September means the beginning of autumn, the start of football season, the first days of school - and, for some, returning to church.

For several Casper churches, the weekend following Labor Day is the kickoff to the Sunday school year. It means reconvening after long vacations and sleep-in Sundays.

"It's when folks are finally getting back into their school-year routines," said Rev. Dee Lundberg, pastor at First Congregational United Church of Christ, located at 15th and Melrose streets. "We set the stage, and let people get excited about being there."

Lundberg said her church's "Rally Day" allows people to recommit to their church participation, as services in the summer months tend to see far lower attendance than post-Labor Day services. And although her church is fairly new to the concept of a reconvening day, she said, members are looking forward to the festivities.

"Folks seemed really enthusiastic about the planning," she said. "There are all kinds of serious and somber moments in the life of a church, but there's also a time for celebration. And this group of folks can get behind a celebration easily. They know how to have fun!"

Ministry and church shouldn't be about "drudgery," she said, but should be something everyone can enjoy, a theory closely followed by her "unapologetically progressive" church, which supports social justice, gay marriage and free religious thinking.

"It's a very casual environment," she explained of the church and the "Rally Day" celebration. "It's a sanctuary anyone can walk in to and not feel like they're not dressed right or have that outsider's feeling. We're not there to put on appearances."

Festivities will include easy-to-make food ("Always food! Where would a church be without its food?" Lundberg joked) such as hot dogs, brauts and veggie dogs. Kids can enjoy a balloon gym, face painting, sidewalk chalk and games. For adults, a band will play contemporary music such as the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac and John Mayer - "not traditional church music, but traditional for us."

Contact reporter Megan Lee at (307) 266-0616 or megan.lee@trib.com

Other celebrations

Many Casper churches, including Prince of Peace Lutheran, First Christian, Grace Lutheran and St. Mark's Episcopal, will hold their own "Rally Days" in the coming weeks. Contact local churches for more information on their individual celebrations.