South Pasadena holds 9th annual prayer breakfast | The South Pasadenan

On May 6, 2024By Vaseline

PHOTO: J. Mike Kwok | South Pasadenan | L-R South Pasadena Prayer Breakfast Committee: Bob Joe, Secretary Ashley Lynn Hengst, Dawn Ponnet, Kathryn Hutto, Laurie Astle, Past Chair Rev. Lincoln Skinner, Karen Kano, Chair Nancy Norris, Treasurer Elizabeth Dever, Vice Chair Rev. Sam Park.

By Karen Kano

In a glass-walled hilltop sanctuary, the South Pasadena Prayer Breakfast gathered the community Thursday to encourage prayer and peacemaking amid rising polarization in the U.S. and escalating tensions around the world.

During the Ninth Annual Breakfast for 2024, “Sowing Peace – in Our Hearts, Homes and Communities,” keynote speaker Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts peace as more than the absence of conflict, but also as a “fullness of life.” Roberts, a senior strategist at Fuller Seminary’s De Pree Center for Leadership, guides leaders across industries to thrive in every part of their lives.

PHOTO: brought to you by Karen Kano | South Pasadenan | Rev. Dr. Mark D Roberts — PHOTO: J. Mike Kwok | South Pasadenan | Rev. Dr. Mark D Roberts

“Mark emphasized how we must practice being peacemakers at home, in the community and in our hearts,” said SPPB Committee Member Kathryn Hutto. “And some of these practices are simple, small acts of kindness… intentional gestures of grace.”

SPPB awarded $1,500 grants to three nonprofit organizations – YoungLife of South Pasadena/San Marino, South Pasadena Educational Foundation (SPEF) and MyKkids – to continue their work in providing care and support to our youth.

PHOTO: brought to you by Karen Kano | South Pasadenan | SPPB President Nancy Norris presents a $1,500 grant to Adam Sonneland of YoungLife South Pasadena/San Marino — PHOTO: J. Mike Kwok | South Pasadenan | SPPB President Nancy Norris presents a $1,500 grant to Adam Sonneland of YoungLife South Pasadena/San Marino

The grant from YoungLife will help provide scholarships for the high school summer camp. Coincidentally, Roberts said he attended a YoungLife camp in high school on a scholarship and it profoundly affected his life.

SPPB, a nonprofit organization funded entirely by private donations, has awarded more than $30,000 in grants to local organizations that actively promote prayer and service. Nancy Norris, SPPB chair, said this year’s breakfast committee wanted to highlight some of the great work being done by the school district to support student mental health.

PHOTO: brought to you by Karen Kano | South Pasadenan | LR SPPB President Nancy Norris, SPEF Executive Director Stacey Petersen, SPEF Board Member Grace Liu Kung, as SPEF receives a $1,500 grant for SPHS and SPMS Wellness Centers. — PHOTO: J. Mike Kwok | South Pasadenan | LR SPPB President Nancy Norris, SPEF Executive Director Stacey Petersen, SPEF Board Member Grace Liu Kung, as SPEF receives a $1,500 grant for SPHS and SPMS Wellness Centers.

SPEF will spend the grant on the new wellness centers at South Pasadena High School and South Pasadena Middle School, and MyKkids will use the money for daycare fencing.

Government and school representatives, first responders, business leaders, clergy and residents who attended the breakfast wholeheartedly agreed that ReNew United Methodist Church, with its stained glass windows and wall of windows overlooking South Pasadena, was a beautiful location for the event. Senator Anthony Portantino and MP Mike Fong issued certificates of recognition to SPPB which were presented by their respective representatives, Erica Nam and Jessica Tang.

PHOTO: J. Mike Kwok | South Pasadenan | Former Mayor and SPPB Committee Member Bob Joe, Jessica Tang, Erica Nam and SPPB President Nancy Norris. Representatives of Assembly Member Mike Fong and Senator Anthony Portantino (respectively) present certificates of appreciation to the South Pasadena Prayer Breakfast committee. — PHOTO: J. Mike Kwok | South Pasadenan | Former Mayor and SPPB Committee Member Bob Joe, Jessica Tang, Erica Nam and SPPB Chair Nancy Norris. Representatives of Assembly Member Mike Fong and Senator Anthony Portantino (respectively) present certificates of appreciation to the South Pasadena Prayer Breakfast committee.

“The overcast weather outside the glass walls of ReNew’s chapel did not dampen the strong spirit and community support of those who attended this year’s prayer breakfast,” said Laurie Astle, one of the SPPB committee members.

Led by former SPPB Chairman and Senior Pastor of Oneonta Congregational Church, the Rev. Lincoln Skinner, local clergy offered prayers for the soul, the home and family, schools, places of worship, the community and the world. “The prayers were moving and passionate pleas for our community and the world. They reflected the deep hope we all hold in our hearts and minds,” said Norris.

PHOTO: brought to you by Karen Kano | South Pasadenan | L-R Prayer Leaders Father Ricky Viveros of the Holy Family, Dr. Beau Wammack of Calvary Presbyterian, Rev. Dr. Darrell Haley of South Pasadena Christian, Rev. Dr. Gregory Kimura of St. James Episcopal, Bishop Scott Astle of South Pasadena Church of Jesus Christ of LDS, Rev. David Seo of Pasadena Lord's Church, and Pastor Ashley Lynn Hengst of All Saints Episcopal. — PHOTO: J. Mike Kwok | South Pasadenan | L-R Prayer Leaders Father Ricky Viveros of the Holy Family, Dr. Beau Wammack of Calvary Presbyterian, Rev. Dr. Darrell Haley of South Pasadena Christian, Rev. Dr. Gregory Kimura of St. James Episcopal, Bishop Scott Astle of South Pasadena Church of Jesus Christ of LDS, Rev. David Seo of Pasadena Lord’s Church, and Pastor Ashley Lynn Hengst of All Saints Episcopal.

Prayer leaders were Father Ricky Viveros of Holy Family Church, Dr. Beau Wammack of Calvary Presbyterian Church, Rev. Dr. Darrell Haley of South Pasadena Christian Church, Rev. Dr. Gregory Kimura of St. James Episcopal Church, Bishop Scott Astle of South Pasadena Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Rev. David Seo of Pasadena Lord’s Church, and Pastor Ashley Lynn Hengst of All Saints Episcopal Church.

PHOTO: J. Mike Kwok | South Pasadenan | Brooke Mann sings a solo.

Brooke Mann sang a solo, and ReNew’s Rev. Sam Park sang a musical blessing. Boy Scout Troop 333 from Holy Family Church performed the Color Guard ceremony.

Many of the donors, including 14 mothers from Moms in Prayer of South Pasadena and Meg Middleman and Gerry Poulin, also helped during the event.

“It’s so nice to see people coming together and embracing the opportunity to connect and share over a cup of coffee and a particular cause, the SPPB!” said Norris. Next year 10^e The annual event will again take place on the National Day of Prayer, which falls on the first Thursday in May.