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The
Foster Bahá'í School traces its beginnings to 1985, when a few parents
and children gathered after school to learn about the Bahá'í Faith.
They met in each other's homes; Wendy Kvalheim and Evelyn Grammar were
the first two teachers. As more families joined their efforts, the school
was moved to Sunday mornings and to larger facilities. Once sponsored
only by the Spiritual Assembly of Hamilton, it is now facilitated by
an intercommunity committee appointed by the Spiritual Assemblies of
Hamilton and Lawrence. The school gathers families from around Mercer
County and beyond and is held in Princeton. The Foster Bahá'í School
is named after Bill and Ruth Foster, one-time residents of this area.
The Fosters came to Princeton in the 1970s after many years of pioneering
in areas such as Liberia, West Africa, and Casablanca, Morocco. In 1952,
Bill Foster spent three months in Haifa, directly serving Shoghi Effendi.
He helped with the design and engineering of the Shrine of the Bab and
Baha'u'llah's Shrine at Bahji. From all accounts, Bill and Ruth Foster
were unique and left a profound impression on the Baha'is of this area
who knew them. Bill's close association and great love for the Guardian
led him to acquire a deep knowledge of the Bahá'í Writings. While he
and Ruth were here, Bill hosted as many as six deepenings and study
classes a week, training many of the area Baha'is to become teachers
and host deepenings themselves. He constantly exhorted the friends to
study the Writings, to build their faith on these precious Words of
God. It is this spirit that permeates those Baha'is who had the opportunity
to study with him. And it is in this spirit that this school is dedicated
to Bill and Ruth Foster. |
Date:
Thu May 18, 1995
To: The Universal House of Justice Dear Friends
With saddened hearts we announce the passing
to the Abha Kingdom of our dearly-loved, staunch, faithful, zealous, unwavering
and devoted Baha'i brother, Mr. William R. Foster, first American of his
race to respond to the call of the Beloved Guardian to pioneer in Africa
before the beginning of the Ten Year Crusade, remaining there with his
family for seventeen years building Baha'i communities for nine years
in Morocco and eight years in Liberia. He went to the Holy Land for two
months in the 1950s where he personally assisted Shoghi Effendi on various
projects associated with the establishment and beautification of the Baha'i
properties, and for many generations of Baha'is he is and always will
be associated with the Beloved Guardian, sharing his stories, sharing
his profound love, admiration, and awe of Shoghi Effendi. He served on
countless national committees and on several Local Spiritual Assemblies
on the United States homefront where he initiated his renowned deepening
classes on the writings of the Guardian, and crowned his administrative
endeavors as member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian
Islands for nearly twelve years, once for four years and then after returning
to Hawaii a second time for eight years. The descendent of African slaves,
he experienced in his early years the inherent inequality of segregation,
witnessed in his adult years the breakdown of America's apartheid in the
school systems, and lived to see his children and grandchildren educated
in America's finest universities and become devoted Baha'is. His exemplary
life inspired the friends wherever he resided by his unquestioned loyalty
to the Covenant, his profound attachment to the Beloved Guardian, and
as a champion of minority peoples everywhere. The loss of one so deeply
loved, honored, and respected leaves a void in our hearts as we bid farewell
to one of our most illustrious Baha'is. We beseech prayers in the Holy
Shrines for the progress of his radiant soul and that he will be reunited
with his Beloved Guardian. Our prayers and condolences extend to all members
of his devoted family, and to the friends throughout the Hawaiian Islands
who grieve his passing.
Deepest Baha'i Love,
NSA Hawaiian Islands Gary L. Morrison, Secretary
Date:
Mon May 22, 1995 8:01 am AHS
From: Baha'i World Centre transmitted by email
To: The National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands
Message: DEPLORE
LOSS WILLIAM R. FOSTER, LONG-STANDING SERVANT BAHA'U'LLAH, TIRELESS PROMOTER
BAHA'I TEACHINGS, RADIANT CHAMPION ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER. APART FROM HIS
EXTENSIVE INVOLVEMENT VITAL ACTIVITIES COMMUNITIES UNITED STATES AND HAWAIIAN
ISLANDS, HIS VALIANT, SACRIFICIAL ENDEAVOURS AFRICA BEFORE, DURING AND
AFTER TEN YEAR CRUSADE ENSURE INDELIBLE RECORD ANNALS FAITH, ESPECIALLY
REGARDING MOROCCO AND LIBERIA. FLAME HIS LOVE SHOGHI EFFENDI, INTENSIFIED
BY HIS DIRECT CONTACT WITH HIM WHILE ASSISTING WITH DEVELOPMENT BAHA'I
WORLD CENTRE PROPERTIES DURING BRIEF PERIOD 1950S, HAS LEFT ENDURING TRACES
IN HEARTS MANY STUDENTS HIS CLASSES ON GUARDIAN'S WRITINGS. EXTEND LOVING
SYMPATHY MEMBERS HIS DEAR FAMILY. ASSURE ARDENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES FOR
PROGRESS THROUGHOUT DIVINE WORLDS THIS NOBLE SOUL WHOSE ASSOCIATION CAUSE
BLESSED BEAUTY EXTENDED BEYOND SIX DECADES.
THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
NATIONAL
SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ'ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES
May 26, 1995
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís
of the Hawaiian Islands Beloved Friends,
We share your sadness at the passing of devoted servant of Bahá'u'lláh
William Foster. The United States Bahá'í community honors the memory of
this outstanding believer. Bill Foster's commitment and devotion to the
Blessed Beauty were demonstrated by his distinguished services as a homefront
pioneer, member of our National Education and Properties committees, international
traveling teacher, and pioneer to Africa where he will forever be remembered
for his kindness and his determination to be a strong pillar of the Faith.
Bill Foster's legacy of dedicated service to the Cause of God enriches
the annals of the Hawaiian and United States Bahá'í communities and the
Moroccan and Liberian communities, among others in Africa. His life was
truly an example for current and future generations. We will miss this
champion of the Faith of God. Our prayers surround him as we beseech the
Almighty to give this newly welcomed one his full share of divine blessings
and to comfort the hearts of his family and friends.
With warm regards,
Robert C. Henderson Secretary-General
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