Religion Calendar (8/27)

Chabad Hebrew School accepting new students

Chabad of the East Valley is once again opening its doors to the Jewish community of the East Valley regardless of background or affiliation, and no membership is required for children to learn about their Jewish heritage, culture and holidays.

Every student is special and is encouraged to contribute and participate in each lesson, activity and discussion. School for ages 5 to 13 is held one day a week at Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 3875 W. Ray Road, Suite 6, Chandler.

For more information, contact Shternie at (480) 855-4333 or visit www.chabadcenter.com.

Think Christmas mission

Desert Foothills United Methodist Church will again be leading and coordinating the Feliz Navidad bags for children at the three Mexican Methodist churches it supports.

Additional gifts are always needed to fill bags for children from newborn through age 16, both boys and girls, so if you find any "treasures" while out and about that you would like to donate, please bring them to the church at 2156 E. Liberty Lane and clearly mark them "Christmas." Then, in November, consider joining in the fun and fellowship of preparing the 300-plus bags for the children.

For more information, call Jane at (480) 460-6081 or Doris at (480) 598-9474.

Wednesday, Aug. 27

Candlelight Taize Worship: 7 p.m., St. James Episcopal Church, 975 E. Warner Road, Tempe. Sung prayer remains one of the strongest expressions of our search for God. Simple chants repeated over and over underscore the meditative quality of prayer. All welcome. (480) 345-2686.

Thursday, Aug. 28

CONNECT meeting: 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., Mountain Park Community Church lobby, 2408 Pecos Road. All women are invited to this weekly fellowship, worship and Bible study. Rita Puckett will speak, and the third Joseph lesson focuses on "Rebuilding Trust." Two additional studies, the Gospel of John and Power of a Praying Parent are also offered in the morning session. Childcare is also available for the morning sessions only by pre-registering at connectwomen@cox.net or contacting Rita at (480) 664-4336.

Facing Cancer with the Faith Community conference: Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort, 5401 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Designed to educate the faith community about cancer and provide information about cancer resources throughout Arizona. $35, $10 for students. To register, visit www.twccaz.org/about-the-wellness-community/facingcancer.aspx or call The Wellness Community at (602) 712-1006.

Friday, Aug. 29

Free Marriage Revival seminar: 7 p.m., Ahwatukee Assembly of God, 11832 S. Warner-Elliot Loop. The speaker is Dr. Leo Godzich, president of National Association of Marriage Enhancement, and praise and worship by Steve Cornell. Ahwatukee Assembly of God is now a N.A.M.E. Center, which provides free marriage counseling. (480) 893-6189.

Tuesday, Sept. 2

Ecumenical Retreat V: today through Friday, Chapel Rock Conference Center, Prescott. The $185 fee includes lodging, eight meals and Chapel Rock's ambiance. www.aecunity.net/NewsandEvents/OtherEcumenicalEvents/tabid/24123/Default.aspx.

Thursday, Sept. 4

CONNECT meeting: 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., Mountain Park Community Church lobby, 2408 Pecos Road. All women are invited to this weekly fellowship, worship and Bible study. Karen Benton will speak, and the fourth Joseph lesson focuses on "Dealing with success." Two additional studies, the Gospel of John and Power of a Praying Parent are also offered in the morning session. Childcare is also available for the morning sessions only by pre-registering at connectwomen@cox.net or contacting Rita at (480) 664-4336.

Sunday, Sept. 7

Or Adam celebrates move with meet & greet bagel brunch: 9:30 a.m. to noon, The King David School on the campus of the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center, 12753 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Or Adam Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, formerly at the Barness Family JCC in Chandler, has relocated and will host a bagel brunch for adults, providing an opportunity to tour the building, meet members and more learn about Humanistic Judaism. Children and parents are invited to attend a complimentary Sunlight School class which also begins today. The congregation welcomes all those interested in Jewish connection, culture and celebration, including intermarried families. (480) 663-7788 or info@oradam.org.

Pastor Chat: 11:45 a.m., Desert Foothills United Methodist Church, 2156 E. Liberty Lane. Those interested in getting to know others better are invited for this informal time of community and fellowship for new faces and returning ones. Coffee, tea and refreshments will be served, and childcare is provided. www.desertfoothills.org or (480) 460-1025.

Youth Night: 5 to 7 p.m., Desert Foothills United Methodist Church, 2156 E. Liberty Lane. Come for fellowship and fun with all 6th through 12th graders. www.desertfoothills.org or (480) 460-1025.

Wednesday, Sept. 10

Coffee Break Women's Ministry - new study: 9:15 to 11:30 a.m., Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 3550 E. Knox Road. Scripture study, prayer and fellowship. $15 for 10 sessions. Everyone welcome. Childcare will be offered free of charge. For information, email CoffeeBreakMin@aol.com. To pre-register (required), call the Religious Education office at (480) 893-1160.

Thursday, Sept. 11

CONNECT meeting: 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., Mountain Park Community Church lobby, 2408 Pecos Road. All women are invited to this weekly fellowship, worship and Bible study. Lisa Bisetti will speak, and the fifth Joseph lesson focuses on "Forgiveness." Two additional studies, the Gospel of John and Power of a Praying Parent are also offered in the morning session. Childcare is also available for the morning sessions only by pre-registering at connectwomen@cox.net or contacting Rita at (480) 664-4336.

Friday, Sept. 12

Conversational Evangelism Conference: today and tomorrow, hosted by Mountain View Lutheran Church, 11002 S. 48th St. The conference brings together evangelism experts Todd Hunter, David Kinnaman, Garry Poole, Randy Siever, Elisa Morgan and Jim Henderson. Other area churches and ministries helping are Alpha Arizona, Foothills Baptist Church, Mountain Park Community Church, North Phoenix Baptist Church, Love of Christ Lutheran Church, Living Faith Anglican Church, Desert Hills Presbyterian Church and Cares Apartment Ministries. More than 600 people are expected to gather to discuss the evolution of evangelism. Tickets start at $79. Information and registration: www.conversationalevangelism.net/phoenix/ or Beth, (602) 614-7899.

Saturday, Oct. 4

Annual Women's Business Conference: 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m., Arizona Community Church, 9325 S. Rural Road, Tempe. The event is targeted to Christian women who own small businesses with less than 10 employees and those women looking to start their own businesses. Includes continental breakfast, boxed lunch, two keynote presentations, powerful networking opportunities and two additional speaker sessions on Marketing and Praying for Your Business - all from a Christian perspective. Crossroads Youth Intervention (cryi.org) is the charity beneficiary of this event. Attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped Christmas gift for a child age 3 to 12 (value $5 to $10) to be donated to CYI. The mission of CYI is to help children, youth, families and individuals overcome the challenges of life in the inner-city. Registration is $35 for attendees, and exhibit spaces are available for $50 (which includes one attendee admission). To register, visit www.azcc.org/awe07_08_cwbc.html or contact Janet Drez at (480) 491-2210 or jdrez@azcc.org.

Friday, Oct. 17

Inaugural Desert Foothills United Methodist Church Women's Retreat: today through Sunday, Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery in northwest Phoenix. The topic is "Prayerful Pathways." The fee is $150, with a small amount of scholarship money for those with financial difficulties.  Registration begins in late August and all are welcome to join in this fun weekend of fellowship and spiritual growth. Sue, suemagrath@msn.com.

Sundays

Sunday school classes: Barness Family East Valley Jewish Community Center, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Offered by Or Adam Congregation. Grades Pre-K through 10, teen youth group, adult education programs, holiday celebrations and monthly Shabbat services. (480) 663-7788 or www.oradam.org.

Youth groups: 4:30 to 6 p.m. (middle school), 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (high school), Horizon Presbyterian Church, 1401 E. Liberty Lane. "Collision" is the middle school youth group and "Remedy" is the high school youth group. Relax, eat snacks, play games, have fellowship and hear topical messages relating to issues in their lives. All area youth are invited to join energetic and insightful Elliot Munro as he leads these groups. (480) 460-1480.

Desert Foothills United Methodist Church Youth group for sixth to 12th grades: 6 to 7 p.m., volleyball practice at Desert Foothills Park. www.desertfoothills.org or (480) 460-1025.

Gamblers Anonymous: 7:30 p.m., Mountain View Lutheran Church, 11002 S. 48th St. (480) 893-2729 or (480) 598-1226.

Mondays

Holy Yoga "Slow Flow" classes: 8:45 to 10 a.m., Esperanza Lutheran Church, 2601 E. Thunderhill Place. Led by certified and registered Holy Yoga instructor Kathy Marcucci. Donation based. yogakathy@cox.net or (602) 617-2407.

Christ-centered Yoga: 6 to 7 p.m., Mountain Park Community Church, 2408 E. Pecos Road. This is a Flow 1-2 class (intermediate and taught by Elena) and is free and open to the community. Greg Battle, (480) 759-6200 or gbattle@moutainpark.org.

GriefShare: 6:30 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 739 W. Erie St., Chandler. Classes for  those grieving over death or divorce. (480) 963-4127.

GriefShare: 7 p.m., Chandler Christian Church, room C201, 1825 S. Alma School Road, Chandler. Support group for those struggling with how to deal with a loss in life, meets at Free. Pastor Larry Daily, (480) 963-3997, ext. 141, larrydaily@chandlercc.org or www.chandlercc.org.

Tuesdays

Holy Yoga: 9 a.m., Horizon Presbyterian Church, 1401 E. Liberty Lane. Led by Holy Yoga Founder Brooke Boon. (480) 460-1480.

Seniors Terrific Tuesdays: 10:30 a.m. to noon, Barness Family East Valley Jewish Community Center, 908 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. The program is free and includes bagels and coffee and a different speaker or theme each week. See old friends and make new ones. Registration not needed. www.evjcc.org or (480) 897-0588.

DivorceCare and DivorceCare for Kids (ages 5 to 12): 6:30 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 739 W. Erie St., Chandler. (480) 963-4127.

Bible reading sessions for pleasure: 7 to 8 p.m., Chandler Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1188 W. Galveston St. Bring a Bible, or Bibles are available at the sessions. Free. Lori, (480) 917-3593.

Wednesdays

Arizona Women's Experience, AWE!: 8:45 a.m. or 6:30 p.m., Arizona Community Church, 9325 S. Rural Road, Tempe. Connect with friends, learn from the Bible and be challenged in your walk with God. Free childcare available for morning. (480) 491-2210, ext. 226.

Lunch and Learn discussions: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Har Zion Congregation, 6140 E. Thunderbird Road, Scottsdale. Open to the public. $3 per person, lunch is served during the discussion led by Harold Falk. "Discussion of the 613 Mitzvot." Beit Midrash with Rabbi Mark Bisman is held at 1:15 p.m. on the first and second Wednesdays. (480) 991-0720.

T.N.T. (Teens N Torah) for Jewish teenagers: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 3855 W. Ray Road, Suite 6, Chandler. Offered by Chabad of the East Valley for teens ages 13 to 17. The program combines education and social interaction with videos followed by discussion, fun, trips, games, community service projects and thought-provoking discussions. Shternie, (480) 753-5366 or www.chabadcenter.com.

Thursdays

Christ-centered Yoga: 6 to 7 p.m., Mountain Park Community Church, 2408 E. Pecos Road. Have a spiritual experience disguised as exercise! Elena or Rosie will teach a level 1 class, and all you need is a yoga mat or beach towel. Free and open to the community. Greg Battle, (480) 759-6200 or gbattle@mountainpark.org.

Holy Yoga: 6 p.m., Horizon Presbyterian Church, 1401 E. Liberty Lane. Led by Holy Yoga Founder Brooke Boon. (480) 460-1480.

DC4K - DivorceCare for Kids: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Chandler Christian Church, room C202, 1825 S. Alma School Road, Chandler. Support group for children ages 6 to 12 coping with a separation or divorce in the family. One-time $10 fee includes snacks and workbook. Pastor Larry Daily, (480) 963-3997, ext. 141, larrydaily@chandlercc.org or www.chandlercc.org.

Exodus Men's Group: 7 to 8:30 p.m., House of Refuge Office, 6935 E. Williams Field Road, Mesa. Apply the biblical principles of AA's 12-step program based on John Baker's Celebrate Recovery series. Offers experiences, strength, support and hope in Christ to overcome addictions and habitual sin. Attendance and childcare are free. Josh, (480) 228-1901 or http://victorious.wangerinweb.com/.

Fridays

Weight Watchers: 9 a.m., Desert Foothills United Methodist Church, 2156 E. Liberty Lane. www.desertfoothills.org or (480) 460-1025.

Holy Yoga: 9:15 a.m., Horizon Presbyterian Church, 1401 E. Liberty Lane. Led by Holy Yoga Founder Brooke Boon. (480) 460-1480.

Toddler Shabbat (begins Aug. 15): 9:30 a.m., Temple Emanuel, 5801 S. Rural Road, Tempe. Celebrate Shabbat with a service, music, and a craft project designed for children 0 to 5 years old and their parents or other adult. (480) 838-1414 or www.emanueloftempe.org.

Torah Tots: 10:15 to 11 a.m., members' homes. Hosted by Chabad of the East Valley for children ages 2 to 5. Features hands-on activities about the Shabbat, songs, stories and crafts, and all children will make and braid their very own challah. (480) 785-5831.

Celebrate Recovery Support Group: 6 p.m., Ahwatukee Assembly of God, 11832 S. Warner-Elliot Loop. Addressing all types of habits, hurts and hang-ups. Starts with dinner, large group meeting at 7 p.m., small group meetings at 7:45, café at 9 p.m. (480) 893-6189.

Shabbat services: first Fridays, Temple Emanuel, 5801 S. Rural Road, Tempe. "Nosh" at 6 p.m. and then enjoy the Shir Shabbat service led by the Shabba-Tones, the Shabbat musical group, at 6:30 p.m. (480) 838-1414 or www.emanueloftempe.org.

Shabbat Services: 6 p.m. Fridays, except on the Second Friday of each month at 8 p.m., Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley, 3400 N. Dobson Road, Chandler. Shabbat Morning and Torah Service, weekly at 9 a.m. (480) 897-3636 or www.templebethsholomaz.org.

"Nosh" and worship: third Fridays, Temple Emanuel, 5801 S. Rural Road, Tempe. "Nosh" at 6 p.m., worship at a Kabbalat service at 6:30 p.m. The service is followed by an congregational dinner (by reservation only.) Optional Israeli dancing rounds out the night after dinner. (480) 838-1414 or www.emanueloftempe.org.

Tots N'Torah: 6:30 p.m. second Fridays, Temple Emanuel, 5801 S. Rural Road, Tempe. Designed for children 0-5 and their parents or other adult. Following the service is an Oneg Shabbat, a time for a snack and to meet other families with young children. (480) 838-1414 or www.emanueloftempe.org.

Congregation Eitz Chaim of Ahwatukee shabbat services: 7:30 p.m., Ahwatukee Foothills Prep School, 10201 S. 50th Place. Congregation Eitz Chaim is traditional and egalitarian. Newcomers are always welcome. Rabbi/Cantor Victor I. Beck, (602) 595-3618, rabbibeck@rabbibeck.com or www.eitzchaimphoenix.org.

Shabbat: 7:30 p.m. second, fourth, and fifth Fridays, Temple Emanuel, 5801 S. Rural Road, Tempe. Traditional service followed by an Oneg Shabbat. (480) 838-1414 or www.emanueloftempe.org.

Saturdays

Men's program: 8 a.m., Arts and Crafts Room, Sun Lakes Country Club (Phase One). Men learn how to achieve greater joy in their lives ... joy that they can share with others. A byproduct of this program is fellowship - men of God with men of God.

The men who wish to come early for breakfast do so around 7:30 a.m. All men are welcome.

Optional study session, Shabbat service: Temple Emanuel, 5801 S. Rural Road, Tempe. Optional study session at 8:20 a.m., Shabbat morning service at 9:30 a.m., followed by a kiddush. (480) 838-1414 or www.emanueloftempe.org.

Congregation Eitz Chaim of Ahwatukee Sabbath morning services: 9 a.m. first Saturdays, Ahwatukee Foothills Prep School, 10201 S. 50th Place. Congregation Eitz Chaim is traditional and egalitarian. Newcomers are always welcome. Rabbi/Cantor Victor I. Beck, (602) 595-3618, rabbibeck@rabbibeck.com or www.eitzchaimphoenix.org.

Christ-centered Yoga: 9 to 10 a.m., Mountain Park Community Church, 2408 E. Pecos Road. After a long week, or to start your weekend off with a spiritual start, try the beginning/gentle yoga class taught by Rosie. This class is free and open to the community and is a great intro into Christ Centered yoga. Greg Battle, (480) 759-6200 or gbattle@moutainpark.org.

Holy Yoga: 9 a.m., Horizon Presbyterian Church, 1401 E. Liberty Lane. Led by Holy Yoga Founder Brooke Boon. (480) 460-1480.

Jazz Vespers with The Bob Ravenscroft Trio: 6 p.m., Ascension Lutheran Church, 7100 N. Mockingbird Lane, Paradise Valley. Free and open to the public. (480) 948-6050.

Send submissions to: (480) 898-7924 or jwalker@ahwatukee.com.