As part of our 350 Fund goal of expanding community mission outreach, FCC Bristol inaugurated a new service project — the provision of bathrooms and free water to all comers before, during and after the Bristol July 4th Parade. It was a big hit. Between 450-500 parade watchers came to FCC Bristol for both hydration and dehydration.
Comments of “Bless you for doing this,” “This is awesome,” “This is so kind” validated the decision to try to meet some very basic needs in the community. This was one of the ideas that came out during the Congregational Gatherings this spring, as members brainstormed what their dreams were for FCC Bristol going forward. In addition to free water and bathroom usage, parade goers were offered soda and snacks for sale. Many thanks to the Evans family — yeah Sally, Robbie and Katie! — to Jack, the Morettinis, the Steere-Johnson family, the Ramos family, to Karen and to the Jacobus family for making it all happen. We had many wonderful conversations with all of the kind people who passed through FCC Bristol on July 4th.
FCC minister Rev. Nancy Hamlin Soukup marched the entire parade route with other Bristol religious leaders, walking from Colt State Park down to the Lobster Pot restaurant, around the corner and all the way up High Street to FCC Bristol. The parade ends at FCC Bristol in honor of our minister, the Rev. Henry Wight, starting this tradition back in 1785 — the first Patriotic Exercises honoring Independence Day in the nation. We’re already looking forward to next year!
Smart move!
The looks on the faces of, especially, the parents who were able to provide a clean bathroom to their kid was worth it. Especially the parents of kids with disabilities. We provided a really valuable service to visitors that brightened their day. and that’s ALLLLLLL good.