Santa Cruz Sentinel from Santa Cruz, California • Page 37

Sentinel Saturday, Sept. 24, 1994 D-3; Religion Money-hungry Americans see church as salve book said she earns a six-figure income, but it would take at least, another $50,000 a year for her to live comfortably. When religion is taken seriously, there is evidence showing it influ-; ences people in all areas, fronr-business ethics to their concern for the poor, the study found. Respondents who said religion" was very important to them were consistently less likely than." re; spondents who said religion was" not very important to have betlt; the rules in dealing with others or1 to take time off from work 'that was not due them. no, 12 percent said maybe and only 10 percent said religious values definitely influenced their decision.

The number one reason people chose their present line of work: the money. When it comes to how they allocate their treasure on Earth, Wuthnow found in interviews that often religion is merely a therapeutic device to make people feel good about themselves. In their own lives, respondents reported considering themselves anxious about their personal needs no matter how far they are up the economic ladder. One worker interviewed in the By DAVID BRIGGS The Associated Press FOUR IN five working Americans say the condition of the poor and selfishness are serious national problems. But ask them what they consider important in life, and the same numbers say having a beautiful home, a new car and other nice things.

These are among the findings of a new national study on work, money and religion that reveals a desire of many Americans to lead simpler, gentler lifestyles even as they find themselves caught in the rat race. Religion does appear to help individuals lead more ethical lives in the marketplace, but sociologist Robert Wuthnow also found substantial evidence many people are turning to churches and synagogues more to salve their conscience than challenge it. "We live in a materialistic culture, and we want money and possessions, and very few people have heard a powerful voice telling them to resist those impulses, or how to resist those impulses," said Wuthnow, who reports the study findings in his new book "God and Mammon in America" due out this week from The Free Press. "The point is the clergy need to be speaking more forthrightly and boldly on these issues." The national Gallup survey of 2,013 working adults in 1992 was part of a five-year project Wuthnow directed on Religious and Economic Beliefs and Values. Many poll respondents criticized society's emphasis on pursuing material wealth.

Ninety-two percent said the condition of the poor is a serious social problem, while 81 percent said selfishness is a serious problem. Three-quarters of the respondents said there is "too much emphasis on money" in America. Brought down to a personal level, however, 80 percent said having a beautiful home, a new car and other nice things was absolutely essential, very important or fairly important to them. Three in four respondents said wearing nice clothes was important. And organized religion, which tends to treat money like sex when it comes to taboo topics in the sanctuary, has not done a good job in challenging people to examine their own lifestyles, according to the study.

For example, when asked whether their choice of jobs was influenced by religion, 75 percent said Religion calendar Weaker pope; stronger messages As John Paul II ages, his words are getting sharper ing will be installed as youth director at worship 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday. A planning meeting of a joint Mid-County Youth Ministry project with'' Aptos United Methodist, La Selva Beach Commu-' nity Church, St. Andrew's Presbyterian and Christ Lutheran Church is 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday. The church is located at 10707 Soquel Drive, Aptos. For more information, call 688-5727. GARFIELD PARK CHRISTIAN CHURCH A dedication for teachers and students of the preschool and Sunday schools is part of the service -V. Age, illness and frailty are taking their toll on the pope.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH The sermon for service 11 a.m. Sunday is titled, "Mission Impossible." The church is located at 250 California Santa Cruz. For more information, call 429-6800. UNITY TEMPLE A workshop, "The Celes-tine Prophecy and How it Relates to Astrology" with Mickey Angello and Rob Ryan, is 6-8 p.m. Sunday in Harmony Hall.

Cost is a sliding scale of $5 $10. For more information about the workshop call, 688-7828. The temple is located at 407 Broadway, Santa Cruz. For more information, call 423-8553. UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP An all-ages service is 10:30 a.m.

Sunday. The Rev. Anna Russomano's talk is titled, "Liberation Theology For a Liberal Faith," Part for service 11 a.m. Sunday. The second part of sermon mini-series is Oct.

2. The church is located at 6401 Freedom Aptos. For more information, call 684-0506. LA SELVA COMMUNITY CHURCH Worship and Sunday school for children is at 10 a.m. Sunday.

The church is located at 26 Florido La Selva Beach. For more information, call 688-4033. LIGHT OF LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH A Salvadoran dinner benefit is 6-8 p.m. today. The dinner is to raise money for the Social Concerns Committee's trip costs to Guillermo Ungo, El Salvador.

The fund-raiser features Francisco Herrera performing songs of El Salvador. Tickets are The church is located at 360 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley. For more information, call 439-5177. SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'IS OF LIVE OAK Mary Gilbert, teacher and photographer, will speak and facilitate a discussion about the return of Christ within the context of the Baha'i faith at 2 p.m. today.

Admission is free. The group meets at the Aptos Branch Library, 7695 Soquel Drive, Aptos. For more information, call 462-9096. ST. THOMAS CHRISTIANS The group cele By JOAN CONNELL Religious News Service WHEN A bitterly disappointed Pope John Paul II canceled his trip to Sarajevo earlier this month because his presence might endanger its besieged citizens, many Catholics, fearful their leader would be exposed to gunfire, breathed a sigh of relief.

But now that the pope's Oct. 20-23 visit to the United States has been postponed until 1995 because of a lingering leg injury. Catholics have other reasons to sigh. Age, illness and frailty are taking their toll on the pope. Stooped, pale, limping and sometimes stumbling, John Paul made a heart-wrenching appearance in Zagreb, Croatia, Sept.

10. So weary was he on this peace-making mission that for the first time in memory, he bypassed the customary crowd of handicapped people assembled for a special papal blessing without so much as a wave of his hand. Despite Vatican insistence to the contrary, rumors abound about the pontiffs failing health: Is it Parkinson's Disease? Bone cancer? The consequences of a benign abdominal tumor surgeons removed two years ago? A Roman Catholic news service in Switzerland reported that one priest went so far as to offer a requiem Mass in St. Peter's Basilica Sept. 4, in the mistaken belief that John Paul had died.

But the 74-year-old leader of the 800 million members of an ethnically, culturally and philosophically diverse Roman Catholic Church is still very much alive. Even as evidence of his frailty mounts, the pope's voice seems to grow louder as pontiff to behave. "His voice may be growing louder, but it may not get any reaction," said Margaret Steinfels, editor of Commonweal, a national Catholic magazine that is supportive of the pontiff, but often critical of him. "This pope is widely loved by people around the world. He's made an enormous impression on people because of his visits, his appeals for peace and his insistence (that) the developed world pay more attention to the needs of the poor," Steinfels said.

"But many people found the tone of the papal letter on the ordination of women to be beyond the pale. "Conservatives might hail this as the final words of a great pope." she said. "But even those who are opposed to the ordination of women felt this is not the way the pope should talk about sensitive topics within the church. And there are rumors that other documents like this that are pending." The Rev. Thomas Reese, a Jesuit scholar and expert on the workings of the Vatican, disputes the notion that a sense of his own mortality has prompted the pope to turn up the volume of his messages to the world.

"The pope has been vocal during his entire papacy. No one complained when he spoke out against communism in Eastern Europe. But there are some messages Cairo is an example that some people just don't like to hear," Reese said. As John Paul becomes more visibly frail, media scrutiny is intensifying. Already, there is speculation about the pope's successor and an unseemly image of media poised for a death watch at the Vatican.

at 10:45 a.m. Sunday. Pastor Hasty's sermon is" titled, "Turning On the Power." A "Back to School" potluck picnic follows worship. Bring finger-food to share and dress casually. The church is located at 111 Errett Circle, Santa Cruz.

For more information, call 426-0510. LAVENDER ROAD METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH The Christian church affirming lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people meets for service at 10 a.m. Sunday at 303 Walnut Santa Cruz and at 6 p.m. Sunday at Jewell Park Little House, at the corner of Central and Forest, Pacific Grove. The Rev.

Jean Hart presents a children's sermon, "Is Your Faith in Style?" at the morning service and guest, Betty Hendricks, will speak at the evening service. For more information, call 335-0466. CONGREGATION KOL TEFILLAH: Shabbot services are 10 a.m. every Saturday followed by Kiddush and refreshments. Services for ShemM Atzeret, the celebration of the eighth and final day of Sukkot, is 9 a.m.

Tuesday. It includes a Yizkor service with Kiddush and refreshments, following the services. For Simchat Torah, which celebrates the beginning of the annual cycle of Torah readings, services are at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Kiddush and refreshments follow the services.

The group gathers at Unity 407 Broadway, Santa Cruz. For more call 427-3629. ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH A Healing Mass is 7:30 p.m. Tuesday with celebrant, the Rev.

Tom Foster. The church is located at 435 Monterey Capitola. For more information, call 476-9884. The Sentinel welcomes items of religious or spiritual interest for the Religion calendar. Deadline for information is noon on the Wednesday before puth lication.

Mail items to Bay Living, P.O. Box 638, Santa Cruz, Calif. 95061. To fax, call Commentary he attempts to bestow order on a fractious church on the brink of the 21st century. And his desire to articulate moral messages in the international arena is taking on increasing urgency.

Questions remain, however, about exactly how the world and his church will respond to these messages. THE JUST-concluded United Nations Conference on Population and Development in Cairo felt the weight of the pope's urgency, as diplomats from the Holy See battled with mixed success to put the Vatican spin on a worldwide plan to control population in the next century. Within his own church, the uncharacteristically harsh tone of the recent papal letter that ruled out the ordination of women and brooked no debate on the subject has raised questions in some circles about whether this is any way for a brates St. Michael the archangel and all angels at worship noon Sunday. Members are asked to bring their favorite angel book.

The church is located at 123 Bixby, No. 1, Santa Cruz. For more information, call 458-1961. CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH Sam Bowl Mom Unitarian EPISCOPAL SERVICES CJfJiPLL VH7 Fellowship 6401 Freedom Aptos 684-0506 10 30 Service tor Kids A Adults 11 OO Mam Service Chddrens Activities Infant Care Available Visitors Encouraged Thp Riv Anna fiuomano Nursery Care provided at all Churches Bibls Study Sunday. 9:45 A.M.

Worship Service Sunday, 1 1 :00 A.M. A Friendly Church 7S6S Sunsst Way Aptos, California 95003 Olflca: 88-8 FIRST CHURCH OF RELIGIOUS SCIENCE 1818 Felt St. (off 17th Ave.) Santa Cruz 462-9383 The Friendly Church-Teaching the Science of Mind 11:00 AM Worship Service Rev. Mary L. Ruffner, Minister Nursery-Jr.

Church-Youth Group metaphysical bookstore 30th A Brommar Sunday Setrv.ce 1:30 p.m. Thursday Bible) Study 7:00 p.m. For Further info. Call 462-1142 Judga C. Lindsay, Pastor CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH 612 Ocean St.

SUN. 10 am-WED. 7:30 pm 426-1079 SUNDAY SCHOOL 10 am READING ROOM 614 Ocean St. 10-4 423-4816 ALL ARE WELCOME SANTA CRUZ 423-8787 CALVARY CHURCH Center and Lincoln Sts Sunday 8 00 and 10 00 am Euchantl Sunday School Thursday 10 00 am Eucharist The Rev David Jonea Peggy Thompson Our Lady VICTORY FAITH CENTER A Spirit Filled Family' Church Ghildrens Church and Nursery available Sunday a lOamThursday i 7pm Meeting at the Live Oak Grange 1900 17th Avenue For more information call: (408) 423-4277 We are an extension of Kenneth Haqm Ministries GARFIELD PARK CHRISTIAN CHURCH Dlaclplaa of Chrlat 111 Errett Circle, Santa Cruz 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10 45 a Morning Worafilp with Spaclal Muatc and Communfon Or Roftart 0 Hatty Paalor "Devoted to Jesus, the Christ" Star of the Sea Church 5151 Frederick Street SUNDAY MASSES Sat S.iOpm (Spanish) Sun HIKIam UXXIam Noon Villa Maria del Mar 2-1918 East Cliff Dr.

Sat 4'fOnmtViqii) SCOTTS VALLEY 438-4360 ST. PHILIP THE APOSTLE 8 00 am Communion Service 9 00 am Adult Classes 10 00 am Family Communion at the Scotts Valley Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Drive (oft SV OrJ The Rev Martin Yabrofl Discover the Difference Christ Makes at MID-COUNTY 475-2894 ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST EUCHARIST 6 9 4 II am SUNDAY SCHOOL 10 a TOUJl A ft TOR YOUTH GROUP 6pm Healing Service! 6 30 Eacalona Or at Oakland Ave Capitola The Rev Ruth Filer UNITED METHODIST 1st PRESBYTERIAN 350 Mission Street at Highland 423-8770 "THAT WE MAY BE ONE" 9:00 a.m. Sunday School for all agas 10:00 a.m. Coffee Fellowship 10:30 a.m.

Worship, Children! Circle and Madia Center Nursery Care Provided for All Services Edd Breed en. Pastor Paul Hargreaves. Youth Director I A. A A Where the Son Always Shines "SEASON'S CHANGE" Pastor Robert Igarta Adult Bible Studies; classes for children youth 9:30 a.m. Celebration of Worship and Children's Church 10:45 a.m.

Ik Robert Igarta, Senior Pastor (fA 1255 41st at Brommer ft CHURCHES Nursery Care Provided at all Churches BUt? FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 250 California St. 429-6800 Sharon Delgado, Pattor "MISSION IMPOSSIBLE" 11:00 a m. Worship 11:00 a.m. Church School Hour 12:15 p.m. Fellowship Tims LUTHERAN CHURCHES OF THE SANTA CRUZ AREA WELCOME YOU Nvrstrv ciri It ytiM at ill ckurckit LIGHT Or LIFI (ELCA) 40-1TT Worship 8.

JO 10i4i Christian Iducattofi i4S Seo Kings VINss M. Scotts Vallay, CA 906 Bonnls Pastor MESSIAH (LCMS) 42S-8330 Worship BrOO 4 10:10 S-m. Adult Class I Bibte School 1I a-m. Wsskday Preschool 801 High Strsst, Santa Crui Jamas W. Zimmerman, Pastor Tim Nissan, DCQ LIVE OAK UNITED 2091 17th Avenue a 475-1071 "TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS" Alpha Goto, Pattor 8 45 a.m.

Grssl the Day Worship 9:30 a.m. Church School-All Agss 11:00 a.m. Worship FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 411 ROXAS STREET SANTA CRUZ 95062 DO ANYTHING GOD WOULDN'T DO" 5:30 pm Enrichment Dinner 9:30 am Sunday School 10:45 am Morning Worship Pastor, William Nolta 423-1080 Nursery Care GRACE CHURCH 1024 Soquel Ave. 425-1770 Judy Currier, Pattor WORSHIP 10:30 a.m. CHILDRENS SUNDAY SCHOOL 10:30 a.m.

T. ST1PHBNS (ELCA) 4TS-470O Worship Si SO 1 1iO0 a-m AaHjft Forum aSOO SossjoI tv Santa Cna God is touching lives in every country, every race, every culture all across the planet' This weekend is)our chance to hear what's happening! Don Richardson author of bCSt-SClIerS like Peace Child, Lads of the Earth, and Eternity in Their Hearts will he with us in person' Come as ou are and be inspired! W. Nun, Pastor 1 lg oMftaimj iSSY SERVICE; Twin Lades Church "LIVING OUT WHO WE ARE" 270I Cabnllo College Dr (Take the Park Ave exit offHwy I.thenfollow the signs to Cabnllo College. We're next door1 For details, just call 475-5284 PETER: 29-12 Marvin Webster, Speaking 1 Sunday 130 4 11.00 a.m..