Episcopalians to Ordain Bishop’s Successor
In a colorful version of an ancient rite, Southland Episcopalians will ordain the Rev. J. Jon Bruno as bishop coadjutor--and eventual successor to Diocesan Bishop Frederick Borsch--next Saturday at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The 11 a.m. ordination will feature bishops from across the United States and Central America, readings in seven languages and a choir drawn from the diocese, which encompasses 85,000 Episcopalians in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Ventura and Riverside counties. The post-ordination reception will feature performances ranging from Chinese dragon dancers to youth mariachis.
Bruno, a Los Angeles native who has spent most of his 22-year priesthood in the Echo Park area of Los Angeles, was elected to the post last November. His ministry has focused on youth, immigrants, affordable housing, fair wages and urban schools. Early arrival is advised. (213) 482-2040, Ext. 220.
HOLY WEEK SERVICES
First Congregational Church of Los Angeles today will hold a Service of the Holy Flame, depicting in readings and anthems Christ’s passage from death to life. The service begins at 11 p.m. at the church, 540 South Commonwealth Ave. in Los Angeles. Easter morning worship is at 9 and 11 a.m. (213) 385-1341.
* Holy Spirit Retreat Center, 4316 Lanai Road in Encino, will hold an Easter vigil today beginning at 8 a.m., featuring daylong readings and an evening Service of Light and Blessing of Fire. (818) 784-4515.
* Five multiethnic, interdenominational churches will hold an Easter sunrise service Sunday at 5:45 a.m. at the Green on the Hill, 27th and Walnut streets in Signal Hill. “In His Name,” a gospel recording group featuring vocalist Paul Duke, will perform along with three choirs. St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Holy Way Church of God in Christ, Calvary Fellowship, Long Beach Christian Fellowship and North Long Beach Prayer Center Church of God in Christ are sponsors. (562) 495-5959.
* The United Methodist Church of Garden Grove will hold its sunrise service Sunday at 6:30 a.m. at the Grove Theater Festival Amphitheater, 12762 Main St. in Garden Grove. (714) 534-1070.
* The Prince of Peace Lutheran Church will hold a sunrise “Lighting of the Tomb” service Sunday at 6:30 a.m., followed by a continental breakfast, worship service at 9 a.m. and a children’s Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. The church is at 9440 Balboa Blvd. in Northridge. (818) 886-1324.
* Mariners Church, 5001 Newport Coast Drive in Irvine, will celebrate Easter with five services: today at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8, 9:45 and 11:30 a.m. Services will feature a 150-member choir and 20-piece orchestra. (949) 854-7030.
* The 91st annual Mt. Rubidoux Easter sunrise service in Riverside will begin Sunday at 6 a.m. with prelude music followed by a 6:30 a.m. service. The walk to the summit takes 30 to 45 minutes. Bring blankets or chairs. Sponsored by Good News Radio, 89.7 FM. (909) 376-9226.
* The choir of St. Stephen Presbyterian Church will present John Rutter’s “Gloria” with a brass ensemble Easter morning at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. The church is at 20121 Devonshire St. (818) 360-7460.
* Dignity Los Angeles, a community of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Catholics, will celebrate Easter Vigil Mass today at 8 p.m. at the Dignity Center, 126 South Avenue 64, in Highland Park. (323) 344-8064.
* St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 6128 Yucca St. in Hollywood, will celebrate Easter Sunday with a 9:30 a.m. potluck feast and an 11:30 a.m. bilingual Spanish and English worship service, followed by an Easter egg hunt and face-painting for children. (323) 469-3993.
* Brookins Community A.M.E. Church, 4831 South Gramercy Place in Los Angeles, will hold Easter Sunday services at 6, 8 and 11 a.m. (323) 296-5610.
* The Chancel Choir will perform Rutter’s “Gloria” Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Kirk o’ the Valley Presbyterian Church, 19620 Vanowen St., Reseda. (818) 345-2535.
* For the first time since 1995, the Easter sunrise service returns Sunday to the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., beginning at 5:30 a.m. (213) 896-1700.
EVENTS
Deborah Lipstadt will speak on her recent victory in Britain’s High Court against Holocaust denier David Irving at 7 p.m. April 30 at Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd. in Los Angeles. The court, calling Irving anti-Semitic and racist, rejected his claim that he had been libeled in a book in which Lipstadt said he had falsified history. A candle lighting and Holocaust memorial service by Rabbi Joel Rembaum and Hazzan Jeremy Lipton will precede the lecture by Lipstadt, a professor of modern Jewish and Holocaust studies at Emory University in Atlanta. (310) 652-7353, Ext. 213.
* The Sunstone Symposium West 2000 will sponsor a “free and frank” exploration of the Mormon experience Friday and next Saturday at the Los Angeles Hilton, 5711 W. Century Blvd. Topics include birth control, gays, architecture, leadership and women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (801) 355-5926.
* The Agape International Center of Truth will host a conference on the “Revelation of the Spirit” Thursday and Friday at the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel. Featured speakers include Michael Beckwith, Therman Evans, Shakti Gawain, Andrew Harvey, Judith Orloff and Ishmael Tetteh. Conference package is $399. (310) 348-1250.
* Catholic Crusade 2000 will be held Friday, next Saturday and April 30 at the Radisson Hotel Convention Center, 295 North E St., San Bernardino. The event will feature a Healing Mass and worship services, and a concert with singer Renee Bondi. The event is sponsored by the Charismatic Renewal Center Prayer Communities of San Bernardino Diocese. (909) 689-5250.
Notices may be mailed for consideration to Southern California File, c/o Religion Editor, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or faxed to Southern California File at (213) 237-2358, or e-mailed to religion@latimes.com. Items should arrive two to three weeks before the event and must include pertinent details about the people and organizations, with address, phone number, date and time. Because of the volume of submissions, we cannot guarantee publication.
