Local Church Hosts Sunday Interfaith Gathering on Gaza Crisis

All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena announced plans for a special in-person Sunday forum with a respected Rabbi and the President of the Muslim Public Affairs Council to discuss how to “talk about what is happening in Gaza in ways that respect a diversity of opinions and the dignity of every human being.”

Rabbi Heather Miller, founder of Keeping it Sacred, and Salam Al-Marayati, President of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, are scheduled to engage in this “special conversation” at noon at the Church, which is located at 132 N. Euclid Avenue in Pasadena.

All Saints’ Rev. Susan Russell said, “As we mark the centennial year of our church sanctuary here at All Saints Church, we celebrate the legacy of being a gathering place for the cultivation of shared interfaith values of love, justice and compassion.”

“In the face of the tragic events continuing to unfold in the Israel-Hamas War, All Saints is honored to provide space for this important community conversation with these two powerful peacemakers and bridge builders.”

This month and last, the leadership at All Saints Church has expressed heartbreak over the escalating crisis in Israel and Gaza, condemning the mistreatment of civilians by Hamas-led forces and the violence fueled by the Israeli occupation, including the blockade of Gaza.

In November, All Saints Church launched the #ShoesForCeasefire initiative. The church displayed 350 small colored flags on their quad’s lawn, each representing 10 children who have been killed in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The church called on the community to bring children’s shoes to place by the flags, participating in this plea for peace. The display is being updated according to the number of children killed in the conflict, based on UNICEF’s information.

Along with the display, the church provided information on how to contact elected officials to demand their support for a ceasefire and the release of hostages, as well as how to contribute to Direct Aid to Gaza. The shoes collected for the display were to be donated to children in need once a ceasefire was declared.

The church has also urged its congregation to contact their Representatives in Congress to demand a ceasefire and the release of all hostages in the Israel-Hamas War.