European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - November 11, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine won Par tint it convenient to putt up to the pulpit in their cd at the drive in Church in army rut a preaching from a drive in pulpit by Bob Dvorchak associated press Arry Blip Lomg Parks his Orange Volkswagen in Tho gravel lol of the Armbrust a Wesleyan Church turns on his radio and wails Lor sunday services to Start. Vans. Trucks and campers please Park in rear says a sign Over the pulpit. Bisping s Church is a drive in inspired by outdoor movie Heaters and fasl Lood restaurants and he thinks it s a Fine idea. There Are setter seats Lor one  Bisping 74, says from the bucket seat of his 1974 vow. For he past 10 years the Rov . Clark has preached in his outdoor Chapel in he Rural Westmoreland county Village of Armbrust 35 Miles East of Pittsburgh. Attendance averages about 100 Lor the b 45fl.m, service. Clark pulpit is a Redwood Gazebo. Worshippers tune Ihler radios to a special Channel to hear the choir and the Sermon. Vehicles Park in rows in the Church s Tot which has a basketball backboard with a Bent rim and is surrounded by wooded Hills and newly mown Hayfield the outdoor service fulfils a need Lor vacationers and campers the handicapped or people just going out of town Lor the Day Clark says. It s an Opportunity to drop by and worship in casual  he says worshippers Are encouraged to come As they Are. Some Stop before the service to buy Coffee and doughnuts he says. Some come with their children still in their night  inspired by the drive in movie concept Clark held his first outdoor service in 1952 when he was based in Indiana county. The idea has been popular with the 450-member congregation in Armbrust although a regular service is held at 11 . For traditionalists. I enjoy speaking in the open air dark says. It s exciting to be out under the Sun. It s a pleasant sunday morning  in the Comfort and Solitude of their cars people can sing loudly and Oil key without annoying others. Parents can shush their fidgeting children by rolling up hair windows. And invalids and the elderly Don t have to worry about getting in and out of the Sanctuary. I m trying to revise our methods to minister to the peopled this Day Clark says. Traditional methodology just in t reaching some people people Are not going to sulty  Elizabeth Kunkle 70, attended a recent Sorice with her daughter Brenda Meyers of new Stanton. And her Springer Spaniel Heidi who poked her nose out the car window but refrained rom Barking during services. The dog never misses Kunkle says. She goes everywhere we go we could never bring her to a regular Church like Many worshippers Kunkle had a sunday paper in the Back seat she enjoys the a sifted approach to Church. It s not that stiff. It s More natural. It s pretty out  there Are people who come to this that Don t come to regular services. They can come just As they Are says Eddie Musgrove 67. She used the Lime before Church to balance her Check Book while sitting in the cab of a red pickup where she Kepi her Bible. Her husband. De 71, likes the drive in because he s had three heart attacks and has been advised by doctors not to climb Steps. I m not supposed to walk up or walk Down just on the level says Musgrove a retired Coal Miner who is always one of the earlier arrivals. The outdoor service is similar to inside services. Late arrivals try to find their spots without attracting too much attention and there Are always plenty of spaces up front rain can be a nuisance but Church officials say no outdoor service has Ever been cancelled by bad weather. We be never been rained out in 10 years Clark says. We be had rain but unless it s severe we can  when it does rain you just gel out Here Wilh an umbrella says Tom Webb one of two Ushers who cover the driveways leading to the lots. They hand out Church bulletins to arriving motorists and take i collection envelopes As worshippers exit. The drive in is convenient for Gary and Cindy Sherwin who sat in a Blue Van with their sons Matthew. 7, and Stephen 4. They planned an Outing in Pittsburgh after Church. If you want to go somewhere for tha Day you can come Early mrs. Sherwin said. You Don t have to get All dressed up for Church and then go Home and change it s More relaxed especially with  tuesday november 11, 1986 Appolo Tom Rev.  Chartr pro cow in a outdoor Chapel. The stars and stripes Page 13