A new attraction is coming to this year’s Summer in the City festival, bringing a different element to the rest of this year’s lineup.

Faith.

Organizers with the local ACTION ministry network will host a community worship service and picnic at 11 a.m. on Sunday, at the Event Center tent located next to Twistee’s. The event will cap off the weekend long summer extravaganza, giving visitors one last chance to come together.

ACTION has spent the last several weeks putting together the worship event, after being approached by the festival’s organizers, the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce.

“It was an opportunity given to us by the Chamber to extend the festival into Sunday, and ACTION jumped at the chance to do so,” said Jeff Neumann, a spokesperson for the organization.

ACTION has hosted a number of nondenominational services in prior years, including one held earlier this year on Good Friday.

“It’s an opportunity to break down the walls and get different domination to worship together and promote Christ in the
community,” Neumann said.

The service will be lead by Kyle Gardner, the former pastor of Michiana Church of Christ and Federated Covenant Church. Other church leaders are expected to be in attendance as well, joining the rest of the community in prayer during the service.

Neumann described the praise as being a blend of contemporary and traditional practices, which will be accessible to any Christian, regardless of the church they attend.

“It’s going to be simple, with a lot of singing, congregational involvement, and a communion service at the end,” he said.

Following the worship, the staff will provide a lunch, consisting of grilled hamburgers, hotdogs and potato chips, Neumann said.

Being their first time hosting an event during the festival, Neumann said that the organization doesn’t have a clear estimate on how many people they will attract on Sunday. They are encouraging everyone to attend, whether they are committed to their faith or simply curious about it.

“We’re interested in attracting local people who don’t go to church, to give them a looksee at something the community does together every Sunday,” Neumann said.