Spiritual Side: Tracing the traditions of the Oct. 31 holiday

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Spiritual Side: Tracing the traditions of the Oct. 31 holiday

Why do our children dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating on Halloween? At the Sunday, Oct. 29, service at First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand, the church will trace this Oct. 31 tradition to Samhain, a Celtic festival, when the dead return to Earth. This holiday was later merged with All Souls’ Day, a Christian celebration of saints.

In addition, the church will explore how other cultures celebrate their dead, including Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos, Japan’s Buddhist Obon and Egypt’s Wag Festival, where people launch small boats in rivers to help deceased loved ones on their journeys in the afterlife.

Ella Shepherd and Mitzi Dykes will be the service leaders, and the program will be presented by community youth through skits, rituals, readings and songs. Feel free to wear your favorite costume, and be ready to learn and enjoy!

Wine and food for all

St Jude’s Episcopal Church in Orange City is hosting a Spaghetti Dinner and Wine-Tasting 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4.

Attendees can either eat or taste wines for $15, or eat and taste wines for $25. The dinner is available for takeout.

There are three sessions for the wine-tasting — at 4:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Tickets are available at the church for the wine-tasting sessions. Call 386-775-6200 or email admin@stjudescentralflorida.org to save a spot.

Bringing compassion and justice to those in need

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand welcomes to the pulpit at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, the Rev. Alan Dicken, associate director for immigration and refugee response with the Week of Compassion. The Rev. Dicken believes the church is action, bringing compassion, justice and wholeness to those in need.

Before coming to Florida as part of the Week of Compassion staff, he served Carthage Christian Church in North Cincinnati, involving his congregation in many social justice programs.

As always, Communion will be served to all during the worship service following the message from the Rev. Dicken. Those serving are Dorothy Ashton, Marge Jones, Nancy Jones and Donna Mozley. Lunch will be served in the fellowship hall following the service, where the Rev. Dicken is available to answer questions about the Disciples’ involvement in Florida with immigration and refugees.

Disciple Women will meet at 1 p.m. in the church library to see another part of The Chosen.

Launch & Learn Labs

City Sanctuary Church in DeLand will host a small-business event 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. The event, called “Launch & Learn Labs,” is presented in collaboration with the Small Business Administration and several area banks.

The day is designed for small-business owners, or those who would like to learn more about starting a small business.

Workshops will include “Marketing Your Small Business,” “Accessing Credit for Small Business,” “Work/Life Balance,” “Business Finance Basics,” “Obtaining Government Contracts,” “Small Business Administration Resources,” and a “Lender Q&A Panel With Area Bankers.”

The event is free for all participants. Registration is through EventBrite, by visiting the church website (CitySanctuary.com), or by emailing delliott@citysanctuary.church.

‘Miracles of Provision’

We have often heard the phrase “God loves a cheerful giver.” As the sermon series “When Pigs Fly” concludes at First Church DeLand, Pastor Mark Bitner will speak about the “Miracles of Provision.”

When we give a gift to someone, we feel happy when they smile over our generosity. When we give someone a helping hand, such as providing transportation to the grocery, we are demonstrating Christ’s love. Let’s make someone’s day by being a cheerful giver. “Thank God for this gift, too wonderful for words.” 2 Corinthians 9:15

Bible study will resume Wednesday, Nov. 1. Beginning at 6:15 p.m., Pastor Mark will lead the study on Thessalonians, and a small group will continue the Acts Bible study.

‘Samhain’

The congregation of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist will meet online Sunday, Oct. 29, for a message titled “Samhain.” Join the Rev. Teresa Leary as she takes everyone on a unique journey through the eyes of a solitary practitioner’s revelations about and rituals developed for Samhain. Everyone is welcome!

God and self and neighbor!

This Sunday, Oct. 29, First Presbyterian Church of DeLand will celebrate three church historical and liturgical events on its “Last Sunday Single Service” at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary.

The church invites you to arrive a bit early to join in the commemorative “Kirkin’ of the Tartans,” with its music, banners and procession. The church marks this day to also recognize Reformation Sunday and All Saints Day.

Afterward you’re invited to join in the monthly potluck lunch in the fellowship hall for shepherd’s pie from the kitchen and side dishes from members to share. Whether or not you bring a dish, you’re invited to join everyone for fellowship and good food!

During the single service, Pastor Michael Bodger will teach through Matthew 22:36-46, taking this passage, also known as “The Greatest Commandment,” “Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as yourself.”

The threefold recognition this Sunday speaks directly to our seeking relationship with God, Self and Neighbor in order to thus do what the Lord God asks of us. We can do so only when we set aside all earthly things. But can we?

Pastor Bodger will ask listeners, “Can we set aside the differentiation between that on which the world focuses and form our relationship based purely on ‘the image of God’?” A challenge!

This coming week will see several important missions. On Saturday, Oct. 28, God’s Bathhouse will take place 9-11 a.m. to provide hot showers, clean clothing and towels, manna bags, and fellowship. Volunteers will meet in the courtyard to help.

Later on Thursday, Nov. 2, The Bridge will offer carryout dinners prepared by First Pres volunteers and free to all comers at The Neighborhood Center from 5 to 7 p.m. The menu will include chicken stroganoff and fixings.

Then Friday, Nov. 3, monthly bingo will run 7-8:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall for fun and friendly competition. People of all ages can share beverages, snacks and simple prizes during the free games.

— For church locations, worship times, group meetings and contact information, check out the Religion Directory on Page 2B. Send church news to margie@beacononlinenews.com.

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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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