Mission Statement
The purpose of the Aurora District is to make disciples for Jesus Christ by equipping its local faith communities for a ministry of witness, justice, hope and love, and by providing a connection for mission beyond the congregation; all to the glory of God.
Welcome Spring!
Appointment Season is well underway and with Annual Conference now just around the corner, I want to write and alert you to some important dates on the calendar.
Monday, April 27, the Aurora District will host a “training/conversation” event for local church Lay Leaders. Leading us in our work will be Mark Manzi, Aurora District Lay Leader and chair of the Annual Conference Committee. This event is long overdue and we’re grateful that someone stepped forward to ask for a time for lay leaders to gather to share ideas and to learn about their work as outlined in The Guidelines of the United Methodist Church. Please encourage the lay leader of your church to attend along with anyone who would find the information helpful. Letters of invitation have been sent to lay leaders.
On Sunday, May 3rd, our Pre-Conference Listening Session will take place at Grace UMC in Joliet. (Please see information given the legislative recommendations coming from General Conference.) It will be important for both clergy and lay members of the Annual Conference to be fully informed.
What’s new on the District you ask? Well, I’m delighted to share with you that, with the help of the District Strategy Committee, new “cluster” alignments have been made for the Aurora District. Please see the cluster listings on the Aurora District Home Page and learn which cluster your church has been aligned to. In a week or so, information will be sent to each church naming the cluster conveners and the dates that Bishop Jung has set aside to be available to each cluster. During the Bishop’s visit, he will go to each church and spend ½ hour to 45 minutes talking with members, pastor and blessing the buildings. An evening cluster gathering will conclude the day’s event with a light supper and some conversation with the Bishop. Watch for more detailed information to follow.
Got information for the website? Pictures from your Confirmation day or special mission program can be posted for us all to see and enjoy. Our Aurora District webmaster is Joseph Brehm and he can be reached at joseph.brehm@4dbasics.com.
Well, that’s it for now. You are always in my heart and in my prayers. I am honored to be the Superintendent of the Aurora District and am so very proud of the wonderful ministries of which we are a part.
God Bless you – see you soon!
Diana
Rev. Diana M. Facemyer
Aurora District Superintendent