"Bay Shore BBQ - A Huge (Missionary) Success!"

On Saturday the 20th, a much publicized and eagerly awaited Chili Cook-Off and BBQ took place at our church. Both wards who attend church in this building were involved - the Bay Shore English-speaking ward and the Brentwood Spanish-speaking branch. What a huge success it was!

Above are Brother Urban, left and Brother Danner, right - members of our ward bishopric and intense cooking rivals. It better not be announced here who the winner of the Chili Cook-Off was:-)

The purpose was to gather, mingle, invite friends, the less active, investigators, eat, visit...and, in general, have a great evening. That happened. It all happened.

Below, the salad line forms as the beef patties, hot dogs and barbecued pork spare ribs sizzle on the grill. The food was plentiful and delicious! Everyone brought something - salad, dessert, drinks, chips and salsa, etc.

Great planning went into this event. The children had a blast in the Bounce Castle that kept them entertained for hours. Parents had to remember that they, in fact, had brought their children:-)

About 20 tables were placed around the lovely church grounds and on the lawns as well as nestled in the trees to provide places to visit and eat.

People were content and happy to mingle, exchange recipes and visit other tables throughout the evening. The event was planned from 3-7 pm, but people lingered until after 8:00 o'clock.

Many who stayed the longest were investigators... visiting and asking questions of missionaries. They wanted to know "what is different" about "these people" and why they "felt something different being here." There were impromptu missionary lessons given at at least one picnic table after sunset in Bay Shore on Saturday.

Yes, we would all say the evening was a huge success.