Palmyra United Methodist Church is trying to raise funds for a proposed new church at the corner of Martin Mathis Road and US Highway 150. They have their offices there already, but the trick is to raise the money needed. An existing thrift store (named Forever Thrift Store) at the Martin Mathis site is raising funds for the proposed new building already.
Churches need to raise funds, but also create fellowship in the process, so the congregation and Pastor Mike Roberts decided to hold monthly barbecues (on the third Saturday of the month) in back of the present sanctuary, which is just south of the intersection of State Road 135 and US 150. The barbecues started in May, and they will hold their last one for the year. The one held in August will be on the second Saturday of the month.
The congregation has dubbed the barbecues the “Holy Smoker’s Barbecue.”
Pastor Roberts said, “It’s become a real fellowship and ministry.”
They get people from all over coming to sample the grilled meats such as pork tenderloin and chicken, and homemade ice cream, literally.
An uncle and his nephew were riding through the area on bicycles recently, and were winding their way from Pensacola, Florida to upstate New York. They passed through Palmyra, and ate at the June barbecue. The nephew sang karaoke, which was a feature of the barbecue, and both uncle and nephew said that Palmyra was the one of the most inviting communities they had been through.
They ended up attending Sunday services at the church the next day.