More than 200 teen-age members of church...

More than 200 teen-age members of church youth groups from around Southern California are expected at “Planting the Seeds,” the first youth conference sponsored by the North American Conference on Christianity and Ecology, next Saturday in Oceanside.

The interdenominational event for junior and senior high students will feature speakers from Earth Day USA and the Tree Musketeers, a youth-run environmental group.

Yvonne Dever, a coordinator of the conference, said, “The environment and ecology are major concerns of young people. What we’re trying to accomplish is to give them a background as to why as Christians they should be involved.”

Ten talks and workshops will be offered between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., including one on the “Biblical Roots of Caring for Creation,” led by the Rev. William Wood, associate pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside, where the conference will be held.

Wood, who holds a doctorate in chemistry as well as a master of divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, said, “The Bible refers to mankind’s ‘dominion.’ It means that God has entrusted us with both freedom and the responsibility to care for creation.”

Other topics include environmental justice and environmental racism, eco-friendly career options and volunteer opportunities in Mexico.

Pam Marino, who is helping to coordinate the conference, said that the North American Conference on Christianity and Ecology is an all-volunteer organization founded in 1986 by mainline Christian denominations. “I would say about 25 Southern California churches are involved,” she said. “This is the national organization’s first-ever conference for youth. If we’re successful, I want to put together a team of teen-agers to plan another conference in the next year or two.”

Registration is $15 per church plus $5 per teen-ager. For information, phone Pam Marino at (714) 786-0969.

CELEBRATIONS

* In honor of the bicentennial of Orthodox Christianity in North America, the Southern California Orthodox Clergy Council will celebrate a Pan-Orthodox Holy Liturgy during a Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at 10 a.m. today at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral. A reception will follow. Representing the Serbian Orthodox Diocese, His Holiness Pavle, Patriarch of Serbia, will attend, as will the Bishop Christopher, Metropolitan of Midwestern America, and Bishop-elect Jovan of Western America. Bishop Anthony of San Francisco’s Greek Orthodox Diocese and Bishop Tikhon of San Francisco’s Russian Orthodox Church in America will also attend. 2300 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles. (213) 382-6269.

* First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles has named the Rev. Ken Brown as its minister for the coming year. He will give his inaugural sermon, “The Baby and the Bathwater: A Personal Religious Odyssey,” at 11 a.m. Sept. 25. The Unitarian Universalist minister, community activist and radio host last year served as interim senior minister of the Neighborhood Church in Pasadena. He is the convener of the Board of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry of Los Angeles and chairs its North American organization. Previously, he served as executive director of the Interfaith Hunger Coalition of Southern California and the Community Relations Conference of Southern California. The church is located at 2936 W. 8th St. (213) 389-1356.

* The 15th anniversary of the Rev. Roy C. Wheatle as pastor of New Birth Bible Church in Los Angeles will be celebrated with a praise and worship service at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. The Rev. Kenneth R. Sesley of Compton Christian Fellowship World Outreach Church will be the guest speaker. The Revs. Jeffrey Bobo, Ralph Williams and William Martin will also attend. A reception follows. 1945 Carmona Ave. (213) 931-0330.

DATES

* Brookins Community African Methodist Episcopal Church’s Fall Awakening Mini-Revival will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Nelson H. Smith of New Pilgrim Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala. 4831 S. Gramercy Place, Los Angeles. (213) 296-5610.

* A Montessori-based “hands-on” curriculum to introduce children ages 3 to 10 to spirituality is offered jointly by Pasadena Mennonite Church and Pasadena Church of the Brethren on Sunday mornings. A free, informal orientation session for parents will be held at noon Sunday at 1041 N. Altadena Drive. Refreshments and child care will be provided. (818) 797-3235.

* The Rev. Kirby Clements, an author, lecturer and associate pastor at Chapel Hill Harvester Church, a 10,000-member interracial congregation in Decatur, Ga., will speak at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Harvester Church of Temecula. His wife, Sandra Clements, who is a teacher and preacher, will also speak. The church, at Highway 79 and Anza Road, has its entry on Calle Arnaz. (909) 676-5684.

* Grace Evangelical Free Church in La Mirada has added a 10:45 a.m. traditional worship service to its weekly Sunday morning programming. According to the Rev. Sid Rogers, the addition was made to accommodate churchgoers “who have been hindered in their worship by the current trend toward contemporary music in evangelical churches.” 12627 S. Santa Gertrudes Ave., La Mirada. (310) 943-3791.

* Temple Beth Zion-Sinai in Lakewood, in conjunction with the University of Judaism, will offer an 18-week course, “Introduction to Judaism,” for Jews and non-Jews who want to know about basic Jewish ideals, history and traditions. The University of Judaism offers introductory courses in various other locations around Southern California as well. For information about the Lakewood course, phone (310) 429-1014. For other locations, phone (310) 476-9777, ext. 273.

* The Christopher Sun Evangelistic Assn. will wind up its crusade at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. today and Sunday. More than 57 denominations, conferences and fellowships are expected to participate. Admission is free. (818) 793-1100.

* “Three Faiths Celebrate Jerusalem” is the title of a program of the South Coast Ecumenical Council to be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 25 at Pacific Unitarian Church in Rancho Palos Verdes. In celebration of the first anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Principles by Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, representatives of the Moslem, Jewish and Christian communities will talk about the meaning of the holy city to their religion. 5621 Montemalaga. (310) 595-0268.

* The Native American Ministry Project of the Presbytery of the Pacific will hold a worship service and potluck meal at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Human Services Assn., 6800 E. Florence Ave., Bell Gardens. (310) 670-5076.

MUSIC

* All Saints’ Parish Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills will present a free choir and chamber music concert at 5 p.m. Sept. 25 at the church. Thomas Foster leads the men’s choir in music of Howells and Dyson. Soprano Camille King will be joined by a string and woodwind ensemble performing Vivaldi, Villa-Lobos and Phillips. 505 N. Camden Drive. (310) 275-2910.

* Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Santa Monica will observe St. Michael and All Angels Choral Vespers at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28, with the Liturgical Choir leading a service of hymns, psalms, lessons, anthems and prayers concerning the angels. The Rev. Thomas Cooper will deliver the sermon. 1343 Ocean Park Blvd. (310) 452-1166.