Congregations come together at L.A.’s Union Church
Masaya Hibino, left, from Union Church in Los Angeles, and Roger Dermody, from
Unions interim pastor, the Rev. Masaya Hibino, prays with Sandy and Will Bredberg, Bel Air parishioners, at the end of the Sunday night service. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
From left, Will and Sandy Bredberg and Mae Matsumoto take part in Sunday’s Union Church service. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Len Tiso passes out Communion. Bel Air has encouraged members to attend services at the downtown site, a boon for Union Church that also helps to alleviate overcrowding at Bel Airs sprawling Mulholland Drive compound, which attracts 3,000 parishioners every Sunday. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
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The congregations mingle after Sunday’s service. Bel Air Presbyterian’s pastors say they plan to woo downtown L.A.’s thirtysomething crowd with childrens programs and low-cost child care at Union during the week and by inviting local residents to hear the church band play at an open-air plaza next door. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
From left, James Hamilton, Buddy Gibbons and Benson Russell play rock music during the service. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Union Church is undergoing changes with its new partnership. But we respect who they are, said Bel Air Presbyterian’s senior pastor, the Rev. Mark Brewer. Were not trying to change them. Were trying to add. Were very careful to make sure its a partnership. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
