Long Beach Hosts Catholic Family Conference

Organizers are expecting more than 8,000 people to attend the annual National Catholic Family Conference today and Sunday at the Long Beach Convention Center. This year’s theme is “The Blessed Virgin Mary in the Third Millennium.”

The event’s lineup of speakers includes a number of converts to Catholicism. The featured talk will be given by Alex Jones, a former Pentecostal pastor from Detroit who, along with much of his congregation, became Catholic.

“It’s always been true that converts have the greatest zeal,” said Jim Graves, conference spokesman.

Other speakers include Tim Staples, a former Assemblies of God youth minister who has devoted his career to presenting and defending the Catholic faith he once attacked; Matthew Arnold, who will discuss his experiences with the New Age movement; and Kimberly Hahn, co-author of “Rome Sweet Home.”

The conference also has programs for teenagers and children. Cost for the weekend is $65 for adults, $35 for children and $100 for families. Admission is free for priests and seminarians. The convention center is at 300 E. Ocean Blvd. (626) 331-3637 or (877) 526-2151.

EVENTS

The Sepulveda Unitarian-Universalist Society will present “Kids in Trouble,” hosted by Superior Court Commissioner Martha E. Ballenger, at 10:45 a.m. Sunday at 9550 Haskell Ave., North Hills. Ballenger will examine Proposition 21, which allows defendants as young as 14 to be tried as adults, and will focus on methods of rehabilitating troubled youths. Information: (818) 894-9251.

* Minister and motivational speaker Joyce Meyer will host a three-day seminar beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Long Beach Convention Center. “God Will Heal You Everywhere You Hurt” will be the topic of the seminar, which will focus on issues of the mind, emotions and relationships. Free. (800) 727-9673.

* University Synagogue and Leo Baeck Temple will host a Tisha B’Av Commemoration at 7:30 p.m. today at 1300 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. The service will commemorate the oppression suffered by Jews. (310) 476-0426.

* Beth Chayim Chadashim will present a talk by Daniel Mendelsohn at 4 p.m. Sunday at 6000 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. Mendelsohn will talk about his Jewish adolescence, his gay adult life and the Greek and Roman cultures he teaches at Princeton University. Beverages and snacks will be provided. (323) 931-7023.

* The Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple will host Buddhist Holiday in Memory of Our Ancestors from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday at 505 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles. The event will feature bon odori dance, taiko performances, Peter Hata’s Lotus Band and Mark Keppel High School’s Aztec singers. (213) 626-4200.

* The Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center will hold a Tisha B’Av service at 8:15 a.m. today at Knell Chapel, 1434 N. Altadena Drive. The service will commemorate the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem and will include the reading of Lamentations by candlelight. (626) 798-1161.

* The Los Angeles Eckankar Center will host a workshop on past lives, dreams and soul travel beginning at 11 a.m today, at the Santa Monica Public Library, 1342 6th St. The workshop will focus on exploring ways to resolve everyday problems from a spiritual perspective. (323) 469-2325.

MUSIC

First Presbyterian Church will present an organ recital by Mark Hilt at 2 p.m. Sunday at 1220 2nd St., Santa Monica. The concert will feature the music of Ives, Cage, Simonds, Glass, Langlais, Alain and Messiaen. Tickets: $10, general; $5 for seniors and students. (310) 451-1303.

* Westwood Presbyterian Church will hold its 16th annual mission benefit musical at 5 p.m. Sunday at 10822 Wilshire Blvd. Actresses Rhonda Fleming and Constance Towers will host the original production of “The Great American Lyric,” performed by Christopher and Cameron Carothers, David Bunker, Rhonda Dillon, Conrad Immel, Gayle Oliver and Jane Kinsey. All donations will go to People Assisting the Homeless, Child Share and the Westside Food Bank. Suggested minimum donation, $25. (310) 474-4535.

PEOPLE

Rabbi Carole L. Meyers of Temple Sinai in Glendale will step down as congregational rabbi. As presiding rabbi of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena area’s oldest Reform synagogue for 15 years, Meyers has served on the Glendale Human Relations Coalition and initiated Temple Sinai’s involvement in the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity. Meyers’ final service will begin at 8 p.m. Friday at the temple, 1212 N. Pacific Ave.

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