیشتر به شماره عمومی این شرکت تماس بگیرید: ۶۲۰۰-۲۴۴-۸۰۰-۱

800-22-UNITE

همانگونه که خوانندگان عزیز آگاهی دارند، مدتی است شماره تلفنی مجانی برای علاقه مندان به کسب اطلاعات دربارۀ امر بهائی در دسترس آنان قرار گرفته است. پیام‌هائی که برخی از علاقه مندان بر دستگاه پیام گیر بهائی می گذارند، بسیار جالب و شنیدنی است. شرح مختصر دو پیام را می‌توان در صفحات انگلیسی مطالعه کرد. [Page 39]

لوح ابن الذئب

EPISTLE TO THE SON OF THE WOLF

همانگونه که خوانندگان عزیز آگاهی دارند، محفل روحانی ملی هر سال اثر یا آثاری از طلعات قدسیه امر مبارک برای مطالعه احباء معین می کند و از دوستان دعوت می نماید که با دقت آن را بررسی فرمایند.

یکی از این آثار مبارکه لوح ابن الذئب خطاب به شیخ محمد تقی اصفهانی مشهور به آقا نجفی است.

این لوح مبارک از مهم ترین آثار حضرت بهاء‌الله است که در آن حجت الهی را بر مخاطب لوح تمام فرموده اند. قسمتی از لوح برهان نیز که خطاب به "ذئب" و "رقشاء" نازل شده در این لوح نقل گردیده است. منظور از "ذئب" پدر آقا نجفی، شیخ باقر و مراد از "رقشاء" میر محمد حسین، امام جمعه اصفهان است.

جناب اشراق خاوری اظهار داشته است که "لوح ابن الذئب را یکی از احبای اصفهان به طور ناشناس بر سجاده شیخ محمد تقی گذاشت و او بر حقیقت آن لوح مطلع شد."

"شیخ محمد تقی به قدری خونخوار و لدود در عداوت امرالله بود که در مجلس ظل السلطان حاکم اصفهان - پسر ناصرالدین شاه قاجار - و در محضر علمای اصفهان آستین های خود را بالا زد و فریاد کشید که «من حاضرم با دست های خود این دو سید بهائی را (سلطان الشهداء و محبوب الشهداء) به قتل برسانم.» مراتب تزویر و ریاکاری و خباثت طینت او بیرون از حد و حساب است و جمعی از احبای الهی مانند سلطان الشهداء و محبوب الشهداء و میرزا اشرف آباده ای و ملا کاظم طالخونچه ای و حاجی حیدر و حاجی کلب علی نجف آبادی و غیرهم به فتوای او و فرمان ظل السلطان به شهادت رسیدند."

دو شرح مفصل بر این لوح مبارک نوشته شده است. یکی کتاب "لئالی درخشان" در شرح لوح شیخ و سلطان، ‎تالیف تألیف‎ متصاعد الی الله جناب محمد علی فیضی و دیگر قاموسی است که جناب اشراق خاوری در توضیح این لوح مبارک تدوین نموده است. علاقه مندان را به رجوع به آن دو کتاب دعوت می کنیم.

ناگفته نماند که این لوح از جمله آثاری است که حضرت ولی امرالله به زبان انگلیسی ترجمه فرموده اند.

کلاس های فشرده تدریس فارسی

INTENSIVE PERSIAN COURSE

دفتر امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی در نظر دارد با همکاری مؤسسه ویلمت بار دیگر کلاس های فشرده ای برای تدریس زبان فارسی در تابستان امسال دائر کند. کلاس های مذکور در سطح مقدماتی (برای کسانی که قادر به تکلم به زبان فارسی باشند) و متوسطه و عالی تشکیل خواهد شد. در کلاس عالی آثار بهائی به زبان فارسی تدریس می شود. کلاس های مذکور در صورتی تشکیل خواهد شد که دست کم ۱۰ نفر برای هر کلاس نام نویسی کنند. شاگردان هفته ای ۶ روز و روزی ۵ ساعت در کلاس خواهند بود. جهت تأثیر بیشتر فعالیت های فرهنگی نیز در برنامه کلاس ها گنجانده شده است.

کلاس های فشرده فارسی از ۲۸ جولای تا ۱۱ آگست سال جاری همزمان با دوره تابستانه مؤسسه ویلمت در اوانستون Evanston نزدیک مشرق الاذکار دائر خواهد بود. شاگردان کلاس خواهند توانست از خوابگاه Kendall College استفاده نمایند.

شهریه هر یک از این کلاس های دوهفته ای ۳۰۰ دلار است. خرج خوابگاه برای اتاق دو نفره شبی ۲۸ دلار و اتاق یک نفره شبی ۵۰ دلار است. خرج خوراک اضافه بر شهریه و خوابگاه است.

علاقه مندان می توانند برای دریافت کردن اطلاعات بیشتر با دفتر امور احبای ایرانی/آمریکائی تماس حاصل نمایند.

شماره تلفن: ۳۵۲۶-۷۳۳-(۸۴۷)

اخراج از آمریکا

DEPORTATION

تغییراتی که در قوانین مهاجرتی ایالات متحده صورت گرفته، امکان اخراج افرادی را که تبعه این کشور نباشند، بیشتر کرده است.

در صورتی که افراد غیر تبعه از طریق دادگاه اثبات شود که مرتکب جرم ها و جنایت های مشخصی شده باشند، حکم اخراج آنها از ایالات متحده صادر خواهد شد. در این صورت افراد مذکور یا به کشور محل تولد خود فرستاده می شوند یا به کشوری که آنان را بپذیرد.

در صورتی که فرد غیرتبعه ای از ایالات متحده اخراج شود، چندین سال نخواهد توانست به آمریکا بازگردد حتی اگر افراد خانواده اش تبعه آمریکا باشند.

برخی از اعمالی که ارتکاب به آن باعث اخراج می شود، در صورتی که منجر به محکومیت فرد به یکسال زندان یا بیشتر شود، عبارت است از:

۱. در اختیار داشتن اسلحه بدون مجوز قانونی، حتی اگر اسلحه در اتومبیل فرد باشد. ۲. فروش اسلحه ۳. ضرب و جرح همسر یا نامزد (یا دوست دختر، دوست پسر) ۴. تعقیب و ایجاد مزاحمت برای کسی ۵. آزار کودکان یا عدم توجه به فرزندان ۶. سرقت اتومبیل ۷. دزدیدن کالا از فروشگاهها ۸. سرقت ۹. سرنشین اتومبیلی بودن که راننده آن مرتکب کار خلاف قانون شود ۱۰. روسپیگری و سروکار داشتن با یک روسپی ۱۱. جنگ و دعوا مخصوصاً با استفاده از اسلحه ۱۲. آدم دزدی، دزدیدن دختری برای ازدواج با او ۱۳. بکار بردن، فروختن یا حتی در اختیار داشتن مقدار کمی مواد مخدر ۱۴. تجاوز جنسی یا حتی تماس جنسی با کسی که کمتر از ۱۸ سال دارد ولو با رضایت آن شخص ۱۵. دروغ گفتن به پلیس یا به قاضی درباره هویت خود ۱۶. استفاده از اوراق جعلی یا نام ساختگی برای استخدام ۱۷. چک بی محل کشیدن ۱۸. در جرایم گروههای جنایت کار شرکت داشتن ۱۹. تهدید به ضرب یا قتل ۲۰. رانندگی در حال مستی

انتشارات جدید

NEW PUBLICATIONS

دانش و بینش (۲) انجمن ادب و هنر انگلستان دومین مجلد از مجموعه "دانش و بینش" را که حاوی مقالات دوره جناب اشراق خاوری است، منتشر ساخته است. مقالات این مجموعه که در واقع بازنوشته تقریرات سخنرانان است عبارت است از: چند یادداشت از جناب اشراق خاوری (دکتر وحید رأفتی)؛ خصوصیات اخلاقی جناب اشراق خاوری (جناب صالح مولوی نژاد)؛ کودک در ادبیات بهائی (دکتر شاپور راسخ)؛ انسان از دیدگاه آئین بهائی (دکتر ایرج ایمن)؛ عرفان (دکتر فرهنگ جهانپور)؛ زنان در ادبیات فارسی (خانم باهره راسخ)؛ کمال الملک و نقاشی نوین (مهندس عبدالحمید اشراق)؛ ‎قاموش قاموس‎ لوح شیخ (دکتر هوشنگ مهرآسا)؛ طنزسرائی و طنزگوئی (مهندس بهروز جباری).

آشنائی با سه کتاب آسمانی این کتاب را آقای فریبرز سبحانی تألیف کرده است. در ورقه ای که در معرفی کتاب ارسال شده، آمده است که در این کتاب مطالب مهمی از سه کتاب تورات و انجیل و قرآن در یک مجموعه جمع آوری شده و پاسخ به پرسش های مهم دوستان کلیمی و مسیحی و مسلمان در ارتباط با کتب آسمانی آنان داده شده است. مواردی که باعث عدم اقبال پیروان آن ادیان به دیانت بهائی بوده، با ارائه دلائل و ذکر مآخذ آنها توضیح داده شده و قسمت های مهمی از پیش گوئی های کتب آسمانی قبل و تحقق آنها ذکر گردیده است. همچنین در این کتاب رؤوس مسائل مهم تبلیغی و توضیح هر یک مذکور شده است.

علاقه مندان می توانند کتاب های بالا را از ناشرین بهائی خریداری فرمایند. ۱. مؤسسه معارف بهائی به زبان فارسی در کانادا (۹۰۵) ۶۲۸-۳۰۴۰ ۲. مؤسسه ایمجز اینترنشنال ۴۵۲۵-۸۷۰ (۴۲۳)

معلمان زبان در کنفرانس مطالعات بهائی

LANGUAGE TEACHERS AT ABS CONFERENCE

اولین گردهم آئی بین المللی بهائیانی که معلم زبانند در کنفرانس مطالعات بهائی صورت خواهد گرفت. کنفرانس مذکور از ۳۱ آگست تا ۳ سپتامبر در هتل Sheraton در شهر سياتل تشکیل خواهد شد.

در جلسه معلمان درباره طرح برنامه تدریس زبان انگلیسی که ملهم از تعالیم امری باشد تأکید خواهد شد.

از معلمان زبان های گوناگون و نیز کسانی که به تدریس زبان به ویژه انگلیسی علاقه مند باشند، دعوت می شود در جلسه مذکور شرکت فرمایند.

برای اطلاعات بیشتر به صفحه ۳۳ این نشریه رجوع فرمائید. [Page 40]نقشه ده ساله ساخته شد. بیت العدل اعظم در ادامه این مسیر، به بنای معابد پاناما سیتی، اپیا و دهلی نو اقدام کردند. اما مرحله قاره‌ای هنوز اکمال نیافته و یک بنای دیگر باید ساخته شود. با سرور و شکرانه در این ایام مبارک و فرخنده، تصمیم بر اجرای این آخرین طرح را اعلام می‌داریم. در طی نقشه پنجساله، بنای ام‌المعابد آمریکای جنوبی در سانتیاگو، پایتخت شیلی، شروع خواهد شد و به این ترتیب آمال قلبی حضرت ولی امرالله که بالصراحه مطرح شده بود، تحقق خواهد یافت.

۱۰- در این ضمن، زمان برداشتن قدم‌های بیشتر در مرکز جهانی برای توسعه اقدامات مؤسساتی که در ابنیه جدید قوس استقرار می‌یابند، مساعد و مناسب خواهد بود. دارالتبلیغ بین‌المللی به نحوی بارز در کار خود پیشرفت کرده است. حال به طور اخص توجه به سازماندهی امور مرکز مطالعه نصوص و الواح معطوف خواهد شد. پر بار کردن و غنی ساختن ترجمه‌های متون مقدسه به انگلیسی، هدف خاص این توجهات است. هدف این مؤسسه مساعدت به بیت العدل اعظم در مراجعه و مطالعه آثار مبارکه و تهیه ترجمه‌ها و تحریر شرح و تحشیه بر متون موثق و معتبر امری است. مضافاً، در ارض اقدس، مساعی مستمر به تمهید مقدماتی مبذول خواهد شد تا ازدیاد تعداد زائرین و بازدید کنندگان مرکز جهانی بهائی را میسر سازد.

۱۱- پنج سال قبل، در پیام رضوان، انعقاد جلسه‌ای عظیم در مرکز جهانی را اعلام داشتیم تا نشانه اکمال طرح‌های جبل کرمل و افتتاح طبقات مقام حضرت اعلی به روی عموم مردم باشد. حال آن لحظه فرا رسیده و در کمال وجد و شعف منتظریم تا از احبای الهی که بدون اغراق از جمیع ممالک عالم خواهند آمد و در برنامه‌هایی که مدت پنج روز از ۲۱ تا ۲۵ مه ادامه خواهد داشت شرکت خواهند نمود، استقبال نمائیم. همچنین با سرور تمام اعلام می‌داریم که اقداماتی انجام شده است تا، از طریق پخش زنده برنامه‌های مزبور به وسیله شبکه جهانی اینترنت و نیز ماهواره، عالم بهائی را با این مراسم مرتبط سازیم. اطلاعات مربوط به این اقدامات در دست تهیه است. در حالی که مرکز جهانی مشغول تمهید مقدمات مربوط به این مراسم است، در میان عامه نفوس حیفا، شور و هیجان اوج میگیرد. مقامات شهرداری تهیه کتابی تحت عنوان "مرقد بهائی و حدائق جبل کرمل در حیفا، اسرائیل: یک سفر دیدنی" را متعهد شده‌اند که همزمان با این مراسم انتشار خواهد یافت. بعلاوه، مقامات اداره پست اسرائیل به اجرای تصمیم این مؤسسه به انتشار همزمان یک قطعه تمبر یادگاری در ارتباط با طبقات مقام اعلی مبادرت می‌نمایند. اهمیت این واقعه اساساً در تأملی است که برای بررسی فاصله قابل توجهی که امر مبارک در طی قرن بیستم در جریان ترقی و تقدم خود طی نموده، فراهم می‌آورد. این ایام، زمان مناسبی نیز برای تفکر و توجه به تأثیرات بعدی توفیقات خارق العاده‌ای است که ارتفاع ابنیه عظیم و جاودانی جبل مقدس خداوند بر آن دلالت دارد، ارتفاعی که مراکز روحانی و اداری امر مبارک را در معرض نظارت اهل عالم قرار می‌دهد.

۱۲- حال که جامعه بهائی از این ملاحظات تکان دهنده و مهیج مشحون از حبور است، جمیع احباء باید در نظر داشته باشند که فرصتی برای قناعت و اکتفا، به شکوه افتخارات گذشته وجود ندارد. وضعیت اسفناک جامعه بشری وخیم‌تر و بحرانی‌تر از آن است که در عرضه مائده حیات، که در این عصر و زمان از آسمان نازل شده است، لحظه‌ای درنگ نمائیم. لهذا، در پیشرفت جریانی که وعده توفیق در ظهور طلیعه ضیافت رتب الجنود به روی جمیع نفوسی که مشتاق مائده حقیقت هستند می‌دهد، نباید ادنی تأخیری روا گردد.

۱۳- امید آن که نفس مقدسی که مراقب سرنوشت نظام الهی خویش است، مساعی و مجهودات شما را برای تحقق وظایفی فوری که در پیش رو است، هدایت، دلالت و تأیید فرماید.

بیت العدل اعظم

۱. Century of Light ۲. Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity ۳. Baha’i World News Service (BWNS)

ترجمه پیام بیت العدل اعظم

خطاب به محفل روحانی ملی بهائیان کانادا مورخ ۲۵ اپریل ۲۰۰۱

که با وسائط الکترونیک مخابره شده است Persian Translation of the E-Mail Message of the Universal House of Justice Dated April 25, 2001, to National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Canada

از خبر صعود خادمه محبوب امر الهی امة الله روحانیه خانم ورقاً عمیقاً متأثریم. حال که روح پرفتوح آن متصاعده الی‌الله از مصائب این جهان فانی آسوده گشته بدون تردید بیش از همیشه به عزیزانش نزدیک شده است. لطفاً مراتب تسلیت صمیمانه ما را به همه افراد خانواده و مخصوصاً فرزندان آن متصاعده الی‌الله ابلاغ نمائید. مراتب همدردی خود را حضور ایادی امرالله جناب دکتر علیمحمد ورقا ابراز نموده و در اعتاب مقدسه برای ارتقاء روح همسر عزیزشان در ملکوت ابهی دعا می‌کنیم.

بیت العدل اعظم

کتاب اقدس

همان طور که در شماره ۲۶ فبروری ۲۰۰۱ نشریه آمریکن بهائی اشاره گردیده، تا کنون ترجمه کتاب مستطاب اقدس به ۱۳ زبان در کتابخانه کنگره دولت امریکا نگاهداری می‌شود. اکنون مژده می‌دهیم که اصل عربی این کتاب مستطاب همراه با توضیحات و حواشی به زبان عربی اخیراً منتشر شده است.

این کتاب برای یاران و متحریان حقیقت عربی زبان و دیگر علاقه‌مندان و آشنایان به زبان عربی هدیه نفیسی است، هدیه‌ای که خداوند منّان بر بندگان خود ارزانی فرموده است.

شایسته است که این کتاب مبارک تزیین خانه‌های یاران الهی گردد و جوامع بهائی آن را در کتابخانه امری و همچنین کتابخانه‌های عمومی شهرشان برای استفاده همگان مهیا کنند.

برای تهیه این کتاب و نیز متن کتاب مستطاب اقدس با حواشی فارسی با مؤسسه انتشارات بهائی در آتلانتا تماس بگیرید: Baha’i Distribution Services, 4703 Fulton Industrial Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30336-0119 تلفن ۸۰۰-۹۹۹-۹۰۱۹-۱ قیمت هر نسخه با جلد زرکوب اعلی ۳۰ دلار است.

مؤسسه ویلمت

WILMETTE INSTITUTE

کلاس‌های مکاتبه‌ای

رساله مدنیه (از اول جولای تا ۳۰ سپتامبر) در این کلاس رساله مدنیه حضرت عبدالبهاء که در سال ۱۸۷۵ میلادی صادر شده است، بررسی می‌گردد. محفل روحانی ملی رساله مدنیه را برای مطالعه احبای آمریکا در نیمه دوم سال ۲۰۰۱ معین کرده است.

تزیید معلومات درباره مسیحیت (از ۱۵ جون تا ۱۵ سپتمبر) موضوع مباحث این کلاس عبارت خواهد بود از: پیدایش مسیحیت، حیات حضرت مسیح، ترکیب اناجیل، نظام تعالیم مسیحی، تفرقه و انشعاب در مسیحیت، دیدگاه بهائی نسبت به مسیحیت.

معرفی مشروح امر بهائی (از اول جون تا ۳۰ آگست) این کلاس در سطح دانشگاهی طرح شده و شامل اطلاعاتی درباره تاریخ و تعالیم امر بهائی است. این برنامه برای تازه تصدیقان و کسانی طرح شده است که مایل باشند امر بهائی را به تفصیل بررسی نمایند.

موضوع کلاس‌های آینده بدین قرار است: کتاب مستطاب اقدس؛ حضرت عبدالبهاء، مثل اعلای تعالیم بهائی؛ آثار حضرت بهاءالله؛ پرورش و رشد جسمانی و فکری و عاطفی و روحانی افراد؛ کتاب مقدس

علاقه مندان می‌توانند برای کسب اطلاعات بیشتر با دفتر مؤسسه ویلمت تماس حاصل نمایند. شماره تلفن: [945-6388] 877-Wilmette

روی جلد کتاب اقدس، متن و شرح و حواشی به عربی

صفحات ۱ و ۲ از کتاب که تذهیب شده است [Page 41]

ترجمه پیام بیت‌العدل اعظم

Persian Translation of the Message of the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the World Ridvan 2001

رضوان ۱۵۸ بدیع

احبای عالم طرّاً ملاحظه نمایند

یاران عزیز محبوب

۱- با قلوبی مملو از سرور و مشحون از امید، در نقطهٔ عطفی از زمان که تفکّری جدید و اندیشه‌ای بدیع در جمیع ما مشهود و نمایان است، به ایّام رضوان واصل می‌گردیم. در جامعهٔ جهانی ما، آگاهی و وقوف بر ارزش مبادرت به عمل، لزوم برنامه‌ریزی، و فضیلت اقدام سیستماتیک در تشویق و ترویج رشد و نیز گسترش منابع انسانی، که به وسیلهٔ آن می‌توان توسعه را پایدار ساخت و تحکیم را تضمین نمود، به نحوی مبسوط و گسترده وجود دارد. درک معقول و منطقی نسبت به این مقتضیات ترقّی و تقدّم را نتوان حقیر شمرد و اهمیّت تداوم و استمرار بخشیدن به آنها را از طریق آموزش منظّم نتوان قلیل دانست. وصول جامعهٔ امر به چنین موقفی از آگاهی، برای ما واقعه‌ای بسیار مهم به شمار می‌رود. مراتب امتنان عمیق خود را به ساحت جمال مبارک تقدیم می‌داریم که در بدایت نقشه عظیم و جامع الاطراف جهانی، که در این ایّام جشن و سرور افتتاح می‌گردد، می‌توانیم این لحظه خطیر را درک کنیم و مورد تحسین قرار دهیم.

۲- قدرت اراده که منبعث از این آگاهی است وجه متمایز مؤتمر مشاورین قارّه‌ای و اعضاء هیأت‌های معاونت بود که در ماه ژانویهٔ گذشته در ارض اقدس اجتماع نمودند. این جلسه موجد تجربه‌ای آنچنان مشعشع بود که دلالت بر ورود امر مبارک به عهدى جدید و آغاز مرحلهٔ پنجم از عصر تکوین داشت. چنین طراوت و قدرت حیاتی که در این اجتماع تاریخی به عرصهٔ شهود رسید، دالّ بر ظهور و بروز کیفیّت متعالی فعّالیّت در سراسر جامعه است. تعقیب اصول ضروریّه برای پیشرفت جریان دخول افواج مقبلین در سال گذشته، این ملاحظات را تأیید نمود و به این ترتیب راه را برای نقشهٔ پنجساله، اوّلین مرحلهٔ خطیر ورود به عهد پنجم را، هموار ساخت.

۳- با ازدیاد مساعی عظیمهٔ نقشهٔ چهارسالهٔ گذشته که بیش از سیصد مؤسّسهٔ آموزشی را به عرصهٔ وجود آورد، نقشهٔ دوازده ماهه به اهداف خود نائل آمد. با عکس‌العمل‌های مثبت و قابل توجّه مؤسّسات و آحاد نفوس به دعوت برای تمرکز بیشتر و توجّه افزونتر به پرورش روحانی اطفال و وارد ساختن نوجوانان به حیات جامعهٔ بهائی، این نقشه اهمیّت یافت. آموزش مربّیان کلاس‌های اطفال و وارد ساختن نوجوانان در جریان مؤسّسات آموزشی بخش منظّم فعّالیّت امری در تعدادی از ممالک شده است. نقشهٔ دوازده ماهه، علیرغم کوتاهی دورهٔ آن، اهمیّتی ورای اهدافی داشت که به طور اخصّ برای آن تعیین شده بود. این نقشه حلقهٔ ارتباطی بین عهدی پر ماجرا در تاریخ امر بهائی و دورنمای بسیار نویدبخش عهدی جدید بود، که دستاوردهای حاصله برای این عهد جدید، جامعه را به طور کامل آماده ساخت و به علّت تأثیرات پایدار فعّالیّت‌های امری در انتهای قرن بیستم، در تاریخ امر مبارک جاودانه گردید. قرن بیستم قرنی است که شایسته است هر فرد بهائی مایل به درک قوای پرآشوب و ناآرام که بر حیات کرهٔ ارض و جریانات امر مبارک در برهه‌ای خطیر از تکامل اجتماعی و روحانی عالم انسانی تأثیر گذاشته است، در بارهٔ آن تأمّل و تفکّر نماید. رسالهٔ قرن نور (۱)، که قرن بیستم را مورد بررسی قرار می‌دهد، به عنوان کمک به جهدی چنین بلیغ، به تقاضا و تحت نظر ما تهیه و تدوین گردید.

۴- در بسیاری از مواقع در طیّ این یک سال بذل سعی و کوشش، فعّالیّت‌های امور خارجی جامعهٔ امر بخصوص قابل مشاهده بود. فی المثل، مواردی را در نظر آورید که نمایندگان بهائی در جلسات هزاره، که در ماه‌های مه، اوت و سپتامبر بنا به تشویق دبیر کلّ سازمان ملل متّحد تشکیل شد، به نحوی بارز و برجسته شرکت کردند. درک کامل اثرات بعدی مشارکت چنین نزدیک و متمایز جامعهٔ بین‌المللی بهائی در جریانات صلح اصغر مستلزم گذشت زمان است. از جمله وقایع برجسته، جلسهٔ بحث و مذاکرهٔ قارّه‌ای بود که توسط مؤسّسه مطالعات رفاه جهانی (۲)، سازمانی جدید که تحت توجّهات جامعهٔ بین‌المللی بهائی فعّالیّت می‌کند، در هندوستان منعقد گردید. وجه بارز این کنفرانس که تحت عنوان "علم، دین و توسعه" تشکیل شد، شرکت سازمان‌های مترقّی غیر دولتی هندوستان و نیز مؤسّسات مشهوری چون یونسکو، یونیسف، سازمان بهداشت جهانی و بانک جهانی در آن بود. در ماه اکتبر سرویس خبری جهانی بهائی (۳) با این هدف در اینترنت شروع به کار کرد که گزارش‌های جدید در خصوص پیشرفت‌های حاصله در سراسر عالم بهائی را به اطّلاع مستمعین و بینندگان بهائی و غیربهائی برساند.

۵- فعّالیّت‌های فشرده در مرکز جهانی بهائی در طیّ سال گذشته، که عمدهٔ در پیام‌های گذشته به اطّلاع یاران رسید، شامل موفّقیّت در استقرار دارالتبلیغ بین‌المللی در مقرّ دائمی خود بر روی جبل کرمل؛ مؤتمر مشاورین قارّه‌ای و اعضاء هیأت‌های معاونت منعقده در ژانویهٔ گذشته در ارض اقدس؛ و اکمال و اتمام طرح‌های جبل کرمل بود که هم اکنون مراحل اخیر آماده‌سازی را برای جشن‌های تجلیل در ماه مه طی می‌کند. در ماه اکتبر گذشته، برای اوّلین مرتبه، زائرین و مسافرین در مرکز جدید اجتماع زائرین در حیفا، که کاملاً مورد بهره‌برداری قرار گرفته است، پذیرفته شدند. در بهجی تزیین و تنسیق مقام مقدّس، با توسعهٔ حدائق به طور مستمرّ ادامه یافته است، در عین حال، مساعی مزبور با طرحی جدید که سال گذشته برای بنای مرکز اجتماع زائرین در انتهای شمالی اراضی وراء باب کالینز شروع شد، تقویت گردید. این بنا که طبق برنامه، در طیّ چند ماه آینده اکمال خواهد یافت، ساختمانش به اتمام رسیده و کار در جمیع زمینه‌ها، از جمله اتمام جزئیات و باغچه بندی اطراف آن در حال پیشرفت است. تسهیلات جدید امکان پذیرایی از تعداد فزاینده‌ای از زائرین، مسافرین بهائی، و میهمانان مخصوص را فراهم خواهد آورد.

۶- در انتهای خلاصه مجهودات سال گذشته، با سرور و حبور به اطّلاع می‌رسانیم که بعد از گذشت قریب سی سنه، محفل روحانی ملّی بهائیان اندونزی در کانونشن ملّی منعقده در رضوان گذشته در جاکارتا مجدداً تشکیل گردید. ممنوعیّت تحمیل شده بر فعّالیّت‌های امری در ماه اوت سال ۱۹۶۲ اقدامات احبای اندونزی را در تمام آن اوقات شدیداً محدود ساخت، اما آنها در تمام طول مدّت آلام و رنج‌ها، با رعایت حکمت استقامت نمودند تا در کشور مزبور شرایط متحوّل گردید و به رفع ممنوعیّت منجر شد. لهذا، آیا نباید به خود جرأت داده امیدوار باشیم که وصول گزارش مسرور کنندهٔ مشابهی در ارتباط با برادران روحانی و ایمانی ستمدیدهٔ خود در ایران، مصر و سایر ممالک چندان دور نخواهد بود؟

۷- احبای عزیز، دو دههٔ دیگر، عالم بهائی صدمین سال آغاز عصر تکوین را جشن خواهد گرفت. از موضع مساعد حصول موفّقیّت‌هایی که در ابتدا به زحمت قابل تصوّر بود، به طلوع عصر تکوین می‌نگریم. در پیش روی ما افق‌هایی متعالی قرار گرفته است که جامعه را به سوی انتصارات هر چه بیشتر در برههٔ ایّام قلیلی که آن را از جشن‌های مئوی جدا می‌سازد، فرا می‌خواند. به این آفاق متعالیه می‌توان و باید صعود نمود. مقصود از نقشهٔ پنجساله، که توجّه فوری و مستمرّ یاران الهی در سراسر عالم را به آن جلب می‌کنیم، تحقّق وصول به همین افق‌ها است. این نقشه شامل اوّلین مرحله از یک دسته اقدامات و فعّالیّت‌هایی است که در طیّ این بیست سال تعقیب خواهد شد. این نقشه مرحلهٔ آتی در تحقّق هدف پیشرفت بارز در جریان دخول افواج مقبلین است که مستلزم سرعت بخشیدن به این جریان حیاتی است و بعلاوه بر استمرار مساعی سیستماتیک از سوی مجریان سه‌گانهٔ آن، یعنی آحاد احبّاء، تشکیلات و جامعه تأکید می‌کند.

۸- نیازی به شرح و بسط شرایط لازم برای نقشه نیست، زیرا این نکات در پیام ما به مشاورین مجتمع در ارض اقدس مطرح گردید و متعاقباً به اطّلاع جمیع محافل روحانی ملّی رسید. اعضاء هیأت‌های مشاورین، بلافاصله بعد از اتمام مؤتمر خود، مشاورات با محافل ملّیه در حوزهٔ فعّالیّت خود را برای اجرای نقشه شروع کردند. لهذا، جهت و مسیر نقشه برای یاران الهی در جمیع نقاط معلوم و واضح است، زیرا تمهیدات منطقه‌ای و محلّی برای تعقیب هدف عمدهٔ آن فراهم گردیده است. تاکنون آگاهی کلّی حاصل شده است که مجهودات لازم به عمل خواهد آمد تا امر مبارک در نواحی بیشتری در داخل ممالک نفوذ و رسوخ عمیق‌تر یابد. فی المثل، در هر نقطه ای که مقتضیات اجازه دهد، جوامع محلّی که در مجاورت یکدیگر قرار دارند، تشویق و ترغیب خواهند شد تا در برنامه‌های فشرده و متمرکز جهت رشد مشارکت کنند. سایر اقدامات مستلزم فتح مناطق جدید است که مهاجرین داخلی باید برای حصول آن با روحیهٔ تقدیس و انقطاع قیام کنند، روحیه‌ای که در ایّام اوّلیه نفوسی را به هجرت خارج از اوطان برانگیخت تا نواحی غیر مفتوحه در قارّات و دریاها را فتح کنند. کافی است گفته شود جریانی که به این نقشه الهی روح حیات می‌دمد بالمال، با مطرح شدن تدریجی خصوصیّات بارز مربوطه که به طور سیستماتیک در اقدامات و عملیّات آن تلفیق خواهد شد، توسعه خواهد یافت.

۹- در صورتی که مقتضیات جوامع ملّی اجازه دهد، یکی از ویژگی‌های بارز عهد پنجم، تقویت حیات روحانی جامعه از طریق ارتفاع بنای مشارق اذکار ملّی خواهد بود. برنامهٔ زمانی این طرح‌ها، در ارتباط با پیشرفت جریان دخول افواج مقبلین در داخل هر کشور، توسط بیت‌العدل اعظم تعیین خواهد شد. این پیشرفت، در طیّ مراحل متوالی نقشهٔ ملکوتی حضرت عبدالبهاء، ظهور و بروز خواهد یافت. حضرت ولیّ امرالله، بعد از اکمال و اتمام امّ‌المعابد غرب، برنامه‌ای را برای بنای معابد قارّه‌ای آغاز کردند. اوّلین معابد عبارت از مشارق اذکار کامپالا، سیدنی و فرانکفورت بود که در تحقّق اهداف [Page 42]

Excerpts from BIC statement on eliminating prejudice and promoting unity in diversity

Geneva, Switzerland: In observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed March 21 each year, the Bahá’í International Community released a statement that was presented to Mary Robinson, the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Following are excerpts.

The coming together of the peoples of the world in a harmonious and creative relationship is the crucial need of the present hour. In the wake of advances in human knowledge which have deepened bonds of interdependence and contracted the planet, the central task now before all its inhabitants is laying the foundations of a global society that can reflect the oneness of human nature. Creating such a universal culture of collaboration and conciliation will require a return to spiritual awareness and responsibility.

More than a century ago, Bahá’u’lláh declared that humankind was entering a new era in its history when accelerating processes of unification would soon compel recognition that humanity is a single people with a common destiny... There is, He said, no possibility of achieving world peace until the fundamental principle of unity has been accepted and given practical effect in the organization of society. ...

The unity that must underpin a peaceful and just social order is a unity which embraces and honors diversity. Oneness and diversity are complementary and inseparable.... Indeed, it is precisely an inhering diversity that distinguishes unity from homogeneity or uniformity. Acceptance of the concept of unity in diversity, therefore, implies the development of a global consciousness, a sense of world citizenship, and a love for all of humanity. It induces every individual to realize that... each member of the human race is born into the world as a trust of the whole. It further suggests that... the complex and varied cultural expressions of humanity must be allowed to develop and flourish....

From this basic principle of the unity of the earth's peoples is derived virtually all concepts concerning human liberty and well-being.... [A]ll individuals must be given the opportunity to realize their inherent potential and thereby contribute to "an ever-advancing civilization."

For too much of history, the evil of racism has violated human dignity. Its influence has retarded the development of its victims, corrupted its perpetrators and blighted human progress. Overcoming its devastating effects will thus require conscious, deliberate and sustained effort. Indeed, nothing short of genuine love, extreme patience, true humility and prayerful reflection will succeed in effacing its pernicious stain from human affairs....

Clearly, the promotion of tolerance and mutual understanding among the diverse segments of the human race cannot be a passive or rhetorical exercise. All forms of provincialism, all insularities and prejudices must be directly confronted. The implementation of appropriate legal measures... and the adoption of educational initiatives should be among the first practical steps taken by all nations.

The moral leadership provided by religious communities must undoubtedly be a key component of any such effort. ... The challenge facing all religious leaders is to contemplate, with hearts filled with the spirit of compassion and a desire for truth, the plight of humanity, and to ask themselves whether they cannot, in humility before their Almighty Creator, submerge their theological differences in a great spirit of mutual forbearance that will enable them to work together for the advancement of social justice and peace. ...

Wilma Ellis-Kazemzadeh (second from right) and Firuz Kazemzadeh (center) present a Mottahedeh plate to President Mary McAleese of Ireland (second from left) as Corinne Alexander (left), chair of the Association for Bahá’í Women, and Val McGinley, treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly of Ireland, look on. The meeting took place amid a traveling teaching trip during which Dr. Ellis-Kazemzadeh delivered the keynote talk on "The Challenge of Race Unity" at an Association for Bahá’í Women conference.

For the complete text of the above statements, see the Bahá’í World News Service Web site: www.bahaiworldnews.org

The path of unity and reconciliation is the only path available to the human family. "Illumine and hallow your hearts; let them not be profaned by the thorns of hate or the thistles of malice," Bahá’u’lláh warns. "Ye dwell in one world, and have been created through the operation of one Will. Blessed is he who mingleth with all men in a spirit of utmost kindliness and love."

Excerpts from the statement 'Sustainable Development: the Spiritual Dimension'

United Nations: The Bahá’í International Community issued a statement, "Sustainable Development: the Spiritual Dimension," on April 19 for the first session of the UN Preparatory Committee of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

Held April 30-May 2 at UN headquarters in New York, the meeting was aimed at providing direction for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, to be held next year in Johannesburg, South Africa. The summit will focus on reviewing environmental progress made worldwide since the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Some nine years ago, over the course of the Earth Summit process, the governments of the world, with significant contributions from global civil society, crafted Agenda 21, a remarkably forward-looking strategy for... sustainable development worldwide.

Some nine years later, the... World Summit on Sustainable Development... has been called to "identify major constraints hindering the implementation of Agenda 21" and to "address new challenges and opportunities that have emerged since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development." It is in identifying these major constraints, challenges and opportunities that the Summit's Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) must necessarily come face to face with spiritual issues....

It is... only by bringing a focus on the spiritual dimension of human reality that development policies and programs can truly reflect the experiences, conditions and aspirations of the planet's inhabitants and elicit their heartfelt support and active participation.

On the one hand, the governments of the world have, collectively, begun to acknowledge a spiritual dimension to development. This can be seen in the global action plans that emerged from the great world conferences held in the 1990s by the United Nations.... On the other hand,... these global agreements offer little understanding of what the terms "spirituality," "spiritual vision," and "spiritual development" mean in principle or in practice.... [I]t is time to ... explore, in depth, the spiritual principles at the heart of development and to consider fully their ramifications for all stages of the development process....

Any strategies for overcoming such constraints and challenges as war, poverty, social disintegration, extreme nationalism, greed, corruption and apathy that do not take into account spiritual principles will prove ephemeral, at best. In considering new opportunities,... the PrepCom should look to the remarkable development of interfaith relations and the expansion of interfaith initiatives.... It might do so by making the topic "Sustainable Development: the Spiritual Dimension" one of the "main themes for the Summit." It could then initiate a major review of international agreements, proclamations and statements which focus on religious and spiritual values, particularly as they relate to and impact the development process....

While this review is being conducted, the PrepCom could facilitate a series of consultations involving both representatives and leaders of various religious and spiritual traditions.... The results ... should be issued as a UN document for use by the PrepCom in its deliberations.

Although these proposed efforts are modest, the world's governments would, by supporting them, be sending a clear message that they are serious about their previous commitments to incorporate spiritual considerations into the development process. More important,... the [review and consultations] would undoubtedly produce innovative ideas and approaches and might possibly generate a powerful vision based on spiritual principles—principles which, because they resonate with the human soul, have the power to motivate the sacrifices and changes that will be needed if humanity is to overcome the seemingly intractable problems it faces.

Ultimately, the creation of a peaceful and just global civilization... will require a significant reorientation of individual and collective goals and a profound transformation in attitudes and behaviors. Such far-reaching changes will come about only by addressing the non-material dimension of reality and drawing on humanity's vast spiritual resources. [Page 43]

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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

JUNE

8–10: "From Race Amity Conferences to Race Unity Dialogues" at Green Acre.

8–10: Southeast Asian Roundtable Conference at Bosch.

14–16: Four Winds Unity Gathering, Menoken 4-H Campground, Bismarck, ND. Sponsored by Spiritual Assembly of Minot, ND. For directions, camping/motel availability etc., contact Vern or Mary Longie (phone [blank], e-mail [blank]).

15–17: Appalachian Bahá’í School, Hungry Mother State Park, VA. See page 15.

16–21: Persian session: Epistle to the Son of the Wolf at Bosch.

17–21: Camp Louhelen Children’s Institute I at Louhelen.

21–24: Southern California Bahá’í School, Yucaipa, CA. See page 15.

21–24: Carmel Bahá’í School (family session), east of Portland, OR. See page 15.

22–27: Junior Youth Academy, ages 11–14, at Green Acre.

23–27: Family Session 2 (Persian/American) at Bosch.

23–27: Children’s Institute II at Louhelen.

24–27: Carmel Bahá’í School (sr. and jr. youth session), east of Portland, OR. See page 15.

27–30: Suttle Lake Bahá’í School, near Sisters, OR. See page 15.

28–July 1: Bahá’í National Conference, “Building the Kingdom for Every Man, Woman, Child and Youth,” Milwaukee, WI. See pages 1, 9.

29–July 1: Ocean of Light Conference at Bosch.

29–July 4: Persian American Bahá’í Studies at Louhelen.

29–July 4: “Consecration, Love of God and Teaching” at Green Acre.

30–July 3: Sheltering Branch Bahá’í School, south-west of Pomeroy, WA. See page 15.

JULY

1–30: Regional youth teaching projects in the Central and Southern States; sponsored by the respective Regional Bahá’í Councils. See page 38.

6–9: Florida Bahá’í School, Melbourne, FL. See page 15.

6–11: Friends and Families I at Louhelen.

6–12: “Badasht Academy” for youth grades 9–12 at Green Acre. Leads to Northeastern regional youth teaching project July 13–23.

11–15: Four Corners Bahá’í School, near Gallup, NM. See page 15.

13–15: Kalimát Bahá’í School, Dayton, OH. See page 15.

13–18: Friends and Families II at Louhelen.

16–20: Marian Steffes Bahá’í School, Brownsville, WI. See page 15.

19–22: Great Plains Bahá’í School, Peru, NE. See page 15.

20–22: Iowa Bahá’í School, Newton, IA. See page 15.

20–25: “Choral Music and Community Growth” at Louhelen.

21–25: Two programs at Green Acre: Camp Green Acre for ages 8–12; “Building a Divine Civilization Through the Arts.”

23–29: “Art and the Mystic Path,” workshop on the creative process with Bill George, Sally Cordova, Lloyd Lawrence. Little Pond Retreat Center, 92 S. Penn Dixie Road, Nazareth, PA 18064 (phone 610-837-2741, Web site www.littlepond.org). Sponsored by Spiritual Assembly of Bethlehem, PA.

27–30: Eastern Oregon Bahá’í School, near Sisters, OR. See page 15.

27–Aug. 1: Family Session at Green Acre: “Searching for Meaning—Finding it in the Hidden Words”: “The Rhythm of Bahá’í Life.”

27–Aug. 1: Youth Eagle Institute at Louhelen.

27–Aug. 1: Tiny Seed Bahá’í School, McKenna, WA. See page 15.

29–Aug. 3: John H. Wilcott Bahá’í School, near Livingston, MT. See page 15.

31–Aug. 4: Heartland Bahá’í School, Peoria, IL. See page 15.

AUGUST

2–5: Dayspring Bahá’í School, Frostburg, MD. See page 15.

3–8: Spiritual Empowerment Institute for Junior Youth at Louhelen.

8–12: Colorado East Bahá’í School, Woodland Park, CO. See page 15.

10–15: Friends and Families III at Louhelen.

15–19: William Sears Great North Woods Bahá’í School, Onamia, MN. See page 15.

15–19: Badasht Bahá’í School, west of Roseburg, OR. See page 15.

17–19: United Spiritual Gathering Councilfire at Neah Bay, WA. With Counselor Rebequa Murphy, Derek Cockshut, Reggie Newkirk. Information: Roxanna Jensen, Spiritual Assembly of Makah Reservation (phone [blank], e-mail [blank], Web http://home.centurytel.net/Nine_Star/).

17–22: Friends and Families IV at Louhelen.

24–26: North Carolina Bahá’í School, Browns Summit, NC. See page 15.

24–26: Green Lake Bahá’í Conference, Green Lake, WI. See Web site (www.greenlakebahai-conference.org).

30–Sept. 2: Friends of Persian Culture Association annual conference, Itasca, IL. See page 35.

31–Sept. 2: Bellemont Bahá’í Summer School, near Flagstaff, AZ: “The Secret of Divine Civilization.” Registration/information: Bellemont Bahá’í School, P.O. Box 2533, Flagstaff, Arizona 86003 (phone 520-526-3797).

31–Sept. 3: Association of Bahá’í Studies conference, Seattle WA. See page 33.

31–Sept. 3: Homecoming 2001 at Louhelen.

No trip to the Bahá’í House of Worship is likely to be complete without a visit to the Book Shop, as Bahá’í National Convention delegate Randie Gottlieb of Yakima, Washington, well knows. Photo by Vladimir Shilov

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

JUNE 5–JULY 12, 2001 NUR/RAHMAT • B.E. 158

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving The American Bahá’í, send all family members’ names, new address and mailing label to: Membership Office, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. If acquiring a Post Office box, your residence address (B) must be filled in. Please allow three weeks for processing. (This also updates the National Center’s database.)
A. NAME(S) 1. ____________________ ID# __________ 2. ____________________ ID# __________ 3. ____________________ ID# __________ 4. ____________________ ID# __________
B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS Street Address ________________________________________ Apartment # (if applicable) ___________________________ City __________________________________________________ State _________________________ Zip code ______________	C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS Street Address ________________________________________ Apartment # (if applicable) ___________________________ City __________________________________________________ State _________________________ Zip code ______________
D. NEW COMMUNITY Name of new Bahá’í Community ____________ Moving Date ________	E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER Area Code Phone Number Name __________ __________ __________
F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S) Area Code Phone Number Name Area Code Phone Number Name __________ __________ ____________________ __________ __________ ____________________
G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE: [ ] We do not have the same last name. We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) and ID number(s) listed above. [ ] The last names and addresses on our address labels do not match. We have listed above the full names of family members as they should appear on the national records, their ID numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy.	H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY [ ] Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy. I have listed my name, ID number and address above.