Alderperson Sheri Hartzheim’s Invocation At 05/01/2024 Common Council Meeting – “Gracious God, help us to always remember that being a member of the majority doesn’t necessarily make us right, just part of a group that thinks alike.”

In 2023, the Common Council had voted to eliminate free form invocations and rather have a set script to serve as the invocation before Council meetings. This year, during their organizational meeting, they voted to change that rule and allow alderpersons to “have the option […]

Alderperson Denise Fenton Gives Last Invocation Under Old Common Council Rules – Highlights Earth Day And Appleton’s History Of Environmental Stewardship

During the 04/19/2023 Common Council organizational meeting, the Council voted to change how invocations will be given. Going forward, instead of having individual alderpersons choosing their own statements to make, the invocation will consist of the following set phrase: “We gather together to listen and […]

Alderperson Israel Del Toro’s Invocation At 04/05/2023 Common Council Meeting – “As I look in this room, I don’t see a truly diverse representation of Appleton…yet. I don’t see a celebration of our diversity. Instead, I see the seeds of divisiveness.”

Mayor Jake Woodford: Tonight’s invocation will be delivered by Alder Del Toro. Alderperson Israel Del Toro (District 4): First off, I want to congratulate my colleagues who were reelected to represent your districts last night, welcome our new colleague who has big shoes to fill, […]

Alderperson Alex Schultz’s Invocation At 03/15/2023 Common Council Meeting – “I just encourage you as you think about Atheist Day, to not think about atheism but think about your own religion if you practice it and consider doing things instead of just living behind the words of their religion, live behind the actions of religion.”

Mayor Jake Woodford: Tonight’s invocation will be delivered by Alder Schultz. Alderperson Alex Schultz (District 9): Never easy to follow George. That I know. One second here. I just lost it. Well, I may have to wing it. So, I struggled a little bit with […]

Alderperson Vered Meltzer’s Invocation At 03/01/2023 Common Council Meeting – “I would like to share a poem with you tonight by Mary Oliver.”

Mayor Jake Woodford: Good evening I now call to order the Wednesday March 1, 2023 meeting of the Appleton Common Council. Tonight’s invocation will be delivered by Alder Meltzer. Alderperson Vered Meltzer (District 2): Thank you. I would like to share a poem with you […]

Alderperson Fenton’s Invocation At 02/15/2023 Common Council Meeting – “Local government is the easiest place to make your voice heard.”

Mayor Woodford: Tonight’s invocation will be offered by Alder Fenton. Alderperson Denise Fenton (District 6): Thank you, and happy National Wisconsin Day to those who celebrate. Last Sunday…. Mayor Woodford: Move your mic a little closer. Alderperson Fenton: Better? Last Sunday, I watched the Super […]

Alderperson Hartzheim’s Invocation At 01/18/2023 Common Council Meeting – Quotes MLK “The aftermath of the love method is reconciliation and the creation of the beloved community.”

Mayor Woodford: Tonight’s invocation will be delivered by Alder Hartzheim. Alderperson Sheri Hartzheim (District 13): In 1957, Ebony Magazine invited Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to write a monthly column entitled “Advice for Living”. Responding to readers’ questions about marital infidelity, sexuality, birth control, capital […]

Alderperson Maiyoua Thao’s Invocation At 12/21/2022 Common Council Meeting – “I would like to dedicate this new year to my late mother”

Mayor Jake Woodford: Good evening I now call to order the Wednesday December 21 meeting of the Appleton Common Council. Tonight’s invocation will be delivered by Alder Thao. Alderperson Maiyoua Thao (District 7): Nyob Zoo Xyoo Tshiab. Happy New Year. In our Hmong culture the […]

Alderperson Vaya Jones’ Invocation At 12/07/2022 Common Council Meeting – “As you go about the month, I urge you: return your cart. Literally metaphorically, symbolically. Take that extra step to show others grace and kindness.”

[I don’t often comment on alderperson invocations, but I must say I never in a million years expected to hear an Appleton alderperson give an invocation that could have come straight from Matt Walsh. Some issues truly are completely non-partisan.] Mayor Woodford: Tonight’s invocation will […]

Alderperson Vered Meltzer’s Invocation At 11/02/2022 Common Council Meeting – “Now is the time for remembering the dead and also for remembering our ancestors. Now is the time for telling their stories.”

Mayor Woodford: Tonight’s invocation will be delivered by Alder Meltzer. Alderperson Vered Meltzer (District 2): I’m going to start tonight with a land acknowledgement. Appleton occupies ancestral lands of the Menominee tribe. For 10,000 years the Menominee ancestral lands spanned Wisconsin and included parts of […]