Spirituality topic of interfaith conference

By Phil Anderson

The Capital-Journal

Interfaith of Topeka and Washburn Campus Ministry will sponsor a "Continuum of Spirituality" seminar from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 12 in Henderson Hall at Washburn University.

Organizers say the seminar's purpose is to "appreciate the richness and the beauty of our faith communities and their contributions to all of us," as well as to understand the origins of various religions.

Additionally, organizers hope for an open discussion regarding the history of various faiths and their central beliefs.

Presentations will be made by representatives of the several faith traditions, including American Indian, Wiccan, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Baha'i.

Registration is $15 at the door. For more information, call 357- 1493.

The Faris Family will present its bluegrass and gospel opry at 7 p.m. today at Lowman United Methodist Church, 4000 S.W. Drury Lane.

The musicians present concerts throughout Mid-America and Canada.

Concessions will be available at 5:30 p.m. Tickets to the concert are $5 adults, $2.50 children ages 5 to 12.

Proceeds will benefit the church's Missionary Fund.

The 20th annual Blessing of the Animals will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday in the big shelter house near the zoo in Gage Park, at S.W. 10th and Gage.

All pets taken to the event must be on a leash or in a pet carrier.

Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, 610 S.E. Lime, will have a silent auction from 8 a.m. to noon today.

Among items available: a George Foreman grill, Eureka rug steam cleaner, Oster bread machine, color television, cotton candy machine, roaster oven and bicycles.

All bids must be received by noon, and items are to be picked up by 3 p.m. today. Proceeds will benefit the church's building fund.

Bethel Baptist Church, 4011 N. Kansas Ave., will have a missions conference today through Tuesday.

The event begins with a barbecue dinner at 6 p.m. today, followed by introduction of conference participants.

At 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Frank Drown of Gospel Missionary Union, will be the speaker, and at 6 p.m. Sunday, Arlyn Nies, an Awana missionary in North Dakota, will speak.

Drown also will speak at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

Joel and Veronica Culberson, Awana missionaries to Kansas and Missouri, and representatives from KJTY-FM, "Joy 88," also will take part in the event.

Marienne Kreitlow, a performer, songwriter and poet, and actor Jerry Ford will present the workshop "Poetry and Song Combustion" from 1:15 to 4:15 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Unity Church of Christianity, 9126 S.W. 10th.

Workshop participants will be invited to create spontaneously their own songs and poems and learn techniques to keep the process going.

No expertise is required, and organizers say an atmosphere of unconditional support will be provided.

Kreitlow and Ford also will be featured at the 11 a.m. worship service Oct. 13 at the Unity church.

For more information, call 478-1333.

Second Baptist Church, 424 N.W. Laurent, will kick off its 124th annual homecoming at 11 a.m. Sunday.

The youths of the church will be in charge of the service. The guest speaker will be Johan Freeland, of Faith Temple Church of God in Christ.

Baha'is from Topeka, Shawnee County and northeast Kansas will travel on Sunday to St. Joseph, Mo., to attend their electoral convention. A delegate will be elected to attend the Baha'i national convention next spring in Chicago.

At the Chicago convention, delegates will elect members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States and will consult on matters of importance to the U.S. Baha'i community.

Also next spring, the National Assembly will travel to Haifa, Israel, to elect the international council which was ordained in Baha'i Scriptures by Baha'u'llah, the prophet-founder of the religion.

The gospel music group Chosen Voice will celebrate its first anniversary with a concert at 5 p.m. Oct. 12 at Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, 610 S.E. Lime.

The 20-member choir has members from about a dozen local churches representing five denominations, including Baptist, Church of Christ, Church of God in Christ, Methodist and Seventh-Day Adventist.

Furr's Cafeteria, 3220 S.W. Topeka Blvd., will feature the country-gospel music group Destiny in concert from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 13.

Diners will be able to enjoy the concert while eating their meals at the cafeteria.

Organizers are planning for a monthly gospel music concert at Furr's. For more information, call 267-5180.

Christian singer and television host Al Denson will present "A Concert to the Glory of the Lord" at 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at Fairlawn Church of the Nazarene, 730 S.W. Fairlawn Road.

Wanamaker Woods Church of the Nazarene, 3501 S.W. Wanamaker, will present its fourth annual "Judgment House" Halloween alternative in seven presentations at various times on Oct. 18, 19 and 20 and Oct. 24, 25, 26 and 27.

The multi-scene, walk-through drama tells a story about people whose lives have ended through tragedy and what they experience beyond the grave.

The event isn't recommended for children younger than age 10.

For reservations and more information, call 228-9662.

The fourth annual True Light Women's Conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 19 and at 11 a.m. Oct. 20 at the Antioch Family Life Center, 1921 S.E. Indiana.

The conference is titled "Women Wearing God's Armor." The cost is $10, which includes a continental breakfast and lunch.

Child care will be provided for those who pre-register. The registration deadline is Friday. For more information, call 233- 3298 or 272-7644.

The Christian music group Lost and Found will be in concert with the improv comedy troupe CPR at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at Topeka Bible Church, 1101 S.W. Mulvane.

Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door, and are available at RJ Carr's Family Bookstore, 2121 S.W. Fairlawn Plaza Drive, Christian Book and Gift, 1930 S.W. Wanamaker, or by calling Topeka Bible Church at 234-5545.

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library will present its annual "Silents in the Cathedral" movie festival at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at Grace Episcopal Cathedral, 701 S.W. 8th.

The feature presentation will be "Nosferatu the Vampire," directed in 1922 by German filmmaker E.W. Murneau.

Other features will include shorts including "Spook Spoofing" with Our Gang and "Sure-locked Holmes," both from 1928.

Silent movies will be accompanied by live music from the Cathedral organ by Dr. Marvin Faulwell of Kansas City, Mo.

Because of the spooky nature of "Nosferatu the Vampire," the program isn't recommended for young children.

Popcorn and bottled water will be sold during intermission to benefit the Cathedral's youth group.

Call 580-4511 for information.

Phil Anderson can be reached

at (785) 295-1195 or panderson@cjonline.com.

See SCENE, page 4E

©Copyright 2002, Topeka Capital Journal