By Melissa Robinson
Contributing Editor 

  The McDonough Christmas Tour of Homes is a back after a year hiatus and is set for Saturday, December 15 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. where participants will have the opportunity to tour eight lovely homes, fully decorated for the holiday season. The tour is being co-sponsored by McDonough First United Methodist Church and Wesley Way United Methodist Church.

There are several new homes on the McDonough Christmas Tour of Homes, such as this one on King Mill Road.        Special photo

  The tour is a collaborative effort between the two churches and proceeds will benefit each church’s youth ministry programs.

  “There’s very little administrative costs, because everyone is donating their time, so virtually all of the money from tickets sold will help to benefit the young people in our youth programs,” said Allyson Lawrence, associate pastor of McDonough First United Methodist and one of the tour organizers. “Several volunteers have made the event possible, particularly Teresa Hoppe and Gail Matthews, the youth pastor at Wesley Way.”

  According to Lawrence, this is the 14th year for the tour, however, organizers took a break last year, and most of the homes this year are new to the tour. The tour is “on your own” and the houses are located throughout McDonough, so it’s not a walking tour.

  The Christmas Tour of Homes begins at the Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist where participants will pick up their brochure and map on the day of the tour.

  “People will have an opportunity to see beautifully decorated houses and homeowners have been so generous and wonderful by opening up their homes for this tour, said Lawrence. “A lot of people have been willing to participate, especially because it’s for the youth.

  She said that in the past, the event has been an incredible fundraiser for the youth programs, particularly for their mission work. This year, she said the proceeds will be evenly split between the two sponsoring churches.

  “Our two churches have a great relationship and putting them together for this event really helps to connect the community,” she said.

  Tickets may be purchased in advance at both churches, the Secret Garden, Emily’s Attic and Moye’s Pharmacy in McDonough. Tickets may also be purchased through youth members of either church or at First United Methodist in the Fellowship Hall on the day of the tour. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. First United Methodist is also offering childcare, similar to a vacation Bible school for $10 per child, not to exceed $25 for a family, held between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. 

  McDonough First United Methodist Church is located at 151 Macon St. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 770-957-4150 or 770-898-3023.