Light Up the Night: Candlelight and Community Dec. 21 in Aurora
On Monday, Dec. 21, community organizations, faith communities, nonprofits and neighborhoods are invited to pick a location, light candles and stand together in unity and silence for 30 minutes during "Light Up the Night: Candlelight and Community" from 6 to 6:30 p.m.
The Rev. John Bell, pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora, said, "We are not planning a religious event. We want to bring people together safely to show our unity as a community. We picked the longest night of the year to remind people that we are here for each other, no matter what.
"This year has been a strange, surprising - and for many - devastating year. More than ever we have had to lean on each other to survive. During this winter solstice, the longest night of the year, the community of Aurora will gather by candlelight in silence to show its unity as a city."
Bell said many nonprofits, community organizations and faith communities have signed on as co-hosts for the event. Individuals are welcome to participate outside of their homes. Everyone is asked to wear masks and to stay socially distant.
Flowing Forth United Methodist Church will host a site near the Paramount on the bridge/riverwalk area.
Wesley UMC will meet on the sidewalks surrounding the church building (Galena, May, and New York streets).
New England Congregational Church congregants will meet in the parking lot and sidewalk in front of church, 406 W. Galena Blvd.
Members of St. Mark's Lutheran Church will gather on the corner of Galena Boulevard and Edgelawn Drive. Forty-eight luminarias will be placed on the corners to really light up the place.
The Goldfinch Cafe also will host a site; message the page for contact information at www.facebook.com/thegoldfinchcafe.
The Goldfinch Cafe also will host a site; message the page for contact information at www.facebook.com/thegoldfinchcafe. Or stand in front of your home and take a snapshot.
Temple B'nai Israel will gather on the northwest corner of Galena and Edgelawn along with other congregations.
World Relief Chicagoland will meet in front of the office at 73 S. LaSalle St.
Aurora Rapid Response Team, The ArtBar and Indivisible Aurora are also scheduled to participate.
Or stand in front of your home and take a snapshot.
To participate, organizations should email Bell at revjohnbell@gmail.com. The event is listed on Facebook.
Bell is asking anyone who participates to take pictures and videos and post on social media with the #AuroraLightUp.