Virgin Islands

The Virgin Islands is an archipelago between the North Atlantic Ocean and the northeastern Caribbean Sea immediately east of Puerto Rico. It forms part of the West Indies, the Leeward Islands and the Lesser Antilles Caribbean region. The islands lie in three political jurisdictions: the islands of Great Camanoe, Guanan Island, Beef Island, Ginger Island Jost Van Dyke Island, Norman Island, Peter Island, Tortola Island, and Virgin Gorda Island are in the British Virgin Islands; the islands of Saint Croix, Saint Thomas and Saint John are are the primary islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands; and the islands of Vieques and Culebra are called the Spanish Virgin Islands or Puerto Rican Virgin Islands are part of the unincorporated United States territory of Puerto Rico.

History

1951 - Central America, Mexico, and the Antilles ???

On February 14, 1954, the Bahá’ís and friends from the Greater Miami area gathered to bid farewell to Charles and Mary Dayton, the first World Crusade pioneers to go from the Miami area. They were pioneering in the Virgin Islands. Also arriving in February of 1954 were David and Elise Schreiber. All four were named as Kights of Bahá’u’lláh.

In 1961, the goal of developing the Faith in the Virgin Islands was assigned to the Dominican Republic.

At the the beginning of the [[Nine Year Plan (1964-1973) United States was made responsible for development of the Virgin Islands. Initially there was one community settled and one group established. The goal of the United States was to establish at least two Local Spiritual Assemblies in the Virgin Islands and the acquisition of a site for both the Hazíratu'Quds and Temple in Charlotte Amalie on Saint Thomas Island near together. The 16 islands represent vastly different cultural and economic patters. They are territories of the United States, Netherlands and Great Britain.

Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahii'is of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, incorporated March 19, 1965. Standing left to right: Ellerton V . Harmer , Charles Dayton, William Dickerson, Jean LaMothe, Douglas Covey, Knud Jensen. Seated left to right: Marjorie Harmer, Ruth Katharine Meyer, Mary Dayton.

In 1964 to 1965, the community of Charlotte Amalie on Saint Thomas was very active, and before Ridván of 1965, Mrs. Patricia Sheppard from Texas, opened a second locality in Saint Croix. The Local Assembly of Saint Thomas was incorporated on March 19, 1965. At Ridván 1966, the Local Spiritual Assembly of Saint Croix was formed.

In 1967, the goal of forming the The National Assembly of the Leeward, Windward and Virgin Islands was formed after the third year of the Nine Year Plan (1964-1973). Dr. Sarah Martin Pereira representing the Bahá’ís of the United States opened the convention and introduced Hand of the Cause Dr. Giachery representing the Universal House of Justice and the Hands of the Cause. All nine delegates were present including Mrs. Mary Dayton, one of the first pioneers to arrive in the Virgin Islands. In addition the existing 21 National Assemblies were all asked to assist with the goals in the Caribbean. Also established In 1967 was the Local Spiritual Assembly of Fredericksted, St. Croix.

In early 1968, jazz trumpeter John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie visited Saint Croix and Saint Thomas islands who became a Bahá’í recently. While there, he gave an impromptu interview to a radio reporter. In the interview Mr. Gillespie described his enrollment and gave the advice, that those interested should read the revealed work of Bahá’u’lláh rather that simple looking at the Bahá’ís.

In 1972, the National Assembly of the Leeward, Windward and Virgin Islands was dissolved and the National Spiritual Assembly of the Leeward and Virgin Islands was established with its seat in St. Thomas. The jurisdiction of the new National Assembly included the Virgin Islands.

In June of 1975, The Spiritual Assembly of Saint Thomas was able to get free radio time and presented a series of 52 fifteen-minute broadcast about the Faith. Scripts for the broadcasts were adapted from the book "52 Bahá’í Talks for All Occasions," by the late Sidney I. Dean. They have been very excited about the results from that series.

In February and March of 1977, after attending the Bahá’í International Teaching Conference in Mérida, Mexico, Hand of the Cause Paul Haney visited the Leeward and Virgin Islands. He attended a Nineteen Day Feast held in St. Thomas, along with 55 of the friends, including Bahá’ís visiting from Saint Croix, Saint John and Tortola.

ّIn 1981, the Local Spiritual Assembly of Charlotte Amalie presented a copy of Dawn-Breakers to Dr. Henry Chang, the director of Libraries, archives, museums and archaeological services in the Virgin Islands.

Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Virgin Islands elected at its 15th National Convention are (front row left to right) Allen Smith, Magda Grunweig-Smith, John Rushford, Carlos Sterling, Charlotte Milden, Joan Bennett, and (back row left to right) Jean Randazzo, Jan Conley, Marc Towers.

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Virgin Islands was formed in 1981. It is responsible for both the British Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands. British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands

During the summer of 1981, the "Sparks of Peace", a group of 5 youth from the Antilles Islands spent 17 days in the U.S. Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas and Saint Croix. They started with the "Camp Tabarsí Bahá’í Youth Camp-Out" in Antigua where 50 youth formed multiple teams and spread out through the Caribbean. They performed numerous service projects in the islands, spoke at firesides, in parks and the territorial prison. They were interviewed by newspapers and on radio during their visit. When their visit was finished, they reunited with other teams in Guyana and took part in the Caribbean Youth Conference.

On June 8, 1983, the Fifteenth Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands approved unanimously a resolution condemning the persecution of the Bahá’í community in Iran. It was co-sponsored by all 15 members of the Legislature. All of the legislators had received a copy of "A Cry from the Heart" by William Sears. Senator Lawaetz, who initiated the resolution, said passing the resolution represented a reaffirmation of values cherished by the people of the Virgin Islands who live in a community where people of all religions, races and backgrounds can live together in peace and harmony.

In July 1987, it was reported that the Virgin Islands not only had formed their own National Assembly by 1981, but that they had incorporated Local Assemblies and Bahá’í Holy Days and Marriages were recognized. On January 18, 1988, a delegation of Bahá’ís representing the National Assembly of the Virgin Islands presented the "Peace Statement" to Alexander Farrelly, the governor of the U. S. Virgin Islands. Counsellors Wilma Brady, Ruth Pringle and Alan Smith were in the delegation. Joan Bennett, the chairman of the National Assembly, made the presentation. Dr. Wilma Brady was also was a featured speaker to the official government observance of the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King.

In 1990, the "Sparks of Peace" Bahá’í Youth Project, a collaborative effort between the Continental Board of Counsellors and the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Caribbean area to encourage native West Indian youth to travel and teach. Fourteen National Assemblies took part. 24 youth and chaperones from five teams that taught in nine islands and countries. The "Mirrors of Reflection" team went to the Virgin Islands. Most activities were service related, cleaning an painting equipment of two parks and working with the government to increase awareness of the United Nations' functions in the Caribbean. They also did some direct teaching and presented firesides.

See also

• All articles about Virgin Islands

External links

• Official Website