Temple Planning Shavuot Events
Temple Etz Chaim of Thousand Oaks will join synagogues throughout the world today in celebration of Shavuot--the Feast of Weeks. Shavuot comes seven weeks after Passover.
Students completing the temple’s 10th-grade confirmation class will gather for dinner with Rabbi and Mrs. Shimon Paskow and their teachers before the 7:30 p.m. Shavuot service. A kiddush reception will follow in the temple social hall.
On Sunday, the first day of Shavuot, services will begin at 10 a.m. The Ten Commandments will be read from the Torah scroll.
On Monday, 10 a.m. services will include Yizkor memorial prayers.
Temple Etz Chaim, a congregation of 700 Conejo Valley families , is at 1080 Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. For more information, call 497-6891.
Chabad Makes Plans for Shavuot
* Chabad Community Center in Ventura will observe Shavuot in May and June with special programs.
At 7 p.m. today, a lecture on “The Mystical Energy of Mount Sinai” will explore the esoteric dimension of the holiday as described in the Kabbalah, Judaism’s mystical tradition, followed by 8 p.m. Shavuot eve services.
On Sunday, a 10 a.m. service for adults and an 11 a.m. children’s service will start the day. The highlight of the children’s service will be a special reading of the Ten Commandments from the Torah scroll, followed by ice cream. At 7 that evening, a lecture on the Ten Commandments will precede the 8 p.m. service.
The Monday service will begin at 10 a.m., and Yizkor, the memorial prayer, will begin at 11:30 a.m.
Chabad is at 1259 Callens Road, Suite A. For more information, call 658-7441.
Shavuot Services in Conejo Valley
* Shavuot services will be held Sunday at 11 a.m. in all three Chabad centers in the Conejo Valley: Chabad of Agoura Hills at 30345 Canwood St., Chabad of Oak Park at 5998 Conifer St. and Chabad of Westlake Village at 741 Lakefield Road, No. D.
The Ten Commandments will be read and children will be treated to special “Mt. Sinai ice cream cones.” Wine and cheese will be served for adults.
For more information, call (818) 991-0991.
Bilingual Pentecost Celebration
* Oxnard’s All Saints Episcopal Church has scheduled a special bilingual celebration of Pentecost called “Mass on the Grass” for Sunday.
The congregation will gather in Oxnard’s downtown Plaza Park at 10 a.m., then parade to the church patio at 144 South C St. for a special service. Afterward, parishioners will caravan to a barbecue at Broome Ranch.
For more information, call 483-2347.
Church Plans Pentecost Mass
* St. Anthony Church in Oxnard will celebrate Pentecost Mass at 5:15 p.m. today and Sunday at 7:30, 9 and 10:30 a.m.
Spanish Masses will be celebrated at noon and 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
A bilingual Pentecost vigil celebration with scripture, music, prayer, silence and reflection also will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the church.
St. Anthony Church is at 2511 South C St. For more information, call the church office at 486-7301.
Pentecost Services in Ventura
* College United Methodist Church in Ventura will host 8:50 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Pentecost services Sunday. The first service will feature the church’s contemporary band, Fear Not, in the fellowship hall. The second service will feature combined liturgy and choirs from College United Methodist and Ventura Korean Methodist churches.
The celebration will continue with food and fellowship at noon. The community is invited to a meal prepared by the Korean congregation, with dessert provided by College United.
For more information, call 642-3282. College United Methodist is at 4300 Telegraph Road.
Methodist Bishop to Preach
* Roy I. Sano, resident bishop of the California Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, will preach Sunday at the Thousand Oaks United Methodist Church’s 10 a.m. service.
His message will center around the council of bishops’ “initiative on children and poverty.”
During the worship service, members of the youth confirmation class will join the church. The junior, youth and chancel choirs and Brass Inc. will provide music.
After the service, Sano will greet the congregants, then attend a barbecue lunch on the premises. Lunch tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12.
For more information, call 495-7215. The church is at 1000 Janss Road.
Theology Dean to Speak at Church
* International theologian and scholar Marjorie Hewitt Suchocki, academic dean of the Claremont School of Theology, will worship with St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Newbury Park on Sunday and then lead a discussion of her book “In God’s Presence: Theological Reflections on Prayer.”
“Dr. Suchocki’s appearance marks a unique approach to faith development and community building that links worship, study and ministry,” said St. Matthew’s pastor, Lynne Austin.
The Sunday service begins at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew’s, 1360 S. Wendy Drive. For more information, call 498-6910.
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