PAST THANKSGIVING FEAST — DeLand Quakers meet in 2019 for the annual Half Yearly Meeting. For more than 50 years, Quakers in Florida have gathered during the four days of Thanksgiving weekend at Wekiva State Park in Apopka, where they have used the Youth Camp. This is an unprogrammed gathering allowing Friends and families time in nature to swim, hike in the woods, play games, and enjoy the company of Friends from all over the state. Meals are cooked and eaten communally. It is a time of peace and tranquillity to welcome the holiday season. This year, the weekend was to end with Silent Worship Nov. 28 by the lake.

Church of the Holy Presence, at 355 N. Kepler Road in DeLand, is having an Arts and Crafts Fair 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11.

Artists and vendors can reserve spots to sell their wares for $30. Email to the church office at churchoffice@holypresencedeland.com, or call 386-734-5228 for more information.

‘The Mother of Baby Jesus’

Deltona Presbyterian Church will continue the sermon series “Who’s Who in the Manger” on Sunday, Dec. 5, with the topic “The Mother of Baby Jesus.”

The Christmas Dance will be 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, in the Family Life Center.

Christmas caroling will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. All should meet in the parking lot.

The church is at 2300 Howland Blvd.

‘A Gingerbread Christmas’

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in DeLand is having “A Gingerbread Christmas” beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, in the Harwood Center.

Families are encouraged to wear their favorite pajamas, enjoy breakfast, and play games.

Email Allison Hayden at kidmin@stbarnabaschurchdeland.org.

The Rev. Richard Glenn to speak at Chrysalis Church

On Sunday, Dec. 5, Chrysalis Church, now meeting temporarily at The New Church, at 148 N. Euclid Ave. in Lake Helen, will host the Rev. Richard Glenn from Pennsylvania; the topic is to be announced.

For information about the re-forming church, call Pastor Terry at 386-561- 3719, or visit the church’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/chrysalisretreatcenter.

Peace

On Sunday, Dec. 5, First Presbyterian Church of DeLand will continue to explore the wonder and anticipation of the season of Advent. Pastor Michael Bodger will speak on “Peace” at the 9 a.m. contemporary service and the 11 a.m. traditional service.

Christian tradition typically observes four themes during Advent — with last Sunday’s focus being hope. This week, Pastor Bodger turns to Isaiah 11:1-10 to talk about peace.

Today when we consider peace, we often do so from an Earthly perspective. Such peace always stands conditional and rarely ever lasts. Even when we seek peace in our own lives, we find we cannot sustain it; it comes in short spurts of time and then evaporates.

The peace that comes down from above, provided by the Prince of Peace, reorders life itself! As Isaiah proclaims, “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the kid … and a little child will lead them” (Isaiah 11:6-7). This peace results from eradicating the things that create turmoil and chaos, thus allowing peace. We cry out, “May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!”

In preparation for the Holy Days, First Pres invites all people to several seasonal events. On Sunday, Dec. 5, the Chancel Choir, under the direction of Jane Christeson and with accompaniment by Dr. Boyd Jones, will present its annual candlelight Evensong. At 5 p.m. in the sanctuary, the choir, along with vocal and instrumental soloists, will perform readings and music to celebrate these spiritual days before Christmas.

At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, in the sanctuary, Blue Christmas, a quiet time, will offer Scripture reading, reflection and personal solitude to comfort people for whom the holidays bring nostalgia or sadness.

‘Waiting Doesn’t Mean Inactivity’

First United Methodist Church of DeLand is beginning to celebrate the holiday season in many ways. The current sermon series is “Christmas Isn’t Canceled!” and this week, Sunday, Dec. 5, the focus will be “Waiting Doesn’t Mean Inactivity.”

Waiting patiently, especially for something we are anxiously anticipating, can be difficult. But we know that good things come to those who wait.

Many are awaiting the fulfillment of the prophecies and the coming of the Messiah. Many are waiting for Christmas miracles and the fulfillment of God’s promises in their lives, but are we waiting with expectancy or with anxiety?

You’re encouraged to join in exploring the idea of waiting upon the Lord to renew our strength with peace, patience and perseverance.

Watch for upcoming details about First United Methodist’s Christmas Advent Concert Series, as well as details about the church’s Blue Christmas service on Sunday, Dec. 19.

The church is also planning three services for Christmas Eve, with details coming soon.

First Church offices are open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday- Friday. Call the office for more information at 386-734-5113.

‘An Adequate Christmas’

Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation, while not meeting face-to-face, is meeting online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The title of the Dec. 5 service is “An Adequate Christmas.”

Christmas is a time of wonder for so many people, but it can be a source of anxiety for others — especially having to navigate the complicated world of family dynamics. With everything made even more uncertain by the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re encouraged to join Matthew Pargeter- Villarreal as the congregation takes a collective breath and envisions ways to not necessarily have an amazing Christmas holiday, but at least an adequate one that will help us find the peace and joy that we need. All are welcome.

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 Christian Church activities

The Rev. Elizabeth Carrasquillo of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand continues the Advent message “Attitudes of Christmas” on the second Sunday in Advent, Dec. 5.

During the 10:45 a.m. worship service, a second candle in the Advent wreath will be lit. Alex Velez will provide the music for the service.

All are welcomed to the Table of the Lord, as elders and Pastor Carrasquillo preside for the open Communion with the words of Institution and prayers for the Bread and Cup.

The Disciple Women, under the leadership of Sue Brague, are meeting 1-3:30 p.m. every Monday to begin the preparations for the annual Trash and Treasure Sale on Feb. 5. Donations and volunteers are welcomed during those meetings. Proceeds from the sale will help support DeLand nonprofits and provide children and youth with camp scholarships.

Honoring holy days, even if they aren’t our own

First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand will host Unitarian Universalist minister the Rev. Tracie Barrett on Sunday, Dec. 5.

This is the time of year when there are various holidays for many traditions, both secular and sacred. What makes a day holy, and why is it important as Unitarian Universalists to honor holy days, even if they’re not our own?

Zoom services continue until further notice. Virtual services begin at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday. The Zoom ID for Sunday services is the same every week: Zoom ID: 927 1881 9188.

Unitarian Universalists are an open-minded, openhearted spiritual community where all are welcomed to learn together.

Truck, Bike, Jeep & Car Show on Dec. 4

Epiphany Knights of Columbus are hosting their third annual Truck, Bike, Jeep & Car Show 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at Catholic Church of the Epiphany, 201 Lafayette St. in Port Orange. Admission is free.

There will be food, music, trophies and door prizes.

Vehicle registration costs $10, payable Dec. 4. Lineup begins at 9 a.m.

Show proceeds will enable the Knights of Columbus Council to support charities such as Special Olympics, the Epiphany Food Pantry, crisis pregnancy centers, youth ministries, individuals with disabilities, and more. All sponsorships, donations and entry fees are tax-deductible.

Visit https://www.epiphanykofc.org/car-show for more information, sponsorship and registration.

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Margie Dykes
Raised in Miami Beach, Margie moved to DeLand after graduating from Florida State University. She has a master's degree in community mental-health counseling, and retired after 12 years in substance-abuse treatment. Having worked at the DeLand Sun News during the 1980s, Margie came to The Beacon in 2002 in search of a second career. She helps the reporters; compiles obituaries, the calendar of events and religion news; and deals with a mountain of emails each day. Margie is the proud Nana to two grandchildren, Sophia and Alex.

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