Presbytery Grants Help Things Happen!
Thank you, Presbytery of the Highlands and the Church Development Team, for approving the $1000 Quick Start Grant for our church.
On August 17 the West Milford Presbyterian Church, in West Milford NJ, sponsored a Family Movie Night Festival on the grounds of the church.
Hours were advertised as 6 to 10 PM with outdoor movie showing the recently released movie IF at 8:15. The festival included food trucks, live blues band, children’s outdoor activities and games, corn hole gaming for adults, fresh made cotton candy & popcorn. And we opened our Aunt Jenny’s Attic store the hours of 6 to 8 for bargain shopping.
The weather loomed overcast and grey all day – the clouds opened up to heavy rainstorm between 4:30 to 5:30 – soaking the ground and all pre-staging.
Needless to say, we were disheartened, assuming the evening was ruined.
When the rain let up at 5:30, we rushed to dry off what we could and complete the set up – many rushed home for pop-up tents to cover the eating tables.
At 6 PM parishioners began to arrive to enjoy a food truck dinner and listen to the band.
By 7 PM, our children’s area found kids laughing and playing.
By 8 PM, more cars from townspeople started to park for movie time at 8:15.
Pastor Chris Doyle took a head count during the movie and estimated over 70 people were in attendance!
Imagine what it could have been if the day offered pleasant weather conditions!
Our mantra for the evening was: IF WE HOST IT, THEY WILL COME!!!
We received very favorable reviews on the evening activities – despite the weather, we considered this a successful event.
Thanks to the Presbytery for making it all possible.
Betsy Engelhardt, Clerk of Session
