Every church I’ve ever been around has always had at least one peculiar “rule.”  Something that an outsider with no history at that church could not possibly understand.  The church Allison attended as a child still takes the cake for the most unique, however.

There was an unwritten and unspoken rule at her church that no one, and I mean NO ONE,  was allowed to bring potato salad or macaroni salad to a covered dish meal.  No one, that is, except for the pastor’s wife.  For what reason did the pastor’s wife receive such a high “honor,” you ask?  Well apparently at some point in the history of the church, there was a covered dish meal where everyone showed up with either potato salad or macaroni salad.  There literally was nothing else to eat!  And so the pastor’s wife was elected as the sole provider for these particular dishes at all future functions to guarantee that others brought different foods for a diverse and balanced meal.

With this in mind, Saturday is our annual Summer Splash and the event kicks off at noon with a covered dish picnic!  This year, we did not designate what you should bring based on the spelling of your last name.  We’re leaving it up to you to bring something you enjoy making, something you enjoy eating, and something you enjoy sharing.  I can, for a fact, say that my wife will not be bringing potato salad or macaroni salad as she does not care for either of these dishes.  Of course, that is not to say that all of you should bring these or we may end up putting a similarly peculiar rule in place at HBIC.  No, I’m sure if we all bring something we like, we will end up with a well balanced and tasty meal to share together!  (and after this email, we may end up with no potato or macaroni salad…which I do enjoy eating!)

And of course, after we’ve feasted together this Saturday, we will join together for an  outdoor worship service at 1:30 pm followed by the giant slip ‘n slide at 3:00 pm.  It is going to be a great day of fellowship and fun…and the weather looks GREAT at this point!  Please invite your family, friends, and neighbors to join us for one part of the day or the whole event!  The more, the merrier!

Sunday morning, as you know, you have my permission to sleep in as there is no church service.  If you’re not a late sleeper, this weekend is also a great opportunity to visit another local church and see how God is at work in our sister congregations around Lancaster!

Have a great week and we’ll see you Saturday at noon!  Can’t wait!

In Christ Alone,

Pastor Jan