One-Man Show to Portray Life of John Wesley

“The Man From Aldersgate,” a one-man show by Roger Nelson, who portrays evangelist John Wesley, will be performed at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Garden Grove United Methodist Church.

Wesley, the 18th-century founder of the Methodists, traveled more than 250,000 miles throughout the English-speaking world to invigorate the Church of England. His efforts led to the establishment of orphanages and hospitals for the poor, the opposition of slavery, the rights of prisoners to have visitors, and the publishing of much written material.

The one-man play has been performed in Carnegie Hall in New York, Wesley’s Chapel in London and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. Tickets are $10, $5 for children. The church is at 12741 Main St. (714) 534-1070.

SPECIAL EVENTS

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The fifth annual Interfaith Unity Banquet, featuring the “Spirit in Action” awards, is set for 5:30 p.m. May 5 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Westminster.

Spirit of Action awards are given for outstanding service to the community. This year’s recipients are David Lewis, for his work as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Thanh Nguyen for work in a nonprofit foundation providing flood relief and medical assistance in Vietnam; and Shabbir Mansuri for promoting Islam in the media and schools.

Keynote speaker Muzammil H. Siddiqi, president of the Islamic Society of North America, will discuss “Promoting Our Diversity.” There will be performances by the La Quinta High School String Quartet and the Baha’i Youth Workshop, an interpretive dance troupe. The Islamic Information Service will televise the event. Tickets are $15. Send checks payable to the Interfaith Council, 8100 Chapman Ave., Stanton, CA 90680. The church is at 10332 Bolsa Ave. (714) 638-5569.

“Celebrating Unity Through Our Heritage” is the theme for this year’s Orange County Jewish Festival on Sunday at UCI’s Aldrich Park. The event will offer an opportunity to learn about Orange County’s Jewish community and celebrate the 53rd anniversary of Israel’s statehood.

The day will begin at 9 a.m. with registration for the Jewish National Fund Walk for Israel. At 10 a.m. walkers will begin a 5K circuit around the campus, and enter the festival as it begins at 11 a.m.

The festival will feature cultural displays from around the world, games, rides, hora lessons, klezmer, Israeli and Middle Eastern music, and ethnic foods.

Tickets are $7 adults, $5 seniors and children. The 5K walk registration is $20 for adults and $12.50 children. (714) 957-4540.

Discover the essential teachings of two distinct philosophies during the workshop “To Bow and to Bless: The Christian and Buddhist Way of Meditation” from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. May 5 at the St. Joseph Center Auditorium Lounge. Participants also will have a chance for silent meditation. The meeting is sponsored by the Center for Spiritual Development, a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. St. Joseph Center is at 434 S. Batavia St. (714) 744-3175, Ext. 4400.

The Rev. Phil Derstin, a Christian author, will be the guest speaker May 6 at 10 a.m. at Way of Life Church in Anaheim. He has written “Releasing the Power Within You,” “Daily Moments With the Shepherd,” and “Evangelism Tthat Works.” The church is at 2920 Whitestar Ave. (714) 238-9292.

PRAYER BREAKFASTS

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The fourth annual National Day of Prayer Interfaith Breakfast will take place from 7:15 to 8:45 a.m. Thursday at the Hilton Hotel in Irvine. This year’s national theme is “One Nation Under God.” Keynote speaker will be James L. Doti, president of Chapman University in Orange. The event is sponsored by the Newport-Mesa-Irvine Interfaith Council. Cost is $250 for a table sponsor (10 guests), $150 for a table (10 guests), $100 for an event sponsor, and $15 per person. The Hilton is at 18800 MacArthur Blvd. (949) 660-8665.

The seventh annual Westminster Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is set from 7 to 9 a.m. Thursday at the Westminster Community Services Building. Guest speaker Dave Frost is a former California Angel’s pitcher. Guest vocalist Barbara Kenton is the worship leader at Victory Christian Center in Westminster. Tickets are $17. The community services building is at 8200 Westminster Blvd. (714) 894-3129.

Religious event notices of countywide interest 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