The session will include an informal question-and-answer roundtable with guest speakers Carol LeBeau, Lynn Vincent and Barbara Nicolosi-Huntington.

On Saturday the guild will present a series of workshops on a variety of topics including how to get started, self-publishing, fiction, non fiction, marketing, book proposals, screen writing, script writing and journalism. The sessions run from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The conference is designed for all levels, from beginners to published professionals. Guest speakers for the conference include Miles McPherson, Lynn Vincent and Barbara Nicolosi-Huntington.

The registration fee for the conference is $155 to $195.

The chapel is located at 10752 Coastwood Road.

For more information, call (760) 294-3269 or visit www.sandiegocwg.org.


Ministry to Muslims planned
SAN DIEGO — The Ministry to Muslims Network will hold an outreach to San Diego’s Somali and Kurdish communities on Sept. 18.

The outreach is part of a multi-pronged emphasis of the ministry, which also provides training sessions on how to reach Muslims.

For years, volunteers from the Orange County-based group have reached out to Muslims at various Arabic festivals across the country.

For more information, call Pastor George Saieg at (714) 391-0463.


Rescue mission earns some star power
SAN DIEGO — Charity Navigator, a respected national charity evaluator, has awarded its coveted 4-star designation to San Diego Rescue Mission in recognition of its sound fiscal management. The 4-star designation is the highest offered by the watchdog group, which monitors the efficiency of charities to give individuals more confidence in the contribution process.

Ken Berger, president and CEO of Charity Navigator, said San Diego Rescue Mission earned its rating through its ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances.

“Approximately a quarter of the charities we evaluate have received our highest rating,” Berger said in a news release. “San Diego Rescue Mission executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other charities in America. This ‘exception’ designation demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.”

Herb Johnson, president and CEO of San Diego Rescue Mission, noted that the organization works diligently to assure that it adheres to the highest fiduciary standards.

“San Diego Rescue Mission has a stewardship committee composed of senior managers that reviews all of the mission’s line items to assure that each item is used prudently,” he said. “The organization dedicates over 85 percent of its revenues on program services.”

Founded in 1955, The San Diego Rescue Mission is a faith-based organization that offers safe-haven as well as restorative care and rehabilitation services to the homeless, addicted, abused and poor in the county. The mission is also the only major homeless shelter in San Diego that does not receive government funding for its programs. The organization exists entirely on donations.

For more information, visit www.sdrescue.org.


Parable returns for reunion concert
CARLSBAD — Parable, one of the leading ground-breaking Contemporary Christian Rock bands of the ’70s will appear in concert at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at North Coast Calvary Chapel.

The band is doing a series of Southern California concerts this fall and will be at Calvary Costa Mesa on Oct. 29.

Parable recorded and toured from Los Angeles to London, and with two best-selling albums under their belt, they are reuniting the whole group for the two-hour concerts.

Band members include lead vocalist Chuck Butler, the dad of Switchfoot’s Chad Butler, as well as John and Lisa Wickham, parents of both Phil and Evan Wickham.

Vintage vinyl and double CDs will be on sale at the concert.

The church is located at 1330 Poinsettia Lane. Tickets are only $10 and available online at www.northcoastcalvary.org. For more information on the band, visit www.parabletheband.com.



Training begins for potential foster parents
OCEANSIDE — Rancho Jireh Foster Homes, a nonprofit Christian foster family agency serving San Diego and Riverside counties, is hosting two Parent Information Nights this fall. Both sessions start at 6:30 p.m.

Founded in 1988, Rancho Jireh has successfully placed hurting children with Christian families in both counties. These families provide individualized care and nurturing, helping children heal and blossom to their true potential.

The trainings will be held Sept. 14 at Community Lutheran Church and Nov. 2 at First Baptist Church of Clairemont.

For more information, call 1-866-275-7534 or visit www.ranchojirehfosterhomes.org.


Prayer gathering planned for Vista
VISTA — “Cry out America,” a nationwide prayer emphasis, will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Regional Center Courthouse.

Participants will be gathering under the trees on the front lawn, between the north and south entrances of the courthouse. Participants are asked to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets for sitting on the lawn.

For more information, send an e-mail to sfaulk1906@aol.com.


Salt & Light to host ministry training
RANCHO SANTA FE —Salt & Light Ministry will hold its final training session for 2010 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept 18 in Rancho Santa Fe.

Salt & Light Ministry provides a group setting for like-minded, concerned citizens to pray, become educated and take action on issues that directly impact biblically-based values and constitutional liberties. The local chapters are led by church volunteers.

The training will cover the vision and ministry of Salt & Light, as well as expectations on the time commitments, the legal rights of such groups at churches, and how to network churches to pray and take action.

Using the name Peter as an acronym to describe the ministry, its goals are to Pray for elected officials, state, nation and world and spiritual revival; Educate on God’s non-negotiable moral values and historical biblical worldview; Take action on issues and legislation and in the community; Election promotion, since 50 percent of the church body is not registered to vote with 43 percent of those who do not vote with biblical values in mind, and Registering voters.

There is a $50 registration fee, which includes lunch.

To register, call 1-888-725-8654 or send an e-mail to lynsey@saltandlightcouncil.org.

For more information, visit www.saltandlightcouncil.org.


Adoptions info meetings to be held
OCEANSIDE — Family Connections Christian Adoptions will host informational meetings Sept. 2 and Oct. 7 for parents interested in adoption.

Founded in 1983 in the back room of a church, the ministry has offices in Sacramento, Fresno, Ventura and San Luis Obispo.

 Twenty-five years later, the agency has placed more than 3,500 children worldwide, thanks to a staff of 40 and more than 200 volunteers.

The classes will help people to understand the process of adoption and whether it is feasible for their family. The sessions run from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Oceanside office is located at 2191 El Camino Real, Suite No. 202.

For more information, or to receive a free packet with details on the ministry’s services, visit www.fcadoptions.org or call (760) 966-0531.


Russian musicians to present peace concert
OCEANSIDE — The nonprofit Sunshine Brooks Theatre, in collaboration with Oceanside-based church Choose Life, will present a concert of Russian music at 3 p.m. Sept. 11.

The free concert will feature musicians from Sacramento to San Diego, who will perform Russian religious and old folk songs promoting peace and spirituality.

In addition to this concert, the theater will also host concerts featuring local musicians on Sept. 15 and 22. The cost for those tickets is $5. Military families are admitted for free. The two concerts are part of the theater’s popular family-friendly series featuring original works from single performers and bands from North San Diego County, who are not yet signed with recording labels, but do seek self-expression on the local music scene. The music series is held the third and fourth Wednesday of every month.

The theater is located at 217 North Coast Highway. Parking is located at the Civic Center behind the library.

For more information, visit www.sunshinebrookstheatre.org or call (760) 419-3897.


St. Mark’s holds digital art show
SAN DIEGO — St. Mark's United Methodist Church will host its 7th annual Digital Art Show, featuring guest juror Lee Zasloff, from Oct. 10 to Nov. 7.

This year’s theme is “Creation Continues.”

The entry fee is $5 per submission.

Juror Lee Zasloff, a digital artist and media instructor at MiraCosta College will choose entries for various cash awards.

The church is located at 3502 Clairemont Drive.

Artists will find complete details on the church Web site at

www.stmarksumcsd.org. For more information, call (858) 273-1480.


Christian concert at SDSU
SAN DIEGO — A group of Christian students from San Diego State University will present a free concert featuring the band OtherTree on Oct. 1 in Montezuma Hall on campus.

The concert is free, but there is a $5 fee to park.

The purpose of the concert is to encourage college-aged Christians and those ministering to them through the worship of Jesus Christ.

For more information, send an e-mail to brookeplowman@yahoo.com or call (858) 248-1777.


Purposeful evening
SAN DIEGO — Women of Purpose will hold an inspirational dessert meeting at 6:30 Sept. 28 at the Town & Country Resort Hotel.

The evening begins with dessert, followed by a talk by Beth Craig, a Northern California resident who will share how her storybook life unraveled as she tried everything to “fix her story.” But the harder she tried, the worse things seemed to get. And then, God showed up in an amazing way. Craig will share how God’s unconditional love helped her get unstuck from her painful story and how He is helping her to write a new chapter filled with hope and freedom from past fears.

The evening will also feature the debut performance of the “The Purpose Chicks,” which will feature the voices of independent recording artists Sylvia Lange and Mary James.

Tickets purchased by Sept. 19 are $19. The price increases to $21 for tickets purchased the following week and $25 at the door, if space is available. Seating is first-come, first-served. Group discounts available.

For more information, visit www.womenofpurpose.org.


The truth about self
RANCHO BERNARDO — The Church at Rancho Bernardo will host “The Truth About Me,” a free five-week self-awareness seminar from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19 to Oct. 17 at The Cove at the church.

The sessions will be taught by Adell Russ, MFT, who will help attendees explore the skills needed to transform old familiar patterns into proactive choices that bring fulfillment. The beginning of change, she said, is to take an honest look at your life.

The Cove is located at 11838 Bernardo Plaza Court, just a few driveways down from the main campus.

To register, call Adell Russ at (619) 847-7173.


Standing on the faith
LA MESA — Christian apologist Greg Koukl of Stand to Reason will present a free seminar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 11 at New Life Presbyterian Church.

Koukl will teach attendees how to think more clearly about their convictions and how to make an effective, even-handed, gracious case for classical Christianity and classical Christian values.

The church is located at 5333 Lake Murray Blvd.

To register or for more information, send and e-mail to info@newlifelamesa.org or call (619) 667-5999.


Creation museum hosts free admission day
SANTEE —The Creation & Earth History Museum will host a free open house featuring presentations by creation scientists, children’s events and new resources.

The Museum Day event will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 25.

The scheduled scientists include Dr. Joseph Francis, “Viruses: The Amazing Abilities of God’s Tiniest Living Creatures,” 10 a.m.; Dr. Joseph Francis, “The Intricate Immune System: God’s Mercy on Display,” noon; Dr. John Baumgardner, “Catastrophic Plate Tectonics: The Mechanism Behind the Genesis Flood,” 2 p.m. and Dr. John Baumgardner, “Thousands not Billions: Radioisotope Evidence for a Young Earth.”

The museum is located at 10946 Woodside Ave. North.

For more information, visit www.lifeandlightfoundation.org or call (619) 599-1104.


New Christian directory released
SAN DEIGO — The latest edition of the Christian Examiner Yellow Pages has been released and is available now all over San Diego County in churches and Christian bookstores. The 2010-2011 directory showcases more than 1,000 phone numbers and website addresses of local Christian-owned businesses, Christian non-profit ministries and Christian schools and colleges.

Published annually since 1987 as a companion publication to the Christian Examiner newspaper, the directory is a comprehensive resource for the Christian community. It provides the opportunity for Christian professionals and business owners to identify themselves as believers and put their products and services before the Christian public. It allows Christians to take their needs directly to their fellow believers and bless them with their patronage.

What can one find in the directory? Accountants, attorneys, auto service, beauty salons, candle shops, carpet cleaners, chiropractors, contractors, counselors, dentists, heating and air conditioning services, insurance agents, locksmiths, nursing homes and retirement centers, optometrists, painters, plumbing, real estate services, roofers, tax preparers, travel agencies and a whole host of other services.

In the ministry section, one can find adoption services, bible study programs, camps, counter-cult ministries, discipleship programs, humanitarian aid, men’s and women’s ministries, marketplace ministries, prayer ministries, pro-life and public policy organizations, social services, and youth programs, among many others.

The directory is free and can be picked up at most local churches and Christian bookstores, or call (619) 668-5100 and request a copy to be mailed to you.