In the spirit of the holiday season, multiple faith communities are putting aside their theological differences to stand together in witness for peace. During this time where communities seem fractured, lives are being lost and hearts are broken, one group agrees that there is something they can do together. Many will gather with candles and signs with one simple message: peace, from 4-6 p.m. on Dec. 21 at the intersection of Central Way and Third Street in downtown Kirkland.

In an unusual move, there is no political agenda for this gathering. The goal is to show that the local community, and by extension the larger world, can stand together despite differences. People of many backgrounds have been working together to build relationships across faiths with no motive beyond respect for the other.

The Vigil for Peace is co-sponsored by F.I.R.E. (Fostering Interfaith Relationships on the Eastside) and Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church. Everyone in the larger community is invited to participate.