On most weeknights during the summer months, college campuses tend to be quiet and deserted places. But on Thursday, May 28, Lenoir-Rhyne University’s (LRU) campus in Hickory, North Carolina, was buzzing with the sights and sounds of the NC Synod’s second biennial block party. From Thursday until Saturday, lay leaders and rostered ministers from around the state gathered on LRU’s campus for a time of learning, connection, and reflection at the Synod Gathering. To wrap up the first day, gathering participants congregated outside the Cromer Center for an evening of fun, food, and fellowship.
A delicious Mediterranean-inspired meal was provided by The Dwelling—a mission community of the NC Synod that aims to foster belonging and dignity in those experiencing homelessness. Minister of Meals Joseph Hedrick and his team helped ensure there was enough for everyone present, just as they do daily in Winston-Salem.
No block party would be complete without live music, and Rev It Up, a band composed of local ministers, stepped in to fill the airwaves with the sounds of beloved tunes. Pastors Scott Bollinger, Phil Thorsen, Jeff Lindsay, and John Lindsay entertained attendees with songs from “Lean on Me” to “Stand by Me,” and everything in between.
The perimeter of the plaza was lined with tables that offered activities and opportunities for participants to learn more about the many ministries of the NC Synod and ELCA. Some of the groups represented included campus ministries, camping and outdoor ministries, mission partners such as Lutheran Disaster Relief and the Mission Fund, the African Descent Lutheran Association, and more. Participants could learn about life in the Holy Land from the Lohr Sapp family at the Global Mission table, and craft friendship bracelets at another table.
The theme of this year’s gathering was “Come and See; Go and Tell,” and the block party encompassed this theme perfectly. While there were ample opportunities to learn about the good work happening across the synod, there were also opportunities to help ensure the vitality of these ministries. Participants were encouraged to help connect graduating high school seniors with campus ministers and to donate to ministries such as the Youth Gathering to help ensure that financial burden is not a barrier preventing young people from experiencing this vibrant ministry of the ELCA. Additionally, participants were provided with information about how to advocate in their local communities and beyond on behalf of their most vulnerable neighbors.
Hugs were shared among friends who hadn’t seen each other in a while, and contact information was shared among folks who were meeting for the first time. Children played yard games on the lawn. And for a few hours on a beautiful summer evening in Hickory, the Kingdom of Heaven looked like a block party, tasted like crispy falafel, and sounded like the laughter of friends knit together by God’s love.
