The clear blue sky and crisp freshness set the atmosphere for the annual Englewood Back to School Block Party on Saturday, August 25th, hosted by Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and Metro. By 10am, Demarest Avenue was closed off and tents lined the street. Vendors and representatives from participating community organizations were finishing their set-ups and everyone was mingling together before the crowds were to arrive. Metro volunteers prepared two stations for activities. Deborah Moore oversaw crafts, two tables were set up with containers of beads for kids to come and make bracelets. Giselle Park designed an amazing mural art project for kids to contribute their hand prints. Metro’s group of volunteers not only included adults, but Metro Kids and youth from middle and high school ministries. All enthusiastically instructed and assisted the scores of excited people coming to our tables throughout the day.

Festive, lively music played while yummy food aromas filled the air all day. Parents, children, youth, and other guests from the community enjoyed face painting, interacting with the fire fighters (and getting their own hat!), playing table games, and speaking with people from the Marines, the Englewood Health department, local colleges, and numerous other social service agencies. All the students received backpacks full of supplies for the coming school year.

The day was busy, fun, invigorating, and refreshing all at the same time. Participating in this event and serving alongside others in the Englewood community is a part of how God has called us to relate with our neighbors. God was present beginning to end. While serving together with sisters and brothers from Metro, I experienced the richness of our relationship with Jesus.