RIVERSIDE

Sunday Gatherings at St. Albert's
St. Albert The Great Catholic Church, E. 29th St. and 33rd Ave. S., invites the community to a three-part series, "Weave the Magic, Spin the Tale: The Art and Joy of Storytelling," by storyteller Julie Goldstein after 9 a.m. mass on Sundays Sept. 23, Oct. 7 and Nov. 4.

Bible Discovery
Bible discovery classes began Sun., Sept. 9, and will continue throughout the school year from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. at Minnehaha United Church of Christ, 4001 38th Ave. S. Children from the community, ages 4 to 12, are invited to experience Bible stories through drama, music, storytelling, games, arts and crafts, and cooking.

American Indian Recognition Sunday
Minnehaha United Church of Christ, 4001 38th Ave. S., will celebrate American Indian Recognition Sunday on Sept. 23 at 10:30 a.m. The service will honor spiritual traditions of Native Americans.

Speaker from Jerusalem and Japan
Rabbi Jim Lebeau, director of the Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism in Jerusalem and previously rabbi of the Jewish community of Japan, will be the scholar-in-residence for Temple of Aaron Synagogue, 616 S. Mississippi River Blvd., St. Paul, on Fri. and Sat, Sept. 21, and 22. On Fri., he will talk about "Present Conditions in Israel: Prospects for Peace" at a Sabbath dinner at 6 p.m. and about "Impact of Conservative/Masorti Judaism in Israel" during 8 p.m. Sabbath services. On Sat. he will speak at 9 a.m. Sabbath services about "Pluralism and Democracy in Israel: Does it Exist?" Following the service during the noon Lunch and Learn program he will talk about "My Four Years in Japan."

Introduction to Judaism
Co-Senior Rabbis Jonathan Ginsburg and Julie Gordon will help participants study and discuss the "Jewish Way of Life" and "Jewish History and Thought" in Temple of Aaron's "Introduction to Judaism" which begins Oct. 3 and continues on Wednesdays from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. for 18 sessions. The class is designed for all who are interested in knowledge of the Jewish experience and understanding of the basic tenets of the Jewish faith and provides tools with which to practice the Jewish way of life. Some who take the course do so for purposes of conversion to Judaism, while others do so for the sake of knowledge and personal enrichment alone. Some participants are Jews who want to know more about themselves, their heritage and roots.
    The class is free and open to adult men and women of any race, color, national origin or religion. For registration, information and materials, call the synagogue at 651-698-8874.

Introduction to Catholicism
St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, E. 29th St. and 33rd Ave. S., will hold Catholic Inquiry Nights, informal question and answer sessions about Catholic practices and beliefs for Catholics and non-Catholics alike, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Wed., Sept. 19, and 7 – 8 p.m., Wed., Sept. 26.

Senior Cards and Aerobics
St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, E. 29th St. and 33rd Ave. S., offers senior card parties (the game is usually 500) the first and third Tuesdays of the month from noon – 3 p.m.
    Aerobics and conditioning for seniors is offered at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays in the Social Hall. The cost is $2.50 per session.

October Sale & November Dinner
Minnehaha Communion Lutheran Church, 4101 37th Ave. S., is planning a rummage sale for Sat., Oct. 6, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Bag time is from noon until 1. Sloppy joes will be served.
    On Sat., Nov. 3, the church will hold a lutefisk and meatball dinner. Seatings will be at 4, 5:15 and 6:30 p.m. and reservations are needed. The cost is $12. Call 612-722-9527.

Simple Living
Minnehaha United Church of Christ, 4001 38th Ave. S., hosts a simple-living group to celebrate and support one another in living more simply, frugally and in harmony with creation. Meetings are the first Wed. of the month at 7 p.m. Call the church at 612-729-7556 for more details.


PHILLIPS
POWDERHORN

Free Senior Lunch
The third Tuesday of each month senior citizens are invited to a luncheon at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Cedar Ave. and 41st St. The luncheons begin at 12:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall (lower level). Following the meal there will be a short program of music and/or topics of interest and help to seniors. The parish nurse is available for blood pressure checks and consultation. A donation is optional, but first time attenders are always guests. For more information or for a ride, call the church office at 612-72200157. Next luncheons are Sept. 18 and Oct. 16.

Food and Clothing
Salem Evangelical Free Church, 3101 14th Ave. S., invites the neighbors to EAT (Eating All Together) on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m. An optional Bible study follows at 7 p.m.
    Beginning Sept. 4, the Clothes Closet will be open every Tuesday, 10 a.m. until noon. Low-cost clothing and bedding will be available.

Free Legal Clinic and Free Lunch
On the first Saturday of every month, Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 3045 Chicago Ave. S., hosts the Chicago Lake Legal Clinic at 10 a.m. followed by a free community meal. The free clinic offers assistance with landlord/tenant, domestic, immigration and other problems.
NOKOMIS

Spiritual Journey Workshop
St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 3547 3rd Ave. S., offers a 5-week workshop, "From Success to Significance: Welcoming the Spiritual Journey," 7 - 9 p.m., Wednesdays, Sept. 19 - Oct. 17. Jeff Keyes, parishioner, attorney and masters candidate in theology and spirituality will help participants explore their true calling and the struggle to bring its fire to life. The cost is $35. To register, call 612-823-8205 or e-mail nbecker@stjoan.com.

MOPS Brunch (Mothers of PreSchoolers)
Mothers looking for encouragement, fun and friendship are invited to get together at MOPS meetings held at Crosstown Covenant Church, 5540 30th Ave. S.,9:15 – 11:30 a.m., the first and third Fridays of each month during the school year. Participants will take part in small group discussion, creative activities and instruction relating to womanhood, marriage, children and the home from a Biblical perspective.
    The school year will open with a brunch on Fri., Sept. 21. The cost per meeting is $3. Childcare is provided for children ages 5 and under. To RSVP for the brunch or for more information, call the church office at 612-724-3601.

13th Annual Women's Retreat
Mount Zion Lutheran's women's retreat will be held the weekend of Oct. 12 at Green Lake Bible Camp in Spicer, MN. NWA flight attendant and well-known Christian speaker, Marilyn Wallberg, will lead the weekend on the theme: "Are You Ready for the Trip?" For more information and for reservations, call 612-824-1882.

St. Helena's Luncheon
St. Helena's Council of Catholic Women is hosting a luncheon on Wed., Sept. 26, at 12 noon for the benefit of the Rosary Makers. It will be held in the church basement at 3204 E. 34th St. The cost is $5. Everyone is welcome.

Mount Zion Youth
Mount Zion Lutheran Church, 5645 Chicago Ave. S., has organized Jesus Company, formerly called Good News Bearers, for children in grades 3 through 6, 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. For more information about the exciting things to do after homework, call Terry and staff at 612-824-1882.

Wednesday Suppers
Asbury United Methodist Church, 4501 Bloomington Ave. S., serves free community suppers on Wednesdays at 5:45 p.m. right before evening activities at 6:30. Upcoming programs are: Sept. 19, video visits with teachers, pastors, authors, a humorist, a rabbi and others on "Facing Death"; and Sept. 26, enjoying friendships through playing games. FFI call the church at 612-721-5025.

Self-Help/12-Step Groups
Minnehaha United Methodist Church, 3701 E. 50th St., hosts Alcoholics Anonymous meetings Fridays at 7 p.m.; Overeaters Anonymous meetings Mondays at 10 a.m.; Adult Children of Sexually Dysfunctional Families meetings Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.; Al-Anon, Mondays at 5:30 p.m.; Women's Cocaine Anonymous, Tuesdays at 7 p.m.; and Recovering Couples Anonymous (childcare provided), Mondays at 6:30 p.m. FFI call 721-6231.

Asbury United Methodist Church, 4501 Bloomington Ave. S., holds Cocaine Anonymous meetings in the church parlor on Wednesdays from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

MinneHarvest
Minnehaha United Methodist Church, 3701 E. 50th St., offers a MinneHarvest of free groceries—surplus perishables such as produce and breads—the fourth Sat. of each month, 9 – 10:30 a.m.


METRO AREA

Humanistic Jews of Minnesota
Congregation Or Emet is a member-led congregation of secular Jews and interfaith families which meets two Fridays a month at the Minneapolis Jewish Community Center, 4330 S. Cedar Lake Road, and one Sunday morning a month at Hillel House, 1521 University Ave. SE. It offers classes in Jewish history, culture and social justice issues. The congregation is affiliated with the National Society for Humanistic Judaism. A secular High Holiday service with music by Lionel Davis will be held at 7:15 p.m., Fri., Sept. 21, at the Minneapolis JCC. FFI call Jane at 763-546-4225 or Evelyn at .

Jewish High Holidays
Mayim Rabim Congregation is a Reconstructionist congregation committed to an evolving sense of Jewish tradition that values egalitarianism, encourages diversity and nurtures a vital urban Jewish presence. The congregation provides a place of worship for people of varying Jewish perspectives, regardless of familial status, gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity.
    It welcomes the community to the Friends Meeting House, 4401 York Ave. S., for Rosh Hashanah services Mon., Sept. 17, 6 p.m.; Tue., Sept. 18, 8:45 a.m.; and Wed., Sept. 19, 9:30 a.m. Yom Kippur services will be Wed., Sept. 26, 7 p.m.; Thu., Sept. 27, 9:15 a.m., 5 and 7:30 p.m. with a dairy/vegetarian potluck to break the fast following the last service. Childcare is available for most services. FFI call 612-922-5983.

Gospel Choir Concert
Robert Robinson will lead the Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir in a concert at 7 p.m., Sat., Sept. 22, at Brooklyn Park Lutheran Church, 1400 81st Ave. N. Proceeds will benefit the choir's work with prisons and homeless shelters. For tickets and for information about the silent auction benefit to be held before the concert, call the TCC Gospel Choir office at 651-224-1718.

Women and Spirituality Conference
Winona LaDuke will be the keynote speaker at the 20th annual Women and Spirituality Conference held at Minnesota State University in Mankato, Sat. and Sun., Oct. 13 and 14.
    The conferences began 19 years ago with an evening lecture attended by 75 people. The purpose was to provide a supportive and nurturing setting for a dialogue of caring and mutual respect between and among women and interested men from many spiritual and religious traditions. Since then, the conference has grown to average approximately 800 participants with 80 to 120 workshops.
    Workshop themes range from Dancing the Tarot to Sacred Sex: A Journey of Healing to Demeter, Persephone and Christ.
    Registration must be mailed by Oct. 1. The cost is $40 for both days. Childcare for both days is $30. The Sat. evening meal is $13. For registration forms call the Department of Women's Studies at 1-507-389-2077. Or e-mail cynthia.veldhuisen@mnsu.edu.

Taize Gatherings
The University Episcopal Center, 317 17th Ave. SE, meets the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. for Taize singing and prayers. Regular Friday night Taize services are held the first Friday of the month, 8 p.m., in the chapel of St. Stephen's Church, 50th and Wooddale, Edina. Mayflower Congregational Church, 35W and Diamond Lake Rd., meets the third Sunday of each month at 7 p.m.
    For more information about the Taize Pilgrimage in Minnesota, consult www.gustavus.edu  and click on Taize 2001 in the Upcoming Events box.

Peace Vigil
Every Wednesday, a nonviolent silent witness for peace in Iraq meets at the St. Paul side of the Lake Street & Marshall Avenue Bridge in St. Paul from 5 to 6 p.m. FFI call Friends for a Non-violent World at 651-917-0383.

Women-in-Black
A peace vigil, part of a larger movement throughout the United States, Europe and elsewhere, calling for the end of Israel's occupation of Palestinian land, is held every Friday at Summit & Snelling avenues in St. Paul from 5 – 6 p.m.