Religion Notes

CHIMES FAIR: The 49th annual Golden West Fair, featuring midway rides, children’s games, a farmers’ market, furniture, jewelry, a silent auction and food booths, will be held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Congregational Church of the Chimes, 14115 Magnolia Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Free admission. Information: (818) 789-7124.

50-YEAR BARBECUE: St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church will host a ministry fair and parish barbecue celebrating its 50th anniversary at 6 p.m. today at the church, 7136 Winnetka Ave., Canoga Park. Admission is $17 general and $6 for children. Information: (818) 348-1419.

CELEBRANT CONCERT: The Celebrant Singers, a Christian music ministry, will perform a free concert at 6:30 p.m. today at St. Mel Catholic Church, 20870 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. Information: (818) 340-9926.

EAST TIMOR SPEAKER: Johnnes Tulungen, head of the Center for Human Resource Development in East Timor, will speak at the 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services at Newhall First Presbyterian Church, 24317 N. Newhall Ave. Tulungen is speaking as part of the Presbyterian Church International Peacemaker Program. Information: (818) 345-6048.

PROGRAM ON JUSTICE: Actor Mike Farrell will present a program on “Justice and Death” at 10:45 a.m. Sunday at Sepulveda Unitarian-Universalist Society, 9550 Haskell Ave., North Hills. Farrell’s appearance is a prelude to the November “We Affirm” meeting at which the congregation is expected to affirm a Unitarian-Universalist General Assembly resolution to abolish the death penalty. Information: (818) 894-9251.

SERVICE CHOICE: The Rev. Bonnie Rowsell will speak on “The Invincible Power of Choice” at the 10 a.m. Sunday service at Glendale Church of Religious Science, 2146 E. Chevy Chase Drive. Information: (818) 244-8171.

SUKKOT WORKSHOP: A workshop celebrating the Jewish holiday of Sukkot will offer participants the opportunity to create a miniature sukkah, a symbol of freedom, shelter, harvest and hospitality, Sunday at 2 p.m. at Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. in the Sepulveda Pass. Admission is $4 for nonmembers, free to members. Information and registration: (310) 440-4636.

MUSICAL AUDITIONS: Shepherd of the Hills will hold auditions for its winter Christmas musical Sunday from 2 to 9 p.m. at the church, 19700 Rinaldi St., Porter Ranch. Information: (818) 831-9333.

HYMN CONCERT: Dorothy Kane will lead an old-fashioned hymn sing Sunday at 4 p.m. at St. James Presbyterian Church of Tarzana, 19414 Ventura Blvd. Free. Information: (818) 345-2057.

SUNDAY CONCERT: Soprano SunJoo Yeo and accompanist Paul Pitman and friends will perform a concert of music by Mozart, Beethoven, Verdi and Moore at 4:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 18120 Saticoy St., Reseda. A $5 or $10 donation is requested. Proceeds will benefit the San Fernando East Valley Music Scholarship Program. Information: (818) 785-4904.

CELEBRATE GANDHI: Gandhi Day, a celebration of the life, spirit and teachings of the late Indian spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi, will be held Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Valley Hindu Temple, 18700 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge. A Hindu worship service and an Indian dinner will follow the program. Free. Information: (818) 718-6460, Ext. 3002.

HOPE PROGRAM: Cardinal Roger Mahony and Rabbi Harold Schulweis will host “Understanding the Hope,” a program for Catholics and Jews to come together and confront a troubled past in order to evolve a positive relationship, Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Valley Beth Shalom Synagogue, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. Free. Information: (310) 282-8080.

BLESSED ANIMALS: A Blessing of the Animals ceremony will be held Oct. 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Metropolitan Community Church in the Valley, 5730 Cahuenga Blvd., North Hollywood. The event will feature a 10 a.m. pet blessing, an 11:30 a.m. memorial service for deceased pets, pet adoptions from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and an American Red Cross course on pet first aid from 1 to 5 p.m. The cost is $35 for the first aid course; the services are free. Information and registration for the course: (818) 762-1133.

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