Luncheon to Focus on Successful Youth Groups

The Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council will host a luncheon on “High School, Young Adults and Religion: Programs That Work!” at noon Wednesday at the United Church of Christ in Irvine.

The luncheon will feature a panel discussion by clergy, staff and laity who led successful groups for youth and young adults. Participants include Amy Glenene from St. John Neumann Catholic Church; Mark McCormick and the Rev. Edward Snedeker from St. Andrews Presbyterian Church; and Lane Calvert, a leader in Boy Scouts and religion.

Lunch is $7.50 with reservations, $10 at the door. The church is at 4915 Alton Parkway. (949) 660-8665, Ext. 3. https://www.nmiinterfaith.org.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Enjoy Slavic, Greek and Mideastern food and entertainment at the annual International Festival from noon to dusk Sunday at St. Luke Antiochian Orthodox Church in Garden Grove. Activities will include folk dancing, children’s games, a silent auction and tours of the Byzantine-esque church. There will also be door prizes. Admission is $2 (children 12 and younger are free). The church is at 13261 Dunklee Ave. (714) 971-2244. https://www.stlukesoc.org

* St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will have its annual parish family picnic at Mason Regional Park in Irvine on Sunday. The Revs. Reese M. Riley and Linda Crowder will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m. Food and games will follow. Parishioners’ homemade side dishes and desserts will complement traditional picnic mainstays. An offering is suggested. Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at St. Paul’s usual 8 a.m. service in the church. The park is at 18712 University Drive. (714) 544-3141.

* Dick Duncan, field director for O.C. International in Brazil, will be in the pulpit June 17 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Tustin. He heads an international team of American and Brazilian missionaries that focuses on developing church leadership through pastor conferences, training events and published material. He and his wife Janice have served in Brazil since 1986 and are the parents of five children. The church is at 17th Street and Prospect Avenue. (714) 544-7850.

* During Friday’s Shabbat services, Temple Beth David of Westminster will celebrate the installation of a new board of trustees along with the boards of sisterhood, brotherhood and choir. Members of the temple and community are invited to join in this celebration. Being installed for two-year terms are: Melanie Alkov, Jean Keleman, Charlie Niederman, Shirley Ross, Mel Keleman, Carole Heit and Debbie Lelchuk. Services begin at 8 p.m. The temple is at 6100 Hefley St. (714) 892-6623.

* Radio talk-show host Laura Schlessinger will be interviewed by the Rev. Robert H. Schuller on Sunday morning at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove. She will talk about her new book, “Growing Up Is Hard: A Guide for Making Parents More Effective and Children Stronger,” at the 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. services. She will be available for autographs after each service. The cathedral is at 13280 Chapman Ave. (714) 971-4069.

* “An Orange County Gathering of Jewish Men,” co-sponsored by the Orange County branches of the Jewish Community Center and Jewish Family Service, is set for 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Jewish Community Center. Speakers will include Rabbi Stephen Einstein on “Sustaining Jewish Life,” and Bruce Fredenberg, a trainer and therapist, on “Challenging Stages of Life: Skills and Tools.” The Revs. Howard Cohn and Kevin Armstrong will be part of a health and fitness panel. Cost is $39. The center is at 250 E. Baker St., Costa Mesa. (714) 755-0340, Ext. 134.

* Tod D. Brown, the Roman Catholic bishop of Orange, will ordain two Vietnamese immigrants to the priesthood at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Columban Church in Garden Grove. Minh Cong Bui, 31, and Binh Nguyen, 27, are among more than 400 priests who will be ordained this year in the United States. The church is at 10801 Stanford Ave. (714) 282-3000.

MUSIC

The Chancel Choirs of Newport Harbor Lutheran Church and Tustin Presbyterian Church will present a concert at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Lutheran church. The groups will perform Mozart’s “Requiem.” This tradition of mixed choirs allows the churches to present larger musical works. Suggested donation is $10. The church is at 798 Dover Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 548-8004.

* Choir members from Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Los Alamitos and two Los Angeles County Lutheran churches will perform in a joint choir festival June 17 at 3:30 p.m. at the Los Alamitos church. The musical theme for the third annual event is spirituals and gospels. The performance is free. The church is at 3352 Katella Ave.

EDUCATION

Our Lady Queen of Angels School in Newport Beach was selected as a 2001 Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. The award is for the Catholic school’s excellence in leadership, teaching, curriculum, student achievement and community support. Recognized schools prepared a nomination package assessing the school’s strengths and weaknesses, along with a plan for the future. Our Lady Queen of Angels is for preschoolers through eighth-graders. The school is at 750 Domingo Drive. (949) 644-1166.

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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.