Mass Schedule at St. Anthony’s

* 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.

Pastor to Discuss Role of Christians

* As part of its Fourth of July celebration, Ojai Valley Adventist Church will study the topic “What to Do With an Unbeautiful America.” Pastor Dave Smith’s sermon will explore the proper role for Christians to play in today’s society.

There will be a free potluck luncheon after the 10:45 a.m. service today. A Bible study hour precedes the service at 9:30 a.m.

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

First Presbyterian to Hold Service

* First Presbyterian Church of Oxnard will hold a worship service at 10 a.m. Sunday. Pastor James K. Bain Jr. will deliver the sermon.

There will be Sunday school for youth during the service. Adult Sunday school will begin at 9 a.m. Child care is available at all services. The church is at 850 Ivywood Drive. For information, call 983-0204.

Fellowship Offers Worship

* Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Thousand Oaks will have its Sunday worship celebration at 10:05 a.m.

A nursery and Sunday school classes are provided, while those who are high school or college age will remain for the regular service.

The church has music, teaching and a casual atmosphere. The fellowship is at 480 W. Gainesborough Road. For information, call 379-0237.

Reading Room to Change Hours

* Hours for the Christian Science Reading Room in Thousand Oaks change today. The room will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. on weekends.

The reading room is at 3729 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. For information, call 495-8202.

Fellowship to Present ‘Soap Box’

* The Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Thousand Oaks will present “Soap Box” at 10 a.m. Sunday. The meeting will focus on current social concerns of several individuals in the congregation.

The service is held at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road. For information, call 492-8751.

Vineyard Fellowship Plans Services

* Channel Islands Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Oxnard has services with contemporary music and casual dress at 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday.

The church is at 1851 Holser Walk, Suite 200. For information, call 485-0050.

Interfaith Fellowship to Meet

* Interfaith Fellowship meets in the ballroom of Thousand Oaks Inn in Thousand Oaks at 10 a.m. Sunday.

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

‘Communication’ to Be Discussed

* Our Lady of Assumption Church in Ventura will present a discussion on “Communication: The Key to Successful Relationships” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Linda Montoya, a marriage family therapist intern, will lead the group. There is no charge.

Participants will be taught ways people sabotage effective communication and specific strategies to enhance interpersonal interactions with family, friends and business associates.

The church is at 3175 Telegraph Road. For information, call Sister Teresita Keliher at 289-3499.

Group Helps Women in Transitions

* A nonsectarian support group for women coping with life transitions, such as marriage, divorce, new relationship, loss of a partner, health issues, aging parents, moving into the workplace or retirement, meets from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays at Jewish Family Services in Ventura.

There is a fee of $10 or less, depending on need.

The location is 1915 E. Main St. For information, call 641-6565.

Singers to Perform in Simi Valley

* United Methodist Church in Simi Valley will host the Young Continental Singers, a 30-person group of performers ages 12 to 15, at 7 p.m. Friday.

The free “Testify to the Truth” concert is open to the public. The Ventura-based Continentals are a 32-year-old music ministry that organizes teen performing groups each summer to spread the Gospel at venues across the nation.

The Young Continental Singers will continue their tour by traveling to Wrightwood, Las Vegas and cities in Utah, Idaho, Washington, Colorado, Wyoming and Oregon.

United Methodist is at 2394 Erringer Road. For information, call 526-6231.

St. Paschal Baylon to Host Festival

* St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church’s 40th annual summer festival begins Friday and runs through the weekend with carnival rides, a miniature train ride, a fun house, a high slide and bumper cars.

The Thousand Oaks church will also have a sweet shop full of homemade cakes, pies, cookies, brownies and muffins. Other food booths will offer hamburgers, chicken, pizza and popcorn.

There will be game booths with prizes, such as toys, candy and gold fish. Entertainment will include Irish dancers.

Live and silent auction items will include cases of wine, dinner at local restaurants, hotel stays, day spa visits and tickets to sporting events. A drawing for a Maui trip for two, computers and televisions will be held.

Festival hours are from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and from noon to 10 p.m. July 8 and 9. Admission is $1 for those over 18. Parking is free.

Funds will be donated to charities in the Conejo Valley. The church is at 15 E. Janss Road. For information, call 496-0222.

Yale Teacher Picked for CLU Chair

* R. Guy Erwin has been selected for the Gerhard and Olga J. Belgum chair of Lutheran Confessional Theology at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.

Erwin is a fellow of Pierson College at Yale University, where he received his master’s and doctoral degrees, and has served as a lecturer on the history of Christianity and was principal instructor in the Lutheran Studies Program at Yale’s Divinity School for the past six years.

The Belgum Chair, Cal Lutheran’s first endowed position, was established six years ago in honor of the late Gerhard Belgum, a former religion professor who was founder and director of CLU’s Center for Theological Studies, where pastors continue their education. His wife Olga is honored for her years of devoted service to her church and to CLU.

For information, call 493-3151.

Sermon Examines ‘Power to Guide’

* St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Newbury Park will have a Sunday sermon July 9 by the Rev. Lynne Austin as she continues her summer series on “The Power of God.” She will speak on “The Power to Guide” focusing on Psalms 48:1-2 and II Corinthians 12:2-10.

Services will be at 8:30 and 10 a.m. Worship is relaxed and interactive, with child care and children’s classes during the second service.

The church is at 1360 S. Wendy Drive. For information, call 498-6910.

Unity Center Sermon on ‘Virtues’

* Unity Center Church in Thousand Oaks will hold a service at 10 a.m. July 9 in Old Meadows Park community room.

The Rev. Irma Oestmann will speak on “Seven Sacred Virtues.” Daniel Nehmad, a pianist, singer and guitarist, will perform. There is also a children’s church and child care is provided. All faiths and denominations are invited.

The park is at 1600 Marview Drive. For information, call 496-6901.

Artists Discuss ‘Wisdom of Sufism’

* “The Ancient Wisdom of Sufism,” an ancient, mystic, esoteric side of Islam, will be shared by artists Joel Valbrow and Susan St. Thomas, who are Sufis of the Mevlevi Order, during a service of the Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 10 a.m. July 9 at the Goebel Senior Adult Center in Thousand Oaks.

Religious education classes for children and child care for toddlers and preschoolers will be provided.

The senior center is at 1385 E. Janss Road. For information, call 492-8751.

Temple to Hold Obon Festival

* The 45th annual Obon Festival will be held by the Oxnard Buddhist Temple from 1 to 9 p.m. July 15.

Obon is considered a time for rejoicing for all Buddhists--a time to remember the love of parents, forefathers and to show gratitude to the living and the dead.

The Obon legend involves a disciple of Buddha, who sought help for his suffering mother. Buddha told him to make an offering of food to his fellow monks, whose combined spiritual power was needed to save her. Once she recovered, the disciples clapped their hands and danced with joy, in what is considered the first Obon dance.

The public is invited to come in traditional Asian dress--kimonos, yukata or a happi coat--and enjoy Oriental foods.

Exhibits will include ceramics and water color paintings.

Obon dancing will begin at 6 p.m. The Oxnard Togen Daiko, a Japanese drum group, will perform at 1 p.m. There will be other live entertainment throughout the day and games with prizes for children.

The temple is at 250 South H St. For information, call 493-5948.

Methodists Offer Bible School

* Ventura First United Methodist Church and College United Methodist Church in Ventura invite children from age 3 to those in fifth grade to “Club Can Do” vacation Bible school from 9 a.m. to noon July 17-21.

Through Bible stories, crafts, music and recreation, children will learn about the teachings of Jesus and how they can show love and care for others. A snack will be provided. There is no charge to attend.

The school will be at College United Methodist Church, 4300 Telegraph Road. For information, call 642-3282 or 643-8621. The registration deadline is July 9.

Children to Receive Bible Lessons

* First Christian Church of Ventura will have its vacation Bible school from 9 a.m. to noon July 31 through Aug. 4. The theme is “Road Rally 2000--On the Road with Jesus.” The school is for children age 3 to those in fifth grade.

There will be music, crafts and Bible lessons. The $15 fee will include a T-shirt and visor.

The church is at 38 Teloma Drive. For information, call 642-4146.

Temple Offers Programs for Youths

* Registration is being accepted for fall after-school programs at Temple Ner Ami in Camarillo. The school provides students with a comprehensive and positive Jewish experience that enhances Jewish identity while focusing on Jewish culture, history, ethics and Hebrew language, art, cooking, music and dance. Bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah preparation and confirmation are also available.

The temple is at 4098 Calle Tesoro No. D. For information, call 388-3824.

Lutheran Vocations Examined

* Young people who belong to Region II of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America can explore a variety of church vocations at the ninth annual Invitation to Service at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks on Aug. 3-5.

The cost for the program is $105. For information, call Linda LeBlanc at 493-3936.

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