For a fourth year, eight suburban faith groups will celebrate a joint Aurora Pride Sunday, June 8.
New England Congregational Church, 406 W. Galena Boulevard in Aurora, will host events leading up to the noon parade. The public is invited. Admission and parking are free.
From 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., a pride cakes pancake breakfast will feature all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausages and beverages. Freewill donations will be accepted.
At 10:30 a.m., an ecumenical worship will be held. After worship, participants will gather in the church parking lot and walk to downtown Aurora for the parade. The fourth annual parade will start at noon at East Benton Street and South Broadway.
In addition to New England, participating congregations are Wesley United Methodist Church and Temple B’nai Israel, Aurora; First Congregational Church of Batavia; The Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva; Congregation Beth Shalom, Naperville; and Becoming ELCA and Wellspring United Methodist Church, Oswego.
“We (will) eat, rally, worship and walk to the parade together,” said the Reverend Dr. Brandon Perrine, New England senior minister. “The parade is to celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in our region in a time of fear, division, and hate.”
—Al Benson