U.S. Supplement/Issue 69/Text

NSA Receives Resolution From

The Universal House of Justice

On October 6 The Universal House of Justice addressed the following letter to all National Spiritual Assemblies:

Beloved Friends,

We wish to share with you the text of the following resolution:

“After prayerful and careful study of the Holy Texts bearing upon the question of the appointment of the successor to Shoghi Effendi as Guardian of the Cause of God, and after prolonged consultation which included consideration of the views of the Hands of the Cause of God residing in the Holy Land, The Universal House of Justice finds that there is no way to appoint or to legislate to make it possible to appoint a second Guardian to succeed Shoghi Effendi.”

Please share this message with the friends in your jurisdiction.

With loving greetings,

(Signed) THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

The State Convention

The call for the annual State Conventions scheduled for December 1 will soon be issued to every voting believer in the United States. These are your conventions. Participation in them is a direct expression of our Bahá’í life. Let us have full attendance, one hundred percent voting this year, and fruitful consultation on the important issues facing us!

The State Conventions were instituted by the Guardian in 1944, in order to permit Bahá’ís outside the local communities to have the privilege of voting for the delegate or delegates assigned to their state or electoral district, and to provide opportunity for a greater deepening of the spirit of fellowship among Bahá’ís throughout the United States. He emphasized the fact that the State Conventions are designed not only to elect delegates to the National Convention, but also “to promote Bahá’í solidarity in every State . . . and, by bringing together the believers, enable them to function more efficiently and harmoniously and promote the work of the Cause that lies ahead.” They should be conducted in such a manner as to evoke latent capacity, create fellowship, and kindle “acceptance” of the Message into the flame of zealous service.

Thus, the State Convention is not merely an elec toral body called upon to elect a determined number of delegates, but also a consultative body dealing with important considerations of teaching and other Bahá’í services. The messages presented at the Convention relate the individual believer to the larger national and international issues and inform him of the most important current affairs.

We Bahá’ís have a sacred obligation to strengthen the organic functions of the Faith, and this means attendance at Nineteen-Day Feasts, service on assemblies when elected and on committees when appointed, and constructive participation in the State Convention. The Faith progresses by the interpenetration of the Holy Spirit with the minds and hearts of men. When we affirm our decision to participate, we help raise the Bahá’í community to the higher level of inspiration and understanding.

The institution of the State Convention may be defined as the link between the individual believer and the members of the National Assembly. Just as the annual election determines the quality and capacity of the local spiritual assembly for the coming year, so the State Convention can and should determine the quality of the National Spiritual Assembly. There is, however, this distinction, that whereas the local community elects directly the members of the local assembly, the State Convention elects the delegates who constitute the annual National Convention which elects the National Spiritual Assembly during Riḍván.

While the institutions of the local and national assembly are based upon definite principles and have a constant character from year to year, their membership is expected to represent the highest qualities available at the time. The Guardian emphasized the qualities to be considered by delegates in elections, and stated that the friends must do all in their power to ascertain the qualifications of those whom they are electing for any national service.

The mechanics of carrying out the two functions of a State Convention are simple. The Convention call supplies to each Bahá’í all the information he needs as to where and when his Convention is to be held, where to mail his ballot if unable to attend, the number of delegates he should vote for in his state or electoral district, and the agenda and procedure.

In advance of the Convention, whether he can be present or not, each individual Voter should study and reflect on the agenda and carefully consider the qualifications of the delegates for whom he votes. V

[Page 2]NSA Asks Effective Use of Bahá’í Directory

Each American believer has received the Bahá’í Directory for 1963-64 (in two parts). Issued annually for the sole purpose of providing valuable information to assemblies, groups, individuals and committees, the directory should be used systematically in planning and carrying out the teaching work.

Reference to the functions assigned to each committee will indicate the type of assistance and information available from that particular source. The “Proclamation" and “Service” committees especially have much to offer in the way of materials and suggestions.

As an aid in channelling requests to the proper office, the “Materials Directory" (last page of Part II) can be most helpful. In the past much valuable time and effort have been spent in forwarding orders that were sent to the wrong office or committee, or which combined requests from more than one source. The Publishing Trust, which is greatly under-staffed, has been the victim of far too many requests for services and materials which that office does not handle, and which would not have been sent there if reference had been made to the directory or the literature catalog.

If the directory is to serve its purpose it should be carefully filed for ready reference and kept up-to-date by noting the changes that appear in the U.S. SUPPLEMENT.

Assemblies are Asked to Specify

Source of Free Literature

The increasing volume of requests for literature coming to the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, the NSA and even to the Bahá’í Temple from localities where there are Bahá’ís leads the National Assembly to believe that local assemblies and Bahá’í groups do not state clearly in their advertising, in their radio announcements or in the pieces of literature they send out or distribute at public meetings, the local address from which further information and literature may be secured. None of these institutions have the means or personnel to handle these requests and it is not only time-consuming but it creates misunderstanding and delay if the request is referred back to the local assembly or group for action. What might be enthusiastic interest at the time may very well cool off because of the delay or the search for the publisher’s address.

On almost every pamphlet or mailing piece there is sufficient space to use a small rubber-stamped name, address and telephone number. It could read: “For further information please contact . . .” It should be small, neat, readable print, placed where it will not spoil the appearance of the pamphlet or brochure. Obviously, such stamped pieces should be used only for public distribution and not handed to personal contacts and friends. —NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

NOVEMBER 1963

Human Rights Day December ‘I0. ‘1963

A Special Event for Proclaiming fhe Bahá’í Faiflr to fire Public

Theme: United Nations —In Search of Personal Freedom

Suggested Materials: Oneness of Mankind, Bahá’í Declaration of Human Rights and Faith for Freedom from Bahá’í Publishing Trust.

Reports: Reports and good photographs of outstanding observances should be mailed at once to Bahá’í News Editorial Committee.

Teachers Needed on Indian Reservations

The American Indian Service Committee appeals for pioneers to settle on a number of Indian reservations where some contact with the Faith has already been made and on others where contact should be made. To assist all pioneers who wish to teach among the American Indians the committee is compiling up to date information on employment opportunities and also can suggest locations which are most promising from a teaching point of view.

Bahá’ís not needed in their present location to maintain an assembly are urged to consider the opportunity to serve the Faith on an Indian reservation and to write without delay to the American Indian Service Committee. Mrs. Nancy Phillips, secy.; 736 Encanto Dr., S.E.; Phoenix, Arizona (85007).

Bahá’í Credentials

It is important that all believers have current Bahá’í identification cards, and it is the responsibility of each member to see that his card is kept current. With the steadily increasing number of members it is impossible for individuals to rely upon other believers to identify them at conferences and similar meetings.

Members of Bahá’í communities should apply to their local assembly for up-to-date identification cards, while isolated or group members apply to the National Spiritual Assembly.

[Page 3]U.S. SUPPLEMENT

ANNUAL BUDGET FOR 1963-1964

ANNUAL BUDGET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..$725»000-00 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIIlllllllllllIlllllllIIIIIIIIIllIllIIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIllllIIIllIIIllIIIllIIIllIIIIIIIIIlllIllIllllIIlllllll|||l|l|l||||l||||||||| Total Requirements: May 1 to September 30 . . 302,083.35

l|||IIIIIIllIIIIIIllIIIII||IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllllIllIIlllIIllIIIIIIIllIIIllIIIllIIIllllIlllllllllllllllllllll Total Contributions: May 1 to September 30 .. 189,178.41

IIIIII||H|||l||||||||l||ll|||||i||||l||i||||i||||||||||||||||||ll|i Deficit to September 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . -~ 111904-94 Contributions for September . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 50,481.12

Annual Winter Session at the Davison Bahá’í School

3208 S. State Road Davison. Michigan December 26. 1963 through January I. 1964

Please send in reservations early for seven days of stimulating Bahá’í study classes plus fun and fellowship around the cozy fireside in Unity House.

BAHA'I DIRECTORY CHANGES ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES

Arizona Tucson: Mrs. Isabelle S. Dodge, 2833 E. 2nd St.

Northern California

Palo Alto-Mountain View Jud. Dist.: Miss Caryl Fuller, c/o Lissner, 11482 Alford Ave., Los Altos

Santa Rosa Jud. Dist.: Mrs. Beverly Stafford, 4752 Cambridge Ct.

Sonoma Jud. Dist.: Mrs. Jean Wielk, P.O. Box 86, Kenwood

Southern California District #1 south Bay Jud, Dist., Los Angeles County: (To correct Assembly name)

Colorado _ Jefferson County: Mrs. Doris Kirkham (to correct spelling of secretary’s name) 1335 Brentwood St., Lakewood

Georgia Atlanta: Mrs. Nancy Larson, 237 Ashby St., S.W., Z 14

Southern Illinois Quincy: Mrs. Esther Markel, 1809 Maine St.

Indiana Kokomo: Mrs. F. Eva Eriksen, 606 E. North St. South Bend: Mrs. Ann Augustine, 709 N. Harrison Ave.

Maryland Baltimore: Miss F. Mildred Elmer, 5301 Gwyns Oak Ave.. Z 7

Missouri Clayton: Mrs. Clarice Weil, 806 Audubon Dr., 63105

Western New York Syracuse: Mrs. Yvonne Handel, 558 Cortland Ave., Z 5 (to correct street name) Town of Tonawanda: (to correct Assembly name)

North Carolina Charlotte: Mrs. Thelma Cashion, 1209 Spruce St., 28203

Texas El Paso: Mrs. Catherine Arenas, 425 Sunset Odessa: Mrs. Geneva Bell, 4501 Redbud (to correct street name)

Utah Ogden: Mrs. Clair Schneider, 1008 24th St. Virginia Fairfax County: (to correct Assembly name, formerly Falls Church)

Western Washington Kirkland: Mr. J. Keith Craig. 119 Lake St., W., 98033 Makah Indian Reservation: Mr. Nelson Greene, Chr., Box 167, Neah Bay

Wisconsin

Shorewood: Mrs. Jean Schwandes, protem, 1807 E. Olive St., 53211

Show Name and Address ON YOUR LETTERS

In writing to any of the national offices, please make sure that the name and address of the sender, and of any administrative body involved, appear on the letter itself. Otherwise, if letter and envelope become separated, it is difficult to identify the sender and delay ensues.

NSA Announces New Services

Since the functions of the former Bahá’í College Bureau and the Bahá’í Interracial Service Committee are now incorporated in the functions of the National Teaching Committee, students and teachers contemplating enrollment or seeking teaching positions in southern Negro colleges may feel at a loss as to where to go for advice. At a recent meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly Dr. Sarah Martin Pereira was appointed to give this type of counselling service to believers requiring it. Therefore, teachers and students wishing advice about possible enrollment in southern Negro colleges should write directly to Dr. Sarah Martin Pereira, 2725 13th St., N.E., Washington 18, D.C. This counselling service will continue until such time as there seems to be reason to make some other arrangement.

-—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

[Page 4]NOVEMBER ‘1963

Inexpensive Telephone Listing

The Bahá’ís of Bakersfield, California, have been able to list the name and address of one of the members in the Yellow Pages for only $18.00 per year. This charge includes sufficient space to give the time and place of regular meetings. Since the Bahá’í listing appears only in the Yellow Pages, interested persons must turn to the regular section and look up the name of the member in order to obtain the phone number.

Bahá’í Marriages

In accordance with Shoghi Effendi’s instructions, the U.S. SUPPLEIVIENT reports only those marriages which are carried out by local assemblies authorized by civil law to perform such ceremonies.

The purpose of the “Bahá’í Marriages” listing is to give recognition to the legal status of assemblies, not to the marriage of individuals. Marriages which embody Bahá’í ceremonies but which are not legal under state law are not published.

Los Angeles, Calif.: Mrs. Marjorie A. Butler to William E. Schumacher on July 7, 1963

Oakland, Calif.: Miss Zoreh Neshati to James F. Gallagher on August 3, 1963

Santa Monica. Calif.: Miss Carla Alberghetti to Paul Polena on June 22, 1963

Honolulu, Hawaii: Mrs. Helen S. Kelly to Milton Neiland Kelly on August 30, 1963

Evanston, Illinois: Miss Nancy Rieves Ford to Ashburn P. Searcy on July 6, 1963

Wilmette, Illinois: Miss Constance Hinds to Bruce D. Inglis on July 21, 1963

Muskegon, Michigan: Miss Joan Marie Franz to Edward A. Rivers on June 29, 1963

New York, N.Y.: Miss Ladan Haghpajuh to Zia Shamsy on July 20, 1963

Lima, Ohio: Mrs. Marguerite Cheney to Willard W. Evans on August 3, 1963

Seattle, Wash.: Miss Lurretta Queen Botts to William Rushing on August 10, 1963

Zip Code

The ZIP code for the National Spiritual Assembly as well as all services and committees located in

Wilmette is 60091.

in Memoriam

Mrs. Mildred Blackmer Portland, Oregon August 24, 1963

Joseph C. Bonner Saugus, Calif. August 11, 1963

Jesse Clark Salt Lake City, Utah No date

Miss Vivian Cosby Los Angeles, Calif. August 11, 1963

Mrs. Minnie Cummings Atlanta, Georgia August 8, 1963

Mrs. Helen Miller Curtis Beverly, Mass. July 25, 1963

Mrs. Ella W. Duffield Nice, France 1962

Clarence Fisher Philadelphia, Penna. September 8, 1963

Hedley Gillespie Brooklyn, New York June 24, 1963

Charles M. Hanson Duluth, Minnesota No date

Mrs. Christine M. Harris Santa Ana, Calif. July 27, 1963

Mrs. Hattie Neal Johnson Linden, New Jersey July 25, 1963

Don LaSalle Glendale, Arizona September 19, 1963

Miss Blanche Lear Pine Grove, Penn. July 20, 1963

Mrs. Charles Manuelito Tohatchi, New Mexico July 31, 1963

Mrs. Mildred Owens Sacramento, Calif. May 1963

Mrs. Charlotte S. Robinson Binghamton, New York July 30, 1963

Ervin A. M. Schmidt West Bend, Wisconsin July 23 1963

Dr. Katherine True Wilmette, Illinois September 26, 1963

Mrs. Mary Whiteford Milwaukee, Wisconsin August 15, 1963

Kenneth R. Whitehead Jacksonville, Alabama August 1963

Mrs. Yeith Na-bah Wilson Houck, Arizona April 1963