On the Baha'is of Northern Virginia/DC: An Introduction From a Distance

Readers of this blog and my wife's blog Flitzy Phoebie, may be familiar with Jess, a dear soul who has expressed interest in the Baha'i Faith and has written about her study of it on her blog Rambles, Reviews and Rants. Jess has a Baha'i friend locally and will soon be accompanying that friend to meet other Baha'is there, if plans work out. ~~~ It is my impression that many people fall in love with the Faith through visiting online such websites as www.bahai.us, the official website of the Baha'is of the United States, but then find that making connection with local Baha'is and the local Baha'i community does not always go smoothly, as one recent LiveJournal post would indicate. ~~~ We may have one image in our minds reading bahai.org the official website of the international Baha'i Community, but another upon encountering a roomful of living, breathing Baha'is. Our preconcieved notions may not always be completely validated. In any case, it is worthy of great celebration when dear souls encounter the Faith, the recognize the station of Baha'u'llah and the truth of His teachings, and are able to enter into the community of believers that invoke His name and experience the true joys of Baha'i community life. ~~~ Jess and her family live in the Northern Virginia/DC area. My wife and I reside in Western Washington, the other Washington. I have never visited N VA/DC as a Baha'i, although I know there are dear Baha'is there. Today I've decided to try to get to know the area where Jess and her family live with a little help from the Internet, posting what I come across. So this post is for me, but also for Jess, my attempt to introduce her further to the Baha'is in her area from 3000 miles away. ~~~ If you are from the Northern Virginia/DC area and would like to comment on or add to the information provided here, such as it is, please do so. Or you can go to Jess' blog and do so there. Northern Virginia/D.C., say hello to Jess and her family!

Jess' baby, Ella Cerise (a.k.a Baby Beau)

"You're going to do what?!"

Well, one of the first things I notice as I search the Internet is that there is a great website for a Baha'i School in the area. I see that there are weekly classes into June.

There must be many well-trained teachers for Baha'i school in the area as many Baha'is there have had Core Curriculum training, as this picture of trainees from the summer of 2004 would indicate:



I see that the Baha'i Community of Washington DC has a spiffy website. They offer devotional meetings, study circles and childrens classes, and they have a Baha'i Center.









I know that Jess is a hairdresser.
She may find it of interest that there is a "Baha'i-owned hair salon and day spa offering a full range of services for all of humanity with the highest customer care" located in Alexandria, Virginia, according to an ad on The Baha'i Faith Index.

I count 10 Baha'i communities in Northern Virginia and Maryland in the immediate vicinity of DC. I note a website of a Baha'i artist, a watercolorist, who lives in Mount Vernon and has a studio in the Alexandria. I can't drop a picture of her work onto my blog here because of copyright, but images of breathtaking beauty is just a click away.

I note that the area is home to "a world-class Baha'i singing group," the Washington Metropolitan Bahá'í Chorale, according to its website. Baha'i gospel, the likes of which stirred the souls of the assembled thousands in at the the 2nd Bahá'í World Congress, held in New York City in November 1992, is much loved here.

There is a radio program "Payam-i-Doost" that airs on WUST 1120 AM in Falls Church, VA Sundays, 9:30 -10:30 a.m. according to the Baha'is of Mt Vernon website. I think it may be a Persian-language program.

Alexandria has its own website. There is a newsetter linked to it that serves Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax Co. East, Falls Church, Mount Vernon. BINGO! No the Baha'is in these communities don't offer bingo, the newsletter is full of up-to-date information -- BINGO!

"April Events: All events are open to the public. Please call ahead for directions," it reads. Here are the listings for the rest of April:

FIRST DAY OF RIDVÁN- Work is suspended on this Holy Day.
FRIENDLY FRIDAYS!
April 21, 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM
Alexandria Bahá'í Center, 5400 Eisenhower Ave., Alex.
What to bring: yourself, your family, your friends, songs,
poems, art, and your favorite food.
Call 703-751-8886 or email wpc09@hotmail.com
for more details.
ONE WORLD BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL in Falls Church
Sunday, April 23, 10:00 am - Ridván Celebration!
Falls Church High School, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church
BAHÁ’Í CHILDREN’S CLASSES for preschool to age 7 and a
Ruhi Book 1 study circle for Children 8 years old to 13.
DEVOTIONAL & DISCUSSION FOR ADULTS
is held at the same time. Everyone is welcome!

Sunday, April 23, 10:00-12:00 am
Alexandria Bahá'í Center, 5400B Eisenhower Ave., 703-548-0929
BOOK 6 STUDY CIRCLE in Arlington
Monday, April 24, 7:00 pm (Every Monday)
Varied locations - Contact Ciara Rhodes or Olya Vinnik
STUDY CIRCLE at the Alexandria Bahá'í Center
Ruhi Book 1: Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Tuesday, April 25, 7:00 - 9:00 pm (Every Tuesday)
Alexandria Bahá'í Center, 5400B Eisenhower Ave.
Hosted by the Sadeghians. For information, e-mail
kjsadeghian@aol.com or phone 703-356-0925.
DEVOTIONS in Falls Church
Tuesday, April 25, 8:00 pm All are welcome.
at the Adriances', 703-241-7015.
DEVOTIONS and STUDY CIRCLE in Alexandria
Wednesday, April 26 (Every Wednesday)
Devotions: 6:45-7:15, Book 4 Study Circle: 7:15-9:00 pm
At Roya’s home, Alex. 703-627-3912.
RUSSIAN STUDY CIRCLE
Ruhi Book 1: Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Wednesday, April 26, 7:00 pm (Every Wednesday)
Varied locations. For information, e-mail vinnik@american.edu or
phone 703-395-7644. Hosted by Olya Vinnik.
FRIENDLY FRIDAYS!
April 28, 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM
Alexandria Bahá'í Center, 5400 Eisenhower Ave., Alex.
What to bring: yourself, your family, your friends, songs.
Call 703-751-8886 or email wpc09@hotmail.com
for more details.
9th DAY OF RIDVÁN Celebrations
PICNIC IN ALEXANDRIA
Saturday, 29th April, 11 am-3 pm
Fort Ward Park, 4301 West Braddock Road, Alex. 22304
We've reserved the area just above the playground. Bring your picnic
lunch, a blanket, and enjoy time together. The Assembly will bring
the water, fruit and cookies. Those who love to share stories of our
rich Bahá’í history may bring some along!
CELEBRATION/POTLUCK DINNER IN FALLS CHURCH
Saturday, 29 April, starting at 5 pm
At the Adriances', 216 Great Falls St., 703-241-7015.
All are welcome.
ONE WORLD BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL in Falls Church
Sunday, April 30, 10:00 am
Falls Church High School, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church
BAHÁ’Í CHILDREN’S CLASSES for preschool to age 7 and a
Ruhi Book 1 study circle for Children 8 years old to 13.
DEVOTIONAL & DISCUSSION FOR ADULTS
is held at the same time. Everyone is welcome!
Sunday, April 30, 10:00-12:00 am
Alexandria Bahá'í Center, 5400B Eisenhower Ave., 703-548-0929

Events in May
12th DAY OF RIDVÁN PRAYERWALK & Lunchtime Picnic
Tuesday, 2nd May, 11 am
Meet at the Bahá’í Riverside Property in Maryland for a Holy Day
walk along the meditation trails and prayer stations. Bring your
lunch and we'll munch together while enjoying the most beautiful
river view!
Directions: Just after crossing the Woodrow Wilson Bridge into
Maryland, head south on Indian Head Hwy (Rt. 210). After 3.5+
miles or about the 5th light, turn right onto Ft. Washington Road. At
the second light, turn right onto Riverview Road. Turn right into the
property at 11111 Riverview Road 200 yards after Riverview Road
makes a hard turn to the left. There's a lone black mailbox among
trees and a field. Call Steve for help at 703-201-3790.

Here is how to get the newsletter regularly:

This Bahá’í Newsletter is specially prepared and mailed to those who have either expressed an interest in learning more about the Bahá’í Faith, have attended Bahá’í functions, or have been suggested by Bahá’í members. If you wish to communicate further with Bahá’ís, to find out about other events, or to change your receipt of this newsletter, please call 703-548-0929.

And finally, there is a website provided by CapitolAreaBahais.org that provides email addresses for the following Baha'i communities: Alexandria VA, Arlington VA, Berwyn Heights MD, College Park MD, Fairfax East VA, Falls Church VA, Montgonery County SE MD, Mount Vernon MD, Prince Georges County South MD, and Takoma Park MD.

So, there you have it, Jess -- and world! There is a lot more I could come up with about the Baha'is of Northern Virginia/DC, but I will call this good for now. But one more picture, from the DC Youth Congress 2005, taken by Ryan, who specializes in "capturing real glimpses of people" and "catching and portraying joyous moments," per his profile on flickr. Ryan's cutline: "Nasim and Derick began a little salsa (more or less) demonstration after Nevin's workshop."