TEMPLES AWARDED: Seven Los Angeles-area synagogues have...

TEMPLES AWARDED: Seven Los Angeles-area synagogues have been honored by State of Israel Bonds for their exceptional fund-raising efforts. Adat Ari El in North Hollywood, Temple Beth Hillel in Valley Village, Stephen S. Wise Temple in Los Angeles, Beth Jacob Congregation in Beverly Hills, Temple Israel of Hollywood, Sinai Temple in Westwood and Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles each raised more than $250,000 from a minimum of 150 families last year. The High Holy Days, which conclude Monday with Yom Kippur, is the traditional time for bond pleas. Each synagogue received a silver sculpture--”The Fourth Millennium” by artist Melanie Kline--that consists of three alephs at the base, representing 3,000 years of Jerusalem, and continues upward in a helix with “Jerusalem” sculpted three times in Hebrew. Since its inception in 1951, Israel Bonds has secured more than $15 billion in investment capital for the development of Israel’s economy.

NEW LEADERSHIP: The Rev. Ron Tovmassian is now serving as senior pastor of the United Armenian Congregational Church in the Cahuenga Pass. For the past 13 years, he served as senior pastor of an Armenian church in Watertown, Mass. Tovmassian is a past moderator of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America (1991-94) and a past and current board member of the Armenian Missionary Assn. of America. Tovmassian succeeds the Rev. Peter Doghramji, who retired to Philadelphia.

In addition, Senior Pastor R. Preston Price, who served the past six years at the United Methodist Church of Santa Clarita, has joined the United Methodist Church of Garden Grove. He was the founding president of the Santa Clarita Valley Interfaith Council as well as the co-producer and co-host of “Faithline” heard on KBET-AM (1220). Price succeeds Senior Pastor Charles Dennis, who retired to Garden Grove.

CHRISTIAN MUSIC: Hallelujah Jubilee, an evening of contemporary Christian music, will be presented Friday at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Big Tent Revival will perform hits from their latest release, “Open All Nite,” at 7:30 p.m. at the Golden Bear Theatre, followed by the guitar-driven sound of the Kry at 9:30 p.m. at the Plymouth Magic Moments Theater. Audio Adrenaline will perform their blend of hip-hop and alternative rock at 10:30 p.m. at the Golden Bear Theatre. The theme park will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday for the special event. Concerts are included in the price of admission: $33 general admission, $15 for children under 48 inches tall, $19 for seniors 55 and over and free for children under 2. (805) 255-4111.

ST. ANDREW’S ABBEY FESTIVAL: Volunteers are needed to help the Benedictine monks of St. Andrew’s Abbey host their 39th annual Fall Festival Sept. 28-29 in the Antelope Valley community of Valyermo. The festival--featuring more than 80 attractions on 650-acre grounds--will include international food, music, crafts, dance performances and a children’s play area. The two-day event runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the monastery located at 31001 N. Valyermo Road. Admission is free but a $4 parking donation is requested. Free baby-sitting will be provided. (805) 944-2178.

ALL ABOUT ANGELS: The subject of angels will be explored during a seven-week program, “Spirit’s Way--The Angelic Path From Inner Peace to Outer Power,” beginning Sunday at the Burbank Church of Religious Science. “This will be a fun way to help people grasp a sense of their own spirituality and make significant changes in their lives,” the Rev. Marlene Morris said in a written statement. Those who attend church during the program will receive a poster, weekly affirmation cards, a workbook and other materials. The program is part of the church’s regular 9:15 and 11 a.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday services. No registration required. Free. (818) 848-4158.

SUKKOT EVENTS: Many local synagogues are planning special events for Sukkot, the Jewish Feast of the Tabernacles celebrating the fall harvest and commemorating the desert wandering during the Exodus. Among the offerings: Temple Beth Torah will have an indoor picnic dinner at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by services for the Reform congregation at 7:30 p.m. at 16651 Rinaldi St., Granada Hills, (818) 831-0835. Rabbi Daniel Swartz, associate director of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment, will speak at 10 a.m. Sept. 28 on “Sukkot, Simplicity and the Pursuit of Stuff” at Kol Tivah, a Reform congregation at 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. His talk will examine Jewish attitudes toward possession and consumption of material goods, as well as psychological and environmental consequences of overconsumption. (818) 348-0670.

“DIVAS” CONCERT: A concert featuring everything from opera to country-western to blues sung by female vocalists will be presented tonight and Sunday at the Metropolitan Community Church in the Valley. Called “Divas 4 Daze & Daze & Daze,” it will unite women singers who have performed in concert and on stage. Advance ticket purchase is encouraged since previous concerts have sold out. Concert time is 7:30 tonight and Sunday. A $10 donation is requested per ticket. (818) 762-1133.

DEALING WITH STRESS: Letting go of worries and enjoying everyday life will be discussed by best-selling author Susan Jeffers at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Glendale Church of Religious Science. She uses personal anecdotes to show how people can learn to see beyond bad news, focus on the process instead of the outcome and how to “climb off the ladder of distress.” Her books include “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway,” “Dare to Connect” and “End the Struggle and Dance With Life.” Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance at the church, located at 2146 E. Chevy Chase Drive, Glendale. (818) 244-8171.

HELP WITH PARENTING: Dr. Jack Yu will lead a free parenting class titled “Help, I’m a Parent!” at 11:15 a.m. Sunday at the Chinese Christian Alliance Church, 18827 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge. Baby-sitting and a children’s program will be provided. (818) 718-2282.

“PEACEMAKING SUNDAY”: A potluck lunch will follow a bilingual service celebrating “Peacemaking Sunday” Sept. 29 at Trinity Presbyterian Church. The 10 a.m. service, in English and Spanish, will feature presentations by former residents of Latin America telling why they chose to come to the United States. The church is located at 11690 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood. (818) 761-8444.

FAMOUS COMPOSERS: The music of Gershwin, Lerner & Lowe, Rodgers & Hammerstein and other familiar composers will be presented by Woodland Hills United Methodist Church’s Chancel Choir at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28. There will also be barbershop quartet-style music and children singing a medley of songs from “Oliver!” A free-will offering will be collected. (818) 346-6428.

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