By Al Benson
Reverend John Bell felt bittersweet last weekend.
Departing as pastor at Aurora’s Wesley United Methodist Church, the Aurora resident was honored for 10 years of ministry at gatherings last weekend.
Bell, 53, a Downers Grove native, earlier announced plans to accompany his wife, Alison, to Louisville, Ky., where she will work in refugee resettlement.
A social activist, he is known for his passion for mercy, social justice, and community. A ”Black Lives Matter” sign is planted on the Church lawn and a Pride flag hangs on the Church exterior. In 2022, Bell was a candidate for Aurora Fourth Ward alderman.
He is a graduate of Duke Divinity School and Illinois Wesleyan University.
Saturday, June 3, congregants, family members, and friends, packed the Gathering Place room at the Church for an evening dinner and recognition. Kathy Breazeale, Wesley governing Board president, opened the event with a welcome to guests and an invocation.
After dinner, the program began with music by a trio of Michelle Curiel, Wesley praise and worship director; Thew Elliott, traditional worship director; and Cindy Chase, Aurora vocalist/guitarist.
Roger Curless, governing Board member, began by chronicling Rev. Bell’s service to United Methodist Church Northern Illinois Conference. He was a pastor of UMC churches in Cherry Valley, Bartlett, and Yorkville, before joining Wesley.
On the administrative review committee for NIC annual conference, Bell served on a leadership development task force and chaired a district committee on ordained ministry, a conference relations committee, and the board of ordained ministry.
Curless shared excerpts from a letter to Bell by the Rev. Jeffry Bross, superintendent, NIC Prairie Central District. “You have cemented your legacy in the conference.
“You have made an impact on new candidates for ministry, on me, on colleagues, on lay persons and, more importantly, on the lost, lonely, and forgotten in the communities you have served,” Bross wrote, in part.
Curless was followed by DiAnn Wiley, Wesley poet, who shared “The Call,” a poem she wrote for the occasion.
Emcee Breazeale launched gift presentations with a high-tech wrist watch purchased with monetary donations, “love gifts,” from congregants. “We want you to think of Wesley every day,” she said.
Other gifts included a memory book presented by Emmy Lou John, president, United Women in Faith; and a gift to Alison Bell from Breazeale.
Attendees were given the opportunity to step up to a microphone and speak about Bell. Eight did so.
Bell turned his final parting words into a learning experience. Putting his event briefly on pause, he asked table groups to discuss topics they would like to learn and then list topics they would like to teach.
He continued by saying, “I’ve worked with a lot of gifted staff over these 10 years, but this is the best configuration of staff I’ve ever worked with.”
The send-offs continued Sunday, June 4. During 10:30 a.m. service, Bell preached on “Saying Good-bye” and offered a passing-the-baton segment. Breazeale invited attendees to come forward and pray for Bell. She said, “As a part of this body of Christ at Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora over the past 10 years, you have given of yourselves in ways that we have appreciated and will miss.
“We now ask God’s blessing upon you as we lift our hearts in prayer.”
Bell and Alison greeted visitors at a reception in the Gathering Place.
Bell said, “As I prepare to leave, I hope you will continue to find ways to offer radical love to each other and to your neighbors.”
Rev. Tammy Scott, lead pastor at Sugar Grove UMC, has been named to replace Bell effective July 1.