A momentous year, 1925, gave the world, among many other things, “The Great Gatsby,” Louis Armstrong’s first recordings, and All Saints’ Beverly Hills. During its centennial weekend, it unveiled a new mass by its director of music and organist, Canon Dr. Craig Phillips, and welcomed home its 20-year rector, the Rev. Carol Anderson, as guest preacher.
Kathy and I were aboard Saturday night at stately yet homey The Ebell of Los Angeles for the candlelit centennial gala, where you couldn’t walk three steps without running into a deacon or priest whom Carol, the first woman priest ever ordained in The Episcopal Diocese of New York, had helped the Holy Spirit form. Priest in charge these three years, the Rev. Canon Andrea McMillin organized the gala committee two years ago and presided with her usual grace and eloquence, inviting me to offer an invocation.
We saw a moving historical video by filmmaker and chorister Jean-Paul Jones and raised our glasses to the next century, beckoned to our toast by lifetime member Bonnie McClure, the second woman every on the parish vestry. Then the Beverly Hills High School marching band arrived to lead everyone to the dance floor. Well done, gala co-chairs Jeff Smith and Cathy Barna!
