When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." Jesus said to them, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." They replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish." And he said, "Bring them here to me." Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 

~ Matthew 14: 15-20

Jesus’ ministry and work for the kingdom of heaven was never limited to one place or a building or house of God.  Where Jesus gathered with people and where Jesus spoke the Divine Word from heaven, the work of God’s grace took place!  On many occasions in the Gospels, Jesus did the work of the eternal kingdom outside in the beauty of God’s creation!

With that in mind, St Stephen church has been blessed since 1991 to have a dedicated outdoor space where God’s people can gather for Godly things.  A group of volunteer members of St Stephen worked tirelessly to construct the outdoor Pavilion and Barbeque.

The need for this structure for outdoor ministries found its roots in the wonderful annual tradition of the Memorial Day Chicken Barbecue that began on  May 30, 1976.  This annual tradition included clearing brush, laying cement blocks with grills to fit and prepping food in the natural elements, and cooking in both rain or shine!

The Chicken Barbecue not only served the members of St Stephen but also became a favorite of many of our neighbors in the surrounding community.

It is with great joy that, for this 50th Anniversary year, the Memorial Day Chicken Barbecue will return on Sunday, May 28th!