Candlelight Celebration at Tustin Unity Church

A “Celebration of Truth,” a candlelight service with song, prayer and meditation, will begin at 7 p.m. Monday at Unity Church of Tustin. The Rev. Lois Ryan, Roberta David-Lewis, Katherine Morningstar and the church Healing Team will focus on the integration of mind, body and spirit in a celebration of oneness with the Holy Spirit. An offering will be taken. Unity Church will also offer a “Couples and Communication” workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. The event, facilitated by psychologist Virginia Foster, offers techniques for improving listening skills, understanding and acknowledging needs, expressing anger without attacking and more. Cost is $25 per person or $35 for couples. The church is at 14402 S. Prospect Ave. (714) 730-4386. https://www.unitytustin.org.

MUSIC

The Christian band Hannah and Friends will play July 20 at the First United Methodist Church of Seal Beach. The band members include Hannah Kim and other Orange County High School of the Arts students. The performance will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Refreshments will be available. On July 27, the Midway City teenage trio, Girls Next Door will perform. Alishia, Breanna and Crystal Fry sing and play guitars and drums. The church is at 10th and Central streets, one block from downtown Seal Beach. (562) 431-0494.

SPECIAL EVENTS

The Orange County Buddhist Church will observe Obon, a custom that honors the dead, with services, dancing and a bazaar/carnival as part of the annual Obon Festival on Saturday and Sunday. The church is at 909 S. Dale Ave., Anaheim.

* Those in need of spiritual healing are encouraged to attend a Mass of Healing at 7:15 p.m. Monday at St. Angela Merici Catholic Church in Brea. The Rev. Charles R. Lueras will give the message “Jesus Heals!” Lueras, of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Los Angeles, has shared his faith on TV, radio and national conferences. He and his guitar will accompany the Catholic praise band Ruach. The church is at 585 S. Walnut Ave. (714) 525-1774.

* The theme of the annual National Catholic Family Conference on July 28 and 29 in Long Beach will be “The Blessed Virgin Mary in the Third Millennium.” The weekend features presentations on topics relating to the family and Catholic faith by internationally renowned Catholic speakers. This year’s keynote speaker will be Alex Jones, an African American Pentecostal pastor from Detroit, who will tell the story of how he and his congregation entered the Catholic Church. A variety of speakers will offer programs for adults, teens and children. These include Scott Hahn, a former Presbyterian minister and convert to the Catholic faith, and his wife, Kimberly; Tim Staples, a former Assemblies of God youth minister who has devoted his career to presenting and defending the Catholic faith he once attacked; Matthew Arnold, who will discuss his experiences with the new-age movement; Jesse Romero, a former Los Angeles police officer and kickboxing champion who now challenges Catholics to live a more vibrant faith. Cost for the weekend is $50 for adults, $20 for children, $85 for families and free for priests and seminarians. The conference will be at the Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd. (626) 331-3637 or (877) 526-2151.

* The third annual California Irish Festival will occur next weekend at Brothers of St. Patrick in Midway City. Among festivities will be an Irish dancing competition with more than 700 dancers, children’s games, live entertainment and Irish food. Performers will include the European Celtic Folk band Wayward Sons and the Irish folk and rock band Wrath of McGrath. A raffle, with an Irish vacation grand prize, will occur Sunday. The festival takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. next Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children. Brother’s of St. Patrick is at 7820 Bolsa Ave. (714) 846-0415.

* The Huntington Beach Christian Women’s Club will sponsor its “Let’s Sparkle” luncheon Wednesday at the Los Caballeros Sports Village Ballroom in Fountain Valley. There will be a fashion show and music. The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $14. Los Caballeros is at 17272 Newhope St. (714) 546-8560.

EDUCATION

“Teaching the Light of the World,” a Southern California Catholic home educators curriculum fair and workshop, will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 14085 Peyton Drive, Chino Hills. This annual event will feature Jesse Romero, Laura Berquist, Cathy Duffy, Dr. Richard Wetzel, Mary-Mark Haggard and Jonathan Hodge and will include seminars on home schooling. Registration is $15, exhibit hall entrance is free. (909) 590-7224.

* This year’s vacation Bible school theme will be “Truth Trackers and the Secret of the Stone Tablets” at the First Chinese Baptist Church in Fountain Valley. This event offers music, Bible stories, crafts and snacks to children of all ages. A family night is scheduled at 5 p.m. Friday as a finale. Cost is $5 per child. The school runs from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. The church is at 16835 Brookhurst St. (714) 964-6899.

* A “Polar Expedition” Vacation Bible School will take place this week at the First United Methodist Church in Orange. Children can enjoy music, games, crafts and Bible stories from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Kids will also have an opportunity to make snow angels. The church is at 161 S. Orange St. (714) 532-6363. https://www.fumco.org.

* Discuss current issues in Reform Judaism with Rabbi Rick Steinberg at noon Wednesday at Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot in Irvine. Steinberg will speak on “Reform Judaism: Have We Gone Too Far or Not Far Enough?” when he leads this lunch-and-learn for seniors. Guests are invited to bring a brown bag lunch or purchase a box lunch for $6. The congregation is at 3652 Michelson Drive. (949) 857-2226.

* An “Art and Contemplation” workshop will be held at The Center for Spiritual Development in Orange. The workshop will encourage participants to articulate their spirituality through visual arts. No special ability in the visual arts is required. The workshop will be held twice: Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. and July 23-27 from 7 to 9 p.m. Cost is $60. The Center for Spiritual Development is a Sisters of St. Joseph ministry. The center is at 434 S. Batavia St. (714) 744-3175, Ext. 4400.

* Some of life’s most profound questions will be asked during a summer lecture series hosted by Calvary Baptist Church of Huntington Beach. The series runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 26. Admission is free. The church is at 8281 Garfield Ave. (714) 962-6860.

* “Tuesdays in the Word,” a summer family series, continues Tuesdays at Trinity United Presbyterian Church and runs through Aug. 21. The “outrageous humor and whimsical playfulness” of Jesus will be studied in the parables of the Gospel. The program is free, and child care will be provided. Each program will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The church is at 17th Street and Prospect Avenue in Tustin. (714) 544-7850.

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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.