Religion Notes
HARVEST FESTIVAL: Salem Lutheran Church will hold its annual Harvest Festival, featuring baked goods, raffles, a rummage sale and craft boutique, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the church, 1211 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Free. Information: (818) 247-5553.
COUNTRY FAIR: First Christian Church of North Hollywood will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a country fair, featuring games, rides, petting zoo, chili cook-off, pie-eating contest, silent auction and pumpkin patch, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the church, 4390 Colfax Ave. Free. Information: (818) 763-8218.
FUND-RAISER: The sixth annual Autumn Festival, featuring a moon bounce, petting zoo, face painting, pumpkin patch, magic show, live entertainment and barbecue dinner, will be held from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Shadow Hills Presbyterian Church, 10158 Johanna Ave., Sunland. Admission is free; dinner costs $12.50. Proceeds will benefit Tierra del Sol, a nonprofit organization that serves people with developmental disabilities. Information: (818) 353-2500.
DISCOVERY DAY: A one-day Discovery Seminar, including such topics as faith versus knowledge, hidden codes of the Torah and the seven wonders of Jewish history, will be held from 9:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Em Habanim Sephardic Congregation, 17729 Plummer St., Northridge. The cost is $36 per person or $66 per couple, and includes lunch. Information: (818) 995-0315.
U. N. SERMON: The Rev. James Bodman will present a program on “Honoring the United Nations,” covering its history, mission, goals and accomplishments, at 10:45 a.m. Sunday at Sepulveda Unitarian Universalist Society, 9550 Haskell Ave., North Hills. Free. Information: (818) 894-9251.
MARRIAGE INITIATIVE: Metropolitan Community Church in the Valley, 5730 Cahuenga Blvd., North Hollywood, will hold a workshop from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday in opposition to the so-called Knight initiative on the March ballot. The measure seeks voter approval to define who can marry in California. The workshop will feature speakers in opposition to the initiative. A $3.50 donation is requested for a spaghetti lunch. Information and reservations: (818) 762-1133.
ANNIVERSARIES: A musical program will celebrate Valley College’s 50th and Hillel’s 36th anniversaries at 3 p.m. Sunday at the college’s Little Theatre, 5800 Fulton Ave., Valley Glen. During the program, Hillel will be honoring 36 distinguished individuals who have made a difference in the campus community or the community at large. The cost is $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Information: (818) 887-5901.
KOSHER WEEK: As part of Kosher Week, Rabbi Shlomo Bistritzky will lecture on “A Diet for the Soul” at 8 p.m. Monday at the Conejo Jewish Academy, 30345 Canwood St., Agoura Hills, and Avi Ben-Harouch will present a workshop on “The Art of Gourmet Salads” at 5 p.m. Tuesday at his market, Kosher Connection, 30313 Canwood St., Agoura Hills. Both are free. Information: (818) 991-0991.
HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE: St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church will hold a holiday boutique, featuring crafts, quilts, afghans, plants and home-baked goods, from noon to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 30. Free. Information: (818) 891-1759.
HALLOWEEN ALTERNATIVE: The ninth annual Hallelujah Harvest, featuring moon bounces, petting zoo, hayrides and game booths, will be offered as an alternative to Halloween from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday at Shepherd of the Hills, 19700 Rinaldi St., Porter Ranch. Children are welcome to attend in costume, but scary costumes are not encouraged. Free admission. Information: (818) 831-9333.
DREAM SEMINAR: A one-day seminar on dreams and dream interpretation as a healing process will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road, Encino. The $40 cost includes lunch. Information and reservations: (818) 784-4515.
*
News and announcements for this column can be sent to Religion Desk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311.