The Lazarus Project, a Presbyterian ministry that...

The Lazarus Project, a Presbyterian ministry that strives to achieve understanding between heterosexuals and gay, lesbian and bisexual people, celebrates 15 years of educational programs next week.

With a modest annual budget of about $30,000, the West Hollywood-based project manages to conduct nearly 100 classes and workshops and present lectures at churches, seminaries, colleges and universities in the Southland each year. It also leads weekly worship services and songfests for gays at Los Angeles County Jail.

Funded by the Presbyterian Synod of Southern California and Hawaii, the Presbytery of the Pacific and local churches, the Lazarus Project seeks to dispel myths and fears about homosexuality through education and enabling audiences to hear firsthand the life stories of gay men and women.

Each year it convenes an educational conference featuring nationally known experts. The project has also produced an instructional video on the pastoral approach to people with AIDS. This summer it will complete a documentary on suicide among gay youths. These materials are available for sale to churches.

According to project director Peg Beissert, a Presbyterian minister for 21 years, about 40% of all youth suicides result from the inability of adolescents and young adults to deal with their sexual orientation in a homophobic society.

Beissert became interested in improving relations between heterosexuals and gays 15 years ago when she was serving on a Presbytery committee to screen ordination candidates. One of the candidates was Chris Glaser, an openly gay Yale Divinity School graduate. While interviewing him, Beissert recalled, “I recognized I was in the presence of a man of such educational background and quality of character that he was head and shoulders above a lot of other people who came through.”

Beissert said she had known only one openly gay person before she met Glaser. “I worked hard to get (Glaser) through our committee, and ultimately he did pass,” she said. “But they crucified him on the floor of the Presbytery and denied him ordination.

“I said to my husband at the time, ‘I have got to do something on this issue. I am meeting such quality people that I can’t just dismiss them,’ ” she said.

Glaser went on to found the Lazarus Project, operating out of an office in the West Hollywood Presbyterian Church, and Beissert succeeded him as director in 1987. Beissert said the project got its name from the character in the Gospel of John who was called up from his tomb by Jesus, “much in the same way that gay and lesbian people are called out from the death of living in a closet into full life.”

A special service will be held at West Hollywood Presbyterian Church at 11 a.m. Sunday, recognizing the people who have helped the Lazarus Project over the past 15 years. Beissert will officiate at Communion and Glaser will preach.

West Hollywood Presbyterian Church is located at 7350 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. For further information on the Lazarus Project, phone (213) 874-6646.

GRANTS

More than $4 million will be made available for post-riot rebuilding through the Presbyterian Foundation’s Creative Investment Program. Funds will also be available through Presbyterian Self Development of People, a program for raising living standards of the poor. The Presbyterian Los Angeles County Crisis Commission has been established to screen applicants for the funds and oversee church activities and programs related to the urban crisis. For further information, call the Rev. Oliver Brown at (213) 734-1566.

CONFERENCE

Hispanic Catholic leaders from across the nation will discuss religion, politics, education and health care at “Hispanic Congress ‘92: Roots and Wings,” Aug. 13-16 at Loyola Marymount University.

The keynote speaker will be the Very Rev. Domingo Rodriguez, S.T., superior general, Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity of Arlington, Va. About 800 bishops, priests, lay ministers, diocesan workers, theologians and others are expected to attend. For information, phone (310) 338-2799.

PERFORMANCE

Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins serves as master of ceremonies for the seventh annual Westwood Presbyterian Church Benefit Musicale at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday.

The program reflects the partnership forged between that church and Westminster Presbyterian Church of South Los Angeles following this spring’s riots. The Westminster church’s gospel choir will perform, as will a classical violin-piano duo from the Westwood church, brothers Haldan and Anders Martinson.

Proceeds will benefit People Assisting the Homeless, Child S.H.A.R.E., a foster care program for abused and abandoned infants, the Westside Food Bank and the Riot Recovery Program of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Refreshments will be served after the concert. The suggested minimum donation is $20. The address is 10822 Wilshire Blvd. (310) 474-4535.

CELEBRATIONS

Wycliffe Associates in Orange, the support organization for Wycliffe Bible Translators, marks its 25th anniversary this year. More than 6,000 Wycliffe volunteers around the world work in construction, clerical and other support occupations and serve as missionary linguists who learn hundreds of previously unrecorded languages in order to bring the New Testament to new readers. For information, Phone (714) 639-9950.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hacienda Heights celebrates the ordination and installation of the Rev. William M. Cwirla and the church’s 30th anniversary at 4 p.m. Sunday with a worship service followed by a welcoming reception. The address is 15710 Newton St. (818) 333-9017.

DATES

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Assn. of Los Angeles will hold a special meeting in honor of the founder of Islam, the prophet Mohammed, from 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 9, at the Baitul Hamid Mosque in Chino. American converts to Islam and Islamic scholars from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India will discuss the prophet and negative Western myths that have developed about Islam. The public is invited. A Pakistani-style dinner will be served after the session. Admission is free. The address is 11941 Ramona Ave., Chino. For reservations, phone (714) 627-2252 or (310) 863-9266.

TISHA B’AV

Observant Jews will mark Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av, beginning at sundown Saturday, Aug. 8.

Special services will commemorate the exile of the Jews from the land of Israel following the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem in ancient times.

Many Jews observe the day by fasting and refraining from all festivities. The Book of Lamentations, written by the prophet Jeremiah, is chanted in synagogues, along with poetic prayers. In Israel, thousands gather at the sole remnant of the Second Temple, the Western Wall, to recall the exile.

Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks--1080 Janss Road at Highway 23--will hold services at 7:30 p.m. (805) 497-6891.

Temple Emanuel in Beverly Hills will hold services and a study session at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8. The address is 8844 Burton Way. (310) 288-3742.

Young Israel of Northridge will hold services Saturday, Aug. 8, at 9 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 9, at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Academy-Award winning documentary, “Genocide,” will be shown at 11 a.m. Sunday. Admission is free. The address is 17511 Devonshire St. (818) 368-2221.

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