Music, barbecued hamburgers and children’s games are all on the menu as local churches host Spiritfest this Sunday in Polson Park.
“We were trying to explore the different ways the PLURA churches — Presbyterian, Catholic, United, Lutheran and Anglican — could gather as a community,” said Pastor Rick Schulz, with Peace Lutheran Church. “We can get ingrained in our own way of doing things and our own traditions as being the right way.”
For many years, members of the churches gathered as a community during Lent, sharing a simple supper along with fellowship.
“We felt that idea had run its course but we all felt that it was important that we get together in some form so we came up with the idea of the ecumenical picnic,” said Schulz. “It’s a way to say we can simply gather as Christians to find a way to set our differences aside for a moment and that we hold many of the same values.
“And also to be part of the larger community because for many people, simply walking into a church can be intimidating, so this is a relaxed, casual and fun event that is open to all, whether or not you are affiliated with any church.”
The first ecumenical picnic was held as a fun event that also brought people together in the park to worship. The first event, two years ago, was blessed with sunshine and attended by about 400 people. With less-than-ideal weather last year, the picnic was not as well attended.
“Although we’ve changed the name to Spiritfest, we felt it was important to gather around food so we will have a barbecue and share food and invite everybody to come and take part,” said Schulz. “In past years, we’ve had those who were homeless attend, as well as some of the young people from the skateboard park.
“It’s an opportunity to share what we have in many ways.”
Spiritfest will feature a variety of musical entertainment on the stage, and Schulz hopes the feel of the event will be akin to an old-time church picnic, where people of all ages gathered to share food and fellowship.
“We’ll have lots of games for the kids and we encourage people to bring a lawn chair, sit under a tree, take part in a game and spend the afternoon,” he said, adding that members of the Knights of Columbus have been a huge help in bringing everything together. “They do this all the time so have the resources, but everyone has pulled together and everyone has brought different gifts in different ways.”
Schulz said while Spiritfest will open with a welcoming prayer, there will be no actual worship involved.
“We’re just trying to get the word out that we’re here, that there are a variety of churches in town and if you want to see more, come and check us out, but our primary purpose is to get together as churches in a public way — often the stories about churches that make the news are the bad ones so we want to show that we are OK people and we can do some neat things and that we’re always open to looking for other opportunities where we can join together.”
And, while Schulz plans on keeping it casual with shorts and a golf shirt, he will have his clerical collar on as a way for people to recognize him.
“We realize that this is an important place for people to be able to meet us in a relaxed setting and we need to be easily identified, not to mention people from other churches recognizing us.”
Spiritfest takes place May 29 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Polson Park, near the bandshell. In case of rain, the event will move to the parish hall at St. James Catholic Church. There is no charge to attend: the churches involved are providing everything for the day, although a freewill offering will be taken, with all proceeds going to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Chaplaincy Committee Fund.
