ARCC in the Park provides opportunity for music, fellowship

Singing could be heard throughout Capaha Park on Sunday evening as people gathered at the bandshell for ARCC in the Park, an event hosted by Abbey Road Christian Church in Cape Girardeau.

This is the third year the church has hosted the event, said Abbey Road music director Roanne Dean, and this is the third time this summer the church has brought its love of music to Capaha Park.

"Every summer we try to host it at least once a month ... from May through August," she said.

The event is simple, Dean said. Sometimes the church prepares a picnic for the event, other times they just feature music. The idea, she explained, is to expose the church more to the public and vice versa.

"I feel we have a good music program," Dean said. "This gives our musicians a chance to get out of the church scene and also get the church out in the community."

Although it's called ARCC in the Park, she said the focus doesn't stop at fellowship.

"It is a good opportunity for fellowship, but it's also a chance for people to stop and listen that might not have known about Abbey Road otherwise," Dean said.

At Sunday's event, music was performed by New Life Singers and Barefoot on Sunday, a subset of the larger, original band. Both bands are groups within the church that perform at events and sometimes provide music services for other churches.

Leon Book, a performer with New Life Singers and mandolin player with Barefoot on Sunday, has been performing with the church since 1998. He said as soon as he heard about New Life Singers "I knew I wanted to be a part of it."

"Some of us are maybe what you could call 'music-aholics,'" he said.

Book said events such as ARCC in the Park are part of Abbey Road's mission to encourage fellowship. Worship is an option at the event, he said, but if anyone wanted "to just sit and listen to the music, that's fine too."

Denise Stoker sat at a nearby bench watching her grandchildren Noah and Liam run around the playground equipment. She was humming along to a few familiar songs, although she said she's never heard of the ARCC in the Park event.

"I was pleasantly surprised when I heard the music," she said. "It's nice to be out here with my grandkids where they can play and enjoy the good weather and also have something for adults to enjoy, too."

The next ARCC in the Park will be at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 25 and will feature Greg Strange, a Nashville singer/songwriter who performs children's songs and family-friendly comedy. The church also will provide a picnic.

"We always have a good time," Dean said. "We have a lot of young families come out here and enjoy it, but even if we don't get a big crowd, we still enjoy the chance to be out here together."

srinehart@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

Broadway and Perry Avenue, Cape Girardeau, Mo.