Christian Men’s Conference Planned in Chino

A Christian conference aimed at uniting men of faith and encouraging them to be better husbands, fathers and community members is expected to draw more than 5,000 people today in Chino. David Rosales, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel of the Chino Valley, will lead the conference at the Ontario Convention Center from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Speakers will include Calvary Chapel leaders Chuck Smith, Raul Ries and others. The conference will feature musical performances by Kings and Priests and the Calvary Chapel Praise Team. (888) 397-6238.

EVENTS

Diana Eck, a Harvard University professor of comparative religion and Indian studies, will speak about America’s new religious pluralism at 7 p.m. Thursday at Hsi Lai Temple, 1409 N. Walnut Grove Avenue, Rosemead. Eck, who was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Clinton in 1998 for her work on pluralism, recently published a book, “A New Religious America.” (626) 961-9697.

* The Jewish Historical Society will sponsor a bus tour Sunday of Jewish historical sites in Los Angeles and Venice, including several former synagogues that now function as African American churches. Many still have Stars of David visible in the windows or on masonry or doors. The tours, offered to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., will depart from the Jewish Heritage Center, 6006 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Tickets are $30, not including lunch. Reservations are required. (323) 761-8950.

* Tony Campolo, Christian author, professor emeritus of sociology and spiritual advisor to former President Clinton, will headline a conference beginning Friday in Ingalls Auditorium at East Los Angeles College, 1301 Cesar Chavez Ave., Monterey Park. The conference, sponsored by the First Evangelical Church Assn., will focus on “Serving Our Neighbors, Satisfying Our Father’s Heart.” (626) 570-8678.

* Congregation Beth Chayim Chadashim will hold its annual “Pride Shabbat” at 8 p.m. Friday at 6000 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. Jennifer C. Pizer, senior staff attorney for the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, will speak on her work challenging anti-gay discrimination in housing, education and family law. (323) 931-7023.

* Col. Hansa Raval, a retired U.S. Army physician and longtime practitioner of raja yoga meditation, will begin a five-day visit to Los Angeles on Wednesday to speak on the health benefits of meditation and positive thinking. She will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Santa Monica Temple, 1448 18th St. (310) 207-3428.

* A special service to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first diagnosis of HIV/AIDs will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the Metropolitan Community Church in the Valley, 5730 Cahuenga Blvd., North Hollywood. (818) 762-1133.

* The Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center will sponsor a public lecture titled “What Is Jewish Art?” at 11 a.m. Monday at 1434 N. Altadena Drive. Cost for the lecture and lunch is $6 for members and $7 for others. Reservations are required. (626) 798-1161.

* The Los Angeles chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State will host a discussion on “The Takeover of the Judicial by the Extreme Right” at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Center for Inquiry, 5519 Grosvenor Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 842-4932.

PERFORMANCES

The Choral Society of Southern California and the Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir will present “Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert” with the Jack Lantz Big Band at 4 p.m. Sunday at 505 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills. Tickets are $15. (310) 248-4466.

* The Northridge United Methodist Church Chancel Choir will present its ninth annual Musical Theater Gala June 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. at 9650 Reseda Blvd., Northridge. Featured will be songs from such Broadway musicals as “Evita,” “Camelot” and “West Side Story,” along with Cole Porter and Sigmund Romberg medleys. Tickets are $10 each and $25 for families. (818) 886-1555.

* A concert of Kurdish sacred music will be performed by Shahram Nazeri and the Dastan Ensemble at 8 p.m. today at United Church of Christ Congregational in Claremont. The concert, “Thus Sang Zoroaster,” will illustrate the musical traditions of the Yaresan faith, which follows the teachings of the pre-Islamic Persian prophet Zoroaster. (909) 981-2444.

* Patricia Hannifan will present an organ recital at 4 p.m. today at St. James Presbyterian Church, 19414 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. Music by Scheidt, Bach, Kropfreiter, Franck and others will be featured. (818) 345-2057.

* “Samson,” a dramatic oratorio by Handel, will be performed Sunday at 4 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 580 Hilgard Ave., Westwood. James Vail will conduct the St. Alban’s choir and orchestra; soloists will include Douglas Anderson as Samson and Frances Young as Delilah. Suggested donation is $10, and $6 for seniors and students. (310) 208-6516.

* Grant AME Church will sponsor a concert preview of “Be Still,” a gospel CD written and produced by Scott Sanders, at 4:30 p.m. June 16 at 1129 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach. The concert will feature Sanders on organ and piano, along with other local gospel musicians Shannon Douglass, the Rev. Trevor Johnson, D’Andre Moten, Dante Johnson, Alvin Hayes and others. (626) 965-4919.

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