FILIPINO SANTACRUZAN: The Festival of the Holy Cross will be at 12:30 p.m. today at Holy Family Cathedral, 800 W 5th Ave., with special novenas to the Virgin Mary and the Holy Cross followed by a procession where children and young adults portray religious characters in search of the True Cross. Mass will follow the procession. There will be a potluck and social activities at the parish hall. (227-8842)

DHARMA SCHOOL: Children ages 4-6 are invited to learn about compassion, awareness and wisdom, 10 a.m.-noon today at Anchorage Zen Community, 359 E. 24th Ave. Call to register. (277-1552, www.alaska-zen.org)

Garage Sale: Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 3900 Wisconsin St. hosts its annual indoor garage sale, 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday.

Summer Schedule: St. John United Methodist Church, 1801 O'Malley Road, has started its summer schedule, with traditional services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. and contemporary service at 6:30 p.m. Sundays. The Rev. Adam Muhr will preach this Sunday, with donations being taken for Birchwood Camp in honor of fathers. (344-3025, www.stjohneagle.org)

ECK Worship: A panel of speakers will discuss spiritual experiences, Hu chant a love song to God and share blessings of the sound and light of God, 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Anchorage Pioneer School House, 437 E. Third Ave.

Pride Weekend: Enjoy music, scripture and the message "Fear N Faith" at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 2222 E. Tudor Road, 2 p.m. Sunday. Communion and social time after worship. (www.anchoragepride.com)

Episcopal Meeting: The Nauska Salmon Episcopal Community will meet from 5-7:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 7208 Duben Ave. There will be informal singing, Bible study, prayer and Holy Communion, followed by a potluck. (337-2974, 529-5218)

HISTORICAL JESUS: A video presentation features Bart Ehrman, professor and chair of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, speaking on the life of the historical Jesus at First Congregational Church, 2610 E. Northern Lights Blvd., 9:30-10:30 a.m. Sundays. (272-8363)

SUMMER WORSHIP: The Rev. Kay Shock leads summer services at Jewel Lake Parish, 3833 Strawberry Road, 9:30-11 a.m. Sundays, followed by Bible study classes for all ages, coffee and snacks. Everyone is welcome. (243-2146, www.jewellakeparish.org)

SUNDAY DEVOTIONS: Baha'is and friends gather to share prayers, singing, refreshments and discussion of spiritual topics at the Anchorage Baha'i Center, 1207 E. 74th Ave., 10 a.m.-noon Sundays. Everyone is welcome. (351-9496, www.anchoragebahai.org)

SOURDOUGH GOSPEL: Enjoy Dusty Sourdough Gospel Concerts at the Sourdough Mining Co. Restaurant Tent City Theater, 5200 Juneau St., 2-p.m. Sundays through August 30. Free. (376-7323, dustysourdough.com)

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE: Listen to the Christian Science Radio Sentinel broadcast, "Your God Given Purpose," 8:30 a.m. Sunday on KBYR 700-AM. Church services and Sunday school for youths through age 19 are at 10 a.m. at 1347 L St. Wednesday evening testimony meetings held at 7:30 p.m. (272-0226, www.christianscience.com)

COME ON IN: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 12310 Lorraine St., offers Sunday school for intensive- and special-needs children, staffed by trained professionals, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sundays. Birthday parties can be arranged. It's free, but registration is required. (345-4823)

MONDAY MEDITATION: Buddhist meditation and wisdom classes will be held at Kaladi Brothers Coffee, 6921 Brayton Drive, 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays, with guided meditation and discussion. Beginners are welcome. $5. (250-9454, www.meditate inalaska.org)

BUDDHIST INTRODUCTION: Learn how to create world peace through individual happiness at the SGI-USA Alaska Community Center, 2702 Gambell St., Suite 202, 7- 8:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. (274-8889, www.sgi-usa.org)

WOMEN'S STUDY: Join a women's Bible study with the Rev. Kay Shock at Jewel Lake Parish, 3833 Strawberry Road, 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Free; supplies are $15. (243-2146, www.jewellakeparish.org)

ZEN NEWCOMERS: Receive basic instruction in seated and walking meditation, 7-8:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays at Anchorage Zen Community, 359 E. 24th Ave. Free. (www.alaska-zen.org)

TUESDAY TOTS: Babies, tots and parents gather to learn and play, 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays at Anchorage Lutheran Church, 1420 N St. Free. (272-5323)

PUBLIC LECTURE: Irene Nowell, O.S.B., will speak on "Illuminating the Saint John's Bible, America's Book of Kells" at Alaska Pacific University's Grant Hall, 4101 University Drive, 7 p.m. Tuesday. A reception will follow. An exhibit of art from the Saint John's Bible, the first illuminated handwritten Bible commissioned by a Benedictine monastery in more than 500 years, will be on display through June 30. Free. (564-8274, www.sjbible.org)

WEDNESDAY WORSHIP: Christian Church of Anchorage, 10800 Lake Otis Parkway, offers "Wednesday Nite Alive" dinner and music worship with Bible study afterward for all ages, 6 p.m. Wednesdays. (522-6020, www.christian churchofanchorage.com)

GRIEF AND DIVORCE SUPPORT: Muldoon Community Assembly sponsors free support groups, 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays, 6901 DeBarr Road. Adults and children welcome. (272-3212, 338-6777)

DIVORCE CARE: Anchorage City Church, 1301 W. 100th Ave., hosts a divorce-care small group, 6:45-9 p.m. Wednesdays. Join others on the road to healing from a divorce or separation. $20. (727-0543, 561-5580, www.anchoragecitychurch.org)

ADVENTURE CLUB: Sand Lake Baptist Church, 7434 Jewel Lake Road, has a children's program, 5:30-7:15 p.m. Wednesdays for ages 6 through sixth grade, beginning with a meal. The program is free. Meals are $2 for adults and $1 for children. (243-2168)

Interfaith Week: In honor of the Interfaith Week of Prayer for Healthcare, Providence Alaska Medical Center will host a service at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Our Lady of Providence Chapel, 3200 Providence Drive. Over 40 faith organizations will gather in Washington, DC in the largest faith-inspired mobilization ever around health care reform. (212-2993, Susan.Halvor@providence.org)

THURSDAY ACTIVITIES: Youth night and women's Bible study are at 7 p.m. every Thursday at Jewel Lake Parish, 3833 Strawberry Road. (243-2146, jewellakeparish.org)

Family Games: Game night for all ages at Unity Church of Anchorage, 1300 E. 68th Ave., 6:30 p.m. Fridays. Games vary each week. Free.

24-HOUR PRAYER: The Alaska Center for Spiritual Living is sponsoring 24/7 prayer assistance by professionally trained prayer practitioners. All calls are confidential. (677-2937, 866-750-7729)

SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE: Change Will Come consulting service provides faith-based guidance for those who seek understanding of how to implement spiritual living. Appointments are available 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekly at 3300 C St., Suite 117. (360-0102)

SUPPORT GROUPS: Anchorage City Church, 1301 W. 100th Ave., offers prayer, study and support groups weekly. (www.anchoragecitychurch.org)

HEALTH SCREENINGS: The parish nurse offers blood pressure screenings and health consultations after Sunday worship and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at Joy Lutheran Church, 10111 E. Eagle River Loop Road. (694-9601)

Matters of Faith is compiled by Joy Guest, 257-4315. To list an event, visit events.adn.com. Submit announcements by 5 p.m. Tuesday for publication in Saturday's paper.