Churches Day Out, a local event held by the Third house of prayer in New London, is a community fair where most surrounding churches in New London come together to provide ministries, singing, praying, food, activities, raffles and more to the community.

The event’s mission is to bring those in the community who are not in church to the church. Lillian Negron, a New London resident, educator, church leader and the Churches Day Out event director, had a vision years ago of a community fair by the churches for the community. This vision has brought her to celebrate her sixth year of organizing and enjoying this event. This year would have been the seventh year of Churches Day Out, but with the global pandemic putting a stop to everything last year, Churches Day Out could not happen in 2020.

Lillian shared, “when the pandemic hit, and I had to decide to cancel Churches Day Out 2020, I felt as if I could not do my event anymore, but with what I saw today, God has shown me that I need to continue with this because bigger things will be coming to our community.”

Children enjoyed touring the New London Fire Department’s ambulance and firetruck from the city’s North Station and a police cruiser from the city’s police department.

With the New London Police department and fire department joining us to give the children opportunities to have fun to even a free vaccine clinic for those who have yet to be vaccinated shows how the community can come together for the greater good and provide when in times of need.

This year seven churches participated in this event; each church took part by sharing testimonies, performances and even a dance group from Oasis of Restoration Church, whose pastor, Reverend Josue Rosado was the guest preacher of the event.

Unity is a massive part of the New London church community. The unity shown by three of the participating pastors speaks volumes in the community. Many New London residents stopped by and participated in raffles provided by the Third House of Prayer, enjoyed a sandwich, chips, snacks and more while one pastor in attendance today, Pastor Shereda Allen of the Apostolic Church of The Good Shepard located in Norwich, shared with event spectators, “I came here today to let you know that God thought you were worthy, worthy of his love, and worthy of his salvation.”

Each church has their way of spreading the word of God, but at the same time, it happens to all just be the same because we come together and mix it up for all to enjoy.

While year six just wrapped up, Churches Day Out is already planning to come back for another celebration on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022.

The pastors in attendance at Churches Day Out were Rev. Jose and Gloria Lopez, Rev. Eustaquio Rosa, Rev. Shereda Allen and Rev. Josue Rosado.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Lillian Negron, event director, or Danni Cruz, communications coordinator for Churches Day Out.

We would like to give a huge shoutout to Jeffery’s Barbershop who provided free haircuts to the homeless. Jeffery’s barbershop has been with Churches Day Out since the very first year, and we couldn’t be more appreciative for their help.

Danni Cruz is a member of the New London Board of Education.  

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