GOSHEN COUNTY – Later this month, all are invited to participate in a sit-down community potluck along the middle of Main Street in Torrington. The idea first came to the Rev. Brian Gross a couple of years ago. After a little soul-searching and a moment of impulse, he decided it was time to bring the concept to fruition.

“The idea occurred to me … when I was downtown,” he said. “I had a vision of people gathering. Just over the past couple years, I’ve really been thinking about our community and wanted just to get everybody together … no agenda, no sponsor, or any reason – just to get together. I put it off, (until) I decided it was time. I announced to somebody at a meeting that I wanted to do it, because I knew if I announced it, I would be tied to it. I intentionally left out any group or organization. When there’s a sponsor or somebody organizing it, then there are certain ideas of what it’s going to be. I really didn’t want any expectations – it will be what it will be.”

On Sunday, July 29, from 3 to 6 p.m., a portion of Main Street between 20th and 21st Avenue will be blocked off to accommodate a line of tables, dishes, and – Gross hopes – a large crowd of people eager to share a meal with their neighbors and friends.

“I’ve had great responses so far,” Gross said, adding he’s visited various coffee groups, meetings and organizations around Goshen County to invite residents to participate. “I still need things, but I’ve got three different churches bringing tables and chairs. One said they’d bring paper plates and (flatware). Some are bringing a cooler with drinks … I have no idea how many people to expect. I think if more people show up than we have space for, those that need to sit can sit. It’d be more exciting that way.”

Gross is looking to secure more tables and chairs, five large garbage cans, 250 more paper plates and cutlery, and 250 more cups for the event. Otherwise, attendees are simply asked to bring themselves and a covered dish with their name on it and serving spoon.

“We need people to help set up after 3 p.m. and before 4 p.m.,” Gross said. “At 4 p.m., we will sit down as a whole family. I’ll try to ring a bell to get everyone to quiet down for a blessing, and then we’ll have a meal together.”

Gross and a couple of other volunteers will wear bright red shirts to the dinner and be available to answer questions and offer direction.

“I think we’ve lost contact with our neighbors … I don’t think we really know our community anymore,” Gross said. “I think the better we know each other, the more we’ll help each other. The more we rally around positive things, the more we can build upon positive things.

“I could just picture it, tables going down the middle of Main Street and standing at the end of the table looking down and seeing our community sitting together,” he continued. “I wanted to hold it on Main Street, because it’s the heart of town, it’s more symbolic. If people come out of it realizing we can get together and they get to know their neighbors, maybe they’ll take more time to help those in need … I preach loving your neighbor and God loves us. Through this, we will get to know each other – that’s my hope.”

For questions or to offer help, contact Gross at (307) 575-8800.