Baha'is observe Birth of the Bab tonight

By Phil Anderson

The Capital-Journal

Local Baha'is will observe the Birth of the Bab at 7 p.m. today at the Topeka Friends Meetinghouse, 603 S.W. 8th.

The Birth of the Bab is one of nine holy days on the Baha'i calendar.

"No special liturgy or rituals will be followed, as the Baha'i faith has no liturgy or rituals," said Duane Herrmann of the local Baha'i community.

Prayers and Scripture written by the Bab will be read, Herrmann noted. Writings about the Bab also will be read.

The Bab --- pronounced "bob" --- was born in 1819 into a merchant family of Shiraz, Persia. He taught that he was the herald of another messenger greater than himself.

Baha'is believe Baha'u'llah to be that messenger. Baha'u'llah, who lived from 1817 to 1892, was the prophet-founder of the Baha'i faith.

The Topeka City Mission Union, Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church and Stormont-Vail HealthCare will sponsor the "Say Amen to Good Health" fair from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Mount Carmel church, 610 S.E. Lime.

The event will include information on: prostate cancer; HIV and AIDS; hypertension; heart disease; breast cancer; children's health care; diabetes; kidney disease; and mental health.

Also featured will be booths and demonstrations on: car-seat safety checks; blood-pressure and glucose tests; exercise and fitness; healthy meals and snacks; and HealthWave children's insurance.

Special speakers will include Dr. Mark Thomas, Dr. Tara Pridgett and Garrett White from Stormont-Vail.

A light breakfast will be served from 8:30 to 9 a.m. and nutritional lunch from 12:30 to 1 p.m. The event is free.

The Adam's Apple, 2622 S.E. 6th, will hold its outdoor Fall Harvest Gospel Sing from 2 to 7 p.m. today.

Guest musicians will include: Ric and Marta Barron of 1 of 2 Ministries; Dennis Terry and White Harvest; Jim Gardner; the Freedom Gospel Singers; and Dave Arasmith.

The concert will take place indoors if it rains.

LeRoy Garvin, a Topeka musician and singer, will debut his new compact disc "Sit Down Servant" in a concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1701 S.W. Collins.

Garvin will sing several spiritual selections from his record in the concert.

Also appearing will be the Uptown Mandolin Quartet.

A $10 donation is requested for admission.

Clay Street Baptist Church will celebrate the fourth anniversary of the Rev. Kenneth C. Perkins Sr. and his family at the church in special services this weekend at Deer Creek Community Center, 2345 S.E. 25th.

Worship will take place at 7 p.m. today with the Rev. Joe Stokes of East Eight Street Baptist Church the guest speaker. The East Eighth choir will provide musical selections.

The celebration will conclude at 3 p.m. Sunday, when a high day dinner will be served. Following dinner, a service will be held with special guests the Rev. Melvin C. Wakes and the choir of True Vine Missionary Baptist Church.

The Topeka Churches Singing Convention will have its fall revival at 7 p.m. Monday through Friday at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, 2222 S.E. Madison.

Participating congregations will include: Jackson Memorial Church of God in Christ; St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church; Ebenezer Baptist Church; New Jerusalem Baptist Church; and Mount Olive Primitive Baptist Church.

Trinity Baptist Church, 2046 S.E. California Ave., will have its fall revival at 7 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday.

The guest speaker will be the Rev. Clark Johnson, of First Southern Baptist Church. Special music will feature Steve Paris, Mike O'Donnell, the adult choir and the worship team from First Southern Baptist Church.

The Apostolic Church of Topeka will hold its annual Ladies' Conference from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 at the church, 2313 S.E. 29th.

Special speakers will include Nona Freeman, author and former missionary to Africa, and author LaJoyce Martin.

The conference will begin with a banquet at 7 p.m. Oct. 31. Cost for the banquet is $10. Other services will be at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily.

Call 267-7500 or 379-5454 for more information.

The Christian music group the Katinas will be in concert in its "Lifestyle" tour at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Sheffield Assembly of God Church, 5700 Winner Road in Kansas City, Mo.

Also featured in the concert will be Natalie Grant and special guest Kara.

Tickets are $12.50 or $15 in advance, or $18 door. Advance tickets are available at area Christian bookstores or online at itickets.com.

Phil Anderson can be reached at

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

See SCENE, page 2E

©Copyright 2002, Topeka Capital Journal