Spiritual Side: Special candlelight service at Chess Park, Dec. 20

BEACON PHOTO/MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN
Practicing peace — Don Mainier, left, and his son Donald R. Mainier practice meditation, while M. Sekiyo Sullivan guides them, during the “Feed Your Mind - Feed Your Neighbor” 24-hour meditation retreat Nov. 23-24 in DeLand. The retreat was sponsored by the Volusia Buddhist Fellowship. The event offered participants information about the tenets of Buddhism, along with guided meditations. The workshop proceeds will go to The Neighborhood Center in DeLand.

By Margie Dykes
BEACON STAFF

posted Dec 15, 2012 - 6:55:58am

Community candlelight service

Canvas and First United Methodist Church of DeLand will host a Community Candlelight Service 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, at Chess Park, just east of the Volusia County Historic Courthouse, 125 W. New York Ave. in Downtown DeLand.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a bag of canned goods for charity. Seating is limited; bring blankets and chairs on which to sit. Hot chocolate and cider will be served.

Children’s choir performs

Children of David (COD), the children’s choir at First Assembly-DeLand, will present A King Is Coming to Town at the 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services Sunday, Dec. 16.

This musical focuses on the little town of Rumor’s Mill, USA, where the town has gathered in anticipation because of a sign declaring that “a King is coming to town.” Come and enjoy the fun as the townspeople, led by reporter Greta Van Popcorn, Mayor Big Wheel, Sheriff Badge and Barbara Booster, all weigh in on who this King might be.

The program is free. Call 386-736-2948 for more information.

Dr. Felty retires

Dr. David Felty, pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of DeLand, will retire from full-time ministry Dec. 31. The church will have a retirement reception for him after the 10:45 a.m. service Sunday, Dec. 23, which is open to visitors and community friends.

Dr. Felty has served First Christian in DeLand since 2010, bringing various programs that encouraged the congregation to examine their faith through house meetings, an early Sunday service “Coffee With God,” and regular Bible study.

A highlight of his DeLand ministry was mentoring James Shenko, who entered seminary as a Stephen from First Christian.

Previously, Dr. Felty served intentional interims and transitional ministries in Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Mississippi. After graduation from Lexington Theological Seminary, he served as pastor in

Wilmington, Ohio, and eventually served in higher education as a professor and campus minister.

Dr. Felty has been serving the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination for more than 40 years. He will be retiring to South Florida to be close to his mother.

The sermon for the 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. third Sunday in Advent services Sunday, Dec. 16, will be “Spiritual Horticulture.” The Advent wreath candle for Love will be lighted, and there will be open Communion at the end of the service.

The Disciple Women’s groups will have their annual Cookie Exchange at 3 p.m. Dec. 16 in the fellowship hall. They will also meet at 1 p.m. in the fellowship hall and at 7 p.m. in the library. This group is open to all women of the church. Ethel Bland, Martha Manley and Mary Martin will continue with the baby layette and health kits.

Christmas Eve service rehearsal will be 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, in the sanctuary.

Parents’ time out

Members of First Presbyterian Church of DeLand will offer parents a “Parents’ Time Out” noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, in the fellowship hall.

Bringing Christmas joy

Members of Christ United Fellowship will be offering a Praise and Worship service Thursday morning, Dec. 20, at an assisted-living nursing-care facility in Orange City. The group will be bringing joy, music and the Good News of Christmas to the residents. This is another Matthew 25:34 effort of Christ United Fellowship, an independent, Bible-based family of faith, founded this past September.

As listed in its mission statement, the church, pastored by the Rev. Dr. Austin Brinkerhoff, is seeking to glorify the God of the Bible through worship and service, 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.

Since September, the church has been active in the Operation Christmas Child shoe-box program, has provided bags of nonperishable food to The Neighborhood Center, has taken newspapers and blankets to the West Volusia Humane Society, has rung bells for the Salvation Army, and is partnering with the Angel Tree Project of Prison Fellowship.

Worship services are at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday at the Clarion Hotel, 350 E. International Speedway Blvd. in DeLand. Everyone is welcome!

If you would like to share some Christmas joy with a few elderly people, or if you would like more information about Christ United Fellowship, call the church at 386-523-6317.

Winter solstice

Dr. Robert Tucker will present a service titled “Winter Solstice: Sacred Traditions” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, at Mosaic Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Orange City.

The ancients considered the coming of the winter solstice as a time of hope, promise and new beginnings, and celebrated with prayer, feasting and gift-giving. Dr. Tucker’s sermon will survey many of the major pagan traditions that predated and led to Christianity’s celebration of Christmas.

A children’s program is offered during the service. For more information, visit www.mosaicuuc.org.

The church and the Volusia/Flagler Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union will present jointly a free and open-to-the-public viewing of the video Ten Rules for Dealing With the Police at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15.

The video includes commentary from an experienced defense attorney about strategies for dealing with the police during a traffic or other stop. These strategies allow the stopped person to demonstrate respect and support for the police, while safeguarding his or her civil rights under the Constitution. For more information, call 386-871-1398.

Christmas dinner

Church of the Holy Presence in DeLand will have its annual Christmas Dinner Buffet at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15.

Can utopias succeed?

Dr. Josh Rust will speak on “Utopianism and the Goal of World Community” at the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday, Dec. 16, at First Unitarian Universalist Church of West Volusia in DeLand.

Francis Fukuyama and many other authors have assumed that every attempt at utopia must end in dystopia. If Fukuyama is right, what are people to make of the UU’s idealistic sixth principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all? Are our aspirations overly utopian?

While there are good reasons to be skeptical of utopian thought, in his talk Dr. Rust will support certain kinds of utopianism and defend the spirit of the UU’s sixth principle.

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.

Women connecting

DeBary Women’s Connection Monthly Luncheon will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, at DeBary Golf & Country Club, 300 Plantation Club Drive. Participants will be served delicious food, share networking, and listen to a fun and inspirational program.

There will be a Holiday Fashion Show presented by Beall’s Florida, and Becky Bergue will present “Celebrate the Journey. Don’t Wait for the Destination.”

The club’s motto is “Connecting Women With God, Each Other, and Their Community.” All women are welcome. Admission costs $15, cash or check, at the door.

Call Katherine at 386-228-0030, or email debarywc@gmail.com for information and registration.

Re-enacting the birth of Christ

Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in DeLand is presenting a live re-enactment of the birth of Christ 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, and Saturday, Dec. 22, on the front lawn of the church. This event is sponsored by Faith Lutheran Church and DeLand Tractor Supply. All animals are provided by the Debbie and Ray Morris family. Members of Faith will be caroling in Downtown DeLand after the re-enactment Dec. 15. All are invited!

On Sunday, Dec. 16, there will not be an 8 a.m. worship service; however, the 9:30 a.m. contemporary service will go on as usual.

The 11 a.m. worship service will combine lessons from the Holy Bible with some of the most beloved Christmas carols of all time. There will be a potluck luncheon immediately afterward, so bring a dish to share!

Thursday, Dec. 20, is Faith Lutheran Day at Chili’s in DeLand. The restaurant will donate 10 percent of receipts to Faith’s Sunday-school fund. A coupon is required, and is available at the church office or on the website at www.FaithLutheranDeLand.org.

Lessons and carols

The Rev. Brian Garrison, rector of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in DeLand, invites the community to attend the annual Lessons and Carols Service at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16.

The St. Barnabas Choir, under the direction of Dr. Robert Rich and accompanied by Dr. Michael Rickman on the pipe organ, will provide music for the Advent and Christmas seasons for this evensong service.

Also featured will be Scripture readings, the Children’s Choir and Bell Choir, under the direction of Beverlee Hays, and the music of harpist Cameron Huster.

Children and choir perform

“Remembering the Night That Changed the World,” a program adapted from stories by Raney Good and Leigh Gregg, will be presented by the children, youth and choir during the 10:30 a.m. worship service Sunday, Dec. 16, at First Congregational United Church of Christ of Orange City.

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