NEW KOREAN CHURCH: The new Christian Presbyterian...

NEW KOREAN CHURCH: The new Christian Presbyterian Church formally began its existence this week in Los Angeles with commitments from 20 congregations, including 14 defecting churches from the nationwide Christian Reformed Church.

Led by the Rev. John E. Kim, pastor of the 1,500-member Los Angeles Korean Christian Reformed Church, the largest congregation in the new body, the exodus of churches was fueled by opposition to the expected approval of women’s ordination next year by the Michigan-based denomination.

The second largest congregation to join the new denomination was the 775-member Valley Christian Reformed Church in Arleta, which is pastored by the Rev. Jae Yon Kim. The congregation, which rents space at a Lutheran church, has hopes of constructing its own building on land it owns in Chatsworth.

“We are indebted to the Christian Reformed Church for nurturing us,” said John E. Kim. He graduated from the denomination’s Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Mich., and his youngest son graduated from Calvin College, he said. “But we have different theological interpretations on what the Bible says about women holding office in the church,” he said.

He said most of the 14 defecting churches are in Southern California and include the 500-member Bethel Presbyterian Church in Koreatown. The constituent churches probably have a total of more than 5,000 members, Kim said.

The new denomination’s first General Synod meeting was held at John E. Kim’s church on Monday and Tuesday. Twelve new ministers were ordained and the new church name was adopted after heated debate, Kim said.

CATHOLIC & HOMOSEXUAL: Carmelite Father Peter Liuzzi, director of the Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese’s Ministry to the Gay and Lesbian Community, will speak about the place of gays and lesbians in church life Sunday night in Burbank.

The talk will be at 7 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, 3801 Scott Road. For information, call (818) 840-0502.

JUDAISM CLASS: An 18-week introductory study of Judaism for Jews and non-Jews will be taught by Rabbi Efraim Warshaw at Burbank’s Temple Emanu El in conjunction with the University of Judaism.

The course, which begins Nov. 9, will cover history, philosophy, theology, holidays, life cycles and other aspects of Jewish life. It is designed in part for people considering conversion to Judaism and assist new converts’ integration into the Jewish community.

Warshaw, who holds degrees from UCLA, Columbia University, the University of Judaism and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, recently became rabbi of the Burbank temple after living 10 years in Jerusalem.

For information, call (818) 845-1734.

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