Neill James Seminar
Dr. Richard Rhoda’s talk at the Tuesday, April 21, 2 p.m. Neill James Seminar is titled “100 Years of Reforms in Mexico.” The Lake Chapala Society (LCS) presentation will focus mostly on current President Enrique Pena Nieto’s aggressive economic reform program which includes breaking up monopolies and privatizing certain petroleum activities.
To put these reforms in context, the session will briefly review historical reforms, such as the political and economic changes implemented by Ernesto Zedillo in the 1990s. Rhoda, who has lived in Mexico for 16 years, is joint author (with Tony Burton) of the popular book, “Geo-Mexico: The Geography and Dynamics of Modern Mexico.” The presentation in the LCS Sala is open to the public.
Singles Event
Enjoying the Lake Chapala Society Singles’ ‘Meet and Greet’ event last month at Just Chillin’ were, from left, Kit Mognett, Vicki Brooks and Ron McCulloch. In the photo below are Janet Fisher and Diane Bucaro. The group’s next event will be in May, with a date yet to be determined.
Free Sterilization
Dogs and cats will be spayed and neutered free for Mexican nationals in the mobile unit of the Jalisco Secretary of Health located at DIF headquarters in Ajijic from April 20 until May 8. Those with animals requiring this service must make arrangements with Irma at DIF Ajijic before April 20.
New LCS Trip
The LCS is sponsoring a quick three-hour shopping trip to Costco and Super Mega on Lopez Mateos South on Tuesday, May 19. The bus will leave the sculpture in La Floresta at 8:30 a.m. and return between 1 and 1:30 p.m. So that the LCS can make plans and book an appropriately sized vehicle for this new venture, those who wish to participate are asked to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible.
LCS members will pay 250 pesos and the cost for non-members will be 300 pesos. To book the bus, LCS needs to know soon how many people are interested in this new excursion. Tickets are sold at the LCS office.
The volunteers in the LCS office are also taking reservations for the next regular bus trip to Galerias Plaza, Sam’s, Costco and the surrounding area. The bus will leave the sculpture in La Floresta on Thursday, May 7, 9:30 a.m. The cost is 250 pesos for members and 300 pesos for non-members. Shoppers also enjoy the array or restaurants in the mall, including the Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, Chili’s, Outback Steakhouse, Applebee’s, McDonald’s and Dairy Queen. Tickets for these trips sell out quickly.
Casi Nuevo
The Casi Nuevo (Like New) Bazaar in Riberas del Pilar, which provides funds for area children’s charities, now sells donated furniture in addition to clothing, accessories and household items. Area residents can donate unwanted furniture to the bazaar or place it in the store on consignment with the donors receiving 70 percent while the remainder goes to help Have Hammer … Will Travel and the School for Special Children.
For more information, contact the Casi Nuevo Bazaar across from the 7-Eleven in Riberas del Pilar by phone at (376) 106-2121 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
St. Andrew’s
The Gospel reading at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church on Sunday, April 12 was about Thomas’s refusal to believe. The reading for Sunday, April 19 has the risen Jesus standing right in front of them, and the entire band of Jesus’ followers “were disbelieving.” This story from Luke’s Gospel is the setting for Fr. Winston Welty’s sermon, “Doubting Easter,” during the 10 a.m. worship service. The coffee hour follows in the garden after the service.
Wednesday at 11 a.m. sees the third of four sessions in the series, “Origins of the Church of England,” led by parishioner Arnold Smith.
Every Sunday, the feeding program supported by St. Andrew’s welcomes donations of non-perishable items, which are to be left in the baskets by the church doors.
St. Andrew’s is at Calle San Lucas 19, a block south of the Carretera in Riberas Del Pilar.
Christ Church
Christ Church Lakeside will observe Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament in the Little Chapel by the Lake on Sunday, April 19, 9:30 a.m. Deacon Rob Wells will preside. The message by Rev. Sandy Olson is based on Luke 24: 36b-48 and titled “What Now?”
The congregations of Christ Church Lakeside and the Little Chapel by the Lake share a common coffee fellowship time from 10:35 until 11:10 a.m.
The Tuesday Bible Study led by Wells will resume in May at 10 a.m. The Little Chapel is at Carretera 10 in Chula Vista.
Presbyterian
Pastor Ross Arnold’s sermon for the Sunday, April 19, 10 a.m. worship service at the Lakeside Presbyterian Church is entitled, “And We Are Not Left Alone.” He has based it on the account of Jesus’ resurrection appearance recorded in Luke 24:36-48.
The closest followers of Jesus are still staggered by his death and then astounded by his resurrection and by his promise that the Holy Spirit would soon be sent to teach and encourage them. That great word of inspiration – that the disciples had not been left to figure out and maintain their faith alone – is also a message for all of us who seek to follow Jesus today.
Lakeside Presbyterian Church is meeting in their new building at San Jorge 250 in Riberas del Pilar. It is two blocks toward the lake from Mom’s Restaurant. The English-language and Spanish-language congregations meet together for refreshments and fellowship at 11 a.m., followed by the noon service in Spanish.
San Andrés English
Rev. Basil G. Royston, D.Min will conduct the Sunday, April 19 English Mass at 9 a.m. He says, “This week we come together today like that first group of believers, united in heart and soul, and celebrating our victory over the world through our faith in Christ, the Son.”
The English-language Catholic Mass is celebrated by Royston each Sunday in El Templo de San Andrés, the parish church of Ajijic, in the center of the village.
Little Chapel
The interdenominational congregation of the Little Chapel by the Lake meets at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 19, for the refreshment period shared with the members of Christ Church Lakeside, followed by the 11:15 a.m. worship service.
Rev. Gene Raymer will deliver the message, “They’re Not Like Us,” in which he points out that we usually think of the early church as one cohesive group. But there were, in fact, many factions within the early fellowship of Christian believers. These differences could have split the church apart apart. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the uniqueness of the individuals resulted in the phenomenal growth of the Christian faith. Raymer believes those same qualities exist within today’s fellowship and will challenge the congregation to emulate the first century church. As usual, fellowship and food will continue at a local restaurant following the service.
The Little Chapel by the Lake is located on the mountain side of the Carretera, just east of the golf course in Chula Vista. To learn more about the church visit LCBTL on Facebook.
Unitarian Universalist
Lew Crippen will present “Religious Fanaticism: Is it Really Religious?” during the Sunday, April 19, 10:30 a.m. meeting of the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at at Plaza de la Ribera, Rio Bravo 10A.
Unitarian Universalists search for truth along many paths. They gather around common moral values that include the inherent worth and dignity of every person. They are a caring, liberal, open-minded community that encourages others to seek their own spiritual path wherever it leads. For further information, visit the webpage at www.uuflc.org.
Buddhist Community
The Heart of Awareness Buddhist Community meets at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays for meditation and dharma teachings. Each meeting begins with 30 minutes of sitting meditation followed by a 10-minute walking meditation and another 10 minutes sitting. The dharma film to be shown on Wednesday, April 22 is “Buddhism the Essential Points, Part 1.”
The sangha is in Plaza San Juan at Guadalupe Victoria 101 in Ajijic. Heart of Awareness is a non-sectarian Buddhist practice community grounded in the original teachings of the Buddha as preserved in the Theravada/Vipassana tradition. Membership in Heart of Awareness is open to those with Zen, Tibetan or Shambhala backgrounds, as well as people with no previous meditation experience. For further information on the sangha, call Janet Reichert at (376) 766-6069.