Hundreds Gather for interfaith vigil outside university chapel
Hundreds of people of different faiths gathered at the University of La Verne on Nov. 29 to burn candles, sing songs, and deliver a powerful call for unity and solidarity among all people.
The nighttime candlelight vigil, organized by the University of La Verne’s Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and the Inland Valley Interfaith Network, came in response to increasingly-negative national rhetoric surrounding some immigrant and cultural groups.
University of La Verne President Devorah Lieberman addressed the crowd of spiritual and civic leaders, local residents, students, and university staff outside the Interfaith Chapel, thanking them for coming out on a cold night to demonstrate their commitment to social justice, diversity, and mutual respect for one another.
“This action speaks volumes to those around us in the community about who we are and what we are about,” Lieberman said.
The vigil began with the ceremonial burning of sage and continued with speakers from the university, the NAACP, and other religious and community groups. Cantor Paul Buch of Temple Beth Israel played guitar and led the group in song.
The vigil occurred just days after several Southern California mosques received hateful messages threatening members. Leaders and members of the mosques attended the vigil and received a special show of support from the gatherers.
“To our Muslim friends, neighbors, and family, please know our hearts are with you,” Zandra Wagoner, the university’s interfaith chaplain told them. “We pray for safety. And please feel our collective presence both here tonight and symbolically as the days move forward.”
The University of La Verne sits in one of the most religiously diverse areas in the world. Its Office of Religious and Spiritual Life encourages students to engage in meaningful and proactive interfaith and interreligious dialogue and action.
