++
Contents

National Spiritual Assembly
      Bursting out in Birtley - "If we can do it anybody can!"
      Institution of Huququ'llah 
      Baha'i Council for Scotland - Activity update 
      Badi all-Ireland teaching project 
      Baha'i Council for England
...National Convention '97
      New NSA Members
      Deputy Trustee for Huququ'llah Address 
      North East Teaching Team      
      Fundraising Target
      Consultation
The role of the Assistants 
World News
      Holiday on Hainan
UK News
      What One Person Can Achieve
      Leaflet Exposure in Warwick
      Women's Festival in Ballymena Oxford Baha'i on BBC World Service
      Richard Baker visits Baha'i World Centre
      Activities in and around Congleton
National Treasury Page
      Mount Carmel Projects

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National Spiritual Assembly
Bursting out in Birtley - "If we can do it anybody can!"

The sunlight blazing back from the gold eagle on top of the white column was
dazzling. It was a glorious morning towards the end of March at the Resting
Place of Shoghi Effendi. The National Spiritual Assembly was making one of its
regular visits there to pray for this steadfast community and for the progress
of the Cause in these islands which are uniquely blessed with the grave of
the beloved Guardian. 

This visit, though, was rather special. There were several other people there
that morning. They looked very much like the rest of us: some men, some
women; some married, some not; and some older, some younger. None of these
externals sets them apart from the mass of believers in these islands. But the
National Assembly had arranged to meet with this group of Baha'is for a
reason. What makes them special, though thankfully not unique in the United
Kingdom, is that their services to the Cause in the teaching field may be
moving this community into a new reality.

To say where they come from may leave some of us none the wiser. How many
of us can instantly point on the map to Birtley or Alston? We might do a bit
better with Tynedale, perhaps, or Gateshead. Even so, these places are not yet
on the road to anywhere for most of us, at least not in the geographical
sense. But spiritually? That is a very different matter. Spiritually these
distant dots on the edge of the North Sea are slap bang in the middle of our
route. 

These seven people came back with the National Assembly to 27 Rutland Gate
to share with that Institution their vision of what was happening in the
North-East. For them, in their part of the world, on the estates they live and
work in, the children have been the key. It is important to understand that
a key is not the same as a target. The natural strengths of the teaching team
enabled them to offer relatively deprived local communities something very
precious to them: a safe and wholesome environment for their children, an
environment which was offered in the spirit of sincere and loving service.
Through that service trust developed. The local residents' association now
turns to the Baha'is with its problems and its needs. The parents admit that
what is offered they feel unable to receive: but they want it for their
children. They want moral education, spiritual sustenance. They want, in short,
a Baha'i education for their children (which, of course, is not the same as the
education of Baha'i children only). 

In the words of someone local, who is now part of the teaching team: "There
has to be trust. Go in without religion. Show caring." This does not mean that
"we have to keep this beautiful Faith to ourselves. The kids want it." But
sincere service without proselytising comes first: opportunities for direct
teaching follow naturally after, and with them come declarations aplenty. These
opportunities come only when people know that the Baha'is have the real
interests of their children at heart. Also, though, these opportunities for a
more direct approach had to be created by the initiatives of the teaching
team.

To look at what is going on in the North-East, even with a superficial eye, is
very inspiring. Burnlaw, a farm which uses idyllic rural surroundings for
retreats through which to deepen in the Faith and is making a wide and
significant contribution to the teaching work in its own right, offers Birtley
residential week-ends for the children based on spiritual values. There are
firesides to introduce people to the Faith in a direct manner. Others are held
with music and poetry which attract people to investigate further. A regular
gathering based on the idea of a "unity club" links in with the Residents'
Association: it caters for children from 4 to 10 years of age, uses co-operative
games and introduces moral concepts. There are firesides with a positive
climate of invitation which cover the fundamental verities and strive to turn
the spark of interest into the flame of acceptance. As if that was not enough,
there is a "Friday class", a drama group, a youth fireside and, very
important, a community school. The community school is a crucial component
in the Birtley experience. It has proved the main means of drawing in the
support of surrounding Baha'i communities and, while many Baha'i children
attend, many more children are being drawn in increasing numbers from the
wider local community outside of the Faith. 

The aspects outlined above are the product of certain deeper processes which
enabled a group of local Baha'is to create the pattern of activities best suited
to the needs of their situation and its potentialities. What are these processes?
What can a group of people do to enable themselves to tune in to what they
need to do to spread the divine fragrances in their locality?

These are some of the things the Baha'is of the North East did together
which, in their view, contributed to their success:

A sound spiritual basis is laid down by means of frequent and sincere dawn
prayers and devoted deepening in the Writings. Prayers are said at dawn and
other times for the teaching work in general and for specific areas and
individuals as well. Often prayers are said, in a car, round the boundaries of
an estate or near the house of a close contact.

After the inspiration of such spiritual preparation, the consultation process
takes place in an atmosphere characterised by humility and an absence of
"rank" (that is, no one claims superiority, directly or implicitly, by virtue of
such irrelevancies as Baha'i longevity, formal education, accident of birth and
the like). Action was targeted on certain estates as having the greatest
potential: this targeting is crucial and can use almost any characteristic, for
example geographic or demographic, as its focus. 

 The testimony of those attracted to the Baha'is in the North East suggests
that a very important component of their way of going about things is
dedication. They are not fitting Baha'u'llah into the edges of a life that
revolves around a lot of other priorities: Baha'u'llah is the pivot and the
centre around which their whole lives revolve. Baha'u'llah is the priority of
all priorities for them.

 It seems fairly certain that putting Baha'u'llah at the centre of their lives
in this way accounts for the love that people feel from them, and also for
them.  It accounts for the time, labour, perseverance and persistence they
have proved able to devote to the expansion of the Cause in their locality.
Each of them spends a significant amount of time almost every day of the
week working for the Faith in this way. Only the guidance and inspiration of
Baha'u'llah could enable ordinary busy people with jobs and families to do so
much so sublimely well. Perhaps we should all reflect on that before we say
"I could never do that." They would say "If we can do it, anybody can!"

+
Institution of Huququ'llah 
The 'Right of God'

The wisdom of this command is that the act of giving is well-pleasing in the
sight of God.

Consider how well-pleasing must this mighty act be in His estimation that He
hath ascribed it unto His Own Self.

Rejoice ye then, O people of generosity!" (1)

"The Holy Manifestation of God by His Life and Teachings transforms those
souls who recognise and embrace His teachings.  A salient aspect of this
transformation is selflessness, giving and sacrificing.  It seems humanity has
made its greatest progress when the focus of human beings is on giving, not
receiving, selflessness not selfishness.

As a student of this wonderful Law of Huququ'llah I am learning that the
Huququ'llah is about giving; giving to God, His right or a share of what He
has graciously caused us to be in possession of.  There is not choice in the
matter as well as there is a choice.  On one hand it is the Right of God which
we must give back and on the other hand we can choose to obey or God
forbid, disobey this just Law.

The more I understand of this Law, the more I am beginning to see that as
believers around the world our attention must be directed to the spirit of the
Law.  It seems not only the letter of the Law must be obeyed but also great
attention should be paid to the spirit of the Law - the spirit of giving."

Mr Ganesh Ramsahai, Auxiliary Board  member , Trinidad

References: (1) 'Abdu'l-Baha 


+
Baha'i Council for Scotland - Activity update 

The regular youth weekends for 12-18 year olds continue to go from strength
to strength. Sixteen youth met in Tillicoultry during the Easter holidays. The
weekend started with prayer and meditation and moved on to a discovery of
our 'Baha'i roots' by looking at the early Babis. Football, drama and walks in
the Ochil Hills provided recreation. A tree-planting conservation weekend is
planned in Aberfeldy at the end of May and a 'Seven Candles of Unity'
weekend at the end of June.

Two Canadian Baha'is of Scottish origin, Jack and Eileen Boyd have recently
visited communities up and down Scotland, delivering a workshop on teaching
skills. Their workshop dealt with communication skills such as empathy and
effective listening, and also investigated how we can move out of the 'comfort
zone' and deal with some of the 'riskier' aspects of sharing the Faith with
people. Participants gained useful insights into inter-personal relationships
and ways of improving their effectiveness in one-to-one teaching.  
 
The Task Force is busy travelling around the community delivering their
Community Development Course. This course is designed to increase unity in
the community by exploring the importance of the different age groups within
the community and looking at our shared responsibility for the education of
the children. There has been an excellent response to this material and a
growing realisation that we have a responsibility for all the children in our
communities whether they are from Baha'i families or not. Scotland's local
government boundaries underwent considerable change in last year's 
reorganisation. Several large districts were created which were felt to be far
too large to sustain one Baha'i community. These were therefore split into
smaller areas. There are still considerable distances to be grappled with in
some cases but the sacrifices that will be made in order to rise to these new
challenges will surely yield fruit. It is anticipated that new LSAs
will be elected in at Ridvan in East Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire and
Western Borders.  
  
Prospective 'independent' travel teachers to Scotland should feel free to
contact our travel teaching liaison member, Sandi Humphrey (c/o secretary)
if they would like help with their arrangements.

This remote and beautiful area in the far north of the Scotland mainland is
in need of help. There are no Baha'is in Caithness at the moment and only two
believers in Sutherland. There is a great need for pioneers to the area but
employment is not easy to find so a retired couple would be ideal. Thurso has
a good College of Further Education for any prospective students.
Alternatively, the summer months would yield many teaching opportunities for
Baha'i visitors to the area as long as they could be fairly self-sufficient.
Please contact the Council for Scotland if you are interested in moving to or
visiting Sutherland or Caithness, (see address above)..
 
+
Badi all-Ireland teaching project 

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Republic of Ireland has planned an
island-wide teaching project for this summer.  Named 'The Badi project' it is
hoped that the sacrifice, service, courage and devotion of this youth will
inspire the participants.

The Project will involve 10 teaching teams of 5 teachers each, drawn mainly
from Europe, both adult and youth.  It will last for a total of 10 days and its
ending will coincide with the beginning of Summer School. The first three
days will be dedicated to training, in a special National Training Institute
programme.

Locations for the Project are being sought in the North and South of Ireland. 
The local communities' plans can be of any type or size and involve various
types of approach. The 50 places will be allocated on a first come, first served
basis.

Contact the National Secretary: Caroline Smith,  3 Glenard, Monavally, Tralee,
Co. Kerry, Ireland. Tel: 00353 6620441, email: hans@iol.ie 

+
Baha'i Council for England
  Planning the process  

The Council is delighted to learn that there has been an almost 30% increase
in the number of new Baha'is in England compared to the average number of
new believers in the previous three years. This indicates a new vitality in the
teaching efforts of the friends which must gain further momentum in the
second year of the Four Year Plan.

With this in mind, the Council is requesting every Spiritual Assembly,
community and individual believer in England to examine their achievements
and in consultation with the Learned Arm to devise new plans to help the
process of entry by troops.

The Council is particularly asking to receive the plans of expansion and
consolidation from all the Spiritual Assemblies by the Day of the Covenant on
26th November 1997.  Information about these plans can help the Council to
monitor their progress and to develop and co-ordinate regional plans of
expansion and consolidation. We have no doubt that implementation of well-
conceived and systematic local and regional plans, which are based on the
strengths of the individual believers in the community, can make a marked
contribution to the advancement of the process of entry by troops.

In addition, the remarkable success of the Hackney and the North East
projects has prompted the Council to set as a goal for the English community
two other continuous and experimental teaching projects. It is hoped that
these projects will be up and running by Ridvan 1998.

The Council welcomes your comments and suggestions on any aspects of
teaching activities in England. Please contact the Secretary at the address
below. 
 
...coming in September - look out for further details in next month's Baha'i
Journal.

+
It was relaxed, happy and constructive; it was moving, unifying and fun, it
was ...National Convention '97

In spite of what seemed to be the regular disruption of explodable devices on
the major north/south roads, many determined followers of Baha'u'llah managed
to get to the Spa Centre in Scarborough for the first day of National
Convention, Friday 25th April.  On that morning four members of the National
Spiritual Assembly paid a courtesy visit to the Office of the Deputy Mayor of
Scarborough, Councillor Kettlewell, and presented her with copies of "Crown
of Beauty" and "Behold Me: Baha'i Writings on Unity".  Councillor Kettlewell
proved well informed on our Faith and most favourably disposed toward it.

The Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, Dr Wendi Momen, opened
Convention at 2pm.  The Ridvan Message 154 BE to the Baha'is of the World
from the Universal House of Justice was read out on Friday afternoon and
again on Saturday morning.  The Message prompted considerable consultation
on related topics, such as the responsibilities of the new Baha'i Councils and
the role of National Teaching Institutes.

Mrs Maureen Sier representing the Continental Board of Counsellors in Europe
addressed Convention on their behalf.  She stressed the importance of
individual initiative and action and the need for a new institutional state of
mind.  "...we need to create communities that in the words of the Universal
House of Justice, are flourishing, are a collective expression of the virtues of
the individuals, have dynamism and growth, that manage to integrate diversity
successfully in their spiritual, social educational and administrative activities -
 and that meet together for regular devotional meetings.  If we can achieve
this we will automatically grow in numbers. ...Two vital things will create these
new communities - more people as Baha'is and more resources to develop new
ways of living"Around 450 friends attended Convention. At noon on Saturday
the election of the National Spiritual Assembly took place. There were 81
delegates present to cast their votes and 14 postal ballots were also received. 

+
New NSA:

- Mr Hugh Adamson
Mr Barney Leith
Dr Wendi Momen
 Mrs Carolyn Wade 
Dr Iain Palin
Mrs Rita Bartlett
Mr Trevor Finch
Dr John Parris
Mr Peter Hulme

+
The Deputy Trustee for Huququ'llah, Mr Hadi Rahmani-Shirazi addressed the
delegates and assembled friends on the Huququ'llah (with assistance in
translation). He stated that "one of your important responsibilities and duties,
of which you are no doubt aware, is to familiarise the friends who are eager
and desirous of greater firmness in the Covenant with the law of Huququ'llah
because this desire is not realised unless the friends succeed in discharging
their duty with respect to this sacred obligation.  The efforts in the past in
this regard have attracted the pleasure and satisfaction of the Universal
House of Justice, which in a letter dated 14th February 1997, states: "The past
decade has been distinguished by phenomenal progress in this mighty
endeavour, and we are moved to convey to you our gratitude for what you
have achieved under the guidance of the Trustee, Hand of the Cause of God
'Ali-Muhammad Varqa."

+
North East Teaching Team

Sue Finn and Lorna Silverstein addressed Convention on the work of the
North East Teaching Team. It was clear that remarkable progress has been
made and a lot learned in the process. 

+
Convention voted to set a target of  œ50,000 towards
 the National Fund - œ50,300 was raised! 

+
Consultation - 

some of the issues raised: 

Help with delegates expenses - Unit Conventions could set up a fund rather
than individuals having to seek assistance from their LSA. Unused funds could
be passed to the National Fund.

Could there be more artistic interludes during Convention for the benefit of
delegates?

Communities should approach the Ernest Miller Institute Board with
suggestions as to the content of future Training Institutes, which could be
delivered at national, regional or local levels.


Development of an awareness campaign for local Spiritual Assemblies and
groups to address Race Awareness Projects to help communities target
minority groups in a united, sustainable, responsible and accountable manner; 
to try to increase the minority representation in our UK community.

Women form themselves into a local branch of the Association of British Baha'i
Women - they can be registered as a local women's organisation and interact
with other local women's groups.

Encourage Community Schools to reach general public by adopting the Virtues
Project and devising suitable programmes for parents such as marriage,
parenthood, etc.

Entry by troops: attendance of training institutes to be encouraged for their
transforming impact on individuals which will lead to more teaching.

Request for guidelines for fund-raising events.

Remind friends of the importance of observing Holy Days by asking permission
at school for their children to have the days off.  The same goes for adults
also, who should seek permission to abstain from work.

What is Baha'i Identity and how do we promote and enhance it?  It was
requested that the National Spiritual Assembly ask the Baha'i Councils,
together with the Auxiliary Board Members, to convene a number of regional
conferences on the subject of promoting a strong Baha'i Identity - separate
sessions for children, youth and adults with a view to materials and courses
being developed. 

More video material to be available to the community by recording national
meetings, visiting guest speakers, special events.  Such videos would also be
a very good record for the Archives. 

Baha'i Youth brought heart, energy and ideas

To bring attention the concerns of the youth to delegates, there was a parallel
youth consultation, the fruits of which were presented to convention in a very
effective and moving manner. With guidance from both Maureen Siers, Auxiliary
Board Member representing Counsellor Patrick O'Mara and Auxiliary Board
Member Viv Bartlett, the blessings of Baha'u'llah were ensured. Consultation
initially focused on the challenges within the community facing the youth,
moving on to outlining an understanding of how a unified community should
operate, and finishing with drafting proposals of short-term aims to bring
greater unity to the community and for the youth to facilitate the process of
entry by troops.

An energetic speech outlined the diversity of youth activity and the
dedication which is going into it, and then looked at where there was room for
improvement. Several ideas were put forward, centering on ways to integrate
youth and adults, such as youth being given responsibility on Local Spiritual
Assemblies committees, and suggesting plans for increasing unity within the
youth, such as organising monthly regional gatherings which have proved so
successful in Scotland.

The presentation was concluded with a performance of "God is sufficient unto
me" both in Arabic and in harmony, rehearsed for two hours the previous
evening. This moved many of the audience to tears, and one delegate
spontaneously went up to the front to voice his thanks and to affirm the
community's love for the youth. Overall the youth succeeded in focusing the
delegates' minds on its concerns, and it was so productive that a youth
presentation is now to be a regular part of convention.

External affairs - aiding youth to assist in projects such as Agenda 21,
homelessness, environmental issues. 
Help means information, transport, and encouragement. There are teaching
opportunities, as well as aiding unity and development.

Art workshops - this has worked very well in the US, where they basically
act as a residential weekend. This is great for channelling self-expression,
unity, love of Baha'u'llah, and other elements. Help would be needed with
location, cost etc.

Regional Youth Groups - working well in Scotland.  Monthly Youth Gatherings
- very cheap - in someone's home. Doing what the Youth want, whether it's
music, canoeing, cinema or  studying the texts, this is vital for unity when
so many youth are isolated. It is an assured once-a-month pick-me-up. Help
needed with location, transport,  costs, organisation. 

Youth given more responsibility - The LSA could invite youth on to various
committees. Responsibility could be given gradually with a great deal of
support.

More youth input at Unit conventions. If you'd like a complete copy of the
youth proposal, please e-mail: james.goldsmith@exeter.oxford.ac.uk  or send an
SAE to: James Goldsmith, Exeter College, Oxford, OX1 3DP.

++
The role of the Assistants 

The Universal House of Justice in authorising the appointment by Board
members of assistants have stated:

"The exact nature of the duties and duration of the appointment of the
assistants is also left to each Continental Board to decide for itself. Their aims
should be to activate and encourage Local Spiritual Assemblies, to call the
attention of Local Spiritual Assembly members to the importance of holding
regular meetings, to encourage local communities to meet for the 19 Day Feasts
and Holy Days, to help deepen their fellow believers' understanding of the
Teachings, and generally to assist the Auxiliary Board members in the
discharge of their duties." (1)

The Supreme Body also described 'the Auxiliary Board members and their
assistants as being:

"...an institution of the Faith, reaching into every locality, composed of firm
believers who know the area they have to serve and are familiar with its
problems and potentialities - an institution expressly designed to encourage
and reinforce the work of the Spiritual Assemblies, to enthuse the believers,
to stimulate them to study the Teachings and apply them in their lives." (2)

Board members and assistants function individually, not as a consultative
body.  To be able to do this effectively a high degree of personal initiative
is expected of them, he or she must determine what action to take to be of
service to the Faith and then resolutely follow this through.  The following
statement highlights the point:

"In performing his functions, an assistant to an Auxiliary Board member is
called upon to exercise a high degree of initiative in devising and
implementing measures which lead to the accomplishment of the objectives
assigned to him.  Being closely familiar with the conditions, needs and
potentialities of the community to which he is assigned, each assistant is in
the best position to determine how he can provide stimulation, encouragement
and advice to the believers there." (3)

Friends, so far we have considered some of the main functions and modes of
operation of the Auxiliary Boards and their assistants. Much more can be
written, but we must turn our attention to the work of the Four Year Plan.
At the individual level the friends are called upon by our National Spiritual
Assembly to undertake a number of important tasks. We are: to teach; to take
personal initiative in teaching the Cause; to support wholeheartedly,
continuously and generously the plans and activities of the National and Local
Spiritual Assembly; to increase personal confidence in teaching and to work
towards spiritually and mentally accepting the possibility of entry by troops
by participating in Training Institutes; to increase involvement in those
agencies of the Cause which deepen (my) faith and that of others; to support
the international collaboration goals; to pray, meditate and study the Writings
and to contribute to the Funds of the Faith. The immediate work of the
Auxiliary Board members and their assistants is to aid the believers to engage
in this work.  Each assistant will have to devise and implement measures
which lead to the accomplishment of these objectives. The Board members and
assistants are fully aware that they: "...should consider themselves responsible
for the attainment of the goals in their area." (4) 

A major feature of the Four Year Plan at the Local Spiritual Assembly level
is the requirement that Assemblies, "...develop and implement a systematic local
plan of growth aimed at advancing significantly the process of entry by
troops in collaboration with the Auxiliary Board members and their assistants."
It would be fair to say that when collaboration, not only to develop but also
to implement a systematic plan of growth, does occur, then this goal is
achieved. The other two goals of the Local Spiritual Assemblies - that of
developing external affairs strategies in their area and to demonstrate
increased maturity in all aspects of Local Spiritual Assembly responsibilities
also require collaborative processes. 

Another exciting development encouraged by the Universal House of Justice
is that of the appointment of assistants for very important specific functions.
Hence in the UK you will find assistants for the Baha'i education of children,
the role of women, the animation of youth and the use of the arts in
promoting and consolidating the Faith.  In fact the appointment of assistants
for specific tasks is a very recent development of the appointed institution.
As the Faith grows we can expect a whole array of assistants for new
functions, eg assistants for teaching prominent people, to those who will focus
on developing the 19 Day Feast; assistants dedicated to the work of the Cause
amongst a specific ethnic population, to those who will be linked with
Mashriqu'l Adhkar dependencies.

A final word needs to be said about the spirit of functioning of all 
institutions and of the collaborative process.  The elected and appointed
institutions (the rulers and the learned) are permanent features of
Baha'u'llah's Administrative Order and each have 
special roles to play in the propagation and protection of the Faith. Progress
is made when the members of these institutions work in harmony and complete
the work expected of them.  The following words of the Universal House of
Justice 1980 to the Baha'i's of the World emphasise this point:

"The harmonious interaction and proper discharge of the duties of these
institutions representing the rulers and the learned among the people of Baha
is the essential basis at this time for the protection of the Cause of
Baha'u'llah and the fulfilment of its God given mandate." It is the spirit of
loving unity, of humble servitude, of self-effacement, of kindness and
rectitude of conduct which win victories for this great Cause.  As we all learn
to bring these qualities into the field of concerted action many of the
difficulties we now experience will dissolve and hearts will be energised. 

"Assistants to the Auxiliary Board members, labouring with dedication and
self-sacrifice to perform their vital functions," write the International
Teaching Centre,  "might well ponder the words of the Universal House of
Justice on the profound spiritual effect which such unity will bring about"
 "The Counsellors, the Auxiliary Boards and their assistants on the one hand,
and the National and Local Spiritual Assemblies with their committees on the
other, are all potent instruments for the teaching work.  With full co-operation
between them and in a spirit of unity in conducting their operations these
institutions will be bountifully blessed and confirmed. The loving collaboration
and dedication exemplified by these agencies and the spirit of unity they
manifest in effectively reinforcing and directing the efforts of the friends will
release abundant spiritual forces that will energise the body of the believers
who are called upon to offer their highest service to the Faith which they
have dedicated themselves to serve."(5)

References

++
World News
Holiday on Hainan

Sometimes I remember past experiences like flicking back the pages of a book. 
I can see our family taking that wonderful journey together by boat from
Guangzhou to Hainan Island - a 27-hour trip non-stop.

We shared a third class cabin and found ourselves to be the only non-Chinese
people on board.  This ship usually only took Chinese from the mainland to
holiday on Hainan. We were there amongst doctors, lawyers, journalists,
business people, teachers and students, most of whom were curious to know
who we were, where we were from and why we were there.

We shared our cabin with another family.  Our own children, Daniel and Hanah
were on the top bunk for most of the journey.  This was the nearest possible
spot to a noisy old fan which appeared to be making its best effort to cool
the air, but only had a very slight effect within its nearest vicinity. Clive and
I gave up the idea of becoming cool.  The old, rusty, iron ship slowly snaked
out of the Pearl River estuary and into the open South China Sea.  Far
beyond the wide harbour lay the enchanting and mysterious country of the
future.  We asked ourselves what kind of lives were led by the people out
there, who were they?  What of their fears, loves, dreams and aspirations...

Our cabin became a gathering place for the other passengers. Those who
spoke English would talk with us leaning against the cabin door or over the
ship's railing, looking out to sea.  Friends and relatives would accompany
them and crowds would stand behind them, curious to hear  anything about
us.  Our conversation would be translated into Chinese and passed into the
crowd.  In return we heard fascinating tales of lives  in circumstances so
very different from our own.  A tearful girl from one of the minority tribes
of Hainan quickly became our friend.  She had left her boyfriend behind on
the mainland. 

Two students from Beijing told us that their University lecturers had been
Roma and Richard Boyle, our friends from England.  The level of sincerity of
one law student so moved my heart that  for a while I left my limited
condition and entered into new heights of understanding.  He said that his
country needed a new vision for its future.  He thanked me for our
conversation and said that he would never forget that day.

We arrived on Hainan Island at night with nowhere to go and no ability to
communicate, just a phrase book and some basic Chinese learnt by Daniel and
Hannah at the School of Nations in Macau.  Though nervous, we were ready
for another adventure...

Perhaps there are not many parts of the world unaltered by the big sweep
of the materialistic life style which has a habit of destroying diversity and
making uniformity; where can one find examples of different ways of living.
China is such an example and so many experiences await the traveller!

Jill Tully

++
UK News
What one person can achieve

I would like to encourage all of you to snatch any opportunities that come as
they may bring many benefits to the Faith, and opportunities of service to
mankind, especially at the local level.  It is a sure way of bringing the Faith
out of obscurity and I feel sure a prelude to "Entry by Troops".  Many
organisations have aims which encompass our Baha'i principles and we can
work with them to establish these ideals in society at large.

I joined the "Fife Racial Equality Council" and after a few meetings was voted
on to the Executive Council and then became Vice Chairperson.  The other
Executive members soon came to realise the benefits of consultation and the
Council meetings became more harmonious. Further developments followed and
I was invited to be Chairperson of the "Fife Community Interpreting Service"
and sustainable "Fife Round Table Agenda 21". Recently, with the support and
interest of prominent members of our small local neighbourhood we have
established a "local Agenda 21 Committee" and are hoping to make people more
aware of the issues and organise projects, starting with cleaning up our local
environment.

Due to this involvement I have been officially invited to the following
functions: from the Scottish Office - to attend the ceremony of the returning
of the Stone of Destiny to Edinburgh; a reception for Mr John Major and Mr
Michael Forsyth; a meeting with the Chairperson of Fife Education Committee
re: World Citizenship project and moral education; a forthcoming event - the
Queen's Garden Party at Holyrood House in July.

Loving greetings, Nuri Sabit


+
Oxford Baha'i on BBC World Service

Martin Forward, a lecturer at Cambridge University, recently wrote and
presented a series on missionary activities in the world religions for BBC
World Service. He had come into contact with the Baha'i Faith as a result of
publishing two books with One world Publications.  Dr John Danesh of Oxford
Baha'i community was extensively interviewed in one of the programmes, along
with the Director of Bosch Baha'i School and a Baha'i from South Africa. For
anyone who missed the broadcasts in March, a book based on them will be
published by One world next year.

+
Leaflet exposure in Warwick

In January this year an Information Office was opened in Marlow, Bucks,
under the auspices of the Wycombe District Council. Included in the office are
Citizens Advice Bureau, Tourist Information, Job Centre, Volunteer Focus, a
support group for the elderly etc. All this information is offered free to the
people of Marlow and the surrounding area.

Prior to the opening a member of the Wycombe Baha'i community made contact
with the appointed manager of the office to obtain details regarding available
space for a Baha'i project. We were told to submit a proposal - a
committee was formed. They suggested a befriending scheme. It was rejected
by the Assembly as we did not have the expertise or enough trained people
to run it. It was then suggested to offer the Council and the people of Marlow
the opportunity to have available to them access to the vast amount of Baha'i
literature on different subjects.

To the delight of the Local Spiritual Assembly, the Council agreed and has
made an area available to put a poster with the title of pamphlets from the
Warwick range, enabling the seekers to ask staff for the pamphlets (which
have contact telephone numbers printed on the back).

Why not consider trying this idea in your area? Please contact the Wycombe
Baha'i community for assistance.

+
Women's Festival in Ballymena

The Association of Baha'i Women in Ballymena was recently involved in the
Ballymena Women's Festival, initiated by Lady Mayhew as a platform to promote
women's resources, skills, professions and talents within their own community. 
These Festivals have been touring the Province and prove to be a perfect
opportunity to share some of the Baha'i principles.

The Baha'is constructed an inspiring exhibition based on some outstanding
women of this century. Opportunities of the new century were also explored.
Some of the women honoured were - Tahereh, her heroic life and selfless
sacrifice for the promotion of women's rights was illustrated; - Martha Root,
American journalist who travelled the globe several times in the 1920's and
30's to promote the cause of women's equality; - Laura Dreyfus-Barney, a
member of the first Baha'i community in Europe. 

+
Richard Baker visits Baha'i World Centre

Award-winning broadcaster Richard Baker - who was the BBC's first television
newsreader and is well-known for his numerous television and radio classical
music programmes - recently spent a memorable day visiting the Baha'i Holy
Places in Haifa and Akka.  Richard Baker, his wife Margaret and their friend
Roma Palby docked in Haifa for one day while on a P&O cruise, during which
Richard was compering the entertainment evenings.  He was hosted by Peter
and Sandra Jenkins of Guernsey, now serving at the World Centre, and Ann
Wong from Liverpool who serves in the Office of Public Information.  They
spent the entire day visiting the Shrine of the Bab, the Lower Terraces, the
Seat of the Universal House of Justice, the Shrine of Baha'u'llah and Akka.
The visitors were greatly impressed by the tranquillity and beauty of the holy
places.  Richard Baker made his request to visit the holy places to Rob
Weinberg who is Richard's producer on the Classic FM Evening Concert.

+
Activities in and around Congleton

Congleton Baha'is are actively involved in Agenda 21, serving on the executive
of the main committee.  The Agenda 21 Group arranged a Unity Fun Day in
Middlewich town centre with the Baha'is holding an exhibition of books and
literature in an impressive display unit.  Mrs Fahim Noorgostar presented the
'Prosperity of Humankind' to Councillor Watkinson, Mayor of Middlewich.

Support from neighbouring committees has been most gratefully received, with
special thanks for Book Agency arrangements and to Steve Day with his
outstanding singing voice and guitar playing.

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National Treasurer's page
National Assembly announces details of plan to repay our loan from the
Universal House of Justice - FAST 

National Convention 

During its presentation at National Convention the National Spiritual Assembly
announced that it wants the community to pay off our remaining debt to the
International Fund as quickly as possible.  Although we have been repaying
œ5000 or more each month since early 1990, the recent letter dated 4th
February 1997 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice highlighting
the current needs of the International Fund has moved the National Assembly
to launch a campaign to repay our debt more quickly.  At the time of going
to press (mid May) the outstanding debt was œ109,000.

The National Assembly announced at National Convention that if each Baha'i
household paid œ5.00 per month to this debt, it would be paid off completely
by Convention 1998!

The National Assembly also announced that it would initiate a special Property
Fund for the provision of a large residential conference style building of our
own as soon as the debt was cleared. 

+
Mount Carmel Projects:
The German Templar Colony in Haifa 

The German Templar Colony site is characterised by the distinctive red-roofed
houses built by the German Templars who arrived at the foot of Mount Carmel
in 1844.  They had predicted that here they would witness the return of
Christ.  The Municipality of Haifa have set up a project to restore this area
and realign part of the road so that there is a straight line from the harbour
to the top of Mount Carmel.

The office of the Management of the German Colony Project recently released
a brochure sharing details of planning and design.  The following is an
excerpt:

"Restoration and development are the key factors in the German Colony
project, whose aim is to restore the Templar style avenues, homes and
gardens, while striving to inject new life into the entire area.  The result will
be an economically thriving locale - a tourist attraction that stretches from
the city's seaport in the north, to the beautiful Baha'i Gardens, running the
entire length of the Colony.  The comprehensive development plan for the
German Colony includes a host of exciting concepts."  "New buildings will be
designed in the authentic style of old. Similarly, the avenue will be paved
with stone and lined with the historic facades, while the open view down to
the sea and up to the Baha'i Gardens on Mount Carmel will be carefully
preserved..."

In an interview, the Head of the German Colony Administration office set up
by the Municipality of Haifa, said that the time schedule for the implementation
of the design, at least of the main avenue through the Colony, has been
planned to coincide with the completion of the Baha'i Terraces project.

In the final analysis, the completion of the Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab
and the German Templar Colony restoration and development will in fact fulfil
the vision of 'Abdu'l-Baha, Who foreshadowed the conversion of the main
avenue through the Templar Colony into the Highway of the Kings and Rulers
of the world, a highway starting from the sea and reaching up to the Shrine
of the Bab, and beyond to the crest of Mount Carmel. 

Taken from Mount Carmel Baha'i Projects Update,
 Baha 154BE/March 1997 AD

Work advancing on the Centre 
for the Study of the Texts 

Local stone work inside and outside the building of the Centre for the Study
of the Texts is nearing completion.  External wood windows, principally for the
portico areas, have arrived.  The contract for installing them has been
awarded and work is due to start shortly.  Several items of millwork have also
been fabricated and the manufacture of the special shelving system for the
Library, in the basement of the building, is almost complete.  Work has
commenced on the installation of the Fire and Security System (which includes
closed circuit televisions, cameras, sensors and detectors).  Work on
suspended tile ceilings in the office areas is under way.  

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End of document