Oxnard Obon Festival

* The Oxnard Buddhist Temple invites the public to Obon festival activities today.

The fourth annual festival will run from 12:30 to 9 p.m. on the grounds of the church. It will begin with the Seibukai Shotokan karate demonstration, followed by demonstrations of judo, togen daiko (Japanese drum) kendo dojo and an Obon dance at 6 p.m. and will conclude with a benefit drawing at 8:45 p.m.

The free festival will also feature Japanese food, games and prizes. The Japanese Language School, judo and kendo schools will have exhibits.

The temple is at 250 South H St. in Oxnard. Call 483-5948 for additional information.

St. Paschal Baylon Holds Dance

* The community of St. Paschal Baylon Church in Thousand Oaks is sponsoring a summer dance from 7 to 11 p.m. today at the church.

The parishes of St. Paschal Baylon, St. Jude, St. Julie Billiart, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Rose of Lima, St. Peter Claver, Holy Cross and Blessed Junipero Serra invite adults from 18 to 40 to the dance.

Tickets are $8 at the door. The church is at 155 E. Janss Road. Call (818) 597-2621 for more information.

Singer to Perform at Services

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

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.

Temple to Host Art Auction

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

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 Sunday, 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. Wednesday. 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.

Missionary Church Presents Film

* Ventura Missionary Church invites the public to attend a showing of a new film, “A Vow to Cherish,” at 6 p.m. Sunday in the church sanctuary.

Released by the motion picture ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Assn., the film stars Ken Howard, Ossie Davis and Barbara Babcock. In the film, a couple’s happy life is challenged when illness strikes the family.

The church is at 500 High Point Drive. For more information, call 642-0500.

Presidential Candidate to Speak

* Republican presidential candidate Gary Bauer will speak at services Sunday at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village.

Bauer, noted as a voice for political conservatism, helped develop two of the country’s conservative groups, the Campaign for Working Families and the Family Research Council.

Joining Bauer will be Laurence White, senior pastor of Our Savior Church in Houston, Texas.

Services begin at 8:45 and 11 a.m. The church is at 5495 Via Rocas. Call (818) 991-8040 for more information or directions.

Baptist Church Plans Bible School

* The Simi Second Missionary Baptist Church will hold its summer vacation Bible school Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 each evening. Classes for all ages, including adults, will be offered, along with a light dinner.

The church is at 1063 Pacific Ave. To register, call 522-5241.

Bible School to Begin Monday

* Vacation Bible school at Oxnard’s All Saints Episcopal Church will run Monday through Friday 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.

Cantor, Judge to Lead Service

* Temple Beth Torah’s July 24 Sabbath service will be conducted by cantor emeritus Ralph Moses and Judge Steven Perren, with music by Ron Fink. The service begins at 10 a.m.

Temple Beth Torah is at 7620 Foothill in Ventura. For more information, call the office at 647-4181.

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 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 has begun a new summer worship schedule.

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 begins 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.

Site of New School to Be Dedicated

* The Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, which will open in the fall of 2000, will hold a preview day and dedication ceremony July 30 on the grounds of the future private, nonprofit school.

The school will offer a Christian world view in a comprehensive curriculum, including academic, athletic and social life, said school spokeswoman Ellen Grubb. The public is invited, and anyone who wishes to attend the preview day is asked to call Grubb at (818) 525-2290.

Grubb suggested that those attending “dress accordingly, since this is an active construction site.”

The dedication ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., followed by school orientation at 10:30 a.m. The site is at 31749 La Tienda Drive.

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.

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.