Parish Picnic and Pentecost

Pentecost and the Parish picnic coincided in 2023. We had lots of time to plan a special event and many parishioners were willing to help. With much assistance from Ginny Lundeen and Kim Deslaurier, it was decided to add to the glorious banner, designed and made by Carl Salisbury. Mary Ellen Stokes happened to be at Labyrinth the night Ginny and I were discussing the addition of doves and Mary Ellen volunteered to teach us to make origami doves to hang from the banner. We were nervous about altering Carl’s masterpiece but with blessings from the liturgy committee, we persevered, and our addition was well received.

The versatile stick streamers made by Carl were placed outside along with paper lanterns hung by the young people of the church.

Once decorated for the big event, all we needed was happy people and food. Due to weather conditions, we chose to eat indoors. The sanctuary was turned into a picnic hall within 10 minutes, thanks to the many parishioners who helped.

There are far too many names to mention all the people who helped with this picnic. However, each one was appreciated. There was enough to eat as well as a great variety of food so that everyone should have gone home feeling full.

Once everyone had enough to eat and headed for home, Jerry Surprise, who was our DJ Deluxe throughout the picnic, cranked the music all the way up for cleanup time. Another group of people magically appeared and we had the sanctuary back to its original beauty within minutes.

Seeing our friends in a social setting after such a long period of COVID isolation was a special way to celebrate the birthday of the church and a good time was had by all.

Emily Bliss