At my little Baptist church we have a big church barbeque in early September. The whole neighborhood is welcome to come join us for free eats and drinks.

I can remember the UC picnics my family used to go to as a kid. They used to be held at a place called Cedar Glen. Good food and games.

Cedar Glen was a great place jae, I've been there too - I think the UCC sold it quite a long time ago though. 

Haven't anything about our church's plans yet Pinga - will stay tuned.  We are doing an "earth shattering thing" though in May - cancelling the Sunday morning service on May 16 due to the Mississauga Marathon - it finishes just a block away from the church & the roads are all closed! 

A few years back( because of the elderly in the congregation) we had a block party instead. We got a permit from the city and blocked off a loooong block. we blitzed the neighbourhood with fliers. it was a successful picnic.Quite a  few strangers came and that was good.

That sounds like great fun crazyheart!

It really did work well and it was fun.

Crazyheart, I am really impressed with that idea.  How wonderful.

we often leave our neighbourhood to go to a park for a picnic..but to have a block party & invite folks in the neighbourhood --- brilliant!

will be interested in hearing what people are doing.

Very cool Crazyheart!!  That might be something to consider in our neighbourhood.

Our picnic is May 30 with games and so on, but on the 13th, we're celebrating the birthday by worshipping outside - more relaxed except apparently we have Communion scheduled.  

Not much has been planned beyond that. 

Did you get word about your partner church?  Ours is a small little spot in Nova Scotia (no website!!)

There were some plusses to having a block party - All were invited and welcomed from the neighbourhood; the bathrooms were handy ( inside the church); Food was able to be kept cold in the fridges; Games  etc were visable and the church looked like it was alive; people sat and visited for a long time in the shade. It was very easy to organize. People came to church and stayed for the picnic. They did not hurry for brunch somewhere and the driving for them was the same as every other Sunday. To and From. No extra trip and no looking for parking and walking a great distance to the picnic site ( Just out the church doors).

Block parties rock. My church hosts one every year.

I would love to have a block party at our church.  Being located downtown we do attract some walk-in people each week (and through the week).  Being a historic church we also get tourists and have a summer student as a tour guide for the building. 

But a block party!   It sounds delightful.  Then I remember - there is a restaurant just next door to the church.  I don't think they would be very happy to have their street blocked off for two or three hours over the busy noon hour. 

Have you all received your little packets of bread starter from Chris Levan and Wilmot church?  I think they were sent out to every congregation (or pastoral charge) in Canada along with a recipe for bannock, so that we all can share from the 'common loaf' on Anniversary Sunday.    I think our church has been twinned with one in Alberta.  I'll have to find out more.

Anybody in Alberta remember if you've been twinned with Wilmot in Fredericton, NB?