Praise the Lord and pass the pumpkins

Texas goes big with most things, including pumpkin patches. First United Methodist Church of Georgetown, Texas, is in its 26th year of welcoming the community for pumpkin sales, photo-ops and other events. Professional photographer Andy Sharp captured the unloading of about 2,500 pumpkins on Oct. 11. Grace Avenue United Methodist Church in Frisco, Texas, has been recognized by D Magazine of Dallas as having one of the area’s outstanding fall pumpkin patches. Grace Avenue’s Pumpkins on the Prairie debuted in 2002. The church shared images from Oct. 16, when about 150 local students helped unload pumpkins.

First United Methodist Church in Georgetown, Texas, is the backdrop for a man wheeling pumpkins. The church is in its 26th year of having a fall pumpkin patch. Photo by Andy Sharp.
First United Methodist Church in Georgetown, Texas, is the backdrop for a man wheeling pumpkins. The church is in its 26th year of having a fall pumpkin patch. Photo by Andy Sharp.
Wagons are among the vehicles employed for moving some 2,500 pumpkins at First United Methodist Church in Georgetown, Texas. Photo by Andy Sharp.
Wagons are among the vehicles employed for moving some 2,500 pumpkins at First United Methodist Church in Georgetown, Texas. Photo by Andy Sharp.
A small boy gets in the spirit at the pumpkin patch of First United Methodist Church of Georgetown, Texas. Photo by Andy Sharp.
A small boy gets in the spirit at the pumpkin patch of First United Methodist Church of Georgetown, Texas. Photo by Andy Sharp.
Grace Avenue United Methodist Church’s Pumpkins on the Prairie has become a major fall event in Frisco, Texas, with local students helping get the pumpkins in place. Photo courtesy of Grace Avenue United Methodist Church.
Grace Avenue United Methodist Church’s Pumpkins on the Prairie has become a major fall event in Frisco, Texas, with local students helping get the pumpkins in place. Photo courtesy of Grace Avenue United Methodist Church.
Debuting in 2002, Grace Avenue United Methodist Church’s Pumpkins on the Prairie has been ranked as one of the best pumpkin patches in the Dallas area. This year, about 150 local students helped with unloading pumpkins for the church’s event. Photo courtesy of Grace Avenue United Methodist Church.
Debuting in 2002, Grace Avenue United Methodist Church’s Pumpkins on the Prairie has been ranked as one of the best pumpkin patches in the Dallas area. This year, about 150 local students helped with unloading pumpkins for the church’s event. Photo courtesy of Grace Avenue United Methodist Church.
Passing pumpkins can be a good workout, as local students found out in helping with Grace Avenue United Methodist Church’s Pumpkins on the Prairie. Photo courtesy of Grace Avenue United Methodist Church.
Passing pumpkins can be a good workout, as local students found out in helping with Grace Avenue United Methodist Church’s Pumpkins on the Prairie. Photo courtesy of Grace Avenue United Methodist Church.
Pumpkins of various sizes and colors abound at Grace United Methodist Church’s Pumpkins on the Prairie. Photo courtesy of Grace Avenue United Methodist Church.
Pumpkins of various sizes and colors abound at Grace United Methodist Church’s Pumpkins on the Prairie. Photo courtesy of Grace Avenue United Methodist Church.
Happiness is having straw to fling at the First United Methodist Church of Georgetown, Texas, pumpkin patch. Photo by Andy Sharp.
Happiness is having straw to fling at the First United Methodist Church of Georgetown, Texas, pumpkin patch. Photo by Andy Sharp.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Church Leadership
The Rev. Stephen Handy (center) sits with Tommas Bolton (left) and Kevin Haas during a community meal at McKendree United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tenn. “We sit with them,” Handy said. “We want to know the names; we want to hear the stories.” Handy has been pastor at McKendree since 2009 and also supervises about 20 urban churches between Nashville and Memphis, encouraging them to get out in their neighborhoods. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Dare to take risks to move church forward, pastor says

The Rev. Stephen Handy envisions more United Methodist churches using the spare space in their buildings to build partnerships in their neighborhoods.
Mission and Ministry
The second of three webinars discussing The United Methodist Church’s new vision statement examines Wesleyan approaches to mission and the call to “serve joyfully.” Graphic courtesy of United Methodist Communications.

Commitment to serve joyfully defines church

United Methodist leaders joined to explore how Wesleyan theology shapes the denomination’s approach to mission around the globe, from hosting food pantries to caring for migrants to addressing injustice.
Mission and Ministry
Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel, who leads The United Methodist Church in Nigeria, presides over a historic joint conference for the church’s five annual conferences, including the reunified Southern Conference. About 1,600 delegates and 2,000 observers attended the December gathering in Jalingo, Nigeria. Photo courtesy of UMCN Communications.

United Methodists in Nigeria celebrate growth, unity

With a focus on evangelism and income-generating projects, United Methodist bishop says church is thriving spiritually and economically.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved