Antioch Baptist celebrates return of its annual picnic

By Matt Petras

For the MVI

Antioch Baptist Church in Belle Vernon did not hold its annual picnic last year because of caution in the face of the pandemic. This made Sunday’s picnic even more special, according to Deaconess Karen Baughman, the coordinator of the event. 

“A lot of our Christian parishioners, they are here to celebrate that we made it through,” Baughman said. “We didn’t lose a lot to COVID, so we thank God for that.”  

Antioch Baptist Church Fellowship held its annual picnic outside the church, setting up tents and tables for eating while the community’s children played kickball and other games. 

Dozens gathered Sunday to eat burgers, hot dogs, wings, macaroni and cheese and a lot more. The church also served cotton candy and sno-cones for children. Honey and Pap’s BBQ, run by Yvonne and David Driver, provided food for the event. 

These annual celebrations are a way to bring the community together for fun, and Baughman figures it’s especially good for kids after having to spend so much time at home during the last year. 

“I love to see kids have a good time,” Baughman said. “And in these times that we are having right now, these kids are so cooped up in the house, they feel so enclosed and they don’t feel like they have freedom.” 

The church also used the event to honor its seniors and give away school supplies to its youths. 

“Some kids can’t afford things, so that’s what our outreach is, to make sure kids go back to school with the necessary supplies that they need,” Baughman said. 

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