Light Up the Night vigil offers time for remembrance

Candles, readings of names and reflections about recently passed persons highlighted a memorial service Dec. 21. The third annual Light Up the Night: Candlelight and Community Vigil was held outdoors at Water Street Mall in downtown Aurora.

The Rev. John Bell, pastor at Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora, coordinated and emceed the event.

Holding candles, guests gave reflections and read a poem and names of persons who passed in 2021. About 15 persons attended the event.

In addition to Wesley UMC, speakers represented World Relief Chicagoland's Aurora office, Hesed House homeless shelter, Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry and Association for Individual Development's street outreach team.

The Rev. Bell explained, "Again we gathered as a community to light candles and to read the names of persons who died in 2021. We remembered people who have passed on and held their lives in the light of community."

Offering reflections were the Rev. Bell and Thew Elliott, traditional worship director, Wesley UMC; Susan Bachmeier, World Relief Aurora; Shannon Cameron, executive director, Aurora Food Pantry; and Joe Jackson, executive director, Hesed House.

A member of Association for Individual Development's street outreach team read a poem.

The Rev. Bell concluded the service with an invitation to a free pizza dinner at Wesley.

The dinner was part of a Gathering Community series on first and third Wednesdays at the church.

Included Wednesday was carol singing, cookie decorating, crafting holiday ornaments and showing of the film "Polar Express."