For as in one body we have many members,
and not all the members have the same function,
so we, who are many, are one body in Christ,
and individually we are members one of another. 

~ Romans 12:4-5

Saint John’s Barn-Raising Tradition: Pumpkin Patch!

It is now fall and soon, the temperature will begin to cool. Along with these changes, anticipation is building for the Grace Garden playground's yearly transformation into a place of orange-hued magic. An idea first pitched 33 years ago, the Saint John's Pumpkin Patch has become such a fixture of the neighborhood that Saint John’s has been dubbed “the pumpkin church” by many in our community. To keep the magic alive, many hands are needed to prepare, volunteer, and work at the patch.

How wonderful it is to be among all the unusually shaped pumpkins and colorful gourds! Preschoolers, including our own Grace Garden students, love wandering around the pumpkins, expressing their joy of discovery, and settling in for pumpkin-themed story time. Frequently, visitors share their memories of coming to the patch when they were young; some of them now they have a family of their own, and they visit the patch to create their own traditions. The Pumpkin Patch is a mission that impacts each of us in our community, with many ministries reaping the benefits: Missions, Youth, Grace Garden, Children and Families, Senior Adults, and United Women in Faith.

All are invited to join us for pumpkin unloading on Sunday, October 6, after the 11 a.m. service. Whether it's joining the "bucket brigade" and physically moving the pumpkins, helping to curate the smaller pumpkin areas, or simply lending enthusiastic support, volunteers of all ages and physical abilities are needed to help. We'll have breakfast tacos to sustain you in your hard work, and you will have tons of fun, too! 

And of course, with the patch open from October 7 until Halloween, we have many shifts that need workers. You can sign up by visiting bit.ly/sjpatchvolunteer2024. Help us connect with our neighbors. Together let’s make lasting memories that draw our surrounding community in to Saint John’s.

A Prayer for Pumpkin Time
Creator of Life and Seasons, as we settle into the
cozy fall of flannels, scented candles, and pumpkin picking,
remind me that you are the illustrator and author of my story.
When I become critical of myself, and don’t remember who I am,
remind me that I’m created in your image.
There’s no part of me that I have to hide from you.
And, as I try to decide which pumpkin to pick,
help me remember that you choose me every time.
Amen.
~ from Reclaim Today

Tags: pumpkin patch, pumpkins