Briefly In Religion

Middle East is topic at Fellowship

Elye Pitts, an expert on Middle Eastern Affairs, will speak on the topic, “From Ramallah and Jerusalem to Teheran and Kabul: Waging Peace in the Middle East,” at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Pitts, a resident of Laguna Beach, is a long-term observer of events and issues in the Middle East. He has written numerous articles and has been called upon to present on economic growth and socioeconomic developments in the Region.

Pitts’ career spans more than 30 years providing consultant services to global corporate clients and other enterprises. At Stanford Research Institute, he was the senior socioeconomic and Workforce Development Advisor for more than 10 years to the Minister of Economy and Planning and the Council of Ministers in Saudi Arabia. He also managed an international team dealing with issues in poverty alleviation, female workforce participation and youth development.

The Fellowship is located at 429 Cypress Drive. For more information, call (949) 497-4568.

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Krishna Center holds celebrations

The Hare Krishna Cultural Center will hold a Festival of Deepawali (Festival of Lights), which is celebrated all over India and Southeast Asia, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at the temple, 285 Legion St. A free vegetarian feast is included and all are invited.

On Sunday from 5 to 7:30 p.m., the center will celebrate Govardhan Puja, when Krishna lifted up the Govardhan hill to protect the people from the wrath of Indra the rain deity. Temple members will make a model hill out of cake, complete with caves, trees and cows, which is then consumed by the participants. All are invited. For more information, call (949) 494-7029.