LELAND, Ill. — They came driving tractors from all over the area – Leland, Somonauk, Earlville, Waterman, Triumph and Peotone. In all, 16 tractors arrived at the Suydam United Methodist Church in rural Leland on Sunday, April 7, to receive a blessing for the coming growing season.

“It just gets bigger every year,” said Jodeen Immer, pastor of both Suydam and Leland Methodist churches. “The timing was perfect. Planting hasn’t started yet, and then the bishop heard about it and, with her farm background, she wanted to come, too.”

Earlville United Methodist Church participated as well, and its pastor, Linda Thomas, was not surprised by the number of people attending. She was, however, surprised by the number of tractors.

Although she considers herself an “Army brat,” Thomas said thinks of Atlanta, Ga., as home, and has some experience with farming, giving her “a frame of reference,” she said. She was assigned to the Earlville church in July 2012.

“We even blessed one by proxy,” she said. The farmer didn’t have time to get his tractor there and back home before he had to get to work, so he brought a toy representing his full-size machine, she explained.

Tractors of every size and color – including a couple of children’s pedal tractors – were blessed by the ministers and the bishop on hand.

“It is a joy to be here,” Bishop Sally Dyck told those in the crowded sanctuary. Growing up on a farm in Washington state, she said she appreciates the importance of agriculture. “People forget how important farming is.”

During her message, Dyck equated farming with ministry. “There’s no crop unless you’re doing the work, but God controls how it goes,” she said.

During her portion of the message, Immer talked about what’s west of Illinois Route 47. She also shared, to some laughter from the congregation, some of the things she’s learned since moving to farm country just two years ago.

“I’ve learned that a weed is merely a plant out of place. I’ve learned that short corn is sweet corn and tall corn is field corn. I’ve learned – from experience – that you can’t pick up a baby pig when its mother is in the same pen.”

Immer also recognized Roger Tuttle as the member of the church who suggested the first tractor blessing five years ago. His son, Mark, was elected president of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau about a year ago. Mark read an excerpt from Paul Harvey’s now-famous address “So God Made a Farmer.”

Before adjourning to the parking lot to bless the equipment, Immer and Dyck blessed large glass jars containing seed, soil and water, symbolically blessing all the fields. Immer said the jars will remain on the church’s altar throughout the growing season.

Continuing with the theme of caring for area farmers, the church hosts planting and harvest lunches each Wednesday in the spring and fall.

The planting lunches are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 17 through May 8. A minimum donation of $7 per meal is suggested, and proceeds benefit community and church programs. Each week, the meal includes a choice of two soups, hot sandwich, side dish and dessert or casserole, side dish and dessert. Beverages and homemade pickles are included.

All area farmers, farm wives, friends and neighbors are welcome. Carryouts are available by calling the church at 815-498-2626 after 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays.