U.S. Supplement/Issue 81/Text

[Page 1]

NSA Calls for Universal

Participation in State Conventions

The call for the annual State Conventions scheduled for Sunday, December 6, will soon be mailed to every voting Bahá’í 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 per cent voting, and fruitful consultation on the important issues facing us on the home front and in our goals abroad under the Nine Year Teaching Plan.

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.

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 num ber 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.

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 aflfirm our decision to participate, we help raise the Bahá’í community to the higher level of inspiration and understanding.

Human Rights Day December 10. 1964

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

Theme: United Nations and Justice for All

Suggested Materials: Material suggested by U.N. Committee, 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.

American Settlers Arriving

in Virgin Goals

The National Spiritual Assembly is very happy to report that as of September 15 a number of American Bahá’í pioneers under the Nine Year Teaching Plan are already at their posts or are en route thereto.

Miss Loraine Cutler has taken a teaching position in San German, Puerto Rico, thus opening a new 10cality in that island area.

Miss Katherine Myers is en route from Venezuela

[Page 2]to the Virgin Islands where she hopes to secure a teaching position.

Mrs. Etta Woodlen has arrived in Christchurch, Barbados Islands. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ayoub and their four small children, now settled on Grand Bahama Island, were the first to start out. Mrs. Esther Evans, who has been on St. Lucia Island in the British West Indies for some time, is remaining.

Even before the Nine Year Plan was launched there were two local spiritual assemblies in Grenada, one in the Virgin Islands, and one in Bermuda. Thus a good beginning has been made and the National Spiritual Assembly is hoping that all virgin goals will be settled by early spring.

B.AHA'I DIRECTORY CHANGES ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES

Arkansas Pine Springs: Mrs. Ruby Nelson, Pine Springs Trading Post, Hauck

Northern California Fairfield: Mr. Frank Pignata, 1930 Buckingham Drive

Southern California District #2

Garden Grove: (new secretary to be reported) LaMesa: Mrs. Shirley Krowitz, 8995 Johnson Ave.

Georgia Richmond County: Mrs. Nancy F. Searcy, 119 McE1mu1-ray Dr., Augusta (add city to address)

Northern Illinois Elmhurst: Mr. Gerald W. Arp, 379 Maple Ave., Zip code 60127

Iowa Cedar Rapids: Mrs. Elsie L. Ross, 1601 47th St., N.E., Zip code 52402

Maryland Baltimore County: Mrs. Madge T. Palmer, 310 Glenrae Dr,, Baltimore, zip code 21228

Michigan Detroit: Mr. George H. Hutchinson, 5992 Sheridan, Detroit 13

New Hampshire Nashua: Mrs. Jane Leavitt, pro-tem, 2 Merrimack St., zip code 03060

North Carolina Charlotte: Mr. Ronald Edmonstone, Chr., 2118 Amboy Ct., Darby Acres, Z. 35

Oregon Multnomah County: Mrs. Ruth Lansing, 4006 N.E. 99th Ave., Portland 20

NOVEMBER 1964

Las Vegas Youth Round-Up November 27. 28. & 29

The Bahá’í youth of Las Vegas, Nevada are sponsoring a Bahá’í Youth Conference, supported by the Local Spiritual Assembly of Las Vegas, to be held November 27, 28 and 29. The conference will take place at Goodsprings, Nevada, which is approximately thirty-five miles south of Las Vegas. One dollar per person registration fee will be charged for all individuals attending the conference. Two dollars per person, except those traveling over 500 miles distance, will be charged to cover the cost of meals during the period of the conference. Indoor sleeping quarters will be furnished for the girls at Goodsprings. Bring sleeping bags or bed rolls, warm clothing, jackets, sweaters, etc.

Transportation will be furnished from Las Vegas to Goodsprings and back for those who are arriving by plane, train or bus. Please telephone 384-0265 or 878-2076 upon arrival.

Although classes will be geared to youth level (15-25) everyone is welcome.

In Memoriam

Mrs. Minnie Lee LaFont Jacksonville, Florida August 16, 1964

William M. Bethel North Miami, Florida August 17, 1964

Robert Markovich Petoskey, Michigan About August 30, 1964

Robert E. Buckley Glenview, Illinois September 4, 1964

Edward C. Moore Columbia, South Carolina August 27, 1964

Mrs. Hazel Hanger Toledo, Ohio June 20, 1964

Alfred M. Roberts Brooks, Maine June 17, 1964

Mrs. Edith T. Hill Los Angeles, Calif. April 5, 1964

Everett 0. Smith Albuquerque, New Mexico April 27, 1964

Mrs. Grace B. Holley Santa Clara, California August 20, 1964

Eldor H. Hubin John J. Surbeck Madison, Wisconsin Littleton, Colorado 1961 May 24, 1964

Mrs. Jean B. Timarac Phoenix, Arizona June 11, 1964

Mrs. Marion Hubin Madison, Wisconsin July 14, 1964

Charles Warren Milwaukee, Wisconsin June 26, 1964

Mrs. Irene Jackson Worcester, Mass. August 1964

Miss Natalea N. Knutsen Caldwell, Idaho September 12, 1964

Mrs. Mary Widoe Flint, Michigan July 27, 1964

[Page 3]U.S. SUPPLEMENT

Bahá’í Marriages

Phoenix, Arizona: Mrs. Ardith Nadine Kleiss to Charles Walter Church on September 5, 1964

Tucson, Arizona: Miss Ann Christina Moler to Hollis Charles Stewart on June 20, 1964

Verde Valley, Arizona: Mrs. Hulda Button to Edwin H. Corbin on May 16, 1964

Alhambra, Calif.: Miss Carol Lynn Pulley to Peter Leslie Vaughn on June 27, 1964

Fresno. California: Miss Denise Joy Fiske to Dean Ernest Philpott on August 22, 1964

Los Angeles, Calif.: Miss Edna Mae Simmons to James Michael Craig on August 1, 1964

Los Angeles, Calif: Mrs. Ethel Taylor to John Benoit on July 30, 1964

Palo Alto, California: Miss Susan Gail Fletcher‘ to John Dale Engwall on August 1, 1964

San Francisco, Calif; Miss Michiko Doi to Charles D. Fauset on August 16, 1964

San Francisco, Calif.: Miss Beverlee Patton to Edwin L. Miller on July 26, 1964

Washington, DC.: Mrs. Elizabeth Finder to Joe Allen on August 7, 1964

Boise, Idaho: Miss Dona L. Hubler to Dan S. Evans on July 24, 1964

Chicago, Illinois: Mrs. Louise Henri to Bobbie Johnson on August 29. 1964

Chicago, Illinois: Miss Helen Llamas to Habib A. Yaganegi on August 15, 1964

Evanston, Illinois: Miss Barbara Meyer to Karl Lewis Behr on July 26, 1964

Peoria, Illinois: Mrs. Rosemary Aupperle to Vernon Vincent on September 13, 1964

Urbana, Illinois: Miss Mary Kay Osborn to Iraj Radpour on June 13, 1964

NATIONAL BAHA'| FUND

Thousand Monthly Income: 1964-1965

80

70

64.5 lglogtgy

60 “g >“‘l>‘oe- ‘>Uzmmm

z A B

éaaagoassaga

- Regular contributions

Special contributions & Miscellaneous

f.:":-,5" From Estates 8: Trusts

Wilmette. Illinois: Miss Josephine Andrushko to Lonnie L. Wilson on July 1, 1964

Wilmette, Illinois: Miss Joanna M. Thomas to Dr. Nosratu’llah Tahzib on July 18, 1964

Winnetka, Illinois: Miss Brooke E. Michal to Dennis J. Qualinbush on August 1, 1964

Winnetka, Illinois: Miss Adrienne Michelon to George R. Healy on September 6, 1964

Eliot, Maine: Mrs. Dorothy B. Wheeler to Charles D. Boleman on July 4, 1964

Boston, Mass.: Mrs. Jean Chapman to Claude R. Landry on August 15, 1964

Ann Arbor, Michigan: Mrs, Jo Ann Brown to Richard E. Greeley on July 17, 1964

Detroit, Michigan: Mrs. Elizabeth Bruce Williams to Edwin Lowell Moore on July 31, 1964

Teaneck. New Jersey: Miss Charyl Ioas to Wayne Keith Thorpe on August 8, 1964

Teaneck, New Jersey: Miss Celeste Eugenia Savage to Charles H. Hicks on June 6, 1964

New York, N.Y.: Miss Susan Margaret Babcock to Richard Bex Foxhall on July 4, 1964

New York, N.Y.: Carmen Yolanda Urteaga to Pablo Flores on July 4. 1964

Dayton. Ohio: Miss Alice Ann Snead to Bobby D. Phelps on September 5, 1964

Austin, Texas: Miss Katherine Ruth Ivie to George Buder on June 14, 1964

University Park, Texas: Mrs. Melvina Prueitt to N. Leslie Ewing on August 15, 1964

Madison, Wisconsin: Miss Diane E. Thompson to Alan Parker Scheffer on August 16, 1964

Seattle, Washington: Miss Betti Ann Cheyne to H. William Hite, Jr. on August 23, 1964

Spokane, Wash.: Mrs. Ila C. McKuhn to Dr. Griflith H. Parker on June 20, 1964

Local Assemblies Contributing Each Month

350

300

250

E

150 y

100

MAY JUNE JULY

AUG SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN.

FEB

MAR APR

[Page 4]THE NINETEEN DAY FEAST

The institution of the Nineteen-Day Feast provides the recognized and regular occasion for general consultation on the part of the community, and for consultation between the Spiritual Assembly and the members of the community. The conduct of the period of consultation at Nineteen-Day Feasts is a vital function of each Spiritual Assembly.

From words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “The Nineteen-Day Feast was inaugurated by the Báb and ratified by Bahá’u’lláh, in His Holy Book, the Aqdas, so that people may gather together and outwardly show fellowship and love, that the Divine mysteries may be disclosed. The object is concord, that through this fellowship hearts may become perfectly united, and reciprocity and mutual helpfulness be established. Because the members of the world of humanity are unable to exist without being banded together, cooperation and helpfulness is 1.he basis of human society. Without the realization of these two great principles no great movement is pressed forward.” (B.W., Vol. X11, p, 298.)

The Nineteen-Day Feast has been described by the Guardian as the foundation of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. It is to be conducted according to the following program: the first part, entirely spiritual in character, is devoted to the reading of Bahá’í Prayers and selections from the Bahá’í Sacred Writings; the second part consists of general consultation on the affairs of the Cause; the third part is the material feast and social meeting of all the believers, and should maintain the spiritual nature of the Feast.

In selecting the readings for the devotional part of the Feast the friends may be guided by the latest instructions printed in BAH/Vi News quoting the following excerpts from a letter to a believer from the Guardian

NOVEMBER ‘1964

through his assistant secretary dated April 27, 1956: “The Writings of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh can certainly be read any time at any place; likewise the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are read freely during the spiritual part of the Feast. The Guardian has instructed that during the spiritual part of the Feast, his own writings should not be read. In other words, during the spiritual part of the Feast, readings should be confined to the Writings of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and to a lesser extent, of the Master; but during that part of the Feast the Guardian’s writings should not be read. During the period of administrative discussion of the Feast, then the Guardian’s writings may be read. Of course, during the administrative part of the Feast there can be no objection to the reading of the Writings of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh or ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.” (Bahá’í NEWS, Jan. 1959.)

Bahá’ís should regard this Feast as the very heart of their spiritual activity, their participation in the mystery of the Holy Utterance, their steadfast unity one with another in a universality raised high above the limitations of race, class, nationality, sect, and personality, and their privilege of contributing to the power of the Cause in the realm of collective action.

Only members of the Bahá’í community and visiting Bahá’ís from other localities may attend these meetings. Young people between fifteen and twenty-one years of age, who have declared their acceptance of the qualifications of membership in the Faith are considered as members although they are referred to as Bahá’í youth. Children up to age fifteen, of Bahá’í parents, may also attend the Nineteen-Day Feasts.

Regular attendance at the Nineteen-Day Feast is incumbent upon every Bahá’í, illness or absence from the city being the only justification for absence. Believers are expected to arrange their personal affairs so as to enable them to observe the Bahá’í calendar.

-—from The Bahd’z' Community