Pentecost Sunday:
In our lectionary reading for Pentecost Sunday, we'll hear the story of how the Spirit of God set the hearts and minds of the first disciples on fire. This very same Spirit is alive today, but how do we kindle its spark within ourselves and fan its flames in one another? Tune in to our Pentecost service this Sunday, as we celebrate the Holy Spirit, alive and aflame in our hearts.
Message: Pastor Sal. Reader: Stan Greene. Music: Peter Black and Elizabeth Estes. Tune in on Sunday at 10 AM via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or here on our website. 
For many years now, Pentecost is the Sunday we all come to church wearing red for our annual group photo. Though we are unable to do that this year, we would love it if you'd take a photo of yourself wearing red as you watch the Pentecost service from home this Sunday, and then email it to us at OnlineChurch@DouglasUCC.org, so that we can compile them together.
Watch Last Sunday's Service:
Thank you to all who tuned in last Sunday for our Video Worship Service. We had hundreds of people watching and commenting from all over the world last Sunday morning, even from places as far away as Australia and the UK! If you missed the service, you can watch it here.
Should Churches Return to Worship
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Financial Stewardship
May 17
Attendance for Online Services: 634
Weekly Online Giving: $2,568.76
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service. Please consider giving online, which is easily done by clicking ONLINE GIVING.
Or you may send checks by mail to:
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
56 Wall Street, PO Box 519
Douglas, MI 49406
Attendance for Online Services: 634
Weekly Online Giving: $2,568.76
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service. Please consider giving online, which is easily done by clicking ONLINE GIVING.
Or you may send checks by mail to:
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
56 Wall Street, PO Box 519
Douglas, MI 49406
In Sunday's Gospel, Jesus assures the disciples that he will be with them always and in all ways. He says he will send an advocate who will abide with us and be in us. Who or what is this advocate? Join us online this Sunday for our "Video Worship Service," as we explore this Spirit of Truth together. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Stan Greene.
Tune in on Sunday at 10 AM via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or here on our website.
Click below to download the sheet music for Sunday's hymns:
Tune in on Sunday at 10 AM via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or here on our website.
Click below to download the sheet music for Sunday's hymns:
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It is with deep sadness that we share the news that our Douglas UCC church member,
Jim Lemons, passed away on Tuesday morning. He made a peaceful transition at home in the company of family and loved ones. Pastor Sal visited and prayed with Jim the day before he died. A memorial service will be held at a future date. We hold the entire Lemons family in our hearts and prayers. Cards of condolence can be sent to 707 Lake Street, Saugatuck, MI 49453.
Jim Lemons, passed away on Tuesday morning. He made a peaceful transition at home in the company of family and loved ones. Pastor Sal visited and prayed with Jim the day before he died. A memorial service will be held at a future date. We hold the entire Lemons family in our hearts and prayers. Cards of condolence can be sent to 707 Lake Street, Saugatuck, MI 49453.
Watch Last Sunday's Service:
Thank you to all who tuned in last Sunday for our Video Worship Service. Thank you to our reader, Kathleen Mueller, who joined us from a beautiful outdoor spot in Douglas; to Peter Black for providing the music from his home in Grand Rapids; to Gloria Larrieu for singing a beautiful song for us from her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico; and to Gregg Smith for recording and editing. If you missed the service, you can watch it here.
Pastor Sal's Newest Book!
We are so very proud of our Pastor Sal on the release of his newest book, Childish Thinking: How the Church Keeps Us Stuck in Sunday School. The book is available now on Amazon.
Learn more by watching the short video above or visit www.ChildishThinking.faith.
Learn more by watching the short video above or visit www.ChildishThinking.faith.
Friendship Hall Roundup:
- Check out the memorial garden and church grounds in the video above. Spring is doing its work, and the place is lovely.
- Hannah Huggett and Gigi Babel are hard at work on two projects with their new initiative, the West Michigan Mutual Aid Network, a program they began to help neighbors help neighbors. They need your help with two drives: Project Fun and Project M.A.S.K. Click this link to learn about the projects and how you can help.
- This Friday! May 15 at 7p.m., tune in on our Facebook page or YouTube channel for the online concert, United in Song: Music of Hope and Inspiration, a fundraiser for Christian Neighbors. More than sixteen of our own church musicians and friends are performing from their homes! Please share the news with your friends and family, on your Facebook page, with your clubs and social groups. It's such a great cause and promises to be a great concert.
- Ann Hopkins asked if we can post the Progressive Church "8-points" that Pastor Sal talked about in his last homily, and here is a link to the 8 points. You can always find it again from the "About Us" page on our website.
- Stan Greene shared the CDC guidelines that have been out of reach for so many. Please review them to help you make decisions for yourself about when and whether to reengage activity in your work and home life: CDC Guidelines
You can listen to all of Pastor Sal's messages and meditations on our "Messages from Douglas UCC" podcast. You can listen on Google Play, Apple Music, Spotify, or you can ask Alexa, "Alexa, play the podcast, 'Messages from Douglas UCC'." Thank you to our church member, Chris Clark, for continuing to update the podcast for us.
Help Us Help You
Your Church is working hard to provide for our community and our spirit
during this pandemic, continuing to do our peace and justice work.
Without a Sunday collection plate, we are asking church members and friends
to consider adopting a new habit of giving to the church: either online or by mail.
It's so easy to give online from our website. Just click here.
Or please consider mailing a check to:
Douglas UCC, 56 Wall Street, PO Box 519, Douglas, MI 49406.
We are so very grateful for your continued support of our church, especially during this time.
during this pandemic, continuing to do our peace and justice work.
Without a Sunday collection plate, we are asking church members and friends
to consider adopting a new habit of giving to the church: either online or by mail.
It's so easy to give online from our website. Just click here.
Or please consider mailing a check to:
Douglas UCC, 56 Wall Street, PO Box 519, Douglas, MI 49406.
We are so very grateful for your continued support of our church, especially during this time.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
May 18- Sue Fleming, 19- Jack Hartman, 20- Mary Westenbroek, 21- John Fleming, 22- Mark Zancanaro, 24- Ron Beisel
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can continue to reach out to one another during this time. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory. If you don't have a directory, please let us know and we will email one to you.
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can continue to reach out to one another during this time. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory. If you don't have a directory, please let us know and we will email one to you.
Prayer List
Bob Donohue (Jack and Peg Donohue's brother); The family of Jim Lemons; Philip Raywood; Jack Ridl; Ted Sommer; Molly Gaspar (Mike Valdez' sister); Phyllis Wallis (Kathy Austin's mother); Kristen Molitor (Ann Hopkins' daughter); John Willming; Drew Carter; Ferman Sims (father of Duce Sims); Howard McLauchlan (brother-in-law of Dale and Ted); Jeff Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Marcia Sullivan (Jo Cooley's friend), Len Lynch (Kathleen Mueller's brother); Curtis Coffin (Marty Coffin's brother).
Our educators, the caregivers and patients at Mary Freebed Hospital and on the U.S.S. Comfort, and in all of our hospitals and care centers during this Covid-19 pandemic. For the researchers and scientists working on effective tests and treatments for Covid-19. For the leaders and volunteers in every state and city who are stepping up to take care of people every day.
All in the military and their families. All who are homeless or addicted or abused or neglected or rejected or hungry; The UCC; the Grand West Association; our Church Council; our Stephen Ministers; our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet.
To add/remove a name from the Prayer List, please email julie (at) douglasucc.org
Our educators, the caregivers and patients at Mary Freebed Hospital and on the U.S.S. Comfort, and in all of our hospitals and care centers during this Covid-19 pandemic. For the researchers and scientists working on effective tests and treatments for Covid-19. For the leaders and volunteers in every state and city who are stepping up to take care of people every day.
All in the military and their families. All who are homeless or addicted or abused or neglected or rejected or hungry; The UCC; the Grand West Association; our Church Council; our Stephen Ministers; our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet.
To add/remove a name from the Prayer List, please email julie (at) douglasucc.org
Financial Stewardship
May 10
Attendance for Online Service: 573
Weekly Online Giving: $2,807.13
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service. Please consider giving online, which is easily done by clicking ONLINE GIVING.
Or you may send checks by mail to:
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
56 Wall Street, PO Box 519
Douglas, MI 49406
Attendance for Online Service: 573
Weekly Online Giving: $2,807.13
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service. Please consider giving online, which is easily done by clicking ONLINE GIVING.
Or you may send checks by mail to:
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
56 Wall Street, PO Box 519
Douglas, MI 49406
Mother's Day Sunday:
Join us online this Sunday at 10 AM for our Video Worship Service, as we celebrate Mother's Day in word and in song. Pastor Sal will also be giving an inspiring message on John 14:1-14, and there will be uplifting music from Peter Black and Gloria Larrieu.
Tune in on Sunday at 10 AM via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or here on ourwebsite.
Click below to download the sheet music for Sunday's hymns:
Tune in on Sunday at 10 AM via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or here on ourwebsite.
Click below to download the sheet music for Sunday's hymns:
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Staying Together: Online Friendship Hall
Online Friendship Hall is where we gather with Pastor Sal after Online Service on Sundays to catch up on our work, share Joys and Concerns, share appreciation for online service, and learn coping skills from one another. Pictured above, Sue Scott and Larry Fuerst, left, and Pamela Chappell and Pete Wehle, right, are missing our acolytes, so have added candle lighting to their practice as they watch church services on Sunday. We hope you can join us after 10a.m. service for community time at 11a.m. Look for the link on Friday morning in your inbox. And if you don't see your invitation there, please contact us at OnlineChurch@douglasucc.org.
Watch Last Sunday's Service:
Thank you to all who tuned in last Sunday for our Video Worship Service. Thank you to our reader, Robert Trenary, who joined us from his home; to Peter Black and Nancy Plantinga for providing the music from their homes; and to Gregg Smith for recording and editing. If you missed the service, you can watch it here.
What the World Needs Now: Lovingkindness
Here's a way to literally put more love into the world: Watch as Pastor Sal leads us in a
5-minute "Lovingkindness" Meditation that is easy to learn and practice.
5-minute "Lovingkindness" Meditation that is easy to learn and practice.
SAVE-the-DATE: Join us online on Friday, May 15, at 7 PM, for "United in Song: Music of Hope and Inspiration," a free Video Concert from our Douglas UCC Musicians.
UCC "Peace" & "Love" Face Masks:
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The UCC is selling "Peace" and "Love" face masks with the UCC logo and URL on them. Proceeds from sales support the mission of the United Church of Christ and fund the National Setting’s ability to continue to respond to the ongoing needs of the church in these times of pandemic. Masks are $7.99 and can be purchased at UCC Face Masks.
Heard in Online Friendship Hall:
Pastor Sal reported that Being the Church is definitely not canceled! Our church groups and committees are continuing to work through video conferencing and emails. If you have questions about connecting with one of the work groups or teams, write to us at welcome@douglasucc.org.
Demethrea Terrien reported that the Tri-Government Recycling Committee is hard at work, (including church members Demethrea, Garnet Lewis, Cathy North, and Hannah Huggett), looking for recycling solutions to meet recent recycling challenges for our region. If you have ideas or questions, reach out to the committee members.
Ruth VandenBosch reported that Douglas Upholsterer Yvonne Dirkse has shifted her work to making $3 masks, all day long in her studio. She has made more than 1,000 so far, and has a two-week backlog of orders. She takes donations of clean, sturdy cotton clothing and sheets, t-shirts and 1/4" elastic. If you would like to connect with her to place an order or make a donation, email Julie, and she'll share ordering information.
Jim and Ann Hopkins wanted to thank everyone who sent them cards and notes. Getting a little love in the mail has been such a highlight for them during this time. Thank you!
Kudos to Sue Scott and Larry Fuerst for checking the DUCC campus refrigerators and cupboards for any food that may not be aging well...
Your prayers and good wishes have been answered for Linda Charvat, pictured above, who is back at work with her wholesale customers returning, employees working, and orders going out. Her farm, Rosebay Nursery, did very well over the winter and cool spring, and she so appreciates all the love and support from her Douglas UCC friends!
And Carol Brown and Dan McGavin reported that their lavender at Summerhouse Lavender Farm overwintered very well, and Dan's granddaughter will soon be taking on management of the farm. They are thinking through how to safely open for customers this summer.
Dennis Konarski reports a wonderful experience with telemedicine with his doctor and pharmacist this past week. He reported how heartening it is that our medical teams are adapting to serve us at this time. And he encourages you to go ahead and ask for help. Our healthcare providers are ready to serve, safely.
Stan Greene guided us to reframe our thinking in response to this time of physical separation. Instead of seeing it as a barrier in our lives, consider the opportunities it gives us to take down old barriers, establish new paths.
We'd love to hear from you in our Online Friendship Hall, which starts at 11 am each Sunday. If you are having a hard time connecting, contact us at OnlineChurch@douglasucc.org so we can fix that for you! Or write to us if you have news to share but can't join us at this time.
Demethrea Terrien reported that the Tri-Government Recycling Committee is hard at work, (including church members Demethrea, Garnet Lewis, Cathy North, and Hannah Huggett), looking for recycling solutions to meet recent recycling challenges for our region. If you have ideas or questions, reach out to the committee members.
Ruth VandenBosch reported that Douglas Upholsterer Yvonne Dirkse has shifted her work to making $3 masks, all day long in her studio. She has made more than 1,000 so far, and has a two-week backlog of orders. She takes donations of clean, sturdy cotton clothing and sheets, t-shirts and 1/4" elastic. If you would like to connect with her to place an order or make a donation, email Julie, and she'll share ordering information.
Jim and Ann Hopkins wanted to thank everyone who sent them cards and notes. Getting a little love in the mail has been such a highlight for them during this time. Thank you!
Kudos to Sue Scott and Larry Fuerst for checking the DUCC campus refrigerators and cupboards for any food that may not be aging well...
Your prayers and good wishes have been answered for Linda Charvat, pictured above, who is back at work with her wholesale customers returning, employees working, and orders going out. Her farm, Rosebay Nursery, did very well over the winter and cool spring, and she so appreciates all the love and support from her Douglas UCC friends!
And Carol Brown and Dan McGavin reported that their lavender at Summerhouse Lavender Farm overwintered very well, and Dan's granddaughter will soon be taking on management of the farm. They are thinking through how to safely open for customers this summer.
Dennis Konarski reports a wonderful experience with telemedicine with his doctor and pharmacist this past week. He reported how heartening it is that our medical teams are adapting to serve us at this time. And he encourages you to go ahead and ask for help. Our healthcare providers are ready to serve, safely.
Stan Greene guided us to reframe our thinking in response to this time of physical separation. Instead of seeing it as a barrier in our lives, consider the opportunities it gives us to take down old barriers, establish new paths.
We'd love to hear from you in our Online Friendship Hall, which starts at 11 am each Sunday. If you are having a hard time connecting, contact us at OnlineChurch@douglasucc.org so we can fix that for you! Or write to us if you have news to share but can't join us at this time.
A Letter from our UCC Executive Officers:
This week, the Executive Officers of the United Church of Christ urged all of our churches to continue with Virtual Worship and not rush back into gathering at church. You can read their letter here. Also, read the article: "Churches should NOT be the first to reopen."
Help us help you...
Your Church is working hard to provide for our community and our spirit
during this pandemic, continuing to do our peace and justice work.
Without a Sunday collection plate, we are asking church members and friends
to consider adopting a new habit of giving to the church: either online or by mail.
It's so easy to give online from our website. Just click here.
Or please consider mailing a check to:
Douglas UCC, 56 Wall Street, PO Box 519, Douglas, MI 49406.
We are so very grateful for your continued support of our church, especially during this time.
during this pandemic, continuing to do our peace and justice work.
Without a Sunday collection plate, we are asking church members and friends
to consider adopting a new habit of giving to the church: either online or by mail.
It's so easy to give online from our website. Just click here.
Or please consider mailing a check to:
Douglas UCC, 56 Wall Street, PO Box 519, Douglas, MI 49406.
We are so very grateful for your continued support of our church, especially during this time.
Happy Birthdays and Anniversaries
May 11- Debra Carr, Jane & Jerry Coates, Ruth VandenBosch
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can continue to reach out to one another during this time. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory. If you don't have a directory, please let us know and we will email one to you.
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can continue to reach out to one another during this time. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory. If you don't have a directory, please let us know and we will email one to you.
Prayer List
Ted Sommer, Molly Gaspar (Mike Valdez' sister); Phyllis Wallis (Kathy Austin's mother); Kristen Molitor (Ann Hopkins' daughter); Jim Lemons; John Willming; Drew Carter; Ferman Sims (father of Duce Sims); Howard McLauchlan (brother-in-law of Dale and Ted); Jeff Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Marcia Sullivan (Jo Cooley's friend), Len Lynch (Kathleen Mueller's brother); Curtis Coffin (Marty Coffin's brother).
Our educators, the caregivers and patients at Mary Freebed Hospital and on the U.S.S. Comfort, and in all of our hospitals and care centers during this Covid-19 pandemic. For the leaders and volunteers in every state and city who are stepping up to take care of people every day.
All in the military and their families. All who are homeless or addicted or abused or neglected or rejected or hungry; The UCC; the Grand West Association; our Church Council; our Stephen Ministers; our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet.
To add/remove a name from the Prayer List, please email julie (at) douglasucc.org
Our educators, the caregivers and patients at Mary Freebed Hospital and on the U.S.S. Comfort, and in all of our hospitals and care centers during this Covid-19 pandemic. For the leaders and volunteers in every state and city who are stepping up to take care of people every day.
All in the military and their families. All who are homeless or addicted or abused or neglected or rejected or hungry; The UCC; the Grand West Association; our Church Council; our Stephen Ministers; our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet.
To add/remove a name from the Prayer List, please email julie (at) douglasucc.org
Financial Stewardship
May 3
Attendance for Online Service: 731
Weekly Online Giving: $1,983.63
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service. Please consider giving online, which is easily done by clicking ONLINE GIVING.
Or you may send checks by mail to:
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
56 Wall Street, PO Box 519
Douglas, MI 49406
Attendance for Online Service: 731
Weekly Online Giving: $1,983.63
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service. Please consider giving online, which is easily done by clicking ONLINE GIVING.
Or you may send checks by mail to:
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
56 Wall Street, PO Box 519
Douglas, MI 49406
This Sunday: The Good Shepherd
In Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus instructs his disciples to follow the shepherd's voice. Our UCC motto is "God is Still Speaking." How do we hear God's voice in our lives today? Join us online this Sunday at 10 AM for our Video Worship Service, as we learn how to listen more closely to our inner G.P.S. (God Positioning System), the Divine Voice within which is always leading us to pastures of plenty. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black & Nancy Plantinga.
Tune in on Sunday at 10 AM via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or here on ourwebsite.
Tune in on Sunday at 10 AM via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or here on ourwebsite.
Weekly Zoom Meeting Invitation:
We are sending out emails each week with the post-church Friendship Hall Zoom address. If you aren't receiving the emails, please check your Spam folder/filter. If you find nothing there, write to Julie at Onlinechurch@douglasucc.org to check to see if we have your correct email address.
Zooming our Friendship Hall isn't perfect, but has been the best way for us to:
Zooming our Friendship Hall isn't perfect, but has been the best way for us to:
- Chat with each other and Pastor Sal!
- Share Joys and Concerns with the church live and in person.
- Talk about our work in the world, how it continues and how it has changed.
- Discover how we are each dealing with the frustrations and finding the grace notes in this pandemic time.
Wow! This past month, our Douglas UCC videos have had more than 11,000 views on YouTube, and we've added 115 new subscribers to our channel. Thank you to all for your support.
Watch Last Sunday's Service:
Thank you to all who tuned in last Sunday for our Video Worship Service. We even had people watching and commenting from South Africa and the UK! Thank you to our reader, Lynne Snyder, who joined us from her home; to Peter Black and Stan Greene for providing the music; and to Gregg Smith for recording it. If you missed the service, you can watch it here.
SAVE-the-DATE: Join us online on Friday, May 15, at 7 PM, for "United in Song: Music of Hope and Inspiration," a free Video Concert from our Douglas UCC Musicians.
Our Work in the World Continues...
During our Zoom Online Friendship Hall this past Sunday, we learned of the work in the world our fellow congregants are engaged in. Here's a round-up. Please follow the links or connect with these members if you have interest in helping out or learning more:.
We discussed the Governor's requirement that we wear masks in public -- we need more makers to place masks in the Retreat Hall Mask Box please. And Linda Charvat showed us her no-sew, effective, double-layered, filtered mask from old t-shirts (schematic above). See the #Masks4All explanation video and the instructions behind this link.
Hannah Huggett and Gail (Gigi) Babel and their team are organizing the West Michigan Mutual Aid Network, and have a couple of first projects in mind for helping families in Fennville. Stay tuned for more news!
Kirt Oliver and Larry Fuerst are raising concern that the blood banks need more blood to help treat Covid-19 patients, while many blood drives have been canceled. They ask us to please consider giving blood if we can. Click here to find the Red Cross' listings for local times and locations.
Sarah Swift reported that the Creation Justice Team has been busy re-designing their offerings for distance learning and distance action. The local highway and beach cleanups have been canceled, but the team encourages you to mask-and-glove and clean the parks and roadways near you. Here are safety guidelines you can adapt to pick up trash on the beaches, hiking trails, and roads around you. Also, stay tuned for a re-designed Rain Gardens program, and a re-designed local food/local farmers program and book read.
We shared a wish that Farmers' Markets would open up this weekend. While we wait, look at Pennyroyal Cafe and Provisions website and Facebook page for the CSA boxes they are offering, full of local farmers' and local food producers' goods. Also the Holland Farmers' Market has made this handy poster (download below) of local farms and food producers who are offering curbside pickup of their goods. The websites and Facebook pages of many of our local restaurants are featuring wonderfully creative ways they are responding to the pandemic. Check them out!
We discussed the Governor's requirement that we wear masks in public -- we need more makers to place masks in the Retreat Hall Mask Box please. And Linda Charvat showed us her no-sew, effective, double-layered, filtered mask from old t-shirts (schematic above). See the #Masks4All explanation video and the instructions behind this link.
Hannah Huggett and Gail (Gigi) Babel and their team are organizing the West Michigan Mutual Aid Network, and have a couple of first projects in mind for helping families in Fennville. Stay tuned for more news!
Kirt Oliver and Larry Fuerst are raising concern that the blood banks need more blood to help treat Covid-19 patients, while many blood drives have been canceled. They ask us to please consider giving blood if we can. Click here to find the Red Cross' listings for local times and locations.
Sarah Swift reported that the Creation Justice Team has been busy re-designing their offerings for distance learning and distance action. The local highway and beach cleanups have been canceled, but the team encourages you to mask-and-glove and clean the parks and roadways near you. Here are safety guidelines you can adapt to pick up trash on the beaches, hiking trails, and roads around you. Also, stay tuned for a re-designed Rain Gardens program, and a re-designed local food/local farmers program and book read.
We shared a wish that Farmers' Markets would open up this weekend. While we wait, look at Pennyroyal Cafe and Provisions website and Facebook page for the CSA boxes they are offering, full of local farmers' and local food producers' goods. Also the Holland Farmers' Market has made this handy poster (download below) of local farms and food producers who are offering curbside pickup of their goods. The websites and Facebook pages of many of our local restaurants are featuring wonderfully creative ways they are responding to the pandemic. Check them out!
| Holland Farmers Market Vendors |
Help Us Grow
Your Church is working hard to provide for our community and our spirit
during this pandemic, continuing to do our peace and justice work.
Without a Sunday collection plate, we are asking church members and friends
to consider adopting a new habit of giving to the church: either online or by mail.
It's so easy to give online from our website. Just click here.
Or please consider mailing a check to:
Douglas UCC, 56 Wall Street, PO Box 519, Douglas, MI 49406.
We are so very grateful for your continued support of our church, especially during this time.
Happy Birthdays & Anniversaries:
May 1- Max Matteson & Bud Baty, 6- Luke Brunette, 7- Cathy North
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can continue to reach out to one another during this time. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory. If you don't have a directory, please let us know and we will email one to you.
Congratulations to our church members, Bud Baty and Max Matteson, who are celebrating their 50th Anniversary this week! We are so grateful for their inspiration and for all they do in service of our church and our community.
Prayer List
Phyllis Wallis (Kathy Austin's mother); Kristen Molitor (Ann Hopkins' daughter), John Willming; Drew Carter; Ferman Sims (father of Duce Sims); Howard McLauchlan (brother-in-law of Dale and Ted); Jeff Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Marcia Sullivan (Jo Cooley's friend), Len Lynch (Kathleen Mueller's brother); Curtis Coffin (Marty Coffin's brother).
Our educators, the caregivers and patients at Mary Freebed Hospital and on the U.S.S. Comfort, and in all of our hospitals and care centers during this Covid-19 pandemic. For the leaders and volunteers in every state and city who are stepping up to take care of people every day.
All in the military and their families. All who are homeless or addicted or abused or neglected or rejected or hungry; The UCC; the Grand West Association; our Church Council; our Stephen Ministers; our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet.
To add/remove a name from the Prayer List, please email julie (at) douglasucc.org
Our educators, the caregivers and patients at Mary Freebed Hospital and on the U.S.S. Comfort, and in all of our hospitals and care centers during this Covid-19 pandemic. For the leaders and volunteers in every state and city who are stepping up to take care of people every day.
All in the military and their families. All who are homeless or addicted or abused or neglected or rejected or hungry; The UCC; the Grand West Association; our Church Council; our Stephen Ministers; our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet.
To add/remove a name from the Prayer List, please email julie (at) douglasucc.org
Financial Stewardship
April 26
Attendance for Online Service: 691
Weekly Online Giving: $2,394.23
Mailed-in Donations for the Month of April: $5,275
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service. Please consider giving online, which is easily done by clicking ONLINE GIVING.
Or you may send checks by mail to:
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
56 Wall Street, PO Box 519
Douglas, MI 49406
Attendance for Online Service: 691
Weekly Online Giving: $2,394.23
Mailed-in Donations for the Month of April: $5,275
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service. Please consider giving online, which is easily done by clicking ONLINE GIVING.
Or you may send checks by mail to:
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
56 Wall Street, PO Box 519
Douglas, MI 49406
The Road to Emmaus:
In this Sunday's Gospel reading, two disciples - confused and saddened by Jesus' death - are walking the road to Emmaus, when they encounter a stranger in their midst. As they walk and talk together, the stranger enlightens and consoles them. The two disciples then invite the stranger to a meal. In the breaking of the bread, they recognize the stranger as Jesus. How often on the road of life do we fail to recognize God's presence in our midst? Please join us online this Sunday for our Video Worship Service, as Pastor Sal talks about learning to see with new eyes. Plus, there will be music from Peter Black and Stan Greene.
Tune in on Sunday at 10 AM via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or here on our website.
Tune in on Sunday at 10 AM via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or here on our website.
Zoom by Phone? Sure!
Did you know? Zoom meetings always include a dial-in option. So you can call in to participate in Zoom meetings from a land line if you like! If you don’t see the dial-in option offered, ask the meeting manager. But here is a hint... this Chicago number works well:
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
From there you enter the meeting ID and a passcode if one has been provided.
Watch your email for the weekly invite to our Online Friendship Hall meeting at 11 a.m. following the broadcast of Online Church! In addition to the online link, we always offer the dial in option! We hope you can join us!
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
From there you enter the meeting ID and a passcode if one has been provided.
Watch your email for the weekly invite to our Online Friendship Hall meeting at 11 a.m. following the broadcast of Online Church! In addition to the online link, we always offer the dial in option! We hope you can join us!
Watch Last Sunday's Service:
Thank you to all who tuned in last Sunday for our Video Worship Service. We even had people watching and commenting this week from New Zealand and Ireland! Thank you to our reader, Eric Lejeune, who joined us from his home, and to Peter Black and Elizabeth Estes, who provided music from their homes. If you missed the service, you can watch it here.
FTC Warning:
This past week, a handful of our church members received a strange email request from an imposter posing as Pastor Sal asking for gift cards for a cancer patient. We alerted the Federal Trade Commission and learned that this scam has been targeting churches in Michigan and across the U.S. for many months now. Imposters pose as religious leaders and reach out to church members to ask for donations in the form of gift cards.
Please be aware, that anyone who asks for payment by gift card is always a scammer, according to the the Federal Trade Commission...
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/paying-scammers-gift-cards
If you received one of these emails, just use your email program's method of blocking email addresses to block the imposter email address, delete the email, and be aware that Pastor Sal will never email you to ask for gift card donations, ever.
And if you have already engaged with these scammers, please follow the advice behind this link to report them:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/media/video-0171-report-gift-cards-used-scam
Please be aware, that anyone who asks for payment by gift card is always a scammer, according to the the Federal Trade Commission...
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/paying-scammers-gift-cards
If you received one of these emails, just use your email program's method of blocking email addresses to block the imposter email address, delete the email, and be aware that Pastor Sal will never email you to ask for gift card donations, ever.
And if you have already engaged with these scammers, please follow the advice behind this link to report them:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/media/video-0171-report-gift-cards-used-scam
Mask Making, Mask Sharing:
It looks as if we will be using masks for a while, and some people are having a hard time sourcing them. Are you making masks? Do you need masks? To match mask makers with people who need them, we have placed a Mask Donation Box in the entryway of the DUCC Retreat House, at the corner of Union and Wall Streets in Douglas. If you are a maker, please place your clean, plastic-wrapped masks in the mask box. If you need a mask or two, please help yourself! We will donate any overflow of masks, to families in Allegan County in need of them. Please be safe, and protect yourself and others by wearing these masks in public. Meanwhile, explore these links to learn how to make sewn and no-sew masks for yourself and your loved ones!
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html?deliveryName=USCDC_2067-DM25135
https://freesewing.org/blog/facemask-frenzy
https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/interior-projects/how-to/a28379/sewing-skills-diy/
https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-sew-basic-stitches-221433
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html?deliveryName=USCDC_2067-DM25135
https://freesewing.org/blog/facemask-frenzy
https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/interior-projects/how-to/a28379/sewing-skills-diy/
https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-sew-basic-stitches-221433
Communion #TogetherAtHome
Several members of our congregation (Hi, Sue and Larry, Ron and Maya, Laurie, Jack and Julie!) have found their own way to share in communion during our Online Church service. They are bringing their own communion elements to their tables at home (Donut and coffee? Sure! Cracker and Wine, of course! Tea and sourdough? Why not?) when they watch the service, proving we don't have to be under the same roof to celebrate communion together!
Click below to read/download the latest Church Council Minutes and Pastor's Report:
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Our Heartfelt Condolences:
Our thoughts and prayers are with church member, Jim Hopkins, whose sister, Linda Kirby, passed away last week; with church member, Austin Belschner, whose mother died on April 3; and with church member, Peg Donohue, whose sister, Carol, died last month. Cards of condolence would be so appreciated. See our Church Directory for mailing addresses. If you need a directory, please let us know.
Also, the mailing address for church member, Larry Spencer, whose mother died last week, is no longer correct. Please write to welcome (at) douglasucc.org for Larry's new address.
Also, the mailing address for church member, Larry Spencer, whose mother died last week, is no longer correct. Please write to welcome (at) douglasucc.org for Larry's new address.
Making Offerings Now..
Your Church is working hard to provide for you and your spirit during this pandemic.
Without a Sunday collection plate, we are asking church members to consider
a new habit of giving to the church: either online or by mail.
It's so easy to give online from our website. Just click here.
Or please consider mailing a check to:
Douglas UCC, 56 Wall Street, PO Box 519, Douglas, MI 49406.
We are so very grateful for your continued support of our church, especially during this time.
Without a Sunday collection plate, we are asking church members to consider
a new habit of giving to the church: either online or by mail.
It's so easy to give online from our website. Just click here.
Or please consider mailing a check to:
Douglas UCC, 56 Wall Street, PO Box 519, Douglas, MI 49406.
We are so very grateful for your continued support of our church, especially during this time.
Happy Birthdays & Anniversaries
April 26- Kevin Henry, 30- Linda & Matthew McWebb
May 1- Floyd Fleming, 2- Dale Lower
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can continue to reach out to one another during this time. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory. If you don't have a directory, please let us know and we will email one to you.
May 1- Floyd Fleming, 2- Dale Lower
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can continue to reach out to one another during this time. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory. If you don't have a directory, please let us know and we will email one to you.
Prayer List:
Kristen Molitor (Ann Hopkins' daughter), John Willming; Drew Carter; Ferman Sims (father of Duce Sims); Howard McLauchlan (brother-in-law of Dale and Ted); Jeff Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Marcia Sullivan (Jo Cooley's friend), Len Lynch (Kathleen Mueller's brother); Curtis Coffin (Marty Coffin's brother).
The caregivers and patients at Mary Freebed Hospital and on the U.S.S. Comfort, and in all of our hospitals and care centers during this Covid-19 pandemic. For the leaders and volunteers in every state and city who are stepping up to take care of people every day.
All in the military and their families. All who are homeless or addicted or abused or neglected or rejected or hungry; The UCC; the Grand West Association; our Church Council; our Stephen Ministers; our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet.
To add/remove a name from the Prayer List, please email julie (at) douglasucc.org
The caregivers and patients at Mary Freebed Hospital and on the U.S.S. Comfort, and in all of our hospitals and care centers during this Covid-19 pandemic. For the leaders and volunteers in every state and city who are stepping up to take care of people every day.
All in the military and their families. All who are homeless or addicted or abused or neglected or rejected or hungry; The UCC; the Grand West Association; our Church Council; our Stephen Ministers; our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet.
To add/remove a name from the Prayer List, please email julie (at) douglasucc.org
Financial Stewardship:
April 19
Attendance for Online Service: 731
Online Giving: $4,842.70
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service. Please consider giving online, which is easily done by clicking ONLINE GIVING.
Or you may send checks by mail to:
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
56 Wall Street, PO Box 519
Douglas, MI 49406
In the Gospel reading for the 2nd Sunday of Easter, the apostles are in isolation and fear following Jesus's death. But, there in the Upper Room, they experience the Presence of the Risen Christ in their midst. This Sunday during our online video church service, Pastor Sal will be giving an inspiring message about how to more fully experience the Divine Presence, sharing personal stories and photos from his recent sabbatical at Spirit Mountain Retreat. Plus, there will be music from Peter Black and Elizabeth Estes. Tune in on Sunday at 10 AM via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or right here on our church's website.
More than 1,000 people watched our Easter service last Sunday. Thank you!
Thank you to all who watched and commented. If you missed it, you can watch it here.
Thank you to Gregg Smith for recording; to Peter Black and Pamela Chappell for such beautiful music; and to Jim Bailey and Greg Harvath for the lovely Easter installation.
Thank you to Gregg Smith for recording; to Peter Black and Pamela Chappell for such beautiful music; and to Jim Bailey and Greg Harvath for the lovely Easter installation.
Our hearts go out to two of our Douglas UCC church members who are mourning the deaths of loved ones this week. Larry Spencer's mother, Carol Spencer, passed away on Thursday, as did Floyd Fleming's brother, George Fleming. We hold them both in our prayers.
A Video Message from our Council Moderator:
Watch the video above for a brief message from our Church Council Moderator, Peter Mueller.
Zoom "Friendship Hall"
Thank you to all who are participating in our online Zoom "Friendship Hall" gatherings each Sunday at 11 AM. Here's some of what was shared at Sunday's session:
- Pastor Sal shared that he will have office hours by phone until it is safe to meet in person. Our Stephen Ministers are also available to speak and pray with you. To schedule an appointment, please email pastor@douglasucc.org.
- Duce Sims, who works at Walters Gardens in Holland, said there are tons of hostas and day lilies they would love to give out. Contact them for curbside pickup.
- Ann Hopkins suggested that we ring bells every night at 7 PM for first-responders.
- Pamela Chappell is exploring Pinterest for teaching young children via Zoom.
- Gigi Babel and Hannah Huggett started a Change.org petition for truck-drivers.
- Stan Greene shared an article on "Zoom Fatigue."
On Friday morning, we'll email the link for this Sunday's Zoom session. If you don't receive it by Friday, email us for the meeting link at onlinechurch@douglasucc.org.
Easter Paper Caper
The Easter Bunny paid a visit to Downtown Douglas, giving away free toilet paper!
We heard that our Douglas UCC church members Barb Witt and Louise & Bob Kenny may have lent a helping hand!
Thank you!
Church Podcast is Back!
Listen to our Douglas UCC Church Podcast for all of Pastor Sal's recent messages. You can listen on Google, Apple, Spotify. Even ask Alexa! Thank you to Chris Clark for the updates.
Social Clubs Still Meeting, via Zoom
Needing more connection with your church friends? Both the Men's Group and True North, the women's group, are continuing to hold Zoom meetings to stay connected during this season. Connect with Max Brown for details on Men's Group meetings, and with Kathleen Mueller for True North meeting details.
Electronic Signatures Approved
for Elliot-Larsen Amendment Petition
Here is some good news! The non-partisan Fair and Equal Michigan petitioning group, whose work is to make the Elliot-Larsen Act inclusive for LGBTQ protections, has won the right to gather electronic signatures to their petition!
Click here to be among the first people in history to sign a petition like this. If you haven't signed on yet, add your electronic signature today -- it only takes three minutes!
To sign, you must be registered to vote in Michigan. You'll need your valid Michigan driver's license or state identification card number on hand, as it will be cross-referenced with the state voter file to validate your signature.
If you've already signed the petition, you can still help: Share this link -- fairandequalmichigan.com -- with your fellow Michiganders and encourage them to sign!
If you aren't registered to vote in Michigan or need to update your registration address, you can do that here. You can then sign our petition!
A New Way of Giving
Maybe you've been giving to your favorite churches online for years, but did you know there is an app for that? Yes, the same company we use to process church donations from our website has a phone app, GivePlus. Using it on your phone is so easy:
- Download the App by following one of the links below from your phone.
- Find Douglas UCC, or any other nearby church using this system, in the app.
- If you have already used the website form, just sign in using your username and password.
- Or you will be prompted to set up an account.
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Happy Birthdays and Anniversaries:
April 21- Ron Sieracki, 24- Gregg Kurek
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can continue to reach out to one another during this time. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory. If you don't have a directory, please let us know and we will email one to you.
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can continue to reach out to one another during this time. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory. If you don't have a directory, please let us know and we will email one to you.
Also, thank you to all who have been showing concern for our church member, Richard Graham. He has moved into an assisted living facility in Holland. Graham is doing well, but he is missing his church family. His new address is not in the Church Directory, so if you would like to mail a card to Graham, his address is American House Holland, 11911 James St., Holland, MI 49424.
Prayer List
Kristen Molitor (Ann Hopkins' daughter), John Willming; Drew Carter; Linda Kirby (Jim Hopkins' sister); Ferman Sims (father of Duce Sims); Howard McLauchlan (brother-in-law of Dale and Ted); Jeff Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Len Lynch (Kathleen Mueller's brother); Curtis Coffin (Marty Coffin's brother).
The caregivers and patients at Mary Freebed Hospital and on the U.S.S. Comfort, and in all of our hospitals and care centers during this Covid-19 pandemic. For the leaders and volunteers in every state and city who are stepping up to take care of people every day.
All in the military and their families. All who are homeless or addicted or abused or neglected or rejected or hungry; The UCC; the Grand West Association; our Church Council; our Stephen Ministers; our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet.
To add/remove a name from the Prayer List, please email julie@douglasucc.org.
The caregivers and patients at Mary Freebed Hospital and on the U.S.S. Comfort, and in all of our hospitals and care centers during this Covid-19 pandemic. For the leaders and volunteers in every state and city who are stepping up to take care of people every day.
All in the military and their families. All who are homeless or addicted or abused or neglected or rejected or hungry; The UCC; the Grand West Association; our Church Council; our Stephen Ministers; our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet.
To add/remove a name from the Prayer List, please email julie@douglasucc.org.
Financial Stewardship:
April 12
Attendance for April 12 Online Service: 1,014
Online Giving: $3,170.05
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service. Please consider giving online, which is easily done by clicking ONLINE GIVING.
Or you may send checks by mail to:
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
56 Wall Street, PO Box 519
Douglas, MI 49406
Attendance for April 12 Online Service: 1,014
Online Giving: $3,170.05
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service. Please consider giving online, which is easily done by clicking ONLINE GIVING.
Or you may send checks by mail to:
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
56 Wall Street, PO Box 519
Douglas, MI 49406
Easter Sunday Video Service
Please join us this Sunday at 10 AM on YouTube or Facebook for our Easter Sunday Video Service. Pastor Sal will be giving an inspiring message of hope. Plus, music from Peter Black and Pamela Chappell. The service will also be broadcast on our website: DouglasUCC.org
Wow!! More than 1,000 people viewed our Palm Sunday service on YouTube and Facebook! Thank you to all who watched and commented. If you missed it, you can watch it here.
Watch this 3-minute video from Rev. John Dorhauer, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ. In it, he offers a Holy Week and Easter message of hope for the Easter people of the world, even as we are in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Check Your Email for the Zoom Link for
Easter Sunday Online Friendship Hall
On Friday morning, we send out the links for the online meetup for Sunday, after our online service. If you haven't received your Zoom link via email by Friday (be sure to check your spam folder!), we may not have your current email address! Just write to us for your meeting link at onlinechurch@douglasucc.org.
As most of you know, our church hired Julie Ridl to take care of the church's administrative duties while Pastor Sal was on sabbatical. We can all agree that she did an outstanding job, going "above and beyond" in all she did.
Last week, our Church Council voted to keep Julie on in this position for at least the next 12 weeks, which will bring us to the end of our church's fiscal year. We are so grateful for Julie's excellent technical and social media skills which are keeping us connected during this time.
Last week, our Church Council voted to keep Julie on in this position for at least the next 12 weeks, which will bring us to the end of our church's fiscal year. We are so grateful for Julie's excellent technical and social media skills which are keeping us connected during this time.
Masks in Public Places – What, Why, and How
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in a press conference Monday asked residents to wear homemade masks if they have to leave their homes.
We are still urged to continue washing our hands, limit leaving our homes to essential trips and practice social distancing.
The governor’s message follows recent guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and comes with a continued plea to leave N95 and surgical masks for medical professionals already dealing with a shortage of necessary protective equipment.
The CDC now recommends that people should wear nonsurgical cloth face coverings when they go out in public during the pandemic. Wearing some form of covering over your nose and mouth can prevent people who are infected, but not symptomatic, from spreading the virus when they speak, cough or sneeze in public.
Here is the U.S. Surgeon General demonstrating how to make a simple face covering:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPx1yqvJgf4
And here are the CDCs recommendations for wearing and making your own mask:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
We are still urged to continue washing our hands, limit leaving our homes to essential trips and practice social distancing.
The governor’s message follows recent guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and comes with a continued plea to leave N95 and surgical masks for medical professionals already dealing with a shortage of necessary protective equipment.
The CDC now recommends that people should wear nonsurgical cloth face coverings when they go out in public during the pandemic. Wearing some form of covering over your nose and mouth can prevent people who are infected, but not symptomatic, from spreading the virus when they speak, cough or sneeze in public.
Here is the U.S. Surgeon General demonstrating how to make a simple face covering:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPx1yqvJgf4
And here are the CDCs recommendations for wearing and making your own mask:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
Fighting Fear Through Our Senses
During last Sunday's Online Friendship Hall meetup, Pastor Sal shared with us this exercise to help us calm our anxieties, offered up by spiritual author and speaker Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love). She shared this advice on Instagram recently... "Dear Ones: To ground yourself in the present moment (and escape the fears and fantasies of the unknown future) try this simple trick..."
Local Volunteering and Giving
Are you looking for a way to reach out, offer help at this time?
Children's First Lakeshore is spearheading the local effort, along with area churches and our schools to keep feeding school children in need twice a day. They need more funds and volunteers, and are gathering both at this website:
https://childrenfirstlakeshore.org/feedingthegap
Allegan County residents are being helped through local volunteers, the United Way, Community Action, and Allegan County Community Foundation. Volunteers and funding are being collected here:
https://www.feedtheneedallegan.com/
And the State of Michigan has identified a number of other worthy efforts to help others in our state at this time. Those efforts can be found here:
https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_98811---,00.html
Children's First Lakeshore is spearheading the local effort, along with area churches and our schools to keep feeding school children in need twice a day. They need more funds and volunteers, and are gathering both at this website:
https://childrenfirstlakeshore.org/feedingthegap
Allegan County residents are being helped through local volunteers, the United Way, Community Action, and Allegan County Community Foundation. Volunteers and funding are being collected here:
https://www.feedtheneedallegan.com/
And the State of Michigan has identified a number of other worthy efforts to help others in our state at this time. Those efforts can be found here:
https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_98811---,00.html
How You Can Help Gather Elliot-Larsen Ammendment Petition Signatures Under Stay Home, Stay Safe Order
For the first time ever, Michigan citizens – including business, philanthropy, and leaders from both sides of the political aisle – joined LGBTQ advocacy groups to proclaim: Every Michigander should have an equal chance to succeed. This legislative strategy, known as Fair and Equal Michigan, will add LGBTQ protections to the state’s current civil rights law. The initiative seeks to introduce a citizens’ bill in the Legislature after advocates collect 340,047 signatures. The Legislature will have 40 days to adopt (and the law prevents tinkering!) or they can send the question to voters on the November 2020 ballot where 77% of voters support the measure. This history-making citizens’ initiative has the opportunity to increase the state’s talent attraction and grow Michigan’s economy.
But the Covid-19 Stay Home, Stay Safe order is slowing down the effort to gather signatures for this non-partisan ballot initiative. The petition organizers have shifted to "distance organizing," and they are looking for volunteers to call Michiganders and send petitions requested over the phone. At this writing, the May 26th deadline looms closer, and the committee has 200,000 signatures left to collect.
Will you phone bank from home so Fair and Equal Michigan can send petitions across the state? If this sounds like something you can do, call Alex Cross, Volunteer Director for Fair and Equal Michigan at 203.841.9458 to become involved in their phone program. Or register to volunteer today at this address: https://secure.everyaction.com/IouJeXXEgUG0YjBUTbsoNQ2
But the Covid-19 Stay Home, Stay Safe order is slowing down the effort to gather signatures for this non-partisan ballot initiative. The petition organizers have shifted to "distance organizing," and they are looking for volunteers to call Michiganders and send petitions requested over the phone. At this writing, the May 26th deadline looms closer, and the committee has 200,000 signatures left to collect.
Will you phone bank from home so Fair and Equal Michigan can send petitions across the state? If this sounds like something you can do, call Alex Cross, Volunteer Director for Fair and Equal Michigan at 203.841.9458 to become involved in their phone program. Or register to volunteer today at this address: https://secure.everyaction.com/IouJeXXEgUG0YjBUTbsoNQ2
A New Way of Giving
Maybe you've been giving to your favorite churches online for years, but did you know there is an app for that? Yes, the same company we use to process church donations from our website has a phone app, GivePlus. Using it on your phone is so easy:
- Download the App by following one of the links below from your phone.
- Find Douglas UCC, or any other nearby church using this system, in the app.
- If you have already used the website form, just sign in using your username and password.
- Or you will be prompted to set up an account.
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Happy Birthdays and Anniversaries
April 12- Ben Greene, Stan Greene, 13- Bill Klatt, 16- Jerry Coates, 18- Dennis Barnum
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can continue to reach out to one another during this time. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory. If you don't have a directory, please let us know and we will email one to you.
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can continue to reach out to one another during this time. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory. If you don't have a directory, please let us know and we will email one to you.
Prayer List – For Wholeness, Peace
The family of David Wellinski, Grandma Lois (Rachel Overweg's paternal grandmother), Astrid Schneider, Michelle Born-Fischer, Karen Cook, Wendy Billman, Howard McLauchlan, Audra and Ben Mueller, Marcia Sullivan, Jeff Cooley, Len Lynch, Curtis Coffin, Drew Carter, Bertha Fonseka, Garth & Myra (Mary Nyhof’s Parents).
The caregivers and patients at Mary Freebed Hospital and on the U.S.S. Comfort, and in all of our hospitals and care centers during this Covid-19 pandemic.
For the leaders and volunteers in every state and city who are stepping up to take care of people every day.
All in the military and their families. All who are homeless or addicted or abused or neglected or rejected or hungry; The UCC; the Grand West Association; our Church Council; our Stephen Ministers; our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet.
To add/remove a name from the Prayer List, please email julie@douglasucc.org.
The caregivers and patients at Mary Freebed Hospital and on the U.S.S. Comfort, and in all of our hospitals and care centers during this Covid-19 pandemic.
For the leaders and volunteers in every state and city who are stepping up to take care of people every day.
All in the military and their families. All who are homeless or addicted or abused or neglected or rejected or hungry; The UCC; the Grand West Association; our Church Council; our Stephen Ministers; our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet.
To add/remove a name from the Prayer List, please email julie@douglasucc.org.
Financial Stewardship
April 5
Attendance for April 5 Online Service: 1,110
Online Giving: $1,540
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service. Please consider giving online, which is easily done by clicking ONLINE GIVING.
Or you may send checks by mail to:
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
56 Wall Street, PO Box 519
Douglas, MI 49406
Palm Sunday Video Service
We hope you'll tune in to our Palm Sunday video service, which will be broadcast here on our church's website and on our Facebook page and YouTube channel. Pastor Sal will be giving an inspiring message for the beginning of Holy Week, and there will be music from Peter Black and Nancy Plantinga. You can watch the broadcast on Sunday starting at 10 AM.
Wow! More than 100 people joined our Zoom Virtual "Friendship Hall" Gathering last Sunday. Thank you. Please join us this Sunday at 11 AM for another virtual gathering.
IMPORTANT CHANGE!!!
Zoom has been having some trouble with "Zoom bombing" (like photo bombing, but ruder), so we will not be displaying the Zoom link on social media, but sending it to your email inbox. If you haven't received your Zoom link via email by Friday (be sure to check your spam folder!), we may not have your current email address! Just write to us at onlinechurch@douglasucc.org, identify yourself and request the meeting I.D. And please do not share these meeting IDs on social media or in any way other than email or text with people you know.
IMPORTANT CHANGE!!!
Zoom has been having some trouble with "Zoom bombing" (like photo bombing, but ruder), so we will not be displaying the Zoom link on social media, but sending it to your email inbox. If you haven't received your Zoom link via email by Friday (be sure to check your spam folder!), we may not have your current email address! Just write to us at onlinechurch@douglasucc.org, identify yourself and request the meeting I.D. And please do not share these meeting IDs on social media or in any way other than email or text with people you know.
Welcome Home, Sal and Gregg!!
Our Douglas UCC family welcomed Pastor Sal home from sabbatical with this video surprise!
Thank you to all who participated, to Kathleen Mueller for the idea, and to Chris Clark for putting it all together. Sal and Gregg were very touched. There may have been tears!
Thank you to all who participated, to Kathleen Mueller for the idea, and to Chris Clark for putting it all together. Sal and Gregg were very touched. There may have been tears!
Our very own Pastor Sal will be a guest this Saturday on the "Morning Grind" Radio Show. He will be talking about coping spiritually with the coronavirus and finding balance during this time of great uncertainty. Tune in to 92.7 FM, "The Van," at 7 AM.
Our Last Sabbatical Homily:
Greg Sherman, "Into the Unknown"
Last Sunday was our final Sabbatical speaker. Watch as Dr. Greg Sherman of our Pastoral Relations Committee gives a powerful message for the 5th Sunday of Lent. Greg is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Grand Rapids. Previously, he was the Director of Clinical Services at a faith-based outpatient mental health clinic in Grand Rapids. His work involves helping people sort through the obstacles and conflicts they encounter in their emotional and spiritual journeys. He and his wife, Kristine, became members of Douglas UCC in 2014.
Pastor Sal Shares his Centering Prayer Practice
Now is the perfect time to either start or deepen a daily meditation practice. Watch as Pastor Sal shares his "Centering Prayer" practice with us from his meditation room at home.
Elizabeth Estes and Peter Black
Give Us "Blessings"
Elizabeth Estes and Peter Black have found another way to collaborate while Staying Home and Saving Lives. Watch as Elizabeth (singing to us with Peter Black's piano track playing on her speakers) performs the beautiful song, "Blessings," from her home in Saugatuck.
Supporting Restaurants While Supporting
Our First Responders
What started out as a quick project has turned into a movement. Church and Saugatuck City Council member, Garnet Lewis, in her concern for the stability of area restaurants during the Covid-19 season, asked for donations to purchase restaurant gift cards to give out to support our first responders -- police, fire, medical responders and essential employees in our government and public health offices. With more than $9,870 in donations so far, and half of the cards in the hands of gift recipients, Garnet is working on round two, buying more from restaurants who are in turn making the lives of these hard-working responders just a bit better. "It's just raising everyone's morale to see these towns and these people look out for one another in this way," says Garn, who conveys thanks from restaurant owners and first responders in this video.
If you'd like to give to this ongoing effort, you can send funds by Venmo (@Leigh-Lewis-9), or PayPal (PayPal.Me/GarnetLewis). Links will remain open and help will continue through the pandemic. For efforts to feed poor and elderly people, see the Feed the Need article, below.
If you'd like to give to this ongoing effort, you can send funds by Venmo (@Leigh-Lewis-9), or PayPal (PayPal.Me/GarnetLewis). Links will remain open and help will continue through the pandemic. For efforts to feed poor and elderly people, see the Feed the Need article, below.
Artists Lifting Your Spirits
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Three members of our Douglas UCC family are sharing their art online during the Covid-19 crisis. Nancy Plantinga and Dan Pierce have created YouTube channels to share their music with us during this time. And Jack Ridl is live-streaming his Thursday Poems at 9am on Facebook. We are grateful to them all for uplifting our spirits with their gifts and talents.
How to find help. How to offer help.
Feedtheneedallegan.com is our local resource for finding and offering help during the Covid 19 pandemic. If you need help, dial 211, or go to this website. If you can offer time and expertise to help in this crisis, go to this site to learn all the kinds of help and donations needed right now by various local agencies. Of course if you need urgent medical help, always dial 911.
Help us help you.
Your Church is working hard to provide for you and your spirit during this pandemic.
Without a Sunday collection plate, we are asking church members to please think about
a new habit of giving to the church: either online or by mail.
It's so easy to give online from our website. Just click here.
Or please consider mailing a check to:
Douglas UCC, 56 Wall Street, PO Box 519, Douglas, MI 49406.
We are so very grateful for your continued support of our church, especially during this time.
Without a Sunday collection plate, we are asking church members to please think about
a new habit of giving to the church: either online or by mail.
It's so easy to give online from our website. Just click here.
Or please consider mailing a check to:
Douglas UCC, 56 Wall Street, PO Box 519, Douglas, MI 49406.
We are so very grateful for your continued support of our church, especially during this time.
Happy Birthdays and Anniversaries
March 29- Julie Myers, 30- Ann Hopkins, Rachel Overweg, 31- Pamela Chappell,
April 1- Nancy Plantinga, 3- Karen Prins, 4- Bill Klatt & Jim McHugh,
8- Jim McHugh, Dan Dow, 10- Jack Ridl
April 1- Nancy Plantinga, 3- Karen Prins, 4- Bill Klatt & Jim McHugh,
8- Jim McHugh, Dan Dow, 10- Jack Ridl
Prayer List – For Wholeness, Peace
Wendy Billman, Howard McLauchlan, Audra and Ben Mueller, Marcia Sullivan, Jeff Cooley, Len Lynch, Curtis Coffin, Drew Carter, Bertha Fonseka, Garth & Myra (Mary Nyhof’s Parents).
All in the military and their families. All who are homeless or addicted or abused or neglected or rejected or hungry; The UCC; the Grand West Association; our Church Council; our Stephen Ministers; our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet.
To add/remove a name from the Prayer List, please email julie@douglasucc.org.
All in the military and their families. All who are homeless or addicted or abused or neglected or rejected or hungry; The UCC; the Grand West Association; our Church Council; our Stephen Ministers; our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet.
To add/remove a name from the Prayer List, please email julie@douglasucc.org.
Financial Stewardship
Financial Stewardship Report, March 29
Collections by mail: $695
Online Giving: $1,230
Total: $1,925
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service. Please consider giving online, which is easily done by clicking ONLINE GIVING.
Or you may send checks by mail to:
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
56 Wall Street, PO Box 519
Douglas, MI 49406
Collections by mail: $695
Online Giving: $1,230
Total: $1,925
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service. Please consider giving online, which is easily done by clicking ONLINE GIVING.
Or you may send checks by mail to:
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
56 Wall Street, PO Box 519
Douglas, MI 49406
A Message from Pastor Sal
Sabbatical Homily:
Pam Chappell, Miracles & Mysteries
Peter Black's Service Music
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Home Churching
| online_bulletin_march_22_2020.pdf |
As we learn to live in our Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives, we are also learning to create meaningful church experiences that work for as many people as possible. This website and
E-pistle are built to work well on smartphones and tablets and computers, so if you don't have WIFI, but do have a smart phone, we hope you can make it to online church through your cellular connection.
We heard you: You want a printable bulletin. So this week we have uploaded the bulletin (linked just above and here) for the March 22 -- this past Sunday -- service, including readings and home-made communion in what we hope is a handy and printable document.
The bulletin includes all the links you see above, including the music videos Peter Black has lovingly created (he spends hours and hours getting the lyrics timed to his piano track!) at his home so you can sing along to the hymns he chose for the service in our homes.
We hope you enjoy following along and feel your church with you, always.
On Sunday mornings, we are holding coffee hour in our Online Friendship Hall. This Sunday, March 29, Pastor Sal will join in our Online Friendship Hall at 10a.m. at this link:
https://zoom.us/j/953967901
If you follow that link now, you can get the Zoom app working on your phone, tablet, or computer early, and be ready for Sunday.
On Palm Sunday, April 5, Pastor Sal and the music team will be broadcasting a complete online church service, and we will gather in the Online Friendship Hall after the service. Watch next week's E-pistle for more news about that!
E-pistle are built to work well on smartphones and tablets and computers, so if you don't have WIFI, but do have a smart phone, we hope you can make it to online church through your cellular connection.
We heard you: You want a printable bulletin. So this week we have uploaded the bulletin (linked just above and here) for the March 22 -- this past Sunday -- service, including readings and home-made communion in what we hope is a handy and printable document.
The bulletin includes all the links you see above, including the music videos Peter Black has lovingly created (he spends hours and hours getting the lyrics timed to his piano track!) at his home so you can sing along to the hymns he chose for the service in our homes.
We hope you enjoy following along and feel your church with you, always.
On Sunday mornings, we are holding coffee hour in our Online Friendship Hall. This Sunday, March 29, Pastor Sal will join in our Online Friendship Hall at 10a.m. at this link:
https://zoom.us/j/953967901
If you follow that link now, you can get the Zoom app working on your phone, tablet, or computer early, and be ready for Sunday.
On Palm Sunday, April 5, Pastor Sal and the music team will be broadcasting a complete online church service, and we will gather in the Online Friendship Hall after the service. Watch next week's E-pistle for more news about that!
Good Reading for Right Now:
Dr. King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail
In a recent email, fellow congregant Stan Greene writes, "Earlier this week, I thought about a line from Dr. King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail, 'What else can one do ... other than write long letters, think long thoughts and pray long prayers?' That's a manifesto for these times."
He went on to say that he uses every opportunity to re-read this great piece of American liturgy and shared history, so resonant in this time -- recommended reading for times when we are forced to be quiet and are facing a tough path. Here are several ways to read or listen to it with fresh ears:
https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html
https://bit.ly/birminghamletteraudible
https://bit.ly/LetterBirminghamKindle
Some background: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_from_Birmingham_Jail
If you'd like to discuss this reading, bookclub-style, via Zoom, just write to Julie. We can make that happen.
He went on to say that he uses every opportunity to re-read this great piece of American liturgy and shared history, so resonant in this time -- recommended reading for times when we are forced to be quiet and are facing a tough path. Here are several ways to read or listen to it with fresh ears:
https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html
https://bit.ly/birminghamletteraudible
https://bit.ly/LetterBirminghamKindle
Some background: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_from_Birmingham_Jail
If you'd like to discuss this reading, bookclub-style, via Zoom, just write to Julie. We can make that happen.
Feeding the Gap
THE COORDINATED COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO FEED SCHOOL FAMILIES DURING THE COVID-19 SCHOOL CLOSURE.
Saugatuck Public Schools and Fennville Public Schools will make two meals a day available to all students during the State of Michigan mandated school closure.
Up to two meals a day are available for each student according to the schools’ regular meal service. A coalition of community partners, spearheaded by Children First Lakeshore and Community Church of Douglas, will provide supplemental meals distributed through the delivery routes of each school district. Beginning this week, both school districts will offer meal delivery along bus routes as well as at pick-up sites during the week.
Children First Lakeshore and partners will provide weekend and supplemental food also delivered by the school districts. The supplemental food is designed to feed students beyond the two meals the school districts are providing. The delivery schedules and pick-up information is different for each school district.
We are Working to Raise 120K to Feed the Gap!
If you can help contribute to this cause, click here.
If you can volunteer to help feed the kids click here.
If you would like to send a paper check, send it here:
Children First Lakeshore, PO Box 980 Douglas, MI 49406
For more information email info@childrenfirstlakeshore.org
Saugatuck Public Schools and Fennville Public Schools will make two meals a day available to all students during the State of Michigan mandated school closure.
Up to two meals a day are available for each student according to the schools’ regular meal service. A coalition of community partners, spearheaded by Children First Lakeshore and Community Church of Douglas, will provide supplemental meals distributed through the delivery routes of each school district. Beginning this week, both school districts will offer meal delivery along bus routes as well as at pick-up sites during the week.
Children First Lakeshore and partners will provide weekend and supplemental food also delivered by the school districts. The supplemental food is designed to feed students beyond the two meals the school districts are providing. The delivery schedules and pick-up information is different for each school district.
We are Working to Raise 120K to Feed the Gap!
- Raised: $46,000
- New Goal: $74,000
If you can help contribute to this cause, click here.
If you can volunteer to help feed the kids click here.
If you would like to send a paper check, send it here:
Children First Lakeshore, PO Box 980 Douglas, MI 49406
For more information email info@childrenfirstlakeshore.org
Stay Home. Stay Safe.
If you are in Michigan and have need of food, home heating or electricity, dial 211.
If you are in urgent need of medical assistance, dial 911.
Stay home. Stay safe. Save lives. To combat the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan, Governor Whitmer signed the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order on March 25. For at least the next three weeks, all Michigan businesses and operations must temporarily suspend in-person operations that are not necessary to sustain or protect life, and all Michiganders must stay in their homes unless they’re a part of that critical infrastructure workforce, engaged in an outdoor activity, or performing tasks necessary to the health and safety of themselves or their family, like going to the hospital or grocery store.
YOU CAN:
YOU MAY NOT:
BUSINESSES THAT REMAIN OPEN FOR IN-PERSON WORK MUST TAKE AGGRESSIVE STEPS TO MINIMIZE THE VIRUS’S SPREAD. THEY MUST:
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
For those who have questions about the state’s actions to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, please call the COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-535-6136 between 8AM - 5PM daily.
If you are in urgent need of medical assistance, dial 911.
Stay home. Stay safe. Save lives. To combat the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan, Governor Whitmer signed the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order on March 25. For at least the next three weeks, all Michigan businesses and operations must temporarily suspend in-person operations that are not necessary to sustain or protect life, and all Michiganders must stay in their homes unless they’re a part of that critical infrastructure workforce, engaged in an outdoor activity, or performing tasks necessary to the health and safety of themselves or their family, like going to the hospital or grocery store.
YOU CAN:
- Go to the grocery store or pick up take-out food.
- Go to the pharmacy to pick up a needed prescription.
- Engage in outdoor activities like walking, hiking, running, biking.
- Go to the hospital or secure any care necessary to address a medical emergency or to preserve your health or the health of a loved one.
- Fill your car with gas.
- Return to Michigan to a home or place of residence from outside the State.
- Leave the State for a home or residence elsewhere.
- Walk your pets and take them to the veterinarian for needed medical care.
YOU MAY NOT:
- Leave the home to work unless your employer designates you as a critical infrastructure worker.
- Participate in any public gatherings.
- Visit someone in the hospital, nursing home, or other residential care facilities (with limited exceptions).
- Go to the mall or to restaurants.
BUSINESSES THAT REMAIN OPEN FOR IN-PERSON WORK MUST TAKE AGGRESSIVE STEPS TO MINIMIZE THE VIRUS’S SPREAD. THEY MUST:
- Promote remote work to the fullest extent possible.
- Restrict the number of workers present in-person on the job.
- Keep employees at least six feet from one another to the maximum extent possible and enabling social distancing for customers who are standing in line.
- Any other social distancing practices and mitigation measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
For those who have questions about the state’s actions to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, please call the COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-535-6136 between 8AM - 5PM daily.
One Great Hour of Sharing
One Great Hour of Sharing® is one of four special mission offerings of the United Church of Christ. This Lenten Offering supports the disaster, refugee, and development ministries of the UCC. The suggested offering date for the One Great Hour of Sharing offering is March 22, 2020, but since most of the UCC churches in this country won't be meeting on Sunday, please either click right here any time, to give securely online or mail your gift today to One Great Hour of Sharing - United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Financial Services, 6th Floor, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. Thank you for caring for all of God's people.
February Church Council Minutes
| church_council_minutes_february_2020.pdf |
Financial Stewardship
Collections by mail: $0,
Online Giving: $2,424.41
Total: $2,424.41
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service. At this time, without our in-service collections, our church especially needs you to consider giving online, which is easily done by clicking ONLINE GIVING.
Or you may send checks by mail to:
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
56 Wall Street, PO Box 519
Douglas, MI 49406
Online Giving: $2,424.41
Total: $2,424.41
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service. At this time, without our in-service collections, our church especially needs you to consider giving online, which is easily done by clicking ONLINE GIVING.
Or you may send checks by mail to:
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
56 Wall Street, PO Box 519
Douglas, MI 49406
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