Connection and construction was the motivation for the Grace Lighthouse Church's family festival fundraiser held Saturday, Sept 21.

At the festival, guests congregated at the church's current 3065 Cranberry Highway location to connect and donate to the church's construction fund. Guests could purchase a variety of different foods and baked goods, participate in a cornhole tournament and enter a raffle for a chance to win a weekend getaway in New Hampshire.

According to Pastor David Beguerie, the festival was put on not just as a fundraiser but as a way to connect with the local community.

"Everything we do in the community is an outreach," said Beguerie, "We really think not just about our people, we think about people who may not be familiar with Grace Lighthouse Church."

Beguerie explained these kinds of events are a "win-win" because it helps the church raise money to fund their construction project and it allows them to meet new people.

The construction of the new church could take another two to three months, said Beguerie, but he explained the festival is hopefully indicative of what's to come with the new location.

"It's really all about giving people an experience here that they would want to come back for," said Beguerie. "The live music, the wonderful food, the friendly faces that are connected to Grace Lighthouse Church. We want people to come and be able to find us, and we're waiting for that soon day where we can be right there all together."

Members of the church recognized the importance of how a new place of worship can help them connect with the community and echoed a similar message to that of Beguerie

"The building is a big part of the community," said church security member Paul Germaine. "As a community, Wareham is growing in size, so we're hoping that our congregation grows in size because of more visibility with the new church."

Beguerie noted that building a community and connecting with people means more to the church than the money.

"If we as a church get to build a closer dynamic of strengthening each other in this event, it's a complete success," said Beguerie.

The new church is currently under construction at 2703 Cranberry Highway.