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By Mandy Haggerson

For the Clemmons Courier

With the holiday season knocking on the door (or decorating it), Janice and Ed Wall are excited for the fellowship and community that comes along with it. The married couple are instrumental in the Kingswood Methodist Church’s annual fall bazaar that will take place as always, the Saturday before Thanksgiving, this year Nov. 23, starting at 9 a.m.

Many community members participate and love the local crafts, art and variety of food that is offered, which is an opportunity to see friends both in and out of the church. One of the biggest draws is the anticipated chicken pie that is steeped in tradition and a true labor of love within Kingswood’s members. 

Both Janice and Ed credit the many dedicated and seasoned volunteers that help the process along to stock the inventory.

“We took over in 2011 when Maxine and Kemp Kiger retired,” Janie said. “She spent many years improving and simplifying the process which made the transition easy for us. We started using only white meat which is different from the original recipe. We tried to keep it as authentic as possible.”

The assembly line to create the pies is no small undertaking. There can be as many as 35 church members that help, and all of whom have a very specific role to play.

“Each time we meet, our minister Rev. Mark Muckler welcomes everyone,” Janice said. “He always emphasizes as Jesus said, ‘If one or more gather in my name, I will be there.’ Pastor Mark is a true believer in fellowship and leads by example.”

While the Walls recognize that times have changed and so have people’s taste, they relish in the tradition of preserving it for the sense of community.

“We noticed during COVID-19 that a lot of churches across our community stopped making the chicken pies,” Janice said. “Just like other churches in our area, we had relied on those goods to help fund unbudgeted items, capital campaigns and funding missions that are important to the church. It always felt good to come together as a group knowing your time and efforts were to help other people.”

Ed added, “We can always count on Maxine, who is now 96 years young and now lives in Raleigh to call and do a quick quality check. She knows our reliable and dependable assembly line of volunteers well and gets a sense of comfort that it’s a steady group that takes their job seriously.” 

If not using the chicken pies for the fall bazaar, Janice and Ed say the church will give them out to first time visitors.

“When we give them out, families are appreciative because of how tasty they are but also because they are made with love,” Ed said. “From our chief cook, Wayne Allred who gets there before the sun comes up to members like Diann Holland who meticulously weighs the chicken into the right amount, the intent is caring for others. People in the community can come and purchase the chicken pies from the church office Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. throughout the year. We are definitely well stocked now since we are preparing for the fall bazaar.”

With the cooler temperatures upon us, Ed and Janice said the buzz has already started about the fun tradition of the fall bazaar. They have more than 30 tables with baked goods and crafts beginning at 8 a.m. and usually within hours everything is just sold out.

“The interest and fervor in the community is something that has made the effort that goes into it so special,” Ed said. “Sometimes some of the participating vendors are not part of our church and will still donate a portion of their profits which is very generous.”

The Kingswood Church family reminds us to appreciate the process and not just the results. As Ralph Waldo Emerson noted, “It’s not just about the destination, it’s the journey.”

“Also worth considering, is our Family Fall Festival on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 5 to 7 p.m.,” Janice said. “Join us for Sunday Worship starting at 11 a.m. You will be offered a warm welcome and experience the love of God and we will give you a chicken pie.”