When our family moved to Mercer Island five years ago (this month), I was missing the suburban Chicago community from which we had just moved. After all, it was where we had lived for 11 years and where our three daughters had been raised. I pined for the unique opportunities that the Windy City provided, not the least of which is Ravinia.

If you’ve ever lived in Chicagoland, you know that Ravinia is that century-old outdoor park on the Northshore where musicians and music lovers converge to celebrate life. We loved to pack a gourmet picnic supper complete with portable table, chairs, china and stemware. After all, we were going to feast under the stars while enjoying the likes of the Chicago Symphony, Itzhak Perlman, James Taylor or Peter, Paul and Mary.

Soon after arriving here, we were delighted to discover the “Mostly Music in the Park” series of concerts in Mercerdale Park. The large grassy venue was picturesque. Like Ravinia, people brought their picnic baskets. Although the music groups were not as well known as those to which we were accustomed, the concerts were free.

And those who gathered in the park were primarily people from our community. It was a chance to rub shoulders and connect with neighbors, merchants and friends from church.

In the time we’ve called Mercer Island home, the summer concerts in the park have helped to punctuate our love of living here. If you haven’t taken advantage of our city’s version of Ravinia, you are missing an opportunity to kick back and drink in quality music in a relaxed setting.

Shortly after discovering this signature rite of summers on Mercer Island, I made sure our church board moved its meeting nights so as not to conflict with the concert schedule. As a theologian, I’m aware of the importance of food, music and festivals. Both the Old and the New Testaments make note of all three elements as part of a fully engaged life. All three are tangible symbols of celebration.

The ancient Jews gathered with one another in public settings several times during the year to commemorate God’s gifts and respond with joy. The early Christians took their cues from their spiritual ancestors. Singing, musical instruments and eating out of doors punctuated a life of gratitude.

When we come together in the park to enjoy an evening of food, fun and entertainment, all labels disappear. We are not known by our occupations or our faith community. We do not sit on the lawn according to the schools our kids attend. Rather, “Mostly Music in the Park” finds us sitting randomly. We engage one another simply as residents of an idyllic city that we share in common. It is in such a setting that new friendships are formed. It is in such a setting that yet another difference from Ravinia is likely to occur. In Illinois, people eat what they bring to the park. Here in our fair town, good music, beautiful summer evenings and warm-hearted concertgoers are more apt to share a smile along with a plate of homemade cookies from their picnic basket.

Yes, picnicking in a park to the sound of live music is one of the things I love about this place. It provides me with a chance to experience the spiritual dynamic of friendship beyond the walls of the church. And that is truly a blessing from God.

Greg Asimakoupoulos is the pastor of Mercer Island Covenant Church.