REDEDICATION: St. Nicholas Episcopal Church will rededicate...

REDEDICATION: St. Nicholas Episcopal Church will rededicate its refurbished nave and sanctuary at a 9 a.m. service Sunday that is expected to attract many local dignitaries, including Mayor Richard Riordan and Councilman Marvin Braude. The Rt. Rev. Frederick H. Borsch, bishop of the Los Angeles Episcopal Diocese, will officiate at the event, dubbed “Faith Fiesta” by the church’s new rector, the Rev. James E. Furman. The church is at 17114 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-4486.

NEW CLASSES: For the 36th year, Adat Ari El Sisterhood will offer its Multi-Interest Day adult education program with classes ranging from changing perspectives of God to computers to current events, plus a weekly lunchtime speaker. Information on the classes, including a free Braille transcription course, will be given at a “showcase” planned for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the synagogue, 12020 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Enrollment is open to the general public and participants may enroll in up to three classes, which are held Wednesday mornings and afternoons. Tuition is $125 for the 27-week program, from Oct. 9 to May 7. (818) 766-9416.

PRIESTS HONORED: The 13 priests who were recently ordained by the Los Angeles Archdiocese, and a seminarian who will be ordained this fall, will be honored at the Serra Clubs’ annual Ordinati luncheon Thursday at the Sheraton Universal Hotel. Two of the new priests are assigned to San Fernando Valley parishes: Charles Patrick Mayer is at Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Northridge and Chanh Van Nguyen is at St. Joseph the Worker parish in Canoga Park. Cardinal Roger Mahony is scheduled to address the gathering. Serra International is an organization of more than 15,000 people worldwide who provide financial and spiritual support for priests and nuns. There are eight Serra clubs in the Los Angeles Archdiocese.

DISCIPLES: Father Ray Roh, who serves as prior of the Monastery of the Risen Christ in San Luis Obispo, will speak on “Call to Discipleship” at a Catholic Community luncheon Wednesday. A Benedictine monk since 1980, Father Ray came to California from New Mexico in 1987 and established the monastery. Fellowship will begin at 11:30 a.m., with lunch at noon. Cost is $9 per person. Reservations: (818) 784-1960.

THE ENVIRONMENT AND RELIGION: An interfaith science and environmental seminar, titled “Sustainable Consumption: Environmental Implications and Religious Values,” will be given from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church of Reseda. The guest speaker will be Rabbi Daniel Swartz, associate director of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment. Registration will begin at 2 p.m. at the church, 18120 Saticoy St. A $5 donation is asked per person. (818) 344-7135.

REFLECTING: A reflection day called “Praying With St. Francis of Assisi” will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road, Encino. Cost is $20, which includes lunch. (818) 784-4515.

DIXIELAND JAZZ: Nightblooming Jazzmen, a Dixieland jazz band, will present “Rejoice With the Saints,” a concert of music and hymns, at 7:30 p.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church of Encino, 4963 Balboa Blvd. Tickets are $25 reserved seating, $12.50 in advance or $15 at the door. (818) 788-1147.

‘AUTUMN EVENING’ FUND-RAISER: Holy Spirit Retreat Center will host “An Autumn Evening” on Oct. 5, featuring gourmet dinner and cocktails, as part of its annual fund-raising effort. The Sisters of Social Service of Los Angeles, a Roman Catholic women’s religious community, founded the facility in the 1940s, making it the first women’s retreat house in the Los Angeles area. In 1969, it moved from its mid-Wilshire area location to 11 acres of oak-studded grounds in Encino. The center sponsors a variety of interfaith programs, including overnight retreats. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at the center, 4316 Lanai Road. Cost is $50 per person. (818) 784-4515.

SAVING A LIFE: The American Red Cross will hold a “Save-a-Life” blood drive Sunday at St. Elisabeth’s Catholic Church, 6628 Cedros Ave., Van Nuys. Appointments are available from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and walk-ins will be taken from noon to 2:30 p.m. (818) 779-1756.

OPEN HOUSE: The Twelfth Church of Christ, Scientist will hold an open house at the church, Sunday school and newly relocated reading room from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at 14654 Hamlin St., Van Nuys. There will be pipe organ music beginning at 11 a.m., free copies of the Christian Science Monitor and hourly Internet demonstrations of Web pages by the Christian Science Church Center in Boston and the Religious Freedom Home Page. (818) 785-1866.

LUTHERAN COLLEGE NIGHT: Representatives from 15 colleges will be on hand for Lutheran College Night planned for Oct. 6 in Woodland Hills. Information on educational programs, tuition, financial aid and other aspects of college planning will be available from colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The event, planned from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Warner Center Marriott, is sponsored by the Lutheran Educational Conference of North America. (800) 331-9650.

COME TO THE CABARET: The Namaste Interfaith Center will host a “White Light Cabaret” featuring song and comedy at 8 p.m. Friday at 12447 Magnolia Blvd., Valley Village. Cost is $7 per person. (818) 763-3330.

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