Allon Chapel Seventh-day Adventist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Brandon Williams, hosted a community block party to reconnect with the neighborhood and former church members post-COVID. The event, themed Love Thy Neighbor, aimed to foster community engagement and provide a fun, inclusive environment for all attendees.
A dedicated team planned the event, focusing on creating an atmosphere that emphasized community connection through collaborative activities, engaging games and giveaways.
The block party featured an array of activities and attractions, including a bike and scooter giveaway, thanks to the generous donations from private individuals and community members. In total, six bikes, three scooters, an air fryer, and other prizes were distributed. The event also showcased group games such as relay races, an inflatable tic-tac-toe, hopscotch, and a popular water relay, which proved to be a hit among the children especially as the weather warmed up.
Additional attractions included a face painting booth and music bingo, providing entertainment for both kids and adults. Sunlight Senior Care also participated in the event by setting up a booth to inform the community about their services for seniors and persons with disabilities.
Over 50 people attended the block party, with a diverse mix of families and children of various ages. Attendees praised the event for its sense of community, good food and enjoyable games. Some expressed interest in visiting the church again, highlighting the event’s success in fostering a welcoming environment.
One touching moment occurred when a long-time community member, who had seen the church’s growth over 25 years, won an air fryer and expressed his excitement about the church holding such an engaging event. Another attendee, who was invited at the last minute, shared that the event lifted his spirits during a difficult time and expressed interest in attending future services.
For other churches looking to host similar events, the organizers from Allon Chapel have
valuable advice:
- Don’t be afraid to start small and learn from each experience.
- Mistakes are opportunities for growth, and people in your community will appreciate
your efforts to connect with them.
- Encourage participation from volunteers and allow them to take on leadership roles.
This not only helps with the workload but also fosters a sense of belonging and
community among your members.
The event concluded with positive feedback and a renewed sense of community spirit. The church plans to host more events, including a community yard sale and a craft session, to continue building strong relationships with their neighbors.
This block party not only achieved its goal of reconnecting with the community and former church members, but also laid a foundation for future engagements and community support. Allon Chapel would like to thank their local church volunteers and community partners such as Antoine Exteriors, Lincoln Bike Kitchen, and The Hub for their dedication and service.
