There are 27 shopping days until Christmas,...

There are 27 shopping days until Christmas, and Harriet Prichard wants to sell you a pair of water buffalo for your Uncle Fred.

She’s certain you can even cross a few other people off your list by browsing through her potpourri of goods. Prichard is hawking vaccine, shovels and reading lessons, among other holiday presents, through a 20-page catalogue of alternative gifts called “My Shopping List for the World.”

As you may have guessed, Uncle Fred doesn’t receive the buffalo. He gets a card inscribed with a description of the gift purchased by you in his honor. The goods and services go to needy people in this country and abroad, via nonprofit sending agencies with proven track records.

The catalogue came about because, 12 years ago, Prichard, 64, wanted to teach the children at Pasadena Presbyterian Church the true meaning of gift-giving at Christmas. She organized a market in which children and adults set up booths to sell livestock, medicine, emergency rations and self-help goods for the needy.

The project proved so motivating that other churches and schools wanted to hold markets. In 1986, Prichard founded the nonprofit Alternative Gifts Inc. and the catalogue. Last year, Alternative Gifts helped more than 200 groups set up markets throughout the U.S. and in Japan.

Reflecting on the growth of her enterprise, Prichard says, “It gives me a lot of joy to know that something so needed has been so successful. All the agencies we work with are doing such a magnificent job, but they are often invisible to society. It’s a real pleasure to help these superb nonprofits make a difference in our troubled world.”

Prichard screens Christian and secular relief and self-development projects for listing in her catalogue. The total gift price goes to the sending agencies; her organization raises its administrative costs separately. All the agencies certify that money received through catalogue orders is spent solely on goods and services, not overhead.

How much will a gift set you back? You can snap up a duckling for a dollar, or a grown duck for $9. World Relief, a Christian international relief agency, is training people in the Purwomartani, on the Indonesian island of Yogyakarta, to raise ducks, which can lay as many as 240 eggs a year.

Eye surgery for a near-blind child in Ghana costs $30; one share of the operation, provided by American surgeons through the Christian Eye Ministry, is $5. A share in the Medical Assistance Program International effort for refugees in Croatia costs $5.

Here at home, lodging for one person for one night in an inner-city shelter is $10. Job training and housing for one homeless person for a month is $60, through Worknet Services, a Pasadena-based Christian humanitarian organization. One share of the package costs $6.

And if you had your eye on the water buffalo, $180 will buy a pair of them for a women’s milking cooperative in India. One share is $6, through Outreach International, a U.S. development agency based in Independence, Mo.

About 75 churches and schools in Southern California are holding pre-Christmas Alternative Gift Markets--some featuring live animals. Among others, there will be markets at Faith Lutheran Church, Anaheim; St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church, San Marino; Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, San Dimas; Unitarian Universal Church, Studio City, and Occidental College.

Further information can be obtained through Alternative Gift Markets Inc., 9656 Palomar Trail, Lucerne Valley, Calif. 92356. (800) 842-2243.

HONORS

Arnold Rachlis has been named rabbi of University Synagogue, a Reconstructionist congregation in Irvine. He was spiritual leader of the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston, Ill.

He will conduct an “Introduction to Reconstructionism and University Synagogue” evening at a private home in Irvine at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8. For information, phone (714) 553-3535.

Pepperdine University president David Davenport was presented the 1992 Outstanding Educator Award last month by the St. Louis-based Religious Heritage of America. Davenport has worked to improve the university’s academic programs while maintaining its strong Christian mission.

Father Rawlin B. Enette was installed as pastor of St. Brigid Catholic Church on Sunday by Bishop Carl A. Fisher, auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles. A Josephite priest, Enette is the sixth African-American priest ordained in the 100-year history of the order and the second African-American pastor of St. Brigid, Los Angeles’ largest predominantly black parish.

A native of Port Arthur, Tex., he is a member of the executive board of the Black Priests National Caucus. The church is at 4214 S. Western Ave.

DATES

Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Jeane J. Kirkpatrick launches the “Jewish Experience” lecture series of the Conejo Valley Consortium of Jewish Organizations and the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles at 8:15 p.m. Dec. 5, at Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks. For ticket information, phone (818) 587-3200.

“Healing the Spiritual Child at Christmas” is a retreat given by the Adult Children’s Center retreat team at Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino from 7 p.m. Dec. 11 to 3 p.m. Dec. 13. It focuses on healing emotional damage of adults who were raised in families influenced by addictive behavior. Fees range from $100 to $150. For registration information, phone (818) 784-4515.

Comedian, author and composer Steve Allen speaks on “The Bible, Religion and Morality”--which is also the title of his new book--from 7-10 p.m. Tuesday at the University of Judaism. Tickets are $18. (310) 476-9777, Ext. 246.

The Christian Conciliation Service of Los Angeles and Orange County, a nonprofit, inter-denominational mediation and arbitration service, will hold its fund-raising dinner at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Universal Hilton. Josh McDowell is the keynote speaker. John Perkins and Gary Maeder will be honored. An auction and sing-along will be held. Tickets are $125. (213) 467-3331 or (714) 630-2622.

Father John H. Hampsch speaks on “The Joy of Christmas” at a Catholic Business Luncheon at noon Wednesday at Barone’s Restaurant. Tickets are $9. The address is 10123 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake. For reservations, call (213) 656-0955.

CELEBRATION

Temple Aliya of Woodland Hills celebrates its 30th anniversary during upcoming weekends. Friday at 8 p.m., a Shabbat service will honor members of 20-plus years. At 9:30 a.m. next Saturday, past B’nai Mitzvah will be honored. The dedication of a tapestry and stained-glass windows will take place at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18. Phone (818) 346-3545.

Please address notices to: Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053. Items should be brief and arrive three weeks before the event.