10 - Sunday, May 27, 1990 - North Shore News SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING This week's religious events iS terteoeme. 4 NEWS photo Cindy Goodman WORLD UNITY figures prominently in the Baha’i vision. Sandra Azizi (left background) and Fariba Ferdowsi (right background) join Pasha Ferdowsi (left front) and Iman Ferdowsi (zight front) to display some of the literature available to explain the relatively young world Baha’is believe im one society THE YEAR IS 147 B.E. (Baha’i Era) and it is the elev- enth day of Azamat (Grandeur). If you are a member of the Baha’i community, that is your reality. The North Shore counts sever- al hundred Baha’i faithful. The majority of the local community members are of Persian descent from Iran. There are some four million Baha’is worldwide. The religion was founded by Baha'u'llah, a man who lived from 1817 to 1892. He is consid- ered a prophet and joins an his- torical procession of God’s mes- sengers including Muhammad, Christ, Zoroaster, Buddha, Moses and Abraham. The next prophet is expected to reveal the word of God about 850 years from now. The Baha‘’i prophet’s core theme involves the concept of one race, one society. Baha'is believe global unily can come about once people accept the idea of mankind as a greater family. Principles providing the underpinning for the grander vi- sion include the concepts of abandonment of prejudice; equality for women; belief in the unity and relativity of religious truth: the doing away with ex- tremes of poverty and wealth; universal education; individual and independent search for truth; the realization of a global federa- tion of nations; belief that religion is harmonious with reason and scientific knowledge. Explains North Shore Baha‘i community member Fariba Fer- dowsi, ‘‘Every person is respon- sible for their own spiritual growth and also for accepting their own beliefs. We see them ali as different chapters of the one By MICHAEL BECKER News Reporter religion of God. The Baha’i faith is the latest chapter and not the fast. “In essence these religions are Ferdowsi lives in a Baha’i fam- ily but her mother has a Muslim background and her father has a Jewish background. ‘‘We don’t have any problems,’’ she said. Personally, the Baha'i faith pro- vides her with hope and under- standing. “It just motivates me to want to do more and just dedicate my time to more meaningful things and serving humanity especial- ly,”’ she said. One way she does this is by organizing Peace of Art concerts. The most recent concert took place May 13 at Centennial Theatre. The international per- formances represent a united world rich in cultural diversity, Sandra Azizi is active in the Baha’i community as an auxiliary - board member for B.C. The board acts in an advisory capaci- ty and meets with Baha’i com- munities to help them better live the Baha’i life. Brought up in Holland, she joined the faith at age 18. Her commitment within the community is to share the faith with others. She meets for in- formal ‘‘fireside’’ gatherings every two weeks al her home. The next meeting is 8 p.m., June 6 at 5402 Molina Rd. in North Vancouver. For more informa- tion call 980-7898. Today: Sikhs commemorate the martyrdom of the first Sikh martyr, Guru Arjan Dev (1563-1606). In Anritsar, he built the Temple of God, which was constructed with doors facing all four directions to emphasize that the Sikh way was open to all, regardless of caste. Tuesday, May 29: The ascension of Baha'u'llah, which marks the anniversary of the death of the founder of the Baha’i faith. Work is suspended on this day. Wednesday, May 30: Shavuot marks the conclusion of the period of seven weeks that follows the Jewish holiday of Pesach (Passover). It commemorates the giving of the Torah to the Israelites. Saturday, June 2: All-night prayer vigil in recogni- tion of Pentecost begins at 8 p.m. at Gloria Dei Lu- theran Church, 1110 Gladwin Dr., North Vancouver. Sunday, June 3: Pentecost, an important Christian holiday that falls 50 days after Easter and com- memorates the descent of the Holy Spirit onto the disciples of Jesus following his ascension. Considered the birth of the organized church, it us- ed to be known as Whitsunday due to the white gar- ments worn by those baptized on that day. © Gloria Dei Lutheran Church holds special 10 a.m. Pentecost service fe¢ by Pastor Donald Johnson, in- cluding prayers in many languages, music and the rea.‘ing of the parish’s mission statement, which the co ,regation has been working on since Eastertime. Birthday cake in honor of the Christian church’s anniversary will be served following the service. Call 988-5838 for information. © Pentecost Parade leaves from St. Simon's Church, 3384 Deep Cove Rd., at 12:30 p.m. and ends with a picnic at Panorama Park. Visiting musicians, singers and drummers will lead the marchers, and the congregation has been practising special Pentecost hymns for the occasion. Rev. Ed Hird says Pentecost Parades, formerly called Whitwalks, are an old English tradition that his parish is hoping to revive. For more information, call 929-1613. _., Lhisweek, we're blowing our own horn. Joinour CareFull Service Week celebrations. We're proud to announce that we’ve won the highest honour a Chevron station can achieve: the CareFull Service Award (CSA).Only stations which meet Chevron’s highest standards of profes- sionalism and which con- sistently deliver superior customer service, qualify to become CareFull Service Award Stations. Free giveaways and specials! ‘To celebrate our achievement, we're hosting a CareFull Service Week from May 28 through June 2. Vhere'll be give- aways and great specials for all our customers. Come join us for free coffee and donuts, This week, you can get $20.00 off air conditioning ser- vice. We're also featuring a mount and balance of two tires for $19.95. And remember to bring inthe Free Grab Bag coupon you received in the mail, Carefull Service Week May 26 to June 2 Art Hovenessian Lonsdale Chevron 23rd & Lonsdale North Vancouver or pick one up from your re- tailer. It entitles you to a surprise giveaway from M TWARD STATION. ,? | B Chevron, while A. Of 3 quantities last. Offer expires June 2, 1990. Our commitment to excellence. How do Chevron CareFull Service Award stations differ from other gasoline stations? Extra care and attention sets up apart. For example, we ; automatically clean both your front and rear windows. Check your oil. Even your tires. And more. To find out exactly what you can expect from any CSA station you pull inio, read our pledge. Remember, if you want old-fashioned service, you'll get itat a CSA station. At no extra Cost. Weve worked hard to win this award and we're going to work hard to keep it. You deserve the very best Chevron has to offer. Come in during CareFull Service Week and give us a ding, ding. Chevron. Your Town Pump.