Arlington Baha’is

One Humankind In Music

During the recent of commemoration of the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., three Arlington Baha’is sang with the Metropolitan Washington Bahá’í Chorale at three different celebrations — in Alexandria VA, College Park MD, and Mt. Vernon VA.

The Metropolitan Washington Baha'i Chorale before a recent performance

The Metropolitan Washington Baha’i Chorale before a recent performance

Following these performances, they will be joining a concert and program organized by Mosaic Harmony and featuring choirs from Bahai, Muslim, Jewish and Interfaith choirs.

“We have made music a ladder by which souls may ascend to the realm on high.” ~ Baha’u’llah

This interfaith event called “One Humankind In Music” will take place on Monday, February 1st from 7:00pm until 8:30pm at
Unity of Fairfax
2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton VA 22124

Hope you can join and celebrate our oneness through music!

Arlington Baha’is celebrate the Declaration of the Bab

A group of Arlington Baha’is, joined by a Chilean guest, gathered in the evening of May 22, 2014 to commemorate the Declaration of the Bab, marking 170 full years since the beginning of the Baha’i Faith!

declaration-of-the-bab-171be-1

While sharing light refreshments, the friends viewed a video presentation about the house of the youthful Messenger of God whose title the Bab means the Gate to the knowledge of God.

The gathering continued with spiritually-uplifting conversations about the momentous event which took place 170 years ago in the city of Shiraz, Iran, and concluded with songs and the reading of the potent Tablet of Visitation at 10:31 pm — two hours and 11 minutes after sunset — the moment when the Bab informed His first disciple of His mission.

“I am,” thrice exclaimed the Báb, “I am, I am, the promised One! I am the One whose name you have for a thousand years invoked, at whose mention you have risen, whose advent you have longed to witness, and the hour of whose Revelation you have prayed God to hasten. Verily I say, it is incumbent upon the peoples of both the East and the West to obey My word and to pledge allegiance to My person.”

Musical Prayer Station with Kat Key “What The Fire Is”

“Intone, O My servant, the verses of God that have been received by thee, as intoned by them who have drawn nigh unto Him, that the sweetness of thy melody may kindle thine own soul, and attract the hearts of all men.”
(Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 294)
What nurtures your soul? What makes your heart tender? Prayer, 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.
You and your loves ones are cordially invited to join a very special Musical Prayer Station and house concert with Katharine Key on Friday, April 6th, at 7:30 pm at the home of an Arlington Baha’i. This is the third time Kat will perform at the Arlington Prayer Station and everyone who attended the previous time, enjoyed it immensely!
Katharine Key is a singer-songwriter who loves playing music to uplift people’s hearts and enrich their lives.  She is classically trained in piano and self-taught on guitar, but only plays so that she can sing — her first passion. She has been a Baha’i for 15 years and took up guitar and song-writing so that she could serve the community, since music and the arts are an essential element of Baha’i community life.
Kat will be sharing some songs from her upcoming second CD “What The Fire Is”, and some reflections on tests and difficulties from a spiritual perspective. Her first CD “Intone” will be available for sale at the concert as well as online at www.cdbaby.com/cd/katharinekey.
When she is not singing, Katharine works in the field of HIV prevention research.  Look for her and drop her a note online atwww.justkat.com.
We’ll also say prayers for anyone in need, so if you can’t join us and would like to request prayers or if you need directions, please contact the host!

The Eye Doc is Helping More than just Patients

Taking to heart the call by the Universal House of Justice to engage in community-building activities around the world, Zitta Rezvani is a Baha’i here in Arlington who has somehow managed to squeeze volunteer work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington into her busy schedule.

In her own words….
“I’ve been doing this for the past 5 years. I was one of the founders of the Next Generation Leaders, which is a liaison between the big board and the boys and girls club clubhouses.

We’ve regularly organized numerous programs for youth and children in the DC area, along with volunteering our personal time to projects like the renovation we performed at the Orr Elementary School Branch in Washington, DC on October 22, 2011. This involved the painting of exterior playground space; repairing, pruning, and patching of playground fields and fencing; replacement of interior and exterior lights and bulbs; replacement of ceiling tile in various locations; painting of select interior spaces; and building of shelving and storage units. I love what I do. It feels like we’re really making a difference in these kids lives. Also, we’re always looking for more people, too!”

Want to get involved? Contact Zitta.