According to Pastor Walter Mayhew of the Walnut Hill Community Church campus in Derby, Walnut Hill is more than just a church.
“The church is a little different than other churches,” Mayhew said. “We are looking to make the Valley a better place to work and live in, as well as become involved in the community.”
In that respect he’s doing his best to get off to a decent start.
On Saturday (March 30) Walnut Hill will be hosting their first annual 5k Easter Run-Walk at the Derby Greenway.
The event will run from 8 to 11 a.m.
The money raised during the run-walk will not be going to the church, but BHcare’s Center for Domestic Violence Services in Ansonia.
The issue of domestic violence hits close to home with the chuch — Mayhew said some of its members have received help through the center in the past.
Mayhew used to work with BHcare Group when it was known as the Birmingham Group. He said he wanted to give back to the community and work with BH Care as a means to do so.
“I’m planning for this to become an annual event,” he said. “It is one way for us to get involved, start giving back, and meet the needs in the Valley.”
The Easter Run-Walk check-in is at 8 a.m. and will start off at 8:40 a.m. with a “Fun Run,” a mile-long race for kids. Prizes will awarded to the first- and second-place finishers.
At 9 a.m. the 5k Easter Run-Walk will begin.
“The Run-Walk will be going on until 11 a.m. so it allows enough time for the runners to run and the walkers to finish. When they are done there will be post-race refreshments,” said Mayhew. “Then we will give awards for the top three finishers both male and female.”
Click here for more details or to register.
Those interested in participating will also be able to sign up on the day of the race.
Church Change
As of July 1, 2012 what used to be known as the Christian Community Church — at the corner of 9th and Smith streets in Derby — became the Walnut Hill Community Church.
Click here to read a CT Post story on the merge.
Mayhew said he has been the pastor at Walnut Hill for 15 years. Within the Valley there are two Walnut Hill Campuses — one in Derby and the other in Seymour.
The church has a total of six campuses throughout the state.
Mayhew said that since the merge, the response in the community to events has been encouraging, and the Easter Run-Walk is no exception.
“From our point of view we are very pleased with the amount of people that signed up,” he said. “It’s for a good cause and people are interested in supporting it.”
Susan DeLeon, the director of the Center for Domestic Violence Services, said the Easter Run-Walk is a wonderful program and is glad to be working with Mayhew and Walnut Hill.
“It’s not just about raising money, it’s about raising awareness,” DeLeon said.