There is no mincing of words, we have been through the ringer these past couple of months. But the sun is still shining, the light is there to be enjoyed, and the dark days are slowly becoming brighter. There is so much to look forward to here in Payson in the months ahead after such a bleak season of restriction. The warm and gorgeous weather is here and ready to be enjoyed! Until the economy blossoms fully back to life, here is an overview of fun to be had while we wait in limbo between the open and closed status of our state that is before us now.
Digital or drive up services at local churches: The governor’s Stay Healthy, Stay Active initiative for the health of our state did not infringe upon our right to worship. Seeing the danger that traditional services could pose to their congregations, church leaders saw the need to innovate quickly and rose to the call. Many local churches can now be “visited” either virtually, or by attending service by drive-up. Give a call to whichever church denomination you practice, but a few we have learned of are (please note that this list is by no means exhaustive of what is available locally, but merely what we have been able to research and share):
- Expedition Church (Christian): weekly online streaming services at
- Woodland Church (Christian): weekly online video sermons at 4:30pm on Sundays
- LDS church: There are local worship services being held. Also, you can refer to BYU TV on your local streaming service. Contact your geographic local ward or branch for more specific meeting information.
- Rock of Ages Church (Lutheran): Sundays 9am on the radio 91.1FM
- Church of the Nations (Christian): drive-in service.
- Mountain Bible Church
- Baptist
- Catholic
- Unity
- Jehovah’s witness: According to a source, there is a live broadcast for members. There is no further information.
‘Let there be Light’ tribute to the Payson High School senior class: Every night at 8pm the high school is honoring its 2020 graduating seniors by lighting the bright football field stadium lights. This would be a great opportunity for a drive by homage to pay respect to this year’s graduates, or to take pictures with your 2020 graduates in front of the “Friday Night Lights” for posterity. In either event, it is a touching tribute to the graduates this year who have worked hard for twelve years and now have been deprived of the glory of several dozen events comprising their final quarter of high school that culminates in a celebratory graduation ceremony.
Pop up Farmer’s Markets: It seems that every Saturday, at least one of our faithful Payson Farmers Market summer vendors is available in the usual place at the Sawmill Theater parking lot to offer locals their fresh food! Check local Payson Farmers Market Facebook page for up to date vendors on any given Saturday for times and offerings. Payson Farmers Market will be opening May 23rd!!
Also don’t forget to shop locally! Our neighbors and friends in the local food service business community need your help more than ever. Local restaurants are offering take out and even delivery where they might not have previously done, rethinking their whole operation entirely to serve YOU and, of course, to keep their doors open in the long run. How we collectively spend now during these critical months will have a large part in how our town looks when everything opens again. Think of your favorite handful of local small businesses and make a concerted intentional effort to spend money with them in the next days and weeks. Your spending dollars are your very real vote for which businesses get to stay open, and which must tragically close forever. Please be mindful to take that responsibility seriously!
Our local restaurant scene is changing daily, so please contact your favorite restaurant directly to see who is open, and for what services! It is a delicious, and for our local restaurants, very helpful way to answer the question, “What’s for dinner?”