U.S. Supplement/Issue 48/Text

[Page 1]

National Assembly Shares Encouraging News of

Progress‘Toward Attainment of Home-Front Goals

The National Spiritual Assembly is happy to share with the friends the results observed upon reviewing recent reports of the local spiritual assemblies of the American Bahá’í community concerning membership status and teaching activities. Over eighty per cent of the assemblies responded to the request for such reports and the National Assembly wishes to express its appreciation for their cooperation. It is felt that an annual or semiannual survey of the condition of assemblies on the home front serves not only to give a picture of the progress being made, but in addition, assists the individual communities in appraising and revising their goals in the World Crusade and methods of attaining them.

Of the 190 assemblies reporting, 142 have 434 members conducting individual firesides on a regular basis, and 121 communities have study classes for inquirers. One hundred twenty communities have- adopted definite goals toward which they are working. Ninety-four assemblies have reaped results from their teaching efforts in the enrollment of 227 new believers, and seventy-seven assemblies are preparing 160 additional applicants for enrollment. Honolulu, Hawaii, leads the states in the number of enrollments, with twenty-seven new members since Riḍván.

General Upsurge in Effective Teaching

Replies to the question on the report form: “What is the present status of your goals?” evidence a general upsurge in effective teaching, although there are all degrees of progress indicated. From the least encouraging, “Depressing,” as reported by an assembly that has been reduced to eight members, to “The requisite number of fifteen for incorporation has been achieved and the money is available,” are the following examples: “We are falling short of our goal for new members but are still working hard to accomplish it;” “goals in the process of fulfillment;” “we are striving prayerfully, but at present have not reached our goals;” “activity in the community is in creasing steadily and rapidly;” “right now six more excellent prospects for enrollment and good feeling of expectation for months ahead;” “since discussions on

more firesides, we have had an increase of three additional homes;” “it is a very hopeful situation, each

goal is moving and progressing;” “each one is saying more prayers, we are raising our contribution to the NSA, and we are trying to get our five contacts to the study class and enrollment stage;” and, “one new member enrolled and five preparing will fill the goal set by the assembly.”

It is heartening to note that many communities have adopted the goal of increased contributions to the National Fund, and most of them report that this objective is being met.

Some few assemblies reported that they have no definite goals, and it is hoped that they will reconsider their status and resources and consult upon what they would like to contribute to the Crusade during these last months, and how they can make this contribution.

Pronounced Increase in Enrollments

For the period from May through December 1961 the number of enrollments in the United States is 454, an increase of twenty per cent over the same period in the previous year. And with the withdrawals, deaths, transfers in and out of the country, and Bahá’í youth attaining adult status, the net increase in membership for the same period is more than doubled.

At the end of December twenty-five groups had attained membership sufficient to insure the formation of an assembly at Riḍván, while fourteen established assemblies were below nine in membership.

Mass-Proclamation Pilot Projects Stir Wave ot Enthusiasm among Participants

Another Crusade task is being accelerated through the highly successful launching of pilot programs of mass proclamation accomplished in the Salt Lake City, Utah, vicinity and in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, area. Preliminary reports indicate that the programs have begun with a powerful thrust, through an abundance of publicity preceding three closely scheduled public meetings followed immediately with telephone campaigns and prepared follow-up teaching. Unprecedented proclamation of the Faith through the media of press, radio and television, as called for by the beloved Guardian, has brought about a great wave of enthusiasm among those participating and an awakening [Page 2]2

of interest on the part of the general public. Through this means Bahá’u’lláh is being boldly proclaimed to hundreds of thousands of people as the Promised One of All Ages!

More detailed reports on this exciting project will be given from time to time.

Believers Urged to Continue Efiorl-s to Fultill Trust Given American Community

The spirit of dedication to the beloved Guardian's World Spiritual Crusade is reflected in unprecedented activity throughout the country and evident awareness, on the part of the majority of the believers, of the needs on the home front.

The National Spiritual Assembly urges every individual and every group and assembly to continue assessing each effort, each contribution, each goal, each prayer to determine how to better serve the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh in this critical time and bring complete victory in fulfilling the trust given the American believers by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi.

Annual Convention Will Meet in Wilmette April 26-29

The Fifty-Fourth Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of the United States will be held in Foundation Hall of the House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois, April 26-29, 1962.

An up-to—date list of nearby hotels and motels, with their rates, will be given in the next issue of Bahá’í NEWS. Delegates and visitors who wish this type of accommodation are requested to make their own reservations with the hotel or motel of their choice. Friends wishing accommodations in private homes should send their requests for reservations to: Mrs. Gertrude D. Marks, 3239 Central Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.

Reservations through Mrs. Marks must be requested in writing and, after being confirmed by her, must be acknowledged to her by mail. This procedure has been adopted in order to eliminate errors and to emphasize the binding nature of such reservations.

The Convention Arrangements Committee will limit child care to the daytime sessions only. It will not have facilities to care for children in arms or other children requiring individual attention.

—CONVENTION ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE

NSA Asks Prompt Reporting of Bahá’í. Marriages and Youth Attaining Voting Status

The friends are asked to cooperate in the prompt reporting of Bahá’í marriages and of enrolled youth attaining voting age. This information is urgently needed in order to keep national records up to date.

The marriages referred to are those witnessed by officers of assemblies that are incorporated, and that are recognized by state law as qualified to perform this function without recourse to other agencies such as civil authorities or clergy.

FEBRUARY ‘1962

National Assembly Appeals for Prompt Notification Regarding Changes of Address

Whenever a believer moves, whether within the same city or town or elsewhere, he or she should immediately notify national headquarters; also the secretary of the local assembly (or of the area teaching committee, if isolated).

Because many of the friends move, temporarily or permanently, without notice and without making arrangements for the forwarding of their third-class mail, a great stack of Bahá’í Naws is returned to Wilmette every month, postage collect. As a result, no more copies of the NEWS or any other Bahá’í mail can be sent until word comes from the new addresses.

Many assembly secretaries report that members of their communities move without informing them. Sometimes the secretaries have to inquire of national headquarters as to their whereabouts, thus involving many people in unnecessary work and expense.

In the light of this, the National Assembly appeals to all believers, both adult and youth, to inform headquarters at once of any change of address, and at the same time to notify the local assembly or area secretary. This will prevent delay in the receipt of important Bahá’í mail and at the same time save money for the National Bahá’í Fund.

WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET Ninth Year: l96|-62

Regular contributions for November . . . . . . . . . .$ 27,351.86

Monthly budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 45,833.33

Contributions as % of budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 596

Regular contributions for December . . . . . . . . . Q 37,668.59

Contributions as % of budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82.2

Cumulative contributions through December.. 220,419.30

Contributions as % of budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60.0 Cumulative special non-recurring

contributions: May — December . . . . _ . . . . . . 52,960.00 Net deficit, after special contributions . . . . . . .. 93,293.00

Contributions for the month of December showed a substantial increase over those for all preceding months of this Bahá’í year. Regular and special gifts combined were in excess of the budget by $17,650.

This result is indeed encouraging. However, we already face a deficit for the year as a whole of almost $100,000 and a monthly budget requirement of $45,833. At the very least, it is vital that contributions continue at more than the December rate for the last four months of the Bahá’í year. The greatest measure of sacrificial effort is called for on the part of the American Bahá’í community.

[Page 3]U.5. SUPPLEMENT

How to Contribute to The International Fund

In view of the appeal in the recent Message from the Hands of the Cause for contributions to support the urgent and necessary work at the World Center, the following instructions are repeated:

“Every believer is privileged to send a contribution

directly to the Hands of the Faith for the support of

the World Center. Such a contribution may be in the form of a regular bank check or draft (payable to the Bahá’í Custodians’ Fund) and should be addressed as follows:

Bahá’í Custodians’ Fund

P.O. Box 155

Haifa, Israel”

Such contributions should NOT be sent to the National Treasurer nor to National Bahá’í Headquarters.

Expelled for Association with Covenant-Brealiers

Since publication in the U.S. Supplement of the October 1961 issue of Bahá’í NEWS of the last list of supporters of the baseless claim of Mason Remey, the following individuals have been expelled by the Hands of the Cause for their association with the defectors:

Mrs. Laura Gartley, Elmhurst, Ill.

Mrs. Elaine Passow, Elmhurst, Ill.

Mrs. Esther Sego, Augusta, Ga.

Alvero Jensen, present whereabouts unknown.

Dr. Marie M. Frain, and her daughters Dian Massicot Frain and Frances Massicot Frain, Warren, Pa.

Association with these individuals is forbidden as

is also association with any others known to be supporting the views and activities of covenant-breakers.

National Assembly Again Cautions Believers About

Correspondence on Matters of National Concern

The attention of the National Spiritual Assembly has been called to the fact that. Mrs. Juliet Hollister has been receiving letters from individual Bahá’ís from many parts of the country about her proposed “Temple of Understanding,” which has received much national publicity.

We regret that it has again become necessary to remind the believers that, as a matter of principle, no Bahá’í should correspond with any persons on matters of national interest or concern. It should not be assumed that the NSA has not already taken steps to deal with them.

In this particular case, representatives of the NSA have had several excellent contacts with Mrs. Hollister over a considerable period of time, and she acknowledges and understands the Bahá’í position with regard to non-participation in the construction or activities of the Temple of Understanding.

Bahá’í Marriages

Evanston, Illinois: Mrs. Julia Lomax to Robert Coleman on October 12, 1961

Ann Arbor, Michigan: Miss Evelyn Joanne Blecha to Stephen Donald Miranda on November 26, 1961

Hamburg Twp., New York: Miss Bonnie Mae Pringle to Thomas Michael Foster on November 4, 1961

Lima, Ohio: Mrs. Nettiemae Berry to Roy Walters on November 25, 1961

Odessa, Texas: Mrs. Sandra Couch to Ronald Lucero on November 12, 1961

Naw-Rúz March 21. ‘1962

A Special Event for Proclaiming Hie Bahá’í Faifh to fire Public

Sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly

Theme: The Bahá’í New Year

Suggested Publicity Materials: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and The Lord of the New Age from Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Reports:

Newspaper clippings are to be sent immediately to Bahá’í Public Information Service.

Written reports and photographs for publication in Bahá’í NEWS are to be sent by April 20 to the Bahá’í News Editorial Committee.

Bahá’í World Youth Day March 25. ‘1962

A Special Event for Proclaiming flue Bahá’í Faith {'0 the Public

Sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly

Theme: Finding One’s Self in Today's World

Suggested Publicity Materials: Bahá’í: World Faith for Modern Man and I Am a Bahá’í from Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Reports:

Newspaper clippings are to be sent immediately to Bahá’í Public Information Service.

Written reports and photographs for publication in Bahá’í News are to be sent by April 20 to the Bahá’í News Editorial Committee.

[Page 4]FEBRUARY 1962

BAHA'I DIRECTORY CHANGES

ADDITIONS TO COMMITTEES

Area Teaching Committee—North Atlantic States Mrs. Juliette Meade Mr. Richard Suhm

American Indian Service Committee ’Mr. Francis M. Johnson

RESIGNATION FROM COMMITTEE

Area Teaching Committee—Rocky Mountain States Mr. Ralph Wiggins, Jr.

BAH/'\'l SUMMER SCHOOL COMMITTEES |96|-1962

Green Acre Bahá’í Institute Program Committee

Dr. Sam McClellan, Chairman

Mrs. Joan Appleton, Secretary, Box 363, Ipswich, Mass. Mrs. Mildred McClellan

Mr. Harry Merson

Mrs. Leonora Norman

Mrs. Pamela Webster

Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh

Mr. Farhang Javid

Mrs. Kathleen Javid

Miss Marina Kazemzadeh

Mr. Donald Cruikshank

Dr. Alfred Neumann

Davison Bahá’í School Program Committee Mr. Fred Sudhop, Convenor Mrs. Shirley Baldwin Mr. Marion R. Finley, Jr. Miss Phyllis Hall Dr. Harrison Langrall Mrs. Mary Jane Langrall Mrs. Helen McClusky Mrs. Betty Weston Mrs. Rhea Akemann Mr, Richard Akemann Mr. John Livengood Mrs. Vivian Curwin Mr. Gerald Curwin Mrs. Jean Shepherd Mr. Jack Shepherd

Davison Bahá’í School Maintenance Committee Mr. Harold Johnson, Chairman Mrs. Elizabeth Brogan, Secretary, 870 W. Drayton, Ferndale, Mich. Mrs. Barbara Willson Mr. Robert Z. Willson Mrs. Laura Post Mr. J. Wesley Nash Mr. Clinton Wideman Mr. Fred Dillingham Mr. Philip Cavanagh Mr. Gerald Horne Mrs. Eulie Horne

Southeastern Bahá’í School Program Committee Mr. Albert James, Chairman Miss Kathryn M. Potter, Secretary, 124 Oak Court, Greensboro, N.C. Dr. Nelson Brown Mrs. Sally Brown Miss Nancy Ford Mr. Wiley B. Allison Mrs. Carlotta Holmes Mrs. Elaine Eilers

Mrs. Rose Lefkowitz Hillside, New Jersey

Southwestern Bahá’í School Program Committee

Mr. Robert Hopkins, Chairman Mrs. Betty Hopkins, Secretary, 2314 Klondike Dr., Dallas 28, Texas

Mrs. Allene Squires

Mr. Leo Squires

Mr. Raul Walls

Mr. Russell Jurgens

Mrs. JoAnne Menking

Mr. Howard Menking

Geyserville Bahá’í School Program Committee

Mr. Richard Groger, Chairman Mrs. Helena Bascom, Secretary, 2999 Van Sansul, Apt. 1, San Jose, Calif. Mrs. Adrienne Reeves Mr. Edwin Carr Mrs. Nancy Carr Mrs. Alice Dent Mrs. Anna Stevenson Mrs. Mary Ellen Zamzow

Geyserville Bahá’í School Maintenance Committee

Mr. James Zamzow, Chairman Mrs. Eloise Jordan, Secretary, 1712 Pamela Dr., Santa Rosa, Calif.

Mr. Robert Jordan

Mr. Adolph Wielk

Mr. Harry Irwin

Mr. Richard Groger

Mr. Donald Phillips

Mr. Francis Penzotti

Mr. Harry Thompson

Mrs. Edna Thompson

Mr. Roderic Haake

Intermountain Bahá’í Summer Conference Committee

Mr. John W. Conkling, Convenor Mrs. Micky Afnan

Mr. Shamseddin Afnan

Mr. Jack S. Angell

Mr. Eldon D. Foreman

Mr. Arthur Krummell

Mrs. Clair Schneider

Mr. Clarence D. Schneider

In Memoriam

Mrs. Katherine E. Alexander Miss Fanny M. Holmes Batavia, Illinois

Orlando, Florida

November 23, 1961 November 12, 1961

Hamilton T. Meeks Eatontown, New Jersey

November 1961 December 3, 1961

Mrs. Pearl L. Wesley Blythe, California November 30. 1961