2 Events Will Examine Common Themes in Different Faiths

Two weekend events, featuring sacred storytelling and feminist perspectives, will present common spiritual themes across different religious traditions.

Tales of love and miracles, demons and the Monkey King will be presented Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Unity Church of Tustin, 14402 S. Prospect Ave. Storytellers Jacque Nunez of the Agachemem nation, Nampet Panichpant of the Vipassana Buddhist school and Brother Michael Wing of the Sacred Storytellers Network will dramatize tales of how Jesus manifested the food of life, Buddha conquered the world of illusion, and Rama defeated evil demons to bring divine love to the world. Contact (714) 730-3444.

The unifying theme of “Love, Prayer and Anger” will be discussed by women representing Islam, Judaism and Buddhism in a three-weekend course beginning today and sponsored by the Immaculate Heart College Center.

The kickoff class will feature a tour of the Islamic Center of Southern California along with discussions of the vision of love and prayer in Islam’s mystical tradition of Sufism, and Muslim women’s experiences here and abroad.

“Sufism goes beyond the theology, rules and regulations of religion--in this case, Islam--and emphasizes the unity in all religions: of love and your direct connection with God,” said class lecturer Fariba Enteshari, who is a follower of Rumi, the Sufi poet-mystic.

The center is at 425 Shatto Place, Suite 401, Los Angeles. (213) 386-3116.

EVENTS

The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles will sponsor a daylong symposium Sunday beginning at 8:45 a.m. to explore the future of Israel and how Jewish Americans can develop stronger ties to the nation. “Israel: 1999 and Beyond,” co-sponsored by 30 other organizations, will feature journalists, public officials, scholars and religious leaders discussing such topics as peace prospects, economic opportunities and Jewish spirituality. The conference will be at the Olympic Collection in West Los Angeles. (323) 761-8081.

* Chinese human rights advocate Harry Wu will headline a right-to-life conference today marking the 26th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade court decision legalizing abortion. Wu, who spent 19 years in a Chinese prison labor camp before coming to the United States in 1985, will speak on “Building a Culture of Life in a Culture of Death.” Workshops, centered on the theme of a consistent ethic of life, will explore issues ranging from assisted suicide and population control to welfare reform and abortion. The conference, sponsored by the archdiocese of Los Angeles, will begin at 8 a.m. at Alemany High School, 15101 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Mission Hills. (213) 637-7367.

* The Los Angeles Buddhist Union will explore the reasons for violence in religious society at a seminar today at 4 p.m. at the Rosemead Buddhist Monastery, 7833 Emerson Place. Six speakers representing major religious denominations will be featured. (626) 280-1213.

* “Christ and the Coming Century” will be explored in a conference Wednesday and Thursday at California Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. Topics include “Daring to Be a Christian” and “The Legacy of Martin Luther King Today.” (805) 493-3151.

WORKSHOPS

The Rev. Bonnie L. Rowsell will lead a workshop on “Self-Image: The Key to a Better Life,” Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Glendale Church of Religious Science, 2146 E. Chevy Chase Drive. Rowsell will discuss how to transform old habits, reduce stress and release self-doubt. (818) 244-8171.

* How to decipher dreams using myths, fairy tales and active imaginations will be explored in a workshop today beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road, Encino. (818) 784-4515.

* The essentials of Zen meditation practice will be presented next Saturday in a daylong workshop beginning at 9 a.m. at the Noetic Christian Zen Center, 2626 Sarver Lane, San Marcos. A light vegetarian lunch will be served. Reservations are required. (760) 591-9893.

CREATIVE ARTS

“The Quarrel,” a drama of two Holocaust survivors based on a short story by Yiddish writer Chaim Grade, will make its theatrical debut in a four-day run beginning Tuesday at the University of Judaism, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel-Air. The play, which was adapted into an award-winning 1992 film, wrestles with the classic dilemma over secular materialism versus religious faith. (310) 476-9777, Ext. 203.

* The Circle of Aradia is soliciting submissions for its Altar Project to celebrate the goddess and bring together women of diverse ethnicities, faiths and cultures. Altars can honor specific goddesses, female experiences or feminist spirituality expressed through concepts such as dance. The proposal deadline is Feb. 1. For proposal requirements and other information, call (323) 782-9248, Ext. 5.

SERVICE

The Rev. Cecil Murray of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church will speak at an ecumenical service representing 18 Christian denominations at 4 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Church, 778 S. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena. Special music will be provided by the Men of FAME choir. The service will commemorate the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. (626) 578-6371.

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News releases may be mailed for consideration to Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, by fax to Southern California File at (213) 237-4712, or by e-mail 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.