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By Karen Kano
In a glass walled hilltop sanctuary, the South Pasadena Prayer Breakfast gathered the community Thursday to encourage prayer and peacemaking amid increasing polarization in the U.S. and escalating tensions around the world.
Addressing the ninth annual breakfast’s 2024 theme of “Sowing Peace – in our Hearts, Homes and Community,” keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts defined peace as more than the absence of conflict but also a “fullness of life.” Roberts, a senior strategist at the Fuller Seminary’s De Pree Center for Leadership, mentors leaders across all sectors to flourish in every part of their lives.
“Mark accentuated how we need to practice being peacemakers in our homes, community, and heart,” said SPPB committee member Kathryn Hutto. “And some of these practices are simple, small acts of kindness… deliberate gestures of grace.”
SPPB awarded $1500 grants to three nonprofits – YoungLife of South Pasadena / San Marino, South Pasadena Educational Foundation (SPEF) and MyKkids – to further their work of providing care and support to our youth.
YoungLife’s grant will help provide scholarships for its middle school summer camp. Coincidentally, Roberts said he attended a YoungLife camp on a scholarship when he was in middle school and that it profoundly affected his life.
A nonprofit funded entirely by private donations, SPPB has awarded more than $30,000 in grants to local organizations that actively promote prayer and service. Nancy Norris, SPPB chair, said the breakfast committee this year wanted to highlight some of the great work being done by the school district to support student mental health.
SPEF will put the grant toward the new Wellness Centers at South Pasadena High School and South Pasadena Middle School, and MyKkids will use the funds for fencing at its day care center.
Government and school representatives, first responders, leaders in business, clergy, and residents who attended the breakfast resoundingly agreed that ReNew United Methodist Church, with its stained glass and wall of windows overlooking South Pasadena, was a beautiful venue for the event. State Senator Anthony Portantino and Assemblymember Mike Fong issued certificates of recognition to SPPB that were presented by their respective representatives, Erica Nam and Jessica Tang.
“The cloudy weather outside the glass walls of the chapel at ReNew did not dampen the strong spirit and community support of those attending this year’s Prayer Breakfast,” said Laurie Astle, one of the SPPB committee members.
Led by former SPPB chair and senior minister for Oneonta Congregational Church Rev. Lincoln Skinner, local clergy offered up prayers for the soul, home and family, schools, houses of worship, community, and the world. “The prayers were poignant and passionate pleas for our community and the world. They echoed the deep hope we all hold in our hearts and minds,” Norris said.
Prayer leaders were Father Ricky Viveros of Holy Family Church, Dr. Beau Wammack of Calvary Presbyterian Church, Rev. Dr. Darrell Haley of South Pasadena Christian Church, Rev. Dr. Gregory Kimura of St. James Episcopal Church, Bishop Scott Astle of South Pasadena Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Rev. David Seo of Pasadena Lord’s Church, and Pastor Ashley Lynn Hengst of All Saints Episcopal Church.
Brooke Mann sang a solo, and ReNew’s Rev. Sam Park sang a musical benediction. Boy Scout Troop 333 of Holy Family Church performed the Color Guard Ceremony.
Many of the donors, including 14 moms from Moms in Prayer of South Pasadena and Meg Middleman and Gerry Poulin, also pitched in to help serve throughout the event.
“There is such a joy in watching people come together and embrace the opportunity to connect and share over coffee and a provided purpose, the SPPB!” Norris said. Next year’s 10th annual event will again take place on the National Day of Prayer, which falls on the first Thursday in May.
