News
Mt. Zion Church To Host Block Party July 24-25
By Caitlin MacNeal
RED BANK - This Friday and Saturday evenings, Mt. Zion Church will be hosting its second annual "Celebration of Giving with Zeal" Block Party. The church's pastor, Reverend Randy McNeill, said that he hopes that with this event Mt. Zion Church will be able to better reach out to its community. "I believe that a church should be a part of the fabric of the neighborhood," he said.
According to Rev. McNeill, parish membership has decreased in the past few years since the passing of founder Rev. Dr. Virginia Wright-Goode. Rev. McNeill hopes that the block party will draw in more parish members from the neighborhood. He hopes that the block party will spread awareness about the services the parish and its non-profit sponsors can offer. The block party is also promoting the idea of "Celebration of Giving with Zeal" (COGZ). Rev. McNeill defined COGZ as the church's outreach arm to the community. "Its all about our attitude towards being gifts to mankind," he said. "COGZ has to do with every person giving in a society."
At the block party, there will be free health screenings for attendees and green products available from "Green Faith," an organization that seeks to integrate faith and nature. Other non-profit organizations and community services will also be in attendance. In addition, the block party will be host to 30-40 vendors, which will include food and local retailers. For the kids, inflatable toys and other games will be available.
Mt. Zion Church has also lined up a wide scope of entertainment for both nights. Mt. Zion Church was one of many sponsors of the summer "Youth Showcase" at the Pilgrim Baptist Church. The showcase provides classes for children all week in a variety of art subjects. The children from some of the classes will be performing on Friday. On Saturday there will be a wide range of performances including rap and spoken word.
Rev. McNeill hopes to be able to expand the block party in years to come. He said that he hoped the event could grow to include the larger community in Red Bank in a larger space such as Count Basie Field or the waterfront. "Our goal is to grow [the block party] past the block - to take it to the city," said McNeill.
Mt. Zion Church will be providing more services as the year progresses. According to McNeill, the parish will be holding a suit drive that will provide suits, and dress shirts and shoes for college students headed for job interviews. The church already provides a mentoring group for girls and hopes to start one that provides classes and groups for boys.
The block party will be held on Friday July 24th from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday July 25th from 12-9 p.m. at the Mt. Zion Church, 172 Catherine Street.
