Community Corner
Free prayers at farmers market July 20
Prayers will be added to fruits, vegetables and other offerings at the Aurora Farmers Market on Saturday, July 20. For a second year, Fourth Street United Methodist Church in Aurora will sponsor a prayer booth from 8 a.m. to noon at the market at the Aurora Metra station parking lot at 233 N. Broadway. Market shoppers will be invited to stop by the booth for a free prayer by one or more of a half dozen church volunteers led by Rev. Deborah Tinsley Taylor, Fourth Street UMC pastor. Depending on a visitor's need, they will meet with one to three church volunteers serving as prayer partners. In addition to Rev. Taylor, other prayer-team members scheduled are Bonnie and Stan McGraw, Tom Carter, Donna Mora and Jill Orr, all Aurora residents. Rev. Taylor will conduct a training session for the volunteers from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, at the church at 551 S. Fourth St. in Aurora. Last year, volunteers answered 20 prayer requests. The church plans a second prayer booth at the market on Sept. 14. Mora, a Spanish speaker, will greet booth visitors. The booth will be bilingual, offering prayers in both English and Spanish languages, said Rev. Taylor. Orr came up with the prayer-booth idea while serving on the church's worship committee. "We will sit down with visitors, hear their requests and pray with them," Orr said. "Physical touch will depend on the openness of the recipient. "Some people may want to join hands. In some instances we may lay hands on visitors, as the Holy Spirit leads." Bottled water, pens, prayer cards, prayer tips and a brochure listing upcoming church events will be available Rev. Taylor said. The prayer booth is believed to be the market's first such offering in its 100-year history. The Aurora market is Illinois' oldest. Rev. Taylor added, "This prayer ministry involves praying out loud for people who probably don't attend our church. "They may have experience with prayer for or with another, or no experience with prayer. "Their concerns may be small or great. For pray-ers, this can be a very positive and uplifting experience. "Prayer is the best wireless connection," Rev. Taylor said. "God answers knee-mail. He is only a prayer away." Call (630) 897-5257 for more information. --END--