Paul Clinton
Several hundred spiritually-minded folk are expected to christen
2003 at the Huntington Beach Pier Plaza on Sunday as part of the
annual Procession of Light.
The event, sponsored by the Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith
Council, which is in its fourth year, usually draws large crowds.
"This year's procession will feature faith community leaders
offering prayers for peace and safety of families, the city and the
world," said Debi Wheeler-Ure, the chairwoman of the community
committee organizing the event.
Beginning at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, the event will feature live musical
performances, song and group prayer. Nancy Linder and the South Coast
Klezmer Band will join the Sts. Simon and Jude Church Youth Band for
a 30-minute musical prelude.
Then, at 3 p.m., city luminaries and leaders will lead prayers to
start the new year off on a spiritual note.
Mayor Connie Boardman, who will attend, said the event is a good
way to launch a new beginning.
"The value of this is celebration of the religious diversity in
this city," Boardman said. "It's a prayer service for all religious
groups."
Former council members Ralph Bauer and Shirley Dettloff have also
pledged to attend, along with Police Chief Kenneth Small. Bauer and
Dettloff are founding members of the interfaith council.
Those who attend the ceremony will be able to submit a prayer on a
piece of paper, which will be added together.
Organizers will take the gathered prayers and put them in a fire
pit on the north side of the pier. A dove will be released, at that
time, with bagpipes playing in the background.
In past years, the event has featured prayers of different faiths.
This year, the program includes a nondenominational prayer.
"It's totally different than it has been in the past," Wheeler-Ure
said about the event. "It's being presented a little differently this
year to show that we are united in our differences."
Council rolls out carpet for new subcommittee
The City Council scheduled the first meeting of a new subcommittee
designed to address water quality and boating issues.
The first meeting of the Huntington Harbor Waterways Committee is
scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Huntington Central Library.
Council members Debbie Cook, Cathy Green and Dave Sullivan are
scheduled to attend as liaisons. The committee is made up of
representatives of harbor homeowners associations, marinas, yacht
clubs and officials from the county, state and federal levels.
The committee will address water quality, dredging, sewage,
