I had appointed October as a season of rest, at least in my mind, without giving much thought to actually planning that rest. After the busyness of September and a week away at District Conference, I was looking forward to slowing down. The elk rut starts to wind down, the leaves begin to change, and I imagined October would provide an opportunity to catch my breath, maybe even get out and do some archery hunting.

Apparently, October hasn’t received the memo. Instead of slowing down, the calendar continued to fill. There are people I need to meet with, responsibilities that demand my attention, and ministries that need preparation. Community Closet, Centershot, Sunday services, meetings, and a seemingly endless list of things that need to be done.

And then there was the opening day of archery season. Something I had been looking forward to for months arrived, and instead of enjoying it, I found myself wrestling with disappointment...

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A Band of Dejected Bulls- October 16, 2026

By the middle of October, the intensity of Pennsylvania's elk rut has begun to wane. The fierce competition for cows, the haunting bugles echoing through the valleys, and the relentless pursuit that occupied so much of September have started to give way to something quieter. But apparently, not everyone is ready to call it a season.  Last evening, I pulled off along the side of the road after spotting two young bulls standing in a field. I climbed the little bank beside my truck, hoping to get a better look.  They noticed me almost immediately.

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