PROGRAM AWARDED: Los Angeles City Councilwoman Joy...

PROGRAM AWARDED: Los Angeles City Councilwoman Joy Picus has presented an award acknowledging the intergenerational program offered through the Early Childhood Department of Congregation Beth Kodesh in West Hills. As participants in the program, senior citizens volunteer and participate with youngsters, according to Dorothy Omens, department director. The award was made at an Early Childhood volunteer appreciation brunch Thursday.

ACTIVE LISTENING: A lecture titled “Beat the Power Struggles With Active Listening” will be presented by Jackie Brend, a marriage, family and child counselor, from 10 a.m. to noon today at Epiphany Church, 7769 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park. The lecture will focus on recognizing and avoiding roadblocks to communication, building trust and clearing the way for effective problem solving. A freewill offering will be taken.

WORKSHOPS: Susan Smith Jones--author, Pulitzer Prize nominee and health and fitness expert--will present three workshops Sunday through Tuesday based on her books “Choose to Be Healthy” and “Choose to Live Peacefully” at the Glendale Church of Religious Science, 2146 E. Chevy Chase Drive. Sunday’s workshop runs 2 to 4:30 p.m., and Monday’s and Tuesday’s are scheduled from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $15 for one workshop, $25 for two or $30 for all three. Admission to each workshop will be $20 at the door. For ticket information, call (818) 244-8171.

ADOLESCENT ADVICE: “Is This Normal?” will be the topic of Rick Lyon, a licensed family therapist, when he presents a class for parents and teen-agers from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church of Granada Hills, 10400 Zelzah St., Northridge. Lyon will offer information on normal adolescent development and identify behaviors that need special attention.

YOUNG VOCALIST: Mindy J. Harris, 18, a senior at Oakwood School in North Hollywood, will present a vocal musical recital at 7 p.m. Sunday at Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. She will perform works of Handel, Ravel and Wolf as well as Gilbert and Sullivan, and Lerner and Loewe. Admission is free.

DISCUSSION: Clodette Woodhouse will lead a discussion of the history and teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints and her upbringing in the Lutheran Church beginning at 7 p.m. Sunday at the First Lutheran Church of Glendale, 1300 E. Colorado Blvd. Admission is free.

SISTER SPEAKS: Sister Margaret Rose Welch is scheduled to speak on “The Blythe Street Project--Working With Gangs” at a Tuesday luncheon meeting of the East San Fernando Valley District of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., with the program set to begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m. Cost of lunch is $5.50 per person. Reservations, due today, can be made by calling (818) 790-8361.

PERFORMANCE: “Working: Songs of the City,” a musical based on Studs Terkel’s book “Working,” will be presented at 8 p.m. Thursday through May 23 at the Woodland Hills Community Church, 21338 Dumetz Road. Nearly 40 members of the church’s youth and adult choirs will perform the materials created for this production, in addition to original songs by Stephen Schwartz and James Taylor. Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for children under 18. For ticket information, call (818) 346-0820.

WOMEN’S GROUP: Westlake Women’s Aglow will meet at 8:30 a.m. Friday at the Plug Nickel restaurant, 717 Lakefield Road, Westlake Village. The guest speaker will be Dodie Evrist, an ordained minister and psalmist. Cost is $8 per person or $4 for first-time visitors. Reservations can be made by calling (818) 889-6518.

OPEN HOUSE: Burbank Temple Emanu El will hold an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 23 to kick off its new membership campaign. Representatives from all temple affiliates, including the religious and nursery schools, will be available to answer questions. Refreshments will be served. The Conservative congregation is at 1302 N. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank.

SHABBAT DINNER: A stress-free Shabbat for busy professionals will be held at 6:30 p.m. May 28 at Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. In addition to a catered dinner, there will be singing and Israeli dancing. Cost is $10 per person. Reservations can be made by calling the synagogue (818) 766-9426.

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