The Friends of Deltona Library are sponsoring the 10th annual Mitten Tree to provide help for our neighbors who might need a little extra warmth this winter.
The tree will be in the lobby of the Deltona Regional Library for the entire month of November, and the Friends invite donations of new socks, hats, scarves, mittens and blankets. Toiletries and personal-care items are also appreciated. The items will be distributed by Deltona Presbyterian Church in conjunction with the church’s Food Pantry program.
You may drop off your donations at the circulation desk at the Deltona Regional Library, 2150 Eustace Ave.
For more information, call Claudia Hutchins at 386- 479-3976.
Gratitude
Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation, while not meeting face to face, is meeting online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The Nov. 13 service is titled “Gratitude.”
Judy Raymond will lead the service and take the congregation on a little trip down Memory Lane, as she winds through her journey to Unitarian Universalism and to the Mosaic UU Congregation. Raymond will explain what she finds most gratifying about being a Unitarian Universalist in general and in being a Mosaican specifically. She hopes the sermon will inspire congregants to think about their own journey to UU and what about this particular faith tradition and Mosaic gratifies them.
Everyone is welcome!
For information on Mosaic, see the website at https://mosaicuuc.org. For instructions on how to join the virtual service, email to mosaicuuc@gmail.com.
Efforts to restore the Everglades
First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand welcomes Tom Armistead as guest speaker Sunday, Nov. 13. Armistead moved to Florida in 2007 and immediately became the principal reporter on the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan for Engineering News-Record. This is a weekly national news magazine of the construction industry.
Tom will share what he knows about the Everglades, its history, how the ecological system originated, how it was formed, how it has been damaged by efforts to make it economically productive, and how much the people in Florida rely on it for its water supply, tourism and other purposes. He will also talk about efforts to restore the Everglades, and will suggest ways we can support these efforts.
Tom is active in the local Baha’i’ faith community, which meets and is working at strengthening community unity.
Those attending the Nov. 13 service in person are encouraged to come to church at 10:15 a.m. or 10:25 a.m. for greetings before the 10:30 a.m. service begins.
After the service, everyone will gather for a social hour to share coffee, tea and conversation.
Services are also live- Zoomed, and all are invited. The Zoom ID is the same every week: https://zoom.us/i/92718819188. Feel free to contact the church for help in getting connected at www.uudeland.org.
1st Christian Church activities
The Disciple Women of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand participate in the Disciple Women’s Fall Retreat each year. Five women, led by President Sue Brague, are traveling to The Retreat at Silver Springs on Saturday, Nov. 12, to hear the new regional director, the Rev. Sandy Messick, share her spiritual journey and ministry.
Since arriving in Florida, Messick has been having live prayer at 7 a.m. Tuesdays. To connect, just Google the Rev. Sandy Messick. The format is pray, pause, reflect, ask and yield.
The DeLand Disciple Men are meeting for breakfast at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Daisy’s Diner in DeLand. Call Lee Gartside at 386-734-6078 for reservations and directions.
On Sunday, Nov. 13, the Rev. Carlos Perez continues his ministry at First Christian Church at 10:45 a.m. in the sanctuary, with Barbara Polomsky supplying the beautiful music and Donna Mozley as the inspirational song leader. As always, the service includes open Communion for all, guided by the elders of the day.
The youth meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays for dinner with Sue Brague and Dr. Janet Raney.
First Christian is participating in the Spring Hill Fall Thanksgiving Dinner 2-5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17.
Witnesses
At First Presbyterian Church of DeLand on Sunday, Nov. 13, Pastor Michael Bodger will speak about the temple some of Jesus’ disciples are observing in Luke 21:5-19. The worshippers admire its adornment with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God. Shockingly, Jesus responds, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”
This does not make for happy reading, of course! But Jesus warns that events much more horrific will come: false messiahs, wars, revolutions, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, persecution, death and hatred. Oh, what a world we live in!
In the midst of all such historical and current happenings, Jesus calls the ancients to become witnesses. Ironically, then Christ declares, “But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm, you will gain life.” Testify and stand firm! (Luke 21:18-19)
Along with open Communion, music at First Pres enriches worship with the contemporary praise band led by Joseph DeGaetano at 9 a.m., and traditional singing at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.
The Chancel Choir, accompanied by Dr. Boyd Jones and conducted by Jane Christeson, this Sunday will present “Saints Bound for Heaven” by Pepper Choplin.
Livestreamed and recorded services are available on the website and YouTube.
Quick reminders: The deadline for shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child is Sunday, Nov. 13; the Fall Lunch of the Joy Group (active single women) is at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 (RSVP Alice at 386-734-6212); and the monthly fourth Wednesday Cookout Conversations is at 5 p.m. Nov. 23 (serving turkey and trimmings).
This Saturday, Nov. 12, First Pres volunteers will open God’s Bathhouse in the courtyard at 9 a.m. to provide showers, hygiene kits, clean clothing and fellowship to the homeless.
Also, church volunteers prepare and serve eat-in or takeout meals to the homeless at The Bridge at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1.
A call for help: Volunteers are asked to help with the “Hanging of the Greens” following each service Sunday, Nov. 20. The church will be adorned inside and out with colors, ornaments, symbols, bows, wreaths, scenes and trees to prepare for Advent and Christmas.
On Wednesday, Nov. 23, First Pres invites members and visitors to celebrate Thanksgiving on its “Eve” with a meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. “Giving Thanks” gathers for an evening of praise, song, testimonies and sharing the mercies and goodness of God.
On Sunday, Nov. 27, the First Sunday of Advent and the church’s new year on Christ the King Day, the church will begin the spiritual preparation for the arrival of “the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” All are welcomed to enjoy the fruits of the members’ tasks by sharing the visual beauty of Advent along with the spiritual.
There will be only one service Sunday, Nov. 27. All of First Pres will meet at 10:30 a.m. to worship together in the sanctuary. Following worship, the Advent Celebration for all ages in the fellowship hall will offer crafts for interested people and a potluck lunch. The church will provide lasagna and salad; attendees are asked to bring a side dish to share with others.
First Pres’s congregationally created 2022 Advent Devotional will become available Nov. 20, so the community can together journey to meet The King. First Pres DeLand reaches out to all to visit and discover its mission to become Christ’s hands and feet in the world.
‘God’s Invitation Always Stands’
“If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar, a hoper, a prayer, a magic bean buyer. … If you are a pretender, come sit by my fire. Come In! Come In!” – Shel Silverstein from Where the Sidewalk Ends
Almost everyone likes to be a part of what is going on; involved in what is happening now; included in the invitation to be part of current events. With God, that invitation always exists and is perpetually current.
At First United Methodist Church of DeLand during the sermon series “Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table,” the topic for the Sunday, Nov. 13, service is just that — “God’s Invitation Always Stands.” God’s welcome extends to all people, at all times, regardless of circumstances or situations.
As the holiday season is approaching, the public is invited to save the date for a couple of upcoming holiday events:
On Sunday, Dec. 4, there will be a “Soup/Chili Cook-Off” coupled with a “Make It/Bake It/Grow It Sale” mission fundraiser.
On Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24, there will be three services: at 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
More information will be upcoming as these events draw closer.
Call the church office for more information at 386-734-5113.
Glenwood Presbyterian’s annual bazaar
Glenwood Presbyterian Church, at 3190 Grand Ave. in DeLand, is hosting its annual Church Bazaar 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 17-19.
There will be new and like-new items for sale, along with crafts, baked goods and other foods.
Spirit of Empowerment Gala Day
The Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Meeting Association announces it is hosting a Spirit of Empowerment Gala Day 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. The event is on the camp’s campus at 1112 Stevens St.
The information booth is in front of the Andrew Jackson Davis Educational Building and Bookstore, where attendees can purchase $25 tickets for 15-minute readings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by camp-certified mediums. (Appointments are highly recommended in advance of your visit.)
There are also $5 tickets to hear various speakers. All-day speaker passes cost $25. Speaker tickets are also available online at Cassadaga.org.
The speakers, who will be at Colby Memorial Temple, 1250 Marion St., include: 11 a.m. “Awaken to the Age of Aquarius” by Christina Maguire; 11:30 a.m. “Do You Have Control Over Your Life?” by the Rev. Diane Davis; noon “Believing in Others’ Greatness Empowers Them” by Karen Kennedy; 12:30 p.m. “What’s on the Other Side?” by Joy Sagar; 1 p.m. “Benefits of Spiritual Discipline in Your Life” by the Rev. Stephen Adkins; and 1:30 p.m. “Wellness and Empowerment With CBD” by Deanna Muniz. The keynote speaker is Lori Carter on “Death – So What!”
Back by popular demand is the Kids’ Zone, which is located on the Colby Memorial Temple lawn. The family-oriented area includes a Bucket of Crystals ($8, while supplies last), and a scavenger hunt with a grand prize for the first three to complete the hunt and tokens for others (while supplies last).
Vendors will be selling crystals, jewelry, clothing, and natural soaps, and more food trucks will be on hand.
