With the first snowbirds being sighted in The Villages, many local churches are spiffing up the “Welcome” signs, hoping to lure the returnees into their flocks.
But the marketing efforts got an early start this year, when many churches set their eyes on a unique market – the Church on the Square nomads.
When the non-denominational Church on the Square closed its doors earlier this summer for major renovations, those who had faithfully attended the Sunday Celebration services were displaced. The renovations at the popular venue at Spanish Springs Town Square could take a year or more.
Jim and Mary Courtney of the Village of Calumet Grove are among the Church on the Square nomads.
“We have visited several churches and have not found a church home yet,” said Mary Courtney. “We really miss that Church on the Square and the music.”
This past Sunday, St. Paul Parish in Belleview had a chance to capitalize on the visit of someone who has become well-known as a Church on the Square performer, Fernando Varela. He is currently competing in a trio billed as Forte on the popular NBC-TV show, “America’s Got Talent.”
Thanks to Fernando’s appearance at the church, a week ago his home parish was overflowing with a combination of the faithful and first-timers. Many of those first-timers were Fernando fans from The Villages.
Father Mark Niznik took full advantage of his larger-than-usual audience, announcing that St. Paul Parish will expand to two Sunday masses beginning in November.
He hinted that Fernando, music director at the parish, might continue to draw in newcomers.
Saturday evening at Hope Lutheran Church, Pastor Barry Hunteman, who has preached at Church on the Square, announced that another popular Villages entertainer, Mary Jo Vitale, will begin performing at the 11:30 a.m. Sunday service. Vitale, a member of Hope Lutheran and wife of Pastor Jon-Marc MacLean, already performs regularly at the 4 p.m. Saturday contemporary service.
Up-and-coming Villages entertainer Emily Graham regularly performs as part of the Praise Team at New Covenant United Methodist Church in The Villages.
So what will it take for churches to close the deal with the Church on the Square nomads?
“I don’t know,” said Mary Courtney. “We still haven’t found what we are looking for.”
