Anchorage Daily News

Faith & values

An Alaska journalism professor writes a news blog about religion and values in Anchorage.

adn.com/faithvalues

Looking for a church?

Chris Thompson visits local churches and evaluates them on their welcome, their teaching and their music.

adn.com/churchvisits

BUDDHIST RETREAT: Chagdud Tromge Ling Buddhist Center presents the Abbot of Katog Choling Monastery in Tibet, Kentrul Lodro Thaye Rinpoche, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Sunday for a retreat on "The Heart Essence of Interdependent Origination" at the Providence Cancer Treatment Center, second floor, 3851 Piper St. The cost is $150, but no one is turned away for lack of funds. For details, call 345-4889 or e-mail tromgeling@gmail.com.

PRAYER CONFERENCE: Point to Hope Ministries presents a Prophetic Prayer Conference at 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. today at Abbott Loop Community Church, 2626 Abbott Road. Speakers will be Nancy Haney, Matt Stinson and Henry Haney. For details, visit www.pointtohope.org.

DHARMA SCHOOL: Anchorage Zen Community, 359 E. 24th Ave., invites children ages 4 to 6 to learn about compassion, awareness and wisdom from 10 a.m. to noon today. Free. To register, call 277-1552.

FOOD DRIVE: The youths at St. John United Methodist Church, 1801 O'Malley Road, will lead the 8:15, 9:30, 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. worship services. Youth pastor Adam Muhr will preach on "The Advent Conspiracy: Giving More." Bring canned food for the food drive for FISH. For details, call 344-3025 or visit stjohneagle.org.

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE: The Christian Science Radio Sentinel will broadcast at 8:30 a.m. Sunday on KBYR 700-AM. The topic is "The Bible, a Light for Your Journey." Last week's topic re-broadcasts at 8 a.m. Join an Internet chat at 10 a.m. Tuesday on "Why Read the Bible?" at www.spirituality.com. For details, call 272-0226.

ADULT EDUCATION: St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 2222 E. Tudor Road, offers two adult education classes, "Who Was Jesus?" and "Today's Gospel" from 10:30 to 11:20 a.m. Sunday. All are welcome. For details, call 563-3341.

FAREWELL PARTY: After 18 years of service at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 3230 Lake Otis Parkway, the Rev. Rick Cavens has taken another call with the Alaska Air National Guard. Say goodbye from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday after the second service. All are welcome. For details, call 276-6231.

TRINITY SINGERS: The singers of Trinity Lutheran Church will perform Gospel and old-time music from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Palmer Public Library, 655 S. Valley Way. Free. For details, call 745-4690.

FAMILY SKATE: Christian Family Skate Night will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Royal Roller Rink, 6411 DeBarr Road. The cost is $6 and includes skate rental. For details, call 333-1413.

PUBLIC LECTURE: The Rev. Michael Oleksa will give a free lecture on "Shamans and Saints: The Encounter of Traditional Alaskan Spirituality and Russian Orthodoxy" from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at APU's Grant Hall, 4101 University Drive. Sponsored by the Cardinal Newman Chair of Catholic Theology at APU in connection with the UAA/APU Books of the Year and The Difficult Dialogues Project 2008. For details, call 564-8274.

SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS: Anchorage City Church, 1301 W. 100th Ave., presents "Surviving the Holidays Alone" from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday. The seminar will show how to survive and focus on the true meaning of the holidays. Free. For details, call 727-0543 or 561-5580.

THE MOUSETRAP: Grace Christian School, 12407 Pintail St., presents Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap" at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday. $5 in advance, $6 at the door, $7 reserved seating.

GRANDFAMILIES' BRUNCH: First Congregational Church, 2430 Bancroft Ave., will host a free grandfamilies' brunch from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 22. Grandparents raising their grandchildren will enjoy a meal and talk with others in the same situation. There will be craft projects and games for the kids. Sponsored by Volunteers of America. Call 522-9866 by Wednesday to sign up.

FALL FESTIVAL: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 18444 Old Glenn Highway, will have a free fall festival and community dinner from 3 to 7 p.m. Nov. 22. Ages 3 to fifth grade will enjoy games, food, face painting and a puppet show. A community Thanksgiving dinner will be at 5:30 p.m. for all ages. For details, visit www.orlc-ak.org.

SERMON SERIES: The Rev. Dave Beckett presents "The Advent Conspiracy" at St. John United Methodist Church, 1801 O'Malley Road, in an effort to rethink consumer Christmas frenzy. View a brief video at the 8:15, 9:30 and 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. services Sundays through Nov. 23. For details, call 344-3025.

SERMON SERIES: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 12310 Lorraine St., explores "The Bible Jesus Read," a combined home group and sermon series at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 23. For details, call 345-4823 or visit www.trinityalaska.org.

UPRISING: Faith Christian Community, 4240 Wisconsin St., offers "Uprising" from 6 to 8 p.m. Sundays to Dec. 28 for ages 18 to 26. Enjoy worship and teachings, have questions answered and pursue God. For details, call 243-1777.

ALPHA PROGRAM: Join a free forum from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Sundays to Nov. 23 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mile 2.2 Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Explore the beginning principles of Jesus, the Bible and what God is doing today. For details, call 1-907-745-0726.

BUDDHIST SERVICES: Join the Rev. Yuho Van Parijs at the White Lotus Center for Shin Buddhism/Myoko-in Temple at Alaska Pacific University Chapel, Atwood Building, at 11 a.m. Sundays to Dec. 31. For details, call 306-0620.

FINANCIAL PEACE: Sand Lake Baptist Church, 7434 Jewel Lake Road, will have a seminar on how to manage finances from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Dec. 29. For details, call 243-2168.

WOMEN'S STUDY: Join the Women of Joy at Joy Lutheran Church, 10111 E. Eagle River Loop Road., for a Bible study on the Book of Ruth at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays through November. For details, call 694-9601.

TUESDAY TOTS: Babies, tots and parents gather to learn and play from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays through Jan. 27 at Anchorage Lutheran Church, 1420 N St. Free. For details, call 272-5323.

CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 12310 Lorraine St., offers brief reading and instruction, then quiet prayer at 11 a.m. Tuesdays and 4 p.m. Saturdays to Nov. 18. For details, call 345-4823.

WOMEN'S STUDY: Sand Lake Baptist Church, 7434 Jewel Lake Road, will have the women's Bible study "Daniel" by Beth Moore from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Wednesdays to Dec. 3. There is a meal at 5:30 p.m. and a children's program at 6 p.m. For details, call 345-7262.

RELATIONSHIP RECOVERY: Anchorage City Church, 1301 W. 100th Ave., will host a divorce and broken relationship recovery group from 6:45 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays to Dec. 14. Topics will be accompanied by a video and Bible study, a sharing time and food. The cost is $20. For details, call 727-0543.

JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM: Joy Lutheran Church, 10111 E. Eagle River Loop Road., hosts an exercise and eating healthy program. Participants add earned "miles" to reach Bethlehem 6,013 miles away. The program continues until Christmas. Check-ins are Sundays before or after service. For details, call 694-9601.

Matters of Faith is compiled by Joy Guest, who can be reached at 257-4315. To list an event visit events.adn.com, get registered (it's free) and submit your event. You'll get listed almost immediately in our searchable online calendar. Submit announcements by 5 p.m. Tuesday for publication on Saturday's Religion page.

This week

TODAY: Shichigosan (Shinto), Nativity Fast begins (Orthodox Christian)

ADVERTISEMENT