Religion notes: Baha'i Center to host discussions on U.S. role in world peace

Middle Tennessee's Baha'i Center members will host various gatherings to discuss the United States' spiritual destiny and the nation's role in encouraging world peace from this weekend until mid-May.

''The foundation of our teachings is unity,'' said Donnie Shelton, a member of the local Baha'i spiritual assembly. ''There is one race, and that's the human race.''

The Baha'i faith, founded in Iran in 1844 by Baha'ullah, who is believed to be a divine messenger of God, accepts the Bible as the holy book and Jesus as the Son of God.

''There is no conflict between the Baha'i faith and Christianity,'' Shelton said. ''Our most basic belief is the unity of humanity and religion.''

Shelton explained the belief that in every age ''God sends a divine messenger who brings new social teachings.''

''We believe that each messenger brings a chapter into the ever-unfolding religion of God.''

Members will discuss barriers to peace, a definition of peace and the tools to achieving peace at 10:15 a.m. tomorrow in the Baha'i Center, 2026 Clifton Ave. Call 321-5926 for more information about this discussion.

An interfaith prayer gathering will be held at the Rochelle Center of Volunteer State Community College at 7:30 p.m. Monday at 480 Nashville Pike in Gallatin. Call 584-1018 or 230-3400 for more information.

A discussion about ''The Promise of World Peace, the Baha'i Prayer for America and the Destiny Statement'' will be held at the Baha'i Center at 7 p.m. Friday. David Whitfield and Aram Ferdowsi will share their thoughts on the importance of America in bringing about peace with devotional readings and prayers at the Baha'i Center at 10:15 a.m. May 5.

The monthly Unity Feast will focus on the role of women in bringing about peace at the center at 7:30 p.m. May 11.

A discussion about ''Mothers in America — Mothers' Responses to the Destiny of America and the Promise of World Peace'' will be held at the center at 10:15 a.m. May 12.

For more information, visit www.nashvillebahai.org or call 321-5926.

Discussion series: Mark Barfoot, artist, musician and Wolf Clan teacher, will speak on ''Native American Spirituality'' at Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at 374 Hicks Road in Bellevue.

The discussion is part of the church's ongoing ''What It Means to Be Human'' series of Wednesday evening programs. Other upcoming speakers include native Israeli activist and actor Yaron Schweizer on May 8; an exploration of the origins of gospel music by the GNUUC Gospel Quartet on May 15; and an evening with Pedro Garcia, director of Nashville's public schools, and his wife, Priscilla Partridge de Garcia, a clinical psychologist, author and business consultant, on May 22. For more information, call 662-1827.

Sale: Andrew Price Memorial United Methodist Church will hold a flea market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at 2846 Lebanon Pike in Donelson. Lunch will be served for $4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Southern gospel sing: Madison General Baptist Church will hold a Southern gospel sing featuring the trio Adoration from Gallatin at 6 p.m. tomorrow at 817 Old Hickory Blvd. W. in Madison.

Missionary Day: Capers Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church will celebrate its annual Missionary Day at 10:45 a.m. tomorrow at 319 15th Ave. The Rev. Faye Greer-Cook will discuss the theme of ''Christian Missionaries: Transforming the Community One Day at a Time.''

Appreciation Day: Greater Revelations Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate its pastor's 10th-year Appreciation Day at 10:50 a.m. tomorrow at 1027 12th Ave. N.

Speaker: Rizek Abusharr will speak at Westminster Church in Fellowship Hall tomorrow. Abusharr, who was born and educated in Jerusalem, is the director of the Jerusalem International YMCA. In 1996, Abusharr was awarded the Martha Laube Prize for Tolerance and Democratic Values for his work with the YMCA. Abusharr will address an adult church school gathering at the church.

Mock wedding: Grace Apostolic Church will be hold a Tom Thumb wedding. This mock wedding and ceremony of friendship will be open to toddlers through age 12. The event is at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow at 1100 Lischey Ave. in east Nashville. Call 227-1012 for more information.

Youth weekend: The Youth in Action Weekend 2002 will run through tomorrow at Temple Church. The events of the weekend will focus on teen-age suicide, as well as celebrating the accomplishments of youth while challenging them to think critically. A psychiatrist from Vanderbilt is slated to be today's keynote speaker.

Temple Church is located at 3810 Kings Lane in north Nashville. For more information, call 876-4084.

Anniversary: Bellevue Grace Assembly of God will celebrate its 10th anniversary at 6 p.m. tomorrow at 7301 Highway 70 S. in Bellevue. Grand Ole Opry legend Jack Greene will appear with Jeannie C. Riley of Harper Valley P.T.A. fame and Penny DeHaven from The Porter Wagoner Show. The Carol Lee Singers will perform. Alex Arthur will sing with the Word of Life Church choir. Billy Roy Moore is the pastor.

Celebration: Christ Church Cathedral welcomes the Epiphany Dance Company and Gallery Musicians to its First Friday Service at 6 p.m. Friday at 900 Broadway. The title of the service is ''A Celebration of Creation.'' This service will include a time for meditation, healing, prayer and Holy Communion.

Concert: Lady Corder Chapman's Conservatory of Gospel Music will hold an annual song service at Metropolitan Interdenominational Church at 4 p.m. tomorrow at 2128 11th Ave. N. Lady Corder Chapman, piano students Jared Clemmons and Leah Moore will perform.

Musical: The Youth Open Door Singers of Belmont United Methodist Church will present Harry Chapin's musical, Cotton Patch Gospel, at 7 p.m. May 4 and 4:30 p.m. May 5 at 2007 Acklen Ave. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children and a maximum of $12 per family. Group rates are available. Call 383-0832 for more information.

Cotton Patch Gospel, which is based upon the book The Cotton Patch Version of Matthew and John by Clarence Jordan, retells the story of Jesus set in southern Georgia.

Homecoming celebration: Brush Creek Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate its 200th homecoming celebration at 10 a.m. May 5 at 26 School House Circle in Brush Creek. The theme will be ''Proud Past, Joyous Present, Hopeful Future.''

Adoption meeting: Catholic Charities of Tennessee Inc. will hold a free meeting about international adoption opportunities from 7-8:30 p.m. May 6 at 30 White Bridge Road. The meeting is open to all prospective parents, including single people of any religious, ethnic or racial background. Call 352-3087, Ext. 266, for more information.

The Tennessean publishes religion notes weekly, space permitting. Send items of interest 10 days in advance to Religion Editor, The Tennessean, 1100 Broadway, Nashville, Tenn. 37203, or fax them to 259-8093 or e-mail them to msherman@tennessean.com. Please put ''ATTN: Religion Editor'' on your envelope, fax or in the subject line of your e-mail. 

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