 Photo by Jody Betten This Week In the E-Pistle, You Will Find...
This Week's Service: First Sunday of Advent - What Time is it? Image from The Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew Happy New Year! I know, that seems a bit premature, right. We haven't even gotten through Thanksgiving much, less Christmas! It's not even December. And yet, it is the beginning of a new year in the Church Year Seasons. Advent is the first season, the season of waiting for the coming of the baby Jesus, the one around whom the Christian Story revolves. And for good reason, he started a movement! The Church Year Seasons acknowledge that movement. Christmas celebrates Jesus' birth in counter cultural circumstances. Then Epiphany - the season when we shine a light on Jesus' ministry. Lent is a journey into a deeper spirituality as we observe Jesus walking with integrity to his death. Easter celebrates the reality of life after death in the story of Jesus' resurrection. Pentecost celebrates the coming of God's spirit inspiring the followers of the Jesus' way to create a community of love and justice. Ordinary Time takes us full circle through Pride Season and Creation Season and other times of imagining a world where all flourish! But I digress. Join us Sunday as we think about waiting; and what it might mean that one is taken and one is left as the story in Matthew 24 goes. Please join us on Sunday at 10 am in our Sanctuary, or online, live on our Youtube Channel. Message: Rev. Jody Betten Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler, Lauri Donaldson 
Last Week's Service: Twenty Fourth Sunday after Pentecost - Giving Thanks ... for Our Scars Image by Megan Watson on Unsplash Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner. A time to gather with family and friends. A time to give thanks for what we have. A time, perhaps, “to count our blessings and name them one by one” as the old hymn reminds us. Last Sunday, Dan discusses a deeper understanding of giving thanks. Is it possible to give thanks for our losses, our deprivations, our setbacks, a pain that still resides within? What might it mean to give thanks for our scars? Thanks to All! The Installation Service was Celebrative and Impactful Thanks To All! So many people made the Installation Service impactful and celebrative! For all the participants, planners, prayers, attendees, servers, well wishers, food preparers, cleaner uppers, flower arrangers, technicians (at the last minute), reader, emcee (you know who you are), last minute helpers, online friends, Association and Conference guests, we are incredibly grateful! Consider us plugged in, connected, fully functioning, perfectly fitting in our appropriate places (not sure what the warranty looks like;-); we're with you for the time we have in ministry together! We feel affirmed! Jody and Dan's Office Hours This Week
Join Our Christmas Choir! 🎶 🎶 Join Our Christmas Choir! 🎶 There’s something truly special about voices joining together at Christmas. Whether you’ve sung in choirs for years or are thinking about joining for the first time, you are warmly invited to be part of this year’s ✨Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols celebration.✨ Each December, our choir helps the story of Christmas find its voice -- a long-standing tradition that fills our church with hope, harmony, and joy. Singing together lets us reconnect with friends, welcome new faces, and share in the quiet joy that music brings to this holy season. ✨Every voice matters; together, we create something truly beautiful.✨ 🎵Rehearsals are at 11:30 a.m. We’ll meet each Sunday after the morning service in the sanctuary,🎵 ✨led by Stan Greene.✨ While it’s great to attend every rehearsal, please don’t let a busy schedule keep you from joining—the more voices, the more joy! ✨ Come share in the music, the spirit, and the joy of the season. ✨Questions? Contact Peter Black, Music Director. ✨ Social Justice Team, Review Speakers & Share Ideas for Next Steps On Tuesday December 2, at 6pm (*please note new day and time.) anyone interested will gather in the Friendship Hall to review and discuss the information that we gathered from the speakers that we heard from the League of Women Voters, Superintendent of Saugatuck Douglas Schools, Indivisible and now Lighthouse. Please review for yourself anything you remember as being compelling or interesting as a way we might help those organizations or ideas you have from something that was said. We'll share ideas for next steps. Please plan to join us! Creation Justice Team, Recycling Packing Materials and Other Holiday Item Recycling Packing Material and Other Holiday Items 'Tis the season for packages! Cardboard boxes can be recycled, and many of their non-gift contents can be reused. You can take packaging materials, such as air pillows, "peanuts," bubble wrap, and insulated boxes, to "The Shipping Department" on 8th Street in Holland. For more information on this and other recycling venues, see the Creation Justice Team's website. Other items:
Second Sunday Luncheon, December 14th
Church potlucks, now called Second Sunday Luncheons, will help us continue to create community while sharing a meal together. Thank you to everyone who helped set up, clean up and provide food for our first Second Sunday Monthly Luncheon. Forty-five people attended. Our next lunch will be December 14 following the service. Bring what you are able (entrees, salads, desserts, bread etc) and if you can't bring anything, please bring yourself. All are welcome! If you are interested in helping to set up or clean up, there will be a new Event Committee signup sheet in the Friendship Hall so that we can establish email communications when asking for help with set up or take down going forward. Listening Ear: Do You Need to Be Heard? Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash 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. Card Ministry Photo by Immo Wegman on Unsplash Do you love receiving cards in the mail when you're sick, recovering from surgery, have a birthday or anniversary, or need a reminder that you're being prayed for? Maybe sending cards to folks in those situations is a way you could bring a smile to someone's day! If you are willing to send a card on behalf of DUCC for members' birthdays or anniversaries, for healing or prayers, for one month, please contact Pastor Dan or Pastor Jody. If you have cards that you aren't using that would be appropriate for such occasions, please drop them off at the office for our use. A couple minutes to let someone know they are thought of, a quick trip to the post office, that's all it takes to bring a smile! Looking for a Volunteer Program Coordinator Photo by Per Loov on Unsplash Do you love to bringing people and ideas together? We are looking for a volunteer to share their talents in coordinating the programs at DUCC. This opportunity provides organizational support to ensure the effective coordination and scheduling of the church’s programs (Speakers, classes, etc.). Serving as an important link between the Church Council, pastoral staff, and various teams, this role facilitates collaboration and positive communication concerning education and programming to support the mission and growth of our church. Please reach out to Barb Witt at 617-340-7970 or email below. Thank you for your prayerful consideration. Prayer Requests Tere Krueger; 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; John Kerr; Ruth Fahlstrom (Tom Fahlstrom’s daughter); Mary Westenbroek; Max Matteson; Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Ian Blumer (Claire Blumer's nephew); East Congregational UCC. Birthday's & Anniversary's This WeekBIRTHDAYS: November 30: Max Brown December 4: Shane Anderson December 5: Brad Hopkins & David Nadeau December 6: Chris Maitner & David Bazany Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way to connect with one another. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, the 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.* New "easy" Options to Change Your Contribution to DUCC Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash New (Easy) options to change your current contribution to DUCC In response to input we have received from members and friends, we are offering new ways to change your contributions.
Give by Text MessagePlease, consider giving online. To donate by text, open a new text message on your mobile phone, type 844-931-2849 in the “To” field, and in the message body, type only the dollar amount of your gift (for example, 50 for a $50 donation). Then press Send. You’ll receive a message confirming your donation. Church Calendar Photo by Dari lli on Unsplash UNIITED CHURCH OF CHRIST NEWSPrayer Circle for All Churches Photo by Martin Bennie on Unsplash The Grand West Association Council is continuing their covenantal prayer circle for all our churches. This is one of the Councils attempts to better connect in our region as a faithful community. The two year prayer circle includes our 22 UCC churches, and also UCOM and the Michigan conference staff. The "church of the month" for November is East Congregational UCC. The "church of the month" for December is En Vivo UCC. Thank you for keeping them in our prayers. UCC Advent 2025 resources offer paths for 'awakening, preparing and dreaming' This season’s Abolition Advent Calendar will center on “The New Old Story of Freedom: Practicing New Worlds into Life.” Coordinated by the UCC’s Racial Justice Ministries and Join the Movement Toward Racial Justice, this year’s Advent Calendar brings together quotes from Octavia Butler’s novel Parable of the Sower, Advent scripture readings, stories of past and present abolitionists, and visionary practices drawn from Andrea Ritchie’s book Practicing New Worlds: Abolition and Emergent Strategies. CLASSESUCC Advent Devotional, "Soon & Very Soon" |
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 | Advent Devotional - The United Church of Christ Advent reflections for this year are around the theme, “Soon and Very Soon” inviting us to imagine a world where all is at peace, where all people thrive. Copies of the devotional are available for $5.00 in the Friendship Hall. As a community we will gather on Thursdays, December 4, 11, 18, from 3:30 - 5:00pm to reflect together on these writings and how we wait during Advent for the coming of the Prince of Peace in a manger as a baby. Please sign up in the Friendship Hall near the devotional if you plan to attend. |
Silent Retreats, In a frantic, noisy world...
"Be still, and know that I am God"
Photo by Victoria Prymak on Unsplash
Start Advent – the season of hopeful waiting – with a Silent Retreat
✨Wednesday, December 3 at the Retreat House✨
Join Rev. Marty Rienstra and Rev. Doug Petersen for a guided silent retreat.
Shared silence is a powerful way of being in communion with God and each other.
Combined lunchtime (12- 1pm) for sharing experiences and asking questions.
✨Continue to hone your ‘Silent’ skills✨
Come and go as you please!
and at peace in the midst of life’s noise and turmoil.
✨Please sign up in the Friendship Hall✨
✨Wednesday, December 3 at the Retreat House✨
Join Rev. Marty Rienstra and Rev. Doug Petersen for a guided silent retreat.
Shared silence is a powerful way of being in communion with God and each other.
- Two sessions (10:00 to noon and/or 1:00 to 3:00) Attend morning, afternoon, or both!
Combined lunchtime (12- 1pm) for sharing experiences and asking questions.
✨Continue to hone your ‘Silent’ skills✨
- Rev. Marty or Rev. Doug will hold space for solitude and silence
Come and go as you please!
- Join the Meditation Hour offered in the sanctuary every Thursday from 5:00 to 6:00.
and at peace in the midst of life’s noise and turmoil.
✨Please sign up in the Friendship Hall✨
Qigong - Pauses while Kat Recovers
Photo by Leonie Clough on Unsplash
First of the Financial Literacy Series was Enlightening and Fun! Next One January 7!
On Thursday 11/5, eighteen people shared an interesting and enlightening evening with our own Wayne Titus. Wayne shared his 30 years of financial experience as he laid out the next five subject-specific events to be held on the first Wednesdays -
January through June (not April). Next session is on January 7, 2026.
It’s not too late to join in and become financially wiser! Invite a friend, if you like.
Sign up for one or all of them in the Friendship Hall so Wayne can send you preparatory information.
January through June (not April). Next session is on January 7, 2026.
It’s not too late to join in and become financially wiser! Invite a friend, if you like.
Sign up for one or all of them in the Friendship Hall so Wayne can send you preparatory information.
AROUND TOWN
Celebrate The Winter Solstice, December 21
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thank You for the Rice for Christian Neighbors!
Thank you for your generous donations of rice for Christian Neighbor's Thanksgiving Meal Kits. It is through the kindness and generosity from our community that Christian Neighbors is able to provide this special holiday meal to those in need. Thank you!
Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash
This Week In the E-Pistle, You Will Find...
- This Week's Service: Twenty Fourth Sunday after Pentecost - Giving Thanks...For Our Scars
- Last Week's Service: Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost — What Can You Imagine?
- Jody and Dan's Installation Service and Celebration, November 23, Join Us!
- Jody and Dan's Office Hours This Week
- Join Our Christmas Choir! 🎶
- Social Justice Team, Review and Discuss Various Speakers, Tuesday, December 2
- Creation Justice Team, Announcements & Holiday Recycling Information
- Second Sunday Luncheon, December 14
- Listening Ear: Do You Need to Be Heard?
- Card Ministry, Bring a Smile to Someone's Day
- Looking for a Volunteer Program Coordinator
- Prayer Requests
- Birthdays This Week
- Financial Stewardship
- Church Calendar
- Grand West Association Councils Covenantal Prayer Circle for All Churches
- UCC Advent 2025 Resources Offer Paths for Awakening, Preparing, Expecting & Dreaming
- UCC Advent Devotional, Reflections for this coming Year, Available in Friendship Hall!
- Silent Retreat on Wednesdays at the Retreat House, Starting December 3
- Qigong! Tuesdays in the Friendship Hall
- Financial Literacy Series, Next Session is January 7
- Men's Coffee and Conversation
- Annual Drive for Thanksgiving Baskets, Asking for Rice this Year
BEING THE CHURCH
This Week's Service: Twenty Fourth Sunday after Pentecost - Giving Thanks...For Our Scars
Photo by Megan Watson on Unsplash
Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner. A time to gather with family and friends. A time to give thanks for what we have. A time, perhaps, “to count our blessings and name them one by one” as the old hymn reminds us. This Sunday, however, I’m suggesting a deeper understanding of giving thanks. Is it possible to give thanks for our losses, our deprivations, our setbacks, a pain that still resides within? What might it mean to give thanks for our scars?
I hope you can join us, either on site or online.
Please join us on Sunday at 10 am in our Sanctuary, or online, live on our Youtube Channel.
Message: Rev. Dan Plasman
Music: Peter Black
I hope you can join us, either on site or online.
Please join us on Sunday at 10 am in our Sanctuary, or online, live on our Youtube Channel.
Message: Rev. Dan Plasman
Music: Peter Black
| DUCC Bulletin November 23 |
Last Week's Service: Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost - What Can You Imagine?
Photo by Jody Betten
Jody reminded us, God is making all things new. God is always doing something new. Jody shared stories of their vacation in Greece: (1) Athens - the big city surrounding the Acropolis with the 2500 year old remains of the Parthenon. (2) Meteora - six, 14th-century monasteries which appear to be suspended in the air still home to active religious folks. (3) Monemvasia - a rock off the coast first inhabited in the 3rd-century BC which at one time was home to 30,000 people and today only 10 people live there full time. Besides being inspired by what there was to see, they were enthralled by the spirit of a people who are so connected to their past and so proud of who they are today. Reminding us the new ways that God is working among us here at DUCC, and that God is always doing something new.
Installation Service and Celebration
for Jody and Dan, November 23, Join Us!
Dear Douglas UCC Community,
On behalf of the leadership team of Douglas United Church of Christ, we are honored to invite you to the Installation Service for Reverend Jody Betten, and Reverend Dan Plasman.
We will celebrate this wonderful occasion:
Date: November 23, 2025
Time: 3pm
Location: Sanctuary and DUCC Friendship Hall
56 Wall St., Douglas, Michigan 49406
The service will be followed by a reception with light refreshments in the Friendship Hall.
It is a joyous day for our community, and your presence will make it even more meaningful.
We can't wait to celebrate with you and welcome our new spiritual leaders with open hearts!
You can also join us
Live on Our Youtube channel
Please RSVP by Friday, November 21th to help us with our arrangements to email below. (Kirsten Stannis)
On behalf of the leadership team of Douglas United Church of Christ, we are honored to invite you to the Installation Service for Reverend Jody Betten, and Reverend Dan Plasman.
We will celebrate this wonderful occasion:
Date: November 23, 2025
Time: 3pm
Location: Sanctuary and DUCC Friendship Hall
56 Wall St., Douglas, Michigan 49406
The service will be followed by a reception with light refreshments in the Friendship Hall.
It is a joyous day for our community, and your presence will make it even more meaningful.
We can't wait to celebrate with you and welcome our new spiritual leaders with open hearts!
You can also join us
Live on Our Youtube channel
Please RSVP by Friday, November 21th to help us with our arrangements to email below. (Kirsten Stannis)
Jody and Dan's Office Hours This Week
 | For The Week of November 23: Monday: 10-3pm, Jody Tuesday: 10-3pm, Dan Wednesday: 10-3pm, Jody & Dan For evening visits on these days, please call for an appointment. * Reminder: if you need to see Dan or Jody, please make an appointment with them. Sometimes they are in Douglas but not at the office. * Please note, if you get an email from Jody asking for money or gift cards, please don't comply. This is a scam! Please call to schedule an appointment: Jody: 616-706-3549; Dan: 616-828-2293 |
Join Our Christmas Choir! 🎶
🎶 Join Our Christmas Choir! 🎶
There’s something truly special about voices joining together at Christmas.
Whether you’ve sung in choirs for years or are thinking about joining for the first time,
you are warmly invited to be part of this year’s
✨Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols celebration.✨
Each December, our choir helps the story of Christmas find its voice --
a long-standing tradition that fills our church with hope, harmony, and joy.
Singing together lets us reconnect with friends, welcome new faces,
and share in the quiet joy that music brings to this holy season.
✨Every voice matters; together, we create something truly beautiful.✨
🎵Rehearsals are at 11:30 a.m.
We’ll meet each Sunday after the morning service in the sanctuary,🎵
✨led by Stan Greene.✨
While it’s great to attend every rehearsal, please don’t let a busy schedule
keep you from joining—the more voices, the more joy! ✨
Come share in the music, the spirit, and the joy of the season.
✨Questions? Contact Peter Black, Music Director. ✨
There’s something truly special about voices joining together at Christmas.
Whether you’ve sung in choirs for years or are thinking about joining for the first time,
you are warmly invited to be part of this year’s
✨Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols celebration.✨
Each December, our choir helps the story of Christmas find its voice --
a long-standing tradition that fills our church with hope, harmony, and joy.
Singing together lets us reconnect with friends, welcome new faces,
and share in the quiet joy that music brings to this holy season.
✨Every voice matters; together, we create something truly beautiful.✨
🎵Rehearsals are at 11:30 a.m.
We’ll meet each Sunday after the morning service in the sanctuary,🎵
✨led by Stan Greene.✨
While it’s great to attend every rehearsal, please don’t let a busy schedule
keep you from joining—the more voices, the more joy! ✨
Come share in the music, the spirit, and the joy of the season.
✨Questions? Contact Peter Black, Music Director. ✨
Social Justice Team, Review Speakers & Share Ideas for Next Steps
On Tuesday December 2, at 6pm (*please note new day and time.) anyone interested will gather in the Friendship Hall to review and discuss the information that we gathered from the speakers that we heard from the League of Women Voters, Superintendent of Saugatuck Douglas Schools, Indivisible and now Lighthouse.
Please review for yourself anything you remember as being compelling or interesting as a way we might help those organizations or ideas you have from something that was said.
We'll share ideas for next steps. Please plan to join us!
Please review for yourself anything you remember as being compelling or interesting as a way we might help those organizations or ideas you have from something that was said.
We'll share ideas for next steps. Please plan to join us!
Update from the Communications Team
Photo by Elshan Neymatov on Unsplash
We would like to update everyone on what the Communication Team has accomplished
and are working on:
and are working on:
- We have Welcome Brochures available to take home, give to neighbors or colleagues, or people we recognize as visiting us on Sundays. They are located in at both of the entrances.
- A printed two week calendar is now available in the Friendship Hall with the church’s activities and events.
- If you have an announcement that you would like presented at the beginning of the service, write it out on a notecard ( provided in the entrances) and give it to Jody or Dan before the service.
- We are working on a way to reach out and staying connected to congregants who we miss seeing on Sundays. If you have any ideas send them to Barb Witt.
- We are working on some sandwich boards to help communicate Listening Ear and Contemplation.
- We encourage you to follow DUCC on Facebook and share postings to increase both awareness and followers.
- We have updated the ads we place in the Commercial Record so they are on a four-week rotation with a different message each time.
- See any member of the team if you have any ideas for improving communication in DUCC: Barb Witt, chair; Lewis Corbin, Tom Fahlstrom, Greg Gerrans, and Gemina Petruzzelli
- Please send any photos you may have from church events to Greg Gerrans for social media use to the email below.
Creation Justice Team Announcement
This education and action-oriented group will meet on Monday, November 24 at 4:30 in the Isabel Graham building. All levels of interest are welcome. We will continue our discernment of our goals and direction focusing on Native Landscapes and Dark Skies. For any questions, please contact Betsy York, Chair.
Creation Justice Team, Recycling Packing Materials and Other Holiday Items
Recycling Packing Material and Other Holiday Items
'Tis the season for packages! Cardboard boxes can be recycled, and many of their non-gift contents can be reused. You can take packaging materials, such as air pillows, "peanuts," bubble wrap, and insulated boxes, to "The Shipping Department" on 8th Street in Holland. For more information on this and other recycling venues, see the Creation Justice Team's website.
Other items:
'Tis the season for packages! Cardboard boxes can be recycled, and many of their non-gift contents can be reused. You can take packaging materials, such as air pillows, "peanuts," bubble wrap, and insulated boxes, to "The Shipping Department" on 8th Street in Holland. For more information on this and other recycling venues, see the Creation Justice Team's website.
Other items:
- WRAPPING PAPER - recyclable IF it has no metallic coating, sparkles, or plastic coating. If you scrunch up a clump of wrapping paper in your hand and it resists being scrunched, then it’s probably NOT recyclable.
- GREETING CARDS - recyclable IF they have no glitter, foil, ribbons, or buttons.
- RIBBONS and bows - NOT recyclable.
- TISSUE wrapping paper - NOT recyclable. However, it's biodegradable if it doesn't contain any shiny bits or plastic.
Second Sunday Luncheon, December 14th
 |  |
Church potlucks, now called Second Sunday Luncheons, will help us continue to create community while sharing a meal together.
Thank you to everyone who helped set up, clean up and provide food for our first Second Sunday Monthly Luncheon. Forty-five people attended. Our next lunch will be November 9 following the service. Bring what you are able (entrees, salads, desserts, bread etc) and if you can't bring anything, please bring yourself. All are welcome!
If you are interested in helping to set up or clean up, there will be a new Event Committee signup sheet in the Friendship Hall so that we can establish email communications when asking for help with set up or take down going forward.
Thank you to everyone who helped set up, clean up and provide food for our first Second Sunday Monthly Luncheon. Forty-five people attended. Our next lunch will be November 9 following the service. Bring what you are able (entrees, salads, desserts, bread etc) and if you can't bring anything, please bring yourself. All are welcome!
If you are interested in helping to set up or clean up, there will be a new Event Committee signup sheet in the Friendship Hall so that we can establish email communications when asking for help with set up or take down going forward.
Listening Ear: Do You Need to Be Heard?
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
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.
Card Ministry
photo by Immo Wegman on Unsplash
Do you love receiving cards in the mail when you're sick, recovering from surgery, have a birthday or anniversary, or need a reminder that you're being prayed for? Maybe sending cards to folks in those situations is a way you could bring a smile to someone's day! If you are willing to send a card on behalf of DUCC for members' birthdays or anniversaries, for healing or prayers, for one month, please contact Pastor Dan or Pastor Jody. If you have cards that you aren't using that would be appropriate for such occasions, please drop them off at the office for our use. A couple minutes to let someone know they are thought of, a quick trip to the post office, that's all it takes to bring a smile!
Looking for a Volunteer Program Coordinator
Photo by Per Loov on Unsplash
Do you love to bringing people and ideas together? We are looking for a volunteer to share their talents in coordinating the programs at DUCC. This opportunity provides organizational support to ensure the effective coordination and scheduling of the church’s programs (Speakers, classes, etc.). Serving as an important link between the Church Council, pastoral staff, and various teams, this role facilitates collaboration and positive communication concerning education and programming to support the mission and growth of our church.
Please reach out to Barb Witt at 617-340-7970 or email below.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
Please reach out to Barb Witt at 617-340-7970 or email below.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
Prayer Requests
Tere Krueger; 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; John Kerr; Ruth Fahlstrom (Tom Fahlstrom’s daughter); Mary Westenbroek; Max Matteson; Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Ian Blumer (Claire Blumer's nephew) East Congregational UCC.
Birthday's & Anniversary's This Week
BIRTHDAYS:
November 23: Steve McFadden
November 24: Glynis Whitcomb
November 25: Tim Schipper
November 26: Dan McGavin and Orie Hawkes
November 27: Linda McWebb
November 28: Paul Burdick
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way to connect with one another. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, the 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.*
November 23: Steve McFadden
November 24: Glynis Whitcomb
November 25: Tim Schipper
November 26: Dan McGavin and Orie Hawkes
November 27: Linda McWebb
November 28: Paul Burdick
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way to connect with one another. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, the 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.*
Give by Text Message
Please, consider giving online. To donate by text, open a new text message on your mobile phone, type 844-931-2849 in the “To” field, and in the message body, type only the dollar amount of your gift (for example, 50 for a $50 donation). Then press Send. You’ll receive a message confirming your donation.
Church Calendar
Photo by Dari lli on Unsplash
UNIITED CHURCH OF CHRIST NEWS
Prayer Circle for All Churches
Photo by Martin Bennie on Unsplash
The Grand West Association Council is continuing their covenantal prayer circle for all our churches. This is one of the Councils attempts to better connect in our region as a faithful community. The two-year prayer cycle includes our 22 UCC churches, and also UCOM and the Michigan conference staff.
The "church of month" for November is East Congregational UCC.
Thank you for keeping them in our prayers.
The "church of month" for November is East Congregational UCC.
Thank you for keeping them in our prayers.
UCC Advent 2025 resources offer paths for 'awakening, preparing and dreaming'
This season’s Abolition Advent Calendar will center on “The New Old Story of Freedom: Practicing New Worlds into Life.” Coordinated by the UCC’s Racial Justice Ministries and Join the Movement Toward Racial Justice, this year’s Advent Calendar brings together quotes from Octavia Butler’s novel Parable of the Sower, Advent scripture readings, stories of past and present abolitionists, and visionary practices drawn from Andrea Ritchie’s book Practicing New Worlds: Abolition and Emergent Strategies.
CLASSES
UCC Advent Devotional, "Soon & Very Soon"
Reflections for the coming Year
| | Advent Devotional - The United Church of Christ Advent reflections for this year are around the theme, “Soon and Very Soon” inviting us to imagine a world where all is at peace, where all people thrive. Copies of the devotional are available for $5.00 in the Friendship Hall. As a community we will gather on Thursdays, December 4, 11, 18, from 3:30 - 5:00pm to reflect together on these writings and how we wait during Advent for the coming of the Prince of Peace in a manger as a baby. Please sign up in the Friendship Hall near the devotional if you plan to attend. |
Silent Retreats, In a frantic, noisy world...
"Be still, and know that I am God"
Start Advent – the season of hopeful waiting – with a Silent Retreat
✨Wednesday, December 3 at the Retreat House✨
Join Rev. Marty Rienstra and Rev. Doug Petersen for a guided silent retreat.
Shared silence is a powerful way of being in communion with God and each other.
Combined lunchtime (12- 1pm) for sharing experiences and asking questions.
✨Continue to hone your ‘Silent’ skills✨
Come and go as you please!
and at peace in the midst of life’s noise and turmoil.
✨Please sign up in the Friendship Hall✨
✨Wednesday, December 3 at the Retreat House✨
Join Rev. Marty Rienstra and Rev. Doug Petersen for a guided silent retreat.
Shared silence is a powerful way of being in communion with God and each other.
- Two sessions (10:00 to noon and/or 1:00 to 3:00) Attend morning, afternoon, or both!
Combined lunchtime (12- 1pm) for sharing experiences and asking questions.
✨Continue to hone your ‘Silent’ skills✨
- Rev. Marty or Rev. Doug will hold space for solitude and silence
Come and go as you please!
- Join the Meditation Hour offered in the sanctuary every Thursday from 5:00 to 6:00.
and at peace in the midst of life’s noise and turmoil.
✨Please sign up in the Friendship Hall✨
Qigong, Tuesdays in the Friendship Hall
Photo by Sajad Nori on Unsplash
Kat VanHammen's Qigong Winter classes began in the Friendship Hall on October 7. The classes will run 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
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
First of the Financial Literacy Series was Enlightening and Fun! Next One January 7!
On Thursday 11/5, eighteen people shared an interesting and enlightening evening with our own Wayne Titus. Wayne shared his 30 years of financial experience as he laid out the next five subject-specific events to be held on the first Wednesdays -
January through June (not April). Next session is on January 7, 2026.
It’s not too late to join in and become financially wiser! Invite a friend, if you like.
Sign up for one or all of them in the Friendship Hall so Wayne can send you preparatory information.
January through June (not April). Next session is on January 7, 2026.
It’s not too late to join in and become financially wiser! Invite a friend, if you like.
Sign up for one or all of them in the Friendship Hall so Wayne can send you preparatory information.
AROUND TOWN
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Annual Drive for Thanksgiving Kits
Asking for Rice this Year
Photo by Kalyani Akella on Unsplash
It’s November, and with it comes Christian Neighbors’ distribution of Thanksgiving Meal Kits to area low-income families - a 45-year-old tradition in our community. In 2024, 75 volunteers organized, packed and distributed 330 meal kits that provided a Thanksgiving meal to roughly1200 area residents. This year, our church is being asked to collect Rice – 1lb Bags to contribute to these meals. Please consider donating one or more of these items. It is through the kindness and generosity from our community that Christian Neighbors is able to provide this special holiday meal to those in need. Thank you!
Please put your donation in the vestibule area of the Friendship Hall.
Please put your donation in the vestibule area of the Friendship Hall.
This Week In the E-Pistle, You Will Find...
- This Week's Service: Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost — What Can You Imagine?
- Last Week's Service: Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost — What Next?
- Grateful to Reverend Jim DeVries for Sharing his Gifts of Wisdom and Laughter
- Jody and Dan's Office Hours This Week
- Jody and Dan's Installation Service and Celebration, November 23, Join Us!
- Join Our Christmas Choir! 🎶
- Church Directory Update
- Social Justice Team Community, Thank You to the Speakers from Lighthouse!
- Second Sunday Luncheon, December 14
- Listening Ear: Do You Need to Be Heard?
- Church Council Minutes
- Card Ministry, Bring a Smile to Someone's Day
- Looking for a Volunteer Program Coordinator
- Prayer Requests
- Birthdays This Week
- Financial Stewardship
- Church Calendar
- Grand West Association Councils Covenantal Prayer Circle for All Churches
- UCC Advent 2025 Resources Offer Paths for Awakening, Preparing, Expecting & Dreaming
- UCC Advent Devotional, Reflections for this coming Year. Available in Friendship Hall!
- Qigong! Tuesdays in the Friendship Hall
- Thank You, Wayne! Financial Literacy Series, Next Session is January 7
- Men's Coffee and Conversation
- Annual Drive for Thanksgiving Baskets, Asking for Rice this Year
- Water Smart Landscaping Workshop 101, November 18
BEING THE CHURCH
This Week's Service: Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost - Athens, Meteora and Monemvasia
Photo by Jody Betten
On our vacation we visited mainly three places in Greece: (1) Athens - the big city surrounding the Acropolis with the 2500 year old remains of the Parthenon. (2) Meteora - six, 14th-century monasteries which appear to be suspended in the air still home to active religious folks. (3) Monemvasia - a rock off the coast first inhabited in the 3rd-century BC which at one time was home to 30,000 people and today only 10 people live there full time. (We stopped in Delphi briefly to consult with the Oracle.) Besides being inspired by what there is to see, we were enthralled by the spirit of a people who are so connected to their past and so proud of who they are today. Lessons for the church today? Of course, everything is a sermon reflection waiting to be shared!
Please join us on Sunday at 10 am in our Sanctuary, or online, live on our Youtube Channel.
Message: Rev. Jody Betten
Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler, Lauri Donaldson
Please join us on Sunday at 10 am in our Sanctuary, or online, live on our Youtube Channel.
Message: Rev. Jody Betten
Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler, Lauri Donaldson
| DUCC Bulletin/Hymns November 16 |
Last Week's Service: Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost - What's Next?
Photo by Matt Ashby on Unsplash
Last Sunday, we had the great good fortune of exploring possibilities of "What's Next?" with Rev. Jim DeVries. Jesus was asked a question about heaven. What do we know about “What’s Next” and possible ways to make the transition easier. We explored these possibilities with Rev. Jim DeVries who spent 40 years interacting with individuals as a hospital and hospice chaplain. Click below to enjoy Rev. Jim's wisdom and humor on the possibilities.
Thank You Reverend Jim DeVries!
Reverend Jim DeVries thank you for serving our church! Thank you for your ability to combine genuine wisdom with a great sense of humor! We really appreciate the joy and laughter you brought to the service.
Jody and Dan's Office Hours This Week
| | For The Week of November 16: Monday: 11-4pm, Jody Wednesday: 10-3pm, Dan Thursday: 9-2pm, Jody Friday: 10-3pm, Dan For evening visits on these days, please call for an appointment. * Reminder: if you need to see Dan or Jody, please make an appointment with them. Sometimes they are in Douglas but not at the office. * Please note, if you get an email from Jody asking for money or gift cards, please don't comply. This is a scam! Please call to schedule an appointment: Jody: 616-706-3549; Dan: 616-828-2293 |
Installation Service and Celebration
for Jody and Dan, November 23, Join Us!
Jody and Dan's Installation Service and celebration will be held on November 23, 3pm. Please, join us for food and drinks in the Friendship Hall after the Installation Service. We welcome our new pastors and celebrate an important marker in the life and history of our church.
So that we can more accurately judge quantities for both food and drink. Please, sign up for the Installation Service and Celebration on the sheet in the Friendship Hall.
So that we can more accurately judge quantities for both food and drink. Please, sign up for the Installation Service and Celebration on the sheet in the Friendship Hall.
Join Our Christmas Choir! 🎶
🎶 Join Our Christmas Choir! 🎶
There’s something truly special about voices joining together at Christmas.
Whether you’ve sung in choirs for years or are thinking about joining for the first time,
you are warmly invited to be part of this year’s
✨Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols celebration.✨
Each December, our choir helps the story of Christmas find its voice --
a long-standing tradition that fills our church with hope, harmony, and joy.
Singing together lets us reconnect with friends, welcome new faces,
and share in the quiet joy that music brings to this holy season.
✨Every voice matters; together, we create something truly beautiful.✨
🎵Rehearsals begin Sunday, November 16 at 11:30 a.m. in the sanctuary,🎵
✨led by church member and returning director Stan Greene.✨
We’ll meet each Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
While it’s great to attend every rehearsal, please don’t let a busy schedule
keep you from joining—the more voices, the more joy! ✨
Come share in the music, the spirit, and the joy of the season.
✨Questions? Contact Peter Black, Music Director. ✨
There’s something truly special about voices joining together at Christmas.
Whether you’ve sung in choirs for years or are thinking about joining for the first time,
you are warmly invited to be part of this year’s
✨Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols celebration.✨
Each December, our choir helps the story of Christmas find its voice --
a long-standing tradition that fills our church with hope, harmony, and joy.
Singing together lets us reconnect with friends, welcome new faces,
and share in the quiet joy that music brings to this holy season.
✨Every voice matters; together, we create something truly beautiful.✨
🎵Rehearsals begin Sunday, November 16 at 11:30 a.m. in the sanctuary,🎵
✨led by church member and returning director Stan Greene.✨
We’ll meet each Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
While it’s great to attend every rehearsal, please don’t let a busy schedule
keep you from joining—the more voices, the more joy! ✨
Come share in the music, the spirit, and the joy of the season.
✨Questions? Contact Peter Black, Music Director. ✨
Church Directory: The Phone App, The Desktop and the Print Versions
Church Directory: the Phone App, the Desktop, and the Print versions:
It's time to make any changes and/or updates to your church directory entry, or add yourself to the church directory, if you wish. For the next two weeks there will be a draft copy of the directory in the Friendship Hall where you can jot down your changes, in the copy or with sticky notes.
As always, we strongly encourage you to use the phone app or desktop app to access the directory, for its security, ease of use, and also because changes are taking place all year long. So the phone app and the desktop app are always the most current.
It's time to make any changes and/or updates to your church directory entry, or add yourself to the church directory, if you wish. For the next two weeks there will be a draft copy of the directory in the Friendship Hall where you can jot down your changes, in the copy or with sticky notes.
- If you wish to add your information to the directory for the first time, or make a change of address, email, phone, or new photo, you can email your changes to Claire. See link to email below.
- If you already use the Instant Church Directory app, you can make your changes directly from your phone!
As always, we strongly encourage you to use the phone app or desktop app to access the directory, for its security, ease of use, and also because changes are taking place all year long. So the phone app and the desktop app are always the most current.
- If you would like help adding the app to your smart phone, look for Barb Witt after services, who is organizing helpers. You can also find the instructions for adding the app on the bulletin board in the Friendship Hall.
Social Justice Team Community Conversation
Thanks for the speakers from Lighthouse.
On the 2nd Thursday in December, the 11th, at 6:15 anyone interested will gather in the Friendship Hall to review and discuss the information that we gathered from the speakers that we heard from the League of Women Voters, Superintendent of Saugatuck Douglas Schools, Indivisible and now Lighthouse.
Please review for yourself anything you remember as being compelling or interesting as a way we might help those organizations or ideas you have from something that was said.
We'll share ideas for next steps. Please plan to join us!
On the 2nd Thursday in December, the 11th, at 6:15 anyone interested will gather in the Friendship Hall to review and discuss the information that we gathered from the speakers that we heard from the League of Women Voters, Superintendent of Saugatuck Douglas Schools, Indivisible and now Lighthouse.
Please review for yourself anything you remember as being compelling or interesting as a way we might help those organizations or ideas you have from something that was said.
We'll share ideas for next steps. Please plan to join us!
Update from the Communications Team
We would like to update everyone on what the Communication Team has accomplished
and are working on:
and are working on:
- We have Welcome Brochures available to take home, give to neighbors or colleagues, or people we recognize as visiting us on Sundays. They are located in at both of the entrances.
- A printed two week calendar is now available in the Friendship Hall with the church’s activities and events.
- If you have an announcement that you would like presented at the beginning of the service, write it out on a notecard ( provided in the entrances) and give it to Jody or Dan before the service.
- We are working on a way to reach out and staying connected to congregants who we miss seeing on Sundays. If you have any ideas send them to Barb Witt.
- We are working on some sandwich boards to help communicate Listening Ear and Contemplation.
- We encourage you to follow DUCC on Facebook and share postings to increase both awareness and followers.
- We have updated the ads we place in the Commercial Record so they are on a four-week rotation with a different message each time.
- See any member of the team if you have any ideas for improving communication in DUCC: Barb Witt, chair; Lewis Corbin, Tom Fahlstrom, Greg Gerrans, and Gemina Petruzzelli
- Please send any photos you may have from church events to Greg Gerrans([email protected]) for social media use
Second Sunday Luncheon, December 14th
| | |
Church potlucks, now called Second Sunday Luncheons, will help us continue to create community while sharing a meal together.
Thank you to everyone who helped set up, clean up and provide food for our first Second Sunday Monthly Luncheon. Forty-five people attended. Our next lunch will be November 9 following the service. Bring what you are able (entrees, salads, desserts, bread etc) and if you can't bring anything, please bring yourself. All are welcome!
If you are interested in helping to set up or clean up, there will be a new Event Committee signup sheet in the Friendship Hall so that we can establish email communications when asking for help with set up or take down going forward.
Thank you to everyone who helped set up, clean up and provide food for our first Second Sunday Monthly Luncheon. Forty-five people attended. Our next lunch will be November 9 following the service. Bring what you are able (entrees, salads, desserts, bread etc) and if you can't bring anything, please bring yourself. All are welcome!
If you are interested in helping to set up or clean up, there will be a new Event Committee signup sheet in the Friendship Hall so that we can establish email communications when asking for help with set up or take down going forward.
Listening Ear: Do You Need to Be Heard?
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
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.
Council Meeting Minutes
Photo by Justin Morgan on Unsplash
| Church Council Minutes |
Card Ministry
Photo by Immo Wegman on Unsplash
Do you love receiving cards in the mail when you're sick, recovering from surgery, have a birthday or anniversary, or need a reminder that you're being prayed for? Maybe sending cards to folks in those situations is a way you could bring a smile to someone's day! If you are willing to send a card on behalf of DUCC for members' birthdays or anniversaries, for healing or prayers, for one month, please contact Pastor Dan or Pastor Jody. If you have cards that you aren't using that would be appropriate for such occasions, please drop them off at the office for our use. A couple minutes to let someone know they are thought of, a quick trip to the post office, that's all it takes to bring a smile!
Looking for a Volunteer Program Coordinator
Do you love to bringing people and ideas together? We are looking for a volunteer to share their talents in coordinating the programs at DUCC. This opportunity provides organizational support to ensure the effective coordination and scheduling of the church’s programs (Speakers, classes, etc.). Serving as an important link between the Church Council, pastoral staff, and various teams, this role facilitates collaboration and positive communication concerning education and programming to support the mission and growth of our church.
Please reach out to Barb Witt at 617-340-7970 or email below.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
Please reach out to Barb Witt at 617-340-7970 or email below.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
Prayer Requests
Tere Krueger; 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; Jose (friend of Tom Fahlstrom); John Kerr; Ruth Fahlstrom (Tom Fahlstrom’s daughter); Mary Westenbroek; Max Matteson; Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Ian Blumer (Claire Blumer's nephew) East Congregational UCC.
Birthday's & Anniversary's This Week
BIRTHDAYS:
November 17: Arturo Inda
November 19: Marcel Westenbroek
November 20: Linda Riekse
November 21: Peter Mueller
November 22: Mary Hasenauer, Stephen D. Prokop
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way to connect with one another. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, the 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.*
November 17: Arturo Inda
November 19: Marcel Westenbroek
November 20: Linda Riekse
November 21: Peter Mueller
November 22: Mary Hasenauer, Stephen D. Prokop
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way to connect with one another. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, the 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.*
Give by Text Message
Please, consider giving online. To donate by text, open a new text message on your mobile phone, type 844-931-2849 in the “To” field, and in the message body, type only the dollar amount of your gift (for example, 50 for a $50 donation). Then press Send. You’ll receive a message confirming your donation
Church Calendar
Photo by Dari lli on Unsplash
UNIITED CHURCH OF CHRIST NEWS
Prayer Circle for All Churches
Photo by Martin Bennie on Unsplash
The Grand West Association Council is continuing their covenantal prayer circle for all our churches. This is one of the Councils attempts to better connect in our region as a faithful community. The two-year prayer cycle includes our 22 UCC churches, and also UCOM and the Michigan conference staff.
The "church of month" for November is East Congregational UCC.
Thank you for keeping them in our prayers.
The "church of month" for November is East Congregational UCC.
Thank you for keeping them in our prayers.
UCC Advent 2025 resources offer paths for 'awakening, preparing and dreaming'
This season’s Abolition Advent Calendar will center on “The New Old Story of Freedom: Practicing New Worlds into Life.” Coordinated by the UCC’s Racial Justice Ministries and Join the Movement Toward Racial Justice, this year’s Advent Calendar brings together quotes from Octavia Butler’s novel Parable of the Sower, Advent scripture readings, stories of past and present abolitionists, and visionary practices drawn from Andrea Ritchie’s book Practicing New Worlds: Abolition and Emergent Strategies.
CLASSES
UCC Advent Devotional, "Soon & Very Soon"
Reflections for the coming Year
| | Advent Devotional - The United Church of Christ Advent reflections for this year are around the theme, “Soon and Very Soon” inviting us to imagine a world where all is at peace, where all people thrive. Copies of the devotional are available for $5.00 in the Friendship Hall. As a community we will gather on Thursdays, December 4, 11, 18, from 3:30 - 5:00pm to reflect together on these writings and how we wait during Advent for the coming of the Prince of Peace in a manger as a baby. Please sign up in the Friendship Hall near the devotional if you plan to attend. |
Qigong, Tuesdays in the Friendship Hall
Photo by Sajad Nori on Unsplash
Kat VanHammen's Qigong Winter classes began in the Friendship Hall on October 7. The classes will run 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
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
Kudos, Wayne! First of the Financial Literacy Series was Enlightening and Fun!
On Thursday 11/5, eighteen people shared an interesting and enlightening evening with our own Wayne Titus. Wayne shared his 30 years of financial experience as he laid out the next five subject-specific events to be held on the first Wednesdays -
January through June (not April). Next session is on January 7, 2026.
It’s not too late to join in and become financially wiser! Invite a friend, if you like.
Sign up for one or all of them in the Friendship Hall so Wayne can send you preparatory information.
January through June (not April). Next session is on January 7, 2026.
It’s not too late to join in and become financially wiser! Invite a friend, if you like.
Sign up for one or all of them in the Friendship Hall so Wayne can send you preparatory information.
AROUND TOWN
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Annual Drive for Thanksgiving Kits
Asking for Rice this Year
Photo by Defrino Maasy on Unsplash
It’s November, and with it comes Christian Neighbors’ distribution of Thanksgiving Meal Kits to area low-income families - a 45-year-old tradition in our community. In 2024, 75 volunteers organized, packed and distributed 330 meal kits that provided a Thanksgiving meal to roughly1200 area residents. This year, our church is being asked to collect Rice – 1lb Bags to contribute to these meals. Please consider donating one or more of these items. It is through the kindness and generosity from our community that Christian Neighbors is able to provide this special holiday meal to those in need. Thank you!
Please put your donation in the vestibule area of the Friendship Hall.
Please put your donation in the vestibule area of the Friendship Hall.
Water Smart Landscaping Workshops and Grants, November 18
From the Creation Justice Team: Learn about reducing outdoor water use while keeping your yard beautiful! Attend the “Water Smart Landscaping 101” workshop on November 18 at the Allegan Conservation District. There will be a second workshop in February. Find full details and reserve your seat at bit.ly/wslnov25
The ODC Network and the Allegan Conservation District are providing the workshop through a grant from Bell’s Brewery, which will also fund native plant gardens for 10 homeowners, rain barrels for 5 homeowners, and a public demonstration rain garden.
The ODC Network and the Allegan Conservation District are providing the workshop through a grant from Bell’s Brewery, which will also fund native plant gardens for 10 homeowners, rain barrels for 5 homeowners, and a public demonstration rain garden.
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
This Week In the E-Pistle, You Will Find...
- This Week's Service: Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost — What's Next?
- Last Week's Service: Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost — Balcony People, Basement People
- Thank You to Reverend Linda Knieriemen for Sharing Her Gift of Preaching
- Jody and Dan on Vacation This Week, Rev. Jim DeVries Available for Pastoral Care
- Jody and Dan's Installation Service and Celebration, November 23, Join Us!
- Church Directory Update
- Kudos to the Trunk or Treat crew! What Fun!
- Social Justice Team Community, Speaker from Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates, November 13
- Second Sunday Luncheon, November 9
- Listening Ear: Do You Need to Be Heard?
- Card Ministry, Bring a Smile to Someone's Day
- Prayer Requests
- Birthdays This Week
- Financial Stewardship
- Church Calendar
- Grand West Association Councils Covenantal Prayer Circle for All Churches
- UCC Advent 2025 Resources Offer Paths for Awakening, Preparing, Expecting & Dreaming
- Qigong! Summer into Fall!
- Thank You, Wayne! Financial Literacy Series, Next Session is January 7
- Soul Collage November 8, Restoring Our Soul
- Men's Coffee and Conversation
- Annual Drive for Thanksgiving Baskets, Asking for Rice this Year
- Spirit of Christmas Program, Helping Families prepare for Winter
- Water Smart Landscaping Workshop 101, November 18
BEING THE CHURCH
This Week's Service: Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost - What's Next?
Photo by Matt Ashby on Unsplash
In this Sunday’s reading, Jesus was asked a question about heaven. What do we know about “What’s Next” and possible ways to make the transition easier. Explore these possibilities with Rev. Jim DeVries who spent 40 years interacting with individuals as a hospital and hospice chaplain.
Please join us on Sunday at 10 am in our Sanctuary, or online, live on our Youtube Channel.
Message: Rev. Jim DeVries
Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler, Lauri Donaldson
Please join us on Sunday at 10 am in our Sanctuary, or online, live on our Youtube Channel.
Message: Rev. Jim DeVries
Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler, Lauri Donaldson
| DUCC Bulletin/Hymns November 9 2025 |
Last Week's Service: Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost - Balcony People, Basement People
Photo by Mauro Maro on Unsplash
Last week Reverend Linda Knieriemen celebrated All Saints Day with us, and reflected on, and wove together stories of the everyday saints around us who have encouraged us in becoming peace-loving, justice seeking, love bestowing humans. We Gathered in the Memorial Garden at the close of the service and in a spirit of gratitude, we were invited to name aloud those who have been our saints. Click below to see the full service.
Thank You, Reverend Linda Knieriemen!
We are deeply grateful to Rev. Linda Knieriemen's for her willingness to fill in and share her gift of preaching with our community. We appreciate her generosity of time, and thoughtful reflection.
Jody and Dan on Vacation This Week
| | For The Week of November 9: Jody and Dan are on Vacation this week. If you have a pastoral emergency, please call the church office: 269-857-2085 Rev. Jim DeVries will be available for pastoral care. For evening visits on these days, please feel free to call for an appointment.
Call to schedule an appointment: Jody: 616-706-3549; Dan: 616-828-2293 |
Installation Service and Celebration
for Jody and Dan, November 23, Join Us!
Jody and Dan's Installation Service and celebration will be held on November 23, sometime in the afternoon (Time to be announced). Please, join us for food and drinks in the Friendship Hall after the Installation Service. We welcome our new pastors and celebrate an important marker in the life and history of our church.
So that we can more accurately judge quantities for both food and drink. Please, sign up for the Installation Service and Celebration on the sheet in the Friendship Hall.
So that we can more accurately judge quantities for both food and drink. Please, sign up for the Installation Service and Celebration on the sheet in the Friendship Hall.
Church Directory: The Phone App, The Desktop and the Print Versions
Church Directory: the Phone App, the Desktop, and the Print versions:
It's time to make any changes and/or updates to your church directory entry, or add yourself to the church directory, if you wish. For the next two weeks there will be a draft copy of the directory in the Friendship Hall where you can jot down your changes, in the copy or with sticky notes.
As always, we strongly encourage you to use the phone app or desktop app to access the directory, for its security, ease of use, and also because changes are taking place all year long. So the phone app and the desktop app are always the most current.
It's time to make any changes and/or updates to your church directory entry, or add yourself to the church directory, if you wish. For the next two weeks there will be a draft copy of the directory in the Friendship Hall where you can jot down your changes, in the copy or with sticky notes.
- If you wish to add your information to the directory for the first time, or make a change of address, email, phone, or new photo, you can email your changes to Claire. See link to email below.
- If you already use the Instant Church Directory app, you can make your changes directly from your phone!
As always, we strongly encourage you to use the phone app or desktop app to access the directory, for its security, ease of use, and also because changes are taking place all year long. So the phone app and the desktop app are always the most current.
- If you would like help adding the app to your smart phone, look for Barb Witt after services, who is organizing helpers. You can also find the instructions for adding the app on the bulletin board in the Friendship Hall.
Kudos to the Trunk or Treat Crew! So Fun!
THANK YOU everyone for such a wonderful Halloween Night! We counted about 37 total kids, Some adorable outfits, lots of goodwill, and overall community spirit. Even the weather was somehow both warm and spooky. Thank you everyone for the fun, laughter, and creativity. We LOVE this kind of stuff - it's a great way to share Douglas UCC with our community.
Social Justice Team Community Conversation
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.
Lighthouse Immigration Services
Thursday, November 13, 6:15 pm
Representative to speak
All events are scheduled for our beautiful new Friendship Hall. All are welcome
Lighthouse Immigration Services
Thursday, November 13, 6:15 pm
Representative to speak
All events are scheduled for our beautiful new Friendship Hall. All are welcome
Update from the Communications Team
Photo by Elshan Neymatov on Unsplash
We would like to update everyone on what the Communication Team has accomplished
and are working on:
and are working on:
- We have Welcome Brochures available to take home, give to neighbors or colleagues, or people we recognize as visiting us on Sundays. They are located in at both of the entrances.
- A printed two week calendar is now available in the Friendship Hall with the church’s activities and events.
- If you have an announcement that you would like presented at the beginning of the service, write it out on a notecard ( provided in the entrances) and give it to Jody or Dan before the service.
- We are working on a way to reach out and staying connected to congregants who we miss seeing on Sundays. If you have any ideas send them to Barb Witt.
- We are working on some sandwich boards to help communicate Listening Ear and Contemplation.
- We encourage you to follow DUCC on Facebook and share postings to increase both awareness and followers.
- We have updated the ads we place in the Commercial Record so they are on a four-week rotation with a different message each time.
- See any member of the team if you have any ideas for improving communication in DUCC: Barb Witt, chair; Lewis Corbin, Tom Fahlstrom, Greg Gerrans, and Gemina Petruzzelli
- Please send any photos you may have from church events to Greg Gerrans([email protected]) for social media use
Second Sunday Luncheon, November 9th
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Church potlucks, now called Second Sunday Luncheons, will help us continue to create community while sharing a meal together.
Thank you to everyone who helped set up, clean up and provide food for our first Second Sunday Monthly Luncheon. Forty-five people attended. Our next lunch will be November 9 following the service. Bring what you are able (entrees, salads, desserts, bread etc) and if you can't bring anything, please bring yourself. All are welcome!
If you are interested in helping to set up or clean up, there will be a new Event Committee signup sheet in the Friendship Hall so that we can establish email communications when asking for help with set up or take down going forward.
Thank you to everyone who helped set up, clean up and provide food for our first Second Sunday Monthly Luncheon. Forty-five people attended. Our next lunch will be November 9 following the service. Bring what you are able (entrees, salads, desserts, bread etc) and if you can't bring anything, please bring yourself. All are welcome!
If you are interested in helping to set up or clean up, there will be a new Event Committee signup sheet in the Friendship Hall so that we can establish email communications when asking for help with set up or take down going forward.
Listening Ear: Do You Need to Be Heard?
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
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.
Card Ministry
Photo by Immo Wegman on Unsplash
Do you love receiving cards in the mail when you're sick, recovering from surgery, have a birthday or anniversary, or need a reminder that you're being prayed for? Maybe sending cards to folks in those situations is a way you could bring a smile to someone's day! If you are willing to send a card on behalf of DUCC for members' birthdays or anniversaries, for healing or prayers, for one month, please contact Pastor Dan or Pastor Jody. If you have cards that you aren't using that would be appropriate for such occasions, please drop them off at the office for our use. A couple minutes to let someone know they are thought of, a quick trip to the post office, that's all it takes to bring a smile!
Prayer Requests
Nancy Plantinga, and the Plantinga family; Tere Krueger; 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; Jose (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): East Congregational UCC.
Birthday's & Anniversary's This Week
BIRTHDAYS:
November 10: Derek Hoehn
November 11: John Willming
November 12: Rev. Marchiene Rienstra
November 13: Liz Wilson
November 15: Doreen Ritt
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way to connect with one another. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, the 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.*
November 10: Derek Hoehn
November 11: John Willming
November 12: Rev. Marchiene Rienstra
November 13: Liz Wilson
November 15: Doreen Ritt
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way to connect with one another. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, the 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.*
Give by Text Message
Please, consider giving online. To donate by text, open a new text message on your mobile phone, type 844-931-2849 in the “To” field, and in the message body, type only the dollar amount of your gift (for example, 50 for a $50 donation). Then press Send. You’ll receive a message confirming your donation
Church Calendar
Photo by Dari lli on Unsplash
UNIITED CHURCH OF CHRIST NEWS
Prayer Circle for All Churches
Photo by Martin Bennie on Unsplash
The Grand West Association Council is continuing their covenantal prayer circle for all our churches. This is one of the Councils attempts to better connect in our region as a faithful community. The two-year prayer cycle includes our 22 UCC churches, and also UCOM and the Michigan conference staff.
The "church of month" for November is East Congregational UCC.
Thank you for keeping them in our prayers.
The "church of month" for November is East Congregational UCC.
Thank you for keeping them in our prayers.
UCC Advent 2025 resources offer paths for 'awakening, preparing and dreaming'
This season’s Abolition Advent Calendar will center on “The New Old Story of Freedom: Practicing New Worlds into Life.” Coordinated by the UCC’s Racial Justice Ministries and Join the Movement Toward Racial Justice, this year’s Advent Calendar brings together quotes from Octavia Butler’s novel Parable of the Sower, Advent scripture readings, stories of past and present abolitionists, and visionary practices drawn from Andrea Ritchie’s book Practicing New Worlds: Abolition and Emergent Strategies.
CLASSES
Qigong, Tuesdays in the Friendship Hall
Photo by Sajad Nori on Unsplash
Kat VanHammen's Qigong Winter classes began in the Friendship Hall on October 7. The classes will run 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
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
Thank you, Wayne! First of the Financial Literacy Series was Informative and Fun! Next One is January 7
Soul Collage November 8, Restoring Our Soul
The next Soul Collage sessions with our friend and masterful teacher, Ruth Zwald, are scheduled for the Friendship Hall November 8. This artful, soul-honoring class will set you exploring and making and asking your own wisdom sources for guidance. It's always a surprising and stilling journey with Rev. Ruth! To sign up, follow the registration instructions in the poster above. You must register to participate.
AROUND TOWN
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Annual Drive for Thanksgiving Kits,
Begins Now! Asking for Rice this Year.
Photo by Defrino Maasy on Unsplash
It’s November, and with it comes Christian Neighbors’ distribution of Thanksgiving Meal Kits to area low-income families - a 45-year-old tradition in our community. In 2024, 75 volunteers organized, packed and distributed 330 meal kits that provided a Thanksgiving meal to roughly1200 area residents. This year, our church is being asked to collect Rice – 1lb Bags to contribute to these meals. Please consider donating one or more of these items. It is through the kindness and generosity from our community that Christian Neighbors is able to provide this special holiday meal to those in need. Thank you!
Participate in the Spirit of Christmas Program, Helping Families Prepare for Winter
Photo by Ignat Kushnarez on Unsplash
For several years, many from UCC have participated in the Spirit of Christmas program. We are working with Fennville, Pullman schools and Van Buren ISD who identify families that are below poverty level and are struggling to provide clothes for the winter. With the SNAP program in jeopardy, the families needs will include food as well. If you want to donate, there are two ways, you can donate funds which will be given to someone who will shop for the family or you choose to take a family and you will get a list of their needs. So you will get a a chance to shop! If you are interested, Please contact Maryjo Lemanski.
Water Smart Landscaping Workshops and Grants, November 18
From the Creation Justice Team: Learn about reducing outdoor water use while keeping your yard beautiful! Attend the “Water Smart Landscaping 101” workshop on November 18 at the Allegan Conservation District. There will be a second workshop in February. Find full details and reserve your seat at bit.ly/wslnov25
The ODC Network and the Allegan Conservation District are providing the workshop through a grant from Bell’s Brewery, which will also fund native plant gardens for 10 homeowners, rain barrels for 5 homeowners, and a public demonstration rain garden.
The ODC Network and the Allegan Conservation District are providing the workshop through a grant from Bell’s Brewery, which will also fund native plant gardens for 10 homeowners, rain barrels for 5 homeowners, and a public demonstration rain garden.
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