HABITAT BARBECUE: Habitat for Humanity, the nonprofit...

HABITAT BARBECUE: Habitat for Humanity, the nonprofit home-building organization, is holding a barbecue Friday evening at the Pacoima construction site of the first homes it has built in the San Fernando Valley.

The event will raise funds to complete construction of the eight townhouses at 10906 Laurel Canyon Blvd., just north of the Simi Valley Freeway (118). Looking ahead, a spokesman said, “We have already selected our next home-building site in Mission Hills.”

Six “covenant congregations” have committed themselves to aid the organization’s efforts in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys. They are: North Hollywood First Assembly of God, which provides office space for Habitat; St. Clare Catholic Church in Canyon Country, Woodland Hills Community Church, Knollwood United Methodist Church, Tujunga United Methodist and First United Methodist Church of Reseda. Several more congregations are in the process of joining.

The 6 p.m. event, open to the public, will include live music and a volunteer opportunity fair. The cost is $15 per person. A check should reach Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 710, North Hollywood 91602 by Tuesday, officials said. For more information, call (818) 980-9797.

CAMP DIRECTOR: Robb Courtney of Valencia has been named director of the Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Conference Center, one of four year-round camps and conference centers operated by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Southern California.

Courtney, 30, most recently was administrative services coordinator for the Santa Clarita Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services.

“The move is a start in pursuing my goal of a career in Christian camping ministries,” said Courtney, who was active in youth groups at Canoga Park Presbyterian Church and later served as senior high program administrator there.

GUEST PREACHER: The Rev. John Stensether, pastor of Turlock Evangelical Free Church, will preach at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. services Sunday at Calvary Bible Church, 1101 S. Main St., Burbank. The guest minister, among other activities, serves as a board member of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Ill.

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