Rain doesn’t stop church picnic

PARKERSBURG - Despite evening rain showers, more than 200 people gathered Wednesday in the parking lot of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church for a free community picnic organized by two churches.

Liberty Street Church of God and Good Shepherd Episcopal Church have partnered for the past four years to sponsor the weekly picnics for two months each summer as part of their outreach ministry program.

McDonald's restaurant has joined the team, providing cups, spoons, orange drink and napkins for the nearly 500 picnic-goers each week. Wednesday evening kicked off the first picnic of the summer at 6 p.m. in the church parking lot on Charles Street.

"When we first started this, I felt God was speaking to me about taking the church to people who may never set foot in a church building," said Brian Harrell, picnic organizer and pastor of Liberty Street Church of God. "The very first year, we just stuck a sign out in the parking lot and wondered who would show up. People did show up, and they kept coming. They come from all over to eat and socialize. Some people who come just need a good meal."

Around 300 hamburgers and 200 hot dogs are cooked on the grill, along with all the traditional picnic side dishes such as bakes beans, cole slaw, macaroni salad and chips. Brownies and ice cream are a huge hit for dessert. At the end of the evening, leftover food is packaged into to-go meals.

"We've never been rained out, and we've never run out of food. It's amazing," said Harrell.

The churches fund the bulk of the food each week, while church members and volunteers provide the rest. Guests enjoy entertainment from local choirs and music groups. Children's activities are available.

Harrell's wife, Nancy, who leads the children's activities on Wednesday evenings, said the picnic is a great way for neighbors to build relationships.

"Everyone looks forward to it. We've really seen people in this neighborhood come together and get to know one another. The picnic provides a place for fellowship," she said. "We might not always talk about building relationships and serving the community, but we always try to show it. And this is how we do it."

Darlene Slusher, volunteer and member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, said people walk to the picnic from all over the neighborhood.

"We do get a lot of locals, but this is far-reaching. I've seen people come with Ohio license plates and people ride up in taxis to get here," said Slusher. "This is a special ministry, and it seems like everyone wants to help out in some way, whether by walking around and talking to people, serving food or grilling hot dogs."

Edna Williams, who lives a few streets away from the church, has come to the picnic every summer for the past three years.

"I usually bring my two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren with me. They love fixing themselves their own plates of food and then playing with the rest of the kids. Sometimes there are puppet shows they just go crazy for, but what they really go crazy for are the brownies and ice cream," said Williams. "For me, it's a chance to sit down and catch up with neighbors. A lot of people bring their own lawn chairs."

Williams said she runs into neighbors she has not seen all year.

"Especially tonight, because it's the first one of the summer, I'll probably run into someone I haven't seen for months," she said.

Jessica McCumbers, another community member, attended the picnic for the first time Wednesday after a friend recommended the good food.

"I was surprised to see so many people here, especially because of the rain," she said. "We'll definitely be back again."