WALK ON WEST HOLLYWOOD –

Find your soul in West Hollywood, of all places? Absolutely. Spirituality can be found between the blue-painted lampposts of “The Boulevard” and its neighboring streets, beckoning you and your stress with open doors and open arms.

At the Metropolitan Community Church at 8714 Santa Monica, you may make friends either with God or with other gays and lesbians at the Sunday morning worship services, or attend Bible Study or HIV/AIDS support on Wednesday nights, or Recovery groups on most other nights. “The circle is ever widening,” Reverend Neil G. Thomas says, and the congregation also represents the transgendered, straight and bisexual. Similar Christian-based congregations, including those who are Russian-speaking, are at the popular WeHo Church and Worship Center, also on Santa Monica Boulevard.

Kol-Ami means “Voice of my people” and is a glamorous reform synagogue with a very ambitious agenda for the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual community. The “betterment of humanity” is part of it, so is “social justice,” “education,” and of course, “religious worship,” which takes places every Friday night and once a month on Saturdays. The synagogue performs life cycle ceremonies, (commitment, naming, funerals, and so on) and there are speaker events, cultural programs, an annual dinner/dance, social action and interfaith programs. This very welcoming congregation is headed by Rabbi Denise Eger, and each service is followed by a coffee-cake social, so God knows, you might find a new friend.

Feeding your soul is one thing, feeding your stomach another. Combine them both at the casual Abbey, where religious statues–St. Francis, for one– hold sway and God’s furry creatures, if they’re well-behaved, are welcome on the patio. A pot of free condoms waits at the bar and in the rear are private curtained alcoves for praying or, more likely, a bit of heart-and-soul cuddling. No matter what your persuasion, if you get a star next to your order, you get a free meal here.

Another sort of religious experience is a browse through the famous Bodi Tree Book Store, where the shelves are lined not only with New Age tomes but also the candle, crystal and incense accoutrements you’ll need to take home. Or, head for the perfect mind-body place at the Angel City Gym on Melrose Avenue, which mixes kick-boxing and Pilates weights with a metaphysical ambience of live turtles and koi fish in a rock pool, an atmosphere of tranquility and a real fireplace, in case you’re in the mood for a bit of hearthside meditation.

You’ve been good and now reward yourself with a pinnacle spiritual high: a visit to Maxfields right across the street, a shop which can only be called heavenly. Is it a museum? A gallery? An experience! Here are diamond rings shaped like skeletons, Lebovicci light sculptures, men’s fashion$, vintage luggage, an Italian Giotto bicycle with a price tag of $9,175. Best of all is the platinum cell phone that comes with a year of free concierge service, $20,000. Whether or not she got a direct line to the Above, Gwyneth Paltrow was one of its first customers.
When you go, don’t trust the Higher Power to choose a hotel. For great value, try the Best Western, for celebrity watching, Le Parc, for intimacy, Le Montrose Suite Hotel, for location, the Sofitel. And for clothing optional, the all-gay San Vincente Inn.