Category: Religion

Guest contribution — Amidst national divisiveness, local Jewish temple remains focused on community

by Community Contributor • April 4, 2024 • Comments Off

THOUSAND OAKS — It’s been nearly seven months since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel claimed more than 1,200 lives and led to the abduction of hundreds of people. Since the devastating attack, it’s been reported that the number of antisemitic incidents surged heavily in the months following. Amidst the tense climate, Temple Etz Chaim (TEC) has remained focused on creating a safe space to come together, connect, educate one another and heal as the Jewish community navigates the current global climate.

March 24 — Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks to present Purim Carnival

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2024 • Comments Off

THOUSAND OAKS — Temple Etz Chaim welcomes you to its annual Purim Carnival from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 24 at 1080 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks.

Enjoy a festival of food trucks, carnival games, inflatables and prizes.Bring the whole family to celebrate this festive holiday with arts and crafts, hamantashen and knishes … and more!

May 2 — Southeast Ventura County YMCA’s 25th Annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2024 • Comments Off

THOUSAND OAKS — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is hosting its 25th Annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast, Thursday, May 2 at CLU’s Gilbert Sports Center in Thousand Oaks. The breakfast brings the spiritual communities of all faiths together to celebrate fellowship and prayer. The theme this year is “Pray For Peace.”

Through Oct. 4 — Bilingual report — Tibetan monks return to Allan Hancock College to create sand mandala

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2024 • Comments Off

Over a period of five days, the monks will create an elaborate sand mandala by hand with tools and skills that have been passed down for centuries. The monks will be creating the “Buddha of Compassion” sand mandala, which symbolizes loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity.

Nov. 26 — Interfaith Thanksgiving Service to be held in Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2024 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Our annual Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will be held on Tuesday, November 26th, at 7:00 p.m. at the historic, downtown First United Methodist Church. This year’s theme is“Transforming Trauma into Hope.”

The Greater Santa Barbara Area Clergy Association includes clergy and religious leaders from over 100 local faith communities. We come together for an evening of song, prayer, and praise to celebrate and reflect upon unity, peace, hope, and blessings from our diverse religious traditions.

Dec. 20 — First United Methodist Church of Santa Barbara to present annual Living Nativity

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2024 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — As the holiday season reaches its peak, the First United Methodist Church of Santa Barbara invites the community to pause and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas in a tradition that has captivated visitors since its inception in 1990.

Living Nativity takes place on December 20 and 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., offering visitors a recreation of the Holy Night. Set beneath a towering redwood tree adjacent to the historic church, this distinctive display features live animals including camels, sheep, donkeys, and goats, alongside costumed participants portraying the Holy Family, the Three Kings, angels, and shepherds gathered around the Christ child.

UCSB — The Current — Rethinking the Term ‘Self-Taught’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • March 30, 2023 • Comments Off

Doctoral candidate Elizabeth Driscoll Smith receives a dissertation fellowship to research the impact of transportation on midcentury American folk art.

Southeast Ventura County YMCA National Day of Prayer Breakfast Seeks Sponsors

by Community Contributor • March 21, 2023 • Comments Off

The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is seeking sponsors for its annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast. The breakfast is Thursday, May 4 at CLU’s Gilbert Sports Center in Thousand Oaks. The breakfast brings the spiritual communities of all faiths together in celebration of fellowship and prayer.

The prayer breakfast will be from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and will include speakers, spiritual and community leaders providing invocations and prayers, and live musical performances.

Feb. 26 — CSUCI administrators to speak at Black churches

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2023 • Comments Off

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) President Richard Yao and Vice President for Student Affairs Eboni Ford Turnbow will speak at two Oxnard churches as part of the 18th Annual CSU Super Sunday on Feb. 26.

Yao will speak at St. Paul Baptist Church at 1777 Statham Blvd. and Ford Turnbow will speak at Bethel AME Church at 855 South F St. Services begin at 10 a.m. and are open to all.

Super Sunday is a day when California State University system leaders and presidents, administrators and students from all 23 campuses visit predominantly African American places of worship to share personal stories and experiences, advice, and college-related information to advance access, opportunity and success for Black students. The CSU system has partnered with more than 100 churches throughout the state to present this year’s event.

July 16 — Temple Etz Chaim to present Jared Diamond at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center, Scherr Forum Theatre in Thousand Oaks

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2023 • Comments Off

Temple Etz Chaim is proud to host an annual speaker series for the local community. The 2023 Speaker Series is entitled “Our World Evolving: Global Thought Leaders in Our Community.” This is a series of socially relevant conversations with modern thought leaders, authors and scholars. Rabbi Averbach will introduce our speakers and moderate a Q&A with those in attendance after the speech.

Oct. 14 — Pipiripau presenting ‘El Panteón — Celebrating Dia de Los Muertos’ at Oxnard Heritage Square

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2023 • Comments Off

OXNARD — Pipiripau will present the inaugural “El Panteón — Celebrating Dia de Los Muertos’ at Oxnard Heritage Square from 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 at 715 S A St, Oxnard.

Pipiripau, an apparel brand, will present Aztec Danzantes, a Day of the Play, live music, community altars, face painting vendors, food trucks and more events.

Nov. 21 — Greater Santa Barbara Area Clergy Association to present annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2023 • Comments Off

Our annual Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will be held on Tuesday, November 21st, at 7:00 p.m. at the historic, downtown First United Methodist Church.

The Greater Santa Barbara Area Clergy Association, sponsor of this event, includes clergy and religious leaders from over 100 local faith communities. We come together to celebrate and reflect upon unity, peace, hope, prayers and blessings from our diverse religious traditions.

Dec. 21, 22 — First United Methodist Church of Santa Barbara to present 32nd Annual Living Nativity

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2023 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — First United Methodist Church of Santa Barbara will present its 32nd Annual Living Nativity at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, 22 at 305 E Anapamu St (at Garden), Santa Barbara.

Once again the congregation of the First United Methodist Church presents its beautiful Seasonal gift to the community by staging a silent re-creation of the Holy Night. Under a redwood tree and adjacent to the church, a grassy area is transformed into a humble wooden stable, complete with a serene Mary, Joseph and tiny baby Jesus asleep in the manger. Three majestic kings stand by with their gifts to the Holy Child, attentive angels appear nearby, and lowly shepherds tend to their flocks. Live camels, donkey, sheep and goats surround the manger taking in the wonder of it all.

20th Annual Chanukah Festival Celebrates Sculpting & Lighting of Six-Foot Ice Menorah, Snow, Treats & More At Ventura Harbor Village on Dec. 25

by Community Contributor • December 13, 2022 • Comments Off

Gather together with the entire family to celebrate the eighth night of Chanukah at the 20th Annual Chanukah Festival on Sunday, December 25, 2022, from 2:30-4:30pm at the Ventura Harbor Village presented by Chabad of Oxnard, Camarillo, Ojai, and Ventura. Kids of all ages can bring their hats, gloves, and scarves and enjoy tons of snow and warm up with sizzling hot latkes. Plus, the festival features a live demonstration ice sculpting a six-foot ice Menorah, with the “coolest” lighting at 4:00pm. Visitors to the Chanukah Festival can also enjoy a Judaica Boutique and musical entertainment all while spending time by the seashore at Ventura Harbor Village.

Bilingual commentary — Is the U.S. Headed toward “Taliban Lite”?

by Community Contributor • October 27, 2022 • Comments Off

Like the distant sound of thunder that precedes a turbulent storm, we are hearing disturbing rumblings that warn us of the political chaos that could precede the death of democracy in our country. We would be wise to heed the warnings and take note (better yet, go vote) rather than brush them off as mere “nonsense” with a shrug that says, “It can’t happen here.”

Unfortunately, it can happen here.

Cal Lutheran welcomes new spiritual leader

by Community Contributor • October 24, 2022 • Comments Off

California Lutheran University welcomes the Rev. Scott Hamilton Adams as its new university pastor, a significant campus leader who provides spiritual support, care and counseling to students, faculty, staff and administrators. Adams, the university’s first Black pastor, is passionate about social justice, diversity, openness, and an interfaith, multicultural approach to ministry.

“I want to create spaces of belonging and safety for people to be who they are, whatever their faith tradition, as well as for nonbelievers and those with individual and group identities who are marginalized in society,” Adams said.

Rev. Heidi Alfrey Named Senior Minister at Unity of Ventura

by Community Contributor • October 20, 2022 • Comments Off

Unity of Ventura has named Rev. Heidi Alfrey as its new senior minister. Alfrey was previously senior minister at Unity of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

After its previous minister retired in 2019, Unity of Ventura started its search for a replacement. Soon after, COVID hit and the search was suspended. Alfrey applied at the end of August and met all the criteria.

“We were looking for someone with a strong sense of community,” says Sharie Lieberg, president of Unity of Ventura’s Board of Trustees. “Rev. Alfrey brings energy and enthusiasm and was very well received by the congregation when she was a guest minister. She gives lessons that are very relevant to the congregation. People feel they can relate to her.”

Bilingual commentary — Our Aversion to Science

by Community Contributor • July 29, 2022 • Comments Off

Throughout the history of the world, there have been challenges to classical science.

It took a couple of centuries for people to embrace Isaac Newton’s heliocentric model, developed in the 16th century, establishing that the sun – and not the earth – was the center of the universe. That the earth was displaced from the center of the universe clashed with the belief that we were “exceptional.” Galileo had proposed this very idea nearly a century earlier, but he recanted when his life was threatened by the Catholic Church.

Bilingual commentary — The Erosion of Our Democracy

by Community Contributor • July 8, 2022 • Comments Off

For some time now, I’ve written here about the difficulties faced by young people today in comparison with those faced by the baby boomers. The boomer generation grew up in relatively prosperous times after the Second World War. In retrospect, we may have had contentious issues to deal with, such as the lack of racial equality (once again a burning issue), but our democracy seemed secure. Transitions of power at the highest level of our government always seemed to take place seamlessly.

Bilingual commentary — Slavery and the Catholic Church

by Community Contributor • May 13, 2022 • Comments Off

Throughout our history, Native and African Americans have been disrespected and despised. That was obvious to our entire country as recently as last March during the confirmation hearings for the nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, Ketanji Brown Jackson, an African American woman. During the hearings, several senators disrespectfully and contemptuously grilled her almost as if she were a criminal on trial.

Last week I wrote about the treatment of Native Americans at the California missions. Although it is rarely admitted, we may as well accept that Native Americans were in fact treated as slaves for the sake of the glory, power, and expansion of the Church.

Bilingual commentary — Baptisms: Letter vs. Spirit of the Law

by Community Contributor • February 25, 2022 • Comments Off

A mortified and remorseful priest who served the Diocese of Phoenix in Arizona for more than two decades resigned from his duties this month. No, he was not embroiled in a sexual abuse case. He had not pilfered any proceeds from contributions to the church. He was not accused of having a flagrant affair with a female parishioner. He was a good man who made an honest mistake. But in the eyes of the Bishop of Phoenix, that error carried huge implications that will reverberate through the congregation for years. The shock waves are no less unsettling than those of a convulsive earthquake.

During his tenure as pastor at St. Gregory Parish, Father Andrés Arango performed thousands of baptisms. However, in all those baptisms, he had replaced one itsy-bitsy but crucial word with another. The formulaic “I baptize you in the name of the Father, etc.” became “We baptize you….”

Jan. 18 — Book Launch Event for At Heaven’s Door with Eben Alexander & William Peters

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

FREE Book Launch event of At Heaven’s Door. This virtual event features a conversation between the New York Times best-selling author of Proof of Heaven Eben Alexander and the Founder of the Shared Crossing Project’s and author, William J. Peters.

Alexander and Peters will discuss the awe-inspiring stories of Shared Death Experiences that helped Peters create this incredibly powerful work. Drawing from years of research and personal experiences, Alexander and Peters will provide a closer look into near death experiences and shared death experiences–why they happen and what they mean for all of us.

April 7 — Sharing Crossing Project (SCP) to present free live webinar ‘Awaken to the Transformational Power of the Shared Death Experience (SDE) With William Peters and Special Guest, Sarah Kerr PhD’

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

Founder of Sharing Crossing Project (SCP) and author of At Heaven’s Door, William Peters, hosts “Awaken to the Transformational Power of the Shared Death Experience (SDE) with special guest and founder of The Centre for Sacred Deathcare, Sarah Kerr PhD,” at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 7.

Most people are afraid of death of dying and fear that their loved ones might die alone. Death is also stressful, as all too often it comes without adequate preparation. Our culture views death as the ultimate finality–the end of all things.

As such, our society encourages us to avoid discussing death, overcome feelings of grief, and dismiss serious consideration of life after death. The cumulative effects of this are that we know very little about dying, death, and what might exist afterward.

May 5 — KCLU’s Mary Olson to MC Southeast Ventura County YMCA National Day of Prayer Breakfast

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

KCLU’s General Manager Mary Olson will be MCing the Southeast Ventura County YMCA National Day of Prayer Breakfast again. The breakfast is Thursday, May 5 at CLU’s Gilbert Sports Center in Thousand Oaks.

“Mary always brings an upbeat energy to the breakfast,” says Ronnie Stone, Southeast Ventura County YMCA President/CEO. “She sets the tone for a truly wonderful event.”

Nov. 22 — Greater Santa Barbara Area Clergy Association to present Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

Our annual Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will be held in person on Tuesday, November 22nd, at 7:00 p.m. at the historic, downtown First United Methodist Church.

The Greater Santa Barbara Area Clergy Association, sponsor of this event, includes clergy and religious leaders from over 100 local faith communities and is dedicated to fostering mutual understanding, tolerance and appreciation among all.

Dec. 20 — 31st Annual Living Nativity to be held at First United Methodist Church, Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

For 31 years the congregation of the First United Methodist Church has offered a beautiful seasonal gift to the community by staging a re-creation of the Holy Night for three nights just before Christmas. Under a redwood tree and adjacent to the church, a grassy area is transformed into a humble wooden stable, complete with a serene Mary, Joseph and tiny baby Jesus asleep in the manger. Three majestic kings stand by with their gifts to the Holy Child, attentive angels appear nearby, and lowly shepherds tend to their flocks. Live camels, sheep, donkeys and goats surround the manger taking in the wonder of it all. It is a silent and beautiful scene to behold.

Museum of Ventura County to present Las Posadas on Dec. 17 in Santa Paula

by Community Contributor • December 17, 2021 • Comments Off

The Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum will present Las Posadas procession starting at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17 in Santa Paula. The celebration is in partnership with De Colores Multicultural Folk Arts.

Las Posadas, (The Inns in Spanish) is a Latinx traditional holiday that commemorates the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of lodging and a safe refuge for Mary to give birth to Jesus. After nine days of searching for lodging (Las Posadas are celebrated December 16th through 24th, representing the nine (9) days), an Innkeeper gave Mary and Joseph shelter in a stable as there was no room at the inns.

Bilingual commentary — The “Day of the Living”

by Community Contributor • October 29, 2021 • Comments Off

In a few days, on November 2, we of Mexican heritage will be celebrating one of our most cherished traditions: honoring the departed souls of our family members on “Día de los Muertos”—the Day of the Dead.

This day is one of our cultural treasures. Our observance on this day is the culmination of the blending of three powerful influences: 1) the Aztec obsession with natural cycles, including life and death; 2) the medieval Spanish practice, brought by the conquerors of Mexico, of honoring the dead; 3) the Roman Catholic belief in the everlasting life of the dearly departed. The Aztec final resting place, Mictlán, was transmuted into the Christian heaven.

UCSB — The Current — ‘False Forests’ and more news

by Community Contributor • July 21, 2021 • Comments Off

Ecologist Ruby Harris-Gavin reflects on Ireland’s ‘conflicted national relationship with trees.’

Bilingual commentary — When Religion Channels Into Politics

by Community Contributor • April 29, 2021 • Comments Off

A Gallup news item from last month describes the precipitous drop in religious affiliation in the United States since the turn of the century—not that long ago. In just over 20 years, the number of those who declare themselves members of a church, mosque, or synagogue has decreased more than 20%. In fact, according to the Gallup poll cited in the report, less than half of Americans claim to belong to a religious organization.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura — Places of Worship Can Now Offer Indoor Services at 25% Capacity

by Community Contributor • February 8, 2021 • Comments Off

The State of California has announced that places of worship can now offer services indoors following the industry guidance with modifications. Indoor activities must be limited to the State’s interim capacity of 25%.

View the guidance for places of worship at the following link: https://files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-places-of-worship–en.pdf. The State has noted that the guidance is in the process of being updated. Once updated a new link will be shared.

In 2021 the blessings of Unconditional love For all

by Community Contributor • January 8, 2021 • Comments Off

Unconditional love is not so much about how we tolerate and endure each other, but rather how we welcome and embrace each other, no matter the circumstances.

Unconditional love is about how we promise ourselves to never under any conditions stop bring the flawed and humble truth of who we are to each other.

April 10 — Out of the Pandemic Underworld: into the Light of Renewal Webinar Focuses on How We Can Emerge from the Pandemic

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2021 • Comments Off

Out of the Pandemic Underworld: into the Light of Renewal is a virtual event hosted by Dream Tending creator Dr. Stephen Aizenstat that will take place Saturday, April 10th from 9 am – 12 pm.

Dr. Aizenstat is inviting all those in the community to attend, as he will cover different ways we can emerge with a sense of renewal after being in the pandemic for over a year. He will also share how we can use our dreams and imagination to open our sense of creativity during this time to restimulate our creative thought process.

Oct. 9 — First United Methodist Church in Santa Barbara to present annual Treasure Sale

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2021 • Comments Off

On Saturday, Oct. 9, dozens of tables in the parking lot at Garden and Anapamu will overflow with donations of thrift items for First United Methodist Church’s annual Treasure Sale. Clothing, books, art and decorative objects, textiles, small appliances, garden and other household items await regulars and newcomers to the annual event.

Sale hours are 8:00am – 1:00pm. For more information, 805-963-3579, office@fumcsb.org, www.fumcsb.org, or visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/FirstUMCSantaBarbara

Commentary: A quiet resistance to light our way

by Amigos805.com • April 22, 2020 • Comments Off

Resistance. Quiet, persistent resistance.

Every once in a while, that resistance comes to everyone and everything.

As we note Earth Day this week, we are reminded of that resistance. In our stay-safe-at-home times, we are now seeing a world where the air is cleaner, the sound of nature is clearer and the Earth is actually healing itself a little at a time. There is a chilling, yet quiet beauty seeing the streets of Paris, London, Rome and New York virtually empty and nature going on quite well without us.

It’s as if Earth finally said, “ENOUGH.”

Nov. 26 — Annual Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service to be held in Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • September 1, 2019 • Comments Off

A community service of gratitude for the earth and our shared life! SANTA BARBARA — The annual Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will be held on Tuesday, November 26th, at 7:00 p.m. at the historic, downtown First United Methodist Church. All are…

Feb. 27 — Courage, Love, and Compassion: An evening with Joan Halifax

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2019 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Hospice of Santa Barbara’s Community Education and Engagement Series is pleased to present “Courage, Love, and Compassion: An Evening with Joan Halifax”. On Wednesday, February 27th, Roshi Joan Halifax, a renowned Buddhist teacher, author, Zen priest, and…

Museum of Ventura County update for Dec. 12 — Free Las Posadas Celebration, New Exhibit Sneak Peek, Documentary Screening, and more

by Community Contributor • December 12, 2018 • Comments Off

Major funding for these programs is made possible by the City of San Buenaventura, the County of Ventura and private and community donors. Exhibit Sneak Peek! Click for a Sneak Peek Look at Wrapped With Care at The Ag Wrapped With Care,…

Professor Mario García’s biography of Father Luis Olivares illuminates the birth of the sanctuary movement in Los Angeles

by Community Contributor • November 30, 2018 • Comments Off

By Jim Logan • UCSB Father Luis Olivares had it made. As treasurer of the Claretians, a congregation of Catholic missionaries, he was wined and dined by the titans of Wall Street. They flew him to New York first class, put…

Altars, crafts, face-painting, a ‘sand tapestry’ all part of CSUCI Day of the Dead celebration on Nov. 1

by Community Contributor • November 1, 2018 • Comments Off

CAMARILLO — It was always Folgers coffee for Rachel Danielson’s father, George Earl Rowland, who passed away on Halloween in 2016. So, the CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) staff member tucked a red plastic can of Folgers next to a photo of her dad…

Dec. 21 — Bilingual report: Oxnard Housing Authority Resident Services, La Colonia Tenant Association to host “La Posada Navideña”!

by Community Contributor • November 1, 2018 • Comments Off

OXNARD — Oxnard Housing Authority and La Colonia Tenant Association is proud to announce the traditional cultural community celebration of “La Posada Navideña” with special presentation by the Inlakech Cultural Art Center Mariachi Youth Group led by Javier Gomez. La…

Bilingual report: Nov. 3 — Archdiocese of Los Angeles to hold Día de los Muertos celebration in East L.A.

by Community Contributor • October 1, 2018 • Comments Off

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — The Archdiocese of Los Angeles to hold Día de los Muertos celebrations Nov. 3 in East L.A. These event is FREE, open to the public and fun for the entire family! There will be a presentation on the significance…

Nov. 20 — Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service to be held in Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • October 1, 2018 • Comments Off

A community celebration of our common bonds of caring SANTA BARBARA — All are invited to gather together in gratitude for the resilience and compassion expressed throughout our larger community this past year. Our annual Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will…

Bilingual commentary: There But for the Grace of God…

by Community Contributor • September 27, 2018 • Comments Off

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes •…

Bilingual commentary: The Storm in the Catholic Church

by Community Contributor • September 20, 2018 • Comments Off

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes •…

Bilingual commentary: Abuse in the Catholic Church

by Community Contributor • August 30, 2018 • Comments Off

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes •…

Bilingual commentary: Islamic Influences in Our Lives

by Community Contributor • December 6, 2017 • Comments Off

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes /…

Bilingual commentary: Fighting the Nazis

by Community Contributor • September 1, 2017 • Comments Off

By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes Over 70 years ago, my father was fighting against the Nazis as an American infantryman on French and German soil. Never in his wildest dreams did he ever imagine that I, his…

Bilingual commentary: Targeting Women and Girls

by Community Contributor • June 1, 2017 • Comments Off

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest…

April 16 — Easter Services First United Methodist Church, Santa Barbara

by Community Contributor • March 1, 2017 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — First United Methodist Church, Santa Barbara will celebrate the glory of our Risen Lord with worship services on Easter Sunday at 9:00am and 10:45am. The identical services will feature anthems by the Chancel Choir including Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus”,…

Bilingual commentary: Is Hanukkah the “Jewish Christmas”?

by Community Contributor • December 29, 2016 • Comments Off

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. David Magallanes By David Magallanes…

Bilingual commentary: Women Banned Forever

by Community Contributor • October 30, 2016 • Comments Off

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes…

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service to be held in Santa Barbara on Nov. 24

by Community Contributor • October 1, 2016 • Comments Off

A community celebration of the diversity of faiths SANTA BARBARA — Desmond Tutu has said, “My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.” In today’s shrinking global village where so many inter-religious tensions exist, it…

Bilingual commentary: Born Again

by Community Contributor • February 29, 2016 • Comments Off

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes…

Bilingual commentary: Falls from Grace

by Community Contributor • February 29, 2016 • Comments Off

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes…

Channel Islands YMCA Welcomes Dr. Jeff Schloss as Guest Speaker for Annual Good Friday Breakfast on March 25

by Community Contributor • February 1, 2016 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — The Channel Islands YMCA Association is pleased to welcome Dr. Jeff Schloss as the guest speaker for its 39th Annual Good Friday Breakfast. The breakfast, themed Keeping Hope Alive, will take place Friday, March 25 at the…

Bilingual commentary: Equal Opportunity in Creation

by Community Contributor • January 12, 2016 • Comments Off

By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes Some of us in our Western culture turn to the Bible to teach us something about the nature of ourselves as human beings, about our origins and early history. Others of us who are less…

Bilingual commentary: What Is A Secular Catholic?

by Community Contributor • January 5, 2016 • Comments Off

By David Magallanes / Guest contributor In the Jewish American community, many within the group quite proudly and nonchalantly refer to themselves as “secular Jews.” Within the U.S. Latino community, on the other hand, many are secular Catholics, but they don’t go around…

Bilingual commentary: What Really Happens On A Clear Day

by Community Contributor • December 22, 2015 • Comments Off

By David Magallanes / Guest contributor As Christmas Day approaches, many of us focus on the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. But let’s not forget that Jesus was a revered teacher who grew in age and wisdom and tried to instruct us on…

December cover story: Holiday events add to the magic of the season

by Amigos805.com • December 10, 2015 • Comments Off

Posadas (Dec. 11), La Pastorela (Dec. 19, 20) to be presented at El Presidio de Santa Barbara Historic Park From Amigos805 staff reports The public is invited to participate in Santa Barbara’s oldest Christmas traditions as the Santa Barbara Trust…

Bilingual commentary: The Anti-Islam Protesters

by Amigos805.com • October 13, 2015 • Comments Off

By David Magallanes/ Guest contributor Last week I wrote about the Golden Age of Islam (http://amigos805.com/bilingual-commentary-the-golden-age-of-islam)—the time during which Islam thrived and contributed to civilization in Europe and the Middle East. This week, we explore the grim experience of Muslims in our…

Bilingual commentary: The Golden Age of Islam

by Amigos805.com • October 6, 2015 • Comments Off

By David Magallanes/ Guest contributor In the midst of turbulence and social upheaval in the Middle East today, and with prejudicial hatred against Muslims increasing throughout our country, it is hard for us to comprehend a time in which Islam was highly…

Bilingual commentary: The Jerusalem Syndrome

by Amigos805.com • July 21, 2015 • Comments Off

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor According…

Bilingual commentary: The Fetters of Freedom

by Amigos805.com • July 7, 2015 • Comments Off

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor When…

Bilingual commentary: The Bat Mitzvah

by Amigos805.com • June 23, 2015 • Comments Off

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest contributor This…

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