BRIEFLY IN RELIGION

Christmas market planned for Sundays

Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach, will sponsor the 4th Annual Alternative Christmas Market on Sunday, Dec. 7 and 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The community is invited to “shop” by making a donation or purchase to benefit organizations providing services around the world.

Organizations participating include the American Friends (Quaker) Service Committee with soaps and fair trade olive oil from the Holy Land; Campaign for Female Education with school shoes and uniforms for girls in rural Africa; World Vision with soccer balls and basketballs.

Fair trade coffees, teas and chocolates from Equal Exchange will be available. Donations will be accepted for the Get On the Bus Program, which brings children from throughout California to visit their parent in prison, and Holy Joe’s Cafe, a coffee ministry providing emotional and spiritual support for military in Iraq and Afghanistan.

For information, call (949) 494-8061.

Children’s choir to perform

Laguna Presbyterian’s Children’s Choir will present “Carriers of the Light” during the morning worship services Sunday at 8:30 and 10 a.m. Children will share in song and vignettes, the story of angels who visit Mary, Joseph, the animals in the stable, and the shepherds, inviting them to be carriers of the Light by passing along the story of the Light of the World with others they meet.

Families with children are welcome. Child care for pre-schoolers and infants is available. Those ages 4 and older are encouraged to join their parents for the story, and then be dismissed for Sunday School.

Laguna Presbyterian’s Fellowship Hall is located in the middle of Second Street between Forest and Mermaid. For further information, contact Linda White, choir director, at lindaflute@sbcglobal.net