Peace Sunday

Since January 2024, our congregation has set aside the first Sunday of every month as Peace Sunday. This is a time for us to gather in worship, community, and reflection, grounded in our shared values of Love, Justice, and Interdependence.

Peace Sunday began as a response to the ongoing genocide in Gaza and has since grown into a wider commitment to hold space for the many wars and conflicts our world is experiencing, especially those in which our nation is directly involved.

On Peace Sunday, we come together not only to pray and sing for peace, but also to talk honestly about the suffering of war, to share what we have been hearing and feeling, and to explore how we can live out our call to peacemaking in our own lives and communities. It is a day of connection, of listening deeply, and of imagining together what a more peaceful world could look like.

Peace Sunday Schedule

Peace Circle Slide Shows

Gaza Resources

UUA Statement

Read the Statement from the Unitarian Universalist Association on the Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza at https://www.uua.org/pressroom/press-releases/catastrophe-gaza-and-israel This page also has links to past statements and a short history on the conflict.

Why We Cannot Turn Away

In November of 2023, the UUA, along with the UU group Side With Love, held a webinar titled “Why We Cannot Turn Away” with great background info on the conflict. Watch the webinar and find more resources here: https://www.uua.org/international-justice/uua-statements-palestine/israel/resources-engaging-palestine-israel

Sunday Services at UUCR

Peace Sunday Panel Discussions

On the first Sunday of every month, after First Sunday Lunch, join us for a short, interfaith panel on peace. Watch previous discussions below.

If Americans Knew

If Americans Knew is a good resource for those wanting to learn more. ifamericansknew.org

Rathbone

Here’s a great video from a creator named Rathbone that clears up some common misconceptions about the crisis

Legacy of the Enlightenment

Check out UUCR member, Dr. Lee Greer’s website, “Legacy of the Enlightenment” at https://enlightenmentlegacy.net/

Eye on Palestine

For updates from the ground, check out the Eye on Palestine Telegram Group at https://t.me/eyeonpal

Electronic Intifada

Investigative journalism with a regular podcast may be found on the nearly quarter of a century old outlet with some very seasoned investigators: https://electronicintifada.net/

Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor

There are frequent broad updates from the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor: https://euromedmonitor.org/en

“Save Gaza” Instagram

Check out the Save Gaza Instagram for information on local actions.

Ways to take action

WhatsApp group

This WhatsApp group has information on protests and events happening in and around Corona: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K6pVxeT5PSYI7VJsLVqmp8

City of Riverside Ceasefire Resolution

On February 13 Clarissa Cervantes, Riverside City Councilmember for Ward 2, introduced a resolution to the city council to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution failed.

  • Read the resolution put forth by the City Councilmember 
  • Watch the video of the City Council Meeting 
    Below is an outline of the discussion in the video, notice that  public comment ran for 4 hours, so the first and last parts might be the most important to watch
    • The discussion about the resolution starts at about 33 minutes into the meeting
    • At about 1 hour and 10 minutes into the meeting they get to public comments.
    • 5 hours and 10 minutes into the meeting public comment concludes and the council discusses the resolution and then votes

UUs for Peace in the Middle East

The Unitarian Universalists for Peace in the Middle East are a great resource, they have put together an “Actions and Info” Google doc that has some great info on ways to act.