Religion calendar for the week of Nov. 28v

By North County Times | Friday, November 28, 2008 12:25 AM PST ∞

AIDS Memorial Quilt and service ---- Pilgrim United Church of Christ will display 96 panels of the Names Project Foundation's AIDS Memorial Quilt to mark World AIDS Day; noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday; World AIDS Day service 10 a.m. Sunday; 2020 Chestnut Ave., Carlsbad; free (collection at Sunday service); (760) 729-6311 or pilgrimucc.org.

Cole-Whittaker to speak ---- Best-selling author Terry Cole-Whittaker will speak on the topic of "You Are Greater Than You Think You Are" at morning services at Seaside Center for Spiritual Living; 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday; 1613 Lake Drive, Encinitas; free-will collection; (760) 753-5786 or seasidecenter.org.

"Hanging of the Greens" ---- First Congregational Church of Escondido is marking the start of Advent with a new tradition: "Hanging of the Greens." This special service, in which the church will be decorated with evergreens, wreaths and poinsettias, will conclude with the lighting of candles and the adornment of the creche; 10 a.m. Sunday; 1800 N. Broadway, Escondido; (760) 745-3320 or fcceonline.org.

Local churches to mark World AIDS Day ---- The United Methodist Church of Vista and Trinity Episcopal Church of Escondido each will host services on World AIDS Day to commemorate those lost to the disease; the service at UMC-Vista is at 7 p.m. Monday; 490 S. Melrose Drive; to have a loved one remembered at the service by the lighting of a special candle, contact the church office; (760) 726-0442 or umcvista.org; the service at Trinity Episcopal is at 7 p.m. Monday and will feature the Rev. James R. Mathes, bishop of the San Diego Episcopal diocese, giving the sermon; 845 Chestnut St., Escondido; (760) 743-1629 or visit trinityescondido.org.

Women's enrichment night ----- Riverview Evangelical Free Church is hosting a "Woman to Woman Dinner" with a catered dinner, raffle basket and guest speaker Kris Jordan, who will speak on her missionary work both abroad and on skid row in the United States; 6 p.m. Wednesday; 4980 Sweetgrass Lane, Bonsall; $12, advance registration required (through Sunday); (760) 941-1430 or refc.org.

All-faiths dialogue ---- Kenyan social activist Wahu Kaara will be the featured speaker at an interfaith discussion group and luncheon in La Costa; 9:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday; free; call the Rev. Judy Blonski at (760) 599-0389 for reservations and directions.

Blue Christmas luncheon ---- First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside is hosting a luncheon for those who have lost a loved one recently and may be having difficulty coping with the holidays; noon Thursday; 2001 El Camino Real, Oceanside; please reserve by Monday; (760) 757-3560 or fpcoceanside.org.

'God-given gifts' form exhibit ---- A new exhibit in the gallery of the Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church features paintings from a recent event by the church's Arts Forum; members of the congregation, amateur to professional, each created a large painting from the scenery from a member's backyard, each encouraged to explore their God-given talents; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily through Wednesday; 17010 Pomerado Road; free; (858) 487-0811 or rbcpc.org.

Contemplative rosary ---- San Rafael Catholic Church is hosting a contemplative rosary reading with the "Joyful Mysteries" sung by the parish choir; 7 p.m. Dec. 5; 17252 Bernardo Center Drive, Rancho Bernardo; free; (858) 487-4314 or sanrafaelparish.org.

Healing mission scheduled ---- The Anglican Church of the Resurrection is hosting a healing mission, "The Spirit Comes in Power," led by the Rev. Josh Acton, rector of Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church in Yuma, Ariz., and director of Desert Call Healing Ministries; the two-day program begins at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and continues at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 6; 135 Vallecitos de Oro, Suite F., San Marcos; $40 per person; (760) 471-5205 or resurrectionsanmarcos.org.

Foundational healing program ---- Aglow International of North County will present Pastor Chris Clarke, who will speak on the topic of "Foundational Healing: A Mother's Blessing" at the December meeting; 10 a.m. Dec. 6; Hope United Methodist Church, 16550 Bernardo Heights Parkway, Rancho Bernardo; $6.50, includes brunch; (858) 945-8668.

Christmas Train and Town Square Village ---- Escondido Christian Center is hosting an outdoor Christmas village based on Currier and Ives' artwork; 5-8:30 p.m. Dec. 6-8; 927 Idaho Ave., Escondido; free; (760) 745-0505 or escondidochristiancenter.com.

Alternative Gift Fair ---- St. Peter's Catholic Church is hosting an Alternative Gift Fair, with handmade art, clothing, gifts, food and donations to charity; 8 a.m.-2 p.m., 5-7 p.m. Dec. 7; 450 S. Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook; free to attend; (760) 728-7034.

Messiah singalong ---- St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church is hosting a singalong of Handel's Messiah, with more than 110 singers, including the St. Bartholomew's Coventry Choir and choirs from San Rafael Catholic Church, Rancho Bernardo Baptist Church, the Lutheran Church of the Incarnation and more; 4 p.m. Dec. 7; 16275 Pomerado Road, Poway; $10, includes post-performance reception; (858) 487-2159 or stbartschurch.org.

Bethlehem Village ---- First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside is sharing the experiece of the first Christmas with a concert by the children's choir, a performance of Lamb's Players' "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" and then a dinner, crafts and activities in a re-creation of Bethlehem; 4 p.m. Dec. 7; 2001 El Camino Real, Oceanside; $5 per family; (760) 757-3560 or fpcoceanside.org.

"Celebration of Memories" ---- Emmanuel Faith Community Church is hosting a "Celebration of Memories" service to reflect on loved ones, with special music, poetry and a message of hope; participants are encouraged to bring a photo of their loved ones to be placed in front of the chapel during the service (photos will be returned); 4 p.m. Dec. 7; 639 E. Felicita Ave., Escondido; free-will collection; (760) 745-2541 or efcc.org.

Advent retreat at Mission San Luis Rey ---- Brother Mark Schroeder will lead a three-day retreat focused on "The Gift of Peace" to help deepen awareness of the Incarnation; the retreat starts at 4 p.m. Dec. 12 and runs through lunch Dec. 14; 4050 Mission Ave., Oceanside; $100-$220, depending on accommodations; (760) 757-3659 or sanluisrey.org.

Messiah singalong ---- The University of San Diego is hosting a Messiah singalong with the USD Symphony Orchestra; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12; Founders Chapel, Founders Hall, University of San Diego; free-will donation at the door; (619) 260-4171.

Bethlehem Walk ---- First United Methodist Church of Escondido is hosting a re-creation of biblical Bethlehem, with congregation members from more than a dozen North County churches combining forces to portray the people of the village; 5:30-9 p.m., Dec. 12, 4:30-9 p.m. Dec. 13, and 4-8 p.m. Dec. 14; 341 S. Kalmia St., Escondido; free, but those with reservations given priority; (760) 745-5100 or bethlehemwalk@fumcesc.com.

Bethlehem Village ---- North City Presbyterian Church is hosting Bethlehem Village, a re-creation of the birth of Jesus; 6-9 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13; 11717 Poway Road, Poway; free; (858) 748-4642 or northcitychurch.com.

"Navidad in el Barrio" ---- Palomar Heights Church is hosting a three-day Latino-themed Christmas celebration, with games, prizes, face-painting and other family activities, plus a Christmas concert in Spanish; movie with popcorn and drinks, 6 p.m. Dec. 12; concert with doughnuts and drinks, 5:30 pm. Dec. 13; holiday festival with game booths and activities, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 14; 970 Los Vallecitos Blvd., San Marcos; free; (760) 752-7895 or palomarheights.com.

Ornament workshop ---- The Church at Rancho Bernardo is holding a Christmas ornament workshop for women and children ---- children must be accompanied by an adult to participate; 10 a.m. Dec. 13; 11740 Bernardo Plaza Court, Rancho Bernardo; $15 for adults, $5 for children before Dec. 7; $20 for adults after Dec. 7 (children's price won't change); (858) 592-2434 or thechurchatrb.org.

"Angels Rejoice" ---- Bethlehem Lutheran Church is presenting a Christmas program of carols and holiday songs, performed by the handbell choir, teen rock ensemble, and children's and adult choirs; 4 p.m. Dec. 14; 925 Balour Drive, Encinitas; free-will collection; (760) 753-1026.

Annual Christmas concert ---- San Rafael Catholic Church is hosting its annual parish Christmas concert, performed by the church's combined choirs and handbell choir.; 4 p.m. Dec. 14; 17252 Bernardo Center Drive, Rancho Bernardo; free; (858) 487-4314 or sanrafaelparish.org.

Ecumenical Christmas program ---- "Christmas Singing, Christmas Ringing" will be presented by the Campanile Ringers of Clairemont Lutheran Church and the combined adult and youth choirs of the Poway Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; 7 p.m. Dec. 14; Poway Stake Center, 15750 Bernardo Heights Parkway, Rancho Bernardo; free; call Toni Thomas at (858) 748-4681.

Christmas show in Fallbrook ---- The Fallbrook Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is presenting its annual Tri-Ward Christmas Musical Fireside; this year's theme is "Journey to Bethlehem," with various choral numbers performed and a reception with hors d'oeuvres and desserts; 7 p.m. Dec. 14; 621 Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook; free; (760) 728-4244.