“Womanist” theologian Toinette M. Eugene, an expert...

“Womanist” theologian Toinette M. Eugene, an expert on the African American family and feminist issues in the church and society, will deliver a public lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, and teach a weekend course Jan. 14-16 as part of a Martin Luther King Jr. birthday observance at Immaculate Heart College Center.

Novelist Alice Walker coined the term “womanist” in 1983 and it is often used to mean black feminist or feminist woman of color. Womanist thinking, says Sarah S. Forth, director of Immaculate Heart’s program in feminist spirituality, considers both individual liberation and social and economic transformation necessary for social change and supports Afrocentric models of analysis.

Eugene, an associate professor of Christian Social Ethics at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill., draws on the humanist ideals of self-actualization, self-definition and self-determination through a shared community. According to Forth, Eugene’s writings on power emphasize Afrocentric models of community, which stress connectedness, caring and personal accountability.

Eugene believes this concept parallels the “call and response” tradition of African vocal music, in which power dynamics are fluid: Everyone has a voice, but everyone must listen and respond to other voices in order to remain in the community.

Her lecture is titled “Two Heads are Better Than One: Womanist and Feminist Theologies in Tandem.” Admission is $10, $5 for seniors, students and low-income persons. Immaculate Heart College Center is an independent educational and research organization that provides resources in global and multicultural education. It is located at 425 Shatto Place, Suite 401, Los Angeles. Lecture reservations and information about her weekend course are available by phoning (213) 386-3116.

DATES

Fourteen Southern California churches are hosting “Save-A-Life Sunday” blood drives this Sunday in cooperation with the American Red Cross, which is trying to maintain an adequate community blood supply throughout the holiday season. Interested parties may donate blood by appointment or by visiting a bloodmobile at one of the churches. Donors must be 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and not at risk for HIV/AIDS. For information, phone (800) 974-2113.

A weekly single-parent family program for adults with children ages 4 to 10 begins at the Westside Jewish Community Center Tuesday, Jan. 11, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The program offers support and teaches skills for balancing home, children, jobs and personal adult needs. Child care and children’s programs are available. Participants are invited to bring their families and a brown bag dinner. Registration is required. For information, phone (213) 938-2531, extension 2202.

OneHeart, an ecumenical Christian meditation group founded by Father Ken Kaisch, an Episcopal priest, is opening a Pasadena chapter at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11. Chapter meetings will be at 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at Church of the Angels Episcopal Church, 1100 N. Avenue 64. Licensed clinical psychologists Debby Spaine and Mal Schleh will lead the group. (213) 664-7856.

A conference to help parents of children with disabilities learn about resources available in the Jewish community and elsewhere will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9, at Temple Emanuel in Beverly Hills. The conference will feature displays and talks on such topics as estate planning, parenting concerns and the merits of special education vs. full inclusion. Free admission, child care, sign-language interpreter by reservation. 8444 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. (213) 852-1234, extension 2700.

CLASSES

St. Francis Xavier Parish invites Catholics who have been away from the Church to a January series called “Take Another Look.” The four-week program, designed for former or inactive church members, begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the parish library, 3801 Scott Road, Burbank. (818) 767-7000.

Temple Israel of Hollywood offers a 16-week course in basic Judaism starting Wednesday, Jan. 12, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. For information, phone Melinda Forrester at (213) 876-8330.

An eight-week course on chanting the Song of Songs for the Passover reading will be taught by Cantor Jeremy Lipton from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 12. A rudimentary reading knowledge of Hebrew is required. For registration information, call (310) 652-7353.

BRIEFLY

The San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council is looking for singers for its Interfaith Choir, which will perform at a Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Service. Rehearsals are Tuesdays, Jan. 4 and 11. Peer counselors are needed at the council’s senior centers in the East Valley and Pacoima. Training is provided. The council’s Food Pantry Coalition churches need clothing, food, toiletries and toys. (818) 718-6460.

Calvary Christian School in Pacoima wants seniors to sit in the classroom with schoolchildren two hours each week. Phone Principal Helen Dennis at (818) 899-8206.

Stephen S. Wise Temple offers bereavement support groups. (818) 788-4778 or (310) 476-8561.