Religion Notes
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY: Sherman Oaks United Methodist Church will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a worship service and luncheon at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the church, 14401 Dickens St. The church’s first pastor, the Rev. Randall Phillips, will deliver a special message. The church had its first service in April 1949. Free. Information and reservations: (818) 789-0351.
EARTH TALK: A program, “Mother Earth and We, Her Children,” will be presented at 10:45 a.m. Sunday at Sepulveda Unitarian-Universalist Society, 9550 Haskell Ave., North Hills. Free. Information: (818) 894-9251.
INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATED: Three events will be held in honor of Israel’s anniversary of independence. Valley Cities Jewish Community Center will host a potluck dinner to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut at 6 p.m. Sunday at the center, 13164 Burbank Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Bring a dinner for your family and the center will provide music, dessert and soft drinks. The cost is $7 for members, $10 for guests, free for children. Information: (818) 786-6310. Temple Beth Torah will host a dinner including Israeli food and dancing at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the synagogue’s social hall, 16651 Rinaldi St., Granada Hills. The cost is $10 general, $7.50 for children 12 and younger. Information and reservations: (818) 831-0835. Temple Ahavat Shalom will host a family service at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Child care is available. Information: (818) 360-2258.
WOMEN’S SPIRITUALITY: Women at the Well, a monthly group in which women of all faiths gather to deepen their spirituality and offer support to one another, will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday at Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road, Encino. Free. Information: (818) 784-4515.
BIBLE CLASS: A six-week course, “The Book of Exodus: The Most Important People, Events and Ideas of the Bible,” will be taught at 8 p.m. Monday at Conejo Jewish Academy, 30345 Canwood St., Agoura Hills. The cost is $18. Information and registration: (818) 991-0991.
FRANK DISCUSSION: The Rev. John Neiman of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Van Nuys will discuss his experiences with Anne Frank’s father at 1 p.m. Thursday at Temple Judea, 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. A $1 donation is requested. Information: (818) 705-3557.
TOT SHABBAT: Rabbi James Lee Kaufman will officiate a Tot Shabbat family worship service, which will include stories and songs selected for their appeal to toddlers and preschoolers, from 7:15 to 7:45 p.m. Friday in the main sanctuary at Temple Beth Hillel, 12326 Riverside Drive, Valley Village. Free. Information: (818) 761-6983.