OUTREACH: A Christian outreach will be presented...

OUTREACH: A Christian outreach will be presented by the Anaheim-based Set Free Ministries beginning at noon today at the Hansen Dam Outdoor Amphitheater, located at the Hansen Dam Sports Center, 11770 Foothill Blvd, Lake View Terrace. The program, including live music, is in conjunction with the San Fernando Valley-based Victory Outreach. Admission is free.

CELEBRATION: A Deepawali celebration called the “Festival of Lights” will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. today at the Lord Venkateswara Hindu Temple, 1600 Las Virgenes Canyon Road, Calabasas. The event will begin with social time, followed by prayers, a recognition of local senior citizens and a cultural program. A vegetarian dinner will be served from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by a musical program. The event is being organized by the India Cultural Society of Simi and Conejo valleys. Dinner is $10 for non-members and $8 for members. Admission for the other events is free.

SPECIAL SERVICE: An annual “Thankoffering Service” will be held Sunday at both the 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. services at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 15950 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills. Special music will be presented and the Rev. Kapp Johnson will deliver the sermon. Offerings will be used to minister to women and children throughout the world.

ADULT EDUCATION: Basic themes of Judaism for adults will be taught by Rabbi Sally Olins for eight weeks beginning Tuesday at Temple B’nai Hayim, a Conservative synagogue at 4302 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks. A dairy dinner will be served from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m., followed from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. by a workshop in learning to read Hebrew found in prayer books. Members and non-members are invited to attend either or both sessions without cost. Baby-sitting and study hall for parents with children will be offered.

DISCUSSION: Terry Drew Karanen, a Religious Science practitioner, will lead a discussion titled “New Thought and the Bible: Friends or Foes?” about the part played by the Bible in the creation of the teachings of Religious Science. Other topics to be covered include metaphysical Bible interpretation and Biblical history versus secular history. The lecture is from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Glendale Church of Religious Science, 2146 E. Chevy Chase Drive. Admission is free, although a freewill offering will be taken.

SCHOLAR VISITS: Adat Ari El Adult Studies will present a scholar-in-residence weekend beginning Friday with Rabbi Leila Berner of Congregation Beth Israel in Media, Penn. She is a Fulbright scholar who has taught at UCLA, Reed College, Swarthmore College and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. On Friday, a discussion between Berner and Rabbi Leslie Alexander on “The Work of Scholarship: Explorations of Sephardic Jewry,” will begin at 8 p.m.

Events planned for Nov. 14 include an address by Berner, “Jews of Christian Spain--Partnership or Polarity?” at the 9 a.m. Shabbat services. Later that day, Berner will speak on “The Hidden Jews of the American Southwest” at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the evening discussion, which includes a gourmet dessert, are $10 each for synagogue members and $12 each for the general public. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Information is available by calling the synagogue at (818) 766-9426. A Medieval Sephardic Faire will also be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 15. Admission is free. All events will be held at Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood.

MIND MAPPING: A seminar titled “Mind Mapping, Your Journey” will be presented by Nancy Stepp, a Religious Science practitioner, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Glendale Church of Religious Science, 2146 E. Chevy Chase Drive. Topics will include rediscovering creativity, putting clarity and focus back into life and increasing time-management effectiveness. Admission is $15 per person or $25 per couple. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: A Christmas bazaar will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Congregational Church of the Chimes, 14115 Magnolia Blvd., Sherman Oaks. The annual event features handmade Christmas decorations in addition to used decorations, gifts, baked goods and homemade candy. Lunch will be served at 11 a.m. and tickets, available at the door, are $5 per person. Admission to the bazaar is free.

ALTERNATIVE FAIR: The Reseda First United Methodist Church, 18120 Saticoy St., will sponsor its sixth annual Alternative Christmas Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 14. Organizations featured in the market include the Heifer Project International, Habitat for Humanity, UNICEF, FISH of West Valley, the AIDS Heartline at Redondo Beach United Methodist Church and Arbofilia for the Rainforest.

BOOK FESTIVAL: “Chicken Soup and Other Jewish Meichels” will be the theme of a Jewish book festival program presented by writer Sol H. Marshall at 2 p.m. Nov. 15 at the West Valley Jewish Community Center, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. Marshall will speak about traditions and folklore of Jewish culture, famous recipes through the ages and the similarities and differences of recipes from Jewish countries in various countries. Admission is free.

SPEAKER: Daniel Goldberg, representing Chosen People Ministries, will speak on the topic “Feasts of Israel in Prophecy and the Overview of Jewish Missions,” at the 8 and 10 a.m. services Nov. 15 at the Santa Clarita Foursquare Church, 21617 Cleardale St., Newhall.

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