Over 140 children and adults gathered along Main Street to attend the Stettler Home Church Block Party on Wednesday, Aug. 10 even though there was a torrential downpour a little earlier in the evening threatening to cancel the event.
“We love our community and wanted to provide an opportunity for people and families to meet us and us to meet them, and to create a community connection among each other as well,” said Pastor Shawn Acheson. “We wanted to bring people together and provide them with an environment where they could meet people and make new friends and have a lot of fun together, so I’d say mission accomplished.”
A large central portion of Main Street had been blocked off to bring in bouncy castles, as the Home Church organizers and volunteers created a fun and family-friendly space for all those who attended the event.
There was a wide variety of activities for the kids, which was rounded off by a Tae-kwon-do demonstration indoors by the popular Master Rim and his team from Red Deer.
“There was face-painting by two of our talented friends Aaron Stewart and Adele Poratto and Nemo entertaining the kids,” added Acheson, “…besides all the hot dogs, snow cones and lemonade.”
Touching on the deeper roots of why it is important to bring together communities, Acheson said, “One of the fundamental needs of every person is a sense of home. Everyone needs a home, a place where you can belong, matter, participate and grow, regardless of your background or varied life experiences.”
Acheson explained that a great strength of finding that home, is the “joy-filled, confident and thriving life that naturally spills over into every aspect of the community”.