Churches will hold services to promote healing in tough times

Several local Methodist churches are holding services to promote solace and healing for those who are suffering loss, depression and anxiety this Christmas season.

Fourth Street United Methodist Church, 551 S. Fourth St. in Aurora is inviting the community to a special 10 a.m. service Sunday, which the Rev. David Eichelberger, church pastor, has declared as "Blue Sunday."

"This Sunday's contemporary service will allow us to show solidarity for those in a blue state of mind," Eichelberger said in a prepared statement.

Call (630) 897-5257 for more information.

Batavia United Methodist Church at 8 N. Batavia Ave. and Baker Memorial United Methodist Church at 307 Cedar Ave. in St. Charles are also holding special services.

The Batavia church will hold a meditative "Service of Light" at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. The service will be led by Gary Pierce, a pastor at the church and a Christian therapist, and his wife Sally Pierce, a chaplain at Holmstad retirement community. Guests can stay after the service for personal consultation.

For details, call (630) 879-7060.

Baker Memorial United Methodist Church will host a "Longest Night" service at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, the longest night of the year because of the winter solstice.

"It seems like something God might want us to do," said the Rev. Ronni Verboom, senior pastor. "People make the connection of darkness with a difficult time."

Verboom said she was inspired to hold the special service for the first time because of some of the experiences of those in her congregation. But she emphasized that everyone is welcome to take part.

"We've had anxiety in the congregation regarding the global market," Verboom added. "People have lost their jobs, they have lost money from retirement funds that they are drawing on. We also have families who have suffered multiple losses over the last year."

The service will include prayer, Scripture reading and music as a reminder that God's presence is for those who mourn and that God's word comes to give light to darkness on earth.

For information, call the church at (630) 584-6680.

Principal honored:

The Rev. F. William Etherege, principal of Aurora Central Catholic High School and superintendent of the Catholic schools in the Aurora deanery, will be presented with the Hometown Hero Award by Mayor Tom Weisner during half-time of the varsity basketball game this evening at the school. Aurora Central will face St. Edward Central Catholic High School of Elgin at 7:30 p.m.

"Father Etheredge works diligently for the spiritual and academic development of children and young adults," Weisner said in a prepared statement. "He consistently demonstrates his faith with kindness and humility, and genserally embodies the traits we all strive to inspire in our young people."

Etheredge has served the Aurora deanery for eight years. The City of Aurora awards Hometown Hero Awards to exceptional individuals in order to recognize their contributions to the city.