Religious briefs

Rabbi Gilbert Kollin, a retired Air Force chaplain and rabbi emeritus of the Pasadena Jewish Temple, will lecture on “The Politics of the Middle East” at 10 a.m. Oct. 21 at the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center.

The talk is open to the public, with a special invitation to the La Crescenta community.

Rabbi Kollin has lived in the Middle East and is a noted lecturer on the topic to community groups. He will discuss current political “players” in Israel and the Middle East.

A bagel breakfast will be served at this event. There is a $5 suggested donation. Pasadena Jewish Temple is at 1434 N. Altadena Drive in Pasadena.

For more information, call (626) 798-1161.

St. James the Less Catholic Church will host a parish wide Ministry Fair following the 9:00 and 11:30 Masses on Oct. 21.

The event, themed “Hrvesting Time And Talent,” is part of a Growing Stewards initiative designed to foster increased participation and commitment from the parishioners. Led by the Rev. Ed Dover, who recently was named pastor of St. James the Less and Holy Redeemer parishes, hopes the fair will show the St. James and neighboring community the incredible work the parish does to help those in need — spiritually, financially and emotionally. Refreshments will be served, and entertainment for children will be provided.

First Baptist Church at La Crescenta is offering Bible study for women in the community.

Child care is available.

“Seasons of Life” is a nondenominational study for women of all ages. The program meets Thursday mornings from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the church at 4441 La Crescenta Ave. in La Crescenta.

To pick up a registration form, visit the church office or call (818) 249-5832.

Temple Sinai of Glendale will host its annual Chanukah Gift Faire on from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 4. Holiday gifts will be sold as well as toys, jewelry, linens, clothing and food items from around the world. Orders will be taken for Temple Sinai’s latke mix, which will be available for pick-up in December.

Latkes, or potato pancakes, are a traditional food eaten at Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights.

Interested vendors can call Linda Luna at (323) 663-2383 prior to the faire.

Temple Sinai of Glendale is at 1212 N. Pacific Ave. in Glendale.

For more information, call (818) 246-8101 or visit www.temple-sinai.net.

Rabbi Rick Schechter continues his adult education curriculum with a four-part series “Understanding Jewish Prayer While Walking Though the New Reform Prayer Book.”

The class meets from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 24 and 30, and Nov. 7 and 14.

There is no charge for the class and all are welcome.

The ladies of the Unitarian Universalist Church in La Crescenta are knitting and crocheting sweaters for disadvantaged children in the United States and throughout the world.

To join them, call (818) 248-3954 from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday or Thursday.

St. John Eudes Young Adult Ministry invites the public to a presentation on “Sharing the Call of Jesus in an Era of Emerging Leadership Models” presented by the Rev. Lawrence Estrada of St. Stephen Martyr Parish in Monterey Park at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21.

The talk will take place at St. John Eudes Parish, at 9901 Mason Ave. in Chatsworth.

At 10 a.m. on Nov. 4, Vivaldi’s “Gloria” will be sung by St. George Episcopal Church’s choir, with soloists Meghen Miles, soprano; and Veronica Christenson, mezzo-soprano, string quartet, oboe and trumpet.

St. George’s Episcopal Church is at 800 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada.

For information, call (310) 963-1480.

Logos is the name of the new program for fourth graders to high school youth at La Cañada United Methodist Church.

There are four parts to the Logos program — worship, fellowship time (which includes lunch), recreation and Bible study. The youth attend church on Sunday and then go to the social hall for the rest of the program.

A new class on the “The Workbook of Living Prayer” began this week; it is led by Dorothy Maddux. The class, which meets after worship, has lunch at the church before the study. Worship is at 10:30 a.m., and the church is at 104 Berkshire Place in La Cañada.

For information on any of these or other classes, call (818) 472-5264.

“Begin the Journey Here” at La Cañada Presbyterian Church. This class is designed to help people move deeper into the church community, find meaningful relationships and discover the next steps on the spiritual journey. Participants will meet La Cañada Presbyterian Church pastors and explore together the core values and spiritual practices of our congregation. Dinner and childcare is provided.

“Begin the Journey Here” will be held from 6:30 to 8:50 p.m. Oct. 19 and 3 to 8 p.m. Oct. 21.

RSVP at (818) 790-6758, ext. 215, or e-mail sandee@lacanadapc.org.

The Rev. Chuck Osburn hosts speakers and discussions of family life, parenting and faith issues which tap into spiritual resources that will bless the whole family. their whole lives. The presentation takes place at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 21.

For more information, call Gloria Hill at (818) 790-6758, ext. 220.

To submit content for the Crescenta Valley Sun Religion pages, e-mail lcnews@valleysun.net or call Michael J. Arvizu at (818) 790-8774, ext. 17. Deadline to submit copy is 9 a.m. Monday.