Spiritual Side: Churches host fall bazaars, festivals and more

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Spiritual Side: Churches host fall bazaars, festivals and more
PETS REMEMBERED AND BLESSED — The Rev. Blake Rambo at Church of the Holy Presence in DeLand welcomes and blesses Rockwell as his owner Michael Alger looks on during the Blessing of the Animals ceremony, as others wait their turn. The church also has a pet memorial garden on its property, which is where the ceremony took place. BEACON PHOTO/MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN

Save the dates

Fall is a time of increased events, with the weather getting cooler and folks wanting to be outside. Here are a few of the events hosted by local churches:

• St. Ann’s Council of Catholic Women is hosting its Fall Bazaar 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. Proceeds from the sale of bakery items, jewelry, plants, holiday décor, clothing, toys and children’s items, items for men, craft and fabric items, sports equipment, housewares, books, music items, coffee and doughnuts, hot dog combos, drinks, and raffle tickets will benefit local charities.

• Our Lady of the Lakes Council of Catholic Women is having its Fall Festival 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22. Offered with all the trimmings of a fall festival will be Tombola games, which are similar to bingo.

• City Sanctuary Church presents Candy Land Fall Festival & Family Blitz from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. Family Blitz is a ministry in which families play games while hearing Bible principles. There will be interactives, candy, auctions and carnival rides. A $5 wristband allows youth to enjoy unlimited “extreme” rides. There is a discount for multiple children. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. There is no admission charge. Interested folks can register at https://CandyLand2023.eventbrite.com.

Everyone is invited to the Candy Corn Carnival at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, at DaySpring Community Church in DeLand. There will be tasty food, fun games to play, and lots of candy! And it’s all for free.

• Trunk or Treat is on for Wednesday, Oct. 25, at First Church DeLand. Food trucks will be serving 5-7:30 p.m.; a costume contest for all ages is at 6 p.m.; Trunk or Treat begins at 6:15 p.m. Music will be provided by Ed Henderson. Please join us for a safe family experience.

• Glenwood Presbyterian Church will have its annual Bazaar 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 26-28, with all the usual wonderful bazaar items for sale.

Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp has its Fall Fest Friday-Tuesday, Oct. 27-31. The bookstore will be open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Vendors will be set up on the lawn of the Rev. Tom Berkner Educational Building. There will be mini-readings by camp-certified mediums and nightly spirit tours, along with spooky goings-on at the Cassadaga Hotel.

• Journey Church invites the community to join in for a day of fun, food and music at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, at Earl Brown Park in DeLand. “Church at the Park” is an event for the whole family. Enjoy live music, food trucks, and tons of family-friendly fun. This free event is open to everyone. Remember to bring a chair; we’d love for you to stick around for lunch. You can bring a picnic or stop at one of the food trucks. Journey Church is one church meeting in multiple locations throughout Volusia County.

A Trunk or Treat will be 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, at Lake Helen Methodist Church.

Looking for a fun, safe place to trick or treat? Trinity United Methodist Church and First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand will host a trunk or treat event 6-8 p.m. Halloween Night, Tuesday, Oct. 31. Cars will be lined up in the parking lot decorated and ready to pass out treats.

Islam and the Muslim faith

First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand welcomes Imam Tariq Rasheed, current president of the Islamic Center of Orlando, to its Sunday, Oct. 22, service to speak and answer questions about the Muslim faith. All are welcome.

Learn about one of the fastest-growing religions in the world, and how our Muslim neighbors nearby and around Florida practice their faith.

‘Spirit and Flesh’

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand has Brenda Velazquez-Morales bringing the message to the 10:45 a.m. service Sunday, Oct. 22. The topic is “Spirit and Flesh,” from Galatians 3:1-14. Paul was addressing the false teaching that it was necessary to keep the Jewish law to be saved.

Velazquez-Morales is in seminary and hopes to finish soon. Currently, she is the chairwoman of First

Christian’s elders, and has served in various volunteer activities in Puerto Rico.

This past summer, Velazquez-Morales motivated a group to start restoring a small church that was on a former military base in Puerto Rico. She continues to encourage outreach to the Garden of Eden Health Center in Jayapura, Puerto Rico.

Other members assisting in the Oct. 22 worship service are Olga Palmer as the greeter and Edna Cortes and Dr. Janet Raney as elders.

The 8:15 a.m. Sunday service is taking a break until January. The adult Sunday school class continues at 9:30 a.m., with visitors welcomed.

The Disciple Women are meeting at 1 p.m. every Monday in the church library. Parts of the movie The Chosen will be shown Oct. 23 and 30, with a short discussion to follow each showing.

Bingo is at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, in the fellowship hall. Proceeds after expenses in October will be given to Week of Compassion, Disciples’ outreach to emergencies around the world.

PET-FRIENDLY — The Rev. Todd Bardin of Trinity United Methodist Church, right, blesses a dog belonging to Jo Spurgeon, center, while the Rev. Carlos Perez of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand looks on. The annual Blessing of the Animals took place at First Christian, which has shared its building with Trinity UMC since Trinity’s
Downtown DeLand location was sold.
BEACON PHOTO/MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN

Christmas Candlelight Choir

Would you like to sing in a choir this Christmas season? Trinity United Methodist Church in DeLand has a Christmas Candlelight Choir, and the church is looking for singers!

Rehearsals will begin 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29. The choir will be singing “Messiah Heaven’s Glory” in a performance at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. You don’t have to be a member of Trinity UMC to participate. All are welcome!

A book and a part-highlighted rehearsal CD will be available. If you don’t have a CD player, the parts can be emailed to you. Church members say, “We would love to have you join your voice with ours!”

‘Miracles of Protection’

“When Pigs Fly” is a cute saying, and also the title of the current sermon series at First Church DeLand. Pastor Mark Bitner will talk about the “Miracles of Protection” in his sermon this Sunday, Oct. 22. Protection means to keep someone or something safe from danger, to shelter from harm. In our lifetime, we may need to seek protection from harm. In doing so, we turn to Christ, who will protect us.

“The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?” Psalm 27:1

Who is this?

This incisive question reveals the topic of the sermon by Pastor Michael Bodger at First Presbyterian Church of DeLand on Sunday, Oct. 22.

Reading Matthew 22:15- 22, Pastor Bodger will reflect on the amazement of the Pharisees when they heard this response by Jesus: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

These questioning Jewish leaders had asked Jesus, “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” Jesus’ surprising and unexpected response so confounded the Pharisees that they simply left Him and went away.

This query persists in our daily lives. How do we answer ourselves as well as others who question the identification of Jesus Christ?

Although the Pharisees declare to Jesus, “Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth,” they leave aghast at His words.

Pastor Bodger will charge us listeners to answer his question, “WHO IS THIS?” when we encounter Jesus Christ and his teachings.

Next Sunday, Oct. 29, at the monthly combined service, First Pres DeLand will celebrate The Kirkin’ of the Tartan. The congregation invites all to come to the 10:30 a.m. single service to share and witness the regalia and parade, with bagpipes and drums. This is done annually, to celebrate the impact of the Protestant Reformation in the 1600s and its significance to the history of the church.

Jess Delrie to speak to Mosaic UU

The congregation of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist will have at its Sunday, Oct. 22, service a talk titled “My How My Perspective Has Changed.” Join speaker Jess Delrie as she shares a quick word on her perceptions of the similarities between UU and Christianity.

Teresa Leary will facilitate the service.

Collective Church

This Sunday, Oct. 22, only, Collective Church will not be meeting for its normal scheduled service. The church will meet as normal on Sunday, Oct. 29.

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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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