IN THE SPIRIT

-- Michele Marr

Mailing address: P.O. Box 10832, Costa Mesa, CA 92727. Call for

meeting locations.

Telephone: (714) 780-9516 or (800) 22-UNITE.

Denomination: The Bahai faith is without denominations or sects. A

formal community is created when at least nine adult Bahais live in the

same area (city or region). A Local Spiritual Assembly is formed from

community members and serves as the administrative body for a local

community.

Year church established: The Baha’i Faith Community of Costa Mesa was

formed in the late 1950s. It is the second oldest Bahai community in

Orange County. The Bahai faith originated in Persia, now Iran, in 1863

when Baha’u’llah, meaning “Glory of God,” prophet-founder of the faith,

declared he was the Promised One, the one whose coming was foretold by

all of the previous prophets of God.

Service times: Services are held at the start of a new month in the

Bahai calendar. In the Bahai year, there are 19 months of 19 days, with a

festival at year’s end for the remaining four to five days. Every 19

days, members meet for a Spiritual Feast, typically at a member’s home.

Sunday devotions are also held at the Baha’i Center in San Clemente.

Staff: There are no clergy in the Bahai faith. There are

administrative institutions, including the Local Spiritual Assembly, the

National Spiritual Assembly and the Universal House of Justice. The

Bahais who serve in these assemblies are elected.

Size of congregation: There are about 40 members in Costa Mesa and

more than 6 million members worldwide. The Bahai faith is the second most

widespread faith on the planet, after Christianity.

Makeup of congregation: All ages

Child care: Provided upon request

Type of worship: The 19 Day Spiritual Feast is comprised of three

elements: a spiritual devotion, administrative consultation and

fellowship. The devotional portion of the feast includes readings from

Bahai writings, music and prayer. The administrative portion of the feast

allows every member to have a say in community affairs. The fellowship

portion of the feast includes light refreshments for those present.

Type of sermon: Since there is not a clerical leader, there is no

sermon. Bahais believe that individuals cannot interpret spiritual

writings for others; indeed, each Bahai is encouraged to study the sacred

writings and develop an understanding of them to the fullest of their

capacity.

Welcome wagon: Many gatherings are open to everyone, including holy

day celebrations and informal gatherings to discuss basic concepts of the

faith. Typically, these discussions include short talks by guest speakers

on one or more Bahai principles, along with discussion, socializing and

refreshments.

Outreach programs: Bahais work locally and globally for social and

economic development through a variety of individual, family and

community activities. In Orange County, Bahais have participated in

adult-education scholarship programs, talks at colleges and churches,

race unity programs, cable television programs, Web sites, and a local

annual Walk for Peace.

Dress: May vary depending on an individual’s taste and comfort.

Mission statement: “The Baha’is,” a publication of the Bahai

International Community, reads, “The main theme of Baha’u’llah’s message

is unity. He taught that there is only one God, that all the world’s

religions represent one changeless and eternal faith of God, and that all

humanity is one race, destined to live in peace and harmony. Baha’is work

towards the creation of an ever-advancing, sustainable world

civilization.”

Interesting note: Lori Wilson, member of the Costa Mesa community, has

received an award as a “Model of Unity,” celebrating her eight years of

work on the Annual Walk for Peace, which is held in September.

The Eighth Annual Celebration of the United Nations International Day

of Peace will be held at Triangle Square on Sept. 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 3

p.m. The event is organized to help raise awareness of the United Nations

international efforts to promote peace. The hosts of this year’s

celebration are the Baha’i Faith Community of Costa Mesa and the Orange

Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. There will be activities and

entertainment appropriate for all ages along with speakers, gift

drawings, peace packets and free balloons. Sponsors include the NAACP,

Amnesty International, The United Nations Association, the Newport-Mesa

Irvine Interfaith Council, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church and

the Baha’is of Orange County. There is no admission charge for the event.

For information on the event, call (949) 646-4652 or go to o7

https://www.oc-bahai.org.f7