Religious Organizations Orange County

Two dozen religious organizations have agreed to join an innovative counseling program that will work in conjunction with local police, officials said Tuesday. At an orientation session in Santa Ana City Hall, representatives of 25 organizations heard the details of the Pastors Network, which will offer counseling to victims of traumatic incidents.

City officials have filed a lawsuit against a Buddhist monk alleging that he is violating city zoning regulations by using his home as a temple. But owner Thanh Tung Duong says that city officials have it all wrong, that his two-story stucco structure on Magnolia Street is a home, not a temple. "This is a place where monks live," Duong said. "But it is not a temple. Vietnamese may call it a temple, but here, as in Vietnam, anywhere a monk lives, people will say it's a temple."

City officials have filed a lawsuit against a Buddhist monk alleging that he is violating city zoning regulations by using his home as a temple. But owner Thanh Tung Duong says that city officials have it all wrong, that his two-story stucco structure on Magnolia Street is a home, not a temple. "This is a place where monks live," Duong said. "But it is not a temple. Vietnamese may call it a temple, but here, as in Vietnam, anywhere a monk lives, people will say it's a temple."

Two dozen religious organizations have agreed to join an innovative counseling program that will work in conjunction with local police, officials said Tuesday. At an orientation session in Santa Ana City Hall, representatives of 25 organizations heard the details of the Pastors Network, which will offer counseling to victims of traumatic incidents.

To most people, the Piecemakers Country Store is simply a great place to buy traditionally crafted clothes, toys, decorations and gifts. Huge quilts hang in the entrance, and bolts of cloth, patterns and colored thread are available inside. But to the 40 people who call themselves Piecemakers, the 12,000-square-foot store on Adams Avenue is a manifestation of their single-minded devotion to Christ. They say the success of the store is due to their tightknit religious lifestyle.

To most people, the Piecemakers Country Store is simply a great place to buy traditionally crafted clothes, toys, decorations and gifts. Huge quilts hang in the entrance, and bolts of cloth, patterns and colored thread are available inside. But to the 40 people who call themselves Piecemakers, the 12,000-square-foot store on Adams Avenue is a manifestation of their single-minded devotion to Christ. They say the success of the store is due to their tightknit religious lifestyle.