Students at Loyola Marymount University found out...

Students at Loyola Marymount University found out this semester that Christianity comes in many colors.

In the class “Faith and Ethnicity in Los Angeles,” students visited churches throughout Los Angeles to discover “how the Christian faith can be a carrier of culture, rather than a destroyer of culture,” said Daniel Smith-Christopher, professor of theological studies, who developed the course.

“Everyone is familiar with the idea that Christianity in its missionary phase had a destructive effect on the cultures it encountered,” Smith-Christopher said. “I wanted to show that the opposite can be true--that it can be a preserver of cultures.”

Students have visited a different church each week, including an Arab American church in Pomona, a Vietnamese congregation in Sepulveda, a Korean church in Torrance, a Greek Orthodox church in Downtown Los Angeles, a Serbian Orthodox church in Alhambra and a Croatian Catholic church in Central Los Angeles.

At many of the churches, students interviewed congregants and clergy and participated in traditional singing and dancing.

“A lot of the preconceptions about ethnicity and cultures I had were broken down,” said Loyola sophomore Ian Fraser. “We met Arab Christians, and most of what I knew about them I had read in the paper about the Arab Israeli conflicts, and I had preconceived notions. Listening to the people gave me a whole new perspective. I see that they are people, regardless of what is written, and I see their side of the story, right or wrong.”

Other students said they had not been aware of how many different ethnic Christian groups existed in the Los Angeles area.

“I’m Russian Orthodox from Northern California,” said junior James Tar. “I never heard about the Croatian Catholics, or the Serbian Orthodox. Living in America, you don’t always pay attention to other people’s cultures and ethnicities. You don’t hear about a lot of the unique Christian ethnic groups that have contributed to the multicultural lifestyle in Los Angeles.”

Smith-Christopher said he hoped the class would show how Christianity can be a basis for people from different cultures and backgrounds to come together.

At a visit to the First AME Church in Los Angeles, students had a chance to participate in a “Love Feast,” a tradition which is meant to cleanse the heart and mind before taking communion on Sunday. Afterward, students spoke with church members.

“They didn’t want to leave,” said the Rev. Leonard Jackson. “They walked away with the realization that the African American church has always been the backbone of the community, and the church is the salvation of the community for today’s problems.”

Smith-Christopher said he hopes the class can be available to students on a regular basis.

“When the students listen to the experiences of the people--of the pain of immigration and adjustment, about the difficulties they face, it is a real human kind of discovery that creates some very interesting bridges,” he said. “The result of the class is a tremendous breakdown in the self-consciousness of approaching people of other cultures.”

OUTREACH

* Professor Daniel Sperber, author, scholar and winner of the 1992 Israel Prize in Talmud, will speak at morning services at B’nai David-Judea Congregation on Shabbat Hanukkah, at 10:15 a.m. today. Sperber has chaired the department of Talmud at Bar-Ilan University in Israel, has taught in the departments of history and Talmud, and has served on the board of education in Israel. 8906 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 276-9269.

* The Martyrs Memorial and Museum of the Holocaust, a department of the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles, is seeking donations of photographs and memorabilia for its archives and exhibits, and volunteers to serve as museum docents. Volunteers must have an interest in historical events of the period and be able to commit to a yearlong training program that meets every other week. To volunteer or make a donation, phone (213) 852-1234, ext. 3200.

* Senior Rabbi Joel Rembaum of Temple Beth Am teaches “Don’t Just Sit There, Learn to Daven! (Pray),” a course exploring the structure and theology of prayer, from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Thursdays. The cost is $5. 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd. (310) 652-7353.

CELEBRATIONS

* The Church in Santa Monica is hosting a musical and liturgical celebration in honor of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at 5:30 a.m. Sunday in the church patio. The Advent festival will include mariachi music, Mexican hot chocolate and Mexican sweet bread. 725 California Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 393-9287.

* The Garden Grove United Methodist Church music department will present a Christmas concert tonight at 7. The concert will feature Francis Poulenc’s “Gloria” for choir, instruments and soprano. An offering will be received at the door. 1270 Main St., Garden Grove. (714) 534-1070.

* Biola University is hosting “Celebrate the Son,” a progressive Christmas concert featuring simultaneous musical and dramatic performances at various locations on campus at 7, 8 and 9 tonight. The Biola Chorale, the Triumph, a 10-voice contemporary ensemble, the string orchestra, symphonic winds, gospel choir, and chamber orchestra will perform. Tickets are $3.50 for adults and $2.50 for children per performance. Biola University, 13800 Biola Ave., La Mirada. (310) 944-0351, ext. 5339.

* The 175-voice sanctuary choir of Pasadena’s Lake Avenue Congregational Church will present highlights from Handel’s “Messiah” at 7 p.m., Sunday, in the church’s 4,500-seat worship center. A free will offering will be taken. 393 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena. (818) 795-7221.

* All Saints’ Episcopal Church will present Handel’s “Messiah” (Part I) with Organ Concerto Op. 4, No. 5, at 5 p.m., Sunday. The concert will be accompanied by a full orchestra. Suggested donation is $10, seniors and students, $5. 504 Camden Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 275-0123

* The Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship will present “The Gospel Magnificat” at 5 p.m., Sunday. The concert will also include J.S. Bach’s “Cantata No. 142,” “For Unto Us a Child Is Born,” followed by selections from “Gospel Mass.” 2085 S. Hobart Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 731-8869.

EVENTS

* Jews for Judaism, an organization which fights missionary groups and cults, will present three Chesed awards at its seventh annual dinner and fund-raiser at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, at the Century Plaza Hotel. The awards are in honor of good deeds on behalf of the community. Tickets are $250 per person. (310) 854-3381.

* The “Amazing Grays” singles group for people over 50 will hold a Christmas party at 6:30 p.m., Friday, sponsored by the Pacific Palisades House of Worship. 15515 Sunset Blvd. (310) 454-5462.

* The Sisterhood of B’nai David-Judea Congregation is sponsoring a trip to Las Vegas Dec. 19-21. Cost per person is $82.50, and includes two nights at the Flamingo Hilton Hotel and round trip transportation by bus. Phone (310) 474-8697.

Notices may be sent to the Southern California File by mail c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, 90053, or by fax to (213) 237-4712. Items must arrive three weeks in advance. Include a phone number, date, time and full address.