Religion Notes

DIGNITY ANNIVERSARY: Dignity San Fernando Valley--a community of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics--will celebrate its second anniversary with a banquet and awards presentation at 7 tonight at Porter Valley Country Club, 19216 Singing Hills Drive, Northridge.

Father David Garrick will be the keynote speaker. In April, while a professor at the University of Notre Dame, Garrick came out as a gay celibate priest and was suspended from his duties as a minister in the main church at the campus. In protest, he resigned.

Richard Zaldivar, founder and executive director of the Wall-Las Memorias Project, will also speak. Zaldivar was named as one of the 100 most influential gay men in the country by Out magazine. He is leading an effort to establish the Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender.

Outstanding Dignity members will receive awards and the Community Award will be presented to the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. The cost is $45. Information and reservations: (818) 994-7200.

SPIRITUAL CARE WORKSHOPS: Cal State Northridge will host a four-session program to train clergy and health-care professionals how to provide spiritual comfort for the terminally ill from 8 to 11 a.m. Thursday, as well as on June 30, July 27 and Aug. 4 at the campus, 18111 Nordhoff St.

The training is a cooperative effort of hospitals and religious organizations, including the Valley Interfaith Council, Providence Health Systems and Kaiser Permanente’s Continuing Care Department. Cost is $15 a session, or $45 for all four sessions. Information and reservations: (818) 677-7175.

INSTALLATION: The Southern California Conference of the United Church of Christ will install the Rev. Maxine E. Hall at 4 p.m. Sunday as the new pastor of the East Valley Congregational Church United Church of Christ, 10919 Oxnard St., North Hollywood.

A graduate of McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Hall moved to Los Angeles two years ago with her family and resides in Downey, where her husband, the Rev. David Q. Hall, is the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. She will serve on the executive council of the Central Assn. of the Southern California Conference. Information: (818) 505-8628.

PIPE ORGAN TO BE DEDICATED: St. Cyril of Jerusalem Catholic Church will dedicate its new 45-rank pipe organ at a 4 p.m. service Sunday at the church, 15520 Ventura Blvd., Encino. The service will feature an anthem commissioned for the occasion and an explanation of the crafting of the new organ by Manuel Rosales, founder of the L.A.-based Rosales Organ Builders. Information: (818) 986-8234.

CELEBRANT SINGERS: Celebrant Singers, a Christian music ministry, will present a free concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 19855 Sherman Way, Canoga Park. In its 20-year history, the group has performed in all 50 states, across Canada and in more than 70 nations around the world. Celebrant Singers, which has 10 vocalists and a 12-piece orchestra, was founded in 1977 and is directed by Jon Stemkoski. Information: (818) 341-6634.

VOCALIST TO PERFORM: Contemporary Christian vocalist Mandie Pinto, who frequently sings at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, will perform special music at the 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. services Sunday at Grace Baptist Church, 24736 Quigley Canyon Road, Newhall. Information: (805) 360-1071.

ORGAN MUSIC: Organist Alan Morrison will perform a free concert at 4 p.m. at Bel Air Presbyterian Church, 16221 Mulholland Drive in Sepulveda Pass. A “Meet the Artist” reception follows. Free-will offering appreciated. Information: (818) 788-4200.

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