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Weekly E-Pistle: First Sunday of Lent

2/22/2020

 

This Week's Homily: Jack Ridl
"The Devil Went Down to Douglas"

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Our Pastor Sal is currently on sabbatical, and we have an amazing lineup of inspiring speakers through the end of March (see schedule here). This Sunday, our church member Jack Ridl will give the message, with special music programming by Nancy Plantinga and the Huggett Family and Peter Black. 

Poet Laureate of Douglas Jack Ridl is the author of nine award-winning collections of poetry, several collegiate textbooks and anthologies, and a weekly blog at www.ridl.com. He was named Michigan's Teacher of the Year by The Carnegie Foundation, and more than 90 of his students are now published authors.  Please join us Sunday for 10am service!

Thanks to our Feb 23 Service Team
​and Tim Buszka!

Thanks to Tim Buszka and everyone who participated in making the February 23 service for our church. Well done, team!

Community Forum on Domestic Violence
​March 1, 3pm, DUCC Sanctuary

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Douglas UCC's Social Justice team invites you to join us for a discussion of domestic violence. How to recognize it, how to help, what local resources are available to support people rebuilding their lives. Our friends from Sylvia’s Place, a local social worker, a law enforcement officer and former victims will share their experience and answer our questions.

Kudos for Lenten Sanctuary Display

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Thanks go to Greg Harvath, Floyd Fleming and Jim Bailey for their vision and hard work to dress the sanctuary for our Season of Lent. Awakening, going inward, seeking the light, together...

True Justice: Documentary Screening,
​March 11, 6 pm, Herrick Public Library

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​Our Social Justice Team Recommends all of the works by author Bryan Stevenson, and encourages you attend this powerful documentary showing in Holland.  TRUE JUSTICE: BRYAN STEVENSON’S FIGHT FOR EQUALITY examines his personal journey as a public defender in Alabama and director of the Equal Justice Initiative, who is working to bring justice to the incarcerated, wrongfully convicted and disadvantaged. This film weaves together Stevenson’s own story, those of his clients, and a history of injustice and complicity by our justice system to reveal how a narrative of racial inequality emerged in this country. Bryan challenges us to seek the truth, confront it, and work towards reconciliation.

2020 Lenten Devotionals On Sale Now

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The Lenten Devotionals have arrived. On sale for $5 each in the church office from 10 to 1pm weekdays, and at the Friendship Hall on Sundays. A good way to contemplate this sacred season. 

A Course In Miracles Made Easy -- Starting Apr 14

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Nancy Plantinga and participants will be journeying through the book “A Course in Miracles Made Easy (Mastering the Journey from Fear to Love), by Alan Cohen.

A Course in Miracles, also referred to as ACIM and The Course, is a self-study system of spiritual awakening that teaches the way of inner peace and healing through the power of love and forgiveness. Alan Cohen has been a practitioner and teacher of the Course for 35+ years. The original version of ACIM includes a 600+ page textbook, 365 daily lessons, and a Teacher's Manual. Cohen has taken some of the major teachings of ACIM and brought them into a shorter and more easy-to-understand version. This is a perfect way to begin the journey of ACIM!
  • There is no financial cost to attend this discussion group, however, you will need to purchase the book and a notebook/journal to help process through your journey of self-discovery.
  • The discussion group will begin meeting in the Spring Street House on Tuesday, April 14 at 6:30 in Spring Street House, and will continue meeting on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month through September, or until the entire book has been processed.
Nancy says, "I have started ACIM a few times and gotten bogged down and frustrated with its lengthy text and far-reaching concepts. Yet, the message that I/we need to move from fear to love, from darkness into the Light, truly resonates with me. When I was preparing for my recent talk “Out of Darkness, Into the Light,” I felt strongly guided to get back into my personal journey through the Course. This book by Alan Cohen came forward as well as the desire to form a discussion group to do the same. I'm looking forward to taking this journey with members of my spiritual family!"

If you are interested in being part of this discussion group, please contact Nancy Plantinga. Email her at createpeace4us@gmail.com or call her  616.405.3399

Walk for Warmth, March 21, Otsego

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Walk for Warmth 
Walk for Warmth is right around the corner and Community Action is looking for sponsors, as well as participants.
 
Community Action believes that when families get the right resources at the right time, our community becomes stronger and more resilient. Community Action is excited to join the statewide effort to raise awareness concerning people experiencing heat-related emergencies with our 3rd annual “Walk for Warmth” 5K Run/Walk at The Lynx in Otsego on March 21, 2020 from 9am to 11am. Their “Walk for Warmth” will shine a spotlight on the need for emergency utility assistance in Allegan County and raise funds for families in Allegan County facing shut-off notices.
 
This year the state has cut utility assistance for many agencies, ours alone was cut by nearly 70%. Last year we were able to raise $6,350.  Come support the event and help us double that amount so we can help even more families struggling throughout the Allegan County.

We are inviting you to join us in 2020. Sign up can be done online by going to, https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Otsego/CAAC2019WalkforWarmth or by completing the form attached and returning it to Community Action of Allegan County. Registration cost is $35 for adults and $15 for children with children under 5 being free.  Also included is a continental breakfast and a really awesome long sleeve ¼ zip ‘tech shirt’ for adults.
Documents: 
  • Registration form 
  • Sponsorship packet 
  • Information flyer 
Peace and Blessings,
Sue Fleming

Maundy Thursday Service April 9, Sign Up Now

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A remembrance of Jesus' last supper with his friends, and a powerful service each year, Maundy Thursday Service will be held on April 9. Space is limited, so please sign up on the special Maundy Thursday board in the Friendship Hall. 

Upcoming Potluck, March 8!!

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​Please join us in the Friendship Hall after our Sunday service for our "2nd Sunday of the Month" Potluck. Please bring a dish to share, and come hungry! If you can plan to help with cleanup afterwards, that will make shorter work for everyone. 

Potluck Cleanup

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Potlucks are so much fun, so delicious, such a great place to collect recipes. And then there's the clean-up! The best part of all! If you want to be part of the few, the proud, the pot-luck clean-up brigade, there's a sign-up sheet for that. In the Friendship Hall. We are looking for new recruits and leaders! ​

Stephen Ministry Update

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This coming week marks the beginning of 50 hours of training for four people who have committed themselves to learning the skills of caring ministry.  On Monday the training concerns “The Person of the Caregiver,” and trainees will consider five foundational characteristics of a caregiver.  On Saturday morning the  trainees will be considering the subject of “Feelings: Yours, Mine, and Ours.”  In this presentation they will be talking about the importance of recognizing and accepting all the feelings people have.  And on Saturday afternoon, the trainees will be learning “The Art of Listening;” and honing their listening skills and finding out that listening well is extremely helpful and caring but also hard work. These people are a blessing to Douglas UCC, and we wish God’s blessings upon them.  Keep them in your prayers.

January Church Council Minutes

january_church_council_minutes_january_2020.pdf
File Size: 119 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Financial Stewardship

February 23:  Attendance: 98
Collection Plate: $757    Online Giving: $2,544.41
Total: $3,301.41

Thank you for your generous giving which
allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service.
​​
You can also give securely online by clicking ONLINE GIVING.

Weekly E-Pistle: Transfiguration Sunday

2/21/2020

 

Timothy Buszka-Hoehn, "The Imposter Syndrome"

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Our Pastor Sal is currently on sabbatical, and we have an amazing lineup of inspiring speakers through the end of March (see schedule below). This Sunday, our church member Tim Buszka-Hoehn will give the message, with special music programming by Pamela Chappell and Peter Black. 

Tim grew up in a conservative community in Indiana where he lived his life constantly torn between who he was inside and who society wanted him to be. He escaped the battle by finding solace in Douglas, a community which released the chains of self-doubt and has pushed him further than he imagined he could go. He now has a wonderful husband, family, home, and career, sponsored by those who came before him and those who remind all of us to be all we were made to be.

Please join us for 10am service!

A Course In Miracles Made Easy -- Starting Apr 7

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Nancy Plantinga and participants will be journeying through the book “A Course in Miracles Made Easy (Mastering the Journey from Fear to Love), by Alan Cohen.

A Course in Miracles, also referred to as ACIM and The Course, is a self-study system of spiritual awakening that teaches the way of inner peace and healing through the power of love and forgiveness. Alan Cohen has been a practitioner and teacher of the Course for 35+ years. The original version of ACIM includes a 600+ page textbook, 365 daily lessons, and a Teacher's Manual. Cohen has taken some of the major teachings of ACIM and brought them into a shorter and more easy-to-understand version. This is a perfect way to begin the journey of ACIM!
  • There is no financial cost to attend this discussion group, however, you will need to purchase the book and a notebook/journal to help process through your journey of self-discovery.
  • The discussion group will begin meeting in the Spring Street House on Tuesday, April 14 at 6:30 in Spring Street House, and will continue meeting on the 2ndst and 4th Tuesday of each month through September, or until the entire book has been processed.
Nancy says, "I have started ACIM a few times and gotten bogged down and frustrated with its lengthy text and far-reaching concepts. Yet, the message that I/we need to move from fear to love, from darkness into the Light, truly resonates with me. When I was preparing for my recent talk “Out of Darkness, Into the Light,” I felt strongly guided to get back into my personal journey through the Course. This book by Alan Cohen came forward as well as the desire to form a discussion group to do the same. I'm looking forward to taking this journey with members of my spiritual family!"

If you are interested in being part of this discussion group, please contact Nancy Plantinga. Email her at createpeace4us@gmail.com or call her  616.405.3399

Saugatuck Ash Wednesday Services

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For those who wish to observe Ash Wednesday: 

All Saints Episcopal is holding Ash Wednesday services at 8am, noon, and 7 pm. The evening service will have hymns. All three Services will offer the imposition of ashes (optional) and Holy Communion (also optional - but all are welcome!). 

Ashes-To-Go, with Pastor Sarah from the First Congregational Church, in Downtown Saugatuck
As we begin our Lenten season, open yourself to a "holy interruption"- to be stopped in your tracks and asked: How do you see the Christ at work in your life? Pastor Sarah will have an Ashes-To-Go station set up downtown (look for her near Saugatuck Drug or by the post office.)

2020 Lenten Devotionals
​On Sale Soon in the Friendship Hall

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Lenten Devotionals for 2020 are on order from the UCC bookstore. They will go on sale for $5 each in the Friendship Hall as soon as they are delivered. 

Aspire to Join The Pot-Luck Clean-up Brigade!

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Potlucks are so much fun, so delicious, such a great place to collect recipes. And then there's the clean-up! The best part of all! If you want to be part of the few, the proud, the pot-luck clean-up brigade, there's a sign-up sheet for that. In the Friendship Hall. We are looking for new recruits and leaders! 

Yarn Swap and 25 Million Stitches,
​Feb 26, 6:30pm in the Retreat House

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The DUCC Knit Knights would love for you to join us in the Retreat House at 6:30pm,  Feb 26. Along with our regular knitting group and a fun free-for-all yarn swap, we'll be welcoming stitchers to contribute to the 25 Million Stitches installation, a craft happening to call attention to the plight of 25 million refugees worldwide. Learn all about it at 25millionstitches.com.

Stephen Ministry Classes Starting Soon

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​

​In Matthew 25, Jesus says, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger
and you invited me in…” 


We have many opportunities to respond to Jesus’ great love by showing that love to others.  Stephen Ministry is one of the ways the people of DUCC show love to people who have deep needs for care. We will soon begin our training course for new Stephen Ministers. Please contact Paul Burdick or Laurie Van Den Beldt if you would like to apply to be part of this important ministry.

Stephen Ministers care for those who are experiencing... 
  • Hospitalization
  • Loneliness
  • Terminal or chronic illness
  • Loss of a loved one
  • Retirement changes
  • Discouragement
  • Job loss or change
  • Separation and divorce
  • Childbirth
  • Spiritual crisis
We also care for those who are:
  • New Church Members
  • Homebound
  • Looking for a caring, Christian friend

​Stephen Ministers are lay members selected, trained and supervised to provide effective care.   At present, three of our lay ministers are engaged in one-to-one caring and confidential relationships with people in our community.  Additionally,  we have three more ministers now available to provide this kind of love and support to those who are hurting.   And, beginning March 2, four or five more church members will begin their training to become Stephen Ministers. 
 
Everyone goes through difficult times.  Having someone to care, to listen, and to share God’s love with you can help you get through the experience.  If you, or someone you know, might benefit from having a Stephen Minister, please call our church office to get in touch with one of our Stephen Ministry Leaders.  When referring a friend or family member, please receive their permission for a contact to be made.



Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act Amendment -- Petitions Circulating!

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Language has been filed with the state Board of Canvassers to expand Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include a ban on discrimination against the LGBTQ community. The Fair and Equal Michigan committee has until May 27 to collect at least 340,047 signatures from valid registered voters in the state to qualify for the 2020 ballot. watch for your chance to sign this non-partisan petition in the Friendship Hall after services in the coming weeks.

Try to track your waste for one week. Sort it into categories. Then look hard: How much of it can be eliminated, reused, or replaced with recyclables? What can you challenge yourself to live without or live with differently? If we all did just one thing differently and mindfully followed the waste streams we create, we could change everything. Meanwhile, stay tuned for news from the Creation Justice Team about upcoming Tri-Government conversations about our recycling services and options for managing our waste. Follow the week-by-week actions in the UCC's 52 Ways to Care for Creation by following this link.

Financial Stewardship

February 16:  Attendance: 82
Collection Plate: $835    Online Giving: $689
Total: $1,524

Thank you for your generous giving which
allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service.
​​
You can also give securely online by clicking ONLINE GIVING.

Weekly E-Pistle: Sixth Sunday After Epiphany

2/14/2020

 

Sunday Service with Lynne Snyder

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Our Pastor Sal is currently on sabbatical, and we have an amazing lineup of inspiring speakers through the end of March (see schedule below). This Sunday, our church member Lynne Snyder will give the message, with special music programming by Elizabeth Estes and Peter Black. 

Lynne Snyder has spent all of her professional life in Education. She earned a BA at Michigan State University; an MA at Western Michigan University; and a Ph.D. at Wayne State University. Lynne worked as a vocal music teacher and secondary education teacher in Mt. Clemens, MI., and a professor, administrator, and consultant, mostly in the field of Special Education. She has worked through the University of North Dakota with the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians at Belcourt, ND., as an administrator at Central Michigan University, as a professor and Department Chair at Central Connecticut State University, a professor of special Education in the areas of Learning Disabilities and Emotional Impairment at Eastern Kentucky University, and Hope College, and as a consultant for students with Emotional Impairments.

Please join us at 10am for worship!

KUDOS for Last Sunday

​Thanks so much for joining us this past Sunday! Kudos to everyone, especially to Fred Stella for providing our message, to Hanna and Nancy and Peter for the music and to all of our service volunteers at the front and back of the house for making our fifth Sabbatical Service a success.

Pflag Meetings, February 21

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PFLAG Holland/Lakeshore meets Fri, Feb 21, 7 pm, support; 8:10 pm program: Finn Marcks and Carlos Garay-Negron will discuss the importance of using correct pronouns and other tips for allies of the transgender community. They are board members of the Grand Rapids Trans Foundation. We meet at Grace Episcopal Church, 555 Michigan Avenue.
 
Gender SAFE (Supporting All For Equality), support group for the transgender/gender diverse community, family and allies, meets:
Fri., February 21, 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Grace Episcopal Church, 555 Michigan Ave., Holland.
Sat., March 7, 4:00 to 6:00 pm at Out On The Lakeshore, 451 Columbia Ave., Holland.

Thanks Social Justice Team for "The Sentence."

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Thanks to the Social Justice team for hosting a viewing of The Sentence last week. This award-winning documentary is available on streaming services, if you missed it. The follow-on conversation, moderated by Bob Kenny, was productive, and will inspire more work and opportunities for outreach by the Social Justice Team.

How to Write to Your Local Representatives...

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During the discussion following "The Sentence," church members described the importance of reaching out to our elected officials to share our values as Christians and express to them what we expect of our government, especially on issues of our moral standing as a community, state, and country. To that end, here is a reminder of how to find the names and addresses of your local representatives, wherever you are. As people of conscience, we believe we must stand up and speak our truth. This link at the League of Women Voters' website makes it simple. Just enter your zip code. No other information is necessary.

Michigan's Primary is March 10. Check your Registration and Polling Place. Help a Neighbor.

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March 10 is our Michigan Presidential Primary. We'll go to the polls to help determine who will be on the ballot in November. This handy website will help us make sure we are registered to vote, and will help us help others check on their voting status and find their polling places. Check it out: Vote411.org

How Many Congregants Does It Take To Change A Lightbulb?

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It's week 8 in the UCC's 52 Ways to Care for Creation challenge: CFL and LED bulbs can emit 25-80% less energy than traditional incandescents, plus they last longer! Consider this greener alternative when it comes time to replenishing/replacing your home and office bulbs and fixtures. 

Sabbatical Half-Way Mark! Here's What's Ahead!

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Can you believe we're almost half-way through Sabbatical Season already? Here's a reminder of our speaker schedule ahead. And when you want to check quickly, just head to this link on the DUCC Website: https://www.douglasucc.org/sunday-messages--music.html

Financial Stewardship

February 9:  Attendance: 78
Collection Plate: $865, Retreat House: $160, Church/Hall Use: $200,
Misc. Income $120, Pancake Breakfast $96.58, Online Giving: $2,377
Total: $3,818.58

Weekly E-Pistle: Fifth Sunday After Epiphany

2/3/2020

 

Sunday Service welcomes Fred Stella

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Our Pastor Sal is currently on sabbatical, and we have an amazing lineup of inspiring speakers in the coming weeks.  This Sunday, Fred Stella, ordained outreach minister for the West Michigan Hindu Temple, will give the message.

Fred Stella began his spiritual search within the Hindu Dharma at the age of 15. He was initiated into his specific tradition more than 20 years ago. His training includes time spent in temples and ashrams both here and in India. He has given lectures, facilitated workshops and retreats at schools, churches and in the private sector. Fred is on the adjunct faculty of Muskegon Community College, where he is an instructor of Hatha Yoga. He is also president of Interfaith Dialogue Association, and hosts its weekly radio program on Religion and Spirituality, Common Threads on local NPR affiliate, WGVU. Fred also sits on the advisory boards of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute and the West Michigan chapter of the ACLU, where he often consults on freedom of religion issues.

We hope you can join us this Sunday at 10 AM for an inspiring message from Fred, and uplifting music by Hannah Huggett, and Peter Black.


Kudos for Bringing the Light!

Our fourth Sabbatical service, full of light, welcome, and pancakes! And so it was, thanks and KUDOS to Nancy Plantinga and all of our musicians, service volunteers and Pancake breakfast crew. Thanks to all!! (And on palindrome day, as we do every day, we are thinking of Pastor Sal and Gregg, and sending our light out to them!)

Prayers for DUCC from UCC Grand West Assoc.

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This Sunday the churches of the United Church of Christ Grand West Association are praying for DUCC and Pastor Sal, as part of its practice to encourage the churches in our region to pray for one another. Feel the strength and love coming from all of these churches. 

Kudos to John Willming and Pancake Crew

Special KUDOS to John Willming, Fred Hamlin, Dave Miedema, Larry Fuerst, Sue Scott, Lynn Snyder, Bob Kennedy, Sidney Matheis, and Alan Weathers for another great Pancake Breakfast that filled every seat in the house and gave us a chance to feel warm and light on a February day. Yummy!

PFLAG Meetings February and March!

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​PFLAG Holland/Lakeshore meets Fri, Feb 21, 7 pm, support; 8:10 pm program: Finn Marcks and Carlos Garay-Negron will discuss the importance of using correct pronouns and other tips for allies of the transgender community. They are board members of the Grand Rapids Trans Foundation. We meet at Grace Episcopal Church, 555 Michigan Avenue.
 
Gender SAFE (Supporting All For Equality), support group for the transgender/gender diverse community, family and allies, meets:
Fri., February 21, 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Grace Episcopal Church, 555 Michigan Ave., Holland.
Sat., March 7, 4:00 to 6:00 pm at Out On The Lakeshore, 451 Columbia Ave., Holland.

New Campus Calendar

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Bookmark this DUCC Campus Calendar to stay up to date on everything that's happening in this busy church!
https://www.douglasucc.org/events-calendar.html

Printouts of the online calendar now replace the old calendars in the Friendship Hall. You may still write in dates on the paper copy to reserve a room, but the easiest way to reserve is to send an email to welcome@douglasucc.org  with the time, date, and name of your event. Julie will reserve your spot or find one for you if your first choice is taken.

52 Ways to Care for Creation: Week 7

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52 WAYS TO CARE FOR CREATION: WEEK 7: USE GREEN CLEANING PRODUCTS
Did you know some cleaning products have toxic chemicals that can harm your health as well as pollute the environment? Check out the UCC's Cleanliness and Godliness Toolkit, below, for ideas on greener cleaning. Catch up on the 52 ways (one each week) here: ​http://www.creationjustice.org/blog/52-ways-to-care-for-creation
greencleaningtoolkit.pdf
File Size: 41 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Special Sunday Music:
​Nancy Plantinga and The Huggetts!!


Financial Stewardship

​February 2:  Attendance: 111
Collection Plate: $921
Online Giving: $1,272.66
TOTAL: $2,193.66
        
Thank you for your generous giving which
allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service.
​
​You can also give securely online by clicking ONLINE GIVING.

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  • About Us ▾
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