Naperville YMCAs Mayor’s Community Breakfast spreads message of peace

The Naperville YMCAs annual Mayor’s Community Breakfast today attracted some 400 community members for an early morning program of inspirational music, scripture and guest speakers against a backdrop of peace.

Following the musical prelude performed by different show choirs from the School of Performing Arts, Naperville YMCAs board member Deb Newman welcomed the assembly.

The invocation was presented by Swami Ishatmananda, President of Vivekananda Vendanta Society of Chicago. Established in 1930, Vivekananda Vendanta Society of Chicago follows the ideals of Calcutta-born Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), a lover of mankind who strived to promote peace, happiness and human brotherhood when he first came to America in 1893 for the Columbian Exposition.

Mindful that nearly everybody has a memorable Y experience, the program included recollections by Mayor Steve Chirico, Dan Maloney and two of his three daughters, Michael Vickery from Institute for Community, and Tom Wick, Senior VP for the YMCA of Metro Chicago.

Mayor Emeritus George Pradel gave the Litany of Winter and Heavenly Light by Julie Krakora, welcoming participation from the audience.

“…Still in our hearts. May we learn to hold the beauty of life in our arms, breathe in the fragrance of peace, and re-gift our community, our world, with the blessed assurance of heavenly treasures. Amen!” Pradel read.

Songs of the Season

While all the speakers presented highlights of their Y experiences, reminding the audience of the values provided for youth and families every day during programs at the Y, we left with lasting memories of the clear and beautiful voice of Tyra Jenkins.

According to program notes, Waubonsie Valley High School senior Jenkins has been singing since her high chair days, dedicating her young years to the love of performing, always with the encouragement of her parents. These days she participates in the award-winning show choir, Sound Check, and an female acapella group, Pink Notes, as well various musicals at Waubonsie. She has been selected to perform with the ILMEA District Choir this year and also hopes to be chosen for the Allstate Choir.

For the Mayor’s Community Breakfast, Jenkins selected three songs, the lyrics of which are included below. In light of recent events and looking forward to the holiday season, the words in those songs resonated with particular passion and power for peace.

Above/ To wrap up the breakfast, Waubonsie Valley High School senior Tyra Jenkins led the audience in Joy to the World.  Accompanied by keyboardist Dylan Mikaili, she also sang three solo selections, altogether fitting for the seasonal occasion.

The Christmas Song   by Bob Wells and Mel Tormé

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos

Everybody knows a turkey and some
Mistletoe help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa’s on his way
He’s loaded lots of toys and goodies
On his sleigh
And every mother’s
Child is gonna spy to see if
Reindeer really know how to fly

And so, I’m offering this
Simple phrase to kids from
One to ninety-two
Altho’ it’s been said many times
Many ways
“Merry Christmas to you”

I Stand   by Idina Menzel

When you ask me, who I am:
What is my vision? And do I have a plan?
Where is my strength? Have I nothing to say?
I hear the words in my head, but I push them away.

‘Cause I stand for the power to change,
I live for the perfect day.
I love till it hurts like crazy,
I hope for a hero to save me.
I stand for the strange and lonely,
I believe there’s a better place.
I don’t know if the sky is heaven,
But I pray anyway.

And I don’t know
What tomorrow brings
The road less traveled
Will it set us free?
Cause we are taking it slow,
These tiny legacies.
I don’t try and change the world;
But what will you make of me?

‘Cause I stand for the power to change,
I live for the perfect day.
I love till it hurts like crazy,
I hope for a hero to save me.
I stand for the strange and lonely,
I believe there’s a better place.
I don’t know if the sky is heaven,
But I pray anyway.

With the slightest of breezes
We fall just like leaves
As the rain washes us from the ground
We forget who we are
We can’t see in the dark
And we quickly get lost in the crowd

‘Cause I stand for the power to change,
I live for the perfect day.
I love till it hurts like crazy,
I hope for a hero to save me.

‘Cause I stand for the power to change,
I live for the perfect day.
I love till it hurts like crazy,
I hope for a hero to save me.
I stand for the strange and lonely,
I believe there’s a better place.
I don’t know if the sky is heaven,
But I pray anyway.

Love Is Christmas   by Sara Bareilles

After closing remarks, Ray Jones, co-owner of Friedrich-Jones Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, gave the benediction and his last word was “Peace.”

Before the inspirational breakfast ended, Jenkins led the entire audience in the first and last stanzas of the traditional Christmas carol, Joy to the World.

Joy to the World

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

—PN

With Gratitude

Sponsors included Friedrich-Jones, Ryan Hill Realty, Water Street District and School of Performing Arts. Table Sponsors were Mary Ann and Brand Bobosky, Edward-Elmhurst Health, First Community Financial Bank, The Gambs Family and St. Raphael Catholic Community. In-kind-Sponsors were Alleluia! Lutheran Church, Belgio’s Catering, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, FASTSIGNS, Naperville Police Department and Ben Wiersum Sound Technology.

The voice of the event was Judy Ellertson, Executive Director of the Fry Family YMCA, crediting the help of event planners Jane Bowers and Emy Trotz and the entire Mayor’s Community Breakfast Committee.