Farewell Reception for Priest

* A farewell reception for Father Joel Henson will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Oxnard from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Henson is leaving to become dean of students at St. John’s Seminary College in Camarillo.

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

New Associate Pastor Named

* St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church in Thousand Oaks has announced its new associate pastor, Father Larry Neumeier.

Neumeier completed his studies for the priesthood at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo.

Before pursuing a vocation in the church, he was a copy editor at the Daily Breeze in Torrance.

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

LDS Announce New Bishop

* A new bishop, Barry Zimmerman, has been named to lead the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ventura’s Third Ward.

Zimmerman replaces James Ramirez, who served for three years.

Zimmerman has chosen as his counselors James Malone and Court Williams.

Church leaders serve without financial compensation. A bishop’s term is usually about five years.

For additional information, call 646-2274.

Member of Jews for Jesus to Speak

* Tunya Zaretsky of Jews for Jesus will share a message about Messiah Jesus at the South Coast Fellowship in Ventura at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The fellowship is at 4050 Market St. Call 658-7646 for more information.

Workshop on Gospel Music

* The Evangelistic Missionary Baptist Church of Port Hueneme will hold a gospel music workshop and retreat Thursday through July 10.

Rehearsals will be at the church and at the Marriott Residence Inn in Oxnard. The worship mass choir will perform at 7 p.m. July 10.

Professional voice teachers will instruct. The cost is $15 until July 1 and $20 after July 1. Lunch will be provided on Saturday, and child care is available.

Call the church at 986-1922 for information. It is located at 125 E. Pearl St.

Methodist Church Names Pastor

* College United Methodist Church in Ventura has named a new pastor, the Rev. David Horning, who will preach his first sermon July 11. A reception for the Horning family will follow the 10 a.m. worship service.

The church is at 4300 Telegraph Road. For additional information, call 642-3282.

Future King of Ghana to Speak

* Members of more than 25 Ventura County churches will meet at Oxnard’s African Methodist Episcopal Church on July 12 to welcome guest speaker Kingsley Fletcher.

Fletcher, author of many books on prayer and fasting, is known for his miracles in his home continent of Africa. His ministry also includes healings and prophecy.

The son of the king of Ghana, Fletcher will be crowned as the next king of that nation in August.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church is at 855 South F St. For information on the event, which will be held at 7 p.m., call 646-2833.

Temple to Host Art Auction

* Thousand Oaks’ Temple Etz Chaim and Hang-Ups will present an art exhibition and auction July 17.

Refreshments, door prizes and art to “bid on and enjoy” will be available. Doors open at 7 p.m., admission is free and the auction begins at 8.

On July 18, the temple will host a membership open house brunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prospective members will meet the staff and have a temple tour.

Tisha B’Av services will be held at 8 p.m. July 21. The traditional Mincha service, afternoon prayers, will be followed by Ma’ariv, the evening service, and the chanting of Lamentations.

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

Singer to Perform at Services

* Christian recording artist Cheri Keaggy will sing at South Coast Fellowship in Ventura during the 6 p.m. service July 17 and the 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. services July 18.

Keaggy is a Dove Award winner with seven No. 1 radio singles.

The fellowship is at 4050 Market St. Call 658-7646 for more information.

Bible School to Begin July 19

* Vacation Bible school at Oxnard’s All Saints Episcopal Church will run July 19-23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Activities, crafts and music for children of all ages will be available. The children will present a “Creation” play at week’s end.

Call All Saints at 483-8547 for more information. The church is at 144 South C St.

Summer Events at Calvary Church

* Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village has scheduled summer events for families and singles.

On July 25, a family lunch and concert at the church will begin at 12:30 p.m., with hamburgers and frozen yogurt treats, accompanied by a free concert by the Vince Barlow family.

At the 8:45 and 11 a.m. services Aug. 15, Jerry Lucas will share his secrets for memory training for those who wish to memorize Bible verses.

A separate session designed to improve memory and boost job performance will be held the next evening at 7 p.m. The workshops are free. Call (818) 991-8040 for registration details.

The church is at 5495 Via Rocas.

Simi Church to Mark Anniversary

* Trinity Lutheran Church of Simi Valley will celebrate its 40th anniversary July 25.

Early services were held in a dance studio, and a few members who attended the first service are still active in the church.

Trinity plans special events throughout July.

On July 4, Simi Valley Councilman Paul Miller will speak to the congregation. On July 25, Loren Kramer, president of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Pacific Southwest District, will preach at the worship service.

A congregation picnic at Rancho Tapo Community Park will follow Kramer’s service.

The church will begin a new summer worship schedule the first weekend in July.

A Saturday 5 p.m. praise service has been added. Sunday’s schedule includes a 9 a.m. contemporary service in the biblical garden and a 10:30 a.m. service in the church with a liturgy, following the Lutheran hymnal. A children’s message will be included in this service.

Sunday school will begin at 9 a.m. throughout the summer. Communion will be offered on the first and third Saturdays and Sundays of the month at the 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. services, and on the second and fourth Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

The church is at 2949 Alamo St. Call 526-2429 for more information.

Bahais Sponsor Race Unity Event

* The Ventura County Race Unity celebration will be held July 31 in Constitution Park in Camarillo from 12:30 to 5 p.m.

Sponsored by the Bahai faith in Ventura and west Los Angeles counties, the free event promotes unity in a program of choral and gospel singing, jazz music, youth dance performances and games for all ages.

Constitution Park is at 600 Carmen Drive, next to Camarillo City Hall. For more information, call 643-5408.

Registration for Bible School

* Vacation Bible school registration for Moorpark’s Community Christian Church now open. Bible school will be held Aug. 2-6.

Contact the church office at 529-3572 for more details. The church is at 216 Moorpark Ave., No. 200.

Bible School in Newbury Park

* Vacation Bible school at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church of Newbury Park will be held Aug. 2-6. The cost per child is $5. All children ages 3-12 are eligible.

The summer’s theme is “Good News at Gospel Rock.” Bible lessons, games, crafts, playtime and snacks are offered daily.

For information, call the church office at 498-6910. It is at 1360 S. Wendy Drive.

CLU to Hold Vocation Program

* Young people interested in a vocation within the Lutheran Church can explore a variety of options at the eighth annual Invitation to Service at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks on Aug. 5 to 7.

Students from late high school through college age will have a chance to explore the roles of pastor, missionary, associate in ministry, and music and youth ministries, said the Rev. Reg Schultz-Akerson of CLU, who is coordinating the event.

Young adults of Region II of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America are invited to attend the $95 event. For information, call Linda LeBlanc at 493-3936.

Thousand Oaks Temple to Expand

* Temple Etz Chaim of Thousand Oaks will break ground for a 22,000-square-foot expansion on Aug. 29, said Rick Newberger of the synagogue.

The addition will include classrooms, offices, library and meeting rooms.

The temple is at 1080 Janss Road. Call 497-6891 for more information.

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Religion Briefs run Saturdays. Please submit items at least a week in advance to Religion Briefs, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001. Items may be faxed to 653-7576.