DONATION PRESENTATION — Members of Young Life DeLand were presented with a donation for their participation in the 2024 Downtown DeLand Easter Crosses project. The group installed and removed 100 wooden crosses that were assembled on Good Friday in preparation for Easter Sunday. Sponsors of the crosses and volunteers gathered Saturday to decorate. On Easter Sunday, the crosses were on display, beautifully decorated with flowers and personal touches. From left are Jalene Serwanski, Katelyn Hatfield, Will Murray, Luke Williford, Liam Nicholson, Luke Hoffmann, Bonnie Hoffmann, Charlotte Riley, Angelica Martes, Eli Hoffmann and Eric Hoffmann.
Father’s Day: Sentimental reflections
Join the congregation of Unitarian Universalists of DeLand for the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, June 16, as several congregation members present sentimental reflections on their fathers. Hopefully, the audience will hear not only loving tributes to fathers, but the service will provide an opportunity to look at their own fathers, possibly in a new light!
Woven into the program will be poetry from Dawn Taggblom, as well as musical offerings by Paul Garfinkel and Carol Swarbrick Dries.
Jim Dries, who will be leading the service, was a Peace Corps volunteer teacher in the 1960s, and continued to teach at all levels. He is an actor and novelist, who authored A Harsh Mistress and Commies, Cuties and The CIA, and co-authored the play Miss Lillian: More Than a President’s Mother, which was the basis of a film of the same title.
Save the date: The Ashley Gang, an award-winning Florida folk band, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, June 28. Tickets cost $20; pay at the door and in cash only. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit UU DeLand community outreach.
Celebrating Father’s Day at 1st Christian
The Rev. Carlos Perez welcomes all fathers and others to Sunday worship at 10:45 a.m. June 16, at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand. The Rev. Perez and his wife, Vanessa, on Father’s Day and every day, are especially proud of their children Valeria, Marcos and Edwardo, who are in worship with them every Sunday. Children are encouraged to attend worship this Sunday with their fathers. Joyce DeLoach will be a guest pianist.
West Virginia, on July 5, 1908, honored fathers in memory of the 362 men who died in an explosion at the Fairmont Coal Company mine in Monongah, in December 1907. It was a one-time commemoration.
By 1910, Donora Smart Dodd, through churches, convinced the state of Washington to commemorate Father’s Day on June 19, 1910. Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Calvin Coolidge attempted to have states recognize Father’s Day. In 1972, Richard Nixon proclaimed Father’s Day a national holiday on the third Sunday of June.
The church has a BreakSpot Summer Food Program for children through age 18, Monday-Friday, and through the Temple Learning Center Summer Camp by registration, ending Friday, Aug. 9.
‘Gone Fishing’
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads from First Church DeLand! We pray you have a blessed day with family and friends.
“Gone Fishing” is Pastor Mark Bitner’s sermon title this Sunday, June 16, in the current series “Rowing the Boat.”
Most dads would enjoy a day on the water, relaxing as their boat drifts gently, throwing a fishing line into the water in hopes of catching a fish or three.
In Jesus’ time, men fished for a living, not pleasure. That is, until Jesus asked them to follow Him, and then they became fishers of men.
The Small Group Wednesday Bible Study will continue to meet through the summer, studying the Book of Daniel, from 6 to 7 p.m. in Room 113 in the Life Enrichment Center. All are welcome!
Bingo for missions
On the first and third Friday of each month, at 6:30 p.m., Glenwood Presbyterian Church hosts a community bingo event.
For a $10 donation, you can have an evening of fun and maybe win some cash. Sixty percent of the donations are returned as prizes, and the remaining 40 percent goes to a variety of missions. Helping others, building community relationships and having fun — a win, win, win! Join us!
Summer Sharing Series
This Sunday, June 16, the congregation of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist will continue the Summer Sharing Series of roundtable-style services online at 11 a.m. This summer, we are exploring gratitude with the help of Grateful Living Gratitude Cards.
These services are designed to allow participants to share their thoughts if they choose to do so. Sharing is always voluntary; active listening is welcome too.
Facilitator Sharon Herr will guide everyone through the discussion. Here are two ideas to ponder before members gather: Describe one gift of the Earth that brings you great joy. When has the natural world offered you a more grateful perspective on life? All are welcome.
Cleaning the lens
At First Presbyterian Church of DeLand, on Sunday, June 16, Pastor Michael Bodger will explore “Cleaning the Lens” with us listeners who live in a material world. Just what do those words bring to mind?
“From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human [worldly] point of view,” says the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians, when encouraging the Corinthians to follow the teaching of Jesus. Paul offers a way to refresh our lens and not regard the immediately visible outward appearance of others!
The first and introductory session of “A Focus on Spiritual Practices” met June 12, with five enlightening and informative sessions remaining. Reflecting the spirit of Elizabeth Caldwell’s Lenten study Pause, the meetings will introduce, explore and practice different ways to engage with God. Each week will offer an interconnected but separate topic with laypersons and Cathy Campbell, adult discipleship elder, leading. All interested people can still join 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays through July 17.
A reminder that Vacation Bible School begins Monday, July 22, for kindergartners through rising fifth-graders 9 a.m.-noon through Friday, July 26. VBS is free. Register students at fpcdeland.org or at the church office with completed paperwork.
The Chancel Choir is welcoming new singers; Bible studies and Sunday schools are meeting; Community Garden upkeep continues; and the Nicaragua Mission begins this week.
