Rock Hall Serves Up Sweet Treats and Community Connections

On Dec. 18, the Rock Hall (Md.) church held a community cookie party that brought together kids from all over the area to design and bake their own cookies. Church organizers utilized three ovens to bake the children’s creations and provided games and storytime for the kids to enjoy. Many of the attendees were not members of the church.

According to Pastor David Byrkit, the event was a great way to build relationships with children and parents in the community. “Most people will not listen to what you have to say about the gospel until you’ve built a relationship with them,” said Byrkit. “This cookie bake is probably one of the most effective ways to build relationships with people.”

The cookie party also featured a fellowship meal where attendees visited with each other. To conclude the event, each child was provided with a bag of cookies to take home and enjoy. Members also distributed additional bags of cookies to the community, including to nursing home residents, as a way to spread joy and kindness.

Church member Vickie Anderson said it was rewarding to be a part of the ministry and to see the joy on the children’s faces. “It’s so important in this day and age to teach children to give,” said Anderson.

The cookie party has been an annual tradition at the Rock Hall church since 2010. The congregation has a number of additional community-focused ministry initiatives, including a weekly “blessing bags” ministry and an Alcoholics Anonymous program.