60th Anniversary Celebration

Ventura’s Jewish community will welcome songwriter-guitarist Debbie Friedman at a 60th anniversary concert at Temple Beth Torah tonight at 8.

The concert is a culmination of festivities in honor of the congregation’s anniversary and the retirement of Ralph Moses, who has served as cantor for many years.

Tickets, which range from $18 to $50, will be available at the door. Temple Beth Torah is at 7620 Foothill Road. For more information, call 647-4181.

Wedding Vow Renewals

Couples are welcome to renew their wedding vows during Sunday’s 10 a.m. service at First Presbyterian Church in Oxnard.

Pastor James K. Bain said a wedding reception for all participants, family and friends will follow the service on the patio. There is no charge to participate.

First Presbyterian is at 850 Ivywood Drive. For more information, call 983-0204.

Workshop on Fulfilling Dreams

The Westlake Church of Religious Science will host a five-week series beginning July 1 called “Wednesday Nite Live” with the Rev. Sue Rubin.

The workshops will be based on the bestseller by Mary Manin Morrissey, “Building Your Field of Dreams.”

The sessions will be “a dynamic guide to the manifestation of our deepest heart’s desires,” Rubin said.

The sessions run from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the church, 2649 Townsgate Road, No. 500. For more information, call 495-0105.

Reaching Out to Catholics

Catholics seeking a way to return to the practice of their faith are urged to inquire about the Landings program that begins in Simi Valley on June 30.

Designed by the Paulist fathers, a Catholic order of priests, “Landings is a welcome-home program,” said Madeleine Sorensen, coordinator for the group.

To inquire about the Tuesday night meetings, call Sorensen at 522-6107.

Biblical Garden Celebration

Members and friends of Trinity Lutheran Church in Simi Valley will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the dedication of their biblical garden with a picnic June 28.

Those attending the 12:30 p.m. picnic in the garden will include many church members who built the garden.

The 10,900-square-foot leads visitors through biblical scenes along 620 feet of pathways. A sign written in Hebrew over the entrance invites visitors to “Journey Through the Living Bible.”

Tours may be self-guided or led by a docent. Tickets for the anniversary celebration are $3. For more information, call 526-2429.

New Evening Service Schedule

Moorpark’s Grace Brethren Church is changing its worship service to Saturday evenings starting tonight.

The service begins at 6:30 p.m., said Pastor Tim Marlier , adding that the new time is a good opportunity for those whose Sunday morning schedules keep them from church.

The service will be family oriented, and Associate Pastor Jeff Atchison will lead a live worship band.

Grace Brethren Church is at 5384-B Kazuko Court. For more information, call 378-1397.

Father’s Day Service Planned

Oxnard’s Buddhist Church is planning a special Father’s Day and Dharma School award service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Following the service, the Dharma School students will assemble in the social hall for refreshments with their fathers.

The Buddhist Church is at 250 South H St. For more information, call 483-5948.

Family Sabbath Services

Ventura’s Temple Beth Torah invites new families to attend its monthly family Sabbath service July 3 at 7:30 p.m.

The abbreviated service, oriented toward children, will be highlighted by music and followed by refreshments.

Couples with preschool-age children are welcome to participate in a Tot Shabbat service July 10 at 7 p.m. This service, also abbreviated, is geared toward very young children and will include songs, a story and refreshments.

A regular Friday night service will follow the Tot Shabbat at 8 p.m., led by Rabbi Lisa Hochberg-Miller and the temple’s new cantor, Michael Anatole.

The temple is at 7620 Foothill Road. For more information, call 647-4181.

Ordination at Oxnard Church

Viktor Gundel was ordained as a priest at All Saints Episcopal Church in Oxnard last week, with Bishop Cruinkshank from the Diocese of Caribou, British Columbia, presiding.

Gundel will assist the church’s priest, Father Anthony Guillen. He also celebrated his first Eucharist in the newly consecrated Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel the day after his ordination.

All Saints is at 144 South C St.

Contemplative Retreat Planned

The Ventura Contemplative Community is planning a retreat June 27 at St. Cathrine by the Sea Convent in Ventura. The public is welcome.

Titled “Grace and the Joy of Shoulderless Living,” the retreat will explore the contemplative life in the midst of God’s grace, said member Cecil Hoffman.

“Talks will focus on the gracelessness of living under the tyranny of man-made Gods and the ‘shoulds’ these idols exact from us,” he said.

The Rev. Robert Voyle, an Episcopal priest and Ventura psychologist, will lead.

Cost for the 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. retreat is $30 and includes lunch at the convent, 1931 Poli St. For further information, call 654-0815 or 647-6831.

Church Offers Singing Lessons

The Oxnard Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer is offering free lessons to singers.

The senior choir director, Olaf Frodsham, will offer the lessons. Frodsham is professor emeritus of music education and voice at Occidental College in Los Angeles and director emeritus of choral music at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

Affiliation with the church is not necessary. For more information, call the church office at 983-0612 or Frodsham at 984-3855.

Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer is at 721 Doris Ave.