Islamic Educational Center Aims for a ‘Better Understanding’

The Islamic Educational Center of Orange County will present “Islam in America: A Better Understanding” at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Hilton Irvine. The event will include presentations by local and national authorities. The Hilton Irvine is at 18800 MacArthur Blvd. On Nov. 3, the center will host an open mosque event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Topics will include introduction to Islam, women in Islam, American Muslim converts and community dialogue. The center is at 3194-B Airport Loop Drive, Costa Mesa. (714) 432-0060.

Halloween

* Rock Harbor Church in Costa Mesa and co-sponsor Triangle Square will celebrate their third annual ROCKtoberfest Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Triangle Square shopping mall in Costa Mesa. The event is a safe, carnival atmosphere for children and adults. Triangle Square vendors will also be open for trick-or-treating. Admission and parking are free. Triangle Square is at 1870 Harbor Blvd. (949) 548-2600. https://www.rockharbor.org/rocktoberfest.

* South Shores Church in Monarch Beach will have its annual Halloween event Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The event includes carnival games, a “Bounce House,” a costume parade, hot dogs and chili bowls, prizes and lots of candy. The church is at 32712 Crown Valley Parkway. (949) 496-9331.

* Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Santa Ana will host its annual fall festival Wednesday from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Kids and parents can enjoy tractor-pulled hayrides, carnival booths, and games and food. The Pres Club Jazz Quintet will perform. The church is at 13922 N. Prospect Ave. (714) 544-7850. https://www.trinityunitedpres.org.

* A family Halloween party will take place Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Garden Grove United Methodist Church. Festivities will include a jack-o’-lantern contest, games, food and trick-or-treating. There will also be a costume parade with prizes. Families are asked to bring one unopened bag of candy and $1 per child. The church is at 12741 Main St. (714) 534-1070.

Special Events

* St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach welcomes the Rev. Eileen Lindner to speak on “Singing Zion’s Song: Anyone Know the Words?” at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. The sermon explores the events surrounding the Sept. 11 attack on America. Lindner serves as the associate general secretary of the National Council of Churches in New York City. The church is at 2100 Mar Vista. (949) 644-1341. https://www.stmarkpresbyterian.org.

* Temple Bat Yahm in Newport Beach will present “An Evening of Jewish Folklore” at 7 p.m. Sunday. Dvorah Telushin will speak on her book “Master of Dreams,” about her experience as assistant and translator to Nobel laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer. Tickets are $25 preferred, $10 general and $5 for seniors and students. Temple Bat Yahm is at 1011 Camelback St. (949) 644-1999. https://www.tby.org.

* The Eclectic Orange Festival will present the play “Soon,” written by Hal Hartley, at the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s Founders Hall. “Soon” explores conflicts of faith and citizenship among a group of “Faithful,” whose apocalyptic vision and isolation bring about a final confrontation with mainstream culture. Performances will take place at 8 p.m. Thursday through next Saturday and Nov. 5-7, and at 3 and 7 p.m. Nov. 4. Tickets are $25. The Performing Arts Center is at 600 Town Center Drive. (949) 553-2422. https://www.EclecticOrange.org.

* Mission San Juan Capistrano will present a Virgin of Guadalupe concert Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Nov. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. The concert features Ars Musica musicians performing historical musical pieces in honor of the Virgin Mary. Ars Musica of Chicago is an ensemble dedicated to performances of musical works from the 12th through the 18th centuries.

Friday’s concert will be performed in the Mission Basilica Church, and the Nov. 4 concert will be in the historic mission courtyard. Mission San Juan Capistrano is at 31522 Camino Capistrano. (949) 234-1300, Ext. 322.

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Religious event notices of countywide interest may be sent to Gena Guisar 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.guisar@latimes.com.