By Ashley M. Casey
Associate Editor
Many acts will cross the stage at the Bud Light Amphitheater at Paper Mill Island this summer, but the only one that will return for a weekly encore is Church on the Island.
Founded in 2016 by leaders in the First United Methodist Church of Baldwinsville, Church on the Island consists of 30-minute informal services featuring a different local pastor sharing their message each week. Rev. Patti Walz, who has since retired from B’ville FUMC, is the coordinator/director.
“Word is getting around,” Walz said of Church on the Island, which will hold its first service of the season Sunday, June 16.
Services take place at 8 a.m. each Sunday through Sept. 1. In case of inclement weather, the backup location is the Red Mill Inn.
“We’ve only had to do that a couple times, thankfully,” Walz said. “We kind of joke that it doesn’t rain on Church on the Island.”
Church on the Island has grown considerably since its inaugural service, held in July 2016.
“The first year we had a total attendance of 354 and last summer we had a total of 584,” Walz said.
That first summer, Walz led each service. Now, pastors from area churches share the duty. (See sidebar for schedule.) Grace Episcopal Church, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Pennellville UMC and Plainville UCC are among those on the roster. Walz said seven churches are part of the flock and she is hoping to get more churches involved.
While many of the first congregants of Church on the Island belong to B’ville FUMC, the worshippers are a varied crowd.
“We also get people searching for a church new to the area because now we have a number of different churches participating,” Walz said. “Some of the people already have an affiliation with a local church and we encourage them to continue supporting that church. This is an alternative form of worship.”
Sometimes, boaters docked near the island listen to the sermon from their crafts or even join the congregation on the island.
“Last summer there was a boat that got hung up on the buoys,” Walz recalled. “[The owner] joined us for worship while the … authorities were trying to get him loose.”
Worshiping on the river, surrounded by wildlife and water, can be healing for many churchgoers, Walz said.
“A number of our congregants, we found out since the first summer, are going through difficult times. They’re grieving; they need healing. The outdoor setting is beautiful and seems to be what they need at the time,” she said. “We’ve enjoyed fish jumping and birds calling, eagles.”
Walz said the Church on the Island team appreciates the support from the village of Baldwinsville.
“The village board and police department check in on us now and then,” she said. “It’s become a community thing.”
Fellowship is an important part of Church on the Island. Last year, Dunkin’ Donuts provided refreshments for the Sunday services — and the workers at Lock 24 — and Walz said she is hoping they will do the same this year.
“It’s pretty cool — at quarter of 8 you see these people walking out to the island with lawn chairs. They become like your own congregation the way they relate to each other,” she said.
Church on the Island schedule
Informal church services take place at 8 a.m. each Sunday through Sept. 1 at the Bud Light Amphitheater on Paper Mill Island. Services will move to the Red Mill Inn in case of inclement weather. This year’s theme is “Come Together.” Here is the preaching schedule for the first couple of months:
June 16: Rev. Patti Walz, retired from the First United Methodist Church of Baldwinsville
June 23: Rev. Jeff Hodge, Pennellville UMC/B’ville FUMC
June 30: Rev. Bill Mudge, B’ville FUMC
July 7: Rev. Cathy Carpenter, Grace Episcopal Church
July 14: Rev. Hannah Benedict, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
July 21: TBA
July 28: Rev. Susan Ranous, Ira UMC
Aug. 4: Rev. Mike Grinnals, Plainville UCC
Aug. 11: Christmas in August with Rev. Patti Walz
