Congregations Will Look Back at the Events of 1998

Rabbi Arnold Rachlis will speak on “That Was the Jewish Year That Was: 1998” at 8 p.m. Friday at University Synagogue. Rachlis will review political, cultural and religious events faced by Jews and Judaism during the year. The synagogue is at 4915 Alton Parkway, Irvine. (949) 553-3535.

Members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach will discuss their highs and lows of 1998 during the service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. A potluck lunch will follow. Religious education programs for infants, grade schoolers and preschoolers will be offered. The center is at 429 Cypress Drive, Laguna Beach. (949) 497-4568.

The Rev. Karen Stoyanoff will discuss “On Not Reaching the Promised Land” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. Stoyanoff will focus on handling New Year’s resolutions and failed expectations. Child care and youth religious education will be offered. The church is at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. (949) 646-4652.

The Rev. Gary Demarest will speak on “So What Has Changed?” at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Trinity United Presbyterian Church. Religious education for all ages will be provided. The church is at 13922 Prospect Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 544-7850.

The husband-and-wife speaking team of Bob and Yvonne Turnbull will talk on “Home Life: The ABCs of a Great Relationship” during the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service at Mountain View Church. And from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 9 the Turnbulls will lead a seminar on “Growing a Healthy Marriage: Helping Your Mate Understand You.” Early registration is suggested. The church meets at Bathgate Elementary School, 27642 Napoli Way, Mission Viejo. (714) 458-6888.

The Rev. Tari Lennon will lead the 10 a.m. Sunday service at Neighborhood Congregational Church. Child care and Sunday school will be available. Refreshments will follow. The church is at 340 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach. (714) 494-8061.

Special Services

In celebration of Epiphany, St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church will present a “Feast of Lights” pageant at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Celebrants will sing carols and see a magic show. They will also be able to cut the “King’s Cake” in search of an “honorable hidden bean” (whose finder wears a crown and receives a gift from the wise men). The church is at 8300 Valley View Road, Buena Park. (714) 828-8950.

Blessed Sacrament Parish will offer its “Welcome Home” program at 7 p.m. Thursdays. The nine-week program helps those returning to Catholicism or those wanting to know more about the religion. The church is at 14072 Olive St., Westminster. (714) 596-2628.

St. John Neumann Catholic Church will host a “Landing’s Meeting” at 7 p.m. Tuesday for the feast of St. John Neumann. This “Welcome Home” to Catholicism meeting is for those thinking of returning, resisting a return or dealing with questions about the faith. The church is at 5101 Alton Parkway, Irvine. (949) 857-7936.

Fund-Raisers, Other Notes

A Super Sunday telephone drive will take place from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Jewish Federation Orange County. Volunteers are needed to secure contributions to the annual campaign funding education, emergency and charity programs and services locally, in Israel and elsewhere in the world. The federation is at 250 E. Baker St., Suite A, Costa Mesa. (714) 755-5555.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Children’s Educational Wing at Woodbridge Community Church will begin with a combined celebration and worship service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The groundbreaking itself will be at noon, followed by a meal at 12:30 p.m. At 2:30 p.m., a Filipino-American Church of Irvine worship service will take place. The church is at 5000 Barranca Parkway, Irvine. (949) 552-1101.

Linda R. Kirsch, director of education at Temple Beth El of South Orange County, was honored for her 20 years in a supervisory role by the National Assn. of Temple Educators at the group’s annual conference Dec. 26. Temple Beth El celebrated Kirsch’s award during last week’s Sabbath service. Almost 200 of her colleagues attended. The temple is at 27462 Terrace View, Aliso Viejo. (949) 362-3999.

Missionary Darren Burt will speak on “What God Is Doing in South Africa” during a men’s pancake breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 9 at South Shores Church. The church is at 32712 Crown Valley Parkway, Monarch Beach. (949) 496-9331.

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