Pumpkin News

What a week it’s been at the John Wesley Pumpkin Patch! The fall weather, friendly faces, and bright orange pumpkins have brought so much joy to our church grounds — and even more importantly, they’ve helped support youth missions in a big way.

So far, we’ve sold almost $10,000 worth of pumpkins, which means our youth missions fund has already earned over $4,000! These funds help make it possible for our youth to serve on mission trips, attend retreats, and give back to organizations that are making a difference in the world.

We’re also celebrating the incredible teamwork that has made this success possible. More than 24 different people and families have volunteered their time to help sell pumpkins — greeting customers, carrying pumpkins, sharing smiles, and helping to spread the love and mission of John Wesley.

And the community has noticed! We’ve heard from so many customers who said they waited to buy their pumpkins until they could come support our patch, knowing that their purchase goes toward something meaningful. Stories like these remind us that this is about more than pumpkins — it’s about connection, service, and faith in action.

Thank you to everyone who has helped so far — whether by volunteering, spreading the word, or stopping by to buy a pumpkin. The patch will be open all month, so come see us, bring a friend, and help us keep the momentum going!

Time: Noon - 3pm

What to bring - gloves, wagons/carts, cordless blowers

Lunch: Pizza, Salad, lemonade, sweet tea, and cookies

Now it’s time for our final pumpkin unload of the season, happening this Sunday, October 12th, from around noon to 3 PM! This is a churchwide event — full of teamwork, laughter, and a whole lot of pumpkins — and we need as many hands as possible to make it happen.

This unload will be a little different: as we unload the new truck of fresh pumpkins, we’ll also need help removing older pumpkins to make room. So whether you can carry, roll, sort, or simply encourage, there’s a job for everyone!

Right after the 11 AM worship service, everyone helping is invited to the gym for pizza, salad, drinks, and cookies. Once we’re fueled up, we’ll roll up our sleeves and get to work!

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• The more wagons and wheelbarrows we have, the faster the job goes.

• Wear gloves and long sleeves — pumpkin stems can be rough on skin.

• We unload rain or shine, so come prepared for the weather.

• Truck arrival times can vary, but we’ll share updates as soon as we receive them.

• Every set of hands makes a difference — especially those who can handle the larger pumpkins!

This is a wonderful opportunity for families with children to serve together, and it’s just as meaningful for those whose kids are grown. Whether you’re young or young at heart, your presence and energy make a difference.

And don’t forget — everyone who helps will receive a special John Wesley Pumpkin Patch T-shirt (while supplies last)!

The Pumpkin Patch is one of the highlights of our fall season, and it wouldn’t be possible without the spirit and support of our church family. So come hungry, come ready to serve, and come be part of the joy as we celebrate another great year at the John Wesley Pumpkin Patch!

The Pumpkin Patch is one of our church’s favorite fall traditions, and it takes many hands to make it happen. This year, we need your help to staff the patch and welcome our neighbors with warmth and hospitality.

The patch is open:

• Monday–Friday: 11 AM – 7 PM

• Saturday: 9 AM – 7 PM

• Sunday: Noon – 7 PM

Each shift is just two hours long, and it’s a fun, easy way to make a big difference. When you help sell pumpkins, you’re not only greeting families and friends from the community—you’re also supporting the Youth Mission Fund, which sends our youth into the world to serve in powerful ways.

You can sign up quickly and easily through Sign Genius using the link below. Grab a friend, bring your family, or sign-up solo—every volunteer helps keep the patch running smoothly.

Come be part of the Pumpkin Patch story this year. Together, we can raise funds for mission, serve our community, and create a welcoming space for everyone who visits.

Each pumpkin sold, each dollar given, and each prayer lifted makes a real difference through our Youth Mission Fund. This past year has been a powerful reminder of how God uses our youth and our church family to serve others in meaningful ways.

In Eleuthera, your support helped send a team of 24 to work alongside our ministry partners on their farm. The group labored together, shared in fellowship, and saw firsthand how sustainable farming is bringing hope and opportunity to the community.

Closer to home, our middle school group, the Benchwarmers, traveled to North Carolina, where 35 served in a warehouse still handling hurricane relief from last year’s devastating storm. In addition to lending their hands, we were able to make a $5,000 donation to the organization so that the work of recovery and rebuilding could continue.

At Salkehatchie, 10 youth joined in repairing homes near Edisto Island, bringing comfort and safety to families right in our own backyard. Through painting, building, and hammering, they also built friendships and grew in their faith.

These stories represent only part of the impact. The Youth Mission Fund isn’t just about projects—it’s about helping young people step into lives of service, grow in compassion, and see the Kingdom of God at work. Thank you for making this ministry possible.

Each fall, our church lawn transforms into a sea of orange with pumpkins from Pumpkin Patch USA, a non-profit group that has been supplying churches like ours since 1974. The pumpkins are grown on the Navajo Nation in New Mexico, providing much-needed jobs for farmers and seasonal workers there. But the real impact happens right here at John Wesley.

Because the pumpkins are delivered on consignment, the church doesn’t make money just when pumpkins arrive—it’s when we work together to unload and sell them that ministry happens. Every wagon pulled, every pumpkin lifted, and every customer greeted directly helps support the Youth Mission Fund, which sends our young people into the world to serve others.

That means your help matters. Whether you’re unloading trucks, handling the big pumpkins, volunteering for a sales shift, or simply welcoming people to the patch, you’re making a difference. The more help we have, the smoother the process runs, and the more money we can raise for youth missions.

So when you lend a hand at the Pumpkin Patch, you’re doing more than moving pumpkins—you’re helping provide jobs on the Navajo Nation, supporting missions here at John Wesley, and investing in the lives of young people who are learning what it means to live out their faith in service.