Getting There

On October 15 I visited All Saints Episcopal church in Beverly Hills. I had meant to attend the Beverly Hills Presbyterian church and, having arrived 30 minutes before the service began, was disappointed to learn that, despite the "Parking Information Here!" sign, there would be no special parking accommodations for this beautiful church on the corner of Rodeo Drive and Santa Monica Blvd, but that parishioners are instead sent to scavenge for street parking. Fortunately, on Sundays, lot parking is free. However, on that particular Sunday there was an Art in The Park event next door! After 25 minutes of driving on $3 a gallon I find a spot and enter the church at exactly 11:00. Curious about the incense, kneeling posts, and lack of urgency to get the service started, I glance quickly at the bulletin to learn that I did not enter the Presbyterian Church of Beverly Hills, but the All Saints Episcopal Church next door! I probably could have snuck out and in to the church I set out to attend, but believing this to be fate I sat tight, albeit tremendously self conscious about my lack of fluency in the language and customs of the Episcopal tradition.


The Review:

All Saints Parish
504 N Camden Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310-275-0123
Worship Service: 6 PM Saturday; 8 AM Sunday; 9 AM Sunday; 11:15 AM Sunday
http://www.allsaintsbh.org/index.php

The sanctuary is medium-sized, ornate and traditional with a beautifully-smithed metal screened in chapel type area to the right of the alter, where the choir sits waiting for the service to begin. Thankfully, the bulletin explains every step of the service including how to receive communion, when to stand and kneel, how to respond to calls, and the Episcopal/Catholic version of the Nicene creed. The bulletin also demonstrates the church's creative methods of fundraising. One member offers to rent her beachfront property and donate the proceeds to the church, and another realtor offers her commission if you sell your property through her. This is a very committed congregation. They arre involved in community outreach efforts, particularly those involving justice, offer child care, and education and fellowship opportunities. A quick glance around also tells me that this is a gay-friendly, and therefore likely progressive, congregation.

The service begins with a Call to Worship and introduction of who I believe was a new choral director. He walks the congregation through the new arrangement of Holy, Holy, Holy to make sure we have it. Then a wonderful choir leads the congregation through the first hymn. Through the service there were many beautiful selections. The service is traditional, but seems to be forward thinking. The sermon was about technology, judgment and balance as a Christian in the modern world, though it was thought provoking, it was not terribly inspirational. However, this must have been an off week for the congregation exuded an energy of confidence, joy, power and faith. If I did not think there were something completely wrong about grading or ranking churches as an utter lay person and believer that church is usually good, even if it is not for me, I would definitely give this one an A+.