INTERIM MINISTER: On Sunday, the Rev. Cynthia...

INTERIM MINISTER: On Sunday, the Rev. Cynthia Edson will become interim minister of Emerson Unitarian Church in Canoga Park for a year. The first woman to serve the church, Edson graduated from Andover Newton Theological Seminary and Boston University and is former editor of the Unitarian Universalist publication, “The World.” Edson has been in the ministry for 23 years and comes to the San Fernando Valley from Weymouth, Mass. She replaces the Rev. Richard Davis, who is serving a church in Salem, Ore. Sunday service and the religious education program start at 10:30 a.m. The church is at 7304 Jordan Ave.

SPECIAL VISITOR: Muriel Simpson, a staff member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Resident Stewardship Service, will present the first of several scheduled Bible studies at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church at 10:15 a.m. Sunday. Simpson will be on hand for 10 days to assist the congregation with planning, goal-setting and leadership training for laymen through various meetings, Bible studies and home visits. The Rev. Philip Natwick will preach on “Focusing on the Future” at the 9 a.m. service Sunday at the church, 15950 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills.

SEMINAR: A men’s growth seminar will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Vallejo Drive Seventh-day Adventist Church, 300 Vallejo Drive, Glendale. The program, a continuation of the men’s gathering at Camp Cedar Falls in October, will focus on relationships and interaction with family and friends. Admission is free; the seminar is open to the public.

GUEST SPEAKER: Daniel Goldberg, representing Chosen People Ministries, will speak on “Feasts of Israel in Prophecy” at the 10 a.m. service Feb. 7 at Sun Valley Bible Church, 12055 Wicks St. At the 11:15 a.m. Sunday school service, Goldberg will give his testimony and answer questions about Jewish evangelism.

AIDS PROGRAM: The Caring Ministry Council of the First United Methodist Church of Glendale will sponsor an AIDS listening event for the community from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Carlson Fellowship Center, 130 N. Kenwood St. Two speakers from All Saints AIDS Center in Pasadena will present the program, titled “AIDS in the Church.” A health education professional will provide information about the prevalence of the disease and the ways in which it is contracted. In addition, a person with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, will speak about the effects of the virus on one’s life. Following the program, there will be a question-and-answer period. Admission is free.

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