By Al Benson
Unofficially, it was Michelle Curiel Day at Aurora’s Wesley United Methodist Church on Sunday, Jan. 26.
The celebration featured gifts, speeches and a reception attended by members, friends and relatives.
During and after Sunday worship services, the Aurora resident was honored on her last Sunday as Wesley associate director of worship and director of children and family ministries for six years. Planning to become a social worker, she is scheduled to receive a master’s degree from Aurora University in May.
Curiel’s achievements included coordinating a summer arts, crafts and reading program for youth at city parks and a twice monthly Wednesday Night Gathering series that features a free dinner and family community-service project. Curiel’s final gathering will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, with a pizza dinner followed by sandwich making for a community fridge serving unhoused Aurora-area residents.
Curiel opened the service with a welcome to attendees. Then she sang and played guitar with a five-piece praise band.
Rev. Scott said, “We appreciate Michelle and the lasting contributions she has made to Wesley and the Aurora community. We will continue to hold Michelle in our hearts and thoughts as we continue to be nurtured by all the gifts she has shared with us.”
Addressing the congregation, Curiel made it clear she won’t stay away long and looks forward to returning as a community member.
“When I started at Wesley six years ago, I thought I was just accepting a job,” Curiel said. “Instead, I was accepting a community, a home, and a space to grow. Wesley has always been more than just a job; it has been an investment in my ability to practice what service and ministry look like to me.
“The Wesley and Aurora community has even more so ignited the fire in me to continue to serve our community through social work. I am excited to say that in May, I will (hopefully) be on the track to become a school social worker to serve children and families in the community in a different way. I would not be the advocate that I am now if it weren’t for my time here at Wesley. I feel that I have become more confident and driven because of how you have all held me.
“You are all my community and my people. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you.”