Los Feliz Ledger [religion & spirituality]
A Visitor Stumbles in to The Vermont Gurdwara: By Roberta Morris Religion and Spirituality Columnist LOS FELIZ—At the corner of Findley and Vermont stands the lovely large white Gurdwara. I’m a neighbor and have wandered in myself, as one does in a place of worship, quiet and a bit shy. The hall is quiet and reverent. But when a friend, Bishop Robert Clement, wandered in on Thanksgiving Day this past year, he told the story of their enormous hospitality that deserves retelling. Clement had decided to tour the neighborhood and ventured up the stairs to the Gurdwara. “An older man in white
and a purple turban took me around. He showed me where to take off my sandals, gave me the cloth to cover my head. All he said to me was ‘I don’t speak English.’ It was remarkable, a wonderful experience,� said the 85-year-old Clement. What the Sikh host did speak was the universal language of care for the stranger. Another man—though a translator—Clement said, offered him something to eat. “I did the Anglo-Saxon thing and said ‘thank you’ but that I wasn’t really hungry,� Clement said. “But the young man insisted,� saying the food
was a “gift from God.� Clement then enjoyed a bowl of curry and beans, with bread and rice. A gurdwara is a Sikh house of worship. It is said to be the doorway into the guru’s house. The temple in Los Feliz is typical in many ways. It is where a Sikh pursues disciplined, personal meditation on the name of God. As you enter—to the left—is a room where you can take off your shoes and a head covering is provided. There is a sink where you can wash. A simple set of guidelines for how one is to behave in the
gurdwara is posted, and above the doorway the three principles of Sikhism are printed in three scripts. The English version: Meditate on God’s Name Earn an honest living Share and care It doesn’t get much more simple, nor much more profound, than that. The bishop nodded. “I truly felt enriched by this. So unexpected, a very gentle blessing. What a lovely Thanksgiving Day,� he said. 1966 N. Vermont Ave., (323) 665-7707.
Library Donor Wall Unveiled LOS FELIZ—The Los Feliz branch of the Los Angeles Public Library recently unveiled a donor wall, ten years in the making. The donations, in excess of $50,000, will go towards purchasing laptop computers, oversized books for the Children’s Early Learning Collection, audio books and the ever popular, best sellers.  The donors were: Dr. Fredric Alexander and Althea Alexander Marisa Antonini Foundation Roz and Peter Bonerz Marilyn Bush Luise Baur & Angela Stewart Denis Cagna & Carlos Medina Paul Cajero, Meg Huntington Cajero, Channa Cajero The Chew Family Florence & Wing Kim Dennis & Sharon Charlene Sue Kroll & Michael Desilets Palermo Restaurant Barbara Ferris & Arthur B. Rubinstein Thomas Ford & Hugh Farrington Keller Williams Realty Los Feliz Marcia Kraft Goin, MD Greek Theatre / Nederlander Concerts Don & Becky Hanson Yuca’s Restaurants Brigid & Tom Labonge Chris Laib & Lon Wahlstrom Los Feliz Improvement Association Donna Matson Jay McNamara Tom & Melinda Peters Dave, Jennie, Gabe & Lilly Robles Mark Stong & Raymond Coty Valerie Vanaman Genna & Greg Yaitanes
Happy New Year from
First Congregational Church of
Los Angeles
COMING IN JANUARY U Dr. R. Scott Colglazier’s January Sermon Series
“Three Thoughts for a NewYear�
Sunday, January, 17, 24, 31, 11:00am
UĂŠĂŠSpritual Life Retreat - Saturday, January 16, 10am-3pm
Sunday Worship Contemplative Service, 8:30 am, Wylie Chapel Classic Service, 9:30 am, Sanctuary Worship at 11, 11 am, Sanctuary
UĂŠĂŠMidday Organ Concerts - Thursdays, 12:10pm UĂŠĂŠFCCLA Book Talk - “Returningâ€? by Dan Wakefield Sunday January 31, 12:30pm
Special Events: Martin Luther King, Jr. Concert Sunday, January 17th – 6:30 p.m. Reception following concert
Mary Rice Hopkins Concert
Saturday, January 30th – 6:30 p.m.
Traditional Worship
Progressive Values
Sunday Morning Worship 11:00am
Tickets: $5 (advanced), $8 (door) Info: (323) 606-5245
Featuring Glorious Music on the World’s Largest Church Pipe Organ
1760 N. Gower St., Hollywood, CA 90028 (323) 463-7161 www.fpch.org
540 South Commonwealth Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90020 TEL s WWW &##,! ORG
January 2010
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Inspiring Community
Between Downtown and Hancock Park RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY Page 21