Church to hold “Rally Day” picnic
It has been a difficult 18 months for the Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church at 19251 N. Tamiami Trail. After closing for a spell, it held its services in a “drive-in” format for nearly a year before returning indoors in May, although much of what they do these days are done virtually.
And while they are still prepared for anything, the church sees a light at the end of the tunnel, and on Sunday, will hold its first Rally Day picnic from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, immediately following a special 10 a.m. service.
There will be three food trucks, games, and music from The Way FM, which will broadcast live from the event, and all are welcome. With the event being outdoors, it will provide another layer of protection by promoting social distancing.
Rally Day has been held in churches since churches began. It was meant to celebrate a new church calendar year after a quiet summer, which many Protestant churches hold.
“But this is different. COVID has been a great difficulty for every church including ours. It’s caused us to do things differently and it’s set us back because we had to wear masks, couldn’t sing,” Pastor Clinton Cottrell said. “When we looked at Rally Day, we thought it should be more a church picnic where we welcome people back.”
Cottrell said he was looking at the numbers regarding COVID in Lee County and they are much better and the rate of transmission is down.
“Our hope is that as we see our snowbirds coming back we can tell the community welcome back,” Cottrell said. “We’re coming back to something normal.”
Bible studies will be returning and soon be singing in church again with choirs and cantatas, meaning the church will return to the way things should be done.
Cottrell said there will still be caution, especially as COVID cases continue. He still has the transmitter in the event they have to return to drive-in services, which he doesn’t miss doing in 95-degree heat.
“However, it looks like we’re seeing light at the end of the tunnel. We’re ready for it,” Cottrell said. “We’re saying welcome back, and we’re getting back into business again.”
Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church holds a contemporary service Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and a traditional service at 10:30 a.m.
For more information go to htpc-nfm.com.
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com