Pumpkin Patch Discernment: A Congregational Ask
The pumpkin patch has become one of the ways our church connects with our neighbors—joyful, visible, and welcoming. It also serves as a small fundraiser-- we raised just shy of $2000 last year through the pumpkin patch.
In addition to providing a touchpoint with our community and bringing in funds, the pumpkin patch is also a ministry that depends entirely on the time and care of volunteers. As the Vestry, we are committed to practicing good stewardship: not assuming capacity we may not have, and not placing expectations on the congregation without asking honestly.
So, we are coming to you directly—not to pressure, but to invite honest discernment together.
As we look toward October, we need to know whether our congregation has the volunteer capacity to operate the pumpkin patch this year. Since we run the pumpkin patch on a volunteer basis, it will only be possible if enough of us are willing and able to help.
We ask you to prayerfully consider the following:
Would you be willing to volunteer for one or more pumpkin patch shifts this October?
Shifts are 4 hours each:
A “no” or “not this year” is a faithful and honest answer. What matters most to us is clarity, not strain.
The Vestry has also considered whether there might be other ways to support this work, but your responses will help us discern whether the pumpkin patch can be a ministry we carry together this season—or whether we need to imagine a different model or pause it for a season.
Thank you for your honesty and care for this community. Our call as a church is not to do everything, but to do what God is actually asking of us—together, and without burnout.
Please take a moment to prayerfully decide and then click on the form below to let us know your answer.
The pumpkin patch has become one of the ways our church connects with our neighbors—joyful, visible, and welcoming. It also serves as a small fundraiser-- we raised just shy of $2000 last year through the pumpkin patch.
In addition to providing a touchpoint with our community and bringing in funds, the pumpkin patch is also a ministry that depends entirely on the time and care of volunteers. As the Vestry, we are committed to practicing good stewardship: not assuming capacity we may not have, and not placing expectations on the congregation without asking honestly.
So, we are coming to you directly—not to pressure, but to invite honest discernment together.
As we look toward October, we need to know whether our congregation has the volunteer capacity to operate the pumpkin patch this year. Since we run the pumpkin patch on a volunteer basis, it will only be possible if enough of us are willing and able to help.
We ask you to prayerfully consider the following:
Would you be willing to volunteer for one or more pumpkin patch shifts this October?
Shifts are 4 hours each:
- Monday–Saturday: 11:00am–3:00pm or 3:00pm–7:00pm
- Sunday: 12:00pm–4:00pm
A “no” or “not this year” is a faithful and honest answer. What matters most to us is clarity, not strain.
The Vestry has also considered whether there might be other ways to support this work, but your responses will help us discern whether the pumpkin patch can be a ministry we carry together this season—or whether we need to imagine a different model or pause it for a season.
Thank you for your honesty and care for this community. Our call as a church is not to do everything, but to do what God is actually asking of us—together, and without burnout.
Please take a moment to prayerfully decide and then click on the form below to let us know your answer.