New Year May Echo the Thunder of the Old : RELIGION

Prayer in public schools, the most-discussed religious issue nationally in late 1994, will be followed with interest in Valley religious circles if the Republican leadership on Capitol Hill tries to seek a constitutional amendment to bar prohibition of voluntary prayer or moments of silence.

In local public debates, the new Valley chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Tarzana-based California Christian Coalition are expected to be prominent on opposite sides of the controversy.

Praying is not entirely absent from schools now. No student may be prevented from silent prayer in the classroom. In addition, students at several Los Angeles Unified School District high schools in the Valley have a Bible-study and prayer outlet in Christian clubs that have legal standing as extracurricular organizations as long as they are student-organized and student-led.

Elsewhere in religious affairs, many Valley-area houses of worship most affected by the Northridge earthquake will complete repairs and renovations this year, except for some congregations whose damage was too great and financial capability too little.

A long-term trend driven by demographic changes will quietly continue: Predominantly white Anglo churches face downsizing or closing if they don’t attract minority members. Many congregations remain alive only by renting or sharing facilities with ethnic or minority congregations. Some sharing arrangements are co-ministries; others are simply temporary situations until the fledgling minority church is strong enough to acquire its own property.