United Methodist Bishop Jack M. Tuell of...

United Methodist Bishop Jack M. Tuell of Los Angeles said a recent meeting in Washington with officials in the office of U.S. drug czar William J. Bennett convinced him that churches have to pick up where the federal bureaucracy stops on drug abuse problems.

Tuell said he and two other Methodist bishops were told by two officials in the National Drug Control Policy Office that time constraints and restrictions imposed by regional and agency bureaucracies keep the office from promoting more community-based prevention efforts.

“I feel they are trying to do the best they can within the framework they have, but I guess the best we could wish for is a greater sense of urgency,” said Tuell, who heads the denomination’s Council of Bishops.

Bishop Felton E. May, on special church assignment in Washington to focus Methodist attention on drug problems, said he was “more convinced than ever of the church’s role” to provide spiritual support to people trying to shake addictions and to offer safe havens for battered women and crack-addicted babies.

May accompanied Tuell and retired Bishop Leontine T. C. Kelly, of San Mateo, to the Washington meeting.

Also in Washington, the United Methodist Church this week began a series of three-day seminars in which groups of bishops and regional church leaders met with medical and government experts in drug legislation, prevention and treatment. The seminars will run into October.

PEOPLE

Actor Charlton Heston, often remembered for his role as Moses in Cecil B. DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments,” will read New Testament passages about the Resurrection at the 70th Easter Sunrise Service at the Hollywood Bowl on April 15. The sponsoring committee also announced this week that actress Rhonda Fleming will sing with a 240-voice choir in the closing feature of the service.

HOLIDAY

Japanese-American Buddhist churches will be observing Hanamatsuri, the celebration of the birth of Gautama Buddha, at their regular services Sunday. A public ceremony was held by the Buddhist Church Federation of Los Angeles in Little Tokyo last Sunday. Buddhists of other ethnic traditions will hold a joint Southland celebration of Buddha’s birthday on May 12.

DATES

Southern California Operation Rescue, the Anaheim-based arm of the militant anti-abortion movement, has announced a Holy Week schedule of evening rallies and picketing at family planning centers around the Southland. Officials set Good Friday and the following day for “rescues” at undisclosed locations, a term used in the past for bodily blocking access to abortion clinics. The first rally is scheduled for 7 p.m. today at South Coast Fellowship in Ventura.