 Photo by Mike Von on Unsplash In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:BEING THE CHURCH
BEING THE CHURCHThis Week's Service: Sixth Sunday after Pentecost -- Thoughts on Prayer Photo by Eric Prouzet on Unsplash The phrase “Thoughts and Prayers” has become a common expression of condolences in times of tragedies, natural disasters, and mass shootings. When spoken with sincerity, it’s as good as any when conveying support and concern. When spoken with indifference, it leaves much to be desired. Prayer is many things: meditation, quietness, introspection, contemplation, silence, wonder . . . the list is long. I’m not an expert on the topic of prayer or in the art of praying. Sometimes I think action and thoughtful endeavor are more productive than prayer. Yet, I’m drawn to people for whom prayer seems as common as their next breath. We’ll explore this and more. I invite you to consider these prayerful words by the late William Sloane Coffin: “I pray that God gives you grace never to sell yourself short; grace to risk something big for something good; grace to remember that the world is now too dangerous for anything but the truth and too small for anything but love.” 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, Kimia Ghaderi You will always find our latest church bulletin and service music at Bit.ly/DUCCBulletin 
This Week's Guest: Kimia Ghaderi We’re so excited to welcome Kimia Ghaderi, Artistic Director of the Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck, to Douglas UCC next Sunday! Along with her role as Assistant Principal Second Violinist of the Grand Rapids Symphony, Kimia is passionate about bringing the joy of music to people of all ages and backgrounds. She’ll share with us a few solo pieces and join in on a congregational hymn. We feel so lucky to have her with us — come and experience her beautiful music! Last Week's Service: Fifth Sunday after Pentecost -- Plastic Jesus Last week, Reverend Jody explored the problem of the persistence of plastic. It's everywhere, even coming to live in our own bodies and those of other living creatures. Despite the fact that we have learned the harms of plastics, we are steadily increasing our production of the material. The Bible does not speak of plastic, but it does give us a framework for a relationship with creation. We are called to live with gratitude and awe, to be good partners with creation and steward the planet's resources. Last Sunday the Creation Justice Team invited us to live into a ban of single use plastics here at DUCC, to think again about our relationship to the planet, and to imagine some creative alternatives. Jody and Dan's Office Hours
Styrofoam Solution from the Creation Justice Team! Photo by Jonas Gerlach on Unsplash The CJT wants folks to know styrofoam is a horrible product that takes hundreds of years to decompose and is not collected in curbside pickups. Our Creation Justice Team has launched an ongoing collection of styrofoam and transport to a facility in Muskegon that recycles styrofoam. Unfortunately the facility does not recycle ALL styrofoam. No meat trays, egg cartons coffee cups, etc. However they do recycle big styrofoam, like that used in packaging appliances or items purchased on Amazon that need assembling or even styrofoam coolers. Next time you have something delivered that is packaged in styrofoam, rather than throw it in your trash bin, please contact Kathleen Klage to arrange pick up or if you have any questions. [email protected]; 616-886-2541 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, 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. Photo by Getty Images on Unsplash DUCC will be receiving new members on Sunday August 24 in the worship service. If you haven't taken an Inquirer's Class but would like to join the Church, please reach out to Jody ([email protected] or 616-706-3549) or fill out a welcome card from the back of the pews in the sanctuary, and put it in the Offering Plate, so we can get you ready. Thanks! NEW DATE: What’s Up with Plastic? A Quick Talk with Chris Clark, July 20, 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 Meet Us at the Douglas Social, July 24 DUCC will sell hot dogs at the July 24 Douglas Social. We are looking for volunteers to work the hot dog booth from 5 pm to 8 pm (The social itself kicks off at 5:30). Meet us at History Center at 130 West Center Street in Douglas. If you are willing to help with set-up, grilling, selling, or clean up, please sign up on the sheet in the Isabel Graham Center or email Karen Clark at [email protected]. Even if you can’t help, please plan to stop by and enjoy music, artwork, gardens, and hot dogs. These are the social events of the season! Can You Help Us With Cleanup After Service?  Illustration by Julie Ridl We are looking for a few new folks to help with coffee hour clean up. Specifically, with the glass communion cups. We have a new process in place that takes just a little extra time. If you can help once a month or so, please make your availability known by signing up in the Isabel Graham Center during coffee hour. Thanks! Prayer Requests Lucille Corbin (Lewis Corbin’s mother); Jean Hotwagner (Annie Hotwagner's Mom); 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; 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 20: Martha Cronin Bolin, 21: Carol Cunningham, Barbara Muller, Lee Sorg 22: Larry Fuerst 24: Elizabeth Estes, Mike Mok, Scott DeWitt, 25: Kelly Wright Anniversaries July 24: Elaine & Alton Overweg 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. Grant Committee Application is Now Online Photo by Micheile Hendersen on Unsplash Our Grant Committee -- the group who review grant requests from area non-profits 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 of this funding source by sharing the link and/or QR code below to your favorite local non-profit groups. Both the link and the code will take them to the online form where they can submit their request. The online address for the grant request form is here: bit.ly/IG-Grant-App Or share this QR code to navigate to the online form:  Financial StewardshipIn-Person Attendance, July 13: 102 Total Views for July 13 worship videos: 105 Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $2,355 Online Giving: $3,044.32 Total, General Support: $5,399.32 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 TOWNWest Shore Aware White Party -- Mardi Gras Carnival! -- August 16 They are going fast, but still a few seats available at the summer's big funder for West Shore Aware -- the folks who have been making things better for our LGBTQIA+ community for more than 20 years. Hit their website to learn about their history and see all the amazing organizations this funder supports. Follow the button below to snap up these last seats! DUCC 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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