Simi Church Offers Spanish Service

* Simi Covenant Church in Simi Valley will begin Nueva Esperanza, a Spanish-language church service, at noon Sunday.

Regular worship services will be at 9 and 10:30 a.m. with The Gathering, a new generation worship service for young adults, at 6:30 p.m.

A relationship improvement seminar for couples will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 3 and will cost $35 per person.

The church is at 4846 Alamo St. For information, call 526-8855.

Handicapables Plan Day of Events

* West Ventura County Handicapables will offer a day of spiritual and social enrichment for all physically disabled people at Sacred Heart Church in Ventura at 11 a.m. today, followed by a luncheon and entertainment.

People of all faiths are welcome and there is no charge.

The church is at 10800 Henderson Road. For more information, call 452-4050.

Sermon on ‘Fatal Spelling Error’

* The Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura will host Ted Kent, professor emeritus from the University of Southern Colorado, who will present the sermon “The Fatal Spelling Error in the Bible” at 11 a.m. Sunday.

On June 4, the church will host Gordon Hall, a Methodist ministerial student at Claremont Theological School, who will speak about Native Americans who live outside the reservation and who practice traditional spiritual beliefs.

One June 11, the church will host its annual religious education service led by children and teachers at 11 a.m.

Child care is available each day.

The church is at 4949 Foothill Road. For information, call 644-3898.

All Saints Plans Special Dinner

* All Saints Episcopal Church of Oxnard will have a week of activities beginning with a “Bread of Life” dinner in the parish hall at 5:30 p.m. today.

On Sunday, there will be worship services at 8 and 11 a.m. A Spanish worship service will be held at 9:30 a.m.

Classes on Sunday will include a 9:30 a.m. adult lectionary Bible study led by the Rev. Warren V. Porter and a 10:30 a.m. program for children elementary school age through high school.

There will be a Holy Eucharist and healing service in Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

A Bible study class will be held at 1:30 p.m.

A special concert will be held in the sanctuary at 4 p.m. June 4 with music by the All Saints Choir and the Ventura Master Chorale. The concert is free and open to the public. Child care will be provided and refreshments served.

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

Interfaith Fellowship to Meet

* Interfaith Fellowship in Thousand Oaks, formerly Interfaith Church for Today, will meet in the ballroom of the Thousand Oaks Inn at 10 a.m. Sunday. There will be a children’s program and child care. The Rev. Gifford Smith’s message will be “How to Know God Better.”

The inn is at 75 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. For information, call (818) 889-6264.

Service to Focus on Diversity

* Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will have a worship service at the Goebel Senior Center in Thousand Oaks at 10 a.m. Sunday.

“Behold Right and Wrong: Honoring Diversity of Opinion” will be the focus of the service, and the Rev. Betty Stapleford will lead the congregation in discovering solutions to several real life situations.

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

LDS Ward to Hear About Mission

* The Newbury Park First Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will hear Steven Bowen speak during its 9 a.m. Sunday worship service. Bowen, 19, will speak about the commitment he has made to serve two years as a missionary at his own expense in South Korea.

Sunday school classes for all ages will follow at 10:20 a.m. There are classes for children, teenagers, women and men. The public is invited.

The church is at 35 S. Wendy Drive. For information, call 498-4962.

Group Helps Women in Transitions

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

Teacher to Discuss Gospel of Mark

* Gregory Riley, a professor at Claremont School of Theology, will speak at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Newbury Park at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

His talk is titled “The Gospel of Mark” and will focus on Christian origins.

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

Speaker at Love International

* David Cannistraoi, co-pastor of Evangel Christian Fellowship in San Jose, will speak at Love International Outreach Fellowship in Ventura at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

The church is at 1711 Wood Place. For more information, call 644-9900.

Training in Prison Fellowship

* Sonrise Christian Fellowship in Simi Valley will offer accelerated training in prison fellowship on June 2, 3, 9 and 10. Prison fellowship is a ministry to inmates, ex-prisoners and their families.

The cost is $7 per weekend per person to cover lunch and snacks.

The public is invited to attend this interdenominational training. For more information, call Tom Gustafson at 376-2889.

‘Late Nite Catechism’ Comedy Play

* St. Paschal Baylon Women’s Club of Thousand Oaks will present the comedy “Late Nite Catechism” starring Maripat Donovan, the play’s co-author, during a fund-raising performance at 8 p.m. June 3 in Thomas Aquinas Hall. Tickets cost $30 per person, and funds will benefit Women’s Club charitable projects.

The church is at 155 E. Janss Road. For more information, call 496-3612 or 529-0977.

Church to Hold Homecoming

* Oxnard First Baptist Church will have a homecoming for former ministers, missionaries and members during its centennial celebration weekend, beginning with a picnic from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 3 and continuing at worship services at 9 and 10:30 a.m. June 4.

The church is at 936 W. 5th St. For more information, call 483-2205.

Calvary Playground to Open

* Calvary Community Church of Westlake Village will dedicate and open its new children’s playground at 4 p.m. June 3.

Kelsey’s Playground is a 27,000-square-foot play area that will be available to all programs and ministries of the church.

The playground was named for a child of a Calvary community family.

Kelsey Farwell died several years ago, and members of the community, friends of the family and church members have donated money, time and materials to develop the play area.

Refreshments will be served after a brief dedication and prayer ceremony.

The church is at 5495 Via Rocas. For information, call (818) 991-8040.

Unity Center to Offer Service

* Unity Center Church will hold a worship service at Old Meadows Park Community Room in Thousand Oaks at 10 a.m. June 4. The Rev. Irma Oestmann will deliver the message “Power of Hope and Imagination.” Children are invited. Child care is provided.

The center is at 1600 Marview. For information, call 517-1210.

Discussion on Fathers’ Roles

* Our Lady of Assumption Church in Ventura will present a discussion on “Fathers, Pregnant Dads” at 7 p.m. June 7 in Hurley Hall. Marriage and family therapy intern Linda Montoya will lead the discussion and focus on God’s purpose, plan and power to equip men for leadership in their children’s lives.

The public is invited and there is no charge. The church is at 3175 Telegraph Road. For more information, call Sister Teresita Keliher at 289-3499.

Continental Singers to Perform

* The Continental Singers “Testify to Truth” tour will continue at the South Coast Fellowship Faith Center of Ventura at 7 p.m. June 16. The group of 25 vocalists and a 25-piece brass band will perform high-energy music with choreography and personal testimony.

Admission is free. The church is at 4050 Market St. For more information, call 658-7646, Ext. 7.

Race Unity Celebration Planned

* The Ventura County Race Unity Celebration, a festive gathering to build bridges of friendship and understanding, will be held from 12:30 to 4 p.m. June 17 at Constitution Park in Camarillo.

The free event is open to the public and will feature Grammy Award winner K.C. Porter, a 50-member gospel choir, singer Walter Heath, Mexican quintet La Barca and the Polynesian dance troupe Ports of Paradise.

Those attending should bring folding chairs, sunscreen and a picnic lunch. The event is sponsored by 14 communities of the Bahai faith in Ventura County and western Los Angeles County.

The park is at 600 Carmen Drive.

Exploring Vocations in the Church

* 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 in Thousand Oaks Aug. 3-5.

Young people from high school to college age will learn about the roles of pastors, missionaries, associates in ministry, diaconal ministers, music ministers and youth ministers during the event, which will feature special music, small group interaction, recreation, devotionals and Bible study.

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

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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.