T
he three most popular places in Seguin might as well be HEB, Walmart and The Pumpkin Patch. That’s how legendary the lawn of First United Methodist Church has become throughout these past 27 years of hosting Seguin’s very own pumpkin patch each October. The patch known for welcoming thousands of families from the start of October to midnight Oct. 31 has become more than just a holiday favorite, it’s become a tradition. The patch is open seven days a week at the church located at 710 N. Austin St from dusk to dawn. Before taking a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to host the patch, Seguin Today is sharing a few facts behind its history. The then church youth director Katie Arnold brought the idea home in 1995. The partnership was and still is with Pumpkins USA. Pumpkins USA has been helping churches and non-profits like FUMC host patches since 1974. However, after Hurricane Hugo wiped out the crop from its original farming location in North Carolina in 1989, the organization moved its crop production to the Navajo Indian Nation in New Mexico. Today, close to 2,000 loose pumpkins –- that fill up two 18-wheelers – are delivered to Seguin. A variety of pumpkins and gourds are received within a few days of being harvested and are trucked to the local church for unloading. Perhaps what is most unique about this partnership between FUMC, and Pumpkins USA is the trust built into the deal. Pumpkins are delivered with no contract or legal proceedings. It’s merely a handshake and trust that those pumpkins will be sold, and money will be collected. It’s the faith and assurances that FUMC will be “diligent in selling their pumpkins, honest in reporting their sales and attentive” to paying Pumpkins USA its percentage of sales. What initially started as a fundraiser for the youth ministry is now a church-wide effort with proceeds going to several church programs and community-wide organizations. Layered on top of that foundation of trust is the people and volunteers at FUMC who today work harder and harder to continue this rare and unique way of doing business for the common good. Terry Webb, who has served on the pumpkin committee since 1999, says the pumpkin patch is truly the heart of the community each fall.
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