Huntington Beach Interfaith Council
The Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council hosted the 11th annual Procession of Light on September 12, 2010, at Pier Plaza in Huntington Beach, California.
Over 35 different faith-based organizations participated in the Interfaith Council Procession of Light which included a variety of music and words of inspiration from local religious and political leaders. The program also included the presentation of lifetime achievement awards to former Huntington Beach Mayors Shirley Dettloff and Ralph Bauer.
Jennifer McGrath was pleased to attend the Procession of Light in support of the Huntington Beach Interfaith Council. Present throughout the day’s activities was the World Peace Flame which was brought directly from the eternal World Peace Flame at the Hague in the Netherlands. The day began with the “Blessing of the Streets” at 2:30 p.m. Participants gathered at the downtown Huntington Beach Library for a walk down Main Street to Pier Plaza adjacent to the Huntington Beach Pier. The Blessing of the Streets procession was meant to acknowledge all that is good in the Huntington Beach community.
People then gathered at Pier Plaza for the Interfaith Council Procession Program activities which began with a lively musical performance by the Kyodo Taiko Drummers from the UCLA Collegiate Taiko Group. The drummers were followed by a rousing Sister Act performance which included the songs “O Happy Day” and “Joyful, Joyful.” Later in the activities, the crowd was entertained with moving spiritual performances by soloist Michael Paul Smith, the South Coast Simcha Band, and Noor.
Uplifting commentary was provided by leaders from various faiths including: Rabbi Stephen Einstein of the Congregation B’nai Tzedek; Father Joseph Knerr, pastor of St. Bonaventure Roman Catholic Church; Reverend Dr. Peggy Price of the Seal Beach Center for Spiritual Living; Father Christian Mondor of Sts. Simon & Jude Roman Catholic Church; Dr. Dale Braithwaite of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and representatives of the Baha’i Faith, the Islamic Society, and the Zoroastrian Faith.
Huntington Beach Interfaith Council honors Shirley Dettloff and Ralph Bauer
The master of ceremonies for the Huntington Beach Interfaith Council Procession of Light was Dave Garofalo, Chairman of the 2010 Procession of Light Committee. Procession of Light Committee members also included Rabbi Stephen Einstein, Tom Hohman, Father Christian Mondor, Debi Wheeler-Ure, Renate Groutier, and Dr. Dale Braithwaite.
Dignitaries in attendance to show their support for the Interfaith Council Procession of Light included U.S. Congressman (46th District) Dana Rohrabacher, Huntington Beach Mayor Cathy Green, Fountain Valley Mayor Larry Crandall, Huntington Beach City Attorney Jennifer McGrath, Huntington Beach City Councilmember Joe Carchio, Huntington Beach Treasurer Shari Freidenrich, and candidate for Huntington Beach City Council Fred Speaker.
The Huntington Beach Interfaith Council Procession of Light activities concluded with a walk to the end of the Huntington Beach pier and back led by bagpiper Dave Champagne.
The Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council is a non-profit organization that seeks to promote interfaith understanding and harmony through dialogue, education, programs and community activities. The Huntington Beach Interfaith Council is based on the core American values of social justice and religious freedom for all. To that end, the Huntington Beach Interfaith Council is involved in a number of events throughout the year including the Procession of Light in September, an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service in November, an Interfaith Prayer Breakfast in May, and the Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade.
The Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council meets monthly and welcomes all who want to become involved. For more information see the Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council website or contact the Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council by email info@ghbic.org, or mail at 18685-A Main St., #194, Huntington Beach, CA 92648.
