Picnic Benches Replace Pews During New Outdoor Church Services

GENEVA, IL—Churchgoers are giving up pews for the forest preserve as they take their worshiping outdoors for a series of unique Sunday services.

After shutting down in-person church services last March, The United Methodist Church of Geneva will hold its third of seven outdoor worship services on Sunday, May 2, at 10:30 a.m. Services will take place at the Fabyan Forest Preserve shelter No. 1 off Rt. 31 in Geneva.

The public is invited to worship, but attendance is limited to 50 people. Advance online registration and safety protocols are required, but admission and parking are free.

While some picnic tables will be available, guests are asked to bring chairs and blankets to sit on during the service. For safety reasons, Communion will be celebrated using prepackaged elements.

The outdoor series, running through May 30, will compliment online church services. Senior pastor Rev. Richard Darr will continue his sermon series on “Doing Church like Jesus” and associate pastor Rev. Lisa Telomen will read scripture. Music is provided by keyboardist Scott Stevenson of Geneva and soloists Peggy Bartlein of Geneva, and Mike Popplewell of North Aurora.

Participants can register at https://genevaumc.org/ under the 'Sign-Ups' menu. Registration closes when attendance is full or at midnight the prior Saturday. In case of inclement weather, registrants will be notified by email.

Call (630) 232-7120 or visit genevaumc.org for more information.