Groups plan Million Mom March service

The spirit of Sunday's Million Mom March will get a jump-start tonight when members of various religious groups gather in Portland for an interfaith service, themed "Prayers for Our Children."

The free, hourlong service -- which begins at 7:30 p.m. in Temple Beth Israel, 1972 N.W. Flanders St. -- will feature readings by leaders from Native American, Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities.

The service is co-sponsored by the Million Mom March and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.

On Mother's Day, the Oregon Million Mom March will rally mothers and "honorary moms" in downtown Portland "at the same time that concerned citizens from across the nation will rally in Washington, D.C., to encourage Congress to pass sensible gun safety legislation," said Teri Ruch, communications manager for Ecumenical Ministries.

The Oregon Million Mom March will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday at Southwest Park Avenue and Salmon Street, and end with a rally at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

-- Osker Spicer