By Al Benson
Aurora mayor Richard Irvin offered three challenges to Aurora area clergy last week.
In a speech at Belle Salle Events Center in Aurora Thursday, Feb. 29, Irvin was keynote speaker a quarterly Aurora InterFaith Alliance leadership breakfast.
Entitled “Mayor’s Call to Action,” the speech stressed how clergy can help the City and vice versa.
- First, Irvin called on clergy to open their facilities for warming centers and cooling centers. As an example, he cited Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora for providing a warming center during a recent cold spell.
- Second, Irvin asked clergy to assist the City with a census recount. He said a recent census indicated Aurora lost 17,000 residents. Clergy members and their congregants can assist in an effort to correct what he called a miscount that will affect grants for city projects.
- Third, Irvin asked clergy to “speak the truth from the pulpit” on Aurora. He invited clergy to serve as City ambassadors by disseminating truth and facts, filling vacancies on City boards and commissions, providing invocations at City Council meetings and community events and advising on religious observances and special occasions.
Irvin closed by asking, “What can we do for you?” In table discussions and group dialogue, attendees were invited to suggest needs and priorities for City administrators. Suggestions included affordable housing, mental-health resources, and increased public safety initiatives.
Clayton Muhammad, city engagement officer and mayoral senior advisor, emceed the event. It opened and closed with prayers by clergy representing various faiths