Over 100 Philadelphia Church of God members representing congregations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Rhode Island and Virginia met in Reinholds, Pennsylvania, from February 18 to19 for the fourth annual South Mountain Family Weekend. The weather consisted of sunny skies and temperatures in the high 50s, in contrast to the piles of snow and the bitter cold of past campouts.

Sabbath messages focused on building the spiritual family, the importance of the Church-wide fast mindset, and the urgent need to stay spiritually awake. After sundown, brethren participated in a contest to award the best-tasting spaghetti sauce. Lore Navarro of the Morristown, New Jersey, congregation won first place for her Italian sauce seasoned with fennel, which “pushed it over the top,” according to Northeastern United States Regional Director Cal Culpepper.

After dinner, 29 members performed in an entertainment show. Performances included Virginia member Antonius Hallmark and his son Josiah leading the audience in singing the alphabet song, New Jersey member Trenisha Lewis’s rendition of the popular jazz classic “Summertime,” and a poetry reading about South Mountain by New Jersey member Harriet Barkei. Other performers shared a variety of dances, vocal solos and duets, instrumentals, poetry and humorous skits.

“Everyone who joined seemed happy and willing to participate, and that showed in the quality of the acts,” New Jersey member Fernando Escobar said.

For the finale, New Jersey member Nathan Barkei played his mandolin and sang the Stephen Foster classic “If You’ve Only Got A Moustache”—fitting, since Barkei sports a moustache of his own.

The next morning began with a much-anticipated pine car derby. The Schultz family from Pennsylvania then conducted the “Family Fun Show,” their take on a popular 1970s tvgame show. Other activities included a hike, a chess tournament, board games, a ping-pong tournament, ice cream making, and s’more roasting.

“It’s been a great family experience,” said Nancy Carroll of the Max Meadows, Virginia, congregation.

Rhode Island member Aimee Gato added, “Everyone’s happy and enjoying life.”