Every week at All Saints Church we put our faith into action. This week our focus is on urging our Representatives in Congress to demand a ceasefire and the release of all hostages in the Israel-Hamas War. We will provide a powerful visual representation on the lawn of the effect of this tragedy on children – coupled with a way to contact elected officials in-the-moment to demand action.
This Week All Saints Church Offers #ShoesForCeasefire Action Toward Ceasefire
#ceasefire #releaseallhostages #ShoesForCeasefire
On All Saints Sunday, November 5, All Saints Church will offer an action to urge decision-makers to demand a ceasefire and the release of all hostages in the Israel-Hamas War.
Rector Mike Kinman said, “More than 3,500 children have been killed since October 7. We believe there is no more powerful argument for an immediate ceasefire and the return of all hostages than that this slaughtering of innocents must stop. This is not an easy ask. Hamas has pledged to keep killing Jews, and it is natural for Jews everywhere to want to end such a threat to their security and very existence. And yet the continued killing of civilians … especially children … not only is a tragedy in its own right but serves to radicalize a Gaza that previous to October 7 was waning in its support of Hamas.”
Sunday morning on the All Saints lawn, 350 small colored flags will be displayed — each representing 10 children who have been killed in the war. Next to some of the flags will be pairs of infant/toddler shoes, — and the church invites the community-at-large to bring children’s shoes to put by the flags, and to participate in this plea for peace. A sign stating the number of children killed will be updated regularly with information from UNICEF. The display will remain and grow until there is a ceasefire and release of hostages.
“What we are providing at All Saints Church is a powerful visual representation of this tragedy for people to see – coupled with a way to contact elected officials in-the-moment to demand action. We believe this is a crucial time for us to stand up for a cessation of the killing of these innocents.”
The Children, Youth, and Families department will reach out separately to parents with resources and language to navigate conversations about this painful and difficult situation in age appropriate ways.
Information will be available on how to contact elected officials to demand their support for a ceasefire and the release of all hostages and how to donate to Direct Aid to Gaza. The shoes received for the display will be donated to children in need once a ceasefire has been declared. Download a copy of the script to elected officials here, then call your Representatives (find you Representatives’ contact information below).
All Saints’ Associate Rector Mark Chase said, “#ShoesForCeaseFire is about not allowing the murders of over 3,500 children and counting to go un-noticed. We can’t pretend that this is business as usual. As a friend said, ‘The only clarity, in the fog of war, is that the innocents will suffer.’ This memorial is about lamenting and grieving the most innocent among us, while refusing to let them slip from the forefront of our conscience.
“We’re inviting the Pasadena community to come to the All Saints lawn, place a pair of shoes, say a prayer, and then call your representative to demand a ceasefire. You can do this on your lunch break, after work, after school. And after you’ve done it, please tell someone what you did and ask them to do it, too. Post about it using the hashtag #ShoesForCeasefire, then text a friend and invite them to do it as well.”
We understand the layers of grief we’re all holding, with this being All Saints Day, and if, for the sake of emotional capacity you need to leave through a different exit, that is okay. And Mike, Chase, Sally and others from our pastoral care team will also be available in the Guild Room, for anyone who needs space held to process this display.
Options to Take Action:
- Sign a letter or call your Representatives at the Action Table on Sunday.
- Download a sample script, and call your Representatives.
- Donate to the Episcopal Relief & Development’s Direct Aid to Gaza here.
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As we mourn all those lost to violence, we continue to pray for peace in the Holy Land and for our Episcopal Relief & Development partners who are working to serve all people who come to them seeking treatment and safety. Your generous support of the ERD Middle East Fund will help to address immediate and long-term needs created by the Israel-Hamas war through locally-led partnerships. Donate to the ERD here.
Contact the White House at https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ or leave a phone comment at 1-202-456-1111.
Look up your member of the U.S. House of Representatives or your U.S. Senators here: www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.
Find contact information for your California State Senator or California State Assemblymember here: www.senate.ca.gov and www.assembly.ca.gov.
Take Action
Every week at All Saints Church we put our faith into action. This week our focus is on urging our Representatives in Congress to demand a ceasefire and the release of all hostages in the Israel-Hamas War. We will provide a powerful visual representation on the lawn of the effect of this tragedy on children – coupled with a way to contact elected officials in-the-moment to demand action.