Service to Feature Koto Player

A special musical performance by Setsumi Kojima is planned for Sunday’s service at College United Methodist Church in Ventura. Kojima will perform a French carol, “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent,” and “I Wonder as I Wander” on the koto, an ancient Japanese instrument that resembles a harp.

The koto, originally from China 1,200 years ago, has 13 strings. Danielle Wilson will accompany Kojima on the flute, said Kathy Campbell, a College United Methodist member.

Performances are at 8:50 and 10:30 a.m. during the regular Sunday service. The church is at 4300 Telegraph Road. For information, call 642-3282.

Moorpark Food Basket Giveaway

The Moorpark United Methodist Church, Catholic Charities, the ACT Club of Moorpark High School and Active Citizens of Today will hold a food basket giveaway for Moorpark families in need. Food basket distribution will be held today beginning at noon.

Anyone interested in contributing or helping with the program may call the Moorpark United Methodist Church office at 529-1401.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services

Sonrise Christian Fellowship in Simi Valley has scheduled four Christmas Eve candlelight services for Dec. 24: 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. The sermon topic for services today and Sunday will be “The Cradle That Rocked the World.” Saturday’s services are at 4:45 and 7 p.m. Sunday’s morning services are at 9 and 11.

Sonrise Fellowship is at 2350 Shasta Way. For information, call the church at 581-1628.

St. Paul’s Plans Carols, Potluck

Special carols with music by the chancel choir will be featured at Sunday’s 10 a.m. service at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Oxnard. Church school for children and adults begins at 9 a.m.

An all-church potluck will begin at 5 p.m., and the annual Christmas program will follow. The church’s children will perform songs from around the world.

The public is invited to bring traditional Christmas foods from their culture or others.

Candlelight Christmas Eve service begins at 7 p.m. on Dec. 24. The church is at 1800 South C St. For information, call 487-2711.

Artist, Author to Sign Book

Artist Andy Lakey and author Keith Richardson will be available to sign Richardson’s book, “Andy Lakey’s Psychomanteum,” today and Sunday at the Things from Heaven store at 365 E. Main St. in Ventura.

Hours both days are noon to 5 p.m. For information, call 648-5689.

Mass for Expectant Mothers

All expectant mothers are invited to attend a special pregnancy Mass in their honor at Padre Serra Parish in Camarillo on Sunday.

Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. The parish is at 5204 Upland Road. For more information, call Marg Hanlon at 482-6417.

Sundown Hanukkah Celebration

Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks invites the public to celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, on Tuesday at sundown. The kindling of the first candle is set for 5 p.m.

Cantor Jeff Cohen will lead the singing of the blessing and Happy Hanukkah songs. Several temple families will lead in lighting Hanukkah menorahs. Live music, a play by students, magic tricks and hot latkes with applesauce will be served by the Men’s Club as part of the evening.

Temple Etz Chaim serves approximately 700 families in the greater Conejo Valley and offers religious, social and educational programs to all ages. It is at 1080 Janss Road. For information, call 497-6891.

18-Foot Menorah to Be Lighted

An 18-foot menorah will be on display when the Chabad of the Conejo hosts the annual menorah lighting service at The Oaks shopping center, Robinsons-May East Court, on Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m. in Thousand Oaks. The menorah will be on display through January.

The holiday of Hanukkah is a festival of victory and celebration, highlighted by the kindling of menorahs each night of the holiday.

For information, call Diane Boyd at 376-3515. The Oaks is at 222 W. Hillcrest Drive.

Spanish, English Liturgies

Christmas Eve liturgies at Oxnard’s St. Anthony’s Church will be celebrated at 5:15 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 24, with a bilingual liturgy at midnight.

Christmas Day liturgies will be celebrated at 7:30, 9 and 10:30 a.m., with two Spanish liturgies following at noon and 1:30 p.m.

St. Anthony’s is at 2511 S. C St. For more information, call Betty Kennedy at 486-0018.

3 Christmas Eve Services

Three special Christmas Eve services are scheduled at Camarillo United Methodist Church. The 5 p.m. service is especially for families and youths. Another service will be at 7 p.m., and the 11 p.m. service will be a candlelight ceremony.

The church is at 291 Anacapa Drive. For information, call church secretary Patricia Carroll at 482-4312.

‘Going Home for Christmas’

“Going Home for Christmas” will be the Rev. Irma Oestmann’s subject at the Unity Center service on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

“You can make your best holiday season ever by going home to your greater self,” said Oestmann. The evening will conclude with a meditation.

Unity Center meetings are held in the community room at 4373 Park Terrace Drive in Westlake Village. For information, call 480-9689.

Parish Delivers Donations to L.A.

Members of St. Maximilian Catholic Church in Oak Park drove a truck loaded with gifts to their sister parish of St. Michael’s in Los Angeles this week. Parishioners donated food, toys and blankets for 127 families at St. Michael’s.

The outreach program has included choir exchanges and donations for more than five years.

St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish was founded in Oak Park in 1992 and currently uses a storefront at 1125 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village, across the street from the future church building. For information call (818) 991-3915.

All-Day Jewish Fair

“Hanukkah Wonderland,” an all-day fair of Jewish culture and entertainment, will take place at Calamigos Ranch near Agoura Hills on Dec. 28. The Conejo Valley branch of Chabad is co-sponsoring the family extravaganza with the San Fernando branch. Music, rides, games, kosher food stands, petting zoo, monkey show and clowns will be topped off by a circus act and grand menorah kindling at dusk.

Hanukkah Wonderland attracted more than 8,000 people in 1996.

“The primary purpose of the Wonderland is the utilize the opportune holiday of Hanukkah to reunite the greater Jewish community,” said Rabbi Moshe Bryski, executive director of Chabad of the Conejo. Bryski hopes this year’s program will once again involve those who identify themselves as Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or unaffiliated Jews.

The free event will begin at 11 a.m. and end with 5 p.m. closing ceremonies. Calamigos Ranch is located at Mulholland Highway just off Kanan Road. For information, call (818) 991-0991.

Evangelist-Author to Speak

Evangelist and author Dick Mills will speak at Love International Outreach Fellowship in Ventura on Dec. 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Ordained by the International Church of Foursquare Gospel in 1949, Mills traveled as an evangelist throughout Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Australia and the United States.

The church is at 1620-A Mesa Verde Drive. Child care is available. Call 647-5463 for information.

Religion Briefs is a weekly listing that runs each Saturday. Please address items, with a publishable telephone number to Religion Briefs, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001. Items can also be faxed to The Times at 653-7576 or 653-7548.