The Lakewood Baptist Church hosted its fifth annual Cookies and Cocoa with Santa event on Dec. 17, with a slight change of venue. Instead of being held at the Baptist church’s former location at 14321 Detroit Ave., this year’s event took place at the Lakewood United Methodist Church at 15700 Detroit Ave.

The Baptist church permanently relocated and downsized to its new home at the Methodist church, where it held the event after its reverend departed for a New Jersey congregation and its own congregation shrank post-pandemic.

Following deliberation and a vote by the congregation, Robin Dillon, the lead pastor of the Methodist Church, confirmed the move. “In March of this year, on the second Sunday of March, the Lakewood Baptist Church moved into our building, and they worship in our [Yoder] chapel,” Dillon said.

This arrangement, however, is not a merger of the two denominations; they are to remain separate in worship. The Methodist church had space to accommodate the Baptist church in its downsizing, creating a mutual benefit for both congregations: the previously unused Yoder Chapel found renewed purpose in service of the Baptist denomination.

While both are of Christian faiths, the main difference between the Methodist and Baptist denominations in terms of doctrine is the method of baptism. Methodists practice infant baptism, while the Baptist denomination performs “a believer’s baptism, where people make that decision for themselves as an adult,” according to Pastor Robin Dillon.

This doctrinal difference, however, has not impeded the two congregations from cooperating. Anna Bachelor, the minister of hospitality for the Baptist church, explained the arrangement: “I think both churches came together on a positive note. They wanted us, we wanted to be here, and we just blended right in. They still go to the Methodist, we still go to the Baptist, and we cross over events like this.”

Since moving into the Methodist church building, the Baptist church decided to continue the tradition by hosting Cookies and Cocoa with Santa. “Our pastor, who has left, Jonathan Riley, [had originally] set it up. He thought it’d be a fun event to do, and we’ve done it for about the last five years. So it’s just fun. It gets people in the door. You get to meet and greet, and it’s a good thing. The kids enjoy Santa,” said Bachelor.

According to Bachelor, the biggest challenge for the event is “advertising and getting people here.” When the Baptist church was at its prior location, its on-site daycare previously boosted attendance by allowing parents to take their children directly to the event after pickup.

Despite these challenges, the event saw a good turnout, with the congregation staffing the event to accommodate 50 people.

Although the Baptist church organizes the event, the Methodist church assisted with this year’s preparations for Cookies and Cocoa with Santa. “It just evolves with community and partnership. So it’s not just Lakewood Baptist Church, we’re also partnering with the United Methodist Church to help put on the event,” said Latasha Mire, a minister of the Baptist church.

Logistics for the event are managed solely by church members and only funded through donations. Ensuring Santa’s presence is a top priority; however, the person portraying Santa is hired and is not a local church member.

This event has seen significant changes, with careful thought given to reflecting the values of the Baptist church. Looking ahead, the church aims to settle into its new location and to continue serving the community.

“Right now, we’re in the process of getting a permanent pastor, because our pastor has moved. Once we get [a permanent pastor], then we [will] get settled down and get back to reaching out in the community and serving,” said Bachelor. “It’s nice when families come in. You know, the kids get to see Santa, [and] then the family has a picture taken. I think that’s really special.”