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If you’re like me, you cherish the simple joys in life, like selecting the perfect pumpkin to carve for Halloween. Personally, I cringe to think of buying my pumpkin at a grocery store. How unceremonious! To go out and pick one from a local farm, nursery, or church makes it an event for the whole family – bring your camera! – and a way to give back to the community.

In Winston-Salem, one church in particular has a wide reputation for being “The Pumpkin Church”: Maple Springs United Methodist Church on Reynolda Road. Every year in late September, church volunteers, including youths and adults, unload pumpkins and gourds of every shape, size and color from an 18-wheel tractor-trailer and set them out on the wide, green lawn in front of the church building. Until October 30, or until the pumpkins run out (whichever comes first), visitors can stroll along the numerous rows to find the one (or ones) that fulfill their hearts’ desires.

Ellen Creasman, the Coordinator for Youth Ministries, describes the patch as having “a very relaxed atmosphere, with willing volunteers to help you find your perfect pumpkin.” Over 30 years ago, the patch began as a fundraiser for the church’s youth ministry, says Creasman. Today, 20-35% of the proceeds still go to the youth ministry, which devotes 10% to missions and local non-profit organizations. The rest goes to Pumpkins USA, who supplies the patch, shipping them all the way from Farmington, New Mexico. The patch also gives church volunteers the opportunity “to share the love of Christ with visitors,” says Creasman. “Even though today the patch still allows for the youth fundraiser, it has grown into an outreach for Maple Springs,” bringing in new members to the church.

Read more on page 8 in the October Issue of FF magazine