Philadelphia Centenary Celebration June 9, 2012, Temple University

Here are some beautiful memories from our very special celebration on June 9, 2012 at Temple University's Performing Arts Center. To see more photographs, please join our Facebook page.

Service is Prayer: THANK YOU to all the Cast & Crew

A very special THANK YOU to the many who have helped with every aspect of the Commemoration of the Centenary of Abdul-Baha’s Visit to Philadelphia:

First to the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Philadelphia, as the sponsor and host of the event, and thoughtful guide for years of planning that have gone into the historic commemoration.

“Cast” List:

Musicians:

Eric Dozier

JB Eckl

Christopher Faizi Bogan

Ian Rafalak

Ryan Socrates

Jamie Orlando

Chibuzor Uwadione

Gregory Chingwe

Spencer Wright

Children’s Choir Director: Christopher Faizi Bogan & …

THANKS to all the children and youth in the choir!

Readers, Narrators (in order of appearance):
Ethel Henderson

Elyse Etemad

Kyle Lewis
Nicole Javier
Jocelyn Kurtze
Athena Lemon
Bayan Toloubadei
Juliet Bogan
William Davis
Susannah Beckett
Doug Kurtze
Meggan Gomez
Vernice Dannells
Bijan Etemad

Behind-the-Scenes:

Centenary Committee: Melanie Etemad, Soheila Mahboubi, Leesa Maule, Homa Sabet Tavangar

Program Task Force:  Bill George (Program Director), Susannah Beckett, Moujan Toloubadei, Don Camp, Christopher Faizi Bogan, Dennis Verhagen, Justin DeLeon, Mina Sabet Bogan

Webmaster/Blogger: Anne Bivans

Picnic Task Force: Leesa Maule, Lee Gould, Charlie Cornman

Media/Outreach: Homa Tavangar, Mina Sabet Bogan, Karen Ebbert, Almaz Kinder, Gity Etemad, Jesse Washington, Becky Alexander

Videography: Justin DeLeon, Brittany Owens Raffalak, Gil Muro

Photography: Ryan Lash

Graphic Design: Cathy Maule, Omid Mohadjeri

And many more volunteers for: Baha’i Center & gardens beautification, picnic set-up, food service, clean-up, picnic parking monitors, ushers, greeters, and many more unsung workers!

Special thanks to Deputy Mayor and Chief of Staff to Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter: Dr. Everett Gillison; Reverend Dr. Malcolm Byrd, Mayor’s Office of Faith-Based Initiatives; Abby Stamelman Hocky & staff – Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia; Temple University Performing Arts Center staff and crew; Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO) - for the special message in lights!

“All effort and exertion put forth by man from the fullness of his heart is worship, if it is prompted by the highest motives and the will to do service to humanity. This is worship: to serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the people. Service is prayer. " (Abdul-Baha)

“To be a Bahá’í simply means to love all the world; to love humanity and try to serve it; to work for universal peace and universal brotherhood." (Abdul-Baha)

Important reminders!

Tune In & Join Us!

Tune in to WHYY (NPR 90.9) for a story on Newsworks Tonight featuring the centenary Friday June 8, between 6-6:30, and rebroadcast on Saturday morning.

And remember these important addresses:

Temple University Performing Arts Center, 1837 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122 starting at 3 pm. (with a big group photo immediately following!) Philadelphia Regional Bahai Center - celebration picnic immediately follows. 2462 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131 Bring your picnic blanket to the Center; food is provided!

Sunday, June 10, 2012 Tour the Places Abdu'l-Baha Visited in Philadelphia

After a glorious day of Centenary Celebrations on June 9, everyone is invited on June 10 to tour the places 'Abdu'l-Baha visited in Philadelphia!

Sunday, June 10, 2012
Tour places Abdu'l-Baha visited in Philadelphia

10 am   Begin with a presentation by Joe Bolton at the Baha'i Center, 2462 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Philadelphia
11am   Depart to visit the former Baptist Temple at Broad and Berks Streets, the Revell House on Mayfield Avenue and the former Unitarian Church at 15th and Gerard.
2:15pm  Return to the Baha'i Center
For more information, contact Joe Bolton at jmbolton@earthlink.net

Quick update on parking

An update from the planning committee: parking at Temple University is $14.00. For more information, maps, parking locations, see the links on the sidebar to the right.

Hope to see you there!

Parking and Public Transportation for June 9 Centenary Event

Here is some information regarding public transportation and parking for the June 9 event at Temple:

Parking at Temple / Public Transportation

Links to this and other important information will remain in the sidebar of the blog if you need to find them later.

Hope to see you!

June 9 Centenary Event at Temple University, Map of Area

The June 9 Centenary event is taking place at Temple University’s Performing Arts Center (see side bar for details).

For a detailed map of the campus, see here:

Temple University Map

Hope to see you there!