Aurora Methodist minister says farewell
Aurora resident Rev. Deborah Tinsley Taylor said goodbye May 27 to Fourth Street United Methodist Church in Aurora, where she served as pastor for eight years.
Taking a working retirement, Rev. Taylor is headed to Riverside and Cicero UMC churches where she starts as pastor of both churches July 1.
For her final sermon in Aurora, Rev. Taylor preached on "Impossible Mission Accomplished."
The Sunday service featured a farewell ceremony honoring Rev. Taylor. During a litany of farewell, the pastor presented four gifts: a Bible, communion basin, communion bread and a stole signifying office of pastor, prophet, teacher and leader.
The litany was followed by screened images reflecting Rev. Taylor's tenure at Fourth Street UMC.
On behalf of the congregation, Giuliana Eggert, staff-parish relations committee chair, presented Rev. Taylor with a 49-inch television. Other gifts were presented at a reception that closed the farewell ceremony.
In her column in the April-May "The Chronicle," church newsletter, Rev. Taylor cited highlights of her ministry. Included were Beach Ball Sunday, Pajamuary Sunday, leap frog Sunday, Judas trial re-enactment and numerous fundraisers.
Other highlights were downtown Aurora farmers market prayer booth, prayer beads, drive-up prayer booth and dispensing Ash Wednesday ashes on the foreheads of commuters at local Metra train stations.
Effective July 1, Rev. Taylor will be succeeded by the Rev. Derek Rogers, pastor at the Oswego campus of Wheatland Salem UMC.
Rev. Rogers, a Sandwich native and Oswego resident, will pastor both Fourth Street UMC and Flowing Grace UMC, which worships at Aurora Christian School in Aurora.
After months of study and discussion, the congregations of both churches voted in April to merge July 1.
In May, congregants voted to name the combined church Flowing Forth.
On July 1, Rev. Rogers will preach at an initial combined service at 10 a.m. at Aurora Christian School.
Starting July 8, worship will be held at 9 a.m. at Fourth Street UMC and at 11 a.m. at Flowing Grace until a new location is established for the combined churches.
On the first Sunday of each month, a joint service will be held at 10 a.m. alternately at Fourth Street and Flowing Grace locations.
Call (630) 897-5257 for more information.