"Praise in the Park"

Due to an increase in homicides in our small rural community, the City of Jackson decided to sponsor a month of "Praise in the Park" where people of all denominations gathered in a different park, in a different section of town, each Sunday in October. Wesley Chapel members were encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and wear their church t-shirts. The children of our youth ministry were in awe of the fellowship in prayer, song and scripture. People of all races, different vocations and backgrounds were in one accord and the Lord blessed us with beautiful weather on each Sunday. The city donated the food and our church donated bottle water for the first event. Deaconess Carolyn Lawhorn coordinated a Voter Registration drive since the events were leading up to the mid-term election. Handouts were also distributed to educate people on amendments to the state constitution in a non-partisan fashion. A Prayer tent was available for those in need of a personal touch. Another united methodist church gave away small copies of the new testament. Many of those attending expressed a desire to repeat "Praise in the Park" on an annual basis so that we might maintain the atmosphere of love and unity.