This weekend in Pasadena the Pacific Southwest...

This weekend in Pasadena the Pacific Southwest regional office of the American Friends Service Committee kicks off its second half-century of service with a symposium, dinner and worship service. The activities coincide with the 75th anniversary celebration of the American Friends national committee, headquartered in Philadelphia.

Although it is a separate entity from the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), the American Friends committee is regulated by a Quaker board and adheres to the Quaker principles of opposition to war and advocacy of pacifism. It also reaches decisions by consensus, not dictum or vote. Its financial support comes mainly from about 75,000 contributors, many of whom are not Quakers.

The committee was founded to provide relief and alternative-service opportunities for conscientious objectors during World War I. Over the years, it has provided aid and economic and social development assistance in about 50 countries. It has also participated in peace and social justice programs in the United States and elsewhere.

In Southern California, the 20-person regional office operates the U.S.-Mexico Border Program, which monitors abuses by the Border Patrol and Immigration and Naturalization Service against legal and illegal immigrants.

Since the Los Angeles riots, it has stepped up its commitment to neighborhood outreach in northwest Pasadena, where it has done work on racism, community organizing and economic development. In addition, the Pasadena office oversees programs in Hawaii, New Mexico and Arizona.

Finance Secretary Claire E. Gorfinkel says the region has 200 active volunteers.

Reflecting on the accomplishments of her organization, Gorfinkel said: “It’s paradoxical that we received the Nobel Peace Prize for ‘work from the nameless to the nameless,’ that we became well known by being quiet. But we have always been willing to take risks where other people don’t go, as in the vanguard of civil rights and immigration reform--and we stick by our long-term commitments.”

Workshops during the weekend celebration will emphasize tasks the committee has taken on. Workshops include “Keep the Dream Alive: The Continuing Struggle for Civil Rights” and “Housing and Dignity: Tenant Organizing at Kings Villages.”

The symposium is from 12:30 to 5 p.m. today. Dinner is at 6 p.m. Dinner tickets are $25 each. The events take place at First Friends Church, 2540 E. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena. A worship service will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday at Orange Grove Friends Meeting, 526 E. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena. For information, phone (818) 791-1978.

DATES

Two-time Grammy-winning singer Donna Summer will perform at The Church On The Way in Van Nuys at 7 tonight to benefit Youth With a Mission. Among the group’s activities are the Hollywood Lifeline crisis hot line, a missionary program, a halfway house and an AIDS ministry. A donation of $10 is suggested. Additional contributions will be accepted during the concert at 14300 Sherman Way, Van Nuys. For tickets and information, phone (213) 660-6040.

A new Presbyterian congregation is being formed in Huntington Beach, under the guidance of the Rev. Michael Vaughn. The public is invited to a worship, fellowship and information meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, at North Huntington Beach Presbyterian Church, 16871 Bolsa Chica Road, Huntington Beach. (714) 846-6641.

SPEAKERS

Lawrence Jenco, a priest who spent nearly two years as a hostage in Lebanon, will speak Thursday at Catholic Charities’ Eighth Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner. The program will honor 125 exceptional volunteers from the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys. Tickets are $50 per person. The dinner will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Pasadena Center, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. For information, phone (818) 405-9483.

Theologian Arthur Hertzberg, a rabbi and professor of religion at Dartmouth College, speaks at the University of Judaism’s public lecture series at Valley Beth Shalom on Sunday and at Sinai Temple on Monday. Both lectures begin at 8:15 p.m. He will examine “The Distinctive Jewish Experience in America: Is Its Momentum Spent?”

Valley Beth Shalom is at 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. Sinai Temple’s is at 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. For information or registration, call (310) 476-9777, ext. 246.

“When the Altar Weeps: Jewish Divorce and Its Problems” is the subject of the fifth annual conference of the Westwood Kehilla from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the University Religious Conference in Westwood. The keynote speaker is Sarah Bunim, a social worker specializing in divorce and its effects. The cost for the morning workshop is $18; an optional lunch workshop is $12. The address is 900 Hilgard Ave., Westwood. Phone (310) 475-1193.

Rabbi Sally Olins delivers a sermon entitled: “L.A., Where Do We Go Now?” on Friday at 8 p.m. at Temple B’nai Hayim in Sherman Oaks. She will discuss the recent riots and the response of the Jewish community and other concerned groups. The address is 4302 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (818) 788-4664.

HONORS

Richard S. Gunther of Los Angeles has been elected to a three-year term on the national board of Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger. Gunther is a housing and commercial construction developer and a community activist. Mazon recently announced a grant of $10,000 to establish an emergency fund to purchase supplies for food banks, pantries and soup kitchens after the Los Angeles riots. Last year the organization allocated $1.2 million in food assistance.

The Rev. Gary Straughan, pastor of the Moravian Church of Downey, was elected president of the Pacific Southwest Moravian District board. Other Southlanders elected to the board this month were the Rev. James Parker of the Good Shepherd Moravian Church in Yorba Linda, vice president; Phil Voigt, a lay member of the Downey church, treasurer, and Lucia Roberts, a lay member of the Covina Moravian Church. They will serve for four years.

CELEBRATIONS

The School of Theology at Claremont holds its 107th commencement ceremony at 11 a.m. today on the Kresge Chapel Green. Communion will be at 9 a.m., and a luncheon follows at 1 p.m. in the administration courtyard. In accordance with the school’s longstanding tradition, the graduation ceremony is contained within a worship service but without a major address.

This year, 22 women and 39 men will be awarded degrees, including the master of arts, master of divinity, doctor of ministry and doctor of philosophy. Thirteen graduates are completing a Korean Master of Divinity program. According to the school, 49% of the graduates are ethnic minorities. The graduating class represents 17 denominations.

Please address notices to: Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles, Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, Calif. 90053. To receive consideration, an item must be brief and arrive at least three weeks before the event announced.