Rev. Scott McKirdy, left, and Davis Anderson, right lead worship in the parking lot. Photos by Jennifer Seder.

Congregations across the Dakotas Conference are mapping out plans for a new normal. Several congregations, including Spearfish UMC, are holding drive-in worship as part of their re-gathering plans.

When asked what he might be up to this summer, Davis Anderson, never imaged he would be leading worship in the parking lot of a church. Anderson is serving as an Elisha intern at Spearfish UMC, and assisted in leading worship in the parking lot for the congregation.

Since March, the congregation in Spearfish, South Dakota, has been meeting online, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As restrictions have been lifted for faith communities to gather in-person, Spearfish UMC, like several other congregations, is taking worship outdoors.

Church in the parking lot is no easy task. It takes sound, a stage or platform, detailed plans for social distancing, and of course a parking lot with ample room. The congregation purchased a transmitter to broadcast sound on an FM station. Participants can tune in to a selected, licensed, FM station, to listen to worship on the radio in their vehicle.

All of the details for worship change in the parking lot.  Pastor McKirdy chooses songs that people may be familar with, in hopes that they might sing along in their vehicles or sitting in lawn chairs in the parking lot.  Bulletins and projector are not readily accessible during the worship service.

When asked about goals for this intern experience, Davis described a desire to learn about the Spearfish church getting out into the community to clothe, feed and care for those in need. Another aim is to ask how does the church operate, what is a normal day?

Pastor Scott McKirdy laughed and said, “Normal? Every day is unique. A church deals with whatever comes our way, such as feeding the hungry by giving out Safeway cards or commodities; sending out caring meals; children, youth and family ministries; college outreach... Then in the midst of a busy week, there is call one, then call two for funeral planning and family visits.”

Is church in the parking lot a new normal? McKirdy and Anderson are carving out a new normal for the congregation in Spearfish UMC and know that things will constantly change within their context and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Davis Anderson introduces himself at parking lot worship.

Learn about other congregations that are worshipping outdoors:

Faith UMC, Fargo, North Dakota: Faith UMC has been worshipping in their parking lot since April. View drive-in worship on Sunday morning on Facebook and on the Fargo Faith website.

Journey at Spirit Lake, Spirit Lake Nation, North Dakota: The Journey @ Spirit Lake returned to in person worship on Sunday, June 7, 2020. Picnic tables were set up with social distancing in mind.

See photos and details here.

Legacy UMC: Legacy UMC in Bismarck, North Dakota is worshipping online and outdoors. Join the congregation Sunday online at 9 or 10:30 am or in person at 10:30 am at the Legacy North Amphitheater! Connect online.legacyumc.org. View photos of outdoor worship here.

Prairie View UMC, Oelrichs, South Dakota: Drive-in church is being held at 10 a.m. each Sunday. You can watch the broadcast on Facebook here.

Spirit of Faith UMC, Woonsocket, South Dakota: The congregation has been worshipping outdoors with drive-in worship since April. This summer they will worship outdoors throughout the community. Get the details here.

Southern Hills UMC, Sioux Falls, South Dakota: Southern Hills UMC held their first drive-in worship on June 14. View photos here.

Resoruces:

FM transmitter: There are several options, some may be out of stock because of current demand. Here is one that you might consider.

Peripherals and other resources: Juan Camacho, who does video production for churches, walks through all of the equipement needed, with links to order, for drive-in worsip. View video here.

Set up for drive-in worship: Pastor Zach Kingery, who serves Wessington Springs UMC, shares a brief video about the set-up for drive-up worship in Wessington Springs, South Dakota. View video here.