This Mother's Day Sunday, we will explore "God as Mother." Most of us grew up being told that God was a man, our Heavenly Father. How would our world be different if we viewed God not as an authoritative, judgmental male, but as our gentle, nurturing Heavenly Mother? Come join us this Mother's Day Sunday at 10 a.m. as we continue to explore the question: Who is God? Special music: Pamela Chappell and friends!

Join us this Sunday immediately following our worship service for our "2nd Sunday of the Month" Potluck.  Please bring a dish to share. We are also in need of people who can stay afterwards and help clean up.  If you can help, please contact Karen Clark: kbclark@iusb.edu

Pastor Sal and Peg Donohue presented a $7,500 check on behalf of the church to board members and volunteers of Ladders Of Hope Food Pantry in Fennville to pay for a new generator. Ladders of Hope is an all-volunteer non-profit that helps individuals and families in Allegan county with food assistance. Last year alone, they helped more than 6,000 people.

Thank you to our church's Social Justice Team for hosting author Anna-Lisa Cox last week. Every seat was taken in our Friendship Hall for Dr. Cox's inspiring presentation on 19th Century race relations in Michigan.

Kudos to one of our youngest Douglas UCC churchgoers, eighth grader, Hannah Huggett, who organized the first-ever recycling event at Tulip Time. Hannah was assisted by Douglas UCC members: Sarah Swift (pictured above with Hannah); Kathy Klage; Gail and Denny Babel; as well as by her sisters, Hailey and Molly Huggett. Hannah, you rock!!

      


​The Artz & Gardenz Studio Tour is this Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Among the seven unique stops on the tour is Summerhouse Lavender Farm (owned by our church members, Dan McGavin and Carol Brown), where our own Mike VerMerris will be displaying and selling his artwork. ​

Great turnout this past Tuesday night for “Bee Informed" at Douglas UCC. Anne Marie Fauvel from the Bee Informed Partnership spoke to us about the honey bee population and what we can do to help them thrive. Thank you to our Creation Justice Team for facilitating.

​Douglas UCC has hired Mayotte Group Architects to explore possibilities about the expansion of our church facilities. All involved in our Groups and Committees are invited to join us on Thursday, May 16, at 7 p.m. in the Friendship Hall for a sharing of ideas with the architects, and everyone is invited to join us on Sunday, May 19 at 12:30 p.m. for another visioning session with the architects. Come share your input as we vision our future together.

Lakeshore Community Chorus Concert- presents “Oldies But Goodies,” a concert featuring music from the 50’s and 60’s with special guests, the Holland Windmill Barbershop Chorus. Our own Pastor Sal will serve as the narrator.  Performances are: Saturday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 19 at 4 p.m. at the 1st Congregational Church in Saugatuck. Tickets are $20/Adults, $10/Students. Tickets available online at www.lakeshorecommunitychorus.org or at Scooter’s Café in Saugatuck.  
 
4 Paws Lakeshore Benefit - 10th Annual “4 Paws” Gala is on Friday May 24, 2019 at Laketown Golf & Conference Center in Saugatuck. Benefits the Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance. Tickets are $100 per person, which includes cocktails, dinner, and entertainment by Kelly Carey. This year’s theme is "Sonny & Cher.”   Purchase tix: www.4pawslakeshore.org

May 5:  Attendance: 144     Collection: $1,991.22        Online: $1,905.19      Total: $3,896.41
     Thank you for your generous giving
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This Sunday, we are excited to welcome MIKAH MEYER to Douglas UCC. Just this week, Mikah became the youngest person to visit all 419 national park sites in one trip.  You may have read about Mikah this week in the Washington Post or watched his interview on the "Today" show. This Sunday at our 10 a.m. worship service, Mikah will be sharing stories about his journey, and he'll also be speaking about his spiritual journey as a gay Christian. 

Last Sunday, Pastor Sal introduced our brand-new Douglas UCC logo. Designed by Meraki Social, the new logo symbolizes the expansion of our church's growth; our open and inclusive welcome; our open-mindedness to new ways of thinking; and our outreach far beyond our church walls. We are grateful to the team at Meraki Social for their talents and vision.

Thank you to all who helped clean-up the church grounds last weekend: Bud Baty, Dick Bont, Chris Clark, Jerry Coates, Anita Halcyon, Mary Harris, Bob Kenny, Dick Lucier, Peter Mueller, Jack Ridl, Sue Scott, Sarah Swift, Kristi Van Howe, Alan Weathers, Elinor White, Mike White, Cindy Winkler, Betsy York, Mark Zancanaro. And, thank you to Linda Charvat and Lazaro and Edward from Rosebay Nursery who planted new rhododendrons and azaleas. 

Thank you to all who expressed interest in the AED/CPR Training. The class will be offered three different times: Saturday, June 15 from 9 -11:30 .a.m. and from 12:30 to 3 p.m. and Saturday, June 22 from 9-11:30 a.m. Please sign the designated sheets in the Friendship Hall for the session you wish to attend. The cost is $20. Scholarships are available and observers are welcome to attend for free. ​

The Artz & Gardenz Studio Tour is Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Among the seven unique stops on the tour is Summerhouse Lavender Farm (owned by our church members, Dan McGavin and Carol Brown), where our own Mike VerMerris will be dsiplaying his artwork. 

​School Bond Meeting– All are invited to a coffee chat at Uncommon Grounds in Saugatuck on Monday, May 6 at 5 p.m. to ask questions and to learn more about the upcoming School Bond Proposal. 

Introduction to Shamanism: On Saturday, May 18, Margret Bazany, a Shamanic Practitioner and Douglas UCC church member, will be teaching an "Introduction to Shamanism" workshop in the Friendship Hall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.. The cost is $50.  If you are interested in attending, please contact Margret at margretbazany@gmail.com ​

Saugatuck HS Band Concert - Tonight: Friday, May 3 at 7 p.m. at Saugatuck Center for the Arts. This is a fundraiser to benefit the band program. Tix are $27 and available at sc4a.org

04/26/2019 - Weekly E-pistle: "The Benefits of Doubt" - Sunday at Douglas UCC
04/19/2019 - Weekly E-pistle: Easter Sunday at Douglas UCC
04/12/2019 - Weekly E-pistle: Palm Sunday at Douglas UCC
04/05/2019 - Weekly E-pistle: "5th Sunday of Lent" at Douglas UCC
03/29/2019 - Weekly E-pistle: "4th Sunday of Lent" at Douglas UCC
03/22/2019 - Weekly E-pistle: "3rd Sunday of Lent" at Douglas UCC
03/15/2019 - Weekly E-pistle: "2nd Sunday of Lent" at Douglas UCC
03/08/2019 - Weekly E-pistle: "1st Sunday of Lent" at Douglas UCC
03/01/2019 - Weekly E-pistle: "Transfiguration Sunday" at Douglas UCC
02/22/2019 - Weekly E-pistle: "Love Your Enemy" - Sunday at Douglas UCC
02/15/2019 - Weekly E-pistle: "The BE-Attitudes" - Sunday at Douglas UCC
02/08/2019 - Weekly E-pistle: "Followers or Leaders?" - Sunday at Douglas UCC
02/05/2019 - Remembering Carl Jennings
02/01/2019 - Weekly E-pistle: "Come to the Edge" - Sunday at Douglas UCC
01/25/2019 - Weekly E-pistle: "Divine Oneness" - Sunday at Douglas UCC
01/18/2019 - Weekly E-pistle: "Celebrating Dr. King" - Sunday at Douglas UCC
01/11/2019 - Weekly E-pistle: "Baptism of Love" - Sunday at Douglas UCC
01/04/2019 - Weekly E-pistle: "Epiphany Sunday" at Douglas UCC
12/28/2018 - Weekly E-pistle: "Burning Bowl" Ceremony - Sunday at Douglas UCC
12/21/2018 - Weekly E-pistle: 4th Sunday of Advent at Douglas UCC
12/14/2018 - Weekly E-pistle: Third Sunday of Advent at Douglas UCC
11/30/2018 - Weekly E-pistle: First Sunday of Advent at Douglas UCC
11/23/2018 - Weekly E-pistle: "Reign of Love" - Sunday at Douglas UCC