Expat Living

Everything was destroyed.  Gone.  But today, the singing was strong, powerful, full of joy, strength, hope and life.  They had a place to worship again. 

Heart of Awareness Buddhist Community

The Heart of Awareness Buddhist Community offers opportunities to meditate together at the Practice Center (Guadalupe Victoria 101, Ajijic) on Sundays and Wednesdays. 

Michael Hogan, the Guadalajara-based author, poet and historian, received the Millennium Writers Nonfiction Award for 2023.

Lakeside singers are back and looking for carolers to visit four lakeside assisted living homes on Thursday, December 14.

Judea de Jalisco

Judea de Jalisco is an alternative, Mexican and expat/immigrant, LBGTQA+ welcoming, faith-based community that meets for spiritual and social events, where Jewish ethics/values, music, laughter and food are highlighted. Please consider joining this fast growing community by attending an afternoon of Tacos, Tequila, and Torá on Sunday, November 26, at noon, at a private home in West Ajijic. The cost is 250 pesos per adult, children are free. Pay at the door. Space is limited, so please email the Rabbiaaron1 @gmail.com  to register and get the address.

Heart of Awareness

Buddhist Community

The Heart of Awareness Buddhist Community offers opportunities to meditate together at the Practice Center (Guadalupe Victoria 101, Ajijic) on Sundays and Wednesdays.  Chairs and cushions are provided.  All are welcome regardless of experience or affiliation.  Donations are appreciated.

Sunday, November 26, the Center is open from 9-10am for sitting and walking meditation. We begin with 30 minutes of sitting meditation practice, 15 minutes of walking, and 15 minutes sitting.

Wednesday, November 29, 4 to 6:30 p.m. From 4 to 5 p.m., we offer an hour of meditation practice consisting of 30 minutes sitting, 15 minutes of walking, and 15 minutes sitting. From 5 to 6 p.m. our senior meditation teacher, Marty Janowitz will offer a dharma talk around our November theme of gratitude and generosity.

You can also join us on Zoom for the entire session and the link can be found at heartofawareness.org.

Thursday November 30, our Practice/Book Study group, open to all, meets from 1 to 2:30 p.m. We are reading “Welcoming the Unwelcomed” by Pema Chrödron. You do not need the book to participate.

St. Andrew’s Anglican

Sunday, November 26, Rev. James Twyman will preach and celebrate.  The service begins at 10 a.m.

St. Andrew’s Christmas Eve service will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday, December 24.  Monday’s Christmas Day service of Morning Prayer will begin at our usual 10 a.m. time.

Pastor Michelle will offer an Advent Lectionary and Art Study series for five consecutive Wednesdays at 10 a.m., at St. Andrew’s; the series will begin November 29 through December 27. The discussions will cover Advent lectionary readings and the wonderfully diverse art associated with the texts.

To join, please contact Michelle asap, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by text at 333-033-4121.

In December, St. Andrew’s will offer three free concerts, to which the public is invited.  All concerts are Sundays at 4 p.m:

• December 3: Harmony, Ajijic’s signature female choir, will join Guadalajara University’s Chamber Choir and the Kayahuel Group;

• December 10 : Noteworthy, a lakeside trio, will offer both seasonal and sacred and secular numbers;

• December 20 : St. Andrew’s annual music and Potluck dinner.  Please bring your favorite covered dish and join us to sing in the Yuletide.

St. Andrew’s live streams Sunday services and sermon highlights and also publishes daily inspiration, parish news and events on its Facebook page: St Andrews Anglican Lake Chapala.

To become part of the parish, contact Rev. Michelle at: standrewsparishlakeside @gmail.com. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Lakeside Presbyterian

Sunday, November 26, Pastor Wayne will talk about “The Truth About Jesus.”

In Mexico we know about festivals. The Jews of Jesus day also had celebrations. One of these, the Feast of Tabernacles, involved the remembrance of the time their ancestors lived in temporary shelters or tents made of branches and leaves. The Jewish people built these booths to commemorate their deliverance from Egypt and God’s care during their 40 years in the wilderness.

During the festival, the Jewish people would pour out water in the Temple to represent God’s provision of water in the desert. There was a torch parade that symbolized God’s pillar of fire that had guided them by night The smoke from the fires may have represented the clouds that led them by day. The entire feast of Tabernacles reminded the people of God’s protection and provision.

Part of what John is trying to convey is that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s provision.

The English language service is at 9:30 a.m., which also streams live at facebook.com/LPCChapala.

Everyone is welcome to Wednesday drop-in Bible study.

If you need a ride, or more information, call 376-106-0853 before 4 p.m. on Thursday.

There is coffee and refreshments after the service in the Narthex.

Calle San Jorge 250 in Riberas del Pilar.

Heritage Baptist Church

Am I truly thankful?  Thanksgiving is an expression of gratitude. The opposite of ungratefulness. Therefore, not to be thankful is to show no gratitude and to be unappreciative.

The Psalmist wrote to people who claimed to love God: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” (Psalm 100:4). God made us for fellowship with Himself, but sin interrupted that fellowship. Our great sin is rejecting God. We suppress our knowledge of Him and have lost the ability to understand Him. The result of which is a darkened heart. Such a person is blind and is destined to live in darkness. However, God has provided the means of reconciliation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. He still invites us to come into His courts to praise Him. Worship is the humbling of our hearts before God acknowledging His greatness. Why wouldn’t we be the most thankful people in the world? Is it because Christ’s peace is not in control and the Holy Spirit is not ministering freely the truth of God in our hearts?

Heritage Baptist Church meets upstairs at the Presbyterian Church in Riberas del Pilar Sundays at 11:15 a.m.: Prayer, then the Word at 11:45 a.m. Wednesdays: Bible study at 3 p.m. Info: 333-016-3743, HeritageBaptistChurchMexico@ gmail.com, or visit our Facebook page.

Christ Church Lakeside

Christ Church Lakeside, a parish of the Diocese of the West in the Anglican Church of Mexico will observe the last Sunday after Pentecost, November 26, by celebrating the Holy Eucharist in person and via Zoom, 10:30 a.m., in our normal location. Rev. Christine Wysock will be the celebrant and give the message. Those wishing to gather for brunch after the service will meet next door at the Smoke House, Carretera Pte. 520, Ajijic, 333-454-8671.

The Loaves and Fishes food distribution will not be held Tuesday, November 28. The next event will be held December 5. More information, contact Al Ramos, 332-3134-1282, 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..

A Bible Study, hosted by Rev. Danny Borkowski, will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, November 29, 1:30 p.m. All are invited to attend, learn about the inspired contents of the Bible, and share their insights with each other.

If you haven’t attended a Bible Study with Rev. Danny you should as you will find it extremely interesting and educational.

Saturday 9 December, The Noteworthy Trio will present a Christmas concert at the church at 4 p.m. There is no admission fee, but a free will offering will be taken to benefit the church’s Loaves and Fishes outreach program.

If you wish to attend either the Holy Eucharist and/or the Bible Study, contact Rev. Jim Powers at jimminap @gmail.com, or 322-356-0382 for the ID and password.

Lake Chapala Baptist

And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them. And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15: 6-6)

When we are taught to ride a bike or drive a car, we are taught to look ahead and not close to where we are. As Christians, we should be looking toward the heavens and see where God wants us to be in the future. Abraham listened to God, believed, and became the father of a great people. I was talking to a friend of mine who has seen much trouble in her life. Fifteen years ago, she was in jail on drug charges and had lost everything. She saw herself, in the future, in prison. God had a different vision for her, and she believed. She is now living His vision for her life. She is a respected member of her church and society. Her daughter is married to a ministerial student. She is happy and content with God’s plan. God spoke and she believed. We all need to listen for that voice and reach for His vision for our lives.

Lake Chapala Baptist Church is at Santa Margarita 147, Riberas del Pilar. English-language worship service is at 10:45 a.m. The Spanish-language worship service is at 12:30 p.m. Phone 331-608-0856.

Unitarian Universalist

Fellowship

Sunday, November 26, Rev. Matt Alspaugh will speak on “Giving Thanks and the Path to Generosity.”

Generosity, giving thanks, and gratitude are closely related qualities. Generous people tend to be grateful people, and grateful people tend to be more generous. Perhaps these qualities are a trait of human nature, or perhaps they can be learned—or unlearned. We’ll explore the nature of generosity, and gratitude.

D’Vorah Kelley will be the service associate.

December 3, Cat Barnett will speak about “Mind-Body/Universe Connection” with Robert Barnett as the service associate.

LCUUF services are Sundays, 10:30 a.m. at Hidalgo 261, Riberas del Pilar, next to Doppio Café, across the road from the Catholic Church.

Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation

A Chanukah party will be held Thursday, December 7, 3 to 5 p.m. at the Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation, Santa Margarita #113, Riberas del Pilar.Hosted by Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation.

A message from the Host: Let’s celebrate Chanukah together! The fun, food and laughter start at 3 p.m., on Thursday, December 7th. There will be latkes, lots more food, dreidels, games, prizes and of course, lighting as many menorahs (technically, they are called chanukia) as we can! Feel free to bring your menorah/chanukia and candles to take part.

Members: 300 pesos, all others: 400 pesos.

R.S.V.P. and payment required by Tuesday, November 28. Pay at the synagogue Tuesday, November 21 (LCJC Game Day) or Tuesday, November 28, between 2 and 5 pm on both days, or contact surgarfreeme @hotmail.com  for other arrangements.

Join us the first and third Saturday at 10 a.m., live and zoom for services.
Join us live the second and fourth Friday for service and potluck at 6 p.m.
Contact us at 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.. Website is LakeChapalaJewishConregation.com.

Little Chapel by the Lake

Sunday, November 26, the service is at 11 a.m.

Little Chapel is located on the Ajijic-Chapala highway 10 in Chula Vista. A Grace meal is held after the service, with the main dish provided, accompanying dishes of whatever you bring.

Little Chapel information: 376-766-2538.

Donations for our mission in San Juan Tecomatlan are always gladly accepted via the big purple box in front of the Chapel. Thank you for continuing to contribute via your donations.

Tuesday’s Bible discussion is suspended until November 28.

Christian Science Group

You are invited to attend our Testimony Meetings every first and third Wednesday of the month at 12 p.m. at Cinco de Mayo 3, Ajijic. The one hour meeting begins with readings from the Bible and the Christian Science textbook “Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy, followed by testimonies of spiritual healing that have resulted from the study and practice of Christian Science. For more information visit www.christianscienceajijic. org or call 331-155-4733. All are welcome.

St. Mark’s Anglican

Episcopal Church GDL

Sunday, November 26, Father James Twyman of Saint Andrew’s Anglican Episcopal Church at Lakeside will preach at SMAC at 1:30 p.m.

Lessons and Carols on December 10 and Christmas Eve services will be at 5:30 p.m. and feature paid soloists. 

Chichimecas 836, corner of Aztecas, diagonally across the street from the UAG ICB Campus, Colonia Monraz, Guadalajara. Website: stmarksgdl.com/en.

Abundant Life Church

Who can God use? Most believers say that God can use everyone but then think that without certain education, ability or a special calling the way God can use us is limited. Come this Sunday, November 26, to see how God can use you. The need for workers is great and in reality there is no shortage of workers. The problem is that many of the workers are reluctant and have not yet entered His service. Let’s be the workers God can count on!  

Abundant Life Church is affiliated with the Assemblies of God of Mexico and has services for everyone.  Weekly Sunday worship services start at 10:30 a.m.

Services are on the Facebook page as well as the YouTube channel. The 10:30 a.m. English services schedule is at abuntandtlifechapala.com. Bible study in English is held at 11 a.m. each Wednesday. Carretera 140, San Antonio Tlayacapan, just a block from SuperLake.

Seventh-Day Adventist

The Lakeside Chapala Seventh-day Adventist Church invites you to share a good time together.

The appointment is every Saturday, 10 a.m. for fellowship and singing. 10:30 a.m. for a shared biblical study and at 11:30 a.m. the main worship service.

Help with transportation; WhatsApp 642-161-4143 or e-mail 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.. Information: www.LakesideChapalaSDA.org.

Carretera Chapala-Ajijic No. 10, Fracc. Chula Vista, Chapala.

Grace Church Chapala

Grace Church Chapala is a Christian Church located in the Bravo Theatre building at 441 Hidalgo in Riberas del Pilar. We welcome you to worship Jesus Christ with us on Sunday’s at 10 a.m. Our praise music is a contemporary style. We host an open Bible study on Tuesdays at 10 a.m.  

Led by the teaching of Pastor Alan Pohl we strive to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Grace supports an outreach ministry to the children of Mezcala. You will find a friendly welcome here with opportunities to connect with other believers and to serve God. Information: GraceChapalamx.church.  

Lakeside CommunityFellowship

Independencia 159, (next to Fenix Realty), San Antonio, Tlayacapan.

Sunday service, 10 a.m.; Ladies Bible study, Tuesday, 10 a.m.; Men’s Bible study, Thursday, 10 a.m. Information: 332-208-9263.

Mezcala Christian Church

Pastor Lionel Sanchez and other area Christian pastors share and teach the love of Jesus every Saturday, 10 a.m. A delicious Grace meal is provided after every service. Transportation or carpooling at 9:15 a.m. from Walmart, Little Chapel by the Lake or Soriano parking lots available. Contact 970 219-5983 in advance via WhatsApp FaceTime or messenger.

Calle Hidalgo 251-B Mezcala (green building with burgundy cross).

Unity Namaste of Ajijic 

All are welcome every Sunday, noon, at Namaste Village, Angel Flores 5, Ajijic, or via Zoom through unitynamaste.org, and “meet and greet” hospitality starting at 11:30 a.m. A potluck supper is served after the service on the last Sunday of every month. 

Unity Namaste of Ajijic is an official Unity ministry chartered by Unity Worldwide Ministries. Information: unitynamaste. org.

San Andres Catholic Church 

Marcos Castellanos 14, Centro, Ajijic. English Mass Sundays 9 a.m. Information: Rose, +423-312-7468.

San Juan BautistaCatholic Church

English Mass- Sundays 9 a.m. Del Cardenal 25 Raquet Club, San Juan Cosala.

Satsang with Noris:

The Peace You Can Offer is the theme Sunday, November 26, 2 to 4 p.m., at Hogar de Madre, Aquiles Serdan 5 (Blue door) between calles Zaragoza and Hidalgo in Ajijic.

During Satsang we investigate and discover what in us is yearning for peace, what is ready to give its all for gaining peace, and what is already in peace…

The peace that is alive in you is already here. It doesn’t belong to the past or to the future.

Spiritual teacher Noris Binet facilitates Meditative Self-Awareness and Self-Inquiry to support spiritual awakening and self-realization. She is in the Advaita, non-dual tradition under the lineage of Ramana Maharshi and—for 23-years--her root teacher Gangaji.

Noris is a psycho/spiritual therapist holding an honoris causa doctorate in counseling and philosophy from the IIHS in Montreal, Canada.

Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation

A Chanukah party will be held Thursday, December 7, 3 to 5 p.m. at the Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation, Santa Margarita #113, Riberas del Pilar.Hosted by Lake Chapala Jewish Congregation.