The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles has...

The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles has teamed up with the California Department of Rehabilitation and the Los Angeles Unified School District to open the nation’s only computer-training center for AIDS and HIV patients.

The Trinity Learning Center, housed at Trinity Episcopal Church in Hollywood, equips trainees with computer skills that will enable them to perform work in offices and at home, says Scott Figenshow, program director.

The learning center is an arm of Project New Hope, a non-sectarian, nonprofit corporation launched as a result of a study by the Bishop’s Commission on AIDS. The study showed that training in computer skills and permanent affordable housing were highest among the unmet needs of AIDS patients.

The bishop’s commission secured start-up funds and continues to support the program. A grant from the state Rehabilitation Department bought equipment and pays operating costs. The school district’s Metropolitan Skills Center provides the instructor.

“Our program is designed to take the limitations of the disease into account,” Figenshow said, “and to provide a training atmosphere of common purpose, mission and understanding.”

Said Jack Plimpton, executive director of the Bishop’s Commission on AIDS and president of Project New Hope: “People with AIDS are unemployed because of depression, poverty and loss of dignity. We are creating a ministry to give them a ray of hope in the midst of AIDS.”

Each student works at his own pace, he explained. After the training, the project will provide job placement and advocacy services in coordination with the California Department of Rehabilitation.

Plimpton told the story of Zenas Colman, a former carpenter who is training at the center. Interviewed for the Episcopal News after just 10 days of classes, Colman said he had already learned to type and was starting to work on a computer. “The center has given me a reason to get out of bed in the morning . . . With God’s help, I’m going to be able to do something productive.”

Now two months into the program, an ebullient Figenshow said, “We are exceeding our expectations. The class is full at 23 trainees, and we have a short waiting list.”

The first placements will be made next month. Project New Hope will also act as a clearing center to match employers with graduates who will work at home as independent contractors on word-processing, desktop publishing, data entry, spreadsheet accounting and other office tasks.

Instruction is provided at no cost to the trainee. Those interested in applying should contact Figenshow at Project New Hope (213) 250-5588. Applicants will be asked to submit an employment history, health questionnaire (including diagnosis of AIDS/HIV) and to meet with a counselor from the rehabilitation department.

SPEAKERS

Is the feminist movement enhancing or destroying the fabric of American society? Conservative spokeswoman Phyllis Schlafly and attorney Sarah Weddington, who won the landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, will debate such issues as maternity leave, sexual harassment and equal rights at 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the University of Judaism Public Lecture Series. Tickets are $20. Sunday’s lecture is at Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Monday’s is at Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 476-9777, Ext. 246.

“Portraits of Passion,” a Lenten series on the four gospel accounts of the Passion, will be given by Father William Neidhart at 6:15 p.m. on three Sundays, March 14, 21 and 28, at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 133 N. 5th St., Burbank. (818) 558-6698.

Lama Tharchin Rinpoche, a Tibetan meditation master now based in Santa Cruz, will speak in Hollywood this week and next. He teaches Buddhist thinking, meditation and action, as well as Tibetan ritual art. For information, phone the Vajrayana Foundation (310) 838-6087.

DATES

St. Denis Parish hosts its second annual St. Joseph’s Table celebration Sunday. Ceremonies commence following a 12:15 p.m. Mass, with a procession from the church and a blessing of the table, laden with donated food and a statue of the saint. The custom is a centuries-old expression of religious devotion and concern for the poor. A pasta dinner, costing $3.50, will be served from 2 to 6 p.m. Proceeds will be used to feed poor families and support Catholic charities in the San Gabriel Valley. St. Denis Church is at 2151 Diamond Bar Blvd., Diamond Bar. (909) 861-7106.

The Italian Catholic Federation presents its 21st annual St. Joseph’s Table March 19-21 at St. Genevieve Church in Panorama City. All who attend will be given a free plate of spaghetti and St. Joseph’s bread. The high point of the celebration is an 11 a.m. Mass at the church Sunday, March 20, followed by a colorful procession. The church’s address is 14061 Roscoe Blvd. For exact times of the meals, phone (818) 892-1093.

“Easing the Burden: Church and State Working Together for the Common Good” is the theme for a briefing on legislative issues sponsored by the California Council of Churches and the South Coast Ecumenical Council from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday at Christ Lutheran Church.

General sessions with legislators and workshops will take up such public-policy issues as responding to the civil uprising, health-care strategies, food and housing needs, welfare reform and school vouchers. Registration is $25, including lunch. The church is located at 6500 Stearns St., Long Beach. For information, phone (310) 595-0268.

An all-day Lenten retreat, “To Pray is To Sing,” will be conducted at St. Innocent’s Orthodox Church in Tarzana Sunday, March 20, by the Most Rev. Sergei Glagolev. The former chancellor of the Western Diocese of the Orthodox Church in America and professor emeritus at St. Tikhon’s Seminary in South Canaan, Pa., the priest is also a musician and composer. 5657 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. For reservations, phone (818) 881-1123.

The Complete Christian Women’s Ministry holds free motivational seminars and creative workshops to help women find a sense of purpose and develop their talents. Monthly seminars are held from 10 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of each month (except May, July and September) at the YWCA at 2501 N. Vernon Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 293-6614.

BRIEFLY

Carlos Estrada Madrid of Torrance has been named one of eight new mission presidents by the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City. Madrid will assume his duties with an as-yet unannounced mission later this year. . . . The Westside Jewish Community Center has launched a weekly program for single parents who want to learn skills for balancing children, jobs and personal adult needs. Professional child-care is available. (213) 938-2531 . . . Founding members Amelia and Addison Van Loenen will be on hand Sunday when the Rev. Tari Lennon launches a yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Neighborhood Congregational Church of Laguna Beach.

Send notices to: Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, Calif., 90053. Fax: (213) 237-4712. Items should be brief and arrive at least three weeks prior to the event announced. The date, time and address of events and a phone number for inquiries must be included.