 Photo by Marcel Ardivan on Unsplash This Week In the E-Pistle, You Will Find
BEING THE CHURCHThis Week's Service: Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Photo by Bautik Patel on Unsplash Humans groan. Animals groan too. It’s not often, though, we hear that trees, rocks, rivers, and valleys groan as well. A snippet from Romans 8 reminds us that “the whole creation has been groaning . . . up to the present time.” Maybe you’ve heard this before, or maybe it’s a novel concept. Indeed, there is no such things as an inanimate object. I’m reminded of a stunning quote for Richard Powers’ remarkable book The Overstory: “People are not the apex species they think they are. Other creatures—bigger, smaller, slower, faster, older, younger, more powerful—call the shots, make air, and eat sunlight. Without them nothing.” If indeed creation has the capacity to groan, what might we be able to do about it? We’ll ponder that this Sunday. Please join us on Sunday at 10am in our Sanctuary, or online, live on our Youtube Channel. Message: Rev. Dan Plasman Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler, Lauri Donaldson You will always find our latest church bulletin and service music at Bit.ly/DUCCBulletin
Last Week's Service: Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost photo by Michael Loftus on Unsplash Last week on the Season of Creation we considered the story of Moses and the Burning Bush (Exodus 3). A bush that doesn't burn up? Ground that is holy? How does creation support us? How do we listen for the messages of creation? Maybe creation provides healing in the connection. Click above to see the whole service, and below for his message. Jody and Dan's Office Hours This Week
Celebrating Stewardship Campaign, Thank you! What began in Fall of 2023 as a campaign to continue the legacy of ministry on our church campus is now being culminated due to the generous contributions of YOU! Many Thanks to Jim Kern and Pete Mueller for leading a successful Stewardship Campaign! Thank you to the Organizers and Dancers who joined us for Line Dancing! Photo by Polina Kuzovkova on Unsplash The Friendship Hall became a place for toe taps and grapevines. A fun teacher helped us get the hang of it by teaching simple dance routines followed by more complex ones. What Fun! Thank you to the organizers, Betsy York, Virginia Stuart, or Shannon Connell! And Thank you to all the dancers! NEW DATE: What’s Up with Plastic? A Quick Talk with Chris Clark, September 28th, After Service Photo by Brian Yurasits on Unsplash Ever wonder what plastic really is, why it’s clogging up our planet, and what we can actually do about it? Chris will break it down—clearly, practically, and with a few surprises. Come for the conversation, leave with real-world ways to reduce plastic in your life and protect God’s creation. Single-use Plastics Update - In conjunction with the Season of Creation, (and due to the need to cancel this presentation in July) on Sunday, September 28, in the Friendship Hall after the service Chris Clark, the former Chair of the Creation Justice Team and champion of this initiative, will reflect on how it's going. Please plan to join us for this informative conversation! Honoring Fred Hamlin, September 28th
World Wide Communion Sunday, October 5th Photo by Çağlar Oskay on Unsplash Sunday, October 5 is World Wide Communion Sunday, when we celebrate our connection to the world-wide community of faith. In a show of our various traditions, we invite you to contribute a loaf of bread which represents your family or heritage in some way, for our Communion Celebration and Coffee Hour. Please let us know if you are available to contribute a bread for communion/coffee hour or a spread for coffee hour. Thanks! Jody ([email protected]) or Mike Ver Merris ([email protected]) Social Justice Team Community Conversations Our Social Justice Team has been busy making connections, and inviting local thought leaders to come to our church and help us understand current challenges to Justice For All right here in our communities. Here are the upcoming dates and times already scheduled. Stay tuned for more from the SJT. Thurs Oct 9, 6:15 pm, Mark Neidlinger, Saugatuck Public Schools Superintendent Thurs Nov 13, 6:15 pm, Lighthouse Immigration Services Representative to speak All events are scheduled for our beautiful new Friendship Hall. All are welcome Second Sunday Luncheon, October 12th Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash They're back and we are excited! Church potlucks, now called Second Sunday Luncheons, will help us continue to create community while sharing a meal together. Second Sunday Luncheons will begin on October 12 immediately following the service in the Friendship Hall. Bring a dish to pass, or something as simple as a nice loaf of bread or gallon of cider. We will experiment with not having a sign-up so the menu will be organic and surprising. What is your favorite dish that you would like to share? We will try to be inclusive, remembering that some of us are gluten free or vegetarian. During the pandemic, disruptions in social connections made vulnerable people more susceptible to loneliness and the impacts of isolation. Some of those realities still exist today. We understand the value of community and connections and this is one opportunity to address it! Please invite a friend who you know might benefit from being with us! If you have questions or would like to help setup or cleanup, please contact Kelly Jacobsma [email protected]. Summer Food Ministry, Thank You! What a very generous little Church!! The Summer Food Ministry came to an end this past week. Over the last 10 weeks, DUCC members have generously donated a total of 200 bags of groceries. Although the official food distribution ministry has come to an end, the need for food and clothing will continue over the next few months. Once again, thank you for your generosity. Please continue to pray for our vulnerable neighbors. Please reach out to Rich Marth or Pete Mueller with any questions Grant Presented to Christian Neighbors Mike Mok and Rich Marth presented the Christian Neighbors Grant request check for 2025 to Christian Neighbors Executive Director, JoAnn Dejonge. Christian Neighbors is very grateful for many years of support from the DUCC congregation. The Grant will significantly help with the costs of the annual Back to School Program. Christian Neighbors provides children with new clothing, jeans, shirts, underclothing and socks. Each child also receives a backpack with school supplies. In August of this year, CN assisted 247 children. A huge Thank You to DUCC. Listening Ear: Do You Need to Be Heard? Our Listening Ear service has been a great help to our congregation during a tumultuous time, and so, after a successful trial period, this highly trained team of empathic folks -- Paul Burdick, Mike Valdez, Pat Denner, and Doug Sipsma -- will be continuing the service. Their premise is, everyone goes through rough patches in life. Sometimes stress can feel overwhelming. Talking to a caring human helps in so many, sometimes immeasurable, sometimes mystical ways. Our listeners are available at the Retreat House on Thursday afternoons from 1 to 3 pm. Prayer Requests Nancy Plantinga, and the Plantinga family; Tere Krueger; Jean Hotwagner (Annie Hotwagner's Mom); Orie Hawkes; Elinor Hite (Virginia Stuart’s sister); Dave Lawson; Christine Kerney; Dan McGavin and Family of Carol Brown; Rev. Marchiene Rienstra Family; Ann and Jim Hopkins; James Higgins (friend of Shane Anderson and Michael Tuleja), Joe Scarpone (friend of Tom Fahlstrom); John Kerr; Ruth Fahlstrom (Tom Fahlstrom’s daughter); Mary Westenbroek; Jerry Elpers and family (Beth Howley's dad); Max Matteson; Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother). Birthday's & Anniversary's This WeekBIRTHDAYS September 28: Wayne Titus October 2: Gary Nicodemus, Nan Belschner ANNIVERSARIES September 28: William E. Briggs, Jeff Chinski September 29: Amy & Bill Stratbucker October 3: Linda & Dick Riekse October 4: Marjorie & Mark Reiman 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. * If you have had any changes in your information, please know you can go to the Directory and update yourself, or contact Claire to change/update.* Financial StewardshipLast Weeks In-Person Attendance : 85 Last Weeks Total Views for worship videos: 13 Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $1,635.00 Online Giving: $3,291.00 Total, General Support: $4,926.00 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. Non-Profit Governance SupportDo you have experience with non-profit governance? DUCC is looking for a volunteer to assist with reviewing and updating our policies and procedures. If you're willing to share your knowledge and offer guidance, we’d love to hear from you! Interested? Please contact Barb Witt at [email protected]. Church Calendar Photo by Dari Ili on Unsplash VOLUNTEERING & GIVINGLetters for Gaza Here's an opportunity to add to our prayers for Gaza: A letter-writing campaign to participate in and share with your friends and neighbors. It's always a good time to demand action from our representatives. The power of now is joining in a national movement to do so CLASSESQigong! Summer into Fall! Photo by Sajad Nori on Unsplash Kat VanHammen's Qigong class will run through September 9 at the backyard of the Retreat House on Tuesdays at 3pm. And then there will be a short break before Qigong Winter begins in the Friendship Hall October 7, and runs through May! Qigong is a wonderful, 5,000 year-old practice from China, very much like Tai Chi. It involves simple movements that build strength, flexibility, balance and well being. It also employs visualization, breath, and mindfulness to integrate the body, mind, and spirit and develop our felt sense of Interbeing. Class is one hour long and involves both sitting and standing practice although it can be done sitting if needed. There is a requested donation of $10 per class but for those of you on limited incomes, any amount will be gratefully received. AROUND TOWNMen's Coffee and Conversation Water Filter Funder, October 1st, 6pm, Alley's Our church members Stacy Honson and Dick Bont are supporting the “Water Filters for Families” program for the poor communities that surround Puerto Vallarta. This program provides clean water for a family for 10 years for just $50. You are invited to join Dick and Stacy for food and beverages and more information about the program. Bring your checkbook! If you are interested in helping but cannot join in at the fundraiser, you can send a check payable to our local rotary club. Please put “PV Filters” in the memo line: Rotary Club of Saugatuck-Douglas 431 Spear Street Saugatuck MI 49453 Dick and Stacy want you to know: Just inland from the beaches and tourist areas of Puerto Vallarta, many families do not have access to clean, safe drinking water. Many communities are not on the municipal water purification system. Sometimes families purchase water for 50 pesos ($2.00) for 4 gallons but the average working person makes little more than 100 or 200 pesos ($5-10) per day. Many families in these communities get their water from the filthy rivers which are multi-use including use for animals and sewage. This clean water program was started in 2012. To date, we have given more than 7,500 individual water filters to families, homes and schools in the Puerto Vallarta area, free of charge to the recipients. More than 25,000 people have received the benefit of clean, safe drinking water under this program! A number of these communities are up in the mountains, and several other communities are accessible only by boat. In addition to receiving the water filter, “Water Filter School” is held offering instructions on the use, cleaning and maintenance of the filter. Clean water storage, hand washing and sanitation are also discussed, and large posters are provided to schools and health centers which outline the importance of clean water and sanitation. To date, funding has been provided through donations from individuals, charitable organizations, Rotary Clubs, and also through 2 Rotary District Grants, and 3 Rotary International Global Grants. The cost of a filter kit is $50 USD. Because of the low cost of this filter, we are able to supply people immediately with safe, clean drinking water. The filters are supplied by Sawyer, which has a history of working with Rotary to provide clean, safe drinking water worldwide. The filters do not require any fuel, chemicals, batteries or particular knowledge. They require a clean bucket and regular cleaning with clean water. The syringe needed to clean the filter is provided with the filter, as are all instructions for use. The life expectancy of a filter is 1,000,000 gallons or 4,000,000 liters. For most families, this will give them clean drinking water for about 10 years. The families using the filters are very pleased that they have been given the gift of clean, safe drinking water. The people have expressed their gratitude and happiness, and community members state that the provision of clean, safe drinking water has had a significant positive impact on these communities! October is "SOUP-TOBER"! Christian Neighbors Food Pantry is getting ready for winter and would like to stock its shelves with canned soup for its clients. For the month of SOUP-TOBER (Oct 1-31), Christian Neighbors is requesting donated cans of soup. You are invited to drop off cans of soup at church October 1-31. Financial donations are also welcomed, and can be made through the Christian Neighbors Douglas website, ChristianNeighborsDouglas.org
 Photo by Fachy Marín on Unsplash In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find
BEING THE CHURCHThis Week's Service: Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Photo by Michael Loftus on Unsplash This week on the Season of Creation we will be considering the story of Moses and the Burning Bush (Exodus 3). A bush that doesn't burn up? Ground that is holy? How does creation support us? How do we listen for the messages of creation? Maybe creation provides healing in the connection. Join us for this earthy conversation! Please join us on Sunday at 10am in our Sanctuary, or online, live on our Youtube Channel. Message: Rev. Jody Betten Music: Peter Black You will always find our latest church bulletin and service music at Bit.ly/DUCCBulletin 
Last Week's Service: Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Photo by NASA Last Sunday we continued our Celebration of Creation with a look at the second chapter of Genesis which offers a more intimate account of the fashioning of human beings. In a sense it's ancient poetry. Most scholars today consider these readings mythical. But most myths, if we have the ears to hear them, contain truths. Considering the disturbing and violent news of last week, Dan entitled his message: How Do We Love Creation When We Can’t Stop Killing Each Other? Click the image above for the whole service, and below to watch Dan's message. Jody and Dan's Office Hours This Week
A New Face in the Office
Thanks for Joining Us to Celebrate Julie!
Celebrating Completion of the Stewardship CampaignWhat began in Fall of 2023 as a campaign to continue the legacy of ministry on our church campus is now being culminated due to the generous contributions of YOU! On Sunday, September 21, after the Sunday service, we will reflect on the success of this endeavor, a once in a generation accomplishment. Please join us for this historic celebration! Line Dancing, Sign Up Now, September 25! Photo by Polina Kuzovkova on Unsplash Sign ups are hot for Line Dancing! On Thursday September 25 at 6:30 pm, the Friendship Hall will become a place for toe taps and grapevines. A fun teacher will help you get the hang of it by teaching simple dance routines followed by more complex ones. No special clothing, experience, or shoes necessary. There is room for only 40 people, so sign up soon to reserve your space. Come enjoy the fun. Ask Betsy York, Virginia Stuart, or Shannon Connell if you have questions. NEW DATE: What’s Up with Plastic? A Quick Talk with Chris Clark, September 28th, After Service Photo by Brian Yurasits on Unsplash Ever wonder what plastic really is, why it’s clogging up our planet, and what we can actually do about it? Chris will break it down—clearly, practically, and with a few surprises. Come for the conversation, leave with real-world ways to reduce plastic in your life and protect God’s creation. Single-use Plastics Update - In conjunction with the Season of Creation, (and due to the need to cancel this presentation in July) on Sunday, September 28, in the Friendship Hall after the service Chris Clark, the former Chair of the Creation Justice Team and champion of this initiative, will reflect on how it's going. Please plan to join us for this informative conversation! Honoring Fred Hamlin, September 28th
Water Filter Funder, October 1st, 6pm, Alley's Our church members Stacy Honson and Dick Bont are supporting the “Water Filters for Families” program for the poor communities that surround Puerto Vallarta. This program provides clean water for a family for 10 years for just $50. You are invited to join Dick and Stacy for food and beverages and more information about the program. Bring your checkbook! If you are interested in helping but cannot join in at the fundraiser, you can send a check payable to our local rotary club. Please put “PV Filters” in the memo line: Rotary Club of Saugatuck-Douglas 431 Spear Street Saugatuck MI 49453 Dick and Stacy want you to know: Just inland from the beaches and tourist areas of Puerto Vallarta, many families do not have access to clean, safe drinking water. Many communities are not on the municipal water purification system. Sometimes families purchase water for 50 pesos ($2.00) for 4 gallons but the average working person makes little more than 100 or 200 pesos ($5-10) per day. Many families in these communities get their water from the filthy rivers which are multi-use including use for animals and sewage. This clean water program was started in 2012. To date, we have given more than 7,500 individual water filters to families, homes and schools in the Puerto Vallarta area, free of charge to the recipients. More than 25,000 people have received the benefit of clean, safe drinking water under this program! A number of these communities are up in the mountains, and several other communities are accessible only by boat. In addition to receiving the water filter, “Water Filter School” is held offering instructions on the use, cleaning and maintenance of the filter. Clean water storage, hand washing and sanitation are also discussed, and large posters are provided to schools and health centers which outline the importance of clean water and sanitation. To date, funding has been provided through donations from individuals, charitable organizations, Rotary Clubs, and also through 2 Rotary District Grants, and 3 Rotary International Global Grants. The cost of a filter kit is $50 USD. Because of the low cost of this filter, we are able to supply people immediately with safe, clean drinking water. The filters are supplied by Sawyer, which has a history of working with Rotary to provide clean, safe drinking water worldwide. The filters do not require any fuel, chemicals, batteries or particular knowledge. They require a clean bucket and regular cleaning with clean water. The syringe needed to clean the filter is provided with the filter, as are all instructions for use. The life expectancy of a filter is 1,000,000 gallons or 4,000,000 liters. For most families, this will give them clean drinking water for about 10 years. The families using the filters are very pleased that they have been given the gift of clean, safe drinking water. The people have expressed their gratitude and happiness, and community members state that the provision of clean, safe drinking water has had a significant positive impact on these communities! SJT and SDHC Present: Everyday People, Documentary and Discussion, October 3 The Saugatuck Douglas History Center, in collaboration with the DUCC Social Justice Team, will present a screening and discussion of everydayPeople, a documentary film produced and directed by Steve Croley, Bridget McCormack, and Jeff Croley in 2011. We will revisit ideas raised in the film in the context of a very different political climate. Nestled next to each other along the Kalamazoo River with populations of just over 1,000, the resort towns of Saugatuck and Douglas have a substantial gay population. In an area with conservative and religious roots, gays and straights do not merely tolerate one another, but are thoroughly integrated politically, economically, socially and religiously. The film explores how and why this is the case, in part by asking residents from farmers to mayors how they account for longstanding gay-straight integration. DUCC is featured prominently in the film which includes interviews with former pastor Andy DeBraber and other DUCC church members. Doors open at 6:00 with the screening at 6:30, followed by panel discussion. Panelists include Saugatuck Schools Superintendent Mark Niedlinger, filmmakers Jeff Croley and Bridget McCormack and artist/activist Ruth Crowe. Social Justice Team Community Conversations Our Social Justice Team has been busy making connections, and inviting local thought leaders to come to our church and help us understand current challenges to Justice For All right here in our communities. Here are the upcoming dates and times already scheduled. Stay tuned for more from the SJT. Thurs Oct 9, 6:15 pm, Mark Neidlinger, Saugatuck Public Schools Superintendent Thurs Nov 13, 6:15 pm, Lighthouse Immigration Services Representative to speak All events are scheduled for our beautiful new Friendship Hall. All are welcome Summer Food Ministry Update Photo by Getty Images on Unsplash What a Congregation!! DUCC members have really stepped up each week in providing provisions for our vulnerable brothers and sisters of SW Michigan. Feeling truly grateful. We have 1 more weeks to go. The generosity of the DUCC Members has been overwhelming and so appreciated. In the last 8 weeks, DUCC members have generously donated a total of 157 bags of groceries for our Summer Food Ministry. For the last week of the Summer Ministry, we are requesting the following items: * (36) small bottles of vegetable or canola oil * (25) 1lb bags of white rice * (21) Cans of Fruit * (24) Cans of diced tomatoes * (7) Bags of onions, (6 onions/bag) * (10) 5lb bags of potatoes * (22) Cans of Chicken or Tuna * (15) Bags of Corn Tortillas * (10) Rolls of Toilet Paper * (35) Small Boxes of Toothpaste Listening Ear: Do You Need to Be Heard? Our Listening Ear service has been a great help to our congregation during a tumultuous time, and so, after a successful trial period, this highly trained team of empathic folks -- Paul Burdick, Mike Valdez, Pat Denner, and Doug Sipsma -- will be continuing the service. Their premise is, everyone goes through rough patches in life. Sometimes stress can feel overwhelming. Talking to a caring human helps in so many, sometimes immeasurable, sometimes mystical ways. Our listeners are available at the Retreat House on Thursday afternoons from 1 to 3 pm. Prayer Requests Nancy Plantinga, and the Plantinga family; Tere Krueger; Jean Hotwagner (Annie Hotwagner's Mom); Orie Hawkes; Elinor Hite (Virginia Stuart’s sister); Dave Lawson; Christine Kerney; Dan McGavin and Family of Carol Brown; Rev. Marchiene Rienstra Family; Ann and Jim Hopkins; James Higgins (friend of Shane Anderson and Michael Tuleja), Joe Scarpone (friend of Tom Fahlstrom); John Kerr; Ruth Fahlstrom (Tom Fahlstrom’s daughter); Mary Westenbroek; Jerry Elpers and family (Beth Howley's dad); Max Matteson; Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother). Birthday's & Anniversary's This WeekBIRTHDAYS September 21: Barbara Lucier September 22: Laurie VanDenBeldt September 24: Elaine Troehler, Lauri Donaldson September 26: Emily Teiman ANNIVERSARIES September 25: Peter Black & Robert Trenary 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. * If you have had any changes in your information, please know you can go to the Directory and update yourself, or contact Claire to change/update.* Financial StewardshipLast Weeks In-Person Attendance : 77 Last Weeks Total Views for worship videos: 73 Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $2,405.00 Online Giving: $2,037.29 Total, General Support: $4,442.29 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. Non-Profit Governance SupportDo you have experience with non-profit governance? DUCC is looking for a volunteer to assist with reviewing and updating our policies and procedures. If you're willing to share your knowledge and offer guidance, we’d love to hear from you! Interested? Please contact Barb Witt at [email protected]. Church Calendar Photo by Dari lli on Unsplash VOLUNTEERING & GIVINGLetters for Gaza Here's an opportunity to add to our prayers for Gaza: A letter-writing campaign to participate in and share with your friends and neighbors. It's always a good time to demand action from our representatives. The power of now is joining in a national movement to do so CLASSESQigong! Summer into Fall! Photo by Sajad Nori from Unsplash Kat VanHammen's Qigong class will run through September 9 at the backyard of the Retreat House on Tuesdays at 3pm. And then there will be a short break before Qigong Winter begins in the Friendship Hall October 7, and runs through May! Qigong is a wonderful, 5,000 year-old practice from China, very much like Tai Chi. It involves simple movements that build strength, flexibility, balance and well being. It also employs visualization, breath, and mindfulness to integrate the body, mind, and spirit and develop our felt sense of Interbeing. Class is one hour long and involves both sitting and standing practice although it can be done sitting if needed. There is a requested donation of $10 per class but for those of you on limited incomes, any amount will be gratefully received. |
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