HOLY GRAIL: Pagan and Christian myths about...

HOLY GRAIL: Pagan and Christian myths about the mysterious Holy Grail will be explored for seven weeks, starting Sunday, by the Burbank-Toluca Lake Church of Religious Science, which will be decorated to resemble a medieval castle.

The Rev. Marlene Morris, senior minister of the congregation and president pro tem of the Los Angeles-based United Church of Religious Science, said sermons and programs will use the myths to talk about the personal searches for spiritual understanding.

Medieval legends, particularly popular in England, tended to identify the Holy Grail with the chalice used by Jesus at the Last Supper.

The Catholic Encyclopedia attributes the story’s origins to pagan sources. Harper’s Encyclopedia of Mystical and Paranormal Experience said that as a pagan image, the Graal was “a cup of plenty and regeneration, the vessel in which the life of the world is preserved.”

Each church service--Sundays at 9:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.--will focus on the “Grail Quest,” Morris said. Participants will be given a personal workbook and weekly affirmations to assist their study.

On Oct. 4, a labyrinth painted on the floor of the church and intended as a meditative device will be dedicated during the 7:30 p.m. service. The Rev. Lauren Artress, canon for special ministries at San Francisco’s Grace Episcopal Cathedral and author of “Walking a Sacred Path,” will discuss the history and lore of the labyrinth.

RECOVERY SERVICE: A special Yom Kippur service for Jews recovering from alcoholism, drug addiction, overeating disorders or other afflictions will be held 1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 4 at Temple Beth Hillel, 12326 Riverside Drive, Valley Village.

Led and developed by Rabbi Paul Kipnes and Barbara Teller of the Alcohol Drug Action Program of Jewish Family Service, the service will be the first of three. Later meetings will be held at Hanukkah and Purim. There is no fee.

For more information, call the temple at (818) 763-9148.

CAMPOLO TALK: Evangelical speaker Tony Campolo of Eastern College, St. Davids, Pa., will talk about environmental problems from a Christian perspective at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in a forum at Bel Air Presbyterian Church, 16221 Mulholland Drive.

NEWSBOYS SHOW: As a part of its “Hallelujah Jubilee” program Friday night, Six Flags Magic Mountain will present the Christian music group Newsboys at 10:30 p.m. Also performing are Newsong at 7:30 p.m. and Anointed at 9:30 p.m. General admission to the park is $31. For more information, call (805) 255-4111.