The Inverness Seventh-day Adventist Church in Eden Gardens is nestled in Florida’s “Nature Coast” between wetlands and a State game preserve. Music rings over the fields at meeting hours, and sandhill cranes stroll across the lawn like pets. Park benches invite one to relax whether waiting for a bus, watching the wildlife, or enjoying the smoothies, home-baked bread or fresh garden produce from fun-loving neighbors. On Sabbath mornings the usual parked cars are joined by bikes, three-wheelers and scooters as a rich diversity of young families and Adventist retirees enjoy dynamic teaching and preaching, a 3-manual Rodgers organ, full choir, small orchestra, heavenly potlucks, and later, the usual spectacular Florida sunsets over the lake.

Wednesday morning the Community Services Thrift Shop becomes the neighborhood “hang-out.” The Health Food Store, too, keeps bringing in friends after Prayer Meeting as well as it did Saturday night after Vespers. The midweek Prayer Meeting is a local highlight. Book Clubs meet in the homes of friendly neighbors, French and Spanish classes in the fellowship hall, and “Sing-Alongs” Friday night and Sabbath afternoon. Throughout the year the cozy little church sponsors health lectures, cooking school banquets, Vacation Bible School, flea market and colporteur ministries, a shuffleboard court, music ensembles, van transport for shut-ins, and at times an award-winning Pathfinder Club.

Back at the highway a winding sidewalk lures young and old past lakes and wetlands, past the boat ramp and Community Center, past craft and antique shops and churches large and small, four miles in to the restaurants, parks, museum, government services and discount stores of town. Entertaining is easy for golf, horseback riding, the 394-mile Withlacoochee Bike Trail and, of course, boating of all kinds can be found within two to four miles, and it’s only an hour’s drive to Disney and the bright lights of Orlando.

Seasonally or year-round housing is often available to rent or to own, from the ranch-style homes within walking distance of the church, to upscale properties in gated communities nearby, to trailers and RV hook-ups on site. This is a unique neighborhood of friends, and at every income level there’s a place for you. Come, share a Sabbath with us, and make Inverness your home.