U.S. Supplement/Issue 61/Text

NSA Outlines Plans for Nation-Wide Celebration of Most Great Festival

At the January meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly specific steps were taken for the celebration of the “Most Great Festival” in “every city, hamlet, and village where Bahá’ís are to be found” throughout the United States, during the same period when thousands of believers from all parts of the world are gathered in London April 28 to May 2 for the same purpose. In mapping out the plans and appointing a special committee to develop the details, the Assembly was guided by the beloved Guardian’s own instructions for the celebration of this historic occasion which were quoted in the message to the believers of the world from the Hands of the Cause on October 31, 1962, as follows:

“An unprecedented, a carefully conceived, efficiently coordinated, nation-wide campaign, aiming at the proclamation of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, through speeches, articles in the press, and radio broadcasts, should be promptly and vigorously prosecuted. The universality of the Faith, its aims and purposes, episodes in its dramatic history, testimonials to its transforming power, and the character and distinguishing features of its World Order should be emphasized and explained to the general public, and particularly to eminent friends and leaders sympathetic to its cause, who should be approached and invited to participate in the celebrations. Lectures, conferences, banquets, special publications should, to whatever extent is practicable and according to the resources at the disposal of the believers, proclaim the character of this joyous Festival.”

In view of the unique opportunity which this occasion provides for widespread publicity of the victories won by the Faith during the Ten-Year Crusade, and to share our joy with our non-Bahá’í friends and contacts, all local spiritual assemblies are requested to appoint a special committee immediately to work out plans for the appropriate celebration in the local community. Bahá’í groups and even isolated believers are also urged to make their plans for the local celebration of this historic occasion so that every locality that has been exposed to the spirit of Bahá’u’lláh will join in this universal and never-to-be-repeated event.

Both local spiritual assemblies and Bahá’í groups might well consider holding two types of celebration one which can be shared with the public and one very joyous occasion for the Bahá’ís themselves. The latter could be in the form of a joint celebration among

neighboring Bahá’í communities and groups at which there could be a brief program of prayers and readings of praise and gratitude as well as thankfulness for having had a part in such a glorious spiritual crusade, with the balance of the time spent in discussing the spectacular progress of the Faith in the first century of its existence, and in Bahá’í fellowship.

The Hands of the Faith have indicated that we would be provided with suggestions and material for publicity purposes and as soon as this is available it will be sent out to all communities. In the meantime the National Spiritual Assembly is sharing with you the plans already under way:

1. A prestige brochure is being prepared for distribution to the press, to an extensive national mailing list, to be given to visitors to the Bahá’í House of Worship for a period preceding and during the Jubilee, and for distribution to local Bahá’í communities for_mailing and handing out at any public programs they may undertake.

2. A tape recording on the meaning and significance of the Most Great Festival will be made by Hand of the Cause William Sears for use on local radio stations, for public or all-Bahá’í meetings.

3. An interview script to gain local publicity, especially emphasizing the London Congress and the event which it commemorates, including a summary of the accomplishments of the World Crusade, will be made available to all local communities. This can be supplemented by the addition of announcements of the events that are taking place 10cally and possibly references to the persons from the locality who will be attending the London gathering.

4. The National Spiritual Assembly will prepare a statement for the press which can be used for local press conferences as well as for the conferences the Assembly itself will hold in connection with the event.

5. The actual celebration will be inaugurated at a press luncheonin Chicago for columnists, editors, feature writers, reporters from daily newspapers, magazine writers, TV and radio program directors, and those having special interview shows, with a selected number of Bahá’ís as hosts and hostesses. Following the luncheon a brief statement will be

[Page 2]made by the chairman of the National Assembly on the purpose of the Congress in London and the commemoration of the Most Great Festival throughout the world. A portfolio of materials will be given to the members of the press and other publicity representatives present, consisting of a press release, the prestige brochure referred to above, a brief statement concerning the event, and perhaps a kit of photographs of the Shrines at the World Center, the Bahá’í Temples and possibly Royal Albert Hall in London, where the Congress is to be held.

As quickly as the materials are ready they will be made available to the believers, but immediate local action should be taken to make plans for an all-out and most joyous celebration of Bahá’u’lláh’s Proclamation of His Mission to all mankind.

Who Will Arise to Insure Victory on the Home Front?

As we speed toward the closing days of the beloved Guardian’s World Crusade, we grow increasingly concerned lest we who have so well achieved the tasks which he assigned to us throughout the rest of the world will not have won the most important goal given to us on the home front, namely, the establishment of 300 firmly grounded, well-informed, actively functioning local spiritual assemblies.

On the date on which this issue of BA1-I/Vi NEWS goes to press 29 of the local spiritual assemblies formed or elected on April 21, 1962, have fallen below the minimum number of members necessary to maintain their assembly status beyond Riḍván this year, and there are not enough new assemblies in sight to replace them. This is an extremely serious crisis and one for which each member of the American Bahá’í community bears responsibility.

As reported at the state conventions, one hundred settlers willing to move to one of the critical areas or goal groups would make it possible for us to surpass by a safe margin the minimum number of assemblies to win this victory.

This is our very last chance to achieve total victory in the tasks so lovingly and confidently given to the American Bahá’í community by Shoghi Effendi. Therefore the National Spiritual Assembly makes this urgent appeal to any settlers who can arise to fill a post in these goal communities. If necessary, some financial assistance can be provided to assist in moving and with maintenance for a limited time while seeking employment. Anyone who can make himself or herself available should write immediately to: The American National Teaching Committee, Mrs. Velma Sherrill, Secretary, 534 South Elm Street, Webster Groves 19, Missouri.

It is understood, of course, that no Bahá’í already in a goal city or a community having fewer than ten or eleven members will offer his services unless he can replace himself in his present community before leavmg.

Who will be numbered among the reinforcements who will insure this final victory on the home front?

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

MARCH 1963

WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET

Tenth Year: I 962- I 963

ANNUAL BUDGET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . .$625.000.00 IllIIIIIIIIIllllIllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIIllIIIIIIIIlllIllllIillIIllIIIIiIIIIillIIIIIIllIIllllllIllIIllllIIIIIIIllIIllllIIll||||i|||l|||||||||||l||

Total Requirements: May 1 to January 31 . . . . 468,756.00 illIIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIllIIIIIIIIIllIIlllIllIllIIlilIIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIllII||lIIllIIIllllI||l||ll|l||l|l||lI||||l

Total Contributions: May 1 to January 31 323,103.85 IIIIIIIIIllIIIIllIIIllllIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIiIIIIIIIIIIIlllllllllllllllllllllll

Deficit to January 31 . . , . . . . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 145,652.15

Some Thoughts on Pioneering on the Home Front

The glamour of going to far places is naturally much stronger than that of moving into the house next door. We are all inspired by the trials overcome and the bounties won by our pioneers abroad. But what of those of us who could not go to far places but took the less glittering path to the house next door? I wish to state that the trials are there to overcome and the bounties just as great.

It will be nine years the end of this month since I came here as a pioneer. From the beginning God has showered His gifts in the way of a job, housing and such material things—beyond my expectations. There have been trials, too. The spiritual ground here is as dry and stony as the earth the city stands on. Dig down anywhere and you hit granite. However, it seems at last that green sprouts are about to spring from seeds sown.

I feel truly sorry for those who choose to stay in the large communities instead of going out alone or to join a small group. They are missing so very much. They are losing the chance to grow spiritually.

——CHRISTINE IVANorr

1962 State Convention of Virginia, held in Verona.

[Page 3]U.S. SUPPLEMENT

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Bahá’ís of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and guests at a. meeting held in the City Hall of Kenner.

NSA of Central and East Africa

Urgently Calls for Settlers

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Central and East Africa has appealed for Bahá’í settlers to meet the following urgent needs:

A French-speaking, or a French-English-speaking, Bahá’í for the Seychelles Islands, preferably a retired couple or a single person, who would like to live cheaply in an ideal climate. This virgin goal of the Ten-Year Crusade has recently lost a family of five pioneers.

A Bahá’í civil engineer experienced in giving advice to assist small towns in Uganda in the installation of drains, the improvement of roads, etc. The salary would be good for the country, and since the individual would be working away from the main center in Kampala he could be of great assistance to the outlying Bahá’í communities crying for guidance and consolidation.

Any individuals interested in responding to these appeals may write directly to: Mr. Philip Hainsworth, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Central and East Africa, P.O. Box 2662, Kampala, Uganda, with a carbon copy to the U.S. National Assembly.

Special Credentials for Jubilee

NO ONE will be admitted to Albert Hall in London without a book of tickets and special attached credentials. All believers going by charter flight will automatically receive theirs before leaving. Bahá’ís making their own travel arrangements must notify the National Spiritual Assembly immediately in order to be provided with these important credentials.

sary of the incorporation of Freeport, New York.

Tender Loving Care

Is there someone you know who is not very active? Maybe if each of us could visit one of these people to let him know that we still care, that we still love him or her, that his or her interest in the Faith is vital, this “tender loving care” might pay off in renewed enthusiasm and activity. If we try to understand other people's problems, help with them in any way we can by living the Bahá’í life, we might be surprised at the number of inactive Bahá’ís who once more come to the fore to help us during the final months

of the Crusade. (From the Central Atlantic States Area Bulletin.)

Note Paper With Temple Illustration Available

Attractive French-fold note paper has cover illustration of House of Worship; inside cover carries nine quotations from Bahá’u’lláh, which appear over Temple entrances; space for greeting, note or invitation; 4% x 6%; dignified, may be used in many ways to promote the Faith. Replacement for Invitation #1 listed in Teaching Kit and our catalogue. Prices: Including envelopes, 50 for $1.50, 100 for $2.50, 1000 for $22.50.

Send order with accompanying remittance to: Bahá’í Distribution and Service Department, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois

ln Memoriam

Mrs. Nannette McDougal1 Westminster, Calif. December 13, 1962

Mrs. Erna Louise Smith Cleveland, Ohio January 3, 1963

James J. O'Neill Oakland, Calif. November 30, 1962

Mrs. Sarah Cleonice Warren Athol, Mass. December 28, 1962

[Page 4]Arts and Crafts Project Attracts Children

Since September fifteen to twenty youngsters have been meeting twice a month on Saturday mornings for arts and crafts classes in Lima, Ohio. The sessions open with a prayer, devote about an hour to craft projects, include a social time and refreshments and close with a prayer.

So far the children have made a basket, letterholder, flour-and-salt map of Persia and a nine—pointed star. The symbology of the basket is an interesting teaching method: The circle at the foundation illustrates the Word of God; when nine straws, for nine great religions of the world, are placed in the foundation, it represents the Prophets’ contact with the Holy Spirit; the way in which the straws are interwoven shows the lives of the Prophets interwoven with those of the people.

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Exhibit at the Ohio State Convention, showing the work of children in an arts and crafts project in Lima.

MARCH 1963

Bahá’í Marriages Flagstaff, Arizona: Miss Mary Lynn Mitchell to Jack V. Kyselka, Jr. on November 11, 1962

Phoenix. Arizona: Mrs. Nellie Yazzie Seeley Carl to Peter Smith Terry on November 25, 1962

Burbank, Calif.: Miss Michele Pappas to Alan R. Crawley on August 25, 1962

Fresno, Calif; Miss Margie Lynne Fortney to Paul Leroy Hanz on December 23, 1962

Los Angeles, Calif.: Mrs. Lizanne Truex to Robert Englander on December 2, 1962

Washington, D.C.: Mrs. Constance Way Stewart to Alfred K. Beckley, Jr. on September 26, 1962

Honolulu, Hawaii: Mrs. Lydia A. McCarter to Thomas A. Davidson on November 16, 1962

_Boise, Idaho: Mrs. Gladys E. Leonard to George Raymond

Radford on August 24, 1961

Chicago, Illinois: Miss Lynn Carson to Gustavo Lopez on January 12, 1963

Wilmette, Illinois: Miss Mary N. Worthy to Duane D. Dumbleton on December 27, 1962

Ann Arbor, Michigan: Miss Lorol E. Herider to Marion R. Finley, Jr. on November 24, 1962 ‘

Ann Arbor, Michigan: Miss Violet Wuerfel to Dr. Ronald Clark on November 24, 1962

Flint, Michigan: Miss Caroline Ann Schuch to Rowell Stroup Hoff on May 12, 1962

Albuquerque, New Mexico: Miss Melanie Kae Nothwang to Antonio B. Ortiz on October 9, 1962

Philadelphia, Pa.: Mrs. Jane M. Lear Bashore to Calvin Maris Smith on October 20. 1962

Greenville, S.C.: Miss Gail Elkins to Dr. Tarazollah Akhaven on December 28, 1962

Austin, Texas: Miss Sylvia Ming to Frank H. Bethune on December 29, 1962

El Paso, Texas: Mrs. Dorothy C. Neer to Armand La France on October 20, 1962

Seattle, Wash.: Miss Sherrie Seibert to Louis Milton Signer on January 8, 1963

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin: Mrs. Margaret C. Cluberton to Edward W. Clayton on December 21, 1962

BAHA'| DIRECTORY CHANGES

ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES

Southern California District #1 Hermosa Beach: Mrs. Virginia Curtis, 104 Barney Court Colorado Jefferson County: Mrs. Doris Kirkham, 1355 Brentwood Ave., Lakewood 15

Florida Fort Myers: Mrs. Doris Corbin, 2716 Michigan Ave. Georgia DeKalb Co.: Mrs. Estelle Lindsey, 1730 Highland Pl. Western New York Geneva: Mrs. Marguerite Firoozi, 100 Seneca St. Ohio Dayton: Mrs. Vurleen Guffey, 225 Xenia Ave., Z 10 Utah Salt Lake County: Mrs. Vale Vaughn, 5681 S. Oakdale Dr.. Salt Lake City 17

Eastern Washington . Pasco: Mrs. Carol Czerniejewski, 1319 Hopkins

ADDITIONS TO COMMITTEES

U.S. United Nations Mrs. Rosita Bejar Mr. Francis des Iles

Area Teaching CommitteeSouthern New England States Mr. Andrew Scalzi

Area Teaching Committee—East Central States Mr. Hormoz Alizadeh

College Bureau Miss Dorothy Ellis

RESIGNATION FROM COMMITTEE

Area Teaching Committee Southern New Eng_land States Miss Bettina Thomas