Minister to Bless Pets

* Unity Center Church in Thousand Oaks will hold a “Blessing of Our Pets” ceremony today from 10 a.m. to noon. The Rev. Irma Oestmann will preside. The community is invited to attend and encouraged to bring pets.

On Sunday, Oestmann will deliver the message “Abundance and Illumination” at 10 a.m. Special music will be performed by guitarist John Clement. Children’s church is held during the service and child care is available.

A continuing discussion series on the book “Seat of the Soul” by Gary Zukov will begin at 9:15 a.m.

The church meets at the Old Meadows Park community room at 1600 Marview Road. Child care is provided. For information, call 496-6901.

Ojai Valley Adventist Series

* Pastor David Smith will present the second installment of a sermon series today at Ojai Valley Adventist Church at 10:45 a.m. The series titled “The Patient Shows No Improvement” explores “the familiar dilemma of Christian living where there seems little or no evidence of sanctification--or God-given growth.”

Ojai Valley Adventist offers a service that blends contemporary Christian music with classic songs of faith. Bible study hour begins at 9:30 a.m.

The church is at 291 E. El Roblar Drive. For information, call 955-7631.

All Saints’ Bread of Life Dinner

* All Saints Episcopal Church in Oxnard will hold a “Bread of Life” dinner today beginning at 5:30 p.m. in its parish hall.

On Sunday, a Eucharist worship service, Rite I, will be held at 8 a.m. and a Rite II service at 11 a.m. A Spanish-language worship service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Also, Sunday school classes for children 5 to 12 begins at 10:30 a.m.; youth Bible study for junior high and high school students begins at 11 a.m.

The church is at 144 South C St. For more information, call 483-2347.

Jewish Academy Open House

* Conejo Jewish Academy in Agoura Hills will hold a registration open house Sunday for its fall session from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The open house will be repeated Sept. 10.

The four-week program is open to children ages 7-13. Classes meet on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Also offered are Sunday school programs geared for children who find it difficult to attend a midweek afternoon session, and a “kiddy klass” for ages 5-6.

There is no membership fee. The academy is at 30345 Canwood St. For more information, call (818) 991-0991.

Interfaith Fellowship Meets

* Interfaith Fellowship meets in Thousand Oaks Inn’s ballroom at 10 a.m. Sunday. There will be a children’s program and child care.

On Monday, the spiritual book discussion group will discuss “Anatomy of the Spirit,” by Caroline Myss.

The inn is at 75 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. For information, call 379-9336.

St. Paul’s ‘Karate Klergy’ Service

* Senior Pastor Adiel De Pano will lead a worship service titled “Karate Klergy” at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Oxnard at 10:15 a.m. Sunday.

Following the service the nurture team will conduct a “Family Fun, Faith and Fellowship” session for family members of all ages. The Japanese ministry worships at 2 p.m., led by Rev. Shiro Kato. Rev. Victor Salas will lead a new Spanish-language worship service at 6 p.m. The church is at 1800 South C St. For more information, call 487-2711.

Am HaYam Open House

* Congregation Am HaYam in Oxnard will hold an open house Sunday 8/27 from 2 to 4 p.m. for anyone interested in joining a conservative synagogue. The gathering will be at Oxnard Monday Club, 1401 W. Gonzales Road. Rabbi Gerald Hanig presides over temple services.

For more information, call 985-2853.

Worship, Music at St. Matthew’s

* St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Newbury Park holds worship services Sunday at 8:30 and 10 a.m. Michael Domes will perform music during the first service, Steve Hobson during the second service.

Worship at St. Matthew’s is relaxed and interactive, with child care and children’s classes available during the second service. The church is at 1360 S. Wendy Drive. For information, call 498-6910.

Unity Church to Gather at Park

* Unity Church in Ventura will hold an installment of its monthly nondenominational “Sunday in the Park” outdoor service at Peninsula Park at Channel Islands Harbor. Led by Assistant Minister Donna Cole-White, the 10 a.m. service consists of music, prayer and an inspirational message. The park is at 3333 Peninsula Road, Oxnard.

Weekday prayers are held at noon. Healing sessions from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Metaphysical Bible study classes are held from 9 to 9:45 a.m. and church services 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sundays.

The meetings are held at the church, 2065 Sperry Ave.

Seminars on Religious Leaders

* First Presbyterian Church of Oxnard will hold a worship service at 10 a.m. Sunday. Pastor James K. Bain Jr. will deliver the sermon “My Name Is . . .,” utilizing the scripture Ephesians 2, Corinthians 5:17. Special music will be performed by the Channelaires.

Following the service at 11:30 a.m., Charles Griffin will begin a series of seminars on popular religious leaders. The first installment will feature Norman Vincent Peale.

The church is at 850 Ivywood Drive. For information, call 983-0204.

Sabbath Program for Families

* Congregation B’nai Emet in Simi Valley will hold a special Sabbath program Friday at 7 p.m. for families with young children. Tot Shabbat activities will include singing traditional prayers, Torah scroll viewing and storytelling.

The congregation, led by Rabbi Michele Paskow Cohen, offers religious training for students, preschool through high school. The congregation meets at 4645 Industrial St., Unit 2C. For more information, call 581-3723.

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church

* Our Saviour’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oxnard will hear from the Rev. Mary Ann Feine during its 9:15 a.m. Sunday service. Sunday school is held at 10:45 a.m. for all ages and child care is provided. The church is at 905 Redwood St. For information, call 486-5383.

St. Anthony’s Mass Schedule

* St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Oxnard will celebrate evening Mass at 5:15 p.m. today and have confessions from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday Mass will be celebrated at 7:30, 9 and 10:30 a.m. in English and Spanish-language Mass will be at noon and 1:30 p.m. The church is at 2511 South C St. For information, call 486-7301.

Religion Briefs runs 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.