Since the COVID-19 outbreak turned the neighborhood upside down last spring, Community United Methodist Church (Community UMC), like so many other churches in and around The Villages, has been quietly opening its doors to worship and other events. The Fruitland Park church is now gearing up for a busy fall season.
“A lot is going on at Community UMC this fall, and we can’t wait to get started,” said Cathy Nocera, office manager for the church.
Becky Witherby, a Village of Fernandina resident and member of Community UMC’s United Methodist Women organization, stated, “It’s been nearly two years since my group has been able to do much of anything, so it’s great to get back in action. It feels great to be back out in the community raising money for a good cause.”
United Methodist Women raises funds for community missions, and the Treasure Trunk Sale will be the group’s first major event in nearly two years on Nov. 6.
“The Treasure Trunk is commonly known in England as a ‘boot sale,’” Witherby said. “People bring their cars to the church, all with treasures in their trunks. At the church, people can check out the trunks and buy what they want, with all proceeds going to benefit local missions.”
Puzzles, Christmas decor, housewares, linens and sports equipment are among the items separated into trunks by genre. A bake sale, craftspeople selling their wares and a bag lunch are all included in the event.
“We’re also looking for sponsors interested in filling their trunks with treasure and participating in the event,” Witherby added. “The only thing we ask is that trunk owners understand that all money from sales go directly to United Methodist Women for missions.”
Contact Witherby at 573-270-0903 or blw40banker@gmail.com if you’re willing to participate in representing as a “sponsor trunk.”
Recently, Community UMC greeted OneBlood’s Big Red Bus for a blood drive, and its renowned Wednesday night dinners and “Wonderful Wednesday” after school program for elementary school students were restarted.
“We resumed Wonderful Wednesday back on Sept. 8, and the program has already filled up,” Nocera noted. “We do have a waiting list, so we encourage parents and grandparents to download forms at communityumc.church, fill them out and return them to the church to be considered.”
In time for Halloween, Community UMC is also going to bring back its Pumpkin Patch. The Patch began on Oct. 16 at the church and will end on Oct. 31. On most days, the store is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“The Pumpkin Patch is one way we reach out to the community as well as raise money for our Youth and Children’s Ministries,” Nocera said. “We want our Pumpkin Patch to be a place of opportunity; opportunities for us to get to know folks outside of our church, opportunities for us to share the love of Christ through our actions and opportunities to show our community that we are a place they can come to that is friendly and inviting.”
Fruitland Park’s Community United Methodist Church is located at 309 College Ave.
