Baha'is to dedicate Charleston museum

Members of the Baha'i faith will gather in Charleston this weekend for the opening of the Louis G. Gregory Baha'i Museum, 2 Desportes Court, which will be dedicated at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The museum is named for the late Louis G. Gregory, one of the best-known figures in the faith's 158-year history. Gregory was born and reared in Charleston, the son of two former slaves. He joined the Baha'i faith in 1909 and became one of the faith's best-known worldwide advocates. The Louis G. Gregory Institute in Hemingway, the first full-time Baha'i institute in the United States, was named after him, too.

The museum is in a small, two-story house in a historic neighborhood of homes built by freed slaves. It is the same home where Gregory lived for much of his youth. Charleston Baha'is bought the house at auction in 1989.

The museum features displays of Gregory's personal effects, photos and correspondence, as well as exhibits about the Baha'i faith and its history worldwide. The museum sign is being designed by noted Charleston blacksmith Phillip Simmons.

The Baha'i faith is one of the youngest of the world's religions, practiced by more than 5 million people in 235 countries. It was founded by Baha'ullah, a Persian nobleman who died in 1892. The central theme of Baha'i teaching is that humanity is one single race and that the day has come for its unification in one global society.

For more information about the museum and the ceremony, call (843) 727-0691.

Online: www.louisgregorymuseum.org

Youth invited to interactive service

Looking for a worship service with a different twist?

St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 1416 Broad River Road, will hold "This Is Not Your Mother's Worship" at 6 p.m. Sunday

The interactive service for youth will feature music, drama and scripture. The event will take the form of a contemporary Epiphany celebration and feature a drama, "The Not-So-Wise Men." Musical guests from Christ Lutheran Church in Charlotte also will perform.

A 30-minute fellowship time will follow. Those who attend are asked to take snacks to share; beverages will be provided.

St. Andrew's will sponsor the event with other congregations of the S.C. Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

Call (803) 772-6034 for details.

Christina Knauss compiles Faith Notes. Call (803) 782-9724 or send e-mail to cknauss@thestate.com.

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