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HomeCity NewsMayor’s Interfaith Prayer Breakfast Pivots to Virtual Format

Mayor’s Interfaith Prayer Breakfast Pivots to Virtual Format

The Pasadena Mayor’s Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, hosted by Jericho Road Pasadena, was transformed into a weeklong virtual series due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizer Jericho Road shared a short inspirational message each morning during the week of May 3, with the series featuring a variety of prayer messages and music from Pasadena congregations and nonprofits.

“As an in-person breakfast wasn’t possible this year, the short, daily emails were a great way to uplift our community and bring us together,” said Melanie Goodyear, executive director of Jericho Road Pasadena. “This event highlighted the importance of building bridges in the community…”

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo enjoyed his first year participating in the event.

“What an honor to provide this inspirational event to our community,” he said. “I’m hopeful that we’ll learn important lessons in the fight for social justice and health access. Thanks to all the clergy involved for bringing us together in shared values of community and justice.”

The daily featured videos included:

“Faith and Action” with Mayor Victor Gordo and Terrence Roberts discussing the role of faith in their service to our community

• “Come Together” with Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater, executive director of Friends in Deed

• “Hope and Love” with Pastor Jean Burch of Community Bible Church

• “Unity in Community” with Imam J.D. Hall

• “Strength and Courage” with Cambria Tortorelli, the outgoing Parish Life director at Holy Family Church

There have been more than 550 views of the daily inspirational videos on YouTube, and feedback was very positive.

“I was blown away by how much I enjoyed the Interfaith Prayer Series,” said participant Valerie Lord. “I put it on every morning with a fresh mind and no expectations, and by the end of the talk was deeply motivated to live my day with purpose. The messages were grounding, strengthening and truly uplifting. I honestly might play the whole week over again.”

The mission of Jericho Road Pasadena is to bridge communities by matching the professional talents of volunteers with the needs of community-based nonprofit organizations to promote community development, strengthen social services, and enrich the lives of volunteers. 

The Pasadena Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast was previously hosted by Friends in Deed.

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