U.S. Supplement/Issue 66/Text

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Official Proclamations Requested for 1963 World Peace Day[edit]

All local spiritual assemblies and groups who succeeded in securing Proclamations from the governors of their states with respect to observance of World Peace Day are reminded that they should make every effort to secure this Proclamation again for this year. All such Proclamations are for a given year only and therefore once having been received there should be annual requests for their renewal.

The governors of the following states issued Proclamations for World Peace Day in 1962 and most of these were reported and in some instances published in BAHÁ’Í NEWS:

Alabama Arkansas Colorado Florida Illinois Iowa Kansas Kentucky Maine Maryland Michigan Minnesota Nevada North Dakota Ohio South Dakota Washington Wisconsin.

Local spiritual assemblies in state capital cities who have not approached their governors for Proclamations for World Peace Day are urged to make every effort to secure such recognition of the event this year. If necessary, the National Spiritual Assembly will be glad to make suggestions as to the steps that should be taken.

Makah Reservation to be Site of Indian Gathering[edit]

The newly-formed Spiritual Assembly of the Makah Indian Reservation, Neah Bay, Washington, together with its neighboring Bahá’í community of Tacoma, will host an Indian Council Fire spiritual gathering on the Makah Reservation, August 17 and 18. Its purpose is to further the spirit of friendship and unity among all who can attend. Indian Councils, Chiefs, Indian friends and all seekers of true brotherhood in Canada and the United States are being invited.

There are motels and restaurants as well as camping places nearby to accommodate all visitors, who should bring warm clothing and camping gear with them. It is essential that advance notice be sent in order to enable the committee to provide sufficient supplies for the salmon bake Saturday evening and fellowship breakfast Sunday morning. A registration fee of $1.00 is required of all adults. Registration will be at the Makah Community Hall on Saturday morning, August 17.

The committee requests that all Indian friends bring with them tribal dress, songs and drums.

As soon as possible please send the name, address and number of individuals in each party to: Mrs. Joyce Eklund, 2621 North Union, Tacoma 7, Washington.

United Nations - Our Moral Challenge[edit]

A request has been issued by United Nations Headquarters that in planning programs for this year's United Nations Day, October 24, and Human Rights Day, December 10, organizations impress upon their members the desirability of especially highlighting the celebration of Human Rights Day, since it will mark the fifteenth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

With this in mind, the U.S. Bahá’í United Nations Committee is planning a separate mailing for each event. The first for United Nations Day—will be made to local assembly secretaries and to some of the larger groups by the first of September. It will contain such useful material as the latest Publications List of the United States Committee for the United Nations, a copy of the United Nations Day Proclamation by President John F. Kennedy, a reprint of an effective and colorful article on the United Nations which can be used for display purposes, a copy of the Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations, sample press, radio. and TV releases and a sample advertisement. With the transmittal letter will be a list of types of programs that can be developed.

The committee is already working on ideas for Human Rights Day and expects to present something that can be used to good advantage in commemorating this important occasion.

Our theme this year is: "United Nations - Our Moral Challenge." It is indeed a challenge we can not ignore!

—U.S. BAHÁ’Í UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE [Page 2]

Baltimore Area Plans Extensive Observance of World Peace Day[edit]

At the request of the National Assembly, Baltimore, Baltimore County, Montgomery County and the District of Columbia Bahá’í communities will co-host a wide-scale observance of World Peace Day on Sunday, September 15, at the Lyric Theater in Baltimore.

Efforts are being made to secure James Baldwin or some other prominent Negro as the non-Bahá’í speaker. Hand of the Cause William Sears will be the Bahá’í speaker and Robert Quigley of Beverly Hills, California, vice-chairman of the National Assembly, will be the chairman. Henry Boatwright, Negro singer who has already achieved national recognition in his field, has agreed to render several vocal numbers.

All Bahá’ís within travel distance are urged to attend this meeting, and to invite and bring their contacts. Besides observing this special proclamation event the meeting will represent the Bahá’í recognition of the hundred years of effort toward the attainment of racial equality within the United States.

Bahá’í Position in Racial Problems[edit]

At the July meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly long hours of study and consultation were given to the growing concern among the believers regarding the position they should take, individually and collectively, in the local programs and activities of various organizations and movements endeavoring to hasten the solution of the racial problems now demanding the attention of every American.

A statement which the Assembly hopes will be helpful to the Bahá’ís in determining their course of action has been submitted to the Universal House of Justice for its consideration. Pending a reply, the National Assembly again calls attention to the instructions of the beloved Guardian cited in The Bahá’í Community (page 49, 1963 edition) with regard to "membership in other organizations." It further calls for prayerful study and consultation on the closing pages of The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh "Community of the Most Great Name" and "World Unity is the Goal."

NSA Urges Extreme Caution Regarding Financial Assistance[edit]

The National Assembly is again receiving reports that individuals claiming to be Bahá’ís but who have lost their identification cards are calling on believers in various localities asking for funds and other assistance to meet what they claim to be emergencies. In some instances these individuals use a different name in each city.

The friends have been warned repeatedly that they are not to accept any unknown individual as a Bahá’í unless he or she produces a current Bahá’í identification card. No one should have any hesitation in asking for or producing such a card. The National Spiritual Assembly cannot be responsible for seeing that funds given or loaned to such persons are restored. Under no circumstances should a stranger without proper credentials be given the names of believers in other cities.

If the emergency is serious it is always possible to telephone the National Bahá’í Headquarters during office hours to check on the Bahá’í status of the person involved.

There are also reports that individuals who claim to be ready to enroll are calling on believers for funds and hospitality. These should be handled with extreme caution. If they name Bahá’ís with whom they are supposed to have been studying, they should be told that it will be necessary to check this statement with such persons; and again the telephone should be used for this purpose.

World Congress Tapes Now Available[edit]

The following tapes of the Bahá’í World Congress in London are now available at the prices indicated. All orders must be accompanied by payment in full.

JC1...Rúhíyyih Khánum's first talk .$ 3.00 JC2...Rúhíyyih Khánum's last talk 4.50 JC3...Tarázu’lláh Samandarí's talk 3.50 JC4...William Sears' talk at public meeting 3.50 JC5...Paul Haney's talk 3.50 JC6...Amoz Gibson's talk 3.00 JC7...Tape used at the Post-Congress Conferences in the United States on May 26, 1963 3.50. JC8...Set of entire Congress Tapes 50.00

This set includes every word said during the Congress. Consists of 12 reels of tape and runs for about 24 hours.

Order from: Bahá’í Distribution & Service Department, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.

World Peace Day September 15, 1963[edit]

A Special Event for Proclaiming the Bahá’í Faith to the Public

Theme: America's Role in World Peace

Suggested Materials: Press, radio and TV release, WPD poster, TV slide of poster from National Bahá’í Headquarters.

Bahá’í Peace Program, Dawn of World Peace, The Destiny of America from Bahá’í Publishing Trust.

Reports: Good photographs and reports of outstanding meetings should be mailed by September 20 to Bahá’í News Editorial Committee. [Page 3]

1963-1964 Special Events For Proclaiming the Bahá’í Faith to the Public[edit]

Date and Event September 15, 1963 World Peace Day

Theme America's Role in World Peace

Bahá’í Material Recommended

  • Radio & TV releases.
  • TV slide of WPD poster
  • WPD poster
    • The Destiny of America
    • Bahá’í Peace Program
    • The Dawn of World Peace

Date and Event October 24, 1963 United Nations Day

Theme United Nations — Our Moral Challenge

Bahá’í Material Recommended Material suggested by U.N. Committee

    • Pattern for Future Society
    • Bahá’í Peace Program

Date and Event November 12, 1963 Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh

Theme Bahá’u’lláh — The Promise of All Ages

Bahá’í Material Recommended

  • Special Invitation
    • Lord of the New Age
    • The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh
    • The God Who Walks with Men

Date and Event December 10, 1963 U.N. Human Rights Day

Theme United Nations — In Search of Personal Freedoms

Bahá’í Material Recommended Material suggested by U.N. Committee

    • Oneness of Mankind
    • Bahá’í Declaration of Human Rights
    • Faith for Freedom

Date and Event January 19, 1964 World Religion Day

Theme Unity in Religion

Bahá’í Material Recommended

  • Radio & TV releases
  • TV slide of WRD poster
  • WRD poster
    • The Lord Is One
    • Bahá’í Teachings for a World Faith
    • One Universal Faith
    • Bahá’í: World Faith for Modern Man

Date and Event June 14, 1964 Race Unity — Race Amity Day

Theme Assurance of World Order

Bahá’í Material Recommended

  • Radio & TV releases
  • TV slide of poster
  • RAD poster
    • Man One Family
    • The Oneness of Mankind
    • Bahá’í Answers
  • Order from Bahá’í Distribution & Service Dept., 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois
    • Order from Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois

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Proclaiming the Faith to the Public[edit]

The EVENTS listed on the other side represent the minimum which the National Spiritual Assembly desires every Bahá’í center-local assembly, group and individual to use in proclaiming the Faith to the public and in establishing relations with a larger circle of contacts.

These are the events for which the National Assembly, through its various committees, will offer special materials and assistance. All such events should be directly sponsored, announced and conducted under Bahá’í auspices, and their Bahá’í identity is not to be submerged in any interorganization arrangement. As in the past, many centers will also use occasions other than those listed to proclaim the Faith in their communities.

Good photographs and reports of outstanding observances should be sent immediately to Bahá’í News Editorial Committee. The United Nations Committee would appreciate having reports on United Nations Day and Human Rights Day.

Preserve and refer to this sheet so that all events can be carefully planned well in advance. In addition to the materials listed, the U.S. SUPPLEMENT to BAHÁ’Í NEWS will carry additional information from time to time.

July 1963 NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY