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Race Amity Day Affords Opportunity
For Wide Proclamation
A year ago the National Spiritual Assembly, acting on the recommendation of the 52nd Annual Bahá’í Convention, issued a statement setting forth the Bahá’í viewpoint regarding the current racial tension and strife throughout our country and the world. A copy of this statement, “The Most Challenging Issue,” was mailed to every American Bahá’í with the June issue of Bahá’í NEWS, and local spiritual assemblies were requested to make use of it locally in as many ways as possible.
During its meeting over the Labor Day week end the National Assembly issued this same statement in the form of a news release which was sent to Negro publications throughout the country, together with a photograph of the Assembly members in session.
The forthcoming observance of Race Amity Day, June 11, offers all Bahá’í communities and groups an excellent opportunity to arrange some appropriate event to follow up this action and to give further emphasis to the Bahá’í concept of the spiritual oneness of all mankind as described in that statement. The listing of this event in trade promotion and planning calendars published by various firms brings to the National Spiritual Assembly many inquiries and requests for information, publicity and posters, indicating widespread interest in this observance. Last year there was excellent press coverage of the local observances and the reports received by the National Spiritual Assembly and Bahá’í Naws were very inspiring and showed much initiative in planning the kind of activities that would attract the attention of community leaders and organizations interested in better race relations.
The National Assembly hopes that many more communities will participate in this unique proclamation event this year. Some very good ideas can be gleaned from the report on last year’s observance as reported in the August 1960 Bahá’í NEWS, pages 10 and 11.
In connection with attracting more Negroes to the Faith, a goal repeatedly emphasized by the beloved Guardian, the friends are reminded that the Bahá’í Interracial Service Committee is able to be of valuable assistance. One of its chief functions is to devise ways and means for reaching the Negro leaders. This it is doing by havingvarticles prepared for The Negro History Bulletin and other magazines, and carrying on certain pilot studies and interracial conferences in selected colleges in the south in cooperation with the Bahá’í College Bureau. Local spiritual assemblies hav News
MAY 1961
ing Negro colleges and Negro organizations in their areas are urged to offer them speakers on the Faith and assistance in their own programs, and to keep the local press informed of such activities.
The committee also recommends that individual Bahá’ís participate in appropriate Negro church functions, provided it is done in accordance with the principles of the Bahá’í Faith.
The Interracial Service Committee wishes to remind the friends that they should also endeavor to establish good relations with all groups working for better human relations, but at all times to avoid becoming involved in political issues or so absorbed in the activities of these groups that they cannot fulfill their own Bahá’í obligations.
All reports on interracial or race amity activities should be sent promptly both to the Bahá’í News and the Interracial Service Committee, accompanied wherever possible with good photographs of the groups in action. “One picture is worth a thousand words.” This is particularly true when offering articles for publication in national Negro and other magazines.
Reports on Race Amity Day activities for publication in Bahá’í Naws this Ybar must be received no later than July first.
Race Amity Day June 11. 1961
A Special Event for Proclaiming Hie Bahá’í Faith fo the Public Sponsored by file Bahá’í Interracial Teaching Commiffee Theme: "Oneness of Mankind
Suggested Publicity Materials:
Posters and press release from Bahá’í Press Service
Oneness of Mankind and M an One Family from Bahá’í Publishing Trust
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.
MAY 1961
Brotherhood Service Symposium Includes Bahá’í Faith :
A symposium on world—wide religions featured at an annual Brotherhood Sabbath Service held by the local Men’s Club at one of Philadelphia's reformed synagogues, the Rodeph Shalom, gave the Philadelphia, Pa. Bahá’ís a unique and unsolicited opportunity to present the message of Bahá’u’lláh to an audience of approximately 300 people, in addition to gaining for them publicity in the daily press and some new interested contacts.
In the announcement of the symposium, its purpose was explained in the statement: “In the past years the theme of the Brotherhood Service has been concerned primarily with better understanding between Christian and Jew. Now that the attention of the world has focused on Africa. Asia, and the Middle East, the Men’s Club with the cooperation of International House, will strive for a better understanding of some of the religions of these countries.”
“Bahá’í, another international religion,” was stated among the religions listed on the program, all of which were explained by practicing members of the various faiths.
Brotherhood Activities Gain Recognition For the Faith
“Brotherhood” was the name chosen for an organization initiated fifteen years ago by the Bahá’ís of Sioux Falls, S.D., and the organization later drew the afliliation of the local Ministerial Association and another local club, called Thomas Paine Society, interested in the promotion of brotherhood ideals. As the club progressed through the years, the members were able to obtain certain rights for the Negro citizens of the city, such as being served in the public eating places.
Also, as the years passed, the club as a whole gradually began to lose sight of true brotherhood in its activities and became more and more restricted to relations between Christians and Jews, until recently the board members were considering affiliation with the National Conference of Christians and Jews. At this point, the Bahá’í members of the organization informed the board that if such a step took place they would be forced to withdraw because of the limited scope of brotherhood to which the club would be reduced; thus, recognition was gained of the independent status of the Faith.
Afterward, for the recent annual dinner sponsored by the Brotherhood Club, a Bahá’í speaker was requested. Dr. Rodney Belcher, Bahá’í of Rochester, Minn. spoke on “One Race, Man." The Bahá’í talk was well publicized in advance, and drew an unusual amount of interest from the audience of 120 persons.
Bahá’í Calendar Is Used_ As Teaching Medium
The Intercalary Days of hospitality, the giving of presents, ministering to the poor and sick, and preparation for the Fast, are being used increasingly each year by the Bahá’ís as a teaching medium.
A very fine example is that of an isolated Bahá’í in Erie, Mich. She received permission from the principal of the school her children attend, to take to each of the 150 pupils of mixed races in five grades a special treat of a cupcake. The school principal asked her to give a short talk on the Faith to his class of fourth-graders, and she was also able to present a pamphlet and some facts concerning the Faith to each of the other five teachers. The giving of the gifts took two days to complete and established a friendly and happy relationship.
An Intercalary party in Issaquah, Wash. was featured in a news item in The Issaquah Press. It was attended by fifty-five adults, youth and children from several Washington and Oregon areas, among whom were leaders of the Indian Women's Service League and ‘representatives of the Indian, Negro and white races.
The Santa Fe, N. Mex. junior youth prepared and served a dinner to the adult Bahá’ís and visitors as a gift of hospitality during the Intercalary Days. Also in Santa Fe, a special party was given for the children of Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í families which was a happy occasion for the children and a means of teaching the parents by example.
Early Books on the Faith Should he Collected and Preserved
As time goes on and the number of Bahá’ís increases it becomes more and more difficult to acquire copies of early editions of Bahá’í books. Even now the friends who wish to accumulate a complete library of all published Bahá’í literature are finding that many titles are no longer available even through firms that are in the business of searching for out-of-print publications. In a few cases where some have been located the prices are exhorbitant.
The National Spiritual Assembly strongly recommends that the believers make a practice of visiting used book dealers at regular intervals to look for early Bahá’í books or books about the Faith that might be found on their shelves and to purchase them for their own or community Bahá’í libraries. Should they not be needed locally there may be friends in other parts of the country who would like to buy them.
It would be well, also, for the believers who have early Bahá’í books to make provision in their wills that these books be turned over to the local spiritual assembly, to one of the Bahá’í summer schools or even to the National Spiritual Assembly.
——NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
[Page 3]
U.S. SUPPLEMENT
It is important that all Bahá’ís have current Bahá’í identification cards, and it is the individual responsibility of each member to see that his identification card is kept current. With the steadily increasing number of members it is becoming more and more impossible for individuals to rely upon other believers to identify them when they go to conferences and other meetings without proper identification cards.
Members of Bahá’í communities should apply to their local spiritual assembly for up to date identification cards, while isolated or group members apply to the National Spiritual Assembly.
NSA Urges All Bahá’ís To Study Annual Reports
For a number of years all registered members of the American Bahá’í community have received with the April Bahá’í NEWS a copy of the printed annual reports of the National Spiritual Assembly and its committees and trusteeships, so that all would be informed before the Annual Convention about the accomplishments and progress of the Faith achieved within the year.
This year it was not possible to distribute these reports before Convention, chiefly because the mailing dates for all issues of Bahá’í NEWS have been advanced, and the printing of the Annual Reports could not be completed in time to accompany the April issue. A separate mailing, while highly desirable, would be very costly due to the extra labor involved in addressing and filling the envelopes. Therefore, the Annual Reports are being sent with this (May) issue of Bahá’í News. It was possible, however, to provide each delegate with an advance copy in ample time for study before coming to the Convention.
The importance of studying these reports cannot be over-emphasized. They provide the only means for acquainting the believers with the over-all progress of the Faith on the home front and the diligence with which the various committees carry out their functions and responsibilities. If all the friends inform themselves of the contents of these reports there will be fewer questions throughout the year and fewer recommendations at the State Conventions about the work already being done. Since the preparation, publication, and distribution of these reports represent the expenditure of much valuable time, effort and funds, it is hoped that the believers will make a serious effort to read and use them.
The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to express to all committees who submitted their reports its sincere appreciation of the unusually good form in which they were prepared and for getting them in by the specified time.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Appeal for Temple Guides Is Made
During the summer season from May 15 to September 30 when the House of Worship in Wilmette is open every day, a large number of guides is needed to accommodate visitors from many places around the world. Since there are not enough Bahá’ís living in the near vicinity of this edifice to fully implement its role as a “silent teacher” during this period, the Temple Guides Committee urges all those who are able to guide in the summer months to contact it as soon as possible. In the past, some friends who live a great distance from Wilmette offered a week of their summer vacation for guiding service, and this has not only been of great assistance to the committee, but also a gratifying and inspiring experience to these believers.
Since schedules require advance planning, those who would like to volunteer their services as guides are urged to contact Mrs. Dotha Cooper, Program Secretary, at 121 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill., or Miss Katherine Walker, Secretary, 545 Chestnut Street, Winnetka, Ill., as soon as possible.
U. S. Bahá’í Youth
‘ Hold Conferences
An all-day Bahá’í Youth Institute was held at the San Francisco Bahá’í Center on February 11 and was attended by thirty students from the northern California region, seven of whom were not Bahá’ís. The morning session was spent in reading from the Kitctb-i-iqdn, The Dawn-Breakers, and poems from The Bahá’í World, in addition to the sharing of teaching experiences. During the half-day discussion period following, one of the students declared her desire to become a Bahá’í.
The Area7Bulletin of the Southwestern States carries a Youth Supplement each month, and a recent issue gave an account of a first youth social given in Redondo Beach, Calif., where twenty-five Bahá’í youth and friends were so enthusiastically impressed that plans are being made for a week-end session of study and entertainment in the near future.
Another regional _youth activity was sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Covina, West Covina and Glendora, Calif. and was attended by forty youth. The success of this study and social event has led to plans for additional periodic ones.
The theme of a two-day Bahá’í Youth Conference in Providence,'R.'I. was “I Have Created Thee Rich” and the program included a keynote address, workshops, Bahá’í talks with a discussion period following each, a dramatic presentation, and social events. The conference, held at Brown University, was attended by twenty-nine youth.
[Page 4]
MAY 1961
WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET Eighth Year: 1960-6|
Annual Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . , ..$375,000.00 IIIIIIIIIIIIllIllllllIllllIIllIIIllIlllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllllIlll|||||lllllllllIIllIIllIIIIIIIIllIIllIIIIIIIIIllllIllll||||||I||||l|I|||||||||||||l|1| Total Requirements: May 1 to March 31 . . . . .. 343,750.00 illIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlllIlllllllIIIIIIIIIIlllllIIllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIIlllIIllllIllllllllllllllIIII|||I||||||||||||l|||l| Total Contributions: May 1 to March 31 . . . . .. 245,220.00 llIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIIIIIllIIIIIIIllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIIIIIllllIllIIlllll|||||||ll|||l||||I||||||
Requirements for March 1961 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 31,250.00
||||lllllllIIIlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllIllllllllllllllllllllllllllIllllIllllllllllllllllIlllilllllllllllllllll|||lI|Illl|||l|| Received for March 1961 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 22,750.00 IIlllllllll|lI||ll|||lIl||||IIIIIIIIIIllllIIIIII[lllllllllllllllllllllllll|||llllllllllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIII
Special non-recurring gifts received during
present Bahá’í year (not included above) .. 52,140.00
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEIVIBLY
Dates for Summer Schools Listed
Western Canada Summer School, Banff School of Fine Arts, Banfi’, Alberta, Canada, August 12-19.
Davison Bahá’í School, Davison, Mich., August 6 through Labor Day.
Geyserville Bahá’í School, Geyserville, Calif., July 23 - September 3.
Green Acre Bahá’í Institute, Eliot, Maine, July 1 August 28.
Southeastern States Bahá’í School, Frogmore, S.C., week of July 9,
Southwestern States Bahá’í School, Soroptimist Camp, 25 miles north of Dallas, Texas, August 19-26.
Inter-mountain Summer Conference, Snow Pine Lodge, Alta, Utah, July 1-8.
For further information and reservations write to the secretaries of the various Summer School Committees (listed in U.S. SUPPLEMENT of February 1961 Bahá’í News). Information regarding the Intermountain Summer Conference may be obtained by writing the secretary of the local Spiritual Assembly of Salt Lake City, Utah.
New Address for Bahá’í Press Service
The National Bahá’í Press Service has moved its headquarters to Wilmette, Ill. All correspondence, reports, clippings, orders for posters, and requests for other items and assistance furnished by that committee should now be addressed to: National Bahá’í Press Service, Mrs. Dorothea Reed, 121 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.
James Raschel Deprived of Membership
The voting rights of Mr. James Raschel, Danville, Ill., have been revoked and his name removed from the Bahá’í membership rolls. This action was taken because Mr. Raschel, in disobedience to the instructions of the Hands of the Cause Residing in the Holy Land and the National Spiritual Assembly, has continued to promote his own views under the guise of teaching the Bahá’í Faith and his activities have disrupted the progress of the teaching work in Danville and elsewhere.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Marriages
Peoria, Illinois: Miss Diane Aupperle to Paul Eugene Putney on February 19, 1961
Spokane. Wash.: Miss Frances R. Goodrich to Graham P. Conroy on December 18, 1960
Spokane, Wash.: Miss Caroline H. Mudd to Carlton L. Christiansen on February 11, 1961
In Memoriam
Magnus Norlander Kenosha, Wisconsin March 3, 1961 Mrs. Mildred Phelps Louisville, Kentucky February 21, 1961 Mrs. Anne Sievers Santa Barbara, Calif. March 9, 1961 Mrs. Gladys Willett Flint. Michigan March 12, 1961 Miss Unis Woodward
James W. Alleman Portland, Oregon
February 25, 1961 Everett Anderson Linwood, N.Y.
February 12, 1961 Miss Ada Chandon Berkeley, Calif.
November 19, 1955 Mrs. Bernice R. Grant Troy. Missouri
February 27, 1961 Miss Mathilde Gunderson Los Angeles, Calif. Alexandria, Virginia
March 10, 1961 February 8, 1961
Miss Elma MacPherson Detroit, Michigan February 19, 1961
BAHA'l DIRECTORY CHANGES
ADDITIONS TO COMMITTEES
Davison Bahá’í School Program Committee Mrs. Shirley Baldwin Mr. Wallace Baldwin
RESIGNATIONS FROM COMMITTEES
Area Teaching Committee — Northwestern States Mrs. Eda Lindstrom Mr. Ross Lindstrom
Bahá’í College Bureau Mrs. Helena Somerhalder Bascom
