Religion Notes

BLESSING DAY: Shadow of the Hills Presbyterian Church will hold an “In Celebration of the Earth” service, which will feature a blessing of the animals event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the church, 10158 Johanna Ave., Sunland. Bring a favorite critter to be blessed. Free. Information: (818) 353-2500.

ART FOR AUCTION: Temple Ahavat Shalom’s Sisterhood and Men’s Club will hold an art auction at 7:45 p.m. Saturday at the temple, 18200 Rinaldi Place, Northridge. The cost is $5 in advance and $10 at the door. Wine and cheese will be served during the auction. Information: (818) 360-2258.

HOLOCAUST EXHIBIT: The Varian Fry Exhibit, a traveling exhibit from the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., will be on display from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. Free. Information: (818) 788-1000.

MOTHER’S DAY SERVICE: The Woodland Hills Church of Religious Science will hold a Mother’s Day service and concert followed by a Victorian tea at 10 a.m. Sunday at the church, 4900 Serrania Ave. Participants are encouraged to wear tea-time attire such as hats and gloves. Free. Information: (818) 883-1300.

MOTHERS’ COMMUNION: The Rev. Bonnie Tarwater will present a Mother’s Day Communion at 10:45 a.m. Sunday at Sepulveda Unitarian-Universalist Society, 9550 Haskell Ave., North Hills. Free. Information: (818) 894-9251.

ISRAELI MOTHERS: Rabbi Zvi Block, director of the West Valley Hebrew Academy, will speak on “Mothers and Daughters of Israel” from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Monday night lecture at Cal State Northridge’s Hillel House, 17729 Plummer St. Free. Information: (818) 832-8293.

SPIRITUAL COURSE: Living La Vida Tranquila, a four-part course that will focus on how to seek a more tranquil and spiritual life based on the teachings of Judaism, will be taught beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Conejo Jewish Academy, 30345 Canwood St., Agoura Hills. The cost is $18. Information and registration: (818) 991-0991.

RETREAT TO MARY: Mary, a one-day program and retreat based on Mary the mother of Jesus as a model and mentor for women today, will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road, Encino. The cost is $30 and includes lunch. Information and registration: (818) 784-4515.

CHRISTIAN LUNCHEON: The West Valley Christian Women’s Club will hold a luncheon with the theme “Handmade by Design” at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Calabasas Golf and Country Club, 4515 Park Entrada. The cost is $16.50. Information and reservations: (818) 706-8406.

SABBATH DINNER: A Sabbath dinner and Shabbat service dedicated to honor the nation of Spain and its people, “Celebrating Spanish Hakarat Ha-Tov: The Recognition of Goodness,” will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. The cost is $25 for the dinner. Information: (818) 788-6000.

TEACHER APPRECIATION: Rabbi Steven Jacobs and Cantor Caren Glasser will lead a Religious School Teacher Appreciation service at 7 p.m. Friday at Kol Tikvah Temple, 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. An Oneg Shabbat will follow the service. Free. Information: (818) 348-0670.

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News and announcements for this column can be sent to Religion Desk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311.