 Photo by Saimy Patel on Unsplash This Week In the E-Pistle, You Will Find...
CLASSES
AROUND TOWN
BEING THE CHURCHThis Week's Service |
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Last Week's Service
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost: The Generosity of Creation
Image by Sadao Watanabe
Last Sunday, Jody reflected on the Generosity of Creation. According to many traditions, the First Sunday of October was the Feast of St. Francis. St. Francis is known for his commitment to peace and connection to the other-than-human world. Remembering him creates a nice segue from the Season of Creation to the Season of Generosity. This week, as we begin thinking of generosity, we will celebrate the gifts of God through God's creation! The plenty, the beauty, the constancy, the diversity, the cycles of life so evident, the amazing gifts we so often take for granted. We will consider the "gift economy - an economic system where exchanges are made without an immediate expectation of return, relying on principles of reciprocity, mutual trust, and community interdependence."
Jody's and Dan's Office Hours This Week
 | For The Week of October 12: Tuesday: 4-9, Dan and Jody Wednesday: 10-3, Dan Thursday: 9:30-8, Jody Friday: 10-3, 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 call to schedule an appointment: Jody: 616-706-3549 Dan: 616-828-2293 |
Trunk or Treat, October 31
Trunk or Treat: Coming to Douglas UCC!
Mark your calendars for Friday, October 31st, from 5–7pm—because our parking lot is about to get spooky, sweet, and a little silly!
Here’s the deal: we’re inviting YOU (yes, you!) to join in the fun by:
Flyers are available to help spread the word, and there’s a sign-up sheet in the Friendship Hall for anyone who wants to participate. Whether you’re handing out candy, smiling, or just complimenting costumes, we’d love to have you there. It will be a frightfully fun evening—and remember, the more trunks we have, the more treats (and laughs) for everyone!
Mark your calendars for Friday, October 31st, from 5–7pm—because our parking lot is about to get spooky, sweet, and a little silly!
Here’s the deal: we’re inviting YOU (yes, you!) to join in the fun by:
- Parking your car around the church
- Decorating your trunk (spooky, silly, or downright fabulous—your choice!)
- Dressing up in your best costume (bonus points for glitter and halos)
- Handing out treats to all the little ghouls, goblins, and princesses who stop by!
Flyers are available to help spread the word, and there’s a sign-up sheet in the Friendship Hall for anyone who wants to participate. Whether you’re handing out candy, smiling, or just complimenting costumes, we’d love to have you there. It will be a frightfully fun evening—and remember, the more trunks we have, the more treats (and laughs) for everyone!
World Communion Sunday
Thank You Bakers, Preparers and Servers
Learning More About DUCC Finances
Thank You for Joining Our Conversation!
Photo by Christy Dalmat on Unsplash
Thank you to everyone who attended Sunday’s (October 5) brief presentation over coffee. If you couldn’t make it or would like the materials, we’re happy to share them.
Get the slides & summary (PDF):
Contact our treasurer, and we’ll send you a PDF copy of the presentation slides and a concise summary of key points and Q&A highlights. Questions about our finances are always welcome — your generosity fuels our ministry and day-to-day operations.
Get the slides & summary (PDF):
Contact our treasurer, and we’ll send you a PDF copy of the presentation slides and a concise summary of key points and Q&A highlights. Questions about our finances are always welcome — your generosity fuels our ministry and day-to-day operations.
Social Justice Team Community Conversations
Thank you to Mark Neidlinger, Superintendent of Saugatuck Public Schools, for his informative presentation this past Thursday.
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 Nov 13, 6:15 pm, Lighthouse Immigration Services Representative to speak
All events are scheduled for our beautiful new Friendship Hall. All are welcome!
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 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.
Next Luncheon will be October 12th 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].
Next Luncheon will be October 12th 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].
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. So, after a successful trial period, this highly trained team of empathic folks — Paul Burdick, Mike Valdez, Pat Denner, and Doug Sipsma - will continue the service. Their premise is that everyone goes through rough patches in life. Sometimes stress can feel overwhelming. Talking to a caring human helps in many, occasionally 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 Week
BIRTHDAYS
October 13: Jeff Austhof
October 17: Pete Wehle
ANNIVERSARIES
October 15: Liz Wilson
October 18: Demetrhea Terrien & Betsy York
October 13: Jeff Austhof
October 17: Pete Wehle
ANNIVERSARIES
October 15: Liz Wilson
October 18: Demetrhea Terrien & Betsy York
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.*
* 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.*
Church Attendance
Last week's In-Person Attendance: 85
Last week's Total Views for worship videos: 77
Last week's Total Views for worship videos: 77
Give by Text Message
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
CLASSES
Qigong is Back! Classes Begin in Friendship Hall, October 7th
Photo by Sajad Nori on Unsplash
Kat VanHammen's Qigong Winter classes begin 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
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
Financial Literacy Seminars, November 5th!
AROUND TOWN
Men's Coffee and Conversation
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
Defining and Responding to
Christian Nationalism: Lakeshore Indivisible
Photo by Kelsey Todd on Unsplash
You're Invited! Defining and Responding to Christian Nationalism October 21st, 7-8:30pm
The Lakeshore Indivisible group is hosting an event on Christian Nationalism
on October 21st, at the First Congregational Church of Saugatuck at 7pm.
Rev. Sarah Terlouw (First Congregational Church), Rev. Dr. Jay Johnson (All Saints Episcopal Church), Rev. Jody Betten (Douglas United Church of Christ) will be presenting and then participating in an open panel discussion on this topic. Together they will help define what Christian Nationalism is and explore how it threatens American Democracy and the mainline protestant church today. Please join us!
The Lakeshore Indivisible group is hosting an event on Christian Nationalism
on October 21st, at the First Congregational Church of Saugatuck at 7pm.
Rev. Sarah Terlouw (First Congregational Church), Rev. Dr. Jay Johnson (All Saints Episcopal Church), Rev. Jody Betten (Douglas United Church of Christ) will be presenting and then participating in an open panel discussion on this topic. Together they will help define what Christian Nationalism is and explore how it threatens American Democracy and the mainline protestant church today. Please join us!
Drumming the Dream Banners with Kat VanHammen, October 19th
Dark Sky Event: Lights Out at Oval Beach
Photo by Slava Abramovitch on Unsplash
Lights-Out at Oval Beach —Tuesday, 21 October 2025, 7:30-10 PM (rain date of October 22)
Enjoy the night sky under a new moon, raise awareness of light pollution, and learn how
to use artificial light at night responsibly.
Enjoy the night sky under a new moon, raise awareness of light pollution, and learn how
to use artificial light at night responsibly.
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