Friends,
I hope your summer season has been full of recreation, relaxation, and renewal. The days pass quickly. In the midst of these summer days filled with fun and fellowship, there is much that continues to go on in our communities.
Last week, on Tuesday, August 2, the Town of Haymarket Police sponsored a National Night Out. Each year, on the first Tuesday evening in August, National Night Out events are held in communities all over the country to bring the neighborhood and police officers together under positive circumstances. Towards the end of this year’s event in Haymarket, held at the park, Chief Sibert told me that the Swirlie’s Ice Cream Truck had already distributed over 700 orders of ice cream, just to give you an idea of how large the crowd was! Thank you to so many from Haymarket Baptist Church who were there to distribute bottled water that evening.
I know many of you were looking forward to the Game Night which had been scheduled for this coming Saturday, August 13, in the Fellowship Hall. It has been postponed to a later date (not during the summer) when less travel plans would conflict with the event. Edith Kennedy has prepared a series of games in a variety of formats to test one’s knowledge of the Bible as well as the history of Haymarket Baptist Church. So, now you have even more time to study up and prepare for the Game Night, which will be rescheduled at a later date.
The Haymarket Baptist Church Preschool & Kindergarten continues to be very highly regarded in our community. What a wonderful ministry as 300 students each academic year are educated in a loving and caring environment. These students also learn about God and worship in regular chapel services. The teachers and staff are incredible at cultivating an amazing school for the students. Of course, Haymarket Baptist Church is grateful that so many families appreciate the preschool. One way that we can connect with these families and support the preschool is by participating in the Playground Workday, which will be held Saturday, August 20, beginning at 8:00 a.m. There are a variety of projects around the church for that day, but the main project is continuing to build friendships with the families who attend the preschool.
Later that afternoon, on Saturday, August 20, the Town of Haymarket is sponsoring a Summer Concert in the park from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Here is the Facebook Event for the concert: https://www.
Does anyone ever stop and consider how blessed we are to have such a gifted Minister of Music in Ken Trammell? I am so grateful that he shares his talent with us each Sunday, helping us to connect with God through praise. He has offered to lead a Piano Concert, which will be held on Sunday, September 18, at 3:00 p.m. The program should last about an hour and will include a variety of selections.
Crossroads Connection is a Christian community service organization that provides a Weekend Food Program for food insecure children in the public schools in our local area. The goal is to alleviate hunger as an obstruction to learning. Here is a link to the organization’s website: https://crossroads-
A friend who serves on staff with McLean Baptist Church shared that their church is supporting a small number of Afghan refugee families. Each family has different circumstances, such as welcoming a new baby into the world or recovering from work-related injuries, that are being navigated. If anyone is interested in learning more about this work for finding a way to support McLean Baptist Church in this work, I am happy to help connect you with them.
The Sweet Julia Grace Foundation is sponsoring a Golf Tournament fundraiser on Friday, September 30 at Prince William Golf Course. More information can be found on the Sweet Julia Grace Foundation website: https://www.
Carried to Full Term continues to offer incredible support to several families in the community. The annual Every Baby Deserves a Home Gala will be held Saturday, September 24 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Here is more information from the Carried to Full Term website: https://
Girls on the Run is a program where trained volunteer coaches inspire girls to build confidence and other important life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and physical activity. Here is the website for the National Organization: https://www.
Boxes of Basics is preparing for another busy school year providing seasonal clothing to students in Prince William County. They are currently receiving donations for their Back to School Campaign here: https://boxesofbasics.
A friend who lives in the Haymarket Community is involved with First Baptist Church (Manassas) – https://fbcmanassas.org/. She shared two current service projects with me. First, the church is hosting a virtual school supplies drive this week. Proceeds will be divided among several Manassas-area schools. Here is a link to participate if you are interested: https://www.
In addition, First Baptist Church (Manassas) is holding a Lott-Carey hosted Kids Against Hunger Meal Packing Event at the Greater Manassas Volunteer Rescue Squad, 9322 Center Street, on Saturday, September 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You are invited to sign-up at this Sign-Up Genius Link: https://www.
The longtime Program Director at Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center, Mary Vardi, is retiring. Rainbow Riding is planning an Open House for Mary on Friday, August 19, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Consider stopping by to pay tribute to an icon of therapeutic riding.
Whew! Life is happening all around us. The Holy Spirit is moving through so many organizations in our community. Of course, there is always much that I have not mentioned. This link is continually updated with events in the Haymarket community: https://
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Grace and Peace,
Allan Smith
Associate Pastor of Community Outreach
Haymarket Baptist Church