Congregations of All Faiths Collecting Aid for Kosovo

Daily reports recount the mounting horror. Televised images show skeletal remains and mass graves. Refugee women and children weep by day and slumber by night amid the sound of gunfire and stench of human waste.

The horrific crisis in Kosovo continues and Southern California congregations of all faiths moved by the devastation are responding to the faraway cries for help. Muslim and Jewish groups were among the first, and now others have organized to send aid.

Church World Service, the relief ministry of the National Council of Churches, has provided more than $1 million for refugees in Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro.

Vitali Verona, the group’s Bosnia director in Sarajevo, said bedding supplies are desperately needed. “For the moment, blankets are the first priority.”

Funds are being channeled through International Orthodox Christian Charities. To make a donation call: (800) 297-1516, Ext. 111.

On Sunday, parishioners at Episcopal churches will receive inserts in their bulletins urging them to contribute to the Presiding Bishop’s Fund for World Relief for refugee resettlement. In addition, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles has invited its followers to “assist our brothers and sisters in Kosovo.” Donations can be sent to: Kosovo Relief Fund, Rev. Msgr. Terrance Fleming, 3424 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90010-2241.

CONFERENCES

Two upcoming conferences focus on spirituality and religion in contemporary life. On Wednesday, Cal State Long Beach presents a discussion titled: “Organized Religions’ Influence on Politics and Global Socioeconomic Issues: Causes and Consequences.” Planned discussions include: “Religio-Political Conflict in Algeria,” “The Christian-African Religious Connection” and “Religious Icons in Gang Subculture.” Cal State Long Beach is at 1250 Bellflower Blvd. Admission is free.

* The Sufi Psychology Assn. presents a conference next Saturday on “Psychology With a Soul.” Followers of the Muslim mystic Rumi will share knowledge of his teachings and how they have used Sufism in counseling and therapy. The daylong event will be held at the Andrus Gerontology Auditorium at USC. For more information, call (310) 472-9325.

GOD and ART

Fuller Theological Seminary kicks off a weeklong art festival today titled “Urban Iconography: God and Art on the Streets of L.A.” Muralist Kent Twitchell, noted for his Southern California mural “The Freeway Lady,” and sculptor Lynne Aldrich will present slide shows of their works and lectures on using visual creativity to reveal the mystery of the gospel to the public. Highlights of the festival will include sidewalk chalk drawing today, a Wednesday evening presentation by Aldrich and Twitchell on their Los Angeles installation pieces and street scenes, and a Thursday morning lecture by Twitchell called “Jesus in Unusual Places.” For more information about Fuller’s Spring Festival of the Arts, call (626) 584-5477. The campus is at 135 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena.

EVENTS

The Consulate General of Israel will hold the Yom HaZikaron ceremony Monday in honor of Israel’s 20,000 fallen soldiers. The ceremony will be at 7 p.m. at Congregation Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Consul General Yoram Ben Ze’ev will deliver an address. Those wishing to attend may contact the consulate at (323) 852-5516.

* Temple Beth Am presents two lectures by Rabbi Neil Gillman, its first scholar in residence. Gillman has published extensive writings in the field of modern Jewish thought and has served as a scholar in residence at several Conservative and Reform congregations. His most recent book is “The Death of Death: Resurrection and Immortality in Jewish Thought.” Next weekend, he will give lectures on the theme: “What Does Judaism Teach About Life After Death?” At 8 p.m. Friday he will address “From the Bible to the Talmud.” At 1:30 p.m. next Saturday he will continue the discussion with “What Do I Believe?” Temple Beth Am is at 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (310) 652-7353.

* Oceanview Community Church on Sunday begins a two-week series on “A Sane Response to Y2K.” The congregation will discuss how to prepare for the millennium. Oceanview meets at Walgrove Avenue Elementary School, 1630 Walgrove Ave., Los Angeles. For details, call (310) 390-2643.

MUSIC

Ory Shihor, one of the leading pianists in America, will perform a special benefit concert at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion on Monday. Tickets are $50 and will support the college Student Scholarship Fund. Hebrew Union College is at 3077 University Ave. in Los Angeles. For tickets, contact Sharon Friedman at (213) 749-3424.

Notices may be mailed for consideration to Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or faxed to Southern California File at (213) 237-4712, or e-mailed to religion@latimes.com. Items should arrive two to three weeks before the event and should include pertinent details about the people and organizations with address, phone number, date and time. Because of the volume of submissions, we cannot guarantee publication.