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The area's Sikh community combined efforts to pay for the cost of meals served at the Poverello House in November 2009 -- $17,010.

This year, Sikhs are looking to provide more help for the homeless center.

Dr. Mohinder Poonia, a board member of the Sikh Council of Central California, says the Sikh community is pledging $20,000 toward the cost of meals in November this year. The amount could go higher, he says, depending on donations from Sikh organizations and individuals. Fundraiser events are continuing through Nov. 20.

"We want to make it a regular feature" to help the Poverello House, Poonia says.

The effort is in honor of the November birthday of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and the first of 10 Sikh gurus, and in line with a Sikhism tenet, which calls upon followers to "share with fellow human beings," Poonia says.

Sikhs have long demonstrated helping the needy at their temples (gurdwaras),which display orange banners atop flag poles as open invitations to anyone wanting food.

November also is Sikh Awareness Month in California.

Details: (559) 233-0933 or 709-5225.

The Well in Clovis

The Well Community Church has added another campus site for Clovis: 284 W. Shaw Ave.

The church's headquarters, known as the north campus, is at 2044 E. Nees Ave. The church also has a Fig Garden campus at 4545 N. Palm Ave., which recently merged with the Sunnyside campus.

Each site has a pastor in charge and a person leading live music. Then each week, one of the pastors gives a sermon at a service at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the north campus, where it is videotaped. Four days later, the sermon is aired on video screens at Sunday services at all three campuses.

The Clovis campus began holding 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday services Oct. 17 at a 30,000-square-foot building, formerly a Bally's Fitness Center and a Celebration Church site.

Jerrod Rumley is the Clovis campus pastor, and Chris Beery leads a five-member worship band. The site also holds midweek services for youth in junior high school and high school.

"We're one church with multiple locations -- and global teaching," Rumley says. "We're just happy to be used by God."

Details: (559) 326-5100.

Ministry's 20 years

First Presbyterian Church in Visalia will present a Stephen Ministry workshop 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 6 at the church, 215 N. Locust St.

The workshop celebrates the church's 20th year using Stephen Ministry, a national program that trains congregants in Christian caregiving. More than 100 people have been trained at First Presbyterian Church's workshops.

In Visalia, the workshop will feature sessions on "Ministering to Those Experiencing Grief" and "How to Care in a Distinctively Christian Way."

Cost is $15. Details: (314) 428-2600 or stephenministry.org/workshop.

LifeWay's new church

LifeWay Baptist Church will hold special events to celebrate the opening of its $2 million, 11,000-square-foot worship center, 4250 W. Bullard Ave.

* An open house and car show will be 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 6.

* Building dedication services will be at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Nov. 7.

The congregation previously held services at the West Shaw Financial Park, 2515 W. Shaw Ave. The church's pastor is the Rev. Darrell Regensberg.

Details: (559) 228-1614.

Charities' food drive

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fresno will hold its food drive 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 11 through Nov. 14 at River Park Shopping Center's Borders parking lot.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/community-out-reach/32973-sikhs-give-poverello-house-donation.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=32973

Nonperishable food will be accepted. Catholic Charities also is seeking cash donations, which will be used to buy food at discounted rates. Catholic Charities distributes food and clothing to families without regard to religious affiliation.


Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/10/29/...#ixzz13rLyT5fR