MANSFIELD – This Friday, the Maddox Memorial Church of God in Christ will host a family and friends outdoor festival and movie night.
After a year of seclusion and distance, the church wants to bring the community together again for a night of normalcy.
“We just want to kind of open things back up again and make people feel comfortable to come out and fellowship,” said Marie Williams, event planner for Maddox Memorial Church.
While discussing with board members events they would like to host this summer over a Zoom call, Williams’ daughter, Mariah, 11, walked into the room and suggested they have a movie night.
“I’m a thinker… So, whenever an idea just pops into my head I just have to tell someone about it, and I just decided to do it,” she said. “And I just thought that it was a great idea because it could be a way to open back up, and to kind of get the community back together again after a year of being shut down.”
Guests can look forward to several activities including basketball, volleyball, water balloon fights, a bounce house, free giveaways and more. Free popcorn will be handed out and guests can cool down with a beverage from Kona Ice Truck. Four guest singers will have performances in a diverse selection of gospel music.
Later in the evening, families can sit in their cars and enjoy the Disney movie “Soul,” starting at 9:30 p.m.
Richland County Children Services have also partnered with Maddox Memorial Church as a way of getting more involved with the faith-based community. They will have a booth at the event and hand out pamphlets and information about fostering children.
“We’re delighted to participate in this event, and Maddox Memorial is no stranger to pilgrim services, they are truly the salt of the earth concerning ministry in the community, and we want to partner with Maddox Memorial and Pastor Aaron Williams,” said Joetta McCrueter-Polk, foster care recruiter.
Aaron Williams, pastor for Maddox Memorial Church is excited to see his church members giving everyone a voice in creating a more open and diverse community.
“People will always remember how you treat them, and how you treat others in front of them. So, that right there is what we want to do—is make sure that we treat people with love and kindness and grace and mercy… I can appreciate what [Marie’s] doing, what our staff and the rest of our second to none Maddox Memorial family is doing.”
The event will take place in the Maddox Memorial Church parking lot on 1148 Walker Lake Rd and will go from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on July 9. There will be an admission fee of $10 per car with up to four people with all proceeds going to Maddox Memorial Church for similar events in the future.
