UNITARIAN PLANS: Starting off with an alumni...

UNITARIAN PLANS: Starting off with an alumni reunion brunch today for former members and friends, Emerson Unitarian Church is launching a fund to tear down its earthquake-damaged structure and build anew.

The $650,000 rebuilding campaign was approved unanimously by the 100-member congregation, which was founded in 1956 as part of the Boston-based Unitarian Universalist Assn., which calls itself a liberal denomination.

The amount, needed to build new offices and classrooms, includes $50,000 already raised and $400,000 that church leaders hope they will receive from the U. S. Small Business Administration, a spokesperson said.

Demolition of the damaged church building is expected to begin in early summer.

The congregation, led by interim Pastor Brandoch Lovely, will continue to hold Sunday services in the Canoga Park Senior Citizen Center just north of the church property at 7304 Jordan Ave.

The alumni reunion brunch, starting at 11 a.m., will be held at the Chatsworth Hotel, 9777 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Chatsworth.

On March 11, the church will hold a fund-raising dinner at Prince of Peace Episcopal Church in Woodland Hills. For information, call the church at (818) 887-6101.

LENTEN PRAYERS: Every Thursday during Lent, St. Nicholas’ Episcopal Church, 17114 Ventura Blvd., Encino, is holding daylong prayer schedules open to the public.

The schedule includes a noon Eucharist, Bible study, periods of meditation, a soup supper and an evening meditation by the Rev. Robert J. Voyle. For information, call (818) 788-4486.

Easter, which ends the Lenten period, is April 16 this year for Protestant and Catholic churches.

SEMINARY PRESIDENT: Father Edward Clark, president of St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, will launch a Lenten lecture series at Holy Family Catholic Church in Glendale on Monday night.

Clark, who also teaches theology at the archdiocesan seminary, will talk on “Five Great Catholic Ideas.”

The talks, at 7:30 p.m. each Monday through April 3, feature various speakers on such topics as parenting, prayer, and divorced and separated Catholics. Information is available from the church, 200 E. Elk Ave., by calling (818) 956-1369.

PASSOVER MEALS: A one-hour class on how to prepare a home for Passover celebrations and meals for the holiday will be held at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at Temple Solael, 6601 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills.

The cost of the class is $10, including brunch. Coffee and refreshments will be served at 9 a.m. For information, call (818) 348-3885.

The first day of Passover is April 15.

SYNAGOGUE PERFORMANCE: Classical guitarist David Leisner will perform some of his compositions and speak about his work during the 8 p.m. Sabbath service Friday at Adat Ari El Synagogue, 12020 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood.

Admission is free to the public. The synagogue adult choir will also sing melodies linked to the upcoming Purim holiday March 16.

News and announcements for this column may be sent to Religion Desk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. News releases may also be sent by fax to (818) 772-3501.