Religion Notes

EGYPTIAN CULTURE: An Egyptian festival, featuring food, crafts, clothes, games, books and entertainment, will take place from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Sunday at St. Mary and St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church, 17431 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge. Free. Information: (818) 342-4414.

BROADWAY SUNG: The Northridge United Methodist Church Chancel Choir will perform highlights from several Broadway hit shows at the seventh annual Musical Theatre Gala at 7:30 p.m. today and Sunday at the church, 9650 Reseda Blvd. Songs from “My Fair Lady,” “Oklahoma!,” “Showboat,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Brigadoon” and “Porgy & Bess” will be performed. Free child care is available. Donations of $10 for the general public and $6 for children are requested. Information and reservations: (818) 886-1555.

SPIRITUAL SYMPOSIUM: The northern area groups of Hadassah Southern California will host “Celebrating the Spirit Within,” an educational symposium, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Stephen S. Wise Synagogue, 15500 Mulholland Drive, Sepulveda Pass. The cost is $40 and includes a continental breakfast and a kosher lunch. Information and reservations: (818) 783-3488.

CELEBRATING 70 YEARS: Lou Zamparini, former Olympian and World War II prisoner of war, will help celebrate Magnolia Park United Methodist Church’s 70th anniversary at its location by addressing the congregation at worship services at 10:15 a.m. Sunday at the church, 2828 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. Free. Information: (818) 846-2866.

PRAYER SUPPORT: A Centering Prayer support group for those fairly new to meditative practices and those who are daily meditators will be offered from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road, Encino. The group will include two centering prayer periods separated by a meditative walk and followed by a video. Free. Information: (818) 784-4515.

SOLO PERFORMANCE: The Women of Temple Judea will present solo dramatist Roberta Randall in a performance of “Beverly: The Life of Beverly Sills” at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday at the temple, 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. Free. Information: (818) 886-7582.

JEWISH IDENTITY: David Ellenson, professor of Jewish religious thought at Hebrew Union College, will present a lecture, “Modernity and the Construction of Jewish Identity,” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Sepulveda Pass. Ellenson will describe how Jews and Judaism came to grapple with the realities of life in the modern West. Admission is $8 general, $4 for members and students. Information and reservations: (323) 655-8587.

FAITHS DISCUSSED: An interfaith panel discussion, “What Does My Religion Say the Divine’s Role Is in Tragedy and Suffering,” will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Greater Community Missionary Baptist Church, 11066 Norris St., Pacoima. Rabbi Aaron Kriegel will moderate. Various faiths, including Baptist, Judaism, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Unitarian Universalists and Bahai, will be represented. Free. Information: (818) 718-6460, Ext. 3001.

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News and announcements for this column can be sent to Religion Desk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311.