Service focuses on world peace

Religion scene

By Phil Anderson

The Capital-Journal

A "Service of World Religions for Peace" will be conducted at 4 p.m. Jan. 27 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5973 S.W. 25th.

The service will include readings, prayers and music on the subject of peace.

Representatives of various religious groups will participate, including those from the Baha'i, Islamic, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Unitarian Universalist, Native American and Christian traditions.

The service for peace will be held in conjunction with one Thursday which will be led by Pope John Paul II in Assisi, Italy. A number of other religious leaders from around the world are expected to attend the service in Assisi.

Organizers of the Topeka program have issued a special invitation to local youth groups to attend.

Refreshments will follow the program. For more information, call the Rev. Norbert Lickteig of Christ the King Church at 273-0710.

Interest in world religions may be at an all-time high, and a series of programs scheduled to begin this spring will examine the issue from a local perspective.

The series, titled "Religions in Topeka," is a cooperative effort among different religious traditions active in the city. It is sponsored by the Baha'i communities of Topeka and Shawnee County.

An introductory session about the series will be held at 7 p.m. today at the Topeka Friends Meetinghouse, 603 S.W. 8th.

The initial program in the series, scheduled for this spring, will include representatives from the Prairyerth Zen Center and the Islamic Center of Topeka. Other programs will follow.

The series will be introduced by a presentation on "The Need for a Divine Educator." Presentations will consist of two parts: the first focusing on the life of the religion's founder, the second on the spiritual life and practices of -followers of the faith traditions.

Because of limited seating, groups of five or more should call 862-8249 for reservations. Refreshments will be served at the meetings, for which admittance is free. No donations will be accepted.

Light of the World Christian Center, 3301 S.W. Gage, will present a financial success seminar featuring Buddy Pilgrim at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Monday.

Pilgrim is founder and president of Integrity Management Services, a leadership development and business strategy consulting firm. He also is chief executive officer of Simmons Foods, a nearly half-billion-dollar poultry company with 4,500 employees.

Ordained as a minister in 1998 by the Rev. Kenneth Copeland, Pilgrim emphasizes biblical principles in his ministry.

Call 271-1010 for more information.

Interfaith of Topeka will hold its annual meeting beginning with a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka, 4775 S.W. 21st.

During the program, representatives from about eight different religious traditions will explain a symbol of their faith.

New officers and board members for 2002 also will be elected. The meeting is open to the public.

The Washburn Catholic Campus Center will sponsor a public forum from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Feb. 3 in the Washburn Law School courtroom on "Ethics in Science and Medicine."

A panel of local experts will present factual information on various topics during the program.

For more information, call 233-2204 or e-mail wucatholic@hotmail.com.

Phil Anderson can be reached at (785) 295-1195 or panderson@cjonline.com.

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