Catoctin View Church ‘Spring Fest’ Event Draws Wide Community Support

The Catoctin View (Thurmont, Md.) church hosted a spring festival over Memorial Day weekend from May 30 to 31 as a bridge-building event to reach families in the Thurmont area. “Spring Fest 2021” drew wide community support from local businesses that promoted the event and from the mayor of Thurmont, John Kinnaird, who attended the festival both days.

The two-day event is a part of a larger vision of the Catoctin View church to minister to local families. The church plans to host a weekly evangelistic program for kids every Sabbath afternoon in June and July and a vacation Bible school day camp on weekdays in July. 

“As a result of Spring Fest 2021, over 20 children pre-registered for our vacation Bible school day camp, and several more for our Amazing Adventure children’s campaign,” says Alvin Payne, Bible worker for the Catoctin View church. “Parents were pleased to know that we were the only church in the city of Thurmont to hold an event with such extensive activities for adults and children.”  

The focus on family and children’s ministries comes after the church conducted community surveys earlier this year where survey participants identified children’s activities as their top need. 

“Our first event of 2021 was intended to invite the families of Thurmont to see that we have a plan for our children this year,” says Tina Gagliardi, children’s ministries coordinator for the Catoctin View church. “The church family pulled together to support every part of the Spring Fest preparation. We are greatly humbled to be part of God’s plans for Thurmont.”