Peace Walk / Peace Jam Scheduled Today

Peace advocates are invited to join in the Orange County Peace Walk / Peace Jam 2001 today at Triangle Square in Costa Mesa. The interfaith event is being held in celebration of the U.N. International Day of Peace. Walkers will gather on the upper level of Triangle Square at 11:30 a.m. for opening festivities. After the walk, local choirs and musicians will perform until 4 p.m. Triangle Square is at 1870 Harbor Blvd., where the Costa Mesa Freeway ends. (949) 646-4652 or https://www.ocuuc.org.

Special Jewish Services

* Synagogues will celebrate the end of the High Holy Days starting at sundown Wednesday for Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Information: Jewish Federation of Orange County, (714) 755-5555.

Special Events

* “Whatever Their Troubles, I Will Answer Their Cry and I Will Be Their God,” will be the theme for this month’s Healing Mass led by the Rev. Eamon O’Gorman at St. Angela Merici Catholic Church in Brea. O’Gorman was one of the first priests to preside at the church’s healing Masses when they began more than 23 years ago. Healing Masses are designed to help those in need of physical, emotional or spiritual healing. The Mass will begin at 7:15 p.m. Monday. The church is at 585 S. Walnut Ave. (714) 525-1774.

* The 23rd Dozynki, the traditional Polish harvest festival, will take place this weekend at the Pope John Paul II Polish Center in Yorba Linda. Guests can view cultural displays and purchase Polish and religious gifts. Other activities include folk dancing and singing, children’s games and a raffle. The celebration begins today with a 4 p.m. Eucharist, followed by food and folk entertainment until 11 p.m. Sunday’s activities begin with a 10:30 a.m. Eucharist, and will end at 6 p.m. The center is at 3999 Rose Dr. (714) 996-8161 or https://www.polishcenter.org

Education

* A grief recovery outreach program will be offered from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays at Presbyterian Church of the Master in Mission Viejo. Counselor Lee Nelson will discuss grief and explain ways of eliminating problems associated with unresolved grief. Child care will be available. The church’s Community Connection Bible classes also will begin on Wednesday. Classes will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. through Oct. 24. The church is at 26051 Marguerite Parkway. (949) 582-2670.

* What is the meaning of life? How can I make the most of the rest of my life? Is it important what I believe? Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Fullerton will sponsor a course on Christian faith, Alpha, beginning with an introduction dinner Sunday at 5 p.m. Classes will continue Sundays for 10 weeks. Alpha, designed by the Anglican Church of England, features a series of 10 videos followed by food and fellowship. Alpha is designed to answer questions, deepen faith and give insight into Biblical teachings. The church is at 1145 W. Valencia Mesa Dr. (714) 879-8070.

* A panel of scientific and theological experts will discuss stem cell research Monday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Tustin. The panelists for “A New Issue for the New Century: the Scientific, Ethical and Moral Implications of Stem Cell Research” include Susan V. Bryant, dean of the School of Biological Sciences at UC Irvine; James Bachman, dean of the School of Theology at Concordia University in Irvine; and Kenneth Schemmer, surgeon and chairman of the Bioethics Committee of St. Jude Hospital in Fullerton. Admission is free. The church is at 1221 Wass St. (714) 544-3141.

* The Orange County Buddhist Church in Anaheim will offer four 8-week classes on Buddhism starting Oct. 1. “The Essence of Spirituality, East and West” (Mondays from 7:30-9 p.m.) will look at what it means to be religious or spiritual using classic theories.

“Introduction to Buddhist Calligraphy” (Tuesdays, starting Oct. 2, from 7:30-9 p.m.) is a beginning course in Japanese calligraphy, which is writing with the Japanese brush, or fude. After covering the basics, the course will focus on the meanings of key Buddhist characters.

“Introduction to Buddhism and Jodo Shinshu” (Tuesdays, starting Oct. 2, from 7:30-9 p.m) is a survey course outlining the basic teachings of Buddhism, the life of Shakyamuni Buddha and the development of Buddhism leading to Jodo Shinshu.

“Shoshinge to Koso Wasan” (Thursdays, starting Oct. 4, from 7:30-9 p.m.) will study Shinran’s Shoshinge and poems of the seven masters. Application deadline is Friday. The church is at 909 S. Dale St., near Ball Road, in Anaheim. (714) 827-9590 or https://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Temple/3540/BECPage.htm

* Looking for a place for fellowship with other women, a place for your young children to play and a place for both of you to learn a little more about the Bible? “Coffee Break” will occur every Wednesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. until next June at First Presbyterian Church of Orange. “Coffee Break” is an informal event for women of all ages. Meetings will take place in the Geneva Room, 191 N. Orange St. (714)633-0571.

Music

* An “All-Bach Concert,” under the direction of William J. Heide, will take place at 7 p.m. Sunday at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Orange. The concert will feature the St. John’s Cathedral Singers, instrumentalists and organ. The event is part of the church’s fifth annual concert series. An offering will be taken. Care for children to age 5 will be available. The church is at 185 S. Center St. (714) 228-4400.

* The Cinnamon Woodwind Quintet will perform as part of the Historic Episcopal Church of the Messiah’s “Concerts by Candlelight “ at 7 p.m. Sunday. A champagne reception will follow in the patio. This free monthly concert series features local musicians. Members of the Cinnamon Quintet are residents of Santa Ana’s historic French Park district. The church is at 614 N. Bush St., Santa Ana. (714) 543-9389.

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Religious event notices of countywide interest may be sent to Gena Pasillas at The Times’ Orange County edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa 92626. They also may be faxed to (714) 966-7711 or sent by e-mail to https://[email protected].