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CONNIE DREWSpiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Hillsborough County Northwest.
LOCATION: Baha'i Center, 3112 Nundy Road, Tampa; 963-0080.
SERVICES: Devotional service at 10 a.m. Sunday, followed by fellowship and an introductory discussion. A guest speaker presents the Baha'i perspective on various topics on the third Saturday each month following a 6:30 p.m. potluck dinner.
LEADERSHIP: The Spiritual Assembly, nine individuals elected annually from the adult membership, oversees administrative matters in the Hillsborough County Northwest Community. There is no clergy, nor is power or authority vested in any individual. Weekly devotional service is prepared by members using passages from Baha'i scripture and other major religions.
HISTORY: The Baha'i Faith, started in Persia 160 years ago, was introduced in the Tampa area in 1953. The Spiritual Assembly of Baha'is of Hillsborough County Northwest was formed in 1986. There are four Baha'i communities in Hillsborough County. The practices and beliefs of Baha'is is the same throughout the world: There is one God who provides progressive guidance to mankind through chosen Prophets including Moses, Jesus, Muhammad and Baha'u'llah. The principle teachings include that all people are part of one human family, equality of women and men, elimination of all forms of prejudice, compulsory education for all, agreement of science and religion and the establishment of world peace and more.
MEMBERSHIP: More than 200 members.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH: In cooperation with Metropolitan Ministries, Tampa area Baha'is are conducting a child education project for the development of character. The non-doctrinal program was developed to awaken children to their innate nobility and the benefits of practicing attributes such as kindness, truthfulness, patience and trustworthiness in their daily lives.
NOTABLE: The Spiritual Assembly has worked with the National Conference for Community and Justice, the North Tampa Clergy Association and other interfaith efforts and the Human Rights Council. It also has participated in events that commemorated the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and it helped coordinate Hillsborough County's first Race Unity March along a 2-mile stretch of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in 1992.
VISION STATEMENT: Baha'is believe that God's most recent prophet, Baha'u'llah, brought a blueprint for the establishment of world peace which is inevitable. We believe Baha'u'llah's teachings are the solutions for the myriad problems facing humanity in this day. As individuals put into practice these spiritual principles they become transformed and being a Baha'i becomes a way of life. We need to embrace the concept of unity in diversity and work toward the betterment of all mankind.