State churches preparing for eclipse visitors
For many Arkansas churches, the April 8 solar eclipse is not only an astronomical event, it’s also an opportunity to show hospitality and share the gospel.
Southern Baptist congregations, in particular, are rolling out the welcome mat for neighbors and out-of-town visitors alike.
At Baring Cross Baptist Church, just off of U.S. 67/167 in Sherwood, there’ll be free eclipse glasses, solar-theme religious tracts and food.
The event begins at 11 a.m. “We’re going to have, for lack of a better word, just a tailgate party,” said Derek Allen, the congregation’s pastor. “We’re probably just going to fire up the grill and cook hamburgers and hot dogs and have popcorn and chips.” Everyone is welcome, he said. The last time Arkansas had a total solar eclipse, on June 8, 1918, clouds obscured the finale, according to news reports at the time. Allen is rooting for sunny skies this time.
“Hopefully, the weather’s going to be good. It’s going to be awful that day if it’s raining,” he said.
Twenty-five miles to the southwest, in Bryant, Indian Springs Baptist Church is offering what it calls a “safe, fun, once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse experience for the whole family.”
On Sunday, April 7 from 4-6 p.m., the congregation is holding an Eclipse Celebration with live music, inflatables, face-painting, balloon animals and food trucks. An outdoor worship service begins at 6 p.m.
FREE PARKING
The next morning at 11, the church is offering free parking and space for eclipse-goers.
Adam Brown, the associate pastor, says this is uncharted territory for Indian Springs.
“Most people have never done an eclipse event before because it’s just not that normal,” he said.
The church is just off Interstate 30, so it’s easy to find.
“It’s just a safe place to park instead of pulling over on the side of the road,” Brown said. “We want our people to be safe that day and not be stuck in their car.”
FREE FOOD
Over at Trinity Baptist Church in Benton, there’ll be free food and inflatables starting at noon
on April 8.
“We hope we’ll be able to reach out to some folks who don’t normally go to church and at least get to meet them and be able to invite them to join us for what we’re doing here,” said Pastor Mike Titsworth.
Warren Gasaway, a team leader with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, has been urging congregations for months to view the eclipse as a ministry opportunity.
“There is no doubt that the church can use the solar eclipse as an avenue to reach people with the good news of Jesus Christ,” he said in a video that was posted on the organization’s website.
Congregations of all sizes have responded. Central Baptist Church in Jonesboro, a megachurch with average attendance of 2,696, is holding an Eclipse Hangout on its property from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“It’s an opportunity to share the gospel, to just minister to people [and] have a good time,” said its pastor, Archie Mason.
There’s plenty of room.
MANY PARKING SPACES
“It’s open. There’s no trees,” he said. “We’ve got a thousand parking spaces, I think.”
Participants are encouraged to “bring your lawn chairs.”
There’s grass, as well, for those who want to put down blankets.
“I think we’ve got 10 or 15 food trucks. We rented porta-potties. We’ve got glasses. We’ll have some music going,” Mason added.
“If the weather’s good and the sun’s shining, we think it’ll be a good day,” he said.
First Baptist Church in Mount Ida, with average attendance of 96, is about 50 miles from an interstate highway but right in the center of the eclipse path, where the moon will obscure the sun for more than four minutes.
The congregation is printing up eclipse-theme T-shirts that include the church logo and the words of Psalm 19:1 — “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship.”
ON ECLIPSE DAY
On eclipse day, people will gather from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on newly leveled property across the street from the church.
“I think it’s the highest point in town,” he said.
The congregation also plans to have an outside worship service at 10:50 a.m. April 7 if the weather permits, he added.
While Arkansas Baptists are at the forefront of eclipse outreach in many places, the enthusiasm crosses all denominational boundaries.
In downtown Little Rock, Episcopalians will be hosting an eclipse block party at Christ Church starting at 12:30 p.m.
“The whole community is invited, obviously. You don’t have to be a church member,” said Kate Alexander, the parish’s rector.
“We’re going to have some extra glasses on hand for safety and we’re also planning to have Moon Pies and just kind of live it up a little bit and celebrate together,” she said.
FREE PANCAKE BREAKFAST
In Paris, members of Community Transformation Church are holding a free pancake breakfast at 8:30 a.m. April 7 on the courthouse square, followed by a 10:30 a.m. outdoor Awe and Wonder Worship Service.
Beginning at 8 a.m. April 8, visitors can park in the church’s lot on South Elm Street for $20.
In Morrilton, First Presbyterian Church on West Church Street is offering parking spaces from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $150. The price includes breakfast for two, sack lunches and access to the restrooms.
Both congregations are earmarking the money for missions projects.
Fellowship Bible Church in Russellville is offering 125 “pet and family friendly campsites” April 6-9 near the corner of North Phoenix Avenue and West Parkway Drive.
Spaces are available for $600; the money will help pay for the congregation’s new building, which will eventually open there.
Travelers can find free respite from 8 a.m. to noon on the eclipse day at First United Methodist Church in Morrilton.
OPENING ITS DOORS
The congregation is opening its doors during those hours so that people have “a safe and welcoming place to come and connect with God” prior to witnessing “a marvelous act of creation,” said Bill Sardin, the congregation’s pastor.
In several locations, Jehovah’s Witnesses will be setting up carts with reading material on the eclipse day, according to Scott Smith, a local spokesman for the group.