After many months of planning, the Syracuse RPC’s block party took place on July 9, under a perfectly blue sky and amidst a cooling breeze. With many activities going on at the same time, the afternoon flew by. Along with the picnic food of salt potatoes, grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, corn bread and assorted salads and desserts, kids and adults enjoyed the chocolate milk donated by a local dairy company.

Under the circus-like tent, there were different booths set up announcing upcoming events for the congregation and the neighborhood children. Summer classes meeting on Tuesdays will be teaching valuable life skills (sewing, cooking, and woodworking), along with having a Bible devotion and singing time. Front Porch Thursdays are an informal gathering for parking-lot basketball and crafts. Another church-sponsored activity advertised was the food and clothing distribution on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month.

Deacon Bob Humiston entertained the crowd when he donned his Uncle Sam outfit and walked the blocked-off street on stilts to welcome all to the party. He also amused many with his trick ball-and-bag routine. The children enjoyed seeing the hook-and-ladder fire truck pull onto the street and loved the vantage point of sitting in the big truck.

The children (and even a few adults) lined up at Nina Morrissey’s face painting booth. Nina patiently and artistically painted animals, hearts, abstract designs, and name tattoos on faces and arms. There were still a few painted cheeks in church the next day for those who could not bear to wash off the facial art.

Other attractions included a magician who made creative balloon animals and hats, an inflatable bouncy house that made for some very tired little legs at the end of the day, and a bird sanctuary exhibit run by binocular-wearing elder Gene Huggins. Nick Irvine, Ram Stewart and Jeremy Schep provided the live band experience for most of the afternoon, playing original songs as well as favorites from the crowd. Also making music for the masses were Rick Wellman on guitar and voice, Brenda on the keyboard, and Bob Humiston on harmonica.

On a more serious note, Pastor Andrew Schep manned a Prayer Corner throughout the afternoon that was regularly visited by adults and children. One little girl wanted to pray about God and for the city, so they did! Nurse Gail Huggins gave blood pressure tests, and was able to help and encourage those who needed information about hypertension.

Besides the temporary tents, inflatable houses and band stages, the church sported a few new permanent items in its backyard—a community garden and a rain barrel for watering purposes. The tomato and squash plants enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and the breeze as much as the congregation did.

The congregation is thankful for all the donations that businesses and people gave to make the block party a success. The committee (Joanna Bulow, Taylor Gordon, Michele Hayes, Gene and Gail Huggins, Pat Humiston, Nick Irvine, Lenora Rice), as well as the many volunteers who helped on the day of the party, did an outstanding job of bringing the community together. The congregation hopes to make this an annual event as one small way to reach out to the inner-city neighborhood with the love of Christ.