A non-denominational Christian church, called "A Place At The Table Ministries" decided to hold a picnic on Saturday, June 20. The first day of summer.
Pastor Clarendon had the church hyped up. He loaded everyone into the church vans (some people carpooled, while others took the train, bus, taxi, Uber, etc. to get there, & everyone arrived. The drivers were dancing & singing in their seats to Christian songs, praising the Lord, on the way to Woodgate Park in a Chicago suburb, called Matteson, Illinois. It was a big & good turnout.
Pastor Clarendon jokingly said, "Look! Y'all bringin' y'all own food, because I ain't got time to sit here & be blamed for special diets, food allergies, weight gain, etc.!", shortly after everyone arrived. Everyone laughed because he had catered Firehouse Subs already donated.
Pastor Clarendon had everyone sit in a nice, big, even square. Some of the little kids couldn't stay still or cooperate. Diondra & her sister, Dionnika, helped pass around sandwiches, chips, brownies & a choice of lemonade, iced tea or bottled water.
Joe Tanner said, "Pastor Clarendon, we like you! At least you let us eat at the same time you're preaching a sermon, because I've been homeless for a long time. Tell me why other churches force you to sit through a 2-hour long sermon before you get to eat. Why they do that to homeless people who haven't eaten in 3 or 4 days?"
Sherell said, "That's true, yeah; Pastor!"
Pastor Clarendon responded, "Well, I can't answer for what other people do. But as for me & my house, we will serve the Lord. Amen?"
The members repeated, "Amen!"
Demetrick & Vernard said, "Thank you, Pastor for the much-needed fellowship & assembling, because they got some lonely people 'round here."
Pastor Clarendon said, "Who has to be lonely, when we got the Lord? Amen!"
The members again repeated, "Amen!"
People continued chattering & eating, as Pastor Clarendon was preaching his sermon about being about the Father's Business & soul winning. The heat was intensifying a little, as time went on. Some of the members made jokes, laughing about how they can cool off by pouring iced water down their necks, instead of fanning themselves in church. They thought it was better.
Mrs. Lavonda said, "Y'all BETTER get right with God, because if you can't handle THIS heat, then how you gon' be able to handle burning in hell for eternity? You better examine yourself to see whether or not you're in the faith! 'Cause we're in the end times. God ain't playin'!" (Everything got REALLY quiet for at least a good 10 minutes.)
After the sermon was over, the pastor had everyone to stand up & sing/dance along to the gospel songs. He encouraged everyone to be creative with the dancing, but to not get too carried away with it.
For some newcomers & guests, they questioned why Pastor Clarendon didn't pass the plate or ask for tithes & offerings. They felt offended at his fire & brimstone preaching to save souls. They didn't realize that he was preaching truth & not churchianity. They later decided that they would rather go to a church where tithing is not required, & the truth is preached. Preaching about Jesus Christ saving souls. There was no talk about stuff like Will Smith slapping Chris Rock or Jon Batiste winning so many Grammys.
After the picnic church service was over, some of the families stayed, but Pastor Clarendon had to tend to an emergency. He just got the news that his son's wife was going into labor to give birth to her 2nd child. He had to pack up & dash. The families that stayed had allowed their children to stay out, run around & play for a while longer. It was a nice day outside with clear skies. No chemtrails.
THE END
*Please note. To you Narcissistic Gang Stalkers who falsely accuse me of using "BAD" grammar, this short story is intentionally using slang & ebonics because the characters in this story are African-American. Thanks for NOT being a politically correct "grammar" Nazi! I have a Bachelor's degree. I know how to spell.