We believe that everyone in Hollywood should have access to healthy affordable food. On June 26 your invited to a scavenger-like healthy food hunt! There will be prizes and every team will be armed with a camera to capture their adventure for the day. Please RSVP by emailing Nathan at: nathan@hollywoodsda.org or Kori at: harvestjustice@gmail.com. See you there!

This weekend the Hollywood Adventist Church with New Name Pictures and Traveling Muse released a response to Glenn Beck’s comments on Fox News. Beck had been urging Christians to “look for the words ’social justice’ or ‘economic justice’ on your church Web site. If you find it, run as fast as you can.”

The Hollywood Adventist Church firmly holds to the Bible, in this case Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

In light of this mission, led by God’s Holy Spirit, to be the presence of Christ in our neighborhood, we are proud to say that we are social justice Christians alongside many of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Watch the public service announcement below, on the PSA’s website, or at YouTube (where you can share the PSA and leave your own video response). Several notable Christian ministers and theologians, such as Brian McLaren, have responded to this campaign. You can view their responses and find resources for more about social justice at www.socialjusticechristian.com.

The Hollywood Adventist Church stands with enditnow and women worldwide to say “No!” to violence against women. You can join us in this stand by signing at petition online or at our Sabbath morning worships.

enditnow is a global campaign to raise awareness and advocate for the end of violence against women and girls around the world.

This campaign, which extends to more than 200 countries and territories, was launched in October 2009 in partnership between the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA)—a prominent humanitarian organization—and the Department of Women’s Ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, two entities that are representative of the Adventist Church.

enditnow is the most important stand the Seventh-day Adventist Church has ever taken regarding violence against women and girls. Through this campaign, more than 15 million Adventist church members—men, women, and children— are expected to create a global movement that will be mobilized within their own communities, where each person will actively work to create awareness and share solutions on ways to end this global problem.

Seventh-day Adventists affirm the dignity and worth of each human being and decry all forms of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. is a call to action for all Adventists and supporters to stand up and put into practice those principles we hold true.

enditnow supports the existing programs currently being implemented around the world through ADRA and the Department of Women’s Ministries to end violence against women. These programs provide tangible examples of the work that is already being done to resolve this issue.

Although enditnow seeks to primarily mobilize Adventist church members, all individuals, church congregations of every faith, social groups, schools, and businesses are invited to join. Information about joining is available at www.enditnow.org.

Recently we have partnered with Imagine LA whose vision is to mobilize the faith community to help make Los Angeles a city where no child sleeps on the street. In Los Angeles there are roughly 8,000 homeless families and 8,000 faith communities. What if each church, synagogue, and mosque decided to partner with one of these families and walk with them towards their goals and dreams? It could radically change the face of our city and end homelessness for 18,000 children. We think this is something God is up to in our city and so in the coming months will be connecting with a family and preparing with some training to do our part.

Want to get involved? There are several roles with different levels of time commitment from meeting with the family once a week to being available for giving a ride once in while to helping with specific needs like a budget, computer skills, or baby sitting. Please pray and consider what you feel led to do and the time you have to commit. Send an email to Nathan at buckeyenathan@gmail.com or pull him aside at church if you are interested. Together we can be a part of a new movement and one family’s return to the fullness of life that God wants for every person.

This is a great opportunity for us to make a difference on this issue through being a part of LA Voice. Zach, has asked that we get there, this Tuesday 8/11/09, at 9:45 so the action will be ready to go at 10 a.m. This will be a media event so the more of us that are there the greater the impact will be. Please write if you have any questions and spread the word!

Reposted from LA Voice/PICO.

On Tuesday, August 11 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, LA Voice clergy along with faith leaders across the state and in cities across the country, are exercising their faith and hosting prayer rallies for the passage of national health care reform, expected to reach 100 Members of congress.

Will you stand with us as we ask Congressman Xavier Becerra to support the needs of thousands of families across the nation?

Amidst the noise of the national debate, it can be difficult to remember that this is about our health, and the health of families that are suffering from an inefficient system. Our elected officials are charged with listening to, and looking out for, the millions of everyday Americans who need the security of knowing that they and their families can afford to get the quality health care they need, when they need it.

We need your voices - those of everyday Americans to break through the noise.

With the future of health care reform legislation on the line during the August Congressional recess, we need to send a clear message to our Members of Congress. We need to tell them that the majority of Americans want to see Congress pass legislation this fall that makes quality health care affordable for all.

Join us this Tuesday, August 11th at 10 am at Blessed Sacrament Church.

For more information, contact LA Voice offices at (213) 384-7404.

WHO: LA Voice Clergy and families with Congressman Xavier Becerra
WHAT: LA Voice faith leaders ask congress to support health care reform
WHEN: 10 AM, Tuesday, August 11th
WHERE: Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 6657 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

On August 11 – 18 free medical services are being offered at the LA Forum. To be eligible you must uninsured, unemployed, or under insured. Services are provided by volunteer doctors, nurses, dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians, and other trained health professionals from the State of California.

Here are some of the services that are being offered:

DENTAL: Cleanings, fillings, extractions, and root canals. Everyone receives a free dental exam. Pediatric dentistry is available.

VISION: Vision exam and free prescription glasses made on site. (NOTE: May not be able to make glasses for everyone.) Cataract surgery.

MEDICAL & WOMEN’S HEALTH: mammograms and pap smears; pediatric exams; adult physicals & medical consults (including diabetes and hypertension); chiropractors; acupuncture; blood lab work; chest X-rays; medication assistance; and many other medical specialties available.

I have not heard yet what the hours of operation are going to be, but it will be first come first serve so they are anticipating long lines. (might be a good thing to do with a friend) They have suggested bringing a chair and snacks to hold you over while you wait.

The address is:
3900 W Manchester Blvd
Inglewood, CA 90305-2200

Again these services are totally free, and a great opportunity if you’ve been putting off a dental cleaning, eye exam, or regular checkup because of the cost. Look in the bulletin for updates.

Once a week we meet to walk together through the different neighborhoods of Hollywood. We hope by sharing our dreams, concerns, and ideas about our community we will make it a better place to live. This is part of our church’s One Mile Mission.

You can get the latest updates, see photos from previous walks, and read reflections on the Hollywood Community Walks blog.

Community walks are currently on Wednesday afternoons at 6 p.m. Check the blog for starting locations.

Link: http://hollywoodcommunitywalks.blogspot.com/

Project Y!MBY (Yes! In My Backyard) is an effort mobilizing neighborhoods to provide immediate housing and services for the homeless population of Hollywood and West Hollywood. On Thursday June 25 Project Y!MBY will be having its Fourth Annual Connect Cay. Like a social service “expo”, YIMBY Connect Day will gather over 60 local public and private service providers and over 300 volunteers for one day of intensive outreach and engagement services. People who are homeless will find everything from haircuts and foot care to medical examinations, counseling and housing services from across the greater Hollywood area. This is a day that not just serves those who need it, but also raises awareness of homelessness in Hollywood and gives us an opportunity to get to know our neighbors. Here are some things we have committed to doing this year:

1. We are providing a table and space for people attending to participate in the arts. This will include painting, karaoke, a drum circle, and anything else we can think of. If you have an idea for something else like this that would be fun let us know!
2. There are many miscellaneous things that need to be done, but mostly just being there as a person to help guide people to the services they need, valet their things if they need to, and be a friend. Last year the organziers were shocked at the amount of people who showed up for services and expect even more this year.
3. Some of you might have read in Ryan’s blog recently about Gett Love who serves breakfast down the street from us Monday–Friday. (we go every Wednesday at 8:45 if you want to come!) They are looking for help with the food service they will be providing that day.
4. Making new friends! These kinds of events bring out people who, like us, care about the community and those most marginalized in our society. It will be a great opportunity to connect and network with those who share our heart for this in our neighborhood.

Sign up with the volunteer form in the lobby. You can sign up for 2 hour blocks starting from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. We are encouraging you to take a day off work and join us for this. It’s worth it.

The Hollywood Adventist Team will be participating in the 2009 Arthritis Walk on June 7 in Santa Monica. We need just 3 more of you to meet our goal of 20 team members. We have raised $1865 and only need $635 more to reach our fundraising goal of $2500.

Meet Laurie Miller, our team honoree, here.

You can sign-up to walk and/or donate online at our team’s website or offline.

1. Walk With Us.
Online: Register by clicking on Join My Team.
Offline: Complete the form on the brochure in the lobby and give it to Kirsten Salvador.

2. Donate Through One of Our Team Members
Online: Click on someone’s name and follow the directions.
Offline: Give a team member a check (made out to Arthritis Foundation) or cash for as little as $5 on any Sabbath before June 7.

Team Members: Bill and Kirsten Salvador (and family), Christina Attiken, Ryan Bell, Nathan French, Sylvestre Keme, Kathy Khoo, Cecilia Luck, Ninette Marquez, Laurie Miller, Mireya Pena, Marcia Salazar, Eddie Velasquez, and Karen Yates.

Questions? See Kirsten Salvador after church this Sabbath in the lobby, email her (ksalvador67 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com, or find her on Facebook.

If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you can fill it out online:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cFNLVFgtbkhNRzRacWllcWtESl9US3c6MA..
Big Sunday is now the largest volunteer event of its kind in the country connecting over 400 organizations with over 50,000 volunteers, and it’s happening right here in Hollywood.

We have two teams committed to going out and helping with these projects:

1. Beautify Another Home for Runaway Teens.

Have a day of spring cleaning at Beachwood House, a long-term LA Youth Network home. (An an annual Big Sunday favorite.) Paint. Repair. Clean up. Fix up. Spruce up. They need a few rooms and a hallway painted. And, if there’s someone out there with carpentry skills, they have some back stairs that could really use your help. Also needed: A large t.v. for the living room and 4 new or gently-used dressers for the bedrooms.

Sunday, May 3rd
Start Time: 09:00 AM
End Time: 01:00 PM

Beachwood House
2471 N. Beachwood Dr.
Los Angeles, 90068 [map]

2. Wash Cars With the Kids From Covenant House

Our friends, the great kids from Covenant House, never just want to get help. They want to give help, too. Join them as they hold their annual, memorable car wash to help a destitute orphanage in Tijuana. (The orphanage is on a site called “The Dump.”) Last year the Covenant House kids raised enough money to help the orphanage get electricity! Sign up here to volunteer. If you need your cash washed, please stop by. They’re at the Corner of Western and Fountain in L.A.!

Sunday, May 3rd
Start Time: 09:00 AM
End Time: 01:00 PM

Covenant House California
1325 N. Western Ave (Fernwood Parking lot)
Hollywood, 90027 [map]

If you can make it, please fill out this formand Cecilia, Leslie, or Nathan will contact you to let you know where and when your team will be meeting up the day of the project. Hope you can make it!