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Deputization Fund In Great Need
The most important business before the National Spiritual Assembly at its December 31-January 3 meeting was to review the current status of the World Crusade goals to be completed in Latin America by Riḍván 1960, as called for in the Third Annual Message from the Hands of the Cause (Bahá’í News, December 1959), and to devise ways and means to insure their achievement without a moment’s unnecessary delay.
The most critical and urgent needs are in South America, where sixty-four settlers are still necessary to insure the establishment on April 21, 1960, of the minimum number of local spiritual assemblies required to form the various national spiritual assemblies during Riḍván 1961. An additional twenty-four pioneers are needed in Central America for the same purpose—a total of eighty-eight more settlers.
Reports from the Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee, received during the meeting, revealed that of this number twenty-one pioneers have been assigned and expect to be at their posts before February first, leaving sixty-seven more to process and assign, a few of whom may be native believers who have less difficulty than United States citizens in securing visas.
Because so little time is left, it is essential that the new pioneers will devote their full time to teaching, making the matter of employment of secondary importance until after Riḍván 1960. This in turn calls for a large outpouring of deputization funds. In this connection we quote the following excerpts from a communication to the National Spiritual Assembly from the Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land, dated December 19, 1959:
“We have been hoping the believers of the United States itself might have contributed liberally to this special fund (the Joint Deputization Fund) as suggested in our cable to the convention last year, and to your Assembly. . . . If we are to succeed in winning the local assemblies by 1960 and the national assemblies by 1961, money is required now, and in large quantities. So urgent are the needs for funds, and so little is on hand, that the Hands in the Holy Land have directed the Custodian of the Huquq to sell some of the Bahá’í holdings in Persia, so funds may be available."
Many of the needed number of pioneers are available. What is holding them back and jeopardizing the victory is lack of funds. Let us read again the cablegram from the Hands of the Cause referred to above and respond instantly to the full measure of our ability and blessed
privilege to bring into being twenty-one more pillars of the Universal House of Justice in the Western Hemisphere. _
“IMPELLED APPEAL NAME BELOVED GUARDIAN TO AMERICAN BELIEVERS TO CONCENTRATE PARTICULAR ATTENTION ON THE URGENT NECESSITY TO RAISE A SECOND ARMY OF PIONEERS TO GO FORTH AND ESTABLISH NEW ASSEMBLIES IN EUROPE AND LATIN AMERICA, THE ESSENTIAL FOUNDATION OF THE FUTURE PILLARS OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE. CRUCIAL HOUR REQUIRES UNPRECEDENTED SACRIFICIAL OUTPOURING OF FUNDS ON THE PART OF THE CHIEF EXECUTORS OF THE DIVINE PLAN . . . URGE FRIENDS JOIN PRAYERS FOR SUCCESS OF HISTORIC UNDERTAKING IN THE EAST AND THE WEST.”
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
What of Our Homefront Goals?
The National Spiritual Assembly, during its consultation with the American National Teaching Committee at a recent meeting, reviewed the status of the homefront goals and took stock of what still needed to be done to insure the establishment of fifty new local spiritual assemblies in the United States on April 21, 1960.
Of the list of preferred goals (published in the September Bahá’í News SUPPLEMENT) it was found that. as of January first, fifteen had already attained a membership of nine or more believers, eight had eight members each, and thirteen had seven members, making a total of thirty-six goal groups which should easily attain assembly status by Riḍván.
This leaves fourteen more where intensive teaching work and Bahá’í settlers are needed. In addition, several existing communities are threatened with loss of their assemblies unless reinforced with one or two settlers or new believers.
All of the small communities and Bahá’í groups are urged to take full advantage of all the teaching assistance offered them by the area teaching committees and neighboring assemblies, as well as to increase their own individual and group efforts to enroll new Bahá’ís. Furthermore, local spiritual assemblies who have undertaken extension teaching are requested to accelerate their services to their chosen goals by sending in teachers weekly to assist in making contacts,
FEBRUARY 1960
conducting firesides, and preparing potential Bahá’ís for enrollment.
All Bahá’í groups are requested to keep in close touch with their area teaching committees, and the National Spiritual Assembly again pleads with the friends not to move from goal cities or small communities without giving full consideration to the effect that such a move would have upon achieving and maintaining a local spiritual assembly.
Riḍván 1960 can be an historic year for the homefront. The next two months will tell the story.
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Dr. David Ruhe Elected to Vacancy
on National Spiritual Assembly
The by-election called by the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly to fill the vacancy on its body caused by the transfer of Horace Holley to the World Center of the Bahá’í Faith in Haifa, Israel, was held on December 20 and resulted in the election of Dr. David S. Ruhe of Prairie Village, Kansas.
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Attendance, Voting at State Conventions
Shows Increase, But is Still Unsatisfactory
Although there was a considerable increase in attendance and participation in the recent state conventions as compared with the 1958 conventions, the number of Bahá’ís present and voting must still be regarded as far from satisfactory.
By way of comparison we are submitting the following statistics:
1958 1959 No. adult voting Bahá’ís . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..6,770 6,902 No. attending in person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..2,203 2,660 No. voting by mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..2,065 2,062 No. not participating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..2,502 2.180
Thus whereas 63% of the adult believers took some part in these important gatherings in 1958, the percentage this year was raised to 68%.
The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to express its appreciation to the local spiritual assemblies and area teaching committees who made special efforts this year to impress the friends with the importance and great privilege in attending and voting for their convention delegates. We also wish to thank all the friends who served on the state convention committees, as chairmen and secretaries, and as tellers. Never before have the tellers’ and secretaries’ reports come in so promptly and so well done. This made it possible for the National Spiritual Assembly to act on all convention recommendations during their December 31 to January 3 meeting. These actions will be published in an early issue of the BAHA'I NEWS, U.S. SUPPLEMENT.
On the whole, the reports indicate that the consultation was mature, enthusiastic, and related to the work that remains to be done in order to complete the tasks of the World Crusade. May the spirit of unified action and dedication that was engendered among those who
were present at these conventions permeate the entire Bahá’í community, and enable all to rise to unprecedented heights of service in the fulfillment of the glorious mission so lovingly given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the American believers.
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Assemblies in Jeopardy of losing Status Should Notify NSA or ANTC for Assistance
Because of the critical hour in the progress of the Ten-Year Crusade, which will culminate in the establishment of the Universal House of Justice in Riḍván 1963, it is imperative that none of the “spiritual prizes” already won on the homefront be lost.
Any assembly finding itself in jeopardy, i.e., in danger of losing assembly status, should immediately report this fact to the National Spiritual Assembly or to the American National Teaching Committee, together with such details as will enable the American National Teaching Committee in consultation with the area teaching committee concerned to furnish such assistance as may be required to avert the danger.
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
"Man's True Destiny" Subject of Bahá’í World Youth Day
The National Bahá’í Youth Committee has announced that the theme for the annual Bahá’í World Youth Day on March 25, 1960, is “Man’s True Destiny.”
The National Bahá’í Youth Committee will itself sponsor a public meeting in Foundation Hall of the Bahá’í House of Worship on Sunday, March 27, at 4:15 p.m. A panel consisting of Nancy Jordan, Amy Konishi, Zahrl Schoeny, and Donald Streets, with Dan Jordan as moderator, will present the aspects of this subject.
The National Spiritual Assembly believes this subject will challenge the interest of all youth, and it urges that a special effort be made across the nation to hold either public meetings or firesides on or near March 25, aimed especially at attracting youth and young adults to the Bahá’í Teachings.
Publishing Trust Aslcs for Greater Use of Community literature Distribution Service
The increasing number of personal orders coming to the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, many without full payment enclosed, are creating much additional handling and expense for materials that should be going out in the regular community shipments.
This would indicate that either Bahá’ís are not aware of their local literature distribution service, or that the local service is not adequately taking care of their needs.
The Publishing Trust will honor any personal order
accompanied by payment in full, since it is recognized
that sometimes the local service may not be functioning
adequately, but requests that individuals try to build up
the effectiveness and responsibility of the literature dis
[Page 3]
U.S. SUPPLEMENT
tribution service in their communities by encouraging and using it. Sizeable orders placed by the local literature representative or librarian qualify for the community discount, which in turn makes it possible to maintain a good supply of books and pamphlets for the needs of the community members at all times.
Any Bahá’í group can take advantage of this same community discount, if someone is appointed to be the literature representative and all orders are handled through one source.
Orders from isolated Bahá’ís who have no such community service are welcomed by the Trust. Personal orders should be accompanied by payment in full, unless repeated orders are to be made, and arrangements are made beforehand with the Trust to establish an account. A catalog will be sent to any isolated Bahá’í needing it, and of course librarians should keep catalogs on hand for the use of Bahá’ís in every community.
—BAHA'I PUBLISHING TRUST
Additional School Districts in Phoenix Grant Recognition to Bahá’í Holy Days
In response to requests from the Local Spiritual Assembly of Phoenix, Ariz., the Superintendents of the Madison, Washington, and Osborn Elementary School Districts of Phoenix have granted permission for Bahá’í children to remain away from school on Bahá’í Holy Days. These districts are the largest of those in a newly-annexed area, and the recognition now includes most of the schools in the Greater Phoenix area. Such permission was given some years ago by the Phoenix Elementary and Phoenix Union High School districts.
The Child Education Committee of the Phoenix Bahá’í community plans programs and activities for the children on the Holy Days so that their time away from school is always spent profitably.
Fort Worth School Recognizes Bahá’í Holy Days
The Fort Worth, Texas, Independent School District has gone on record as recognizing the Bahá’í Holy Days by granting Bahá’í children permission to remain away from their classes on those days. Two years ago this same recognition was given by the All Saints Teller School in Fort Worth.
Illinois Township Schools Recognize Holy Days
The Bahá’í Group of Warren Township, 111., reports that the Superintendent of the Woodland School and the Board of Education of Consolidated School District 50 have recognized the Bahá’í Faith by granting permission for Bahá’í children to remain away from their classes on Bahá’í Holy Days.
Youth Committee Plans Second Conference Series
The second nation-wide Bahá’í Youth Conference will be held in twelve areas of the United States on February 20-21, 1960. Topic for these meetings will be “Suc cess in Teaching.”
Conference cities will be chosen by the area youth committees. The National Bahá’í Youth Committee has sent them an agenda and program suggestions.
Stress Importance of "The Child's Way"
The Child’s Way magazine offers valuable assistance to parents and teachers of children of all ages in applying the Bahá’í philosophy of education. This bi-monthly publication is issued by the National Bahá’í Child Education Committee; subscriptions are $2.00 per year for six issues. Checks should be mailed to: The Child’s Way, Box 245, Wilmette, Ill.
Deprived of Voting Rights
The National Spiritual Assembly has found it necessary to deprive the following individuals of their Bahá’í membership: Michael MacCarthy, whose whereabouts are unknown, but who left Nevada with a very bad Bahá’í record, and Walter E. Smith, Jr., of Detroit, Mich., because of his personal behavior and his perversion of the Bahá’í teachings having to do with Bahá’í standards of conduct.
Any Bahá’í credentials which these individuals may have in their possession are void.
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Marriages
Cincinnati, Ohio: Mrs. Kathleen Austin to John E. Armstrong on June 15, 1959
Peoria, 111.: Miss Carole J. Rhodes to Franklin D. Schlatter on August 16, 1959
Portland, Ore.: Mrs. Joan E. Jackson to Norman C. Ives, Jr. on October 16, 1959
Berkeley, Calif; Miss Johanne Berg to Alfred H. Raubitschek on July 11, 1959
Bahá’í World Youth Day March 25. ‘1960
A Special Event for Proclaiming the Bahá’í Faith to the Public Sponsored by the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly
Theme: Man’s True Destiny
Suggested Publicity Materials: Press Release from Bahá’í Press Service
Reports:
Newspaper clippings from U.S. communities are to be sent immediately to Bahá’í Press Service.
Written reports and photographs for publication in Bahá’í NEWS are to be sent as soon as possible to the Bahá’í News Editorial Committee.
FEBRUARY 1960
Evanston. 111.: Dr. Charlotte Grantz to Dr. Alfred K. Neumann on September 10, 1959
Chicago, 111.: Miss Margarete Acebo to Allan L. Robinson on October 10, 1959
Phoenix. Ariz.: Miss Louise Nelson to Douglas Calley on September 1, 1959
Phoenix. Ariz.: Mrs. Norma Lewis to Fred Mokma on September 25. 1959
Los Angeles, Calif.: Miss Lois Lansing to Robert V. O’Neil on October 25, 1959
Ann Arbor, Mich.: Miss Carol Rowan to Farhang ‘Alá’í on October 24, 1959
San Francisco, Calif.: Miss Cassiani Contou to Ronald W. Call on October 3, 1959
Mequon, Wis.: Miss Heather Habhegger to Dr. Milorad M. Sekulich on October 25, 1959
Portland, Ore.; Mrs. Betty A. Lepley to Kavus Monajemi on October 23, 1959
Los Angeles, Calif.; Miss Jennilou Ingalls to Ray H. Edwards on November 28, 1959
Los Angeles, Calif.: Mrs. Gail Harris to Harry C. Hambley on December 20, 1959
Ann Arbor, Mich.: Miss Linda Elliott to Willard D. Bennett on November 15, 1959
New York, N.Y.: Mrs. Evelyn Ford to Jose Gonzalez on December 6, 1959
Wauwatosa, Wis.: Miss Gloria J. Thompson to Robert E. Ehn on December 27, 1959
Milwaukee, Wis.: Mrs. Anne Schuldt to Wilfred Lauer on December 2, 1959
In Memoriam
Miss Bessie M. Garrison
Gainesville, Florida December 3, 1959
Mrs. E. F. Grable
Money, Mississippi No date
Cassim S. Husin
Los Angeles, Calif. November 14, 1959
William F. Nunna-lly
Battle Creek, Michigan October 5, 1959
Mrs. Sally Pierce
Newton, Mass. November 20. 1959
Otto Swezey
San Jose, Calif. November 3, 1959
Mrs. Pearl Bagge
Evanston. Illinois November 26, 1959
Miss Ida Baum
Binghamton, New York No date
Mrs. Nye C. Blakeman
Arcadia, California August 28. 1959
Ralph Breede
New York, N.Y. November 22, 1959
Everett Eccleston
Rivervale. New Jersey October 1959
Mrs. Ethel N. Furbush
Taylor Center, Michigan November 26, 1959
WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET Seventh Year: 1959-1960
Annual Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..$400,000.00 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIIIIl||||IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlll|l|IIIIIllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIIIIIl||IIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Total Requirements: May 1
to December 31, 1959 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..$236,664.00 IllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII||I||||l|||I|I|||||||||IIIIIIIU
Total Contributions: May 1
to December 31. 1959 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 203,500.00 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII||||I|||||lI||||||||l||| Requirements for December 1959 . . . . . . . . . . . .. 33,333.00 Contributions for December 1959 . . . . . . . . . . . .. 28,600.00
Special non-recurring gifts received during
present Bahá’í year (not included above) .. 33,475.00
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Budget Report Indicates Deficit for Year
As we come perilously close to the end of the Bahá’í year, the above figures show that we again face a substantial deficit. For the past eight months regular monthly contributions have averaged $24,433 or 76.3% of the needed monthly contributions.
If the budget is to be met in full from regular contributions, the average for the last four months must be $49,133, almost double the actual contributions for the past eight months. Even to reach the average monthly budget of $33,333 would help greatly to keep the deficit within reasonable bounds. This would represent an increase of 31% over the actual recent rate, and is close to the average which has been sustained over the same period last year.
There is increasing evidence of a quickening of a spiritual force and teaching activity throughout the American community. May it also be reflected in substantial contributions to the National Fund, the lifeblood of the Faith, sufficient to enable us to meet all of our responsibilities in the climactic phase of the World Crusade.
-—TRI-:ASUm:R, U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
BAHA'l DIRECTORY CHANGES
ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES
Northern California Healdsburg: Mrs. Evelyn F. Holmes. 1010 Sunnyside Dr.
Southern California Antelope J. D.: (new secretary to be reported) Chula Vista: Mrs. Zelma Krug. 70 Oaklawn (new address)
Louisiana Baton Rouge: Mrs. Carolyn Galinkin. 515 S. 22nd St. (new address)
Missouri Kansas City: Mrs. Jeanne La-ite. 5646 Paseo, Z. 10 (new address)
New Mexico Bernalillo County: Mrs. Beverly McMillin, Box 857. Tijeras
Oklahoma Oklahoma City: Mrs. Arabelle Haywood. 2204 E. Madison (new address)
Pennsylvania Pittsburgh: Mrs. Thelma Bradenbaugh. Chl‘., 538 N. Homewood Ave., Z. 8 Texas Galveston: Mrs. Catherine Gent. chr., c/o Buccaneer Hotel Wisconsin Whitefish Bay: Charles Reimer, chr., 4857 N. Oakland Ave.. Z. 17
Bahá’í SUMMER SCHOOL COMMITTEE Davison Bahá’í School Maintenance Comm. Robert Z. Willson, chairman Miss Mae Mallory, secretary, 132 E. Breckenridge. Ferndale 20, Mich.
RESIGNATIONS FROM COMMITTEES
Area Youth Committee—Tennessee Valley States Stuart Duboff
Davison School Program Committee Mrs. Toluiya Avaregan
