Praise God and please pass the butter
The recent return to downtown living isn't just lofts and lattes, there's a generous serving of God in the mix. Residents are flocking to new houses of worship and -- in the case of New City Church -- a restaurant, to fulfill their spiritual needs. Times writer K. Connie Kang reports:
The parishioners, who gathered for a recent service improvised in an Italian restaurant near Walt Disney Concert Hall, included some local loft dwellers.
About two dozen adults -- some with squirming toddlers in tow -- spent half an hour visiting with one another over yogurt and fresh fruit before the Sunday morning worship. They were white and black, Asian and Latino, well-to-do and down and out.
"If I am not living with God being first in my life, I am going to end up pushing a cart," said Jason Johnson, a Union Rescue Mission resident who is enrolled in a program to get back on his feet. He is fortunate, he said, to have a welcoming church within walking distance.
Longtime downtown residents are grateful, and newcomers are surprised to find the growing and vibrant spiritual scene. Kang has the full story here.
-- Veronique de Turenne
Photo: Carlos Chaves / Los Angeles Times
Hi!
My name is Kevin Haah. I am the lead pastor of New City Church of Los Angeles.
We want to welcome anyone to come and join us for Easter. We are a church anyone can come as he or she is.
Please check out our website for more information about our church:
http://www.newcitychurchla.com
We are starting a series on Easter Sunday, 3/23, entitled, "Is There More to Life Than This?" I hope you can jon us.
Posted by: Kevin Haah | March 15, 2008 at 02:41 PM