In Theory: How can Pilot better cover religion in Newport-Mesa

How could the Daily Pilot do a better job of covering religion and spirituality in the Newport-Mesa area? What are some of the local issues or stories about your church, synagogue, mosque or temple that need to be told?

Faith communities contribute mightily to life in our area. The Daily Pilot might ask what we do with: hunger and homelessness, hospitals, prisons, schools (public and private), and governmental agencies; welcoming children and families as well as oldsters like me; music in worship; evangelism and proselytizing; education in our faith and heritage and that of others unlike ourselves; communicating and advertising; and balancing budgets with programs in these financially challenging times.

We might even get personal and honest about believing and practicing what we preach and teach by, for example, writing what we think John Wesley meant when he said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

The Very Rev’d. Canon Peter D. Haynes

St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Parish Church

Corona del Mar

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I know resources like photographers and reporters are expensive to send out on the weekends, but that is the best way to cover religious events. I think the most newsworthy events are ones that show how the religious centers are serving their congregations and the community in these challenging times. It would be helpful to publish the websites of these centers so people can find out more about them.

For instance, we’re having our annual People Helping People Fest, this Sunday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 695 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa. We’ve invited over 34 nonprofits to put up booths and we’re encouraging the public to find a nonprofit they like and volunteer 12 hours of time. More details can be found at https://www.phpfest.org.

“Service is the best way to beat depression,” says Don Burkhead.

Jim Turrell

Center for Spiritual Living Newport-Mesa

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The covering of different important religious observances would be appreciated. For example: Easter, Christmas, Ash Wednesday, All Souls Day and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Interviews with those involved would help the public’s understanding of the reason we celebrate such feasts. Also, something as simple as including as a public service announcement the times services will be offered on Christmas and Easter would be helpful.

Moral issues should be addressed, and social issues should be examined as well. There is much religious diversity in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, and having more in depth analysis of what different religions profess can only help our understanding and appreciation.

Fr. Stephen Doktorczyk

St. Joachim Church

Costa Mesa