Mary Hoffmann has been selected as the City of DeLand’s Volunteer of the Year. Hoffmann was chosen in part for her work through First Presbyterian Church of DeLand and helping the area’s homeless population.
Hoffmann has researched and implemented programs to provide manna bags and sleeping mats to assist those in need. She arranged for DeLand to be added to the schedule for God’s Bathhouse of Volusia County, so people in need could maintain proper hygiene and receive clean clothes in a safe environment.
She was also key in securing food-distribution services to those in need, with more than 1,100 boxed meals distributed in 2021 so far.
Other organizations Hoffmann volunteers with include The Bridge, The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia and Family Renew.
Hoffmann and all nominees will be recognized at the Monday, Nov. 15, DeLand City Commission meeting. Other honorees include Alice Fogle, Gail Hallmon, Barbara Parslow, Bryant James, Wade Hunter and Jessica Hannah.
Hoffmann’s name will also be inscribed on a plaque that will be placed in a designated area along Woodland Boulevard in Downtown DeLand.
Vendors wanted for Arts and Crafts Fair
Church of the Holy Presence is looking for vendors for its Arts and Crafts Fair on Saturday, Dec. 11. The fair will run 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Vendors can rent a spot for $30.
For more information, call the office at 386-734-5228 or email to churchoffice@holypresencedeland.com.
The church is at 355 N. Kepler Road in DeLand.
Church bazaars
’Tis the season for church bazaars, with two coming this weekend.
Pierson United Methodist Church will have its Christmas Bazaar 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13. The church is at 136 W. Second Ave. There will be a bake sale, and lunch will be available for purchase, along with jams and jellies, pickles and crafts.
Glenwood Presbyterian Church is having its annual bazaar 8 a.m.-2 p.m. today, Thursday, Nov. 11, through Saturday, Nov. 13. The sale includes new and like-new items, crafts, baked goods and much more. The church is at 3190 Grand Ave. in DeLand.
‘Family and Belonging’
Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation, while not meeting face-to-face, is meeting online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The title of the Nov. 14 service is “Family and Belonging.”
We’ve all heard the phrase that “blood is thicker than water.” The Rev. Tracie Barrett will explore this phrase and how it relates to family, chosen family, and our beloved community as Unitarian Universalists. All are welcome.
Worship leader Jane Bradford will lead everyone through this service.
For more information on Mosaic, see the website at mosaicuuc.org. For instructions on how to join the virtual service, email to mosaicuuc@gmail.com.
1st Baptist of DeLeon Springs to celebrate 100-year anniversary
First Baptist Church of DeLeon Springs, at 4995 Central Ave., is celebrating its 100-year anniversary with a Homecoming Celebration at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 14. The festivities will include guest speaker Glenn Rogers and special music.
Refreshments will be served immediately following the service.
The event is free and open to the public.
For more information on First Baptist Church of DeLeon Springs or its 100-year Homecoming Celebration, call Pastor Doug Knight at 850-326-5366.
‘God’s Unconditional Love for Us’
Many families have special Thanksgiving traditions and special recipes that they love to share at family gatherings. For many, getting together with family is a very important part of this holiday season.
At First United Methodist Church of DeLand, in addition to focusing on the act of giving thanks, the congregation also focuses on the significance and value of family. Family are those we fellowship with each week as we gather together as the family of God.
In the sermon series “Thankful,” the topic this week is “God’s Unconditional Love for Us.” It is this love that enables us to become a part of His family. It is His love that we receive and share with each other that makes the church family such a wonderful group of people.
You and your family are encouraged to join together with the First United Methodist family this week for one of the worship services.
The church provides in-person traditional worship at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary, and there’s a contemporary service 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.
First United Methodist also offers small-group Bible studies at various times during the week. If you would like to get connected to a small group for fellowship and sharing, call the church office at 386-734-5113.
The joys and challenges of a local newspaper
On Sunday, Nov. 14, First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand will have West Volusia Beacon Publisher and Editor Barb Shepherd discuss the joys and challenges of telling the stories and happenings in our community in a time when some news organizations are coming under scrutiny and distrust. The service begins at 10:30 a.m.
For this program only, the church will meet outside in the parking area so members may conduct their annual meeting.
Unitarian Universalists are an open-minded, openhearted spiritual community, where all are welcomed to learn together. First Unitarian Universalist Church participates in the Interfaith Kitchen and other community projects.
The church may be contacted through www.uudeland.org to learn more.
What do we do now?
On Sunday, Nov. 14, the Rev. Harland Merriam will lead First Presbyterian Church of DeLand in a service that includes an answer to that significant question. At the 9 a.m. contemporary and 11 a.m. traditional worship, the church will share Communion, and a Veterans Day recognition. Both services will be livestreamed and recorded.
Continuing the church’s nine-week study of the Book of Nehemiah, Pastor Merriam will teach from the text of Nehemiah 9:38-10:29. As God’s people return home after 70 years of exile, they realize the greatness and grace God is giving them. Their lives are moving from distress to delight. After the long separation, they now live together again in the Jerusalem community.
In response to God’s goodness, the Jews commit themselves to a new way of living, one of gratitude, dedication and commitment to God’s ways. Pastor Merriam will explore how their response so long ago might inform our response in our time today.
First Pres invites those needing the services of God’s Bathhouse to come to the church at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, for showers, fresh clothing, hygiene kits and fellowship.
The church’s newly instituted Saturday Evening Worship will again offer an outdoor service at 4 p.m. Nov. 20. Please bring your own chairs to enjoy this musical contemporary worship.
Also on Saturday, Nov. 20, there will be a food giveaway starting at 9 a.m. People will receive free food boxes supplied from local sources. Church members will hand out boxes in a drive-thru lane.
First Pres will have a “Giving Thanks Service” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, in the fellowship hall. Attendees will enjoy Scripture readings, prayer, hymn-singing, personal stories, and special music to celebrate the seasonal spirit.
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