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Riders and their bikes need blessings, too
Motorcycles and church may not seem like two things that go together, but they will once again on Sunday for one local church.
The First United Methodist Church will bring bikes and worship together again this year with the second annual Blessing of the Bikes event from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at the church, located at 301 S. National Ave.
Activities will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a church service, followed by lunch and fellowship from noon to 12:30 p.m. The event will also include bike and biker blessings and will conclude with an organized ride through the local area.
The public is invited to attend all of the planned activities.
The event, hosted by the First United Methodist Men, will also include a visit from the Shepherd's Soldiers Chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association, who will assist with the bike and biker blessings.
The Rev. Kenton Van, pastor of the church, said although last year's event didn't draw as many participants as he'd hoped, he was still pleased with the outcome.
"It went well," he said. "It was a hot day and we didn't have as many riders as I'd hoped but it turned out well."
Last year's event drew about 10 bikers, along with about the same number of bicycles and tricycles ridden by area youth, and some church members who turned out to spectate and socialize.
Van, a motorcycle enthusiast himself, said the idea for the event came about after he saw a bike blessing in Derby and thought it would be a good occasion to bring to his church and the community.
"I had done them in two other churches and they were very successful, for church members and riders," he said.
Van is a member of the American Heartland Chapter of Harley-Davidson owners. He said last year he also "hangs around" with members of the CMA, a couple of whom attended last year's event. Van started riding a blue 1976 Honda CB 360 T and now rides a 2007 Fatboy. Van has also ridden with the American Legion and the CMA. He was also a member of the American Legion Riders in Mulvane when they founded The Patriot Guard, a group formed to protect the dignity and well-being of those being protested by the Westboro Baptist Church.
Van said no new activities have been added to the event this year as he has been focused lately on promoting the event.
"We're trying to get people aware of it," he said.
Van will first give a general blessing for the bikes and riders. Then, like last year, members of the Shepherd's Soldiers, the Fort Scott chapter of the international Christian Motorcyclists Association, will pray for each individual bike and rider. Van offered the blessing last year, asking for strength, health, peace and safety for motorcyclists, bicyclists and tricyclists who participated.
Due to hot weather, last year's organized ride was short. The length and route of this year's ride will depend on the number of participants and how far they're willing to go, Van said.
"Last year due to the heat, we took a short ride around town and stopped at Dairy Queen for ice cream," he said. "This year, it will depend on who shows up and how far they want to ride."
Organizers are suggesting a freewill offering for the noon meal.
The CMA is an international Christian, interdenominational nonprofit organization established in 1975. Its purpose is evangelizing to the motorcycling community. The organization has more than 125,000 members and more than 1,200 chapters in all 50 states, plus chapters in 31 foreign countries.
Van said he hopes to continue the event each year.