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The Christians Merging Together Ministry and Volusia County have proclaimed Saturday, July 30, to be Pastors and Leaders Unity Day. It is a time to come together as one people under God with the shared goal of reducing violence and letting God in.

The in-person event will be 2-8 p.m. at Chuck Lennon Park, 5000 Greenfield Dairy Road in DeLeon Springs. There will be speakers, singers and prayers, as well as food trucks and “love gift” giveaways. Unity Day will be broadcast live by Zoom across the country.

More than 100 pastors are expected to participate locally, and more than 100 pastors from across the country plan to participate virtually.

With high-tension political friction across the country, Pastor Sammy Jackson, a minister with Christians Merging Together Ministry, believes it is time for people to return to their roots. He reminds Americans that their forefathers founded the country on trust in God, and that the country can regain its strength by putting its trust back into the hands of God once again.

Christians Merging Together Ministry urges an end to violence, which stems from divisions in society. The focus is on helping young people turn issues over to God rather than to violently take matters into their own hands.

Community prayer can bring neighbors back closer together, so that people can become “our brother’s keeper” and bless each other daily.

Participants are encouraged to bring foldup lawn chairs and wear T-shirts that show their church’s logo.

‘Dressed for Success, Clothed in Love’

Katie Rives, University of Dubuque Theological seminarian, is honored to proclaim God’s Word at the three services at First Presbyterian Church of DeLand on Sunday, July 31. The Rev. Donna McClellan will lead worship and offer Communion to all worshippers attending.

For those who cannot attend in person, First Pres offers livestreaming and recordings of the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services on YouTube and the church’s website. You’re invited to join in the Lord’s Supper in your location with your elements.

In the sermon titled “Dressed for Success, Clothed in Love,” the Rev. Rives will focus on Colossians 3:1-14, examining a portion of Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae. In this part of his letter, the apostle reminds the Colossians of the significance of baptism.

Baptism, manifesting the “already but not yet,” provides the security that our lives are hidden with Christ in God and that our lives will be revealed with Him in Glory. Calling us to participate in this new life with Jesus, Paul admonishes us to practically put to death the old self and its former practices. He encourages us to clothe ourselves with the “new self,” which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its Creator.

Our new self wears clothes of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience and, above all, love. This becomes possible only because of what Christ, Who is All in All, has provided for us: “Dressed for Success, Clothed in Love.”

First Pres reminds members and neighbors that First Friday Bingo begins at 7 p.m. Aug. 5.

Also, the church’s Family Camping Weekend Sept. 23-25 requires reservations through Reservation.gov.

First Pres will volunteer food and preparation for the dine-in and carryout visitors at The Bridge on Thursday, Aug. 4. First Pres often serves 80 to 100 guests at this free meal.

On Saturday, Aug. 6, the 12th annual Mayor’s Backpack Giveaway begins at 8 a.m. in Earl Brown Park, 751 S. Alabama Ave. in DeLand. Along with many others, the AME Church joined First Pres volunteers to ready the roughly 1,000 backpacks. This first-come, first-served opportunity reaches out to support area students in preparation for the new school year.

If the supply of backpacks runs out, sponsors will provide vouchers to people remaining in line to ensure they receive a free backpack.

Sponsors of this event include the City of DeLand and the Spring Hill Resource Center.

‘Spirit of Enlightenment’ Gala Day

Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp is hosting its “Spirit of Enlightenment” Gala Day 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at the camp at 1112 Stevens St.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be 15-minute readings by camp-certified mediums for $25. Appointments are highly recommended for readings.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., speakers will share their knowledge at Colby Memorial Temple, 1250 Marion St. Each speaker charges $5, and there is an all-day speakers pass that costs $25. Purchase tickets online at Cassadaga.org, and click preregister for tours, workshops and other events.

The speakers’ schedule is: 11 a.m. “You, the Ascended Master” – the Rev. Dr. Philip DeLong; 11:30 a.m. “Astrology: The Language of Your Soul” – Christina Maguire; noon “Your Spiritual Toolbox” – Darrell Demeritt; 12:30 p.m. “Going Back to the Drawing Board” – Julio Varela; 1 p.m. “Metaphysics and the 3rd Dimension” – the Rev. Dr. Paul Meckes; 1:30 p.m. “Simple Changes to Bet ter Hea lth ” – Inez Bracy; and 3 p.m. “Understanding Electronic Communication With Spirit and Demonstration” with keynote speakers Jodie and Lori Martinez.

There will be a Kids’ Zone at the Fairy Trail on Chauncey Street. The family-oriented area includes Bucket of Crystals ($8, while supplies last); a Scavenger Hunt with a grand prize for the first three to complete and tokens for others (while supplies last); Storytime *New at Kids’ Zone (Fairy Trail) – Storytime with the Rev. Dr. Constance Johnson. At 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., she will lead children and parents through a 15-minute walkabout of the Fairy Trail. She will point out fairies, sprites, green man, brownies (not edible), fairy homes, gnome houses, dragons, portals (spirit elevators), and a magical labyrinth.

An Open House and Book Sale will be in the B. Anne Gehman Library (inside the Slater House, 1188 Chauncey St.). Vendors selling crystals, jewelry, clothing, natural soaps, and other items will line the streets of the camp. Food trucks will be in the parking lot of Colby Memorial Temple.

‘Change’

Journey into the wilderness online with Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation this summer in the 2022 Summer Sharing Series based upon exploring the “Inward Journey” (from Jan Phillips’ Visionary Thought Series).

This summer, the congregation is exploring the integration of mind, body and spirit. 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.

This Sunday, July 31, Mosaic’s roundtable-style services continue, with facilitator Nova Madison guiding everyone through a discussion about “Change.” Change is an opportunity to test our skills at staying grounded through the shifting tides of our life. Reflection question for this Sunday: What changes have you experienced that have tested your skills?

All are welcome. 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

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand welcomes back the Rev. Sammy Robles to the pulpit for worship at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, July 31. The Rev. Robles is a full-time musician with Walt Disney World, and is also known as an author, minister and podcast host with a loving family. His sermons are grounded in spiritual truths while being entertaining.

Elders Brenda Velazquez Morales and Nancy Jones deliver Communion to all believers who attend the service. Donna Mozley leads the congregational singing, with Mark Bose as the accompanist and provider of special music during the service.

Part of First Christian’s community service will be serving the dinner meal at The Bridge 5-6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, with assistance from AdventHealth Fish Memorial and other volunteers.

Community service continues with participation in the Saturday, Aug. 6, backpack giveaway in Earl Brown Park from 8 to 10 a.m.

Throughout the summer, First Christian has assisted the Temple Learning Center Camp, directed by Voloria Manning. Camp will end Friday, Aug. 5.

Disciple Women’s Community Donation for August is HOPE (Helpers of People Enslaved). This is a contribution to the HOPE Golf Tournament Saturday, Sept. 24.

Dr. Janet Raney invites young people to participate in the church youth program on Wednesdays. Call the church office at 386-734-0677 to register.

‘Someone Should Do Something About That’

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.”

We don’t always like to face the consequences of our choices, and many, if given the opportunity, will “pass the buck” and blame our circumstances on something or someone else.

“The more you take responsibility for your past and present, the more you are able to create the future you seek.” – Unknown

The sermon series “The Land Between” continues at First United Methodist Church of DeLand, and the sermon on Sunday, July 31, will be “Someone Should Do Something About That.”

Of course, we know that ultimately we must rely on God to get us through, but we do have to be willing to allow Him to do that. You’re encouraged to attend this Sunday as members and friends explore how to go about embracing our responsibility to make the right choices so that God can do His part to make our present and future be all that they can be.

In-person traditional worship services are at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the sanctuary, and an in-person contemporary worship service is 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 also offers small-group Bible studies at various times during the week: Young adults meet on Sunday evening, youth groups meet at different times during the week, and there’s a Saturday-morning men’s Bible study.

If you’d like to get connected to a small group for fellowship and sharing, call the church office at 386-734-5113.

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