Pastoral Ponderings – October 2025

“Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

Mark 5:19

Greetings to you all!

What a very busy September we had. Rally Day was a huge success with many of you returning from your Sabbath summers. The sanctuary was filled with so many children, the sound of Joyful Blue  brought us to our feet, and the smell of hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill brought us outside to a wonderful potluck picnic. People in this church sure know how to cook!

We hold our Rally Day a week later than most churches because of the Hebron Harvest Fair. Our church has a booth at the fair and we sell a legendary apple crumble. This was my fourth-year volunteering, and I am always pleased to hear customers say, “I wait for this every year.”  I believe many of our volunteers “wait” for this event each year as well.  These kinds of events show our church at its very best. Those who visit our booth see the embodiment of who we are — a community of love, friendship and laughter.

As volunteers, we experience our community working together to keep our church funded.  Love for our church is the thread which weaves us together; we can feel it when we are working hard to raise the funds necessary to keep us going.

If you are new to us or have never volunteered, I urge you to check out our volunteer opportunities. Volunteering is great fun and an easy way to give back. It is also good for our mental health (just like going to church). Volunteering relieves stress because it releases dopamine, the “feel good” hormone, which promotes overall good health. Volunteering creates new connections; we see many people in church but do not always have the  chance to get to know them better. Volunteering can cause us to step out of our comfort zone; this can build our confidence and enhance self-esteem.

Volunteering is a low commitment; a person need not sign up for a committee or long-term job.

There will be many opportunities to help and volunteer in the months ahead.  

I hope you will carve some time out for yourself and our church. 

You never know, your smile out there in the world may be what someone needs, perhaps it will be seen as an invitation to check us out on a Sunday morning, to come as a stranger and leave as a friend!

Pastor Val