UCI Fair to Explore Religion in a High-Tech World

Can religious beliefs coexist with the latest scientific discoveries? What are the religious and ethical challenges caused by advances in medical technology? And does the Internet foster spirituality or work to dismantle faith?

Thirty-five speakers will tackle these questions and more Sunday at the seventh-annual Religious Diversity Faire at UC Irvine. This year’s theme is “Religion and Spirituality in a High-Tech World.”

“It’s incredibly exciting that we have the high-tech theme, especially with the increasing emphasis in the Orange County economy on high technology,” said Bill Shane, executive director of the regional office of the National Conference for Community and Justice, an event co-sponsor.

The event will feature authors, ethicists, clergy, professors, doctors and high-tech entrepreneurs as panelists in eight workshops. They include Henry Samueli, co-founder of Broadcom; the Rev. Peter Moore-Kochlas, author of “Caring for God’s Creation”; Patty Paul, author of “A New Spirituality: Beyond Religion”; and Dr. Satinder Swaroop, chairman of the cardiology department at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center.

The fairgoers will also be entertained by Native American singers, Hindu dancers and a Samoan choir.

“This is one of the nation’s premiere events for bringing together people of diverse faith backgrounds,” Shane said.

The fair’s program begins at 12:30 p.m. at UCI’s Student Center. Exhibits from a range of religious groups are on display from noon to 7 p.m. The cost is $18 a person, $5 for students.

The event is sponsored by county interfaith groups, the Samueli Foundation and UCI. Information is available at (949) 661-3087 or on the Web:https://www.religiousdiversityfaire.org.

Sermons

The Rev. Peggy Price will give the message “Gratitude Is Riches, Complaint Is Poverty” at 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday at the Huntington Beach Church of Religious Science. The Rev. Mary Murray Shelton will speak on “Hearing the Heartbeat of the Divine” at 10 a.m. Shelton will also present a workshop on the same subject from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Suggested donation is $15. At 5 p.m., the church will host an interfaith service of peace and hope for caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease sufferers. The Rev. Diann Daivsson will officiate. The Rev. Ron Fox, assistant minister, will lead a Thanksgiving Eve service at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The church is at 7641 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach. (714) 596-0900.

Paul Kaho will speak on the topic “Few Are Chosen” at the Legacy worship service at 7 p.m. today at Community United Methodist Church. Child care will be provided. The church is at 6652 Heil Ave., Huntington Beach. (714) 842-4461.

Professor Craig Stone will discuss “Songs and Themes From Native Americans” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church of South County. Two Native American singers will join the service. The church is at 25801 Obrero Drive, No. 7, Mission Viejo. (949) 581-0245.

Linda Wilson Frost will share her experiences as leader of the improv group the “Justs” during a service focusing on “Improving on Life” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach. The church is at 429 Cypress Drive, Laguna Beach. (949) 497-4568.

Special Services

Members of the congregation belonging to LUUNA (Latina/Latino Unitarian Universalist Networking Assn.) will present a service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church. The service will feature the music, culture and experiences of Americans of Latino heritage. The church is at 1259 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. (949) 646-4652.

Rock Harbor Church will present the fifth-annual worship event “The Stirring” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at the Orange County Fairgrounds, Building 12. The fairgrounds is at 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. (949) 548-2600.

Trinity United Presbyterian Church will celebrate Youth Sunday with Jeff Wagner, minister to high school students, at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Cost is $3 per family. Child care will be provided for children to age 5. On Wednesday, there will be a Thanksgiving Eve service at 7:30 p.m. The church is at 13922 N. Prospect Ave., Santa Ana. (714) 544-7850.

A “Re-Membering” service for inactive Catholics will take place at 6:15 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish Center. Child care will be available. The center is at 2046 Mar Vista Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 644-0200.

Other events

The United Methodist Church of Garden Grove will present a choral concert at 4 p.m. Sunday in the sanctuary. Tickets are $5. The church is at 12741 Main St., Garden Grove. (714) 534-1070.

The Men’s Fellowship Breakfast of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church will meet from 7 to 8 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Cost is $2.50 per person. The church is at 600 St. Andrews Road, Newport Beach. (949) 631-2880.

Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church will sponsor the Heifer Project International Christmas Market from 9:30 to 11:50 a.m. Sunday. The church is at 11600 Los Alamitos Blvd., Los Alamitos. (562) 493-2553.

An installation service for the Rev. Lance E.A. Allen will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Ana. A light reception will follow. The church is at 600 N. Main St., Santa Ana. (714) 542-7253.

The Presbyterian Men’s Breakfast will take place at 7:30 a.m. today at the First Presbyterian Church of Orange. Jerry Holte will tell of mission work in Nordic countries. Cost is $5. The church is at 191 N. Orange St., Orange.

Bob and Yvonne Turnbull will be the guest speakers during the LifeMates Date Night from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Saddleback Valley Community Church. The message will be “How to Talk So Your Mate Will Listen.” Music, round-table discussions and dessert will be included. Cost is $15 per couple. The church is at 1 Saddleback Parkway, Lake Forest. (949) 609-8411.

Religious event notices may be sent to Gena Pasillas at The Times’ Orange County edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa 92626. They also may be faxed to (714) 966-7711 or sent by e-mail to gena.pasillas@latimes.com