Religion Notes

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: A pancake breakfast will be held to celebrate committee day and the opening day of school from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday at Temple Ahavat Shalom, 18200 Rinaldi Place, Northridge. The cost is $3. Information: (818) 360-2258.

OPENING SERVICE: At a “Gathering of the Waters,” the Rev. Jay Atkinson will present the opening service of the new church year at 10 a.m. Sunday at Unitarian-Universalist Church of Studio City, 12355 Moorpark St. Information: (818) 769-5911.

OPEN HOUSE: B’nai Ami Synagogue, a conservative congregation in Chatsworth, will hold an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at 10824 Topanga Canyon Blvd. Information: (818) 700-4732.

RELIGIOUS FORUM: A Burbank area religious diversity forum, “The Do’s and Taboos of My Religion,” will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Temple Beth Emet, 600 N. Buena Vista St., Burbank. The faiths to be represented include Baha’i, American Lutheran and radical Christian. Information: (818) 848-8611.

SCIENTOLOGY SEMINAR: Robert Brennan will present a seminar on the beliefs of Scientology from 6:45 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Sepulveda Unitarian-Universalist Society, 9550 Haskell Ave., North Hills. Information: (818) 894-9251.

RELIGIOUS HEALTH ISSUES: Americans United for Separation of Church and State will discuss “Religious Health Systems and the Threat to Reproductive Health Services” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood, 4832 Tujunga Ave. Information: (818) 998-5414.

CATHOLIC INTRODUCTION: St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church will hold an introductory service about the Catholic faith and Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults program at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the church, 3801 Scott Road, Burbank. Free. Information: (818) 246-2207.

WEDNESDAY STUDY: Rabbi Moshe D. Bryski will begin his eighth year teaching the Bible as his Wednesday study group meets on “The Ten Commandments” at 12:30 p.m. at the Conejo Jewish Academy, 30345 Canwood St., Agoura Hills. A free gourmet salad lunch will follow the session. Information: (818) 991-0991.

ALPHA COURSE: “The Alpha Course,” a free 10-week introduction to the Christian faith, will be offered beginning at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Prince of Peace Episcopal Church, 5700 Rudnick Ave., Woodland Hills. Information: (818) 346-6968.

WORLD PRAYER: Unity Church of North Hollywood and Burbank will hold a “World Day of Prayer,” a 24-hour vigil to unite as many people as possible in prayer for one another, from midnight Wednesday to midnight Thursday at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn, 4222 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood. Free; open to people of all faiths and walks of life. Information: (818) 761-5149.

ST. JOHN PRAYER: A St. John of the Cross Day of Prayer, which will include an introduction to John’s life and writings, and discussion on selected writings from the works of this saint and mystic, will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road, Encino. The $30 cost includes lunch. Information and registration: (818) 784-4515.

COMMUNITY SHABBAT: Temple Judea and Temple Judea West will join for a Shabbat B’Yachad, a community Shabbat celebration, at 8:15 p.m. Friday at Temple Judea, 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. Information: (818) 348-3885.

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