Temple Bat Yahm Breaks Ground for Torah Center

Hundreds gathered last Sunday in Newport Beach for a groundbreaking ceremony at the Temple Bat Yahm Torah Center, led by Rabbi Mark S. Miller, the congregation’s spiritual leader.

Construction is now underway and will include a new chapel, new school wing, outdoor amphitheater, mikvah (a ritual bath) and multimedia resource center. The existing building will be updated to provide office space and a larger banquet hall.

Events

* East Anaheim Christian Church’s Sunday services will include a traditional worship service at 10:30 a.m., Children’s Church and Youth Church at 10:30 a.m. and Sunday school for all ages at 9:30 a.m. The church is at 2216 E. South St., Anaheim. (714) 535-6276.

* Helice Bridges, author of “Who I am Makes a Difference,” and founder of the nonprofit organization Difference Makers International, will be the special worship guest at Rancho Capistrano Community Church at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, as part of the church’s new worship series, “The Life of a Difference Maker.” The church is at 29251 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.(949) 347-4035.

* St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will celebrate Earth Day during 10 a.m. services Sunday. Newly elected Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of Los Angeles will be the celebrant and preacher. Additionally, church schoolchildren will present offerings to The Heifer Project. There will also be an 8 a.m. prayer service. The church is at 1221 S.E. Wass St., Tustin. (714) 544-3141.

* The Rev. Tom Bazacas, pastor of Lighthouse Coastal Community Church in Costa Mesa, will speak on “Christian Tuneup” from 7 to 8 a.m. Wednesday during the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Men’s Breakfast Fellowship in Dierenfield Hall. Cost is $2.50. The church is at 600 St. Andrews Road, Newport Beach. (949) 631-2880.

* Lake Hills Community Church will present a new musical work by Billy Martin called “Millennial Memorial” at 6 p.m. Sunday. The piece uses biblical poems and passages to honor those who have given their lives for their country and in the service of God. The church is at 23331 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills. (714) 837-7729.

* The Crystal Cathedral will host a Memorial Day ceremony with Maj. Gen. Clifford L. Stanley and the World’s largest flying indoor American flag at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday. Musical guest will be vocalist Wayne Shepperd. The church is at 13280 Chapman Ave. Garden Grove. (714) 971-4069.

* Temple Beth Emet will install its incoming board of directors for 2000-01 during a worship service at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Afterward, there will be a farewell tribute dinner to honor the Rev. Robert Shepard of the Anaheim United Methodist church for his 14 years of service. Shepard and his congregation have shared Thanksgiving eve services, concerts and more with Temple Beth Emet. The temple is at 1770 W. Cerritos Ave., Anaheim. (714) 772-4720.

* The Covenant Players will be in concert during services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday at Faith Lutheran Church. Sunday school for all ages takes place at 9:55 a.m. The church is at 8200 Ellis Ave., Huntington Beach. (714) 962-5571.

* The Rev. Karen Stoyanoff and Tony Host, church president. will co-lead a service titled “The Problem With Loving Your Neighbor” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. The discussion will explore different ways to get along with people we encounter during our daily lives. The church is at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. (949) 646-4652.

* The Rev. Margaret Mohit will continue the series “Creating a 21st Century Consciousness” with the message “Once Upon a Choice” at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Unity Community Church. Fellowship follows each service. The church is at 22911 Mill Creek Road, Laguna Hills. (949) 472-9230. www.unity-lh.org.

* A divorce seminar with psychologist Donna French will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday at South Shores Church. This week’s topic will be “Dealing With the Shame, Guilt and Anger of Divorce: A Hope-Filled Approach.” A buffet dinner precedes at 6 p.m. The church is at 32712 Crown Valley Parkway, Monarch Beach. (949) 496-9331.

* The Rev. Suzanne T. Black will speak on “The Joy of Ministry” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church of South County. Black will charge Carol Rudisill, ministerial intern, as she enters the UU ministry. The church is at 25801 Obrero Drive, #7, Mission Viejo. (949) 581-0245.

* Mickey Jackson will present “What’s a Poem and Why Do I Need a One?” during the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach. The talk will focus on all forms of poetry. The center is at 429 Cypress Drive, Laguna Beach. (949) 497-4568.