BOOK DISCUSSION: Father Leo Booth, a national...

BOOK DISCUSSION: Father Leo Booth, a national spokesman on recovery issues, will speak about his book, “When God Becomes a Drug,” at a Sept. 13 gathering at Congregation Beth Kodesh. Booth will focus on people living dysfunctional lives through misuse of God or religion as an escape from reality. The event is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the synagogue located at 7401 Shoup Ave. in West Hills.

OPEN HOUSES: Temple Ahavat Shalom, a Reform congregation at 18200 Rinaldi Place in Northridge, will hold an open house at 8:15 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. Sept. 12, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 20. Temple B’nai Hayim, a Conservative congregation at 4302 Van Nuys Blvd. in Sherman Oaks, will hold an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 13.

PANEL: A panel of local religious leaders will speak on the topic, “How to be a Religious Family in a Secular Society,” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 3801 Scott Road in Burbank. Rabbi Wendy Spears of Temple Emet, the Rev. Larry Stamper of the First United Methodist Church of Burbank and the Rev. Robert Folbrect of the Incarnation Catholic Church in Glendale will present their views followed by an open discussion.

ONE-MAN PLAY: On Sept. 18, LA/Valley Youth for Christ will present Craig McNair Wilson in “The Fifth Gospel,” a 90-minute one-man play that spans the 33 years in the life of Jesus Christ. The performance is scheduled for 8 p.m. at Bel Air Presbyterian Church, 16221 Mulholland Drive. Tickets are $12 at the door, $10 in advance. Proceeds will benefit LA/Valley Youth for Christ. For ticket information, call (818) 365-5902 or send check payable to Youth for Christ, P.O. Box 7101, Van Nuys 91409.

MORMON CHOIR: The 100-voice Southern California Mormon Choir will perform a concert of religious, classical, patriotic and popular music on Sept. 19 in Van Nuys. The event is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Van Nuys Stake, 15555 Saticoy St. The concert is free and open to the public.

News and announcements for this column can be sent to Religion Desk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311.