Religion

Melodie Little
Staff writer

The Bahai faith has a chapter in the Spokane Valley that has been up and running since the early 1960s.

About 35 to 45 people make up the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahai's County Commissioner District Number 2.

The Bahai chapters follow the same boundaries as governmental districts, which help chapters allocate community service projects. Subsequently, the Valley chapter's boundaries will change when Spokane Valley incorporation becomes official March 31.

Spokane Valley resident Joseph Urlacher has been a practicing Bahai since 1975, when as a student attending Whitman College in Walla Walla he found the faith fit his spiritual values.

"I became a Bahai. I use that term lightly because people don't become Bahai, they discover they are Bahai," Urlacher explains.

Bahai teachings promote values of family, diversity, spiritual growth, love, reverence toward God, respect for all faiths, universal peace and spiritual unity.

"In the Bahai writings, it will tell you this is an ancient faith. The Bahai believe the spiritual foundations of all faiths come from one source, that being God," Urlacher explains.

Founded by Baha'u'llah in 1844, the faith seeks unity, universal peace, spiritual development and the investigation of truth as a means of promoting a healthy world.

The various chapters meet at members' homes within their districts and gather with Bahai from North Spokane, the city of Spokane, Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai for classes and devotions.

The classes offer spiritual education and are free and open to members of all faiths, said Urlacher. "You don't have to be a Bahai to come and be a part of what we do."

Classes are Sundays at 10 a.m., at the Star of West Bahai School, at the Avalon Dance Studio, 117 E. Boone Ave. To find out more about the Valley chapter of the Bahai faith, call 326-0152.

Lutherhaven auction next Saturday

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is hosting its annual Lutherhaven auction next Saturday.

Featured items include a mix of collectibles, crafts, theme baskets, hotel stays and a shed.

Pizza, pop, salad and dessert will be served. Admission is free, but donations are requested to assist with the cost of food.

Lutherhaven is a church camp on Lake Coeur d'Alene. Last year's proceeds provided scholarships for full or half tuitions for 50 children to attend summer camp and for others to attend confirmation retreats.

Door prizes include a 27-inch television and a diamond. The silent auction begins at 5 p.m. and the loud auction will follow at 7 p.m. at 810 S. Sullivan Road. To RSVP for dinner, call 926-2252.

Speed dating, times two

With Valentine's Day just a heartbeat away, one Spokane Valley Christian organization is adding some extra fun for singles.

Spokane Christian Singles recently added a second "speed dating" event to the group's February lineup.

In addition to tonight's speed-dating session, the group is holding a session on Feb. 15.

Speed dating is a fast-paced game in which contestants receive numbers and are paired for a brief question-and-answer session. Singles rotate tables until all the men and women have met.

At the evening's end, contestants write down the number of the person who interests them. If contestants list corresponding numbers, they are introduced for a date.

Both events are free to members (membership dues are $10 per year) and begin at 7 p.m. at the Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave.

Spokane Christian Singles offers yearround weekend activities for Christian singles, ages 20 to 45, who get together for potlucks, scavenger hunts and other outings. For more information, call 226-7674.

Food, fun at Valley Nazarene

If your last night out was a trip through the fast food window on the way home to watch a miniseries on television, you might consider treating yourself to an evening of dining and laughter.

Spokane Valley Nazarene Church is hosting a dinner theater, featuring comedy by Lynn Vincent and a prime rib dinner.

The performance is planned for Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. at 15515 E. 20th Ave. Tickets are $35 per couple, $20 per individual, or $120 for a table of eight.

©Copyright 2003, The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA, USA)

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