Join Light Up the Night Aurora candlelight vigil Dec. 21
Aurora Methodists will celebrate the winter solstice - the darkest day of the year - with a candlelight vigil to honor those who passed during the past year.
Aurora's Wesley United Methodist Church is the vigil sponsor. Rev. John Bell, Wesley UMC pastor, said the "Light Up the Night Aurora" ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, at Millennium Plaza, 21 S. Stolp Ave. in downtown Aurora.
Everyone is invited to bring a candle to Millennium Plaza. This is a civic gathering (non-religious) and everyone is welcome to attend.
Rev. Bell said, "During this winter solstice, the longest night of the year, we will gather by candlelight and read the names of those who have died in 2021.
"The purpose of this event is to bring dignity to those who have died - and to remind us that, even though we may not see the people who live on the edges of ourcommunity, they are still part of our community.
"Everyone deserves dignity. Having dignity towards one another impacts the community we are building. "
He added that several nonprofits, including Hesed House, Aurora Pride and Simply Destinee, have been invited to have representatives read names of people who have died from their communities, including clients, staff and volunteers.
The winter solstice, the oldest-known winter celebration, is derived from the Latin word "solstitium," which means "sun standing still." In ancient times, it was both spiritually and scientifically essential and marked the changing of the seasons.
Experts say the best place in the world to observe the winter solstice is at the prehistoric monument Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, believed to have been erected by ancient Celtic druids to line up the exact position of the sunset on the winter solstice.
Learn more at www.facebook.com/WesleyUnitedMethodistChurch.Aurora/.
The church at 14 May St. in Aurora will host a Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24. The church offers in-person worship at 10:30 a.m. and online service at 9:30 a.m. Sundays.