Temple Offers New Service

* Thousand Oaks’ Temple Etz Chaim begins a new service at 9:30 a.m. today in the Winer chapel.

Designed for those who prefer a small group atmosphere, the service will be led by Rabbi Jack Shechter and Leah Shechter. Kiddish will follow the service.

On Nov. 22 the Temple Etz Chaim Sisterhood will put on a Hanukkah Happening, featuring holiday gifts, at the temple from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, call the temple office at 497-6891. It is at 1080 Janss Road.

Shabbat Services in November

* The Oxnard Congregation Am HaYam’s November schedule will include Shabbat services at 10 a.m. today.

A special family Shabbat service will begin at 7 p.m. Nov. 20. All members of the Jewish community are invited.

Call 656-6634 for more information.

All Shabbat services are held at the Oxnard Monday Club, 1401 W. Gonzales Road.

Society to Hold Rummage Sale

* The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Thousand Oaks’ St. Paschal Baylon Church will hold its annual rummage sale today on the church grounds.

Proceeds will help those in need. “Over the past five years, we have helped more than 600 individuals and families in this area,” said society President Don Zweng.

The church is at 155 E. Janss Road.

For information on requesting help for families in the area, call 496-0222, Ext. 109.

Christmas Bazaars Planned

* An “Alternative Christmas Market” at Camarillo’s United Methodist Church is being organized Sunday and Nov. 15 by several local organizations including Project Understanding, Camarillo Hospice, UNICEF and Habitat for Humanity.

Homemade foods, crafts and gifts will be sold at the church’s Brooks hall between 10 a.m. and noon those days.

United Methodist Church’s own annual holiday bazaar and luncheon will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the church. Nuts, bakery goods and crafts for Christmas and Thanksgiving will be for sale.

A $6 lasagna luncheon will be available at 11:30 a.m. All proceeds will go to United Methodist Women’s mission projects, such as those aiding abused children, the David and Margaret Home and Methodist Hospital.

The church is at 291 Anacapa Drive. For more details, call 482-4312.

Dedication of Tutoring Center

* A special dedication of the new Project Understanding Tutoring Center will be held after the 10:15 a.m. worship service Sunday at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Oxnard.

The tutoring center will offer an afterschool program for local children.

Lecture on Interfaith Couples

* Temple Beth Torah Rabbi Lisa Hochberg-Miller will speak at the Sunday brunch on “Interfaith Couples in Our Families and in Our Temples.” Sponsored by the temple’s Brotherhood, the 9:30 a.m. brunch is $10 at the door and $7 prepaid.

The monthly Tot Shabbat will begin at 7 p.m. Nov. 20. The shortened service is oriented toward very young children and highlighted by music.

The Women of Reform Judaism’s yearly Hanukkah Boutique is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 22.

At 5:30 p.m. the same day, a series of discussion groups for interfaith families will begin with “Conversations About Jewish Identity in Interfaith Families” leading off the series. Child care is provided free with advance reservations.

For reservations or more information, call 647-4181. The temple is at 7620 Foothill Road in Ventura.

Church to Hold Christmas Mart

* First Presbyterian Church of Oxnard will hold its Alternative Christmas Mart on Sunday.

The Christmas Mart allows gift givers to “buy a gift that is truly needed from one of several agencies at the alternative market, in honor of your friend or loved one,” said Pastor James Bain.

Agencies represented will include the Oxnard Food Pantry, the Salvation Army, Project Understanding, the Ventura County Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County, Food Share and the Medical Benevolence Foundation. The market will follow the 10 a.m. worship service and end at 1 p.m.

The church is at 850 Ivywood Drive. Call 983-0204 for more information.

Unitarian Group to Host Speaker

* “Running, Walking and Cycling for Causes” will be the topic Sunday of a talk by Tim Deway, former editor of the Ojai Valley News, at the Unitarian Group of Ojai’s meeting.

The public is welcome to the 10 a.m. meeting at Grey Gables, 701 N. Montgomery St. For more information, call 640-9838.

Rabbi to Lead Class on Prophets

* Rabbi John Sherwood will lead a study class, “Introduction to the Prophets,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the parish hall of All Saints Episcopal Church in Oxnard.

On Nov. 18, “The Therapy Sisters,” a musical comedy, will be performed by Lisa Rogers and Maurine McLean in the sanctuary. The $10 concert will begin at 7 p.m. and will benefit the Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence.

For more information, call the church at 483-2347. All Saints is at 144 South C St.

Shabbat Service for Families

* A family Shabbat service and Rabbi Kenneth Milhander’s installation will be held Friday at Camarillo’s JFC-Temple Ner Ami. Milhander will conduct the 7 p.m. service, after which refreshments will be served.

Temple Ner Ami is at 4098 Calle Tesoro, Suite D. For more information, call 388-3824.

Exploring the Path to Judaism

* Dana Phares, director of academic affairs at the Consulate of Israel in Los Angeles, will discuss her path to Judaism and her life in Israel at Temple Etz Chaim’s Shabbat evening service Friday.

The public is welcome to the service, to be conducted by Rabbi Shimon Paskow and Hazzan Jeff Cohen. A reception will follow the service.

The temple is at 1080 Janss Road in Thousand Oaks. For more information, call 497-6891.

Fellowship Holds Sunday Services

* Channel Islands Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Oxnard holds three Sunday services, at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The evening service is geared toward those of college age and stresses contemporary music and casual dress, said Pastor Bill Coulter.

The fellowship is near Wal-Mart at 1851 Holser Walk, suite 200. For directions or more information, call 485-0050.

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