U.S. Supplement/Issue 105/Text

Pioneer Help Needed in Ecuador

The National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador is desperately in need of a strong and devoted couple who can go as pioneers to Guayaquil. They should be able to speak Spanish and have had experience in administration so that they can be able to help this struggling community to learn to function actively and in the correct way.

The climate of Guayaquil is tropical, the population approximately half a million. It is a port city and there are job opportunities for bilingual people and for professional teachers.

For further details please write to: Foreign Goals Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091.

U. N. Human Rights Day December 10. ‘1966

A Special Event for Proclaiming fhe Bahá’í Faith fo the Public

Theme: Recognize and Promote — Human Rights Suggested Materials: Material Suggested by U.N. Committee. Bahá’í Declaration of Human Rights; One World-One Family; Faith for Freedom from Bahá’í PUBLISHING TRUST.

Reports: Good photographs and reports of outstanding meetings should be sent at once to the Public Information Department, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091.

NOVEMBER ‘1966

Suggestions for Establishing Residence in Another Bahá’í Community

When Bahá’ís set out to pioneer in another community, whether in the United States or abroad, it is expected that they will follow the oft-expressed wish of the beloved Guardian that they will put their roots down in that community and become a part of it. If they settle in an area or country that has its own National Spiritual Assembly they should immediately transfer their membership from the United States to that national community and thereafter serve as a resident of the local community, whether it be for several months or for years.

To those who have embarked on this meritorious way of serving Bahá’u’lláh or who are planning to do so, the following advice from an American pioneer now residing in Germany should be carefully considered. It is meant particularly for those who go to Europe, but it contains recommendations that are valid everywhere.

First of all, secure proper credentials from your National Assembly before leaving. You will be given the address of the National Assembly under which you will serve and it is important that you get in touch with that Assembly promptly, submitting your identification card as your credentials and providing it with your address. You will be given credentials from the National Assembly in the new country and from that point on you will be a Bahá’í resident of that country. You should also notify the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States of your new address so that the transfer can be completed and there will be a record of where you are living.

Do not expect the people in your new community to know and understand English. This will be your shortcoming, not a fault of the natives among whom you will

be living. Every effort should be made to learn their language promptly.

Attend the Feasts even if you do not know the language. A room full of Bahá’ís reading prayers is a room full of spiritual forces and if you are in a receptive mood you will feel it. If you use your imagination and try to catch the opening phrases of a prayer, sometimes you can figure out which prayer is being said.

When it comes to consultation, you may be sure the friends are facing the same difficulties that troubled your community back home. Show that you are ready to be active and to help as much as possible. There may be the same need for funds, and perhaps your most useful role at first will be to give financial support. You could consider doing more than you did at home, partly because you may be the one in the community most able to give and because it can compensate for your lack of language. Contributions should be made unostentatiously so as not to offend. Perhaps you could offer to pay for advertisements or offer some similar service that the community cannot afford.

An excellent way for Americans to serve is by deeds. There may be work around the center that you can do — cleaning, addressing and stuffing envelopes, helping visitors who speak English.

When you settle in your new foreign community you should no longer think of yourself as an “American Baha i.” ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum made a very appropriate remark when speaking in Germany on one occasion where she asked Bahá’ís to do certain things. She did not say “the German Bahá’ís;” she said “the Bahá’ís in Germany.”

[Page 2]NOVEMBER 1966

National Spiritual Assembly Reports Actions

Talcen on Convention Recommendations (continued)

Recommendation: That Mrs. Jane McCants’ series of talks on the significance of the Tablets to the Kings be taped and that these tapes be made available to the friends to enable them to understand the spirit and significance of this particular event.

Action: It was voted to inquire of Mrs. McCants whether she will be willing to prepare a tape on this subject for review by the National Assembly.

Recommendation: That at the next Annual Convention the NSA try out the plan of small group consultation by delegates on specific topics.

Action: The possibility of small group consultations at National Conventions is being considered.

Recommendation: That the “Analysis” prepared for the delegates to the 1966 National Convention be sent to every local Assembly to study.

Action: The National Assembly does not consider this recommendation advisable or practical since the “Analysis” was simply a drafted document developed for specific use at the Convention.

Recommendation: That the NSA consider the possibility of establishing a new committeevto prepare a pamphlet on how children can observe Bahá’í events and festivals.

Action: The Advisory Committee on Education has under preparation such a publication as part of the units of studies for children.

Recommendation: In order to achieve the goal of 600 local Assemblies by the end of the Nine Year Plan, the NSA share the goals with all local Assemblies around the country for long-range planning.

Action: This recommendation is being implemented through the State Goals Committees and the local Assemblies.

In addition to the foregoing recommendations that were formally adopted by vote of the delegates, there were a great many suggestions all of which have been considered by the National Spiritual Assembly. Those regarded as appropriate for action at this time are reported hereunder:

1. That the American Bahá’í community give definite attention to the repeated call of the Universal House of Justice about teaching the masses.

Action: The National Assembly has under consideration a proposal for mass teaching in the South.

Bahá’í Teachings Regarding Fund-Raising Activities

There still seems to be misunderstanding on the part of some believers concerning fund-raising projects involving participation of non-Bahá’ís in order to contribute to the Bahá’í Fund. This is to remind them that the principles of the Faith do not allow soliciting funds in any manner whatsoever, and no individual believer or Bahá’í institution should engage in fund-raising projects such as rummage sales, bake sales, bazaars and any other activities in the name of the Faith.

2. That greater effort be made to teach among the Cuban refugees in Florida, especially those arriving in Miami, and that Bahá’ís of Catholic background and those who can speak Spanish have a hospitality table where they can give out literature and talk to those who come from that depressed country.

Action: This suggestion has been referred to the State Goals Committee for Florida and to the local Assemblies of Miami and Dade County for consideration.

3. That consideration be given to the establishment of regular teacher-training institutes for individuals who wish to teach among the American Indians.

Action: Mechanics are being considered for such a program.

4. That consideration be given to reprinting the article by Mrs. Rosemary Sala on marriage which appeared in Volume VII of The Bahá’í World.

Action: This suggestion is being considered.

5. That the National Assembly re-issue the several inserts on “spiritual reinvigoration” distributed through BAHA'I NEWS several y'ears ago.

This suggestion has been referred to the Department of Community Development for consideration and recommendation to the NSA.

6. That the National Assembly clarify for local Assemblies the difference between Bahá’í administration and procedure.

Action: This suggestion has been referred to the Advisory Committee on Education which is already considering a publication on the spirit of Bahá’í organization.

There were a number of strong suggestions that steps be taken in various recommended ways for improving the character of the American Bahá’í community as a whole, including the education of new members in the moral standards and obligatory laws of the Faith. The National Assembly has a number of plans under way to help resolve the problems of community life, of the individual deepening process, and other matters of equal importance, all of which will be developed and implemented through the Department of Community Development. Meanwhile local Assemblies are reminded of their responsibility to provide constant opportunities for their communities to learn and practice the standards of individual and community behavior and conduct so clearly set forth in the Sacred Writings.

Boolcs and Magazines Needed for Teaching Children

Mr. and Mrs. Dale Sinclair, American pioneers teaching in the American School in Tegucigalpa, Honduras have written that there is great need for children’s books and old magazines with lots of pictures for teaching the children. Anyone who can send such material is urged to do so. It can be sent fourth class mail but it should be well wrapped. The packages should be mailed to: Mr. and Mrs. D. Sinclair, American School, c/o American Embassy, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Central America.

[Page 3]U.S. SUPPLEMENT

Winter Institute

in Pennsylvania Announced

A Pennsylvania Winter Institute will be held this December near Downingtown, Pennsylvania. The classes will begin Thursday afternoon, the 29th, and continue through the evening of the 31st, and departure will be after breakfast on January 1st. Site for the school will be the beautiful Philadelphia YMCA camp near West Chester and Downingtown on Route 322. Downingtown is about 30 miles west of Philadelphia and just a few minutes from the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

The program includes classes on “Bahá’u’lláh’s Proclamation to the Kings and Rulers” to be taught by Jane M-cCants; “The Guardian", by Mrs. J. Khádem, Auxiliary Board member, and “The Bahá’í Family and the Training of Children”, by Fred and Terri Myers of Baltimore. Mr. James Keene will also be a member of the faculty.

A program for children of all ages is planned as an integral part of the school. A full—time nursery will be provided. Also, introductory classes for new students of the Faith will run concurrent with those of interest only to Bahá’ís and advanced students.

The school is being sponsored by the Pennsylvania Goals Committee, P.O. Box 208, Downingtown, Pennsylvania 19335. Bahá’ís and their friends should write to the Committee immediately for reservations and information.

NATIONAL BAHA'l FUND

';‘°“S"‘"“ Monthly Income: 1966-1967

M3333 ‘*1 >* o‘ 9 H :>' o 2 no‘ at Z 4 :2 Eu U 0 Ir: «a m 5 E B <: 51, O z D >-. Fr: 5 g

E - Regular contributions —— Special contributions & Miscellaneous

Estates

Bahá’í Marriage laws Are Obligatory

Local spiritual assemblies and all Bahá’ís are reminded of the supreme importance of obedience to the Bahá’í laws governing marriage. These laws should be explained by the local assembly several times each year at Nineteen-Day Feasts. In addition, the L.S.A.s should make certain that any individuals in their communities contemplating marriage fully understand their obligations. After free choice of the individuals concerned, willing consent to the marriage by the parents of both partners, whether all or none are Bahá’ís, is essential, whether or not there is a legal Bahá’í ceremony. Local spiritual assemblies are obligated to have valid evidence of such consent in hand before conducting a Bahá’í marriage.

If there is to be a civil marriage or another religious ceremony besides the Bahá’í marriage, both ceremonies must take place on the same calendar day. This means the business calendar date generally used in this country and not the Bahá’í calendar day which begins with sunset on one day and ends at sunset on the next.

Local Assemblies Contributing

EachMon‘|'h E E fl fl £52 E E

[Page 4]BAHA'l DIRECTORY CHANGES ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES

Northern California Daly City: Ross R. Klutke. 656 Hanover, 94014 Monterey-Carmel J.D,: Mrs. Dawn Polprasid, Rt. 2, Box 1511, Carmel 93921 Southern California District #1 Compton: Mrs. Phyllis Barrett, P.O. Box 4412, 90224 Los Angeles: Mrs. Jeanne Garcia, 7436 Mulholland Dr.. 90046 Southern California District #2 Garden Grove: Mrs. Frances James, 13151 Saiford, 92640 Connecticut New Haven: Mr. Oscar P. Stone, Chr., P. O. Box 95 Florida Hillsborough County: Mrs. Nina Nadler, Chr., Rt. 1, Box 208-A, Odessa 33556 Georgia Atlanta: Mrs. Lillian Garnett, 92 Morris Brown Dr., S.W., 30314 Richmond County: Mrs. Jacquelyne Stallings, 257 Myrtle Dr., Augusta 30904 Northern Illinois Glencoe; Mrs. Jean Rankin, 343 Washington Ave., 60022 Oak Park: Correct zip code to: 60303 Kansas Topeka: Mrs. Genay Newby, 2030 Lincoln, 66604 Louisiana Alexandria: John Towels, Chr., 3716-14th St., 71301 Shreveport: Mrs. D. Barbara Hubbart, 226 E. Egan St., 71102 Maryland Howard County: Mrs. Ruth S. James, Rt. 1, Box 71A, Jessup 20794 Massachusetts Worchester: Mrs. Evelyn K. Alexander, 39 Arthur St., 01604 Eastern New York New York: Mrs. Myrtle McLellan, 50 Brighton lst Rd., Brooklyn 11235 North Carolina Raleigh: Miss Rachel A. Bell, pro-tem, 216 Park Ave., 27605 Oklahoma Tulsa: Mrs. Vivian Haley, 2431 E. 4th P1., 74106 Oregon Eugene: Mrs. Virginia S. Busey, 434 E. 13th, Apt. 3, 974-01 Washington County: Miss Esther Helmick, protem, c/o Dempster, 13075 S.W. Walker Rd., Beaverton 97005 Western Washington North King County Comm. Dist.: Mrs. Barbara Peters, 28202 W. Ames Lake Dr., Redmond 98052

STATE GOALS COMMITTEES

Florida Add name of: Mrs. Constance Baker Indiana Mrs. Mary Jane Langrall, Secretary, 406 Keal Ave., Marion 46952 (new address) Missouri Add name of: Mr. James Richie New Jersey Add names of: Mr. Bruce Jones Mrs. Linda K. Jones Mr. Hassan Tarafdar Eastern New York Delete names of: Mr. Bruce Jones Mrs. Linda K. Jones Oklahoma Mrs. Eileen Norman, Secretary, 9218 E. 38th St., So., Tulsa 74145 (to correct address) Rhode Island Mrs. Margaret Searles, Secretary, 112 Mauran St., Cranston 02910

NOVEMBER 1966

STATE GOALS COMMITTEES

Vermont Mr. David Palmberg, Secretary, 4 Durham Drive, Rutland 05701 (to correct address)

COMMITTEES

Advisory Committee on Education Correct name: Miss Diane Cotton

Bahá’í Marriages

Champaign, Ill.: Miss Dorothy J. Parsons to Jerry L. Mileham on June 26, 1966

Maywood, 111.: Miss Pamela Vickey Drake to Virgil T. Ghant on July 17, 1966

Peoria, 111.: Miss Julie Anne Summers to Robert L. Lord on August 14, 1966 (non-Bahá’ís)

Baltimore, Md.: Mrs. Nadine M. Douglas to Riley J. Jenkins on August 20, 1966

Detroit, Mich.: Miss Hazel Hunt to David James Perry on June 16, 1966

Grand Rapids, Mich.: Miss Betty Ann Morgan to Richard Reid on July 31, 1966

Rochester, N.Y.: Miss Lauretta C. Reid to Wallace H. Tolliver on June 4, 1966

Columbus, Ohio: Mrs. Carole M. Strong to James H. Gordon on July 23, 1966

San Jose, Calif.: Mrs. Barbara M. Merrill to Hilary Stinton ‘on August 20, 1966

San Mateo, Calif.: Miss Hollie A. Lissner to Zacharias B. Ledet on September 1, 1966

Evanston, Ill.: Miss Fereshteh Noorani to Henry W. Miller on September 18, 1966

Maywood, Il.l.: Mrs. Carmel Groven to Frank J. Poplawski on August 28, 1966

Wilmette, Ill.: Miss Winifred Watson to Dennis E. Norton on August 20, 1966

Wilmette, Ill.: Mrs. Helen West to Lowell N. Loveless on August 31, 1966

Royal Oak, Mich.: Miss W. Aileen Baldwin to Daniel Karstofsky on July 24, 1966 Teaneck, N.J.: Miss Gloria Rouse to Laurence M. Rappaport on September 10, 1966

Hamburg Twp., N.Y.: Miss Doreen Ann Lowe to David R. Czerniejewski on September 5, 1966

Portland, Ore.: Miss Carmen Cella Turner to Solomon Methenge on August 20, 1966

in Memoriam

Mrs. Lena Bell Great Falls, Montana August 28, 1966

Mrs. Mary Faler Union Twp., Ohio June 11, 1965

Mrs. Edith E. Hartpence Weiser, Idaho September 12, 1966

Mrs. Dorothy Walker Helm Louisville, Kentucky August 24, 1966

Mrs. Minnetta C. Kennedy Kent Co., Maryland May 2, 1964

Mrs. Marcia Steward deMatamores

Tegucigalpa, Honduras August 29, 1966

Harold Smith Chicago, Illinois July 16, 1966

Mrs. Sylvia S. Smith Wenham, Mass. July 1'7, 1966

Mrs. Esther Tolka Brooklyn, N.Y. August 22, 1966

Rodney P. Williams Oakland, Calif. July 20, 1966

Mrs. Alberta S. Nivison Irondequoit, N.Y. June 3, 1966

Mrs. Thelma Cashion Perry Charlotte, North Carolina August 6, 1966