Greater Unity Is Goal of Interfaith Gathering Sunday

The Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council will host the “Procession of Light 2001” from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Huntington Beach Pier Plaza.

Twenty faith leaders will direct participants in prayer, thanksgiving and supplication. The annual event aims to promote unity, harmony and a spirit of collaboration.

Music ensembles from several religious communities will perform. At sunset, participants will bear glowing sticks as they walk to the end of the pier and back. Participating organizations include the Baha’i Faith of Huntington Beach, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim and Buddhist groups. (714) 570-6477

Seminars

Rabbi Arnold Rachlis, the Rev. Fred Plumer of the Irvine United Church of Christ and Mir-Javid Jalai, founder of the Unified Mosque of Irvine, will lead “A Religious Trialogue on Islam” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the University Synagogue. The three will discuss Islam, incorporating perspectives of Judaism and Christianity. On Friday, Rachlis and Cantor Ruti Braier will lead a service with the theme “The Renaissance Weekend” at 8 p.m. Rachlis will report on his annual “Think Tank” retreat. The synagogue is at 4915 Alton Parkway, Irvine. (949) 553-3535.

The Brotherhood of Congregation B’nai Tzedek will welcome a guest panel featuring Stan Brin of the Orange County Heritage and reporters from The Times and the Register to speak on the “Jewish Community and the Media” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Dinner precedes at 6:30 p.m. The cost of the dinner is $5 (registration required by Tuesday). Congregation B’nai Tzedek is at 9669 Talbert Ave., Fountain Valley. Information: Darrell Neft, (714) 241-9387 or Arnold Adler, (714) 534-2855.

The Rev. Marcia Olsen will present “Universalism 101” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach. The third annual women’s focus program “Pathways of Health, Healing and Wholeness” will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday. The church is at 429 Cypress Drive, Laguna Beach. (949) 497-4568.

The Rev. Michael Crosby will speak on “The Spiritual Life: The Spark of the Divine Within Us” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Center for Spiritual Development. Cost is $50. Guests should bring lunch. The center is at 434 S. Batavia St., Orange. (714) 744-3175.

Worship Services, Bible Studies

The Rev. Karen Stoyanoff will give the second part of a series “Isolation, Community and Communitarianism” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. The sermon will explore how we can move from isolation to community to adopt an attitude of “communitarianism.” The church is at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. (949) 646-4652.

The Rev. Dori Somers will give the message “The Universe Says Yes!” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church of South County. Child care and youth religious education will be offered. The church is at 25801 Obrero Drive, No. 7, Mission Viejo. (949) 581-0245.

St. Irenaeus Church will offer a Bible study covering the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. and from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays. Child care will be offered during morning sessions. Suggested donation is $10. The church is at 5201 Evergreen Ave., Cypress. (714) 821-5531.

The Rev. Alan Landes will discuss “Lessons From Barney” at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Trinity United Presbyterian Church. Landes will focus on the contributions of Barnabus and the significance of missionary journeys to the church’s growth. The church will sponsor the seminar “Growing Through Grief,” with social worker Betty J. Thompson, R.N., from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Jan 31. Cost is $30. The church is at 13922 N. Prospect Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 544-7850.

Other events

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will hold a gala Twelfth Night party to conclude Christmas at 6 p.m. Friday. Families will gather for an Epiphany service of Holy Eucharist, then adjourn to Gooden Hall for music, games, and a reenactment of the Three Kings’ arrival at the stable to present their gifts. “Save a Life Sunday” will occur Sunday as the church hosts a blood donation center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This community service project is chaired by Ruth Sarvas, who will take appointments at (714) 744-5150. St. Paul’s is at 1221 Wass St., Tustin. (714) 544-3141.

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