Presbyterians hold annual all-church picnic

Seton Sibert and Nathan Berger watched from the fence Sunday as members of their congregation played a game of horseshoes in Mills Park.

"We're just playin' a little shoes," said Sibert with a smile. "It's a nice day for it -- it's not too hot."

The two are members of First Presbyterian Church on Nevada and Musser streets. The parish held its annual all-church picnic Sunday.

By "all-church" they mean those who regularly attend the 9 a.m. service and those who regularly attend the 10:45 a.m. service.

"It's just a time for everybody to reconnect because we have a big congregation," said the Rev. Bruce Kochsmeier.

He said the church has more than 500 members, ranging in age from infants to mid-90s.

"Mr. (Ed) McDonald there, he's 93," he said. McDonald lives in Minden.

"We draw from all over," Kochsmeier said. "We draw from Minden, Dayton, Gardnerville, even Silver Springs because we're the only Presbyterian church for probably 20 miles."

The group gathered in one of the reservable group shelters on the park's east end.

"We supply hamburgers, hot dogs and buns, and everybody who comes brings a salad or a dessert of some kind -- it all kind of fills in," Kochsmeier said. "That's one of the neat things about our church -- everybody helps out."

Elder Shirley Parks agreed.

"I think the most important thing is that we all come together as a church family and enjoy one another on this nice Sunday," she said.

First Presbyterian Church is the first-established church in the state and the oldest church building in the state, Kochsmeier said.

Orion Clemens was an elder in the church when it began. His brother, Sam Clemens, who became known as Mark Twain, donated funds to its construction.

possible pull quote:

"I think the most important thing is that we all come together as a church family and enjoy one another on this nice Sunday."

- Shirley Parks

Elder at First Presbyterian Church in Carson City