"It's important for us as a church to be connected to our community," said Arlene Heistand, chair of the social committee of Rissers Mennonite Church. With that goal in mind, the church will hold a community picnic on Saturday, Sept. 25, beginning at 4 p.m. The festivities will be held at the church, 8360 Elizabethtown Road, Elizabethtown.

"We will have lots of activities for children," Arlene said, noting that a presentation by Ryan Bridge, The Bug Man, will be among them. "He will be bringing live insects and doing an educational presentation. We're looking forward to it. We try to find something different for our picnic each year."

The picnic will also feature a bounce house, hayride and petting zoo. "People in the congregation are bringing some of their animals," Arlene explained. "We'll have goats, a rabbit and more."

Food options at the picnic will include Peters' Barbecue pulled pork as well as homemade apple pie.

Picnic committee member Miranda Heistand said the picnic offers an opportunity for the church to focus on fellowship. "We do the picnic to provide a central location for neighbors to meet neighbors," she stated. "It's a fun way to get to know people and meet people who live near you." The church holds other events for the community throughout the year, including a strawberry social in June.

Attendees should bring their own lawn chairs. The picnic will be held outside on the church grounds or indoors in the case of inclement weather.

"Come hang out, participate in the activities and get to know your neighbors," Miranda said. "The picnic is a chance to make new friends and enjoy the fall weather."

Rissers Mennonite Church holds services on Sundays beginning at 9 a.m. with Sunday school for adults and children, followed by worship time at 10 a.m. For more information, call 717-653-4549.