Religion Briefs

Temple to Host Discussions Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks will sponsor a yeshiva for the beginning of the High Holidays--Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur--with a Havdallah service at 8 p.m. today led by Rabbi Richard Spiegel, the temple spiritual leader, and Hazzan Jeff Cohen.

At 9:15 p.m., there will be several discussion groups, including “Singing the High Holy Day Melodies,” with Cohen, who is a cantor; “The Christian Right’s Attack on Separation of Church and State,” with Judge Bruce Einhorn; “Laugh a Little: Enjoy Some Good Humor,” with John Keats; “Being Effective Every Day of Your Life,” with Barbara Freedman; “Sounding the Shofar for Rosh Hashana,” with Ronald Goldstein; “Putting on Tefillin,” with Myles Sympson; “A Woman’s Perspective on the High Holidays,” with Leah Shechter, and “Understanding the High Holiday Prayer Book,” with Spiegel.

Participants can choose any class. The first class will end at 10:05 p.m., and all will be repeated at 10:50 p.m. There are no fees except for a crafts program. The public is invited to attend. At 10:50 p.m., the Temple Etz Chaim Sisterhood will present a dessert reception. At 11:30 p.m., all are invited to attend a midnight Selichot service, which marks the beginning of Jewish High Holy Days.

The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana 5761, will begin at sunset Friday. Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, begins at sunset Oct. 8.

The temple is at 1080 Janss Road. For information, call 497-6891.

Selichot Services Scheduled

* Congregation Am HaYam in Oxnard will hold Selichot services at a member’s home beginning at 9:30 p.m. today. The Yiddish Molly Picon movie “Yidl mitten Fidle,” with English subtitles, will be screened. Refreshments will be served and service will follow at midnight.

Rosh Hashana services will be held 8 p.m. Friday and continue Friday and Sept. 30 at 10 a.m. Kol Nidre will be held at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 8, and Yom Kippur at 9 a.m. Oct. 9. Tickets are $75 per person for all services. A free Yizkor service will also be held at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 9. All services will be held at 1401 W. Gonzales Road. Rabbi Gerald Hanig will lead the services. For information, call 985-2853. Internet: https://www.amhaym.org.

Choir Part of Celebration

* Temple Beth Haverim in Agoura Hills will celebrate High Holy Days beginning at 7:30 p.m. today with a Selichot dinner, concert, study session and service. The celebration will be held in the temple sanctuary, 5126 Clareton Drive.

The concert will feature Cantor Kenny Ellis and a 21-voice adult choir. Rabbi Gershon Johnson will lead the study session, followed by the Selichot service. The dairy dinner is $15 and reservations are required. The remaining activities are free.

Friday, 8 p.m.: Rosh Hashana opening services will be held at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza’s Kavli Theatre, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Sept. 30, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Rosh Hashana, main services, followed by a family service, 3-4 p.m, also at Kavli Theatre.

Oct. 1: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Rosh Hashana second day services, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Scherr Forum; 4-5 p.m., family Tashlich service at Oak Canyon Park, Agoura Hills.

Oct. 8: Yom Kippur services begin with Kol Nidre, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Kavli Theatre.

Oct. 9: Yom Kippur services, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at Kavli Theatre, include a Yizkor service at noon. From 2-3 p.m., Rabbi Johnson will lead a study session, followed by a family service from 3-4 p.m. From 4-5 p.m., the rabbi will hold an Avodah study session with services until 7 p.m., concluding with the sound of the shofar.

The community is invited to join the temple for Selichot and Tashlich gatherings.

For tickets or information, call (818) 991-7111. Internet: https://www.templebethheverim.org.

Jewish Academy to Begin Series

* Conejo Jewish Academy will present the three-part primer series “Days of Awe; Days of Joy,” which focuses on the upcoming High Holy Days. Installments: Wednesday, “Rosh Hashana: The Coronation of the King”; Oct. 4, “Yom Kippur: Day of Atonement & Forgiveness” and Oct. 11, “Sukkot & Simchat Torah: The Joys of Judaism.” Each installment will begin at 8 p.m. and be instructed by Rabbi Dov Greenberg. Series cost: $18.

The academy is at 30345 Canwood St., Agoura Hills. For information, call (818) 991-0991. Internet: https://www.jewishacademy.com.

Simi Congregation Services

* Congregation B’nai Emet will hold its Rosh Hashana service at Mount Sinai Sanctuary, 6150 Mount Sinai Drive, Simi Valley. The service will begin at 8 p.m. Friday, then continue at 10 a.m. Sept. 30. For ticket information, call 581-3723.

Chabad Center Plans Services

* Chabad of the Conejo will conduct High Holiday services at three sites: Hyatt Westlake Plaza Hotel, Willow Elementary School in Agoura Hills and Chabad Center of Westlake Village.

The hotel’s Grand Ballroom will be transformed into a huge sanctuary to accommodate an expected 2,000 people. Other boardrooms will be used for junior congregation sessions.

Rosh Hashana services at all sites will begin Friday evening and continue through Oct. 1. Yom Kippur service begins the evening of Oct. 8 and concludes Oct. 9.

The traditional services are blended with contemporary insights, plus explanations for many prayers and customs. For ticket information, call (818) 991-0991.

High Holy Days Schedule in Ojai

* Following are the High Holy Days schedule for K’hilat Ha’Aloneem, Jewish Community of the Oaks, 530 W. El Roblar Drive, Ojai.

Friday, 7:30-9 p.m.: Rosh Hashana evening service.

Sept. 30, 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Rosh Hashana morning service.

Oct. 8, 7:30-9 p.m.: Yom Kippur, Kol Nidre.

Oct. 9, 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Yom Kippur morning service; 3-4 p.m., discussion group; 4-6:15 p.m., Yizkor concluding service; 6:30 p.m., “break-the-fast” potluck.

The services will be led by Rabbi Jerold Levy, assisted by Cantor Quan Greenberg and the temple choir. For information or to make a reservation to attend services, call 646-4464.

Ventura Temple Lists Schedule

* Temple Beth Torah in Ventura will offer special children’s programming during the High Holy Days for children from 18 months old through the fifth grade. The activities begin 30 minutes before High Holy Days services commence in the sanctuary, and end immediately after conclusion of the services. The children’s services will be led by Rabbi Seth Hochberg-Miller. Each classroom will be staffed by adult and teen-age temple members.

The schedule: Sept. 30, 9:30 a.m.-12:45; Oct. 9, 9:30 a.m.-12:45 and 3-6:30 p.m. Activities will include arts and crafts, storytelling and outdoor play. Each child should arrive with a kosher-style lunch. Cost per session: $20.

The temple is at 7620 Foothill Road. For information, call 647-4181.

Church’s Fall Festival Today

* Monte Vista Presbyterian Church in Newbury Park will host its Fall Festival today from 2-7 p.m. The event will include a 3:30 p.m. groundbreaking ceremony, which kicks off the start of a new building phase for the church. Plans call for a new 400-seat sanctuary, supporting classrooms and new preschool facilities.

Other activities will include game booths, face-painting, a dunk tank, “Jolly Jump,” food, live music and square-dancing with a caller. Prize drawings are scheduled every hour and all proceeds will be donated to the church building fund. Food and refreshments will also be sold.

The church is at 3797 W. Lynn Road. For tickets or information, call 498-3187 or 498-8213.

Parking Lot Sale in Oxnard

* Our Saviour’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oxnard will hold a parking lot sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. Items to be sold include toy bears, household appliances, clothing, books, woodcraft works, silk flowers, plus refreshments.

Rev. Mary Ann Feine preaches during the 9:15 a.m. Sunday service. Sunday school is held at 10:45 a.m. for all ages and child care is provided.

The church is at 905 Redwood St. For information, call 486-5383.

Christian Fellowship Sermon

* Pastor Stan Wilson will deliver the message “Correcting Our Course,” based on Galatians 5, this weekend at Sonrise Christian Fellowship in Simi Valley. Services: today, 6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 and 11 a.m.

The church is at 2350 Shasta Way. For information, call 581-1698.

‘Bread of Life’ Dinner Today

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

On Sunday, a communion worship service will be held at 8 a.m. A Spanish-language worship service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Also, Sunday school classes for children ages 5 to 12 begin at 10:30 a.m.; youth Bible study for junior high and high school students begins at 11 a.m.

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

Thousand Oaks Fellowship

* 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.

Interfaith Fellowship to Meet

* Interfaith Fellowship will meet in Thousand Oaks Inn’s ballroom at 10 a.m. Sunday. There will be a children’s program and child care.

“A Course in Miracles” study group will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday. For information on the study group, call (818) 889-6264.

At 7 p.m. Monday the fellowship will host the spiritual book study group at Borders in Thousand Oaks, featuring “The Power of Now,” by Eckhart Tolle.

On Tuesday from 6:30-9 p.m. there will be a men’s potluck gathering. For information, call 379-0041.

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

Unity Center Church Service

* The Rev. Irma Oestmann will deliver the message “The Grateful Heart” Sunday at Unity Center Church in Thousand Oaks. The service, beginning at 10 a.m., will include music performed by pianist-composer Esteban Ramirez.

Children’s church is held during the service and child care is available. Also Sunday, a continuing adult discussion series will be held at 9:15 a.m.

The church meets at Old Meadows Park’s Community Room at 1600 Marview Road. For information, call 496-6901.

‘Unitarian Universalist Values’

* Rev. Betty Stapleford will deliver the sermon “Living Our Unitarian Universalist Values” Sunday at Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. The message is based on the book “Freethinking Mystics With Hands,” by the Rev. Tom Owen-Towle.

Services begin at 10 a.m. and are held at Goebel Senior Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. For information, call 492-8751.

Oxnard Worship 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 “Republican vs. Democrat.”

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

Camarillo Methodists to Gather

* Camarillo United Methodist Church will hold worship services, directed by Jim Decker-Mahin, each Sunday at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday school and child care are available during both services for infants through fifth grade.

Continuing Sunday, classes for students in grades 6 to 12 will be available during the first service. Participants can choose one of four classes during eight-week sessions. Course titles: Advanced Bible Study (high school seniors only); Mission Outreach Activity (junior high only); Great Moments in Sports; My World and My Faith.

The church is at 291 Anacapa Drive. For information or to obtain a Sunday school registration form, call 482-4312.

Schools Chief to Preach in Simi

* Richard Garner, Santa Barbara district superintendent, will preach Sunday at United Methodist Church in Simi Valley. Worship services will be held at 8 and 10 a.m. Because September is Christian Education Month, services will focus on related topics.

Child care is provided for infants and preschoolers. Communion will be held at the first service.

Adult Sunday school begins at 9 a.m. Mission Hispana Biblica holds a Spanish-language worship service at 1:30 p.m., followed by fellowship in Witman Hall.

The church is at 2394 Erringer Road. For information, call 526-6231.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Service

* St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Oxnard holds its Sunday worship service at 10:15 p.m. Senior Pastor Adiel De Pano will deliver the message. Child care is available for children 4 and younger.

The Japanese ministry worships at 2 p.m., led by the Rev. Shiro Kato. The Rev. Victor Salas will lead a new Spanish-language worship service at 6 p.m.

The church is at 1800 South C St. For information, call 487-2711.

Sermon to Examine Friendship

* The Rev. Judith Cohen will speak on the meaning of friendship Sunday at Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura.

Services are at 9:15 and 11 a.m. Child care and religious education are available during the first service.

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

Dialogue Series at Seminary

* The Ventura County Council of Churches is hosting its 17th annual ecumenical dialogue series in the Theology Library at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo. The second installment of the seven-part series will be held Oct. 18.

The series is hosted by seminary faculty member Patrick J. Mitchell and is open to people of all Christian denominations and faith communities. The series aims to foster Christian unity and build cooperative ministry projects around the county through “mutual understanding and respect among the participants.”

For information on how to participate in the series, call 983-0157 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. or 482-2755, Ext. 1067.

Unity Church to Hold Youth Class

* Unity Church in Ventura will hold its worship service and youth class from 10 to 11 a.m. Sunday.

Other weekly activities throughout September include a prayer circle open to all religions at noon Monday through Friday, a Tuesday miracles study group from 7 to 9 p.m., and a 7 p.m. healing meditation on Wednesday to be followed by the discussion “The Quest: A Journey of Spiritual Rediscovery.”

The meetings are held at the church, 2065 Sperry Ave. For information, call 658-1059.

Services at Simi Presbyterian

* Simi Valley Presbyterian Church will hold worship services with live contemporary music at 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and at 8 and 9:30 a.m. Sundays. A traditional worship service is held at 11:15 a.m. Sundays. The youth program “Just for Kids!” is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and 9:30 a.m. Sundays.

The church is at 4832 Cochran St. For information, call 526-5475

St. Matthew’s Music, Worship

* St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Newbury Park will hold worship services at 8:30 and 10 a.m. Sunday. Rev. Lynne Austin will deliver the message “Wayus of Wisdom.” Carla Stoffel will perform music during the first service, and the Chancel Choir will perform during the second service.

Worship at St. Matthew’s is relaxed and interactive, with child care and children’s classes available during the second service. The church is at 1360 S. Wendy Drive. For information, call 498-6910.

Mass Schedule at St. Anthony’s

* St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Oxnard will celebrate 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 held at noon and 1:30 p.m.

The church is at 2511 South C St. For information, call 486-7301.

Church to Take Trip to Italy

* St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fillmore will take a pilgrimage of prayer to Italy from Thursday to Oct. 12.

Pastor Joseph Hernandez will celebrate daily Mass and spiritual direction. Those joining the pilgrimage will tour holy places that include shrines and major basilicas.

Group to Tour Holy Land

* A two-week tour of Israel will be led by Rabbi Shimon Paskow and his wife Carol, beginning Oct. 29.

People of all religions are welcome to join the tour, which will visit Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Jericho and Masada. Those participating will have the opportunity to swim in the Dead Sea, see the Dead Sea Scrolls, the ancient Western Wall and the recently opened tunnel of the Western Wall, and other historic and archeological sites holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims.

The cost will be about $4,200 per person, based on double occupancy. For information, call 497-6891.

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