Braden United Methodist Church Hosts Friends, Family & Tailgate

By Megan Davis
The Truth Contributor

 Braden United Methodist Church has been woven into the fabric of Toledo’s history for 111 years. Their old building on Lawrence Avenue, was a central hub for families to attend, engage and develop lasting fellowship through its community outreach.

Moving to Dorr Street 10 years ago, in 2009, was new to the congregation and community, but the church has continued to be a strong supporter of the local community.

There is a spirit of revival taking place at Braden. New life, new faith, new hope is in abundance as people are being healed from illnesses, and overcoming life challenges that may otherwise discourage them. Each week, services begin with praise and worship and end with powerful messages that encourage people to keep the faith grow in Godly wisdom.

Last year, Braden welcomed a new pastor, Rev. Cecil J. Fitzgerald Thompson, in September. In his first year, he has established a new vision for the church with a goal to meet the spiritual needs of its members, educate them in the word of God and to inspire people to experience true joy.
 

“At the close of this year, 12 people will be baptized.” said Pastor Thompson. He has spent a number of months providing classes to new Christians and members and those who have expressed their desire to be baptized. He takes joy in helping others come into the knowledge and faith of God’s unwavering love and grace for His people.

This unspeakable joy is something he hopes members will take hold of, that they may live each day without fear and in the confidence of Christ and his arms of compassion.

Every year, the church has its anniversary in October, called Homecoming. This year, Braden kicked off the Homecoming Season with Friends and Family Day where people in casual dress and came to give thanks and lift up praise. Following the service, members and friends gathered in the parking lot for a tailgate style lunch complete with a hot dog bar, pasta salad, potato salad, baked beans and an abundance of home baked goods.

There, people remarked about the experience saying that it should be an annual event, and that they felt good about the new thing God is doing in the local church. Among the guests, Mattie Daniel, who is on the church’s stewardship committee and is in the choir, was inspired by the event and shared ideas that could take place moving forward.

“This was the goal for having the tailgate; to let members know that we can have fun in fellowship and that getting together in this manner is both necessary, but it brings people closer to each other and sparks joy and a flow of ideas.” said Megan Davis, Homecoming chair for 2019.

The tailgate was the first of several activities taking place throughout the homecoming season at Braden. Other activities include Spirit Week from September 1st through September 8th, where there will be midday and evening events to support the homecoming celebration. Of these activities, there will be a Crafternoon DIY art class. Guests will make mesh wreaths, upcycled denim purses and body scrubs lead by member-instructors. There will also be “yearbook” pictures taken on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, September 4-5.

On Friday, September 6, there will be a Friday Night Line dance class, where guests can learn the popular “hustles” from Glass City Hustler, Tee Cuffie and Braden Communications Director, Skip (Imani) Davis. Each of these classes are $10 and all proceeds support the 2019 Homecoming fund.

Spirit Week at Braden will close with a “Pep Rally” Day on Sunday, September 8. Guest artist, Whitney Jones will be singing and the whole service will be geared toward free praise, worship and fellowship. Davis states, “I hope these activities birth new ministries that the leaders can continue to do throughout the year. This develops a deeper connection with the church and its members.”

All activities and services taking place in the next six weeks are open to anyone who wishes to attend. The theme for this year’s Homecoming is “Welcome Home” and is taken from Hebrews 13:1-2. To learn more about Braden UMC or any Homecoming activities, please send the church an email at bradenumc@gmail.com or by calling (419) 386-2700.
 

Copyright © 2019 by [The Sojourner's Truth]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 09/06/19 00:48:47 -0400.

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