Insert to The American Bah6'1 published by-the National Spiritual 'As- sembly of the United States for Bah6'ls only.

112 Linden Av., Wllrnette. Ill. 60091

No. 63 BAHA'I YEAR 129 MARCH 1973

Next Global Plan to be Launched 1974 .

d

To: All National Spiritual Assemblies Dear Baha'i Friends,

As the. Bahh'i world approaches the triumphant conclusion of the Nine Year Plan it gives us the utmost gratification to see that a .few National Spiritual Assemblies have already formulated plans for activity during the coming Baha'i year.

The next global plan will be launched a t Ridv6n 1974 and you will therefore have twelve months to prepare for it. We call upon you all to take the greatest possible advantage of that year to:

Strengthen the foundations of your achievements through developing and enriching Baha'i community life, fostering youth activity and through all means suited to your circumstances; and Continue expansion of the Faith, trying new openings and possibilities not fully explored when you were under the pressure of other priorities.

Obviously conditions differ in the various areas under the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assemblies, and the goals which each Assembly adopts must be suited to its particular circum- stances and possibilities, but, as the beloved Guardian once pointed out, "The broader the basis" of such a campaign, and "the deeper its roots, the finer the flower into which it shall eventually blossom."

We ask you to make your plans now and to send us your re- port of them to reach us as soon as possible and not later than 1st April 1973 so that we may present a consolidated summary to the International Convention. We feel that such a summary will be an inspiration and a source of new ideas to the delegates when they are consulting upon the challenges that lie before the Baha'i com- munity in the years ahead and which must be faced during the next global plan. Moreover, the achievements of the coming year, added to the great victories of the Nine Year Plan, will enable the worldwide Baha'i community to enter with even greater assurance upon the next stage of its ever-unfolding destiny.

We pray a t the Holy Shrines that the blessings of Bahk'u'llah may guide and assist you with a fresh measure of His divine grace in the few months separating us from the glorious festivities of next Ridvan.

With loving Baha'i greetings, Baha'i World Centre -The Universal House of Justice

Haifa, Israel January 14, 1973

b

MARCH 1973 - I -

HER SCHOOLS - 1973 school loct

Dates

BAHA'I s -.,-.., of School

Corresponding Seereta

ARIZONA/NEW MEXICO Mr. Raymond Helmick July 8-July 15 Prescott Conference ~ e r l ~ e ~

1638 East Cinnabar Ave. Prescott, Arizona Phoenix, Arizona 85020 (602) 944-7022

CALIFORNIAI South Mrs. Marian Lawyer June 30-July 7 Idyllwild Pines

16131 LaCubre Drive Idyllwild, California Victorville, California 92392 (714) 245-1094

CAROLINAS Mrs. Charmion Stanley week of July 4 Cherow State Park

12 Mullis Ct. South Carolina Greensboro, N.C. 27407 (919) 375-5155

COLORADOI East Mrs. Marilyn Fisher (303) 443-6422

437 Pine Street Boulder, Colorado 80302

COLORADO, West Mrs. Gloria Winter July 28-Aug. 4 Telluride, Colorado

139 West 18th Street Durango, Colorado 81301

DAVISON BAHA'~ SCHOOL COUNCIL Mrs. Elizabeth Brogan August 12-Sept. 3 Davison, Michigan

870 West Drayton (313) 546-0346 Ferndale, Michigan 48220

FLORIDA Mrs. Elizabeh Venters (305) 941-8473

2250 Southeast 7th Drive Pompano Beach, Florida 33062

GEORGIA/ALABAMA Mrs. Donna Gordon (205) 727-3297

Route 1, Box 223-C Tuskegee, Alabama 36083

GEYSERVILLE BAHA,~ SCHOOL COUNCIL Mrs. Eva Bishop (408) 263-3045 '

81 Woodland Court Milpitas, California 95035

GREEN ACRE B A H ~ ' ~ SCHOOL COUNCIL Miss Sandra Rhode (413) 533-1468

Box 6 Montague, Massachusetts 01351

IOWA/ILLlNOlS MINNESOTA

Mr. Alan Halm July 21-28 Enviromental Learning Center Box 438 Isabelle, Minnesota Winsed, Minnesoa 55395 no phone

MONTANA Mrs. Mary Cottrill August 12-18 Red Lodge, Montana

Route 3, Bennett Avenue (406) 373-5705 Billings, Monana 59101

NEBRASKA (new Committee) July 1-7 Doane College

Crete, Nebraska

REVIEW

NEW YORK, Eastern Mrs. Pearl Fleischacker July 21-Aug. 5 Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

2173 Jacqueline Avenue (516) SU 1-0668 No. Bellmoro, N.Y. 11710

OKLAHOMA/TEXAS Dr. Virginia Harden August- 6-11 Oakwood School

320 East Hurd Lake Bridgeport, Texas Edmond, Oklahoma 73034 (405) 341-4179

OREGON Mrs. Doris Miller June 10-15 Silver Creek, Oregon

153 Kensington Avenue June 17-22 (503) 325-6236 Astoria, Oregon 97103

WASHINGTON, East Ms. Wendy Burns July 5-8 YMCA

416 N. Date Street Lake Wenatchee, Washington Toppenish, Washington 98948 (309) 865-4782

Rates: 1 - 4 $2.00 9 - 14 $ 9.00 5 - 8 4.00 15 - 15.00

Camp facilities are dormitory style. Camp limited to 130 people. Camp facilities include: swimming, hiking and other recreational activities (outdoor classrooms). For more information: Registrar, Washington East Baha'i Schools Committee

Mr. Keith Brown I

P.O. Box 1245 E. Wenatchee, Wash. 98801

WASHINGTON, West Mrs. Virginia Martig July 1-7 Seabeck, Washington

409 Oak Street (206) 426-6473 Shelton, Washington 98584

Assemblies in Jeopardy Revised, Ma1

As the following communities have less than nine adult believers, .their Local Spiritual Assemblies are in jeopardy of not being reformed next RidvQn. Home- front settlers are needed in these locali- ties to maintain these nascent Local Houses of Justice. NORTHEASTERN REGION:

Membership Mansfield, Ct. Norwark, Ct. 8 Wallingford, Ct. 7 Eastport, Maine 8 Woodstock, N.H. Morristown, N.J. 7 Albany, East N.Y. 8 Brockport, N.Y. 5 Greenburg, N.Y. 5 Hamburg Village, N.Y. 8 For information on how you may assist these communities, contact: Northeastern Regional Teaching Committee Mrs. Patricia Rothman, Secretary

*ch 7, 1473 ,

12 Carol Drive Rockville, Connecticut 06066 (203) 875-7088 (H) (203) 289-7231 (W)

SOUTHERN REGION: Arkadelphia, Arkansas 8 Alachua, Florida 6 Dania, Florida Davie, Florida Deerfield Beach, Florida Ft. Myers, Florida Hallandale, Florida Lee County, Florida Micanopy, Florida 6 Naples, Florida Orlando, Florida 8 Riviera Beach, Florida Tallahassee, Florida Jefferson County, Kentucky Lancaster, Kentucky East Baton Rouge Parish,

Louisiana 8 Gretna, Louisiana 8 Shreveport, Louisiana

4 MARCH 1973

Jay, Oklahoma (noxville, Tennessee 3eaumont, Texas 3ryan, Texas 3agle Pass , Texas (illeen, Texas 8 Pasadena, Texas

heeling, West Virginia

)r information on how you m a y assist ese communities, contact:

Cheyenne, Wyoming Iuthern Regional Teaching Committee I

Moscow, Idaho Butte, Montana Carlsbad, New Mexi Grant's Pass, Oregon Marion County North, Oregon Marion County, South, Oregon Klamath Falls, Oregon Kitsap County C.C.D. #1, Washington Mason County C.C.D. #1, Washington Marysville, Washington Toppenish, Washington

Mr. James ~ a ~ l o r , Secretary 507 W. Fortification Street Jackson, Mississippi 39203 'EO1) 355-0136

or information on hc ,W you . .

For information on how you may assist these communities, contact:

Western Regional Teaching Committee Mrs. Eleanore Conkling, Secretary 1088 Nixon Avenue Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401 (208) 524-2817

CALIFORNIA REGION : Bakersfield, J.D. Carmel Coronado Covina Crescenta-Canada Daly City Del Mar Fremont Gardena Imperial Beach Inglewood J.D. Lakewood Livermore Los Gatos Lynwood Manhatten Beach' Monterey Newport Beach Orange County Central J.D. ~ i s m o Beach

tssist 1 San Leandro

ENTRAL REGION: Membership

Iton, Illinois 8 ecatur, Illinois 7

""orton Grove, Illinois orthbrook, Illinois 8 ock Island, Illinois 7 on, Illinois 7 x r e Haute, Indiana 'arsaw, Indiana 8 ouncil Bluffs, Iowa 8 mporia, Kansas 7 lpena, Michigan 7 attle Creek, Michigan 6 noka, Minnesota 8 ismarck, North Dakota (Capital) 5

argo, North Dakota 8 rand Forks, North Dakota 7 astings, Nebraska 8 ettering, Ohio ' 7 snesville, Wisconsin 8 acine, Wisconsin 7

~ , lese communities, contact: I San Marcos

Central Regional Teaching Committee Mrs. Jeanette Brayton, Secretary 415 Rice Street Anoka, Minnesota 55303 ' (612) 421-2326

WESTERN REGION : Peoria, Arizona P i m a County, Arizona Alamosa, Colorado Jefferson County, Colorado

Santa Maria Stockton Valle j o

For informqtion on how you may assist these comdunities, contact:

California Regional Teaching Committee Mrs. Joan Bulkin, Secretary 551 S. Parish Place Burbank, California 91506 (213) 842-8555 (213) 843-7077

REVIEW

Continental Baha'i Fund

In a cablegram date^ ..,,,1 6, 1954, add to all the Hands of the Cause and ational Assemblies of the Ba- ha'i wur-lu, the beloved Guardian called for the appointment, by the fifteen Hands outside of the Holy Land, of Auxiliary Boards. Foreseeing the growth of the ac- tivities of these Auxiliary Boards, Shoghi Effendi also included in this cable the following: "Urge the initiation of five Continental Baha'i Funds which, a s they develop, will increasingly facilitate the discharge of the functions assigned to the Boards. Transmitting five thousand pounds a s m y initial contribution to be equally divided among the .five conti- nents. Appeal to the twelve National As- semblies and individuals to insure a s teady augmentat ion of these Funds through annual assignment in National Budgets and by individual contributions. . . . Fervently supplicating a t the Holy Threshold for an unprecedented measure of blessings on this vital and indispens- able organ of the embryonic and steadily unfolding Bah6'i Adminidtrative Order . . .'! (Messages to the Bahci'i World, p. 59)

Thus the Continental Baha'i 'Fund was established by the beloved Guardian and initiated by his own generous contribu- tion to it a t the very moment that he called for the creation of the Auxiliary Boards to assist and advise the Hands of the Cause in the development of their special areas of service to the Faith.

Again the importance of the Continen- tal Fund was emphasized by The Uni- versal House of Justice in a letter to the believers throughout the world dated December 18, 1963: "Nor should the be- lievers, individually or in their Assem- blies, forget the vitally important Con- tinental Funds which provide for the work of the Hands of the Cause of God and their Auxiliary Boards. This divine institution, so assiduously fostered by the Guardian, and which has already played a unique role in the history of the Faith, is destined to render increasingly im- portant services in the years to come." (Wellspring of Guidance, p. 20)

With the appointment by The Univer- sa l House of Justice of the Continental Boards of Counsellors in June 1968, the

responsibilities for the activities of the Auxiliary Boards and for the Continental Funds to support them, passed to each Board of Counsellors for its respective continent.

The Communities of ~ l a s k a . Canada and the United States form the area of responsibility of the Continental Board of Counsellors for North America, and the Continental Fund, supported, a s re- quested by the Guardian and The Uni- versal House of Justice, by allocations from the National and Local Assemblies and by the individual believers in these three countries is to be used for the ac- tivities of the Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members in these same areas.

Direct contributions to the Continental Baha'i Fund for North America from the Assemblies and individual Baha'is should be sent to:

Continental Bahi ' i Fund Edna M. True, Trustee 418 Forest Avenue Wilmette, Illinois 60091

The Counsellors for North America wish to take this opportunity to express their most loving appreciation and grati- tude for the contributions received.

CONTINENTAL BOARD OF COUNSELLORS FOR THE PROTECTION AND PROPAGATION OF THE BAHA'I FAITH IN NORTH AMERICA

In Memory of Anna Petersen Beach

On December 9, 1972 Mrs. Anna Peter- sen Beach, one of the very earliest Ba- ha'is in the United States passed away in Hinckley, Ohio after seventy-three years of continuous service to Bahi'u'116h. She and her mother, Mrs. Christine Petersen, became believers in Fruitport, Michigan in 1899, learning of the Faith from a neighbor who had been given the Message by Mrs. Corinne True. Anna was fourteen years old a t the time. Her sister, Mrs. Edna McManamey of Fruitport, Michigan, also a Baha'i, preceded her in entrance to the Abha Kingdom in January 1972.

Mrs. Beach and her husband, Burt, worked continuously for the Faith, build- ing over a period of thirty-five years a

MARCH 1973

,ocal Spiritual Assembly in Hinckley, Ihio, where they made their home and aised their family. In 1970 at the age of eighty-five Mrs.

leach spent six months in the Deep ,outh assisting her daughter, Mrs. Merle Borden, in consolidating the teaching work among new believers. During that trip she suffered her third heart attack, two years before her death.

Her obituary which was read a t her funeral service, included this high

tribute: "Anna Beach's life was characterized by her love for and commitment to the Bahi'i Faith. It was to the Bahii'i Faith that her energies in life were directed, and from it that she drew her strength. From her Faith she drew her qualities of the love of all mankind, of compassion, kindness, and a desire to serve. To her Fai th she brought her qualities of strength of will, of courage, and of un- dying dedication."

IN MEMORIAM Mr. Andy B. Allen Mrs. Viola Eston Mr. Clyde Mosley

Casper, Wyoming Josephine. Penn. Shreveport, Louisiana December 19, 1972 January 24, 1973 December 1972

Mr. Edwin Anderson Mr. Winston G. Evans Mr. Edgar C. Nebel Edmond, Okla. Sewanee, Tennessee Roswell, New Mex. January. 11, 1973 January 13, 1973 December 9, 1972

Mrs. Mathilde H. Barrus Mr. Perry Gordon Mr. M. D. Roach San Jose, Calif. Genevia, Ark. Evanston, Ill. January 22, 1973 Unknown February 3, 1973

Mrs. Gladys Brice Mrs. Jeanette Hines Mrs. Leonora Rodgers Terrell, Tex. Niles, Mich. Susanville, Calif. February 7, 1973 January 17, 1973 November 1, 1972

Mr. William L. Buczek Mrs. Gail Lampkins Mr. Jon E. Sevsy Monkton, Maryland Inkster, Mich. Salina, Kansas January 21, 1973 December 27, 1972 February 9, 1973

Mr. Matthew Bullock, Sr. Miss Elsa Ledebuhr Miss Brenda Lee Tasker Detroit, Mich. Milwaukee, Wisc. Edgewood, Maryland December 22, 1972 December 29, 1972 November 16, 1972

Mrs. Carolyn Dary Miss Ann MacMillan Mr. Percival C. Waller Bradenton, Florida Everett, Massachusetts Lakeland, Florida January 6, 1973 May 11, 1972 January 1, 1973

Mrs. Joy Earl Mr. William McSee Mr. George Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan Chicago, Ill, Rock Hill, S.C. November 27, 1972 January 1, 1973 1972

Mr. Paul Eldridge Mr. Sanford G. Miller Mr. Virgil McLain Wilson . Blackfoot, Idaho West Chesterfield, Mass. Eagle Grove, Iowa November 13, 1972 August 6, 1971 August 30, 1971

Mr. Harold C. Ellison Mrs. Katherine Mills Temple, Texas Ann Arbor, Mich. January 25, 1973 December 21, 1972

Bahb'i Funeral Services and Interment "Death proff ereth unto every confident believer the cup that is life indeed. I t bestoweth joy, and is the bearer of glad- ness. I t conferreth the gift of everlasting life." -Bahi'u'llAh BahA'is firmly believe in the life of the soul after . death. BahA'u'llAh, Prophet- Founder of the Faith, writes:

Know thou of a truth that the soul, after its separation from the body, will continue to progress until it at- taineth the presence of God, in a state

and condition which neither the rev- olution of ages and centuries, nor the changes and chances of this world, can alter. It will endure as long as the Kingdom of God, His sovereignty, His dominion and power will endure. I t will manifest the signs of God and His attributes, and will reveal His loving kindness and bounty.

The Bah6'i writings teach that not only is the individuality of the soul retained in the eternal realm, but also that it's life

REVIEW 7

on earth is remembered, and that it will recognize and associate with the loved ones and others it had known .during its life here on earth. No rites or rituals are required for BahP'i funerals. Memorial services a re usually simple and joyous and a re based on the teachings of BahA'u'llAh: "0 Son of the Supreme! I have made death a messen- ger of joy to thee. Wherefore dost thou grieve?" Readings of Bah6'i prayers and other passages from Bah6'i sacred scrip- tures a re used and appropriate musical selections may be included. Whether the casket is open or closed during the fu- neral service is left to the decision of the family concerned. Since there is no pro- fessional clergy in the Baha'i Faith, any Bahh'i or group of Baha'is may conduct services for the departed. Bah6'is a re also happy to conduct funeral services for others on request. Although there are no rituals to be ob- served, there are certain Baha'i laws re- garding burial which should be known to those who make funeral arrangements. The body is not to be embalmed, unless this is a requirement of state law; inter- ment must take place within an hour's travel time from the place of death; and cremation is forbidden. In their wills Bahi'is can, and sometimes do, donate their bodies for medical teaching and re- search, or for restorative purposes in living persons. At present Bah6'i communities do not own cemeteries, and because of the pivo- tal teaching of their Faith that all men a re brothers, prefer to be interred in integrated burial grounds. The only Baha'i symbol which has been approved

for use on monuments, headstones or markers is the nine-pointed star or rosette.

The Local Spiritual Assembly is our

LIFELINE "These Spiritual Assemblies are aided by the Spirit of God. Their defender is 'Abdu'l-Bah6. Over them He spreadeth His Wings. What bounty is there greater than this? . . . From them the spirit of life streameth in every direction. They, indeed, are the potent sources of the progress of man, a t all times and under all conditions." Since a Local Spiritual Assembly has the < 6 . . . sacred obligation to help, advise,

9 7 protect and guide the believers . . . , there a re many occasions when it will not wish to instruct in an absolute man- ner, but will, rather, make suggestions and offer guidance and encouragement to an individual in order to assist him to make his own prayerful determination in the resolution of a problem. "One of the healing remedies Bah6'u'llhh has given to a sick world is the Assembly . . . its members have very sacred and heavy responsibilities, its power to steer the Community, to protect and assist its members is likewise very great." < < . . . you should turn to your local As-

sembly, in the strictest confidence, and seek their aid and advice. . . . You should go to them as a child would to its par- ents . . ." (All quoted passages a re from The Local Spiritual Assembly, a compilation by The Universal House of Justice.

CALE Feasts

March 21 Bah6 (Splendor) April 9 Jalal (Glory) April 28 Jam61 (Beauty)

Fast Begins March 2, ends March 20 ,

Baha"i Holy Days March 21 Naw-R~z* (New Year)

' April 21 - May 2 Feast of Ridv6n (Declaration of BahA'u'llSh)

April 21 First Day of RidvPn* (Election, Local Spiritual Assemblies)

April 29 Ninth Day of Ridvin*

VDAR May 2 Twelfth Day of Ripv6nh

*Day on which work should be suspended National Spiritual Assembly Meetings

March 23-25 Election of The Universal

House of Justice April 29-May 1

U.S. National Convention May 17-20

Conference National Bah6'i Youth Conference

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma June 20-24, 1973

8 MARCH 1973

Total Number or ~ s s e m ~ f i e s Confriburlng I 1

The Office of the Treasurer has found that local Treasurers a re often unaware of the standard set by the National Spirit- ual Assembly for regularity in contribut- ing to the National Bahh'i Fund. A reg- ularly contributing community is one that sends a t least One contribution during the period between Feasts. When all our local Treasurers a re contributing on this schedule to the National Fund, we will undoubtedly make and overshoot our goals of 550 Local Spiritual Assemblies contributing to the National Fund by Ridvhn.

To All Believers

February 22, 1973 Dear Baha'i Friends:

With this Feast we once again into the mystery of th . This is a time when a s BahA'is we make a con- scious effort to readjust ourselves to our material surroundings and to reorder the relationship between the material and the spiritual in our lives.

Let us reflect for a moment upon the similarities between what we will be do- ing in the coming nineteen days and what we do in contributing throughout the year to the Bahh'i Fund. First, we a r e exer- cising a privilege that belongs to us alone a s servants of Bahh'u'llah. We a re also being obedient to His command in both contributing and fasting, thus strengthen- ing a vital attribute of the soul. Our re- nunciation of food and drink, like sacri- Ace of-our material wealth, affirms our

AHA'[ FUND Total youth and Adult Contributions

I

INCOME:

Regular Contr. Special Contr.

Total Contr. Estates Other Income

Total Income

Budget

Sultln (Sovereignty)

Fiscal Year to Date

Contributions may be addressed to:

National Baha"i Fund 112 Linden Ave. Wilmette, Ill. 60091

~ a h d ' i International Fund P.O. Box 155 Haifa, Israel

Continental Bahi'i Fund 418 Forest Ave. Wilmette, Ill. 60091

severance from the things of this world and our desire for those of the Kingdom.

Many other parallels could be drawn, but these will suffice to remind us that in ordaining the Fast , a s well a s in pro- viding for material sacrifice in the Fund, God has richly blessed us by allowing us to show our love for Him in "deeds, not words." With deep Bahh'i love, -NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF

THE BAHA'IIS OF THE UNITED STATES .Dorothy W. Nelson Treasurer