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 conformable 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.
