About two dozen people gathered outside the Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena Monday night for an interfaith candlelight vigil calling for peace amid the increased violence in Israel and Gaza.
The event focused on ensuring all members of the community, regardless of faith or background, had space for grief, contemplation and prayers for peace.
“We extended the invitation to our congregation, and of course, some of our neighbors and a few clergy in the area, and we were happy to welcome other people,” the Rev. Omega Burckhardt said. “This is meant to be a space of contemplation and prayer in support of each other and creating supportive environments for our community, acknowledging that there’s a lot of pain and anxiety.”
The vigil was organized after the ongoing violence in the region spiked in intensity following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, with the Israeli army poised to embark on a large-scale attack in Gaza with an aim of destroying the political and military leadership of the group, which the U.S. has long labeled terrorists.
Burckeardt said after talking with the congregation, she felt there was a need for the community to express sympathy for the lives lost on both sides of the conflict and call for peace.
More than 1,400 Israelis have died since the Hamas assault and in Gaza officials said the toll was at 2,809, according to reports on Monday.
“There are conflicting viewpoints, there’s support for a whole range of different positions, both public, politically, and of course, religiously, as Unitarian Universalists, we hold a position that all life is honored,” she said. “… It felt like something I wanted to be able to offer to our community, both our congregation and those around us, and it has grown.”
Burckhardt emphasized the importance of a community space, where it wasn’t about taking sides.
“We are a place of peace, and we are a place of love. This is a gathering not meant to…
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