The Easter Egg Factory at Gibson United Methodist Church is in action again this year. Volunteers at the church are transforming the sanctuary into a chocolate factory and preparing to make more than 1,500 chocolate-covered, flavored Easter eggs.

Production will begin on Sunday and end on Wednesday.

There are nine flavors to choose from: peanut butter, peanut butter Butterfinger, vanilla, chocolate, maple nut, almond, almond coconut, raspberry and a limited number of white chocolate eggs.

The annual factory at Gibson UMC has been crafting candy eggs since 1981 and has become a tradition many in the church and community look forward to, church officials said. Eggs have been a traditional part of Easter for centuries, symbolizing new life and resurrection. In the 19th century, the tradition of chocolate eggs as a gift became popular.

The eggs at Gibson UMC aren’t made just for fun. The money raised from sales goes to support missions work through the church. The United Methodist Women, a group within Gibson UMC and which leads the Easter egg-making effort, designate where funds are donated. In the past, the church has donated to flood buckets, health kits and Good Shepherd Community Center, to name a few.

Many of the church volunteers have been part of the process for decades. They gather together to mix, measure and mold the eggs. Each egg is meticulously weighed and shaped by hand.

Mary Agnes Westbrook, the unofficial chief executive officer of the factory, said there is a strict process for producing the annual treats.

“Each egg weighs four ounces, is dipped in milk chocolate and decorated with leaves and a flower,” she said.

Production begins in the church’s kitchen, where the middle portion of the eggs are mixed. Batches of thick, fondant-type filling are made and transferred to tables where volunteers weigh and shape them into eggs. After that, they are dipped into milk chocolate and decorated with icing leaves and flowers.

As for a “secret recipe,” for the eggs, Westbrook smiled and said, “Yes, and it’s in the (church kitchen) on the counter and refrigerator. We started out with four flavors. Now we’ve got nine flavors.”

Peanut butter is overwhelmingly the favorite, church members said. The Egg Factory makes more peanut butter than any other flavor, with the smallest portions going to the raspberry and chocolate flavors.

Eggs may be purchased for $3 each and can be personalized free of charge.

Candy eggs may be ordered by calling 601-636-2605 or by calling Westbrook at 601-415-4428. They can also be ordered by email at gibsonumc@att.net. The church will also accommodate early pickups. Egg orders should be picked up at the church by Good Friday, which falls on April 18 this year.

Gibson UMC is located at 335 Oak Ridge Road.