Senior’s Invitation to Belong
Senior’s Summer Picnic 2026

Every August, I looked forward to the senior’s picnic—not only because it brought us together around a generous meal, but because it marked the beginning of another year of fellowship. When I first inherited the event, it served as a summer closing and a kickoff for fall. Over time, it became a tradition our 55-and-older group counted on.

The picnic had changed with us. We started outside in the pavilion, then added a tent when we outgrew it. For a couple of years, we paid about $800 to keep the picnic without putting everyone in a hot gym. But since we renovated and added air conditioning, we moved indoors, and the comfortable space ended up making the gathering even more meaningful. We could hear one another, enjoy the meal, and give our attention to the stories of what God was doing through our church.

Those ministry updates had become the heart of the picnic. People in Encore had watched ministries begin, grow, and reach beyond our campus. Some had volunteered with Todd’s Bible school, bought doughnuts for high school students, or prayed for Joseph’s work in Costa Rica. Others could not be involved in every ministry firsthand, but the picnic gave them one place to hear the full story. They left with a deeper sense of ownership. If someone asked what was happening at our church, they could say, “Let me tell you what I have seen and experienced.”

The meal itself added to the joy. Bill Bender prepared teriyaki chicken, barbecue chicken, and more food than we needed. He gave far more than we had asked for, and his generosity reflected the spirit of the day. We were grateful to bless him through support for the golf outing, and I continued to hope that our friendship would one day lead him across the street to church.

As I looked ahead, my prayer for Encore was simple: I wanted it to grow. I hoped more people in their 50s and beyond would try one event without feeling they had to commit to the whole year. Even with busy families and full calendars, they could find friendship, encouragement, and a place to belong. The picnic reminded me that fellowship did more than fill a table—it helped us share in the life of our church and prepare to pray for what came next.

Dave Schroyer
Seniors Pastor