The American Bahá’í/Volume 8/Issue 5/Text
Youth Program praised[edit]
Impressed Two Year Youth Program launched Naw-Rúz fervently supplicating Holy Threshold Divine assistance enable youth achieve tremendous project.
- The Universal House of Justice
- 22 March 1977
American teachers needed in Europe[edit]
Following letter Universal House European NSAs May 5 consulted Dr. Muhájir and suggest 40 USA travel teachers to support 20 small projects 2 from USA for each team. 6 help Germany 4 each Switzerland France Portugal Spain 2 each Austria Luxembourg Belgium Iceland Finland Denmark Norway Sweden Arctic area. In order have USA help this summer appreciate your immediate action. Time crucial.
- European Counsellors
Registration mounting as Youth Conference nears[edit]
Interest is picking up in the Fourth Bahá’í National Youth Conference to be held in Champaign-Urbana June 29–July 3. Hundreds of youth have registered already. Nearly 5,000 are expected to attend the conference.
Hands, Counsellors, Board members meet in Illinois in spirit celebration[edit]
What happened in the Wilmette area from April 7 to 11 was historic for the Bahá’ís of North America.
Two Hands of the Cause of God, Zikrullah Khadem and William Sears, and the five Continental Counsellors and forty-four Auxiliary Board members from Alaska, Canada and the United States gathered in a spirit of celebration at the Hyatt House Hotel in Lincolnwood, Illinois.
It was a time for rejoicing, because the newly appointed Auxiliary Board members were present, nine from the United States, eight from Alaska and Canada. Now there are forty-five Board members, the largest number ever in North America — a gift from The Universal House of Justice.
Counsellor Sarah Pereira quoted, during the conference, from a letter of August 17, 1976, from the International Teaching Center stating that “the Supreme Body gave its assurance that the tremendous endeavors, sacrificial service, deep knowledge and purity of spirit of these precious souls — the Auxiliary Board members and their Assistants — are the source of many spiritual bounties and blessings to all the friends.”
The conference sessions began by a visit on Friday morning to the House of Worship for prayer, followed by greetings, in Foundation Hall, by two members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States.
Expansion of the Auxiliary Boards and an unprecedented increase in the number of assistants, as indicated in a cable from the World Center, are commensurate to the critical needs of the Five Year Plan. There are only two years left. Though there have been many victories, the expansion and consolidation goals are lagging behind. With the additional help provided by The Universal House of Justice, the potential for achieving the goals is greatly enhanced.
The opportunities to assist the Local Spiritual Assemblies, groups and individual believers are now greater than ever, and more time and effort can be devoted to nourishing the “grass roots” of the Bahá’í community.
The new appointees are reinforcements to help serve the goals of the Five Year Plan — that significant step toward building the Kingdom of God on earth.
A major topic at the conference was the delineation between the Protection and Propagation Boards. The difference, the Hands of the Cause and Counsellors stressed, is a matter of emphasis. “Above all,” The Universal House of Justice has written, “the members of the Protection Boards should concentrate on deepening the friends’ knowledge of the Covenant and increasing their love and loyalty to it, ... on fostering the spiritual profundity and strength of their faith and certitude, and on promoting whatever will increase the spirit of loving unity in Bahá’í communities.”
“The primary tasks of the Propagation Boards, however,” the Supreme Body continues, “are to direct the believers’ attention to the goals of whatever plans have been placed before them, to stimulate and assist them to promote the teaching work .... to encourage contributions to the Funds, and to act as standard-bearers of the teachers of the Faith, leading them to new achievements in the diffusion of God’s Message to their fellow human beings.”
It was pointed out that every area in North America will be served by two Auxiliary Board members and their assistants.
In Hand of the Cause Mr. Khádem, North America — indeed, the Bahá’í world — has an extraordinary champion of the Covenant. Everything he said rang with a special love and devotion to the beloved Guardian and The Universal House of Justice. He pointed out that Bahá’u’lláh has created a unique factor in religion by allowing nothing to disturb the unity of His Faith. This is His Covenant through which the Bahá’ís have turned to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi for interpretation, and, for continuing guidance, to The Universal
The Two-Year Youth Program[edit]
To the Bahá’í Youth of the United States
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
The sun has risen upon the first of the last two years of the Five Year Plan launched in 1974 by The Universal House of Justice. And it is time once again to assess the situation. The impressive accomplishments of the youth during the first half of the Plan, as borne out by the numerous results of the Two Year Youth Program, evoke our warmest gratitude and admiration. Even so, the greater portion of our homefront goals remain unattained. Taking a larger view, the moral degeneration into which society as a whole has sunk is deepening. The consequent disarray into which human affairs have been pitched widens. Fear and hopelessness have replaced confidence and enthusiasm. Indeed, a social malaise seems to have gripped the peoples of various lands. The remedy is at hand; but mankind, heedless of the call of the Divine Physician for this Day or simply unaware of His appearance, relentlessly pursues a dismal course. At the current rate, the future the young will inherit appears lamentably gloomy. Yet we Bahá’ís recognize that the contest being fought between the forces of light and the forces of darkness represents the final mighty struggle before peace and order can descend upon this world.
The common task facing the Bahá’í community is to mitigate the severity of this struggle by spreading the healing influence of Bahá’u’lláh’s world-redeeming message to the uttermost pockets of society. The blessings with which the knowledge of His World Order has endowed us make it the moral responsibility of every Bahá’í, young and old alike, to execute this task unremittingly and without the least delay, lest the sufferings of our fellowmen become unendurable.
It is to you, the youth, that we turn, then, with anxious hope that the “spiritual energy, zeal, and idealism” which you possess in such abundance can be spent even more lavishly than before in furthering the execution of this most great, this indispensable task, and thus call into play those God-born forces which, we are assured in the Sacred Texts, will usher in the long-awaited Kingdom of God on earth.
In pursuit of this noble and necessary aim, you who are lovingly and urgently called upon to attend to the following objectives of the Second Two Year Youth Program, which is a part of, and will culminate with, the Five Year Plan at Riḍván 1979:
- —Strive to develop the distinctive characteristics of Bahá’í life through daily prayer and reading of the Sacred Texts, and by participating in study classes and the programs of summer schools and institutes;
- —Select and adopt individual teaching goals, and in so doing seek information on the published compilations on teaching so that your efforts might be properly guided;
- —Make a concerted effort to prepare for the future by adopting and learning a profession or trade and by developing as wide a range of competencies as your talents and ability will allow; in all these strivings be sure also to perfect your skill of reading since this ability enables believers to discover the true purpose of God for man as embodied in the sacred writings of the Faith;
- —Prepare for family life by obtaining knowledge from the Teachings on the subjects of marriage and child education.
- —Contribute to the Bahá’í Fund regularly and thus develop the spiritual habit of returning to God a portion of what is His;
- —Promote and participate in service projects, such as: the teaching of Bahá’í children’s classes in local communities, as part of summer activities in rural areas, and at conferences, conventions, and summer schools; work/study projects in local
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House of Justice “which God hath ordained as the source of all good and freed from all error.” Mr. Khadem, in such moving language, said that everything, even nature itself and every breath we breathe, is for the service of the Cause of God.
Winning the goals of the Five Year Plan was of dominant concern in the conference. The beloved Hand of the Cause Mr. Sears, recently returned from pilgrimage, infused all present with the excitement and love of teaching. “What is needed,” he said, referring to words of the Guardian, “is to bury our cares and teach the Cause.” He recalled what the Guardian had told him during his pilgrimage in the early 1950’s: “The greatest catastrophe that can befall a Bahá’í is not having the Cause of God first in his heart.” Reminding us of the Bahá’í duty and bounty of teaching God’s religion to one and all, the Hand of the Cause quoted these words of Bahá’u’lláh: “If ye obey Me you will see that which We have promised you, and I will make you the friends of My Soul in the realm of My Greatness and the Companions of My Beauty in the heaven of My Might for ever.”
The problems that thwart spiritual progress in the community were discussed. Maintaining a Bahá’í perspective, it was pointed out, is essential to effective teaching. Without it, we become ensnared in the web of the old world order, overcome by lethargy and inactivity.
The conference was a love feast. One newly appointed Auxiliary Board member said he had “never felt so much love in his life.”
Evidently that spirit was felt by those not involved with the conference. A hotel clerk wondered aloud: “Why are you people so happy?”
The forty-four Auxiliary Board members, who left the conference, understand why they are happy. Implanted in their hearts is a re-dedication to the work of the Cause of God and a fresh knowledge that the power of Bahá’u’lláh will change North America — and the world; that if we allow Him to, Bahá’u’lláh will alter the teaching climate and enable everyone to become heroes and heroines; that the goals were given to us to be won; that we must all arise and say, “Here am I, O God — use me!”
Youth program launched at public ceremony House of Worship[edit]
A second Two-Year Youth Program, to culminate with the Five Year Plan at Riḍván 1979, was launched Sunday, March 20 at a public Naw-Rúz celebration at the House of Worship in Wilmette.
Glenford Mitchell, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, read the National Assembly’s message on the program to a crowd of more than 400 people—Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís— attending the Naw-Rúz event in Foundation Hall. It was the first time a national Bahá’í plan was announced at an event attended by the general public.
The new program once again calls upon youth to spend, more lavishly than ever before, of their “spiritual energy, zeal, and idealism” in contributing to victory in the three primary areas of the Five Year Plan.
The new Two-Year Youth Program repeats many of the themes sounded in the first youth program launched in August 1974. However, its provisions in areas of personal development, as well as in teaching, are more demanding upon the youth.
The new program goes beyond just suggesting that youth address such concerns as career planning, preparation for marriage, and the development of Bahá’í characteristics. Specific goals are assigned to them in all of these areas.
For example, the new program calls upon youth to pray every day, to read from the Sacred Texts, and to participate in classes, summer schools and institutes. They are directly requested to learn a trade or profession, and to locate and study the Bahá’í teachings on a range of subjects such as marriage and child education.
To give additional emphasis to the need for individual effort in developing spiritual and intellectual distinction during the next two years, goals in these areas are even listed first in the plan. In the first youth program quantifiable teaching goals were listed first.
One feature in the new youth program that stands out boldly is a stress on the development of good reading habits. That youth should improve their ability to read is actually given as a goal of the program. In addition, at least four of the fifteen goals ask that youth read and absorb specific information from the Bahá’í Writings. Young people are also called upon to attend classes, institutes, and summer schools, where presumably they will have to read Bahá’í materials.
Notwithstanding the heightened attention given to improving the character of
Teaching Briefs[edit]
Bahá’ís in Largo City, Florida, said dawn prayers before the gathering at the opening of the Patriots Festival, a sequel to the city’s Bicentennial Festival.
Teaching activities in Marietta, Georgia, have resulted in three declarants, one of whom is Nigerian.
Newberry, Massachusetts, has been opened with a new declaration.
A Bahá’í who has been in the Faith less than a year recently moved from Idaho to Lincoln County, Montana. Firesides in her home have brought five people into the Faith, bringing the number of adult believers in Lincoln County to nine.
Fort Lee, New Jersey, is a community with over 4,500 Japanese-Americans. Two declarants in Fort Lee, while not Japanese, have encouraged the Bahá’ís to continue teaching there.
A homefront pioneer has moved to Wahpeton, North Dakota, as a result of appeals made by three North Dakotan Bahá’ís who travelled to several major cities to publicize their needs.
The Bahá’í group of Beaver Creek, Ohio, has actively taught to assure formation of a Local Spiritual Assembly there. Two recent declarations have raised their number to 11.
Teaching in McAllen, Texas, a border town, has resulted in a declaration in Hidalgo, Mexico, opening that locality.
Following the first Unity Feast in Omak, Washington, three people declared.
The Southern Wisconsin Bahá’ís report the declaration of an Indian who is part Cherokee and part Cree.
Individual Contributions aid Fund[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly, in its March meeting, decided to publish selected “Treasurer’s Letters” in The American Bahá’í. This action is taken on the recommendation of the Spiritual Assembly of Las Vegas, Nevada. In its letter, the Las Vegas Assembly expressed the hope that the letters will “remind the friends of the positive effect of contributing directly to the National Fund and serve as a point of information for new believers.”
We begin by publishing the letter of May 7, 1976, which highlights the significance of individual contributions to the National Bahá’í Fund.
May 7, 1976
To: The American Bahá’í Community
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
You should have heard the burst of applause which greeted the unveiling of this month’s contributions chart at the National Convention! The excitement continued when the delegates learned that the year-end rally had eliminated the deficit, wiping the slate clean for the new fiscal year! Not only did we meet a crisis — we proved to ourselves what we are capable of achieving when everyone works together. Could it be that we have turned a new leaf and are close to solving what essentially has been a spiritual problem...
As you can see from the contributions chart, much of the final two months’ outpourings came from individual believers. Indeed, when we observe the effects of giving by individuals throughout the year, we see that these believers always play a major role in winning our monthly goal. And yet, on the average, only 1000 individuals contribute directly to the National Fund each month. Considering the size of the American Bahá’í Community, it seems clear that we could easily surpass our goal every month next year if many more individuals would, in addition to their local Fund, give regularly to the National Fund.
The Guardian pointed the way to success when he wrote that: “As the activities of the American Bahá’í Community expand, and its world-wide prestige correspondingly increases, the institution of the National Fund... acquires added importance, and should be increasingly supported by the entire body of the believers, both in their individual capacities, and through their collective efforts....” Next year’s $158,000 monthly goal represents a severely reduced budget — the minimum required to carry forward our vital programs. Having
All Treasurers Northern Florida receive training[edit]
Every Treasurer in the Northern Florida District has been to a Treasurer’s Workshop. This is the first District in the country to achieve 100 percent participation.
Farhang Darabi, National Treasurer’s Representative for the District, said that every Treasurer is following the system recommended by the National Spiritual Assembly. “All the Treasurers were very enthusiastic about the workshop and their role in serving the Fund,” Mr. Darabi said. He mentioned that the Treasurers in his area were particularly impressed by the quality, depth and professionalism of the materials. Mr. Darabi felt that “the success of the program is due to the willing cooperation and support of the Local Spiritual Assemblies. All of our Treasurers are very happy with the program and at Riḍván the transfer should be very easy.”
Mr. Darabi said that he plans to maintain regular contact with the Treasurers and to have a follow-up workshop after the Riḍván elections.
Naw-Rúz dinner attracts publicity[edit]
A Naw-Rúz dinner co-sponsored by the Spiritual Assemblies of Buffalo and Cheektowaga, New York, attracted an attendance of 130, half of whom were not Bahá’ís.
Media coverage and publicity for the event, the fourth annual dinner, included television and radio spot announcements, a feature article in a local newspaper, and a bulk mailing of 1200 invitations to local contacts for the Faith.
The featured speaker at the dinner was Magdalene Carney, member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States.
Two reporters from a local newspaper attended the Naw-Rúz dinner after attending a press conference with Dr. Carney. They asked the Bahá’ís of Buffalo to consider writing a weekly column for their newspaper.
Music conference to be held at University Maryland[edit]
The First Eastern Bahá’í Music Conference will be held August 13–15 on the campus of the University of Maryland at College Park. Emphasis will be on the role of music in the Faith. The intention is to allow a cross-fertilization of ideas among music makers and consumers alike.
All participants will benefit from sharing ideas and materials with the conference during the daytime sessions which will include seminars and workshops on music and related subjects. Some likely topics are: Music in the Feast, Music and Children, Music to Inspire, Music as an Educational Aid, Use of Music to Break Through Ethnic and Cultural Differences, Creating a Relationship Between Modern Music and Bahá’í Concepts, Music in Proclamation, and What Resources are Available. Each evening a public concert featuring conference participants will be held in the University’s Fine Arts Center.
Meals and motel housing will be arranged within walking distance of the sessions at reasonable rates. Limited housing in nearby private homes is available on a first come first serve basis. There will be a conference registration fee of $10 per person or $15 per family to cover expenses.
Registration information and forms will be mailed to each Assembly in the country. For further information write to: Jim Fischer, 2-D Parkway, Greenbelt, MD 20770. The conference is sponsored by the Montgomery County, Maryland, Spiritual Assembly and the University of Maryland Bahá’í Club.
Children’s program planned for youth conference[edit]
Bahá’í youth of the future will have a part in the Bahá’í National Youth Conference in Champaign-Urbana, June 29–July 3, in the form of a special children’s program.
The activity-centered program is designed to foster a positive Bahá’í experience for each child and emphasize the distinctive characteristics of Bahá’í life, family life, and career education.
Classes will be conducted by trained personnel at the nearby Thomas Paine Elementary School. In addition, the children will have the opportunity to participate in drama, creative movement, and music activities. A field day will feature a picnic, swimming, a visit to a small animal zoo, and a full recreational program. A special Friday evening program of full-length movies is planned. Lunch will be served to children aged 3 and older each day.
A fee of $15 will be charged to cover the cost of materials and food. If you are registering a child aged 3 or over and have already paid the food package fee, pay only $9.75 for children’s program registration. Please send all payment by June 10.
Dallas Bahá’ís start year with marathon radio interview[edit]
In Dallas, Texas, the beginning of 134 B.E. was heralded by a 2½ hour interview with two Bahá’ís on a major radio station.
From 7:30 to 10 p.m. on March 20, Louise Matthias, daughter of the Hand of the Cause Dorothy Baker, and Ivan Pruitt answered questions from listeners on a live broadcast.
All the major aspects of the Faith were covered, and the interviewer said on the air that he was “intrigued” with the Faith. Comments and questions from the listening audience centered mainly around the relationship of the Bahá’í Faith to Christianity. As the show closed, calls were still coming in.
The following morning, on the 6 a.m. newscast, it was mentioned that Bahá’ís were celebrating their New Year’s Day that day, and an excerpt from the interview from the previous evening was rebroadcast.
The interview on Naw-Rúz was a follow-up to a 1-½ hour interview done by the same radio station with two Bahá’ís in January.
Proclamation held on children’s rights[edit]
The “Rights of Children” was the theme of the United Nations Human Rights Day observance in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 10, 1976. Sponsored by the Bahá’ís of North Las Vegas for the communities of Southern Nevada, the public meeting attracted approximately 45 people, 10 of whom were not Bahá’ís.
The observance included a lively talk on “The Rights of Children” by Valerie Bourque, a Bahá’í from Palm Springs, California. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Bahá’í Human Rights Award to Dr. William and Mrs. Nila Marchant for their work in parent awareness and child development. Dr. Marchant is a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and works in family counseling. Mrs. Marchant is an elementary school teacher and also leads parent study groups, free of charge, in Dr. Rudolph Dreikurs’ book, Children: The Challenge. The Marchants are friends of the Faith.
Bahá’ís of all ages are welcome at the Youth Conference
The Mail[edit]
Dear Friends:
Now that we have secured our residence status and settled in the mountains of Portugal, we have a steady stream of persons investigating the Faith coming to our home for firesides every Saturday.
Tina is teaching conversational English at the Regional Conservatory of Music, and her classes are proceeding very well with high and increasing enrollment. My classes in painting and photography commenced February 15.
We are gaining some facility in the Portuguese language and are continuing to struggle along.
We have also had the great bounty of making a great many friends and acquaintances here. We feel this has been the greatest advantage to living in a small town such as Covilha, Portugal.
The people are very interested, curious, and congenial toward us as strangers, and this helps us to build many strong relationships which we hope will in time bear fruit for the Faith.
- Leon and Tina Caraco
- Covilha, Portugal
Fund aids teaching[edit]
Dear Friends:
When I teach, I do not know if I do a good job. Sometimes I never know. When I serve on the Local Spiritual Assembly, I find how little I know and am humbled. In living the life, I make so many mistakes that at times I feel unworthy of calling myself a Bahá’í. But I keep trying to teach, serve, and live the life. Confirmation is slow in coming at times, and confirmation is the fuel that keeps the lamp of my Faith glowing. So when I get confirmation, it helps me regain my courage to try harder than ever before.
But there is something I can do that brings almost immediately the confirmation I need to keep me teaching, serving, and living the life. I give to the Fund.
At Feast, every 19 days, I know I will be included in the percentage of those who gave to the Fund. I was one who helped my community reach its goal. I did it. My action did count. I am needed. I helped in a perfect way to build the New World Order.
- Judith M. Proffit
- Mountlake Terrace, Washington
Bulk mail advice[edit]
Dear Friends:
If your community is considering a bulk mail campaign, perhaps the following information will be helpful.
In smaller towns where there is no door-to-door delivery, no individual addresses are required by the Post Office. The group of whatever size need only provide the exact number of P.O. Boxes with a copy of the mailer.
The same regulations apply for rural routes and star routes. You would simply count out the number of mailers required to cover the route and attach a slip to the top of the bundle (i.e., 59533 – RUDYARD Rural Rt. 77 copies).
- Curtis Montgomery
- Havre, Montana
Life is a journey[edit]
Dear Friends:
Many people believe that certain items are necessary for the long journey after death to the next life. The ancient Egyptians buried their dead with jewelry, food, and even relatives of the deceased. Even today, items that the deceased used in life, such as a hunter’s weapons or a woman’s clay pots, are buried with the dead in Indian and Eskimo tribes.
These rituals are acts of love. The friends of the one gone are saying, “We love you. We want to prepare you for the next life as best we can.” Prayers and songs aid the deceased on his journey.
To say that life is a journey is nothing new. Just as one prepares for a hiking trip or even a stay overnight, we must prepare our children for their journey by equipping them with spiritual qualities and attributes. Giving them materialistic things and instilling in them a desire for only those things impedes their spiritual growth.
The Bahá’í Faith is the greatest gift that we can give our children. A Faith, tailored to fit! A Faith for a modern day world! God’s gift to us! It is a glimpse of the future.
Whenever I become discouraged and material considerations get me down, I think of what kind of life we are giving our daughter, not what she has, but how she is. I am very proud of her. She is happier and healthier than any child I have ever seen. (Even if I am her mother.) She is loved, day and night. Cuddled, accepted, and loved. She can say prayers, and she can say “Bahá’u’lláh.” She is growing up a Bahá’í. She is a joy to have around. We do not have to worry about her when we pass on. We know she is well-prepared. Lovingly, reverently, joyously we aid her on her journey.
- Neti Moody Berne
- Waukegan, Illinois
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The conference planning machinery has been in high gear for some time. Yet as the date approaches for the start of activities, excitement mounts at the National Center.
The Hand of the Cause Alí-Akbar Furútan will be present at the conference to meet with the youth and encourage them to make strides for the Cause. Mr. Furútan spent some time in the U.S. a year ago and is returning specifically to attend this conference and be with the youth.
The featured speakers for the event will be Housain Danesh, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, Dorothy Nelson, Daniel Jordan and Firuz Kazemzadeh. Two youth, Roya Ayman of Salt Lake City, and Daniel Tso of Cambridge, Massachusetts, will be speakers also.
About 50 Bahá’í professionals are scheduled to provide counseling on careers to youth interested in their respective fields.
“The purpose of the youth conference,” said Youth Committee Secretary David Clayborne, “is to direct youth toward accomplishing the goals of the Two Year Youth Program, embodying Bahá’í characteristics in their lives, and stimulating teaching activities in their communities. The conference should help them to take the lead in dealing with today’s social ills, and in directing their lives toward careers which will aid Bahá’u’lláh’s Cause and allow them to be of service to mankind.”
One of the highlights of the conference will be a presentation of a 36-minute slide presentation called “The School of Badí.” The program traces the contributions of youth to the Bahá’í Faith from the early days of its history. Badí was a 17-year old Persian youth who carried an epistle from Bahá’u’lláh to the Shah and who was put to death by the authorities for this service.
Job Opportunities at National Center[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly seeks background information from friends who have a sincere desire to serve the Faith by applying their skills and experience in the following areas:
Data entry: work in a small office as a data entry clerk. Basic responsibilities would include key entry and verification. Qualified candidate will be trained on modern IBM equipment.
Correspondence support: applicants will have responsibility for assembling facts from various sources and preparing well-drafted letters in answer to a variety of inquiries. Will require knowledge of the Writings, experience in Bahá’í Administration, and skills in letter composition.
Central supply: responsible for maintaining the necessary office supplies, stationery, machinery, and equipment for the committees and offices at the National Center. Experience in receiving or shipping areas helpful. Excellent opportunity for training and development of buying and inventory control skills.
Secretarial assistant: applicants should be responsible for providing secretarial support to the manager of an office. Required skills include fast, accurate typing; knowledge of filing systems; ability to compose letters and prepare reports; and administrative experience within the Faith. Applicants should have a minimum of three years’ experience in this field.
If you feel that you qualify in any of these areas, send your résumé and a letter of recommendation from your Local Spiritual Assembly or District Teaching Committee to Personnel Affairs Assistant, Bahá’í National Center, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.
Louis Gregory needs teachers[edit]
Teachers for children’s classes are urgently needed at the Louis G. Gregory Institute’s summer program, which will run in week-long sessions from June 13–August 26.
It is especially urgent that teachers volunteer for the three “Children’s Week” sessions: July 4–8, July 18–22, and August 8–12.
Contact the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Route 2, Box 71, Hemingway, SC 29554.
Cinco condados por abrir en Wyoming[edit]
Wyoming tiene solamente cinco condados por abrir. Los pioneros nacionales se han transladado recientemente a los condados de Converse y Johnson. Los condados de Rawlins y Carbon fueron reabiertos con la declaración de un esposo y esposa quienes se pusieron en contacto con la población cercana de Laramie después de haber visto un anuncio en el periódico.
Proyecto de enseñanza en Guyana en julio[edit]
La National Spiritual Assembly (Asamblea Espiritual Nacional) de los Bahá’ís de Guyana, Surinam y Guayana Francesa ha extendido una invitación a los Bahá’ís norteamericanos para que le ayuden con un proyecto de enseñanza en Guyana del 9 de julio al 28 de agosto de 1977. Durante ese período se celebrará el Quinto Camllegada, y traer ropas y zapatos de trabajo, que no sean sandalias ni calzado abierto.
Escriban a la National Youth Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091.
Charity bazaar held[edit]
The Bahá’ís of Cerritos, California, participated in a community charity bazaar held at an enclosed shopping mall recently.
The Bahá’ís of Cerritos were assisted by the Bahá’ís of Pomona, who lent them the display, and the Bahá’ís of Norwalk, who helped man the booth for the two-day bazaar.
Bahá’í literature distributed[edit]
Hundreds of pieces of literature about the Faith were distributed from the Bahá’í booth at the Manatee County Fair in Palmetto, Florida, recently.
The theme of the fair was “Pride in Progress.” The Bahá’í booth, which won third place in its category, began with the world situation of slavery, bondage, and bigotry in 1777, to Bahá’u’lláh’s proclamation for world peace in 1877, to the Bahá’í world vision in 1977.
Teaching Ute Indians subject gathering Colorado[edit]
Teaching members of the Ute Indian tribe was the topic of a meeting held February 12 among Bahá’ís from Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah near Towaoc, Colorado.
Primary target areas chosen by the group are the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation near Towaoc, Colorado; the Southern Ute Reservation in Ignacio, Colorado; and the Northern Ute Reservation in Utah. The group decided that the best methods in teaching include a patient, systematic approach to build trust toward the Bahá’ís; intermingling with Indians at Indian activities to demonstrate that mankind is one; inviting new friends home for strengthening the friendship; and teaching families.
After the meeting, several members of the group attended a powwow in Towaoc.
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- Bahá’í communities, at summer schools, or at the Bahá’í National Center, projects which could include efforts to maintain and beautify Bahá’í properties;
- —Multiply the number of enrolled Bahá’í youth from all walks of life, taking into consideration the need to expand the Faith among minority groups, including: Armenian, Black, Basque, Chinese, Greek, Japanese, and Spanish-speaking peoples;
- —Devote particular attention to winning the objectives of the intensive expansion and consolidation plans in the States of California, Illinois, and New York, and in the District of Columbia;
- —Provide a minimum of 150 homefront pioneers, 20 of these to settle in unopened counties, and 90 to settle in virgin localities which are designated goals of Assemblies or teaching committees;
- —Undertake 1,000 domestic teaching trips, at least 15 lasting for two months or more each, and no less than 50 to Indian reservations, in accordance with the plans of Assemblies and teaching committees;
- —Supply 30 pioneers for the international field, 10 of these to fulfill specific Five Year Plan goals assigned to the United States;
- —Engage in 95 teaching activities in foreign lands, 20 of these to last for one month or more, each in a single country;
- —Increase the number of youth clubs to 200 and at the same time maintain existing clubs;
- —Raise the number of college clubs to 400, including at least five at colleges with the highest number of American Indian students;
- —Support and participate in conferences and institutes designed to promote the goals of the Two Year Youth Program.
All these objectives can be achieved, and in some instances surpassed, if each of you will meditate on their import, select what he or she will do, pray, act, and persevere in such action. Immediately available to you as your loving supporters and well-wishers are the instruments of Bahá’u’lláh’s evolving Administrative Order—Spiritual Assemblies, Auxiliary Board members and their assistants. We hope you will not only draw upon their support but that you will also master the administrative principles of the Faith so as to be able in turn to fortify the foundations of that Order.
Again, we appeal to you to foster proper relationships between yourselves and the institutions of the Faith, particularly in your home communities with your immediate links to Local Spiritual Assemblies. Mindful of the Master’s assurance that these Assemblies are “the potent sources of the progress of man at all times and under all conditions,” may you ever strive to attain the level of understanding and discipline which will enable you to respond eagerly both to the needs and the rule of these divinely-ordained institutions.
We assure you of our love. And we earnestly supplicate Almighty God that the divine exhortations addressed especially to youth by the beloved Center of the Covenant will generate your devoted efforts to serve the highest purposes of mankind at this critical period in its fortunes. May you ever remember the high expectations He held for you, as expressed in these words:
- O loved ones of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá!
- Man’s life has its springtime and is endowed with marvelous glory. The period of youth is characterized by strength and vigour and stands out as the choicest time in human life. Therefore you should strive day and night so that endowed with heavenly strength, inspired with brilliant motives and aided by His celestial power and heavenly grace and confirmation, you may become the ornaments of the world of humanity, and pre-eminent among those who are initiated into true learning and the love of God. You must be distinguished amidst men by your sanctity and detachment, loftiness of purpose, magnanimity, determination, noble-mindedness, tenacity, the elevation of your aims and your spiritual qualities; that you may become the means of exaltation and glory for the Cause of God and the dawning-places of His heavenly bestowals; that you may conduct yourselves in conformity with the counsels and exhortations of the Blessed Beauty—may my life be offered up for His loved ones—and by reflecting Bahá’í qualities and attributes, you may stand out distinguished from others. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá eagerly anticipates that each one of you may become even as a fearless lion moving in the pastures of human perfection and a musk-laden breeze wafting over the meads of virtue.
- The glory of glories rest upon you.
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States
Glenford E. Mitchell
Secretary
continued from page 2
twice scaled new heights through a unified effort, let us see how far we can exceed the goal every month from now on and, for the first time in recent history, surpass our annual contributions goal next year!
With loving Bahá’í greetings.
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States
Dorothy W. Nelson
Treasurer
Radio contract signed[edit]
A member of the Bahá’í group in Belen, New Mexico, Miguel Jourdan-Castillo, recently signed a contract with the local radio station to host a program entitled “Journeys through the Prophecies” on Sunday mornings from 8:15 til 8:30 for one year.
The first six months of the show will present all the major Prophets of God, and the prophecies concerning the return of Christ, as explained in the Bahá’í Writings.
The program sometimes features interviews with local citizens and replies to questions mailed in by listeners. Handbills are distributed weekly, and newspaper ads are run to publicize the show.
Invitations to listen to the show have been sent to churches in the area reached by the radio station. Approximately a quarter of a million people live in the broadcast area.
continued from page 6
Secretary, Peoria Bahá’í Center, 5209 N. University, Peoria, IL 61614, (309)-691-2855.
Carbondale
Projecteers needed to teach in college town and unopened counties. Duration of project to be determined. For more information or to apply contact: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Carbondale, P.O. Box 1013, Carbondale, IL 61901, Mrs. Roni Smith, Secretary, (618)-549-8533.
More than 1,000 have attended treasurer’s workshops[edit]
More than 1,000 people have attended National Treasurers’ Workshops during the last six months. Initiated by the National Spiritual Assembly, the program offers training on the spiritual principles of the Fund, the duties of a Treasurer and standardized accounting methods.
Seventy National Treasurers’ Representatives (NTRs) have conducted more than 100 workshops to date. Accounting Procedures for Bahá’í Treasurers, a manual developed by the Office of the Treasurer, has been distributed to all Treasurers. The National Assembly has published the manual as a standard accounting guide for all Local Assemblies and Groups.
Harry Eckerson, Treasurer of the Spiritual Assembly of Aurora, Nebraska, attended a recent workshop. He said, “The material has been a great tool for strengthening the Assembly. Our consultation on the budget has a more spiritual atmosphere, and I have been able to function 500 percent better as a Treasurer for my community.” Mr. Eckerson also noted that “the friends have more confidence now in the Fund. They are giving more because they know where the money is going and how it is being used.” Eckerson said, “Getting the Fund in order has brought more order to all the Assembly’s work. I hope you will do more to promote this wonderful program.”
Another result of the training has been an increased understanding of the role of the Treasurer. Vera Barron, NTR in North Dakota, said, “There is a new awareness of the spiritual nature of the Treasurer’s job. It is inspiring!”
More than 450 Local Assembly Treasurers and 200 Group Treasurers have attended workshops. In addition, 350 other Bahá’ís have received training. The NTR for Northern California, Vern Allie, said, “The community is becoming more aware that the Fund is everybody’s responsibility, not just the Treasurer’s.” He said many of the participants are now using the material for their own personal finances.
Responses indicate that the major obstacle in the new program is the time limitation. Barry Alexander of Tempe, Arizona, expressed this concern: “There is so much valuable material; there’s just not enough time to cover everything.”
The National Assembly hopes every Treasurer will attend a workshop by next Riḍván, 1978. The training program is seen as an important element in strengthening Local Spiritual Assemblies and Groups. It is planned that the workshops will develop into yearly “professional” meetings for all Treasurers.
Robert James, NTR for Tennessee, summed up the workshop by saying, “The best part of the program is that people are using it. It works!”
Bahá’ís take part in religion series[edit]
Bahá’ís were invited to participate in a series of lectures on various religions, which was sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Association of Churches and the Santa Cruz Area Church Women United. The six-week series included focus on Judaism, Buddhism, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Unitarian Universalism and the Bahá’í Faith.
The talk on the Bahá’í Faith, given by Paul DeFay, Chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Santa Cruz, was attended by a dozen people, the average attendance at the lectures being 10. At least one person expressed interest in the Bahá’í community’s lending library, and another asked about the Faith in Hawaii, where she is a permanent resident.
Prayer translated into Indian language[edit]
The Montana District Teaching Committee reports that a translation of the short obligatory prayer into the Assiniboine Indian language has been obtained. This fulfills a request from The Universal House of Justice.
International teaching trips reported[edit]
Since May of last year, 556 American Bahá’ís have made 849 teaching trips to international goal areas; another 113 trips have been made to non-goal and consolidation areas.
The International Goals Committee urges the friends who undertake international teaching trips to be prepared to provide their own room and board, since Bahá’í hospitality is not always available.
Teaching trips can sometimes be arranged in conjunction with a pilgrimage, vacation, or business trips. Any Bahá’í who would like to combine Bahá’í teaching with a trip abroad, please contact the International Goals Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.
Talent show held[edit]
The Bahá’ís of Bisbee, Arizona, sponsored a talent show on January 22, which involved both Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í talent. The purpose of the show was to unify the citizens of Bisbee.
Two hundred people gathered to see the talent show, called “Sounds of Oneness.” The Bahá’í Message was communicated through song, a mini-opera, and a dramatic reading.
The townspeople have inquired as to when the next talent show will be held.
In memoriam[edit]
- Lyle Aldrich
- Hayward, California
- March 8, 1977
- Jerry M. Alston
- Frogmore, South Carolina
- September 22, 1976
- Pearl Astor
- Reno, Nevada
- January 8, 1977
- Emma Atkins
- Plano, Texas
- 1973
- Kathleen Bacote
- Florence, South Carolina
- 1976
- Rayphene Baskin
- Union Spring, Alabama
- Date Unknown
- Leo Bishop
- Hartsville, South Carolina
- Date Unknown
- Irving Bobo
- Perris, California
- January 10, 1977
- Anna Bradley
- Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- February 13, 1977
- James Brownlee
- Arkadelphia, Arkansas
- December 7, 1976
- Buena V. Campbell
- Alamo, California
- November 1976
- Marilyn A. Cartiero
- Chicago, Illinois
- February 7, 1977
- Rich Cope
- Union Spring, Alabama
- Date Unknown
- Bertha D. Colmyer
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- March 10, 1977
- Aria W. Creech
- Columbia, Missouri
- February 18, 1977
- Jesse Daniels
- Idabel, Oklahoma
- Date Unknown
- Malissa Dean
- Huntsville, Texas
- Date Unknown
- Charles H. Delbridge
- Union Spring, Alabama
- Date Unknown
- Marjorie Ellis
- Pasadena, California
- February 19, 1977
- Charlie Fields
- Macon, Alabama
- 1976
- Esther Flagler
- Hemingway, South Carolina
- 1976
- Elnora S. Fox
- Yakima, Washington
- Date Unknown
- Riley Golden
- Fort Valley, Georgia
- January 9, 1976
- Sea Brook Graves
- Latta, South Carolina
- 1974
- Karla C. Gubalke
- Fresno, California
- November 8, 1976
- Alfred Haynes
- South Bend, Indiana
- August 29, 1976
- Verdis Johnson
- Effingham, South Carolina
- March 5, 1977
- Annie M. Jones
- Miami, Florida
- January 1977
- Isaac Jones
- Columbia, South Carolina
- Date Unknown
- Jennie Jones
- Fairport, New York
- February 24, 1977
- Margaret Jones
- Conyers, Georgia
- January 14, 1977
- Perry Kimbro
- Athens, Georgia
- Date Unknown
- Shirley E. Lansing
- North Haven, Connecticut
- Date Unknown
- Myrtle R. Madden
- Chicago, Illinois
- February 12, 1977
- R. Dean Madrid
- Happy Camp, California
- March 5, 1977
- Anna M. Martin
- Antioch, California
- August 2, 1976
- Elizabeth Neal
- Rhodesdale, Maryland
- February 21, 1977
- Kelcie Ottmar
- Spokane, Washington
- January 28, 1977
- Marie Pittard
- Winterville, Georgia
- Date Unknown
- Wilson Price
- Sumter, South Carolina
- March 1977
- Pearl H. Raybon
- Union Spring, Alabama
- Date Unknown
- Walter Raybon
- Union Spring, Alabama
- Date Unknown
- Essie Robertson
- Conyers, Georgia
- August 1976
- Herman R. Ross
- Houston, Texas
- August 4, 1976
- Mary Jane Sandy
- Browning, Montana
- July 4, 1976
- John Lin Sandy
- Browning, Montana
- July 4, 1976
- Betty A. Schmitz
- Pacoima, California
- December 19, 1976
- Al Smith
- Homestead, Florida
- Date Unknown
- Jane J. L. Smith
- West Chester, Pennsylvania
- November 7, 1976
- William H. Swatton
- Newark, Delaware
- February 16, 1977
- Carrie B. Thomas
- Union Spring, Alabama
- September 1973
- Earl Tunwar, Jr.
- Houston, Texas
- 1976
Heartland Teaching Project to follow Youth Conference[edit]
Immediately following the 4th Bahá’í National Youth Conference will be a three-week teaching project sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Champaign-Urbana and area Local Assemblies. The Heartland Teaching Project is open to both Bahá’í youth and adults, and will consist of teaching, consolidation and proclamation activities in goal areas of Illinois. A deepening institute and social/recreational activities are planned as well.
Illinois is one of three states chosen by the National Spiritual Assembly for special teaching efforts to bring entry by troops during the Five Year Plan. The project will begin July 3 and end July 24. Approximately $200 should cover room and board for participants; camping facilities are also available. Write to Sherin Ader, 1113 W. Green, Apt. 319, Urbana, IL 61801, or call 217-344-4977 or 217-344-5774.
Northern Illinois District No. 1 — Freeport, Illinois
Participate in a three-county teaching project. Help raise Freeport group to Assembly status by conducting children’s classes at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. community center. Direct teach and participate in firesides in Freeport, Galena and Mt. Carroll. Project runs for one week immediately following the Youth Conference. For more information or to apply contact: No. III. DTC No. 1, Mrs. Linda Nixon, Secretary, 1041 E College Ave., Wheaton, Ill. 60187, (312)-668-9143 or 44.
Northern Illinois District No. 2 Chicago —
The purpose of the project is to conduct a comprehensive teaching campaign in Chicago’s Greek and Spanish neighborhoods during the month of July and to develop a list of seekers that can be taught and nurtured throughout the fall and winter. Projecteers are needed to man booths and/or store fronts, host regular firesides and public meetings, conduct children’s activities, hang posters, and pass out invitations in the neighborhoods. For more information or to apply contact: Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Chicago, 116 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Ill. 60603, Betty Anne Redson, Secretary, (312)-236-7771.
Harvey —
Be part of the dynamic process of building a new Spiritual Assembly. Projecteers will participate in direct teaching, giving firesides, staffing the Bahá’í Center and deepening and consolidating the 40–60 residents who declared last winter. For more information or to apply contact: No. III. DTC No. 2, Mr. Charles Emmel, Secretary, 586 Fairway Drive, Wheeling, Ill. 60090, (312)-541-8087.
Southern Illinois
Champaign-Urbana-Champaign Township —
Peoria & Limestone Township —
Projecteers will participate in a variety of activities. They will work in several unopened counties by assisting with a bulk mailing project; visiting newspapers and radio stations and conducting firesides. They will help develop the Peoria Bahá’í Reference Library. These projects will run for one week immediately following the Youth Conference. Those interested in attending college in a goal county or working this summer on a farm employing Spanish migrant workers should contact the Spiritual Assembly. For more information or to apply for the summer teaching projects contact the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Peoria, Mrs. Caroline Delaney,
Cooperative nursery provided[edit]
A parent cooperative nursery program will be provided in Clark Residence Hall for children ages 6 months to 3 years. One parent of the nursery-age children should plan to donate at least one four-hour shift to assist with infant care. Snacks will be provided for all cup-trained children and parents will supply bottled drinks for others. An opportunity for parents to be with their children during the day has been provided. Parents will pick up their children for lunch between 12:30 and 1:00 and may return them to the nursery between 2:00 and 2:30. The nursery will be closed between 1:00 and 2:00. To ensure the comfort and happiness of the children, parents should plan to bring the following:
- disposable diapers
- bottles labeled with the child’s name
- change of clothes
- extra panties.
The cooperation of parents and staff personnel will provide a pleasant Bahá’í atmosphere in the nursery program.
Parents to assist in children’s program[edit]
Because the Five Year Plan places great emphasis on the education of children, a opportunity is provided for parental participation in the children’s program.
Parents registering children in the program will be expected to donate at least one four-hour shift to assist staff personnel in the children’s classes and the nursery. Parents will be assigned a variety of responsibilities, most of which will involve working directly with a particular group of children for a given session. If parents choose not to participate in this way, the National Education Committee regrets that it will not be possible to register their children in the program.
Highlights Children’s Program[edit]
Highlights of the children’s program at the Youth Conference are as follow:
- —Hand of the Cause ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan has been asked to visit with the children.
- —Field day: picnic, swimming.
- —Full recreational program.
- —Trip to small animal zoo.
- —Lunch for children 3 and older.
- —Special evening program.
Story hour planned[edit]
A story hour for children up to age six and their parents will be held each evening of the Youth Conference from 7:30 to 8:30. The children, dressed in their pajamas, will share a warm and loving experience of hearing bedtime stories with their parents before the children are tucked into bed.
Registration fee set[edit]
The fee is $15 for each child registered for the three and a half day program. This fee covers all activities, lunch for children 3 and older and transportation.
Checks and money orders should be made out to the Bahá’í National Youth Conference Committee and received by June 10.
World Center seeks copies letters Guardian[edit]
The Universal House of Justice is endeavoring to collect at the Bahá’í World Center copies of all the letters from the beloved Guardian not yet on file there. The Universal House of Justice has again requested the National Spiritual Assembly to urge the friends to provide the World Center with the texts of any letters from Shoghi Effendi not yet forwarded. The letter from The Universal House of Justice included the following points for consideration:
“1. Recipients of letters from the Guardian have the inherent right of deciding to keep the letters themselves, or to have them preserved for the future in their families. To assist The Universal House of Justice, however, in its efforts to study and compile the letters of the Guardian, the friends are urged to provide, for dispatch to the Holy Land, photostatic copies of their communications from the Guardian if they wish to keep the originals themselves.
“2. If they are not in a position to provide such copies, they should kindly allow National Spiritual Assemblies to undertake this project on our behalf.
“3. Should any believer possess letters so personal and confidential that he does not wish to disclose their contents to any institution other than The Universal House of Justice, he is invited to send either the originals or copies of such letters, marked ‘confidential’, directly to The Universal House of Justice, by registered mail, with any instructions he wishes to be followed.”
Committees and all institutions of the Faith, including Local Spiritual Assemblies, are also asked to check their files and local archives for any letters from the Guardian not already copied for the World Center.
Letters from the Guardian should be forwarded to the National Spiritual Assembly, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Singapore will be hosting a conference to be held in their community December 2–4, 1977. It is their hope to have the support of friends in the United States, both by attending the conference as well as to remaining to be of service to their teaching efforts. Those interested in participating should contact the International Goals Committee.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India is planning a “Women’s Conference” October 15–17, 1977, followed by a 2-month teaching project. A special invitation is extended to Bahá’í women of academic or other distinction who can be especially helpful in teaching prominent women in India. Anyone interested should contact the International Goals Committee.
A pioneer from St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, would like a responsible Bahá’í couple to rent her house for 2 months June 19–August 19 and to assist with teaching efforts, while she is away. The rental cost is $440.00 for the 2 months. If you are interested, consult with your Spiritual Assembly and contact the International Goals Committee immediately.
The Louis G. Gregory Institute seeks a full-time secretary to begin immediately. Contact the Louis G. Gregory Institute, Rt. 2, Box 123, Hemingway, SC 29554.
The Spiritual Assembly of McAllen, Texas, located near the border of the United States and Mexico, is sponsoring a summer teaching project. July 9–17.
Teaching will take place on the United States side of the border, where 80 percent of the residents are Spanish-speaking.
Bring a sleeping bag and $4 per day for room and board. Contact Madelyn Magee, P.O. Box 3321, McAllen, TX 78501.
Materials and supplies are needed for children’s classes on the Hopi and Navajo Indian Reservations. Items needed are Bahá’í children’s books and materials; magazines with pictures of people and nature; globes, world maps; crayons, water colors, paint brushes, scissors, construction paper, plain paper; educational games, puzzles, manipulative toys for young children.
Send materials to the Children’s Resource Unit, Navajo-Hopi Teaching Committee, Joan Belshaw, Box 22, Navajo, NM 87328.
The Bahá’í Group of Altoona, Pennsylvania, announces that it has almost reached Local Assembly status, and is asking that an older Bahá’í friend on fixed income move to their area. A Bahá’í family in Altoona is willing to provide a home for this older person. Please contact the Bahá’í Group of Altoona, P.O. Box 1501, Altoona, PA 16601.
[Page 7]
continued from page 2
Bahá’í life in this program, the teaching work is not overlooked. Requirements there have also been raised significantly.
Whereas, in the first program youth were called upon to make 500 teaching trips on the homefront, they are now asked to make at least 1,000. And whereas, in the first program they were asked to provide 100 homefront pioneers from among their ranks, they are now asked to provide 150. They are again requested to give attention to teaching minorities and to support their local institutions in carrying out expansion and consolidation programs.
All of the new assignments, the National Assembly says in its Two-Year Youth Program message, “can be achieved, and in some instances surpassed, if each of you will meditate on their import, select what he or she will do, pray, act, and persevere in such action.”
Art contest winners get free trip UN Headquarters[edit]
The four winners of a Bahá’í sponsored art competition for seventh graders in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, were given a trip to New York to tour the United Nations, visit UNICEF and to visit the Bahá’í United Nations office.
The competition was held on Human Rights Day, December 10, after the artwork of the children had been displayed for one month in three local business windows on a rotating basis. The children submitted sixty-three illustrations on the theme “The Rights of the Child,” as expressed in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1959.
The children were challenged to translate into artistic form one of the rights stipulated in the declaration, or to express the lack thereof and its effects.
Elementos de la Enseñanza[edit]
Una campaña similar a la que se está iniciando por el Comité Nacional de Enseñanza tuvo lugar en California durante 1974. Durante ese período los enrolamientos en el estado se encontraron entre los más altos en el país, según iforma el Comité Nacional de Enseñanza.
El Comité Nacional de Enseñanza considera que los diversos elementos del programa—viajes de enseñanza, actividad entre las comunidades, amistad, profundización y cooperación en la enseñanza—contribuirán para estimular el amor y la unidad entre los Bahá’ís en cada distrito. Un esfuerzo exitoso de este tipo puede ayudar a aumentar los enrolamientos y a impulsar la comunidad hacia la victoria en el Plan de Cinco Años.
Los “District Teaching Committees” (Comités distritales de Enseñanza) coordinan los esfuerzos de la enseñanza entre grupos dentro de cada Estado. Ellos asignarán las comunidades a su grupo y prestarán servicios cuidando de que todo marche bien.
El Comitée Nacional de Enseñanza y otros comités nacionales, entre ellos el National Education Committee (Comité Nacional de Educación), el National Youth Committee (Comité Nacional de la Juventud), y el National Information Committee (Comité Nacional de Información) ayudarán con diversos elementos del programa en marcha.
Escritos del Báb esta disponible[edit]
Con mucho placer les anunciamos que el libro “Selecciones de los Escritos del Báb” está disponible. Esta publicación fué ejecutada bajo la supervisión de la Casa Universal de Justicia. Es la selección más amplia de los Escritos del Báb en inglés que se ha producido hasta ahora. La Casa Universal de Justicia designó su Departamento de Estudios para que haga las selecciones, y el Sr. Habib Taherzadeh tuvo la responsabilidad de las traducciones que, desde luego, han sido revisadas cuidadosamente por un comité en el Centro Mundial.
El contenido incluye dos tablas a Bahá’u’lláh, tablas a Muḥammad Sháh, extractos del Qayyúmu’l-Asmáʼ, el Bayán persa y el Dalá’il-i-Sab‘ih (Las Siete Pruebas), y del Kitáb-i-Asmá (el Libro de Nombres); hay una selección de varios otros escritos y una selección grande de oraciones y meditaciones.
El precio de venta es $5.00. Para comprar, favor de enviar sus pedidos a The Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.
Mucho nos alegra anunciar este maravilloso tomo que se agrega a la literatura sagrada de la Fe en inglés.
Dedicación centro Bahá’í Bermudas completada[edit]
Un Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds Local para Bermudas, adquirido con ayuda de la comunidad Bahá’í de los Estados Unidos, fué dedicado en Hamilton, el 26 de febrero.
El Sr. Glenford E. Mitchell, Secretario de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, representó a los Estados Unidos en la ceremonia de dedicación. Katherine McLaughlin, miembro de la Junta Auxiliar, representó a la Junta Continental de Consejeros.
Más de 100 personas asistieron a la ceremonia pública. Entre los dignátarios presentes estuvieron Al Gutteridge, orador de la legislatura de Bermudas, y el Reverendo Ryan Hennessey, Obispo de la Iglesia Católica Romana.
El edificio de un solo piso en el límite del área del centro comercial fué adquirido de la Iglesia Católica en junio de 1976. El Reverendo Hennessey fué responsable de la decisión de venderlo a los Bahá’ís.
En un discurso improvisado en la ceremonia de dedicación, el dijo que había visitado tres veces los santuarios Bahá’ís en la Tierra Santa y consideraba que a él le gustaría tener a los Bahá’ís como vecinos.
Algunas mejoras al edificio, incluyendo la construcción de un portal delantero, han sido hechas desde junio. El trabajo ha sido planeado por un comité y llevado a cabo por voluntarios Bahá’ís. Muchos de los muebles y adornos interiores fueron donados por Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum durante una visita reciente.
Un comité de enseñanza para Bermudas, nombrado por la Asamblea Nacional, servirá como encargado del edificio hasta la elección de una Asamblea Espiritual Nacional ahí a finales del Plan de Cinco Años.
El edificio contiene un espacioso salón de conferencias, una oficina, una cocina y dos habitaciones de baño. Un amplio patio frontal será utilizado de vez en cuando para reuniones públicas.
Un “fireside” semanal y un programa de profundización semanal se están llevando a cabo en el edificio. Ahí tuvo lugar la primera boda el 31 de agosto de 1976.
Los Bahá’ís de Bermudas tienen que formar cinco Asambleas Locales durante el Plan. Dos han sido formadas, y se espera que una tercera esté formada para Riḍván.
Interview with Bahá’ís requested by audience[edit]
A radio talk show host recently contacted the Bahá’ís of Middletown Township, Pennsylvania, because many of his listeners called him with questions about the Bahá’í teachings.
His listeners referred the host to a telephone number which appears each day in the personals column of a local newspaper, along with statements such as “Are you a Bahá’í?” and “Let your vision be world embracing.”
The host arranged for two Bahá’ís to appear as guests on his show on January 16, from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. The telephone lines were busy during the entire show, according to one of the Bahá’í guests.
Because of the great response to the show on the part of the listeners, the Bahá’í speakers were invited back to appear a week later.
Since the radio show, the Bahá’ís have received several letters and phone calls from listeners who want more information about the Faith.
Correction[edit]
Regarding the article on the Wilhelm property in Teaneck, New Jersey, which appeared at the bottom of page 3 in the January issue of The American Bahá’í, a correction should be made.
The last sentence which states “The Monadi family ... have donated temporary furnishings” is in error. It should read: “The Monadi family has given the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States a very valuable Persian rug, an exquisite chandelier and a drawing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by an eminent architect, Houshang Sayhoon, for use in the Wilhelm House in Teaneck, New Jersey.”
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Update from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust
To order: Order through Community Librarians if possible! Personal orders: enclose full payment plus $.75 handling charge for orders under $5.00. Order from Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Ave., Wilmette, IL 60091. |
| Hands of Cause, Counsellors and Board members meet | Two-Year Youth Program launched | Over 1,000 complete Treasurer’s Workshops |
| Page 1 | Page 1 | Page 5 |
The upcoming Youth Conference and Two-year Youth Program were discussed at a meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly and National Youth Committee in March.