A number of prominent public figures are...

A number of prominent public figures are scheduled to address religious gatherings in the Southland in the weeks ahead, on topics ranging from post-riot relief and police reform in Los Angeles tS. domestic policy and international conflict resolution.

Among the headliners is the Rev. Cecil L. (Chip) Murray, pastor of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church, who called for restraint by the African-American community after the verdicts in the Rodney King beating case and who has led relief efforts in South Los Angeles. He will preach Saturday, June 13, at the Ninth Annual Prayer Breakfast of the United Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at the Pacifica Hotel in Culver City. Tickets are $20 per person. The public is invited. For information, call (213) 232-3334.

Warren Christopher, appointed after the riots to review Los Angeles Police Department activities and a deputy secretary of state in the Carter Administration, will speak at Valley Beth Shalom on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. His talk, “Charter Amendment F--Police Reform and Accountability in the ‘90s,” is sponsored by five local rabbis. Valley Beth Shalom is at 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. Admission is free. For information, call (213) 966-4840.

Also at Valley Beth Shalom on Sunday, May 31, Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) will deliver the keynote address, “The Nation’s Domestic Agenda: Local Crises, National Remedies,” at the Jewish Community Relations Committee’s annual dinner meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45. For information, call (213) 852-7730.

Assemblyman Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) will speak at the First Unitarian Church in Los Angeles to discuss causes and solutions of the recent violence in Los Angeles. He will speak at 11 a.m. Sunday. The address is 2936 W. 8th St., Los Angeles, a half-block east of Vermont. Free security parking is available. (213) 389-1356.

Jeremy Levin, a former CNN bureau chief who was kidnaped in Beirut and held hostage for nearly a year beginning in 1984, and Sis Levin, his wife and author of “Beirut Diary,” will address the Sepulveda Unitarian Universalist Society at 10:45 a.m. June 7. They will discuss “New Beginnings in the Middle East: Peace With Compassion.” The address is 9550 Haskell Ave., North Hills. For information, call (818) 894-9251.

RELIEF

The need for supplies--especially canned food, baby formula, baby food and diapers--is still great in areas struck by violence earlier this month, according to First AME’s Murray. “At our church alone, we are serving 1,500 to 2,000 people daily. The line forms as early as 6 a.m. and extends a block. In addition, we serve 74 satellite relief stations, mostly other churches,” he said.

Murray said the response from churches throughout Southern California--as well as from corporations and groups from as far away as Arizona--has been gratifying, “but we’ll have to play it by ear now to see how long we can sustain operations on that scale.” Although demand will lessen eventually, “We have to increase our appeal to keep up with the standard of service we’ve been providing,” Murray said. Most churches, synagogues and other religious organizations can channel offers of food, clothing, money or labor to a participating center. People who wish to contact First AME directly can call the church’s projects office at (213) 737-0897.

HONORS

Joel E. Rembaum, rabbi of Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles, has been elected secretary of the U.S. division of the Rabbinical Assembly, which represents 1,400 Conservative rabbis internationally. He will help develop policies and programs for the organization and the Conservative movement.

WORSHIP

People who have died of AIDS will be remembered in a special service to be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 31, at the First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles. People are asked to bring a photo of someone they know who has died of AIDS. The church is located at 2936 W. 8th St., Los Angeles. (213) 389-1356.

Father Robert Fambrini will offer a Mass for people with AIDS tonight at 7:30 at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Westwood. Music will be provided by a choir, brass quartet and organ. Gordon LaCross will conduct. A reception will follow. Free-will offerings collected will benefit the Serra Project, which provides housing for people with AIDS. The address is 10750 Ohio Ave., Westwood. (310) 474-1528.

MARCH

Thousands are expected to join a “March for Jesus” today in Pasadena. Marchers will meet at 9:30 a.m. at Lake Avenue Congregational Church, located at Lake Avenue and the 210 Freeway, and walk 10 blocks to City Hall for song and worship. Marches will also be held in Long Beach, Bell Gardens, Hacienda Heights, Moreno Valley and Lake Elsinore. Officials say that 1 million people worldwide will participate in similar marches today. Call (818) 791-2000 for information.

SPEAKERS

Egyptologists William Ward of Brown University and Frank Yurco of the University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute and the Field Museum of Natural History will deliver the next two lectures in a series entitled “Ancient Egypt and Israel: Neighbors, Friends and Foes.” The series, which continues through June 23, is a joint program of the California Museum of Ancient Art and the University of Judaism.

On Tuesday, Ward’s topic is “The Broken Reed and Jerusalem: Egypt and Israel From the Settlement Until the Destruction of Solomon’s Temple.” On Sunday, May 31, Yurco talks about “The Earliest Pictures of Israelites at the Karnak Temple.” Tickets for each lecture are $16; both will take place from 7:45 to 10 p.m. at the University of Judaism, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 440-2500 or (310) 476-9777.

Krister Stendahl, bishop emeritus of the Church of Sweden, will speak on “The Bible and Gay and Lesbian People” at a festival worship Sunday, May 31, at Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church in Altadena. Services begin at 10:30 a.m. The address is 185 W. Altadena Drive, Altadena. For information, call (213) 665-5252.

“What My Faith Means to Me” is the topic of the first in a series of interfaith panel discussions sponsored by the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council, on Sunday, May 31, at 3 p.m. Five faith traditions will be represented: Mormon, Islam, Reform Judaism, Roman Catholic and Buddhist. The discussion will be followed by an audience question-and-answer period at the First United Methodist Church of Northridge, 9650 Reseda Blvd. (818) 718-6460.

PERFORMANCES

Cantori Domino, under the direction of its founder, Maurita Phillips-Thornburgh, presents an Evensong Vespers, “Ascension to Essence,” today at 4:30 p.m. in Santa Monica. The concert features two cantatas by J.S. Bach and the premiere of a work by a resident composer at St. Augustine-By-The-Sea Parish Church. Admission is free. The address is 1227 4th St., Santa Monica. (213) 662-5007.

Handel’s oratorio, “Israel in Egypt,” will be presented by the combined choirs of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church of Westwood and First United Methodist Church of Glendale, at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 31. James Vail conducts. Suggested donation is $7, $3 for seniors and students. The address is St. Alban’s, 580 Hilgard Ave., Westwood. (310) 208-6516.

The 30-piece Wesleyan Chamber Orchestra of Culver-Palms United Methodist Church will give its inaugural concert Sunday, May 31, at 4 p.m. The orchestra’s members are residents of Culver City, Palms and other Westside locations. Pianist Robert Kelley will join the orchestra to perform Beethoven’s second piano concerto, and the Chancel Choir will present Haydn’s “Lord Nelson Mass.” Admission is free. Donations will be accepted. The address is Culver-Palms United Methodist Church, 4464 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. (310) 390-7717.

Christian singer Lori Loza will perform at the 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship services at Bethel Lutheran Church in Encino on Sunday, May 31. Child care is provided. Donations will be accepted. The church’s address is 17500 Burbank Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-2653.

Please address notices to: Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, Ca., 90053. To receive consideration, an item must be brief and arrive at least three weeks prior to the event announced.