TRAVERSE CITY -- Every summer Sunday Mark and Ursula Johnson put on their shorts, power up their boat and head off ... to church?
The Old Mission Peninsula couple are among hundreds of worshipers at Central United Methodist Church's Church in the Park, where the views are as riveting as the message.
"It's such a beautiful location," said CUMC Senior Pastor Dale Ostema of the waterfront setting at Sunset Park. "You're looking out over this beautiful bay, you've got these big maples. It puts you in the mood for appreciation of the beauty of this community and just helps you form a connection to God that is unique in the outdoors."
Church in the Park is one of the area's oldest outdoor services, designed more than 30 years ago to celebrate the summer season and reach out to newcomers. The 30- to 40-minute service features a message, familiar hymns and special music broadcast over speakers, and attracts nearly 500 people -- from year-round and part-time residents to those visiting the area for the cherry and film festivals.
"It is an informal service," said Ostema, who underscores the come-as-you-are invitation by wearing khakis and a polo shirt. "We do have some folding chairs set up but the majority bring their lawn chairs, blankets. Some even bring their pets."
Mark and Ursula Johnson began boating to the service last summer in their 15-foot "clunker" with 85-horsepower outboard motor. Now they wade to shore with their lawn chairs nearly every week after beaching their boat at the park.
"We are fair weather boaters," said Mark Johnson, a winemaker at Chateau Chantal. "If it's at all rough we don't go. It's just Sunday morning when you wake up and it's a clear, calm day -- those are the days we go by boat."
Others pedal to the park and leave their bicycles in the bike rack that was a gift from the church to the city.
"That's been a concerted effort: to organize people by bike," Johnson said. "You park at the Civic Center and bike in. It's just part of going to Church in the Park."
Immanuel Lutheran Church in Suttons Bay offers its "Worship-by-the-Bay" service once a summer to bring its two morning congregations together and welcome visitors.
"Usually we do it in June to avoid the crazy latter part of July because there are a lot of farmers in the congregation," said Parish Secretary Jennifer VerSnyder. "And if you wait too long in August usually all the tourists have gone."
The service is held on the grassy portion of Marina Park facing the bay, the same area where the village's popular summer art fair takes place. Worshipers are encouraged to bring their own seating and a dish to pass for the picnic afterwards.
"We have a strawberry social; we have dessert first," VerSnyder said. "We figure if we have visitors, they're a little shy about staying after if they didn't bring something for the potluck."
This year's service took place June 28 and featured Communion and music from a more contemporary book. It drew about 105 people, including park neighbors and first-timers, she said.
"We always snag a few people that are around and curious and on their boats," she added.
Barbara Good is partial to outdoor services on the patio near First Congregational Church's Garden of Remembrance. The five-garden area was designed and planted by the congregation and is where the church inters the ashes of those who have chosen to be cremated.
"I always try to sit on the end near the garden," said Good, who learned to appreciate nature as a camp counselor. "When the music's playing I look up and there are cardinals there. The gardens are massive and they're beautiful. I just think I'm right next to God."
The service attracts up to 200 worshipers, including campers from the Traverse City State Park, and features music piped in from the sanctuary organ among other vocal and instrumental performances, said Senior Pastor Gary Hogue.
"People appreciate the view and the sounds," he said. "If the birds are out, you can hear them singing and feel close to God's creation. And it's refreshing. On the hottest days we're still shaded, so it's not quite as warm. When the weather cooperates, it's lovely."
For Good, worshiping outdoors is the purest form of worship.
"If I don't get anything out of anything else, at least I'm there meditating," she said. "I'm not distracted like I am inside. I don't notice who's coming in or going out. The nature keeps me in tune."
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