“The Last 5 Years” Coming to La Cañada Pres

La Cañada Presbyterian Church Drama Ministry is kicking off its 2011 dramatic presentations with Tony Award-winner Jason Robert Brown’s hit musical, “The Last 5 Years.” The musical is about the relationship of a young novelist and his wife Cathy.

“The Last 5 Years” has toured all over the world, including London, Sydney, Mexico, Canada, Greece and Hungary. Known for its smart story-telling lyrics, the show captures all the emotional conflicts of sustaining a modern relationship, while highlighting the transforming power of love.

Performances will be held at La Cañada Presbyterian Church Worship Arts Center, 626 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada on Friday, Feb. 18 and Saturday, Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. Suggested ticket donation of $15 includes performance and post-show discussion with LCPC pastors and staff on “Why Relationships Matter to God.”

For ticket reservations or more information, call the church drama ministry at (818) 790-6758 x340 or visit www.lacanadapc.org.

Public and street parking available. Venue is wheelchair accessible.

Crisis of Climate Coming to St. Luke’s

Climate change is usually thought of as a political or scientific issue, but for many believers it is a deeply religious issue because it touches on moral imperatives to love one’s neighbor and to be just in one’s life and actions by caring for God’s creation.

This Sunday St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church in La Crescenta will join nearly 700 other congregations throughout the United States participating in the “National Preach-in on Global Warming.”

Sponsored by Interfaith Power and Light, a interdenominational environmental ministry based in San Francisco, the preach-in is intended to be informative about the causes of climate change and what local congregations and individuals can do to both reduce their contributions to climate change by taking practical steps to use energy more efficiently and save money at the same time through lower utility and gasoline bills.

Among the topics covered will be ways of measuring one’s carbon footprint and how to reduce carbon dioxide contributions.

But for all the implications for political and economic action, Sunday’s preach-in is not primarily about the pocketbook, said Father Bryan Jones, vicar of St. Luke’s of the Mountains. At its heart the preach-in seeks to connect the mounting crisis of climate change facing humanity and the planet with deep and enduring roots of faith that have always sought to guide our actions, he said. How do faith traditions speak to contemporary issues like climate change? What does it mean to be religious in our time and place?

The public is invited. The service begins at 10 a.m., preceded by a coffee and get acquainted time at 9:30 a.m.

St. Luke’s is the historic stone church located at 2563 Foothill Blvd, at the corner of Rosemont Avenue.

Plans Underway for

“Bedefest”

Every year St. Bede the Venerable School holds its annual “BedeFest” fundraiser. Proceeds from the event directly benefit the children of St. Bede School by providing much-needed funds to sustain St. Bede’s exceptional academic programs and to assist with tuition. The 2010 Bedefest event raised approximately $85,000. Tickets are $85/person and include a gourmet dinner buffet and beverages and also dancing to the music of a DJ.

The fundraising will include a silent and live auction of products and services donated by local merchants and school parents. There will also be a Texas Hold ’Em Poker Tournament and many other casino style games.

“Casino Royale” will be held on Saturday, March 5 at the Oakmont Country Club, 3100 Country Club Drive in Glendale. The evening will kick off at 6:30 p.m. Cocktail attire and black tie optional are called out as the dress for the elegant evening.

Questions about the event should be directed to Holly Bauer at (818) 339-2843.

Mid-Week Programs at

La Crescenta Presbyterian Church

Wednesday night programs for all ages called PEAK (Praise, Education for Adults and Kids) continue at La Crescenta Presbyterian Church. A home-cooked dinner is provided each week for a nominal donation from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and the classes for all ages run from 6:30-8:00 p.m. There are three new classes for adults being offered.

“Love and Logic” is being led by Center for Children Director Pat Chambers. It will be offered for 12 weeks. Love and Logic is a philosophy of raising children that allows adults to be happier, empowered and more skilled in the interactions with children. The Love and Logic techniques produce immediate results because the techniques are simple, practical, and easy to learn.

The second class being offered is called “Foundations for Families” and is for couples and singles in their 20s, 30s and 40s.  The class will be led by a team including Pastor Andy Wilson and will begin by studying the book “Crazy Love.” The third class is a study on the Book of John led by Lee Cook.

All classes are free, nursery care is provided and all ages from Pre-K through junior high have active fellowship groups during the class time from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

For more information contact the church office at (818) 249-6137 or visit online at www.lcpc.net.

La Crescenta Presbyterian Church, 2902 Montrose Ave., La Crescenta