| Hollywood Lutheran Church NEWS!! NEWS!! | Catch the Hollywood Lutheran e-Spotlight! Also see: Sister Corita comes to Hollywood (June 4) |
First Annual North New Hampshire Avenue Neighborhood Block Party!
This Sunday, August 15, 2010, we host an old-fashioned Block Party for the people living in the 273 homes and apartments in our block. Come join the fun 1-6 pm!
Prison Outreach is Growing Rapidly
A simple effort to show kindness and compassion to one individual is quickly mushrooming to be a serious outreach program of Hollywood Lutheran Church.
As a result of one of our own young men, who was on parole, being sent back to state prison, the Prison & Parolee Committee (still searching for a permanent name) is now working with 14 inmates and parolees to help sustain them emotionally and spiritually during difficult periods in their lives.
Hollywood Call Back to Host Industry Mixer Septmeber 26
After a delay for lack of funds, the next Hollywood Call Back mixer is set for 5:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, September 26 in Durkee Hall. Save the date!
For Hollywood professionals and hopefuls—people working in or trying to work in film, media and entertainment—the event will also host several speakers. Enci and Sephen Box will present their current project and interest in green filmmaking. Their brief presentation will also feature a 10-minute DVD sample of a forthcoming documentary.
There will be food and libations, and plenty of time to meet others who may have an interest in your screen play, career, gig, or location.
Hollywood Call Back is the brainchild of Dan Hooper and an energetic committee of people who are writing, editing, acting and filming in the neighborhood. Molre details will be posted at the main website, http://www.hollywoodcallback.org/. If you are not currently on the mailing list, send an RSVP e-mail to dan@hollywoodcallback.org and indicate how many people are planning to come!
Look for the Call Back banner (below). Free parking on the north end of the building.
Taizé Contemplation Continues in Summer season The music of Taizé is contemplative and simple, and does not require expertise to participate. If you play an instrument, bring it along! We will likely use keyboard, flute, guitar and recorder. For more information, see: Taize in Hollywood. | Also see: Pipe Schemes! News about our Pipe Organ Project
During Taize services in Lent the Chancel apse is filled with candlelight. |
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(Pictured above is the proposed Gemshorn stop to be mounted on either side of the Nishan Toor carving of the Christ of Peace) | Historic Pipe Organ to be Refurbished and Enlarged After a delay of nearly two years, Hollywood Church will be moving forward with the complete reconstruction and enhancement of its 1920s-era pipe organ. The congregation's governing Council voted April 13 to give the green light to the Organ Committee to work with local organ builder Weston Harris in finalizing details. It is believed the original Wurlitzer organ came from the Warner Brothers Hollywood theatre in the 1930s. A mere 7-rank instrument, it has been in failing health for more than a decade because of "deferred maintenance." See complete story on the "Pipe Schemes" page. |
| View of Hollywood Sign to be Protected LOS ANGELES, Feb. 8, 2010 - The view of the world-famous Hollywood Sign will be protected by purchasing Cahuenga Peak, the 138 acres behind and to the left of the sign which could have been developed into luxury homes, The Trust for Public Land (TPL) announced today. "With the support of donors such as The Tiffany & Co. Foundation, TPL and its partners are in a campaign to raise a total of $12.5 million by April 14," said Sam Hodder, California State Director for TPL. After the purchase, which will cost $11.7 million, the land will be added to Griffith Park, the nation's 4th-most-visited park. Some of Hollywood's biggest stars have also agreed to lend their support to the campaign including Julia Louis-Dreyfus (New Adventures of Old Christine), Academy Award Nominated Actress Virginia Madsen, Tippi Hedren, John Slattery (Mad Men), Aisha Tyler (FOX's 24), Julian McMahon (FX's Nip/Tuck), James Kyson Lee (Heroes), Beau Garrett (Fantastic Four) and Katherine Morris (CBS's Cold Case). |
The famous Hollyood sign Ferbuary 8, 2010 Click here to watch the covering of the Hollywood Sign |
| Pastor Durkee Has Died HLC's former Pastor Harry Durkee passed away on Wednesday, December 2, in Burbank, California, after a very slow decine in health. He had retired from Hollywood Lutheran Church and from active minstry in 1991. A memorial service is being planned for Saturday, December 12 at All Saints Lutheran in Sunland. Durkee was a 1943 graduate of University of North Dakota. He left his journalism studies at UND in 1943 to join the U.S. Army, where he earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for valor while serving in France. The Abercrombie, N.D., native enrolled at Pacific Lutheran Seminary after the war. He served as pastor for Hollywood Lutheran Church from 1960 to 1991. During his long tenure there, he began a lunch program for the homeless. The East Hollywood Kiwanis named him “Clergyman of the Year” in 1987. He and his wife, Norma, raised three children." |  Norma and Harry Durkee Pastor Durkee was beloved by generations of members in this church and by the community around it. He will be remembered as a gracious, warm, caring and ever-present pastor who truly loved people. In recent years, Hollywood Lutheran Church had renamed its downstairs social hall "Durkee Hall" in honor of the enormous contributions of Harry and Norma Durkee to the life of the congregation and the community.
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HLC Co-Sponsors "Red Ribbon", Art Exhibit
Hollywood Lutheran Church is proud to co-sponsor the third annual Hollywood Remembers community event in obserrvance of World AIDS Day, with the premier of "Red Ribbon," a rock musical by Joe Lawrence, directed by Jerry Craig.
The premier performance is Sunday Novemver 29, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. here at Hollywood Lutheran. Admission is free. Donations will benefit Women Alive Los Angeles.
Corporate Sponsors include: Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council, Mission Road Pharmacy, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Lutherans Concerned/Los Angeles, and Pacific Western Media.
Paulette Hunnewell is President of the Board of Hollywood Remembers, Inc. Ted Goulet is coordinating all volunteers for the performance and the reception which follows.
In conjunction with "Red Ribbon," the Los Feliz Art Walk, and our annual display of panels from the National AIDS Memorial Quilt, an art exhibit is also being staged which will run from Novemer 29 through December 6 in the Courtyard Studio & Arts Gallery here.
The exhibit is sponsored by the Los Feliz Art Walk, Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council, East Hollywood Nerighborhood Council, Los Angeles Children's Hospital and the Art Institute of California - Hollywood.
A cal for artists in out for the month of November. Submit your work to ARTifice@gmail.com or call (213) 245-3473 for more information. The deadline for submission is November 25.
Three of the four 12x12 quilt panels on exhibit this December
ELCA Opens Doors, Ends Anti-LGBT Policies
See full story of the ELCA's historic churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis here.
Hollywood Remembers, Inc. is Tax-Exempt, Premiers a New Musical in November
In 2008, Hollywood Lutheran Church members created an independent service to the community with the incorporation of Hollywood Remembers, Inc. Read the whole story ...
Adult Inquirer’s Class Forming January 9
Pastor Dan will offer a four-week series of informal classes and discussion for those interested in the Christian faith, the Lutheran tradition and the mission and ministry of this congregation. The first “get acquainted” session will be Saturday, January 9 (2010) at 9:30 a.m. We can decide that day whether to continue meeting on Saturdays through May 30, or to meet another time in the week.
As a guide for our discussions, the classes will use a 30-page booklet Baptized We Live by Pastor Daniel Erlander. It is hoped, but not required, that those who go through this brief course will make the decision to unite with Hollywood Lutheran Church as full participating members.
We hope to welcome new members into our community on January 31, 2010.
Second Annual Blessing of the Animals, October 4
It was a blast! with dogs, ats, kids, families, face painting, and even a "snake cake"!! Catch the story here.
Congregation Still Opposes Proposition 8!
NOTE: Hollywod Lutheran's commitment to stopping Proposition 8 extends to post-election efforts to have this bad legislation invalidated or overturned. Read the whole story ...Los Feliz Art Walk Kicks Off
The revival of the Los Feliz Art Walk started in September 2008, in a new program being created by our joint venture for Spirituality and the Arts. We are thrilled to see the results of bringing together community people, emerging artists, and neighborhood galleries, studios and public arts spaces.
The newly-restored Courtyard is the hub of activity from 6:00 to 9:00 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 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 held 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 is scheduled for September 5, and perhaps a wedding recpetion or two are in the works! The grass should be well-rooted before the Silverlake Children’s Theatre rehearsals in mid-September.
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. The oldest book in the collection is the Illuminated Holy Bible, published by Harper & Brothers in 1846!
Contributions of other books, books on tape, CD's and other resources are encouraged!
Here’s a sample of the subjects in the collection:
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 Don Koeple, our e-mail news communication is coming to you twice a month! Four 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.
Don is using the Constant Contact system 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.
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.
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.
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Congregation Supports Los Feliz School Library 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 Sorensen
