Forest Hill Church will host an outdoor service and cookout this Saturday, Aug. 11.

Daryl Musick, a deacon at the Presbyterian church, helped organize the event and said this is the first time the congregation has offered a service outside with a meal. He hopes it becomes a tradition.

“It’s not about being a member there or Presbyterian, it’s about being part of a larger community, and I think that’s what the faith community always struggles with,” Musick said, explaining that the event is open to the public. “And we’re really all part of something bigger, and we shouldn’t have boundaries.”

The service will begin at 5 p.m. on the front lawn of the church. Families are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets, though Forest Hill will provide some as well.

After the approximately hour-long service, a cookout will begin behind the church near the parking lot and playground. The event will end at about 8 p.m.

Church members have been donating food throughout the week to prepare for the event, and volunteers will make the vegetarian meal that will include roasted corn on the cob, a variety of melon, pasta salad, pita bread, hummus and tabbouleh.

Musick said after learning about some of the environmental impacts of eating meat, the church decided to make this dinner vegetarian.

A barbershop quartet and steel drum band will entertain folks while they eat. 

Musick said he expects 50 to 100 people.