Los Angeles, a fascinating city. It brings to mind images of beaches and the sun. The city is a big tourist destination. But the purpose of Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider’s trip there is not pleasure. He has a tight schedule.
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Photo: NAC USA
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Photo: NAC USA
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Photo: NAC USA
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Photo: NAC USA
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Photo: rabbit75_fot
Two days in Los Angeles—there will be no time for sightseeing, even though the city is set against a spectacular mountain backdrop on three sides and opens onto Santa Monica Bay and into the Pacific Ocean. Fresh sea breezes are guaranteed, something that is indispensable in this city, which is frequently covered in smog. There are highways and roads as far as the eye can see. With nearly four million inhabitants Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States after New York. Los Angeles, often known by its initials LA, is the centre of the nation’s film and television industry. Hollywood with its multiple studios and stars is a Los Angeles neighbourhood.
Busy programme
In fact, the Chief Apostle’s agenda is jam-packed. On Saturday, 26 November 2016 he will chair a meeting for Apostles and Bishops. This will be a good opportunity for him to inform them of the current status of the deliberations on our conception of ministry. Chief Apostle Schneider likes to make use of such opportunities on his pastoral care visits to meet with the leading ministers and bring them up to speed on pending Church topics. This is how he fulfils his mission: to preserve the unity of the Church on an international level.
This will be followed by a meeting with the youth. He has a big heart for the young members of the Church. Whenever he can he loves to meet with them, answer their questions, and talk about essential issues with them. He always takes a lot of time for these gatherings. The day will wind down with a worship evening, and will end with dinner together with the local Priests and their wives.
Divine service in Pasadena
The end of the year is always a very busy time in the USA, District Evangelist Lonnie Klein, the leader of the Los Angeles District says. It starts with Thanksgiving, a federal holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. This leads into the Advent and Christmas season. On the first Sunday of Advent, the Chief Apostle will celebrate a service in the Los Angeles Central congregation, located in Pasadena, a city a few miles north-east of Los Angeles.
The church building dates from 1924. It was taken over by the New Apostolic Church in 1999 and renovated. It has a seating capacity of about 700, which is why only the members from the ten Los Angeles congregations can be invited, plus a number of special guests. The members in the other parts of the country will be able to watch a broadcast of the service.
District Evangelist Lonnie Klein is sure: “The Chief Apostle’s time in Los Angeles is short, but the members there are determined to maximize the spiritual impact of his visit.”