Concord A.M.E. Zion Church welcomes all to Community Day
Farragut and Concord residents came together to mingle and worship when Concord African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church welcomed the community to a Friends and Family Community Day event.
People from churches in Concord and Farragut and even from out of the area congregated at the church, 713 Loop Road, Concord. for a cookout Saturday, March 12, and worship service Sunday, March 13.
“I think it’s going wonderfully,” the Rev. Sam. B. Fulton Jr., Concord A.M.E. Zion Church pastor, said. “We had a good response. Everyone came out.”
Helen Trent, a church member, said she thought the event was wonderful.
“We hope it will catch on,” Trent said. “We are trying to reach out to people.”
“If one person is reached, that’s what’s important, Theora Jamison, church member, said. “We just want to invite people to come and have a good time,” Kim Jones, church member, said.
“I think it’s awesome,” the Rev. Dr. John Butler, presiding elder of Knoxville District of A.M.E. Zion Churches, said. “Doing this [event] is a wonderful opportunity to engage the community and just to be community minded. It’s always exciting to see churches doing this.”
“I’m glad to have everybody out here,” Bernetta Hardin, church member, said. “We love to see our friends and loved ones come to be with us here. We hope to see them come back at some point,”
“Oh, it’s very nice,” Gary Brown, member of Concord United Meth-odist Church in Farragut, said. “The food is good, and the company is good. I’m normally a stick in the mud, but this is progressive. The Rev. Fulton is one of the best pastors in the neighborhood.”
Jim and Judy Shawn, members of Concord Presbyterian Church, said they pass by Concord A.M.E. Zion Church on their way to and from their own church.
“[Concord A.M.E. Zion Church members] worshiped with us recently, and we like the minister here [at Concord A.M.E. Zion Church],” Judy Shawn said.
“It’s real nice whenever you do something for the community,” Keith Cade, a visitor from Ohio, said.
Mitzi Reynolds said she had just moved to the West Knoxville area from Cincinatti, Ohio, “I go to Carter Senior Center, where Sam Fulton Sr. [the Rev. Sam Fulton Jr.’s father] plays. My sister picks with him,” Reynolds said.
Becky Morgan said Concord A.M.E. Zion is her family’s church.
“My mother, Uncle Lee [Varner] and Aunt Helen [Trent] go to this church,” she said.
