Worshippers are giving thanks across Southern California this Easter Sunday, and many locals are focusing on healing in the wake of the devastating January wildfires.
The annual Easter Sunrise Service at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park in Westlake Village wrapped up around 7 a.m., and parishioners there dedicated time to supporting the Pacific Palisades community after the Palisades Fire ravaged homes and led to a dozen deaths.
As the Westlake Village event was finishing, others were gathering in Altadena for the Pasadena International House of Worship’s Easter Sunrise service, which celebrated life in the wake of the Eaton Fire.
One PIHOP staff member, Haley Alaji, lost everything in the fire and still has yet to find a new home. She used to live up the street from Mountain View Mortuary and Cemetery, where PIHOP’s first Easter sunrise service in 50 years – which accepted all denominations – was being held.
“We’re here by faith…the Holy Spirit told us to do this,” she said. “For me…it’s very surreal to be here, and I feel like I won’t really feel the true effects of what we are doing here but by faith, I know that we are doing something.”
Speaking on why the celebration was held at the cemetery, another staff member, Cheryl Allen, said the location represented both the holy day and the community’s experience.
“This community has gone through so much tragedy…and we [want to celebrate] the message of Easter,” she told KTLA 5’s Jennifer McGraw. “It’s about extreme tragedy and hope arising, so we really thought it should be here.”
Just in time for Easter, Palisades Lutheran Church became the first church in the Pacific Palisades to start having services again in the wake of the fire this week.
