Just like the old fable, members of Stone Soup bluegrass gospel band from Northwood, Iowa, each contribute something unique to make their band whole.

Austinites will get the opportunity Sunday at First Congregational Church to see how the group of eight musicians and two sound/production helpers blends a variety of old, well-known music and newly written songs all with a bluegrass flair.

The name Stone Soup fits the 8-year-old group because every time a member leaves, someone takes his or her place and adds a new element, such as the harmonica, 12-string guitar, six-string guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle. The whole group started as a fluke, said member Ron Christianson, who plays the banjo. The local fair board in Northwood wanted a bluegrass group to play at its fair and somehow booked members from both the Lutheran and the Baptist churches in Northwood. After the group combined its efforts, it joined forces again and played for a lutefisk dinner.

“Because we are from different ecumenical backgrounds, we all brought something separate to this group, kind of like the story of stone soup, different things added to the pot to make a good supper,” Christianson said.

The result ever since those two encounters has been Stone Soup.

“At that point, we decided to continue it, and it has been going on for eight and half years now,” Christianson added.

Now, the group has played a host of area small towns, including Austin several years ago, and it is making plans to put together its fifth CD. Members from First Congregational Church heard about the group a while back, and now Stone Soup will return to Austin.

“It was just kind of by word of mouth that we found out about it,” said Darlene Collins, music director at First Congregational.

The is even more similar to the people in the fable, as it is a group of travelers. Stone Soup plays churches and events throughout the region about twice a month.

Since their encounter, the members’ favorite part has been practice on every Sunday. But even after all that time together, Christianson is modest about the band’s performances.

“We’re not professional, but the Lord makes sure we’re heard,” Christianson said.

That may be true, as Stone Soup has seen an increase in youth attendance at churches that add occasional performances to worship services.

Stone Soup will perform at First Congregational Church at 10 a.m. Oct. 16. Though the average age within the group is 63, and they’re busy with families, travel and other issues, they still plan to produce another album. They just don’t know when.

“None of us are spring chickens, but as long as we have fun, we’re going to keep doing that as long as we can,” Christianson said.