DELAND QUAKERS TO GIVE AWAY BOOKS — For the second year in a row, the DeLand Quakers will be giving away books on Black history and by Black authors at the annual Juneteenth Celebration 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at the Wayne G. Sanborn Activity Center in Earl Brown Park. Showing some books, standing from the left, are Linda Gurney, Judith Baden, Bill Kwalwasser, Cindy Kwalwasser, Jim Cain, Cynthia Young, Carol Reed, Dan Vaughn and Kathy Stevens. Seated, from left, are Beeg Camarota, Susan Vaughn and Lynn Peterson. “Last year we gave away 400 books,” says Kathy Hersh, a member of the DeLand Quakers. “This year we’ve doubled that amount to 800, and we’re expanding our booth to include a read-aloud nook, with guest readers sharing their favorite books with children.” There will also be banned books to give away.
Vacation Bible School at Lake Helen Methodist
Vacation Bible School at Lake Helen Methodist Church will be 9 a.m.-noon Monday, June 17, through Friday, June 21, for children ages 5-12. Registration will be 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 1.
Vacation Bible School at Faith Lutheran
Faith Lutheran Church in DeLand is still taking registrations for its Vacation Bible School, with the theme of “Just Like Me” Garden Experience, which focuses on inclusiveness and respect for one another’s uniqueness. It is suitable for children from kindergarten on up and adults. Faith Lutheran says, “Dinners are on us!”
The program runs 5:30-8 p.m. June 24-28. Call 386-734-2791 to register.
1st Christian Church activities
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand is the site for two summer ministries. Starting Monday, June 3, through Friday, Aug. 9, a Summer Food Service Program is available for breakfast (8:15-8:45 a.m.) and lunch (noon-12:45 p.m.) for children up to age 18 or older if in a special-needs program.
The second ministry is hosting Temple Learning Center Summer Camp, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. June 3-Aug. 9, under the leadership of Voloria Manning. Campers must be registered with Volusia County prior to June 3 or come on-site prepared to pay appropriate registration fees.
An Adult Sunday School will be offered at 9:30 a.m. June 2-30, with the theme “Experiencing Hope.” It will cover Colossians, 2 Corinthians, Romans, Hebrews and Acts from the New Testament.
The church is hosting dinner at The Bridge at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 4.
At 3 p.m. each Monday, intercessory prayer is available in the church library.
The impermanence of nearly all things
Is there anything that is actually built to last? Or, are all things destined to crumble into ruins? If they are, is that really such a bad thing?
You’re encouraged to attend the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, June 2, at Unitarian Universalists of DeLand as Vicki Lester leads this service on coping with life’s many changes — both big and small. This topic will be explored with poetry, a musical performance by Mark Lester, and a unique video-game-inspired message (with a dash of Buddhism) from Mandy Hailstrom.
The congregation voted to change their name from First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia, but still meets at the same building, 116 S. Clara Ave. in DeLand.
Vicki Lester is a congregation member, an English teacher at Alee Academy High School, and a poet, writer, actor and comedian. Hailstrom is an imaginative sophomore, who loves art, writing, singing, dancing, acting, playing musical instruments and video games.
Unitarian Universalists are an inclusive, free-thinking, faith community, where all are welcome, as everyone learns and searches together for truth.
Music Makers weeklong camp in July
The Trinity United Methodist Church Music Makers will have a weeklong camp in July! Music Makers is a community children’s choir that prepares and presents children’s Christian musicals. The summer music-and-drama camp is for rising second- through fifth-graders.
This year will be a GLOW camp! That means we will be doing music with black light and other lighting specialties for a unique experience, while sharing how Jesus is the Light of the World. Camp will meet 5-7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, July 22-26. The musical will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday, July 26. Following the program, there will be a dessert bar for all!
The camp consists of music, crafts, a light dinner, games and recreation. Attendees will receive music and a camp T-shirt.
The cost is $25; there is a discount for multiple children from the same family. Scholarships are also available. Payment is due by the first day of camp. You may write a check, or electronic payment is available via our website. Choose Music Makers from the pull-down menu on the Give Online button.
The camp staff are background-checked and trained in child-protection policies.
Questions? Contact Conya Hartman at trinitymusic@trinitydeland.org or 386-734-4425. Visit the Music Maker page at www.trinitydeland.org to register. The deadline to register is Sunday, July 7.
‘Joys’
The congregation of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist this Sunday, June 2, will begin its “Summer Sharing” series of roundtable-style services. This week we are exploring the subject of “Joys.”
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. Facilitator Judy Raymond will guide everyone through the discussion.
The following are some questions to ponder before the gathering. What are three good things you can count on happening every day? What is something you take for granted that someone else is longing for? If you were unafraid, what is one thing you would ask for?
Bible study in the Glenwood
One of New Light Church Pastor Rick Chandler’s favorite made-up words is “Ignostic.” That is, to be ignorant of what the Bible really says and means. Sadly, many pick up theology from popular preachers, friends and information we put together ourselves. The outcome is that our scriptural knowledge is weak at best. The best way to learn what God is telling us, is for us to sit down with a teacher and learn verse by verse, in context, what is being said.
New Light has a Bible study at 6:15 p.m. each Tuesday, now just starting the letters of John. (Not to be confused with the Gospel of John.)
Have you ever wondered if there is proof that when you die you will go to Heaven? This and much more is revealed in this letter. In order to gain full knowledge of this subject, you must be patient, as our method of learning will be “inductive learning.”
The study is a combination of teaching led by the pastor with open questions and discussion. Bring your Bible, and notepaper if you want to take notes. The sessions will be a little less than one hour. Call Pastor Rick at 386-801-7979 with questions.
1st Church DeLand activities
As we begin the month of June, looking forward to summer vacation, First Church DeLand continues the series “Life in Six Words.” Pastor Mark Bitner’s sermon title this Sunday, June 2, is “Sins.”
It is not through our good works, nor our generosity to charity, but by God’s grace that we receive salvation. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10.
Bible study on Wednesday evenings has concluded for the summer and will resume in September.
In the way!
This Sunday, June 2, First Presbyterian Church of DeLand returns to three services, with Pastor Michael Bodger leading and teaching. The sermon “In the Way!” will follow a reading in Mark’s Gospel 2:23-3:6.
One Sabbath, when Jesus and his disciples attempt to help harvest grain, and Jesus heals a man with a shriveled hand, they are admonished for doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath — working. Jesus asks, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: To do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?”
This incident reveals the question, what do we allow to stand in our way when we hear the call to take action as disciples of Jesus? When it comes to giving glimpses of the Kingdom of God, what stands in our way? Excuses, rational thought, protocol, busyness? Pastor Bodger will address how we might move past such obstacles.
First Pres has opened registration for “A Focus on Spiritual Practices,” a group study beginning Wednesday, June 12, for six sessions, and will focus on growth in personal and group worship.
Families can register children who are entering kindergarten through fifth grade for the annual Vacation Bible School. Beginning on July 22, VBS will extend through July 26 from 9 a.m. till noon. Trained teachers will lead youngsters to explore the exciting theme “Scuba Diving Into Friendship With God!”
