October 2025 Newsletter
- heartquest8
- 7 days ago
- 13 min read
October 2025 Newsletter
Grief and Forgiveness Workshops Available This Month!
*Anyone affected by the fires can attend for free, please get the word out to anyone who was affected
Table Of Contents - President's Vision- Offerings- Monthly Reflection- Praises & Prayers- Birthdays, Anniversaries & Special Celebrations - What To Read Or Watch This Month
We look forward to seeing you and those you have invited in one of our upcoming workshops and events soon !!Let us know what workshops you would like to attend, what movie or book recommendations you would like to share, and what topics you would like to hear more about by sending :
President's Vision — Trusting God's Spirit
I love the Fall! Cooler weather, leaves turning colors (at least back east), pumpkin flavored treats, and my birthday. Yes, it's my birthday month and ever since I divorced my first husband, I have made it a point to celebrate with
a big festivity each year. The year I turned 50, I decided to reverse the numbers and make it a 5 year old birthday party. I had toys and games from the 70's and 80's and I wore a pink dress and a tiara. The reason I make such a big deal about my birthday is because as a kid, even though we did have cake and ice cream, we weren't allowed to have people over. We didn't ever have decorations either. I think one year we had to whisper as we sang the happy birthday song. When I became an adult my first husband didn't exactly celebrate me. So, as an act of self-care, I plan a party and celebrate. This year I am having a slumber party for a few of my close girlfriends. If you are working on loving yourself, I think you should throw yourself a party. Why wait until your birthday? You are worth celebrating! God says we are to love others as we love ourselves,so start by loving yourself. Madam PresidentJulie Tilney-Varden "Love Never Fails"
A generous person will prosper;whoever refreshes otherswill be refreshed. ~ Proverbs 11:15
At a Glance — HeartQuest Offerings this Month We currently have offerings EVERY Monday and Tuesday evenings on an ongoing basis.
Monday Drop-In Groups — Varying Each WeekTime is always:
- First Monday — Separate Men's and Women's Groups - Second Monday — (starts Sept. 8th) Forgiveness Workbook Series / By Bruce Wilkinson- Third Monday — Separate Men's and Women's Groups- Fourth Monday — (starts Sept. 8th) Forgiveness Workbook Series / By Bruce Wilkinson
About The Forgiveness Series:- Based on the book 70x7, HeartQuest's workshop where we go through the workbook created by the author, Bruce Wilkinson about topics like How To Forgive Yourself and How To Forgive Other People. There is a video and a workbook that will take you through everything you need to learn the shocking revelation of God's Forgiveness with HeartQuest as we take you through forgiving 70x7!The 70x7 course is designed to help individuals find freedom and peace by teaching them how to forgive others and themselves. Based on the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 18:21-22, the course explores the impact of hurt and unforgiveness on the heart and guides participants through the process of releasing themselves from the "prison" of unforgiveness. In essence, the 70x7 course offers a comprehensive approach to forgiveness, empowering individuals to find healing, freedom, and lasting peace by forgiving others and themselves.- Here is a testimonial from one of our participants: “I have been on a journey of healing for about 15 years now. After attending many workshops over the years I finally realized that I had a lot of unforgiveness left inside of my heart. After attending the course, I must say it was one of the most beneficial classes I have attended in a long time. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to continue their healing journey.” - Gary S.Email bobvarden@gmail.com for registration details
Grief Workshopstarted Sept. 16th
Grief Recovery Workshop
Grief Recovery Drop-inhappening the next couple weeks Join us Tuesday Throughout the year we alternate between the structured 8 week Grief Recovery Workshop and our more informal Grief Relief Drop-Ins.
TIME is ALWAYS
Join us for our Grief Recovery Workshop! Email us to enroll and get prepared, we are starting our brand new session of the Grief Recovery Workshop! Email us or message us on Facebook to enroll and get the necessary materials.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me;your rod and your staff, they comfort me. - Psalm 23:4
Help Support our Programs:
August Reflections"Confusion: Believe In Yourself"—
Confusion is one of the strangest and most misunderstood emotions. Karla McLaren calls it “the mask for fear,” and when you sit with it long enough, that truth becomes clear. Confusion arrives when something in us is too overwhelming to face directly. It is the smoke that fills the room before we notice the fire. Its gifts
are hidden but profound: diffused awareness, innocence, malleability, and—most importantly—the invitation to pause. The questions confusion carries are simple, yet piercing: What is my intention? What action should be taken? When we listen to these questions, confusion reveals itself as a protector. It stops us from rushing forward into danger. It halts us long enough to ask if the ground beneath us is safe. But when confusion is obstructed—when we ignore it, shame it, or run from it—it turns inward. It keeps us from deciding, keeps us from trusting ourselves, and keeps us from believing that our choices matter. I know this state all too well. As a child, I was sexually attacked by someone older, and her words became a poison that seeped into every corner of my life: No one loves you. No one wants you. No one will believe you. She did more than wound me in body—she set fire to my instincts. She told me that the very inner voice that said “tell the truth, ask for help” was worthless, and for years I believed her. To make it worse, I learned later that she had been spreading lies about me in the church I grew up in, cutting off the very community that should have been my refuge. So I lived for years in a fog of confusion. I didn’t know which instincts were mine and which had been twisted by her voice. I couldn’t tell the difference between truth and poison. And worst of all, I lost trust in myself and in God’s voice within me. If my instincts hadn’t protected me, how could I believe them again? But here is what I’ve learned, slowly, painfully, and by the grace of God: confusion is not the enemy. Confusion is the pause before clarity, the veil before the unveiling. When I stopped looking outside myself for someone else to define me, and instead asked the quiet questions of my own soul, I began to hear a different voice. Not the voice of my abuser. Not the voice of shame. But the voice of God within me—the Christ who had never left, the best version of myself that longs for my wholeness. My instincts weren’t broken; they had been buried. And day by day, I began to unbury them. I learned to check in: Is this instinct truly mine, or is it the echo of abuse? I learned that mistakes are survivable, that decisions are forgivable, and that God is not watching to condemn me—He is walking with me to restore me. Confusion is what happens when we’ve lost touch with our instincts, when fear hides behind a mask. But if you honor confusion—if you sit with it instead of fleeing—you will discover that your instincts are still there, waiting. You will find that God is still speaking, often in the still, small voice inside you. The truth is this: you already have the answers you need. Not because you are perfect or because every instinct is flawless, but because God lives within you, closer than your own breath. When you listen with intention, you begin to separate His voice from the lies of the past. Confusion gives you the gift of pause. It asks you to stop searching for approval in every outside voice and instead to return to the One who never left. Confusion, honored rightly, is the doorway back to trust. And trust, even after betrayal, is possible. Because the God who lives in you is not confused. He is patient. He is present. And He is always, always leading you home.
With love,Rosemary Rieger IF YOU ARE GRIEVING or PANICKING AND NEED SUPPORT, PLEASE REACH OUT. Visit griefshare.org or call 1-800-273-TALK for confidential support. You can also reach out to the leaders of HeartQuest to request emotional support as well. Written by Rosemary Rieger, edited by ChatGPT, inspired by Karla McLaren’s Language of Emotions (Chapter on Grief)
Prayers and Praises
Be rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, and continuing steadfastly in prayer ~ Romans 12:12
October PraisesFrom HeartQuest to God 🍁 God, thank You for the turning of seasons.For the way falling leaves remind us that letting go can be beautiful, too. Thank You for the chance to release what we can’t carry anymore, and for the trust that You are already planting what will bloom in its place. 🧡 Jesus, thank You for being steady when life shifts.When plans change, when people drift, when our own strength feels uncertain—you remain the same. Help us lean into Your constancy and rest in the safety of Your love. 🌾 We praise You for the harvest of small blessings.For meals shared, for debts forgiven, for laughter that sneaks in when we least expect it. Teach us to notice the abundance hidden in the ordinary, and to count it as grace. 🕯 Holy Spirit, help us welcome the quiet.As the days shorten and the nights grow long, remind us that silence isn’t emptiness—it’s space for You to draw near. Let us hear Your whispers in the hush of autumn nights. 🌙 Lord, let October be a month of gentle renewal.Let it bring peace where there has been chaos, warmth where there has been loneliness, and courage where there has been fear. May we carry Your light into the gathering dark, and remember that no season ever comes without You. Amen
October PrayersFrom HeartQuest to God 🍁 God of Turning Seasons,As the trees let go of their leaves, teach us to release what we cannot carry into tomorrow. When we cling too tightly to old wounds, old fears, old ways of being—gently loosen our grip. Remind us that endings can also be beginnings, and that You never waste a falling leaf. 🌙 Jesus, Keeper of Long Nights,October brings earlier darkness, and with it, shadows of loneliness. Sit with us when we feel unseen or misunderstood. You who knew the sting of betrayal, the ache of being left behind—remind us that You are always here. Even when the night feels endless, Your presence is steady light. 🔥 Holy Spirit, Breath in the Chill,As the air turns crisp, kindle warmth inside us. Stir up courage when we’d rather hide. Give us boldness to step into the conversations we’ve avoided, to ask for help when we’d rather stay silent, to trust that honesty is safer than masks. Let Your fire burn away our shame. 🌾 God of Harvest and Waiting,Some of us see fruit from long labors. Others still wait for seeds to break through. Both are holy. Teach us to rejoice without comparison, and to trust the unseen roots still growing underground. Your timing is not late. It is alive with wisdom. 🕊️ Jesus, Friend of the Weary,The burdens feel heavier some days—financial strain, broken relationships, dreams deferred. Remind us that You don’t measure us by what we accomplish or fix. You simply invite us to rest in You. Give us courage to lay our backpacks of worry down, if only for a moment. 🌧 God of Honest Storms,For those grieving in silence, for those whose hope feels brittle, for those afraid of another disappointment—we bring it all to You. Not wrapped in pretty words, but raw, as it is. Teach us that You are not repelled by our sorrow. You are the One who holds it with reverence. 🕯 Light That Flickers Yet Endures,October reminds us that even a single candle can push back the dark. Let us see Your light in laughter that breaks tension, in a stranger’s kindness, in the quiet comfort of someone who stays. Help us believe that we too can be that light, small but steady, for another. 🙏 Beloved Presence,Anchor us this month. When we lose our footing, catch us. When we forget ourselves, call us by name. When we doubt we belong, remind us: we are rooted in everlasting love, the kind that outlasts seasons, storms, and shadows. Amen. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."—John 1:5
October Celebrations of Our CommunityFrom HeartQuest with Love 🍂 As autumn deepens, October reminds us of the beauty of change, the blessing of community, and the joy of remembering one another’s sacred milestones. Each birthday, anniversary, and remembrance is a thread in the tapestry of our HeartQuest family. We believe God delights in every one of these moments, smiling as we celebrate, pray, and give thanks together. This month, we joyfully honor members of our HeartQuest community: 🎂 Happy Birthday to Louise McKee – October 4thLouise, we thank God for the gift of your life and the grace you bring to this world. May your birthday be filled with love, laughter, and the gentle presence of God guiding each step of the year ahead. 🎂 Happy Birthday to Spencer Eubank – October 10thSpencer, your birthday is a celebration of the light you carry. May God bless you with wisdom, strength, and moments of joy that remind you how deeply you are loved. 🎂 Happy Birthday to David Karr – October 15thDavid, we rejoice in the blessing of your life. May this year bring you renewal, peace, and the goodness of God unfolding in surprising ways. 🎂 Happy Birthday to Christopher O’Dell – October 17thChristopher, today we give thanks for you and the joy your presence brings. May your year be marked by God’s favor, kindness, and abundant blessings. 🎂 Happy Birthday to Julie Tilney Varden – October 22ndJulie, may your birthday be wrapped in joy and filled with grace. We celebrate the unique light you bring to our community and pray this new year of life overflows with God’s love. 🎂 Happy Birthday to Lexi – October 25thLexi, your life is a gift we rejoice in. May God surround you with peace, happiness, and opportunities to shine brightly in all you do. 💒 Congratulations to Michael & Audrey Corter – October 25thMichael and Audrey, we lift you up with joy and prayer as you begin your marriage. May your wedding day be the start of a journey filled with laughter, courage, and unwavering love. May God bless your union richly and guide you in every step you take together. 🍁 October Holidays & Moments of Thanks
🙏 As October unfolds, may every celebration, remembrance, and prayer draw us closer to one another and to God. We are grateful for each of you—your joys, your stories, your faith—and we walk this path together with love. If you have a celebration, anniversary, or remembrance you would like us to honor, please email us or send us a message on our Facebook page. We are blessed to call you family. ❤️
The HeartQuest community believes in supporting ALL in their personal path. Share your prayer requests, express your praises, inform us of your special days and send a heartwarming blast of love directly and through God:
Is there anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. James 5:13
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms ~ 1 Peter 4:10
What to Read, Ponder and (Perhaps) Discuss this MonthForgiving ForwardDr. Bruce HebelRecommended by Bob VardenWhat if we told you forgiveness was possible? What if the deepest betrayals could be dealt with here, today-right now? What if you could finally be free from torment?Too often we think of forgiveness as some long process we need to go through before we can have peace. Nothing could be further from the truth. Actually, forgiveness is transactional.
When someone wounds us, a debt is incurred. The payment required to make us whole again is staggering. And who pays? No amount of apologies or retribution or restitution from the offending party could ever cover the cost of the sin that wounded us. But there is good news! God has given us a strategy in His Word to help us live out Gospel-centric forgiveness. To truly forgive someone, we must look to the Cross where the blood of Jesus covers all sin, including the ones that wound us.IF YOU CUT THE GOSPEL ANYWHERE IT BLEEDS FORGIVENESS!Bob recommends this book as a truly biblical view of forgiveness and a nice companion to our current fogiveness workshop.
About the AuthorDr. Bruce Hebel is the president of ReGenerating Life Ministries and co-author of Forgiving Forward: Unleashing the Forgiveness Revolution. He has devoted his life to helping people navigate the hard terrain of bitterness, anger, and relational wounding, guiding them into a space of intentional, faith-rooted forgiveness. Hebel approaches the topic not with guilt or coercion, but with empathy and biblical depth—urging us to move beyond merely pardoning others toward restoring hearts, communities, and our own souls. In interviews, he often underscores how refusing to forgive can be the root of many spiritual obstacles: guilt, depression, broken relationships, and trapped identity. Why read him? Because he bridges the gap between doctrine and lived experience. He names the pain we often keep hidden and offers a pathway forward—rooted in Christ’s grace, not in legalism. Forgiving Forward is not just a book about forgiveness; it’s a practical, hopeful invitation to live freer, truer, more connected lives.
Trust in the LORD with all your heartand lean not on your own understanding ~Proverbs 3:5
Contact :If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please reach out via email or Facebook We look forward to seeing you and those you have invited in one of our upcoming workshops and events soon !!Let us know what workshops you would like to attend, what movie or book recommendations you would like to share, and what topics you would like to hear more about by sending :
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