Coming in 2009

The new year will probably be a busy one, as both programs and changes in our campus are in the works to continue bringing new vitality to our ministry in Hollywood.

Note:  Congregational Meeting (Annual Meeting Part 2) is scheduled for Sunday, March 1 at 12:00 p.m.

Program

Your Church Council met in retreat in mid-February and put some plans in motion.  Look for many of these ideas to continue developing this year:

Artistic Community -- we are being encouaged by people in the community to explore relationships with artists and musicians in the community, and especially with the Barnsdall Art Park across Hollywood Blvd. There are opportunities beginning to open for us to become a center for visual and performing arts and music.  Pastor Dan Hooper, Pastor Don Koepke, Deacon Roberta Morris and Fr. Adrian Ravarour are working on this.

Ecumenical Witness Events -- We will continue to work with other Christian churches and organizations in the community so that the people around us understand that Christians are not divided but united in our commitment to serve God's children.

Greater Griffith Park neighborhood presence -- through our Community Garden, Food Pantry, and support for neighborhood organizations, we hope to serve the needs of people in our own community.  We continue to address the issues of homelessness and housing, hunger and poverty, addictions and recovery, loneliness and despair.  your input is valuable!  Please tell us what community issues hold interest for you, and where you can help focus the whole congregation's work.

Hollywood Call Back -- community service and outreach to Hollywood industry professionals and "wannabees" -- quarterly gatherings for networking.

World AIDS Day -- after a successful event last December, we feel confident that we are making an ongoing commitment to those living with HIV and AIDS through awareness, education and remembrance.  Watch for details on the November 29, 2009 event!

Premises and Campus

Courtyard Plan -- Architect Russell Johnson has developed a master plan for the rear courtyard which unites our main buildings with the old Child Development Center (CDC) building.  We received a lovely three-tier fountain from Russell's wife Maryann Fraser, and hope to remove some of the paving and plant a number of small trees in the space in order to soften it.  A memorial Columbarium is being explored, in which to permanently bury the ashes of the dead of be the anchor of a meditation garden.

The latest draft plan for the Courtyard would include four new trees, installing the fountain, renewed paving for groups and performances, a new stoop or landing from the back of the main building (with steps down in two directions and a ramp from the parking Lot), and French doors to the Library. 

We are deeply grateful to Mr. Johnson for his pro bono (public benefit) work at no cost to us.  He also provided architectural design services for the Elevator and downstairs handicap-accessible bathroom in 2006.time. Book cases removed last year from the southeast corner of Durkee Hall have been moved to an upstairs classroom and are being re-built to hold more than 400 books, as well as sacred music CD's and some art work. It is hoped that the offer of the Library will prompt the Council to allocate resources to paint and carpet the room, and improve its doorway access both from the inside corridor and the Courtyard.

Long Library-- HLC has received an extaordinary gift from the Estate of Larry Long, who died in October 2007.  Larry's theological library is being donated to the congregation to re-establish something missing from our program and premises for a long time.

Pipe Organ and Chamber -- for the first time in several generations, HLC now has an extraordinary opportunity to repair, upgrade and expand its 1920s-era theatre organ to become a decent musical instrument.  Your first clue that something is going on was the construction of an organ chamber, visible from the rear Courtyard above the Sacristy.  As soon as the congregation approves the final financial plan, we can move forward with actual installation.  Follow the progress at www.neworgan.hollywoodlutheran.org.