Baptist church in Winona holds Thanksgiving service outdoors

The Winona Baptist Church held an outdoor Thanksgiving Day service to teach the meaning of the holiday.

Community members to enjoy.

Wtva's rhea thornton was in montgomery county to hear from members who were grateful for the opportunity to worship safely during the pandemic.

Right here in this parking lot the winona baptist church held an outdoor thanksgiving day service with the hopes of spreading the word about giving while keeping everyone safe this holiday.

Nat sound of pastor "it's been a difficult year for a lot of us but you still need god right by our side."

Early this morning, the winona baptist church held a thanksgiving sermon for community members to worship on the day of thanks.

Winona baptist church pastor, mark williamson explained his purpose for today's sermon.

Mark williamson - pastor at winona baptist church: "today we wanted to really bring the meaning out to thanksgiving because the second part of that word, thanksgiving, is giving.

We want to give back to the community, let the community worship with us outside."

The church set up seats socially distanced for people to use.

Church staff used speakers so people in their cars could enjoy the preaching.

Kynyardea seals does not normally attend winona baptist... but made the switch so she could attend an in-person service.

Kynyardea seals - attended winona baptist church: "it doesn't matter whether it's a saturday, sunday, monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, or friday.

If service is out here in the parking lot, i want to be a part to give my god his praise."

Seals said the in-person service gave a sense of community.

And it's that supportive community that reverend williamson wants by providing a thanksgiving service.

Mark williamson - pastor at winona baptist church: "we want to send a message that we are here for the community.

We're not just a church here, but we're here for the community."

Tag: now the outdoor service is something winona baptist has done since the start of the pandemic and rev.

Williamson said they will continue to do so until it is safe to return inside.

Reporting in winona, rhea thornton wtva 9 news.