Macedonia Missionary Baptist to celebrate 100th anniversary
Another of our local churches will soon celebrate its long history. Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in DeLand will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a “Family and Friends Day” beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16. The Rev. James Wilson will speak, and the congregation of Bethlehem Baptist Church in DeLeon Springs will be guests.
Festivities continue into March, with a dinner at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 22, followed by the Rev. Dr. Troy A. Bradley speaking and the congregation of Greater Union First Baptist Church of DeLand as guests at the 3 p.m. Sunday, March 23, service.
DeLand Quakers’ activities
The DeLand Quakers (American Religious Society of Friends) meet at 10:30 a.m. Sundays for silent worship with messages, and at 7 p.m. Tuesdays over Zoom to hear presentations and discuss current issues.
On Saturday, Feb. 15, the group will participate in the “Love is Love Pride Festival” in Downtown DeLand to give away banned books and speak with anyone interested in inclusion and Quakers.
At 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, DeLand Friends will join the West Volusia Historical Society for a discussion about segregation in DeLand, past and present, presented by retired DeLand High School Principal Al Bouie.
At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, DeLand Quakers will join the nationwide meeting of the Friends Committee on National Legislation on the rights of immigrants.
DeLand Quakers are extremely active in the local community, giving away more than 700 banned books at the MLK Festival Jan. 20, after proudly marching in the MLK Parade, joining more than 600 Friends Jan. 28 on a Zoom meeting with the Friends Committee on National Legislation, and protesting Feb. 1 on the corner of Woodland and International Speedway boulevards in support of the local immigrant population.
For more information about these events or the DeLand Quakers, email delandquakers@gmail.com, or call 386-337-5204.
Mardi Gras Bunco at St. Ann’s on March 1
The Council of Catholic Women of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in DeBary is hosting Mardi Gras Bunco at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 1. Doors open at 4:45 p.m., and all proceeds will benefit CCW’s charity groups and projects.
There will be drawings for Vera Bradley items, a 50/50, and more; deli subs, salad, drinks and desserts will be for sale. Tickets cost $15, and will be sold Feb. 22 and 23 after Masses, and at the door; however, ticket sales are limited to 60, so buy them early.
Women’s Conference at New Hope Church on March 8
Save the date: New Hope Church in Deltona is hosting the “Grace to Live By Women’s Conference 2025: Beauties In Blazers” beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 8. The event will inspire and empower attendees to celebrate the strength, dignity and joy of women.
This year’s theme, “Beauties in Blazers,” is inspired by Proverbs 31:25: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
The conference features dynamic speakers, interactive breakout sessions, and engaging activities.
Come dressed in your most unique blazer, and connect with like-minded women who are ready to inspire, encourage and empower one another.
The cost is $35. Register at https://form.jotform.com/janaeponder/grace-to-live-by-womens-conference.
Strawberry Festival at St. Jude’s Episcopal March 8
St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Orange City is putting out a call to arts and crafters and local businesses who would like a table at its annual Strawberry Festival 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 8.
The church will not provide tables; food is not to be sold at the table unless it is packaged for home use. The space is 10 feet by 10 feet. Each space costs $35. Register and pay at www.stjudescentralflorida.org/events.
Reception
On Sunday, Feb. 16, at First Presbyterian Church of DeLand, Senior Pastor Michael Bodger will continue teaching about the Apostle Paul’s letter to the fledgling church he founded in Corinth.
Reading from 1 Corinthians 15:12-21, he will address questions surrounding the Resurrection raised by some Corinthian Church members.
Food distribution this Saturday, Feb. 15, begins at 9 a.m. and continues until the supplies from Farm Share run out. Line up in the church parking entrance on West Pennsylvania Avenue for First Pres volunteers to place boxes in your vehicle. A box of fresh and canned food will feed a family of four for a week.
A new “reaching in” opportunity “Acts 2:46 Gathering” begins 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19. This initial meeting over dinner will form small groups to meet monthly to grow relationships and to strengthen the First Pres community.
Freedom to read — defending access in public schools
Banned books are an issue here and now in Volusia County schools. The current administration and board haven’t
solved the problem.
With that in mind, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of
Ormond Beach will have a panel discussion 7:30-8:15 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, followed by a question-and-answer session that will explore how we got here and what can be done now. This
program is part of the Ormond Beach Area Democratic Club’s monthly meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m.
Panelists include moderator Laurel Robinson, cofounder of Citizens for Truth and Justice in Education; former School Board Member Carl Persis (2016-24); Rayna Dunlop, parent and owner of Fern & Fable Books; Christine Cyrier, parent and certified media specialist; and retired public school teacher Pam Crowell.
There is no charge to attend.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ormond Beach is at 56 N. Halifax Drive.
‘When You Want to Give Up’
First Church DeLand continues the sermon series “Pre-Decide.” Pastor Mark Bitner’s sermon title for the Sunday, Feb. 16, service is “When You Want to Give Up.”
Haven’t we all been through a season where we wanted to give up? The job or a college course is too difficult; you can’t cook a tasty meal; no one is listening to you. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” When we feel as if we will never get it right, that’s the time to turn to God in prayer.
First Church DeLand is giving out free mobile meals on the last Saturday of each month, starting at 4 p.m. These are for anyone and are available outside behind the church kitchen in the parking lot between East Georgia and South Alabama avenues. Anyone wanting a meal can either drive by or walk up.
Save the date for a communitywide Baby Shower 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 8, outside, weather permitting. Otherwise, the shower will be inside. Representatives will be available from various organizations to assist moms-to-be.
Jim Crow and the back of the bus
At the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, Feb. 16, the Unitarian Universalists of DeLand present Yale Devereau as he talks about his experience as an African American, the Jim Crow era of African American history, and riding in the back of the bus.
Devereau grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, in the 1950s and ’60s. He earned a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from California State University at Los Angeles. After graduating from college, he realized how little he knew about African American history. After much research, he became knowledgeable on the subject.
Unitarian Universalists are an inclusive, freethinking, faith community, where all are welcome as everyone learns and searches together for truth.
The DeLand Quakers and UU DeLand are co-sponsoring a return engagement of Tom Neilson at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Unitarian church. Neilson is well-known in folk-singing circles for his biting social commentary and brilliant lyrics. A Quaker who worked in international development for the United Nations, his songs tell stories of his life as a farm boy in upstate New York and as a peace activist as an adult.
1st Christian Church activities
The Rev. Carlos Perez invites Sunday worshippers and those searching to First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand for the 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, service. The sermon will be “Faithful Relations” from Matthew 5:27-32, part of “The Way of Jesus” series. A special offering for the Week of Compassion will be collected during the service, which enables Disciples to respond to a disaster when it occurs, with emergency supplies, water, shelter and food.
First Christian Church is appreciative of the support the community gave to the annual Trash and Treasure Sale. The Disciple Women will meet at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, to determine how the proceeds will be distributed for camp scholarships and nonprofits in the community.
The Feb. 14 and 28 bingo proceeds will go to The Bridge Homeless Shelter in DeLand.
First Christian provides the First Tuesday evening meal, assistance with Thursday showers and, under Marge Jones’ leadership, special activities in the afternoon twice a month.
‘Inclusion Without Exclusion’
The congregation of Mosaic Unitarian Universalist meets online at 11 a.m. every Sunday. The Feb. 16 service is titled “Inclusion Without Exclusion.”
UUs are constantly striving to make our beloved communities into sanctuaries of love and inclusion for all those who are seeking it. How do we avoid falling into the trap of trying to be so inclusive that we inadvertently end up excluding others at the same time?
