1st Christian hosts meal at The Bridge on first Tuesdays
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand is hosting the meal at The Bridge shelter at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7.
Thank you to AdventHealth Fish Memorial for assisting each month with this meal. Others who assist each first Tuesday are Sue Brague, Jen Brennan, Greg and Jessica Carroll, Vicki Dean, Dusty Going, Liz Kowalski and Ann Short.
First Christian Church invites any organizations considering this as a project in 2025 to join them. The Bridge welcomes groups to take one night a month to serve their residents and others in the community who need an inviting meal. First Christian has had the “First Tuesday” as a continuous project since 2000, and feels blessed to serve.
What kind of kindness?
“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness,” says the Dalai Lama. Albert Schweitzer seems to agree: “As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust and hostility to evaporate.”
These are beautiful sentiments, for sure. And yet, in these complicated times, what can we realistically hope to accomplish with such simple, random acts? Come to the Unitarian Universalists of DeLand’s service Sunday, Jan. 5, to enjoy beloved Service Leader Cheryl Kellogg, who will read the Rev. Axel Gehrmann’s sermon.
Gehrmann is a native of Germany and a lifelong Unitarian Universalist who has divinity degrees from Starr King School for the Ministry and Meadville Lombard Theological School. He currently co-ministers with his wife at the UU Church of the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel, California.
This little light of mine
On Sunday, Jan. 5, Associate Pastor Cassandra Riker of First Presbyterian Church of DeLand will talk about “This Little Light of Mine.” The birth of Jesus brought, under the star of wonder, the light of God’s son to this world. Even though He ascended, we carry that light in everything we do! Do our lights shimmer?
On the first Thursday and first Friday of each month, First Pres hosts two events. Today, Thursday, Jan. 2, was the day First Pres invited hungry friends to The Bridge at The Neighborhood Center to share a free substantial meal and fellowship 5-7 p.m. Also, friendly and fun free bingo for all the family is 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, where friendly competition provides delightfully fun prizes and snacks.
With the new year, First Pres invites you to engage in many opportunities for education, discussions, studies and camaraderie. Explore the website, Facebook, literature at services, and publicity, and talk to members to find a good niche.
Looking forward, there will not be a Second Wednesday Cookout this month! Change your plans and enjoy the Second Wednesday Coffee Club 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8. No need to bring anything to share, as the church kitchen will provide doughnuts for all to enjoy. We will engage in friendly conversations about the many holiday memories from 2024 and much more! This invitation goes out to all members and friends.
2025’s January Pop-Up on Tuesday, the 14, starts at 8:30 a.m. at breakfast at Perkins Restaurant on North Woodland Boulevard. There is a cost associated with this meeting.
The next God’s Bathhouse will open at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, in the courtyard, to provide the needy with private showers, fresh clothing, snacks and companionship.
‘White Stone Meditation’
The congregation of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist meets online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The Jan. 5 service is titled “White Stone Meditation.”
Join the Rev. Dr. Tracie Barrett as Mosaic starts the new year letting go of things we don’t need to carry forward and finding our own word to guide us for the new year. If possible, bring a light-colored stone that can be written on with a marker (or a stone that you can hold and a piece of paper to write on). Jane Bradford will be the service leader. Everyone is welcome!
‘Take Back Your Life’
First Church DeLand begins this new year with the series “Pre-Decide” Sunday, Jan. 5. Pastor Mark Bitner will have as his sermon title “Take Back Your Life.”
Have you ever had someone suggest that you get your act together? Or get hold of yourself? This suggestion would indicate that you are walking down the wrong side of the path, the side with the thorns, holes and temptations. It may be obvious to everyone that your life has gone amiss. How did this happen?
Humans have human emotions. We are easily led to the next new shiny thing, and onto the next, over and over. But we have the power of choice. We can stop chasing shiny objects of no value. We can turn away from the false glitter to the real gold — the gold that Jesus offers all of us.
