Free parking

FREE PARKING! So read the sign in the yard of Faith Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Bartlett, Tennesee. The attraction was the Bartlett community's annual fireworks display in celebration of the Fourth of July. Hundreds of folks took advantage of the spacious parking area and church property, as church members worked the traffic and parked cars. There was also the aroma of outdoor cooking as people got out of their cars. And another big sign: FREE FISH HERE! Not only could community guests park on the church grounds for free and take in the great fireworks show from the nearby Community Center, but they were also hosted for a free meal! Great catfish, hotdogs, hamburgers and all the trimmings. At no cost. If that were not enough, before the fireworks started the church also provided a hilarious skit and talent show inside, where it was cool!

Was this easy for the church? No way! It's a congregation of less than 200. They'd provided fireworks parking (for their members only) for several years. But last year they made a decision to do things differently. They wanted to serve their community. The reception last year prompted a renewed dedication to the effort this year. Yes, it took planning, almost total mobilization of the membership, and financial donations. Was it worth it?

Well, if you mean did they have a huge number of first-time visitors on Sunday morning after that Saturday evening effort, the answer is no. But in terms of establishing rapport with their own community, becoming far better known in the area than ever before, and being regarded as a friend to many, yes, it was a whopping success! And who knows? Someday one of those community residents may be looking for a church home, and when that happens, it won't be that hard to find Faith.