Baha'is have dual celebration
3:27 p.m. 10/19/2001
By Phil Anderson
The Capital-Journal
Baha'is have dual celebration The
day will be even more special for local adherents of the faith, when they celebrate the founding of the Baha'i
community in Topeka in 1906. The celebration will take place at 7 p.m. today at the Topeka Friends
Meetinghouse, 603 S.W. 8th. Devotions, historical presentations and games will be featured in the program.
In addition, he called on people of the West to respond to the new
day of God, said Duane Herrmann, historian of the Baha'i community of Topeka. The Baha'i faith, along with
Judaism, Christianity and Islam, traces its lineage to Abraham, Herrmann noted. "The Bab announced in 1844
that a new chapter of the Abrahamic religions had opened and humanity was entering its age of maturity," said
Herrmann. "In this new age, we are to realize the oneness of all of humanity, going beyond seeing each other
person on the planet as a neighbor, to knowing that we are all one family." Although it is one of the newest
of the world's major religions, experts say the Baha'i faith ranks behind only Christianity in terms of
geographic diversity, with 5 million adherents in 232 nations. In the 1890s, the first Baha'i community of
Kansas was established in the Dickinson County town of Enterprise. When Rose Hilty moved to Topeka from
Enterprise in September 1906, she established the first Baha'i community in Shawnee County. Kathy Hamilton,
chairwoman of the Topeka Baha'i Assembly, said the numbers began to increase and by 1910, a small group had
developed. Good records weren't kept until the 1930s, she said. "What we have found has been exciting,"
Hamilton said. "Sometimes history is dry, but this history ... some of the people in this history are definitely
characters!" Tonight's presentation will discuss some of the individuals who were members of early Baha'i
communities in the Topeka area. Among chief Baha'i teachings is its emphasis on the equality of races, sexes
and religions. Karen L. King, a New Testament scholar and expert on early Gnostic Christianity, will discuss
"Early Christian Diversity and Contemporary Christian Identity" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Andrew J. and
Georgia Neese Gray Theater in the Garvey Fine Arts Center on the Washburn University campus. She will speak at
the annual Thomas L. King Lecture in Religious Studies. Karen King is the department chairwoman and professor
of New Testament studies at Harvard University Divinity School. She is finishing a commentary on the gospel of
Mary and a study on the origins of gnosticism. The Thomas L. King Lecture in Religious Studies was established
by a gift from First Congregational United Church of Christ from funds donated in memory of Thomas L. King, an
alumnus and benefactor of Washburn University. The lectureship is designed to enhance the understanding of
religion within the context of the humanities. The event is sponsored by the Washburn University philosophy
department. Call 231-1010, ext. 1542, for more information. Christians from across Topeka are invited to
participate in the "We Are 1" benefit concert at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 at Topeka Bible Church, 1101 S.W. Mulvane. The
program, featuring the interdenominational City Band of Topeka, will be recorded for later compact-disc
distribution in the Topeka area. Proceeds from "We Are 1" compact-disc sales will benefit the Topeka Rescue
Mission and Crisis Pregnancy Outreach of Topeka. A freewill offering will be received for these agencies at
the "We Are 1" concert, which is being sponsored by the National Day of Prayer Committee of Topeka. Kansas
will be honored at a special worship service at 11 a.m. Sunday at Washington National Cathedral, Massachusetts
and Wisconsin Avenues N.W. in Washington, D.C. Pilgrims from the state and Kansans now living in the
Washington area will be invited at the service to reflect on the recent terrorist attacks and challenges facing
the United States. As part of its national ministry, Washington National Cathedral offers prayers for the
people and leaders of each state on an annual basis. The cathedral, the sixth-largest in the world, honors
each state with a major observance once every four years. This is the first major Kansas State Day. "As a
national house of prayer for all people, the cathedral convenes Americans of many faiths who are united in their
prayers, especially in this time of national concern," said Ray Foote, director of the National Cathedral
Association. "On October 21, we will offer thanksgiving for the people and state of Kansas. We invite all to
attend." The state flag will lead the procession into the service, and it will remain on the chancel steps in
the cathedral for the following weeks. Kansas attendees will be selected to read Scripture, bear communion
elements and offer gifts to the poor. The Lawrence Civic Choir will perform the service prelude at 10:30 a.m.
Deacon Joseph A. Thompson of Topeka, senior deacon at the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas who has been honored for
his longtime community service, also has been invited to participate in the event. A recent article on "The
Original Easter" in Westar Institute's "The Fourth R" magazine will be the topic of discussion from noon to 1
p.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church, 600 S.W. Topeka Blvd. Westar Institute is a nonprofit research
and educational organization devoted to the advancement of literacy in religion. Plans are being formulated
for the group to meet monthly for study and discussion. For more information on the group or to obtain a copy of
the article to be discussed, call the Rev. Susan Candea at Our Savior's Lutheran Church at 266-5313. "The
Quest for Knowledge, Truth and Values in Science and Religion," a national telecast presented by the Trinity
Institute, will air live from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday in the Great Hall of Grace Episcopal Cathedral, 701 S.W. 8th.
The event will be broadcast from Harvard University Memorial Chapel and will focus on how newly emerging
scientific views of the human being fit within the world's religious traditions. Dr. Jane Goodall will be the
featured speaker, with other presentations by Paul Davies, William Newsome, Manuela M. Veloso, Terrence Deacon
and Thomas Odhiambo. A soup and salad supper will be offered at 6 p.m., with participants asked to bring
cookies or other treats. A freewill offering will benefit world peace initiatives. An audio Webcast can be
heard at www.ECTN.org. Call 232-5412, 235-3457 or e-mail ksqgarden@aol.com for more information. The eight
Catholic parishes in Topeka collected a special offering of $45,873 on the weekend of Sept. 29 and 30 for
disaster relief in New York and Washington, D.C. According to the Rev. Norbert Lickteig of Christ the King
Catholic Church, 5973 S.W. 25th, the amount was sent for relief in both areas. Lynda Regan of Petaluma,
Calif., will be the featured speaker at the 27th annual Mayor's Prayer Luncheon at noon Nov. 16 at the Ramada Inn
Downtown, 420 S.E. 6th. Regan is chairwoman and chief executive officer of the Legacy Marketing Group, which
employs 525 people and had $40 million in revenue in 2000. The event is sponsored by the Christian Business
Men's Committee of Topeka. Tickets are $10 and are available by calling Lisa Campbell at 233-8300.
Violinist Jaime Jorge will be in concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at White Concert Hall on the Washburn University
campus. He will perform a variety of music, including favorite hymns to contemporary praise songs. A native of
Cuba, Jorge has played in a multitude of settings, ranging from high-school auditoriums to Carnegie Hall. The
concert is sponsored by the Wanamaker Seventh-day Adventist Church. There is no admission charge, and a freewill
offering will be received. Christmas in April of Topeka and Shawnee County is beginning its fourth annual
effort to assist elderly, disabled and low-income homeowners in Shawnee County. The program provides repairs
and renovations for individuals meeting eligibility requirements. Painting, porch construction and roof
replacements are among projects completed by volunteers. The fourth annual Rebuilding Day will be April 27.
Individuals wishing to apply to be a recipient of the program may call 272-0749 by Nov. 1 or write Christmas in
April in care of First Christian Church, 1880 S.W. Gage, Topeka, 66604. Phil Anderson can be reached at (785)
295-1195 or panderson@cjonline.com.
©Copyright 2001, The Topeka Capital-Journal
3:27 p.m.
10/19/2001
By Phil Anderson
The Capital-Journal
Baha'is around the
world will celebrate one of their most important holidays today, when the Birth of the Bab is observed.
The Bab, the Prophet-Herald of the faith, was born in 1819. He foretold the coming of Baha'u'llah,
considered the founder of the Baha'i faith.
