On 15 January, 2017, I had the opportunity to meet with the Baha'i Center in Washington DC. It was great experience and so much happened that it will take several posts to discuss it well. Today, I'd just like to discuss what I saw in the building and how it reflects the Baha'i faith as I experienced it.
The Baha'i meet in a large house that has at least three stories. Even though I was there for more than 3 hours, I only had time to see the main floor, which was divided up into two main rooms with a kitchen, hallway and bathroom. One of the main rooms was meant to contain the main service, while the other was designed for fellowship.
The worship service room had chairs that were largely oriented towards a lectern, however they were also arranged in such a way as to create a certain sense of community. The chairs at the side walls face inward, for example, and since today was a day of worship and prayer the chairs at the front two rows of the room faced backward toward. I expect a greater sense of community would have been created if the space was available for it - the room was long and narrow. In the back of service room, there was something of a multi-purpose fellowship area. It had open space that allowed for pacing, playing toddlers and mothers who might walk around rocking their babies - I saw several of these things go on during the service. This back area also had well cushioned bench chairs.
The fellowship room had a food table in the center, with another table for drinks, plates and utensils in a corner of the room. This did not seem to be a special arrangement, giving the impression that the Bahai celebrate their fellowship with food whenever they meet. It reminds of something out of Acts 2. Like the service room, the walls were lined with cushioned bench chairs. They were as comfortable as you would expect a nice couch to be. When I was there, they were serving tea, fruits and vegetables, small bread pieces, and a few sweets and sliced meats. The meal provided was balanced, healthy and light - and like everything else allowed for easy socializing.
The furniture alone made a strong theological statement. "We find God in each other." I don't know if the Baha'i would say those words, but I seriously doubt that they would deny them. In any case, the warmth reflected in the house arrangement was palpable among the people both as they sang and prayed and as they fellowshiped before and after the service. What I felt in the room is the same thing that Christians often call the Holy Spirit in their services. It's a kind of communal intimacy with the group and the divine that can be felt throughout the whole body. It's difficult to describe.
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| Bahai Center in DC from the front of the building |
The worship service room had chairs that were largely oriented towards a lectern, however they were also arranged in such a way as to create a certain sense of community. The chairs at the side walls face inward, for example, and since today was a day of worship and prayer the chairs at the front two rows of the room faced backward toward. I expect a greater sense of community would have been created if the space was available for it - the room was long and narrow. In the back of service room, there was something of a multi-purpose fellowship area. It had open space that allowed for pacing, playing toddlers and mothers who might walk around rocking their babies - I saw several of these things go on during the service. This back area also had well cushioned bench chairs.
The fellowship room had a food table in the center, with another table for drinks, plates and utensils in a corner of the room. This did not seem to be a special arrangement, giving the impression that the Bahai celebrate their fellowship with food whenever they meet. It reminds of something out of Acts 2. Like the service room, the walls were lined with cushioned bench chairs. They were as comfortable as you would expect a nice couch to be. When I was there, they were serving tea, fruits and vegetables, small bread pieces, and a few sweets and sliced meats. The meal provided was balanced, healthy and light - and like everything else allowed for easy socializing.
The furniture alone made a strong theological statement. "We find God in each other." I don't know if the Baha'i would say those words, but I seriously doubt that they would deny them. In any case, the warmth reflected in the house arrangement was palpable among the people both as they sang and prayed and as they fellowshiped before and after the service. What I felt in the room is the same thing that Christians often call the Holy Spirit in their services. It's a kind of communal intimacy with the group and the divine that can be felt throughout the whole body. It's difficult to describe.
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