April, 3 2008 by Lennox.

My name is Cecilia Luck. I came to LA, saw, but did not conquer. 

I moved here to fulfill a dream. Yet almost everything that could have gone wrong, did go wrong.

At the same time God’s dream for me was confirmed. One positive blessing I’ve gotten from my time in LA is this church. I have new friends and brothers and sisters in Christ now.

This church has been a spiritual breath of fresh air and I’m going to miss it. The way everyone greeted and accepted me was amazing.

Hollywood SDA church will now and forever be my church home. Hopefully in the not so distant future I will be back in Egypt living God’s purpose as a missionary. I’ll keep in touch and please do the same with me.  

I love you all.   

Cecilia  

Posted in Fellowship, Church | No Comments »

March, 26 2008 by Lennox.

Wednesday morning, March 4. We had to run to catch the train. Oddly exciting, running to catch a train. A quick walk from our downtown stop, we stood before the deserted 9am steps of Los Angeles City Hall.

Looking up at the impenetrable fortress from whence issue policies and city governance, my eyes lingered on the sign at the top of the stairs.

I was along for the ride, hanging out with my Pastor, to whom I sometimes refer as my friend Ryan. It’s good to be among friends. He said hello to Joe Hari, another friend, community organizer with LA Voice. We were here today to cooperate with Joe and his local division of PICO (People Improving Communities through Organizing)

I saw Ryan add his signature to a list of those who give voice to the request for immediate attention to the Los Angeles Housing Crisis. Nothing new there. He’s always signing off on important matters of Peace and Justice.

So far, I’d been on a train ride and exchanged greetings with friends. And, from the outside, from the bottom of a massive defensive line of concrete steps, I’d also seen the walls and doors of City Hall. I decided to take a look at the fountain. I’ve always liked water.

I also like fire. The next time I saw my friend Ryan, there was fire in his eyes and passion in his voice. There was conviction in the air. Over one hundred people had gathered on the steps. I had to look through the crowd to see him. The crowd cheered as Ryan urged the adoption of a Three-Point-Plan to address the crisis in which thousands of workers who support the economy of the city, are forced to live outside of it for lack of affordable housing within its boundaries.

As the moderator of the Housing LA Press Conference, Ryan introduced and shared the podium with many compelling speakers, several of whom followed his lead by acknowledging that the housing crisis is a moral issue, a call to action for people of faith.

We didn’t have to run to catch the train back. Nice and easy. Talking about music and family. About how great it is to live in Los Angeles. Talking about old neighborhoods and the last time either of us tried to solve a rubik’s cube. Me and my friend Ryan, taking the train home from City Hall.

Posted in Picture, Peace & Justice Committee, LA Voice, Church | 2 Comments »

February, 28 2008 by Lennox.

We’ll be hosting a Crossroads at HOLLYWOOD Community Input Workshop on Saturday, March 8 at 4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Crossroads at HOLLYWOOD is a community-based art mural. We were just awarded a $10,000 grant from the City of Los Angeles to implement this public art mural for the benefit of our community (read more). This workshop is designed to bring together community partners and neighbors to discuss the design with artist, ManOne. Following the workshop there will be dinner for anyone who wishes to stay, at 6:00 pm. At 7:00 pm Melinda Rice and friends will perform a concert called Triptych. All donations from this concert will benefit the mural. More about Crossroads at HOLLYWOOD art mural at the website, www.crossroadsathollywood.com. There you can download the press release and flyer for the workshop as well as the program for the Triptych Concert, by Melinda Rice.
 

Posted in Church | 1 Comment »

February, 15 2008 by Lennox.

OK, you guys. Next weekend, we’re planning a full day for the family here at Hollywood. First of all, we’re having communion at church and that’s one of my favorite times. After church, we’re taking a picnic to Malibu Creek State Park. After lunch, we’re going hiking. Bring your cameras and we’ll do some photo hunting. Do you guys know about the Flickr group where we post our photographs? Check it out http://www.flickr.com/groups/hollywoodsda. Then we’ll catch sunset at the beach. After sunset, we’re heading to a Greek restaurant that one of Maria’s friends owns for greek food and live music.It’s gonna be fun! You gotta come. You gotta come. Remember to bring layers and hats and such, since we’ll be out during the sunny part of the day as well as the chilly evening. ($8 per car admission to Malibu Creek State Park, approx $15 for the Greek restaurant experience)

Posted in Upcoming Events | No Comments »