FAITH CALENDAR

SCHOOL KICKOFF

St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church hosts a “Surfin’ Fall Kick Off” party

from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at 2100 Mar Vista Drive. Free.

Children’s activities include a moon bounce, face-painting and organized

games. (949) 644-1341.

OPEN HOUSE

The Jewish Community Center of Orange County holds an Open House from

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the center, 250 E. Baker St. The event will

highlight the programs and classes offered by the center. Free. Door

prizes, a raffle and discount options for class registrations are also

planned. (714) 755-0340.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS

The Presbyterian Church of the Covenant will have its annual All

Church, All Friends and Family Picnic following the 10 a.m. Sunday

worship service. The picnic is at Wakeham Park, 3400 Smalley St., Costa

Mesa. (714) 557-3340.

‘SOCK HOP’

St. Barnabas Orthodox Church of Costa Mesa will hold a fund-raiser

“Sock Hop” from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday in St. Luke’s Orthodox Church’s

fellowship hall, 13261 Dunklee Ave., Garden Grove. A band will play 1950s

and ‘60s music. Proceeds will benefit St. Barnabas’ Icon Projects. (714)

429-0587.

OPEN HOUSE SELICHOT

Temple Isaiah of Newport Beach-Conservative will host an Open House

Selichot -- prayers and preparation for the High Holy Days -- for

members, friends and newcomers to the area at 8 p.m. Sept. 23. It will be

held at the temple, 2401 Irvine Ave. (949) 548-6900.

NEW VISION

New Thought Community Church will hold a celebration for its new

vision and mission for a child-centered church beginning at 10 am. Oct. 1

at the Costa Mesa Community Center, 1845 Park Ave. (949) 646-3199.

SEMINARS

LECTURE FROM RABBI

Rabbi Jossi Mentz, director of education of the Hebrew Academy, will

lecture at the Temple Isaiah of Newport Beach at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at

2401 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach. (949) 548-6900.

SPIRITUAL SIGHT

Divaldo Franco, a Brazilian lecturer and author, will give a lecture

titled “Self Healing from a Spiritist Eye” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at the

Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 1259 Victoria St., Costa

Mesa. (714) 449-3255.

WORKSHOPS

STUDY GROUP

The Costa Mesa Word Study begins its fall study from the book of

Romans at 9:15 a.m. Sept. 20. A kickoff brunch will be held that day. The

group will meet Wednesdays through through Nov. 15 at the Newport-Mesa

Christian Center, 2599 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa. (714) 577-6788.

WEEKLY EVENTS

ILLNESS SUPPORT GROUP

Jewish Family Service of Orange County sponsors an ongoing Jewish

healing support group for people experiencing chronic illness. The group

will meet at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Jewish Family Service, 250 E. Baker St.,

Suite G, Costa Mesa. Free. Preregistration required. (714) 445-4950.

ABUSE SUPPORT GROUP

St. Mark Presbyterian Church hosts a faith-based, nonsectarian abuse

support group from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays at the church, 2100 Mar Vista

Ave., Newport Beach. The group is $5 or donations. (949) 721-8079.

‘JESUS IN BLUE JEANS’

The Rev. Gail Miller holds a class based on Laurie Beth Jones’ book

“Jesus in Blue Jeans” from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays. The class will consider

the ways Jesus would deal with practical, everyday challenges. The class

meets at New Thought Community Church, 1929 Tustin Ave., Costa Mesa.

Prices and information: (949) 646-3199.

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP

The Men’s Fellowship Breakfast Group meets from 7 to 8 a.m. Wednesdays

at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. The group meets in the church’s

Dierenfield Hall, 600 St. Andrews Road, Newport Beach. Free. (949)

574-2239.

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP GROUP

Presbyterian Church of the Covenant’s men’s fellowship group meets

from 8 to 9 a.m. Wednesdays at the Village Farmer restaurant, across from

South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. (714) 557-3340.

DESIGN OF UNIVERSE?

Christ Lutheran Church is holding an eight-week series of discussions

on “Signs of Intelligent Design” in the universe. The meetings are from 6

to 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the church, 760 Victoria St., Room 112, Costa

Mesa. Free. (949) 645-8381.

AT A CROSSROADS

Presbyterian Church of the Covenant hosts “Crossroads” for sixth-,

seventh- and eighth-graders from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays at 2850

Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. The program includes dinner, games and Bible

study. A $2 donation is suggested. (714) 557-3340.

HELP WITH HEALING

Jewish Family Services of Orange County sponsors an ongoing Jewish

healing support group at 7 p.m. Thursdays for people who suffer from

chronic illness. The group’s purpose is to provide participants with

emotional and spiritual support to help manage the effects illnesses have

on people’s lives. Meetings are at 250 E. Baker St., Suite G., Costa

Mesa. Free. Preregistration required. (714) 445-4950.

WEEKLY KIDS’ PROGRAM

Presbyterian Church of the Covenant presents “Children of Our Lord,” a

weekly Thursday evening program for first- through fifth-graders. Games,

a speaker and dinner are included for a $2 donation. The church is at

2850 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. (714) 557-3340.

* Is your church or place of worship planning a special event? If so,

send the typed information at least two weeks before the event to the

Daily Pilot, 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627, attention: Nancy

Cheever, religion editor; fax to (949) 646-4170 or e-mail to o7

dailypilot@latimes.comf7 .