Thursday, October 9, 2025

Jenny Pizer of Lambda Legal to Launch All Saints Church Forum Series on National Coming Out Day

All Saints Church will mark National Coming Out Day on Sunday, October 12, by launching its 2025–2026 Forum Speaker Series with Jenny Pizer, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at Lambda Legal, the nation’s oldest and largest legal organization representing the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement.

Pizer’s presentation will take place from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. in the All Saints Forum at 132 N. Euclid Ave., directly across from Pasadena City Hall. The event is free and open to the public, with a livestream available at https://allsaints-pas.org/livestream.

“Jenny has been a leading national voice for ending discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in employment, education, health care, and family law including marriage, and against the use of religion and free speech rights to license discrimination,” said All Saints priest, Susan Russell.

“There is nobody better to come help us unpack what the legal landscape looks like for LGBTQ+ folks in general and Transgender/Non-Binary folks in particular in this challenging and critical moment in our history.”

“In this time of still-intensifying national catastrophe,

Thursday, October 2, 2025

All Saints Church to Host Foster Care, Adoption Workshop Thursday

Event aims to answer questions about becoming resource parent in Los Angeles County

All Saints Church in Pasadena will host an information session Thursday, Oct. 2, for people interested in fostering or adopting children in Los Angeles County.

The workshop will be held in Sweetland Hall at All Saints. It begins at 6 p.m.

A church announcement said the Foster Care Project Steering Committee and All Our Kids will present the session. Church staff and guests will answer questions about resource parenting.

Resource parents either foster or adopt children in state care.

All Saints Church’s Foster Care Project provides education, advocacy and direct services. The program supports children and youth in foster care.

It also helps homeless, transitional and incarcerated youth.

The project works to increase awareness of the foster care crisis in Los Angeles County. It recruits volunteers and provides direct services.

Services include helping foster families and celebrating children’s birthdays.

Sunday, August 31, 2025

Altadena Baptist Church to Host Hope and Healing Event at Site of Fire-Ravaged Sanctuary

Today’s gathering will feature worship, lunch, and art to foster healing and hope

In a poignant act of remembrance and resilience, Altadena Baptist Church will hold its “Coming Home! Altadena Dreams” event on August 31 at the original site of its sanctuary, which was destroyed in the Eaton Fire nearly eight months ago. The gathering will feature a worship service, community lunch, and collaborative art installation aimed at fostering healing and hope.

Today’s event is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. with songs, prayers, and testimonies reflecting on the January blaze that claimed 19 lives and destroyed 9,400 structures across Altadena.

Attendees will then share a free barbecue lunch at noon, followed by “Dream Altadena,” an art-making session from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. The activities will take place on the lawn beside the gaping hole where the church once stood.

“This project is about more than art, it’s about collective healing,” said environmental muralist Ekaterina Sky, who will help lead the community mural initiative.

Sunday, August 24, 2025

Local Church, Community Hub Celebrates 25 Years with Community Cookout for Fire Survivors

LIFT honors resilience and community support through festive neighborhood gathering

LIFT International will mark its 25th anniversary with a special community cookout on Saturday, August 30, dedicated to supporting survivors of the recent Eaton Canyon Fire.

The free event at Eaton Blanche Park will provide a day of healing, connection, and celebration for local residents.

The nonprofit is a vibrant church and community hub dedicated to serving the Altadena and Pasadena communities.

“For 25 years, LIFT International has been committed to being a light in the community—bringing hope, restoration, and practical support to those in need,” said Anthony and Micheline McFarland, founders of LIFT International.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we’re especially honored to recognize the strength and resilience of the fire survivors we’ve walked alongside these past seven months.”

The event, running from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., will offer complimentary food, family-friendly games, face painting, and a pie-eating contest.

Highlights include $100 reward gift cards for game winners,

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Fuller Celebrates Record-Setting Fundraising Year: Tallies $30 Million in Donations

Courtesy of FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Fuller Seminary and The Fuller Foundation are celebrating a record-setting year in philanthropic support, having raised $30.29 million in the 2024–2025 academic year—the most successful fundraising year in Fuller’s history outside of its previous comprehensive campaigns.

This achievement reflects the deep generosity and trust of Fuller’s global community of supporters, who are investing in the seminary’s mission to form Christian leaders for church, culture, and the marketplace.

In a landmark shift, Fuller experienced a year-over-year increase in the number of donors to the seminary for the first time in over a decade—with nearly 1,300 individuals and organizations contributing this past year. This renewed momentum in donor engagement signals a growing sense of connection and confidence among alumni, churches, and supporters around the world.

“This extraordinary year of giving reflects both enduring loyalty and new enthusiasm for Fuller’s mission,” said Lauren Yamaoka, senior vice president of advancement at The Fuller Foundation. “To see donor numbers rise for the first time in over ten years is incredibly encouraging,

Friday, July 11, 2025

Local Church Offers Free Food Distribution for Community

First United Methodist Church opens pantry doors to those in need

First United Methodist Church in Pasadena will distribute free groceries to community members in need next week.

The Community Food Pantry Distribution will take place on Tuesday, July 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Canned goods and non-perishable foods will be available. A church statement said people seeking groceries should join the queue on the Oakland side of the church.

The church is located at 500 E. Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena.

First United Methodist Church describes itself as a welcoming Christian community in the heart of Pasadena. The church seeks to be people who worship God with open hearts, open minds and open doors.

The statement added the congregation is committed to nurturing spiritual growth through belonging, hope, compassionate service and inspiring worship.

The church welcomes those looking for a place to belong, grow and serve.

For more information,

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Our Christian Call to Compassion and Companionship

By Fuller Theological Seminary

Christians around the world wrestle with the moral dimensions of national and international policies and practices. During the week in which many across the United States will celebrate the Declaration of Independence, with its commitments to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, many Christians are grieved about current immigration practices in light of their commitments to faithful compassion and civil engagement.

Most of us are not policy makers with the requisite education and experience for shaping strategy and executing programs related to immigration laws or appropriate processes for fair adjudication. However, we do have the competence and should have the commitment to insist on ethical and humane principles that do not terrorize and traumatize children and adults. The integrity of our Christian witness in a fractured and fearful world requires followers of Jesus to call for reasonable resolutions that provide security and stability for all.

Governments have the responsibility to uphold law, security, and order.

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Pasadena Church to Host Discussion on Supporting Immigrant Neighbors

Local job center director and retired immigration attorney will lead conversation

First United Methodist Church in Pasadena will host a community conversation about supporting immigrant neighbors on Sunday, June 29. 

The discussion will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Church Lounge at 500 E. Colorado Blvd. 

Jose Madera, Director of the Pasadena Job Center, and John Kramar, a retired immigration attorney, will lead the session. They will explain current immigration issues in the Pasadena area and discuss ways the community can support immigrant neighbors. 

The conversation will focus on both individual and church-based support efforts. 

First United Methodist Church Pasadena describes itself as a welcoming community that seeks to worship with open hearts, open minds and open doors. The church is committed to nurturing spiritual growth through belonging, hope, compassionate service and inspiring worship. 

The congregation became a Reconciling Congregation in 2011, committing to full inclusion of LGBTQ persons. In 2015, members voted to allow same-gender weddings in church facilities. 

Monday, May 26, 2025

Juneteenth Event in Pasadena to Support Fire-Affected Families, Promote Wellness and Community Healing

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

My TRIBE Rise will hold its annual Juneteenth event from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 14 at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 2283 N. Fair Oaks Ave.

Event organizers say they hope to foster resilience and healing following the devastating Eaton Canyon fire which destroyed large parts of the community, while celebrating Juneteenth through education, wellness, and local empowerment.

The gathering will focus on unity through community connections, healing practices, and support for families and students impacted by the blaze.

A centerpiece of the event is the My TRIBE Rise Academic Scholarship Program, which will distribute $50,000 in scholarships to Pasadena Unified School District high school seniors who were impacted by the fire. Eligible graduates, and students earning a GED, are encouraged to apply.

The celebration will also include peace and wellness programming, performances by local artists, resources for small businesses, and intergenerational connections that promote healing, healthy living, and community partnerships.

Monday, May 26, 2025

Lake Avenue Church Opens Registration for Summer Vacation Bible School

‘True North’ program aims to give children foundation in faith amid uncertain world

Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena is accepting registrations for its VBS (Vacation Bible School) 2025 program, a week-long summer camp designed to teach children about biblical principles and Christian faith.

The program, themed “True North: Trusting Jesus in a Wild World,” will run June 16-20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. daily at the church’s Pasadena location.

According to a church announcement, the half-day camp aims to provide children with “a rock-solid foundation” by pointing them toward Jesus as their “unmovable, unshakable friend forever.” The program targets the challenge of helping young people navigate what organizers describe as “a world gone wild.”

VBS serves children ages 3 years old by June 1 through current fifth-graders as of spring 2025. The program combines music, skits, games, stories and activities to create what organizers call a comprehensive religious education experience.

“Through music, skits, games, stories and activities,

Saturday, May 24, 2025

Church Hosts Community Recovery Programs Following Eaton Fire

Pasadena congregation offers free youth restoration services and therapeutic music events for wildfire-affected residents

All Saints Church in Pasadena will host comprehensive community healing programs on Sunday, May 25, designed to support residents, both young and older, who are recovering from the devastating Eaton Fire.

The church’s Children, Youth and Families Ministry will offer a free Youth Restoration Day alongside therapeutic music programming to address ongoing community trauma and recovery needs.

“I see music as the common bond having potential to bring all people together in peace and harmony,” said two-time Grammy Award winner Ernie Watts, who will perform at the church’s Jazz Vespers that evening. “I believe music is God singing through us, an energy to be used for good.”

The Youth Restoration Day runs 1-4 p.m. in Regas House, providing free self-care services specifically for students in grades 5-12 who were affected by the Eaton Fire. Young people from throughout the Altadena and Pasadena communities can access professional hair styling and makeup services provided by Paul Mitchell School,

Friday, May 16, 2025

Pasadena Church to Host Day of Restoration for All Youth Impacted by Eaton Fire

All Saints Church Pasadena’s Children, Youth, and Families Ministry will offer a free day of self-care to all youth in 5th-12th grades who were impacted in any way by the Eaton fire. On Sunday, May 25, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the church, youth from the Altadena/Pasadena community are invited to have hair styling/haircuts and make-up sessions offered by Paul Mitchell School, to participate in creative activities and art therapy, and to just relax with therapy dogs.

“We all know today’s kids are carrying a lot—and for youth impacted by the fires, that weight can feel even heavier,” said Amanda Baughman, All Saints’ Director of Children, Youth and Families Ministry. “That’s why we wanted to create a space where they can take a breath, reset, and enjoy some much-needed fun. I hope youth from all over Altadena and Pasadena come through for a fresh cut, a brand-new book, or to hang out with friends in our art studio space.”

Parents are welcome to stay and spa water and light refreshments will be offered.

Friday, May 9, 2025

“Not in Our Lifetime”: Pasadena Catholic Clergy Stunned by Historic Selection of First American Pope

Just one day after telling a parishioner an American pope wouldn’t happen “in our lifetime,” Fr. Tony Gomez of Pasadena’s St. Philip the Apostle Church found himself stunned by the historic election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics in the Church’s 2,000-year history

The historic election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in the Catholic Church’s 2,000-year history, has sent shockwaves through Pasadena’s Catholic community, with local clergy expressing astonishment at a development they never expected to witness.

Three Catholic priests from Pasadena parishes have shared their initial reactions and hopes following the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025. Their responses capture the historic significance of the first American pope and the unexpected speed of the conclave’s decision after just two days of deliberation.

This papal election represents a watershed moment for American Catholics and the global Church.

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Fuller Seminary Degrees Now More Affordable and Accessible Worldwide

Courtesy of FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Fuller Seminary is pleased to announce the launch of three refreshed degree programs, which have been redesigned to best meet the needs of students seeking preparation for Christian ministry and leadership today. In step with the seminary’s announced transition into a new digital-forward era, Fuller’s Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry (MATM), and Master of Arts in Global Missional Leadership (MAGML) will offer revitalized curricula that require fewer credit units, making Fuller’s world-class education more accessible and helping students accelerate their progress toward their vocational goals.

The changes, effective in Fall 2025, reflect Fuller’s desire to more faithfully equip students for lives of ministry, and the seminary sees the revised programs as a streamlined progression of the quality education the institution has offered since 1947. Dr. Jeffrey F. Keuss, dean of Fuller’s School of Mission and Theology, said of the redesigned degrees, “Is this something totally different? No. We’re actually bringing more focus to what we’ve always been about.

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Pope Francis Publicly Prayed for Victims of Eaton Fire

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff and leader of the Catholic Church, has died at the Vatican on Monday. He was 88.

Francis, the Bishop of Rome, died at 7:35 local time at the Vatican and “returned to the home of the Father,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, said in an announcement.

In January, Pope Francis offered prayers to the victims of the Eaton Fire that devastated Altadena and some homes in Pasadena.

The fire, driven by strong winds, destroyed 9.000 structures and burned 14,000 acres. Eighteen people died in the fire.

“My heart is with the people of Los Angeles who are suffering so much as a result of the fires that have devastated entire neighborhoods and communities,” Francis said. “May Our Lady of Guadalupe intercede for everyone to be a witness of hope.”’

“We all learned of the death of Pope Francis very early on Easter Monday morning.  

Sunday, April 20, 2025

Altadenans Will Embrace Easter at Sunrise Service on Sunday

Altadenans will gather at Mountain View Cemetery on Sunday morning for an Easter sunrise service to celebrate their faith in Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

The service was scheduled to run from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at 2400 North Fair Oaks Avenue, according to the organizer, the Pasadena International House of Prayer (PIHOP).

“Let’s celebrate the resurrection of Jesus together, there will be live worship music as we watch the sunrise,” officials from PIHOP said in a statement. “We have been through a lot as a community this year; this will be a time of renewed Hope for everyone.”

The event was planned to feature worship music against the backdrop of early morning light on a day forecast by the National Weather Service to be bright and sunny.

Organizers describe the service as an opportunity for spiritual reflection and community gathering during the intensely meaningful religious holiday.

As Christians worldwide reflect on resurrection and renewal, Altadenans are living that hope in real time.

Friday, April 18, 2025

Local Christians to Observe Good Friday

Christians in Pasadena and around the world will commemorate Good Friday on April 18, marking the solemn day when Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross.

Many churches offer special services and prayer opportunities for worshippers to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice. Some congregations set up wooden crosses for meditation, while others observe the Stations of the Cross, a devotional practice recalling Jesus’ journey along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows) in Jerusalem to Calvary, where he was crucified.

For many believers, Good Friday is also a day of fasting and penance, and serves as a reminder to be concerned about suffering in today’s world.

In Pasadena, several churches are holding special events. Knox Presbyterian Church at 225 South Hill Avenue will host a prayer vigil from noon to 6 p.m. in the sanctuary, offering personal reflection time with prayer guides available. The vigil continues on Holy Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., leading up to Easter Sunday services on April 20 at 10 a.m.

Friday, April 11, 2025

Local Jewish Community Finds Renewed Meaning in Passover Amid Local Temple’s Ashes

An ancient story of resilience becomes a lived experience as local Jews forge makeshift sanctuaries and shared tables

As Passover 2025 approaches, Pasadena’s Jewish community is demonstrating remarkable resilience following the destruction of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center by the Eaton Fire.

Congregants are opening homes to displaced families while community organizations adapt traditions to ensure holiday celebrations continue amid the devastation.

“The Passover story is about resilience and about wandering in the desert. We are definitely wandering right now. And so I think it’s really important to provide the opportunities to be together and to pray together and to sing together and to eat together,” said Melissa Levy, Executive Director of Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center.

The fire has created a situation where a number of congregants lack basic necessities for the upcoming holiday, which begins at sundown on Saturday, April 12, and continues through April 20.

“We have many congregants that have no dining room to have their Seder in,

Sunday, March 30, 2025

Church to Distribute Financial Aid to Eaton Fire Victims Today

LIFT International Church offering support to affected community members

LIFT International Church announced it will distribute financial aid today to community members affected by the recent Eaton Fire.

The distribution will take place at 11 a.m. as part of LIFT’s newly launched Financial Aid Support Program. The church is located on the Westminster Presbyterian Campus at 1757 N. Lake Avenue in Pasadena.

Qualified applicants who have submitted their information through the LIFT International portal will receive funds to address immediate needs, helping to alleviate financial strain and promote financial stability resulting from the wildfire that impacted the Altadena and Pasadena communities.

“At LIFT International Church, we believe in the strength of community and the importance of providing support where it’s needed most,” said Dr. Anthony McFarland, pastor of LIFT International Church. “This financial aid program is a testament to our commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of our community members.”

The initiative reflects the church’s ongoing commitment to empowering and uplifting individuals in need of support and care as the aftermath of the California Wildfire,

Friday, March 14, 2025

Experts to Speak on Resilience at Pasadena Event for Eaton Fire Families

Local experts to provide guidance on resilience and recovery for affected school communities

All Saints Church in Pasadena will host a free parent education event focused on resilience and recovery for families affected by the Eaton fire. The event, scheduled for Monday, March 17, will feature child development and psychology experts Robert Evans, Ed.D. and Michael Thompson, Ph.D., who specialize in post-traumatic events.

“We are honored to partner with St. Mark’s School by offering a venue for bringing together schools from Altadena and Pasadena that have experienced devastating losses in the Eaton Fire,” said Thomas Diaz, All Saints’ Director of Care & Connection. “All are welcome.”

The free session, which runs from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., is specifically designed for parents from school communities impacted by the fire. St. Mark’s School of Altadena is sponsoring the event as part of ongoing community recovery efforts.

Evans and Thompson bring extensive experience supporting communities after disasters, having worked with recovery initiatives following Hurricane Katrina,

Thursday, March 13, 2025

Purim Celebrations Mix Joy With Purpose as Pasadena Chabad Continues Fire Relief Efforts

Traditional Jewish festival takes on deeper meaning for community recovering from disaster

As Chabad of Pasadena prepares for Purim celebrations this week, the traditional Jewish festival of resilience and charity takes on added significance for approximately 60 families displaced by the devastating Eaton Fire. Rabbi Chaim Hanoka is connecting the holiday’s ancient themes with ongoing emergency relief efforts for affected congregants.

“The message of Purim is kind of a celebration of Jewish resilience and courage in the face of danger,” said Rabbi Hanoka, Executive Director of Chabad of Pasadena. “But the message of resilience is all the more so apropos today after having suffered all the tragedies of eaten fire and people still sadly having a lot of difficulty being out of their homes, not having home, et cetera.”

The two-day celebration begins Thursday, March 13 at 7:15 p.m. with a Megillah reading and festive gathering at the Chabad of Pasadena community center. Activities continue Friday with a children’s carnival from 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Three Congregations Return to Shared Church Building After Devastating Eaton Fire

STAFF REPORT

Amid piles of ash and lingering toxic smoke, a sense of unity has risen in California’s San Gabriel Valley where the Eaton Fire devastated communities in January 2025, according to a story published by Mennonite Disaster Services.

“Snowdrifts of ash, an acrid smell, a lung-burning toxic cocktail hanging in the air,” left the interior of the Pasadena Mennonite Church building unrecognizable following the fire, writer Susan Kim reports, quoting church member Dan Sharp who described “piles and piles of ash—ash on every horizontal surface.”

The Jan. 7 Eaton fire killed at least 17 people and destroyed 9,414 structures, leaving three congregations and their 270 members without a place to worship until their shared building could be professionally cleaned, Kim writes.

Less than two weeks after the disaster, Mennonite Disaster Service leaders reached out to the Church to offer assistance. According to Kim, the Mennonite Disaster Service California Unit funded half the cost of professionally cleaning the building,

Monday, March 10, 2025

When Flames Meet Faith: New Horizon School Becomes Sanctuary for Fire-Displaced Muslim Community

Educational institution opens doors to victims during holy month of Ramadan while redirecting fundraising efforts

New Horizon School Pasadena (NHSP) has transformed from an educational institution into a vital community sanctuary during the holy month of Ramadan, offering displaced Muslims space for daily prayers, community meals, and support services after devastating fires affected Masjid Al-Taqwa in Altadena.

The pre-K-8 school has opened its Cypress Avenue campus facilities to serve as a community hub for Muslims displaced by the recent fires, providing essential religious and community spaces during a critical time for gathering in Islam.

“In the spirit of Ramadan, and in following the footsteps of our beloved Prophet Muhammad, supporting our neighbors is deeply emphasized in Islam and is considered an important part of our faith,” New Horizon School said in a message on its website.

The timing adds spiritual significance to the school’s response, as the Muslim holy month traditionally emphasizes charity and community support through practices like daily prayers and iftar meals breaking the daily fast.

Sunday, March 9, 2025

Sacred Spaces, Shared: Altadena Islamic Congregation Experiences Ramadan Without Their Spiritual Home

Interfaith solidarity emerges as local churches open doors to Muslim community displaced by January’s devastating Eaton Fire

For the first time in over two decades, Altadena’s Muslim community is observing Ramadan without their spiritual home, Masjid Al-Taqwa. Instead, they’re finding refuge in the sanctuaries of Christian neighbors and classrooms of a local Islamic school following January’s Eaton Fire.

The blaze reduced the mosque to ashes weeks before Ramadan began on Feb. 28. Fueled by 90 mph Santa Ana winds and drought conditions, the fire claimed at least 17 lives and left homeless so many community members, including mosque leaders.

“This masjid is sort of like a home, a family place,” said Wynona Majied-Muhammad, a Board member of Masjid Al-Taqwa. “You can always go back to someplace where you can always find familiarity like a family with friends who basically grew up together, or at least your children grew up together.”

The loss has been poignant during one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar,

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Church Launches Free Support Space for Wildfire Victims

Local initiative provides resources and connection for hundreds of displaced families

La Cañada Presbyterian Church has established a new community resource called Healing Grounds to support hundreds of families displaced by recent devastating fires. The free support space offers practical amenities and emotional support for those struggling in the aftermath of local wildfires, providing more than just a cup of coffee – it offers a lifeline of hope and connection.

“We know a lot of people are spending time waiting around town or needing a place to work,” said Pastor Ross Purdy, explaining the inspiration behind Healing Grounds.

“We have Wi-Fi, coffee, and refreshments, so we thought, ‘Why don’t we open this up to the community?’ It’s about offering a space for healing, bringing people together, providing quiet rooms where they can work or communicate, and simply getting to know one another.”

Located at 626 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada Flintridge, the initiative operates every Tuesday from 8:30 a.m.

Sunday, March 2, 2025

Altadena Church Rallies to Spread Word: SBA Offers Crucial Aid to Homeowners, Too

“So many people do not know”: Altadena Baptist congregation, itself displaced by flames, hosts event to connect fire victims with loans they may not realize they are eligible for

In an act of community service even as they recover from their own losses, members of Altadena Baptist Church have organized a special event today to help wildfire victims discover often-overlooked federal financial aid. The congregation, whose historic building was destroyed in January’s devastating Eaton Fire, is working with the Small Business Administration to raise awareness that disaster loans are available for homeowners and renters—not just businesses, as many assume.

“There are so many people who do not know that the SBA is offering low-interest loans to folks who lost their homes or personal property and valuables in the wildfires. We want to be sure that people have a place to meet with a live person, so the wonderful folks at the SBA offered to have a representative from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to meet with people who might need their services,”

Friday, February 28, 2025

Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan Begins Friday Evening

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan, commemorating the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad, will begin Friday evening upon the sighting of the moon, with fasting beginning on Saturday.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslim adults fast from dawn until dusk each day, unless they are ill, pregnant, diabetic, breastfeeding or traveling.

Fasting is one of the “five pillars” of Islam, along with the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity and pilgrimage to Mecca.

During Ramadan Muslims engage in increased prayer and charity, both financially and feeding and supporting the local unhoused population. Individuals and organizations typically host iftars, the meal eaten when breaking the fast, to benefit those in need.

The end of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, which will fall on March 30, according to Fiqh Council of North America, based on calculations determining the lunar calendar, will be marked by communal prayers called Salat al-Eid.

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Church and Community Groups to Host Eaton Fire Recovery Events

Day of support planned for Pasadena and Altadena residents affected by January wildfire

New Revelation Baptist Church and community organizations will host a day of recovery events on Saturday, March 8 to support residents impacted by the devastating Eaton Fire. The events include a gas giveaway, a resource festival, and a free comedy show, aimed at providing both practical assistance and emotional relief to a community still rebuilding after the January disaster.

The initiative will come two months after the devastating Eaton Fire.

The day will begin with a gas giveaway from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at Mobil Gas Station on Woodbury Road in Altadena, where the first 150 vehicles will receive $50 worth of free gas.

Following the gas giveaway, a “Festival of Fun & Resources” will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at New Revelation Baptist Church in Pasadena. The festival will feature car and laptop giveaways, a game truck, free food, and additional resources for fire-affected residents.

Friday, February 21, 2025

Community Organizations Rally Saturday to Aid Families Affected by Pasadena-Area Fire

Relief event to provide shoes, supplies and federal assistance to displaced residents

A coalition of community groups and corporate sponsors plan to host a comprehensive relief event Saturday, February 22, for families impacted by the recent fire in the Pasadena-Altadena area.

The community-led resource hub, taking place at Metropolitan Baptist Church at 2283 North Fair Oaks Avenue will open its doors from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with volunteers arriving at 9:30 a.m.

DVS Skateboarding, alongside Steve Berra of The Berrics, Tyler Peterson, Timmy Johnson, and Uggs, will distribute free shoes and gear to displaced families who can demonstrate proof of residency.

Children from impacted households can receive assistance by showing proof of enrollment at local schools, according to event organizers at Music Changing Lives, who are coordinating the relief efforts.

Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration and Los Angeles County, will be on-site to provide community resources and guidance for affected residents.

Additional support will come from organizations including Global Empowerment Mission and Soul Saving Productions,

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Philadelphia Churches Rally to Help Local Congregations Hit by Wildfire

Altadena and Pasadena churches to receive two truckloads of emergency supplies from East Coast churches

Several Philadelphia churches have mobilized to send essential supplies to local churches in Altadena and Pasadena affected by the Eaton Fire.

Two 18-wheel trucks filled with vital goods are scheduled to roll into the parking lot at the Grocery Outlet in San Gabriel early Thursday morning.

“We thank the people of Philadelphia for their generosity and this heartfelt mission to donate vital items and fill two tractor-trailers with collected supplies goods to be delivered to the Altadena and Pasadena communities,” said Anthony McFarland, Pastor of LIFT International. “This collaboration delineates God’s grace in having all these churches work together for the good of our communities.”

The East Coast churches leading the relief effort include LIFT International, Northeast Baptist Church, and the Church of Christian Compassion, working to support local congregations including Pasadena Church, Community Bible Church, Hillside Tabernacle City of Faith, and Bethel Missionary Baptist Church.

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Volunteers Still Needed for “Every Person Has A Name”, A 25-Hour Holocaust Remembrance Program to Commemorate UN International Holocaust Remembrance Day

The Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys is partnering with the City of Pasadena and the community’s synagogues, to hold Every Person Has a Name. This 25-hour vigil will be held on the steps of Pasadena City Hall on Saturday, January 26 – Sunday, January 27, 2019.

The program will begin with a commemoration ceremony at 7:00 p.m. and it will feature speeches from elected officials, including Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek, Congresswoman Judy Chu, State Senator Anthony Portantino, LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Assemblymember Chris Holden (invited), Assemblymember Blanca Rubio, local clergy, as well as performances by the Jewish Federation’s Jewish Youth Orchestra and Kol HaEmek.

Immediately following the ceremony, the program will transition into the reading of the names of people who perished during the Holocaust. Holocaust survivors, and children of Holocaust survivors from around the community will begin by reading the names of their family members who were killed during the Holocaust, and then will be followed by volunteers from throughout the community reading names.

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Pastor Tyrone Skinner to Speak at Altadena Baptist for Black History Celebration

The 33rd Annual Black History Celebration will be held at Altadena Baptist Church [ABC] in Altadena, California at 5:00 p.m. on February 19, 2017. All are welcome to attend.

Prominent speakers join local artists and dignitaries for this celebration every February: in 2015 nationally-known author Brenda Salter-McNeil spoke to a standing-room-only crowd. This year, Reverend Tyrone Skinner of Metropolitan Baptist Church in Altadena will be the featured speaker. He has served as an instructor for the National Baptist Convention with the Western Regional Youth Conference and Laymen’s Department, and holds positions on several non-profit boards. Reverend Skinner will speak on this year’s theme: “Still We Rise.”

“This is a pivotal time to be focusing on Black history,” said ABC’s co-pastor George Van Alstine. “We speak prophetically as a church, and that prophetic voice rises from the Black community in an empowered and beautiful way. Now is the time to embrace our history and our future together.”

The 33rd Annual Black History Celebration is an Altadena institution.

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Newly-Arrived Rabbi Noam Raucher to Speak at Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Newly-arrived Rabbi Noam Raucher will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Altadena Congregations Together Serving (ACTS) interfaith Thanksgiving Service, Sunday November 20 at 7 p.m. at the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, 1434 N. Altadena Drive, just north of Washington Boulevard.

The event is being sponsored by ACTS (Altadena Congregations Together Serving), an interactive fellowship among local religious congregations, who work together on community issues such as homelessness, positive youth activities and mutual understanding.

Congregations that will take part in this event’s program include the Christian Science Church, St. Marks Episcopal Church, Altadena Community Church, the Bahai Faith, Christ the Shepard Lutheran Church and the St. Vincent De Paul Society.

Praise music on the Thanksgiving theme will be presented by Altadena Baptist Church’s Gospel Choir, under the direction of Loren Roberts, and by Cantor Ruth Berman Harris. A musical tribute will be made to song-writer Leonard Cohen, who recently passed away, through the singing of his moving “Halleluia.”

A freewill offering will be received to support the ACTS Food Bank from which a number of local families receive food every Saturday.

Friday, July 22, 2016

Dialogue on Gun Violence and Racism to be Held at Altadena Community Church

The Altadena Community Church will offer opportunities for congregants and community members to process and respond to recent events of gun violence. It is hoped that these opportunities will provide space for individuals to seek peace and healing, the Church said in an annoucement.

On July 24th and July 31st at 11:30 a.m., Rev. Mark Smutny, an Ambassador from the Kaleidoscope Institute, will lead adult education on gun violence and racism.

This Sunday, the Church announced, attendees will focus on President Obama’s speech in Dallas and reflect on how recent gun violence has impacted our lives. On July 31st attendees will reflect on Christian scripture and how people are called to respond to recent events.

As an Ambassador from the Kaleidoscope Institute, Rev. Smutny will also introduce the tools known as “Respect Guidelines” and “Mutual Invitation” to facilitate multicultural dialogue. Congregants and community members are invited to join this event as the organizers seek to move attendees from the news to hope and peace.

Friday, July 8, 2016

Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center Welcomes New Rabbi

The 94-year “young” Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center is welcoming Rabbi Noam Raucher as their new Senior Rabbi. Rabbi Raucher had been serving as the Associate Rabbi of Temple Israel in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Rabbi Raucher said he loves being a rabbi and the meaningful work of the rabbinate.

His self-written professional credo states: “I will live each and every day guided by a covenant of love with my Teacher. Each day I give thanks for the opportunity to serve the Jewish people, my fellow citizens of the world, and God. In service to them I will operate as a light of the Jewish tradition perpetuating: love, justice, hope, and wisdom. I will value people over programs, and relationships over numbers. I will always strive to sanctify life and treat all of creation as holy.”

Rabbi Raucher is originally from Hamden, CT and grew up in a home of Jewish educators and leaders. He graduated from Hofstra University in 2002 with honors in Judaic Studies and Psychology,

Monday, February 15, 2016

Dr. Joy J. Moore to Speak at Altadena Baptist for Black History Celebration

The 32nd Annual Black History Celebration will be held at Altadena Baptist Church [ABC] in Altadena at 5:00 p.m. on February 21, 2016. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Prominent speakers join local artists and dignitaries for this celebration every February: last year nationally-known author Brenda Salter-McNeil spoke to a standing-room-only crowd. This year, Dr. Joy J. Moore of Fuller Theological Seminary will be the featured speaker. Director of Fuller’s Pannell Center for African American Church Studies, Moore has focused on cross-racial ministry in urban, rural, and suburban congregations. As a pastor, she has called local congregations to recognize their vocation of glorifying God as a peaceable community—practicing hope, hospitality, and honesty. Dr. Moore will speak on “The Harvest: From Roots to Fruit.”

“This is one of the ways we give back to the community every year,” said ABC’s co-pastor George Van Alstine. “With everything happening on the national stage, the Black History Celebration takes on new meaning: it is the Church’s responsibility to recognize the roots of the Christian faith in the black community,

Monday, January 18, 2016

Metropolitan Baptist Church Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with Exuberant Service

Altadena’s Metropolitan Baptist Church celebrated the life and teachings of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sunday with an exuberant afternoon service.

The service, which was sponsored by the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Pasadena, was led by the Rev. Tyrone Skinner as host pastor, and the Rev. John B. Bledsoe, of Zion Star Missionary Baptist Church.

State Senator Carol Liu addressed the congregation and local attorneys Dale Gronemeier, and Elbie “Skip” Hickamanbottom, Jr., were both honored for their work in support of the African-American community.

The attendees were inspired by the Lincoln Avenue Celestial Temple COGIC Church, and the afternoon’s featured speaker was Rev. James E. Stevenson, Sr., Pastor of Scott United Methodist Church.

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Neighborhood Church to Sponsor Walk Marking Six Month Anniversary of Christopher Walker’s Murder at Fair Oaks Burger

The day before Halloween in 2014, Altadena-bred Christopher Walker, 26, was shot as he sat on the patio at Fair Oaks Burgers about 4:30 in the afternoon by a person who got out of a car, fired multiple times at him, then climbed back into the car and sped off on East Calaveras Street.

Walker was taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital, where he died.

As Walker’s family and friends prepare to mark the six month anniversary of his death (Altadena’s first homicide since 2012), his story is attracting attention as a revealing tale of the lure of gangs in our neighborhoods.

Annenberg Radio News released a program last week that focused on Walker, and on April 30, the Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church of Pasadena will host a memorial march which will be joined by community leaders and anti-gang experts.

For the details, we turn to Neighborhood Church’s Reverend Hannah Petrie:

“This past week has been a whirlwind of activity in preparation to get the word out about a meaningful,

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Radio days at Neighborhood Church April 24-25

What do we hear after each and every Radio Play? “That was so much fun, I wish I’d asked my uncle/aunt/mom/grandpa to come see it!” Now’s your chance to do so. Laugh, cry and sing along with Radio Review Best Hits! (1955). Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25, Neighborhood UU Church of Pasadena’s Sanctuary, 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd at Walnut.

Come early! Open seating. Reception at 6:30pm; curtain at 7pm. Dress up in 40s or 50s clothes and hats! Free childcare if you sign up with Kat Roberts KRoberts@neighborhooduu.org before 1 pm on April 19th.

Ned Racine’s Radio Review Best Hits! (1955) is the 6th installment and the best yet! Parodies of radio plays, real funny commercials and tunes from 1955.

Tickets on sale On April 5, 12 and 19th on Neighborhood Church’s patio or email Lee atlee.brainerd@gmail.com. CHEAP! Adults, $8; Students, $5; Family Cap, $20–not recommended for children under 8 or thereabouts.

Stars 30 über-talented actors and musicians among Neighborhood Church members and friends.