In a unique troika of church, state...

In a unique troika of church, state government and the private sector, the Presbyterian Church Small Business Loan Program is offering $4 million in loans to enterprises still suffering as a result of the 1992 riots, which killed more than 53 people, injured 2,300 people and damaged more than 1,000 buildings.

“There are some people in the African American, Hispanic and Asian communities who may never be able to open their businesses,” said the Rev. Leon Fanniel of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church. “But there are others who will--with the right kind of assistance.”

St. Paul’s is at Coliseum Street and La Brea Avenue, at the foot of the solidly middle-class Baldwin Hills. But Fanniel’s parish includes the Crenshaw district, where many businesses were lost--in some cases, he says, “because owners were not able to find papers to verify their loss, or lacked collateral for a loan.”

“Having businesses still boarded up affects the morale of the whole community,” he said. “Our program can’t reopen all the businesses, and we can’t give money away. But we can facilitate reopening for proprietors who can meet reasonable and simple requirements.”

In doing so, he said, “we take seriously the mandate of the Gospel, which calls us to seek the welfare of the people in the city.”

Under the program--which has just received its first applications--the church foundation will provide the funds. Its partners are the Pacific Coast Regional Small Business Development Corp., which will administer the program, and First Interstate Bank, which will disburse and service the loans.

Loans of up to $200,000 are available with terms of up to five years. The interest charge will be a floating rate based on certain economic indicators. Loans will be guaranteed by the state.

Programs the church foundation already had in place “didn’t suit the needs of the community,” said Karen Vietmeier, director of finance and property for the Presbytery of Los Ranchos, which worked with Fanniel on the task force that began developing the program in 1992.

“We formed relationships with Methodists and Episcopalians who put us in touch with people in banking and finance and we hammered out a new program,” she said.

To be eligible for loans, businesses must be in one of several areas affected by the riots. Proceeds may be used for a variety of purposes. For information, call (213) 739-2999.

DATES

* All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena has been honoring its leader of 28 years, the Rev. George F. Regas, who will retire at the end of April, with a series of celebratory events. Coming up next is a rock Mass at 7 p.m. Sunday, touted as a “raise-the-roof-and-hope-the-church-still-stands Eucharist” with dancing, singing, rock and gospel music. Then, at the Rector’s Forum at 10:15 a.m., Feb. 12, James Nelson, professor of Christian ethics at the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities will speak on “Sexual Orientation: The Church’s Test Case in Our Time.” 132 N. Euclid Ave. (818) 796-1132

* “Celebration of Gospel,” with entertainment by the Clark Sisters, the Rev. Daryl Coley, the Starlights, Norman Hutchins, Merry Clayton and Willie Cotton, will be held at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 11, at the Wilshire Ebell Club in Los Angeles. Tickets are $35 to $100, to benefit the American Diabetes Assn.’s education programs in African American churches. Composer-arranger Jester Hairston, 94, will be honored for his lifelong contribution to the preservation and presentation of spirituals. For ticket information, call (213) 381-3639 or (213) 939-1128.

* Television personality Stephanie Edwards will address a luncheon of the women’s ministries of Calvary Church of Pacific Palisades at 11:30 a.m., Feb. 11. She will talk about how she has “kept her heart for God throughout 26 years in show business.” Also featured will be singer Perry Stephens. Reservations are required for the luncheon and optional child care for children up to 2 years old. (310) 454-6537.

* Singer-songwriter Debbie Friedman gives a concert of her own music--which integrates Jewish tradition with modern social and spiritual concerns--at Temple Beth Shir Shalom in Santa Monica at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 11. Tickets are $25 and $50 to benefit the synagogue. Reservations required. 1827 California Ave. (310) 453-3361. $50/person reserved seats; open seating $25.

* A Spanish-language Mass and program to celebrate the Finding of the Virgin of Suyapa will be held by the Honduran Catholic Society at 7 tonight at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1327 S. Mariposa Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 731-2428.

A human relations training course--consisting of three-hour workshops on five Thursday evenings and a weekend retreat--begins Thursday, sponsored by the National Conference, formerly known as the National Conference of Christians and Jews. The program is designed to help adults in any profession or occupation reduce tensions they see in their daily environment. The course will give participants the skills to mediate disputes between co-workers, members of their organizations or customers. The non-sectarian organization is dedicated to reducing prejudice and intercultural tensions. The training will take place at the conference’s offices near Downtown Los Angeles. To registration, call (213) 250-8787.

Briefly

* The Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles has established an emergency fund for earthquake relief in Japan. Donations may be sent to: Japan Earthquake Relief, 1531 W. 9th St., Los Angeles 90015.

* The Tower of Faith Evangelistic Church and Ministries, under the leadership of the Rev. Reuben P. Anderson, has broken ground at the site of its new facility, aimed at spearheading a $25-million revitalization project in the inner city. The first of five structures to be erected will be a $2.4-million Community Youth Center. (213) 636-3607.

* St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Hollywood last week marked its 10th anniversary as one of the denomination’s “Reconciled-in-Christ Congregations,” openly welcoming gays and lesbians. Wilshire United Methodist Church in Los Angeles last week celebrated its sixth anniversary as a “reconciling congregation.”

Southern California File welcomes submissions by mail c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or by fax to (213) 237-4712. Items must be brief and arrive at least three weeks before the event announced. Please include a phone number, date, time and full address.