The Presbyterian Church of Novato dates to 1896 and can take credit for Novato's most recognized building, the former church at 901 Sherman Avenue that has been Novato City Hall since 1962. A year later, PCN held its first service at Trevitt Hall, the current home of the church on Wilson Avenue, about two miles west of the downtown area. The sanctuary where services are held today was constructed in 1977.
There are more than 400 members of PCN, where the Rev. Kent Webber has presided for 15 years. There are Sunday school programs for kids and teens as well as many outreach and study programs.
Young Israel of Northridge is a Torah observant Jewish congretational temple. It offers many educational programs for children, teens and adults. There are also many social activities for the whole family.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church was founded in 1927 to give people an alternate site of worship to the overcrowded mission of St. Matthew's Church. The mission became popular among San Francisco residents moving south after the 1906 earthquake, and St. Paul's was erected to accommodate the growing number of worshipers. Since then, it has grown to encompass a close-knit congregation of followers from around the peninsula. The church holds strongly to Episcopal philosophy.
The YMCA is a nonprofit membership organization committed to enriching kids, adults, families and the community through health, fitness and wellness programs and youth programs. The YMCA has programs for all ages, incomes and abilities. This chapter, located on Alves Drive in Cupertino, has an indoor pool, a fitness center, a teen center and a family pavilion. There is also a child care facility here.
St. John Preschool of Orinda aims to provide a safe and stimulating environment, staffed with trained and caring staff, and implement a program based on current child care and educational practices. The preschool is located on the grounds of St. John the Evangelist Antiochian Orthodox Church. For more information, visit the Web site.
The Artesia D.E.S. is a historic community center that focuses on promoting Portuguese pride and heritage. Its main community projects include the Artesia D.E.S. Band and the Artesia D.E.S. Soccer Club.
The center also hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year, including marching bands, concerts that host ancient and contemporary songs and the famed bloodless bullfights.
On the weekends, the Portuguese Hall is frequently rented to the public for weddings and other events. For information on renting banquet rooms, contact Louis Gomes at 562-865-6283.
Sherman Oaks Presbyterian Church serves the entire San Fernando Valley and welcomes people of all ages, genders and backgrounds to service. The church is under the direction of Pastor Reverend Zachary Kintner. The church offers a variety of ministries, including a ministry dealing with Christian education, a counseling ministry, children's ministry, music ministry, prayer ministry and fellowship. This church also has a full-service nursery school. Worship is held every Sunday, with three worship options offered to churchgoers: two traditional services at 8:30am and 10am, and a contemporary worship service at 11:45am. Visit Sherman Oaks Presbyterian Church's website for information on programs, ministries and the nursery school, as well as to download and listen to podcasts of past sermons.
Saint Catherine of Siena is a Roman Catholic Church. The small beautifully ornate building with a tall steeple is a Laguna Beach landmark. All faiths are welcome to pray and worship here. Services are offered daily.
St. Monica's Catholic Church originated in Santa Monica as a small parish church in 1886, and has grown to be one of the largest–and most active–faith communities in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. It is a vibrant Catholic community, known locally for the strength of their ministries. They have a variety of outreach programs, including a parish, high school, and elementary school. Weekly newsletters are provided free to the community as a way to keep track of all the many events, services, and programs available. Visit the church's website for more information.
Santa Cruz Elks Lodge offers a place for Elks members to gather. It works closely with the community through special programs, sponsorships, fundraisers and special events. The location hosts weekly bingo games and dinners, as well as birthday nights and community events. A calendar of local events is available at the website listed.
This is an association that promotes the wines and wineries of Dry Creek Valley with two major events a year. "Passport to Dry Creek Valley" and newly added "Gateway to Passport," which made its debut in 2010, help the more than 60 wineries and 150 wine grape growers communicate why its products are some of the best on the market.
Pets in Need is a non-profit adoption shelter for dogs and cats. It was founded in 1965 both as a place to educate people about pet care and to help lost pets get home. As a no-kill shelter, no animal suitable for re-homing is ever put to death at Pets in Need. The shelter is 100% donation-based.
Amidst several churches on Middlefield Road, University A.M.E. Zion Church is the oldest African-American church in the area. Formerly located on Ramona Street, the church moved to the current Middlefield location to provide a more fitting facility for the congregation. The A.M.E. Zion Church's emphasis is on "the salvation of the whole person--mind, body and spirit." Ultimately, it strives to be "The Freedom Church."
This congregation has for many years been heavily involved in social activism in the Davis community. Members were involved in the founding of local charities such as, STEAC (Short Term Emergency Aid Committee), Community Meals, the Cold Weather Shelter, Yolo Hospice, Citizens Who Care, Suicide Prevention, and Habitat for Humanity in Yolo County. Quite a few members have also served on the Davis School Board and City Council.
This church is relatively young compared to many Methodist churches in the area. However, from the beginning, following its split from the Presbyterian Davis Community Church in 1961, it has maintained and celebrated the Methodist traditions of inspirational music, and fostering small informal groups focused on spiritual and community growth and potlucks.