All faiths unite at Y's prayer breakfast
More important than any of the many politically correct debates this time of year is this one, simple reminder: Christmas is about love.
Just one of the wise and inspirational moments from Thursday's third annual Heritage YMCA Community Prayer Breakfast.
This December tradition was started by B.J. Medler, a YMCA volunteer who participated in similar Y breakfasts in California before moving to Naperville eight years ago.
"The real emphasis is bringing a community together during this time of year, regardless of what faith you are and who you honor," Medler said. "It's important to share together through music, prayer and speakers."
Medler was quick to thank her loyal committee for teaming with her to make the breakfast a reality. The Y's gym was packed with round tables populated by various businesses, churches, friends and people who just walked in, needing a little holiday spirit-lifting.
One such elderly gentleman thanked Medler afterward.
"He came up to me in tears, saying the children at the door ringing the bells made his Christmas," Medler said. "He lives alone and doesn't see a whole lot of people in his day. For him, this was very special."
The response from the community has been enthusiastic from the start. More than 400 tickets were sold the first year; this year the breakfast sold out within two weeks -- 526 people attended in the transformed gym of the Fry YMCA on 95th Street.
Religion aside, I saw Napervillians I didn't know knew how to get to 95th Street.
"They like the idea of someplace to come to mingle with friends who aren't of their faith but who also feel it's important to love one another," Medler said. "It doesn't matter what faith your neighbor is, it makes people feel like people and enjoy getting together."
Prayer breakfasts are common throughout YMCAs across the country, fitting well with the Y's mission of serving all individuals, she said, regardless of race or religion.
Or even politics. Mayor George Pradel, who has a weekly prayer breakfast at the Y with various clergy, welcomed the crowd with his usual warmth and enthusiasm.
The morning became a brief mini-celebration of outgoing City Manager Peter Burchard when both Pradel and Heritage YMCA President Tom Beerntsen recognized Burchard for his contributions to the community.
It was also a testament to the Y's Strong Kids campaign as one of those strong kids spoke to the crowd about how the Y's support in his neighborhood has made a difference to the seventh-grader.
The language that everyone understands -- music -- was featured at the breakfast through vocalist Adam Fry and his accompanist on piano, Sandra Harris. The featured speaker was the Rev. John Buchanan, pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago.
Differences pale compared to the ways people are the same even, or particularly, at this time of year, Buchanan said.
"Everyone is waiting for light to come into the darkness," he said.
Buchanan's delightful and many-faceted keynote message reinforced the breakfast's theme. He spent a moment on the recent overwrought debate of whether "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" is the correct message. Why, Buchanan asked, does a heartfelt greeting -- either way -- need to be turned into an ideological debate? Amen!
Buchanan spoke of the importance of loving everyone, no matter what their race, religion or sexual orientation. He reminded us of the importance of patience, even when waiting is so difficult.
He thanked everyone in the diverse gathering for coming to show their respect for one another, so important in our country and the world at this time.
"Look around the room -- the impact this event has," Medler said. "It reminds people to think of Christmas, not as going to the store, but helping your neighbor. It doesn't matter what you are, the point is helping others."
An important message any time of year.
Happy holidays (by which I sincerely mean happy Hanukkah, merry Christmas, happy Kwanzaa and enjoy Rohatsu and Yule).