Church to Open Children’s Center

* St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Newbury Park will open its new children’s center Wednesday. Those in need of child care before and after school for children in kindergarten through sixth grades may call the center at 480-3805 for information.

The church is at 1360 S. Wendy Drive.

Methodist Church Offers Classes

Ventura’s First United Methodist Church will kick off its fall Christian education program on Sept. 12 with a new interdenominational curriculum entitled “The Whole People of God.”

The curriculum is Bible-based and explores current social justice issues, inclusivity and intergenerational worship. Classes for all ages are available and the public is invited to participate.

The church is at 1338 E. Santa Clara St. For more information, call 643- 8621.

Rally Day in Thousand Oaks

* The United Methodist Church of Thousand Oaks will hold an all-day rally Sept. 19.

Rally day is intended to help congregants refocus their efforts and commitment to the church after summer vacation, Pastor Craig Brown said.

The event, geared for all ages, will feature sing-alongs, choirs, brass quartets, a barbecue and games, beginning with Sunday school at 8:40 a.m. and continuing to midafternoon.

The church is at 1000 Janss Road. For more information call 495-7215.

Krishnamurti Retreat

* The Krishnamurti Foundation of America will host its fall dialogue and retreat Oct. 8-11 at the Oak Grove School in Ojai. “The Art of Living: Can We Free Ourselves of the Past?” will be the subject for the weekend.

Fees are $300 standard rate, $225 for those 65 and over, and $175 for students.

To participate, contact the Krishnamurti Foundation at P.O. Box 1560, Ojai 93024, or call 646-2726.

Oxnard Service in Spanish

* Oxnard’s First Presbyterian Church offers a worship service in Spanish at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday. Bible study and worship in Spanish on Fridays begin at 7 p.m. for adults and youth.

Sunday services in English include adult Sunday school at 9 a.m. and worship service at 10. Sunday school for all youths begins at 10 a.m.

First Presbyterian is at 850 Ivywood Drive. For more information call 983-0204.

Academy Offers Language Study

* The Conejo Jewish Academy in Agoura will begin a new program for seventh through 12th-grade students called “Beit Midrash” on Monday and Wednesday afternoons beginning Sept. 13.

Students will study modern Hebrew, Judaic text and practice, and receive high school foreign language credit for successfully completing the program. The levels of study range from beginning to advanced.

An open house will begin at 7 p.m. on Aug. 29. The academy is at 30345 Canwood St. For more information, call (818) 901-8893.

Film and Mission Report

* Emmanuel Presbyterian Church of Thousand Oaks invites the public to two upcoming events. This evening, a free 7 p.m. viewing of “The Jesus Film” will be offered. Filmed in 200 locations in the Holy Land, it has been translated into more than 500 languages and shown in 225 countries.

On Sunday, members of an international mission team, recently returned from a project in the Ukraine, will share their experiences in the church’s fireside room. Refreshments will be served at the free event, which begins at 7 p.m. and is open to all.

The church is at 588 Camino Manzanas. Call 498-4502 for more information.

Temple to Host Jewish Craft Fair

* The Conejo Valley Jewish Craft Fair will be held Oct. 17, featuring more than 40 vendors selling handmade items on the grounds of Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks.

Jewish artisans from Ventura and Los Angeles counties will sell arts and crafts such as beveled glass votives, stained glass, woodwork, handmade kipot, dolls, quilts and kosher candy.

Admission and parking are free for the fair, which will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Refreshments will be available.

Also at Temple Etz Chaim, ground will be broken for the Ner Tamid Education and Community Center at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. A free barbecue, plus a crafts fair will follow.

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

Catholic Club to Discuss Bible

* The public is invited to the first fall semester meeting of the Moorpark College Catholic Club from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Father Dave Heney of St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo will talk on “How Catholics Read the Bible.”

The meeting is in M-109 of the campus music building.

For more information, leave your name and phone number at 378-1400, Ext. 1810.

High Holidays Yeshiva Sept. 4

* Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks plans a high holidays yeshiva for Sept. 4.

Beginning at 8 p.m., Rabbi Shimon Paskow will lead a Havdallah service. A complimentary buffet will follow.

At 9:15 p.m., discussion groups will take up such subjects as “Laugh a Little” with Peter Fischer, “Gun Control--Pros and Cons” with Judge Bruce Einhorn, “Unleashing the Passionate You” with Barbara Freedman and “Sounding the Shofar for Rosh Hashana” with Ronald Goldstein.

People can choose any class, Paskow said. The groups are free except for the crafts groups’ materials.

A dessert reception begins at 10:50 p.m. and at 11:30, everyone will participate in the midnight selichot service.

The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana 5760, begins Sept. 10.

Temple Etz Chaim is at 1080 Janss Road. Call 497-6891 for more information.

High Holiday Services at Hyatt

* Chabad of the Conejo will hold its high holiday services at the Hyatt West Plaza Hotel. The services are open to all Jews.

Rosh Hashana will be celebrated Sept. 10-12. Yom Kippur begins Sept. 19 and concludes the next evening.

For more details or reserve a seat for the high holiday services, call (818) 991-0991.

Services at Temple Ner Ami

* Camarillo’s Temple Ner Ami has high holiday services scheduled for September, beginning with Erev Rosh Hashana at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10. The Rosh Hashana service at 10 a.m. Sept. 11 will include a children’s service and child care.

The service at 10 a.m. Sept. 12 is open to the public, and no tickets are required.

Kol Nidre begins at 8 p.m. Sept. 19.

Yom Kippur service is at 10 a.m. Sept. 20. Child care will be provided. No tickets are required for the 1 p.m. children’s service, the discussion at 2 p.m., the Yizkor service at 3:30 p.m., the afternoon service at 4:15 p.m. or the break the fast at 6 p.m.

Tickets for those services requiring them are $175 per person, purchased in advance by Sept. 8.

A sisterhood meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14, conducted by President Judy Foxman.

On Sept. 24, the Erev Sukkot service begins at 7:30 p.m., conducted by Rabbi Kenneth Milhander.

All events are held at JFC-Temple Ner Ami, 4098 Calle Tesoro, Suite D. For more information, call 388-3824.

Temple Beth Torah Plans Services

Jews in western Ventura County will observe the high holidays at Temple Beth Torah in a series of services that begin Sept. 10.

The two most significant days, Rosh Hashana on Sept 10-12, and Yom Kippur on Sept. 19-20, will be led by Rabbi Lisa Hochberg-Miller. She will also conduct a reflective S’lichot program at 9:30 p.m. Sept. 4 that will include dessert and a discussion with congregants and prospective members.

On the afternoon of Rosh Hashana at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 11, an oceanfront Tashlich service will be held at Marina Beach Park in Ventura.

Tickets are required for evening and morning services on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Special children’s services and child care also require reservations.

Tickets will not be needed for any of the family services.

The temple is at 7620 Foothill Road. Call 647-4181 for more information.

Adult Classes at St. Paschal

* Fall classes for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults will begin Sept. 13 at St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church in Thousand Oaks.

The program is for those who want more information about the Catholic religion.

Call 496-0222 for more information and an appointment. St. Paschal is at 155 E. Janss Road.

Mass Schedule at St. Anthony’s

* St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Oxnard holds Saturday evening Mass at 5:15 and Saturday confession from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday Masses are at 7:30, 9 and 10:30 a.m. in English and at noon and 1:30 p.m. in Spanish.

The church is at 2511 South C St. Call 486-7301 for more information.

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