Spiritual Side: Community is invited to Thanksgiving dinner

PHOTO COURTESY BOB BEBEE
Blessed — Pastor Art Wuertz of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in DeLand blesses Shadow, a 6-month-old puppy, at the church’s Blessing of the Animals service Nov. 7. Among the animals blessed was a 21-year-old cat.

By Margie Dykes
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Nov 17, 2012 - 7:06:53am

Thanksgiving dinner and service

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in DeLand invites the community to Thanksgiving dinner 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, in the Canterbury House.

A Thanksgiving Service of Holy Eucharist will follow at 6:15 p.m. in the church.

A new church welcomes worshippers

A new church, Christ United Fellowship, has begun meeting for Sunday worship services at the Clarion Hotel. This is an independent, Bible-based family of faith pastored by the Rev. Dr. Austin Brinkerhoff. Dr. Brinkerhoff has served in Presbyterian (USA) churches for more than 20 years.

Members of this new church have come from various Presbyterian churches in the area in response to continuing moves by the Presbyterian Church (USA) to take a more liberal view of the meaning and authority of the Bible. Members of Christ United Fellowship hold to a historically traditional view of the Scriptures.

The mission of the church is to worship and serve the God of the Bible, and, motivated by the love of God, to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in order to bring people to salvation and meet human needs in His name.

The congregation welcomes everyone, regardless of denominational affiliation or no affiliation at all.

Each Sunday, Sunday school is at 9 a.m.; fellowship is 10-10:30 a.m.; worship is 10:30-11:30 a.m., with fellowship following.

The Clarion Hotel is at 350 E. International Speedway Blvd. in DeLand.

Donations sought

It’s Undies Sunday again Nov. 18 at First United Methodist Church of DeLand. Donations of clean underwear and socks will be collected at all services, which will be used by the Tuesday-afternoon Mercy Hour guests following their showers. Briefs and boxers in all sizes for men are accepted, but large and extra-large sizes are preferred. All sizes of ladies underwear are accepted. In addition to the shower and clean clothes, Mercy Hour guests receive a warm welcome, a light snack, and spiritual comfort and Bible study.

The United Methodist Women will have their unit luncheon and meeting at noon Monday, Nov. 26. Pastor Ben Collins, the new extension minister, will address the group about the activities and progress of this new ministry. All are welcome to attend. Call President Alma Smith through the church office for more information.

One of the most enjoyable activities of the year is coming up Dec. 5 — the Mission Dessert Auction, which will follow the regular Wednesday-night Impact dinner. Kenny Dayton will be the auctioneer.

For more information, call the church office at 386-734-5113.

Navajo ethics

The Rev. Robert P. Tucker will speak on “Navajo Ethics” at the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, Nov. 18, at First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand.

In his sermon, Dr. Tucker will expose the weaknesses of traditional Western, Bible-based ethics when it comes to ecological issues, and he will point out the strengths of such nontraditional ethical systems as that of the Navajos.

Religious education for children of all ages is provided during the service.

For more information about the church, visit www.uudeland.org or call 386-734-6499. To learn more about Unitarian Universalism, visit www.uua.org.

Stone Soup Sunday

On Sunday, Nov. 18, Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation will celebrate “Stone Soup Sunday” at its 10:30 a.m. service. This annual Mosaic tradition, based on an old folk story in which hungry strangers persuade villagers to share their food, is held as a lesson in cooperation, generosity, gratitude, and the joy of giving. The story was the basis of a 1947 children’s book called Stone Soup by Marcia Brown, for which she won a Caldecott Medal. It has remained one of Brown’s most popular and enduring books.

Members of the congregation will bring various offerings of vegetables and herbs to turn the stone-soup broth into a vegetarian meal to be shared after the service by all in attendance. Liz Schumaker will lead the service, during which anyone who wishes may share a few words of gratitude. Everyone is welcome — for the service and to enjoy the stone-soup meal after the service. For more information, visit www.mosaicuuc.org or call 386-228-3130.

Also, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, the Mosaic community will hold a Rummage Sale in the fellowship hall, 1725 S. Volusia Ave. in Orange City.

Activities at Glenwood Presbyterian

Children will be participating in the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services Sunday, Nov. 18, at Glenwood Presbyterian Church.

In addition, a congregational meeting is planned for 12:15 p.m. Nov. 18. The congregation will elect new officers (elders and deacons).

Monday-night Bible Study takes place at 5 p.m. each week. Libby Lusk leads the group on the first and third weeks in the parlor, and Andrew Gilhooley leads the second and fourth weeks in the sanctuary.

‘Feed Your Mind, Feed Your Neighbor’

Volusia Buddhist Fellowship presents “Feed Your Mind, Feed Your Neighbor,” a 24-hour meditation retreat about Buddhism and living the spiritual life, at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 23, through 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, on Artisan Alley behind The Beacon office. Admission is a donation of nonperishable food items to benefit The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia.

Than Chaokhun Sunan Phra Vijitrdhammapani, abbot of the Chaokhun Florida Dhammaran, will lead opening services, which will be followed by a talk on “Generosity as a Spiritual Practice.”

M. Sekiyo Sullivan will lead meditation instruction 10 a.m. Friday through 8 a.m. Saturday.

During Friday afternoon, there will be a talk on “Life Is Too Serious to Take Too Seriously” and “Eat. Pray. Love,” while Friday evening, there will be a talk about “Buddhism and Enlightenment,” and, at midnight, there will be a talk about Hungry Ghosts by Michelle Jouyo, and “Fire and Brimstone.”

Overnight, participants will join in silent walking and sitting meditations.

Ven. Khai Thien, abbot of the White Sands Buddhist Center, will lead the closing service Saturday.

There will be breaks as needed, and participants are encouraged to bring something comfortable on which to sit.

For a detailed schedule, visit www.volusiabuddhist.org, and for more information, call 386-738-3715.

Birth pangs

Dr. David Felty, pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand, will have “Birth Pangs” as his sermon topic for Sunday, Nov. 18.

Operation Christmas Child Boxes will be dedicated at the 10:45 a.m. service and then delivered to First Baptist Church of DeLand later in the day.

The congregational meeting will follow the 10:45 a.m. service.

A traditional Thanksgiving dinner will be at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, in the fellowship hall. Those attending are asked to bring a covered dish. Turkey, dressing, gravy, rolls and drinks will be provided.

There will be no youth meeting Wednesday, Nov. 21.

Christmas Shoppe

Orange City United Methodist Church will have its Christmas Shoppe open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, and Saturday, Nov. 17.

For sale will be handmade Christmas décor, gifts and baked goods. A reasonably priced lunch will be available for purchase 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

For more information, call 386-775-3068.

Successful Fall Festival

Trinity United Methodist Church in DeLand thanks the community for its great support at its Fall Festival.

Almost $11,000 was raised this year, and will be distributed to Faith in Action and Christ’s Closet, youth scholarships and youth missions, the Wesley House, the Pierson Pharmacy, Community Family Renew, the Christian Appalachian Project, Sam’s Fill-a-Box, and Good Samaritan Health Clinic in DeLand.

— We value your religious group’s news items. Please submit information one week before the publication date by fax at 386-734-4641 or by email at margie@beacononlinenews.com.

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