DATES* Pepperdine University will hold its first...

DATES

* Pepperdine University will hold its first Family Life Ministry Conference on June 16 and 17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the school’s Malibu campus.

“Families in our churches and communities face a number of challenges, including marital problems, family conflicts, substance abuse and addictions, as well as grief and depression,” said Dennis Lowe, conference coordinator and the M. Novel and Helen Young professor in family life.

“The purpose of this conference is to facilitate the development or improvement of family life ministry efforts in our churches.”

Lowe encourages ministers, youth ministers, elders, deacons, ministry leaders, family life committee members and those involved in women’s and children’s ministries to attend. The conference is sponsored by a division of the marriage and family counseling and teaching program of the Graduate School of Education and Psychology. Admission is $80, which includes a continental breakfast and lunch each day. (310) 456-4771.

* Psychiatrist David Viscott will lecture on his new book, “Finding Your Strength in Difficult Times,” from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday at West Hills Church. Admission is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Food will be sold before the lecture and during a break, when Viscott will autograph books. 6624 Lockhurst Dr., West Hills. (818) 883-1300.

* Award-winning dancer Toni Piazza sponsors a dance retreat for Christian singles at Arrowhead Ranch the weekend of June 10-12. Instructors will teach country-Western, West Coast swing and line dances. Other activities include volleyball, hiking, mixers and fireside worship. For reservations, (714) 778-0244.

* Reservations are being accepted for the free Clergy Network Awards Luncheon to be held at noon June 16 at the Woodland Hills Marriott Hotel. Recipients will be Los Angeles County Sheriff Sherman Block; Jane Boeckmann, president of World Communications; Mother Rosa Broadous, director of the department of missions of Calvary Baptist Church of Pacoima, and Dr. Karl Kniseley, president of the UniHealth America Foundation. For reservations, (800) 707-2224.

* Anaheim Memorial Hospital hosts its fourth annual Memorial Day and Community Recognition Event at 11:30 a.m. Monday at the hospital. The Rev. Bryan Crow, pastor of the Garden Church and chaplain of the Anaheim Police Department, is one of the speakers. Anaheim Fire and Police department members will be honored, along with those who died in the line of service during the past year. In addition, the hospital’s foundation will present its updated donor wall and memorial quilt. For information, (714) 774-1450.

* More than 30 wineries and restaurants will be represented at the third annual L.A. Shanti Wine Tasting and Auction on Sunday, June 5, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. Actress Lee Meriwether, the honorary chairwoman, will host the auction. Proceeds benefit L.A. Shanti, which provides free counseling and education to people affected by HIV, AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses. Tickets are $50 in advance, $60 at the door. (213) 962-8197.

* A discussion on interfaith marriage and its impact on the couple, their parents and friends will be presented at 7:30 p.m., June 1, by the Circle of Friendship of Temple Shalom for the Arts. It will be led by Joseph Feinstein, a marriage and family counselor and para-Rabbinic chaplain of Temple Shalom. 201 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 310, Santa Monica. (31O) 395-3680.

HONORS

* The University of Judaism presented the Award of Merit to Judith and Louis G. Miller, Beverly Marmour Mirman and Norman J. Mirman and Anthony B.J. Black. . . . The Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, Pacific Southwest Branch, presented the Jewish Woman of Distinction Award to Terry Bell, Laurie Gross and Laurie L. Levenson.

* Temple Beth Hillel in North Hollywood has received the first national award of the Reform movement for enabling people with mental or physical disabilities to participate more fully in religious worship and congregational life. Temple Judea in Tarzana was one of four synagogues nationwide to receive honorable mention from the Union of American Hebrew Congregations for efforts on behalf of those with special needs.

* The Rev. and Mrs. Joseph L. Griffin were honored by the Good Shepherd Baptist Church on the occasion of his retirement this month, after 26 years of service.

* Two Los Angeles Conservative rabbis have been named international officers of the Rabbinical Assembly. President Emeritus David L. Libber of the University of Judaism was named vice president and President Joel E. Rembaum of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California, spiritual leader of Temple Beth Am, was named secretary. The assembly represents 1.5 million congregational members in North America.

* Keith G. Myers, executive director of Catholic Cemeteries for the archdiocese of Los Angeles, has been elected president of the Interment Assn. of California.

* Rabbi Sidney S. Guthman, Jewish chaplain at Long Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center, recently was honored for 30 years of federal service . . . Hillel director Caty Konigsbergbased at Occidental College, received the 1994 Isaiah Award from the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles for innovative programming for college-bound students.

* Temple Beth Zion recently named Seymour (Steve) Weinstein its Man of the Year.

BRIEFLY

* Fourteen Southern California nuns are part of the 60-voice choir that has just released “Sisters in Song: Celebrate!” on cassette and compact disc. The recording includes contemporary and traditional Catholic selections, as well as spirituals and folk hymns. Proceeds go toward the retirement needs of religious sisters, brothers and priests. Cardinal Roger M. Mahony described the project as “a creative and novel way for our women religious to continue to battle the immense crisis surrounding the issue of retirement for some 40,000 members over the age of 70.” The choir is slated to return to Los Angeles in late June to record Christmas music. For orders, phone (800) LITURGY; for information, contact Sister Sara Michael King at 2028 W. 24th St., Los Angeles 90018, or (310) 670-3735.

* Jews in Ojai have opened a center for Jewish social, cultural, educational and spiritual activities. (805) 640-8979. . . . Jews of Latin American origin who are not affiliated with a synagogue but who wish to worship and celebrate together are encouraged to phone Ricardo Slutzki at (310) 247-9388.

Notices may be sent to Southern California File by mail c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or by fax to (213) 237-4712. Items must be brief and arrive at least three weeks before the event. Include a phone number, date, time and full address.