On the Town: Church women promote tolerance at World Community Day
Church Women United of Glendale promoted a further-reaching take on peace during the annual World Community Day observance earlier this month at Salem Lutheran Church.
The organization is made up of women from different church denominations in Glendale, Montrose and Burbank, said Karil Drake, recording secretary.
The group’s purpose is to help those in need while providing members a place to build friendships and share their spiritual journey.
In addition to the local city unit, there are state and national levels. The national organization came up with the ecumenical service theme “Kindling New Fires for Peace” with the philosophy that in today’s world of digital technology and social media, members have an increased ability to communicate with people of denominations other than Christian, such as Muslim, Buddhist and Jewish.
The thought is to create an inclusive community and work toward kindling new fires toward peace.
Guest speaker Sharon Heck, a member of the Regional Lutheran Women’s Board, talked about her passion for many years, which is “Peace with Justice.” She said she believes in taking action to bring peace and justice to everyone.
This can be accomplished through direct service to feed the hungry and shelter and clothe those in need as well as advocate by writing to elected officials to create just laws that help the neediest in society.
The highlight of the day was the presentation of a check for $1,995 to the Salvation Army’s Meals on Wheels program. The funds were raised during the 40th annual Salad Bar Luncheon held in July at the First United Methodist Church of Glendale.
Lillian Simons, president of Church Women United of Glendale, presented the check to Glendale Salvation Army Lt. Jennifer Shiflett.
Additional projects of the Glendale unit are making financial donations to the American Leprosy Mission, providing paper goods to YWCA’s domestic violence shelter and collecting magazines for waiting rooms at Olive View Hospital.
A special guest attending was the Rev. Mildred Butler, state president of Church Women United.
The group’s future events are May Friendship Day at 10:30 a.m. on May 11 at Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church; Meals on Wheels Salad Bar Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 24 at First United Methodist Church; and the World Community Day at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 3 at Salem Lutheran Church.
The group also donates funds to the CropWalk, which will be on March 4. It begins and ends at Incarnation Catholic Church and travels in a circle along Brand Boulevard. The CropWalk was started by Church World Services to raise funds for local and national charities.
Tree lighting held in memory of Jack Kabateck
Adventist Health Glendale Foundation is dedicating its annual tree-lighting ceremony to the memory of dedicated community volunteer, the late Jack Kabateck.
The event will be held at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7 in the West Tower Lobby of Adventist Health Glendale, 1509 Wilson Terrace.
Kabateck passed away in 2014. Along with his wife, Glady, Jack Kabateck had served with the Glendale Symphony Orchestra Assn., Glendale-La Crescenta chapter of the American Red Cross and Glendale Rotary Noon Club.
The annual “Light Up a Life” event is a tradition celebrated throughout the country to increase the awareness and support of hospice care.
Funds raised during this local observation will go to Adventist Health Glendale’s hospice services and Beyond Loss bereavement support programs.
The public can honor or memorialize a loved one by donating at one of four tribute-gift levels.
For more information, call (818) 409-8055.
Boy Scout Council honors Hometown Heroes
Four local residents will be recognized during the annual Hometown Heroes Dinner, presented by the Verdugo Hills Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
The event will be on Dec. 7 at the La Cañada Country Club.
Those being honored are Robin Goldsworthy, publisher of the Crescenta Valley Weekly; Glendale police officer Michele Gonzalez; retired Lt. Col. David Worley of the U.S. Air Force, who is the administrator of the Crescenta Valley High School’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program; and Burbank resident and Vietnam War veteran Mickey DePalo, who is president of the Burbank Veterans Committee and was named the 2017 Veteran of the Year for the state 43rd Assembly district.
Tickets are $60. Reservation deadline is Monday.
To purchase tickets or become a sponsor, call (818) 243-6282, Ext. 114, or email Dede.Mueller@Scouting.org.
JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.