Concert Series to Aid Habitat for Humanity’s Pacoima Project

Contemporary Christian singer and songwriter Mandie Pinto will appear in the first of a series of concerts to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity on Sunday at 7 p.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch.

Pinto, who will play the role of Mary Magdalene in the Crystal Cathedral’s “Glory of Easter” production, will be joined at the concert by Blake Ewing, Mark Vogel, Erika Andrews, Ray Reynolds and others.

The funds raised in the series will be used to build one of 55 Pacoima homes that Habitat plans to construct in the fall. The concerts, titled “The House That Music Built,” will continue throughout the year at various churches in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys. Shepherd of the Hills is at 19700 Rinaldi St. Admission is $3, and an offering will be taken. (818) 349-5360.

YOUTH DISCIPLESHIP

The Claremont School of Theology is seeking young people who will be high school juniors in the 1999-2000 academic year to apply for the Youth Discipleship Project. Sixty youths and 20 adults will live together in Christian community from July 5 through Aug. 1 as part of the seminary’s efforts to explore different approaches to youth ministry. Expenses for the summer program are paid for by the Lilly Endowment to the school for youth ministry. Application deadline is March 15. (909) 626-3521, Ext. 223.

HOLIDAYS

Yeshiva of Los Angeles and the Community Beit Midrash, 9760 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, will host two pre-Passover weekday lectures by Rabbi Yosef Furman. On Wednesday he will present “How to Prepare Your Home for Pesach,” and on March 17, he will discuss “Laws and Lore of the Seder.” Both programs will be at 7:30 p.m. (310) 772-2485.

* Temple Israel of Hollywood and the North Valley Jewish Community Center will each hold a Purim carnival Sunday featuring rides, games, food, music and children in costume. The temple’s event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 7300 Hollywood Blvd. (213) 876-8330. The community center’s carnival will be from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 16601 Rinaldi St., Granada Hills. (818) 360-2211.

EVENTS

More than 13,000 participants at 80 synagogues and organizations throughout Greater Los Angeles are expected to take part in the second annual “Shabbat Across Los Angeles” on Friday evening. The event is being held in conjunction with the National Jewish Outreach Program’s “Shabbat Across America,” which is expected to draw half a million participants. The Los Angeles program is being sponsored by the Jewish Federation’s Council on Jewish Life and is designed to encourage both affiliated and nonaffiliated Jews to experience the Jewish Sabbath. (323) 761-8344.

PEOPLE

Karen A. Hoefel has been named headmaster of the Pilgrim School, a college preparatory institution founded by First Congregational Church of Los Angeles in 1958. Before her appointment, she served as executive director of operations for the church and had a 26-year career in education administration at Cal State Northridge. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from Northridge and a doctorate in education from UCLA.

* Daniel L. Morgan, founding minister of the Guidance Church of Religious Science in Los Angeles, was awarded the William H.D. Hornaday Award at the annual United Church of Religious Science conference in Seattle. The award is bestowed on those who have made an exceptional contribution and who best exemplify the teachings of Science of Mind. Ethel Franklin received the Meritorious Practitioner Award, the highest honor given to practitioners, at the conference.

CONFERENCE

The “Living Free in Christ” conference will be held at the First Baptist Church of Downey, 8348 3rd St., Sunday through Friday evenings and all day next Saturday. The conference, sponsored by Freedom in Christ, will feature workshops on resolving personal and spiritual conflicts and ways to help others find freedom in Christ. Sunday’s program will feature Neil Anderson, founder and president of the Freedom in Christ ministries. An advanced seminar will also be held during the week. Costs are $100 for the basic conference and $175 for the advanced seminar. (562) 923-1261.

MUSIC

Members of Jewish temples and Christian churches will seek to promote peace and harmony at the second annual South Bay Community Psalmfest at the historic Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th St., San Pedro, tonight at 7:30. Singers and choirs from seven local churches and synagogues will present choral renditions of selected Psalms, then join to sing choruses from Psalm 84 and Psalm 94. Tickets are $5. (310) 833-2467.

Notices may be mailed to Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Metro Section, L.A. Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053, or faxed to (213) 237-4712. Items should arrive at least three weeks in advance and include pertinent details about the organization, address, phone number, date and time.