19th Anniversary
Friends and benefactors of Villa Infantil de Guadalupe y San Jose are invited to join the sisters and children in celebrating the orphanage’s 19th anniversary. The Saturday, July 11 event will begin with the celebration of the Holy Mass at 1 p.m.
Guests will then share a potluck luncheon with the children. Later in the afternoon the children will entertain their guests with songs and dances.
LCS Summerfest
The Lake Chapala Society (LCS) is hosting Summerfest, a “celebration of music and art,” at its Ajijic campus on Saturday, July 11.
The festivities begin at 12:30 p.m. with the music of Black Swan with Diamonds, Reggae with Smoky Dub and the TallBoys Band with the Brass Balls Horn Section.
Between musical acts, other entertainment, including the 2015 Lip Sync performers and life art demonstrations, will keep guests interested and involved.
Food from local restaurants including Just Chillin’, Number Four and more, will be on hand. Tickets at the door are 150 pesos.
Progressives
The Lakeside Progressives meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 4 p.m. at the Peacock Garden Restaurant will focus on the November 2015 U.S. elections for state and national positions.
A discussion of the pros and cons of Democratic presidential candidates – declared or not – will follow. Candidate Bernie Sanders’ position will be highlighted. Members may decide to vote to endorse a progressive Democrat.
The book report presented by Chad Olsen on Alec MacGillis’ “The Cynic: The Political Education of Mitch McConnell” during the June meeting, is still being discussed.
This is a group of like-minded people looking for progressive solutions to problems not being addressed by the major political parties. Most attendees stay for an early dinner and additional discussion following the meeting. The group’s Facebook page is Lakeside Progressives. Email Chad Olsen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions.
Freethinkers
The Wednesday, July 15, 4 p.m. meeting of the Lakeside Freethinkers will feature a presentation by Stephen Segall on logic and critical thinking. Later, members may bring up other discussion topics.
The Lakeside Freethinkers currently meet at La Nueva Posada restaurant on the third Wednesday of each month. Dinner and additional discussion follow the meeting.
This group defines a “freethinker” as a person who identifies as an atheist, agnostic, secular humanist or skeptic. They believe that individuals should not accept ideas proposed as truth without recourse to knowledge and reason. They reject belief in the supernatural and rely on science and reason to guide their lives.
To attend, or to obtain additional information, 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..
Legion Luau
Could anything, short of a trip to the islands, be better than a luau on a summer afternoon? The plans of the Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post 7 in Chapala for their Thursday, July 23 Hawaiian luau include roast pig, pupus (appetizer platters), tropical fruit, dessert and more, including entertainment.
Tickets for members are just 150 pesos; general admission is 180 pesos.
Open Circle
Peter Luciano, Jim Lloyd and Jayme Littlejohn will join forces to present the Sunday, July 12, 10:30 a.m. Open Circle presentation in the rear LCS gardens.
The cultural richness of the lakeside community has led to three thriving theaters, each distinct and viable in its offerings. The speakers represent the three venues – the august Lakeside Little Theatre (LLT), the joyfully controversial Naked Stage, and the crackerjack new Bravo! Theatre.
In retirement, Luciano brings leadership and management skills to his role as LLT president. There he has built on the strength of the theater’s 50-year history. Luciano is a year-round lakeside resident.
Lloyd was asked by Naked Stage founder Jeritza McCarter to be a member of the board, a position he has held for the ensuing years. He has been both director and an actor for several of the venue’s readings.
Jayme Littlejohn of The Bravo! Theatre is also the founder and producer of My, My, How Nice! Productions. She received theatrical training in Minneapolis and studied dance at Merce Cunningham’s studio in New York City.
The Little Chapel
The congregation of the Little Chapel by the Lake will join the members of Christ Church Lakeside for a period of fellowship and refreshment on Sunday, July 12, at 10:45 a.m.
The interdenominational worship service follows at 11:15 a.m. Pastor Gene Raymer will deliver the message, “Why Have A Church?” The pastor says, “The first century Christian church had three primary goals. Today we need to follow their example.”
Members of the congregation visit area restaurants for a fellowship meal after the weekly worship service.
Tuesday, July 14, members will meet at 7 p.m. to continue studying the series “Experiencing God.”
The midweek movies series will resume on Wednesday, July 15, 4:30 p.m. The movie shown will be “Because of Winn Dixie.” Admission and refreshments are free.
The Little Chapel by the Lake is east of the Chula Vista Golf Course on the Carretera. For additional information, visit the TLCBTL Facebook page.
Christ Church
Christ Church Lakeside will observe the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost on Sunday, July 12, 9:30 a.m. with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist Rite II at the Little Chapel by the Lake.
Fr. Danny Borkowski will preside. His message is titled “What We Believe,” and based on the Apostles’ Creed.
The congregations of Christ Church Lakeside and the Little Chapel share a common coffee fellowship time between their two services each Sunday.
St. Andrew’s Anglican
Preparing for the worship service of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Fr. Winston Welty says, “Too many preachers sell the false ‘gospel of prosperity,’ promising a better, more successful life to people of faith. But the hard truth is that following God can actually make life more difficult than before, and more prone to failure.”
While not a very cheerful picture, the other side of that coin is the focus of “The Cost of Conversion,” the sermon for the Sunday, July 12, 10 a.m. worship service. Refreshments follow in the garden.
Sunday School begins at 9:45 a.m. On the second Sunday of each month, donations are received for the support of area children and their families. Each Sunday, the feeding program supported by St. Andrew’s welcomes donations of non-perishable food items.
St. Andrew’s is located at Calle San Lucas 19, a block south of the Carretera in Riberas del Pilar.
Lakeside Presbyterian
Lakeside Presbyterian Pastor Ross Arnold continues his series of sermons on Jesus’ love, and how followers can best honor and live by his words.
On Sunday, July 12, the sermon text for the 10 a.m. worship service is John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another ...”
In his sermon titled “If You Love Me, Love One Another,” Arnold considers what it means to love as Jesus loved.
At 11:30 a.m., following worship and refreshments, the Pastor’s Forum convenes in the church library. Attendees are free to ask questions about the sermon, the church, the faith, or any other topic.
On the Second Sunday of each month, Lakeside Presbyterian hosts a lunch for members and friends.
Lakeside Presbyterian Church is on San Jorge 250 in Riberas del Pilar. Turn toward the lake at Mom’s Restaurant, go two blocks – the church is on the right.
San Andrés English
“The command we have been given by God is, ‘Go, tell my people,’” says Fr. Basil G. Royston, D.Min. “And that message is the most stupendous one imaginable: that God has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings from heaven in Christ.”
Royston will lead the English-speaking congregation of San Andrés Parish church in the Mass on Sunday, July 12, 9 a.m.
On the second Sunday of each month, the congregation presents a second, white envelope offering to subsidize the outreach programs of the congregation as they continue to assist hundreds of lakesiders, from school children, seminarians and orphans to the elderly. The group also gives regular contributions to Cruz Roja, Operation Feed, Anita’s Animals and other organizations that assist area residents.
Unitarian Universalist
Those attending the Sunday, July 12 meeting of the Lake Chapala Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will see a video sermon by Bobbie Vegiard. Titled “Idolatries Of The Mind And Spirit,” the presentation looks at the history of one of the six sources of faith: humanism and how it has influenced the pursuit of ever evolving truths and the importance of recognizing our own assumptions.
Holding too rigidly to beliefs can become idolatry leaving no room for new truth. The talk addresses the need to welcome a diversity of beliefs; coming together with different ideas and perspectives to encourage others on the spiritual journey.
Unitarian Universalists search for truth along many paths gathering 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. They meet at at Plaza de la Ribera, Rio Brave 10A. For further information visit www.uuflc.org.
Buddhist Group
The Heart of Awareness Community meeting on Wednesday, July 15 will begin with Noble Silence at 4 p.m., followed by a formal meditation, dharma teachings and discussion at 4:30 p.m. The teaching will be the third part of the recording by Larry Rosenberg on the topic “Brainwashing.”
The sangha’s location is at Guadalupe Victoria 101, suites A-B, in Ajijic. The Heart of Awareness is a non-sectarian community grounded in the teachings of the Buddha as preserved in the Theravada/Vipassana tradition. Prior experience or affiliation is not required. For further information on the community and scheduled activities, visit the website, www.heartofawareness.org, or call Janet Reichert at (376) 766-6069.