TREASURERS REPORT FOR THE FEAST OF AZAMAT / GRANDEUR MAY 17,2013

Transcription

1 FOR THE FEAST OF AZAMAT / GRANDEUR MAY 17,2013 In Akka the Master s room often contained not even a bed as He was continually giving His own to those more needy than He. Wrapped in a blanket, He would lie on the floor or even on the roof of His home. It was not possible to buy a bed in the town of Akka; a bed ordered from Haifa took at least thirty-six hours to arrive. Inevitably, when the Master went on His morning round of visitations and found a feverish individual tossing on bare ground, He sent him His bed. Only after His own situation was inadvertently discovered did He receive another bed, thanks to some kind friend. (Honnold, Annamarie, Vignettes from the Life of Abdu l-bahá, p. 66) Income and expenses from 4/24/13 to 5/15/13 Expenditure 12, Jalal and Jamal contribution with previous balance 21, Other Deposits Earmarked funds to National Total 22, INCOME AND EXPENSES FROM 04/24/13-5/15/13 25, , , , , Expenditure Jalal and Jamal contribution with previous balance Ending Balance 10, Monthly contributions to National 1, Ear Marked contributions to National 9, The balance expenses are for utilities, CRM etc Please note that any checks made to the National Spiritual Assembly should be mailed directly to National.

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3 FOR THE FEAST OF RAHMAT / MERCY JUNE 24,2013 "All the friends of God... should contribute to the extent possible, however modest their offering may be. (Abdu l-baha, Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, p. 83) Dear Friends, Please accept the warmest greetings of the Spiritual Assembly on your wonderful services to the Cause of Baha u llah through sacrificial giving to all the Funds of our Faith. We want you to be aware that contributions for the last two feasts have been below our needs to support our current expenses. We have opportunities now to invest in several important areas of teaching. First, the Assembly is doing everything possible to make sure that each person between 15 and 30 is encouraged to attend the upcoming youth conference in Phoenix and that barriers that may prevent them from attending are removed. The Assembly is helping with transportation and assisting with some lodging, since National has asked that as many youth as possible stay at the conference hotel. To prepare participants for the Conference, intensive programs of study are taking place, where our precious home front pioneers are giving their all by teaching, tutoring study circles and making home visits. The Assembly has been providing transportation and food for many of the participants. Funds are also being spent to support the teaching efforts by purchasing books, printing materials, providing sports equipment and art supplies. These are just some of the current needs, in addition to paying our bills. We anticipate the these needs will increase after the youth conference with the wide-spread expansion that is anticipated. Your continuing contributions are appreciated. There are other ways you can contribute. Maybe your Feast Group will have a fund raiser or hold a neighborhood yard sale, car wash, etc. Perhaps you would like to volunteer to cook or provide transportation. Simin Samiei is coordinating our volunteer activities. Please contact her if you are interested in volunteering by calling. With Loving Baha'i greetings Dheena Fernando, Treasurer Income and expenses for Feast of Rahmat (6/5/13 to 6/20/13) Beginning Balance 6, Nur Contribution 2, Other Deposits Total 10, Expenses (2,614.21) Ending Balance 7,490.56

4 FOR THE FEAST OF KALIMÁT / WORDS JULY 13,2013 "Giving to the Fund, therefore, is a spiritual privilege, not open to those who have not accepted Bahá'u'lláh, of which no believer should deny himself. It is both a responsibility and a source of bounty. This is an aspect of the Cause which, we feel, is an essential part of the basic teaching and deepening of new believers. The importance of contributing resides in the degree of sacrifice of the giver, the spirit of devotion with which the contribution is made and the unity of the friends in this service; these attract the confirmations of God and enhance the dignity and self-respect of the individuals and the community." (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies, August 7, 1985) Income and expenses for Feast of Kalimat (6/21/13 to 7/12/13) Beginning Balance 7, Rahmat Contribution 3, Other Deposits Total 10, Expenses (5,269.51) Ending Balance 5, Jalal& Jamal Azamat Nur Rahmat Income 22, , , , Expense 12, , , , , , , , , Income Expense - Jalal& Jamal Azamat Nur Rahmat Dear Friends, Allah'u'Abha The following income on the above graph is from the ending balance that is added to the monthly contributions. Please see the actual contributions per Baha'i' month below and this includes earmarked funds for National. As you may see we did not meet the budget of 3, the past three months. Thanks for the generosity Contributions per Baha'i month Sultan Mulk Ala Baha Jalal Jamal Azamat Nur Rahmat 2, , , , , , , , ,395.00

5 FOR THE FEAST OF KAMÁL / PERFECTION AUGUST 1,2013 We must be like the fountain or spring that is continually emptying itself of all that it has and is continually being refilled from an invisible source. To be continually giving out for the good of our fellows undeterred by fear of poverty and reliant on the unfailing bounty of the Source of all wealth and all good this is the secret of right living. (Shoghi Effendi, cited in "Bahá'í News" 13 (September 1926), p. 1) Income and expenses for Feast of Kamal (7/13/13 to 8/1/13) Beginning Balance 5, Kalimat Contribution 1, Other Deposits (Earmarked for National) Other Deposits Other Deposits (youth activities) Total 7, Expenses (4,581.02) Ending Balance 3, Jalal& Jamal Azamat Nur Rahmat Kalimat Income 22, , , , , Expense 12, , , , , , , , , Income Expense 5, Jalal& Jamal Azamat Nur Rahmat Kalimat

6 Dear Friends, Allah'u'Abha Please see the actual contributions per Baha'i' month below. As you may see we did not meet the budget of 3, for the past few Feasts. For the Feast of Kalimat we received only 49%. Please let us know of any suggestions to the Local Spiritual Assembly in increasing contributions. Thanks for the generosity Contributions per Baha'i month Sultan Mulk Ala Baha Jalal Jamal Azamat Nur Rahmat 2, , , , , , , , , Kalimat 1,822.00

7 FOR THE FEAST OF AZMÁ / NAMES AUGUST 20,2013 Self-sacrifice means to subordinate this lower nature and its desires to the more godly and noble side of ourselves. Ultimately, in its highest sense, self-sacrifice means to give our will and our all to God to do with as He pleases. Then He purifies and glorifies our true self until it becomes a shining and wonderful reality. From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, December 10, 1947 Income and expenses for Feast Beginning Balance Kamal Contributions Other deposits of Azma (8/1/13 to 8/20/13) 3, , Online transfer from GCBC for youth activities 5, Total Expenses Ending Balance Jalal& Jamal Azamat Income 22, , Expense 12, , , (818.49) 9, Nur Rahmat Kalimat Kamal 10, , , , , , , Income Expense Jalal& Jamal Azamat Nur Rahmat Kalimat Kamal Contributions per Baha'i month Sultan Mulk Ala Baha Jalal Jamal Azamat 2, , , , , , , Nur 2,, Rahmat 3, Kalimat 1, Kamal 1,877.00

8 FOR THE FEAST OF IZZAT / MIGHT SEPTEMBER 8,2013 Below is a touching and true story about how unity, universal participation and desire to serve can bring results barely imaginable or expected by the community! Bahá'ís were longing to proclaim the Faith in their town but did not have the money. Then, at one of their Nineteen Day Feasts, someone explained the spiritual nature of giving, and how universal participation by the friends in donating to the Funds can produce wonderful results. It was mentioned that the Guardian had repeatedly told us that if we arise to serve in unity, the Supreme Concourse will come to our aid and we will be astonished at the blessings and confirmations that we shall receive. It was also said that, so great is the spiritual power generated by the Bahá'ís when every one of them participates in giving to the Funds, that it is better to collect a hundred dollars from all the members of a community than to get one thousand dollars from only two or three people. The Bahá'ís of that town had never fully participated in contributing to the Funds, but after hearing about the spiritual bounties that result from giving in unity, they decided to try it. That evening every single member of the community, even the children, put something in their Fund box. The treasurer, a man of the world, had not been much impressed by the idea of one hundred dollars accomplishing more than one thousand dollars and now, having counted the money collected in the box, said with a touch of cynicism, Everybody in our community has contributed for proclamation and we have amassed the staggering figure of three dollars and ten cents! Then he added, And I don't think we are going to get any kind of proclamation with three dollars and ten cents. A young boy of twelve or thirteen stood up and said to him, You are only the treasurer, they are the Supreme Concourse, and if they say we'll get proclamation for three dollars and ten cents, we'll get it! The community consulted on what they could do with the three dollars and ten cents and decided to buy a book for their library. The secretary, who had not read that book, took it with her to read on the bus going home. At one of the bus stops a man came in dripping with rain and looked around for a seat. There was only one left the seat beside the secretary. As he sat down, the secretary moved uneasily in her seat, afraid of getting drops of water on her book. Then she got absorbed in reading again. The man sitting beside her was looking at the book through the corner of his eye. Then he asked her, What are you reading? The secretary did not like being interrupted. 1 am reading a book, she said. The man was not put off and said, It looks interesting. May I ask you what kind of book it is? If you must know, I am reading a Bahá'í book, she replied impatiently. You must have heard about the Bahá'í Faith, surely? No, I have not, he told her, ''but I would like to hear about it. Suddenly the secretary realized how rude she had been and immediately changed her attitude. She told him about the Bahá'í Faith, about their small community and how they longed to tell the people of the town about the wonderful Message of Bahá'u'lláh, but could not afford it. He listened to all this with interest, then he told her that he was the editor of a newspaper. His wife, who usually came to take him home in their car after he had finished work, had telephoned that

9 evening to say one of their children was ill and she could not come to fetch him; so, for the first time after some six or seven years, he was riding a bus to go home. And that is how he happened to be sitting next to her. He asked her if he could borrow her book to take home to read. She said he could and later, when he had returned the book, she introduced him to the Bahá'í community. He was much impressed by what he had read and touched by the sincerity of the Bahá'ís, so he decided to help them. This is what he did: He sent a reporter and a photographer to meet with the Local Spiritual Assembly, as a result of which two articles about the Faith, entitled The New Religion in Town, came out in the newspaper. After this he wrote a series of thirteen articles about the Cause, the last of which was Bahá'u'lláh the Lord of the Vineyard and the Shepherd of all Mankind. He let the Bahá'ís hold a proclamation meeting in the auditorium of the newspaper a large hall on the second floor. He sent a reporter and photographer to cover the entire programme, which was a great success. He also arranged for the Bahá'ís to have two radio programmes and two television shows. If the Bahá'í community of that town had had to pay for all the proclamation that was done through that one man on the bus, they would have had to pay fifteen thousand dollars. This blessing came to them because they had all contributed in unity towards the three dollars and ten cents they collected for the Fund. (Adapted from Stories About Baha'i Funds, by Gloria Faizi) Income and expenses for Feast of Izzat (8/20/13 to 9/7/13) Beginning Balance 9, Azma Contributions 3, Earmarked for National Other deposits Total 13, Expenses (5,917.33) Ending Balance 7, Jalal& Jamal Azamat Nur Rahmat Kalimat Kamal Azma Income 22, , , , , , , Expense 12, , , , , , , , , , , Income Expense -

10 FOR THE FEAST OF MASHÍYYAT / WILL SEPTEMBER 27,2013 There is a profound aspect to the relationship between a believer and the Fund...When a human soul accepts Bahá u lláh as the Manifestation of God for this age...that soul should progressively bring his or her whole life into harmony with the divine purpose--he becomes a co-worker in the Cause of God and receives the bounty of being permitted to devote his material possessions, no matter how meagre, to the work of the Faith. (The Universal House of Justice) Income and expenses for Feast of Mashiyyat (9/8/13 to 9/26/13) Beginning Balance 7, Izzat Contributions 2, Other deposits (youth activities) 1, Total 11, Expenses (3,944.51) Ending Balance 7, Cash Disbursemnents Date Description Amount 9/9/2013 City of Phoenix /9/2013 City of Phoenix /9/2013 Century Link /9/ Printing and postage for Bi election /11/ New utensils and dishes for the center /18/ Administration /18/ Youth activities /23/2013 Century Link /24/2013 National Bahai center 1, /24/2013 APS Southwest gas Southwest gas /25/ Youth activities , Jalal& Jamal Azamat Nur Rahmat Kalimat Kamal Azma Izzat Income 22, , , , , , , , Expense 12, , , , , , ,944.51

11 25, , , , , Income Expense - Jalal& Jamal Azamat Nur Rahmat Kalimat Kamal Azma Izzat Contributions per Baha'i month Sultan Mulk Ala Baha Jalal Jamal Azamat Nur Rahmat 2, , , , , , , , , Kalimat Kamal Asma Izzat 1, , , , individuals contributed 12% participation

12 FOR THE FEAST OF ILM/ KNOWLEDGE OCTOBER 16,2013 In Akka the Master s room often contained not even a bed as He was continually giving His own to those more needy than He. Wrapped in a blanket, He would lie on the floor or even on the roof of His home. It was not possible to buy a bed in the town of Akka; a bed ordered from Haifa took at least thirty-six hours to arrive. Inevitably, when the Master went on His morning round of visitations and found a feverish individual tossing on bare ground, He sent him His bed. Only after His own situation was inadvertently discovered did He receive another bed, thanks to some kind friend (Honnold, Annamarie, Vignettes from the Life of Abdu l-bahá, p. 66) Income and expenses for Feast of Ilm (9/27/13 to 10/15/13) Beginning Balance 7, Mashiyat Contributions 1, Total 9, Expenses (1,594.96) Ending Balance 7, Expenses Date Description Amount 9/28/ Kitchen supplies /2/ Youth Deputization /2/ Administration /2/ African Festival /7/2013 T-mobile /8/2013 T-mobile /8/2013 Bank Charges /9/2013 City of Phoenix /9/2013 City of Phoenix /9/ Food for youth /9/ Food for unit Convention /10/2013 Century link ,594.96

13 Jalal& Jamal Azamat Nur Rahmat Kalimat Kamal Azma Izzat Mashiyyat Income 22, , , , , , , , , Expense 12, , , , , , , , , , , , , Income Expense Contributions per Baha'i month Sultan Mulk Ala Baha Jalal Jamal Azamat Nur Rahmat 2, , , , , , , , , Kalimat Kamal Asma Izzat Mashiyyat 1, , , , , individuals contributed 5% participation

14 FOR THE FEAST OF QUDRAT/ POWER NOVEMBER 3,2013 Fund Story Earlier in the Faith, when the efforts to build the Bahá í House of Worship began, the Bahá í Temple Unity s Executive Board took out a bank loan to help acquire the Temple land. They were proud of the fact that they were never late with a payment; however, at times it was difficult. In fact, on one occasion it appeared that making the monthly installment would be impossible. There simply wasn t enough money in the Fund. Corinne True prayed for Bahá u lláh s help. Meanwhile, Bernard Jacobsen, the Bahá í Temple Unity s treasurer at the time, came down from Kenosha to confer with Corinne. They decided that they would go to the bank to appeal for an extension of time. The Faith gained a fine credit record and they felt the extension would be granted, however, they could not predict what the bank might say, and they were still concerned because the Master stated that all bills will be paid when due. Not long after Corinne and Bernard sat down before a Northern Trust Company bank official, a foreign exchange clerk called out, Is Mrs. True there? Yes, I am here, she replied. Well, said the clerk, we have just received a draft from the Persian Bahá í community and deposited it into the Bahá í Temple Unity s account. The deposit equaled enough money to pay that month s installment. Corinne and Bernard felt it was a miracle. Income and expenses for Feast of Qudrat (10/16/13 to 11/2/13) Beginning Balance 7, Ilm Contributions 2, Ear marked for National Expenses (3,460.70) Ending Balance 7, Expenses Date Description Amount 10/16/ Cartridges for Printing /16/ Bi election printing and postage /16/ Bi election printing and postage /18/ Ear Marked funds for National from 4/26/13-10/18/ /18/ Contributions towards teaching on behalf of Mike Chunowitz /17/2013 Refund from T-Mobile (94.06) 10/22/2013 National Spiritual Assembly 1, /22/2013 Century link /23/2013 APS /28/2013 Southwest Gas /28/2013 Southwest Gas /30/ Snacks for JYG /30/ Food for CRM , Adults contributed

15 FOR THE FEAST OF QAWL/ SPEECH NOVEMBER 23,2013 Contributing to the Fund is a service that every believer can render, be he poor or wealthy, for this is a spiritual responsibility in which the amount given is not important. It is the degree of the sacrifice of the giver, the love with which he makes his gift, and the unity of all the friends in this service which bring spiritual confirmations. (Universal House of Justice, December 18, 1963) Income and expenses for Feast of Qawl (11/3/13 to 11/22/13) Beginning Balance 7, Qudrat Contributions 1, Other Deposits Expenses (2,700.23) Ending Balance 6, Expenses Date Description Amount 11/4/ Youth activities /4/ ISGP adv payment to Bosch /4/ Bosch Baha'i school (ISGP ) /6/ Food for Junior Youth Group /6/ Administrative work /7/2013 Cithy of Phoenix /7/2013 City of Phoenix /9/ Assistance with rent /11/ Mariachi Band for Holy day /11/ Youth activities /12/2013 Century link /13/ Food for Expansion Phase /13/ Food for Junior Youth Group /13/ Persian Gathering /20/ Food for Expansion Phase Total 2, individuals have contributed. Dear Friends, The National Assembly encourages everyone in the community to make use of the Online services. So far two households has registered for the online contribution systems in Phoenix. If you experience any difficulties creating a Baha'i online service account please contact the Admin Tools Helpdesk at the Baha'i National Center for Assistance. Phone: (toll free) admintoolshelp@usbnc.org Thanks

16 FOR THE FEAST OF MASÁ IL / QUESTIONS DECEMBER 12,2013 Even though Shoghi Effendi would urge every believer to sacrifice as much as possible for the sake of contributing towards the fund of the National Assembly, yet he would discourage the friends to incur debts for that purpose. We are asked to give what we have, not what we do not possess, especially if such an act causes suffering to others. In such matters we should use judgment and wisdom and take into our confidence other devoted Baha'is. (In a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 4 May 1932 to an individual believer) Income and expenses for Feast of Masail (11/23/13 to 12/11/13) Beginning Balance 6, Qudrat Contributions 2, Other Deposits Expenses (3,164.38) Ending Balance 5, Expenses Date Description Amount Date Description Amount 11/22/2013 APS /22/2013 Century link /25/2013 National Spiritual Assembly 1, /25/2013 Southwest Gas /25/2013 Southwest Gas /27/ Pastoral Care /27/ Center Maint /4/ Youth Activities /4/ Administration /4/ Seminar /6/ City of Phoenix ( Burglar and Fire alarm) /6/ US Postal Service (PO Box Annual Charge) /6/ Kitchen Paper supplies Total 3, individuals have contributed. Dear Friends, The National Spiritual Assembly encourages everyone in the community to make use of the Online services. So far three households has registered for the online contribution systems in Phoenix. Thanks

17 FOR THE FEAST OF SHARAF/ HONOR DECEMBER 31, The National Fund must be firmly established, generously supported and universally and continuously upheld, for it is the prerequisite of future progress and achievement. The "News Letter" should be extended, widely distributed and utilized as a means to supply information, co-ordinate activities and secure the support of all the believers to the institutions of the Cause. I strongly urge you to ensure the success of these two primary and essential organs of our work. (In the handwriting of Shoghi Effendi, appended to a letter dated 25 May 1926 written on his behalf to an individual believer) Income and expenses for Feast of Sharaf (12/12/13 to 12/31/13) Beginning Balance 5, Masail Contributions 2, Expenses (2,030.10) Ending Balance 5, Expenses Date Description Amount Date Description Amount 12/9/2013 Bank Charges /10/2013 Century Link /10/2013 City of Phoenix /10/2013 City of Phoenix /18/ JYG dinner at center /18/ T-Mobil /20/ T-Mobil /20/ Pastoral care /24/2013 Century link /24/2013 National Spiritual Assembly monthly payment 1, /24/2013 APS Total 2, individuals have contributed. Dear Friends, The National Spiritual Assembly encourages everyone in the community to make use of the Online services. So far five households has registered for the online contribution systems in Phoenix. Thanks

18 FOR THE FEAST OF SULTÁN / SOVEREIGNTY JANUARY 19,2014 Touching Fundraiser Story Thank you for your letter reminding us of the needs of the Funds. I recently had my 50th birthday and invited people to attend a dinner I prepared myself in the fashion of Abdu l-bahá on His birthday (at least that was my desire). It was a fundraiser dinner. I invited both Bahá ís and non-bahá ís to it, but had other charities available for the non-bahá ís to contribute to (so it turned into a little teaching event as well). I made black bean soup (took two days), catered the salad and my dad made cornbread. My sisters and dad and I each made a dessert also. My plan was for the Bahá ís to contribute to our local treasurer and 50 percent would get forwarded to the National Fund and 50 percent would go to our own Center. (50th birthday = 50/50 fundraiser :) I got to honor the folks who came, including my parents, without whom I would not be here to have a 50th birthday. So, I will keep on contributing and trying to think of other ways to inspire others too. Thank you again! Income and expenses for Feast of Sultan (12/31/13 to 1/19/14) Beginning Balance 5, Sharaf Contributions 4, Other Deposits (From Bookstore) Earmark for National Expenses (1,338.49) Ending Balance 9, individuals have contributed. Expenses Date Description Amount 12/30/2013 Southwest Gas /30/2013 Southwest Gas /1/ Admin work /1/ Youth Activities /7/2014 City of Phoenix /7/2014 City of Phoenix /8/ Center Maintenance /9/2014 Century link /15/ refreshments for Feast co-coordinators meeting Total 1, Dear Friends, Our monthly goal is 3, and the information below shows by each Baha'i month if we have met our goal. The Assembly is happy, that we exceeded our goal for the month of Sharaf. Thank you all for the support.

19 Contributions per Baha'i month Sultan Mulk Ala Baha Jalal Jamal Azamat Nur Rahmat 2, , , , , , , , , Kalimat Kamal Asma Izzat Mashiyyat Ilm Qudrat Qawl Masail 1, , , , , , , , , Sharaf 4,494.10