Edina Church Hosting Locally Sourced Potluck

will be hosting a celebration of local foods Wednesday night, Aug. 10, when organizers put on a 100 Mile Meal.

The church has planned live music, games, cooking demonstrations and the main event—a potuck featuring local produce. There also will be information about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).

"We try to get everyone together to get to know one another, have some fun and worship together, if they're interested," said Lauren Morse-Wendt, mission and ministry developer at ECLC.

The church typically holds three larger events throughout the summer, including an ice cream social in June and a barbecue in July. The main problem in years past was the August event always seemed to conflict with .

Rather than encroach on that event, organizers opted to bump it back one week this year. As for the local food theme, Morse-Wendt said some passionate high school students brought the concept to her. From there, things simply fell into place.

"It seems perfect in terms of the season and planting year," Morse-Wendt said.

The 100 Mile Meal kicks off at 6 p.m. with the local foods potluck. Guests are asked to bring their favorite local meal from a garden, CSA, co-op or farmers market to share, along with the recipe for an exchange. Activities will continue until 7:30 p.m., when an optional worship service begins.

Morse-Wendt said the church holds Wednesday night services outdoors in an effort to keep things "creative and interactive." Following a short service, she said attendees typically have the option of breaking out into groups to "live out the message they've just heard."

"Some weeks we do walks around the neighborhood, some weeks we do yoga," she said. "It all depends on what fits well with that week's concept."