Churches offer fun for fall

The cool, crisp autumn air signals the kickoff of annual fall bazaars and festivals. Area congregations have been assembling needlework and canned goods and baking up a storm. They will showcase their wares at various church functions.
Denton's Chapel United Methodist Women, U.S. 64, will begin its annual fall festival from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday with a breakfast buffet. The ladies have baked and canned goods along with bagged nuts and goodies. There will be a drawing for a full/queen quilt.
Salem United Methodist Church's fall bazaar on Nov. 7 begins with a full breakfast of various meats including country ham plus eggs, grits and apples.
"We are having our silent auction and a chance to bid for items throughout the day," Clarice Shuping said.
The United Methodist Women will stock a country store with canned foods and crafts, the bakery with treats and the Christmas shop with handmade ornaments.
"All of the money goes to international, national, state and local missions," Shuping said.
Halloween-alternative activities start Wednesday and continue through Nov. 1.
Burkemont Baptist Church once again will offer Judgment House for ages 12 and up Wednesday, Thursday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. This year's drama, "Where There's Smoke There's Fire," is recommended for youth, but signs will indicate scenes that may not be suitable for young children.
"The scene from Hell is a little frightening and it is an intense theme," Phillip Long, minister of music, said.
"There is a scene where a house goes up in flames. There is a lot of smoke, but no actual fire, and this scene takes place outside," he said.
Teenagers will have a party while their parents are away, Long said.
"It is a great story about choices. Both the choices that teenagers and parents make," he explained.
The cast of about 90 took on a new challenge this year. They will present the drama in Spanish during a Sunday matinee from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
"We felt like we had so many Spanish-speaking individuals from area churches, and we've always tried to translate some parts, but this is the first year we've done this," Long said.
Drop-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 437-6582 or going online to www.burkemontbaptist.org.
Long said people should come with patience and wear clothes appropriate for being outdoors.
Restoration Family Worship and Morganton Parks and Recreation will present a free festival including Christian entertainment, food and games at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30.
The downstairs area of the Morganton Collett Street Recreation will be transformed into a fun free-for-all for teens and young adults.
The "Getting Crunk for Jesus" fall festival is a first for Restoration, assistant pastor Juan Johnson said.
Inspired by an event he attended in the early 1990s, Johnson said, "We wanted to do something for young people as an alternative to Halloween.
The next generation is what we are targeting here, and we wanted to give them something to hold onto about what Christian fellowship is all about and what Getting Crunk for Jesus is," Johnson said.
"Crunk" means to have a good time, he noted.
"We are using it in a Christian setting about having a good time in the Lord," he said.
Similar to a club scene, but in a Christian atmosphere, young people can use an open mike to recite lyric poetry. There will be a professional sound stage set up and contemporary Christian music groups, a Hmong group of musicians and some Christian rockers will perform along with Doug Cuthbertson, who will speak, Johnson said.
"We will attempt to meet every need that comes through the door," Johnson said.
Coming in costume is encouraged. The event is free. Contact Johnson at 403-5191 or events coordinator Misti Roland at 390-1779 for more information.
First Baptist Church in Morganton will host its Great Pumpkin Party from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.
"We are going to have Halloween-style booths inside with games for children and candy to give away," Jeff Prince said. Inflatables will be set up outside, he added.
Evangelical Methodist Church and area businesses in the Rutherford College area will offer a safe Halloween alternative from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 31. There will be inflatables, carnival-type games, free concessions and drawings for prizes. Trunk-or-treat begins at 8 p.m.