In May, St. Paul United Methodist Church in Little Rock hosted a Spring Fling Festival, a vibrant, multigenerational celebration of active neighboring that was made possible by the One More Question microgrant.
One More Question is an initiative to support and encourage local churches to be better neighbors and partners in their communities. The goal is to teach, train, and resource congregations who want to design outreach ministries with their community. By attending these regional trainings, churches are able to receive microgrants to put the things they learn into practice in their own communities.
The festival’s 200+ guests experienced puzzle giveaways, a petting zoo, plant swaps, the CALS Cruiser Bookmobile, a presentation from the Little Rock Zoo about native animal preservation, LePop popsicles that were donated by a church member, free lunch hosted by Scout Troop 30, a scavenger hunt that encouraged exploration around the church grounds, and a backyard habitat station led by Stacy Sells.
“Our vision was to create a joyful, no-cost community gathering that fostered connection, hospitality, and mutual learning,” shared Casey Sanders, a leadership member of St. Paul UMC. “The event drew over 200 neighborhood attendees — families, seniors, children, and friends — many of whom shared how much they appreciated that the festival was free, welcoming, and thoughtfully organized. Several guests expressed excitement about returning next year and said they would invite others to experience it as well.”
The Neighbor Station, designed and led by St. Paul UMC, was a centerpiece of the event where guests were able to engage with a large community map by marking where they live, identifying neighborhood landmarks they value, and sharing favorite memories or hopes on story-sharing boards. “This interactive, welcoming space provided a rich snapshot of our community’s identity and interests while prompting real conversations and ideas the church can carry forward,” Casey said.
Through this opportunity, St. Paul UMC has been able to build deeper partnerships with local organizations. According to Casey, Scout Troop 30 brought nearly fifteen scouts and leaders who worked with enthusiasm and flexibility, helping with setup, crowd control, food service, and games. She said their service-led leadership was praised by every volunteer team. St. Andrews UMC distributed flyers in their food pantry bags, expanding the reach to hundreds of local families and inviting them to a free, welcoming Sunday event. Ward 3 City Director Kathy Webb acted as a connection to community police officers. Edwards Food Giant, an enthusiastic festival donor, generously offered additional support to the church’s food pantry after learning more about their outreach efforts. More partnerships include the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS), the Little Rock Police Department, Little Rock Fire Station #12, and the Kingwood Neighborhood Association.
Caleb, president of the Kingwood Neighborhood Association, stated that it was “a phenomenal community event… Everything from the hot dogs to the amazing neighborhood map was so great, and your volunteers were very sweet and helpful.” Following the festival, St. Paul and the Kingwood Neighborhood Association are excited to partner in support of future neighborhood cleanups on Hidden Valley Road, with the church serving as a check-in and refreshment hub for their neighborhood volunteers.
“The 2025 Spring Fling was more than a festival. It was a doorway. And we are ready to keep walking through it, side by side with our community,” said Casey.
Learn more about One More Question and find a Regional Training opportunity near you here.
