The wait is over. Today at the farm, I reveal the inspirational message carved into this year’s “Pumpkinfest for God” pumpkins — and it’s a message I believe we all need to hear.
But before we get to the pumpkins, I invite you in on one of my dreams that I have and share with you a wonderful farm my husband and I looked at in Pennsylvania. Yes, we took some days away the chickens in Vermont to catch our breaths.
I didn’t realize how much I needed this time until I was standing in the chilly wind, dreaming again and feeling God’s presence guiding me.
May this day you dream. May this day you feel excited about how God is leading you. May this day you know that with God all is well.
The fields all around me here in Vermont are being harvested, but there is bound to be a few ears of corn or pumpkins left behind.
This week especially, as a kind farmer allowed me to glean the pumpkins that I needed for the inspirational message that will be revealed on Oct. 31 at Old Stone Well Farm, I began thinking more about the biblical concept of “gleaning the fields.”
What is God asking of us today when it comes the food we grow, eat and share? May you find your time at the farm today a blessing!
Invite others to come. Share and like, and as always, thank you for being part of Old Stone Well Farm Media & Ministry.
The chickens loved their treats of gooseberries the other day, but my husband says I should stop giving them so many goodies. They need to eat their food to ensure they get the proper nutrients that they need.
It got me wondering: What am I feeding on each day? I’m not talking about food, but all the things that fill my day — all the noise, all the social media, all the news, all the negativity. What do I need to “consume” so that my weary soul finds hope and joy again?
Join me today at Old Stone Well Farm as we make a commitment this day to feed on what will give us life. God’s Word.
Fall has finally arrived here in Vermont and as the wind blew the leaves off of the trees, I began thinking of the beauty there is in letting go of the things that hold us back, drag us down…the things that keep us from truly living.
There was a rich man who wanted to follow Jesus. Jesus told him to sell what he had and then come and follow. This rich man couldn’t let go of his material possessions and walked away from Jesus.
Letting go. It’s not easy, but sometimes it is the season we find ourselves in — and if we do dare to let go, imagine the joy we will find.
Blessings!
Mark 10:17-27
As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” 20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” 21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money[a] to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
23 Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is[b] to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 They were greatly astounded and said to one another,[c] “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”
Friends, I am going to miss worshiping with you today, but as some of you might know, I have been cast in a production which brings the stories of the past into the present. As a special treat, The Bennington Community Theater’s production of “Voices from the Grave,” left the stage and held its performance in the historic cemetery at Bennington Congregational Church. There are more than 2,000 people buried in the Vermont tourist destination — and many have amazing stories to tell. As I listened to my fellow thespians rehearse, I found myself riveted by their tales.
For the production of “Voices from the Grave” I told the story of Mary Tilden Dewey, who baked 80 loaves of bread on the eve of the Battle of Bennington in 1777. Here is her gravestone in Bennington’s famous cemetery.
Of course, Bennington cemetery is the burial place of Robert Frost. So when then actor who told Frost’s story admitted his struggle for how to end his famous poem, “Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening,” his wife, Elinor, who was a talented poet as well, suggested that he simply repeat the last line. And so it ends, “And miles to go before I sleep. And miles to go before I sleep.”
I had no idea that Elinor was responsible for that powerful closing on a poem I have adored for years! This production got me thinking not just about all the stories we do not know, but how important it is to hear stories from the grave, to tell our own stories and, most of all, to break open God’s word more and more and be reminded of the greatest story of all — the story of how God so loved this world.
And so, I am away from the farm this week, donning my 18th century cap and gown, and telling the story of Mary Tilden Dewey — a feisty mother of 11 children who baked 80 loaves of bread on the eve of the Battle of Bennington in 1777, and who tended to the injured afterwards. Dewey also boasted that if the enemy should come to her door, she would “boil up some hasty pudding and throw it in their royal faces.” Yes, I did enjoy delivering that line!
On this Sunday, while we might not be together worshiping, I ask you to take time to reflect on the power of storytelling and how learning something can enrich our lives. Perhaps start with exploring this day a story from the Bible that you liked as a child. Revisit it. Pray and ponder. What questions do you have? What new insights have you gained? I would love to hear what Bible story you revisited, and perhaps we will explore it together at the farm!
Till next week.
Blessings,
Pastor Donna
P.S. And I did something very brave for this production of “Voices from the Grave.” I performed without a stitch of makeup as the director requested for 18th-century authenticity. I usually swipe some mascara onto my blond eyelashes, but I did what the director said, and it was a freeing experience.
October is here, and that means I am looking for suggestions for this year’s inspirational message to be carved in the pumpkins.
This has been a tradition of mine ever since introducing it to my first rural church more than 10 years ago. And now, it is fast-becoming a beloved tradition at Old Stone Well Farm Media & Ministry.
Enjoy this video of last year’s message, and send me your ideas for this year’s!
I recently officiated a beautiful wedding of a beautiful young woman who I knew as a young girl at a church I served. (Boy, do I feel old.)
The setting on top of the hills in Vermont was magical. The weather was perfect. But it got me mulling something over.
There’s a growing trend for non-church weddings — or even ordained clergy officiating. Rather friends getting online approval to officiate a couples’ big day is the “in” thing.
I wonder what impact if any will this non-church wedding trend have on our commitment to one another, and our commitment to God.
We are called to prayer for one another, in good times and bad, in “sickness and in health.” Here at the farm, I hold each of you who visit me in prayer — even though we hav not met one another physically. You are family. Remember that. And if you ever find yourself standing in the need of prayer, email me at accidentalcountrypastor@gmail.com.
Come to the farm and spend some time with me as I tackle Proverbs 31…yes, the one about a capable wife. But really, this isn’t about wives — or women — but about all of us. How do we live our lives? Do our daily tasks give God glory?
I’ve been reading about the lives of Colonial women and found it interesting what was written on their headstones when they passed. It got me thinking, with Proverbs 31 in mind, what would be my epitaph? What would be yours? How are we living for Jesus this and everyday?
On a personal note, I have been praying and discerning life here at the farm. No, I am not going anywhere, but I have been thinking of new ways for us to meet and support one another. So if you are blessed by this fledgling ministry, drop me a note. What do you enjoy the most? What do you need to bolster your walk of faith? I would love to know.
Till then, blessings and peace!
Proverbs 31:10-31
A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. 14 She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away. 15 She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks for her servant-girls. 16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. 19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. 20 She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson. 22 She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchant with sashes. 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her: 29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates.
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I’m currently reading, “The Unknown American Revolution” by Gary B. Nash. Lately, my passion for all things 18th-century has spilled over to hearing the stories from those often overlooked in history: the housewife, the enslaved, the Indigenous, etc. I am only a few pages in and already I have had the experience of underlining many sections and saying out loud as I read, “yes…oh my gosh…so true.”
The tagline of the book calls the birth of democracy “unruly” and a “struggle” to create America. I can’t help but feel we are recreating America and the struggle is real — and unruly. I had such an unruly moment in the rural church that I serve part time. Yes, you read correctly. Unruly and church in the same sentence.
Some context here before I talk about this unruly moment. The church I serve doesn’t not reflect the community it is in. The congregation is white, retired and mostly wealthy. Many are summer members who come to enjoy their lake homes in the Adirondacks. When I first came there as pastor I began opening my eyes to see what mission we had as a body of Christ. After church one day, I made a trip to a Walmart in a neighboring town. It was then I realized something startling. There were people in the store that didn’t look anything like those who sat in the pews that morning. I turned to my husband and said I had my work cut out for me. Here is where the church needs to be, I said, with my arms outstretched in the Walmart parking lot. My husband looked at me and replied that if I began getting the real community coming to the church, I would no longer have a job as pastor. “They don’t want to be a church. They are happy with their club,” he observed. I refused to believe him. But a few years later, with many a sermon preached on feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, welcoming the stranger — even daring to say the “p” word (privilege) and dipping my toes into the race issue — I am tired, frustrated and sad. Do I continue to preach to what seems to be deaf ears? Am I wasting my time there?
Then yesterday happened. The unruly moment in the brewing revolution of trying to recreate a little rural church. I had just finished preaching on James’ words of how our tongues can be a horrible weapon. I talked about the words we use and how the phrases we have grown up with can be hurtful as many of them stem from slavery. I have even caught myself a few times, now realizing that saying “low man on the totem pole” was not the right appropriate. I found it fascinating to learn of the genesis of the words we use and, if it was changing my heart, well, maybe another heart would change.
Our worship had moved to the prayers of the people. It was then a member raised his hand and stated he wanted to ask a question of me. “Why are they trying to erase my history?”
“They” who? “Erase” what history? What is really going on with this member?
These were the questions swirling in my head as I began formulating an answer that would be pastoral. But when I didn’t answer quick enough for this member, a surly smile came across his face and he said, “It’s okay. You don’t know.”
Oh, but I do know. I do know the condescending male attitude towards a woman in power. I do know that insecurity and fear behind that question. And I knew that I wasn’t going to stand on that chancel of a church and use my position of power to tout “answers” or boast of “what I know” because I know too many people like that, and it is not glorifying to God. Rather, we are to seek wisdom from above.
I am not sure all that I said, but I said a lot. I went into “our” (white) history and how it is not being erased but that it is time for the other voices that have been silenced and silent to be heard. For me, it’s all about enriching our histories. I then said something I never thought I would say behind the lectern: “God sent his Son Jesus to this messed up society to challenge the status quo…to upset the apple cart. And it seems to me too many Presbyterians are fighting to upright that cart and get the apples back in. Well, my friends, the apples need to roll.”
In that moment, I didn’t see a member of church being unruly. I that moment I saw the depravity of the world we are living in now. I saw the depravity of our churches. I heard my husband’s prophetic words, “You can’t change a church culture that doesn’t want to change.” I realized, too, it wasn’t just church culture spending so much of its time putting apples back into the cart. It was everywhere.
It was an unruly day in the pulpit. But there was a moment of grace I had to chuckle over later as I went on my prayer walk and listened to the choir of crickets praising God, inviting me to join their praises. Thank goodness, I thought, that this little church had not been quick to embrace live streaming, because my rebuttal to this member probably would have gone viral.
My friends, let the apples roll.
The book I am currently reading. If you are interested in history, I recommend this.
With lots of acorns on my running path, one caught my eye. It was a “wrecked” acorn. As I picked it up, I remember what Hannah Whithall Smith, an 19th century evangelist and author once said: A mighty oak can only grow from a wrecked acorn.
As the 20th anniversary of 9-11 had me retreating from the world, I held that acorn and wondered what mighty and beautiful things can grow out of the wreckage in our lives? I wondered, too, what do we really need to remember from that fateful day two decades ago.
Perhaps, we need to remember the love and the compassion that we showed one another — a love and compassion that seems to be missing today.
May your time at Old Stone Well Farm be a blessing to you and to all you share this video with.
James 3:1-9
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters,[a] for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4 Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature,[b] and is itself set on fire by hell.[c]7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God.
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accidental country pastor 