On a Sunday morning in a rural Alabama town, when the weather is mild and the sun is shining, a congregation sets up chairs and folding tables on the grounds outside of their church. An assortment of homemade dishes is displayed, from macaroni and cheese casserole to seasoned green beans. Hymn books are placed on the chairs set up to form a large square. Soon, churchgoers from surrounding areas will take their seats and open their books to a traditional hymn such as “Amazing Grace.” Conducted by a volunteer lead vocalist, they sing together in four-part harmony.
The focus that day isn’t a service or sermon. Instead, the church is throwing a special event, one that music producer and engineer Marlin Greene described as an “All Day Singin' and Dinner on the Ground.” On a celebratory day such as this, the congregation comes together to worship in the form of music, group-hymn singing that can last for hours, as well as a hearty meal.
