Anaheim Interfaith Conference to Cover Environmental Topics

“Caring for Creation,” an interfaith conference on the environment and religion, will feature keynote speaker Calvin DeWitt, an evangelical Christian and University of Wisconsin professor who’s also director of the Au Sable Institute for Environmental Studies. Au Sable serves 47 Christian colleges in North America, India and Africa with courses and programs in Christian environmental stewardship.

Other speakers at the Oct. 28 event in Anaheim include Chad Hanson, director of the John Muir Project, and Andrea Gehrling, a student activist at California Lutheran University, who will lead a small group discussion on what students can do for the environment.

The one-day seminar runs from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will have two hours of workshops and small group sharing. The conference is sponsored by the Orange County Interfaith Coalition for the Environment. One of the organization’s goals is to “encourage activism in the many faiths that are striving to live together in harmony with the earth.”

The event is open to the public and will take place at the Anaheim United Methodist Church, 1000 S. State College Blvd. Preregistration is $15; $20 at the door. The fee includes continental breakfast and lunch. (714) 731-6775 or (714) 637-9448.

Concerts

The Calvary Chapel Churches of Costa Mesa and Laguna Beach will sponsor the Christian music festival “Xtreme Jam 2000,” from 6 to 10 p.m. this evening at the Anaheim Convention Center. Performers will include The Insyderz, All Together Separate, PAX 217, Ginny Owens and E-Tribe. There will also be a half-pipe ramp skateboard demonstration by the Active Ride skate team. Doors open at 5 p.m. The event is free. The Anaheim Convention Center is at 800 W. Katella Ave. (949) 360-5919.

Messianic Jewish vocalist Jonathan Settle will begin his Southern California tour with a performance at 8 p.m. Friday at Temple Aviv Judea Messianic Synagogue. A freewill offering will be taken to support Settle’s ministry. The congregation is at 815 S. Esplanade Ave., Orange. (949) 581-0716.

Religious Education

Saint Peter’s By-The-Sea Presbyterian Church will offer the spiritual renewal series “Why Am I Here” beginning with the music and praise event “Worship Songs Through the Ages” at 7 p.m. this evening. Guest speaker Darrell Guder, professor of Evangelism and Church Growth at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga., will speak on “God’s Parade” at 8:30 and 10 a.m. Sunday and “God’s Letters” at 7 p.m. Sunday. The series will continue through Tuesday. A potluck dinner will take place at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. The church is at 16871 Bolsa Chica Road, Huntington Beach. (714) 846-6641.

Temple Beth David will offer a free four-part course on American Jewish History, beginning Thursday. The first topic will be “American and Jewish: A Glimpse at the Past, A Glimpse at Ourselves.” Co-taught by Rabbi Michael Mayersohn and Gina Lewald-Fass, director of education for Lifelong Learning, the course will focus on the struggle of individuals to balance Jewish and American identities. Classes will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The temple is at 6100 Hefley St., Westminster. (714) 892-6623.

The Adult Faith Formation will offer a free dream analysis workshop from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church. Participants will learn to interpret their dreams and use them for spiritual and personal growth. The center is at 2046 Mar Vista Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 644-0200.

Sermons

The Rev. Marcia Olson will discuss the role of money in life and how it reflects one’s values and spirituality during a 10:30 a.m. service Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach. A social hour will follow. The church is at 429 Cypress Dr., Laguna Beach. (949) 497-4568.

The Healing Ministry of the Unity Church of Tustin will present a service exploring Judeo-Christian, Buddhist, Hindu and Kahuna philosophies on healing. A freewill offering will be taken at the service, which will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The church is at 14402 S. Prospect Ave., Tustin. (714) 730-3444.

Special Services

The Catholic Diocese of Orange will celebrate the “Day of the Dead” (All Souls’ Day) with a procession and outdoor Mass at 2 p.m. on Oct. 28 at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, 7845 Santiago Road, Orange. All Souls’ Day commemorates those who have died. (914) 282-3000.

The members of Congregation B’nai Tzedek in Fountain Valley have embraced the teachings of “Tzedekkah” by reaching out to those in need during their annual High Holidays canned food drive. This year, 400 grocery bags were distributed to worshipers attending Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services with the request to fill each bag with canned goods to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. Bags can be delivered to the synagogue at 9669 Talbert Ave., Fountain Valley. (714) 963-4611.

Light of the Canyon United Methodist Church will host a special service just for kids from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday so that parents can go out on a date. The evening will include a kids message from Pastor Tom, storytelling, live music for singing and dancing, arts and crafts, pizza, and more. The church is at 101 S. Chaparral Court, Anaheim Hills. (714) 283-4633.

The National Conference for Community and Justice will visit St. Luke Antiochan Orthodox Church as part of its House of Worship Tour at 9:45 a.m. Sunday. The group will join the church as it celebrates its patron’s feast day. The event will consist of worship, discussion and a catered picnic. The church is at 13261 Dunklee Ave, Garden Grove. (714) 971-2244.

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