Irvine Temple Names Cantor, School Director

Congregation Or Ami in Irvine has appointed Shari Preston as cantor and religious school director. Preston holds a master’s degree in Jewish education and has 25 years of experience. She is an invested cantor and is certified as a principal by the National Board of Jewish Schools of North America. She begins her new job Friday. The temple is at 30 Hughes, Suite 200. (949) 660-1180.

Events

Pilgrimage of Faith, a Catholic inquiry program, will be offered from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays at St. Joachim Catholic Church, in St. Joachim Annex. The church is at 1943 Orange St., Costa Mesa. Free. (949) 574-7420.

Mesa Verde United Methodist Church offers a class in literacy and English as a second language from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. The free class also helps students prepare for U.S. citizenship exams. The church is at 1701 Baker St., Costa Mesa. (714) 545-3445.

Professor Eugene Ruyle of Cal State Long Beach will speak on “Hiroshima: The Human Implications” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Church of Orange County. The church is at 511 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim. (714) 758-1050.

The Rev. V. “Kass” Kassouni will deliver the sermon “Gifted for Life” at 5 p.m. today and at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Geneva Presbyterian Church of Laguna Hills. Children’s Sunday school takes place during the 9 a.m. service, following the “Time With Children” prayer. The church is at 24301 El Toro Road. (949) 837-2323.

The Rev. Jim Birchfield, minister of families and singles, will speak on “Walking Across Egypt” from 7 to 8 a.m. Wednesday during the Men’s Fellowship Breakfast of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Dierenfield Hall. The cost is $2.50. The church is at 600 St. Andrews Road, Newport Beach. (949) 631-2880.

The Santa Ana/Tustin Christian Women’s Club will have its “Kickin’ Up Your Heels” luncheon from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Friday at the Tustin Ranch Golf Clubhouse. The Tightwad Shop of Orange will present upscale consignment fashions. Barbara Brown will speak. The cost is $15, and reservations are required. The clubhouse is at 12442 Tustin Ranch Road, Tustin. (714) 731-0432.

The Rev. Tom Brashears and Seth Britton will begin their “Knowing God” sermon series with the message “It’s Tough to Trust” at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday at Red Hill Lutheran Church. Nursery care is available from 7:45 a.m. to noon. The church is at 13200 Red Hill Ave., Tustin. (714) 544-3131.

Covenant Community Church will offer a free vacation Bible school program from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The program, open to children age 3 through the sixth grade, features a “Veggie Town” theme with games, singing, crafts and Bible lessons. The church is at 221 N. Waverly St., Orange. (714) 997-2811.

Miriam Van Raalte, director of education, will teach “Hands-On Judaism” classes from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Aug. 28 at Temple Beth Tikvah, in association with Adat Ari. Classes are free, but reservations are required. The temple is at 1600 N. Acacia Ave., Fullerton. (714) 871-3535.

The Rev. Karen Stoyanoff and five members of the congregation will lead the service “The Covenant of Leadership” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. The group will describe their experience at a recent Advanced Leadership Training School event. The church is at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. (949) 646-4652.

Religious event notices may be sent to Gena Pasillas at The Times’ Orange County edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. They also may be faxed to (714) 966-7711 or sent by e-mail to gena.pasillas@latimes.com.