Church to Celebrate Anniversary

An ice cream social is among the activities planned for Conejo Valley Church of Christ’s 25th anniversay celebration today and Sunday.

Present and past members of the congregation are expected to participate in the ice cream social from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the church at 2525 E. Hillcrest Drive in Thousand Oaks.

At 10 a.m. Sunday, a special service will feature some of the original church founders and members. A luncheon will follow in the church parking lot.

“Several of the founding members are flying in from around the world to help us celebrate,” Minister Allen Pope said.

Founded in March of 1973, the church originally met in the Thousand Oaks Residential Care Home or at various schools. The church has been at its current location since 1976. Membership has grown to nearly 400, church officials said.

For more information, call 371-1381.

Buddhist Church Holds Festival

A Fujimatsuri Festival at the Oxnard Buddhist Church today welcomes the public to sample the foods, dance, drumming, judo and karate traditions of Japan, including demonstrations in bonsai, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The festival is free, and the Japanese food will be sold.

The church is at 250 South H St. For more information, call 483-5948.

Church Plans Benefit Dinner

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Oxnard will put on its annual carne asada takeout dinner fund-raiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.

The $6 meal will include carne asada, beans, Spanish rice, salad, tortilla and salsa.

Call the church at 487-2711 for more information. St. Paul’s is at 1800 South C St.

Worshiping in Songs, Readings

The Ventura Contemplative Community’s Taize-style ecumenical worship of songs, readings and silent prayer will begin at 6:45 p.m. Sunday at Trinity Lutheran Church. The public is welcome to take part in the “sung prayer” or simple chants.

Ron Zell will lead the instrumental accompaniment. The church is at 196 N. Ashwood Ave. For more information, call 647-6831.

Fellowship Plans 3 Services

Three services will be held Sunday at Channel Islands Vineyard Christain Fellowship at 1851 Holser Walk, Suite 200, in Oxnard.

The times are 9 and 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The dress is casual, and Pastor Bill Coulter is scheduled to officiate.

For more information, call 485-0050.

Bishop to Celebrate Mass in Ojai

Johannes van Alphen, presiding bishop of the Liberal Catholic Church worldwide, will celebrate Mass in Ojai at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

Van Alphen is visiting from Pretoria, South Africa.

Mass will be followed by a healing service. The church also celebrates the benediction of the blessed sacrament Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

The Liberal Catholic Church differs from the Roman Catholic Church mainly in allowing greater personal interpretation of the Bible and doctrine, said the local bishop, the Rev. Dr. Hein van Beusekom of Ojai.

Ojai’s Liberal Catholic Church is at 1502 E. Ojai Ave. For more information, call the church at 646-0570.

Lecture on Wit of Martin Luther

Eric Gritsch, a scholar of the Reformation era, will lecture at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks on “Martin Luther, Court Jester: The Power of Wit and Witness.”

The title of Gritsch’s Monday lecture refers to the critical component of humor in Luther’s life and thought. Gritsch founded the Institute for Luther Studies at Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary. He is the author and translator of more than 20 books about Luther.

Admission to the 10 a.m. lecture in Samuelson Chapel is free. For more information, contact the department of religion at 493-3151.

Cal Lutheran is at 60 W. Olsen Road.

Women in Bible Topic of Series

The final session of an adult-education series

titled “Beyond the Matriarchs: What We Are Learning From Women in the Bible” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The free series is being given by Rabbi Lisa Hochberg-Miller at Temple Beth Torah at 7620 Foothill Road in Ventura. For more information, call 647-4181.

Lecture Examines Relationships

The Conejo Jewish Academy in Agoura Hills will host a lecture on relationships, titled “Do I have to give up me to be loved by you?”

Guest speaker will be Clara Zilberstein, a clinical psychologist who lectures widely on communication in marriage.

The lecture will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday at the academy, 30345 Canwood St. A $10 per person or $15 per couple fee may be paid at the door.

For more information, call (818) 991-0991.

Church to Present Musical Play

All Saints Episcopal Church of Oxnard will present an original musical play, “Charley the Caterpillar,” on Friday and May 9.

Based on John Aurelio’s “The Garden of Life,” the play was written by Modenia Joy Kramer, with assistance from other All Saints members. Anne Ward and Debra Godsman arranged the music, and Paula Stanfield choreographed the dancing.

Geoff Stanfield plays the role of Charley, a young caterpillar in search of a friend. Traveling through the forest, Charley meets rabbits, deer, fish, dogs, cats, birds and mice portrayed by children of the congregation.

The public is welcome at the event in the church sanctuary. The curtain goes up at 7 p.m. On Saturday night, a “resurrection party” will follow in the parish hall.

All Saints is at 144 South C St. For more information, call 483-2347.

Weekend Getaway for Women

Jewish women of all ages can enjoy a weekend getaway during a “Shabbaton” planned for Friday and May 9 at the County Inn at Port Hueneme, 350 E. Hueneme Road, in Oxnard.

Titled “A Woman’s World,” the event will offer participants an opportunity to attend prayer sessions, discuss women’s issues and listen to inspirational speeches by Hebrew teachers. It is sponsored by Chabad of the Conejo and the Conejo Jewish Academy. The cost is $85 per person, which includes catered meals.

For more information, call (818) 991-0991.

Bluegrass and Gospel Concert

Gospel in the Country, an outdoor bluegrass and gospel concert, will begin at 4 p.m. May 9 at the Rancho Del Rey Christian Conference Center near Oak View.

The public is welcome to the event, which will feature the Witcher Brothers Bluegrass Band, Home Grown Bluegrass Band, the Red River Band from Ventura County and the Country Gospel Jubilee. The concert will end at 7:30 p.m.

Gospel Light Publications and KDAR Radio are co-sponsoring the concert. It will be the third held on the grounds of the 130-acre Ojai Valley retreat.

Tickets are $7.50 at the gate; free for children 12 and under. A tri-tip dinner for $5 will be available. Lawn chairs or blankets for picnics are welcome.

For information or reservations, call Rancho del Rey at 649-3356. It is at 655 Burnham Road., Oak View.

Potter to Present Bible Program

The Ascension Lutheran Church women’s ministry in Thousand Oaks has invited potter Carole Wolaver to present “The Master’s Pieces,” in which she speaks while spinning her potter’s wheel, using biblical verses.

Wolaver, a professional ceramist, has presented her program to more than 100 churches nationwide and has appeared on the Turner Broadcasting Network.

The program, suitable for all ages, will be held at 7:30 p.m. May 15. It will also feature the church’s Country Spirit Singers. Dessert and beverage will be included in the $10 cost.

Child-care wil be available with advance notice. For reservations, call Margy Ochsner of Ascension Lutheran Church at 581-5156.

The church is at 1600 E. Hillcrest Drive.