Departing Aurora pastor saluted at farewell worship

With gifts, prayers and best wishes from congregants, Pastor Jeffry Bross celebrated his farewell worship service June 3 at Flowing Grace United Methodist Church in Aurora.

Effective July 1, the Rev. Bross has been promoted to Aurora District superintendent, UMC Northern Illinois Conference. He follows Rev. Dick Wisdom who has been appointed to First UMC Plainfield, also effective July 1.

The Batavia resident served as associate pastor at Batavia UMC and then was the founding pastor of Flowing Grace UMC which was chartered in 2014.

He has served on the Aurora District Committee on Ordained Ministry and The Conference Board of Ordained Ministry.

Bishop Sally Dyck said Rev. Bross has a passion around the "Day of Call," an emphasis for the Northern Illinois Conference's annual conference to help people articulate and respond to a call to ministry.

Bishop Dyck said, "Jeffry has a 'can do' attitude and will continue to be accessible to clergy and churches for support and connecting with others to learn and grow in ministry. As someone who has successfully started a new church, he will help both the cabinet and local churches rethink new ways of being church.

"Flowing Grace is largely comprised of people who have no United Methodist background and since many in our churches don't either, or are unaware of our tradition and practices. He will assist in urging a more United Methodist way! " Bishop Dyck said.

On behalf of congregants, Batavia resident Ron DeBaun, Flowing Grace UMC lay leader, presented Rev. Bross with a framed cross image surrounded by every scripture from the Bible.

Earlier during the service, a 25-member mission team of youth and adults was sent off with a prayer service to a June service project in Brooklyn, N.Y.