Civil Rights Activist to Speak at Religion and Race Convocation

The Commission on Religion and Race of the United Methodist Church will host its Convocation 2000 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at Orangethorpe United Methodist Church. Civil rights activist Angela Oh will speak on “Peace and Justice in the New Millennium.” Twelve workshops will be led by various lecturers. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for those under 18. The church is at 2351 W. Orangethorpe Ave., Fullerton. (800) 244-8622.

Events

A membership open house will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Congregation B’nai Tzedek. Following at 8:15 p.m. will be a Shabbat service with a review of seasonal music in preparation for the High Holy Days.

Pam Rosen will conduct “Refresh Your Judaism” classes under the direction of Judy Lerner, vice president of adult programs, from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. each first and third Sunday of the month. There will also be comparative religion classes with Rabbi Stephen Einstein from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. each first and third Sunday. The temple is at 9669 Talbert Avenue, Fountain Valley. (714) 963-4611.

Jazz artists Ron Kobayashi and Chris Whynaught will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Congregational Church of Fullerton. in the finale of the second annual “Jazz and the Human Spirit” summer series of music and poetry nights. Admission is $2. The church is at 845 N. Euclid Ave., Fullerton. (714) 526-2662.

The Rev. Karen Stoyanoff will give the message “To Dwell Together in Peace” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. The joint service with the Bahai community will celebrate United Nations Day of Peace. A potluck lunch will follow. The church is at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. (949) 646-4652.

Soka Gakkai International-USA will offer “The Winning Life,” an introduction to Buddhism, at 10 a.m. Sunday. The program will focus on ways Buddhism can lead to success, good health and sound relationships. The center is at 1500 E. Warner Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 444-9580.

St. Clement’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church will install the Rev. Diane Jardine Bruce as its fifth rector at 3 p.m. Sunday. The Rev. Jon Bruno, bishop co-adjutor of the Los Angeles Diocese, will officiate. A reception will follow. The church is at 202 Avenida Aragon, San Clemente. (949) 492-3401.

The Pope John Paul II Polish Center will host the annual Dozynki Harvest Festival, which begins at 4 p.m. today. Polish food, cultural exhibits and folk dancing will be featured, followed by a 7 p.m. dance in the church hall. A traditional harvest processional will be at noon Sunday. The center is at 3999 Rose Drive, Yorba Linda. (714) 779-0617.

The Rev. Rainbow Johnson will present the seminar “The Passion of Spirit” from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at the Seal Beach Church of Religious Science. Cost is $15. The church is at 500 Marina Drive, Seal Beach. (562) 598-3325.

Mount Calvary Lutheran Church’s new Sunday schedule includes a traditional worship service from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., education time for all ages from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. and a contemporary worship service from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. The church is at 5895 Ball Road, Cypress. (714) 527-6311.

Presbyterian Church of the Master will offer Bible study from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday. The study will follow the format developed by Dale and Juanita Ryan in their book “The Twelve Steps: A Spiritual Kindergarten.” The Ryans will present an introduction to the program from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Sunday. The church is at 26051 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. (949) 582-2670.

Blessed Sacrament Church will present the Saddle Mountain Band in concert from 4 to 7 p.m. today. The “Concert on the Green” will include dinner. Cost is $10, or $30 for a family. Reservations are suggested. The church is at 1314 N. Angelina Drive, Placentia. (714) 528-2995.

St. Irenaeus Church will present Renee Bondi and the concert “Surrender to Your Love” from 9 to 11 a.m. The event is part of a men’s prayer breakfast. Cost is $10. The church is at 5201 Evergreen Ave., Cypress. (714) 826-0760.

University Synagogue will have a Shofar-making factory at 4:45 p.m., followed by a Shabbat pizza dinner at 6 p.m. Friday. Reservations are required. Then, Rabbi Arnold Rachlis and cantor Ruti Braier will lead a family service at 7 p.m. Rachlis will discuss “When is God?” The synagogue is at 4915 Alton Parkway, Irvine. (949) 553-3535.

Rachel Morton Kent will review ways Unitarians can help in the war against drugs during a service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach. Kent was active in the fellowship’s “One Stop Immigration” program and is involved in efforts to decriminalize drugs. The church is at 429 Cypress Dr. (949) 497-4568.

The Rev. “Kass” Kassouni will deliver the sermon “Who Cares!” at 5 p.m. this evening and at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday as part of “Rally Weekend” at Geneva Presbyterian Church of Laguna Hills. The church is at 24301 El Toro Road, Laguna Hills. (949) 837-2323.

David Hoover and Sylvia Swanke will present the seminar “What is Spiritual Direction?” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Center for Spiritual Development. Cost is free, donations welcome. The center is at 434 S. Batavia St., Orange. (714) 744-3175.

St. John’s Lutheran Church will present the Gary Bonner Singers in concert at 7 p.m. Sunday. This 80-voice ensemble features singers ranging from age 18 to 60. A freewill offering will be taken. The church is at 185 S. Center Drive, Orange. (714) 288-4400.

Faith Lutheran Church will begin its Living Way Bible Study on the Book of James at 7 p.m. Tuesday. There will be a small cost for this eight-week course. Child care will be provided. The church is at 8200 Ellis Ave., Huntington Beach. (714) 962-5571.

The Rev. Lisa Munroe will give the class “Discerning Current Events” at 9 a.m. Sundays at the First Presbyterian Church of Orange. The church is at 191 N. Orange St. (714) 538-2341.

Macedonia Christian Fellowship Church will hold a Women’s Day at 10 a.m. Sunday. Guest teacher will be Helen Harris, director of volunteers at Temple Missionary Baptist Church in San Bernardino. The church meets at Wood Canyon Elementary School, 23431 Knollwood, Aliso Viejo, (949) 597-0700.

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