The American Bahá’í/Volume 9/Issue 5/Text
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Message From the Guardian (Reprinted from Bahá’í News, March 1939.) •
Dearly beloved co-workers: ...The period ahead is short, strenuous, fraught with mortal perils for human society, yet pregnant with possibilities of unsurpassed triumphs for the power of Bahá’u’lláh’s redemptive Cause. The occasion is propitious for a display, by the American Bahá’í community, in its corporate capacity, of an effort which in its magnitude, character, and purpose must outshine its past endeavors. Failure to exploit these present, these golden opportunities would blast the hopes which the prosecution of the Plan has thus far aroused, and would signify the loss of the rarest privilege ever conferred by Providence upon the American Bahá’í community. It is in view of the criticalness of the situation that I was led to place at the disposal of any pioneer willing to dedicate himself to the task of the present hour such modest resources as would facilitate the discharge of so enviable a duty. The Bahá’í World, increasingly subjected to the rigors of suppression, in both the East and the West, watches with unconcealed astonishment, and derives hope and comfort from the rapid unfoldment of the successive stages of God’s Plan for so blest a community. Its eyes are fixed upon this community, eager to behold the manner in which its gallant members will break down, one after another, the barriers that obstruct their progress towards a divinely-appointed goal. On every daring adventurer in the service of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh the Concourse on high shall descend, “each bearing aloft a chalice of pure light.” Every one of these adventurers God Himself will sustain and inspire, and will “cause the pure waters of wisdom and utterance to gush out and flow copiously from his heart.” “The Kingdom of God,” writes ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “is possessed of limitless potency. Audacious must be the army of life if the confirming aid of that Kingdom is to be repeatedly vouchsafed unto it... Vast is the arena, and the time ripe to spur on the charger within it. Now is the time to reveal the force of one’s strength, the stoutness of one’s heart, and the might of one’s soul.” Dearly-beloved friends! What better field than the vast virgin territories, so near at hand, and waiting to receive, at this very hour, their full share of the onrushing tide of Bahá’u’lláh’s redeeming grace? What theatre more befitting than those long-neglected nine remaining states and provinces in which the true heroism of the intrepid pioneers of His World Order can be displayed? There is no time to lose. There is no room left for vacillation. Multitudes hunger for the Bread of Life. See GUARDIAN, Page 5
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To Coincide With ‘Souvenir’
Second Victory Weekend Slated[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly, acting on a proposal by the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears, has endorsed a second Victory Weekend to coincide with the annual “Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,” the commemoration June 24 of the 66th anniversary of the beloved Master’s visit to Evergreen Cabin in Teaneck, New Jersey.
The basic elements of the second Victory Weekend include:
- Special “Souvenir Picnics” to be held throughout the country designed to welcome seekers and to generate a gigantic teaching weekend from coast to coast and border to border.
- An Evening With the Beloved Master featuring a cassette recording prepared by Mr. Sears entitled, “Memories of the Beloved Master.”
- At Evergreen Cabin itself, a special program of music and slides to tell the dramatic and uplifting story of the Master’s visit to America in 1912. The program is to be captured on film and in slides and made available to the friends elsewhere as a token of that historic occasion.
- A number of huge “Victory Rallies,” the largest of which is to be held in New York City, the City of the Covenant, the city first blessed by the footsteps of the Master.
DETAILS of the second Victory Weekend were outlined by Mr. Sears in a letter dated April 3 to every Bahá’í in the U.S. in which he urged as “a gift of love and thanks” to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the formation from the first day of Riḍván, April 21, to June 24 of 66 Local Spiritual Assemblies.
“To make our gift even more precious and more exciting,” said Mr. Sears, “...let us pledge double that number of localities: 66 times two, or 132 new localities!”
The second Victory Weekend, said Mr. Sears, will begin at the Evergreen Cabin in Teaneck with a Souvenir Picnic to which Bahá’ís from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and other nearby areas are being asked to bring all the flowers they possibly can from their gardens.
“These plants and blossoms will be used to beautify Evergreen Cabin and all the surrounding area,” he added. “We shall duplicate—no, rather we shall exceed—the color, fragrances, brilliance and joyous sights which greeted those eyes on the day the beloved Master was there.
“And if you think that sounds exciting, listen to this: Picture an entire country turned into a rose-garden on that very same weekend.
“PICTURE THE color, beauty, and excitement of regional Souvenir Picnics
A sculptured bust of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was unveiled in December at New York’s Carnegie International Center. Doing the honors is Mrs. Betty de Araujo. (Story, another photo on Page 11)
El Centro Campaign Rings Victory Note[edit]
When the history of the Five Year Plan is written, it may well be noted that one of the turning points that led to the ultimate victory on the U.S. homefront took place in a sleepy semi-rural Southern California farming center named El Centro.
Nestled in the heart of the lush Imperial Valley, and until recently known chiefly as a stopping place for migrant farm workers, El Centro has become a rallying cry for Bahá’ís in the western states, the focal point of a California Victory Campaign that has set the area ablaze with the Bahá’í Message, and seems destined to awaken the U.S. Bahá’í community to a new sense of purpose while confirming the power of Bahá’u’lláh to assure the triumph of those who arise to serve His Cause.
THE EL CENTRO campaign, which sprang from an appeal for help to the District Teaching Committee from its jeopardized Spiritual Assembly, got under way in mid-March, and by the end of the month had resulted in 25 enrollments in at least half a dozen communities. Eleven of the enrollments were in El Centro itself, raising the number of believers there from seven to 18.
As of March 30, more than 50 people in the communities of El Centro, Brawley and Calexico had indicated verbally or on Interest Cards that they would like to become Bahá’ís.
A total of 172 people in all the communities visited had signed Interest Cards, either requesting literature, visits from Bahá’í teachers, or expressing a wish to become Bahá’ís.
Communities in which new declarants had been enrolled by March 30, besides El Centro, are Mexicali, Mexico (seven); Descanso, California (one); Brawley (four); Seely (one, opening that locality), and Tucson, Arizona (one).
ON THE FIRST two weekends of the campaign, a total of 197 Bahá’í teachers, 37 of them youth, representing 67 Bahá’í communities in nine U.S. states and Mexico, participated.
Spanish-language literature has been sent to El Centro to help deepen the new Spanish-speaking believers, and the National Education Committee has sent deepening packets to the area.
To help sustain the teaching momentum, Auxiliary Board member Fred Schechter met the weekend of April 1–2 with the El Centro Spiritual Assembly and the Teaching Committee for Southern California District No. 2. Dr. David Clayborne, secretary of the National Youth Committee, also was in El Centro that weekend.
Jenabe Caldwell, a long-time Bahá’í teacher and former Auxiliary Board member from Alaska, arrived in El Centro on March 31 for two weeks of teaching.
THE CALIFORNIA Victory Campaign is to continue in the El Centro area through mid-May, then begin moving northward through the state with teaching continuing throughout the summer in communities from the Mexican border to the northernmost areas of California by a Victory Team that already numbers some 60 members.
A continuing flow of assistance is needed to bring to fruition the seeds that have been sown in the California campaign. Especially needed are full-time traveling teachers for weekday activities.
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Inside
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Assembly, Two Bahá’ís Honored in Asheville[edit]
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Asheville, North Carolina, and two of its members were honored in February by the Asheville-Buncombe County Community Relations Council for their work in promoting better human relations in that western North Carolina city.
The individual Bahá’ís who were presented awards at a luncheon at the Sheraton Motor Inn in Asheville are Auxiliary Board member Dr. William Tucker and his wife, Bernice “Bunny” Tucker, who were cited for their 20-year effort to bring greater harmony to the various races and religions in the community.
Dr. Tucker, an optometrist, first opened a practice in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, in 1950 after he was graduated from the Northern Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago. He immediately began to incorporate the Bahá’í belief in the oneness of humanity by desegregating the waiting room in his office. He demanded courtesy and respect for all his patients at a time when this wasn’t at all popular. Dr. Tucker’s waiting room was one of the first in the South that was non-segregated.
DESPITE criticism, ostracism, and loss of business, Dr. and Mrs. Tucker continued their work for better human relations during their five years in Rocky Mount.
In addition, the Tuckers held interracial Bahá’í public meetings as well as firesides in their home. Since some blacks feared reprisals if it was learned they had visited the home of whites, the Tuckers arranged to hold some meetings at the office of a black photographer.
The Tuckers reached out to the churches in Rocky Mount by offering to give talks on “The Oneness of Mankind” and “The Oneness of Religions.” While some black churches responded, there were no replies from white churches.
In 1955, the Tuckers moved from Rocky Mount to Argentina, where their work for the Bahá’í Faith and human rights continued. Here, however, they were working mostly with Spanish-speaking peoples.
TO MOVE to Argentina, Dr. Tucker had to forfeit his professional pursuits, as that country hadn’t yet made available optometric licenses. The Tuckers supported themselves by teaching English; to learn the language and culture of the area, they lived in the Spanish section of the city of Cordoba. With their modest income they couldn’t afford a car, so they either walked or rode the streetcars everywhere.
After their first child was born, it became necessary for the Tuckers to return to the U.S., and in 1958 Dr. Tucker opened an optometric practice in Asheville. Again, he had a non-segregated waiting room and trained his receptionist to treat every patient, black or white, with courtesy and respect.
In 1961, after moving to their present home, the Tuckers began receiving threatening phone calls from anonymous callers who objected to their interracial Bahá’í meetings.
Once Dr. Tucker found a note at his office saying: “You better get out—we’re going to get you.” A man then phoned and said, “I’m gonna kill you.” Dr. Tucker invited him to the office to talk.
WHEN THE MAN arrived, only he and Dr. Tucker were in the office. The visitor sat down and said, “I have something for you.” Dr. Tucker watched as the man put a hand into his coat pocket and slowly withdrew it, empty. Without another word, the stranger arose and left the office.
Following that incident, the Tuckers visited each of their neighbors to explain that the Faith teaches the elimination of prejudice in every form. They said they would not be threatened into abandoning their beliefs, and would continue to hold interracial meetings.
From 1958 to 1970 the Tuckers made frequent visits to the Indian Reservation at Cherokee, North Carolina, helping to plant the seeds that blossomed last November in the election of the first Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Cherokee.
In 1965 Dr. Tucker was appointed an Auxiliary Board member, and in that capacity spends most of his weekends traveling throughout the Southeastern U.S., and one weekend a month in the Bahamas, which are included in his area of jurisdiction.
FROM 1970–73 the Tuckers pioneered with their two daughters to Jamaica, promoting the oneness of mankind among a predominantly black and illiterate populace in poverty-ridden rural villages.
A summary of the Tuckers’ unceasing efforts on behalf of human rights appeared in a comprehensive article about the awards presentation in the Asheville Citizen of February 25. A photo of the Tuckers and other awards recipients accompanied the article. The ceremony also was covered on WLOS-TV.
Auxiliary Board member Dr. William Tucker and his wife, Bernice, were honored in February by the Asheville-Buncombe County (North Carolina) Community Relations Council for their 30-year effort to help improve racial harmony and understanding in the South. The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Asheville also was given an award (see inset) for its achievements in bettering human relations.
The Community Relations Council was so impressed by the Tuckers’ work for human rights that it canceled a keynote speaker to provide the necessary time to present the entire nominating material submitted by the Asheville Spiritual Assembly.
In making its award to the Asheville Assembly, the Council said:
“The Community Relations Council recognizes the efforts of the Bahá’ís toward the unification of humankind, and is grateful for the example that they are presenting to the community in the elimination of racism and sexism.”
Two Year Youth Program[edit]
| Items | Goals | April 1977 | March. 1978 | Yet to be filled |
| Total youth | 5,846 | |||
| Homefront Pioneers To Unopened Countries To unopened Localities |
150 (20) (90) |
0 (0) (0) |
8 6 6 |
142 14 84 |
| Domestic Teaching Trips For Two Months or More To Indian Reservations |
1,000 (15) (50) |
0 (0) (0) |
498 2 41 |
502 9 |
| International Pioneers Filling Specific Five Year Plan Goals |
30 (10) |
0 (0) |
11 7 |
19 3 |
| International Teaching Trips For One Month or More Each in a Single Country |
95 (20) |
0 (0) |
57 32 |
38 0 |
| Local Youth Clubs | 200 | 109 | 135 | 65 |
| College Clubs At Colleges with Highest Number American Indian Students |
400 (5) |
354 (0) |
374 2 |
26 3 |
International Goals[edit]
| AFRICA | OPEN | |
| (F) | Central African Empire | 2 |
| (E) | Ghana | 4 |
| (E) | Lesotho | 1 |
| (F) | Madagascar | 2 |
| (E) | Malawi | 1 |
| (E) | Sierra Leone | 2 |
| (E) | South Africa (Transkei) | 4 |
| (E) | St. Helena | 1 |
| (P) | Upper West Africa (Cape Verde Islands) | 2 |
| AMERICAS | ||
| (S) | Argentina | 3 |
| (E) | Barbados/Windward Islands | 1 |
| (S) | Bolivia | 1 |
| (P) | Brazil | 2 |
| (F) | French Antilles | 2 |
| (E) | Guyana | 1 |
| (E) | Jamaica (Cayman Is.) | 2 |
| (E) | Leeward/Virgin Islands | 1 |
| (S) | Mexico | 3 |
| (S) | Paraguay | 2 |
| (S) | Uruguay | 2 |
| ASIA | ||
| (B) | (E) Bangladesh | 2 |
| (J) | Japan | 12 |
| (K) | Korea | 5 |
| (E) | Sri Lanka (Ceylon) | 1 |
| (E) | Thailand | 1 |
| EUROPE | ||
| (F) | Belgium | 3 |
| (D) | Denmark | 2 |
| (I) | Iceland | 1 |
| (Sw) | Sweden | 2 |
| (F) | (G)(It) Switzerland | 2 |
| AUSTRALASIA | ||
| MARSHALL ISLANDS | 1 | |
| Tonga | 2 | |
| B—Bengali | ||
| D—Danish | ||
| E—English | ||
| F—French | ||
| G—German | ||
| I—Icelandic | ||
| It—Italian | ||
| J—Japanese | ||
| K—Korean | ||
| P—Portuguese | ||
| S—Spanish | ||
| Sw—Swedish | ||
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The American Bahá’í Seeks Staff Writer Wanted: A versatile, enthusiastic and creative person with some newspaper or other writing experience to replace our valued coworker, Sharon Lewis, who is resigning at the end of July as a staff writer for The American Bahá’í to return to college. This is an ideal position for someone who wishes to refine and develop his or her reportorial and writing skills while learning other aspects of the newspaper and magazine business. Camera experience would be extremely helpful. Please send resumé and writing samples to the editor, The American Bahá’í, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091. |
A Very Special Way to Give to the Fund[edit]
Have you ever received an engraved card from the National Treasurer? The cards acknowledge a contribution to the National Bahá’í Fund in memory or in honor of an individual.
The cards serve another function; they contain a dignified and loving message reflecting the importance of the National Bahá’í Fund. In addition, each card expresses a “spiritualization” of a material gift.
Many believers say the cards have helped their teaching work with family and friends. Recipients of such cards have been enthusiastic, as well.
Kurt Hein, staff member of the Treasurer’s Office, says, “Even though I see these cards daily in the office, it was a thrill to receive several honoring our daughter’s birth!” Other occasions for sending cards include birthdays, declarations, Holy Days, anniversaries, weddings, Intercalary Days, or simple friendship messages.
THE CARD contains the message that a contribution was received in honor or in memory of an individual. It states, “This gift was lovingly donated by: (donor’s name).” Both cards carry the signature of the Treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly.
The Memorial Card is embossed with a nine-pointed star above a quotation from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: “The progress of man’s spirit in the divine world, after the severance of its connection with the body of dust, is through the bounty and grace of the Lord alone, or through the intercession and the sincere prayers of other human souls, or through the charities and important good works which are performed in its name.”
The Honor Card carries the statement, “May we also add our congratulations on this happy occasion.”
A request for a Memorial Card or Honor Card can take two weeks to process from the time it is received.
First, the contribution must be coded and processed; owing to the volume of mail, this may take two or three days. The request is then sent to another staff member who verifies names and addresses, types and stamps the cards and envelopes, and prepares them for mailing. This is done on a weekly basis.
TO EXPEDITE the handling of your request, the Treasurer’s Office has the following suggestions:
- Please write legibly. Names and addresses are frequently illegible. This can cause personal embarrassment or make it impossible for the card to be delivered.
- Give the complete name and address (including the zip code) of the individual receiving the card. Many cards are returned because of incorrect addresses.
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The National Bahá’í Fund has received a contribution in honor of your marriage This gift was lovingly donated by: Jennifer Linn
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- For Memorial Cards, include the name of the deceased. For Honor Cards, include the occasion being celebrated.
- Include your complete name, Bahá’í identification number, and address.
- PLAN AHEAD—allow at least three weeks for the card to be delivered.
Sample Memorial Card request:
“Please accept this contribution in memory of Susan Bassett. Please send the acknowledgement to Mr. Charles Stephens, 1414 Avon Road, Deerland, Illinois 66666. From Mrs. Joan Norman, ID# 18610, 112 Madrone Avenue, Springfield, Ohio 55555.”
Sample Honor Card request:
“This contribution is sent in honor of the marriage of Tom and Naomi Young, 516 Main Street, Pelham, New York 11111. From Jennifer Linn, ID #23610, Route 1, Albany, Oregon 99999.”
Worldwide Bahá’í Teaching Supported By National Fund[edit]
Dear friends,
I have just received the February edition of The American Bahá’í. Many of the articles touched me deeply—those which spoke of the exciting teaching work, and those which spoke about the Fund.
The Treasurer’s letter, “From Ghana, Loving Thanks,” showed me an aspect of the Fund I hadn’t realized before: we in the United States are supporting Bahá’í activities throughout the world through the agency of our National Fund. Such a responsibility and a privilege!
I pray that every American Bahá’í may arise and contribute to the Fund as much as his conscience and pocketbook will allow. If we were to surpass our goals, it would be a strong signal of the unity and strength of our national community which would be broadcast to the entire Bahá’í world.
Centerville, Ohio
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Not only does the National Fund help many countries directly, but $33,000 is sent to the Bahá’í International Fund every Bahá’í month!)
Weekend[edit]
Continued From Page 1
being held simultaneously all over the country June 24, 1978!
“The presence of the beloved Master will perfume the air of America from Maine to San Diego, from the Florida Keys to Seattle, from the Great Lakes to the mouth of the Mississippi!”
The National Spiritual Assemblies of Alaska and Canada are being invited to hold Souvenir Picnics that same day, should they choose to do so.
“Wouldn’t it be wonderful,” said Mr. Sears, “if all of North America arose to honor ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on that day in June and filled the continent with His presence?”
As with the first Victory Weekend last September, the Souvenir Picnics and other activities the last weekend in June are occasions for teaching the Cause, and are specifically designed to provide opportunities to teach, hold special meetings, and set the country “on fire” to assure the ultimate victory in the final year of the Five Year Plan.
“The opportunities for press, radio and television should be outstanding,” said Mr. Sears, “a time of proclamation on all sides.”
Questions for the Treasurer
Q: Would it be possible for the National Treasurer’s letter to contain more financial information? Its present format is childish, uninformative, and in bad taste. After all, contributing to the Cause is a voluntary matter, a spiritual responsibility, and a material sacrifice. It is not a matter of lit candles, bar graphs and band wagons. Instead of a monthly scolding by the National Treasurer, I would much prefer to see some information about how our personal sacrifices are building the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.
A: We greatly appreciate your frankness and the direct manner in which you express your concerns.
The monthly Treasurer’s letter serves three functions: reporting financial information, explaining the principles of giving, and appealing for increased support of the Fund.
Perhaps the fact that these letters repeatedly urge the believers to sacrifice has led to your perception that they are a “monthly scolding.” The reason we dwell upon this theme also stems from the guidance of our beloved Guardian. He told us to “keep on, persevere, redouble in your efforts, repeat and rewrite the admonitions and instructions of our Beloved in your communications with individuals and Assemblies until they sink in their hearts and minds. This was truly our Beloved’s way and method, and none better can we ever pursue.”
We remind the believers of their high calling as Bahá’ís, and repeatedly urge them to accept the responsibilities thereby placed upon them. Our aim is to encourage and uplift the friends and prompt them to higher levels of service.
Some letters do contain stories of personal sacrifice. In addition, The American Bahá’í and Bahá’í News carry stories telling of the work of the friends around the world. Every project undertaken and each new victory for the Faith is a sign of how our personal sacrifices are building the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.
We understand how a community might regard the Local and National Fund charts as a simplistic means of reporting financial information. Nevertheless, we are faced with the task of communicating the status of the Fund to all the believers. Simple and clear visual aids are most effective when communicating to such a broad audience. We have found the charts to be very successful in this regard.
We wish to refer you to the article on page 3 of the February 1978 issue of The American Bahá’í, entitled “The Fund: Plain Talk About a ‘Touchy Matter.’ ” In it, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh addresses the fact that many believers throughout the country are reluctant to discuss openly the subject of giving to the Fund. This, he says, is symptomatic of a misconception that the Fund is not one of the “spiritual” aspects of our Bahá’í lives.
The National Spiritual Assembly is vigorously working to spread the realization that “sacrifice” and “giving to the Fund” are at the core of our Bahá’í experience. Reorienting our thinking about sacrifice and giving requires a tactful program of deepening that encourages individual community members to share their true feelings about the Fund. These joyful acts are a point of unity for the community that can be freely and openly discussed in any situation—among believers and non-believers alike.
Q: Should delegates expect to be reimbursed for their National Convention expenses?
A: “In the matter of attendance of delegates at Conventions, the desirability of the friends themselves being self-sufficient should be pointed out by the National Assembly. If a delegate cannot pay his own expenses in attending the Convention, the Local Assembly or the believers in the electoral unit from which the delegate comes should be encouraged by the National Assembly to defray such expenses, so that only when funds are unavailable from those sources, the National Assembly is approached to consider offering financial assistance.
“The same principle holds true about the activities, such as attendance at Institutes, Conferences and Summer Schools.” (From a letter to all National Spiritual Assemblies from the Universal House of Justice, February 9, 1967) Note: The National Spiritual Assembly has not been able to budget funds for this purpose.
Trust Produces a Comprehensive New Catalog[edit]
The Bahá’í Publishing Trust has announced the completion of an exciting and comprehensive new catalog that includes most of the literature and special materials it carries. Copies of the catalog were mailed to all Bahá’í librarians in April.
The new catalog promises to be a valuable deepening aid and reference tool for all Bahá’ís. The descriptions go into considerable depth to explain the contents and importance of the works of the Central Figures of the Faith as well as of Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice.
The catalog will also be an aid to the teaching effort, as the descriptions can help Bahá’ís choose the book, pamphlet, or even cassette recording best suited for anyone interested in the Faith. Local Spiritual Assemblies and their committees will benefit from reading about and seeing pictures of the pamphlets, exhibit materials, recordings, filmstrip programs, and many other materials available.
Individuals, Local Spiritual Assemblies, and committees will find helpful the catalog’s guides to recordings and filmstrip programs and the information on how to rent films and subscribe to Bahá’í periodicals.
With descriptions of more than 550 items and more than 180 photographs and illustrations, the new catalog totals 84 pages of copy. It is arranged in 28 sections, beginning with “Works of Bahá’u’lláh” and ending with “Slides.”
Designed for use in three-ring binders or folders, the catalog is printed in an 8½ x 11-inch loose-leaf format. The Publishing Trust plans to update the catalog periodically by printing supplementary pages and sending them to Bahá’í librarians as new books and materials become available.
A limited supply of the new catalogs is available to individual Bahá’ís. Priced at $3, the catalog may be ordered through your community librarian or the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.
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Teaching Committee Sets District Goals With less than a year remaining in the Five Year Plan, the U.S. Bahá’í community must form nearly 400 Local Spiritual Assemblies and open some 1,200 new localities to win the goals. Following a thorough review of the status of each district in the country, the National Teaching Committee has allocated goals to each of them, effective April 1, prior to the Riḍván Assembly formations. Although many districts expect to contribute more to the plan than the goals assigned, and others already have achieved many of the goals, the supplemental assignments were determined as a minimum, and will assist the friends to realize how each new Assembly or new locality in their district relates to the over-all goals of the Plan. The states of California, Illinois and New York were given Five Year Plan goals by the National Spiritual Assembly, and so no changes have been made in these states. Assembly goals are related to recent action taken by District Teaching Committees to set dates for Assembly formation for all Groups of five or more. Locality goals could be assured if each Assembly would take it upon itself to open a new locality, and if communities of 18 or more would each open two localities. The National Teaching Committee would like to see all of the goals achieved by November 12 as a gift to Bahá’u’lláh and as evidence of His power to recreate us and to overcome all obstacles to building His World Order. Through prayer, action, sacrifice and a realization that Bahá’u’lláh can clear the way to victory, the goals can be won.
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‘Year of 1,000 Plus 80’
South Carolina Campaign Records Early Successes[edit]
The first seven of 32 teaching events scheduled in connection with South Carolina’s “Year of 1,000 plus 80” campaign, introduced at a conference in Columbia on January 15, have been held.
The thrust of the campaign is to find 1,000 active believers and raise 80 new Local Spiritual Assemblies in South Carolina by April 1, 1979.
Bahá’í teachers who participated in the first seven events found, through visits to homes, that more than 200 Bahá’ís who declared several years ago during mass teaching efforts, but who had not been re-visited by Bahá’ís for three to four years, still considered themselves believers.
Many of the newly-confirmed Bahá’ís have offered their homes for firesides. Most have received the three-year identification card from the Bahá’í National Center, and most regularly receive The American Bahá’í.
Since the “1,000 plus 80” campaign began, some 14 communities have been reopened to the Faith through confirming the commitments of those who were taught several years ago. Many Interest Cards have been signed in these communities, and new teaching is taking place.
Of the 80 new Assemblies called for in the plan, 37 more are needed, but Trudy White, secretary of the South Carolina Regional Teaching Committee, says she believes that 14 of those Assemblies will come from the communities that have been reopened to the Faith since January.
Bahá’ís and seekers who attended a Cluster Teaching event February 19 at Miamisburg, Ohio. A deepening on The Reality of Man was presented by David Beglar and David Seagraves.
“Star of West” Available at Trust[edit]
The Bahá’í Publishing Trust has announced that bound sets of eight volumes of Star of the West, the first Bahá’í magazine in the West, will be reprinted this year by George Ronald, Oxford, England.
Advance orders for the sets must be received at the Publishing Trust by June 1, 1978. A check or money order for $71 ($65 plus $6 postage and insurance) must accompany each order. After June 1 this special prepublication offer will expire.
Star of the West was published from 1910 through 1935, when it was superseded by World Order. The magazine will always be an irreplaceable source of valuable material for the historian, the student, the lecturer—for any Bahá’í interested in the growth of the Faith in its earliest days in the West.
The bound volumes to be published this year will include exact reproductions of all the issues for the years 1910 through 1923. The eight-volume set will contain about 4,000 pages.
The period of 1910 through 1923 covers the final years of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Ministry, including His historic visits to the West, and the first two years of Shoghi Effendi’s Guardianship. During this period the magazine was not only a vehicle for articles and discussions but also a vital journal of record, preserving for history countless significant events, both in reports and photographs.
To order Star of the West, see your Bahá’í librarian or send a $71 check, bank draft, or money order by June 1, 1978, to the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Ave., Wilmette, IL 60091. The sets will be shipped from Wilmette in September or October 1978.
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Guardian Continued From Page 1 The stage is set. The firm and irrevocable Promise is given. God’s own Plan has been set in motion. It is gathering momentum with every passing day. The powers of heaven and earth mysteriously assist in its execution. Such an opportunity is irreplaceable. Let the doubter arise and himself verify the truth of such assertions. To try, to persevere, is to insure ultimate and complete victory. SHOGHI
January 28, 1939 |
‘A Salute to the American Indian’ was the theme of a festive Ayyám-i-Há party February 26 hosted by John and Marie McNair of East Patchogue, New York. More than 20 family members and friends were greeted by a recording of an authentic Winnebago American Indian song of welcome. There were gifts for the children, a buffet supper, games and fun, and the party also included an informal program of prayers and readings and a brief explanation of the Intercalary Days.
In the photo at left, some of the children open gifts as their hosts, the McNairs, look on. Below, children pose happily in front of the Ayyám-i-Há display. From left to right are Tara McNair, age 6, Tammy Lovett (5), Maria Paul (12), and Donna Paul (10). The party, said the McNairs, brought them fun, education, and a better understanding of their fellow men.
National Assembly Members Speak at Firesides[edit]
At its monthly meeting March 24–26 at Wilmette, Illinois, the National Spiritual Assembly continued the policy begun in Atlanta in February of making teaching an integral part of each of its meetings.
Despite an ice storm, a total of 58 seekers attended firesides on Saturday, March 25, at which National Spiritual Assembly members were the speakers.
Franklin Kahn spoke at the American Indian Center in Chicago, where 20 seekers were in the audience. The director, assistant director and cultural director at the Center said they would like to know more about the Faith.
TREASURER Dorothy Nelson and Vice-Chairman Fíruz Kazemzadeh also gave firesides in Chicago, with a combined total of 16 seekers present.
Judge James Nelson’s fireside in Winnetka, attended by seven seekers, was publicized by an article in the local newspaper.
Glenford Mitchell, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, spoke at a fireside in Hanover Park that attracted five non-Bahá’ís.
The fireside at which Magdalene Carney spoke, in Harvey, was publicized by a newspaper article and four radio spot announcements. Bahá’ís from Evanston, Illinois, spent a week before the fireside visiting people in Harvey who had signed declaration cards during a teaching effort more than a year ago. Two of these people attended, as did an Eastern Orthodox priest who believes in progressive revelation.
NATIONAL Assembly Chairman Daniel Jordan was the speaker at Wauconda, a community in Lake County with three believers. Five non-Bahá’ís attended.
In Wood Dale, Bahá’ís went door-to-door for three weeks prior to the fireside to publicize it, and in the process met the editor of the local newspaper.
This resulted in a front-page photo of Bahá’í pioneers to Brazil presenting Wood Dale’s mayor with The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh.
National Assembly member Richard Betts was the scheduled speaker, but was unable to attend, so National Teaching Committee member Bob Henderson filled in for him. Six seekers were present.
The fireside that Soo Fouts was to attend was canceled.
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Mesa County, Colorado, at the time of its incorporation on January 17. Standing (left to right) are Ben Heffer, chairman; Al Barnes; Gloria Kahls, recording secretary; John Stevenson; Kenna Gallegos. Seated (left to right) are Ron Kahls, treasurer; Terry Johnson; Sharon Campbell, corresponding secretary; Helen Barnes.
Day-Long Celebration Marks Mesa County’s Incorporation[edit]
Bahá’ís from three communities and their guests were present February 11 for a day-long celebration commemorating the incorporation January 17 of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Mesa County, Colorado.
Nearly every believer in the communities of Mesa County, Grand Junction and Palisade participated in the program that included a Cluster Teaching event, potluck supper and a public proclamation at which Auxiliary Board member Dennis Jenkyns spoke on “America Today.”
A special award was presented to a civic leader who helped the Mesa County Assembly find facilities for its Bahá’í School.
The celebration was begun when two members of the Assembly presented the mayor of Grand Junction the book, The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh. A photo and article about the presentation and its purpose appeared in the local newspaper, the Fruita Times.
The Cluster program was attended by 35 of the friends from western Colorado; more than 50 persons enjoyed the potluck supper and proclamation.
Teaching the Faith Focus at Gregory Summer School[edit]
Summer adult classes at the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute in Hemingway, South Carolina, will focus on various aspects of teaching the Faith, according to Program Director Betty Morris.
Summer courses and programs are designed either to help Bahá’ís develop teaching skills, or to give them an opportunity to teach in practical situations.
Special children’s weeks have been planned to inspire youngsters to develop a deeper understanding and commitment to Bahá’í life through a careful study of the Writings.
The Gregory Institute’s summer schedule is as follows:
- June 12–16: The Bible and the Bahá’í Faith.
- June 17–25: Youth Week—“Teaching the Cause of God.”
- July 1–4: Teaching Conference for the Southern States.
- July 5–8: “Basic Facts” deepening.
- July 10–15: Children’s Week—“Memorials of the Faithful.”
- July 16–22: Beach teaching project sponsored by the District Teaching Committee for South Carolina Eastern District No. 3.
- July 24–28: Children’s Week—“Actions of the Righteous.”
- July 31–August 4: Using the Media to Teach.
- August 7–11: Children’s Week—“From Darkness Into Light.”
- August 17–20: Tablets of the Divine Plan—Why America?
For information, write to the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Route 2, Box 123, Hemingway, SC 29554.
Trust Offers Bahá’í News Back Issues[edit]
The Bahá’í Publishing Trust is offering for sale back issues of Bahá’í News dating from 1924–1975.
Order forms for the back issues were mailed in April to all Bahá’í community librarians.
Back issues may be used to fill gaps in personal or community collections, or to build new ones. Bahá’ís who do not own large collections of the magazine may wish to buy selected issues as gifts, or as their own mementos of the period of the Guardianship, the stewardship of the Hands of the Cause, the first election of the Universal House of Justice in 1963, or other historic events.
Prices range from $2.25 each for the 1925 issues to 60 cents each for issues dating from 1967–1975. Back issues from 1926–1966 range from $1.10 to $1.40 each. The 60-cent price for the 1967–1975 issues will be increased to $1 on August 1.
More details about back issues of Bahá’í News are listed on the order forms, available through community librarians or the Bahá’í Publishing Trust.
The Trust suggests that you order early, as the stock of many issues is low and will be quickly depleted.
Sierra Madre Assembly Is Formally Recognized[edit]
The formation of the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Sierra Madre, California, was formally recognized February 11 at an evening ceremony attended by some 45 people including several non-Bahá’ís.
The observance was sponsored by the District Teaching Committee and was chaired by its secretary, Mrs. Juana Conrad.
Robert Hatcher represented the National Spiritual Assembly and presented the new Assembly with a gift on its behalf.
AUXILIARY Board member Mrs. Joyce Dahl spoke of the special station of the Local Spiritual Assemblies and the significance of their formation, and presented the new Assembly with a book. Other speakers were assistants to the Auxiliary Board David Villaseñor and Mrs. Barbara West. Mrs. West also is a member of the District Teaching Committee.
The members of the Spiritual Assembly of Sierra Madre were introduced, and Assembly Chairman Fred Bruning conveyed its appreciation for the gifts and well-wishes.
Many local dignitaries, including the city council of Sierra Madre and several members of the clergy, were invited to the ceremony. An article in the local newspaper told of the Assembly’s formation, touched on its many functions, listed its present members, and mentioned some Bahá’í beliefs.
Since its formation last August, the Spiritual Assembly of Sierra Madre has been involved in the Victory Campaign and in arranging a Bahá’í Week in the city.
The first Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Sierra Madre, California, with guest speakers at its Recognition Ceremony on February 11. Assembly members (standing, left to right) are Billie Hooper, James Vaden, Michelle Vaden, Joy McCormack, Fred Bruning, Nancy Furst, Ragna Jenson, Lynn Bruning, Michael Furst. Speakers (seated, left to right) are Barbara West, David Villaseñor, Joyce Dahl, Robert Hatcher, Juana Conrad.
News Briefs
Teachers Given Warm Welcome in S.C.[edit]
When Marion, South Carolina, was visited for the first time in two years, the believers there told the traveling teachers, “We’ve been reading The American Bahá’í regularly and wondered when Bahá’ís would come back to see us.”...
A resident of Prentiss, Mississippi, visited the House of Worship in February and indicated an interest in the Faith. When she returned home, the District Teaching Committee contacted her and found she had already told 23 of her friends about the Faith! A fireside was arranged, to which she brought 14 friends. A follow-up meeting a week later brought the attendance of 19 of her friends. She was enrolled on Sunday, March 5...
In southeastern Alabama, where there are only four Bahá’ís, an Intercalary Days party was attended by 21 non-Bahá’ís, several of whom are seriously interested in the Faith...
In Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a Bahá’í gave a class on Asian-American culture. It was attended by 15 non-Bahá’ís, five of whom are Asian-Americans...
One of the guests at the Recognition Ceremony for the new Local Spiritual Assembly in Blacksburg, Virginia, on February 25 was the mayor of Blacksburg, who has been in office for 30 years, and who called the event “one of the highlights of my career.”...
Thirteen seekers were among the 22 adults and four youth and children who attended a public Naw-Rúz observance hosted by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of San Angelo, Texas. Publicity included announcements on one television station and six radio stations, one of them Spanish-language. Invitations were given personally, by telephone and by mail...
The Bahá’í community in Grand Rapids, Michigan, observed United Nations Human Rights Day in December with a reception and public meeting featuring Dr. Will C. van den Hoonaard, assistant representative of the Bahá’í International Community at the United Nations.
Among those at the reception December 9 were a teacher who also is a Roman Catholic nun of the Dominican order; the president of the Grand Rapids Board of Education; the supervisor of humanities; the superintendent of instruction; a Grand Rapids city councilman; the Global Education staff of the Grand Rapids public schools, and the theological librarian of Calvin College (founded by the Dutch Christian Reformed Church). Ten non-Bahá’ís were among the 36 in attendance the following day for a public meeting at Aquinas College...
A Bahá’í in Carbondale, Illinois, teaching English to Indochinese refugees, was explaining the meaning of the word “counselor” to her class when a student raised his hand.
The young man, a Laotian, said, “Do you mean a person who comes to visit and help people, someone of religion?” Puzzled as to his meaning, the teacher asked, “Do you mean a missionary or priest?”
“No,” the student replied. “I mean like in Bahá’í, we have Counsellors.”
The teacher could hardly believe her ears. “Bahá’í?” she said. “I’m a Bahá’í!”
Now it was the young man’s turn to be overwhelmed. His face lit up as he told her he had been trying to contact Bahá’ís since arriving in the U.S. but didn’t know where to look. The only Bahá’í materials he’d managed to bring with him were an I.D. card and a photo taken at a Bahá’í conference in Singapore...
Members of the newly-incorporated Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Savannah, Georgia, are (standing left to right) Theolia Kirkland, Duilio Bigatin, Georgia Proctor, William Pleasant Jr., Constance Morgan, Richard Morgan Sr., and (seated left to right) Cecile Bigatin, Albert Pleasant Sr., Gertrude Pleasant.
Five Bahá’ís from Seattle, Washington, are moving to nearby Mountlake to save that community’s jeopardized Assembly. The five are Mahjid and Pasha Mahajir-Jasbi, Mike Wenssel, Sahfi Mahajir-Jasbi, and Farhid Mahajir-Jasbi...
The Bahá’ís of Huntington and Cabell County, West Virginia, celebrated Ayyám-i-Há jointly this year with a buffet-style supper and dance on Saturday, February 25, at a rented clubhouse. Music was provided by a non-Bahá’í group, the Sheri Hanshaw Band.
The following afternoon, the Bahá’ís gave a party for children at the Huntington Orthopedic Hospital.
The children were given special attention and assisted in their preparation for the Special Olympics. A seeker presented a pantomime routine, the children were served refreshments and presented with gifts, and a donation of puzzles, coloring books and crayons was given to the pediatrics ward.
The event was so successful that it was decided to make it a continuing project...
More than 20 seekers and guests were present along with more than 40 Bahá’ís for the Indianapolis Bahá’í community’s Naw-Rúz observance. The program featured songs by the children and the filmstrip, “Out of God’s Eternal Ocean”...
The Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, is among the places described in a tour of Chicago’s North Shore advertised in the bulletin of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) in connection with the 1978 AARP Biennial Convention May 1–4 in Chicago...
Nancy Anderson, a Bahá’í youth from Hyannis, Massachusetts, has won first place in the New England Speech Tournament and will compete in June in the National Speech Tournament in Illinois.
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Gwinnett County, Georgia, was elected December 4, 1977. Front row (left to right) are Janet White, Dorothy Hamrang, Jeanie Jouget, Taraz Hamrang. Back row (left to right) are Carl Swanson, Beri Swanson, Wayne White, J.C. Jouget, Greg Gibson. A formal Recognition Ceremony was held jointly with the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of DeKalb County on January 29 and was attended by around 100 of the friends.
Bahá’í Youth: Torch-bearers of the Cause[edit]
|
VANGUARD Youth News |
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The following remarks by the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears on teaching by Bahá’í youth were originally prepared as a tape-recorded message to a youth conference in San Francisco last December.)
‘Alláh’u’Abhá! What better way to begin than with the words of the beloved Master, words that call every one of us in America to action, words that opened and closed our recent Victory Weekend:
“If ye but knew the value of these days, you would not eat, you would not sleep, you would not walk. You would run, and give to all the Glad Tidings!” (Bahá’í World, Vol. XI, pp. 474–475)
Speed! Movement! Action! Then: Victory!
The importance and significance of the role which you, the Bahá’í youth, are destined to play in the fate of humanity can best be summed up in these words of our beloved Guardian:
“...THE YOUNGER generation...are the ones to raise the Call of the Kingdom and arouse the people from slumber. If they fail, the Cause is doomed to stagnation.” (Dawn of a New Day, letters to India, p. 3)
The reason is clear. Again, in the words of Shoghi Effendi:
“...your generation,” he says, “must provide the saints, heroes, martyrs, and administrators of future years.” (Bahá’í News No. 253, March 1952)
It is not possible to overemphasize the vital, significant role which you, the Bahá’í youth, must play.
“No greater demonstration can be given,” the Guardian tells us, “...of the youthful vitality and the vibrant power animating the life and the institutions of the nascent Faith of Bahá’u’lláh than an intelligent, persistent, and effective participation of the Bahá’í youth, of every race, nationality and class, in both the teaching and administrative spheres of Bahá’í activity. Through such a participation the critics and enemies of the Faith... can best be convinced of the indubitable truth that such a Cause is intensely alive, is sound to its very core, and its destinies (are) in safekeeping...” (Advent of Divine Justice, p. 38)
IF OUR recent Victory Weekend told the Bahá’í youth anything, it told you that the mere contemplation of the power you hold in your hands as Bahá’ís should set your hearts on fire and attract new believers by the thousands. The greatest power abroad in the world today is in your hands.
A mere 3,600 new believers in the right places would win every one of the 400 Local Assemblies needed (in the Five Year Plan). 4,800 new believers would win all the Assembly and locality goals of the Plan.
And what do we have to back us up? Shoghi Effendi says:
“We can truly say that this Cause is a Cause that enables people to achieve the impossible.” (Letters to Australia and New Zealand, p. 71)
Obviously, those goals should be easy for us, shouldn’t they?
Shoghi Effendi also says that our Faith was established by believers “...whose devotion, zeal and self-sacrifice overcame every obstacle and won miraculous victories for the Faith of God.” (Wellspring of Guidance, p. 128)
OBVIOUSLY, it isn’t the goals that are hard to achieve, it’s the spirit to win them.
Are you ready to achieve the impossible, you miracle workers? The Master told us exactly how to do it. You sing the words frequently. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá called out to us: “Look at Me, follow Me, be as I am.”
Somebody out there in the American Bahá’í community must not have been listening. It’s your job to wake them up!
First: Goals of the Two Year Youth Program:
- We still must find 142 homefront pioneers in only 403 days! That means we must find youth to homefront pioneer at the rate of about one every four days from now until Riḍván 1979.
- We need 681 traveling teachers in 403 days! That means you, the Bahá’í youth, must take about one and one-half teaching trips each day from now to Riḍván 1979, and report these victories to the National Youth Committee.
- WE NEED 13 teaching trips by youth lasting two months or longer, and nine teaching trips to Indian Reservations before the end of the Plan.
- We still need 19 international youth pioneers, with three of them fulfilling three specific Five Year Plan goals.
- We still need 38 more international teaching trips undertaken by you, the youth of America. And here’s one bright spot in the Two Year Youth Program—we’ve already surpassed the goal of international teaching trips lasting two months or more.
- We have around 374 Bahá’í college clubs, leaving 26 more to form by Riḍván 1979—you can do it!
- Finally, we have 135 Bahá’í youth clubs, with 65 yet to be formed by the end of the Plan.
Second: The words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:
“IF YOU ACT in accordance with the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh... you will be aided and confirmed. In all affairs which you undertake you shall be rendered victorious...”
Let me repeat that last part to you: “In all affairs which you undertake you shall be rendered victorious...and all the inhabitants of the earth cannot withstand you. You are the conquerors, because the power of the Holy Spirit is your assistant...” (Star of the West, Vol. 8, No. 8, p. 103)
Somebody in America must not be listening! We need a complete “about-face”! A tremendous surge of individual teaching on every front! More firesides! Reach the masses of humanity! And always—always—the focus on the goal-cities for Assemblies and localities!
The inspiration for such an overwhelming victory must begin somewhere. And soon! Why not right here and now? ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says:
“...one blessed soul” can “become the cause of the guidance of a nation.” (Advent of Divine Justice, p. 48)
One soul!
Is there any reason that couldn’t be you?
“Just one mature soul,” Shoghi Effendi declares, just one, “with spiritual understanding and a profound knowledge of the Faith, can set a whole country ablaze—so great is the power of the Cause to work through a pure and selfless channel.” (The Individual and Teaching, compiled by the Universal House of Justice, p. 29)
SHOGHI Effendi goes further. He says, “...one soul can be the cause of the spiritual illumination of a continent.” (The Bahá’í Life, compiled by the Universal House of Justice, p. 17)
Not a country, a continent! A whole continent! Just one soul!
Alaska, Canada, the United States, the whole North American continent is crying out for your help. All three of our wonderful National Spiritual Assemblies urgently need your help and support to win the goals of the Plan. All of them are gravely behind.
Is there any reason why you couldn’t be that one soul who answers the call?
Then imagine what would happen if you all answered!
It would be that wondrous day for North America, envisioned by the Master, when He promised us—promised us—in these words:
“...the divine power will breathe in you (the believers) with bounties from the Holy Spirit, and (will) enable you to accomplish a thing, the like of which hath never been seen by the eye of existence.” (Bahá’í World Faith, p. 404)
DOESN’T THAT make you want to stand up and shout: “Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá!”
No matter how successful a doctor, merchant, professor, nurse, mother, teacher, secretary, student you may be, no matter how outstanding you may become in your chosen profession, all of it is worthless—nothing—compared to serving Bahá’u’lláh, the Sole Redeemer of men in this day, the One Hope for a sad, sick, bewildered and disillusioned humanity.
The Concourse on high is surrounding you even now, searching among you for those consecrated, dedicated, spiritual descendants of the Dawn-Breakers of another age, those heroes and heroines who gave their lives for the Cause of God. You are asked to become teaching-martyrs.
You can win the crown of martyrdom by teaching in this day. You can! It is a promise from both the Master and the beloved Guardian. To teach today in the spirit of the Dawn-Breakers will win you that great station!
THE CONCOURSE on high is here
The Hand of the Cause of God William Sears consults the Writings to make a point during one of his many public appearances on behalf of the Cause.
Pine Ridge, S. Dakota, Proclamation Supported by Crow Creek Believers[edit]
On February 4–5, 1978, South Dakota sponsored a statewide proclamation on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
The group supporting this event from the Crow Creek Reservation included two younger Bahá’ís who supported every aspect of the proclamation.
They went door-to-door with some of the children, inviting people to the public meeting. They came back to help in the kitchen, and then during a break in the featured musical group’s presentation, offered their own version of three songs: One in the Spirit, God Is One, and Go, My Son.
The latter song features Indian sign language as it is sung. And the young Bahá’ís were good! Yet all this activity can’t be used for Youth Program goals. Why? Because they are only pre-youth! ... Oh, well, give them a few years...
U.S. Summer Youth Projects Announced[edit]
The last summer of the Five Year Plan and the Two Year Youth Program will be here before we know it. We encourage every Bahá’í youth and young adult to consider participating in one of the many jointly-sponsored National Youth Summer Teaching Projects listed below. Now is the time in the Two Year Youth Program when each of us should read and meditate upon these words of Bahá’u’lláh:
“‘Praise be to God’....‘that whatever is essential for the believers in this Revelation to be told has been revealed. Their duties have been clearly defined, and the deeds they are expected to perform have been plainly set forth in Our Book. Now is the time for them to arise and fulfill their duty. Let them translate into deeds the exhortations We have given them.”
pp. 582–83
Let us ensure victory for both the Two Year Youth Program and the Five Year Plan by our participation in a Summer Teaching Project—don’t delay any longer to apply.
Hardin County[edit]
- LOCATION: Hardin County (southeastern corner of Illinois, near Kentucky).
- PURPOSE: To open Hardin County to the Faith. Secondary goal: To open Gallatin County.
- ACTIVITIES: There will be a strict daily schedule of teaching activities. Direct teaching and public meetings in the small population centers (population of the counties is small).
- SPECIAL FEATURE: Project will involve camping in the National Forest Preserve.
- PARTICIPANTS: Mature youth 17 and older.
- CONTACT: George Davis, 2320 North Vermillion, Apt. 516, Danville, IL 61832, 217-443-2662.
- APPEARANCE: Must be clean and neat; this is a rural, conservative area.
- DATES: June 24–July 9, and August 5–August 18.
- COST: About $40–$70 per week.
California[edit]
- 1. TRAVELING TEACHING PROJECT
- LOCATION: Wherever needed.
- PARTICIPANTS: At least 20 people (10 teaching teams).
- PURPOSE: Direct teaching for large-scale growth.
- COST: Approximately $30 per week per person.
- DATES: On-going.
- 2. EL CENTRO PROJECT (part of Border Teaching Project)
- LOCATION: El Centro and surrounding areas.
- PARTICIPANTS: 10 teaching teams (at least 20 people at all times).
- PURPOSE: To form Assemblies in Brawley and Calexico; to increase the numbers of believers on both sides of the border.
- ACTIVITIES: Teaching teams deepened each morning with prayers and an orientation session. Street teaching. Firesides every night. Proclamations each weekend.
- DATES: June 24–Sept. 9.
- COST: Approximately $30 per week per person.
- 3. WATSONVILLE PROJECT
- LOCATION: Watsonville and surrounding areas.
- PARTICIPANTS: 10 teaching teams (at least 20 people).
- PURPOSE: To form Assemblies in Watsonville, Hollister, and Monterey Co. North; large-scale growth of the Faith.
- ACTIVITIES: Same as El Centro.
- DATES: July–August.
- COST: Approximately $30 per week per person.
- 4. INDIAN RESERVATIONS PROJECT (pending approval by the Tribal Councils)
- LOCATION: Miwok Reservation and Hoopa Reservation.
- PARTICIPANTS: 5–6 people for each reservation.
- PURPOSE: To establish an Assembly on each reservation.
- ACTIVITIES: Morning orientation for teaching teams—prayers and other preparation. Firesides each night. Proclamation. Children’s classes. Teaching families.
- DATES: 2 weeks in July (tentative).
- COST: Approximately $30 per week per person.
- 5. LOS ANGELES PROJECT
- LOCATION: Los Angeles—Coffee House.
- PARTICIPANTS: 10 people.
- PURPOSE: To provide an atmosphere and place for young people to come as an alternative to society’s pressures and standards.
- ACTIVITIES: Morning preparation and prayers. Issue invitations directly. Help maintain Coffeehouse.
- DATES: July 30–August 6 (may be extended).
- COST: $30 per week per person.
ALL PROJECTS:
- Housing will be provided depending on availability.
- There will be team captains for each teaching team, and a coordinator responsible for each project.
- Projecteers must be 15 years old and over—preferably 18 and over for some projects.
- All interested persons should volunteer through the Regional Teaching Committee and plan to attend a Project Training Institute at the Bosch Bahá’í School June 24–30, 1978. Cost: approximately $70-$80.
Any questions on projects should be directed to the California Regional Teaching Committee: 805-498-0129.
South Carolina[edit]
- PURPOSE: Participants will use Mobile School road boxes to teach and deepen South Carolina believers. The Mobile School road boxes help the friends to: 1. know and understand progressive revelation and the Station of Bahá’u’lláh; 2. to know, appreciate and love the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh; 3. to know, appreciate and love ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the Exemplar and the Center of the Covenant; 4. to know, appreciate and love Shoghi Effendi as the architect of the Administrative Order; and 5. to be instilled with knowledge of and a commitment to a Bahá’í lifestyle.
- LOCATION: Eastern Districts 1, 2, and 3; Southern District; Western Districts 1 and 2; and Central District.
- DATES: July 6–August 6.
- PARTICIPANTS: 16 people—4 adults and 12 youth. North and South Carolina residents are especially encouraged to apply. Prefer youth 18 and over.
- ACTIVITIES: July 6–7, Arrive—rest and orientation.
- July 8–9, Training Session by Mobile School Committee.
- July 10, Go into field.
- July 10–23, Work in Eastern Districts 1, 2, and 3 and Southern District.
- July 24–August 6, Work in Western Districts 1 and 2 and Central District.
- COST: $6 per day (covers gas and food). Housing will be provided. Transportation: 4 cars (each team will need 1 car).
- DRESS CODE: No jeans, shorts, or halters; pantsuits okay. Bahá’í conduct expected. Call Trudy White for further information: 803-797-1024.
South Dakota[edit]
- PROJECT BASE: Crow Creek Sioux Reservation at Ft. Thompson. Can take up to six participants. Assembly area. Lower Brule Reservation, just across the river, at Lower Brule (different tribe, different language). Can take up to two participants. Assembly goal for 1979. No Native believers there yet.
- DATES: June 1–July 31.
- ACTIVITIES: June 1–4, Arrival and orientation (plus statewide picnic).
- June 5–9, “Summer School” at Ft. Thompson for non-Bahá’í children.
- June 12–16, “Summer School” at Lower Brule for non-Bahá’í youth.
- June 19–23, Children’s classes and activities for non-Bahá’ís and Bahá’ís on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
- June 26–30, July 5–7, Each group on its own Reservation doing consolidation work (Crow Creek), visiting non-Bahá’í adults, swimming with the kids, helping to prepare and carry out evening firesides, deepenings, and Bahá’í children’s classes. Also follow-up to “Summer School” activities.
- July 10–14, Intensive week of teaching classes for the Bahá’í children and youth of both Reservations.
- July 17–21, Follow-up activities on Pine Ridge. Consolidation work. (Much teaching was done there in early ’70s. Many declarations, little deepening and consolidation. DTC currently is making monthly efforts to ready it for Assembly formation at Riḍván.)
- July 24–28, Final week of teaching and consolidation culminated by a major “event.”
- WEEKENDS: Special activities with non-Bahá’í youth (camping, for example), traveling, teaching trips, Pow-wows and rodeos, etc.
- There are two essential requirements: Bahá’í behavior (including appearance) and love of Bahá’u’lláh. One extra which would be most helpful is a love of children and an enjoyment of doing things with them. Living here is like living in another country. The qualities needed for foreign pioneering are the very same needed here. As you see from the schedule, a lot is expected. However, the confirmations are great. People here are receptive to the Faith—in fact, in Pine Ridge they are hungry for it! There will be little privacy, but there will be a lot of support. It would be wonderful to have some Indian youth. The youth will see and learn much that will affect them deeply, and through this the rest of the national Bahá’í community will benefit.
- CONTACT: Joanne Marian, project coordinator, at 605-245-2477.
Arizona[edit]
- LOCATION: Navajo–Hopi Reservations, Arizona.
- PARTICIPANTS: 8–10 Bahá’í youth.
- PURPOSE: To assist with children’s classes and activities.
- Participation in youth classes and activities.
- To assist the friends with teaching the Cause throughout the designated areas of the Navajo–Hopi Reservations.
- DATES AND ACTIVITIES: Arrive June 17, 1978 in Flagstaff, Arizona for orientation. June 19—Go to projects’ sites for one week:
- Chinle: 3 youth assist with children’s classes.
- Polacca: 2 youth assist with children’s classes.
- Dinnebito: 4 youth participate and assist with youth activities.
- June 26—One week round-up at the home of National Spiritual Assembly member Mr. Franklin Kahn, in White Cove, Arizona.
- COST: Minimum $35 fee per week to help defray costs for food and transportation—bring additional spending money. For further details and information contact Cathy Cook, American Indian Teaching Committee: 602-586-4555.
The National Youth and Teaching Committees have identified areas in the South where intensive teaching/consolidation activities will be planned with the assistance of Local Spiritual Assemblies in the South. The purpose of these consolidation activities is to assist with the formation and strengthening of Assemblies. Youth 18 years of age or older who wish to participate should be familiar with Bahá’í Administration.
If you are interested in participating in a project in Illinois, South Carolina, Southern states, Navajo–Hopi Reservations, or Crow Creek, Sioux, Lower Brule Indian Reservations, and California projects please complete the form below and send it immediately to the National Youth Committee.
Exchange Programs Beckon to Students[edit]
Teaching: As a new academic year approaches, one idea worth considering is participation in a foreign student exchange program. Perhaps you could take advantage of programs of this type to pioneer or travel teach abroad, or to host a foreign student who is visiting the U.S. The International Goals Committee has more details on such programs, available upon request. This committee also has much information about study abroad in general, so write them if you have an interest in going to school or college in another country.
Boise State University Bahá’í Club Notes Large Gains[edit]
- Sunny Jim
- By Gregg Suhm
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SUNNY, I’VE HEARD GREAT THINGS ABOUT YOUR EFFORTS TO HELP WIN THE GOALS OF THE 2-YEAR YOUTH PLAN! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
*NTL YOUTH COMM. DEFINES AS ANYWHERE OUTSIDE OF COMMUNITY |
THAT’S MARVELOUS, BUT... HAVE YOU FOLLOWED IT UP WITH A RE...
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(ACTUALLY, I DIDN’T MEAN THAT...)
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SUNNY, IS THAT ALL? ARENT YOU FORGETTING ONE VERY IMPORTANT THING?
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HONESTLY, I CAN’T SEE HOW YOU INTEND TO HELP WIN THE GOALS OF THE YOUTH PLAN–IT’S JUST NOT ENOUGH!
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SUNNY, SHY IS SHY AND MODESTY IS MODESTY, BUT HAVE YOU REPORTED ANY OF THIS TO THE NATIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE?
HEE HEE (NOT EXACTLY) |
Boise State University Bahá’í Club Notes Large Gains[edit]
Dearest friends,
Feel assured that the work is being carried on, even if you don’t hear from us too often! This report is intended to catch you up with the affairs of the Boise State University Bahá’í Association.
The club began with six members in September ’77. We have been holding regular meetings, usually once a week, to discuss plans and functioning. The following include the activities of the club over the fall semester:
- Regular firesides were held.
- Money-raising activities included an all-day garage-raising and the sale of tea for a nominal fee coordinated with a literature display and a very successful yard sale.
- Books were donated to the Nampa library, which is a goal community of Boise, when they were rejected by the campus library.
- A chromatic harmonica was purchased by the club and presented to a 28-year-old friend in a neighboring county after he underwent serious brain surgery. He has successfully recovered, and plays very well, at times at firesides.
- Campus club notes are submitted to the Boise Spiritual Assembly for review.
- Many attempts have been made to air the Jeff Reynolds radio show on the campus radio station.
- Four tickets for a cancer-benefit play were purchased by the club, and presented to the Cancer Institute in the name of the club to be given to cancer victims so they could attend. Friends of individuals in the club were contacted during the presentation and gave the Faith a positive appreciation.
- One youth reported fulfilling a Two Year Youth Program goal: a traveling teaching trip of more than two months.
- Funds were allocated for the printing of proclamation posters to be used as masters to be utilized by other campus clubs and communities. The campus club also printed Interest Cards, both for campus and community use.
- A United Nations Day seminar was held, with participants including ministers, lawyers, and the League of Women Voters. The seminar was animating, challenging, and was attended by 10 non-Bahá’ís.
- A turkey was donated for the community’s public observance potluck of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh.
- A few members of the campus club are taking an active part in minorities organizations, and the international students’ associations.
- An I.S.U. logo was designed by a Bahá’í in the campus club and is being used for a newsletter that is distributed to more than 100 international students.
Members of the campus club are expanding the file of foreign literature, which goes on display along with literature displays in the student union building lobby. A letter was sent to all minority groups from the campus club, informing these groups of the basic tenets and purpose of the Faith and offering assistance with activities that are consistent with the principles of the Faith.
These activities were carried out during the fall semester:
- Holding deepenings after weekly meetings and dinner in the home of a member.
- Plans were made to sponsor a literature display in the student union lobby once every three weeks (we sell mint tea for 5 cents at the table), using the equality of men and women posters, and a good variety of books and pamphlets.
- Off-campus firesides are supported by members of the club.
- We are extremely grateful for having been prodded by National to have a February campaign. We sponsored a condensed version of the proposed campus rally and deepening, with students from nearby Ontario, Oregon, and Nampa, Idaho, colleges attending. Soon after the rally, a Native American accepted the Faith, and other non-Bahá’ís began to show interest.
- Near the end of March we are planning a four-page insert in the campus newspaper (circulation 7,000) that will include photos, home-written articles, and a reprint with permission of part of a pamphlet, “The Incredible Paradox,” printed by Naturegraph.
- We are awaiting also posters, buttons, and bumper stickers from the Los Angeles “One Planet, One People...Please” media campaign, that we plan to distribute as gifts to international students and minority organizations.
Again, our primary limitation is the weight of each student’s credit hour load; we’re limited for this reason to doing what we can with what little time we can come by, and praying that Bahá’u’lláh will lead seeking souls to us.
Please pray for us also, that our studies don’t suffer so from the time we put in making friends and teaching this wonderful Cause. Working enthusiastically in His Service,
Bahá’í Association
Around 40 people attended a free concert March 5 hosted by the Bahá’í Association of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Dave Novak, a Bahá’í who is a student at UN-L, entertains the group with folk music.
Regional Conference, Film Festival Held[edit]
Approximately 25 people attended a regional Bahá’í youth conference, sponsored by the Kansas District Teaching Committee, on February 26 and 27. Topics included High School Youth Clubs, Preparing Your Life, and Careers.
The Saginaw Valley State College Bahá’í Club, in Mississippi, sponsored a film festival on February 23, utilizing the free films available through catalogs in the college library’s audio-visual department. Films were chosen with Bahá’í-oriented topics, from studies of the great religions, to elimination of prejudice, to ecological conditions. Punch and popcorn were served, and the event was advertised by posters. A total of nine non-Bahá’ís came, six for the purpose of finding out about the Bahá’í Faith.
Northeastern U.S. Youth Meet to Upgrade Clubs[edit]
The Green Acre Bahá’í School at Eliot, Maine, hummed with activity the weekend of March 25–26 when students from throughout the Northeastern U.S. gathered for a conference whose purpose was to find ways to make college clubs more exciting and effective as teaching and proclamation tools.
Wendy Suhm, a member of the National Youth Committee, emphasized the importance of reporting activities to the National Youth Office so that each achievement can be counted toward winning the goals of the Two Year Youth Program.
“We know the youth are out there working,” said Ms. Suhm, “but sometimes they have a case of mistaken modesty. They feel that by reporting seemingly small accomplishments, they are ‘blowing their own horn.’” She went on to stress the importance of sharing the victories as a means of stimulating the friends to further action.
THE FORMULA for success, she added, was outlined by the Universal House of Justice in its message to the 4th Bahá’í National Youth Conference: “Audacity, perseverance, vigor, enthusiasm.”
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Arise! |
The weekend began with a talk on “The Individual Bahá’í” by Billy Roberts of South Hadley, Massachusetts. Accentuating the importance of friendship in teaching the Faith, Mr. Roberts said, “First be a friend, then don’t be afraid to talk about the Faith.”
Robert McLaughlin, an architect and consultant to the Universal House of Justice, offered his personal insights into that august body. He has had an opportunity to meet with its members on several occasions concerning the gardens, Shrines, and various Houses of Worship around the world.
Laughter spiced the talks, workshops and role-playing activities of the weekend, which was enlivened by the presence of the Green Acre Youth Program task force at meals and during the evenings.
The youth enjoyed folk dancing and an evening trip to the beach, and met for dawn prayers at Mount Salvat, the place often visited by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during His visit to Green Acre in 1912.
The 17-member Bahá’í Club at the State University of New York at Buffalo has been actively teaching the Faith on campus during the past academic year. The club has hosted a number of parties, sponsored skiing events, and attended the National Youth Committee rally nearest the school, at Cornell University in Ithaca. Tables and Bahá’í displays were set up for four weeks at two locations on campus, with a follow-up public meeting. The club is holding regular firesides and has a mailing list of more than 20 seekers. The club reports that the response from students has been quite favorable.
New Deepening Materials Being Prepared[edit]
Deepening: New deepening materials are being prepared. For those of you who missed the memorable talk given by Daniel Jordan on peer pressure at the 4th Bahá’í National Youth Conference, you will be pleased to hear that Dr. Jordan has recorded a deepening on this subject, soon to be made available as a cassette.
Other plans include a recording of a discussion by Soo Fouts on the subject of “The Power of Prayer.” In addition, a study guide for the cassette of highlights of the recent youth conference, “The Time is Now,” is being prepared.
In response to the recent Feast letter from the National Spiritual Assembly, the Youth Committee calls upon each youth to read and study the section on “The Most Challenging Issue,” pages 28–34 of The Advent of Divine Justice. We recommend that college clubs hold firesides on this timely subject.
50 Seekers, Two Declarations
Bahá’í Club at Humboldt State Sponsors Two-Week Campaign[edit]
The Bahá’í Club at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, held a campus teaching project February 6–18 and “saturated the campus with attractive posters and flyers, a six-foot banner, and almost nightly firesides.”
In addition, two student-produced slide shows about the Faith were shown and a display was set up in the administration building.
The two-week campaign included four talks by psychotherapist Stan O’Jack, a Bahá’í from Carmel, California.
Mr. O’Jack also was interviewed on the campus radio station with Dr. Susan Armstrong, head of the philosophy department, and a natural resources professor, Dr. Rudolf Becking. Time was provided for listeners to phone in questions.
The weekend of talks ended with a meditation session at Kerr Tower, a meditation room on campus. There were two declarations during the final week, and a total of more than 50 non-Bahá’ís attended the talks.
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YOUTH! HAVE YOU APPLIED FOR THE WORK/STUDY OR GARDENS WORK PROJECT AT THE BAHÁ’Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP? |
Guest speaker Stan O’Jack (center, holding Greatest Name) with members of the Bahá’í Club at Humboldt State University, Arcata, California. Kneeling (left to right) are Cynthia Cippolla, Ken Rockwell, Leora Koopmann. Standing (left to right) are Patrick Moore, Lauralee Moore (holding baby Kiersten), Steve Bares, Madge Humphries, Greg Olin, Regina Olin, new declarant Cindy Moyer.
Let Community Know Bahá’í Youth Are on the March[edit]
Continued From Page 7
now, searching for souls who are “on fire with the Faith,” for heroes and heroines—another Martha Root, a Louis Gregory, a May Maxwell, a Thornton Chase, another immortal Lua, the Mother-Teacher of the West!
Someone! Anyone! Who will arise in that spirit.
Will it be you?
And don’t think that those immortal heroes and heroines can only be in the past. Never!
When I was on Pilgrimage, the beloved Guardian said that there wasn’t one of us at that wondrous table who didn’t have more of the things of this world than Martha Root. Better health. More education. More money. But, she had the most precious commodity of all—faith and spirit. The Cause of God was always first in her life.
EACH DAY she would say to Bahá’u’lláh, “Make me an instrument in Your hands! Show me how, today, I can aid Your Cause!” So Martha became, not a hero, not a martyr, not a saint—but all three! A hero, a martyr, and a saint!
How about you?
The Supreme Concourse is surrounding you, massed rank on rank, legion upon legion, hoping you will be the hero or the heroine who will arise so they can rush to your aid and make you immortal in the annals of the Cause of God.
You can be that hero or heroine. You can!
Listen to this divine thunder from heaven pouring down upon you from the beloved Guardian, who for 36 years sacrificed his life in our path. His voice cries out to you from the Abhá Kingdom to arise and do the same:
“Where are the spiritual souls who will now seize their opportunity, and achieve immortal glory in the service of the Faith?” (The Individual and Teaching, p. 33)
“...the confirmations of the Holy Spirit are descending in great torrents upon those who arise to teach.” (Letter of July 17, 1952 (through his secretary) to Mrs. A.R. Meade, San Diego)
“LET THOSE who wish to achieve immortality, step forth and raise the Divine Call. They will be astonished at the spiritual victories they will gain.” (The Individual and Teaching, p. 32)
All quotations! All!
Penetrating to the very heart of the matter, the beloved Guardian says: “...there is nothing (repeat: there is nothing!) to prevent you from arising and showing such an example.” (The Bahá’í Life, p. 17)
You, he says. Y-O-U...T-H!
The first three letters of “youth” do spell Y-O-U, you, don’t they?
The middle three letters of “youth” spell O-U-T: Out!
Out into the teaching field! Out to those pioneering posts, at home and overseas! Out on those traveling teaching trips! Out to form those college clubs and youth clubs! Out nights, weekends, holidays and vacations! Out where the action is!
Motion! Action! Effort! VICTORY!
IN THE WORDS of the beloved Master, “Why are ye sitting? Move! Why are ye silent? Shout! This is not the day of rest and comfort!” (Star of the West, Vol. 5, No. 1, p. 6)
Beloved friends, fellow Bahá’ís, with all my heart, I entreat each one of you, on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, the Hands of the Cause of God, the International Teaching Center, the Continental Board of Counsellors for North America, the National Spiritual Assemblies of Alaska, Canada and the United States, to arise like lions, lions of the Covenant, and roar out with such a roar that it will awaken all of North America and arouse us from our lethargy, our timidity, our complacency. You have the potential to set us on the road to the greatest teaching victory this continent has yet known!
Pray! Make heroic plans! Arise! Volunteer en masse! Then move into ACTION!
The beloved Guardian was himself so inspired by the beloved Master’s electrifying call to America to arise, that he echoed the excitement, saying:
“With such inspiring words as these, are we to remain any longer unmoved and inactive? His trumpet-call resounds on every side, and summons us to service; are we to tarry or hesitate? His (‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s) voice is calling aloud from every land; let us march on, unfettered and unafraid, and fulfill our glorious destiny.” (Bahá’í Administration, pp. 42–43)
Let the North American Bahá’í community know that you, the BAHÁ’Í YOUTH, are on the march!
Sculptured Bust of the Master Unveiled in New York[edit]
A sculptured bust of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was unveiled December 1 at the Carnegie International Center, across the street from United Nations headquarters in New York, at a ceremony sponsored by the Bahá’í International Community and the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.
The event drew guests from nongovernmental organizations and the United Nations Secretariat, among them Professor Ervin Laszlo, a member of the Club of Rome and author of the Club’s recent report, Goals for Mankind, in which the Faith is mentioned briefly.
Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, vice chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly and professor of Russian history at Yale University, spoke on “The Evolution of World Peace” and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s ideas for everlasting peace.
Dr. Kazemzadeh’s presentation was followed by a talk by Dr. Robert G. Muller, director and deputy to the Under-Secretary-General, United Nations Office for Inter-Agency Affairs and Coordination.
Dr. MULLER spoke of his acquaintance with the Bahá’ís and the Faith, quoting from the chapter on “Joy and Pain” in The Reality of Man in which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá speaks of His 40-year imprisonment and His “supremely happy” condition.
Dr. Muller also introduced Domenico Mazzone, who sculpted the bust of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Mr. Mazzone said he was inspired to create the sculpture after seeing photographs of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá given to him by Dr. Muller.
The bust stands 19 inches (50 centimeters) high and is executed in brown earth clay with highlights of purple.
The sculptor’s principal works are in Italy (his native country), and in permanent collections in the USSR, France, Austria, Greece, Poland, the U.S., and at the United Nations headquarters building where he has created busts of the UN Secretaries-General.
Mr. Mazzone is the recipient of some notable awards, including the Gold Medal at the Viareggio Exhibition, and the Silver Medal at the Camara Exhibition. He plans to publish a volume of his artwork that will include a photograph of the bust of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
Among those present at the unveiling December 1 in New York of the sculptured bust of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá were (left to right) Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, vice chairman of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly; Dr. Robert G. Muller, director of the United Nations Office for Inter-Agency Affairs and Coordination; Dr. Victor de Araujo, representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations; and the sculptor, Domenico Mazzone.
Prayer Chain, Council Fire Planned
Alaska Meeting Place For Indigenous Council[edit]
Under the joint auspices of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Alaska, Canada and the United States, the first Continental Indigenous Council convened January 7–8 in Anchorage, Alaska.
The purpose of the Council is to share ideas and needs of indigenous believers with the National Spiritual Assemblies, plan international Native Council Fires, and facilitate the flow of indigenous traveling teachers.
Members of the Council from the U.S. are Wayne Steffes and Cathy Cook; from Alaska, Mary Brown, Lauretta King and Jim Schoppert; from Canada, Diane Hellson.
An international Council Fire is planned for late this summer, to be held either in Canada or the U.S.
The Council hopes to initiate a prayer chain that will follow to a certain extent the migratory path of the indigenous peoples, beginning in Alaska with the Native Councils, going through Canada with the Indian Teaching Coordinators and into the U.S. to the Indian Reservations where Local Spiritual Assemblies are located.
Those indigenous believers who are present when the prayers are said will sign a sealskin that will be presented to the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S. and housed at the archives in Wilmette, because it is the site of the Mother Temple of North America.
100 Guests Attend Recognition Ceremony For Mt. Airy, North Carolina, Assembly[edit]
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Mt. Airy, North Carolina, held its Recognition Ceremony February 18 at Reeves Community Center in Mt. Airy. Approximately 100 local officials and others received printed invitations to the ceremony.
Among those present was Maynard Beamer, the mayor of Mt. Airy, who was visited personally and invited to attend. He was presented with copies of Tokens From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and Call to the Nations.
The ceremony was preceded by a 15-minute radio interview with members of the Mt. Airy Bahá’í community that was aired twice. Newspaper articles also appeared both before and after the ceremony.
Speakers for the occasion included Vedad Jurney of High Point, an assistant to Auxiliary Board member Elizabeth Martin, and Holly Hayman of Chapel Hill, a member of the District Teaching Committee of Central North Carolina, who represented the National Spiritual Assembly.
Members of the Mt. Airy Assembly were introduced by its chairman, John Bradley. The formal program was followed by refreshments and fellowship.
Clusters Topic at Conference[edit]
More than 50 Bahá’ís from northwestern Washington State were present February 18 at a “Teaching in Clusters” Conference in north Seattle.
The meeting was hosted by the District Teaching Committee and by King CCD No. 1, and attracted believers from as far away as Bellingham, Neah Bay and San Juan Islands.
The conference emphasized the important role that Cluster Teaching can play in attracting seekers to the Faith and in showing them an example of Bahá’í community life.
Cluster Teaching, a concept developed by the National Teaching Committee, involves inter-community deepenings and social events, and is designed so that each Cluster, or each sponsoring Assembly or Group, can adapt it to use as a teaching aid in its area.
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New Bahá’í Desk/Wall Calendar!
Last year, we introduced the Bahá’í Desk Calendar—with just one photograph. This year, the redesigned and expanded 135 B.E. Bahá’í Desk/Wall Calendar features twenty-one photographs—one for each Bahá’í month and one for Ayyám-i-Há. The photographs include scenes of the World Centre, the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, and the smiling faces of Bahá’í children. Arranged by Bahá’í month with Bahá’í days of the week, the Bahá’í Desk/Wall Calendar offers an easy way to learn about the Bahá’í calendar. (For your convenience, the Gregorian dates are printed alongside the more prominent Bahá’í dates.) The calendar is punched for hanging and can be displayed on your wall or bulletin board or laid flat on a desk. The Bahá’í Desk/Wall Calendar makes a useful gift and can be used in your home or office, and at school. The eye-catching photographs can spark interest in the Bahá’í Faith among your relatives and friends. 10 x 7 inches. Printed in brown on buff stock. 6-69-88..............$3.00
To order: Order through Community Librarians if possible! Personal orders: enclose full payment plus $.75 handling charge for orders under $5.00. Bahá’í Publishing Trust 415 LINDEN • WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091 • 312/251-1854 |
Members of the recently incorporated Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Westminster, Maryland, are (kneeling left to right) Ann Booth, Frank Akonom, and (standing left to right) Cynthia Cowman, Maureen Illari, Joseph Cowman, William Hansen, James Booth, Daniel Illari, Joanne Akonom.
Members of the newly-incorporated Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Alachua County, Florida, are (standing left to right) Gary Hankins, Belinda Boren, Douglas Boren, Shirlee Gerber, Eugene Gerber, Taraneh Darabi, Farhang Darabi, and (kneeling left to right) Kim Hankins, William Davidson.
Long Beach Assembly Honors Bahá’í Program[edit]
“Ecumenical Insights,” a radio program produced by Bahá’ís George Hill of Carson, California, and Harvey King of Long Beach, has been given the Long Beach Bahá’í community’s Unity Award for its work in promoting religious understanding and unity in communications.
The program also has received awards from the City Council of Los Angeles, the mayor and City Council of Carson, and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
“The show has always been a vehicle for the discussion of those concepts that bring mankind together spiritually,” said Mr. King. “We believe that the communications media can play an effective role in achieving this goal.”
Ecumenical Insights recently aired a program on “Women in Religion.” Guests included Dr. Dorothy W. Nelson, treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly; Zoro Banks of the Compton, California, Bahá’í community; a Jewish rabbi, an Episcopal priest, a Sikh minister, a Vedanta nun, and others.
Another recent program on “The Black Church and Black Spirituality” provided listeners with a Black perspective on Christianity, gospel music, Islám and the Bahá’í Faith, which was represented by actor Stu Gilliam.
George Hill (right), the host and co-producer of the radio program ‘Ecumenical Insights’, and Craig Breit, manager of radio station KSUL in Long Beach, California, accept the Long Beach Bahá’í community’s Unity Award from Elahe Vahdat, vice chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Long Beach.
Hand of Cause John A. Robarts Subject of New Film[edit]
The film Retrospective, a Ciné Bahá’í production from Canada, was made as a tribute to the Hand of the Cause John A. Robarts on the occasion of his 40th anniversary as a member of the Bahá’í community.
In that period, the prosecution of the Ten Year Crusade, the passing of the beloved Guardian, the Trusteeship of the Hands of the Cause of God, and the emergence of the Universal House of Justice stand as signal events in the annals of Bahá’í history.
In the film, Mr. Robarts shares a wealth of anecdotes and recollections that illumine the story of this stirring era with humor and poignancy.
Retrospective is suitable not only for Bahá’í audiences but for other interested persons who are acquainted with the basic history and teachings of the Faith.
Retrospective is a 50-minute, 16-millimeter color film with an optical sound track. Each print is wound on a single reel. A 2,000-foot take-up reel is included in the packaging. The purchase price is $500 (Canadian dollars), plus mailing cost.
Orders and checks should be addressed to Bahá’í Distribution Service, 7200 Leslie Street, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada L3T 2A1.
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Raymond, Washington, held its Recognition Ceremony on Saturday, February 4. Among those present were (left to right) Bill Christensen, mayor of Raymond; Mrs. Frances Amundson, representing the National Spiritual Assembly; Bill Yates, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Raymond; Rouha Rose, assistant to the Auxiliary Board; and Kati Kimura, mayor of South Bend, Washington.
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Broomfield, Colorado, was formed December 18, 1977. A Recognition Ceremony was held February 17 at the Broomfield Community Center to which local officials and representatives of Bahá’í regional and national bodies were invited along with members of nearby Bahá’í communities. Assembly members (seated left to right) are Jane Mapson; Ruth Mapson; Deborah Larimer, treasurer; Lu Anne Anderson, and (standing left to right) George Larimer, vice chairman; Tom Mapson; Brad Anderson; Douglas Hartman, chairman; Susan Maranon, secretary.
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Silvis, Illinois, at its Recognition Ceremony in February. Members are (left to right) Christine Moore, Tim Moore, James L. Woodworth, James E. Woodworth, Diane Woodworth, Keith Seibert, Joyce Cole, Norman Cole, Pat Seibert.
Silvis Assembly Is Recognized[edit]
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Silvis, Illinois, formed December 31, held its formal Recognition Ceremony February 11 at the Silvis City Hall. Almost 100 people attended the ceremony, about one-third of them non-Bahá’ís.
Some time before the observance, three members of the Assembly attended a City Council meeting to personally invite the mayor and council members.
Also present at that meeting was a reporter for the Moline Dispatch who later photographed and interviewed all nine Assembly members. The result was a comprehensive and factual article about the Assembly and the Faith that appeared on the day of the Recognition Ceremony.
Media coverage also was secured on three television stations, two radio stations and in three other newspapers.
The Assembly received many lovely gifts including nine red roses from the Illinois Regional Teaching Committee, and cards and letters of congratulation were received from as far away as Amarillo, Texas.
The Assembly portion of the Recognition Ceremony consisted of a brief history of the Silvis Bahá’í community compiled by the Norman Cole and James Woodworth families, the first members of the Silvis Group, and presented by the Assembly chairman, Tim Moore.
Second in ‘Revelation’ Series Available[edit]
More than three years ago the first of four books by Adib Taherzadeh, entitled The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, became available. That first book covered Bahá’u’lláh’s years in Baghdad, 1853–1863.
The second in the series is now available from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust. Volume 2 describes the contents of a great number of Tablets revealed by Bahá’u’lláh during His five-year exile (1863–1868) in Constantinople and Adrianople.
Among the Tablets Mr. Taherzadeh describes are many that Westerners know little about—for example, the Súrih of Companions and the Tablet of Bahá—as well as ones available in the West such as the Tablet of Aḥmad.
THE BOOK also contains chapters on some early pilgrims, martyrs, Bahá’u’lláh’s confrontation with Mírzá Yaḥyá, and the revelation of what the author terms “the most momentous of the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh”—the Súrih of Kings.
Throughout the book Mr. Taherzadeh tells the events of the life of Bahá’u’lláh and some of His companions. The accounts are enhanced by extracts from memoirs of the time and by photographs of many of the persons described.
The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 2, published by George Ronald of the United Kingdom, is clothbound and contains 421 pages of text plus three appendices, a bibliography, references, an index, and 17 photographs.
The book may be ordered through your community librarian or from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, for $12.75.
Post-Convention Reports[edit]
As District Teaching Committees no longer are responsible for arranging post-Convention reports, the National Teaching Committee wishes to remind Local Spiritual Assemblies that it is up to them to request reports of National Convention activities from their delegates and to take the initiative in seeing to it that neighboring communities and individuals are invited to the meeting.
Northern Illinois Plan Focuses on Individual Goals[edit]
The Northern Illinois District No. 2 Teaching Committee (Cook County), faced with the Five Year Plan tasks of forming 20 additional Local Spiritual Assemblies by November 12 and opening 49 new localities to the Faith before Riḍván 1979, addressed a Naw-Rúz letter to some 153 individual believers and married couples in the District asking them to accept a personal teaching assignment. The assignment involves either raising a Group to Assembly status or opening a goal locality.
A second letter was sent to every Bahá’í in the District, informing him or her of the plan, requesting prayers and financial support, and urging those whose names were not on the list of 153 to volunteer their services in some way.
Details of the plan, based on a similar effort in El Salvador in 1969, were disclosed at a meeting March 17 in Wilmette attended by Auxiliary Board members D. Thelma Jackson and Stephen Ader and their assistants, members of the District Teaching Committee, its area representatives, and others.
THE NUMBER 153 was chosen, according to Jene Bellows, chairman of the District Teaching Committee, because to win every goal in the District, 153 Bahá’ís must be established as residents in 153 specific localities.
In El Salvador, the plan enabled a Bahá’í community that had been suffering from general inactivity to win its Nine Year Plan goals in only a few months.
A main thrust of the Illinois plan, said Mrs. Bellows, is to emphasize that winning the goals is a personal obligation for every believer. Its aim is to inspire every Bahá’í in the District to assume an active role in winning the victory.
“Only through the united effort of every believer in the District in the true spirit of unity,” the District Teaching Committee said in its letter to the friends, “will the power be released to win the goals.”
JOHN CONKLING, secretary of the National Teaching Committee, believes this type of plan “makes it possible for more people to participate in some way in winning the goals.”
The Universal House of Justice, he says, “asked the National Spiritual Assemblies to assign specific goals to Local Assemblies during the Five Year Plan. This is the same concept on an individual level.
“Its advantages include wider participation and greater accountability, with individuals reporting back to committees, and so on. The National Teaching Committee is asking certain key cities, especially in the goal states of Illinois, New York and California, to consider undertaking similar projects.”
‘Christmas International House’
Greensboro Bahá’ís Host to Foreign Students[edit]
The Greensboro, North Carolina, Bahá’í community joined hands with Christians and Jews in December to offer the nation’s first tri-faith Christmas International House for foreign students.
The program enabled 20 overseas students from colleges and universities as far away as Kentucky, Ohio and Illinois to stay in 40 different homes in Greensboro for a period of at least a week.
One Bahá’í home was opened to these students, and the Greensboro and Guilford County Bahá’í communities prepared and hosted a huge potluck dinner for all of them, with international foods from Persian “pilaf” to Mexican “chili.” The dinner was followed by music, singing and a great deal of conversation about the Bahá’í Faith and its Teachings.
The two-week holiday period was opened with a panel discussion at the Greensboro Public Library in which representatives of the three faiths presented their basic beliefs and the floor was opened for questions. The Bahá’í panelist was Mrs. Terah Cowart-Smith.
Several substantial articles about Christmas International House appeared in the local papers, and the Greensboro community reports that the program afforded the Bahá’ís the most free newspaper and television publicity since the Faith was established in the area in the 1940’s.
Tom Moody (right), chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Greensboro, North Carolina, presents a copy of Tokens From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh to Mark Sills, associate director of the Greensboro Urban Ministry, which sponsored the city’s Christmas International House for foreign students. Christians, Jews and Bahá’ís participated in the program.
Bahá’ís from the Yakima Reservation in eastern Washington State shared the Faith and their culture with Indians in Tucson and South Tucson, Arizona, in January.
Indian Team Teaches In Southwestern U.S.[edit]
A five-member teaching team from the Yakima Indian Reservation in eastern Washington State enjoyed dancing, a slide program depicting the Northwestern U.S. and music with Indians at a public meeting and reception at Tucson and South Tucson, Arizona, in January.
Visits to San Xavier and Sells on the Papago Reservation gave the traveling teachers a glimpse of the Indian lifestyle.
Team members were Steve Old Coyote, a Cree Indian Bahá’í pioneer to the Yakima Reservation; Jack Garcia, a Bahá’í from the Yakima Reservation; Emma Olney, a long-time Bahá’í in Yakima; Arne Eklund, a pioneer for many years to the Yakima Reservation at Wapato; and Skip Pedro, a photographer and friend of the Faith who became a Bahá’í by the end of the trip.
‘New Era’ in Paperback Now Available at Trust[edit]
The paperback edition of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era is now back in stock at the Bahá’í Publishing Trust. The price is still 95 cents.
It may be ordered through your Bahá’í community librarian or the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.
Classified Ads[edit]
HOMEFRONT PIONEERS needed to augment two-member Bahá’í Group in Parker, Arizona, a community of 10,000 to 12,000 on the Colorado River that is surrounded by the Colorado River Indian Reservation. The major industries in the area are agriculture and recreation; however, good employment opportunities also exist in special education and school psychology. For information, contact Harry Norris, P.O. Box 1660, Parker, AZ 85344, or phone 602-669-9336.
THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY of Sumner, Washington, is appealing for two Bahá’ís to replace Austin and Donna Quist in the Sumner community so that the Quists can go pioneering to Tonga, thereby fulfilling a goal of the Five Year Plan, without leaving the Sumner Assembly in jeopardy. For information, contact the National Teaching Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-256-4400.
BECOME A PART OF THE VAN PLAN! A mobile, colorful, on-the-spot Bahá’í teaching service. Travel to interesting parts of Illinois by turning any family vehicle into a mobile Bahá’í information booth. You can be a traveling teacher on your vacation! Mobile displays and teaching units, literature, posters and suggested audio-visual attack plan are available from the Southern Illinois District Teaching Committee. For more information, write to Connie Donley, secretary, 1413 North Fell St., Bloomington, IL 61701, or phone 309-828-8317.
LESS THAN AFFLUENT Bahá’ís in an affluent southern city (suburb of Birmingham, Alabama) need help to meet Five Year Plan goal of Assembly status. Y’all please come pioneer in Mountain Brook, Alabama. For information, contact Leigh R. Campbell, 5 Montevallo Lane, Mountain Brook, AL 35213, or phone 205-879-9115.
HOMEFRONT PIONEERS are needed in Kanawha, West Virginia. Contact the District Teaching Committee Secretary, Dianne Bayless, P.O. Box 398, Athens, WV 24712, or phone 304-384-7793.
WANTED: MARRIED STUDENTS planning to attend or applying to the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana to move into Urbana Township, a Group of four adults with a goal to form an Assembly by the end of the Five Year Plan. Married students would be eligible for low-rent university housing, one section of which is in Urbana Township. This section, called Orchard South, may be specially requested. Apartments are two-bedroom and rent for $116 a month. The University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana is the largest branch of the state University and has programs in almost every field. Apply soon.
LOYALTON, CALIFORNIA, a logging and ranching community in eastern Sierra County, 42 miles northwest of Reno, Nevada, has an opening for a principal at its senior high school. Candidates must have demonstrated successful full-time teaching and administrative experience in secondary education. Salary range is from $22,790–$23,650. Applicants must submit by May 15 a completed copy of California Standard Application, personal resumé and a copy of confidential files from educational placement service to Herbert L. Stocking, superintendent, Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District, P.O. Drawer E, Downieville, CA 95936. For information, phone 916-289-3526.
SENIOR LEVEL hospital administrators are needed for an international health care consulting firm to assist with the establishment of hospital administrative systems in developing countries. For further information contact the International Goals Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-256-4400.
WHERE ARE YOU GOING to school next fall? Did you know that in the time it takes to complete your education, you may be able to fulfill a goal of the Five Year Plan and even another goal of the Two Year Youth Program? Opportunities exist for you to attend Medical School around the world including such difficult areas as the West Indies and Europe. Imagine—YOU—filling a goal of the Five Year Plan! For further information contact the International Goals Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-256-4400.
WORK IN JAPAN. Teach English composition. No experience, degree, or Japanese required. For further information contact the International Goals Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, or phone 312-256-4400.
WILMINGTON, North Carolina, opened by Louis G. Gregory in the early 1920’s, is the home of the state’s first Bahá’í, and its first Bahá’í Group. Despite this, there are today only six Bahá’ís in Wilmington, a city of 60,000 that is the state’s major port and a center of trade, communication, industry and education (students interested in marine biology should consider UNC–Wilmington’s excellent undergraduate program). Since the nearest Local Assembly is more than 90 miles away, an Assembly in Wilmington would be of great assistance to surrounding Groups in New Hanover County (4), Wrightsville Beach (5) and Brunswick County (5), all within a five-mile radius. For information, write to the Bahá’í Group of Wilmington, 15 N. 8th St., Wilmington, NC 28401.
INFORMATION concerning the whereabouts of a print or negative of a photo appearing in Bahá’í World, Vol. X, p. 178 of U.S. servicemen in World War II who attended the Bahá’í Centenary celebration in May, 1944, at the House of Worship in Wilmette would be greatly appreciated. The photo is urgently needed by Mrs. Gayle Woolson for a forthcoming article on Latin America for Bahá’í News. Identification of any of those in the photo also would be appreciated. Write to Mrs. Woolson c/o 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.
VACATION IN ILLINOIS! Relax and enjoy sports and hobbies. You and your family can stay in small-town motels or on campgrounds inexpensively, teach the Faith, and help to open 35 counties by November. For information write to Connie Donley, secretary, Southern Illinois District Teaching Committee, 1413 North Fell St., Bloomington, IL 61701, or phone 309-828-8317.
HOMEFRONT PIONEERS needed in Magdalena, New Mexico. Situated in the mountains, southwest of Socorro, it is a quiet town with a mild climate near the VLA Radioastronomy installation and the Navajo Reservation for the Alamo Band. Good teachers are in great demand for grades K–12. Ideal for couples with children or retired persons. One resident Bahá’í needs help. Write to Bahá’í Faith, Box 932, Magdalena, NM 87825.
WORK AVAILABLE for young Bahá’í individual or couple building the “Beautiful You Healthatorium” in Florence, Colorado, a community of five adult Bahá’ís with a goal date for Assembly status of June 19. General maintenance, repair and construction. Basic skills are necessary, or at least an aptitude and a willingness to learn. Applicants must be willing to continue their education. References must be exchanged. Bed and board can be supplied until financial security is obtained. For details, write to Bessamary Black, 113 North Maple, P.O. Box 431, Florence, CO 81226, or phone 303-784-6748.
Schedule of Bahá’í Summer Schools[edit]
How can you and your family, in a week’s time, vacation in the country, make friends with people of various racial and cultural backgrounds, and at the same time grow spiritually?
Attending a Bahá’í Summer School is one excellent way. Depending on the school, you might be in the mountains or near a lake; you could learn about teaching minority group members, set personal goals, develop more positive values and attitudes, attend a workshop on Bahá’í education for children, or enjoy slide shows and evening get-togethers.
Programs at all 18 Summer Schools include formal class sessions, discussion groups, independent study periods, and recreational activities.
The schools are open to anyone—Bahá’í or otherwise—who is interested in learning more about the Faith away from the distractions of the outside world.
For more information, contact the registrar at the school of your choice.
- Arizona
- Date/Theme: July 23–29 “Radiant Living.”
- Location: Arizona Church Conference Center, Prescott, Arizona.
- Highlights: Special evening presentations will include a narrated slide show, “Queen Marie, a Biography in Sight and Sound.”
- Natural Environment: The Conference Center is located on 20 acres of wooded, rolling hills with beautiful outcroppings of rocks. Days are warm, evenings are cool. A barbecue and large circular firepit foster outdoor camaraderie.
- Recreation: Areas are provided for volleyball, basketball, tennis, softball, horseshoes and table tennis. There are swings and a nearby tetherball post.
- Rates: 18 and over, $80. 12 thru 17, $70. 2 thru 11, $60. Under 2, Free.
- Registrar: Mrs. Julie Cadwalader, Post Office Box 387, Gilbert, AZ 85234. (602) 892-5548.
- Accommodations: Building facilities include rustic quarters for as many as 110 people in dormitories and cabins. A professional cooking staff operates the kitchen and dining hall. A large assembly room with stage is provided. Beds with mattresses only are provided and school participants need to supply their own bedding or sleeping bags, pillows, towels and toilet articles.
- Access: Exit from U.S. 89 or Arizona 69 at East Gurley. Continue to West Gurley, turning south onto either Park Avenue or Plaza Drive (both lead to Conference Center).
- Bosch
- Dates/Themes/Highlights:
- June 17–23 Junior Youth (11–15) “Dare to Be Different.”
- June 24–30 Summer Projects Training Session (no children’s classes) “Victory California.”
- July 1–7 Family Week (limited to parents and children) “The Nuclear Bahá’í Family.”
- July 8–14 General Session “Consort With All Religions.”
- July 15–21 General Session “The Spirit of Sacrifice.” Auxiliary Board member Steve Powers will participate in this session.
- July 22–28 General Session “Our Bahá’í Roots.”
- July 29–Aug 4 Family Week (limited to parents and children) “The Nuclear Bahá’í Family.”
- Aug 5–11 General Session “The Bahá’í Life: Reflections.”
- Aug 12–18 General Session “History: The Bahá’í Faith in Perspective.”
- Aug 19–25 Youth Week (15–25) “Arise!”
- Aug 25–Sept 1 General Session “An Ever-Advancing Civilization.”
- Accommodations: Students are housed in cabins in groups of four to six persons. The cabins are nestled among redwood trees. Meals are served in a pleasant dining room in the main lodge.
- Location: John and Louise Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, California. Bosch Bahá’í School is in the Santa Cruz Mountains about 12 miles from the city. It can be reached via Highway 17 out of San José.
- Natural Environment: Bosch School is in the Santa Cruz Mountains, 2,000 feet above sea level. Mostly wooded area with redwood, fir, oak and madrone trees.
- Recreation: Swimming, hiking, nature study, team sports and games.
- Library: The Bosch Library is open daily for study and research, featuring both rare and current publications.
- Rates: To be determined.
- Registrar: Mrs. Flavia Harris, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. (408) 423-3387.
- Southern California
- Date/Theme: July 2–8 “Five Year Plan: It All Depends on Me!”
- Location: Camp Maranatha, Idyllwild, California.
- Highlights: Excellent craft classes, talent show, folk dancing, music.
- Natural Environment: The camp is in the San Jacinto Mountains in the Sierra Nevadas of Southern California. The altitude is 5,000 feet. Warm days and cool nights.
- Recreation: A large swimming pool, sports field, volleyball courts, ping-pong tables and grassy plaza for socializing are available. There will be planned and directed recreation.
- Rates: 18 and over, $55. 13 thru 17, $38. 6 thru 12, $29. 5 and under, $5.
- Registrar: Joe Appolito, 903 Vista Grande, El Cajon, CA 92021. (714) 440-6360.
- Accommodations: Housing is provided in small dormitories, with a cafeteria on campus. Excellent classroom facilities are available, with a large auditorium, outdoor covered area for crafts, and a special nursery.
- Carolinas
- Date/Theme: July 2–8 “Translating the Writings Into Action: The How-To for Individuals and Communities.”
- Location: Lander College, Greenwood, South Carolina.
- Highlights: Auxiliary Board member Sam McClellan will participate in this session: “Translating the Writings Into Action.”
- Recreation: Swimming pool, tennis courts, gymnasium.
- Rates: Housing: $5 for first night, $2.50 for each successive night. Meals: Adults—$4.92 per day. Children under 6—half price.
- Registrar: Fran Eury, Post Office Box 1811, Boone, NC 28607. (704) 262-1218.
- Colorado East
- Dates/Theme: June 17–23 “Preparation for Victory.”
- Location: Black Forest Baptist Assembly, 780 East Baptist Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
- Highlights: This year’s school is especially family-oriented and will offer adult classes on The Dawn-Breakers, teaching minority groups, and a special class by Dennis Jenkyns, member of the Auxiliary Board.
- Natural Environment: The Assembly is in a hilly, wooded area with a view of Pike’s Peak and the Rampart Range of the Rockies. The altitude is 7,200 feet. The 1,100 acres of woods abound with hiking trails.
- Recreation: Areas are provided for volleyball, basketball, foursquare, and softball.
- Rates: Adults, $46; ages 13–17, $42.50; ages 8–12, $33; ages 3–7, $22; ages 0–2, $1.
- Registrar: Donald Brayton, Post Office Box 1033, Woodland Park, CO 80863.
- Accommodations: The heated cabins, most of which hold 12–16 persons, are spartan but each includes a shower, toilet, and wash basin. The cabins can be divided to provide some additional privacy. Meals are served family style in a large, pleasant building.
- Conifer Hill
- Dates/Themes: “Serving With Joy.” June 17–23, Work Study, June 24–30, Work Study. July 1–7, Family Camp
- Location: Lyons, Colorado.
- Highlights: Work/Study Camp: This program is especially designed for young adults. The program will have the following classes. Jolie Haug, member of the National Teaching Committee, will share her extensive slide show on work opportunities. Another opportunity will be a class on “Setting Personal Goals,” a step-by-step process that has proved helpful to many.
- Family Camp: This program is especially designed for persons of all ages, both singles and families. Use of nature, especially in children’s classes, in teaching spiritual principles. Most activities are held out-of-doors, weather permitting. Auxiliary Board member Dennis Jenkyns will participate in the school the weekend of July 1-2. There will be adult classes on Nurturing Oneself, You Can Take It With You (life after death), and Development of Positive Attitudes and Values.
- Recreation: 240 acres plus adjacent national forest for hiking. Volleyball, soft-ball, camp-crafts.
- Natural Environment: Conifer Hill is a primitive camping area 8,000 feet high in the Rocky Mountains. It has 200 acres of pines, firs, spruce, aspens, wild flowers and rock formations.
- Access: Twelve miles southwest of Lyons on Colorado Highway 7 and four miles off that highway on a dirt road.
- Rates: Work/Study Camp: $40 each week. $7 per day. $2.50 per meal. Family Camp: 12 and over, $40. 6-11, $30. 2-5, $15. Under 2, free. Preparing your own food: 12 and over, $18.11 and under, $9.
- Registrar: Mrs. Rose Jean Harris, 437 Pine, Boulder, CO 80302. (303) 449-7316, (303) 443-6422.
- Accommodations: Dormitory buildings with bunk beds and mattress pads. No indoor plumbing, electricity or heat. Kitchen and shower house have hot and cold running water.
- South Florida
- Date/Theme: August 1-6 “Reach Out and Teach.”
- For Information Contact: South Florida Bahá’í School Committee, Susan Kreider, secretary, 825 Fairway Drive, Plantation, FL 33317. (305) 584-0968.
- Location: Eckerd College, 5401 34th St. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33733.
- Registrar: Robert Thaggard, Box 36, 10350 W. Okeechobee, Hialeah Gardens, FL 33016. (305) 557-8097.
- Georgia/Alabama
- Date/Theme: June 30-July 5 “Arise to the Challenge.”
- Location: West Georgia College, Carrollton, Georgia.
- Highlights: Curriculum includes courses on the Babí Dispensation, the Most Challenging Issue, the Covenant, and Bible study.
- Access: 45 miles west of Atlanta.
- For Information Contact: Georgia/Alabama Bahá’í Schools Committee, Jackie Jones, 102 Westchester Lane, Apt. 10, Athens, GA 30606.
- Green Acre
- Dates/Theme: July 3-September 3.
- Location: Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot, Maine.
- Highlights: The Hand of the Cause of God Mr. Khadem will participate the weekend of July 22-23. Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Khadem will participate in the July 17-21 session.
- Natural Environment: Green Acre School is three miles northwest of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and six miles from the open sea. The property comprises over 300 acres of beautiful fields and woodland. The main campus is 19 acres of land, bordered on the west by the Piscataqua River and on the east by pine forests. The beauty and peacefulness of the surroundings help make for a spiritually uplifting atmosphere. The campus was honored by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during his 1912 visit to America.
- Recreation: Equipment and facilities are available for softball, volleyball, football, horseshoes, croquet and badminton. A recreation director plans special activities for fun and fellowship.
- Rates: To be determined.
- Registrar: Green Acre Bahá’í School, 185 Main Street, Eliot, ME 03903. (207) 439-0256.
- Accommodations: School participants are housed in 14 buildings, ranging from small cottages to the Sarah Farmer Inn. The sleeping accommodations range from dormitories to private rooms. All meals are served in the dining room of Sarah Farmer Inn. A campground with cabins, tent sites, cooking and sanitary facilities also is available for students. The Green Acre Library has a unique collection of Bahá’í and Bahá’í-related reference books available for study and research.
Summer Schools Offer Varied Menu[edit]
Continued From Page 14
- Louhelen (Davison)
- Dates/Theme: August 6–11, August 13–18 “Victory Through Unity.”
- Location: MEA Conference Center, Battle Creek, Michigan.
- Highlights: The Hand of the Cause of God Mr. Khadem will be present August 13–18. Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Khadem will be present from August 13–18.
- Natural Environment: The center is in a beautiful wooded setting on a lake in southeastern Michigan.
- Recreation: Swimming, nature trails, volleyball, gymnastics program for children.
- Rates: To be determined.
- Registrar: Mrs. Eloise Mitchell, 3807 Evergreen Parkway, Flint, MI. (313) 744-3258.
- Accommodations: Three types of accommodations are offered: dormitory-style cabins; semi-private, air-conditioned roomettes; and luxurious private rooms.
- Minnesota
- Dates/Theme: July 30–August 4 “Arise—Achieve the Victory.”
- Location: Frontenac Methodist Camp, Frontenac, Minnesota.
- Highlights: An adult class on “Islám and the Bahá’í Faith” will be conducted by Saeid Khadivian. This will complete a three-part series on Islám. Excellent program for children, which includes crafts and other organized activities.
- Natural Environment: Lovely wooded area on the historic Lake Pepin area of the Mississippi River.
- Recreation: Swimming pool, hiking, organized games, volleyball, tennis, nature study.
- Access: Located two miles off U.S. 61-63, between Lake City and Red Wing. It is approximately 60 miles from the Twin Cities.
- Rates: 18 and over, $60. 11 thru 17, $45. 3 thru 10, $35. 0 thru 2, $10.
- Registrar: Gary Colgrove, 215 15th Avenue NW, New Brighton, MN 55112. (612) 636-6763.
- Accommodations: Dormitory housing with accommodations for families. Washbowl and toilet facilities in each dorm. Showers in main dorm and shower house adjacent to pool. All meals served in dining hall.
- Montana
- Dates/Theme: August 13–19 “Framework for the Future.”
- Location: Lion’s Camp, Red Lodge, Montana.
- Access: The camp is 10 miles south of Red Lodge, just off the Lake Fork Road. The setting in the magnificent Beartooth Mountains is an ideal natural environment for the study of the Faith.
- Accommodations: Rustic, unheated cabins. Warm sleeping bag needed, along with personal items. Warm days and chilly nights.
- Highlights: Class on “Cultural Awareness—Native American Culture.”
- Rates: Ages 2–7, $20. 8–15, $30. 15 & over, $45. Under 2, Free.
- Registrar: Helen A. Sprague, 1109 Fredrick, Billings, MT 59102. (406) 656-6026.
- Recreation: Closed campus. Horseshoes, softball, volleyball, hiking and nature walks; singing, square dancing, ping-pong, arts and crafts, tether-ball, shuffleboard, games, cards, talent show.
- Nebraska
- Dates/Theme: June 26–July 2 “Pattern for Tomorrow: Pursuing the Final Phase of the Five Year Plan.”
- Location: Nebraska Youth Leadership Development Center, Aurora, Nebraska.
- Access: Aurora is four miles north of I-80 between Lincoln and Grand Island.
- Highlights: Workshop on Bahá’í education for children, classes on teaching the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, the Covenant and Administration, “Surest Way,” music, children’s program, talent show.
- Rates: Adults, $64.50. 2 thru 12, $40. Under 2, Free.
- Recreation: Swimming, team games, ping-pong, talent show, etc.
- Accommodations: Dormitory-type sleeping quarters. All meals served in dining hall.
- Registrar: Dave Clarke, 11912 Amerado Boulevard, Apartment 315, Omaha, NE 68123.
- New York
- Date/Theme: August 11–27 “Mount Your Steeds, O Heroes of God!”
- Location: Oakwood School, Poughkeepsie, New York.
- Natural Environment: The school is situated near the Hudson River, in the beautiful Hudson Valley. Rolling hills and magnificent old trees abound.
- Recreation: Tennis courts, a gym, nearby swimming pool and field for games.
- Rates: To be determined.
- Accommodations: Sleeping accommodations are provided dormitory-style with two persons per room. An attractive, well-lighted dining hall serves food cafeteria style. Classrooms are in a separate building.
- Oklahoma/Texas
- Dates/Theme: August 5–10, August 12–17.
- Location: Bridgeport Conference Center, Bridgeport, Texas.
- Natural Environment: The camp is on a wooded, lakeside setting in rolling hills. Cool lake breeze maintains comfortable temperature.
- Rates: To be determined.
- Recreation: Swimming pool, volleyball, baseball, ping-pong, group games. Hiking on extensive nature trails.
- Accommodations: Sleeping accommodations are provided in air-conditioned cabins, with dormitory-style beds. Meals are served cafeteria-style in air-conditioned dining hall. Bring own linens.
- Oregon (Badasht)
- Dates/Theme: July 6–9 “Patterns of Bahá’í Life.”
- Location: Apserkaha Camp, Howard Prairie Lake, East of Ashland, Oregon.
- Natural Environment: The camp is on a beautiful, large lake in rugged country. Warm days and cool nights.
- Recreation: Swimming in lake, sandy beach, hiking along trails in wooded setting, softball and volleyball.
- Highlights: Classes on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá & Bahá’í Life.
- Rates: Adults, $10. 3–12, $5.
- Registrar: Sylvia Surratt, 8587 Wagner Creek Road, Talent, OR 97540. (503) 535-4543.
- Accommodations: This is a rustic campsite with three-sided cabins with canvas front, running water, pit toilets and a covered kitchen area. Bring mattresses, sleeping bags, tents or camp trailers.
- Oregon (Suttle Lake)
- Dates/Theme: August 6–11 “Stronghold of Thy Defense.”
- Location: Suttle Lake United Methodist Camp, Sisters, Oregon.
- Natural Environment: The camp is on a beautiful lake, high in the pine forest of the Cascade range.
- Recreation: The lake provides a place for swimming and boating. There are trails for hiking. There is a park and a large recreation hall for dancing.
- Highlights: Classes will be taught on “The Holy Land,” “The Holy Bible,” and a class on the Writings for adults. Children’s classes on “Progressive Revelation” and “The Holy Land.”
- Accommodations: Cabins sleep eight and some have heat and electricity. Some without heat. Showers in restrooms are detached from cabins. Bring linens.
- Registrar: Sylvia Surratt, 8587 Wagner Creek Road, Talent, OR 97540. (503) 535-4543.
- Washington East
- Dates/Theme: August 6–12 “Life After Growth.”
- Location: Camp Dudley, White Pass, Washington.
- Access: Take Highway 22 north of Yakima for approximately 50 miles. Sign will point way to camp.
- Natural Environment: The camp is on the shores of Clear Lake about 50 miles from Yakima. It offers the natural beauty of the Cascade mountain range.
- Recreation: Boating, fishing, heated pool for swimming, game areas, hiking trails.
- Rates: 18 and over, $52. 15–17, $46. 9–14, $31. 4–8, $16. 1–3, $8. 0–1, Free. There is a $200 maximum cost/family. Non-refundable registration charge: $2/person, not to exceed $10/family.
- Accommodations: Dormitory style, grouped by age. Classes held in dorms and in main lodge. Food served cafeteria-style. Camp is rustic, and everyone who attends will be asked to serve in some way.
- Registrar: Topaz Brown, 108 North D Street, Toppenish, WA 98948. (509) 865-4782.
- Washington West
- Dates/Theme: June 24–30 “These Mighty Forces of Love and Strength and Harmony.”
- Location: Seabeck Christian Conference Grounds, Seabeck, Washington.
- Natural Environment: Seabeck is a beautiful camp on the east shore of Hood Canal. The buildings are on a gentle slope looking across the canal into the rugged Olympic Mountains. Tall firs and cedars form a background with many hiking trails. There is a warm lagoon for swimming and boating.
- Registrar: C. Edward Knight, 3927 Banner Road SE, Port Orchard, WA 98366. (206) 871-2872.
- Rates: Adults, (High Option) $77—(Low Option) $65. Youth, (HO) $65—(LO) $53. Children, (HO) $51—(LO) $41. Under 3, Free.
- High option (HO): motel-type units.
- Low option (LO): cabin-type and dorm units.
- Recreation: Swimming, boating, hiking, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, baseball, folk and ballroom dancing.
- Accommodations: All sleeping rooms have regular beds with bedding provided. Each building has some heat and each has two restrooms with showers. Meals served family-style.
‘Oh, God!’ Presents Fine Opportunity for Firesides, Teaching[edit]
In these days of X-rated and R-rated movies, it is rare that Bahá’ís can find a film that they would freely encourage others to see. Few, if any, measure up to the high standards implicit in the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.
Late last year, however, Warner Brothers released a film that should be brought to the attention of the entire American Bahá’í community—not because its standards are head and shoulders above the rest, but because it offers excellent possibilities as a teaching aid, and is entertaining as well.
The movie is entitled “Oh, God!” and stars ageless George Burns (in the title role) with John Denver as his somewhat bewildered messenger.
THE PLOT revolves around a young supermarket manager (Denver) who is chosen by God to bring His latest message to mankind. The message, simply put, is that we are making a mess of the world situation in spite of the fact that we have everything necessary to establish “the Kingdom of God on earth.”
It takes Denver a while to come to grips with his awesome mission, and in the process we see a modern-day interpretation of the struggles that each Messenger of God has endured in His own way.
Denver’s wife and children think he is crazy; the president of his supermarket chain demands that he abandon the notion (that God has spoken to him and given him a message for mankind) or be “banished” from the company.
A tribunal of leading clerics and theologians challenges Denver’s claim and denounces him as an impostor. In fact, they ask him a series of questions they believe only a messenger of God could possibly answer.
While set in a contemporary American setting, the theme of progressive revelation in “Oh, God!” comes through loud and clear. If you’ve been looking for a subtle, indirect way of teaching a non-Bahá’í family member or friend about the Faith, “Oh, God!” offers an excellent opportunity—a wonderful starting point for a personal fireside, individual teaching or a public meeting.
(Note: The film is rated PG, which means that PARENTAL GUIDANCE is recommended where children’s viewing is concerned.)—Reviewed by Yvor Stoakley
Study Guide Kit[edit]
The paperback edition of The Dawn-Breakers, the Translation of French Footnotes of The Dawn-Breakers, and A Study Guide to The Dawn-Breakers: Nabil’s Narrative of the Early Days of the Bahá’í Revelation are now available from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust as one kit for $10.50, a saving of $1.25 over the cost of the same items purchased separately.
The kit may be purchased through your Bahá’í community librarian or the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.
Arizona Bahá’í Youth Conference Held[edit]
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Prescott, Arizona, sponsored an Arizona Youth Conference from December 27–29.
Thirty-five youth from Arizona, California, New Mexico and Illinois attended. Classes were presented on marriage and family life, goal setting, prayer and meditation, teaching the Bahá’í Faith, and planning careers in the path of service.
A presentation also was given on the Fund, and there was ample time left for music, singing, dancing and getting acquainted. Many of the youth expressed their appreciation at being able to get together with other Bahá’í youth whom they seldom see.
Race Unity Spots Ready[edit]
Taped Race Unity Day public service radio spots and instructions for local use are to be distributed by the National Information Committee to delegates and others attending the Bahá’í National Convention.
Local Spiritual Assemblies, District Teaching Committees, Groups, isolated believers and Bahá’í Youth Clubs unable to obtain these materials at the National Convention in May should write directly to the Bahá’í National Information Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.
Brookhaven, New York: Strong, Growing Stronger[edit]
(The following profile of the Brookhaven Bahá’í community was written by Marie McNair, secretary of its Local Spiritual Assembly.—Ed.)
The Brookhaven community is in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. Its borders reach from shore to shore and its jurisdiction covers 326 square miles, larger than all of Nassau County, Long Island, where there are four Spiritual Assemblies.
The Faith was first taught in Brookhaven, as far as we know, in the early 1960’s. Among the first Bahá’ís to live here were William C. Dodge, Miss Madeline Humbert (still a community member), and Mrs. Sylvia Strong, the present vice-chairman and recording secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of Brookhaven.
Efforts first became organized when Mrs. Strong and Miss Humbert found each other through an ad in a local newspaper. The Assembly was first formed by joint declaration in 1967 and has grown in strength each year since then.
THE BROOKHAVEN Assembly was incorporated in 1975, the first Local Assembly in New York State incorporated during the Five Year Plan. At present there are 28 adults, four youth and 14 Bahá’í children in the community.
There were four declarations from Riḍván 1976 to Riḍván 1977 in Brookhaven, and three enrollments. The new believers were taught through personal contact and firesides, and were deepened by a New Believer Deepening Committee and by active involvement in community life through appointment to committees, special tasks, and continued nurturing by the Assembly.
About two-thirds of our community is active according to the criteria in Guidelines for the Local Spiritual Assembly. Attempts to encourage inactive believers to participate are made through personal visits, phone calls, special invitations to Feasts, Holy Days observances and other special events, and information in the Brookhaven newsletter, which is published once each Gregorian month.
We’ve found that the newsletter is one of the best means for preserving our community’s history. It contains inspirational articles, community news, reports on goals, a calendar page, and soon will have a children’s page.
IN A DIGNIFIED yet attractive manner, the newsletter captures each month the essence of Brookhaven community life. Besides information, it also has included deepening articles, puzzles and quizzes. Its growth and development as an important tool of communication are a source of pride to the friends here.
Another important aspect of Brookhaven community life is our “Teaching Tree.” At each Feast the friends anonymously write down their individual teaching activities and put the slips of paper into a fish bowl.
The Teaching Tree caretaker writes the activities on leaves that appear on the tree at the next Feast. Newly enrolled believers appear as fruits on the tree.
October 16, 1977: The Brookhaven community participates in a town fair at Riverhead, New York, as an extension teaching project. More than 500 helium-filled balloons with Bahá’í themes were given out to children, while thousands saw the 12-foot banner proclaiming the Faith.
September 10, 1977: Bahá’ís from Brookhaven share the excitement of the Victory Weekend with their goal community, Smithtown.
May, 1977: A window display in the Brookhaven community’s goal area, the Village of Patchogue, New York, that was designed by John McNair, chairman of the Brookhaven Spiritual Assembly.
We are presently working on filling our third tree, and one of the children is its caretaker. Each month an outstanding teaching activity from the tree is chosen to receive the “golden leaf award” in the newsletter.
THE CHILDREN ages 10–15 are involved in a weekly study class based on the booklet, “On Becoming a Bahá’í.”
The younger children have participated in monthly learning/fun outings and special events for the Holy Days. For example, at last year’s Naw-Rúz celebration, Ronjo, a non-Bahá’í magician, delighted the audience of children, youth, adults and guests.
The children planned a food drive for Ayyám-i-Há this year, and last year at that time they collected magazines for a home for the elderly.
Youth in the community have for several years been involved in teaching the Faith at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where there is a Bahá’í College Club.
IN OCTOBER, the community sponsored “Human Rights Week” proclamations at the university. There is a weekly fireside there, and plans are under way to submit the Jeff Reynolds show to the university radio station.
We have an excellent Bahá’í library that has been consistently built up over the years and now contains more than 300 items in stock.
There is an extensive lending library too, and an archives containing books, tapes, photos, scrapbooks, news clippings, etc. Each year the Assembly arranges for an Assembly photograph and has decided to include an annual community photo as well.
Blessed with members who have the necessary skills and knowledge, the Brookhaven community has grown considerably over the years in its ability to proclaim the Faith through the media.
ONE OF the community’s goals is to make ever-increasing use of the mass media. Our town affords us an ample opportunity, as it has 15 weekly newspapers, three radio stations, two weekly college papers, and 11 high school papers.
In recent years we have accumulated more than 1,000 column inches of coverage of the Faith in local newspapers.
Our community is proud of its many years of regular contributions every Bahá’í month to the National Bahá’í Fund. We’re also pleased to be able to incorporate the newer accounting procedures into our financial records so that the budget now serves to translate our goals and objectives into financial terms.
Through the years the Brookhaven community has supported the various teaching plans. Pioneers from our community have gone to Colombia, Uruguay and Singapore. Homefront pioneers have gone to California, the Mescalero Indian Reservation in New Mexico, and Wisconsin.
TRAVELING teachers from Brookhaven gave considerable time and assistance to mass teaching campaigns in South Carolina.
At the beginning of the Five Year Plan our Assembly formulated its own Five Year Plan in line with goals at the state, national and international levels.
October 23, 1977: Members of the Brookhaven Bahá’í community celebrate the Spiritual Assembly’s 10th anniversary at the home of Hong and Sally Foo.
April 20, 1977: The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Brookhaven delivers its annual report to the community, assisted by flip charts with cartoons depicting the community’s various activities.
January 16, 1977: Brookhaven’s World Religion Day program was held in its goal area of Smithtown and featured music, exhibits, refreshments, and a talk by Dr. Victor de Araujo, Bahá’í representative to the United Nations. More than 50 seekers attended despite a raging snowstorm. The musicians are non-Bahá’ís who volunteered their time.
We have contributed to construction of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, and to the International and Continental Funds. We’ve also supported the teaching work of the Long Island Task Force developed by our District Teaching Committee to help win the goals of the Five Year Plan on Long Island.
Our current goal areas are Smithtown and Patchogue, Groups to be raised to Assembly status, and opening five localities, two of which are presently open.
It is difficult to summarize community life in Brookhaven. Like all Bahá’í communities we have our share of problems, but we feel that we have a progressive, growing, alive community.
Our Assembly becomes more capable and efficient every year. We see this as a direct result of the Assembly Development Program. The Assembly is able to plan more realistically and supervise more closely. Organization is one of its strongest points.
In fact, to meet the ever-increasing executive functions of the Assembly, we have established a fully-equipped office and installed an Assembly telephone in the secretary’s home. We also have an assistant to our corresponding secretary.
We are more prepared than ever to meet the needs of our community members. We can see a higher and higher degree of standards of excellence in our plans, programs and activities as time goes on.
[Page 17]
The Mail Bag
Let’s Have More Emphasis on Personal Teaching[edit]
Dear Friends:
I am moved to speak my heart on an issue to which I have given serious thought over the months since the Victory Weekend. That weekend changed my life and sent me off on an adventure in teaching that continues to astound me.
Essentially, the Victory Weekend made me realize how simple and natural the work of teaching the Cause can be, provided we adhere closely to the Writings of our Faith.
The article reprinted from Bahá’í Canada (January 1978) beautifully captures the spirit of teaching that I first tasted during the Victory Weekend. The article cheered my soul and inspired me to continue in my efforts. I felt nurtured and encouraged.
Unfortunately, this is not the feeling I derive from most of the articles concerning teaching in The American Bahá’í. The predominant focus is on bigness and quantity (numbers of non-Bahá’ís at events, numbers of declarations, etc.). Also, large-scale proclamations and mass-teaching efforts receive the major headlines while small and intimate firesides, one-on-one conversations, newly-formed bonds between a seeker and a Bahá’í aren’t reported.
Perhaps, as the Bahá’í Canada article points out, it may be difficult to “measure in words the joy we feel when we tell another of this Cause, and watch the light of recognition dawn in his eyes.” This type of teaching must find its way onto the pages of The American Bahá’í, for it is through this method of teaching that the victories of the Five Year Plan will be won. This seems to be the underlying message of the booklet, The Individual and Teaching, as well as the purpose of the Victory Weekend.
As the only organ of communication to the individual believer in this country, The American Bahá’í must realize its responsibility to set the proper tone for teaching, to nurture and encourage individual teaching.
For the longest time, I felt that proclamation and mass-teaching were the only proper means of teaching the Faith because this was virtually all that was reported in The American Bahá’í. I pursued these methods even though they didn’t feel natural or comfortable to me. Afterward, I felt guilty because the results were not immediately apparent.
The Faith is spreading as the hearts and souls of the friends connect with those who are seeking peace. It is a story that is difficult to convey because modern journalistic technique fails to capture the reality.
I want to start hearing the little stories, so I can be assured that this Faith is touching hearts and not simply billboards, floats, newspapers and radio stations.
I would encourage the editors to consider including more articles like “Speaking to the Heart: the Báb on Teaching.” This type of article should be the rule rather than the exception. The American Bahá’í needs to become an instrument to encourage individual teaching.
Amherst, Massachusetts
Dear Bahá’í friends:
Perhaps you know of the “bottle” project, where we put messages telling about Bahá’u’lláh in bottles and throw them into the sea here in the Canary Islands. Well, I just got word that a bottle drifted to the Bahamas.
The letter says:
“Hello, Peggy,
“What’s happening on that side of the globe? For me, I am well and wish you the same. While cruising in my boat I picked up this little bottle with a note inside and read what you say. I do not know when you sent out this bottle but to my belief it was in 1973. I found it on the northwest side of my island which is Mayaguna on January 11. For a bottle to have drifted that far is really marvelous...
“Until I hear from you, may God bless you and keep you. Bye.
“Edgar Smith”
Interesting, isn’t it? If, after five years, the bottle reached him, it must be for something!
Loving greetings to all,
Canary Islands
The Communications Department at Pasadena (California) City College was host February 18 to the Bahá’í Media Council of Los Angeles County for a media workshop. The purpose of the workshops is to sharpen the skills of Bahá’ís who use the mass media in teaching, and to provide a forum in which professionals from the working news media and other professionals in communications can interact with Bahá’ís. Contributions to the National Bahá’í Fund were made in the name of four professors at the college who took time off during a holiday weekend to conduct the media workshop.
Dear Friends:
This year both Christmas and Chanukkah are on the same day. In years past, the Jewish community has been assisting the Christian community during the Christmas season by preparing and serving Christmas dinners at various Missions such as the Salvation Army and others so that Christians might spend the day with their families.
This year, however, with both communities’ Holy Days falling on the same day, one or the other would have to miss its observance unless outside assistance were received.
In the Phoenix area, one major newspaper printed an article requesting help from atheists, agnostics and Muslims. Would this not be a perfect opportunity for the Bahá’ís to foster the spirit of “consorting with all religions” and of “servicing the needy”? In large cities, most charities offer some form of Christmas dinner, and will be needing assistance.
Last year, as an added benefit, four of the major television stations in this area mentioned on their news broadcasts that the Jewish community had served the dinners for the Christians.
Pinal County (Arizona) Bahá’í Group
Dear Beloved Friends:
A few days ago I was looking at the list of jeopardized Assemblies, and also noticed the list of cities with seven or eight Bahá’ís published in The American Bahá’í.
One way, of course, to preserve or form these Assemblies is to have strong teaching activities. But there is another way—one or two Bahá’ís could move into these communities.
I noticed that some of the cities having jeopardized Assemblies or that are near Assembly status have excellent schools. In the last few years many Persian believers, especially students, have come to live in the U.S. These friends could contribute greatly to the Cause by moving to those cities that are in need of Bahá’ís.
The trend has been for the Persian friends to settle in certain areas such as Washington, D.C., Texas, or California and a few other large cities. Of course, they like to be near friends and relatives, but they could make a sacrifice and reside in a place that would help win the goals of the Five Year Plan while at the same time attending good universities.
There are fine schools at Ames, Iowa; Lafayette, Indiana; Manhattan, Kansas; East Lansing, Michigan, and other places that are in need of Bahá’ís.
Another example is Blacksburg, Virginia, home of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, an excellent school in the fields of engineering, science, agriculture, statistics, and other areas. It has a graduate school with ample numbers of assistantships available for the student.
If you are interested, and are looking for a graduate school or undergraduate school, please contact the Bahá’ís of Blacksburg.
Blacksburg, Virginia
Green Acre Seeks More Staff Help[edit]
Green Acre Bahá’í School is accepting applications for permanent maintenance staff; a wide variety of summer jobs, both paid and volunteer, especially Children’s School director, youth director, and youth counsellors; and for its work/study program.
Also, all kinds of Children’s School materials are needed and will be gratefully accepted—toys, games, dress-up clothes, craft supplies, child-sized furniture, etc.
For information, please contact the Green Acre Bahá’í School, 185 Main Street, Eliot, ME 03903.
With weekly trips of hundreds of miles, often in blizzard conditions and on desolate roads, traveling teachers in South Dakota felt the need to supplement their protection with some nitty-gritty knowledge. On January 21, nine of them gathered together for an Automotive Institute for Bahá’í Traveling Teachers. Thanks to District Teaching Committee members Edwin Roberts and Ronnie Dale, the friends increased their automotive knowledge and skills greatly, and had considerable fun in the process.
Five Year Plan Booklet Available For Further Review by Believers[edit]
As the Bahá’í world enters the final year of the Five Year Plan, believers may find it worthwhile to review The Five Year Plan: Messages From the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the World and the United States, Naw-Rúz 1974, Announcing the Objectives of the Third Global Teaching Campaign.
Every Bahá’í will benefit from reading The Five Year Plan, meditating upon its significance and its relationship to her or his life, and acting on the objectives and tasks set forth in the Plan.
The 11-page booklet is available from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust for 40 cents each; 10 for $3.50; or 50 for $15.
Seven Study Guides Available in Kit[edit]
The Bahá’í Publishing Trust announces that study guides for Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, The Divine Art of Living, God Passes By, the Kitáb-i-Iqán, The Promised Day Is Come, The Dawn-Breakers, and The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh are available.
The guides may be purchased separately, or in a kit at a savings of 50 cents for a total price of $4.75. They are available through your Bahá’í community librarian or the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.
Rights Concert Given By Band From Ghana[edit]
Hedzoleh Soundz, a seven-member band from Ghana that won a national band contest in its home country and has played in several African countries, was sponsored by the Bahá’í Club at Chabot College in Hayward, California, to give a concert December 10 in observance of UN Human Rights Day.
The Bahá’í Club at Chabot College was formed in September with seven full-time and evening students. In a meeting following the success of their first event on campus, the observance of United Nations Day on September 25, the members decided to host another event and contacted the United Nations World Forum Department in Oakland, California, which suggested the idea of hiring Hedzoleh Soundz for Human Rights Day.
THE BAHÁ’Í Club approved the idea and distributed colorful publicity posters to all Bahá’í communities in California’s Central Teaching District 1 and to the campuses of Cal-State, Hayward, San Francisco State University, San José State University, Ohlone College in Fremont, Laney and Merritt colleges in San Leandro, and the University of California-Berkeley.
News releases and publicity appeared in the Hayward Daily Review, the Chabot College newspaper, and a daily activities sheet issued by the college administration.
Radio spot announcements were aired daily in preparation for the concert through Oakland, California, stations, and tickets were printed and sold at $2.50 per person.
Heidi Hanson, special assistant to the secretary of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, Washington, D.C., made a trip to California to acquaint herself with organizations that are interested in human rights. Bob Moses, the coordinator for the United Nations World Forum Department of the UN, arranged for her to be the guest of the Bahá’í Club at the Hedzoleh Soundz concert.
Heidi Hanson, special assistant to the secretary of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, Washington, D.C., and Larry Lindner, a member of the San Francisco Bahá’í community, stand in front of the display in the lobby of the hall where a concert by the Hedzoleh Soundz, a band from Ghana, was sponsored by the Bahá’í Club at Chabot College in Hayward, California, in observance of UN Human Rights Day on December 10.
Hedzoleh Soundz, a seven-member band from Ghana, was sponsored by the Bahá’í Club at Chabot College in Hayward, California, to give a concert in observance of UN Human Rights Day, December 10. The concert was attended by 350 people.
PRIOR TO the concert, Miss Hanson was entertained at dinner by Auxiliary Board member Margaret Gallagher and her husband, John.
During dinner, Miss Hanson was introduced to many facets of the Faith and presented with several Bahá’í books.
In a brief introduction on stage that evening at the concert, Miss Hanson told the audience she was pleased and delighted to know that Bahá’ís throughout the world work for world unity, world peace and human rights.
More than 350 people attended the concert, including five or six government officials from the city of Hayward. More than half the audience was not Bahá’í.
KENTON ALLEN, assistant to Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Gallagher, was the master of ceremonies. He captivated the audience by teaching them to say “greetings” and “thank you” in the Ghanaian language of West Africa.
The Hedzoleh Soundz (“hedzoleh” means “peace and love” in the Ga language of Ghana, West Africa) danced their way on and off stage in native costumes. During the intermission, many people went to the band’s dressing room to welcome them to Hayward.
The leader of the band, Kwaku Morton, and several of the other musicians inquired how to learn more about the Faith and become Bahá’ís.
Mr. Morton said the concert was “the best performance we have ever given,” and when asked why, he replied, “because this had a different feeling and spirit.”
In the lobby of Centennial Hall—Hayward’s city center and the site of the concert—there were two eight-foot displays with beautiful tapestries, wood carvings, paintings and other artifacts from Ghana. In the center of the two displays was a glass-enclosed photograph of the House of Worship in Wilmette with the words: “A Token of Hope for America, from the Bahá’í Faith.”
After the concert, members of the Hayward Bahá’í community opened their homes for firesides.
Planning an Important Part of Finding Right Career[edit]
[EDITOR’S NOTE: The fifth in a series of articles on careers for young people was written by Dorothy M. Há’í of Tempe, Arizona.]
Our life’s work or career is one way we can serve the Cause of God. “We have made this—your occupation—identical with the worship of God.” (Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’í World Faith, p. 195)
Therefore, spending time planning for your career is an important part of the process. The Universal House of Justice, in its 1966 message to Bahá’í youth, listed three fields of service open to them, one of which is to learn a trade or profession.
This series of articles has discussed various factors to consider in choosing a career. Some of them are:
- innate abilities
- personal skills
- work that is interesting
- whether a certain kind of job will have geographic restrictions
- pioneering opportunities
ANOTHER AREA of concern is income potential—how much money you can expect to earn in various occupations.
Perhaps when reading about detachment and sacrifice in the Writings, we may feel that even thinking about earning a good income is unspiritual. However, the Words of Bahá’u’lláh in the Tablet of Tarazat tell us otherwise:
“...man should know...those things which lead...to affluence or poverty. After man has realized his own being and become mature, then for him wealth is needed.”
He explains further the meaning of this:
“If this wealth is acquired through a craft or profession it is approvable and worthy of praise to men of wisdom...” (Bahá’í World Faith, p. 167)
In the early days of Christianity, poverty was considered a high station, and monks and priests often took vows of poverty.
BUT TODAY, in this Dispensation, the believer is bidden by Bahá’u’lláh:
“...to adorn himself with the ornaments of the earth, to wear its apparels, or partake of the benefits it can bestow, (and that) no harm can befall him, if he alloweth nothing whatsoever to intervene between him and God, for God hath ordained every good thing, whether created in the heavens or in the earth, for such of His servants as truly believe in Him.” (Gleanings, p. 276)
In addition to enabling one to partake of the world’s material bounties, a good income can give him opportunities for service. One can then:
- give more to the Funds
- go traveling teaching
- deputize pioneers or traveling teachers
- go to summer schools and conferences
Returning pioneers frequently explain the importance of an adequate income. With it, a pioneer probably can afford a car, perhaps one of the few in the area. Having a car means being able to pick up seekers and Bahá’ís, bringing them to meetings they otherwise could not attend.
A GOOD income may mean a large enough apartment or house where firesides and Feasts can be held.
Working at a low-paying job that helps people can be one way of serving mankind. But choosing a career that offers a good salary, as well as benefiting mankind, is another form of service, for the money that is earned can be utilized in the promotion of the Faith.
In addition, Bahá’u’lláh tells us to partake of the earth’s benefits:
“Eat ye, O people, of the good things which God hath allowed you, and deprive not yourselves from His wondrous bounties.” (Gleanings, p. 276)
El Centro[edit]
Continued From Page 1
The Bahá’ís in El Centro are able to offer room and board to four full-time traveling teachers to continue the momentum of spreading the Cause and help confirm the new adherents, and partial hospitality to five or six more. Bahá’í teachers who can speak Spanish or who are of a minority background would be most helpful.
To volunteer for service in the California campaign, please contact Carol Allen, secretary of the California Regional Teaching Committee, at 805-498-0129.
Members of the “New World Construction Company,” a Bahá’í performing group, kick up their heels during a proclamation March 25 at Oswego in Kendall County, an unopened goal locality southwest of Chicago, Illinois.
Despite a severe ice and snow storm that day, three seekers attended the event, and members of the group came from as far away as Green Bay, Wisconsin, to perform.
In Memoriam[edit]
- Hendrik J. Ammeraal, Sr.
- New Port Richey, Florida
- December 26, 1976
- G.A. Anderson
- Porter, Oklahoma
- June 1977
- Miss Gloria A. Anderson
- Atlanta, Georgia
- November 1977
- Mrs. Maud Anderson
- Manor, Texas
- July 1977
- Mrs. Juanita Antwine
- Lake City, South Carolina
- November 27, 1977
- Elbert Barnes
- Edgefield, South Carolina
- July 30, 1977
- John L. Barr, Sr.
- Rimersburg, Pennsylvania
- November 15, 1977
- Pierce Blalock
- Edgefield, South Carolina
- Date Unknown
- James A. Bradford
- La Grande, Oregon
- July 1977
- Miss Gloria M. Cipra
- Riverside, Illinois
- August 1976
- Mrs. Edna M. Clark
- Wildomar, California
- November 13, 1974
- Sherwood Closson, Sr.
- West Chester, Pennsylvania
- December 15, 1977
- Mrs. Bella Cook
- Santa Barbara, California
- October 16, 1977
- G.W. Cooper
- Lake City, South Carolina
- May 3, 1973
- Joe C. DeMeo
- Wilton Manors, Florida
- January 10, 1978
- Mrs. Frances M. Durand
- Exeter, New Hampshire
- February 13, 1978
- Mrs. Agnes Eades
- West Haven, Connecticut
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Rosie Fair
- Biscoe, Arkansas
- November 6, 1977
- Phillip Farrell, Sr.
- McLaughlin, South Dakota
- December 28, 1977
- Arthur Fillmore
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Esther Mae Frandsen
- Rogersville, Missouri
- February 1978
- Elzie Garrett
- Hilmar, California
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Mabel G. Geisler
- Bremerton, Washington
- February 10, 1978
- Mrs. Maybert Gilmer
- Jacksonville, Oregon
- January 14, 1978
- Mrs. Alice T. Grafues
- Gardena, California
- February 25, 1978
- Miss Geraldine Graves
- Latta, South Carolina
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Evangeline Grigwisch
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- January 29, 1978
- Mrs. Pearl Hargrove
- Temple, Texas
- January 31, 1978
- Charles Hart
- Upton, Wyoming
- January 1978
- Seaborn Harwell
- San Francisco, California
- February 1, 1978
- Max Haupt
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- January 9, 1978
- Mrs. Gusta Jennis
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Annie Lucy Jones
- Eatonton, Georgia
- November 12, 1977
- Litman Jones
- Goldsboro, North Carolina
- Date Unknown
- Troy Kaigler
- Oglethorpe, Georgia
- January 1, 1977
- Mrs. Faith Vorhees King
- Zenith, Washington
- 1977
- Mrs. Pauline Klumpp
- Greenwich, Connecticut
- September 11, 1977
- Mrs. Barbara Kochmann
- Ganado, Arizona
- September 20, 1977
- Norman S. Lawrence
- Montclair, New Jersey
- January 24, 1978
- Mrs. Gertrude Lee
- Birmingham, Alabama
- November 26, 1975
- Joseph M. Lopez
- Grand Rapids, Michigan
- October 29, 1977
- Mrs. Celeste D. Low
- Beverly, Massachusetts
- January 4, 1978
- Mrs. Myrtle A. Lowell
- Friday Harbor, Washington
- March 11, 1978
- George Josh McClam
- Lake City, South Carolina
- June 25, 1977
- Mrs. Kevah Munson
- Oakland, California
- July 8, 1977
- Frank E. Myers
- Lakeland, Florida
- February 8, 1978
- Mrs. Althanabah Nett
- Ganado, Arizona
- November 11, 1977
- Mrs. Fern V. Orbell
- Sparks, Nevada
- February 12
- Henry Osborn
- Redbird, Oklahoma
- November 1977
- Mrs. Ann H. Osceola
- Miami, Florida
- Date Unknown
- Mrs. Dora Peacock
- Santa Rosa, California
- 1976
- Mrs. Carrie Price
- Edgefield, South Carolina
- Date Unknown
- Melvin F. Reinhardt
- Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- August 16, 1977
- Thomas A. Roach
- Santa Cruz, California
- Date Unknown
- Roger Samuel
- Birmingham, Alabama
- Date Unknown
- Lloyd Schneiderman
- Henderson, Nevada
- February 9, 1978
- Mrs. Hazel Mae Scott
- Huntsville, Ohio
- February 13, 1978
- Luke Slater
- Prineville, Oregon
- September 1977
- Mrs. Lucy Smith
- Toledo, Ohio
- November 4, 1975
- Robert R. Soto
- Porterville, California
- Date Unknown
- William S. Spann
- Inglewood, California
- June 10, 1977
- Mrs. Mae Dell Stewart
- Deerfield Beach, Florida
- February 21, 1978
- Mrs. H.T. Stock
- Grosse Pointe, Michigan
- December 22, 1977
- Paul R. Vance
- Canton, Ohio
- 1976
- John Vines
- Greenville, North Carolina
- March 5, 1977
- Steven Wadhams
- Manhattan Beach, California
- February 12, 1977
- Mrs. Pearl Walker
- Bryan, Texas
- September 1976
- Mrs. M. Rita Wallace
- Denver, Colorado
- January 1977
- Mrs. Viola Weathersby
- Milford, Delaware
- April 30, 1977
- Coleman H. Weaver
- Kokomo, Indiana
- December 22, 1977
- Thomas J. Weaver
- Orem, Utah
- December 25, 1977
- Mrs. Viola Williams
- Kershaw, South Carolina
- February 12, 1977
- Robert Lee Woodard
- Greenville, North Carolina
- November 1977
- Mrs. Amie Wright
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- February 18, 1977
- Mrs. Jeanette Wright
- Batavia, Illinois
- January 24, 1978
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Mansfield, Texas, held its Recognition Ceremony on Saturday, February 25. Shown here listening to the opening prayers are some of the 75 people who attended the ceremony, 10 of whom were not Bahá’ís.
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Hard Work Embellishes Glendale’s Bahá’í Week Bahá’í Week in Glendale, California, came at the end of a month of teaching and proclamation activity that included 40 firesides, four deepenings, a public meeting, two meetings with the City Council, and many inquiries about the Faith by phone and mail. From October 11 through November 2, Bahá’ís in Glendale hand-addressed 10,500 mailers to residents of the city. On October 11, the City Council of Duarte, California, was presented a framed copy of the Glendale community’s Universal Children’s Day poster and a sycamore tree that was planted in Duarte Park on October 18. On October 20, a full-page ad with the heading, “Christ Has Returned and His Name Is Bahá’u’lláh” in large red print and including quotations from the Bahá’í Writings and the Bible appeared in the Glendale paper. On October 30, an intercommunity picnic was held in Duarte Park as a further observance of Universal Children’s Day. Children and adults came in international dress and gave away balloons imprinted with the words “Ask a Bahá’í” and a smiling face. Bahá’í Week was begun November 4 with firesides. On November 8, the mayor of Glendale was presented a copy of the book, Tokens of Bahá’u’lláh, at a City Council meeting at which about 50 persons heard about the Faith. The Bahá’í Week and month was closed on November 11 with an article in the Glendale paper about the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh and a public meeting commemorating the event that was attended by many non-Bahá’ís. |
Ernest King (right) of the Des Moines, Iowa, Bahá’í community chats with seekers at a public meeting November 11 at the Des Moines YMCA, one of three held during a proclamation week November 6–13. The first meeting was held in the goal community of Urbandale. Extensive advertising was done for the proclamation week with posters, flyers and paid ads in newspapers. The meetings drew a good number of seekers and resulted in one enrollment.
Filmstrips Readied to Help Deepen Indian Assemblies[edit]
The American Indian Teaching Committee is preparing filmstrips to help deepen new Local Spiritual Assemblies on Indian Reservations.
The first in the series of three, called “The People: Part I”, is due to be released this month. The filmstrip confirms cultural ties and addresses Bahá’í responsibilities relating to prayer, fasting and character development.
The second filmstrip will address Bahá’í community activities relating to Indian traditions and modern life.
The third filmstrip will be on the institution of the Local Spiritual Assembly.
Clovis, California, Community Wins Goals, Eyes New Ones[edit]
The Bahá’í community of Clovis, California, having achieved every one of its Five Year Plan goals, has established further goals to be accomplished before the end of the Plan.
The goals that have been won include these:
Raise the number of believers in Clovis to 15; begin incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly; choose a locality with no Bahá’ís to open to the Faith, or help raise a Group to Assembly status; take determined steps to expand the teaching work among minorities in the area; establish a Bahá’í inter-community Public Information Committee with Fresno, Fresno Judicial District and Clovis; establish and maintain a regular deepening program; gather for dawn prayers once every Bahá’í month; encourage the believers to set individual teaching and deepening goals.
The new goals, to be won by Riḍván 1979, are:
Incorporating the Local Spiritual Assembly; dispersing two international pioneers; dispersing three homefront pioneers; adding nine new believers to the Clovis community; tripling the size of the community’s Bahá’í library; establishing a monthly calendar of events and community bulletin.
[Page 20]
The members of the Asian American Teaching Committee of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Los Angeles met in January with Jamshed Fozdar (center), author of The God of Buddha and Buddha Maitrya-Amitabha Has Appeared. Mr. Fozdar, with the help of the committee, was able to contact several Buddhist and Asian groups in Los Angeles and present them with copies of his books.
Mrs. Bahereh Rezai (seated center), secretary of the Persian Orientation Committee of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Los Angeles, has conducted a deepening class for Persian youth for about five years. Students study The Dawn-Breakers and The Hidden Words in Persian. The classes also include memorization of the obligatory prayers and study of Bahá’í laws.
This enlargement of the Bahá’í “Mankind Is One” sticker was displayed from November through January at the new Town Center Mall in Santa Maria, California, where it was seen by thousands of shoppers and visitors. The enlargement was done by Gabriel Lazance, a Bahá’í in Santa Maria. Although the Faith wasn’t mentioned on the poster owing to the Mall’s policy prohibiting religious advertising, it proved to be a most effective way of presenting the central principle of the Faith to the people of Santa Maria.
Each adult at the Carolinas Winter School, held December 29–January 1 in Hemingway, South Carolina, volunteered an hour of time to assist with children’s classes.
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Youth Has Its Day In Alabama Cluster Bahá’ís in northern Alabama had a serious problem in early January. Owing to family commitments and other obligations, there apparently was no adult Bahá’í available to host the scheduled Cluster Deepening event for Alabama Cluster II. The District Teaching Committee contacted nearly every believer in the area, but with the deepening only a week away, hadn’t come up with anyone to host it. The problem was being discussed in the presence of the children of one family when their daughter, 9-year-old Dulce Foster, said in a small voice: “I’ll do it.” “You’ll do what?” her mother asked. Quietly, still unsure, Dulce replied: “I’ll host the Cluster Deepening.” All eyes were now on Dulce. For a moment everyone was silent. Then someone said, “Well, why not?” The District Teaching Committee accepted her offer to serve. Dulce planned and hosted the deepening that was attended by 25 people. She served a fresh fruit bowl, coffee and tea, and milk for the youngsters. The group became so involved in the deepening discussion on “God, Man and the Universe” that there was no time left for the musical entertainment or games Dulce had planned as a part of the deepening. Dulce’s parents? They were leading the discussion that same day at another cluster—some 80 miles away. |
Do You Receive More Than 1 American Bahá’í?[edit]
Does your family receive more than one copy of The American Bahá’í? If you require only one copy, please fill out the coupon below or attach your mailing labels indicating which family member(s) should no longer receive a personal copy.
Please note that if you also receive a copy of The American Bahá’í for your Bahá’í Group, that copy should be retained in the Group’s files.
Prayer Brings Quick Results[edit]
In February, when a member of the International Goals Committee spoke with a member of the jeopardized Local Spiritual Assembly in South Tucson, Arizona, who also is a member of the District Teaching Committee, she was told that each time the teaching committee had prayed for a specific goal, that goal had been filled.
The two parties agreed that if the District Teaching Committee would pray for a specific pioneering goal—Argentina—the International Goals Committee staff would pray for the Local Spiritual Assembly in South Tucson.
Beginning the next morning, the International Goals Committee staff included South Tucson in its daily prayers together. A week later, the staff learned that three Bahá’ís had been deputized to go to South Tucson and help save the Assembly!
THE MOVE allowed two members of the South Tucson community to pioneer to Switzerland.
Shortly afterward, on February 28, the International Goals Committee received a call from a Bahá’í who will pioneer to Argentina.
The prayer arrangement worked so well that the International Goals Committee staff contacted 35 other jeopardized Local Assemblies and offered to pray for them specifically if each would pray for pioneers to go to a specific country of the remaining 35 that are international goals of the U.S.
Less than a month after these agreements were made, 14 of the 35 Local Spiritual Assemblies had been saved and pioneers had arisen to go to Zaire and Iceland.
