Bahá’í Teaching- Jan - June 1972, Durango, Colorado
From Notes by Chris S. Cholas, Secretary of the Southern Colorado District Teaching Committee
01-02-1972: 4 Sharaf 128 – Durango
Began task of typing up MAP (Mass Awareness Conference) results. Finished typing recommendations to National – will send a copy to every District Teaching Committee (DTC) in the Rocky Mountain/Southwest area. Evaluation compiled. MAP committee evaluation is three pages long. Presently working on Workshop results—looks like about nine pages from that alone. The entire report will be fifteen t- twenty pages. I hope National can use it.
Letter from Chuy Villagomez inspiring. I am glad to hear from him. He was also impressed with the Fort Lewis College Club’s reaching the campus leaders report.
The Carsons in Lesotho wrote a few days ago to let us know the Lesotho National Spiritual Assembly will be considering our possible pioneering plans.
Audrie Reynolds called from Phoenix confirming our Arizona circuit—she will send names of Whiteriver believers and $35.00. She said a Hand of the Cause of God is going to be in Phoenix tomorrow – Albuquerque later this week.
Velma Sherrill called Borens. She will be in Durango January 11 to meet with the Assembly. Sorry we can’t be here, but our Arizona circuit is booked. I called Albuquerque about the Hand of the Cause coming there Friday evening. I hope we can go. It will be on January 7th.
The Durango Spanish-speaking Proclamation will be on January 8 and 9. We should be busy. Hoping the mass conversion might be eminent! I called Allen Murray in Alamosa. He wants to go to Albuquerque on Friday also.
01-03-72: 5 Sharaf 128 – Durango
Powerful underlying forces of God seem to be working. Must remain steadfast and deepen more in the Cause. Durango Baha’i’s are working on ways to reach out to older people.
01-04-72: 6 Sharaf 128 – Durango
Returned from special journey to Farmington at 7:30 a.m. Not much sleep all day.
A meeting between the Durango Spiritual Assembly and Hand of the Cause of God Dr. Muhájir in Albuquerque, Friday at 4:00 p.m. Doug & Snook Boren, Doug (Myers), Linda and I should represent Durango’s Assembly.
Bob Phillips is planning to come to the Festival of Light in March.
The afternoon was hectic, not a lot accomplished. I did put out some DTC correspondence and worked on the Formative Age Institute for Palisade in February. I hope to ask Auxiliary Board member Margaret Gallagher to come. Tomorrow is busy.
Doug (Myers) and Linda (and Gary Dragna, who is now here in Durango) put up posters for the 8-9 Proclamation—I am becoming excited about it. Almost too much going on. We are very tired, but no rest in sight.
Such movement! May the momentum carry us forward with the Message of God for all men!
01-05-72: 7 Sharaf 128 – Durango
Community meeting potluck was held to write down questions for Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhájir in Albuquerque on Friday.
January 16 Deepening Conference planned for Farmington.
Festival of Light Committee met.
01-06-72: 8 Sharaf 128 – Durango
Woke up late and went to college—played and recorded some piano. Gary Dragna was with me—talked to one person about the Faith.
The money for the Arizona trip arrived. We are asked by the Southwest Indian Teaching Committee (SWITC) to try to meet with Whiteriver Tribal Council to ask for permission to teach the Faith there.
Plans to meet with the Hand of the Cause is set up 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. tomorrow in Albuquerque. We must try to pick up Dolly Rodgers in Santa Clara on the way down.
Trying to contact Taos Bahá’í Group to go. Just made it how- midnight! They are planning to go to Albuquerque tomorrow. Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá!
Finances still very bad. A letter from home—my dad, saddened me. I must make effort to stabilize finances and strive for a profession.
We hope to ask the Hand of the Cause for advice about our Arizona trip, too.
Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá!
01-07-72: 9 Sharaf 128 – Durango
We left Durango at about 9:30 a.m. We went to Santa Clara Pueblo about 1 p.m. to find Dolly Rodgers, but we didn’t, so we continued to Albuquerque. We arrived at the home of Edna Andrews, who was providing hospitality for Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhájir. Edna is wonderful. We waited for Doug and Snook Boren and Sunshine Kelley to arrive. They came about 3:30 p.m. Dr. Muhájir was resting when we arrived. Soon he entered the living room and graciously greeted each of us. We prayed together, then Doug Boren presented our Festival of Light four-day event to him. Dr. Muhájir asked us to consider making it a thirty-day campaign. He said that in India they have forty-day teaching campaigns, because a weekend event doesn’t provide opportunity for follow-up on new believers and new friends. He wanted us to consult and to announce our decision during the evening talk. He told us not to think of race or culture when we teach, but to teach who Bahá’u’lláh is. Use posters, picture albums, etc. He told us the Baha’i’s are different (not separated into categories). They are Baha’i’s—all one.
We consulted at dinner. We agreed to have a thirty-day campaign in Durango beginning February 26 with the Formative Age Institute in Palisade. Hopefully, Auxiliary Board member Margaret Gallagher will come.
Dr. Muhájir gave a powerful talk in the evening as the meeting hall. He said not to wait or to be afraid to reach all people with the Message. He said: “They their dreams, visions and inspirations.”
Albuquerque Bahá’ís announced that they are setting up five-person teaching teams (from a letter to India from the Universal House of Justice). Durango announced Fast Thirty-Day Campaign!
We met David “Elf” St John with us. He volunteered to help Durango with the 8-9 effort. We stopped at his home in El Rito at 2:00 a.m. and arrived back in Durango at 6:00 a.m., January 8th, very tired.
01-08-72: 10 Sharaf 128 – Durango
We started the south Durango efforts at 2:00 p.m. We split into teams and hit assigned areas of south Durango with invitations to tomorrow’s lunch and movie. We had some immediate response, but no enrollments. We prayed for the next day’s effort that waiting souls might appear.
The DTC had a lot of correspondence. The Bahá’ís in Florence want to have Knight of Bahá’u’lláh in February maybe around the 12th and 13th. Palisade confirmed to host the February Formative Age Institute. Cortez is doing well. Alamosa is doing well. No report for all other areas. I must write all tomorrow before the Arizona trip.
Helen Tapia from Santa Fe arrived this evening to help with tomorrow teaching. The Durango community is tired, but still functioning. Fatigue is apparent. Efforts mustn’t cease, but believers need additional strength at this point.
It is good to have David St. John (Elf) here.
Maynards and Doug Myers came over tonight – we went to the college, and I was able to see some friends. Linda worries about being a good mother. She does so well, I wish she wouldn’t worry. Amani’lláh weighs over ten pounds now.
Sunshine, Elf and Doug Boren went to Farmington to help with a fireside there. Marsha Harrington and Mike Brooks from Alamosa are here, too, but on personal business this time. It is 2:30 a.m. January 9th.
01-09-72: 11 Sharaf 128 – Durango
Good, good progress today. Proclamation: lunch, movie and talk brough a full house with about fifteen Bahá’ís, fifteen friends over fifteen, and almost fifty children. No immediate enrollments, but a very good feeling.
Frankie Albo should return tomorrow. Doug Myers, Linda, and I leave tomorrow for Arizona.
Jack Roath called this evening—everything is going “beautiful.”
I need to write Florence community for Institute 12&13 of February.
I contacted Pueblo, Trinidad, and Alamosa for setting up Formative Age Institute in late February. Overall, progress is good.
Homefront seems well enough for us to begin our ten-day trek through Indian areas of Arizona, praying that God will be with us. Audrie called at the last minute: circuit is all set.
01-10-72: 12 Sharaf 128 – Phoenix, Arizona
We will include San Carlos on our circuit and will be there January 16.
Called Western Regional Office to ask for list of audio/visual aids and information about consolidators.
Chinle at 1:00 p.m. Talked with Annie Kahn. She is interested in a Bahá’í summer school. I told her that we are investigating John & Maggie Hursey’s place at a possible site. She has had no progress on creating a newspaper. We invited her to Durango’s March campaign.
Went to Dine Bitsiis Baa Aha Yaa to see Chester (Kahn). He has just returned from an Auxiliary Board Conference in Fort Collins. He gave us very good advice and explained his work and we told him we would try to get him to Fort Lewis College to speak. We also invited him for March. Chinle has good Assembly possibilities for Ridván. We left Chinle at 5:00 p.m. We helped some people who needed some gas.
Arrived in Phoenix about 11:00 p.m. at the Helmicks. We briefed with them about the oncoming days. So much to do!
01-11-72: 13 Sharaf 128 – Phoenix, Arizona
Doug (Myers) cam at 10:30 a.m. We went to Zahrah Schoeny’s (Zahrah had attended the MAP Conference.) We called Julie Sater. She invited us to come at 2:00 p.m. to meet some friends from Fort McDowell (Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation).
We then went to Guadalupe at 1:00 p.m. and visited Marilyn Herrera (Sanchez) and talk to her neighbor, Ron Sanchez. The visit left us with a very good feeling.
The afternoon at Julie’s was also rewarding. Three people from Fort McDowell came. We shared about Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings. We will meet again with Julie on Thursday.
No word from Tempe Assembly yet. Doug took us to a printing place. We are having 1000 pamphlets printed up for $17.88—more expensive than we expected to pay.
Doug dropped us off at my Aunty Georgia Fourlis’s home where we had dinner. Linda told her we are Bahá’ís, but she didn’t ask up anything. We will visit her again tomorrow and meet her husband. Aunty Georgia is may favorite Greek relative going back to my younger years during my family’s annual Western Colorado trip to Paonia, Colorado.
Back to the Helmicks at 9:00 a.m. we received a call from the Tempe, Assembly asking me to call the Coolidge Bahá’ís, so I did. We will meet them tomorrow—Central Arizona College at noon and Coolidge Group at 3:00 p.m. to talk about Indian teaching efforts.
We visited by phone with two Tempe believers. Then we called a friend, who used to go to Fort Lewis College, and who is now working at the Indian School.
01-12-72: 14 Sharaf 128 – Phoenix, Arizona
We visited my favorite uncle, Tom Cholas, brother to Georgia Fourlis, at the Doral Rest Home. I remember Tom as a gentle and kind person. Tom has Multiple Sclerosis and is declining rapidly from a strong and healthy man to a person, still strong in mind and spirit, but who can barely talk or move. He was very appreciative of having prayers together and learning about the Bahá’í Faith. I felt so privileged that we could spend time with him.
We went to the Central Arizona College (CAC) campus and met with the Bahá’í College Club. CAC is a two-year school with about fifteen hundred students including two hundred Indian students and five Bahá’ís. Not much activity yet, but efforts are being planned. Firesides are set up. Most of the small Coolidge Bahá’í community attend CAC.
The Coolidge Bahá’í Group has good possibilities for Assembly status by Ridván. It’s a very good group with six adults. The Tempe Spiritual Assembly could help more.
We hope they can make a breakthrough into the Gila River Reservation. No efforts have been made. We visited the Reservation and prayed there. Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá!
May God help that downtrodden place.
Rhoderoi and Ken Myers gave us a wonderful dinner at 7:00p.m. From the Myer’s home, we returned to the Helmick’s to meet with the Northern Arizona District Teaching Committee. We reported what we have thus far done and consulted on the Whiteriver effort coming up January 17 & 18. I asked Nancy Phillips to keep I touch with Carol and Lucile Hyeome at the Phoenix Indian School.
Julie Sater called, and we shall meet with Scottsdale members at her home tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.
Doug called Durango: Velma Sherrill left today. Ruth Moffat may be able to come for the Festival of Light. Rhod Myers asked us to invite Walter and Emma Jones from Cottonwood.
It was a good day (but I feel uncomfortable in Phoenix.) I am look forward to the Scottsdale effort in Fort McDowell tomorrow, and, of course, Guadalupe on Friday morning.
01-13-72: 15 Sharaf 128 – Scottsdale & Fort McDowell, Arizona
We visited Salt River today and gave a copy of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era to the library there with Linda. Three Bahaais from Scottsdale came with us. We prayed by the Tribal Center.
After lunch we went to Fort McDowell Yavapai to teach. Linda and Odale told the Tribal Chairman’s wife, Mrs. Harry Jones, about the Faith. It was well received by her.
We went to Guadalupe and spent the night at the Herreras. We felt that we had a very productive day: Scottsdale could do lots.
01-14-72: 16 Sharaf 128 – Pisinimo, Tohono Oʼodham, “the desert people”, Arizona
It was a long drive to arrive here, but we found our friend, Liz Howard, and she is happy.
There is a Catholic Mission here with a nice priest from Germany. The village will assuredly accept the Message of Bahá’u’lláh. We prayed for a local Spiritual Assembly to be established here. I drew the Ring Stone Symbol in the dirt with Bahá’u’lláh’s Name to symbolize planting the Blessed Beauty’s Message here. Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá!
01-15-72: 17 Sharaf 128 – Tucson, Arizona
We left Pisinimo at 11:00 a.m. and arrived in Tucson in the early afternoon at the Schmucker’s home. They are all wonderful. Susan Schmucker went with us to Sells to Susan Isaac’s home by the high school.
We prayed there and discussed teaching plan for Papago (Tohono Oʼodham). We wanted to find two other Baha’i’s. We ate at a café and then drove and drove, but could not find the Joaquins, Ruth and Luci. We did find Ruth’s cousins, who said that Ruth’s husband had been killed.
Susan Isaacs has been here one week and has already made inroads that could be effective. We promised her our prayers every night, and to write from Durango at least once every Bahá’í month.
We returned to Tucson around 10:30 p.m. Two people declared at the Schmucker’s fireside. Very long day.
01-16-72: 18 Sharaf 128 – San Carlos Apache Reservation, Arizona
We spent the morning and afternoon with Tucson believers. We bought books and left for San Carlos.
We stopped to have prayers in Oracle, Mammoth, Peridot, Winkelman, and sunset prayers on San Carlos.
Ellen Struven greeted us warmly and fixed a wonderful meal. Roosevelt and Lillian Wilson came over. We discussed possibilities for the San Carlos Assembly and shared prayers.
Tomorrow, we head for Whiteriver.
11:30 p.m.
01-17-72: 19 Sharaf 128 – White Mountain Apache Reservation, Whiteriver, Arizona
In the morning in San Carlos, we walked to town with Lillian Wilson and visited several people. Ellen saw us off.
We drove to Globe and spent some time there washing clothes and eating.
We arrived at George Hesse’s in Whiteriver around 5:30 p.m. He had graduated from Fort Lewis College and found a teaching job in Whiteriver. He let us have his whole trailer to stay in. He made us very comfortable. Tomorrow will be busy and important—we must talk to Tribal Chairman Fred Banashly to seek permission to present the Faith on the Reservation.
We went to be early—9:00 p.m.
01-18-72: 1 Sultan 128 – Whiteriver, Arizona
I arose late. We went to the elementary school where George worked to have lunch with him. From there we prayed and then found Pansy Cassadore at her work, where we visited with her for a while. She mentioned the names of people we knew from Fort Lewis College.
From Pansy’s office we went to the Tribal Office to put the Bahá’í Faith on their next Council agenda and to see Fred Banashly. The next Council meeting won’t be until February. Mr. Banashly wasn’t in.
We visited our friend, Irma Riley, at the BIA information desk. Irma is a nice person. We arranged from Irma’s switchboard to see Mr. Banashly who was now in.
He greeted us warmly. Doug stayed in the car praying all this time and watching little Amani’llah (then two months old). Mr. Banashly is Mormon, and we explained our purpose to try to locate Bahá’í members living in the Whiteriver area. He allowed us to do this. He told us if we want to meet with the Council, we should, beforehand, sent them our proposal.
In the afternoon we found Bernice Quintero, who is wonderful. We will see her tomorrow before we leave. We ate with George and his neighbor.
Pansy came over while we were gone, but we called her, and she came over around 7:00 p.m. We talked about the Faith and social issues. We gave her The Hidden Words.
We had the Feast of Sultan right after Pansy left. We reviewed our trip and read many prayers together.
Reflections of Sharaf:
The MAP Conference ended and the month of Sharaf began with increased fervor and enthusiasm. New directions and multiple efforts were immediately initiated in Durango, Southern Colorado, and other areas of the Southwest.
Hand of the Cause of God, Dr. Muhájir’s coming to Albuquerque marked a definite release of spiritual energy throughout the area and has sparked a new dimension for us in teaching. Teaching teams are being developed throughout New Mexico and Arizona. Southern Colorado has become a more cohesive forces in the Cause.
The plans for the Formative Age Institutes in Southern Colorado had begun.
The Bahá’í community of Durango’s has new spirit and a growth in understanding teaching and consolidation. The plans for a thirty-day teaching campaign beginning during the Intercalary Days were set in motion. The Festival of Light should become a sign of the Faith’s roots being sunk deeper in Durango’s soil.
Our present teaching trip through Arizona for the SWITC, now in its final stretch, has brought to light many problems in Indian teaching efforts and also revealed many underdeveloped gems and goldmine areas. Papago (Tohono O'odham Reservation) is a bright light area for me.
The DTC work in Colorado needs to increase. More correspondence with the friends should be started on a regular basis. There still needs to be more movement in most Southern Colorado areas. Alamosa, Palisade and Durango are taking the load presently. Trinidad, Pueblo, Cortez, and Florence are beginning to arise. Hopefully, other areas will, likewise, arise. It was a big loss for our area when the Browers left Florence to move to Illinois. The adult number there is only four now. Trinidad may be losing members to moves. Hopefully, we can all double our efforts during the month of Sultan.
01-19-72: 2 Sultan 128 – Fort Wingate, New Mexico
Our health is wearing thin, but we are still marching on.
Linda talked to Irene Moody who would like Bahá’ís to visit her.
We ate lunch with George and visited his class. We left for Zuni around 1:00 p.m.
Linda is not feeling well. Amani’llah is not well. We could not find any of the believers in Zuni, so cancelled that portion of the journey and went to the Reynolds in Fort Wingate.
Audrie and Johnny Reynolds gave us hospitality. We turned over our trip’s report to Audrie and had a lengthy consultation on Indian teaching. We discussed the needs to have guidelines on teaching in Indigenous areas and ways for communities to work together more. Also, we consulted on the possibility of a June Mobilization Conference in the Southwest to foster better coordination and better use of the Administration.
01-20-72: 3 Sultan 128 – Durango
The consultation with Audrie continued in the morning. She gave us materials for use on the Southern Ute Reservation. Plans to consult with the Fort Apache Tribal Council arranged—we will write proposal and mail it and be prepared to present is in February or March with George Hesse.
We drove to Gallup and spoke with Zuni homefront pioneer. She is leaving Zuni soon. Another pioneer in Zuni is also leaving. The Bahá’í work in Zuni needs new direction and spirit for teaching.
We spoke with Jim Wood and made plans to “jam” three days in February in Durango. Victory Ahrends was also passing through Gallup from California going to move to Texas to help the Cause there. It was good to see her again.
We arrived in Shiprock around 7:00 p.m. We finally found Marge Charlie (from FLC) at almost 9:00 p.m. at her apartment in the Nurses Quarter. We enjoyed connecting with her again and left her a “Mankind is One” button. She is planning to move up to Durango.
We arrived home about midnight.
Arizona Mission -- January 1972—finished first phase. Fort Apache may be coming up again soon. Doug Myers maybe can take his mom, Rhoderoi, to see Liz Howard in Pisinimo and also to San Carlos next weekend.
01-21-72: 4 Sultan 128 – Durango
Our neighbors, the Reynas, visited. And Gary Dragna came over.
Amani’llah had to be hospitalized with a “touch of pneumonia” at Mercy Hospital around midday. We are very sad.
I tried to work on the Southern Colorado DTC reports and files but was unable to because of interruptions. Janet Maynard came over—we talked about possibilities of a Bahá’í owned coffee house and had sunset prayers.
Janet brought Linda home from Mercy Hospital (“dedicated to the Glory of God for the care of His children”).
Michelle and Robbie (friends from FLC – Michelle is indigenous from Alaska; Robbie is from England) and they stayed for dinner. We spoke about the Faith with them.
The Festival of Light committee met and prepared an outline for the Thirty-Day campaign.
Amani’llah seems a little better. Doug Boren also told us about the first Bahá’í funeral held in Aztec for Gerry Leeper. Doug read the Prayer for the Departed and seventy people attended the funeral.
With everything going on, our emotions are high… Linda and I needed time to talk and pull ourselves together.
01-22-72: 5 Sultan 128 – Durango
Today Linda went to Mercy Hospital, and Janet, Gary and I went to Cortez. We visited the Brocks, the Hurseys and Cindy Reddy. We plan to return Tuesday and try to go regularly.
Plans were confirmed for a June three-day or four-day Institute on the Hursey’s land near Dolores.
As plan was also discussed for a Proclamation on March 3 in Dolores or Mancos. It still needs to be set up.
The Formative Age Institute for Palisade now definite for February 26-27.
Colorado Springs is tentative for February 19-20. The February 12-13 DTC will meet in Widefield. There is so much movement that I cannot write is all down. Please forgive me for this.
The Southwest Portfolio Committee for Southern Colorado to set goals: 1) consolidation in Cortez; 2) open Ignacio to the Faith; 3) stay alert for teaching possibilities on the Ute Mountain Reservation.
Hoping to go to Ignacio on Monday or Tuesday.
Amani’llah is somewhat better. Sunshine came home from Denver. We had a social evening at the Borens. The Assembly will meet tomorrow.
01-23-72: 6 Sultan 128 – Durango
The Durango Assembly met through most of the day. The Bahá’í College Club elected Stan Welsh (not a Bahá’í) as chairperson.
Frankie Albo came over with Gary Dragna, the Borens and Doug Myers. Everyone is happy.
Today was a busy day; tomorrow will be busier with the DTC meeting in the morning; a talk to a FLC class at 2:00 p.m.; potluck at 6:00 p.m. and the Assembly meets at 6:30 p.m.
I’m feeling inefficient in keeping up with the DTC correspondence that needs to be worked out. My personal necessities also must be handled soon. Linda isn’t feeling well, and Aman is still in the hospital.
The Hand of the Cause of God Dr. Ugo R. Giachery is presently in Phoenix.
The Universal House of Justice sent a cablegram to Durango through the National Spiritual Assembly of the US assuring us of their prayers for victories in the Southwest. My reflection: “Majestic Process Gathering Momentum”
Our human resources are short through Southern Colorado: new believers are essential to so the teaching efforts can accelerate. 1:30 a.m.
New believer in Leadville: Richard Lynch
01-24-72: 7 Sultan 128 – Durango
Snook (Belinda Boren) and I gave a presentation of the Faith to a FLC Journalism class. Felt good.
Played two hours of music and taped some of it.
The Assembly met in the evening.
01-25-72: 8 Sultan 128 – Durango
Started late: worked on Southern Colorado DTC mail and did errands in the afternoon.
Pita Gomez (local friend) came over for an hour. Linda was with Amani’llah. Pita and I had a good visit. She seems closer to the Faith.
I went to Cortez to see the Brocks with Janet Maynard. We deepened on the theme of “work.” We discussed are teaching—the Brocks will see if clubs would like to have Bahá’í speakers. Progress is being made to open the Ute Mountain Reservation to the Faith.
When we returned home, I talked with Gary (Dragna) until 1:30 a.m.
01-26-72: 9 Sultan 128 – Durango
There is definite progress on the Southern Ute Reservation today. I spoke with Ruby Brown of Alcoholic Anonymous in Ignacio, and we will come two weeks from tomorrow to help with teen group in Ignacio. Discovered that Anna Weaver is back—hopefully we can contact her soon.
Amani’llah came home today—still congested, but better.
Three people attended our fireside—all interested and will be reading the Writings; two of them plan to return next week.
I will visit Eventide (rest home) tomorrow and als0 look for work.
01-27-72: 10 Sultan 128 – Durango
Progress made in Durango today—teaching in the Santa Rita area. Also, I sense closer unity among believers. Deepening on the Administrative Order began today.
I’m having progress reaching my family… My grandmother Barngrover is in the hospital in Grand Junction, and I may meet my dad there. Prayers.
A good day: Amani’llah is better. My friend, Frankie Albo is shining more. 12:50 a.m
01-28-72: 11 Sultan 128 – Durango
I began volunteering with the Headstart Program today—it was enjoyable and successful, and I will continue next week.
No mail for first time in months.
Participated in a fireside at Eventide Rest Home. It was good and we will return.
I was thinking about the need to have franker consultation with the friends. Sometimes a “tightness” seems to exist restraining members from expressing their true feelings.
I wrote to Pansy Cassadore and mailed a letter to Tribal Chairman Fred Banashly, too. We need to work on the proposal requesting to meet with the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
01-29-72: 12 Sultan 128 – Durango
Lazy day; not much activity, except for surprise, short visits from the Suinas (Sam and Carlotta) and later from the Reynas. We gave a Bahá’í prayer book to the Reynas. We plan to visit the Suinas tomorrow.
The Assembly met from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. We had a social evening with the Borens after that.
Marsha Harrington Brooks called from Alamosa. Their community funds are very low, and they are requesting to have their own Formative Age Institute letting Pueblo and Trinidad combine theirs. Feeling very tired; health is good; spirits are emotional.
01-31-72: 14 Sultan 128 – Durango
Not much accomplished. My father’s birthday. The Assembly meeting was productive—we met from 6:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
02-06-72: 19 Sultan 128 – Durango
I have just returned from a weekend deepening on Detachment and Sacrifice, which most of the Durango Bahá’í community attended. I feel more refreshed now.
Activities are increasing in Southern Colorado:
Montrose: It is open to the Faith with three Bahá’ís living there.
Florence: Kay Zinky Institute is set there for February 12 and 13th.
Palisade: They had radio time there this morning.
Alamosa: good works going.
Feast of Mulk tonight.
Reflections on Sulṭán:
It was a frustrating month, but definite progress was made. The progress wasn’t visitable until the end of the month. Southern Colorado has movement and efforts are increasing.
Palisade is stable; Cortez now working more; Durango slowed down a little, but still have movement; Florence has lost numbers, but increased efforts. Canon City is stagnant; no word from Trinidad since Masáʼil. Colorado Springs and El Paso County are opening and doing more consolidation. Pueblo hasn’t reported and Farmington (NM) is slower. Overall, progress is good.
02-07-72: 2 Mulk 128 – Durango
The Maynards hosted a great fireside with two seekers. The day was slow, but nice. I spent the day walking downtown with Frankie Albo.
Linda contacted the White Mountain Apache tribal office. We are due to meet them on March 1st.
The Durango Assembly met until 3:00 a.m.
02-08-72: 3 Mulk 128 – Durango
Another lazy day. The proposal to meet with the White Mountain Apache Tribe is ready to send off.
Further progress on the Colorado Springs Formative Age Institute.
Gary Dragna left for San Jose, California. Sunshine brought over a friend to the house for a very good evening with Borens and Doug Myers.
The Maynard went to Cortez to visit Bahá’ís.
02-09-72: 4 Mulk 128 – Durango
Volunteering at Headstart is opening opportunities to share the Faith.
Durango Community feels more united. Doug Myers is visiting Laramie, Wyoming.
We had a beautiful fireside with six people.
Going to Ignacio tomorrow.
I am hoping for representatives from Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Trinidad can attend the DTC meeting on February 13. We can consult about the Formative Age Institute plans then.
The teaching momentum is up in Durango, and Cortez friends are doing well.
Activities in Bloomfield, NM are still happening. 1:00 a.m.
02-10-72: 5 Mulk 128 – Durango
Good daytime in town.
We went to Ignacio, but nothing was set up to meet with the AA teen group. They said to come back on February 24.
Looked for Anna Weaver but didn’t locate her. We couldn’t find Jeri Layton. We said prayers in Bayfield. Our finances are extremely low with no income in sight. My personal concerns weigh on my mind.
02-14-72: 8 Mulk 128 – Durango
We returned from a beautiful Institute on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá given by Knight of Bahá’u’lláh Kay Zinky in Florence. We learned much about the Master and felt His Spirit amongst us.
The DTC meeting consultation held in Widefield on February 13th centered on encouraging areas to have mass proclamations throughout March and April. Jack Roath will investigate Trinidad to see how they area and we will shoot for proclamation in Walsenburg.
Allen (Murray) and Marsha (Brooks) will check out Alamosa and Monte Vista for next meeting on April 7 and 8.
Representatives from Colorado Springs and from El Paso County met with the DTC to plan Formative Age Institute (FAI) next weekend. Dennis Jenkyns will coordinate.
Jack Roath will set up FAI in Pueblo/Trinidad.
Mike Brooks will set up and conduct the FAI in Alamosa.
Will investigating use of the Hursey land in Dolores for a July summer Bahá’í school.
02-15-72: 9 Mulk 128 – Durango
The Durango Deepening Committee met at Maynards and made plans for an all day deepening on March 11 on the dangers of psychic forces, using Chapter 8 of the Divine Art of Living. We will include skits.
The Festival of Light plans go forward. The community is resting and gaining reserve strength for immediate and long range tasks ahead.
Linda is well; Amani’llah grows bigger and bigger.
Snook is pregnant. Our hearts are happy for Doug and her.
Bob Phillips from National plans to come in April. We are requesting Auxiliary Board member Velma Sherrill for early April too.
Continuing to have contact with friends in Cortez and in Palisade to renew teaching plans. 11:30 p.m.
02-16-72: 11 Mulk 128 – Durango
I worked during the afternoon. Then we had a wonderful fireside with 6 friends of the Faith with great discussion.
I wrote (as DTC secretary) all of the Cortez believers and will visit them on Saturday.
02-17-72: 12 Mulk 128 – Durango
I visited my friend, Frankie Albo, at the hospital. He is very weak. We had a potluck at the Myer’s home with the Festival of Light and teaching committee joint meeting to plan the months of March. We have high expectations for successful teaching. Rhod Myers facilitated and informal deepening on teaching, firmness in the
02-22-72: 17 Mulk 128 – Durango
After a weekend study on Mass Conversion and Teaching the Masses, we feel more energy for teaching in Durango.
Cortez is forming a separate group—all high school students. Cindy Reddy will convene.
Chester Kahn hopes to come March 26 for a “Council Fire.”
We found Garlyn Baca yesterday. She still lives in Durango, and we hope to see her tomorrow.
A meeting with the Durango Police Chief is planned tomorrow to present the Faith to him.
Frankie Albo is home now. Linda will conduct a fireside on campus tonight.
Linda is coordinating afternoon firesides Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. for women in town.
The Assembly meets tonight. More direct teaching being used with success! 6:30 p.m.
02-24-72: 18 Mulk 128 – Durango
We had good rapport with the Durango Police Chief yesterday: another channel that might open.
Garlyn Baca came over for dinner and another of our friends, Marta Gunter. We went to Ignacio to consult with the AA youth teen group. The result of the visit was good, and we will have follow up there.
Intercalary party tomorrow night at the Maynards. Good feelings!
(That was the last entry until four months later in June. I am not sure why the entries abruptly stopped, but I think we were about to begin our intensive 30-day teaching campaign.)
06-22-72: 18 Nur 128 – Durango
Late evening. It has been difficult to keep up with events during the past four months, and much has resulted.
Estimated that 75% pf Durango population (12,000 total) are now familiar with the name of the Faith through hard and continuous teaching efforts. And there has been growth in Ignacio. Auxiliary Board member Velma Sherrill recently helped at a campout Institute in Montezuma County.
Briefly:
Alamosa: Has Assembly – people are receptive to Faith, but membership remains small
Durango: Ten adults, three youth—there has been internal growth with tests and bounties.
Palisade: Assembly formed, and the DTC receives good reports from there.
Montrose: Has two adults now.
Gunnison: Good reports with three adults.
Montezuma County: The Institute campout helped a lot.
Pueblo: Membership is down, but internal growth evident.
Florence: No report
Canon City: improving with five adults
Trinidad: Lack of deepening.
Colorado Springs: growing
El Paso County: New spirit and growth
La Junta: Homefront pioneers helping to open the area up to the Faith
Leadville: Richard Lynch is teaching the Faith.
The DTC is revamping teaching outlook. My personal feelings are that we need to improve the quality of Bahá’í life to see results.
Just returned from Alamosa. Nice visit with the friends there.
My family is fine. We visited family in Fort Collins, and then went to visit Linda’s family in Isleta.
Linda was appointed to the Southwest Indian Teaching Committee, and she will go to Phoenix next week for the meeting.
The Feast of Rahmat is tomorrow.
