Pastoral Ponderings – November 2025

Give thanks in all things….

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Stewardship – the responsible and careful management of something entrusted to one’s care such as natural resources, finances or property.  Webster’s Dictionary

Dear Church Family,

As the leaves change and the air begins to turn crisp, November invites us into a season of gratitude. It is a time to pause and remember the countless ways God’s blessings are all around us. We not only give thanks for the harvest of the land and all the produce we enjoy this time of year; we also give thanks for being part of a faithful, hopeful and loving community.

Every Sunday it is clear that our abundance overflows as the church is full, our Sunday school classes are well attended, our choir is flourishing, and our media continues to reach those who cannot join us. We are a blessed church.  Watch for these three words in the months ahead: “faithful, hopeful and loving,” it is our logo for this year’s stewardship campaign.

Stewardship is our faithful response to God’s generosity. Stewardship is not just about what we give, it is about how we live, recognizing everything we have (time, talents, resources and relationships) are all gifts from God.

I never liked it when I used to go to church and had to listen to the church talk about money, I do not think any of us do. The more involved I became in church the more I realized how much it costs to maintain a building, much like it costs money to maintain our own home.

As we approach Thanksgiving, I know I am going to try hard to reflect on how I can practice gratitude not just in words but also through my actions: serving faithfully, remaining hopeful and giving with a loving heart.

For the month of November, I am going to throw down a challenge. Every day make a list of things you are grateful for using all the letters of the alphabet, for instance:

A = I am grateful for apples

B = I am grateful for birds…

You get the idea.

It is a great exercise to do with kids on a long car trip and a great format for journaling. It may seem silly, but I have done it, and it is a wonderful exercise. Simple gratitude lists show us all the things we may overlook that make our lives so full. Let me know how you do.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pastor Val