BRIEFS

BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE Experience the healing presence of God's love during a season that may be very "blue" for you. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Redwood Covenant Church, 3175 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa. 528-8463.

AHUVA BATZ AT CONGREGATION BETH AMI Batz shares her music and storytelling for Chanukah, 7:30 p.m. Friday. She leads the Torah service, Hallel and the Musaf service, 9:30 a.m. Dec. 8. Kosher dairy potluck follows the morning service. Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa. 360-3000.

TAIZE MASS SERVICE Icons, candles and the sung and spoken word are the tools for this time of contemplation and meditation. 5 p.m. Dec. 8. Elim Lutheran Church, 504 Baker St., Petaluma. 364-7106 or 763-4196.

VICTORY OUTREACH Services geared toward youth dealing with gang issues. 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays, 7 p.m. Thursdays. Services in Spanish, 3 p.m. Sundays, 7 p.m. Wednesdays. 4042 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa. 527-1557.

EVENTS

INTERFAITH SERVICE AND AIDS QUILT DISPLAY Panels of the AIDS memorial quilt are on display, with state Sen. Carole Migden appearing at opening ceremony. Sponsored by Metropolitan Community Church. 9 a.m. opening ceremony; 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. quilt display, today. 10-11:30 a.m. interfaith World AIDS Day service; 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. quilt display, Sunday. Donation. Veterans Memorial Building, First and Church streets, Guerneville. 869-9882.

SANTA ROSA CRECHE FESTIVAL The 10th annual event features displays of 350 creches from all over the world. 3-9 p.m. today through Monday. Musical program 7:30 p.m. today and Sunday. Free. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1780 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa. 481-0512.

"CHANUKAH & ALL THAT JAZZ" Community party with menorah lighting, dreidels and gelt, singing, teen jazz band "In Black" and a puppet show, with catered kosher dinner. 6-8 p.m. Tuesday. $12 adults, $6 youth, free under age five. Reservations required. Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa. 360-3000.

COMMUNITY CHANUKAH CELEBRATIONS Celebrate the holiday of light and freedom, sponsored by the Chabad Jewish Center. 5-6 p.m. Tuesday, Whole Foods Market, 201 W. Napa St., Sonoma. 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, Oliver's Market, 461 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa. 4-6 p.m. Dec. 9, inside Coddingtown Mall, Highway 101 at Steele Lane. Free. 577-0277.

KOSHER SHABBAT DINNER A catered dinner. 6 p.m. Friday. $14 adults, $7 youth, free under age five. Reservations by Wednesday. Congregation Beth Ami, 4676 Mayette Ave., Santa Rosa. 360-3000.

CHANUKAH CELEBRATION Singing, dancing, music by Jubilee Klezmer Ensemble, lighting of candles, storytelling and potluck feast with fresh latkes. Bring your chanukiah, candles, decorations, songs and festive dishes. Sponsored by Russian River Jewish Community. $6. Senior Center, 15010 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville. 869-3273 or rrjews@yahoo.com.

WOMEN IN CHRIST Cecile Kaiser gives a humorous perspective to life, marriage and raising children. 11:30 a.m. lunch and speaker, Friday. $20. Sheraton Sonoma County, 745 Baywood Drive, Petaluma. 544-8470 or 576-0916.

SPIRIT WALKS Rich Hacker leads an easy-to-moderate hike in Annadel State Park with ample time for communing with nature in natural settings of beauty, peace and harmony. 10 a.m. today. Donation. Registration required. 939-8402.

CLASSES, MEETINGS

GLOBALIZATION: ITS EFFECT ON CHRISTIAN TRADITIONS A presentation on contemporary issues by Pastor Kenneth Weare of St. Rita's Church, Fairfax. 9 a.m.-noon today. $20. Spiritual Enrichment Center, 360 Farmers Lane, Santa Rosa. 546-1781.

CHRISTMAS: GOD BECOMING HUMAN A presentation by Sr. Antonia Killian on what is happening in our hearts, our faith and our thoughts at this special time. 7-8:30 p.m. Monday. $10. Spiritual Enrichment Center, 360 Farmers Lane, Santa Rosa. 546-1781.

JUDAISM AND THE ENVIRONMENT Taught by Rabbi George Gittleman. 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17. $36. Congregation Shomrei Torah, 2600 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. 578-5519.

YOGA AND BREATH OF FIRE Christine Bandettini teaches a breathing exercise to strengthen the immune system and help with relaxation. 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday. $20, registration required. Office of Christine Bandettini, 511 B St., Petaluma. 765-3995.

LIFE RECOVERY A Christ-centered 12-step meeting. 7-8:30 p.m. Saturdays. Shiloh Center (in shopping center), 9060 Brooks Road S., Windsor. 836-0100. www.shilohexperience.com.

BUDDHIST MEDITATION Beginning-level Tibetan Buddhist meditation group with guided meditation practice, chanting, questions and answers. 1-2:30 p.m. Sundays, except first Sunday of the month. Donation. Gold Ridge Sangha, 5594 Volkerts Road, Sebastopol. 824-4637 www.goldridgesangha.org.

DHARMA4KIDS Introduction for children ages 4-16 consisting of a short meditation, a simple teaching and activity. Parents welcome. 10-10:45 a.m. first Sundays. $5 for each family. Mahakaruna Buddhist Center, 120 North St., Healdsburg. 293-8096.

INSIGHT (VIPASSANA) MEDITATION Learn clear insight into physical and mental events, seeing them without delusion or illusion. Led by Patrick Thornton. 6:30-8 p.m. Sundays. Donation. Group Room, Chrysalis Counseling Services, 1821 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 537-1375.

SHAMBHALA BUDDHIST MEDITATION Meditate with others. 10-11:15 a.m. Sundays; 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays; 7-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Free admission and instruction. Shambhala Meditation Center, 709 Davis St., Room 206, Santa Rosa (enter via Eighth Street parking lot). 529-1561.

MEN'S GROUP 7-8:30 p.m. first and third Mondays. Center for Life Enrichment (Religious Science), 5440 State Farm Drive., Suite 2, Rohnert Park. 586-3600 or www.godwithin.org.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY A 12-step Christ-centered recovery program based on the eight principles from the Beatitudes. 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Donation. Hessel Church, 5060 Hessel Ave., Sebastopol. 829-5956.

DROP-IN INTERFAITH MEDITATION GROUPS Facilitated by Ella Rozett, meditation teacher. 11 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, St. Rose Church, round chapel, 320 10th St., Santa Rosa. 7-9 p.m. Thursdays, Cardinal Newman Retreat Center, 24A Ursuline Road, Santa Rosa. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Fridays, St. Philip's Church, 3730 Bohemian Highway, Occidental. Donation. 874-3397.

MEDITATION WORKSHOP A workshop, a videotaped talk by Eknath Easwaran, and meditation, sponsored by Blue Mountain Center of Meditation. 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays. Free. United Church of Christ, 825 Middlefield Drive, Petaluma. (800) 475-2369 or www.easwaran.org.

AROUND THE FIRE A community engaging spirituality and science through contemplative dialogue. 7-9 p.m., second and fourth Wednesdays. Free. Newman Retreat Center, 24A Ursuline Road, Santa Rosa. 773-0904.

BUDDHIST MEDITATION CLASSES Lunchtime meditation: noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays, $7. Introductory meditation class: 7:30-8:45 p.m. Wednesdays, $10. Mahakaruna Buddhist Center, 304 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. 766-7720.

MEDITATION FOR EVERYONE Drop-in classes provide a practical approach to overcoming stress. 7-8:15 p.m. Wednesdays. $10. Mahakaruna Buddhist Center, 120 North St., Healdsburg. 293-8096.

JULIAN'S CELL Group prayer and meditation to experience "the feminine face of God." 7:30-8:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Continental breakfast follows. Donation. Angela Center, 535 Angela Drive, Santa Rosa. 528-8578.

REAL LOVE SUPPORT GROUP 7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays. Center for Life Enrichment (Religious Science), 5440 State Farm Drive., Suite 2, Rohnert Park. 586-3600 or www.godwithin.org.

CHRIST-CENTERED 12-STEP MEETING For those desiring recovery from alcohol, drugs, co-dependency, eating disorders, or any other addiction. 7 p.m. Fridays. Donation. Redwood Covenant Church, 3175 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa. 528-8463, ext. 203.

GROUP MEDITATION: DHARMACHAKRA An evening of inspiration and meditation with devotional music and a spiritual talk after meditation. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays. Free. Ananda Seva Meditation and Yoga Center, 4378 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. 575-0886 or 703-2553. www.anandaseva.org.

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