HAPPY CAMPERS — Here are the smiling faces of 17 of the 30 campers enjoying a seven-week session at the Temple Learning Center Summer Camp. In no particular order are Jeneral Fort, Julliana Fort, Kiwon Jones, Chi’ere Mackey, Gabriel Cooper, Cornelius Dunn, Star Bell, Javari Scott, Alexis Walker, Jacob Walker, Faith Gibson, Giovanni Bello, Wynell Pitts, Wyzden Pitts, Gavin Pollaro, Tyrell Miles and Adonis Bello. Directed by Voloria Manning, the free camp, with meals, activities and field trips, was sponsored by Temple of God Church of DeLand and held on the campus of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand. Manning hopes to have the camp next year; donations will be gladly accepted. Send them to First Christian Church at 1401 W. New York Ave., DeLand, FL 32720.
Clothes, school supplies and food to be given away at church in Deltona
Word of Faith Church Center for All Mankind will host a giveaway 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Aug. 7. Gently used clothing, shoes, school supplies, food and drinks will be available for the taking, all for free. It is requested that those attending don a mask.The church is at 777 Deltona Blvd., Suite 16, in Deltona.
Exploring humanist teachings at Mosaic Unitarian Universalist
Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation, while not meeting face-to-face, is meeting online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. On Aug. 8, the congregation will be continuing the Summer Sharing Series of roundtable-style services exploring the Sources of Unitarian Universalists’ living tradition. The congregation will explore the Fifth Source: “Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.”
Facilitator Jane Bradford will guide everyone through the discussion. These services are designed to allow participants to share their thoughts if they choose to do so.
For instructions on how to join the virtual service, email to mosaicuuc@gmail.com.
‘Hospitable Disciples’
There is an old gospel song whose lyrics state: “… Friends are friends forever, if the Lord’s the Lord of them. And a friend will not say never, ’cause the welcome will not end.” – Michael W. Smith
It’s easy to be friends with those who we know love us and like being around us, but sometimes it is more challenging to be friendly toward those with whom we seem to have very little in common. It seems there are those who never meet a stranger and can befriend every person they meet, but there are many others who struggle to interact with people they do not know and with those whom they have not shared a history of one form or another.
First United Methodist Church of DeLand, in the series “Being Everyday Disciples,” will be looking at the idea of being “Hospitable Disciples” this week, Sunday, Aug. 8, by being like Jesus in everyday life.
Being like Jesus in our modern world calls on us to be a friend to all people and to interact with every person we encounter on our journey of life. Join the congregation this Sunday to discover how to go about accomplishing this sometimes-challenging task.
First United Methodist provides in-person traditional worship at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the church sanctuary, and contemporary worship at 9:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center. All three services are streamed live on Facebook on the First Church DeLand page, or they can be accessed through the website at Firstchurchdeland.org.
The church office is open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call 386-734-5113 for more information.
‘Gideon, Man of Might and Valor’
The Rev. Elizabeth Carrasquillo of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand welcomes all to the 10:45 a.m. worship service Sunday, Aug. 8. Carrasquillo will present another in her series of Bible Bios with Scripture, visuals and application to the present. The sermon is “Gideon, Man of Might and Valor,” from Judges 6:11-24.
Music will be provided by Christina Coulter; announcements will be made by Kathy Porr; there will be prayer requests by the congregation; and open Communion will be delivered by the elders.
The Disciples of Christ are sponsoring a Zoom gathering at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7. The theme is “Nothing Can Separate Us From the Love of God,” from Romans 8:38-39.
The featured speakers for Bible study are the Rev. Yolanda M. Norton and the Rev. Dr. Eric Smith. A virtual exhibit hall is available throughout.
Several workshops are provided, and worship will be celebrated. Registration of $25 can be made online at Disciples Virtual Gathering (Google search).
Lorna Owens to speak on ‘The Power of One’
First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand continues to host virtual services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to log in over Zoom 10:15-10:25 a.m. for greetings before the service begins.
The Zoom ID for Sunday services is the same every week: Zoom ID: 927 1881 9188.
On Sunday, Aug. 8, Lorna Owens will present “The Power of One.”
One person can make a difference; listen to your inner voice.
Owens’ inner voice took her into rebel territory in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where she met and taught with doctors, nurses and traditional birthing attendants to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
Owens is also the founder of Footprints Foundation, working with governments to reduce maternal and infant mortality around the world. She is a midwife, registered nurse, attorney and legal commentator on TV, an adjunct professor, gender expert, international speaker, life coach and author, who has traveled to more than 20 countries teaching and coaching women’s groups and organizations.
Regular group meetings continue on Zoom and in person: The Book and Poetry clubs each meet monthly, the Covenant Group and a discussion group meet every two weeks, and the Men’s Group meets weekly.
The church can be contacted through www.uudeland.org to learn more.
Unitarian Universalists are an open-minded, openhearted spiritual community where all are welcomed to learn together. In-person services will begin Sunday, Sept. 5, with precautions in place.
What does God want?
At First Presbyterian Church of DeLand, this Sunday, Aug. 8, the Rev. Donna J. McClellan will lead the 9 a.m. contemporary and 11 a.m. traditional services in exploring the question “What Does God Want?” The Rev. McClellan will ask what God longs to give us, so that we can give back to God just what God desires.
A reading of Ephesians 4:24-5:2 reveals that God desires our worship, our service, our love and our obedience. Paul teaches the Ephesians and us, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Praise music will enrich the earlier service, while the choir will lead the singing of favorites, “Love Lifted Me” and “Oh the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus,” in the 11 a.m. service. Also, the church offers livestreaming as well as recordings of worship on the First Pres Facebook and YouTube page.
To accomplish the vision of First Pres to reach up, in and out, and engage in our congregation and community, the church has many opportunities: Children’s Church and nurseries at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays; the Youth Group on Sunday evenings; Bible studies on Sunday and throughout the week; God’s Bathhouse on second and fourth Saturdays; meals prep at The Bridge; and support for Family Renew.
With the approaching of the school year, families are preparing to return to academics. On Sunday, Aug. 15, students should bring their backpacks for the annual “Blessing of the Backpacks” at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. at First Pres.
