Letter from Pastor Dave Bateman
Harmony Note
October 2025
The winds of change are blowing colder as the leaves of color fade and fall. A bountiful harvest is progressing rapidly and roads are shared by tractors and combines as well as the myriad of trucks transporting corn and beans from fields to various destinations. It has been an amazing season with minimum weather delays.
It’s pumpkin time and cider donuts time with cornstalks decorating displays depicting the bountiful blessings all around us. From creative corn mazes to a plethora of pumpkins, harvest season takes many forms and celebrations. I’s football season and soon basketball will dominate the sports pages with local teams competing at all kinds of levels. Homecomings are frequent celebrations honoring alma maters with various activities. Lots of memories made and shared!
On November 2nd 2025, we will honor and remember friends and family that have transitioned to their heavenly home during this past year. Their names will be read and a candle lighted in their honor as the bell tolls in recognition. It too is a homecoming recognition.
Admittedly, the news is rampant with stories of hate and divisiveness, but we also have a story to tell, of food pantries and abundant harvests, of caring neighbors and welcoming communities, of building bridges of hope and opportunity. Our future depends on the steps we take toward building relationships that grow communities. It is practicing our faith in ways that draw us together, recognizing our commonality and the strength of our diversity.
Next month we will celebrate Thanksgiving. Food, family and football will dominate a great many households and for some, Black Friday shopping will be a weekend highlight. It’s a significant time to pause and appreciate the blessing we have to be thankful for. Blessings of abundance in its many forms. The freedoms we enjoy and too often simply take for granted. We are blessed! Let us be truly thankful !