Aurora Methodists launch Lenten season
Four Aurora-area United Methodist churches held a joint Ash Wednesday service to open the Lenten season.
Bethany of Fox Valley UMC, 2200 Ridge Ave. in Aurora, hosted the annual event.
Other participating Aurora churches were Fourth Street UMC and Wesley UMC with Kaneville UMC.
Issuing calls to repent, return, pray and be pure were pastors the Rev. Sam Park, Bethany; the Rev. Deborah Tinsley Taylor, Fourth Street UMC; the Rev. John Bell, Wesley UMC; and the Rev. Avani Christian, Kaneville UMC.
Lay people offering reflections were Tom Carter, Fourth Street UMC; Roger Curless, Wesley UMC; Anne Dombrowski, Kaneville UMC; and Jacquee Lawrence, Bethany UMC.
Choristers from sponsoring churches comprised a combined choir that performed "In the Shadow of the Cross" and "Out of Ashes" under direction of Bethany choir director Jason Dornink.
A freewill offering was taken to benefit Methodist churches of Puerto Rico. Roger Curless of Wesley UMC said of 41 UMC churches in the country, 29 were damaged or destroyed in a recent hurricane. Surviving churches are aiding local residents.
After pastors imposed ashes and served communion, fellowship and refreshments closed the service.