ARLINGTON — Sunday’s game made for intense viewing for Seattle Seahawks fans. Visitors to the Arlington Free Methodist Church were on the edge of their seats Jan. 18, as they were treated to buffet lines of freshly cooked meals and desserts, while watching a heart-pounding post-season game.
Assistant pastor Don Garberg noted that the football viewing party was the first for the church in “quite a while.” This was made possible in part by renovations to its sanctuary last spring, which allowed it to accommodate close to 100 spectators, who took in the action thanks to a big-screen projector. Considering that the church’s regular Sunday congregation numbers about 250, Garberg considers this a successful turnout.
“A lot of churches had adjusted their service times for the game,” Garberg said. “We thought, why not conduct our services, then have folks stick around to watch the game?”
The party had at least half a dozen people working in the kitchen and on the food line, to serve up baked potatoes and chili. Attendance to watch the game remained steady throughout the event.
“The Seahawks have real die-hard fans, so we didn’t really see anybody leaving,” Garberg said. “Honestly, I thought we were going to lose a bunch at halftime, but they stuck around, and then, of course, everyone went nuts during those last five minutes.”
The Seahawks rallied to beat the Green Bay Packers 28-22, validating the confidence of Arlington fans. Ella and Lacey Mattson were both sure that the Hawks would win, as well as Karin Stringer and her friends, Karen and Dave McKellar.
“It was a little frustrating at first, but we’re a second-half team,” said Dave McKellar, who’s followed the Seahawks since 1976.
“I’m sure we’ll see a repeat of the Super Bowl this year,” Stringer said, before the Seahawks guaranteed they’d be heading off to the big game.
The church already conducts four big community events each year, the next of which is Easter Sunday on April 5. But Garberg expects that, if the Seahawks repeat this level of play on a yearly basis, that could grow into five such events.
“We’re very big into taking advantage of natural opportunities, to create a greater sense of community,” Garberg said. “We’re a family-oriented church that likes to pray together, share meals and spent time together.”
