Amy Biehl’s Parents to Speak Today on Forgiveness

Congregation B’nai Israel of Tustin will present, as a prelude to its Selichot services today, a program titled “Qualities of Mercy: a True Story of Forgiveness” with Peter and Linda Biehl.

The Biehls will discuss their involvement in South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and their commitment to helping black South Africans after the killing of their daughter, Amy, in 1993. An 18-minute film clip will be shown from the Academy Award-nominated documentary “Long Night’s Journey into Day.”

The program will be from 8:15 to 9:30 p.m. Reservations are required. (714) 730-9693

The synagogue also will have an open house Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon. Representatives from the synagogue’s religious school, preschool, and board of directors will be there to meet prospective members and answer questions.

Congregation B’nai Israel is a conservative synagogue at 2111 Bryan Ave.

Education

* A panel of scientific and theological experts will discuss stem cell research Sept. 24 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Tustin. The panelists for “A New Issue for the New Century: the Scientific, Ethical and Moral Implications of Stem Cell Research” include Susan V. Bryant, dean of the School of Biological Sciences at UC Irvine; James Bachman, dean of the School of Theology at Concordia University in Irvine; and Kenneth Schemmer, surgeon and chairman of the Bioethics Committee of St. Jude Hospital in Fullerton. Admission is free. The church is at 1221 Wass St. (714) 544-3141.

* The Interfaith Outreach Committee of the Alzheimer’s Assn. of Orange County will sponsor the conference “Spiritual Care of Patients and Families Affected by Alzheimer’s Disease” Wednesday at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa. Speakers will include clinical psychologist Kent Peppard discussing “What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?” and Cordula Dick-Muehlke, executive director of Adult Day Services of Orange County, discussing “Spirituality as a Basis for Dementia Care.” There also will be an interfaith panel moderated by Bill Bennett of the Crystal Cathedral. This free conference occurs from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Registration is required by Wednesday. Vanguard University is at 55 Fair Drive. (714) 283-1984, Ext. 230.

* Learn about the fundamentals of Jewish values in Rabbi H. Rafael Goldstein’s Jewish Values 101 at Congregation Kol HaNeshamah, Irvine’s newest Jewish congregation. This year-long program will help answer the question, “What makes us Jews when we’re not in synagogue?” In the first class, Goldstein will prepare adults and teens for the High Holidays in a workshop title “High Holidays: Ready or Not: Get Your Life Back to Ready!” The class takes place at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Northwood Community Park, 4531 Bryan Ave., Irvine. (949) 551-2737 or https://www.VoiceOfTheSoul.org

* What is the meaning of life? How can I make the most of the rest of my life? Is it important what I believe? “Alpha” is a course designed to give you some answers. Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Fullerton will sponsor the Alpha course on Christian faith, beginning with an introduction dinner Sept. 23 at 5 p.m. Classes will continue Sundays for 10 weeks.

Alpha, designed by the Anglican Church of England, features a series of 10 videos followed by food and fellowship. Alpha is designed to answer questions, deepen faith, and give insight into Biblical teachings in a non-threatening environment. All are welcome. The church is at 1145 W. Valencia Mesa Drive. (714) 879-8070.

* The Orange County Buddhist Church in Anaheim will offer four eight-week classes on Buddhism starting Oct. 1. “The Essence of Spirituality, East and West” (Mondays from 7:30-9 p.m.) will look at what it means to be religious or spiritual using classic theories.

“Introduction to Buddhist Calligraphy” (Tuesdays, starting Oct. 2, from 7:30-9 p.m.) is a beginning course in Japanese calligraphy, which is writing with the Japanese brush, or fude. After covering the basics, the course will focus on the meanings of key Buddhist characters.

“Introduction to Buddhism and Jodo Shinshu” (Tuesdays, starting Oct. 2, from 7:30-9 p.m) is a survey course outlining the basic teachings of Buddhism, the life of Shakyamuni Buddha and the development of Buddhism leading to Jodo Shinshu.

“Shoshinge to Koso Wasan” (Thursdays, starting Oct. 4, from 7:30-9 p.m.) will study Shinran’s Shoshinge and poems of the seven masters.

Application deadline is Sept. 28. The church is at 909 S. Dale Street, near the intersection of Dale and Ball Road in Anaheim. (714) 827-9590 or https://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/ Temple/3540/BECPage.htm.

* The Alliance for Spiritual Community will discuss “What Recent Insights Have Influenced Your Spiritual Path?” during its monthly gathering from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. Wednesday at its meeting place in Laguna Niguel. An additional meeting will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 20 at Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church, 30071 Ivy Glen. The alliance celebrates diversity and the oneness of the human spirit. The group holds monthly meetings and special events. (949) 661-3087. https://www.asc-spiritualcommunity.org.

Special Events

* Dr. Harry Moses, author of “It’s So Easy When You Know How” will speak next Sunday at the Pacific Church in Lake Forest. Moses is the director of the New Thought Center of San Diego and host of the New Thought Network television and video series. He lectures nationwide on the power of positive thinking. Church services are at 10:30 a.m. at the El Toro High School, 25255 Toledo Way, Lake Forest. (949) 262-1662.

* Unity Church of Tustin will celebrate the eighth World Day of Prayer during services at 7 a.m., noon and 7 p.m. Thursday. World Day of Prayer is an interfaith event designed to unite people for prayer and raise the spiritual consciousness. Unity believes prayer is a tool for healing, harmony and understanding. The church’s sanctuary will be open all day for prayer. The church is at 14402 S. Prospect Ave. (714) 730-6392 or

https://www.prayer@unitytustin.org

* A Selichot program featuring mysticism and music will take place at 8 p.m. Saturday at Temple Beth David in Westminster. The community is invited to the observance, which will include discussion, dessert and singing. Also, the temple’s Sisterhood will sponsor a meeting from 2 to 4:30 p.m. next Sunday in the Social Hall. Reservations are required by Sunday. Temple Beth David is at 6100 Hefley St. (714) 892-6623.

* The United Methodist Men of the United Methodist Church of Garden Grove will sponsor a “Denim and Diamonds Texas BBQ” beginning today at 6 p.m. An auction is set for 7:15 p.m. Cost is $10 per person or $35 for families of four or more. Proceeds will help fund the scouting ministry’s trip to Washington, D.C. The church is at 12741 Main St. (714) 539-8478.

* Peace advocates of all ages are invited to join in the Orange County Peace Walk/Peace Jam 2001, which will take place Sept. 22 at Triangle Square in Costa Mesa. The interfaith event is being held in celebration of the U.N. International Day of Peace. Walkers will gather on the upper level of Triangle Square at 11:30 a.m. for opening festivities. After the walk, local musicians will perform until 4 p.m. Triangle Square is at 1870 Harbor Blvd., where the Costa Mesa Freeway ends. (949) 646-4652 or https://www.ocuuc.org

* Synagogues throughout Orange County will observe Israel Now Solidarity Sabbath at worship services Friday and next Saturday in an effort coordinated by the Jewish Federation of Orange County. Check with your local synagogue for times and location. Information: Jewish Federation of Orange County, (714) 755-5555.

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Religious event notices of countywide interest 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 e-mailed to gena.pasillas@latimes.com.