When the rich and famous march alongside...

When the rich and famous march alongside the down and out in the Easter Walkathon Against Violence from Inglewood to Southwest Los Angeles today, the emphasis will be on community renewal.

The march is sponsored by the 12,000-member West Angeles Church of God in Christ, which includes as members many figures from the entertainment and sports worlds. Bishop Charles E. Blake, whose Crenshaw Boulevard church is one of the fastest-growing Protestant congregations in the country, said the march was set for Easter weekend to remind people of the significance of the season and “the message of Jesus Christ for community resurrection.”

“If we renounce violence, spark spiritual renewal, and raise the moral and ethical mentality of the community,” Blake said, “the walk will have served its purpose.”

Said the Rev. James M. Thomas, the church’s director of community relations: “We’re walking against violence against women, violence against children, crime among teen-agers.”

Hundreds of marchers are expected to gather at 10:30 a.m. at First Church of God, at Crenshaw and 95th Street in Inglewood. Bishop Benjamin Reed of First Church will join Blake in leading the march north on Crenshaw to West Angeles’ parking lot at 30th Street, where a rally will be held from 12:15 to 2:30 p.m.

The Rev. Calvin Brown, who heads the evangelism outreach ministry of West Angeles, organized the event. He has scheduled talks at the rally by government officials, including state Sen. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles), and music by the West Angeles Mass Choir and the church’s Praise and Worship Team.

Although West Angeles counts among its members such celebrities as Stevie Wonder, Denzel Washington, Debbie Allen and Norm Nixon, Ervin (Magic) and Cookie Johnson, and Gladys Knight, it embraces the downtrodden equally, Blake said.

On Easter Sunday, as well as every Sunday, Blake will lead five worship services: at 7 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. For more information, call West Angeles at (213) 733-8300, Ext. 213.

DATES

* Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) will speak on “Jewish Values and Jewish Interests in the Legislative Process” at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Bet Tzedek’s First Annual Symposium on Judaism and American Law. An observant Orthodox Jew, Lieberman will answer questions from the audience about what effect religious values can or should have on political judgment. The free event will be held at Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., West Los Angeles. (213) 549-5850.

* The National Catholic Educational Assn. holds its 91st annual convention and exposition Monday through Thursday at the Anaheim Convention Center. About 12,000 administrators, teachers, religious education directors, pastors and parents are expected to attend. Speakers include composer and musician Tony Melendez, Inglewood Unified School District Supt. George J. McKenna III and designer, author and futurist David Thornburg. Members and non-members may register at the door for some or all events. For information, call (714) 490-2182 after 8 a.m. Monday.

* The Buddhist Sangha Council of Southern California and the Los Angeles Buddhist Church Federation will host an inter-ethnic Buddha’s birthday celebration at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Japanese-American Cultural Center in Little Tokyo. A parade, performances and booths selling food and religious items will highlight the event. About 1,000 participants are expected, representing Chinese, Vietnamese, Tibetan, Sri Lankan, Thai, Japanese, Korean and American Buddhist traditions. 244 San Pedro St. (213) 739-1270.

HOLOCAUST MEMORIALS

* Pope John Paul II will host a historic Papal Concert in commemoration of the Holocaust at the Vatican on Thursday, when Jews throughout the world begin an official day of remembrance of the 6 million Jewish victims of the Nazis. Here in the Southland, Holocaust Memorial Day (Yom HaShoah) will be observed with a variety of services and programs.

* Thomas Keneally, author of the book “Schindler’s List,” will speak at University Synagogue of Irvine’s memorial services at 8 p.m. Friday. The services will be held at the Jewish Community Center, 250 E. Baker St., Costa Mesa. Child care will be provided. For information, call the synagogue at (714) 553-3535.

* Paul Page, whose story of survival in World War II Germany inspired Keneally to write “Schindler’s List,” will speak at services at 8 p.m. Friday at Temple Israel of Hollywood, 7300 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 876-8330.

* Three San Gabriel Valley synagogues, in cooperation with the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, will hold a service at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 10, at the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center. Marta Fuchs Wink, the daughter of Holocaust survivors, will lead observance of the 50th anniversary of the destruction of the Hungarian Jewish Community. 1434 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena. (818) 798-1161.

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