With a heavy heart, Christ Church will not sponsor the Pumpkin Patch during October of this year. Several weeks ago, a patch committee was formed to discuss the possibility of continuing to have the patch in the midst of the COVID pandemic. As you know, a survey was sent out to the parish composed of three questions with an option to make relevant comments. The first question simply stated, “Should we have the patch this year”. Of the 90 responses, 41% stated that we should not have the patch in October. Many logistical issues were considered including, safely unloading the pumpkins, downsizing the number of pumpkins, handling the pumpkins, etc. At the completion of a zoom meeting, the committee voted not to have the patch this year. On Monday August 24th, patch committee member and vestry member Rick Miller gave the recommendation to the vestry and church staff not to have the patch this year. A vote followed confirming the cancellation. This was a very difficult decision for everyone involved. Because our Church Yard is often a sought after photo spot in October, we will place a Halloween festive display with hay bales, pumpkins, mums, and photo op boards for the community to take pictures. In addition, a banner will be placed telling all that there will be no patch this October. Finally, we plan for the patch to return in October of 2021.
We will also have ways for the New Bern community to help support those organizations who have typically been supported through Pumpkin Patch. Watch our website and Facebook page for more information.
Portions of this article first appeared in the Messenger on August 30, 2020.
