Riverside participates in Gorge Gaza Action, an interfaith group that holds a community action each Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. at Second and State streets.
Riverside participates in Gorge Gaza Action, an interfaith group that holds a community action each Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. at Second and State streets.
HOOD RIVER — Riverside Community Church (RCC) adopted a resolution at a congregational meeting on May 5 calling for a ceasefire in Gaza in the wake of the eight-month war that has left thousands dead and Gaza in ruins.
The resolution says, in part, “As a people of faith committed to peace with justice for all, who deeply mourn the historical and current violence and injustice in Israel and Palestine, we call upon the United States government to publicly call for ceasefire, de-escalation, and restraint by all parties.”
The resolution also urges an increase in humanitarian aid, that all sides abide by international law, and the release of hostages and unlawfully held prisoners. A similar resolution has been adopted by the governing board of the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ, of which Riverside is a member, as well as more than 100 towns and cities and dozens of faith communities across the United States.
Riverside Pastor Vicky Stifter said the congregation did not want to remain silent while American tax dollars are used to supply arms to the Israel military. “Even as we deplore Hamas’ vicious attack of Oct. 7, we decry Israel’s response, resulting in the deaths of more than 34,000 Gazans, the displacement of nearly 2 million, and the specter of widespread starvation and illness. We cannot sit idly by while this tragedy unfolds.”
Riverside is an active participant in Gorge Gaza Action, an interfaith group that holds a community action each Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. at Second and State streets, calling for an end to the violence. On a recent Friday, more than 60 people attended. The group has also urged the Hood River City Council to pass a resolution similar to the one adopted by other cities, but so far, the council has voted not to act.
Riverside Community Church, United Church of Christ, is located at Fourth and State streets in downtown Hood River. For more information, visit www.riversideucc.com.
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