Visiting Hollywood UMC

One of the incredible things about my sabbatical was the chance to visit other progressive churches. The Personnel Commission told me that a couple times a year, on Sundays I don't preach, I should continue to visit progressive churches. Today, Janet was preaching so Bryan and I headed to Hollywood United Methodist Church. I picked this church because of their decision to put up a banner in front of their church in support of marriage equality. Their first sign was vandalized with knife slashes. They simply put up a new sign. On the new sign someone cut out the word equality. On their website they put this message: Dear Vandals: You can cut the word equality out of our banner but you can't cut the message out of our church. We will always support marriage equality.

Hollywood UMC is located at the corner of Franklin Ave. and Highland Ave. Talk about an excellent location. On their website were directions to their parking lot. They had attendants to help with parking. Two young adult ushers met us on the front steps on the church and gave us bulletins. Another young adult usher opened the door into the sanctuary. The ushers wore name badges around their necks that looked like backstage passes. Bryan and I noticed that we were among the oldest persons in worship. Most of the people in the congregation looked to be in their thirties.

In the bulletin we learned that the church is active in feeding the homeless and AIDS ministries. Next week they are having a Oscar party and they will watch the Academy Awards together live. The bulletin announcements included a section about members of the congregation who had been successful in the entertainment industry. When we left worship the person in front of us told the pastor that he looked like Paul Giamatti.

The senior pastor was gone for the weekend celebrating her anniversary. The associate pastor preached with the aid of approximately five slides projected on the wall. His sermon title was a tweet and he used illustrations from Saturday Night Live and Facebook. His sermon included lyrics from a Black-Eyed Peas song. While the illustrations were young adult friendly the music was very traditional and a bit seventies. The pipe organ was often played so loud it was hard to make out the melody.

When worship was over Bryan and I were standing admiring the sanctuary and a young adult usher came over and asked us to leave quickly and quietly because some people were going to take communion. All the hospitality that had been extended to us up to that point seemed wiped out in that moment. He didn't invite us to stay for communion or to proceed out to their courtyard for fellowship. He asked us to get out quickly.

It truly helps me to visit other churches. I get to experience what it is like to be a visitor. I get to see worship with fresh eyes. I get ideas about speaking to a younger generation. I am often surprised by what I learn. Once again I learned about the importance of an attractive, up-to-date website.

After church we used yelp.com to find a good vegan restaurant. It was good and cheap. But since we paid $8 to park we decided to make use of our money. We went on another City Walk. We passed the Scientology headquarters and the Hollywood Wax museum as we read all stars on the sidewalk. The Oscars are next Sunday and already preparations are being made. The bleachers have arrived and are set up along Hollywood Blvd. We strolled along the "Awards Walk" of the Kodak Theatre. We read all the backlit panels of the past Best Picture winners.

We walked down to Grauman's Chinese Theater in search of the foot and hand prints of Kobe Bryant. We finally decided that his square hasn't yet been placed. But I did learn that Bryan and Matt Damon have the exact same shoe size. I knew they had a lot in common.