Community worship event planned Oct. 11
St. Marys Ministerial Association wants to bring people together
With so many events canceling or moving to a virtual format, the St. Marys Ministerial Association is looking to bring people back together — socially distant, of course.
The group is inviting the entire St. Marys and surrounding community to join together in Memorial Park for a non-denominational community worship service from 4 p.m. to about 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 11.
“So much stuff has been canceled, so many things aren’t what they normally are this year and we wanted to be a part of something that is actually happening,” said ministerial association president Tim Benjamin. “We wanted to have a time where people could come together at a family
friendly event and enjoy a beautiful fall day worshiping God.”
The event — an idea created by Alicia Vanderpool — will keep a fresh rotation of speakers and musicians moving to help make the evening fun for everyone. Benjamin noted people are free to come and go as they please as there is no cost for admission, no cost for concessions and no offering plate needing filled.
“These events have been planned by leaders who care about our community. We care not only about the physical health of our friends and neighbors but also the spiritual, emotional and relational health of our community as well,” Benjamin said. “That has been the motivation behind planning this event; a chance to take part in community building by at least being at the same place at the same time. The more people we have at this event, the better it will be.”
He said speakers include Revs. Bev Hurlburt, Steve Stroh, Rick Scheer, Bill Makey and Alexander Witt as well as Memorial High School student Parker Miley. Music will be provided by a number of local worship groups including the Awaken Band from Wayne Street United Methodist Church.
While all of the speakers are welcome to come up with their own way of delivering their message, Benjamin said the main theme of the event is focused on Ephesians 6, the armor of God.
“We thought it would be a nice, unifying thing to do by giving people the freedom to talk about their own part of it but still have that common thread running through the whole evening,” he explained.
Because the point of the event is to come together in nature, there is no indoor location in case of poor weather but if it were to rain heavily, Benjamin said the evening will be rescheduled as weather allows.
“Again, we will be observing social distancing, but we will also be enjoying a good afternoon taking in one of God’s truly most magnificent gifts, fall in Ohio,” he said. “We’re praying that the good lord will shine down with good weather because this will present a wonderful time to be together and do what we can to help each other through this very lonely and isolated season of our lives.
“Life hasn’t been easy these past months. This event will present an opportunity to meet up with your community and be a part of something good.”