By Miron Carney What started as a COVID-19 workaround in 2021 has become an Ecumenical summer tradition. This past Sunday hundreds of worshipers from English, Trinity, St. Olaf, and Our Savior’s Lutheran Churches of Walnut Grove, Rural Ann Township, and Dovray; Grace and Trinity Lutheran Churches of Westbrook; Tracy and Walnut Grove United Methodist Churches; Highwater and Old Westbrook Lutheran Churches of Rural Westbrook and Lamberton; Tracy Lutheran Church; and out of town visitors gathered in praise at Painted Prairie Vineyard near Dovray. Congregations from four counties lifted their voices in praise.
That first year’s gathering started with English, Trinity, St. Olaf, and Our Savior’s Lutheran Churches of Walnut Grove, Rural Ann Township, and Dovray. After that first service, those involved knew they needed to do it again. Over the next couple years additional congregations joined. It became an Ecumenical gathering in 2024 when Tracy and Walnut Grove United Methodist Churches joined.
Tracy Lutheran Church joined this year for the first time. It was also the first time the service was heard on the radio. Tracy Lutheran Church’s Vicar Angie DeSmith welcomed everyone on what turned out to be a comfortable sunny morning. Pastor Stephanie Swanson of the Walnut Grove Lutheran Churches led the Prayer of the Day before Pastor Sara Shingledecker of the Westbrook Lutheran Churches led the children’s sermon. Pastor Miron Carney of the Methodist Churches gave a sermon he titled Unity of Praise based on Matthew 15:10-21-28 and Psalm 133.
The service took on the feel of an old-time tent revival when Alecia and Isla Hamilton were baptized officiated by Pastor Miron. The Baptismal Sacrament was a joyous high point. Pastor Church Swanson of the Walnut Grove Lutheran Churches officiated the Sacrament of Holy Communion inviting everyone to our Lord’s table.
Praise music was provided by musicians of Tracy Lutheran. Vicar Angie played drums; Vicki Streifle played piano; Pastor Miron played guitar (the one Methodist); and Jamie Leonard, Kathy Filter, and Mary Kay Frisvold were the vocalists. The group took on the name, Holy Rollers. The Tracy Lutheran Chancel Choir closed the service with Celtic Benediction in song.
Outdoor preaching and worship have always had a strong evangelical feel, as it attracts folks who might not be drawn to a church service in a more traditional setting.
In the Americas, the challenges of frontier life and the limited infrastructure made outdoor worship a natural fit. Circuit riders, or preachers on horseback, would travel hundreds of miles to preach and offer care to those living on the edge of the wilderness. Since there weren’t many buildings for preaching, the outdoors became a welcoming place when the weather was cooperative.
The courage of circuit riders, who were willing to face the elements, helped those early churches grow in the United States.
Outdoor worship was commonplace on the Minnesota frontier. Even as worship started moving indoors in our state’s early years, circuit riders were still making their rounds. Also, camp meetings were popular, where people would gather for several days, usually about a week, to hear several preachers and camp with their families at the campgrounds.
In the Summer of 1869, the first permanent Methodist camp meeting site was established at Red Rock Camp Meeting in Newport, Minnesota.
The churches involved with this past weekend’s Ecumenical Worship at Painted Prairie Vineyard are already talking about next year’s service. Since its beginning, each year has had no less than one new congregation joining. There’s still room for more. Everyone is welcome!
