Group Seeks to Fight Slavery in Africa

Concerned about reports of slavery in some African nations, Pastor Chuck Singleton, who heads the 11,000-member Loveland Church in Rancho Cucamonga, has organized a group at his church to combat the problem.

The Congress on Modern Pan-African Slavery seeks to call attention to conditions in nations such as Sudan and Mauritania, according to a church official. The governments deny that slavery exists in their countries.

Singleton and other ministers from Southern California will be traveling to Sudan and other African nations in November to explore what is taking place there. In the past, Singleton has joined protests against slavery at the nations’ embassies and met with the ambassadors in Washington.

The congress is part of the humanitarian group Harambee, a Swahili word meaning unity or pulling together, which Singleton founded at his church to deal with issues of justice, feeding the poor and helping the impoverished. His group hopes to abolish slavery by 2001.

PEOPLE

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The Office of the Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives has invited Rabbi Sidney S. Guthman of Congregation Sholom in Seal Beach to be guest chaplain and give the opening prayer before the House on Sept. 4. He was nominated by Rep. Stephen Horn (R-Long Beach). Guthman is also chaplain at the Long Beach Veterans Administration Medical Center and the Long Beach Police Department.

* Stephen Passamaneck, professor of Rabbinics at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles, has been elected secretary of the International Conference of Police Chaplains. He is the first Jewish member to be elected to international office in the organization, which serves the United States and eleven other countries. Passamaneck has conducted a volunteer ministry as a law enforcement chaplain since 1976.

* Pope John Paul II has appointed Cardinal Roger Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles, as one of three delegates for the Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops, which will convene in Rome Nov. 16 through Dec. 12.

* Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, host of a popular radio ministry and formerly of the Brookins Community A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles, will return to Central Africa on Monday to resume his missionary work. A special service to mark Kirkland’s departure will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Lewis Metropolitan C.M.E. Church. Kirkland has been on missionary assignment in Central Africa for the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The Lewis Metropolitan C.M.E. Church is at 4900 S. Western Avenue, Los Angeles. (213) 292-0179.

ISSUES

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National political commentator William Schneider will speak on “Religion and Politics in Government Today” at a Tuesday luncheon sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Committee. Schneider, a senior political analyst at CNN and a contributing editor to the Los Angeles Times Opinion section, will examine issues of school prayer, school vouchers, the teaching of creationism, the posting of the Ten Commandments in courtrooms and other issues. The luncheon will be at noon

in the board room of the Jewish

Community Building, 6505 Wilshire Blvd. Reservations are $10. (213) 852-6525 or 852-6524.

EXPANSION

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Soka Gakkai International, an American Buddhist association, is moving ahead with plans for its first activity center in Los Angeles for youth events, meetings and seminars.

Soka Gakkai International has about 20,000 active members in the Greater Los Angeles area. Groundbreaking is planned for November at the site, 5899 Venice Blvd., and completion is expected in late 1998.

MUSIC

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The Hollywood Church of Religious Science will present “Summer Breeze,” a musical variety revue featuring concert pianist Vivian Florian. Cabaret singers, blues acts and comedy acts also will be included in the program starting at 5 p.m. Sunday at the church, 7677 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. (213) 876-2260

* Peruvian percussionist Alex Acuna will perform at 5 p.m. Sunday at the King’s Place, West Campus of the Church on the Way, 14300 Sherman Way, Van Nuys. (818) 779-8000.

COMMEMORATION

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Maher Hathout of the Muslim Public Affairs Council will deliver the keynote address to invited guests at a Sunday event at UCLA marking the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. Hosted by the Ismaili Council for the Western United States, the day’s theme will be “The Prophet as a Model of Tolerance.”

FINALLY

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A five-week “Hebrew Reading Crash Course” will be taught by Rabbi Michael Beals at B’nai Tikvah Congregation in Westchester beginning Thursday at 7 p.m. “Our goal is for everyone to have the opportunity to learn enough Hebrew to enjoy the High Holy Day prayers and services,” Beals said. The free course, sponsored by the National Jewish Outreach Program, is designed for those with little or no background in the Hebrew alphabet and reading skills. The congregation is at 5820 W. Manchester Ave. (310) 645-6262.

Notices may be mailed for consideration to Southern California File, c/o John Dart, L.A. Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth, CA 91311, or faxed to the religion desk (818) 772-3385, or e-mailed to john.dart@ latimes.com Items should arrive two to three weeks before the event, except for spot news, and should include pertinent details about the people and organizations with address, phone number, date and time.