Photo by Gaurav Kumar on Unsplash
In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
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This Week's Service: The No-Matter-Whatness
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| order_of_service_august_18_2024.pdf |
Last Week's Service: Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: Nourishing Community
When do you find you are the happiest? What are the activities that bring you joy? Do you love baking bread for your family? Do you sing and dance freely in public? Who and what give you life? These are the questions we considered last week as we looked at Jesus' understanding of his way and Paul's writing to the early church in Ephesus.
Message: Jody Betten, Music: Jeff Spangler and Ryan Blok
Message: Jody Betten, Music: Jeff Spangler and Ryan Blok
Pastor Jody's Office Hours
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Pastor Jody's office hours for the week of August 19: Wednesday: 9am - 4pm Friday: 10am - 3pm. For the week of August 26: Monday: 5pm-8pm Tuesday: Noon - 8pm Friday: 10am-3pm |
Teacher Love: KUDOS to Margaret Smith
As the school year opens, it's time to heap KUDOS and gratitude onto the teachers among us. Those who have served, and those heading back to their classrooms. (It's always the right time to heap love, respect, gratitude and honor onto a teacher, though, if we're being honest.)
So KUDOS to all the teachers, and especially to Margaret Smith, named by South Haven Public Schools as the 2024 Teacher of the Year. Each year, South Haven Teachers nominate their peers, and the teaching staff then votes, naming one staff member for the prize.
And this is Margaret's year. She s in her 17th year of teaching music education. After earning her Bachelor’s degree from Olivet College, Margaret moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to teach middle school music. While there, she directed many musicals and choirs as well as contributed to community service. Upon leaving Phoenix, her school renamed their community service award after her.
This year she begins her 11th year teaching in South Haven, in her own third-grade classroom. She is currently working toward her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education at Western Michigan University.
So KUDOS to all the teachers, and especially to Margaret Smith, named by South Haven Public Schools as the 2024 Teacher of the Year. Each year, South Haven Teachers nominate their peers, and the teaching staff then votes, naming one staff member for the prize.
And this is Margaret's year. She s in her 17th year of teaching music education. After earning her Bachelor’s degree from Olivet College, Margaret moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to teach middle school music. While there, she directed many musicals and choirs as well as contributed to community service. Upon leaving Phoenix, her school renamed their community service award after her.
This year she begins her 11th year teaching in South Haven, in her own third-grade classroom. She is currently working toward her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education at Western Michigan University.
Who Are We, Really? (It's The Identity Phase of Interim Time)
Photo by Planet Volumes on UnSplash
Have you wondered where the members of Douglas UCC come from? How far is the reach of our beautiful faith community?
In the Friendship Hall, there are two maps of the area on bulletin boards. On the map of Southwest Michigan we intend to capture the residences of those who live beyond the Saugatuck Douglas area. Please use a push pin of any color to locate your home (one pin per household, please). On the map of Saugatuck Douglas we intend to capture those of you who live within the village's boundaries (also one pin per household please).
Also, please count the number of churches you can see that you pass by on your way to service on Sunday morning and record that number with your name on the clipboard by the maps. There may be a prize for the person(s) who pass the most!
What about our religious traditions? Are you curious where people come from on their faith journey? On the third bulletin board is a tree of historical faith traditions. Place a push pin (any color) on the original faith tradition of your spiritual journey. Each person please share.
We also will be capturing info regarding the churches in our neighborhood. Typically churches feel as though they are competing for members, but maybe we could imagine which of them might be a partner in ministry.
Watch for the results of our polls!!!
In the Friendship Hall, there are two maps of the area on bulletin boards. On the map of Southwest Michigan we intend to capture the residences of those who live beyond the Saugatuck Douglas area. Please use a push pin of any color to locate your home (one pin per household, please). On the map of Saugatuck Douglas we intend to capture those of you who live within the village's boundaries (also one pin per household please).
Also, please count the number of churches you can see that you pass by on your way to service on Sunday morning and record that number with your name on the clipboard by the maps. There may be a prize for the person(s) who pass the most!
What about our religious traditions? Are you curious where people come from on their faith journey? On the third bulletin board is a tree of historical faith traditions. Place a push pin (any color) on the original faith tradition of your spiritual journey. Each person please share.
We also will be capturing info regarding the churches in our neighborhood. Typically churches feel as though they are competing for members, but maybe we could imagine which of them might be a partner in ministry.
Watch for the results of our polls!!!
Vocal Artist Spencer LaJoye
at First Congregational UCC, August 18, 3pm
South Haven's First Congregational UCC puts on an amazing summer concert series each year. The next performance in their lineup features queer indie folk artist Spencer LaJoye.
Folk/Pop singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and vocal loop artist Spencer LaJoye (they/them) is currently on tour in support of their new CD, “Shadow Puppets.” Heart-opening, transformational, and magical, musical artistry offered on Sunday, August 18 at 3pm. Tickets are $20 at the door, general admission. Doors open at 2pm.
All proceeds benefit the church.
The concert Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/JDff2DnA1ZJdxrzE/?mibextid=9l3rBW
Spencer LaJoye's website: www.spencerlajoye.com/
Folk/Pop singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and vocal loop artist Spencer LaJoye (they/them) is currently on tour in support of their new CD, “Shadow Puppets.” Heart-opening, transformational, and magical, musical artistry offered on Sunday, August 18 at 3pm. Tickets are $20 at the door, general admission. Doors open at 2pm.
All proceeds benefit the church.
The concert Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/JDff2DnA1ZJdxrzE/?mibextid=9l3rBW
Spencer LaJoye's website: www.spencerlajoye.com/
The Annual Red Dock Poetry Reading,
August 22, 6pm
The funky music, food, and beverage venue ,The Red Dock, has announced the date and time of their annual end-of-summer Poetry Reading (Just So Saugatuck!), featuring Douglas Poet Laureate Jack Ridl and the Red Dock’s founder and poet Tony Amato. Ridl will be reading from his upcoming book from CavanKerry Press, “All at Once,” the eleventh volume of poetry from this former college professor, and author of poetry and textbooks about and anthologies of poetry. Amato will be reading from a body of work he has amassed throughout his life. It’s a rare treat to hear Tony read his soulful work. And long-time friends of the Red Dock will delight in catching up with the heart of Tony. This annual reading always fills the dock, so come at 6 to get a seat, a bite, a beverage, Poetry begins at 6:30pm, a camaraderie of good souls in a good place, attending to things that matter.
MiniGolf Funder for Area Scholarships
Photo by Vasily Koloda on Unsplash
The Saugatuck Woman’s Club is raising funds for scholarships for area students through their Mini Golf Fundraiser! The owners of Saugatuck Mini Golf offer special tickets for $20 each, usable all summer long. These tickets help the Woman's Club earn $15 for each ticket sold. Connect with Lynne Snyder to support local students through their purchase. She will have the special tickets with her every Sunday at church, or give her a call to arrange a pick-up. A great gift for visiting friends and family members over the summer!
New Membership Class Postponed
We've postponed this Sunday's New Member class to find a time, this Fall, that works for all interested parties. If you are one of those parties, but haven't signed up or written to us to let us know, just drop a note to Pastor Jody, to share your interest in the class, and watch for the new date, coming soon.
True North Invites You: The Spirituality of the Drum, September 4, 11am
Photo by Fellipe Ditadi on Unsplash
Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning. -Diane Ackerman, poet
The spirituality of the drum is about love, about healing and about helping all races come together.- Terry Temper, White Earth Reservation
True North warmly invites you to experience a drumming circle/experience lead by West Michigan’s Josh Dunigan. Learn about Josh here.
Josh has performed and lead groups in schools, in libraries, at festivals (Including Art Prize) and at Laugh Fest. His hour-long event will be held on Wednesday, September 4 at 11am, at the Friendship Hall, or if weather permits, perhaps outside. If you have your own drum, please bring it. Otherwise, Josh has drums for up to 25 people.
There is a sign-up sheet in the Friendship Hall. Be sure to specify on the sheet if you need a drum or not. Or you can sign up by e-mailing Barb Witt at: [email protected]. We ask that you please consider a donation of $10 - $20 for Josh, but it is not required. In Josh’s words, “It’s more important that everyone feel welcome than whatever amount I leave with.”
The spirituality of the drum is about love, about healing and about helping all races come together.- Terry Temper, White Earth Reservation
True North warmly invites you to experience a drumming circle/experience lead by West Michigan’s Josh Dunigan. Learn about Josh here.
Josh has performed and lead groups in schools, in libraries, at festivals (Including Art Prize) and at Laugh Fest. His hour-long event will be held on Wednesday, September 4 at 11am, at the Friendship Hall, or if weather permits, perhaps outside. If you have your own drum, please bring it. Otherwise, Josh has drums for up to 25 people.
There is a sign-up sheet in the Friendship Hall. Be sure to specify on the sheet if you need a drum or not. Or you can sign up by e-mailing Barb Witt at: [email protected]. We ask that you please consider a donation of $10 - $20 for Josh, but it is not required. In Josh’s words, “It’s more important that everyone feel welcome than whatever amount I leave with.”
Prayer Requests
The Rienstra Family; Karen Clement (Friend of Debra Carr's); Ann and Jim Hopkins; Sally LaRowe (Linda Charvat's friend); Janice Campbell children & grandchildren (Pete Wehle's friends); Tim Mikita (Ginny Mikita's Father); James Higgins (Friend of Shane Anderson and Michael Tuleja), Joe Scarpone (Friend of Tom Fahlstrom); Fred "Fritz" Royce and Sara Hurley; Fred Hamlin; Carol Brown and Dan McGavin; John Kerr; Dave and Shirley Lawson; Ruth Fahlstrom (daughter of Tom Fahlstrom); Nancy Grib (Friend of Pamela Chappell); Stuart Family; Mary Westenbroek; Brian Aikens; Jerry Elpers and family (Beth Howley's Dad); Edie Plantinga (Nancy Plantinga's mother); Max Matteson; Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother)
Prayers for all victims of sexual assault, that they may find justice and healing, for 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; for our Pastoral Search Team, our Church Transition Team, our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet. And for all the people no one ever thinks to pray for.
Prayers for all victims of sexual assault, that they may find justice and healing, for 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; for our Pastoral Search Team, our Church Transition Team, our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet. And for all the people no one ever thinks to pray for.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays: August 18- Kathleen Mueller, Nancy Van Dyke, 20- Kenneth Whitcomb, 21- Kathy Davelaar Van Rees, Roxann Overweg, 24- Kristi Van Howe
Anniversaries: August 20- Chris & Karen Clark
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can reach out to one another. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory.
Anniversaries: August 20- Chris & Karen Clark
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can reach out to one another. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory.
Grant Proposals
Photo by Michele Henderson on UnSplash.
Know a worthy non-profit in need of some financial support? Download and send them the application below, or connect with any member of our Grant Proposal Team. You'll find them here.
| 6_2022_grant_application.docx |
Stewardship Drive
Stewardship Drive Giving Week ending August 11:
Pledges to Date = $228,800.00
Pledge Fulfillment to date = $154,889.02
Thank you to all who pledged toward our Campus Stewardship Drive. Weekly Stewardship Drive totals are posted here and on the giant ‘thermometer’ poster in the Friendship Hall. If you have not received a pledge card, you can pick one up in the Friendship Hall. Or you can help us reach our goal of $275,000 by giving online here:
Pledges to Date = $228,800.00
Pledge Fulfillment to date = $154,889.02
Thank you to all who pledged toward our Campus Stewardship Drive. Weekly Stewardship Drive totals are posted here and on the giant ‘thermometer’ poster in the Friendship Hall. If you have not received a pledge card, you can pick one up in the Friendship Hall. Or you can help us reach our goal of $275,000 by giving online here:
Financial Stewardship
In-Person Attendance, August 11: 92
Total Views for August 11 worship videos: 147
Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $3,789.07
Online Giving: $3,164.81
Total, General Support: $6,953.88
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service in the world. Please consider giving online, which is easily done by
texting your donation amount to 844-931-2849.
Total Views for August 11 worship videos: 147
Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $3,789.07
Online Giving: $3,164.81
Total, General Support: $6,953.88
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service in the world. Please consider giving online, which is easily done by
texting your donation amount to 844-931-2849.
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