A Dash of Romance for Valentine’s Day
Making the most of the upcoming overlap of Valentine’s Day with the Lord’s Day next Sunday, many Orange County religious organizations have cooked up cheery programming to intercept lonely hearts and encourage couples to renew their vows.
The Huntington Beach Church of Religious Science will host a workshop by psychologists Judith Sherven and James Sniechowski, a husband-and-wife team who will discuss how to encourage romance.
Meant to steer couples away from mundane scuffles about taking out the trash and leaving the toilet seat up, the event is called “How to Celebrate Valentine’s Romance All Year Long.” The event will be this Sunday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the sanctuary at 7641 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach. Tickets are $25 or $40 per couple. Information: (714) 596-0900.
Another Valentine-themed event is “A Celebration of Love,” sponsored by The Family Church of Rancho Santa Margarita. The marriage enrichment weekend--held Feb. 12 and 13 at the Irvine Marriott--will feature workshops by Dr. Brad Strawn, a marriage counselor and professor from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego.
After the retreat, the Family Church is offering a Valentine’s Day service featuring renewed marriage vows. The service is open to the public and will be officiated by Pastor Jim Dorsey. Reservations are required. Information: (949) 589-4438.
Another Valentine’s Day renewal ceremony will be held Feb. 14 by the Brea United Methodist Church at 9 a.m. at 480 North State College Blvd. in Brea. Information: (714) 529-6336.
Later this month, the Jewish Community Center of Orange County will hold its “Hearts & Flowers” gathering, an evening of dinner and dancing.
The event will start with hors d’oeuvres at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 20 in the restaurant of the Rancho San Clemente Tennis and Fitness Club at 111 Avenida Vista Montana in San Clemente. Reservations can be made by calling (949) 249-3755; tickets are $30 for JCC members and $40 for others.
Finally, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach is sponsoring a six-week workshop for those who have failed in love: a “Divorce Recovery Workshop.”
Led by Rev. Bill Flanagan, the first session will begin Feb. 18th. Call (949) 574-2214 for information.