Boalsburg church keeps outdoor services born during COVID, with help from ‘worship wagon’
Every Sunday at 11 a.m. cars roll up to the parking lot across from Zion Lutheran Church in Boalsburg. They line up in four rows, and tune into the short-range FM broadcast as Pastor Brent Book prepares to start worship services from the wooden structure parked at the front of the lot, affectionately called the “worship wagon.”
Like many churches, Zion Lutheran Church began offering outdoor services in the summer of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. But while most services across Centre County have moved to Zoom, indoors or a combination of both, Zion Lutheran Church has kept the outdoor option that gives parishioners the ability to be close to the church but still in their own space.
The church plans to keep those outdoor Sunday services, and will hold its third outdoor Christmas Eve service at 11 p.m. Saturday.
Although regular services at Zion Lutheran Church have moved inside, not all parishioners have. Due to health concerns or general enjoyment, several people have made the outdoor services their primary service.
For Melanie Komleni, the 11 p.m. Christmas Eve service was one of the most meaningful services she’s experienced and she’s glad the church is continuing the tradition.
“It’s such a wonderful offering for people who have extenuating circumstances and want to keep people safe,” Komleni said.
The church did consider removing the option as participants dwindled but reconsidered after parishioners reached out about how much the services meant to them. Although only eight to ten cars have been coming for weekly services this winter, Book says numbers rise in the summer, reaching around 40 parishioners in cars and spreading across the grass as the weather warms.
“We’re still giving them a very viable place to celebrate, to worship, to find strength,” Book said. “And we couldn’t take that away.”
The worship wagon has gone through several evolutions throughout the course of the pandemic, starting in the back of Book’s old pickup truck before adding a short-range FM radio frequency for parishioners to tune in to. In fall of 2021, Book heard from a local automotive about an old trailer for sale. He bought the trailer frame and built the worship wagon, with a chestnut wood cross made from the original wood.
For Book, adjusting to the services was difficult at first with not being able to hear or see how parishioners were reacting.
“It’s easier for it to feel more conversational when you can see the person, but again, I think the spirit conquers those things,” Book said. “Certainly there’s still more connection for them than being on the other side of a little screen.”
The outdoor services are stripped down to worship at its most basic, with no choir, few decorations and fewer distractions. Gail Salada, who brings a chair and sits outside for the services, said it feels like it’s just her, Pastor Book and the word of God during the 11 a.m. services.
“I do miss the socialization that you get when you do the indoor service,” Salada said. “But I also like the exclusiveness of the outdoor service where it’s just you and your thoughts and no one else is distracting you.”
Some parishioners like Salada and Book’s daughter enjoy being able to enjoy nature during the services, regardless of the season. For Book, the outdoor services have less “glorious presentation” than services inside the church but the aesthetics and choir are not truly important.
“While many of the things we give up, all of those things are not necessary,” Book said. “So the one thing that is necessary does remain and that’s our Lord and our worship.”
Book said services, including the Christmas Eve service, are open to anyone who would like to join.