 Photo by Illiya Vjestica on Unsplash This Week In the E-Pistle, You Will Find...
BEING THE CHURCHThis Week's Service: Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost - Generosity of Grace Photo by Ubaid E. Alyafizi on Unsplash What risk might you take if you knew that you were loved beyond your wildest imagination? What could you try if you truly believed that you were worthy beyond your ability to know? If all you have to give in this world is yourself, how might you behave differently? The Christian understanding of God is that God loves you unconditionally, that you are worthy of living your best life, that you cannot fall out of grace with God. Grace, a gift, that brings you back to yourself whenever you remember it compels your best. We will consider God's generosity Sunday, a gift of unconditional love, grace. 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, Paul Kearny and Lauri Donaldson 
Last Week's Service: Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Extravagant Welcome When was a time you felt especially welcomed? What did people do to make you feel welcome? Have you known a time when it was difficult to be hospitable to and welcoming of others? Should extravagant welcome have limits? Is there a price to pay for being too welcoming? What’s the opposite of welcome? If someone were to ask you: “In what specific way is Douglas United Church of Christ a congregation of extravagant welcome?” how would you respond? Last week Pastor Dan reflected on the deeper meaning of an Extravagant Welcome. Jody and Dan's Office Hours This Week
You're Invited! Trunk or Treat (October 31) Trunk or Treat – Coming to Douglas UCC! Friday, October 31st, from 5–7 pm Our parking lot is about to get spooky, sweet, and just 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! Learning More About DUCC Finances |
|||||||||||||||
 |  |
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.
Reports & Minutes
Photo by Justin Morgan on Unsplash
|
| ||||
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 21: Alton Jr. Overweg
October 22: Barbara Schipper
October 25: Maryjo Lemanski
ANNIVERSARIES
October 21: Linda Anderson, Elaine Troehler
October 23: Max Brown, Doug Sipsma
October 24: Glynis & Kenneth Whitcomb
October 21: Alton Jr. Overweg
October 22: Barbara Schipper
October 25: Maryjo Lemanski
ANNIVERSARIES
October 21: Linda Anderson, Elaine Troehler
October 23: Max Brown, Doug Sipsma
October 24: Glynis & Kenneth Whitcomb
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
October 12th In-Person Attendance : 78
October 12th Total Views for worship videos: 54
October 12th Total Views for worship videos: 54
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
UCC GMP Signs on to Statement Denouncing Political Violence and Attacks on Free Speech
The Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, United Church of Christ General Minister and President/CEO joined more than 70 other faith leaders in signing on to a statement authored denouncing political violence and attacks on free speech.
UCC Grand West Association Fall Meeting, Sunday October 19th, Newaygo UCC
Please, let Pastor Jody know if you want to attend!
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
Financial Literacy Seminars, November 5th!
AROUND TOWN
Men's Coffee and Conversation
October is "SOUP-TOBER"!
Team Trivia Night to Benefit
Christian Neighbors, October 18th
| An evening of team trivia competition, fun and friends is being hosted by St Peter Catholic Church in Douglas. All proceeds benefit Christian Neighbors. The theme for the evening is a "Night at the Movies." The event is a team trivia format, and teams can be up to 8 people. Individuals who would like to play will be put with other individuals to form a team. Cost to play is $25 per person or $200 for a table of 8. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. For more information, and to register, call 269-857-7951. |  |
Drumming the Dream Banners with Kat VanHammen, October 19th
Defining and Responding to
Christian Nationalism: Lakeshore Indivisible
Photo by Kelsey Todd on Unsplash
ou're Invited! Defining and Responding to Christian Nationalism October 21st, 7-8:30 pm
The Lakeshore Indivisible group is hosting an event on Christian Nationalism
on October 21st, at the First Congregational Church of Saugatuck at 7 pm.
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 7 pm.
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!
Dark Sky Event: Lights Out at Oval Beach
Photo by Slava Abramovitch on Unsplash
Tuesday, 21 October 2025, 7:30 – 10 pm
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.
Previous
E-Pistles
October 2025
September 2025
August 2025
July 2025
June 2025
May 2025
April 2025
March 2025
February 2025
January 2025
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
RSS Feed
