Gentlemen and honored guests.

Welcome to the 2026 special installation ceremony of the Jacksonville City Council at large group one member elect Monet Holder.

Whether you're a constituent, a neighbor, a friend, or a family member, we welcome and thank you for your attendance.

I'd like to recognize all the elected officials in attendance here today.

Um I'll just uh name you, starting with uh former mayor Alvin Brown.

I saw him around here somewhere.

There he is, Mayor Brown.

Mayor Donna Deegan.

Thank you, Mayor, for being here.

I saw property appraiser Joyce Morgan here.

Thank you, Joyce.

I know Senator Gibson, former Senator Gibson is here.

Yep, there she is.

Audrey, good to see you.

State representative elect Audrey Gibson.

Yes, indeed.

Former council president Sam Newby's here.

There he is.

All right, Sam.

And so many fellow council members, I won't name them all, but everybody could wave if you wouldn't mind.

That's a testament to Monet that so many council members are here today, so that's terrific.

Thank you, everybody, for your attendance and your support.

A special thank you to the 2026, 2027 City Council members for your continued dedication and service to our city.

We're here today to honor the voices of our citizens in electing Monet Holder as council member elect to serve on Jacksonville City Council.

This body, this legislative body by design is the closest branch of government to the people.

It's chosen by the people.

We live among the people.

We are of the people.

We decide where streets are plotted, where homes are built, where water is accessed, where we spend the money that taxpayers give us to implement the contract with local government.

That's what the American Experiment did.

It takes those roles, lawmaking, policy making, taxes, and budgeting from the executive and gives them to the legislative body.

And that's why this body is so important.

That's separation of powers at work.

That's a balanced government.

And that's why it's also fitting that we have a formal installation for every new member of the legislative body, with hopes that a city of our size, that the media picks it up, and that the people can stop you at the grocery store on the street.

And let you know their concerns.

Every citizen of Jacksonville is represented by six of us on City Council.

And so let us go right now to the invocation and let's pray that we on City Council always do the bidding of the people of Jacksonville to deliver for the people of Jacksonville.

So with that, would everyone please stand for the invocation by George Davis, senior pastor of Impact Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Jimmy Peluso, and then the National Anthem, please.

Let us pray.

Our gracious and eternal God, we thank you for the gift of this beautiful day.

We thank you for the privilege that we share of calling Jacksonville our home.

We thank you for every person who's accepted the responsibility of public service.

And today, in a very special way, we thank you for Councilwoman elect Monet Holder as she takes the sacred oath and begins this new chapter of service to our amazing city.

Lord, grant her the wisdom beyond her own understanding, give her courage to make difficult decisions, compassion for the people she serves, and integrity that remains steadfast in every circumstance.

Surround her wise council, strengthen her family, and give her the grace to carry both the privilege and the weight of this responsibility well.

May she always remember that leadership is not simply about holding a position, but about serving people, especially those whose voices are too often unheard.

We pray also for every member of the Jacksonville City Council, for our mayor, for our constitutional officers, first responders, public servants, and all those who have been entrusted with leadership in this great city.

Where there are differences, give us respect.

Where there are challenges, give us wisdom.

Where there's division, help us find common ground.

And where there's opportunity, give us the courage to seize it together.

We pray for the entire city of Jacksonville, every neighborhood, every family, for our children and our seniors, for our businesses and our schools, and for all who call this city home.

May Jacksonville be a city where justice is pursued, opportunity is expanded, compassion is demonstrated, and every person has the opportunity to flourish.

And now, as councilwoman elect Holder takes his oath, may she be reminded that public office is a public trust.

Give her the strength to lead with conviction, the humility to listen, and the wisdom to always seek what is best for the people she's been called to serve.

May your favor rest upon her, upon all of our city leaders, and upon this great city of Jacksonville.

In your holy name we pray.

Amen.

Thank you, Pastor Nell.