Enjoying conversation at S'mores and Scripture. Photos by Pastor Clay Lundberg.

About seventy percent of the people who attend Zion United Methodist Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota, head to a lake each weekend. That means that there are fewer people attending worship on Sundays in the summer. Rev. Clay Lundberg is inviting people to come on Wednesdays for S’mores and Scriptures.

“One of the things about Grand Forks is that lake culture is very big. Summer worship attendance takes a big hit. I started wondering about a way to get people together midweek. Midweek is a sweet spot. They have come back from the lake and are at home before they go to the lake again. We wanted some kind of family-friendly activity that is casual and lets people know we care about them,” shares Rev. Clay Lundberg, Grand Forks Zion.

S'mores and Scriptures has a two-fold purpose. First, to be in fellowship with the members of Zion UMC. Second, to show the community and neighborhood that there is life in the church, and they are invited to come and have a s’more.

Once a month on a Wednesday evening, Pastor Clay sets up yard games, starts a fire in a portable fire pit, and ingredients for s’mores are placed on a table.

“It’s pretty simple. I happen to own a lot of lawn games like two cornhole sets and a giant Jenga game. I set that up. I bring my portable fire pit from home and stop by the gas station to pick up some wood. So, outside the church I set up the games and get the fire pit going,” describes Pastor Clay.

Starting at 6:30 p.m., people gather, mingle, make s'mores and play games.  A brief message related to scripture is shared.
 

Making s'mores at Grand Forks Zion UMC.

“It is informal. People gather and mingle. At some point, I stand up and share a brief, casual message. In June, I talked about God and sabbath—the importance of rest. In July, I shared a message related to our sermon series God and the Movies—a way to connect people to Sunday worship. After the message, we have s’mores,” Pastor Clay explains.

About 15 people attended the first night. People enjoy the casual connection.

“We have not done a lot of promotion, and about fifteen people came. People that come really enjoy it. They expressed that it is fun. We have had some kids ride their bikes by, and we invited them to join us. There was a dog that was lost, and that caused some attention and connection in the neighborhood,” said Pastor Clay.

There will be one more S’mores and Scriptures event this summer in August.  Plans are underway to continue next summer.

Pastor Clay said, “I made some signs to put around to let people know we are doing this. We will put them out  for our August event. We want to continue next summer and may try more than once a month.”

Zion UMC will again this summer have a Pop-Up Garden Stand. Members of the congregation are asked to plant an extra row of produce to share and invite other gardeners they know of to grow an additional row. Extra produce fills the Pop-Up Garden Stand. The garden stand will be open to the public twice a month, August through October, at 5:00 p.m. Volunteers will set up the stand and distribute the produce.

“We want people to know that the church is there for them during the summer. It is OK to have events where we can be who we are as God’s people,” said Pastor Clay.