 | | | A visitor admires two Ford Thunderbirds at the Burton Valley Cars & Coffee on Aug. 24. Photo Elaine Borden Chandler | | | | | | The idea came from a book - though perhaps not the one that you're thinking of. About a year ago, the Lafayette Christian Church's study group read "Healing the Heart of Democracy" by Parker J. Palmer. They were struck by the statement that churches should develop a theology of hospitality that extends beyond their congregation and into their broader community.
Led by Stephanie Reilly, they started brainstorming and began to hold events for the larger Lamorinda community. Among these were free coffee and doughnuts along the Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail, concerts in the grove, and a book fair. One day, David Dell and Kyle Koegler suggested that they host a Cars and Coffee, an auto enthusiast tradition where people come together to display their cars, talk, drink coffee, and eat doughnuts. As car enthusiasts themselves, Dell and Koegler became the driving force behind the new Burton Valley Cars & Coffee.
"They got the posters and banners done, everything," said Reilly. "The only thing I did was go down and get the doughnuts from Johnny's Donuts."
Despite a few sprinklings of rain, the Burton Valley Cars & Coffee was so popular that Reilly had to get a second round of doughnuts. In addition to those who specifically came to see the cars, many people walking by on the trail stopped to join in. Visitors chatted with the car owners, asking them about their cars, what kind of enhancements they had done, and why they had chosen that particular car.
Many of the cars had stories behind them, such as coming from family members or being a lifelong dream. They were a mix of classic, vintage, and modern cars such Thunderbirds, Mustangs, Audis, and Ford trucks. Some of owners brought cars that had been given a lot of restoration or enhancements including Koegler, who brought a car that was much admired for how it had been painted and tricked out.
As the event came to an end, some of the car owners told the church organizers that the event had been so great that they wanted it to happen again. After a quick check that the parking lot was free, the congregation decided to have Cars & Coffee on the fourth Saturday of the month.
"My own son, who doesn't get too excited about much except cars, said, `We got to do this again.' In fact, he keeps reminding me there's one this month. And I go, `Yeah, I'm well aware of that,'" said Reilly.
At present, the Lafayette Christian Church is going to sponsor Cars & Coffee in October and November. They'll take a pause in December for the Christmas season and then decide in January if they want to make this a monthly event. They are hopeful that the events will be popular enough to make it part of their 2025 community outreach plan.
The next Burton Valley Cars & Coffee will be on Oct. 26, from 8 a.m to 11 a.m. at the Lafayette Community Church at 584 Glenside Drive. All types of cars and visitors are welcome. |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA