AURORA - The song was “Wade in the Water,” which was originally a “coded slave song” or a short tune that runaway slaves used to relay hidden messages to one another with.

As the choir, which was situated a few feet away from Cayuga Lake, sang the first verse, a few raindrops fell on the congregation. Apparently, God received this choir's message, because by song's end the sprinkle had turned into a full downpour.

The choir and congregation in question were at the United Ministry of Aurora and were gathered at the small amphitheater behind the church on Main Street for the culminating Sunday service of Chautauqua-on-Cayuga, the church's second annual three-day outreach program.

“(Chautauqua) is a program we started last year just to let people know that we're here and to give them an idea of what we do,” said Sharon French, wife of church pastor, the Rev. Robert French (and Chautauqua's organizer), after Sunday's service.

“Our church didn't have any summer outreach ministries like vacation Bible school or church camp, so I thought this (program) would be a great idea and bring church members and visitors together.”

The event began Thursday night with a Vespers service, followed by a Friday morning tour of the church's memorial gardens, which are adjacent to the sanctuary.

“The Rev. French and I have been here for only three years, so we had some of the (veteran) church members take people on a tour of the gardens and tell them about its significance,” she continued.

On Saturday, the church offered a tour of nearby Wells College, then those attending went back to the church for several crafts classes, including seminars on painting-on-glass and sewing techniques.

Also included in the activities was a session devoted to the Psalms, and those attending sang songs that were based on verse taken directly from various Psalms.

Sunday morning's service began at the hillside amphitheater, located mere feet from the lake. Beneath the ever-darkening sky, members of the congregation often glanced nervously at the increasing clouds. Then, during the aforementioned anthem, the clouds opened.

“I don't think the choir meant that literally - let's head inside,” the Rev. French joked at song's end, as the group was pelted by fat raindrops.

Once in the sanctuary, the congregation was treated to a sermon by the Rev. Karen Green, formerly the Dean of Students at Wells College, now the vice president for Student Affairs at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa.

Green's message concerned being a good Samaritan in today's society and was based on scripture from the New Testament's Gospel According to Luke.

“We decided to only have one speaker at this year's (Chautauqua) service, and everybody knows and loves Karen,” Sharon French said, adding that Green is a former member of the church.

After the service, the congregation enjoyed “Lemonade on the Lawn,” which was a pot-luck lunch and time of fellowship.