Southland Churches, Unions Will Help Celebrate Labor Day

More than 50 congregations from Santa Barbara to Orange County will participate in Labor Day Speak-Out activities in cooperation with Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE). Special sermons, liturgies, music and guest speakers are among the events that will be held throughout the Southland this week.

“Our Scriptures and religious traditions place supreme value on work and justice for the worker,” said the Rev. Richard Gillett, who is in charge of planning the events.

The Labor Day Speak-Out is being held in cooperation with the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. Similar activities will be held nationwide.

The week’s events will kick off with the Rev. Gene Boutilier, former director of the Southern California Ecumenical Council, who worked with the United Farm Workers Ministry for many years. He will speak at the San Marino Congregational Church, 2560 Huntington Drive, on Sunday at 10 a.m. (626) 292-2080.

Most special services will be held Labor Day weekend, culminating with an Interfaith Labor Day service on Sept. 7 at the Congregational Church of the Chimes, 14115 Magnolia Blvd., Sherman Oaks.

The afternoon’s activities will include music and a family barbecue at 5:30 p.m., followed by an appearance by state Sen. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles) at 7 p.m. For information about this service call (818) 718-6460, Ext. 3007.

For general information about events in the area call CLUE at (213) 486-9880, Ext. 103.

CONVENTION

Muslim Americans will be hosting the 1998 Islamic Convention at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, Sept. 4-7.

This year’s convention, themed “Directions for the Growth of Muslim Life in America,” will feature workshops, seminars and family activities.

Imam W. Deen Mohammed will deliver the annual State of the Muslim Community address, “Issues and Concerns for Muslims in America,” on Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. His remarks will be broadcast by satellite throughout America, Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia.

Other activities scheduled for the weekend include youth forum workshops, a seminar on Islamic history, children’s programs and a cultural night featuring jazz great Billy Higgins. All events are open to the public, call (888) 584-7526.

RETREAT

The Mary and Joseph Retreat Center, 5300 Crest Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, will host a weekend retreat for recovering alcoholics Friday through Sunday. The three-day retreat, “Healing and Service With the 12 Steps,” will be led by Father Tom Weston. Cost is $130 to $170. For reservations and information call (310) 377-4867, Ext. 223.

AWARDS

Frederick K.C. Price, pastor and founder of the Crenshaw Christian Center in Los Angeles, was recently awarded the Kelly Miller Smith Interfaith Award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Price received the award for “outstanding ministry to the community in the area of human growth and development . . . excellence in economic opportunity and development.”

Martin Luther King III, son of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and president of the SCLC, presented the award to Pastor Price at the 42nd SCLC convention in Washington.

SPEAKERS

Theodicy, or the question of how to make sense of evil in a world governed by a loving God, will be discussed by the Rev. Ricky Hoyt at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Verdugo Hills, 4451 Dunsmore Ave., La Crescenta, on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Call (818) 248-3954.

Tuvya Saretsky, director of the Southern California district of Jews for Jesus, will be the guest speaker at the Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1730 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica on Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m. Call (310) 829-4113.

William Diehl, formerly with Bethlehem Steel Corp. and author of several books on living one’s faith in daily life, will be the featured speaker at a DePree Leadership Center program on Sept. 10. “Manager as Coach . . . An Enduring Concept,” will be presented at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel, 1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena from 7 to 8:30 a.m.

The DePree center is affiliated with Fuller Theological Seminary and emphasizes the spiritual and ethical dimensions of leadership. Call (626) 578-6335.

SUPPORT GROUP

The Metropolitan Community Church of Los Angeles has formed a bereavement support group to assist those grieving the loss of a loved one. The group meets Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at 8714 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. The Metropolitan Community Church is the parent of the United Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, founded to minister primarily to the gay and lesbian community. Participants need not be church members. Call (310) 854-9110.

EDUCATION

Loyola Marymount University and the A&E; network will offer a “distance education” class in biblical studies based on the television series “Mysteries of the Bible,” beginning Sept. 7. Students will meet requirements by viewing selected videotaped episodes of the series and participating in online discussions. Students can interact with the course instructor, Daniel Smith Christopher, associate professor of theological studies at LMU, by e-mail and the class Internet Web site. The course will focus on textual and historical analysis. Tuition is $300. Call (310) 338-7666.

Notices may be mailed for consideration to Southern California File, c/o Nona Yates, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or by fax to Nona Yates, Southern California File at (213) 237-4712. Items should arrive two to three weeks before the event, except for spot news, and should include pertinent details about the people and organizations with address, phone number, date and time.

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MUSIC

Praise Power Ministries will sponsor a 60-hour marathon of gospel music beginning Saturday at 6 a.m. through Monday at 6 p.m. at the Los Angeles International Dream Center, 2301 Bellevue St., Los Angeles. A multiethnic audience is expected for “Rock the World 1998,” which will feature amateur and professional musicians playing in a variety of musical styles. Call (818) 759-8386.