The American Bahá’í/Volume 32/Issue 8/Text

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ee

From the Arc Projects toward continuing needs

To the American Baha’i community from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States

Dearest Friends, The National Spiritual Assembly has the honor of sharing with you this message dated August 5, 2001, from the Universal House of Justice in which the Supreme Body recaptures the historic accomplishment of the completion of the Arc Projects through the sacrificial contributions of the Baha’is worldwide. The House of Justice provides us also with the results of an assessment of the present state of the international funds of the Faith to serve the increasing demands of global opportunities to promote the Faith and influence society. With loving Baha'i greetings, Juana C. Conrad

Message of the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies, dated Aug. 5, 2001

D ear Baha’{ Friends,

The Universal House of Justice has sked us to provide you with the results of an assessment of the present state and needs of the international s of the Faith which it has coned following completion of the jects on Mount Carmel.

can be no doubt that this ccomplishment, followed by the spectacular success of the ceremony marking the official opening to the public of the Te s of the Shrine of the Bab, has infused the community of the Greatest Name throughout the

world with fresh vigour and confidence as it embarks upon the Five Year Plan and seeks to advance the process of entry by troops.

Through the sacrificial contributions of the believers from all parts of the planet, sufficient funds were provided to meet the needs of this historic enterprise and permit the construction to proceed unimpeded to its conclusion. The House of Justice has decided to close the Are Projects Fund forthwith, with confidence that the funds remaining in it will suffice to meet the

Deputy Secretary-General

SEE UNIVERSAL HOUSE, PAGE 5

A message on the Sept. 11 tragedy

To the American Baha’i community from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States, Sept. 11, 2001

Dear Baha’{ Friends,

d and grief-stricken by the shame Ss of terrorist violence against innocent victims in New York, Pennand Washington. Fervently, we are praying for those who died and beseeching God to comfort the hearts of those who have lost loved oni strengthen our nation and its people to meet this h, courage, and unity.

riptures proclaim tha mission to help tate that America will evolve, through purito become a land of spiritual distinction and

fying tests and trials

SEE MESSAGE, PAGE 12

Creating ‘clusters’ of communities The National Spiritual Assembly addressed the following letter, dated July 19, 2001, to all Local Spiritual Assemblies in the

American Baha’i community, helping to clarify how Assemblies may work to create “clusters” or intercommunity partnerships.

Dear Baha'i Friends, \d you our wholehearted love and admiration, and salute 's of a kind that

existed before and for which there

Local Spiritual Assemblies are the focal centers of Baha’i activity. More than any other institution you face the challenge of making real the promises of our Faith and regulating the affairs of your local communities. Your continuous efforts to

SEE CLUSTERS, PAGE 35

Twin milestones at Louhelen

Saleef Kafajouffe’s drumming helps energize a gathering to dedicate the new Unity Hall at Louhelen Baha’i School Aug. 12, which also was observed as the school’s 70th anniversary. It was the second major construction project completed under the umbrella of the Kingdom Project. See story and photos on page 6. Photo by Jim Cheek

SEPTEMBER 27, 2001

MASHIYYAT/WILL ‘ILM/KNOWLEDGE BAHAI ERA 158

VOLUME 32, NO. 8

• l-N-S-1-D-E

MILWAUKEE, PART 2 PAGES 20—24

cS ; a3 i LOCAL EXTERNAL AFFAIRS PAGES 8-9

Money committed: $24 million

Participants: appx. 7,000 See

THE NATIONAL FUND

Received by the National Treasurer $1,349,486 received, June 2001 $1,254,739 received, July 2001

5,629 individual contibters, une 200

5,500 lina emtibts, ay 20

Excluding Kingdom Project See page 7 for details

• E-X°C-E-R°P-T'S:

“The day will soon come when the light of Divine unity will have so permeated the East and the West that no man dare any longer ignore it.” —Abdu'l-Baha

[Page 2]ALMANAC

Anniversary of the Birth of the Bab

A Baha’i Holy Day

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

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

Anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u'llah

A Baha’i Holy Day

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

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

on

Day of the Covenant

‘A Baha'i Holy Day

• Observed between sundown Nov. 25 and sundown Nov. 26
• Work is not suspended

““Abdu’l-Baha told the Baha’is that ... [May 23] was not, under any circumstances, to be celebrated as His day of birth. It was the day of the Declaration of the lusively associated with Him. But as the Baha’fs begged for a day to be celebrated as His, He gave them November 26th, to be observed as the day of the appointment of the’ Centre of the Covenant.” —H.M. Balyuzi, ‘Abdu'!-Bahd, p. 523

Regional Baha’i Councils are elected by members of Local Spiritual Assemblies on this day.

Anniversary of Ascension of ‘Abdu‘l-Baha

A Baha‘i Holy Day

• Observed Nov. 28 at 1:00 a.m.
• Work is not suspended

“It is clear how that most dire of calamities, that most great disaster which was the ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bah4, may our souls be sacrificed for His meekness, has set our hearts on fire and dissolved our very limbs and members in grief. ... No more does the ardent nightingale carol its joyous songs, and the sweet and holy melodies of the immortal dove are hushed.” —Shoghi Effendi, Bahiyyih Khdnum, pp. 148-149

Some significant dates in Baha‘i history October Oct. 10-12, 1848: Mull Husayn, journeying to the Miazindardn region of Persia on instructions from the Bab, arrived with more than 200 compa ar the town of Barfurtsh. There a band of townspeople, stirred up by a local cleric, attacked the B: Though Mullé Husayn’s company was victorious, several were slain. Suffering snipings and an attempted surprise attack, they presented an able defense and took sanctuary in the shrine of Shaykh October 1852: While imprisoned in the in Tehran, Iran, Baha’u'llih had a vision of a Maiden that told Him of His station as the Manifestation of God for this age. October 1935: The Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, wrote to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United State: (then a single Assembly), affirming that the Bah: fasting, obligatory prayers, consent of parents before marriage, monogamy and avoidance of alcoholic drinks were binding on the believers. Oct. 7-15, 1953: The Asian Intercontinental Teaching Conference, one of several conferences held to energize the 1953 n Year Crusade, was held in New Delhi, India. It was the first international Baha'i gathering in the Eas Oct. 12, 1977: The world’s first Baha’f cultural and ite tion radio station. first broadcast.

concerning social and economic development.

THE FN iat ey. Ue

James Humphrey /

Associate Editor ‘Tom Mennillo

Facilities Manager, Baha’i Media Services Artis Mebane

Contributors Wiliam Amar, Lynn Ascrzi, Nathan Brown, jim Cheek, Emily Chew, liz Donaldson, Aram Ferdowsi, Michael Frank, Anna M. Garcia, liz orden, Nis Headlam, Parca Humphry, Riki Jamala, Heather Leigh Jensen, Darius Loghmanee, Peter E. Murphy, Dirk Padld, Aimee Porter, Roger Rei, Pylis Edgerly Ring, Ray Ralph, Jim Sacco, VadinirShilov, Rubi Vargha, Miriam Newman Wiener, Lori Wisoa

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

Chicago Alderman Joe Moore (left) presents a City Council resolution honoring Azaka Ajanaku (right), who has promoted Haitian participation in local access TV.

AZAKA AJANAKU, a Baha’ in Chicago, Illinois, has been honored with the Jewell Ryan-White Cultural Diversity Award from the national Alliance for Community Media, as well as with a mayoral proclamation. Ajanaku is producer of “Unity in Diversity: C’est la Vie,” a weekly show on Chicago Access Network TV cable channel. For years, he has organized and promoted a positive presence for Haitians on local access TV.

Rosert BRIAN ForTUNA, a Baha’i in Salt Lake City, Utah, received the NBI Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award from the Medical Univers South Carolina in Charleston at this year’s commencement ceremonies. One student is selected each year for the award, to be recognized for outstanding compassion and sensitivity in delivery of care to patients and family members.

ALEX Fry, a Baha’i youth in Tulsa, Oklahoma, graduated as valedictorian of Central High School and was honored with the Great Spirit Award from the school’s alumni association. In high school he held leadership positions in JROTC, marching band and Key Club.

Lucy SHAFFER, a Baha’i youth in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was named Character Education Middle School Student of the Year for all of WinstonSalem and Forsyth County. In the presentation for this award it was noted that Lucy was the president of Student Council, a straight-A student, a peer mediator, a member of the Youth Forum on Race Relations, the National Academic League and the school chorus, a cocaptain of the volleyball team, and a volunteer at a local science museum.

LEE ANN SPARKS, a Baha’ youth Round Rock, graduated as vale torian of the class of eT 2001 at Stony Point High School, with a grade point average in excess of 4.0.

RACHEL SULLIVAN, a 10-year-old Baha’f in Burlington, Vermont, earned the academic excellence award for the third consecutive ye: outstanding female student in her class. Rachel is entering the fifth grade at John J. Flynn Elementary School.

Other honors

Academic Alexander Gregg, 7, Harper’s Ferry, WV: recipient of Principal’ Award, Departmental Award for Computer Science and Good Samaritan ‘Award at Brunswick (MD) High School.

Jibri Raspberry, Boston, MA: selected for “Who's Who in American

SOT Cn CCU gn a ac the Baha'is of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

Alexander Gregg

Colleges and Universities.”

page 2. THe AMERICAN BanA’i * ALMANAC/EXCELLENCE September 27, 2001 [Page 3]

Barrett was

at BIC helm

Former Latin America pioneer passes away

onald Morgan Barrett, who was at the helm of Baha'i negotiations that led to a historic 1987

international agreement with Israel’s gov

al House of Justice nent with fulfilling a wish ‘dian expressed in 1952 for a “concrete footing” in the relations with the government, and with paving the way for the Mount Carmel Building Projects—which were completed only this year.

Barrett and his wife, Barbara, had lived in Edmond for the past five years. Since 1951 they had relocated in s to the Baha’f Faith 22 times, often to pioneering posts in Latin America.

For nine years in the 1980s, Barrett served at the Baha’{ World Center in

Institute students

O ne of the youngest summer residential study groups in the history of the Wilmette Institute

id and J Land enthu use their new learning

Baha'is are being called to new areas of service even as they grow into new capacities, David Ruhe, a former member of the Universal House of Justice, said at the graduation dinner for the institute’s Spiritual Foundations for a ilization 2001 s

The Wilmette Institute such programs are needed, he said, to train Baha’fs “who will serve the world in a way only ii

In its sixth ye: tions program compri course of study, which a student can any year. Each year’s program combines several months’ home study with a summer session in the Wilmette, Illinois, area.

Though Spi first program, the Wilmette In blossomed into a global enterprise that counts as many as 500 students at a time studying distance-learning courses, in India, Australia and several other countries as well as the United States.

Theme for the two-week 2001 summer session at Kendall College was the physical, mental and spiritual development of the individual, with a sub-theme of marriage and family life.

Coordinated by Ramsey Zeine, faculty also included the Ruhes and Marc Greenburg of New York state, Iraj Ayman and Saba Ayman-Nolley of Illinois, Michael

seen off Aug. garet Ruhe, who

Donald Barrett was an Auxiliary Board member for propagation of the Faith in the 1970s, responsible for Michigan and Ohio.

Haifa as secretary-general of the Baha’ International Community. His wife w: editor of the Baha’i World News Serv

For seven of those years, Barrett was in charge of negotiating an agreement with the Israeli government that outlined official status for the World Center in Haifa.

Barrett was born in Bérkeley, Califor

SEE BARRETT, PAGE 32

From the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States, Aug. 3, 2001:

he news of the sudden passing of

Donald M. Barrett, a dearly loved, stalwart servant of Baha'u'llah, deeply grieves our hearts. The five decades of his dedication to the work of the Cause of God, including teaching, administrative and diplomatic activities, have left an unforgettable and exemplary record. He will surely be remembered for his pioneering exploits in South America and, with particular gratitude, for the high achievement of his many years of inde~ fatigable service at our World Centre as Secretary-General of the Baha'i International Community. Kindly convey our loving sympathy to his wife and constant supporter, Barbara, and the other members of his dear family. We are praying fervently at the Holy Threshold for the progress of his illumined soul throughout the divine worlds.

The Universal House of Justice

urged to show forth zeal, enthusiasm

ES

Penn of Pennsylvania, Habib Riazati of California, Leslie Asplund of Washington, Kim Douglas of Michigan and Robert Stockman, institute director.

For student Danton Ford, the session's greatest effect was showing him an “interdisciplinary approach to the Faith,” viewing it from social, scientific, historical, service

Margaret Ruhe (seated) obliges Wilmette Institute alumna Nancy Turner with an autograph. Photo by James Humphrey

Students Danton Ford (above), Sherry Krannichfeld (below).

and other aspects. “I know now how to further deepen in

the Writings through ... linking all the sources together to gain a larger understanding.” With hometowns in seven states stretching from ‘Tennessee to Oregon— plus Ford, a Texan pioneering in South Korea—the 12 students in this year’s session included eight first-year students,

SEE INSTITUTE, PAGE 35

“Set goals for community development and growth and evaluate them at least once every six months in consultation with community members.”

A number of Local Spiritual Assemblies have contacted the Baha’{ National Center about this aspect of the national Five Year Plan. The details of how to carry out the evaluation process, which the National Assembly views as key to implementing the learning mode, are left to Local Spiritual Assemblies to decide, in consultation with the friends in their care.

A fuller discussion of this aspect of the Plan is expected to be posted on the Administrative Web Site (www.usbnc.org)

during September.

Enrollments

enV

August 2001 ...........4. May-August 2001 ............. 452

Of ‘needs’ and ‘wants’

1 calculating our Huqiqu'lléh obligation, Baha’u’llah exempts what He terms the “needful” expenses of living. As examples of such “needful” items He mentions one’s residential home, tools of one’s trade and what a person needs to earn a living.

But this list is not all-inclusive. Costof-living items such as food, clothing, transportation etc. all are “needful.” The essential spiritual principle is that we are to distinguish between what we need and what we want.

a t of decision Baha’u’llah leaves to the conscience of each individual, and it is the greatest impetus to our spiritual growth and maturation.

A frequently asked question: How much is 19 mithqals of gold?

The basic unit set by Bahd’u’lléh for measuring of our assets for the purpose of paying the Huqiiqu'lléh is the value of 19 mithqals of gold, equal to 2.2 troy ounces. The price of an ounce of gold can be found in the business section of any newspaper. At this writing it is about $275, making 19 mithqals or 2.2 ounces worth about $605.

Helpful Hint: Please make sure that there is no discrepancy between the numeric and the lettered amount on your check, and that your check is correctly dated. @

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

+Amin Banani, phone » fax 310-394-6167 e-mail

+ Stephen Birkland,

phone , fax 651-490-7521 e-mail

• Sally Foo,

phone , fax 609-671-0740 e-mail

+ Daryush Haghighi,

phone ‘e-mail

• Elizabeth Martin, P.0. Box 178,

Winnsboro, SC 29180

phone , fax 803-635-9982 e-mail

» fax 440-333-6938

Office of the Secretariat, Baha’i Huqdqu’llah Trust,

September 27, 2001

Tue American BanA’i * THe SECOND FRONT page 3 [Page 4]

BAH A‘

{f-WORLD:CENTER

VINEYARD of the] ORD

he formal opening in late May of the Terra the I 1-year building phase of the Mount C

of progress on the Below is a message from

ariborz

reprinted from the final issue of Vineyard of the Lord:

t has been a long journey—from the commencement of the construction of the momen tous Projects of the Arc and the Terraces on the Mountain of God in May 1990, to their completion in May 2001. The task entrusted to us by the beloved Universal House of Justice entailed extraordinary challenges as well as immense bounties. We bow our heads in humility and gratitude before the Blessed Beauty for the honor bestowed upon us, and beseech His

blessings that we may be able to continue to be of service to His precious Cause.

To bring alive the progress of this physical enterprise with deep spiritual significance we undertook the publication of Vineyard of the Lord, releasing the inaugural issue in January 1994. In the preparation of this bulletin | have been ably assisted by reporter and writer Miss Eliza Rasimala, and photographer Mr. Ruhi Vargha. We acknowledge with deep gratitude the guidance of the Supreme Body in making this publication a worthy instrument to disseminate the progress of the Projects, and pray that our efforts have been to the satisfaction of that august Body. As we'wind up with this last issue, we sincerely hope that you have

enjoyed the bulletin as much as we have enjoyed producing it.

U.S. participants in the ceremonies for the opening of the Terraces on Mount Carmel included (back row) Geoffrey Wilson, Alfred Fox, Gergely Hegedus, Evander Gilmer, Shidan Taslimi, Grant Kvalheim, David Rouleau; (standing, front row) May Khadem Czerniejewski, Gertrude White, Guity Ghadimi, Jean Scales, Lois Willows, Barbara Johnson, Puran Stevens, Alice Bathke;

Not pictured: Lydia McCarter. Photo courtesy of Puran Stevens

400,000 visit Terraces in 3 summer months

Reserved tours draw people at rate of 18,000 per month

With loving greetings, Fariborz Sahba Mount Carmel Bahd’i Projects

BAHA'I WORLD NEWS SERVICE

ore than 54,000 people took reserved guided tours of the cascading garden terraces

surrounding the Shrine of the Bab on Mount Carmel from their opening in June through the end of August, indicating that the site may soon become one of the top tourist draws in Israel. Including the thousands who have visited gardens open to drop-in visitors, more than 400,000 entries had been recorded since June 4, when the terraces were opened to the public. At this rate

es of the Shrine of the Bab capped Zarmel Projects at the Baha’{ World 1994 the Projects office has published a bulletin sevyear, titled Vineyard of the Lord. and news from this bulletin were reprinted in The American Bahd’i and

Y S 2 nds around the world a vivid picture d on the new buildings at the nearby Arc. Sahba, Mount Carmel Projects manager,

the number of entries per year will add up to more than 1.5 million.

“The remarkable thing about the high volume of visitors is that it is coming at a time when tourism in Israel has dropped by 30 percent in the last six months. In contrast, in Haifa we've seen only an 8 percent drop,” said Moshe ‘Tsur, general manager of the Haifa Tourist Board. “There is no doubt the Baha’f gardens have had a big role in saving Haifa’s tourism industry.”

By far most of the visitors—95_percent—are Israelis from other parts of the country. “The number of day visitors

Some of the thousands invited to the Terraces ceremonies in late May (photo above) stream into the Shrine of the Bab after ascending the lower nine terraces, and (left) throng a musical celebration at the Entrance Plaza.

Photos by Ruhi Vargha

has tripled since the gardens opened,” ‘Tsur said. “Many others are staying in local hotels with a package deal that includes a tour through the gardens.” There are no fees for entry into the gardens or for the guided tours. Tsur estimates that other spending, such as on food and transportation, has added millions of dollars to the local economy. This economic effect is particularly visible in the evenings, after the gardens close and the dramatic nighttime illumi nation of the terraces and Shrine turned on. Along Ben Gurion Avenue, which runs straight from the base of the

page 4 Tue American BanA’i ¢ BanA’i WorLD CentER September 27, 2001 [Page 5]

The Shrine of the Bab overlooks the nine lower terraces, Ben Gurion Avenue and ultimately Haifa Bay. Photos on this page by Ruhi Vargha

The uppermost terrace stands two-thirds of a mile above the base of Mount Carmel.

5 Bie

The Entrance Plaza welcomes visitors at the foot of the mountain.

The two new buildings of the Arc, the International Teaching Center Building (left photo) and the Center for the Study of the Texts (right photo), are positioned immediately on either side of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice.

‘Terraces to the Haifa port, sidewalk s and restaurants are now bustli even on midweek evenings, whereas just a few months ago the area was largely quiet after dark The Haifa Tourist Board—located in the historic, recently restored German Templer Colony along Ben Gurion— runs the booking system for the guided tours of the Terraces. Five telephone operators work full time to take calls on the tour reservation lines. “The lines are continually jammed, and people complain that they can't get through,” Tsur said. “We have more

than 70,000 people registered for the coming months, and we are almost fully booked through December.”

The guided tours, with groups of 40 to 50, are conducted either from the crest of the mountain down the nine upper terraces to the Shrine midway down the slope, or from the Shrine down the nine lower terraces to the Entrance Plaza on Ben Gurion Avenue.

Built primarily as a path of approach for Baha’{ pilgrims to the Shrine of the Bab, the Terraces also offer a symbol of peace and hope to the world at large, and the tours come with a message: that

harmony and coexistence are possible.

Israeli guides are recruited and trained by the Beit Hagefen Center, an ArabJewish cultural center well-known in Haifa for its programs to promote coexistence among all ethnic groups. Often university students, the guides are from a great diversity of backgrounds: Christians, Druze, Jews, Muslims, Russian immigrants and others.

Hila Naftali, a student at Haifa University, guides up to four tours per day. “J actually get to talk with a lot of people

SEE TERRACES, PAGE 39

UNIVERSAL HOUSE, CONTINUED FROM PAGE | outstanding expenses of the construction and the purchase of some required properties on the perimeter of the Terraces. It is now apparent that the needs of the Baha'i International Fund have increased substantially as a consequence of a number of recent developments, including the following:

• The sharp increase in the tempo of

Baha’i activity throughout the world ith the launch of the Five Year Plan need for

created a_ pressing resources to meet the new opportunities now emerging to promote growth and to influenc Adequate resources must be allocated for the maintenance of the Terraces and

of the Arc, including the tion of the high standard of the gardens and lawns, the upkeep of the structures and ornaments, and the provision of appropriate security measures. Guides must be provided for the rising number of visitors to the Terrace: now estimated to be 35,000 members of the public each week, including those who are conducted on tours in groups of 60 at a time during the day

society.

preserv

light hours, 7 days aw Greater attention must be given withy to the preservation of the s documents and objects as:

ciated with the ministries of the Cen> tral Figures of the Faith and of Shoghi

Effendi so that deterioration of these

i ble items is arrested.

These inc d demands have arisen at a time when economic conditions in the world and other factors have caused a significant reduction in the level of income to the Baha’f International Fund. The House of Justice is confident that the spirit of sacrifice demonstrated by the believers in their support of the Are Projects Fund will animate their response to the pressing needs of the Baha’f International Fund in the years

immediately ahead.

We have been asked to assure you of the prayers of the House of Justice in the Holy Shrines for your guidance as

you deliberate on means by which the flow of the resources nec y to meet the international obligations of the

Cause can be augmented. With loving Babi’ greetings, Department of the Secretariat

“People know this city for the coexistence of Jews and Arabs, and also Christians, Druze and Baha’is. The visitors can see our guides working together, and they

remark on this.” —Gad Zorea, tour guide supervisor

September 27, 2001

Tue American BanA’i ¢ BAnA’i WorLp Center page 5 [Page 6]

Louhelen

gets a

new building

BY THE KINGDOM PROJECT OFFICE

for its 70th birthday

ouhelen Bahai School and the friends across the country all had two reasons to celebrate on Aug.

12. Louhelen marked the 70th annive 'y of its founding, and Unity Hall, its new and largest gathering space, was formally opened and dedicated.

“Unity Hall is the perfect fusion of spirit and material,” said Holly Hanson, a guest speaker at the ceremony inside the new addition to the school at Davison, Michigan.

And it represents another milestone: completion of the second major effort funded by Building the Kingdom: It’s Our Time, our National Spiritual Assembly’s comprehensive development plan, also known as the Kingdom Project. Renovation of sev Louis G.

al buildings at Gregory Baha’i Institute in Hemingway, South Carolina, Kingdom Project’s first finished job.

The N Assembly was host for the day’ ies, attended by about 450. Staff and volunteers at’ Louhelen created a warm, welcoming and joyous atmosphere to complement the sunny weather.

as the

The ceremony

A formal ceremony inside the lightfilled Unity Hall was the centerpiece of a day that included a picnic in peaceful surroundings, a musical program, children’s art activities and an exhibit on Louhelen’s history.

Begun with music and devotions, the ceremony benefited from the transporting drumming of Saleef Kafajouffe, which showcased the new room’s acoustics.

William Davis, chair of the National Assembly, offered a keynote address on behalf of the institution. He shared how proud the Assembly is of Louhelen, and its great confidence in the increased capacity that will result from the addition of Unity Hall—as well as from the other enhancements of the Kingdom Project.

June Thomas conveyed the greetings of the Regional Baha’{ Council of the Central States, and offered some per

For information about the Kingdom Project and how you can get involved:

‘KINGDOM PROJECT Office of the Treasurer + 1233 Central St. * Evanston, IL 60201 Phone 847-733-3521

sonal reflections on the important role Louhelen has played in her own life, and that of her friends and family.

ix members of our al Assembly and eight members of the Central Regional Council attended. Other guests included Ken Parel-Sewell, architect for the project; Rebecca Wilson, Kingdom Project coordinator; Sam Conrad, properties coordinator; Nancy Davis, Education and Schools coordinator; Maia and Patrick Patillo, family members of Robert Hayden, who read the late writer’s moving poem “The Year of the Child.”

At the end, William Roberts, treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly, reminded the guests that Unity Hall is just one aspect of the Kingdom Project—and one of the first to be completed. He highlighted the need for our ongoing commitment to the Kingdom Project to ensure that its many exciting initiatives will all celebrate similar successes in the months and years to come.

The building Impressive to many visitors was the way Unity Hall blends seamlessly into the existing buildings and landscape. The new construction provides a passageway between the main building and the classrooms, and a large gather Audience members take in the light-filled atmosphere and the superior acoustics during devotions and celebrations of the opening of Unity Hall, the newest and largest-capacity gathering space at Louhelen Baha’i School. Photos by Jim Cheek

ing space/reception area just outside the hall was designed as an ideal place to gather and visit before and after a program.

Even frequent visitors had trouble identifying where the new building began and ended. The architect called this the best compliment he could have hoped for.

“Our goal was to provide everyone with asnice space, and to blend the new building in seamlessly with what was there before by working within the language of the previous architects,” said Parel-Sewell of Gregory Maire Architect Ltd. “We also worked to provide a lobby space and classroom that was in tune with the way Baha’is socialize—to foster and embrace the constant interaction that is a feature of Baha’i gatherings.”

Large windows on three sides admit considerable natural light into the hall, which holds up to 200. In particular, windows on each side of the stage prevent the common problem of a dark back wall that absorbs energy.

The mission “The Universal House of Justice has called for a deepening commitment to the education and training necessary to develop human resources for the Cause, with special emphasis on creating a com

BUILDING THE

INGDOM

IT’S OURTIME

‘KINGDOM PROJECT OVERVIEW

ENSURING MATERIAL MEANS

• Approximately 7,000 individuals

and Baha’i institutions and agencies have pledged funds toward the $60 million goal, or have made direct cash contributions, or both.

• About $24 mi

cash contributions has been committed to the Kingdom Project.

‘WHAT IS THE ‘KINGDOM PROJECT?

The Kingdom Project: Building the Infrastructure of the Kingdom Louhelen’s Unity Hall is the second project to be completed through the Kingdom Project; the first was renovations

to the Louis Gregory Institute.

Other initiatives already under way include the conservation of the House of Worship, a new meeting and classroom building at Green Acre Baha’i School, renovations to the Baha’i Home for the Aged, and the introduction of Baha’i books to the retail book trade.

Future initiatives will include:

• Enhancements to Bosch Baha’i School

and the Native American Baha’i Institute.

• Renovation of the Haziratu’l-Quds.

• Creation of a new Temple Visitors

Center.

• Expansion of the media campaign.

+ Establishment of an endowment and strategic reserves.

• Construction of a suitable National

Archives facility.

munity which loves, nurtures, and inspires children and youth to arise in service,” Louhelen co-administrators Rick and Barbara Johnson said in a statement. “Unity Hall enlarges the means for this spirit of learning to grow.”

Louhelen’s mission in education and training dates to August 1931, when the first regular school sessions were held there.

‘The land for the school was owned by Lou and Helen Eggleston, and the couple continued to develop the facilities until they deeded the property to the National Spiritual Assembly in 1949.

Known for some years as Davison Baha’i School, the institution was exhaustively renovated beginning in the late 1970s, and many of Louhelen’s current buildings were opened in 1983. #

page 6 THe AMERICAN BanA’i * Kincpom PRosect September 27, 2001 [Page 7]

Pope rT te

oY EA aTRUINS

ASURER’

Daeare

Se

ESSE ESE TN IE GETS OORT OTIS ITTY EEG TI PTET?

PAGE-e

sere

THE FUND

Through July 31, 2001

Contributions received by National Treasurer (excluding Kingdom Project)

$1,349,486 un $1,254,739 July $3,703,204

Total this fiscal year (since May 2001)

Individual contributors

This fiscal year, 7.712 individual Babi have contributed to the NaGonal Fund (hundreds rmoce than the sme time in 20008)

Bae

MJ)JASONDJFMA

Cash-basis revenues, expenditures for Baha’ National Fund May 1-July 31, 2001 $5,871,055 [Revenues (contributions, book sales, school fees etc.) $7,248,810

Expenditures (operations, capital and debt payments etc) Ridvan

miossca eae WA ae 5 1S OURTIME 2002

Pledges, —> contributions so far

Pledges —> needed by

See details ‘on page 6

Seok

Iman (left) and Milad Ghasempour made paper goods for fs the Kingdom Project. See article at

right.

On people’s minds ...

What is the cash deficit for the fis cal year that just ended? And what does this really mean?

It was about $2,455,000. This

means many needed projects did not get funded, or that we could not fully exploit opportunities for growth and development of the Cause in this country.

What do we need to do if our community is considering acquiring a 2

d in the Stewardship and Development manual (chapter 7), and the s tion in Developing Distinctive Baha'i

Communities. Volunteers are working on a study of “best pra to be considered regarding Baha’s center acquisitions. Contact the Office of the Treasurer at the National Center.

What’s on your mind? Send your questions on the Fund and its workings to the Office of the Treasurer (e-mail

).

“[O]ur contributions to the Faith are the surest way of lifting once and for all time the burden of hunger and misery from mankind, for it is only through the system of Bahda’u'llah—Divine in origin—that the world can

be gotten on its feet and want, fear, hunger, war, etc., be eliminate. —Shoghi Effendi, published in Bahd News, August 1948

National Spiritual Assembly urges participation at Treasurer’s Forum this October

© help local treasurers become more effective as stewards of the ind, the Office of the

‘Treasurer has taken the unprecedented step of launching a three-day National Forum, Oct. 25-28 at the Sheraton Northbrook Hotel near the Baha’i National Center. rers from across the country onal invitations to this hisnt, and so far more than 200 treasregistered. The Office of the

their communities to ac participation in giving to the Baha’s Funds.

For information on the National Forum for treasurers, contact Regina Blum (phone 847-733-3495, e-mail rblum@usbnce.org).

roductory workshop for new treasurers.

• A wwo-part workshop on planned giving

and the writing of a will.

True stories of giving to the Fund

From Kansas City, Missouri

My sons Milad, who i: and Iman, who is 2%, with their Ba rah, who is 7, decided to make special cards, envelopes and wrapping paper for the Kingdom Project. They displayed their work at the sub-regional conference (June 9in Ka 'y), to be sold for donations for the Kingdom Project. They raised $12 sed.

Milad said, great, Mama. We get to build the Kingdom. telling me about ev

is morning ything he

the conference. Then he asked when were we going to start building the Kingdom.

isappointed that he wasn’t going to actually do the building himself.

However, thanks to Liang the Lion and the book that you about Liang’s adventures, we were able to talk about how the money would fix the leaky holes in the House of Worship. ‘T hildren plan to continue raising money for the Kingdom Project in our local community.

From Pasadena, California I am a 14-year-old Baha'i in Pasadena,

The National Spiritual Assembly's

• Providing for the Baha’ 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

California. I recently heard your letter abo the financial concerns of the National Ba Fund and the $2 million deficit. I would Ii to help out in any way I can. Starting this month, I will be sending $10 a month to the National Fund from my allowance.

Cousins Ida (from left), Ariel and Liliana, aka the Lemon Lime Sisters.

From Superior, Colorado Allah-u-Abhé! Our names are Ariel, and Liliana. We made $25 for the Fund by m: lemonade stand called the Lemon Lime Sisters. We sold the lemonade to the people who were working hard in their gardens. One man bought three cups of lemonade! We are very proud of ng money for the Bal ith instead of shopping with it. @

Gift and Estate oe

has been established to help believers make a variety of financial arrangements for themselves, their families and the Baha’i Faith.

To order The Writing of a Will or to find out more about the gift and |

estate planning program:

• Phone 847-733-3466 / e-mail

• Or, fill out the form with the

Baha’i Funds envelope attached to this paper.

Morning plenary sessions will feature guest appearances by Counselors Rebequa Murphy and Angelica Huerta, as well as by members of the National Spiritual Assembly.

h participant will have a chance to se of Worship and the offices

tion director, who will discuss efforts to preserve the House of Worship. The porn wall be wrapped up with an

er is unable to is urged to send its ttendance by another Assembly member in the treasurer's place can be arranged with the Office of the ‘Treasurer.

Automatic

contribution system «+. helps give the Fund stability and simplifies your contributions

Giving in memory or in honor

+++ Of a loved one, a special event, a wedding, birth or graduation

Worksheets for local

treasurers «+. help keep your community on track and up to date

Find out more or get forms on www.usbne.org or contact the Office of the Treasurer, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60202 e-mail

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

ae

September 27, 2001

Tne AMERICAN BanA’i * TREASURER’S PAGE page 7 [Page 8]

• NATIONAL*PLAN®

ETFS PSF TE ETT PEEP HE YEE HS

ONE LARGE CITY: Systematic, effective

this Paigeeeed effort is nated by a three-member Soci and Economic Development and External Affairs cutive Com

mittee. Under the executive committee and_ individuals

are committe devoted to

is responsible for organizing events around special days such as World Religion Day, Race Unity Day and Human Rights Da The ‘Thanks

"i participation in communitywide events there.

‘Two Dallas Bah: cers (president and secretary) of the Dallas United Nations Assoc ation chapter.

The Baha'i representative to the as nae t School Di

dled registration.

Dallas Baha'is collected canned goods and nonperishables for the North Dallas Shared Ministries again this year. The Assembly also chipped in with a financial contribution to the organization.

Speakers abound

Of course, sponsorship of notable speakers and performers remains a primary tool for promoting Baha’f ideals.

In the past year, attendees enjoye

• William E. Davis, chairman of

the National Spiritual Assembly, on “From Conflict to Unity,” sponsored by the Carrollton Assembly.

Beth Bowen of Mottahedeh Development Services (MDS) on the process of social and economic development.

Saturday Night Arts Gatherings featuring such mus saxophonist Marvin “Doc” Holladay.

David Anderson on “Building Great Communities.” The workshop was based on MDS's 10-step process for the effective planning and implementation of

social and economic development projects based on Baha’{ principles.

Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, on “Lessons

SEE LARGE CITY, PAGE 9

INFLUENCING HUMAN AFFAIRS

Local external affairs | reflect a growing maturity

BY TOM MENNILLO

ain our growing maturity has earned us a higher goal in the realm of external affair: Baha’{ communities heeded the One Year Plan call to “reinforce” external affa ty, so the National al Assembly is asking in the Five Year Plan for an expansion of that thrust. Where can we look for examples? In a word, everywhere. Communities large, small and in between are tuning in to the needs of the larger society.

ematically injecting a Baha’f perspective into public discourse.

And their efforts cover all the bases identified by the Universal House of Justice in an October 1994 letter: human rights (including race unity), equality of women and men, moral leadership, and global prosperity. s—Los Angel York among them—have been spotlig The American Baha’.

On these pages are accounts from several others as representative of the many communities thus involved.

cisco and New hted in recent years in

Pictured at the San Jose, California, community service awards dinner are (left to right) Peggy Proff, Community Impact;

Judge James F. Nelson, member of the Regional Baha’i Coun:

Marsha Gilpatrick; and Bill Arnopp, Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity.

MEDIUM-SIZE COMMUNITIES: Finding a niche

Washington, DC, and San Jose, California, typify medium-size communities that act in several realms but have found a real niche in one.

‘The Spiritual Assembly of the nation’s capital recently formed an external affairs team of six. But metro Baha’is long have made an indelible mark in interfaith activities, according to Richard Witter.

In 1997 the greater Washington community became a member of the InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington (IFC), made up of eight faith traditions.

Baha’és hold several key positions on IFC. Three serve on the board of directors; one is IFC first vice president, chair of its strategic planning committee, and a Faith Group Leaders group member; two serve on IFC’s Commission on. Social and Economic Justice; and three hold at-large s on the IFC Assembly.

sions on such ship. And they are often asked to participate in interfaith prayer services at local events.

One highly visible annual activity is the interfaith concert attended by about 2,000 people. The Bal chorale every year stands out as the event’s most diverse group. A Baha’ has served twice as chair of the IFC committee responsible for the concert.

Outside of IFC, the Baha’fs have a representative on the

Lisa Langer, Community Impact; Auxiliary Board member

Mayor's Interfaith Counci , an advisory group that meets monthly to discuss issues of concern to the DC government and faith communities.

In addition, a Baha’{ publicity committee this past year publicized major events such as the Bahd’i-sponsored Race Amity Conference at Howard University; the annual commemoration of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s visit to Howard University; and a showing of the satellite broadcast from the opening of the Terraces in Haifa.

20 years of leadership

‘The Spiritual Assembly of San Jose has sponsored for 20 years an annual community service award to promote actions and values that are in line with Bahé’ principles.

This year, says Shahriar J. Jam, the Assembly honored two organizations, Community Impact and Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity, at a banquet on Jan. 27.

Past awards have been for education, human rights, equality of women and men, youth development, women’s development, elimination of poverty, family, law and justice, race unity, environment, literacy and the elimination of prejudi

Keynote speaker t

Judge James F. Nelson, member of the Re; Baha’{ Council. He delivered a motivational spee: Volunteerism and Service in the { Faith.” His talk included praise for and information about the award recipients.

Of the more than 160 who attended, more than 30 percent were civic and religious leaders.

Many new contacts were made and the event motivated several people to volunteer for Community Impact and Habitat for Humanity. @

page 8 THe American BanA’i ¢ NATIONAL PLAN

September 27, 2001 [Page 9]

SMALL COMMUNITIES: Mighty efforts

ize doesn’t always dictate the

degree of Baha’i community involvement in the wider society, of course.

Glendale, California, Baha'is offered the school board a booklet from San Diego titled Bridging Our Faith.

The school board subsequently recommended the booklet for use in the state-mandated social studies curriculum, says William L. Cramer.

Glendale also teamed with La Crescenta, La Cafada and Burbank to publish a half-page, full-color ad on the opening of the Terraces.

In Clemson, South Carolin: with fellow Upstate commu Universal church to sponsor a Day of Honor.

The April 5 program honored men and women of color for their service in the fight for freedom.

The planning committee, says Inge Grunwaldt, included representatives of Clemson University and its military staff.

As the 45 veterans present entered the school’s Tillman Hall, they received red, white and blue ribbons for their lapels. On a table with the guestbook were proclamations signed by 16 mayors.

Bahd’i's film is anchor ‘The program started with the film The Invisible Soldiers: Unheard Voices, produced by Massachusetts Baha'i William H. Smith. ‘The “Prayer for America” was read by Carolyne

Minority veterans of World War Il watch the “pass and review” parade during Day of Honor festi

in Clemson, South Carolina.

Fulmer of the Clemson Spiritual Assembly. Cara Finley, a niece of Dr. Smith, sang the national anthem.

David Liebman, chair of the Clemson Spiritual Assembly, read the proclamation and the names of the towns-whose mayors signed it.

To close the program, a joint Baha’{ and Unitarian choir directed by Laura Finley sang the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

Ata reception, children and youth from both the Unitarian Fellowship and Upstate Bahd’f communities presented essays and prayers for unity.

Advocates for families Isolated believers Nina and James Rhodes are usually right in the middle of civic affairs—from American Legion to race unity. So it’s no surprise the Camp Hill, Alabama, Baha’is were invited to help develop a statewide training program to protect children and strengthen families.

Through consultation, the scope of this training was extended to the entire Southeast.

Planners operated under the principle that “no meaningful change with children and families” is possible “until God became part of everyone's life.”

Workshops included three facilitated by Ba “Vision and Guidelines as Tools of Cooperation,” by Jack Guillebeaux of Alabama; “Cultural Competency,” by Nina and James Rhodes; and “Virtues Training,” by Shayla Hill of Virginia.

In addition, Birmingham Baha'is staffed a booth formation on families and children from a Baha’f perspective.

Cultivating friendships

Nosratullah Ghaemmaghami refers to where he lives not as his home but as the Baha’i Center of Ridgeland, Mississippi.

The homefront pioneer’s residence houses a Baha'i library, photos, a wonderful Baha’{ history display and—best of all—a steady stream of visitors.

A two-day fireside/deepening in mid-August drew several people, including the mayor of nearby Canton. The good doctor’s also a good cook, and guests can pick fruit from his backyard.

The relationship Ghaemmaghami patiently cultivated with Canton’s mayor, Alice Scott, was the seed for his successful efforts.

He met her a year ago when the Baha'is wished to set up.a booth at the flea market that’s held wwice a year in front of Canton City Hall.

No other faith group had previously gotten permission to do so, but Dr. Ghaemmaghami’s proposal to Scott led to an OK from the City Council.

Scott is among the many people who have grown close to the Faith in that time. She was quoted in a large write-up in the Jackson Clarion-Ledger about an Ayyam-i-Ha event this year that brought dozens of people to the Ridgeland home/Baha’i Center. @

STARTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT: Celebrating a birth

Cx the formation of a Spiritual Assembly be an occasion to establish relationships?

You bet. In the case of Sammamish, Washington, the Assembly’s birth paralleled that of the city itself.

As Americans celebrated Veterans Day on Nov. 11, 2000, a different celebration was taking place in the newly incorporated city, according to Melanie Saedi.

There was no loud fanfare, fireworks or television coverage. But this fete—marking a new Baha’f community of 28 adults and 11 children—made a lasting impression on all witnesses.

The 50 invited guests included City Council members, prominent community artists, the city water commissioner, local journalists, school principals and teachers. Most had never heard of the Faith before.

Baha'is present included both Auxiliary Board members and Marilyn Martineau, representing the National Spiritual Assembly.

Auxiliary Board member Todd Kutches outlined the meaning of the Baha’f revelation and how the followers of this often unnoticed religion are making a significant mark in the world today.

One couldn’t help but feel an utmost respect for the newly formed Assembly as the members stood together at the front of the room and received roses conveying the dignity of the institution.

Following this event was a full-page story in the local newspaper, The Sammamish Review. The article featured an

extensive interview with two Assembly members.

A foundation for relationships

The meticulous planning that went into a public commemoration of the brand new Spiritual Assembly of Superior, Colorado, will serve the Baha’is there in good stead as they build upon a foundation of new relationships.

The event, celebrated Feb. 24 at the Omni Interlocken Resort, was attended by Spiritual Assembly members from the Denver area, Auxiliary Board and national representatives, new friends in Superior and religion columnist George McHendry.

McHendry attended with his wife, Helene, and wrote a very favorable column, headlined “A Journey into a New Faith Experience,” for the Broomfield Enterprise.

“Have you ever gone to a function where the people you met made you feel totally at peace?” was McHendry’s lead sentence and the tone of the entire article.

The column noted that devotions were led in both English and Spanish, an issue important in Colorado. Also publicized were Sunday school classes for children and family devotions held each week at the Lafayette Baha’i Center.

Planning for the event began well in advance. The Spiritual Assembly of Superior followed the directives of the National Spiritual Assembly for preparing a befitting celebration to commemorate formation.

City officials were formally and personably invited during a televised open meeting of City Council. Chairman Ahmad Akrami addressed the Council while other Assembly representatives presented each member with an information packet that included a personalized letter and engraved invitation.

Vice Chairman Mehran Majidi kept channels of communication open with the mayor of Superior, and a cordial friendship has been established.

LARGE CITY,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Learned from Grandfather.”

• A presentation on the Baha’f

Faith at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church of Dallas.

The Dallas Bahai community sponsored or participated in several highly visible external affairs events over the past year, including the annual National Day of Prayer breakfast, Race Unity Day, the Dallas Chamber of Commerce Annual Conference, a blood drive at the Dallas Baha’i Center and the fourth annual UN Conference on Women at University of TexasDallas.

Emphasis on media

A concerted effort goes into contact with the media.

Weekly ads are placed in the Dallas Morning News and Dallas Post Tribune for worship services.

News releases about all Bahd’i Holy Days and major events are sent to the media.

The Dallas Assembly also supports the Baha’j-produced “Beyond Bows and Arrows” radio program by providing a financial contribution toward buying CDs.

September 27,2001 THe AMERICAN BanA’i * NATIONAL PLAN page 9

[Page 10]

RACE UNITY DAY 2001

Continuity and gination marked Unity Day 2001 celebrations in Baha’i

communities across the land. The friends built on past efforts or started new tradition: approaches were just as fresh, and always ‘ed toward so people whose interest was attracted could nurture their spiritual yearnings.

ima;

Orange County, CA

“SNATIONAL*® PLAN?

n awards ceremony honoring the children

who entered the third annual Baha’{-sponsored race unity art contest drew more than 200 people to the South Orange County Baha’f Center on June 2.

The theme of this year’s contest was “Uniting the World, One Heart at a Time,” intended to foster awareness of the importance of a prejudice-free society and to promote unity in diversity.

Local dignitaries, religious leaders, artists and museum directors attended the ceremony.

Keynote speaker Auxiliary Board member Gary Bulkin, along with his children, created an exciting, inspiring and fun atmosphere.

The Baha’{ Center auditorium was decorated with Baha’f-themed balloons and banners. Each judge received a T-shirt imprinted with this year’s logo design. Prayers were recited in four languages and the Baha’f Children’s Choir sang beautiful,

world-embracing songs.

Winners from the more than 100 entries received prizes and gift certificates. Every child received a certificate of recognition and many received honorary mention.

“All the children were winners to us,” said Venus Shafizadeh, one of the organizers of the contest. “We all felt empowered by their participation.”

Many participants and their families expressed interest in the Baha’i Faith and its principles.

The outreach started in January, as more than 50,000 fliers inviting children to participate in the art contest were distributed within two south Orange County school distri

The contest was sponsored by the Ba

i’is of Mission Viejo and

An entry shows the spirit of the children’s art contest in Orange County, California.

made possible through support from the neighboring Laguna Niguel community. It was geared to 5- to 14-year-olds, and winners were chosen from three categories: Children under seven, 8- to 10year-olds and 11- to 14-year-olds.

Judges from different religious and social backgrounds were invited to select the winning works, which were evaluated based on concept recognition and presentation.

“Tt was hard to select only three winners per age group. The children had done such a great job communicating the concept of id one judge. ning artwork was

lisplayed at the library for two months. #

em aT Exeter, NH Savannah, GA BY PHYLLIS EDGERLY RING INFORMATION FROM RAY RUDOLPH

a

‘or the 10th year, the Spiritual Assembly of Exeter

honored local efforts to increase unity and understanding with the presentation of its annual Vision of Race Unity Award.

The June 10 Race Unity Day event at Green Acre Baha’{ School closed out a weekend-long program focusing on race unity in America.

About 80 adults, children and youths gathered in the school’s Sarah Farmer Inn to celebrate the oneness of the human family and address racism, America’s most vital and challenging issue.

Keynote speaker LeNise Jackson Gaertner, founder of Mothers for Race Unity and Equality, drew upon world events to pay tribute to a variety of leaders who

Ret thunderstorms and torrential downpours limited the crowd at the sixth annual Race Unity Picnic hosted by greater Savannah, Georgia, Baha’is to “only” 650 souls.

‘That just meant more fish for those who braved the elements— nearly a pound piece, fried up by master cook Gladys Walker.

Not to mention fried chicken, barbecue ribs, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, potato salad and peach cobbler.

Add to that a hearty helping of jazz, provided by local great ‘Teddy Adams, a high school ensemble, and Baha’is Marvin “Doc” Holladay, Walter Abdul and Ray Ray.

Also adding local flavor was a Gullah chorus. The Gullah are descendants of Africans who settled the coastal islands and developed their own culture and language.

Baha'i youth and children reminded all of the occasion’s impor have worked to promote unity throughout U.S. history. Richard Haynes gives his accept- tance by reading from the Writings on unity and diversity.

Featured performing artists were blues musician T.J. ance speech after being pre- The county school superintendent delivered wonderful comWheeler of Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, a former _ sented the Spirit of Race Unity ments to the crowd on the importance of unity and racial equalVision of Race Unity Award recipient, and the Funky — award by the Spiritual Assembly ity in the school system to build excellent citizens.

River Band. The latter group, made up of local youth ages 9-14 who study music with Wheeler, offered a

of Exeter, NH. Photo by Jim Sacco

range of songs about working for unity and African-American history. The day’s guest of honor was 2001 Vision of Race Unity Award recipient Richard Haynes

of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

The visual artist was honored for his efforts as artist and community member to create understanding through positive images of African-American life in America, as well as art work that emphasizes interracial amity and friendship.

Several of Haynes’ bright canvases were on view as members of the Spiritual Assembly of

Exeter presented the award. @

‘The tally was 105 adults, 60 of whom fol lowed the Bahd’fs to the fireside after the

n only its third year of Assembly status,

Hollister, California, hosted a Race Unity Day event that brought people from 12 communities together.

main event.

Six non-Bahé’is signed a guest register requesting more information about the Baha’f Faith. @

Local and regional believers are ready to follow up inquiries about the Faith with personal contact and a regular Wednesday night introductory course.

A982

rentwood, TN

INFORMATION FROM ARAM FERDOWS!

his Baha’{ community’s first observance of Race Unity Day was an amazing one.

More than 230 chairs were filled with people from all racial backgrounds to hear James Hefner, president of Tennessee State University, speak on “Unity in Diversity.”

Approximately 100 audience members were not Baha'is.

Mayor Joe Reagan signed a proclamation designating June 10 as Race Unity Day in Brentwood.

SEE RACE UNITY, PAGE 35

page 10 THe American BanA’i * NATIONAL PLAN September 27, 2001 [Page 11]

A man’s search, a community's eye-opener

Pennsylvania Baha’is find an unexpected spotlight as part of a best-selling book

TOM MENNILLO

Je Kita could be a poster child for the millions of Americans the National ‘Teaching Committee’s research shows are searching for religion.

At age 40 he discovered a “hole”—the f spirituality—growing inside him and set off to fill that and other needs.

Unlike other folks, Kita sat down and wrote Another Shot, a best-selling book that was highlighted on a recent edition of the Oprab talk show.

The humor-filled tome also got the attention of the Baha’i community of Bethlehem, — Pennsylvan | three pages in it described Kita’ Baha'i Sunday school there.

Laura Lawrence remember: well: “About a y and h school and devotional me

“He was warmly welcomed and his children enjoyed their classes, but that was the last we heard from him.” hen Another Shot: How I Relived My Life in Less Than a Year (Rodale Press| came out.

the visit

Looking to answer regrets

The book is quest to redeem 20 of his life’s regrets. Those include such things as getting cut from his high school basketball team, selling his first car, never expressing his love to his father, and never asking out that certain young woman in college.

One chapter dealt with how he explored religious spirituality by visiting a variety of churches and groups in his hometown. Kita described himself as a ster Catholic” who usually spends Sundays cycling around the southeastern Pennsylvania countryside.

“This is my church,” he wrote.

But Kita was convinced there is a “God inct” that’s required if we’re to thrive and “only with age does it gather momentum, become noticeable, and ultimately, send us off searching.”

Did Ki search lead where he expected?

“The author responded to all of these characteristics of the Baha’is, probably because that was what he

was interested in.”

—Ken Bowers, National Teaching Committee secretary

’t hiding,” was his conclusion. pretty much everywhere. What's happened is that we’ve disgu with all these religious interpretati

To reach that point, Kita attended Baptist, United Church of Chris Ukrainian Orthodox and Quaker servicamong others.

On pages 76-78 he tells of participating in Bal y morning devotions and school at a unive sity.

es,

Author's impressions

He was intrigued by what he had heard about the Faith from a friend who is the hu: specially the lack of an implicit dress cod

‘The Baha’ Faith, he wrote, “must be the world’s most casual religion.”

Beyond clothing, Kita found the Bal to be “simply a group of likeminded people coming together wherever is convenient.”

“This isn’t worship of some deity but rather a quiet striving toward spirituality,” he wrote. “This is like a little search party trying to find the key to a slightly more satisfying life. They are not here out of habit or fear or ego. They’re here simply because they find it enriching, and they want to be here.”

Kita related how the devotional gathering began with socializing and led to singing in a circle to taped music, a aring of inspirational thoughts, series of readin;

‘Then attendees broke into age group es. The adult class that week learned Chinese meditation technique:

Later he was told this isn’t typical, but

and a

clas!

he found a “lethargic peace” in it and was happy to see “a group of ordinary people who are open-minded enough to allow something like this.”

What’s more, his children had fun. Lots of their age group were there, and they found a genuineness in the Baha’

Skimming the surface iece showed Kita enjoyed Spiritual Assembly ler Cordova was som chagrined at his “surface” approach. By his own choice, Cordova said, the author didn’t learn much about the aims of the Faith or of the Baha’s But it shouldn’t be surprising that onetime visitors sometimes see in the Bal community what they want to s

what

Ken Bowers. The Bethlehem community

“clearly came across in a positive fashion in many

respects,” Bowers said. “We know that most eee are looking for a general ‘spirituality’ which is defined, at least in part, as. fre d sectarianism, while at the community, family, diversity, etc.

“The author responded to all of these charact of the Baha’is, probably because that was what he was interested in,” Bowers said.

Cordova noted that Kita just happened to attend a class that departed from the usual structure, conducted by a visiting teacher.

Bethlehem’s Sunday classes, ongoing for 20 years, are very organized and draw on the resources of a number of talented people, Cordova said.

In the past, she added, Sunday class visitors from outside the Baha’ nity had been steered routinely into a small, fireside-type conversation. But the community learned over time that visitors would rather be in class with everyone else.

‘The entire experience leads Lawrence to say in hindsight: “This ... is a lesson in the importance of cherishing every seeker that comes our way. You never know the impact that one person will make.” #

values a

{ commu

Look at what’s on the Web!

www.usbne.org

Click on “Media Campaign” at top

• New audio ads for Web pages!

Download an mp3-format radio-stylead ~~ to be placed ‘on your local Baha’i Web site. Banner ads are also available for local Web use. Step-bystep instructions are provided.

BFY

ts nenonal broadcast schedule Find out when major cable channels including MSNBC, BET, the Weather Channel lide Channel are airing our 30- and 60-second television

commercials.

¢ Responding to seekers How to enroll in the 1-800-22UNITE voice mail system; materials to help you respond productively to seekers who leave the mes sages; development materials for effective firesides; and more!

Plus, as alway:

• Tips and materials to help your

community arrange local broadcasts and firesides using the video programs and ads.

• A Web form for sharing your teaching stories.

• The Light of Unity, a downloadable, printable seeker newsletters

(four editions available).

Remember the seeker response systems: 1-800-22-! TE www.us.bahai.org

Detroit friends in the thick of their city’s 300th birthday celebrations

‘The m

INFORMATION FROM ROGER REINI

participation in Detroit, Michigan’ birthday celebrations helped expose a variety of

religious communities to Bah

earned Baha’is a role in the planning of a massi

wide worship event in 2002.

t prominent public Baha’f pré

nently covered that event alongside

larger public cer emony, which drew about 2,000 worshippers and heard

300th

It also ve city { teachings.

nce came at

the words of Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders.

The larger event resounded with theme: Baha’is: for example, remarks by Roman Catholic Cardinal Adam Maida and different peoples all a covenant with God,” and the prayer of Detroit 300

familiar to

praising people of “different races

ng and working together in

Baha’is take part in a procession of religious leaders during Detroit 300 celebrations. Photo courtesy of Fariba Nategh

a July 25 “Spiritual Day” ceremony for religious leaders . Anne de Detroit Church, which also was celebrating the 300th anniversary of its founding. Dovetta Ziegler of Riverview, Michigan, read from a talk given by ‘Abdu’l-Baha during His 1912 North American visit. The Master’s words were heard alongside recitations from the Torah, the Gospel, the Qur’dn, and Hindu, Sikh and Native American sacred text and utterance. Local television and the Detroit Free Press promi

Commission Chairman Edsel Ford II that Detroit would “retain the sense of community we felt this week.”

Asa result of Baha’is’ work with the Detroit 300 Commission and the Spiritual Day planning committee, as well as earlier interfaith collaborations, the Spiritual Assembly of Detroit has been asked to serve on the planning committee for an event scheduled for the International Day of Prayer in May 2002: 10,000 people encircling the city, standing hand-to-hand in prayer. #

September 27, 2001

Tne AMERICAN BAnA’i * NATIONAL PLAN page II [Page 12]

Baha’i communities nationwide offer comfort, help

BY TOM MENNILLO

picture began to emerge Sept. 12, the day after hijacked airliners

‘ashed into the World ‘Trade Center towers, the Pentagon, and a wooded area of western Pennsylvani:

Friends in the targeted areas were believed to be safe and Baha’i communithroughout the land were confidenttying out their mission to bring Bahd’u'llah’s message of hope to fellow Americans.

Communication networks remained spotty in the City of the Covenant and transportation was difficult. / the New York City Spiritual As: had not been able to hold a physical or even virtual meeting.

But Assembly members reached by telephone said the two Baha’fs known to work in the World Trade Center—one from New York and one from New Jersey—were unharmed. One of those friends had arrived late that morning and not entered the complex.

A third Baha’i, a different source reported, was in the lobby of one tower when it was hit. She managed to dodge falling debris, exit via a basement door and run all the way home.

But as Assembly member Eric Kreitzer noted, “Everyone is going to know someone who was killed. The destruetion was of inconceivable magnitude.”

Kreitzer said the first wo times he tried to give blood he was turned away, because people had overwhelmed the facility.

Bah4ii Center open for prayer

Assembly secretary Janice Mauras said the New York Baha’ Center was open the evening of the attacks for anyone who wished to pray. By the next morning, however, it was part of an area that was sealed off, along with all of lower Manhattan below 14th Street.

Mauras and Kreitzer hoped the Center could reopen in time for a long-sched Baha’i communities nationwide held prayer gatherings within 48 hours of the devastating attacks. Here is a list of those who reported such action in

response to a request by The American

Bahd’i for information by Sept. 12:

• Holbrook, AZ + Triangle area, NC * Richmond, VA

Ceres, A New York, NY (numerous loca- © Virginia Beach, VA

• Corte Madera, (A tions)

+ Los Angeles, CA (numerous * Oklahoma City, OK Among Baha’i commulocations) * Beaverton, OR nities represented at

• San Francisco, (A * Corvallis, OR interfaith services:
• San Jose, CA * Portland, OR + Fresno, (A
• Douglas County, CO * Bethlehem, PA (where some of * Lodi, CA

= Pompano Beach, FL the injured from New York» Washington, DC + Metro Atanta, GA were being treated) * Fort Wayne, IN + South Bend, IN * Tredyffrin Township, PA + Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA © West Lafayette, IN + Myrtle Beach/Horry County, SC * Eugene, OR + Several Boston, HA-area com- > _Dallas, IX + Park City, UT munities + Houston, TX * Bennington, YT

Hany National Spiritual Assemblies sent messages of encouragement + see WWW.USbNC.org

uled weekend meeting with Counselor Rebequa Murphy, Auxiliary Board members and the Regional Bah4’i Council to consult on the community’s readiness to engage in a systematic growth program.

They also hoped the weekly Sunday devotional gathering at the Center could take place there.

New York University student Roja Mirzadeh was one of those who stopped by the Center the night of the attacks. She had been evacuated from her dormitory, within sight of the World Trade Center towers.

“It’s amazing to see and know that we have enough people donating blood and volunteering their time to help others. rything is so surreal around me,” she said. “I know that when I go back to my neighborhood, everything will begin to sink in. Those images you are seeing on TV are nothing compared to seeing all this in real life.”

Prayer vigils were held on the Upper East Side and others scheduled for the Upper West Side and in Brooklyn, friends reported.

MESSAGE, CONTINUED FROM PAGE |

leadership, a champion of justice and unity among all peoples and nations, and poweres servant of the Cause of everlasting

The Baha’ { Writings promise that this “signally blest” nation will never be defeated and will tiumphantly fulfill its God-ordained mission.

The Baha’f Faith has known crisis since its inception and many Baha'is, especially in the cradle of the Faith, have faced brutal attacks with faithfulness and noble resolve. Their model must be our standard. At this moment of unprecedented disaster, we call on all of the followers of Bahd’u'llah in the United States to come to the aid of your nation in the name of your Faith. The vision of Bah@’u'llih’s Healing Message and the Baha’f spirit of universal love and assistance are more urgently needed now than ever before. As you proceed to serve and assist your neighbors and

communities, we ask you to bear in mind these words of assurance and guidance from the Baha’f Writings. “Let each one of God's loved ones center his attention on this, to be the Lord’s mercy to man; to be the Lord’s grace. Let him do some good to every person whose path he crosseth, and be of some benefit to him. Let him improve the character of each and all, and reorient the minds of men. In this way, the light of divine guidance will shine forth, and the blessings of God will cradle all mankind: for Jove is light no matter in what abode it dwelleth; and hate is darkness, no matter where it may make its nest. O friends of God! That the hidden Mystery may stand revealed, and the secret essence of all things may be disclosed, strive ye to banish that darkness for ever and ever.”

Our prayers and love are with you always, NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE

Robert C. Henderson, Secretary-General

At Columbia University, the Baha’f Club participated in a campus-wide interfaith vigil and hosted its own prayer meeting, said student Andra Nahal Behrouz.

In the nation’s capital, the DC Baha'i community held a noon prayer service Sept. 12, according to Richard Witter.

Many other communities in the area “are using firesides and other meetings to devote to prayers and meditations,” Witter said.

And the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington planned a Sept. 13 service at Georgetown University, with a Baha’i invited to say a prayer for the departed.

Other parts of the country

Across the United States, more prayers were the order of the day. Baha’ communities sponsored and/or partici pated in vigils, while individual friends circulated quotations over the Internet.

Some communities also started reaching out through the media or other activities to help Americans understand the day in which we live

and the glory promised for tomorrow.

And many Baha'is were among those

lined up in city after city to donate blood.

ct, Baha'i youths in Framingham, ets, and Holbrook, on:

hey were looking tion in blood drives.

sponsored prayer

Katz and her son, Tyler E

About 20 Bahia’is attended, of many ethnicities and ranging in age from 13 to 70. Also present were a neighbor and non-Baha’is brought by the friends.

“The neighbor lady who came is a devout Catholic, and she told us how glad she was that we were doing this,” said Mary Lou Katz. “When we finished with the prayers and were having coffee and cake, she turned to me and said, ‘Now I understand why you are so happy all the time.’ ”

Part of larger community

Fort Wayne, Indiana, Baha’{ Carol Butler reported that her home phone “rang twice yesterday asking the Baha’fs to please be part of a community response to the tragedy.”

“Specifically,” she said, “a man who attended firesides this past winter at our home asked if the Baha’is would be part of an interfaith service he wanted to arrange. Another young woman, president of the university’s Anthropology Club, stated it was important to include the Baha’fs in the plans she was developing for a peace rally.”

In Park City, Utah, where the potential for terrorism is on everyone’s mind because the resort will host events during the 2002 Winter Olympics, an interfaith vigil was held at which Baha'is offered prayers and their presence was acknowledged.

Another city that has seen the face of terrorism is Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

SEE COMMUNITIES, PAGE 13

Most national offices’ work unaltered

Me Baha’{ national offices— including those in the Chicago area and in Washington, DC—saw little change in their routine and no noteworthy incidents in the first few days after the Sept. II attack.

New York City offices of the Baha'i International Community, the National Spiritual Assembly's Office of Public Information and the U.S./UN Office were closed for two days as part of a general, safe evacuation in and around the UN complex, according to the National Assembly's Washington office. The New York offices are more than three miles from the World Trade Center site.

As a general precaution, the Baha’ National Center offices in Evanston, Illinois, and the House of Worship in Wilmette were under a “heightened state of awareness” in security for the first few days, according to the Baha’f Public Safety Office. The Visitors’ Center at the Temple was closed to the public early Sept. 11, but

the Auditorium remained open 12 hours a day, the usual summer hours.

A special noontime prayer gathering was held Sept. 11 at the House of Worship, and daily devotional services continued on their regular schedule.

Assemblies seek advice

In Washington, the National Spiritual Assembly’s Office of External Affairs (OEA) stayed open every business day. ‘That office was never in a threatened or restricted area, and communication lines remained open.

‘The OEA was busy the first few days talking with Local Spiritual Assemblies that called for advice on such matters as reporters asking for a “Baha’{ response,” or on making sure local relations with government, civic or religious groups stay positive.

‘Those Assemblies were doing exactly the right thing, said Richard Bauman of the

SEE OFFICES, PAGE 13

page 12 Tie American BanA’l ¢ Response to TRAGEDY September 27, 2001 [Page 13]

TERT SEIT IT

oN A

TIONAL’ PLAN:

2S RE LAE TR EESTI TIE PTET TE

TRAINING

INSTITUTES

College credit for Core Curriculum!

P riculum

grams now ha

facilitator training pro

ve the option to earn graduate or undergraduate college credit, through a cooperative arrangement between the National Teacher Training Center, based at Louhelen B: School, and the Virtual College of Fort Hays State Univ

Programs to be included i in the ini

Wilmette Institute: Credit is doable

Se ral students have received uniy or college credit for Wilmette Institute courses, according to

Robert Stockman, institute director. The Wilmette Institute cannot itself grant credit that could be used toward s worked in

uate credit is possible in certain cases. “The usual proc fc tudent to approach a ty advisor at his/her i n in brief the Institute, o the student is considering, and describe the work requirements,” a statement from the institute reads. “Once you have found a possibly interested faculty advisor, we can work with him/her to tailor an individual course of study which fulfills both your Wilmette Institute requireme ments of the unive: you to get credit for our courses. For further det contact the in: tute (contact information below right). #

the cou

and the require

COMMUNITIES, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

Describing a Bahd’é-sponsored vigil, ‘indy Van Kley of nearby Spencer said, t two hours of prayers and readgenerated a wonderful though ncholy spirit. The uncanny sense of déja vu has been most unsettling for those of us who went through our own version of terrorism in 199: AE in Yukon, Oklaho sent a letter to the editor offes Prayer for Americ In Jefferson County, Kentucky, Nancy Harris was on her way downtown “to give the ‘invocation’ for the county government Fiscal Court si n when I heard the news on the radio. She noted, “My planned reading didn’t change. It was from ‘Abdu'l-Baha’s talk, quoted on pages 229-230 of Babd’t World Faith, that spoke of the spiritual destiny of America. After the judge/executive opened the session with a few brief words, the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bah were the first ones our government leaders heard.”

agreement include ~ Parenting, Race Unity and Empowerment.

The college credit option will not change the nature of the training programs. However, in addition to completing the standard Core Curriculum training format, those seeking credit must also complete course readings, papers and other assignments.

ining, Youth

arn the credit beginning this fall, nts enrolled in one of thes Curriculum training programs y simultaneously enroll in FHSU* irtual College program. Credits earned are fully accredited and trans ferable.

For more details, contact the National cher ‘Training Center (phone 810653-5033, e-mail ).¢

Training is a family event in Oregon

encouragement through a nine-week C enting earlier this year, but their famil

sions that

up and raising the new race of men,” a

Schmidt (Grace in arms). Not pictured:

11 parents in the Corvallis, Oregon, area gain knowledge and

pants say. Together with their nine children, the parents gathered weekly at a Corvallis church for the course, facilitated by Terry and Carrie Kneisler of Philomath, the sponsoring community. ‘ill be open to the public to receive guidance from the Writings and encouragement and ideas from each other in the most noble task of bringing

(from left): Toni George, Cassie Khavari, Jeanine Taylor, Mehrgan Khavari, Carrie Kneisler, Terri Kneisler, David Eastman, Lorri Hendon, Adel Faridani, Suzanne

‘ore Curriculum training course in Paries also bonded more closely, partici “We hope to continue with regular ses report states. Participants included

Ted Taylor, Axel Anders, Lua Siegel.

A unique event took place in Corte Madera, California, where Baha’is planted a peace garden in response to the tragedy.

“We have written on stones things like

‘peace’ and ‘breathe in the pain, breathe out the love, let my heart be a place where this world is changed forever,’ ” said Christina Quinn. “The garden is small, but itis so filled with love it brings tears to my eyes every time I look at it.”

OFFICES, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

OEA. In fact, the Assembly reference manual, Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communis Assemblies to contact External for ; euudanice in such situations. ize-fits-all comment that applies to all [local] situations,” Bauman said. “We can help each Assembly figure out the best approach to situation.”

However, Bauman said, a few general ideas guide the OEA’s advice. “We should act in keeping with the National

The community concert for Sept. 16 in nea

also planned a peace by Mill Valley.

The annual commemoration of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s visit to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, was to proceed as planned.

“After the terrible events of Tuesday, we need to gather together more than ever,” said committee member Doug Hartman, “to consult on how the healing message of Baha’u'lléh can unite mankind.” @

Assembly's message to the B: should offer the spirit of univers

tance where possible, help our suffering s to rise above hatred in keeping with God's message of love, and act as true servants to humankind.’

Any Baha’i-connected message to the public should stay “above the level of blame and recrimination ... and not get enmeshed in the details of the overall situation. We should avoid negative references to governments or assignment of blame. We want to express the Baha’ message of hope during difficult times,” he said. @

Wilmettelnstitute Distance learning: Center of the Covenant, Baha’u'llah’s Revelation

‘Abdu’l-Baha: The Exemplar, Oct. 1-Dee. 31 This course will examine ‘Abdu’lBaha’s life, survey some of His writings and utterance role as Exemplar and Center of the Covenant. an overvi iew of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s

Tuition: $150; financial aid available.

Baha’u’llah’s Revelation: A Systematic Survey, Nov. 1, 2001-Feb. 2002

Students will read extracts from the v'llih and works nding of

about them, to gain an unders dh wrote, whe ized different theme: This is an excellent opporre an overview of Baha’u'llah’s writings that is manageable in length and workload.

Tuition: $200; financial aid available.

tunity

to

Registration is still open until Oct. 1 for a four-month course, The Kitab-iAqdas and Related Texts, which started Sept. 1. T $200.

Additional information is coming soon about three-month courses on The Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Development of the Individual, Nov. 15, 2001-Feb. 15, 2002; and The Bible, Dec. 1, 2001-Feb. 28, 2002. ‘Tuition for each is $150.

Courses in early 2002 Study of a book requested by the Nationpiritual Assembly, beginning Jan. 1 Rediscovering the Heroic Age: The Baha’i Faith, 1863-1921, March 1-May 31 Marriage and Family Life, April 1-June 30 The Mystical Works of Baha’u’llah, June I-Aug. 31

All courses include e-mail listservers for students and faculty, regular conference calls, systematic les- ~ son 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-mai Web site: www.wilmetteinstitute.org The Web site is secure for accepting credit card payment of tuition.

‘September 27, 2001

Tne American BanA’i * NATIONAL PLAN/ConTINUED — page 13 [Page 14]

see ae

oN

LA

How the West is being won

he Regional Baha’{ Council of the

Western States decided it has to re-evaluate its homefront pioneering goals.

At the beginning of the One Year Plan, 2000-2001, the Council asked for at least 50 of the friends to move to goal localities in the West, to help establis restore or preserve Spi | Assembl; or strengthen groups, with particular emphasis on American Indian reservations.

Big miscalculation. The final count of homefront pioneers was 117 families and individuals.

According to the e-mailed Regional Victory Newsletter, distributed Aug. 10, here are the numbers of homefront pio

applying the + Individual

Ve PLAN: _ initiative

Hundreds at Lucent hear of Faith

Diversity class conducted for the fifth straight year

Be the fifth straight year, employe at Lucent Technologies’ Columbu

Ohio, facility had a chance to learn about teachings of the Baha'i Faith as part of their required diversity training, in a class organized by electrical engineer Dina Firoozmand.

The May 17 class attracted a diverse group of 173 employees. Publicity for the course, including the name of Baha’u'llah, had reached the 5,000 people at Lucent’s Columbus division newsletter, e-mail, fliers, video and digital advertising screens all over the plant.

This year’s topics were the Baha'i Faith’s views on life after death and the purpose of life. The class began as it did in the previous years, with an introduction of the Faith, introducing Baha’u’llah as God's divine Messenger to humanity for this age. At the end of the class, a video of Reinee Pasarow (a Baha’f), was shown where she described her ne: death experience.

‘The well-received class inspired many attendees to share their positive impressions with co-workers. Some requested that the Baha’f classes continue in the future.

‘Topics of Baha’i classes in previous years at Lucent include: ntroduction to the Baha’t F David Hansen.

¢ “Bahd’u'llah—A Glimpse of His Life, ‘Teachings and Writings” by Robert Stockman

• “Harmony of Science and Religion”

by Hoda Mahmoudi.

• A Baha’{ youth workshop performance. ®

3 applying the * Homefront VE PLAN: pioneering

neers settling in top-priority areas dur ing the Baha'i administrative year that

ended when Local Assemblies were

elected at Ridvan 2001:

• Six in Wyoming, a state that maintains

two Spiritual Assemblies despite having none only three years ago.

• Eighteen in Arizona.

• Three in Idaho.

• One in Montana.

• Five in Nevada.

• Eight in New Mexico.

° ‘Three i in Utah.

en on Indian reservati

In addition, 28 households moved to goal localities in California, 18 in Colorado, two in Oregon and 25 in Washington.

‘Though it wasn’t known where all the pioneers moved from, at least six came from other regions in the United States, and others moved in from Iran, the Mariana Islands, South Africa, Australia, Pakistan, China, Zambia, Russia and Alaska (which has its own National Spiritual Assembly).

Many others “relocated very close to their original locations, moving to a goal near them, thus demonstrating that it is the goal, not the distance, that makes the pioneer,” the newsletter stated. @

Youth planners of a Baha’i scheal in Southern New Mexico are (from left) Dorothy van der Sterre, Shoshona Johnstone, David Gurinsky, Erin Collins and lan

chell.

Youths steer retreat in New Mexico

Or nizers of a locally sponsored ae

f retreat in southern New Mexico are taking seriously the UniverHouse of Justice’s admonition to involve youth in all aspects of Baha’f community. This year’s Labor Day Weekend session was planned entirely by a five-member committee of youths. piritual Identity” was the theme established by that committee, and it was to address issues important to s ond-generation Baha’is—a unique focus for the family gathering, held annually for 25 years in the Lincoln National Forest.

“When my parents became Baha’fs, they found their faith through search,” said one youth. “It is so different | for those of us who were raised Bal

applying the + Youth in ive PLAN: consultation

The committee, after researching the Writings and seeking input from other Baha’ youths in the area, planned to set up discussion groups and study circles to explore “how your religion defines who you are and who you aren’t” and other issues they find ‘in common. #

The Southern New Mexico Baha’i Schools Committee sponsors institutes each year during Memorial Day and labor Day weekends. For information, please contact Curtis Wynne (phone

) or Linda Gurinsky (e-mail ).

Conference on mental health Nov. 15-18

r. Hossain B, Danesh of Landegg

International University is among several outstanding scholars planned to present sessions at the third annual conference of the Bal Association of Mental Health Professionals, Nov. 15-18 at Louhelen Baha'i School in on, Michigan. heme is “Unfolding the Potential xploring the Nature of P: al Development.” Presentations and workshops will be conducted by a variety of scholars, artists and practitioners attempting to apply Baha’i

teachings to mental health research, theory and practice. Immediately afterward, a two-day

workshop presentation on ae ethics of authentic human relationships will be conducted by the “Authenticity Profounded by mathematician and Hatcher.

ject,” philosopher Dr. V

For more on the National Spiritual mbly-affiliated association, ple: visit the Web site (www.abmhp.org). To register for the conference, contact Louhelen Baha'i School (phone 8105033, Web site www.louhelen.org).

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

The Office of Pioneering is eager to assist the

friends preparing for international service. For

information regardi or international tra

jobs and study abroad, ling

ching opportu ties and other events, please contact the Office of Pioneering; Baha’i National Center, 1233 on, IL 60201 (phone 847mail

Central $

733-3508,

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

page 34 to report an international trip.

HOMEFRONT SERVICE

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

Northeastern States To inquire about locating as a bomefront pioner, contact the Northea

Regional Baha’ secretary, Joel Nizin (phone ail ).

Counci

To inquire about traveling teaching, contact

the traveling teaching coordinator, Diana

Rouse Kaufman (phone ).

Central States To inquire about locating as a homefront pioneer, contact the Central Regional Baha'i , Curt

Russell (e-mail ). To inquire about traveling teaching, contact

Council secretat

the appropriate state traveling teaching’¢oor able on www.usbne.org in

dinator (list is a the Regional Councils section) or cont Marilyn Ray (phone

,e-mai ).

Western States To inquire about locating as a bomefront pi neer or about traveling teaching, contact the

appropriate traveling te:

ching-homefront pi

neering coordinator for e:

hi state (list ava able on wwwausbne.org in the Regional

puncils section), or one of the regional coor

dinators: ‘Traveling teaching: Jan Saced,

(phone .

Homefront pioneering: Flor Toloui,

, e-mail ). For information on American Indian

(phone

reservations, contact the American Ind

regional traveling teaching-homefront pio

neering coordinator, Helen Kiely, (phone

Southern States To inquire about locating as a homefront pio neer, please contact regional coordinating

team member Susan Crossley (phone ail »

To inquire about traveling teaching, please

AC

contact regional coordinating team member mitz (phone i

).o

page 14 Tue American BanA’i * NATIONAL PLAN September 27, 2001 [Page 15]An Agency of the Nat

i

siren wee

Century of Light Universal House of Justice $10.95 SC (COL)

Produced at the request and under the supervision of the Universal House of Justice, Century of Light quotes extensively from the Baha’i writings and the related commentaries of the Guardian. The purpose is to provide members of the Faith with a perspective on two defining processes that unfolded during the 20th century: the sequence of events that made the unification of humanity the principal feature of modern history, and the emergence from obscurity of the Cause of God and its Administrative Order. Note: Century of Light is primarily a resource for Baha’i study and deepening. It is not a public information publication, nor is it intended as a presentation piece for public figures or the media.

63/4” x 9114”, 157 pp., foreword, notes

The Five Year Plan 2001-2006 Messages of the Universal House of Justice $1.00 SC (SYP)

This is a convenient and inexpensive compilation of letters that lay the foundation for the Five Year Plan. Included in the booklet are the November 26, 1999, messages, describing the series of plans that are to conclude the first century of the Formative Age, and the Ridvan 2000 message, introducing the Twelve Month Plan. Also included are messages of Ridvan 2001 and the three released at the events marking the inauguration of the International Teaching Center Building in the Holy Land in January 2001.

51h” x 812”, 49 pp.

The Hidden Words, A Spiritual Journey for Children, Volume I

Judy Jade Amick

$12.95 SC (HWC)

Contains selected Hidden Words quoted from Baha’u’ll4h and short stories to illustrate the concepts they introduce. The subtleties of meaning in some words begin to be revealed through their stories so that children may read the Sacred Verse again and again with more penetrating understanding. Plots are interesting and the solutions are not oversimplified. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

Tl” x T'h”, 47 pp.

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4” x 6”, 47 pp.

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This booklet presents a compilation of extracts from Baha’ writings on the subject of marriage and family relationships.

4” x 6”, 36 pp.

Animals for Peace

Kiser Barnes

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In these four short stories, the animals’ villages are astir with activity, difficulty and hardship until they can overcome certain obstacles to peace in their lives. Usually one animal champions change because he has heard of the teachings of the Baha’ Faith and believes that its lessons can apply to the problems at hand to help build the peace and security that the villagers say they want.

53/s”” x 83/0", 40 pp.

Why They Became Baha’is

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$8.00 HC (WBB)

This collection of stories of the first generation of faithful in the West is for those wondering why people embraced a new religion while it was still in its obscurity. The pictures of these early champions of the Cause are fascinating and revealing. Each person’s conviction unfolds in an ebb and flow of excitement, a sense of discovery, and a love for the Baha’{ Faith that will inspire readers.

87s” x 6”, 574 pp., list of illustrations, preface, introduction, epilogue, glossary, bibliography

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Part one includes songs built around the lyrics of the Hidden Words of Baha’u’lléh. Part two includes songs built around lyrics from Gleanings, the writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahé, “Glad Tidings” and Baha’i prayers.

40 pp., instructions for organ pedals and other instruments included

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September 27,2001 THe AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ BanA’! DisTRIBUTION SERVICE page [5 [Page 16]

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6” x 33/4”, 37 pp.

RIBUTION SERVICE

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 wi helpful suggestions for very low-cost supplemental materials.

8” x 10”, 70 pp., lessons, instructions, roll call pages

The Virtues Project The Educator’s Guide Linda Kavelin Popow

$24.95 SC (VPEG)

By the author of The Family Virtues Guide, this guide for counselors, teachers, caregivers and youth leaders offers a wealth of character awakening activit ideas to bring out the best in your students and yourself. Representing a h approach to character education, the method can ea curricula in sroom, school, day-care center or youth program. Major components include simple elements of character honored by all cultures and spiritual traditions: 52 basic virtues.

81/2” x 11", 208 pp.

Towards a New Era Robert Thomas $8.00 SC (TNE)

‘This autobiographical work describes the author's visit as a physics teacher to the New Era School High School in Panchgani Maharashtra, India. A grad of Wales and mplis view of educa he approached a new academic environment. He noticed that in physics, when you “use any kind of instrument to investigate something, you not only learn about that something ... but also about the instrument.” He learned about himself and his views which needed “adjusting” after he formed some very valuable and touching friendships.

81/4” x 5'2”, 147 pp. contents, acknowledgments, foreword, pledge

Towards

A New Era

Robert Thoenae

we

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bdu'l-Baha|

TECARDS AND PRINTS

‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Blue Water The Master The Exemplar $11.00 GWPO2) $3.50 (AMAS) $3.50 (AEXE) a striking print from the Journey

• q Beauchol a Well Baha'i Faith Prints collection

cone par aa Se ales . includes the quotation from Baha'u'llah. fiieiudes a phouhorr colorized photo of “No man shall attain the shores of the ocean ‘Abdu’l-Bahé seated ‘Abdu’l-Bahé greeting are aeidersrenens at with hands folded and People yn Agarden and pact fegtiten tie pane uftarures the ssage that FRc ‘ ae Me fill Red Forest ie ce $11.00 GWPO7)

Another beautiful print from the Journey “ > af he Well Baha’i Faith Prints collection ‘Abdu’l-Baha, fe . _ includes the quotation from the Bib, one: kr HAbe ha “The One true God may be compared unto eny ken Hecunfi phausnoteends ae ee

$3.50 (AMMB) with envelope. Includes a eens Beautiful photo note- photo of ‘Abdw’l-Bahé as a card with envelope. young man and features Golden Flower Features a painting with the passage that begins “J $11.00 (WPO8) ‘Abdw'l-Bahd seated and say unto you that anyone who Another colorful print from the Journey includes the passage ‘will rise up tthe cause of Well Baha’s Faith Prints collection that begins “Now the God... includes the quotation from ‘Abdu’lome ee we Bahé, “My home is the home of peace ...” mi Sone

page 16 Tue American BanA’i ¢ BanA’i DistRIBUTION SERVICE

September 27, 2001 [Page 17]

Love All The World, CD and Book

music by Tim Urbonya

$19.95 (LATW)

‘The writings of Baha’u’lléh and ‘Abdu’l-Baha are set to upbeat, well-thought-out music. Lyrics are printed in the book and depicted with colorful illustrations by Idren. Delightful, edu and “ombination is excellent for helping your children memorize verses from the Sacred Writings and be inspired to draw their own visions of the Bal life. book 43/4” x 5'2”, CD running time: 39 minutes 59 seconds

Love sll the, World

Amame

Palabras Ocultas de Baha’u’llah

Leonor Dely

$15.00 CD (AMCD)

This beautifully arranged CD of Spanish was produced for Leonor Dely by the same people who worked on ntana and Ricky Martin. onor Dely well-known artist in South her first Baha’i CD.

running time: 50 minutes 51 seconds

America, t

Voices of Baha in Concert

directed by Tom Price with the Slovak National Orchestra $14.95 CD (VOBCD) Recorded live in Slovakia, March 2000. Drawing its membership from singers from all over the world, and after eight y concert tours, this is the first time that Voi 4 has a recording allowing people to hear the group in concert. They perform music in a variety of styles, drawing on the writings and teachings of the ith.

running time: 68 minutes 5 seconds

China Skies The World Unity Jazz Ensemble $16.95 CD (CSCD)

The World Unity I Phil

Morrison with Keith Williams at piano and a variety of guests a and other parts of A

on tour through Ch

running time: 47 minutes 38 seconds

Symbols of the Spirit $14.95 VHS (ESSN)

A video essay featuring prayer, meditation and the temples of the Baha’ Faith. Ideal as a follow-up video to the national media campaign videos. Great as support material at firesides or for individuals express' interest in obtaining more in-depth information. running time: 30 minutes

x9 . The Baha’i Community

$14.95 VHS (EBCN)

A video essay on the worldwide organization and functions of the Baha’i Faith. Ideal as a follow-up video to the national media campaign videos. Great material at firesides or for individuals expr est in obtaining more in-depth information. running time: 30 minutes

Beyond Words

Rouba Sobbani oe 99 CD (PBWCD) and West, poetry and

ularly the rights of eq Su: inisce: f four contine! vhere Rouha has lived are heard in the 16 melodies featuring new and cla running time: 70 minutes 23 seconds

al instruments.

Meditations Selections from World Scriptures

Jumelle

$16.00 CD (MCD)

Danielle and Crystal Morales, identical twin sisters known as trumental duet Jumelle, have been composing and performing their ori 7. Jumelle sp forming original meditative, Celtic blend and inspirational mu

running time: 55 minutes

On the Wings of an Emperor

Rob Sockett

si7. 00 VHS (EOWEN)

he story of an Iranian Baha’ mother, her father and son, who fled to North America for refuge and away from religious persecution. They wait for word on her husband, who was det: he must help her son learn to emerge into his own identity as a t ager in a new culture while he learns from his aging grandfather about the responsibility to nurture the seedling of his heritage.

running time: 80 minutes

Con aren Boe ssi

The Hands of the Cause of God

Volume I—Heroic Age through 1951 Ramin Khadem and Fred Badiyan $19.95 VHS (EHCGN) This video covers the where and why of these heroic souls first appointed by Bahs’u'llih during the The stories of sacrifice and followed by accounts of those ed to as Hands, posthumously, and those appointed by Shoghi the story of these heroes and heroines of the Bahd’i Faith who “diffused the divine fragrances” and “promoted learning” throughout the world. running time: 43 minutes

latter part of His Mi daring of the four sou special individu: by ‘Abdu’l-Bah:

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Tue AMERICAN BanA’i * BAnA’i DistRIBUTION SERVICE page 17 [Page 18]

UTH

Welcome back to school!

Bahai campus clubs prepare for the 2O01-e00e academic year

lemic term of the Five begins this fall with on more than 200 college

‘ all regions of

h passing semester, Bah students, faculty and staff are iner their efforts to spread the te: the Faith on what Shoghi E described as fertile fields for teaching.

More than ever, Ba lubs have an unprecedented number of resources to contribute to

their efforts. These include the growing collaboration with local Baha’f communities, — support from Regional Baha’s Councils, a handbook for

campus activism, a national Web site and a quarterly magazine.

Resources for Baha’f campus activities include:

Baha'i Campus Activism Handbook

This handbook, available online at www.bahaiyouth.com, is for Baha'is interested in developing and improving teaching and activism on campuses across the country, be they universities, colleges, community colleges or junior and senior high schools.

The handbook discusses the role of Baha’{ campus associations in promoting activism, the resources and guidance available to associations, and administrative and organizational issues, including developing unity, maintaining balance, and the need to systematize efforts through the formulation of a campus plan.

‘Types of activities in which Baha’{ student groups may wish to participate are

also discussed, as well as guides relating to external Baha'i scholarship. A sample constitution and policy statement, a small compilation of relevant Baha'i writings and other useful information can be found in the appendices.

www.bahaiyouth.com advanta of the youth.com, a fast-growing ased powerhouse for connecting youth with one nother.

Take new

Features

include message boards, chat rooms, events posting, multimedia news “Services, useful

Web links, Baha’f youth workshop ;

resou

and more.

The Office of Youth Affairs has big plans for this Web site and looks forward to consulting with youths who are willing and able to help maintain various aspects of this audacious project. Questions, comments, suggestions and offers of service may be directed to:

(technical matters)

(content and sub stance)

Fertile Field

This national youth magazine is dedicated to helping Baha'i college students in their service and teaching activities on America’s college and university campuses. It has been edited, designed, produced and circulated by and for the nation’s college-age youth. In its fifth year, Fertile Field has reached exciting new levels of excellence with respect to the increasing diversity of its contribu

tors and the quality of its subject matter.

• Local Baha’i community and campus

association newsletters are encourfrom Fertile Field

for their publ

° Fertile Field your wisdom, ent, energy, insight, stories, articles, experienc , photography, artwork, s, Opinions, comments, ck, recommendations, illustrations, rantings, ravings and support sent to the Office of Youth Affairs!

• To receive Fertile Field, register your

club with the Office of Youth Affairs, or read it online in the campus activism section — of www.bahaiyouth.com! #

WHAT'S GOING ON WHERE YOU ARE

regional efforts Regional Youth Com S ntral mittees serving:

North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Kansas, Nebraska, lowa and Missouri

Illinois and Indiana ( ) Michigan and Ohio ( )

& rtheast_ Regional Youth Committee ( )

& uthern_ Regional Youth Coordinating Team

Web site www.youth-south.org.

S stern Youth Office

College Club Desk

CAMPUS CLUB WEEKENDS Retreats for Baha’i college students

• Oct. 26-28: Baha’i Campus Club

weekend at Louhelen Bahé hool, Davison, NoSEee (phone 810-653

5033, e-mail ). © Sept. 28-30: Baha’ Campus Club weekend at Green Acre Baha’i School,

Maine (phone 207-439-7200, email }

• Oct. 26-28: Bahd’i Campus Club

weekend at Bosch Baha’f School, Santa Cruz, California (phone 831423-3387, e-mail ). If there is not a weekend scheduled in

your area, organize one yourself!

A “do-it-yourself” guide to Baha’f campus retreats is available on www.bahaiyouth.com (Campus Activism > Key Resources > “Handbook for Baha’{ College Gatherings”).

YOUTH SERVICE CORPS Internship and study-abroad programs

How can you receive college credits and financial aid while serving the Cause? Arrange to do internship and study-abroad opportunities through your college or university!

‘To find out where your talents may be best employed around the Baha’{ world internationally, contact the Office of Pioneering (phone 847-733-3508, email ).

For domestic opportunities at the permanent schools and institutes, contact the Office of Education and Schools (phone 847-733-3514, e-mail BYSC

‘To work at the Baha’i National Center or Baha’i House of Worship in Illinois, contact the Office of Human Resources (phone 847-733-3427).

The Office of Youth Affairs and Baha’i Campus Associations

Research and Development Over the course of the Five Year Plan, the Office of Youth Affairs will continue to assist in the development of Baha'i campus activities. In addition to providing resources and administrative support, the office will be researching effective and innovative practices involving teaching the Faith on college campuses, including: + Effective models of collaboration

between Baha'i campus clubs, Local Spiritual Assemblies and Baha'i communities. + Establishing Baha'i classes and majors on university campuses.

• The role of Baha'i students in mentoring children, junior youth and youth.

Baha'i clubs and social and economic development. Establishing year-of-service posts on college campuses. Having study circles on campus, and opening these to non-Baha’i students and faculty. The effect of intercommunity partnerships on Baha'i campus activities. Utilizing www.bahaiyouth.com and Fertile Field as the basis of a national Baha'i youth news network where youth can easily learn from each other. Specific attention will be given to encouraging clubs and communities to draw on this network for news articles that can then be published in local Baha'i and non-Baha’i publications. The Office of Youth Affairs encourages students to earn academic credits while providing research assistance to the Office in carrying out its varied research tasks. Please contact the Office of Youth Affairs for details.

One Baha’i representative from each college and university in the United States is kindly requested to register her or his campus organization with the Office of Youth Affairs. Whether there is just one Baha’i student, faculty, or staff member on your campus, or one hundred members, please consult with the members of your Baha'i campus association and your Local Spiritual Assembly (or its liaison) to provide the following information:

+ Name of school.

Name of sponsoring Assembly and its e-mail address.

Name, Baha'i ID number, mailing address, e-mail address and phone number of one representative for the Baha'i campus association who will act as liaison to the OYA (this person will receive official mailings and distribute information and copies of Fertile Field to other Baha'is on campus.

Number of Baha'i students, faculty and staff in association.

Number of copies of Fertile Field desired.

Office of Youth Affairs

c/o Baha’i National Center

1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201 Phone 847-733-3499

Fax 847-733-3502

E-mail

page 18 THe AMERICAN BanA’i * Your September 27, 2001 [Page 19]

+ a ames

° am |?

With Wayne and Wilma

Baha'u'llah tells us it’s important for grown-ups to work at a job. Can you guess what jobs these people have chosen? Read the clues, then write your answer. You can draw a picture of each person, too!

For more fun activities and stories about growing up, check out the July/August 2001 issue of the Brittiant Star!

| Clues

| = You can SEE that | love my job | * |help you focus on things

| 1 care for your eyes

HSS ee armor lever enn rennin

Mystery Job #1

Clues Activity by Britiant Star

i + My job really GROWS on me | * | use shovels, water, and seeds

• |care for flowers and trees

~

x

Clues

«1 get to play a lot while | work + | use crayons, toys, and games + | get to rest at nap time

Mystery Job #3

Mystery Job #2

Subscribe Now! :

Send this form to: Baha'i Distribution Service + 4703 Futton Industrial Blvd. + Atlanta, GA 30336 ,

| Clues | J Please enter my subscription for Brilliant Star magazine at 6 issues per year (check one): 1 | * I've always got a story J United States International (Surface Mail) (International — Air Mail) I + {help you find books toread | I 3 $18 One Year 4 $18 One Year $28 One Year 1 + People call me a bookworm p 2 $52 Two Years 3 $32 Two Years @ $52 Two Years x I f in DELIVER SUBSCRIPTION TO I { \ [Name Age Phone 1 j | L street I j } H city State Zip Country I j } [ Is this a gift subscription? If so, from whom? I { I | 19K suuine inrormarion a I j J Name Phone I J Steet I 1 ci state Zip Country I } B payment type. Check/Money Order Number Dollar Amount I (atake checks payable 1 Baht Disrbcion Servi} I I Credit Card (circle one) Visa | Mastercard | Amex | Discover I ae I credit card Number Exp. Date 1 Mustery Job #4 ¥ caanotders sna 1 an 18

URIJRUAIT ch Gor AuaIShW SapIAOdd ued PIUd :f# Gor Haarsh YauEPsed :2# Gor Harsh "(40I20G afg) ISIs}aWIOICO cw Gor Hash ‘Hay Jamsue 21 We OUM,, 1299S SeUTIM PUR aUAeM ~

J

September 27,2001 Tue American BanA’i ¢ BRILLIANT STAR Kip’s CorNeR — page.!9 [Page 20-21]*“KINGDOM-+CONFERENCE®

BUILDING THE

INGDOM

For EVERY MAN, WOMAN, YOUTH & CHILD

Baha’i National Conference Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 28-August 1

Kingdom Conference

statistics

Registered, all ages: 8,437 * Actual attendance: 8,600 (est.)

Registered by age group: Adult: (21+): Youth (15~20): Pre-Youth (12~14): Children (0-11):

Non-Baha’is attending: 500 (est.)

Workshop opportunities: 260 Distinct workshops: 206 Workshops offered twice: 54

Range of workshop audience size: 30-300

Expo booths: 37 Shuttle driver-hours logged: 1,500 (est.)

Beach balls ordered for Saturday morning’s main session: 1,008 medium size, 36 giant size

Hospitality and gatherings volunteers: Estimated needed in advance: 1,500 Number volunteering, who got the job done: 250

Conference in the news: Newspaper articles published in advance or during the conference:

10 known in Wisconsin

Unknown number published nationwide because of artidde carried by Knight-Ridder News Service (at least 2 in Florida, 2 in California, Georgia, Washington, Kansas) Television stations publicizing or covering the conference:

3 local stations

(BS News made footage of conference and

beach ball event available nationwide People interviewed in detail:

William Davis, National Assembly chair

Robert Henderson, National Assembly secretary-general KC Porter, musician/arranger

Emily Ware, youth in Port Washington, WI

Jim Beasley, Mibwaukee, WI

Tim Tyson, NIC and conference media coordinator

Bounces and bumps on the way to the Baha'i beach ball bonanza

Note: A longer story on this episode is available on the Web at www.redgrammer.com/bahai/bb.htm

5,680 12

550 1,095

Eric Dozier, conference choir director, and fellow musician Red Grammer marvel at the spirit of the beach ball event June 30 at the Kingdom Conference.

Photo by Aimee Porter

Above photo: Conference co-coordinators (from left) Amelia Pawlak, Delara Rapant and Faith Holmes are recognized on stage at the final main session July 1. Photo by Nathan Brown

Photo at right: Members of the Charlotte,NC, Baha’i Youth Workshop, among 200 volunteers who helped make the beach ball event a success, confer just before Saturday morning’s main session. Photo by Michael Frank

ow to levitate 1,044 beach balls at once:

+ Ahead of time, draw up elaborate plans and produce an entertaining instruct video for participants.

¢ Order beach balls and air pumps.

¢ Alter plans several times as consultation and determination ebb and flow

¢ Add prayers and dedicated friends, while gaining and losing and regaining volun

with overnight runs for equipment and cargo.

¢ Fold in youth energy and a pre-teen quality control watchdog.

• Mix well with 8,600 wound-up conference-goers at US Cellular Arena.

¢ Discard instructions halfway through, put a Vivaldi concerto on the sound system, and watch the colors fly.

onsistently, the behind-the-scenes stories from the volunteer organizers and Baha’j National Center staff who served at the Kingdom Conference fall into a pattern: A short time to plan, too few volunteers, certain plans sustaining the effort even as other plans collapsed, and courage, deter CONFERENCE COVERAGE

SECOND INSTALLMENT: BEHIND THE SCENES AND OTHER INTERESTING DETAILS

mination and often prayer-bolstered improvisation finally winning the day. On these pages are are a few of those stories.

“Fortunately, the audience had heard the ions for ending the game,” reported Kathy Grammer of upstate New York, instigator of the “Beach Ball Mania” cooperative game that proved a highlight of the Kingdom Conference. “When the music stopped, the beach balls came down within seconds and everyone who caught a beach ball got to keep it.”

The feedback over the next couple of days confirmed the suc

“I get it. We are all hitting the balls. We are all keeping them up in the participant remarked metaphorically to Amelia Pawlak, a member of the conference Planning Team.

“To think that we can do something like the beach balls at a national religious convention, makes me think that our regional conventions won’t ever be the same. ...

Everyone will be playing that game, it was so joyous,” a woman told Grammer on the plane home.

Pretty good for an event that would

have been canceled several times over but for determination and persistence.

“Couldn't lose” Grammer had been organizing cooperah ball games at workshops for

sked to serve on a program task force for the conference, she lit on the idea: Why not just expand the concept to fill the arena?

“There was something about a beach ball that brings out the kid in all of us. I figured I couldn’t lose. After all, a ball is the number one toy in the world,” she said.

Ken and Mark Cabot, young Baha’is

LaDonna Johnson, member of the programs task force, prepares fliers for entertainment events. Photo by Michael Frank

from northern New Jersey, shot a video with Grammer’s s, employing a friend who had some stunt training (don’t try that pratfall at home, ki

“I was definitely th group,” Grammer noted.

Were there anxious moments in the planning? Of course: safety discussions and experiments, changes in where (or whether) it would fit into the program, too few advance volunteers, etc.

‘That last aspect nearly caused the beach ball bon to be canceled only days before the conference.

Before giving up on it entirely, though, Grammer and Pawlak decided to ask the National Spiritual Assembly.

“Don’t cancel this event” was the Assembly's advice. It’s a community-centered conference, they said. How are you going to fight that?

ight man in the

Downstairs from US Cellular Arena, the conference office was also a lunchroom for dozens of staff and volunteers. Photo by Michael Frank

People power, lung power A lot of what you've heard about what went on in the 18 hours leading to noon Saturday, June 30, is probably true. Gram

up for a Friday night orientation. That left the project with about 30 volunteers, plus prayerful reliance on word of mouth to raise that number to the minimum of 90.

The air pumps they originally bought were flimsy. A quest for better air pumps through rental stores, hardware stores and personal connections went unfulfilled well into the wee hours.

The crates of uninflated beach balls themselves? They were originally to be delivered two days before the conference.

In actuality, it took an extra call to get them flown to Milwaukee on the morning of the program. Ken Cabot made a 5 a.m.

run to the airport to pick up the beach balls, and even then the first person he encountered told him the cargo was still in Memphis.

“T went to bed Friday evening with not enough volunteers, no pumps, and no beach balls. I awoke at 6:30 on [Saturday] morning in the same situation,” Grammer related.

Soon, however, the balls arrived, and thanks to 10 volunteers backstage at the arena, about 100 were inflated by 9 a.m. ‘Then a network TV crew arrived to ask Grammer about the beach ball extravaganza that was to happen by noon.

Grammer “surveyed the scene and laughed. ‘Baha’u'lléh,’ I said, ‘I need to know right now if this is going to happen.’ ”

This happened:

A gentleman in a cowboy hat put up a sign: “We Need Blower Uppers.”

The Midwest Express Center lobby was a constant buzz of activity for people headed toward workshops, the Bookstore or the Expo. Photo by Michael Frank

Photo at left: Even as participants celebrated with the conference choir, security was a nonstop job everywhere conference events were held.

Above photo: A video camera technician goes through a dry run June 27, the day before US Cellular Arena was to be filled with conference-goers.

Photos by Michael Frank

Minutes later, backstage was “flooded with youth, adults, and children ripping open bags and blowing up beach balls.”

A young girl, dissatisfied with the consistency of the product, leapt onto a table with two sample efforts and declared: “This is a bad beach ball. It doesn’t have enough air. This is a good beach ball. If you want to be of service, do it right!”

Bystander Nora Hartman marveled, “It was early in the morning and most of them looked very tired as they sat on the floor or leaned against surrounded by piles of beach balls. I saw a couple of younger children working on blowing up balls that were bigger than they were. It was truly a scene of ‘hyperventilating for Baha’u'lléh.’ ”

Ten minutes before the program’s start, 1,044 beach balls were inflated, and 200

SEE BEACH BALLS, PAGE 24

page 20 THe AMERICAN BanA’i * Kincpom ConreRENCE September 27, 2001

September 27, 2001

Tue American BanA’i * KinGbom CONFERENCE _ page 21

[Page 22]

Reflections on serving from the backstage folks

Amelia Pawlak, one of three conference coordinators The Planning Team said from the beginning that this conference would not be “perfect” in every sense but knew that the most important thing was that we did the best we could do without complaint or critic We stayed very cl

on the confernd unfettered as at the heart of all decilong with a firm adherence to principle and a commitment to unity. Everyone knew the time was short but we chose to not dwell on that fact— some said it was crazy to do something We believed the ible, and we stayed s . Although there were some challenges on site, this conference and all its aspects were, to me, nothing short of miraculous and a testament to the unfailing Assistance promised to us when we are truly united. [am deeply grateful to the National Spiritual Assembly for allowing me the privilege to participate in a life-changing experience which affected so many hearts, my own included. . .

Phy!

Medrano, conference office manager

I was overwhelmingly impressed with the ability of a handful of people to pull off an event of this magnitude. This was only possible, in my opinion, because every one of us was dedicated to serving the National Spiritual Assembly and Baha’u’lléh by giving everything we could possibly give to make the conference a success.

The people I worked most closely with (conference coordinating team, stage/sound crew, security staff, Bill McSherry, the Day Star Café and Bookstore managers) were at the conference center from 5-6 a.m. until 1-2 a.m. every day of the conference. I never saw anyone lose their patience or lose that glorious face that comes when you know you are giving your all to serve.

I saw Bahd’is work with Milwaukee Conference Center staff/security in a way that allowed those folks to also rise to the occasion. I was especially surprised by the way the cleanup people and security staff from the main conference center rallied to my side several times a day as I attempted to keep the conference office cleared of trash after meal times (when we fed up to 150 volunteers, staff and performers).

Cindy Catches, member of Day Star Café design team

I must say I have done these before but this was different. We heard that this could not be done in six months. But the National Assembly said yes, so it was unanimous—we obeyed the institution.

So often in this process, I would laugh out loud as this was a “concourse confer

ence.” They did it, we just said we would do all that we could. But at times I felt they would say, “let’s show them how to build the Kingdom.” They took this motley crew and made it perfect! Now I know how the Kingdom will be built. We just have to do what they ask.

Children’s class coordination

Education and Schools Office

We faced a remarkable amount of work in planning, recruiting volunteers, purchasing supplies and then going on site and helping set up the classrooms at the Hyatt Hotel, performances at the Plankinton Theatre, registration and the Family Room.

Even so, our small group of staff and volunteers were, with heavy doses of prayer and mutual support, able to pull it off. We saw heroes and heroines at work all around us.

Phursday night, after the first main session, we were sea-deep in parents waiting to register their children for the programs. Just as we could tangibly feel the waves of people about to wash over us, our volunteers from a previous shift magically reappeared. Pretty worn out after putting in more than a full day of work, but wearing fresh smiles, they just “worked the line.”

With safety in mind at all times, a fairly elaborate system had been devised for moving students between buildings, using coded wristbands for more than 1,000 children and junior youths.

We heard later that people were

ww-.-kingdomconference

After a session of stories and songs at the Plankinton Theatre, groups of children are linked hands-onshoulders during a transfer of several hundred young ones to the Hyatt Hotel for more afternoon classes.

Photo by James Humphrey

amazed at the lines of children, with litle hands holding on to ropes—which turned out to be about four feet too short (who knew?). Those observers immediately formed an additional protective barrier to assist during “the crossing.” We were all so blessed, for there were absolutely no incidents during the transfers; only lots of thirsty children arriving to greet their teachers and ready for class.

Hospitality and gatherings Members of Hospitalty task force Just days before the conference we

had commitments from only 81 of the 1,500 volunteers we had estimated we needed to meet and greet the friends, make sure everyone found their way to the right venues and felt personally welcomed by representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly.

As we plunged into the fray of registration Thursday, we of course found that all of the problems we encountered were solved by the right person showing up, or the right door opening. It felt like the story of the loaves and s: With, eventually, 250 actual volunteers, we were able to accomplish what 1,500 would have done. The lost were found and the friends were assisted, loved and advised.

On Saturday, one 7-year-old young man and his mother came to the volunteer registration desk. He had come to do his share. He was thrilled to have the “volunteer” blue badge put on his name tag, and more thrilled to receive an actu

-org

Stocking and other duties went on continuously for Bookstore workers all during the conference. Photo by Michael Frank

al assignment—saying hello to the friends at the DayStar Café, and cleaning tables. I later saw him at work. He was heroically clearing trash from the tables, and smiling at every person he saw.

There were volunteers who worked almost continually throughout the conference, and they were a great blessing for those task force members who often wonder if anyone is interested in what we were trying to do.

Another confirmation was the way so many of the volunteer staff treated the children and youth—a sense of partnership and real involvement in the production of the conference.

Registration CJ Cohen, task force member

T have had the privilege of serving on the registration team at several large conferences, and this was the first time I have considered registration a “mostly pleasant” experience. The computer program used was very well-organized and made registration fast and mostly painless for both the registration team and those registering.

I think maybe it was also a learning experience for those who had to wait in two lines because they didn’t follow instructions (ie. bring their confirmation letter or pre-register). When we were told that we registered almost 3,000 people in a little over 3 hours, I couldn’t believe it!

Sign me up! I’m ready for the next one!

Nora Hartman, Information Services Department

The company that provided the re; tration software went above and beyond the call of duty. The president of the company (non-Baha’f) came to the conference himself to make sure that everything ran smoothly. He stayed right there with us, running reports and fixing any problem that came up (there were very few). He did all this despite illness.

Main programs KC Porter, performer/arranger One thing I noticed people comment

SEE BEHIND THE SCENES, PAGE 23

page 22. Tne American BanA‘i * Kincpom ConrekENCE September 27, 2001 [Page 23]BUILDING THE

For Every M.

WOMAN, YOUTH & CHILD

Temple tours offer different dimension

BY THE KINGDOM PROJECT OFFICE

ow did the special visits to the Baha'i House of Worship affect the 400 or so people who

just before and after the Kingdom Conference?

“T cannot tell you how much the tour did to lift my spirit to new heights,” one participant wrote. “I feel so differently now when I see a picture of the Temple. It fee o much closer to me.”

D conference, an additional 6,000 or more people visited the Mother ‘Temple of the West on their own.

But those who signed up for the 90-minute bus rides from and to M took

pared spiritually for their visit to what Shoghi Effendi termed “the Holiest House of Worship.

Volunteer bus hosts shared informational videos on the creation of the House of Worship and the current conservation efforts through the Kingdom Project, inspirational stories of the early Kingdom builders, and a packet of materials including activities for children and in-depth information for adults.

“We so appreciated the warm welcome from our bus host and all the staff here at the Temple,” another participant wrote afterward.

After arriving, guests enjoyed special devotions in the Auditorium, then gathered downstairs in Foundation Hall for

Th: 3%

A girl on a tour gets a close-up view of ornamentation on the House of Worship’s outer wall.

Time to explore the gardens was an important part of the House of Worship tours.

talks from Caswell Ellis, House of Worship director, and Rex Walker, administrator of the Temple's only dependency, the Baha’ Home for the Aged.

This was followed by a family tour of the House of Worship and the gardens. Lunch was served under a tent at the shore of Lake Michigan with a full view of the Temple.

After lunch, guests were given a special opportunity to visit the Archives which are not generally open to visitors.

“WEEKS LATER | AM ST

by the service performed for me to see the Temple.” —House of Worship tour participant

L

IMPACTED

Tour participants leave the Baha’i House of Worship Auditorium after taking an opportunity for meditation. Photos on this page taken by tour participants

Many were moved to tears at the sight of the precious relics housed in the Archives.

“Everything was presented in such a nice way, and I really feel that I learned a lot even in such a short period of time,” another tour participant wrote.

The Conservation Department offered a slide presentation and walking tour on the conservation and restoration efforts under way.

For many visitors, seeing the damaged steps and water-stained garden wall and hearing from the experts about the restoration plans firsthand demonstrated the urgency and importance of the work being undertaken on the House of Worship through the Kingdom Project.

Meeting some of the people who are

devoted to the conservation also showed the extensive expertise and loving care that the people working to preserve this building bring to their service.

“As a teacher, I was particularly impressed at all the speakers and the way they integrated information so that both children and adults were addressed at the same time—this is a good model for how we should communicate information at all Baha’ activities,” a tour participant wrote.

There was also plenty of time throughout the visit for personal devotions in the Auditorium, the Cornerstone Room and the gardens. The day closed with devotions in the Auditorium again, and then it was back on the bus for the return trip to Milwaukee. @

BEHIND THE SCENES,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

ing on was the fact that this conference gave us a feeling of interconnectedness with the global Baha’i_ community— showing that Baha’fs are people from all over the world with one message. Seeing artists from around the world coming together, their music blending together perfectly, proved to us that world peace is beyond possible.

It cost quite a bit to bring Leonor Dely and Millero Congo from Colombia to the conference, but in the end it made a world of difference.

Bookstore and Expo Harriette Robinson, BDS staff

One of the things that touched me was to watch the friends as they stood in line, greeting old friends and/or striking up new friendships, sharing stories, photos, etc. Now, picture this. A small group of customers are earnestly engaged in conversation and one of them is next in line! What to do? They haven’t finished exchanging addresses yet. Well, they simply wave

the next person through and continue their conversation. This happened time and again and seemed a very dear gesture to me.

You may ask, “So what kept those volunteers going day after long 14-hour day of standing on their feet with only a short lunch and dinner break?” It was you, dear friends, your joy and delight and love that you expressed as you hauled your treasures to the cash register and stood patiently while we processed your orders. It was such a pleasure serving you.

During one lunch break when I sat in the restaurant waiting for my meal, the exhaustion must have been very evident on my face, for before I knew it a total stranger had approached me and began to give me a serious shoulder and back massage. Wow! This woman knew what she was doing! What a difference that made. Thank you, my guardian angel!

Mojan Sami, Expo director ‘The evening before the conference, we realized that the floor plan we were given wasn’t drawn to scale and that the furniture company wouldn’t be able to

set up with the floor plan we gave them. We redrew the floor plan in about an hour, and then had ‘o stand outside the Midwest Express Center at 3 a.m. to meet the furniture company to inform them of the changes.

Around 2:55 a.m., an employee of the Midwest Express Center met me there to open the door, and I taught him the Faith! Anyway, I was absolutely exhausted the following day, but the whole situation was just hilarious.

Transportation

Jocelyn Boor, task force member

Planning and running a shuttle bus system to move 8,000 people around Milwaukee was a daunting task. The spirit of service was visible. Many local Baha'is helped with the transit needs by serving in the office or on the street. We called ourselves “Kingdom Conference “Transit.”

Our task force was a wonderful group of people, and we worked well together and did our best. Was it stressful? Yes. Did I worry too much when things got off track for a bit? Probably. Did the questions from the friends (most of

which were answered in the program book) bother me? No—at times I laughed, sighed in frustration, or repeated my mantra, “growing and learning, growing and learning.” Many of the participants called when they didn’t see a bus for a while, but those calls were needed; we had to know what was and wasn’t working.

We also participated in the Bahé’s sport of kiosk wrangling: putting those tall cardboard markers together and moving them into position. One exceptional group was delivering kiosks to the hotels at 1 a.m. Thursday morning (so this visible symbol of the conference would be in place for the friends). Another ever-changing group of volunteers helped KCT bring the kiosks on Kilbourn Avenue in each night at | a.m. I remember being that energetic as a Baha’{ youth. It was good to see that hasn’t changed!

KCT managed the team sport of shuttling—but most of the friends participated by riding and waiting patiently. This was, unknown to us, preparation for THE game of universal participation, beach-ball tossing.

September 27, 2001

Tre American BanA’i * Kincoom Conrerence — page'23 [Page 24]BUILDING THE |

Getting there was half the fun (!)

BY TOM MENNILLO

ship among

pecially Bal Jing to and returning from the Baha’{ National Conference, Building the Kingdom for Every Man, Woman, Youth and Child.

Just about anything that could delay a trip beset the merry band traveling by chartered tour bus from Adanta, Georgia

But the spirit that rode that balky behemoth more than made up for any inconvenien And it started with the sacrifices of driver Thomas Varn

A 60-year-old with beard as white as the bus and twice as luxurious, Varner is a man of limited means and unlimited heart.

He knew that many folks could not afford the plane ticket—tickets, in the case of families—to Milwaukee or the expens of car rental.

He also knew a great opportunity when he saw one for fellowship within the farflung Adanta area’s 2,000-member Baha’ family.

So the College Park Baha'i put out word, with help from Internet-connected friends that for $90 round-trip folks could ride in comfort and leave the driving to him.

Just enough for a bus

Several waves of local publicity among Baha'i communities resulted in a roster of 41 riders, including four to be picked up in Chattanooga, Tenn

It was enough to make the rental of one bus feasible. Just not enough to secure the bus Varner had his eye on.

After wrangling with the bus company, he took the helm of an older, less-lavishly appointed bus the morning of June 27 and rolled two hours late into the parking lot of the Baha’f Unity Center in south DeKalb County. eryone piled their suitcases in the under-bu compartments and stuffed to-do bags above their seats, and away we went.

BEACH BALLS, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

pasa youth volunteers lined the

And that’s not all, folks

who have sat through 2/

isles, ready to s in the air and to make sure it all stayed

ast question: When the beach balls finally emerge, how do you restrain thousands of folks hours of songs, prayers,

Some passengers read or listened to music through headsets. Others chatted or gathered around a talented young. arti Fitful naps were grabbed.

When talk turned to the conference,

there was excitement over the prospect of

being among so many Baha’s Would it be like the second Baha’i World Congress in New York nine years ago— something we would speak of fondly the rest of our lives? And would the presence of many nonBahd’is add a dimension never seen before? Soon we would know.

The needs and the stops Sooner it became apparent Thom: spirit of service has been passed on to his family members.

Young Daniel, in particular, spent the trip caring for others: He sold water, soda

s of parents

the Arena. No And few did. midway and the event just

toon popcorn popper.

whether it was rolled out inta

hustled their children by the hand from the lobby or the Day Star Café back to could they mi: The instruction video was halted ppened.

For several minutes, the arena looked as if someone had poured a thousand gumballs

And when it was over, every ball had a home— t, ca limp, or worn deflated on someone’s hea worth the risk and

and snacks to help defray the costs of the charter; he picked up and distributed trash bags at every stop.

And the stops were many: to fuel bus and passengers; to give a carsick rider a break; to tend to Varner’s daughter, Hannah, who was feeling ill and would require medical attention. in Milwaukee; to allow Varner himself to flop onto a sleeping bag for a couple of hours’ nap.

‘The fuel situation became a bit precarious in the wee hours, finally abating when an open truck stop was located in Gary, Indiana.

‘The final leg was uneventful, and we hit Milwaukee around 6:30 a.m.

On the road back home

Might the return trip be qu Please? Alas, it was even longer.

A one-hour stop at the Baha'i House of Worship stretched to 2% hours when the friends discovered a nearby Chinese Tt was soon overwhelmed with orders.

Fuel again became a concern, as the bus dered the South Side of Chicago ing an open gas station that pumped

er?

m

to be more inspired than what | saw at that last session.” —Adele Solomon, Montgomery, Alabama; friend of Bahd’is, who attended a day of the conference and shared a bus back home with Baha‘is

Left photo: Bus driver Thomas Varner checks folks in for the trip home from Milwaukee back to Atlanta.

Above photo: As expected, children were the center of attention aboard the bus. Photos by Tom Mennillo

diesel. The idea was to get enough to mal it to Gary for a fill-up. Mission accomplished, finally, we again hit the highway.

A sing-along of favorite Bal made the anxious search easier to bear, and a couple of hours later prayers were recited for the martyrs, coinciding with a program at the House of Worship.

Everything seemed to be going just fine. Several passengers—young and old—took the time to excitedly relate their conference experiences with the reporter from The American Baba.

Oh, there were more breaks. Again Varner had to stretch out for some shut-eye.

ide Georgi All of a sudden the engine fell silent and the bus coasted to a stop on the I-75 berm. Several attempts to get the engine to catch were short-lived. Varner shut off air circulation. The motor rumbled to life. Thus, we were able to limp back to the Baha'i Unity Center, the sweat on every face reflecting the day’s heat and humidity. But we were safe. And with lots of stories to tell of a shared journey to, in and home from Milwaukee. One we'll talk about forever. ©

thi

into a car rried outa little

d.

dramatic recitations and a major speech introducing the Five Year Plan?

“The beach balls the video after only a few instructions had been given,” Grammer said. “Someone told me later that it started with a young boy giving one to a fussy baby. The baby let go of the ball and that’s all it took.”

At the same time, word got around outside the arena that beach balls were being passed around.

‘ame out early in the middle of

Grammer says it all i ally as it created a new way of demonstrating our community and interdependence, and each person’s power to keep it happening.

“I think we are now ripples in the pond,” she id. “Our joyful activity which required something small from each of us has gone out to the Baha’{ world, and we will see the effects of it in the years to come.” ®

sa

Hmong children from California demonstrate a bit of their dance a conference workshop, “Inspi dealt Hope & Confi

on assisting Southeast Asians in your Baha’i siviotbe contact USBRO (phone 847-733-3547, e-mail ).

page 24 THe AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ Kincpom ConrekeNce September 27, 2001 [Page 25]

Youth project: Encounters with the heroes of God

BY DIRK PADFIELD AND DARIUS LOGHMANEE NORTHEAST REGIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE

pot. House. Place. City. MounS tainrefugecave. The blur of the

glorious landscape only added to our elation as our steed (a 1994 Honda Civic) devoured the asphalt between us and today’s heroes of God, the youths who had arisen to serve Bahd’u’lléh on the 2001 Northeast Regional Youth ‘Teaching ‘Trip (NERYTT).

In all, 31 youths were serving in seven communities across the Northeastern States as part of this nine-day event. The two of us had the privilege of visiting each group. These are their stories.

Training

The first stage was the Badasht Academy at Green Acre Baha’i School, where nearly 100 youths read about the heroes and heroines of their Faith. Then the youth teachers attended a training in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, held by the Northeast Regional Youth Committee.

Various training institute programs provided help on topics including “Consultation,” “Active Listening” and “Teaching Christians.” The youths learned how best to serve and teach in the communities they would visit, and also honed their Ultimate Frisbee and Persian dancing skills! They developed close bonds of friendship, and their love and respect for one another attracted the attention of even casual passers-by.

ADVANCING THE PROCESS OF ENTRY BY TROOPS

Wilbraham, Massachusetts.

‘These radiant youths, ages 13-25, came from England, Italy, Canada, California, Illinois, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Maine and New Hampshire.

On July 15 they scattered across the Northeast. Soon we two regional committee members began our tour of five locations.

First stop: Rochester, NY We found the team in Rochester fearlessly and lovingly engaged in teaching and serving the local community. They

Teaching experience in Ohio turns out to cause a lot of learning

raining in Milwaukee after the King dom Conference was the first step for five youth teaching teams that spread throughout the Central States in July. Teams were based in Chicago, Illinois; Columbus, Ohi ilwaukee, Wisconsin; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and South Dakota. Here is a report from the Columbus team.

BY HEATHER LEIGH JENSEN OHIO STEP | PROJECT COORDINATOR

Or three-week project involved more than 40 youths, and concentrated on di ian service.

For direct teaching, we mainly had a booth on the Ohio State Univers campus, which was really successful, or in Whetstone Park. We decided to be daring one day and walked around the park with two signs, one reading “Do you think we can overcome racism?” and the other reading “Do you think Christ has returned?”

We thought that the latter sign would be really controversial, and attract a lot of attention, but mostly we just got funny looks. The other sign enabled us to do a lot of teaching; that group was able to hand out about 30 pamphlets in one day.

Another interesting teaching experience happened on campus. We decided

teaching and humanitar

to have a booth every day for the last week of our project. One day the rain was pouring, but our group decided to tough it out and stand by the booth anyway. Only a few people came, but they ¢ impressed that our group would stand in the rain to teach the Faith.

We also ran into a devout Muslim from Bangladesh, who showed an intense interest in learning more about the Faith. Our group stayed and talked with him for over two hours one day. He returned the next day to talk with a Baha'i who had been raised Christian, then converted to Islam, and then who found the

Several friends of the Baha’is participated in the project. One was a young Christian boy named Xavier. Everyone agreed he was one of the purest souls we had ever met. He would go out teaching with us even though he started out knowing nothing about the Faith—he said he loves the company of Baha'is. On the last day of the project he cried because he knew he would never see some of us again.

Our only enrollment came from within our group as well. The new Baha’ had participated in a workshop for years, and believed in the Faith, but hadn’t been ready to declare. On the last night of our project, she said she was finally ready.

Participants in the Northeast Regional Youth Teaching Trip gather during their training session in

spent the week inviting an estimated 450 Rochesterians to firesides and a race unity picnic. They met these people through door-to-door invitiations, by doing service in diverse neighborhoods, and even by launching an innovative beach teaching campaign!

‘The week culminated in the race unity picnic, for which they had prepared skits and a step dance. Their service attracted the attention of community leaders who were moved to offer support for any future race unity endeavors by the Baha’fs of Rochester.

Next: Olean, NY

Youth here were actively engaged in inviting Oleanites to their presentation, titled “We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” They _ visited schools, went door-to-door, and set up a booth in a mall handing out invitations and offering information on the Faith.

In the evenings, in front of an audience of nearly 100, these youths, ages 13-15, gave eloquent and dynamic presentations on the history and the various tenets of the Faith. Their courage and

y

rs of the Ohio Step | youth teaching team gather during their training at

maturity impressed all those present.

In Olean we took advantage of the opportunity to do laundry, as we consider clean clothes to be an important consideration for those who hope to teach and serve the Cause successfully.

Onward to Lancaster, PA

In the days before we arrived, the five youths serving here had hosted a wellattended race unity picnic in State College, had served in a retirement home in Huntingdon, and had hosted a large fireside in Lancaster. Their enthusiasm and obvious love for one another invigorated Baha'is and seekers alike.

We met them on their last day in Pennsylvania. After spending the morning exploring Chocolate World, they had gone to serve at the Baha'i Center, preparing the rooms for painting and maintaining the grounds. The Lancasterian Baha’is were deeply grateful for the youths’ contributions to the beauty and functionality of their center. A neighbor was moved to let the Baha'is plant a garden in an area of the yard they had not had access to previously.

A stop in New Paltz, NY In the meantime the Olean group had traveled here, where they served the New

SEE NORTHEAST, PAGE 39

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, just after the Kingdom Conference. Photo by Emily Chew

We also did an enormous amount of teaching at the humanitarian service

er it was at a homeless g home, Habitat for

projects. Wheth

shelter, a nu

On site in Columbus, some members of the Ohio Step | crew show team spirit during a break in their work ona Habitat for Humanity house-building project. Photo by Liz Gordon

Humanity, or a neighborhood recreation center, everyone wanted to learn more about these youths who were devoting their summer to service.

September 27, 2001

Tue American BanA’i ¢ NATIONAL PLAN page 25 [Page 26]

fter spending eight weeks surround ed by youths, I discovered that we are a group of poets and singers awaiting eyes and ears to take in our art as

we create it; ited for us. Too 0 ces in fear of ho We youth are a timid of us, now that we

voice, are just beginning to own it.

This is a youth perspective of a summer at Green Acre Baha’i School. —R.J.

Bodhisattva! BY RIKRTJAMALIA

y summer was flavored Latin salsa

and Persian salad. My summer was flavored sandalwood and rose water which God hath loved from the beginning that hath no beginning?. And so I love this same fragrance through the halls, through the air that is wafting in the flavor of summer, the pepper and garlic colored skins sitting at the tables. Talking. Singing. Praising God with their Hello and Are you happy? To the children they ask, My Jove, are you? And if, my dear ones, if you believe, so shall they. The world may be pulled asunder on faith alone.

My summer was flavored thick, creamy conversation. Examining the word of God, no, examining God. In Hebrew the word is huspdéh—courage, gall. How can you serve His army if you are seated, reading, waiting? Mistakes will be made. But if you act, then your

action can be judged and revised and improved and the people will continue to move forward, ever forward, kam kam, riz bi riz}. If you sleep, if you wait, if you hold your tongue in obedience to a fear you cannot justify you may sit as the world slows and slows and slows and stops its rotation to sleep and wait for you to begin.

My summer was flavored strawberry red-headed children dancing in the green green grass teaching through the rhythm. of their movement, the rhythm of Baha. ‘The pattern of life, of plaid, shown on litde brown boys small enough to crawl and cry and learn these words:

Ob, God, guide me. Protect me from the little boy trying to steal my toy. Mom!

He is your brother; treat him as such and share.

But Mom—

Azcczaims>

My summer was flavored pitta colada and pink lemonade smoothies, chocolate lovin’ spoonful and no, Lam sorry, we are out of carrot cake today.

What do you have for free?

Tap water and love.

My summer was flavored chocolate, black, lots of sugar, black, candy, sour balls, gravy, black, flour covered floors because Bonnie has never made catfish before and black. One hundred and three black men gathering, singing, igniting these palecolored quarters with sweet honey, caramel, and bitter cocoa skins in an unair-conditioned lobby for six days and on the seventh they rested and left and Maine was white again and the laughter had gone again and our smiles were not as forthcoming as before, but our eyes are deeper, darker, filled full with memories of fathers and uncles and brothers and children and ancestors waking to

answer the Call of God. Arise. Arise. Arise. Arise ye men whose skin was burnt by the sun. Arise ye men who carry in your flesh the burden of knowing what servant means. Arise ye most exalted men of God. Arise and stand against the world knowing that yours is the movement that can fulfill the promises of Baha. Arise and having risen know that it is on your backs that you have thrown the people forward. Arise so that the world may rise with you. My summer was flavored cold water at every meal with a stranger who calls me friend. With a stranger who calls me love, servant, dawn-breaker. With a stranger who believes that we have within us the power to break the dawn. With a stranger who says that we will bear children who will sleep underneath a broken dawn.

My summer was flavored dill, bitter recollection of days spent in separation on a hill in a town too many miles from home. Of days spent trying to understand what He meant by detach. Of days spent trying to avoid understanding what He meant by detach. Of days spent detaching.

My summer was flavored sea salt, bug. spray, apple juice, window cleaner, dry heat, blueberry muffins. My summer was flavored. My summer was flavored and I can still smell the sandalwood and rose water when the rooms are still and the children have been tucked into bed and the lights have been dulled and all the prayers have been said and there is nothing stirring on these green acres except the faint call, arise, and rest assured that you will be with Mes @

Summer student volunteers share the spirit at Green Acre.

Complete list of upcoming Green Acre sessions on Calendar, back page

Footnotes:

1."One who can become a butterfly. Also, a caterpillar.” as defined by Osha, an eminent Zen master. In other Buddhist traditions, a bodhisattva is a human soul in the advanced

states of enlightenment. 2. Kitab-i-Aqdas, para.76

3. Persian for “little by little, day by day”; phrase used by ‘Abdu'l-Baha about the process

of becoming a Baha'i. 4. Persian for “darling”

5.Words spoken by the Bab to Anis at the time of their martyrdom, as quoted in The

Dawn-Breakers.

WIG OFE

Music for the soul BY LIZ DONALDSON

onnie Greathouse says she is still floating—weeks after attending Louhelen Ba School’s “Choral Music and Community Growth” conference, July 20-25 The joy she radiates when reminded of her five-day stay at Louhelen speaks legions. Perhaps a part of that stems from an uncanny coincidence that

occurred as soon as she stepped off the airplane in Flint, Michigan.

Greathouse happened to share a 20minute shuttle ride from the airport with Van and Cookie Gilmer. Van was serving as co-faculty with Tom Price for the session.

During a lull in the polite conversation, Greathouse was asked: “How long have you been a Baha’{, Bonnie?”

“Five years,” she answered. Asked what attracted her to the Faith, she said: “I was walking in the Old Town area of Albuquerque, and I heard this song playing from one of the stores. I had to go in to hear about this song. It was beautiful.” The song that drew Bonnie Greathouse to the Baha’f Faith was “We Have Come to Sing Praises to Our Lord.”

The shop owner, a Baha’{, told Greathouse where the song came from, and invited her to a fireside. Greathouse enrolled in the Faith one month later, after viewing a video of the Procession of the Peoples of the World from the World

Congress. She was so happy about her decision to declare, she said, “I thought I'd lose my mind—I cried in my Persian rice.”

On hearing that the song was such a draw, Cookie Gilmer smiled and nudged her husband, Van, affectionately. “See, that’s your song.”

And indeed it is. Van Gilmer wrote that song, which was performed at the 1992 Baha’i World Congress to huge, enthusiastic, enthralled crowds. The song has since been recorded on CDs and audiotapes, and is featured prominently on the World Congress video.

“It’s always surprising what effects a song might have,” said Van Gilmer. “I hadn’t thought a little song that was written to ‘break the ice’ with the Baha'is at the World Congress would have this effect on someone.” The story certainly demonstrates the power of music to touch the spirit.

About 100 participants auended the Choral Music session. The purpose of the session is best illustrated by this

comment by a participant: “Choral music was demonstrated to be an excellent means of teaching.”

Upcoming sessions

Oct. 5-8: ‘Irfiin Colloquium. Numerous presentations will deal with the writings of Baha’u’llih revealed during the latter years of the ‘Akka period, as well as the topic “Mysticism and the Baha’i Faith.”

Oct. 12-14: Youth Eagle Institute. Youths age 15 and up will study the theme “Building the Kingdom: One Youth at a Time.” Seekers are invited to this weekend of service, study, fellowship and fun!

Oct. 19-21: “Pupil of the Eye.” This joyful, unity-building weekend addresses the goals of the Regional African American Teaching Committee to systematically increase the numbers of people of African descent who enter the Cause. @

Complete list of upcoming Louhelen sessions on Calendar, back page

page 26 Tne AmerricaNn BanA’i ¢ NATIONAL PLAN September 27, 2001 [Page 27]

oO

October event views spirituality in use of space

Ree is open for the two-day colloquy “Cities, Suburbs, and the Countryside: Connecting the Spirit and the Environment,” Oct. 27-28 at the Baha'i National Center in Evanston, Illinois, sponsored by the Institute for Baha’{ Studies and World Order.

The event is aimed at drawing together a range of professionals and scholars whose work touches on the use of public space in urban, suburban and rural settings. Planned topics include how urban publ aces reflect the quality of a city’s life and health, how globalization may help redefine the concept of “place,” what role rural space has in the 21st century, and what constitutes public space in suburbs and countryside. An exhibit of art and photographs dealing with public spaces will

Baha’i scholarship viewed as agent of social change

INFORMATION FROM PETER

|URPHY

bout 80 Bah and their friends explored Baha’t scholarship as an instrument of social change during the ninth Ai Conference of the Ass ation. for Baha'i Studies, Mid-Atlantic Region, held April 7 at the College of

and ‘Texas , included: n theme, ment of Social c change,” by Hoda Mahmoudi, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Northeastern Illinois University.

• “Methodology and Baha'i Studies:

The Bridge Between Realities” by John Hatcher.

• Application of Baha’t principle

health and medicine, by Babak F a member of the faculty of the Univerof Pittsburgh Medical Center. he Relationship Between Baha’f Scholars and the Community,” by Counselor Eugene Andrew During lunch, participants enjoyed an Alley” where published writers tographed their books ition to Hatcher, the event

be used to help clarify these and other topics.

The concept of using space to enhance spiritual values is especially relevant to Baha'is in light of the recent opening of the ‘Terraces on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, and the ongoing restoration of the House of Worship in Wilmette and its gardens. A special Saturday evening session will include a slide presentation of the restoration work and a hands-on tour of the building and gar

f d to 100 people, as much of the value of such conferences lies in spontaneous interactions during the formal presentations and question-and-answer ns that follow.

Hong Tatt Foo, an artist in New Jersey, displays his book Foo Hong Tatt—Paradise Regained about his life and work, at the Conference of the Association for Baha’i Studies, Mid-Atlantic Region.

featured Robbie Clipper Sethi, author of The Bride Wore Red, who had earlier read for the conference the short story “Fifty Fifty,” about a savvy young woman of Punjabi/American parentage trying to make her way through the minefield of adolescence after moving from comfortable New Jersey to California.

Information is available on future events sponsored by the ABS MidAtlantic Regional Committee (phone (609-823-5076, e-mail

).

THE NIGHTINGALE

Subscription / Subscripcién $19 U.S. / $23 international www.bci.org/ertn/

To subscribe by mail: use the Multipurpose Form on page 34 Fill out all identifying information plus your Baha'i ID number * Please pay by check or money order to El Ruisefior/The Nightingale, P.O. Box 512, San Fernando, CA 91340

El Ruisefior/The Nightingale is a bilingual (English and Spanish) Baha'i publication, sponsored by our National Spiritual Assembly, containing information about the development of the Faith worldwide. The objective of the magazine is to share with the Baha’is of the world the development of the Cause, articles on deepening in the Sacred Writings, reports of success in teaching and of Baha'i activities throughout the world, so that we can see and feel that we are not alone in our communities and gain enthusiasm to go forward in our efforts to win the goals of the Faith.

Registration and lodging

Registration fee for the “Cities, Suburbs and Countryside” colloquy is $60 for adults, $45 for students. The fee covers materials; breakfast, lunch, and snacks Saturday and Sunday; and dinner Saturday evening.

forms may be obtained from Barry Uhlenhake (phone

» fax 847-733-3563, e-mail

) or from the Institute

for Baha’i Studies, “Cities, Suburbs, and Countryside Colloquy,” c/o Baha’i National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. Other queries

should be addressed to Lynne Yancy (phone

, fax 847-733-3563,

) Hotels near the conference site include the Hampton Inn and Suites-Chicago, 5201 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077 (phone 847-583-1111, fax 847-5830300; ask for the Baha’i rate of $89/night) and the Omni Orrington Hotel, 1710 Orrington Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-866-8700; fax 847866-8724; ask for the Baha’i rate of $109/night). Though the Orrington’s daily rate is higher, it is close to the commuter train line serving the National Center. Those staying at the Hampton Inn would have to rent a car or arrange

other transportation.

California regional meeting supported strongly by youth

Nee made up more th hird of participants at the regional conference of the California April 6-8 at the University of California, Berkeley. ‘Themed “Addr ng the Pressing Needs of Humani Idi hnology and the the event presented a variety of topics with great relevance to society, according to a report from organi

Out of 90 participants, 38 were youth, of the uni

including several members y’s Bal which obtained facilities and helped promote the conference. Other parti pants came from cities and campuses across California and from five other states.

A major panel discussion on issues of justice and equal access involved Steven Gonzales, co-founder of the Baha’f Justice Society; Richard Schikele, member of the California Commission on Judicial Performance; Cynthia Barnes Slater,

personnel director with Babcock and Brown; and LeNise Jackson-Gaertner,

nder/president of Mothers for Race

tists, Christopher cher for the NASA , and William Hurl‘or of Biotechnology at Sta , presented a public colloquy on “Technology, the Future and Human Choice,” co-sponsored by the university's Department of Bioengineering.

Other workshop and pri

ads of environment, entrepre: S and Native Americans “dynamic consultation”; youth organizational skills; and the power of utterance, among many others. An evening reception at the conference was supported with refreshments provided by the Spiritual Assembly of Berkeley.

National Research Office invites college alumni to join e-mail lists

he Research Office at the Baha’f

National Center maintains two computer rvers serving collegeeducated Ba around the country for the purpose of rapidly reaching them when important issues or oppors relating to the Baha’f Faith

the name: mail add. of Baha’i The Highered Lis

faculty. erver contains

others interested in academic mat

te system was developed in recent

years to defend the Baha’ Institute for

Higher Education in Iran. We have

subset used the listservers to

notify Ba of relevant seminars,

posiums, and other scholarly gath including calls for papers.

e subscribing is free for all

qualified Baha’is, we encourage all such

friends to do so. ‘To subs

mail us (

the following information:

© Your name as listed on your Baha’s membership card.

• Your field(s) of expertise.

• Your current ail addres:

• Your opinion as to which listserver

you feel you belong. @

September 27, 2001

Tue American Ban’i * NATIONAL PLAN page 27 [Page 28]

IT OTE

“NATIONAL *® PLAN.

RA, RS TTT ETE

Educator promotes unity within Vermont schools

INFORMATION FROM ALIS HEADLAM

mont educator is bringing his { convictions and

nowledge ation into the quest to counter racism in schools across the state.

Charles M. Johnson. a

in Thetford, has pring 2000 served as Safe Schools coordinator for the Vermont State Department of i working with

promote race unity. One of the reasons he

accepted this __ position, Johnson recently said, is that as a Baha'i he is

nspired with hope.

nly rural state with a low proportion of racial minority racism would not

residents,

n to a front-burner issue. But king with the Department of Educaall group of dedicated eduson has begun to reveal that itisa \ problem that needs addressing. Starting in the late 1980s, a rights advisory committee appointed by the governor—of which Johnson was a member for 10 years—worked with the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to investigate racial harassment and discrimination in Vermont school: That committee's 1999 report, “Racial Harassment in Vermont Public Schools,” documents ty of cases of physical and verbal assaults at all levels.

vari

Charles Johnson is Safe Schools coordinator for the Vermont Department of Education.

Johnson

applying the * Championing € PLAN: racial unity

In his current position, Johnson has sought to turn the tide on the

able form respect, kindness and the importance of li

One crucial consultative technique Johnson us: called “restorative justi especially useful for schools g and bullying have created ac

In applying restorative ice, Johnson invites all to sit down to conference. Using a conflict pach, the

where

resolution app

for furur

propos:

that t into

needs of all the

ties involved. It is with the realization, all students a1 ed at any school where there is violence

based on racial intolerance.

also don

Dr. Charles Johnson and Alis Headlam work with a subgroup of the Department of Education called Vermont LEADS. This group is working to define its leadership role in issues of equity, racial justice and diversity by promoting workshops and training for teachers, students, adminstrators and staffing the public schools.

Celebration of and with children

Acelebration and “fun afternoon” for children at the Baha’i Center in Rochester, New York, was the occasion for the registering of 10 area children as Baha’is. Each one was given a Baha’i pin for the occasion. More than 50 people attended the event, sponsored by the S; ple of all ages gathered for chess games, arts and crafts, dinner, dessert, music and face painting, plus reading of prayers and Baha’i writings concerning children, “our most precious treasure.” Photo by Lori Wilson

itual Assembly of Pittsford. Peo

An ‘Ocean of Light’ at Bosch

More than 100 people attended the annual Ocean of Light Conference at midsummer at Bosch Baha’i School. Designed mainly to promote teaching and deepening of Pacific Islanders, this year’s session featured a first-level Ruhi course facilitated by Hamilton and Ruth Breton.

The profound effect this produces in some participants is notable. During the evaluations, one older gentleman stood up and emotionally said, “I never thought I would be able to teach the Faith. Now I can.”

Photos courtesy of Bosch Baha'i School

Internship helps student build experience in service

BY SHAUN

ROM

s an undergraduate sociology student at the University of California, Davis, it was my desire to hold an internship in for the summer of 2001. are human rights, ‘al protection, and sustainable development. nterested in working with an organization that dealt with these social issues and this led me to discover the National Spiritual Assembly's Office of External Affairs. I applied and was accepted as an intern. It was the perfect opportunity for me to advance my academic career as well as simultaneously to serve the Faith.

The experience I gained from my intern given me some direct ues in my field of

global trad I was

ip has contact with the i interest and has taught me valuable

skills. My work included attending meetings on Capitol Hill, helping to compose letters, creating computerized presentations, doing background research for a Senate resolution, and

applying the = Service V€ PLAN: °Career vision

assisting with the evaluation of interfaith statements for Baha’i endorsement.

Perhaps the most important thing that I learned is how to address certain socia issues while maintaining the principle of unity. The skills and understanding that I acquired will undoubtedly endure throughout the rest of my spiritual and professional life.

I strongly encourage dent interested in working on

any college stuy of the

while simultaneously serving the Faith to consider interning at the Office of

External Affairs. @

Information about internship positions at the Office of External Affairs can be found in Classifieds, under the “Youth” heading, page 31. You may also write to the Office of External Affairs (e-mail

).

page 28 Tie American BanA’i * NATIONAL PLAN September 27, 2001 [Page 29]

co

AR Y

Let’s focus on

BY WILLIAM ALLMART

t’s a common enough refrain: “Let's reach out to the youth, find out what their needs are, and serve them.” That's what one delegate to the recent National Convention suggested, to general approval from the audience.

Of course, we say, we need to identify those needs and attend to them, and all good things will follow. And “youth” can be interchanged with any ethnic or other group we are thinking about enlisting in the Faith; we could be talking about “troops,” for example, as so often the conversation revolves around what the needs are, what the demands on our time and resources will be once this group of folks, whoever they are, come into the community.

Let’s take a moment to think about how destructive such an approach really can be. For one thing, it assumes “we” have the answer “they” need—a bit divi sive, a little presumptuous, isn’t it? Because we have the answers, “they” must be a r to us—just a tad condescending? And how does this approach work as a motivational tool: Let's go out and find a bunch of needy people, who are going to take our time, make demands on us, and generally

Kingdom Project materials help instill Baha’i identity ‘To the Editor:

Yesterday, each of our children received a package from the National Spiritual Assembly. It included a letter from the national tr booklet and a cassette tape, all pertaining to the Kingdom Project and reaching out to the youngsters in the American Baha’ community.

As our family listened to the tape, we felt deeply touched by the message and the sensitive way it was conveyed. Most of all, we felt deep gratitude to the National Assembly for caring about involving the children.

They became very excited about it, and we could tell it reinforced their Baha’i identity. This is invaluable assis tance to parents, as we strive to instill a strong Baha’i identity in our children while they are growing up in American society.

Thank you, National Spiritual Assembly. May Baha’u'lléh bless you for your amazing services to His precious Faith.

With warmest love, Jenina and Brian Lepard Lincoln, Nebraska

Institute process aids homefront pioneering

To the Editor:

The recent article on homefront pioneering (The American Babd’i, June 5, 2001) captures some lessons from pioneering without mentioning process or systematic action, elements of what the

inconvenience us while we help them work through their issues. Who wouldn’t want to sign up for a project like that?

The needs-driven approach is common in our society; it is, in many ways, the norm, especially in the service and philanthropic sectors, and truly good people subscribe to it. Good money is also to be found in defining the needs of a group, a neighborhood, a business, and then “meeting those needs.”

And the interesting thing is that focusing on needs becomes self-perpetuating and self-fulfilling. If my community

Sherine Patrick (left) and Sophia Bittar of the Children’s Theatre Companydraw on their strong qualities and win the hearts of those attending the Building the igdom Conference during June in Milwaukee.

Photo by Vladimir Shilov

organization gets grant money to service needy people, why, it’s amazing just how many needy people I can find when I put my mind to it! The “clients” buy in, too: with all the experts telling them they are in need of something—training, money, material things—pretty soon they begin to accept the experts’ word, perhaps to the point of surrendering their own initiative, even ultimately their human dignity.

There is an alternative: focus on strengths, indeed “from strength to strength.” The National Spiritual

our strengths to meet our needs

sembly didn’t put children on center stage at the Kingdom Conference because the children needed it; they

were called because they have uni talents and insights that would enrich the experience for everyone. And didn’t

they just!

Youth are not need future, full of strength, joy, energy and a bracing dash of iconoclasm. How better to keep the great experiment vital than to enlist their special strengths?

For another example: Latinos are not needy, even though society has consigned too many to the hardest drudgery and the worst living conditions. Ask a Latino friend or family to host or contribute to the Nineteen Day Feast, and revel in the special warmth that will result!

‘This is not to say there are not needs in the world, even next door. No genius is required to know that virtually everyone is struggling in one way or another, whatever their skin color or salary level. But if we focus on reinforcing our strengths, we may well find the energy and encouragement needed to tackle the “unpleasant things of life.”

they are our

William Allmart is director of the Office of Development Research at the Baha’i National Center.

content in The American Baha'i.

possibly for length.

LETTERS FROM READERS

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

• 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

Address to: Editor, The American Baha’i, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201.

Universal House of Justice calls “a new state of mind.” Institutes are now in place to facilitate the process of entry by troops. A follow-up article on homefront pioneering that utilizes institute programs would be most useful.

My exposure to process and systematic action began in Colombia with the use of Ruhi Institute material until its methods became second nature. But I did not appreciate the institute process until 10 years later after reading Learning About Growth and the compilation on training institutes,

The Jan. 9, 2001, letter from the Universal House of Justice stresses the need for homefront pioneers to virgin areas, especially those “experienced in institute programmes and able to use their methods and materials in raising up a group of dedicated believers who can carry the work of the Faith forward in the area.”

Since Ruhi Institute facilitated my pioneering about 15 years ago, I encourage pioneers to be involved in the institute process

Terry Zeutenborst Yakima, Washington

Spiritual army possesses powerful medicine for today

‘To the Editor:

What is the work of an army? It is to fight against crime and corruption, tyrany and oppression. To bring peace and stability to a people lost and confused, suffering and dying from malnutrition.

What is the work of the Army of God? What are our duties as members of God’s Army of Light? All of the above, and more; for ours is a spiritual army which posesses the Spiritual Medicine to cure the sick souls, the damaged and lost spirits debilitated by the crimes and corruption of a diseased tyranny that oppresses and steals the peace and security, that disrupts the stability of the world of humanity, leaving people suffering the diseases of false promises, and malnourished from living on hollow words and empty promises.

For what are we waiting? We have the healing medicine of the Words of the Bab and Bahé’u’lléh, those two

ians. We have the guidance of ‘Abdu’l-Bah4, the encouragement of the beloved Guardian, Shoghi fendi, and the assistance and supervision of the Universal House of Justice and our National Spiritual Assembly. What more could we possibly need to build the Kingdom of God on Earth?

There is no time left to sit back admiring our uniforms of our Army. There is no time left to be complacent in our attendance at local meetings, or content with deepenings and group prayers. Now is the time for action, for declaring war against the Army of Darkness burying the world in moral corruption and ungodly works.

The Kingdom of God can only be built by cleansing and nourishing soul by soul, life by life. That is the only way. Our job is to find those needy souls, one by one, to cleanse their eyes so they can see the Truth, to cleanse their ears so they can hear the healing Word, to open their hearts to the beauty of God’s teachings, to heal their souls with the healing love and medicine of God’s Messengers for today— the Bab and Baha'u'llah.

We are God’s chosen Army of Light. Who else will fight for these souls if not us? We have the spiritual medicine; who else can bring it to a suffering, malnourished humanity if not us?

For what are we waiting? If not us, who? If not here, where? If not now, when? If not with courage and daring, with wisdom and caring, how? Why are we hesitating? For what do we wait? Antoinette Isaac

Alpine, Texas

September 27,2001 THe AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ Commentary/LETTERS page 29 [Page 30]

lassified notices in The American

Baha’ are published free of charge to the Baha’i 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

f you know of anyone who has skills in the following areas, or know of people who may know others with these skills, especially for positions listed as “Urgent Needs,”

please contact our Human Resources Department.

AT BAHA’i NATIONAL CENTER EVaNston/WitmerTe, IL Program Coordinator I, Office of the Treasurer. Will orga

ize weekend visit programs

and coordinate annual National Tr

Forum; manage, trai

consultants around the country who will assist

local t

asurers and Assemblies; design train

ing materials and programs to cor

vardship and Development man

sentations and workshops at Baha'i schools

and conferences; m

in database on local

treasurers and rel s; coordi-~

nate activities of the wention relat ed to the Office of the inswer let

ters and phone calls from individuals, Assembli

tronic newsletter; assist with development and

ute an elec~

s, and other agencies; dist

maintenance of Office of the Treasurer Web

page and online tra n for local

ng progr: treasurers and Assemblies. Administrative Assistant, Persian-American Affairs Office. Office skills should include Microsoft Windows 98 and/or 2000, possibly

cel; typing 55 wpm, calculator by touch.

Excellent verbal and written ski both Per

sian and English a MUST: Should be wellversed in both cultures, able to interact with all types of people; must possess in-depth knowledge of the Baha'i Faith and have excel Tent consultati

Maintenance Team Leader, Properties. Will facility/building maintenance and

ing staff to provide timely services at

minimal costs; plan, estimate, schedule main tenance requests and projects; ensure that all

equipment and buildings are efficiently and

(HVAG, eleetr ing, ch

ning

nance m:

age:

sory command of English.

AT BaHa’l DisTRIBUTION SERVICE Futton County. GA Customer Service Representative. Will process

phone, fax and electronic orde

respond to

customer queries, maintain customer records,

and handle correspondence. Should have

munication skills, strong data entry

skills, experience in telephone customer serv

e or related work,

demeanor. Knowle plus.

URGENT NEEDS

All positions full time unless otherwise noted.

Treasurer's Office, Evanston, IL: Accountant (CPA skill level). 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.

Support Services, Evanston, IL: Purchasing Agent. Will purchase and maintain inventory levels of office supplies and furniture, as well as solicit quotes and procure printing services, for the Baha’{ National Center, Baha’i Publishing Trust and Baha’i House of Worship; will be responsible for payment approval on all invoices. Must be able to work and consult with many different cultures and types of people; to handle multiple urgent tasks; to exercise basic understanding of printing processes by helping offices with press layout and with choosing the best media. May be required to pick up and deliver supplies and/or printing in your car. Responsible for copier maintenance and auditing of copier accounts. Should be conversant with Windows 98 and/or 2000, much shopping and searching online.

Meetings and Travel Office, Evanston, IL: Manager. Should know travel industry; Worldspan or other travel reservation system experience. Experienced in hospitality with strong organizational skills, good understanding of hotel business, site research, meeting room arrangements, food functions and accommodations. Vendor contract negotiations. Must be able to work under pressure and handle several tasks at the same time. Work schedule flexible; some weekend work required.

Meetings and Travel Office, Evanston, IL: Meetings/Travel Assistant. Will help make travel arrangements for National Spiritual Assembly agencies and Baha’{ National Center departments. One-week technical training will be provided. Will also help with clerical/telephone work and some bill reconciliation. Must be able to work well under pressure and time constraints. Will sometimes be called on to back up the Hospitality Assistant.

Meetings and Travel Office, Evanston, IL: Hospitality Assistant. Will promote loving, attentive, pleasing atmosphere for meetings of National Spiritual Assembly agencies and Baha’f National Center departments. Will set up and close down meetings, pick up catering, shop and do light clerical work. Must be able to work well under time constraints. Must be able to lift and carry meeting supplies. A car is highly desired. Very flexible work schedule offered to accommodate various weekend meetings.

Baha'i Distribution Service, 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 Baha’ offices, authors, publishers, vendors and others nationally and internationally; supervise business office assistants. Minimum five years’ varied experience in accounting with a year’s management experience, extremely strong accounting skills through G/L; retail background a plus; fluency in Spanish or Persian along with English a plus; strong computer skills including QuickBooks and Excel. Must be highly motivated, problem solver, able to work independently. »

Kingdom Project/Treasurer’s Office, Evanston, IL: Administrative Assistant. Will maintain database of 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.

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

At Bosch BAHA'l SCHOOL SANTA Cruz, CA Facilities Manager. Will manage

Office Manager/Registrar. Cox of Hun

Center for job requirements.

Resources at the Baha’i National

facility/building ind engineering

onally oversees kitchen/dining room

operations; must have 2 years’ experience as

requests 3 cook.

ment and buildings are Children’s Education Coordinator. Looking

ively maintained. Needs 5 xperience —_for a dynamic, personable, energetic person

in all areas of building maintenance (HVAC,

1, plumbing, carpentry, pai ed field; must be trained in Core Curricula

must hi: for child

manager; v command of

t the Office

Assistant Cook (full time). Helps Head Cook,

with a bachelor’s degree in education or relat

knowledge of curriculum building n of all ages ona wide range of subjects; able to contact and supervise volunteer

URGENT NEED

Director, NATIONAL OFFICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION New York, NY For a complete job description with responsibilities and qualifications: Visit www.usbne.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.

teachers. Will plan and organize children’s

program as well as help with adult program.

Organizational and leadership skills a must; musical talent a plus.

AT GREEN ACRE BAHA'I SCHOOL Euot, ME

Assistant Facilities

rdinator, Helps with

inspections, maintenance, exterior and interior

Js skills in houseke

repairs. } ng, maintenance of buildings, equipment, vehicles, grounds.

Office Assistant, Performs general off

assists with the

agement and bookkeepi bookstore, recept ahi al/administrative skills, famil

n, registration. Must be

grounded in principl

, proficient in

eneral secre

iar with software including MS Word, E Publisher and QuickBooks. Assistant Cook (part- to full-time). Helps

Head Cook, occasion:

dining room; must have

cook.

AT NATIVE AMERICAN BAHA'I INSTITUTE Houck, AZ Children and Youth Program Coordinator.

Carries out adn

youth prog: Corps volunteer program; collaborates with

administrators to design and run an effective

se and community involvement

ce, training

uth volunteers; communicates

program for y with youth from around the region and the country; develops youth newsletters, periodic

nferences, organized retreats and deepen

completes special projects and other

Needs driver's license. Will

and en

Maintenance Supervis ty/building maintenan

servic

to provide timely at mini

estimate, sche

¢ maintenance requests

and projects; ensure that all equipment and

buildings are efficiently

ind effectively main

ned. Needs 5 years’ experience in all arcas

plumbing, carpent with 3-5 years as a maint

valid driver's license; supervisory command of

English.

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

page 30 THe American BaAnA’i * CLASSIFIED September 27, 2001 [Page 31]

| stireeseeererape er

eer enero "F

“CLASSIFIED.

PSOE PFPA ET OER TTT TTT

involving renovations, repairs, carpentry,

al work, protec

and cle

ading this department

to supervise a number of helpers.

from the cha

For more

URGENT NEED AT THE BAHA'I WorRLD CENTER, HAIFA, ISRAEL

Maintenance/Janitorial Supervisors The Works Office at the World Center is responsible for physical maintenance of buildings, plumbing, electrical works, etc. ‘The Cleaning Maintenance Department is responsible for keeping the buildings c

ot only must be knowledgeable for instance, knowing what chemi rhe buildings to be loo acter of museums to that of ordinary offices.

formation see: WWW.USDNC.Org

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

pn; this floors, walls, furniture, art objects ete. The

perienced in techni

‘but also must be

cd after cover a wide range,

INTERNATIONAL China: Numerous openings for English te:

ers and professionals willing to travel for serv~

in this rapidly developing country. information contact John Cornyn (phone

, fax 847-733-3509, e

Please contact the Office of Pioneering for

detailed information about these and other

ternational opportunities. Office of Pioneering, 1233 Cent 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, fax 847-7333509, e-mail ).

Online teaching stories and experiences needed fe and the Internet in their te

a book on how B:

€ using computers ing efforts. In

addition to t terested in

ing stories, I’m i

all things related to ¢

teaching. Where

have you done your online teaching, and how

have people have reacted to it? Have you made

friends or irritated people? How have you hanWhat hav

our stories and experiences to

you le;

dled oppositios ne

Please send

Dale Lehman,

(e-mail .

PIONEERING / OVERSEAS

The Office of Pioneering is eager to assist the friends preparing for internatic

ice. For information regarding jobs and study

abroad, or international t

veling t

opportunities and other events, please con tact the Office of Pioneering, Bal

International Teaching Projects

• Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Gi

Baltic States: Diversity Dance Theatre

ptember 2001-August 2002, sys

many,

Europe, tematically connecting proc! I teaching, d

cooperation with the Continental Board of

Counselors, Baha'i Youth Council

and many National Spiritual Assemblies, the project consists mainly of touring and “short term pioneering” aiming at supporting and

establishing “social dance projects.” Conferences, Schools and Events

Hawaii: “Fire in the Pacific” Centenary n Honolulu, Dec. 20-23.

ng 100 years of the spread and progress of the Faith in the Pacific.

T Ages will be showcase

Conferen

Commemorat

o heroines of the Heroic and Formative

the Hands of the

use of God Agnes Baldwin Alexander and Martha gravesites are located in Hawaii.

Louise Root—both of whose

a itual Assembly's Office of ffairs in Washington, DC, is

pting applications for a semester-long internship position. Pri Perform research support in some or all of the

ary duties are:

following s of women,

sustainable development, support of the Unit

ir seobenatleetla ors for Web site

design and/or exhibits related to the work of the office. Perform services related to day-today office operations (40%).

Applicants should be college students, recent college graduates or students in a graduate program with emphasis related to the work of the Office of To apply, mail or letter to Internship App External Affairs, National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the U.S., 1320 19th $ NW, Suite 701, Washington, DC 20036-1610

(e-mail

xternal Aff

treet

ARCHIVES

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

to the following: Eberhard K. Friedland, Bar bara Friend, Helen Frink,

hel Furbush, jaertner, Blanche A. Gagnon, Alt

and Agnes Gardner. Anyone knowing fami

members or ri who might have these

Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-8699039).

mailing list of those who would like to receive copies of its duplicate book mail auction catalogs. The Archives has been having one or two

mail auctions of duplicate books a year. If you

would like to be on the mailing list, send your ID number to the es, 1233 Central St.,

‘vanston, IL 60201-1611.

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

World Order

Summer 2001: Perspectives on the Promise of Peace June Manning Thomas on removing racism from urban planning * Richard W. Thomas on positive interracial and multicultural movements that model peace

• Leila Milani on the decision-making role of women in bringing about peace
• Jeffrey S. Gruber on indigenization, universalization, and world language
• M. Eric Horton on Gregory Nava’s E/ Norte * Firuz Kazemzadeh reviews

Century of Light

Still available: Spring 2001 Martha L. Schweitz on family governance * Michael L. Pern on eradicating gender-based violence

• Caren Rosenthal and Leili Towfigh on truth telling and healing families through an analysis of

Thomas Vinterberg’s The Celebration Coming Soon: Special issues on:

• Constructing Gender
• Does Race Exist?
• Cities, Suburbs, and Countryside:

Connecting the Spirit to the Environment

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One Country The American Baha’i

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September 27,2001 Te AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ CLAssiFiED page 31 [Page 32]

Burrell Bullock had extended Baha’i family

|AHA’L JOURNAL

IRMATION FROM urrell Bullock’s family

B well beyond his wife,

dren and grandchildren. At his. memorial service in Los Angeles, when the people who considered th his sons were asked to identify themselves, an amazing number and variety of people stood proudly.

Bullock, a former member of the Auxiliary Board for Protection, a 15-year Los Angeles Spiritual Assembly member and an enthusiastic servant of the Cause, passed away February 12, 2001, from lung cancer. He was 67.

Born March 19, 1933, in Chicago, Bullock was an enthusiastic optimist. His father, Gerald, was a high school teacher and was at the forefront of the civil rights movement—not only as Illinois state president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, but also as a founding member of the Congress of Racial Equality. That group is credited with a number of actions that influenced nationwide change in racial laws and business practices, including the famous “Freedom Rides” of the 1960s.

Later, Gerald served on the Illinois Governor’s Commission on Human Rights and received many awards and commendations for his service. Burrell once remarked, “... men like Martin Luther King and Ralph Abernathy deferred to my father when he was in the room.”

Mischievous in his early school years, Burrell began excelling after a teacher noticed his leadership ability and started assigning him responsibilities. He also eventually earned the Eagle award in Boy Scouts.

While attending college in Illinois, Burrell married Jacqueline Tanner. He joined his wife as a Jehovah’s Witness and the couple had two children. After the family moved to Los Angel 1953, Burrell worked at various jobs and helped open a restaurant before settling into a county data processing job, an aré in which he worked for many years. first marriage ended in the mid-196

In the next few years came several li! changing events: In January 1966 Burrell married Lena Bradford, with whom he eventually had four mor . That year his father died and his mother, Mary, moved to Los Angeles to be with the rest of the family.

Fateful meeting

Then in 1969 at a fast-food restaurant, Burrell met a stranger named Jerry Sinclair who told him about the Baha’f Faith and gave him the book Bahda’é World Faith. All that night, his wife recalls, “Burrell read that book in one sitting, pacing back and forth saying, ‘Oh my goodness.’ ”

Burrell devoted the rest of his life to serving his religion and humanity.

He served on the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd’is of Pasadena for a time and, in 1974, moved his family to South Pasadena to help establish a Spiritual Assembly there. In 1975 they moved to the Chicago area, where Burrell served in the National Spiritual Assembly's Office of the Secretary under Glenford E. Mitchell. They moved back to Los Angeles in 1978 when Lena, pregnant with their son Brett, became ill from the cold Chicago climate.

Within months Burrell was elected to serve on the Spiritual Assembly of Los

Angeles, and that service was continuous until 1994, when he moved outside the country for a year. During that stint in

Los Angeles he resumed his education, in 1989 earning a master’s degree with highest honors from California State University, Northridge.

After returning to the country in 1995 he was appointed to serve on the Auxiliary Board, and was an encouraging presence at a number of Baha’f schools and events. He left that post in December 2000 upon discovering he had terminal cancer.

A budding education career

Though retired, Burrell had recently begun teaching at Montclair College Preparatory School. Though he started as a substitute teacher, the school’s headmaster recognized his positive effect on students and persuaded him to teach full time. Burrell came to love his work with the school and he quickly became the favorite teacher on campus.

More than 400 people gathered for a memorial program, at which an array of family members and friends expressed their joy at having known and served with Burrell.

They included Counselor Angelica Huerta, who recalled her association with him as the two served as Auxiliary Board

Burrell Bullock (left) is shown here ina 1991 photo with jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie, while Bullock was serving on the Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles.

Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Baha'i Journal

members; Fernando Huerta, now an Auxiliary Board member, who choked with emotion as he spoke of Burrell’s memorable qualities and the success he had had in raising his children in the Faith; and musician JB Eckl, who counted himself part of Burrell’s extended family.

Wilma Ellis, who as a Continental Counselor had overseen Bullock’s Auxiliary Board services, sent a letter saying in part: “Burrell’s chair in the Los Angeles Bahai Community is now empty and while we mourn his absence we will join his dear wife, Lena, and his family in ing solace in the teachings of our Faith for his ‘days of blissful joy, of beavenly delight’ have now begun.”

His son Brian related a touching story in which his father expressed a fear of dying—but not of death itself: “He said he was afraid that he hadn’t done everything he should have; that there was some soul he had hurt, or hadn’t shared the message with when the time was right; or some service that he had left undone.”

Burrell Bullock is survived by his wife, Lena; their four children, Brian, Bradley, Brandon and Brett; children from his first marriage, Jerrold and Janice; his mother, Mary; his brother, Curtis; and numerous grandchildren.

BARRETT,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

nia, on Oct. 1, 1927, and raised in Oakland. His forward-thinking parents wrote and produced two plays in the 1920s promoting race unity—presaging his own work as a Baha’i for the oneness of humanity.

Barrett earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and added a master’s from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He also attended Columbia University Graduate School of Business.

He spent most of his life as an international law attorney, pioneering to Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Colombia and Venezuela during the Ten Year Crusade and to Ecuador in the 1970s. The Barretts were instrumental in forming several Bahé’{ communities and National Spiritual Assemblies in South America.

They also lived in Canada, Pennsylvania, Florida, New York, and California, where he was the Lake County Superior Court administrator. During the late 1970s he served a stint as a member of the Auxiliary Board for Propagation responsible for Michigan and Ohio.

For the past five years, Donald Barrett served on the Spiritual Assembly of Edmond.

On July 21, just days before his death, he was:the subject of a feature article in The Edmond Sun.

It focused in part on his work as an English instructor for the Edmond Language Institute, part of the University of Central Oklahoma.

He also taught English to recent Iranian Baha’f immigrants at the Edmond Baha’{ Center.

In the Sun article, Barbara Barrett told how her husband studied space and air law in the early 1950s before Sputnik I launched the space age.

“Tt was so funny to talk about space back then,” Barbara Barrett said of his studies in Canada.

She also recalled how they met as UCLA students. He was running for student body president and she was persuaded by a mutual friend to be his campaign manager.

Barrett won the election. It was the “beginning of a lifelong partnership that was cemented in marriage in 1949,” the Sun article related.

Memorial services for Barrett were held at the Edmond Baha’i Center, with burial following at Gracelawn Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Jewkes Barrett; son, Morgan Barrett of Edmond; daughter, Teresa Barrett Jensen of Indianapolis, Indiana; brother, Dr. Arthur David Barrett of Malibu, California; sister, Carol Boyd of Claremont, California; and three grandchildren.

Information for this article came from Veronica Shofstall in New York City and The Edmond Sun.

Cornell a leading light for BCCA

ohn Cornell, D. a moderator of Bahai Announce and ardent supporter of the Baha’f Computer and Communications Association (BCCA), died June 24, 2001, at his home in Reedley, California, of a heart attack. He was 77.

In a statement, the BCCA coordinating committee called his service as moderator “a thankless task requiring careful judgment and good human relationship skills, all of which John exemplified. He will be sorely missed.”

In nearby Fresno, Cornell was involved in Hmong teaching, often driving youths to events around the state with the radio blaring rap and hip-hop tunes.

He was instrumental in establishing social contacts with Hmong adults. And he was very active in the United Nations Association.

Years ago, Cornell and his mother developed and published a study course on Baha’i law.

He was the recipient of at least one letter written on behalf of the Guardian, with a postscript from Shoghi Effendi. This letter was often quoted in discussions on the subject of chastity.

Cornell is survived by a son, John Cornell Jr. of Fresno; a brother, Charles Cornell of Honduras; and a niece, in Detroit, who recently finished dental school.

The Spiritual Assembly of Fresno handled funeral arrangements. ®

page 32 Tne AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ In MemoriAM September 27, 2001 [Page 33]

STN* MEMORIAM:

Doris Ballard served in Africa, in England, at Baha’i World Center

INFORMATION FROM MIRIAM NEWMAN WIENER

peland Ballard, born in 1914 in Vernon, d to the next world May 2, 2001, in

ii World and.

strides in her home

y pel cad made gre: music, studying voice and performing town while still in her teens.

She joined the c II, living in San Antonio a she was married for a tim Colorado Springs, Colorado.

There she studied the Bah: widely known teachers Bahiyyih Randall Ford (WinKler) and Kay Zinky.

Ballard enrolled as a Baha’ in 1949, and soon moved to London, England, where she was able to travel and teach widely throughout Europe. In the early 1950s, she moved to South Africa—and stayed on that continent for 16 ye

For wo

the onset of World War dd later Fort Worth, where From there she moved to

a pionee she worked in Johannesburg for the sharing quarters with Fi ded the first South A!

woman to become a Baha’i.

‘aith under the wing of

nas Northern h the Fai . In South Africa ed great fear of inviting black people

She next move

Rhod Ballard s Rhod since apartheid had into ones hom

ance; the Hand of and Marguerite

use of God William Sears; Sears.

Upon returning to the United States, Ballard worked as a secretary to John Melcher, a Montana member of d later the Senate. he served on the Spiritual Assembly

of Alexandri Her other interests included literature, poetry, and the s During her last few y. Ballard spent much time

fter her eyesight failed, ening to opera and c

cemetery, Old Town, arranged by the

Message from the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States, dated Aug. 17, 2001:

We share your deep sense of loss in the passing of Sylvia Badieh Parmelee, a lifelong, faithful, selfeffacing handmaiden of Baha’u’llah. Ever influenced and distinguished by her childhood meeting with her beloved Master, she acquired a steadfastness of faith, a humility of character and a radiance of spirit that illumined her services as a teacher of the Cause of God and as a worker for many years in advancing pioneering activities, particularly in Africa, during the Ten Year Crusade and subsequent international teaching plans. We ardently pray at the Holy Threshold for the progress of her radiant soul throughout the divine realms and, as well, for the solace of her loved ones.

The Universal House of Justice

A detailed obituary article on Sylvia Parmelee will be published in a future issue of The American Baba.

Donald Wong-Ken drew from

IN MEMORIAM

Listings for “In Memoriam” come from the Membership Office of the Baha’i National Center. To report the passing of a Bahs'’ in the United States, please contact the Membership Office, 1233

Western, Eastern medical practice

Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (e-mail

Javahir Ghatan ‘Tacoma, WA July 11, 2001

Jamalieh Avvali-Seisan Los Angeles, CA July 11, 2001

Doris C. Ballard Judith A. Hall Alexandria, VA Alamogordo, NM. May 2, 2001 July 3, 2001 Adam P. Banner Lynda R. Hawkins Munith, MI Antioch, CA June 22, 2001 April 20, 2001 Victoria M.L. Bombas Patria J. Jones North Miami, FL St. John the Baptist June 21, 2001 Parish, LA July 20, 2001 Marie Burnett Elko, NV Heavula Kata July 5, 2001 Huntington Beach, CA July 24, 2001 Leroy F. Buttorf Huntington Woods, MI Effat A. Kiani January 18, 2001 Huntington Beach, CA July 9, 2001 Ursula H. Dare Ashland, OR John T. Linkins July 21, 2001 Tamarac, FL June 15, 2001 Arman Fazli Montgomery County, MD — Susan E. McCune July 14, 2001 Edmond, OK

June 30, 2001

EB Marcia McKenna Inti ‘Montgomery County, MD June 28, 2001

Kenneth R. Merryman

Anna von deBardeleben

) INFORMATION FROM LYNN ASCRIZZI

Middletown, PA 69, July 3, 2001

Joyce Nelson Klamath Falls, OR June 10, 2001

oped a one-of-a Eastern approaches.

Pauline Paul Santa Rosa, CA

July 10, 2001 dence to his pati

tS.

June 3, 2001 degre

versity of South Dakota

Mary R. Thompson Victoria, TX June 15, 2001

rapher and commercial ;

Tuscaloosa, AL

June 23, 2001

Myron Wilson Palmdale, CA Study July 11, 2001 guides for this year’s s\ national study theme

arold Donald Wong-Ken, D.O., died unexpectedly at his Waterville, Maine, home June 30.

An osteopathic physician, he develind practice after many years of studying Western and

Above all, he had faith in the human spirit and the body’s inherent healing

powers, and he transmitted this confi Wong-Ken was born in Jamaica on

in geology from the State Uni

New York City

t, as a professor of geology in Jamaica, and as a

geologist in South Dakota. In the early 1970s, he wa of geology and dean at Uni Maine. At age 38, he switched career tracks and went to medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic

sa professor College in

en was a Baha’ for more than

s wife, Deanna sons Adrian Wong-Ken, of Manchester, Maine, and Michael Yarberry of Port St. Lucie, Florida;

Arthur J. Somerhalder April 16, 1932, of Chinese and Indian daughter Shannon De Groot of MiddleAntioch, CA parents. town, Connecticut; stepson Kevin March 18, 2001 He received a degree in economics Starinieri of Folsom, California; stepfrom Cambridge University in England, daughter Lee Ann Starinieri of Sitka,

John R. Skoog a bachelor’s degree in geology from the — Alaska; a brother, Ken Wong of Mia Onamia, MN Uni y of Illinois, and a master’s Florida; two sisters, Joyce Schlump of

Wyoming and Sybil Tenn of Ontario,

a grandson, two stepgrandchil

a cartog

brating his life was held lat

Baha'i education resources at www.usbnc.org: National Education & Schools Web pages

Updates from the National Education and Schools Office: National goals and local lines of action * Core Curriculum/Fundamental Verities information ¢ Links to regional Baha’i schools * Wilmette Institute * Scouting awards * More!

September 27, 2001

Tne AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ IN MEMORIAM page 33 [Page 34]2001 BAHA'f CONFERENCE ON SOCIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE AMERICAS December 13-16 * Rosen Plaza Hotel ¢ Orlando, Florida

TOPICS c of Social and Ecor thics in SED; Ini

The Spiritual Nac Development (SED);

% SED Projects; A Conceptual Framework to Help

Guide SED Practice; Applying the Arts 0 SED;

of SED Principles co Health Care;

he Barriers to Systematic Action; Youth vice and SED; sof \

foward Oneness”: Practical

al Leadership

Education; The Gene Andrews Wilma Ellis Eloy Anello Jack McCants

Leslie Asplund

n Along the Path

co Equality;

Application of the Teachings co Eliminate fluence the course of human affairs.” This is to be

new Five Year Plan calls upon us to *

ipatory Processes that Empower achieved through variou inclu

ablishing projects of social and economic de

itual Values «0 Business

velopment. The Plan calls for us to to utilize “a process of goal sett ion, evaluation and

uch more.

learn - could be

1g.” As we've been told in the past,

.. learning to apply the Teachings

taken as the very definition of SED.” Key elements of the Conference program include a mix

ture of plenary and smaller concurrent sessions featuring presentations on SED principles,

pal Learning,

Concepts, Core processes an

depth case studies, with a number of repeat sessions (0 assist rected by Leslie Asplund and P P

the friends in being able to attend sessions of interest Featured presenters: Dwight and Doug Allen (U.S (Bolivia), Luis Enrique Beust (Brazil), Michael and Judie Bopp (Canada), Austin BowdenKerby ( Wilma Ellis (U.S.), Tod ig, (U |, Holly Hanson (U.S.), Jack McCants

(U.S,), Naysan Sahba (US), Donald Witel (Venezuela) and many more.

Registration & Fees

Register online at our Web site: www.rabbanitrust.org, For general information, call 407-740-5415 Adults $120 * Youth (15-20 years) $80 * Children and Junior Youth (3-14 years) $60 * Add $19 contribution if possible for scholarships Add $20 per person after Nov. 10 * No refunds for “no-shows” ¢ All cancellations subject t© a $20 cancellation fee TO REGISTER BY MAIL: Use the Multipurpose Form on this page * SEPARATE COPY FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL REG Mail check (in U.S. dollars) to Rabbani Charitable Trust + 2693 W. ite A * Winter Park, Florida 32 OR: To pay by credit card (Visa, MC, Amex, DC, CB), under “Special Information” write card number, exp. date, amount paid, cardholder's signature

HOTEL/AIRLINE/RENTAL CAR INFORMATION Hotel rooms at the Rosen (formerly Clarion) Plaza Hotel in Orlando: $50 per night (up to 4 people per roon Litnited avaifability—call promptly 800-4 Group Delta nes discounts through American Travel Consultants 800-241-6760 File #177623A

the talents of Farzad Khozein, KC Porter,

‘ |, Eugene Andrews (U.S.), Eloy Anello fa Bauman, Laura Lee and

For program details, see www.rabbaniteust.org

INFORMATION ON YOUR INTERNATIONAL

TEACHING TRIP

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

Just contact the Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, fax 847-7333509, e-mail ).

Use the Multipurpose Form below to respond by mail. Include the following special informa tion (use a separate sheet as needed);

¢ Names and ID numbers of all Baha'is on each trip

• Names of each country visited, plus the

‘one or two main localities, and date(s) of visie(s)

• Main purpose of your travel

• Did you arise to meet the call of the

Universal House of Justi 5 Native Americans to teach in the circumpolar areas? Hispanic believers to teach in Latin America? African-Americans to teach in Africa?

Avis Car Rental discounts 800-331-1600

is Worldwide Discount Group #D131183.

oe en

“We loved the spiritual infusion of

For which event or activity?

a MULTIPURPOSE FORM

CLIP oR Copy As NEE

ED

new energy into long-known concepts.”

— a workshop participant Name

Address.

Spiritual Assemblies are working

State, ZIP.

to build a new state of mind.

Join them by taking one of 15 Assembly Development Module Workshops. Contact the Office of Assembly Development at 847-733-3490, email or ¢0 t0 wwu.usbneorg

Phone

E-mail

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

IN HONOR OR IN MEMORY gyn on) Honor those you love on their special days or remember them — * By mail from the (fice of the Treasurer,

after they've passed on with a gift to the National Baha’i Fund. 1233 Central Se, Evanston, I 60201

‘TAB 9/27/01

page 34 Tne AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ SeexinG Your Resronse September 27,2001 [Page 35]

CLUSTERS,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE |

function as “instruments of the spirit of the Faith” and “loving shepherds of the multitudes” will determine, to a large extent, the progress of our United State: Baha'i community in the Five Year Plan.

In its letter of January 9, 2001, the Universal House of Justice calls us to employ intercommunity partnerships or clusters as a planning tool to advance the growth and development of Baha’{ communi Our history of cooperation among communities must be given fresh consideration in the light of the House of Justice’s guidance and the applicati principles to the particular circum and opportunities in your localities.

Various kinds of intercommunity partnerships are widespread in th Baha’i community. Local As groups, and isolated believers have long established patterns of working together to support teaching projects, local media plans, seeker follow-up, home front pioneering, Sunday

merican

emblies,

schools, area centers, { youth workshops, devotional gath training institutes, and proj f 1 and economic development; to

INSTITUTE, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

four of whom are youths.

“It’s a really good opportunity to expand your knowledge in the Faith ir focused way with other people,” said Shabnam Cyrus, a college sophomore from Louisville, Kentucky. Some of the most memorable sessions made students feel free to express their thoughts and feelings, rather than feeling choked off, she said.

Though definitely younger on the average than earlier groups dominated by self-described middle-aged women, this year’s group spanned what David Ruhe called a “happy range of ages.”

“Ics invigorating, live-giving, renewing,” said William Love of Mount Juliet, ‘Tennessee, the oldest group member, in his 70s. He added that the courses helped him learn better how to teach the Faith in a knowledgeable and systematic way, rather than “slipshod and haphazard.”

Bits and pieces of the two weeks’ shared experience at a college dormitory were revealed in student skits at the graduation dinner: man-eating elevators, quirky but beloved instructors, shrieking sound systems and meditation at the House of Worship “enhanced” by the music of tractors moving earth just outside.

More earnestly, the students shared a heartfelt letter to the Universal House of Justice, presented tributes to the board and faculty including Stockman, and honored the summer session’s “mom,” Patricia Haynie of Florida, who also was presented with a certificate of completion of the fouryear Spiritual Foundations program.

‘The dinner also gave Iraj Ayman, a founding member of the Wilmette Institute board, an opportunity to share a glimpse of its vision: “The purpose is to learn how to study the message of God

name a few. Intercommunity cooperation is a salient strength enabling Baha'i communities to serve special populations and to broaden their engagement of the larger community. Baha’i work with public and private social institutions in education, race unity, gender equality and social upliftment would scarcely be possible without the cooperative efforts of devoted Baha'is from various communitie:

In the Five Year Plan Local Spiritual Assemblies are given the goal of creating and strengthening clusters or intercommunity partnerships to advance programs of growth and development. The demonstrated ity of Spiritual Assemblies inspires our confidence in your fulfillment

of this assignment. The diversity of local conditions and the sheer numbers of Assemblies and groups make it a practical

ions on how and

necessity that the de where to create partnerships rest primarily with Assemblies, based on their assessment of how best to advance local development.

In creating and administering ze you to avoid overcomplicating the task. The basic purpose is to lish partnershi ties to increase our

cluster

s among communi apacity to develop

William Love of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, was among the students in this year’s Wilmette Institute Spiritual Foundations session.

and to use it the it should be used.”

Some of those proper uses, mentioned in the writings of Shoghi Effendi, are to make us better teachers of the Faith (both to the world in general and to children), as well as its defenders, expounders, administrators and scholars. Moving from study of the Writings to action, Ayman said, is like “the difference between viewing the beauty of the ocean and swimming in it.”

Characterizing the institute as one phase of a long-term “Wilmette Project,” he added that the board’s hope always has been that it would eventually evolve into a Baha’i university.

‘To Sherry Krannichfeld, a student from Benton County, Arkansas, the expertise of the institute’s unive! level faculty has provided great insight into “how they put their knowledge [of the Baha’{ writings] into their fields and professions.” It touched her, she said, that one of her instructors told of writing down a Tablet every day, carrying it with him and trying to apply its teachings at work that day. “I really wouldn’t have thought of applying it this way in a corporate situation,” Krannichfeld said.

‘That's all part, though, of every Baha’?’s personal study mission, which David Ruhe said in one way or another amounts to this: “You should know Baha’u’ll4h, read His writings, come to love Him. ... Only with such a personal attachment can we realize that zeal and that enthusiasm that are so essential to our work.”

growth. Clusters are not intended to be a new component of Baha’ administration. Rather, they are simply a means of organizing the human and material resources of Baha’i communities in an area to increase their strengths and nullify their weaknesses. Intercommunity partnerships provide a process for haring the collective power of the friends by strengthening the unity of our efforts to advance programs of growth. In many cases such partnerships will y simple goals and evolve over time to include more of the elefull Baha that are nec

ments of a

f community life ary for intensive programs of growth to be effective and sustainable. In all c you to employ a process of regular evaluation to assure continuous learning and improvement of your efforts

In a few localities the large Baha’{ community and the diversity of conditions within a city may suggest that artnerships be estabtematic

These and other questions may be pursued in the process of the regular community consultation and given as one of your Five Y,

we

intra-community lished to assure

RACE UNITY,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Award plaques were presented to Carolyn Oehler, Bishop Murphy, and Cindy and Rodney Lindsey for their outstanding contributions to race relations.

A youth gospel choir and the Malone Dancers entertained the audience.

Hefner spoke on “Unity in Diversity,” with quotations from the Baha’f writings, allusions to ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s journey to America, and a detailed introduction of the Baha’f Faith.

He praised the diversity of the worldwide Baha’{ community and compared it to historically black TSU, which last year enrolled students from 54 countries and 40 states.

“We have learned that there truly is unity in diversity, because no matter what our differences, it is inevitably those things that are sim

goals. We encourage you to seek the advice of your Auxiliary Board members or their ants. The Regional Baha’i Councils stand ready to facilitate your efforts if needed.

Our hope is that all Assemblies will complete their initial plans for establishing partnerships by October 1, 2001 and submit them, along with a description of partnerships in which the Assembly is already participating, to the Regional Baha'i Council for review and comment. nportant in helping the Regional Souncils carry out their function as centers of regional learning networks, earning among Assemblies on all aspects of growth and development.

We are confident that creating and strengthening intercommunity partmerships will bring unity and strength to our efforts to advance the systematic growth and development of the Baha’f communi!

Our prayers for the guidance and confir

mation of your services are never ending.

Your nts,

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'IS OF THE UNITED $ Robert C. Henderson Secretary-General

Tennessee State University President James Hefner (right) greets Yassi Azhdari, a Brentwood resident and TSU graduate student, at the local Race Unity Day celebration.

when he observed that the notion of

ilar that are most “[T]here truly is unity community must Perel and a indiversity. ... We have be incisive of all ring us together, . ericans, ie Hefner said. “We | Come to appreciate that, noted. “Let us be have ee in the words of one Kenyan a ; are eat appreciate that, in Fj is ieved that the thes words of one proverb, ‘sticks ina bundle world and its ae Pe are unbreakable.’ ” i habitants pa icks in a bundle 3 interconnecte are unbreakable.’ ” 4 Heiner Tou prescient and interdependHefner quoted ent. The task,

from the Baha’s

writings alongside passages from key books from the civil rights movement, including the Rev. Martin Luther King Jrs “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community.”

“While there exists no clearly articulated definition of community in ‘Where Do We Go From Here,’ King leaves no doubt about his vision of community

therefore, is to ‘transform this worldwide neighborhood into a worldwide brotherhood.’ ”

‘The event was sponsored and organized by the Unity Feast Committee, the Race Amity Committee of Nashville and the Brentwood Assembly.

Local newspapers and radio covered the evening. The Tennesseean published several photos and a short article. ®

September 27,2001 Tre AMERICAN BanA’i * ConTINUED page 35 [Page 36]

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page 38 Tne AMERICAN BAnA’i * PERSIAN September 27,2001 [Page 39]

NATION

AL*NEWS: _

Uganda community celebrates 50th anniversary

BAHA'I WORLD NEWS SERVICE

¢ Kampala, Uganda: In a weeklong celebration that opened to the joyous beat of African drums—and went on to feature a statement by Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni—the Ugandan Baha'i community commemorated in early August the 50th anniversary of its founding.

The Ugandan community was established on Aug. 2, 1951, when a small group of Baha’is from Great Britain and Iran arrived to pioneer in Uganda.

The Faith’s principles of unity and social progress soon won acceptance from people in every region of the country and most of the major tribal groups. Within two years the community had expanded to nearly 300 member 25 localities, representing 20 tribes.

Today, the Baha'i Faith has an estimated 105,000 members in Uganda, with about 200 Local Spiritual Assemblie: and more than 2,800 established localiIts members represent virtually every gious background.

“You will find that the diversity of all

Uganda is clearly seen in the Bahai community and in our activities,” said George Olinga, chair of the Bahai Jubilee planning committee.

Praise for the Faith’s record of promoting harmony and development in a country often divided by tribalism was a main message of the Preaeenee statement, which was read Aug. 2, 2001, by

Capt. Michael Mukula, state minister for health, before some 2,000 people at the Baha'i House of Worship in Kampala.

“In Uganda we are constantly fighting against ethnic and religious sectarianisms and our politics was played out and polarized along those major fault lines for a very long time,” wrote Museveni, explaining that his government h pught to. “bring all the people together irrespective of their faith, race, color or ethnicity.”

“We have been doing what you in the Baha’{ Faith began to do a long time age Mu s i ed in prepared remarks.

cont i dey to Snatoi: Balding President Museveni’s statement went on to highlight the needs to fight the evils of

corruption, to reduce poverty and to strive for equality between men and women— goals which he said he and his government share with the Baha’i community.

Among other highlights of the weeklong celebration, which began July 31 in Kampala and ended Aug. 5 in Tilling in Eastern Uganda, were the presence of four of the six founding members of the community, attendance by various government officials, and extensive media coverage.

Among the founding members of the community in attendance was ‘Ali Nakhjavan{, a member of the Universal House of Justice. He spoke at several events during the week, on the theme of “The Spiritual Destiny of Africa.”

Before some 2,500 people on Aug. 5 in ‘Tilling, for example, he said that when he came to Uganda in 1951, the Faith was like “drops of water here and there.

“Now the Baha’ Nakhjavai form that lake into an ocean.”

Philip Hainsworth, another of the six founders who returned for the tion, told how the fledgling Bal

munity of Uganda became an important nucleus for the spread and expansion of the Faith to neighboring countries in the 1950s and 1960s, through the hosting of various international conferences and, in 1957, with the start of construction on the first Baha’f House of Worship on the continent. It was completed in 1961.

In recent years, the Baha’f community of Uganda has sponsored a number of social and economic development projects. The Faith operates primary schools in Odusai and in Tilling. With about 1,000 students and a solid reputation for excellence, the school in Tilling is considered the top school in its district.

In the 1990s, in some 30 villages in Easterm Uganda, the Uganda Baha'i Institute for Development has been taining and supporting local volunteer community health workers. Improvements in basic health and sanitation in the region have been documented by several organizations.

A Baha’i-inspired non-governmental organization, UPLIFT, has also recently started a literacy project in the northern region of Uganda. #

TERRACES,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

who I otherwise would not have a chance to meet,” Naftali said. “One of my friends now is another guide, a Druze from the Golan. We have reached a completely different level of understanding, based on friendship rather than politics.”

A tour guide supervisor, Gad Zorea, reiterated that having guides from many backgrounds working together adds to the appeal of the gardens.

“Haifa is a special, unique place in rael. People know this city for the coexistence of Jews and Arabs, and also Christians, Druze and Baha'is,” Zorea sai “The visitors can see our guides and they remark on thi:

use of the things are happening,” he said. “Our guides are the first people they encounter when they enter the gardens, and slowly we uy to show them a different perspective, give them a glimpse of the view the world—in a way educate them that the world can be a better place.”

‘The inten: for Terraces tour guides included ith the architect of the terraces, Fariborz Sahba, and the caretaker of the Bahai Holy Places, Jamsheed Ardjomandi.

Naftali said that the training program deeply touched her, and that nearly all the guides share her sense that what they are doing is much more than a job.

“It was so meaningful when Mr. Ardjomandi described the significance of these Holy Places, when he told us of Baha’u'llah’s dialogue with the mountain [in the Tablet of Carmel],” she said. “After that I felt: this is a mission. I started caring more, doing more. These gardens touch people's souls.”

The tours give many Israelis th

ir first

glimpse of a religious community that has maintained remarkably low profile during its century-long presence on Mount Carmel. Since the time in 1868 when the Baha’u'llih was brought to the neighboring city of ‘Akka as a prisoner under the Ottoman Turks, Baha'is have observed a strict policy of not seeking or accepting converts in the Holy Land. “The gardens are a wonde! ful contribution to the said Lynn Taubkin, a visitor resident for 22 sa repe of the people of I have never heard anything but positive remarks about the gardens. And knowing that it is all based on voluntary contributi nd the work of volunteers adds to our appreciation. Another visitor, Orit from Kadima, agreed that the explanation she had heard about the Baha’s Faith reinforced the impression given by the gardens. “The impression of symmetry, order and neatness was intertwined with the presentation of the Baha’f religion. The harmonious, unifying principle is very pronounced in the gardens. It is beautiful and very inspiring,” she said. Another tour guide, Yohai Devir, gathered his group on the bridge, speaking through a small portable amplifier carried - He pointed to the imposing marble buildings on the nearby Are and described their functions as the international administrative center of a world religion. Looking up at the terraces, he pointed out the three distinct zones of the gardens—the formal central axis, surrounded on either side by informal gardens and droughtresistant ground covers, blending finally into the natural wooded cover of the mountain—and described the high-tech water

‘on his wai

Tour guide Yohai De’ questions from participants on a terrace below the Shrine of the Bab. Baha'i World News Service

a university student, takes

conservation methods used in the gardens.

Devir, a student of electrical engineering at Haifa’s Teehnion University, then led the group down around the side of the Shrine of the Bab to a shady area where he told stories from the lives of the Bib and Baha’u'lléh. Further along he shared

in the gardens? What other gardens in the world can these compare ‘ith? Who is buried in the Shrine? Why here in Israel?

usan Soto, a visitor from Karmi’el, about 45 minutes north of Haifa, said she came on the tour because she had seen the gardens on tele hese gardens have become famous. They are beautiful believe in . They believe in one God, in peace. It’s good for everyone,” she said. #

For more international news, see the Baha’i World News Service Web site: www.bahaiworldnews.org

NORTHEAST,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

iS youth s Shelter, and atin a friend to the whole human race” iso had the opportunity to visit a site in Mohonk where ‘Abdu'lhad stayed and given a speech!

Destination: Ithaca, NY

This last group we visited had spent a few days at a campground deepening and building bonds of unity with the acations. During all their service s they proudly k me why” —and had many stories of how the shirts gave them the opportunity to tell many people about the Faith. It also gave them the opportunity to learn, as we did, the

importance of doing laundry. The following weekend they had a race unity picnic in Syracuse and found time to go swimming near Ithaca Falls!

played “

Service, love, encouragement

As we veled from community to community, each group took the opportunity to send gifts and letters of encouragement to their brothers and ‘ers in service. These were no mere cut-out hearts or store-bought cards! These were masterpieces of origami, brilliant-colored p ner flowers, chocolate bars, and even constructionpaper Web page simulations, all expressing love and encouragement.

We were inspired by the youths’ enthusiasm, love, courage, detachment and willingness to serve in any manner which they were asked. The motiva tion and dedication of the seven communities that arose to host and sponsor youths was also remarkable.

September 27,2001 Tre AMERICAN BAnA’‘i ¢ INTERNATIONAL News/ContinueD page 39 [Page 40]

nent Baha’ schools and institutes are: 3387; fax 831-423-7564; e-mail

Bosch Baha'i School, phone 831-423. Green Acre Baha'i School,

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT EVENTS sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly — phone 207-439-7200; fax 207-438-9940; e-mail or its agencies at the Bahé’{ National Center, please phone 847-869-9039 and ask for the relevant department. Numbers and e-mail addresses for the perma Baha’{ School, phone 810-653-5033; fax 810-653-7181; e-mail

Louis G. Gregory Baha’f Institute, phone 843-558- 5093;

. Native American Baha’ Institute,

phone 520-587-7599; fax 520-521-1063; e-mail

fax 843-558-9136; e-mail

- Louhelen

Early October: Unit Conventions held across the country to elect delegates to the Baha'i National Convention of 2002. 5-6: Baha’{ Educators Retreat at Green Acre. 5-8: ‘Irfin Colloquium and Seminar at Louhelen; sessions in Persian and in English. 12-14: Youth Eagle Institute at Louhelen. 19-21: Assembly Development Forum at Green Acre. 19-21: “Heroines of the Faith”/Tabirih performance at Bosch. 19-21: Two programs at Louhelen: Spiritual Empowerment Institute for Junior Youth; “Pupil of the Eye.” 24-29: Pioneer Training Institute at Green Acre: Contact Office of Pioneering (phone 847-733-3508, email . 25-28: National Treasurer's Forum at National Center. For information call Office of the Treasurer (phone 847-733-3495, e-mail

). Local treasurers invited; see article, page 7. 26-27: “Inner Freedom and Self-Mashe Dynamics of Moral Authenticity” at Green Acre. 26-28: Baha’{ Campus Association Weekend at Louhelen. 26-28: College Club Weekend at Bosch.

BAHA'I NATIONAL CENTER 112 LINDEN AVE WILMETTE, IL 60091-2849

2-4: Spiritual Assembly Team Devele. opment at Bosch.

2-4: Two programs at Louhelen: “Preparing for Marriage”; Assembly Development Workshop.

2-4: “The Advent of Divine Justice” ar Green Acre.

2-4: Royal Falcon Baha’{ School, Pensacola Beach, FL. With Charles “Cap” Cornwell, Auxiliary Board member. Sarol Payne, P.O. Box 289, le, AL 36374 (phone

, e-mail

» Web www.triumphnetwork.com/fatcon). 9-1: Family Weekend, “Following the Century of Light: Implications of the Five Year Plan” at Louhelen. 9-11: Two programs at Green Acre: “Expressing C ity Through the Writer's Art”; “Successful Self-Direction: Applying Baha’{ Principles to Your Life.” 9-11: “Arts in the Baha’f Community” at Bosch. 15-18: Association of Baha'i Mental Health Professionals conference, “Unfolding the Potential Within: Exploring the Nature of Psychospiritual Development,” at Louhelen. 16-18: Two programs at Green Acre: “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit” Ruhi Book | training; “The Greatness That Might be Theirs,” youth institute.

and Imani Steiner enjoy a relaxed moment with their aunt Risa Makoski during Louhelen Baha’i School's celebrations Aug. 12, which included dedication of Unity Hall. See Kingdom project articles, page 6.

Photo by jim Cheek

SEPTEMBER 27-NOVEMBER 3, 2001 MASHIYYATILM * BLE. 158

OVEMBER,

18-20: “Authenticity Project? a at Louhelen.

22-25: “Children: Functional Families and Caring Communities” at Green

Hes Guaal Chana Changing Habits of Thought and Patterns of Action”; “Ya

Sahibu’z-Zaman!” Junior Youth Institute.

Acre. 7-9: Local Spiritual Assembly Team. 22-25: Dr. Ghadimi’s Conference: Development at Bosch. “The Kitab-i-Aqdas and other Holy 7-9: “Expressing Creativity through

Books” (Persian and English) at Bosch. 22-25: Desert Rose Baha'i School, Casa Grande, AZ. With Erica Toussaint and Barry Harper; Dan Seals entertainment. Special youth and young adult programs. Registrar: Ruby R. Jamshedi,

(phone , Web site www.mesabahai.org) 23-24: Menucha Baha’{ School, east of Portland, OR. With Steven Ellis. Registrar: Lynne Nesbit, (phone

, e-mail ). 23-25: Divine Art of Living Conference, “New State of Mind,” San Diego, CA. With Jack McCant heil

Bushrui, Jena Khadem Khodadad. 30-Dec. 2: “To Move the World: The Life of Louis Gregory” at Green Acre.

atthe Meetings and Travel + Public

Baha'i Information Treasurer's National Office * Purchasing Offices: See page 30

the Writer's Art” at Louhelen.

13-16: Baha’{ Conference on Social and Economic Development for the Americas, Orlando, FL. See page 34. 21-24: Grand Canyon Baha’f Conference, Hyatt Regency Downtown, Phoenix, AZ; theme: “Falling in Love With Baha'u'llah.” With Robert C. Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly; Dr. Nosratollah Mohammad-Hosseini; Dr. Robert Stockman, director, Wilmette Institute; Dr. William Maxwell; others. U.S. premiere of the dramatic work “Reflections on the Century of Light.” E-mail

Web www.azbahai.com. Special faites at conference hotel (phone 800-233-1234 or 602-252-1234).

26-30: Winter School at Bosch: “Comparative Religion”/“Mediation and Conflict Resolution.”

26-30: Winter School at Green Acre: “Copper to Gold: Personal ‘Transformation and Powerful Teaching as an Apostle of Baha’u’lléh.”

27-Jan. 1: Winter School, on the transformative power of prayer, at Louhelen.

iD

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