November, 2011

November 27 – Spiritual Pursuit Baha’i movie marathon in Arlington and commemoration of the Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha

‎”In this day, to thank God for His bounties consisteth in possessing a radiant heart, and a soul open to the promptings of the spirit. This is the essence of thanksgiving.”
(Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, p. 179)

After the festivities of Thanksgiving, this Sunday, November 27, beginning at 7 p.m., the Baha’is of Arlington invite you to a Spiritual Pursuit Baha’i movie marathon in Arlington and commemoration of the Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha, the Center of the Baha’i Covenant. On the spiritual menu we will have:

  1. Community board game called “Spiritual Pursuit” which would test our knowledge of the Baha’i Faith and the other major religions.
  2. Baha’i movie marathon featuring (in the order the audience chooses):
  • The Promise of All Ages” – a documentary about the life of Baha’u’llah
  • The Noble Thief” – a moving one-man-play about the spiritual transformation of a flawed but sincere man through his growing love of Baha’u’llah
  • Pilgrimage: A Sacred Experience” – a beautiful video meditation on the sacred experience of Baha’i pilgrimage
  • Smith & Dragoman: Live in Concert” – a live recording of the concert performance of the talented Baha’i band Smith & Dragoman from Canada
  • Embrace the World Tour” – a documentary about the U.S. tour of an international group of talented Baha’i musicians bringing about the oneness of humanity through their music.

The commemoration of the Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha will conclude with prayers, devotional readings and music at 1 am on Sunday. Please contact Mitko for directions.

Musical Prayer Station & classical piano performance by Negin Mostaghim – Friday, Nov 18th‏

“The diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord.”
(Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 53)

What nurtures your soul? What makes your heart tender? Prayer, live music, fellowship, tea poured in peace, banana bread baked with loved and shared with a smile? Whatever the answer might be, sharing songs and prayers with friends gets us all closer to the Creator and recharges us for days ahead.

We invite you and your loves ones to a very special Musical Prayer Station featuring classical piano music performed by Negin Mostaghim and surprise guests on Friday, November 18th, at 7:30 pm. We will intersperse the beautiful music with inspiring readings from different religious traditions as well as personal supplications. Prayers will be offered for anyone in need. Whether you need directions or have a prayer request, please contact Mitko.

Arlington Musical Prayer Station with Yosi Mesbah

 

“We, verily, have made music as a ladder for your souls, a means whereby they may be lifted up unto the realm on high; make it not, therefore, as wings to self and passion.”

(Baha’u’llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 38)

What nurtures your soul? What makes your heart tender? Prayer, live music, fellowship, tea poured in peace, cake shared with a smile? Whatever the answer might be, sharing songs and prayers with friends gets us all closer to the Creator and recharges us for days ahead.

We invite you and your loves ones to a very special Musical Prayer Station and house concert with Yosi Mesbah on Thursday, November 10th, at 7:30 pm. The event host Mitko Gerensky met Yosi and recorded with her at the recent Music Industry Weekend in California and he claims that this young lady has bright future. With her soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics, this young singer-songwriter will make you smile, cry, and overall reflect on life and its meaning.

You don’t want to miss this! And you should tell your friends about it too!

What: Musical Prayer Station – house concert with Yosi Mesbah
When: Thursday, November 10th at 7:30 pm
Where: Arlington, VA


Contact Mitko for details.

Arlington Baha’is to hold dynamic, tasty and fun themed parties.

It is often said that the way to anyone’s heart is through their stomachs, and the newly inaugurated Iron Chef™ style parties held by a new couple in Arlington aim to provide just that: an opportunity to make new friends, enjoy the company of old friends and create – through culinary endeavors with that month’s theme product- a feast for both eyes and tummies!

These have been a great success in bringing new friends and the community together. Being new to Arlington, to the East Coast, to marriage and their first home together, Mojdeh S. and her husband Chris S. set out to share their love for cooking. Since it’s inception in June, they have welcomed many friends – new and old – in their home and elsewhere to share fellowship, food and fun. Conversations have inspired, life milestones have been celebrated and new friendships have blossomed. It has become the place to be each month for those wishing to try out a new recipe, get creative with a family favorite and enjoy the scrumptious dishes being prepared by friends from Bristow to McLean, Germantown to Fairlington, even New York to Washington State.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, the inspiration for their parties comes from Iron Chef™, a culinary game show – based on the Japanese original – where a challenger chef competes against one of the resident “Iron Chefs” in a one-hour cooking competition based around a secret, theme ingredient. The “secret” ingredient at the parties is provided in the invitation and participants are asked to prepare an appetizer, main entree or dessert using (at least) that one ingredient in their dish(es).

Future parties will be announced with details in the calendar section of the Arlington Baha’i website.