Series Offered on Expressing the Sacred in Life and the Arts

In conjunction with the upcoming World Festival of Sacred Music, UCLA Extension will present a lecture/performance series that will look at different ways of “Expressing the Sacred Across the Arts and Across Life.”

The series will examine various traditions including Jewish music and art, mystical expression in Islam and the poetry of Rumi, devotional traditions of South Asia, African American gospel music and more.

The six-part series will feature performances, readings, poetry and multimedia presentations to explore traditions across cultures and religions.

The series will take place Tuesdays, Oct. 5-Nov. 16, from 7 to 9:45 p.m. at UCLA, 1178 Franz Hall. Single evening admission, on a space-available basis, is $25; the six-week series is $120. Call (310) 825-2301 for information or (310) 825-9971 for ticket reservations.

EVENTS / WORKSHOPS

After the defacement of Temple Knesset Israel, 1260 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, community members, activists and elected officials will come together for healing and prayer today at the Los Feliz synagogue. Scheduled to speak are Joe R. Hicks, executive director, Los Angeles Human Relations Commission; Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles); David A. Lehrer, regional director, Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith; the Rev. Leonard Jackson, First AME Church, and Angela Sanbrano, executive director, Central American Resource Center. Services will begin at 9:30 a.m. The program will begin about noon. (323) 665-5171.

* Continuing an Orthodox Mission lecture tour, Metropolitan Jonah, metropolitan of Kampala and all Uganda, will speak at St. Katherine Church, 722 Knob Hill Ave., Redondo Beach, on Friday. Services will begin at 7 p.m. with a lecture afterward. (310) 540-2434.

* Olympic gold medalist Rafer Johnson will be the guest speaker at the fourth annual South Orange County Leadership Prayer Breakfast on Friday from 7 to 9 a.m. at the Irvine Marriott and sponsored by the Alliance for Spiritual Community. Tickets are $25. (949) 661-3087.

* The Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road, Encino, will present a program on the life and teachings of Hildegard of Bingen on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Awakening to God’s Love” will examine the writings, art and music of the medieval mystic and prophet. Registration of $30 includes lunch. (818) 784-4516.

YOM KIPPUR

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The Jewish High Holy Days culminate with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, starting tomorrow evening.

* Temple Ahavat Shalom, 18200 Rinaldi Place, Northridge, will have Erev Yom Kippur services for adults at 6:15 and 8:30 p.m. Sunday and Erev Yom Kippur family services at 6:15 p.m. On Monday, Yom Kippur services for adults will be held at 8:45 and 11:30 a.m. and family services will be at 8:45 a.m. Tickets are required. (818) 360-2258.

* Temple Beth Shirah will hold Yom Kippur services at Wilshire Christian Church, 634 S. Normandie Ave., Los Angeles on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. and Monday at 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi David Nieman and Cantor Esther Schwartz. The services are offered without charge. (310) 285-5021 or (213) 382-6337.

* Don R. Singer, rabbi of Shir Hadash, the Reform Jewish Fellowship, will conduct Yom Kippur services in the garden of the Zen Center of Los Angeles, 923 S. Normandie Ave., on Sunday at 8 p.m. and Monday at 10:30 a.m. Meditation sessions will be held one hour before each service. (310) 456-5323.

SERVICES

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First Baptist Church, 760 S. Westmoreland Ave., Los Angeles, will celebrate its 125th anniversary Sunday. Senior minister the Rev. Dr. David L. Wheeler will deliver the sermon, “Surrounded by a Cloud of Witnesses,” at 11 a.m. The anniversary service will honor past ministries and look to the future. (213) 384-2151.

LECTURES

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Ananda W.P. Guruge, dean of academic studies and director of the International Academy of Buddhism, Hsi Lai University, will discuss “Humanistic Elements in Early Buddhism and Theravada Tradition” on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Hsi Lai University, 1409 N. Walnut Grove Ave., Rosemead. (626) 571-8811, Ext. 105.

* Culver Nelson, adjunct professor of religion at Pacific School of Religion and Arizona State University, will discuss “A Future for the Past: Jesus for the 21st Century” on Sunday at 11 a.m. at the Philosophical Research Society, 3910 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles. His talk will include discussion of research by Nelson and others suggesting there once was a female pope who disguised her sex. There is a suggested $5 donation. (323) 663-2167.

* Woman’s Perspective Forum at Pilgrim Place, a retirement community in Claremont, is sponsoring a talk on “How Can Claremont Churches Help Police Develop Community-Friendly Procedures?” on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Decker Hall, 665 Avery Road, Claremont. (909) 399-9974.

Notices may be mailed for consideration to Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or by fax to Southern California File at (213) 237-4712, or by e-mail to [email protected]. Items should arrive two to three weeks before the event and should include pertinent details about the people and organizations with address, phone number, date and time. Because of the volume of submissions, we cannot guarantee publication.