Faith Leaders in front of the Tournament House, 2021 (File Photo – Yemi)
On Saturday, December 30, 2023, the Clergy Community Coalition (CCC) and the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (IMA) will host the third annual prayer gathering to usher in a healthier, peaceful and safer 2024.
By News Desk
With the support of the Tournament of Roses and the City of Pasadena, the prayer will take place on the East Lawn of the Tournament House followed by a procession up Orange Grove to Colorado Blvd. to bless the grounds where the parade will kick-off on New Year’s Day.
The Clergy will start with a breakfast hosted by Maranatha High School at 9am. The prayer event will start on the lawn of the Tournament of Roses headquarters at Wrigley Mansion, at 11:00am and will include a Land Welcome by leaders of the Gabrieleno (Tongva) Band of Mission Indians and prayers by several local clergy. As part of the program, participants will walk in procession up Orange Grove Blvd. to the corner of Colorado Blvd. where the major grandstands for the Rose Parade are located.
Tournament of Roses President, Alex Aghajanian, said:
Although we are internationally known for the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game, which happens once a year, Tournament of Roses prides itself in celebrating our outstanding community on parade day and beyond. The parade theme, ‘Celebrating a World of Music,’ brings us together through music. In a world of different cultures, beliefs, hopes, and dreams, one language unites us all — music.
Through the 3rd Annual Faith Leaders Unite Prayer Event, this collaboration holds the key to unlocking the boundless potential that the new year holds.”
Pastor Mayra Macedo-Nolan, Executive Director for Clergy Community Coalition, said:
At the core of the work of a CCC is the belief that the Faith Community plays an important role in the well-being of our communities. For this reason, it is critical for us to first come together in prayer and we prepare for our work together in the year ahead. We are privileged to have elected and civic leaders and partners who also embrace this belief and prioritize this event.
Faith Leaders Unite is a call to commitment, to prayer and collaboration for the good of the people of Greater Pasadena and the surrounding region, and what a better time to gather than on the eve of the historic Rose Parade, which allows us the opportunity to bless the event and the millions of visitors in great our city.”
Assemblymember Chris Holden said:
Every year, it is always a pleasure to see our great city of Pasadena gather around the festivities as the Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl Game usher in opportunity for the world to come together. Starting the year in prayer and gratitude across the different faiths demonstrates our unity and belief to press on with hope for the great things ahead.”
Faith Leaders Unite began through a collaboration in 2021 between local clergy, elected officials and Tournament of Roses leaders who agreed that it was proper and important to bring clergy together ahead of the world-renowned Rose Parade to bless the community and the event in this manner.
Source: CCC
Leave a Reply