 In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:BEING THE CHURCH
BEING THE CHURCHThis Week's Service: Fourth Sunday after Pentecost -- Questions from the Roadside This Sunday’s message revisits the familiar story Jesus tells about the Good Samaritan in the 10th chapter of Luke. People who know little about the Bible no doubt know something about this parable. A traveler is mugged and left on the roadside. Two religious professionals choose to walk by without lending aid. A third person, a Samaritan, a religious outsider, gives not only his attention but also his care. We typically understand this story as a lesson in offering aid to a victim, despite religious and social differences we might have. I’m wondering though, what we might learn from the victim who is powerless and can only receive mercy. No doubt, some good stuff there to consider. 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: Fifth Sunday of Pride -- All Are Precious Why does the Progressive Pride flag include the black and brown stripes? Does this have anything to do with LGBTQIA+ justice? For too long people of color in our country have lived under the influence of institutions that perpetuate racism -- education, health care, economics, , etc. These truths affect those of us in the dominant culture as well. What can we do to make a difference? The call is clear. Last Sunday, we explored what it means when the writer of Galatians wrote "no Jew or Gentile, no slave or free, no male or female." Click above for the whole service, or the button below for the homily. Jody and Dan's Office Hours This Week
White Supremacy Culture -- The Website Last week, Jody helped us to teachings about White Supremacy in the context of LGBTQIA history, and the complexity of intersectional oppression. She quoted Tema Okun's website-that-is-really-a-book, "White Supremacy Culture." To go deep on the history of the whitewashing of our culture, spend time here: White Supremacy Culture Annual Meeting Kudos!Thanks to all of us for a great Annual Meeting: The Council members who prepared and presented, the staff members who got us technically ready and comfortable in the Friendship Hall -- every church member and friend who came to learn and be counted. It was a big and challenging year, and we have been meeting every challenge with courage, faith, and growth. Yay to us! Listening Ear: Do You Need to Be Heard? Photo by Brett Jordan 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, 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 Isabel Graham conference room on Thursday afternoons from 1 to 3 pm. Inquirers? New Members? Let's Get You Ready. We are in the process of scheduling a Reception during Sunday worship for our newest members. If you are interested in membership at DUCC but haven’t taken the Inquirers Class, please reach out to Jody (text 616–706-3549, or write [email protected]). We’ll get you ready to join us Urgent Request from Christian Neighbors Our Saugatuck-Douglas seasonal workers have arrived en masse, and they have many household needs, as they do not bring these items with them. Christian Neighbors is in immediate need of…
Christian Neighbors Inc. Mailing Address: P.O Box 43, Douglas MI 49406 Physical Address: 6874 Wiley Road, Fennville, MI 49408 (Door C11) Phone: 269.857.1050 [email protected] Christian Neighbors Inc. is open 9:30 to Noon, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday What’s Up with Plastic? A Quick Talk with Chris Clark, July 13, After Service 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. (Image credit: ChatGPT -- Chris and Julie were having fun exploring AI tools. A bit of Geekfoolery!) Communications Team, Unite! Photo by Getty Images on Unsplash Got writing, posting, speaking, photography, design, outreach skills? Why don't you join our newly forming Communications Team for folks with skills who will broaden the messaging of DUCC to our communities, to guests who visit, to one another. Share the happenings in the church. Our neighbors should know about this community, don't you think? Reach out to Barb Witt if you have interest and this sounds like fun, because yes, this kind of work is always fun. Prayer Requests Nancy VanDyke; Debra Carr and Carr Family; Orie Hawkes; Tony & Stephanie (Wendy Hamlin's family); Maciek (Matt) Wozniak (Robert Fisher's partner); Family of Fred Hamlin; Elinor Hite (Virginia Stuart’s sister); Dave Lawson; Rich Marth; Christine Kerney; Nancy Plantinga and her family; 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) Birthdays & Anniversaries This WeekBirthdays July 6: Lyn Anderson July 7: Dick Lucier July 10: Jim Kern, David Van Dyke July 12: John McDonald Anniversaries July 7: Patrice & Stan Greene July 9: Beverly & Orie Hawkes July 12: Christine & Paul Kerney 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. Battling Power outage! Stay tuned! Grant Committee Application Online Photo by Micheile Hendersen on Unsplash Our Grant Committee -- the group who review grant requests from area non-profits and for funds from our Isabel Graham fund and congregational offerings, has worked to make the grant application process more accessible to more area organizations. Please make your favorite non-profits aware by forwarding this link and/or QR code. Both will take them to the online form where they can submit their request. The URL for the online form to submit your grant request is here: bit.ly/IG-Grant-App Or use this QR code to navigate to the online form:  Financial StewardshipIn-Person Attendance, June 29: 96 Total Views for June 29 worship videos: 128 Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $855 Online Giving: $1,534.30 Total, General Support: $2,389.30 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. Church Calendar When you have events to schedule anywhere on campus, click the button below, scan the calendar for a spot, then contact [email protected] to make your reservation. Reservations are first come, first served. Emailing is always best so she can keep track of requests. 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! Tuesdays at 3pm, Retreat House Lawn Photo by Sajad Nori on Unsplash Once again Kat VanHammen will be offering Qigong at the backyard of the Retreat House on Tuesdays at 3pm. 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 TOWNDUCC Men's Coffee & Conversation HeartSafe Looking for Volunteers HeartSafe Tri-Communities is looking for volunteers and donations to help equip and staff the programs that will make our communities safer, making a heart-safe environment for all of us.
This program focuses on increasing public access to AEDs, CPR and AED training, promoting early intervention and raising awareness about heart health. The program needs volunteers with many skills and interests -- event organizers, educators, comunicators, event helpers. If you have a few hours to hep out, this team would love to put you on their list of volunteers. Reach out to [email protected], and check out this team's work on their Facebook Page. |
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56 Wall Street • Douglas, Michigan 49406
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