LABOR DAY SERVICE: Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar)...

LABOR DAY SERVICE: Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) will speak on “The Future of Affirmative Action” at the eighth annual interfaith Labor Day service planned for Sept. 2 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Northridge. A complimentary barbecue will begin at 5 p.m. followed by the interfaith service at 6 p.m., including songs by the Pacoima Mass Choir. The event is sponsored by the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council and Valley Labor Political Education Council. Reservations: (818) 718-6460.

YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE: Author and motivational speaker Lee Ezell will deliver a keynote address this morning at the Catholic Young Adult Conference at the Red Lion Hotel in Glendale. Sponsored by the archdiocesan Office of Religious Education and its Young Adult Ministry and Ministerio para Adultos Jovenes, the annual conference for singles and couples features 50 workshops in English and Spanish. Spirituality, liturgy, life issues and personal growth will be among the several topics discussed in the workshops. The conference began Friday and will conclude Sunday with closing Mass by Cardinal Roger Mahony. (213) 251-3498.

UNDER THE STARS: The theme of tonight’s Alternative Worship Service at Northridge United Methodist Church will be “What’s So Bad About Feeling Good?” Participants are encouraged to gather with their blankets and picnic baskets at 7 p.m. in the pine grove on the east side of the church at 9650 Reseda Blvd. The band Whatabout Faith will begin playing at 7:30 p.m, followed by the service conducted by the Rev. Mark Ulrickson. The program, featuring videos, live theater, dance and a rock band during its services, targets youth and young adults. It has a Web site at https://www.digisonics.com/aws/. Telephone: (818) 886-1555.

HIGH HOLY DAYS: Rabbi Steven Tucker will conduct a free two-part course titled “Preparing for the High Holy Days” at 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Temple Ramat Zion, 17655 Devonshire St., Northridge. (818) 360-1881.

ST. JOAN: A dramatic reading of an adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s play “St. Joan” will be presented by the Emerson Drama Group at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Emerson Unitarian Church’s West Valley Lodge, 7242 Owensmouth Ave., Canoga Park. Admission is free. (818) 887-6101.

OPEN HOUSE: Many local synagogues have planned open-house events.

* Burbank Temple Emanu El, a Conservative Jewish congregation at 1302 N. Glenoaks Blvd., will host an open house from 9 a.m. to noon and religious school registration from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday. The Men’s Club will serve a pancake breakfast. The school, led by Hazzan Laurie Rimland-Bonn, enrolls kindergarten through fifth-grade students. (818) 845-1734.

* Shomrei Torah Synagogue, a Conservative congregation, will have its open house--complete with balloons, music and popcorn vendors--from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at 7353 Valley Circle Blvd., West Hills. (818) 346-0811.

* Temple Beth Emet, a Reform congregation, has scheduled an open house from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Sept. 5 at 600 N. Buena Vista St., Burbank. (818) 843-4787.

* Temple Beth Hillel, a Reform congregation at 12326 Riverside Drive in Valley Village, will have an open house after its 7:30 p.m. service Sept. 6. (818) 763-9148.

* Temple Beth Torah, a Reform congregation, has planned its open house from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at 16651 Rinaldi St., Granada Hills. (818) 831-0835.

News and announcements for this column can be sent to Religion Desk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311.