Council Workshops to Combat Youth Violence

The California Council of Churches will conduct workshops next week aimed at combating youth violence. The group has designed a five-session study guide for adults and youths aimed at devising solutions to gun-related problems. Scott Anderson, executive director of the council, will lead training sessions across the state for churches interested in using the guide. Each church is asked to recruit an adult and a high school student to attend the sessions. On Wednesday, workshops will be held at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church in Van Nuys and First Christian Church in Pasadena. On Thursday, the sites will be First Christian Church in Pomona and First United Presbyterian Church in San Bernardino. On Friday, training will be at First United Methodist Church in the San Gabriel Valley and First United Church of Christ in Long Beach. Next Saturday, training will be at Holman United Methodist Church and Immanuel Presbyterian Church, both in Los Angeles. For more information, call the California Council of Churches in Sacramento at (916) 442-5447.

PEOPLE

Rabbi Alan Henkin has been appointed Pacific Southwest regional director for the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, the umbrella organization for Reform synagogues in North America. Henkin has spent the last 20 years serving congregations in California. From 1980 to 1989, he was spiritual leader of Temple Beth Solomon of the Deaf in Arleta, serving as an advocate for the deaf and disabled. From 1990 to June of this year, he was rabbi of Congregation Beth Knesset Bamidbar in Lancaster.

EVENTS

Today and Sunday the Catholic charismatic group El Sembrador will hold its annual gathering at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. Hundreds of followers of the movement will devote the weekend to prayer and song. El Sembrador has garnered a large following through a Spanish-language Pentecostal-style service held Friday nights at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in the Pico-Union district of Los Angeles. This weekend’s “Congreso de Catolicos Unidos en la Fe,” or “Congress of Catholics United in the Faith,” emerged from those services. Invited speakers include Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles; Father Jarlath Cunnane, pastor of St. Thomas Church; and Noel Diaz, founder of El Sembrador. Tickets are $25 at the door. (323) 737-6001.

* The Archangel Michael Orthodox Bookstore will sponsor a lecture Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. titled “From the Sacred to the Profane: The Spirit of Modern Music in an Age of Confusion” by Photios Adams. The bookstore is at 12550 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 390-8065.

* Congregation Mishkon Tephilo will celebrate Havdalah at the Beach this evening at 7:15. Every Sunday night, the congregation sponsors “Yoga With Yiddishkeit” at 6:30 p.m. The congregation is at 201 Hampton Drive in Venice. (310) 392-3029.

* Temple Ner Tamid of Downey plans an outing Sunday at 10 a.m. to Soak City, a water park near Knott’s Berry Farm. Carpooling will be from the temple at 10629 Lakewood Blvd. Admission fees are to be paid at the park by individuals. (562) 861-9276.

MUSIC

Youth Choirs for Jesus, an interdenominational association of youth choirs, will hold auditions today from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Chatsworth Foursquare Church. Choir director is Kent Moody, and coordinator is Gary Revel. The church is at 10210 Canoga Ave. (818) 342-2144.

* Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Northridge is presenting its third annual August Concerts on the Patio. Concerts are being given each Sunday this month at 7 p.m. in the church garden. This week’s program features Women of Peace and surprise guests singing religious and secular favorites. A donation is suggested. The church is at 9440 Balboa Blvd. (818) 886-1324.

* Metropolitan Community Church in North Hollywood offers the Broadway hit “Forever Plaid” tonight at 8 for one performance only. The suggested ticket donation is $15. All proceeds will benefit the music department of the church, at 5730 Cahuenga Blvd. (818) 762-1133.

* The Music at Noon series will present saxophonist Brock Summers and pianist Paul Romero on Wednesday at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. In addition to performing, Romero works as a composer/arranger, including in film. Summers will perform music arranged by Romero. The concerts begin at 12:10 p.m. in the church sanctuary, 585 E. Colorado Blvd. Admission is free. (626) 793-2191.

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