U.S. Supplement/Issue 108/Text

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U.S. Supplement Issue 108

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[Page 1]

The Auxiliary Board Members—a Rich Resource

To establish the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh on an unassailable foundation throughout the world, we have need of all the resources of that great Administrative Order provided for us by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will and Testament and the messages of the beloved Guardian. The Universal House of Justice, with its infallible judgment, has given us a divinely inspired Plan. The Hands of the Cause of God, in close cooperation with the Universal House of Justice, promulgate and protect the Faith throughout the world, working with the National Spiritual Assemblies, which provide the means for achieving the goals of the Plan and guide the activities of the local Spiritual Assemblies, groups, and isolated believers. All these institutions, acting harmoniously together, can by their unity attract such confirmations of the Holy Spirit as can enable us to achieve undreamed of victories far exceeding the goals of the Nine Year Plan.

Functions Designated by the Guardian

The members of the Auxiliary Boards, designated by the Guardian as "deputies, advisors, assistants" of the Hands of the Cause of God, are an important source of inspiration upon which we may all draw. Through the Hands of the Cause, from whom they derive their authority and by whom they are directed, they partake of the honor and assume the obligations of that institution which Bahá’u’lláh praised when, referring to the Hands whom He Himself appointed, He said: "Through them the standards of Thy oneness were raised in Thy cities and realms and the banners of Thy sanctity were uplifted in Thy Kingdom."

More specifically, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in His Will and Testament, charged the Hands of the Cause with the obligation "to diffuse the Divine Fragrances," "to edify the souls of men," and to protect the Covenant (pp 12 and 13), and Shoghi Effendi referred to them in 1951 as "Members august body, invested in conformity with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Testament, two fold sacred function, the propagation and preservation of the unity of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, and destined to assume individually in the course of time the direction of institutions paralleling those revolving around the Universal House of Justice..." (Messages to Bahá’í World, p. 21).

The members of the Auxiliary Boards are adjuncts of that body. Appointed because of their devotion, their deep knowledge of the Faith, and their spiritual energy, they can so infuse these qualities into the body of the believers as to give us new life. Their duties in promulgating the Faith coincide exactly with the dual process emphasized by the Universal House of Justice in its Ridván Message of 1966, when it said that the propagation and consolidation of the Cause must go hand in hand. The purpose of the Auxiliary Boards is, not only to proclaim the Faith, but also, primarily, to deepen the believers and stimulate them to teach.

Freed from Administrative Responsibilities

In order to devote themselves to this important task, they have been freed from administrative duties. They may not serve on assemblies or committees. If one of them should be elected, for instance, to a National Spiritual Assembly, he must choose between that service and membership on the Auxiliary Board. But these deputies of the Hands work in close cooperation with the administrative bodies and may be called upon for assistance by the assemblies, national and local, by groups, and by isolated believers.

We may invite them to give public lectures, but they are not to be thought of as mere itinerant speakers. Wherever they go to proclaim the Faith, they arrange to meet with the believers alone, if possible. Their greatest concern is to increase the knowledge and enthusiasm of the Bahá’ís. For, in the last analysis, it is on the individual Bahá’í that the reponsibility for the health and vigor of the Cause depends.

Deepen and Inspire the Believers

A local Spiritual Assembly may call upon a member of the Auxiliary Board for help in the solution of problems, but this too is a matter of deepening. The Auxiliary Board member does not solve the problem. Rather, he brings to the attention of the believers the spiritual principle on which the solution depends, or, if the problem is an administrative one, he may point out the administrative channel to which it should be referred. And always he inspires the Bahá’ís to teach. Many problems, such as those of personal disagreement, simply disappear when the Bahá’ís are so busy teaching that they forget all minor preoccupations and when, in deepening new believers, they deepen themselves.

When a problem of defection from the Covenant, actual or suspected arises, we may ask the Auxiliary Board members in our areas to help us determine how to proceed. They are ready to advise us, but, without specific instructions from the Hands of the Cause themselves, they are debarred, like the rest of us, from making any contact with a declared Covenant-breaker. The presence of defectors in our vicinity [Page 2]should, of course, be reported at once to the National Spiritual Assembly.

For the sake of convenience and efficiency, certain regions of North America are assigned to certain Auxiliary Board members, individually and in teams. These assignments for April, 1966, to April, 1967, along with an account of "The Functions and Relationship of the Hands of the Cause and Auxiliary Board Members" are to be found in an insert in BAHÁ’Í NEWS, of August, 1966. We should not hesitate to draw on this rich resource.

Because they are in close communication with the Hands of the Cause of God and because they are free from administrative duties, these dedicated men and women, "unrestrained as the wind," can, like a breath of fresh air blowing through our local communities, clear and sweeten the atmosphere in which we are all striving, in our limited spheres, to serve the Cause of the Blessed Beauty.

Important Information About Housing for the National Convention

—Garreta Busey

It is no longer possible to provide housing in private homes in Wilmette or Evanston for numbers of Bahá’ís. Any who have maintained satisfactory arrangements in such homes in previous years and wish to return this year should make their own personal arrangements.

Those wishing to stay at hotels or motels should make their own reservations promptly and comply with any arrangements required, such as a deposit or payment for the rooms in advance. There are no hotels in Wilmette. The following hotels and motels are nearby. The address, telephone number and daily rates (not including tax) are given in each instance.

HOTELS

Orrington Hotel; 1710 Orrington Avenue; UN 4-8700. Single $8.00 to $16.00; double $12.00 to $19.00. Two double beds in one room for four persons $25.00.

Evanshire Hotel; 860 Hinman Avenue; UN 4-8800. Single $7.00; double beginning at $9.00; twin $12.00.

Library Plaza Hotel; 1637 Orrington Avenue; UN 4-8000. Single $8.00; double $12.00.

North Shore Hotel; 1611 Chicago Avenue; UN 4-6400. Single $8.50 to $10.50; double $11.50 to $13.50.

YMCA Hotel; 1000 Grove Street; GR 5-7400. Men only. $3.60 per night; reservations requested.

MOTELS

Admiral Oasis; 9355 Waukegan Road; Morton Grove; YO 5-4000. Single $7.00 to $8.00; double $9.00 to $10.00; twin $10.00 to $11.00; family accommodations (4) $13.00.

Ed Robert's Colonial Hotel; 9101 Waukegan Road; Morton Grove; 966-9600. Single $8.00 to $9.00; double $10.30 to $12.40; twin $12.40; $2.00 extra for each child up to 12 years of age.

Glenview Motel; 1829 Waukegan Road; Glenview; PA 4-9835. Single $7.00; double $9.00; twin (3) $15.00; twin (4) $18.00; (5) $21.00. $1.00 extra for each child from 2 to 12 years of age.

Holiday Inn; Edens at Lake-Cook Road; Highland Park; VE 5-4000. Single $12.50 or $15.50; double $17.50 or $21.50.

Hyatt House; 4500 Touhy Avenue; Lincolnwood; 677-5400. Single $13.00 to $17.00; double $18.00 to $21.00.

Morton Grove Motel; 9424 Waukegan Road; Morton Grove. YO 5-6400. Single $10.00; double $14.00; Family room (3) $16.00; (4) $18.00.

Howard Johnson; 9333 Skokie Ave.; Skokie. 679-4200. Single $12.00; double $14.50 to $18.50.

Ayyám-i-Há: The Intercalary Days

The Báb showed the importance of the new Age which He came to announce by starting a new calendar. Bahá’u’lláh upheld this new measurement of time for the world of today and tomorrow. The Bahá’í year has 19 months and each month has 19 days. This comes to 361 days. However the earth takes 365 days in its journey around the sun. That means there are four days (five days in "leap years", that is, every fourth year) which must be added or put into the calendar.

This is the meaning of the word "intercalary" (pronounced in-TER-ka-lary). The Intercalary Days are between the 18th Bahá’í month (February 7-25) and the 19th Bahá’í month (March 2-20).

The Intercalary Days, called "Ayyám-i-Há" have been named by Bahá’u’lláh as days to be specially devoted to hospitality, to the giving of presents and gifts, visiting and looking after the sick and the poor. These days and activities are both a joyous time of fellowship and service to others, as well as a time of preparation for the spiritual experience of the Fast which follows immediately after the close of Ayyám-i-Há. First comes the happy expression of Bahá’í love and brotherhood carried out in actions of kindness towards others, and then comes the time of the Fast when we Bahá’ís seek our full ration of spiritual food through special remembrance of God.

—Based on letter by NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF INDIA

*See Bahá’í Glossary [Page 3]

A New Sound in the World

As our Bahá’í administrative order progresses towards the Most Great Peace, it is well to take a closer look at the United Nations and its role in the establishment of the Lesser Peace — foretold by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to be the forerunner of the Most Great Peace.

To help all of us become more knowledgeable about the United Nations and about world affairs, we are working on programs for continuing the interest shown during this year's successful United Nations Week activities. The first of our new programs is the "Mail Order Seminar" announced in the January BAHÁ’Í NEWS. Watch for others.

Meanwhile, when you visit New York, come to the United Nations. There's a new sound in the world — the sound in front of the Secretariat Building — that of flags of 121 nations whipping together in the breeze with a brisk snap and crackle that sounds like a song of international unity.

—COMMITTEE FOR THE UNITED NATIONS OF NSA OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE U.S.

NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í FUND

Monthly Income: 1966-1967

Thousand 140- 120- 152.3 100- 80- 60- Monthly Budget (62.5) 40- 20-

Regular contributions Special contributions & Miscellaneous Estates

Local Assemblies Contributing Each Month

350- 300- 250- 200- 150- 100- 50-

Bahá’í Speaker Needed in Guatemala

The National Spiritual Assembly of Guatemala is planning public meetings in that country during the week before the Intercontinental Conference in Panama, which is to be held October 5 through 8, 1967.

They wish to have the assistance of a Bahá’í public speaker from the United States, preferably one who can speak in Spanish. Any Bahá’í who can perform such a service and who may be planning to attend the Conference in Panama, should write immediately to: National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S., 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091.

Bahá’í Marriages

Phoenix, Ariz.: Mrs. Sharon Kaylene Bravenec to David Francis Johnson on December 23, 1966

Fresno, Calif.: Miss Penelope Kathleen Marsh to Michael Robert Gerow on November 21, 1966

Los Angeles, Calif.: Mrs. Patricia Ann Anthony to Eric Teitelbaum on December 2, 1966

Oakland, Calif.: Miss Eileen MacArthur to John S. Jones on December 6, 1966

Sacramento, Calif.: Miss Romona Fortier (Alston) to Edward Charles Boyd on December 11, 1966

San Francisco, Calif.: Miss Wendy Colton to Barthold J. Gerdts on November 25, 1966

San Jose, Calif.: Mrs. Annette Elliott to Eugene E. Davidson on November 26, 1966

San Jose, Calif.: Miss Margaret Carpenter Russ to William Payne Bramkamp on December 18, 1966

Victor J.D., Calif.: Mrs. Doris Mae Schafer to Colvin Proctor on November 24, 1966 [Page 4]

Assembly Secretaries

Northern California

Daly City: Mrs. Juliet Karres, pro-tem, 92 Woodland Ave., 94015

Healdsburg J.D.: Mrs. Barbara Brown, Chr., 8339 W. Dry Creek Rd., Healdsburg 95448

Sacramento Municipal Court Dist.: Mrs. Patricia Fanning, 6258 Oak Park Ct., Carmichael 95608

Southern California Dist. No. 1

Beverly Hills: Mrs. Rose Perkal, pro-tem, 226 S. Tower Dr., Apt. 11, 90211

Santa Monica: Mrs. Arleen Wiley, 1514 Yale St., Apt. 2, 90404 (to correct name)

Citrus J.D.: Mrs. Billie Palos, 15757 Francisquito, No. 6, Valinda 91744

Southern California Dist. No. 2

San Diego: Mrs. Arna Meade, Chr., 4143 Sunset Rd., 92103

Colorado

Jefferson County: Mrs. Josephine Fleming, Chr., Rt. 1, Evergreen 80439

Connecticut

New Haven: Mrs. Bessie B. Daniels, 44 Glen Road, 06511

Florida

Fort Lauderdale: Frank J. Modrak, Jr., P.O. Box 22752, zip code 33315

Southern Illinois

Peoria: Mrs. Helen A. Nott, 105 S.W. Perry, 61602

Indiana

Indianapolis: Mrs. Alice Brawley, pro-tem, 4035 N. Capitol Ave., 46208

Michigan

Detroit: Dr. George H. Hutchinson, 5992 Sheridan, 48213

Ypsilanti: Mrs. Sundra Moyyad, 2461 Canyon Dr., 48197

Montana

Butte: Mrs. Betty J. Bennett, 2127 Garrison, 59701

North Carolina

Raleigh: Mrs. Rachel A. Barick, 2313 Lyon St., 27608

Eastern Texas

San Antonio: Mrs. Mary K. Johnson, 1125 Santa Ana, 78201

Eastern Washington

Spokane County Comm. Dist. No. 2: Mrs. Mildred White, 12904 E. Maxwell, Spokane 99216

Western Washington

Issaquah: Mrs. Marjorie O. Bovee, 1225 Alder Pl., 98027.

New Jersey

Newark: Mrs. Gloria J. Rappaport, 306 Grafton Ave., No. 3K, 07104

Bahá’í Marriages

Eliot, Maine: Mrs. Mildred Miller Brown to Clayton J. Keiser on November 25, 1966

Lansing, Mich.: Miss Dorothy Johnson to Thomas H. Dungey on December 10, 1966

Royal Oak, Mich.: Miss Jill Brogan to Rodger Willard on November 19, 1966

Jackson, Miss.: Miss Sudie Faith Johnson to Michael Jon Reimer on December 3, 1966

Amherst Twp., N.Y.: Miss Darlene Pritchard to Richard Daniel Baker on November 12, 1966

Raleigh, N.C.: Miss Rachel Ann Bell to Bruce Huntley Barick on October 15, 1966

Portland, Ore.: Mrs. Joan Ruth Smith to Caryl R. Forbish on December 2, 1966

Seattle, Wash.: Miss Sandra Eileen Fields to Gary John Ware on December 8, 1966

Committees

Reviewing

Mrs. Eleanor Hutchens, Chairman-Secretary, 2203 Vawter St., Urbana, Ill. 61801

State Goals Committees

Alabama

Delete name of: Jack Zahl

Arizona

Add name of: Mrs. Cynthia Lucas

Florida

Delete names of: Dorothy and George Frye

Maine

Delete name of: Mrs. Banu Kom Losy

Add name of: Mrs. Elaine Weare.

Nebraska

Add names of: W. Jefferson England, Jr. and Reddick A. Gramby

Western New York

Add names of: Bill Spurgeon and Mrs. Mary Jane Mann

North Carolina

Add name of: Robert A. Berryhill

West Virginia

Add name of: Don Basham, Jr.

Wyoming

Add names of: Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. (Carol) Manuelito

In Memoriam

Earl Becenti Klagetoh Trading Post, Arizona November 18, 1966

Henry C. Beecher Fort Lauderdale, Florida November 19, 1966

Mrs. Leona M. Carter Altadena, Calif. December 16, 1966

Mrs. Doris E. Collins Hamburg Village, N.Y. December 18, 1966

Mrs. Olivia E. Cranshaw San Francisco, Calif. December 6, 1966

Miss Martha Fettig Greenwich, Connecticut December 1, 1966

Mrs. Mabel L. Howland Auburn, N.Y. December 7, 1961

John W. Jones Milwaukee, Wisconsin December 4, 1966

Paul S. Jones Healdsburg, Calif. October 26, 1966

Miss Leah Spence Indianapolis, Indiana December 7, 1966

Mrs. Amelia Watson. Chestertown, Maryland October 14, 1966

Webster Wimbley Highland Park, Michigan November 5, 1966