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Join us for the Blessing of the Animals, October 8
It's going to be a lot of fun!! Catch the story here.
Congregation Opposes Proposition 8
At a special congregational meeting convened today, September 7, the voting members of Hollywood Lutheran Church unanimously endorsed the No on 8 campaign, adding its public voice against the ballot measure that would eliminate marriage rights for same-sex couples.
Today’s decision-making process was broken into two parts. The first decision was whether or not the congregation should take a position on Proposition 8. After a detailed explanation of what tax-exempt religious organizations may and may not do in matters of public policy, lobbying and endorsements, a motion passed unanimously that Hollywood Lutheran Church take a public stand on Proposition 8. The congregation received and discussed information about all 12 measures on the November 2008 general election ballot, as well as information about taking positions on matters of public policy from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Lutheran Office of Public Policy in Sacramento, and other faith and justice organizations. 
The second decision concerned what stand the congregation would take. Specific information and a brief history behind Proposition 8 and the Marriage Equality efforts was presented. After lengthy discussion, a motion passed unanimously that Hollywood Lutheran Church is opposed to Proposition 8. Clarification of this decision included a discussion of its implications for the congregation’s public ministry. The Pastor, officers and Church Council of the congregation are authorized to publish this decision in all its regular publications, including bulletins, newsletters, and internet sites. Pastor Dan is specifically authorized to communicate today’s decisions, and to speak on behalf of the Hollywood Lutheran Church in opposition to Proposition 8. It was also specifically noted that no allocation of funds was involved in this decision.
Los Feliz Art Walk Kicks Off September
The revival of First Fridays for Los Feliz Art Walk started Friday, September 5, in a new program being created by our joint venture for Spirituality and the Arts.
The newly-restored Courtyard is the hub of activity from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. for artists and art-lovers in the Los Feliz area on each "First Friday" of the month. The Los Feliz Art Walk used to be organized by the Luz de Jesus gallery on Hollywood Blvd., but fell into decline in reent years. With the help of Dr. Roberta Morris (of the ACC and Mediare), the as-yet-untitled entity for Spirituality and the Arts will serve as the host and hub of the First Friday Walks. Eleven galleries and studios were open on Friday, September 5, some with new exhibits. Dubbed "Courtyard Studio and Arts", this congregation also mounted art exhibits in two rooms and on the green in the Courtyard, representing the work of four different artists. 
The first artist to sign on is local art photographer Adrian Ravarour with his amazing and richly colorful Energy Flow Photography. See the Now and Next page for biographical and artistic information. Ravarour will be on hand to sign his newly-released book Lightforms.
Free maps to all galleries and studios are available at any gallery. Check out the Los Feliz Art Walk web page for more information and a list of galleries, studios, artistic neighbors and other arts-related information.
Courtyard Dream Now a Beautiful Reality
Thanks to the enormous hard physical work of our Vice Pesident Ron Jahn and our faithful Sexton Abilio Salguero, the sod lawn went in July 23, after weeks of extraordinary efforts. Equal thanks are due to Marie Sorensen, Don Koepke and Scott Hill. The story is really amazing.
At left, Ron Jahn spreads soil amendment, and lays sod (middle). At right, Deacon Roberta Morris inspects the fescue grass sod.
After the Council's decision earlier this spring to remove the old concrete and to "green up" the Courtyard, Ron Jahn led the charge by arranging for workers and rental equipment to break up and haul away the concrete. Under it (as expected) was a lot of sand from the days when the whole area was a sand box playground for preschool children. But under the sand and dirt was another layer of asphalt from the days when the space was used for parking. All of this had to be removed.
As if that weren't enough, there were old broken parking blocks (tire stops) and other areas of more concrete under the asphalt. We could have called in an archaeologist to study the layers of development and use by the church dating back to the 1920s!
One more "unintended consequence" also happened. When the top concrete was removed, our big old elm tree, which slopes precariously, slumped down until it landed on the roof of the building. Although a friend to generations of children, who could walk up its trunk, the tree was suffering for water because the concrete kept all rain from soaking into the soil. Thin, thirsty roots had spread everywhere there was the slightest crack in the concrete! To solve this, the tree was jacked up with an automobile jack, and Abilio fashioned a permanent crutch to hold the tree up--a concrete pier base, wooden post and steel bracket holding a cross-arm (below, right).
Left, Don Koepke primes a classroom door. At right, the permanent "crutch" holds up an old friend!
Abilio and Ron also figured out and installed an automatic sprinkler system (watering will happen around midnight). And Don and Marie have done a wonderful job on painting—the stucco and the wooden posts, doors and windows, all of which still had tired preschool colors.
The three-tier fountain is now a reality as well. Abilio was able to run water and electrical lines under the existing paving, and Ron and Abilio have built a pedestal to which the fountain is anchored. (It helfd perfectly during the recent earthquake!) Ron re-plastered the fountain, sealed it, applied a base color, several colors of stain, gold leaf and another sealer coat. It looks terrific! This fountain was originally donated in 2006 by Prototypes, a program that runs women’s shelters and social services in Los Angeles County.
With the sod down and happily growing, our August 3 “picnic on the green” is only the first event to be held in the Courtyard. The first Los Feliz Art Walk will be held here September 5, and perhaps a wedding recpetion or two! We expect the grass to be well-rooted before the return of the Silverlake Children’s Theatre rehearsals in mid-September.
Organ Transplant a Complete Success!
Ten months after our initial efforts to purchase a used pipe organ from Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Beverly Hills, the complete organ is here in Hollywood! The congregation voted in November 2007 to borrow reserve funds to launch this project, but we are hopeful that most if not all of the $80,000 required will eventually be received as gifts and memorials. Pipe organs are complex musical instruments. Beginning May 13 (right after Pentecost), organ builder Weston Harris began the painstaking work of disassembling the 22-rank Reuter instrument, installed in a second floor tower chamber in Beverly Hills, and packing it carefully for transport, a task which took over two weeks. Then on June 2, volunteers began carrying the packed pipes out of the Choir loft and down to waiting vehicles. On June 10, Pastor Danarranged for an industrial scissor lift and maneuvered it into the Catholic sanctuary, working around a noon-time Mass and many individuals who came in to pray throughout the day. The scissor lift was used to bring down not only boxes as long as 9 feet, but the console, wind chests and resevoirs, blower and motor over a balcony railing 17 feet in the air! That's Fred Curley at the top of the scissor lift, going back up for another load of organ parts! It wasn't scarey, at least until the thing started shaking!!
Our thanks to our fine volunteers who helped with this delicate move: Sal Moreno and Kalani Bautista, Abilio Salguero and his father-in-law Alejandro, Fred Curley (above right, who also operated the scissor lift), Connie Gill and Drake Lopez, Bill and Karla Richards, Pastor Dan and Carl Hunter. All of them worked as late as 9:00 p.m. on the first day to remove everything from the Catholic sanctuary. The next morning, the main truck had to be unloaded and then taken back for a second round of transporting and unpacking.
The process to re-assemble the Reuter's 22 ranks (sets) of pipes with our 6 ranks ("Miss Wheezie" was originally a theater organ in the Warner Bros. Hollywood Theater before it was moved to this building some time in the 1920s) may take as long as a year, including the construction of a new chamber.
You can follow progress on the Pipe Organ project, and learn more about the workings of pipe organs at www.neworgan.hollywoodlutheran.org/. The committee's original gifts, and Marie Sorensen's fund-raising letter to many members and friends of the congregations has already resulted in contributions totalling more than $13,000 as of May 18. Praise God!
Architect Russell Johnson on the church roof, taking measurements.
Long Library Opens in May
A very new and fast project this spring is already in operation! Thanks to the Estate of Larry Long, and the quick and skillful work of our Sexton Abilio Salguero, our new Library has taken shape quickly and is already open for use!
The newly furnished Library is also an alternative meeting room for small groups.
The above photo is only one wall of the new Library, housed in the Office/Education wing. Yet to come: additional art work, area rugs, French doors to the Courtyard, an internet desk, and cataloguing the collection. The collection also includes books donated by Pastor Dan and other church members. Contributions of other books, books on tape, CD's and other resources are encouraged! Here’s a sample of the subjects in the collection:
- Bible translations and biblical studies
- Christian theology and history
- Lutheran confession writings
- psychology and self-help
- spirituality, meditation and prayer
- hymn books and liturgical studies
- 12-Step recovery
- healthy living and healing
- HIV/AIDS and the ministry of the church
- cookbooks
- LGBT stories, history and education
- current events and general interest
- fiction, humor and travel
In February, Paulette Hunnewell, executrix of the estate of member Larry Long who died last October, offered his theological library to Hollywood Lutheran Church as a memorial gift. The offer was enthusiastically accepted by the Church Council, which authorized the establishment of the Lawrence E. Long Memorial Library, utilizing Classroom 2 (upper floor).
During March, our Sexton, Abilio Salguero refurbished the mahogany bookcases that used to be in the corner of Durkee Hall, and matched them up with an old dish cabinet which held utilitarian plates and cups for more than 50 years!
Old shelves and a dish cupboard were reconstructed in March to form two walls of cabinets to hold books, CD's, videos and other resources.
Coming Again: E-News
Thanks to the impetus of Rick Eisenlord, our eMail news communication is coming to you twice a month! Three years ago, Raoul Tapia started this project, but Pastor Dan was unable to maintain it, even though many people have said they are interested in received updates by e-mail rather than by U.S. Mail.
Rick is using the Constant Contactsystem to format and dispatch frequent mini-newsletters. If you would like to receive it, please make sure the Church Office has your e-mail address. You can always "opt out" at any time, if you don't wish to receive the newsletter.
Actor Training For Serious Work
Returning to HLC is the Los Angeles company of Effective Arts, a Seattle based organization that uses improvisational theatre techniques to bring positive change into the corporate workplace. In February (and probably monthly thereafter) Effective Arts is offering training for medical professionals who must work with grieving families to help make the decision to donate their loved one’s organs to save others’ lives. We support this work as an extension of our historic concern for health and wellness.
Hollywood Call Back Launches Quarterly Gatherings The long-awaited kick-off of an important Industry social gathering happened on Sunday, March 9 in Durkee Hall.The event brought together wannabees and workers, actors, writers, musicians and technicians in the Hollywood industry, around hors d'oeuvres and libations. Catch the details here. |
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In the Community: Brief News Notes
Pastor Dan has invited all clergy and congregational leaders in the Los Feliz area to a meeting here on August 19 to discuss our common problems and challenges. The meeting is part of his role with the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council as liaison to the religious community. He was appointed in February to serve a two-year term as part of this 19-member board that represents residents in the area between Western and Hyperion, from Griffith Park down to Hollywood/Sunset and Myra/Fountain. More information about the Neighborhood Council can be found on its web site, www.ggpnc.org.
The "mother church" of a world-wide Christian denomination has moved into our neighborhood. The Metropolitan Community Church of Los Angeles sold their property in West Hollywood and now relocated to the former Los Feliz United Methodist Church at the corner of Franklin and Kenmore. The congregation, which numbers about 300, expects to spend about $1 million on renovation of the 1920's Spanish style building to add a balcony, demolish an old residence and garage and create a parking lot. They began holding services at the new church May 4. Read more about the MCC at www.mccla.org.
Last spring, the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) awarded an $850,000 contract for streetscape and landscaping improvements along Hollywood Blvd. to the south of the church. Work on the Prospect Triangle is almost complete--a complete redesign of the mini-park surrounded by Hollywood, Prospect and Vermont. The effort is to make the area more pedestrian friendly and to improve the quality of Los Feliz Village, from Prospect up to Franklin.
Talk about recycling! The broken sidewalk pieces removed in April have been laid up as handsome, rough-cut retaining walls and benches! At right, Los Angeles Councilmember Tom LaBonge was speech-making for television cameras on the job site at the official "ground-breaking" May 9. |  |
Youth Center Residents Receive Christmas Gifts
For the fourth year, members and friends of Hollywood Lutheran Church included the residents of the Jeff Griffith Youth Center on their Christmas gift list last December.
The Youth Center’s residential program houses and helps 24 young people to get a new start on life with food, clothing shelter, counseling, and job application and placement assistance. The residents, who include run-aways and throw-aways from society, are required to save 80% of their job earnings to help them get on their financial feet.
In 2004, after meeting many of these young people at an interfaith Thanksgiving service and dinner, Pastor Dan put out the call to our congregation to provide each young person with a $25.00 gift card for Christmas. On the advice of the Center’s residential counselor, we chose Target gift cards because of the wide variety of inexpensive clothing, personal, and household items available.
These gifts were a "stretch" for a small congregation (with a budget deficit!) to come up with an additional $600 at Christmas for these young people—many of whom are estranged from all churches because of negative experiences in the past. Each year, members and friends of the congregation ask, “Are we going to give gifts to the Youth Center again this year?” And so in 2007, we did again.
The gift cards were presented in person by Pastor Dan and Carl Hunter on Christmas Eve. Thank you and bless all of you for your generosity.
World AIDS Day Observance a Success
The AIDS Memorial Quilt panels on display last fall drew over 300 visitors between November 28 and December 5, from high school students to senior citizens. This was the second time Hollywood Lutheran Church has brought panels of this national treasure to display and memorialize those who have died, and the first time we were able to secure the panels with the names of those known to people in our community.
The AIDS Quilt panels being installed for display
Planning is well underway for a larger celebration on November 30, 2008, "When the world forgets, Hollywood remembers." For more information about World AIDS Hollywood, please see our website, www.worldAIDSHollywood.org.
As part of our tithe of the Arlene Reed bequest (December 2006), the congregation voted to make a gift to Los Feliz Elementary School across the street from the church. (We've been neighbors for more than 80 years). In early December, then-President Marie Sorensen and Pastor Dan Hooper presented a check to Principal Katharine Pilkinton, which will be used to beef up the schools Library with new books. At right, School Principal Katharine Pilkinton and HLC President Marie SorensenCongregation Supports Los Feliz School Library 
Handicap Accessible Facilities Dedicated
Thanks to a generous bequest from the estate of Ruth Jensen received in 2006, Hollywood Lutheran Church is at last fully and completely handicap accessible. New facilities were dedicated with prayers and a ribbon-cutting on September 23, 2007.
A year earlier, voting members decided to move ahead with the construction of a new bathroom downstairs and an elevator connecting the Narthex and Sanctuary to Durkee Hall. This work was largely completed by September, and prayers of thanks and praise were offered to God for this wonderful moment. The elevator passed its final inspection in April 2008.
In addition to the financial gift, we are extremely grateful to architect Russell Johnson (photo above) who donated his professional expertise, as well as the time and patience necessary to help us get the appropriate building permits for these improvements.