A message from Faith Leaders
December 22, 2023
Sacramento ACT is grappling with the crisis in Gaza and Israel. As a community organizing network rooted in faith, we value and recognize relationships as the heart of our work. A wisdom circle of faith leaders from diverse traditions within our network was convened. The following is their common statement:
Sacramento ACT is comprised of diverse, multi-racial, and multi-faith communities, all united in our collective pursuit to create impactful change within the city and county of Sacramento. The ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine grieves our hearts, and personally and profoundly impacts many individuals within our Sacramento Arab, Jewish and Muslim communities.
In the wake of the recent strife, our local community has witnessed disturbing incidents of Antisemitic and Islamophobic hate, manifesting as crimes and hateful rhetoric and threats targeting members of our fellowship. We stand in solidarity with those who bear the weight of loss, mourning loved ones cruelly affected by the atrocities in the region. Our profound grief fuels our call for a peaceful resolution, underscoring the urgent need for a bilateral ceasefire to halt the senseless loss of innocent lives, allow for humanitarian aid to those suffering, and mediate a safe release of all hostages.
Aligned with our religious missions, Sacramento ACT organizes to create a more just and fair community for everyone in the Sacramento region. In response to the escalating hate, we as faith leaders, pledge to invest additional time and resources into actively listening to, learning from, and standing in solidarity against the hate faced by our Arab, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh siblings. May God bless our collective efforts to contribute to a future where peace and justice prevail.
Signed,
Rabbi Mona Alfi
Rev. Dr. David C. Bocock, Pioneer Congregational Church, Sacramento
Rev. Dr. Carieta Cain-Grizzell, Fair Oaks UMC
The Rev. Canon Tina Campbell, Indigenous Missioner, Episcopal Diocese of Northern California
Rabbi Seth Castleman
Rev. Jennifer Goto, Bread of Life Center
Rev. Alan Jones
Rev. Dr. Joy Johnson
Imam Yasir Khan, California State Assembly Chaplain
Rev. Amy Kienzle, St. John’s Lutheran Church
Rev. Dr. Tecoy Porter, Genesis Church
Rev. Efren Smith, Midtown Church
Pastor Les Simmons, South Sacramento Christian Center
The Most Rev. Jaime Soto, Bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento
Imam Julius Thibodeaux-Hasan, Masjid AsSabur
The Most Rev. Megan Traquair, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California
Rev. Rajeev Rambob, UCC
The Reverend Dr. Kevin Kitrell Ross, Unity of Sacramento
Pastor Liz Vaiz, Casas de Paz Worshiping Community.
Pastor Alex Vaiz, Sierra Vista Community Church
Canon Julie Wakelee, Canon to the Ordinary the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California
Rabbi Nancy Wechsler
Rev. Quentisha Davis Wiles, St. Marks UMC
The Very Rev. Matthew Woodward, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Sacramento
Updated December 23, 2023 at 11:30am
