Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
This Week's Service: What Is Your Why?
Photo by Vadim Bogulov on Unsplash
What is a friend? A number that you count on Facebook? Or something more? Why do you exist as a church? What would be missing if you were not part of your community? Jesus talks about changing relationships and the value of community. Join us as we explore the important concept of identity during this liminal time. Message: Rev. Jody Betten, Music: Peter Black and Jeff Spangler
Join us in Church at 10 am on Sunday Morning, or live on YouTube right here. 
Last Week's Service, Fifth Sunday of Easter:
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Pastor Jody has completed her service with her last church and joins us full time this week. We will formally install her as our Interim Pastor during this Sunday's service. And she will keep office hours in her officeon Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. Check in with her to schedule time when you need it! |
Nancy Mendonca Memorial, May 10, 11am
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Our church member Nancy Mendonca, who passed away in September, will be remembered and celebrated at her memorial service here on Friday, May 10, at 11 a.m., Nancy was born and raised in Saugatuck, and with her husband, Roger, became members of Douglas UCC in 2017. Not long after, she and Roger moved to Louisiana, but kept tabs on their church throughout their travels.They joined our Sedona Spirit Journey in 2022. A celebration of life will follow the service here, held at The Womans Club in Saugatuck. |
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Meet Kelly Jacobsma, Our New Congregational Care Facilitator
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Our Church Member Lynne Snyder is taking on new responsibilities at our church, and is handing the reins of the Congregational Care Team over to Kelly Jacobsma. Kelly will serve as facilitator for congregation volunteers who provide care to those in need of assistance due to illness, medical conditions and other debilitating situations. The help they provide ranges from errands and light housework to meal preparation, rides, childcare and yard work. Want to help? Need help? Connect with Kelly!
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May Cereal Drive
Because hunger doesn't take a summer vacation, Christian Neighbors Food Pantry, along with the Allegan County Food Pantry Collaborative, is collecting cereal to distribute this summer to neighbors with children, to keep them nourished through the summer months. The Cereal Drive Ends May 31. You may leave cereal boxes at the Friendship Hall, or in collection boxes around town, or deliver them directly to Christian Neighbors' Food pantry, located at the Douglas Community Church on Wiley. Check out the Christian Neighbors website for more opportunities to take care of our neighbors in need. Or ask our church's Christian Neighbors liaisons, Wendy Hamlin and Rich Marth!
Chris Clark's Camino Pilgrimage, May 11
On Saturday, May 11, church member Chris Clark starts a two-week pilgrimage in Spain and Portugal. If you’d like to follow his route and see a daily photo, click the button below. You don’t need to create an account unless you want to make comments.
Mark Your Calendars for Pride 2024!
Pride Month is coming up, and it's time to fill our calendars with must-dos! DouglasUCC is sponsoring pride events here in Saugatuck/Douglas, and in Holland. Here's how to find all the extra and the everything for Pride Month...
Now Recruiting: DUCC Transition Team
Photo by Lili Popper on Unsplash
To facilitate the Interim Process, we are inviting members and friends of the congregation to be involved in a Transition Team who will guide us through each stage of the process.
There will be planning for and facilitating the various activities of each phase of the process, so one or two coordinators are needed (people with organizational skills, could be the same person for all the phases or a different person for each phase).
We will need people with a variety of gifts, interests, and skills, which are listed with the various phases in the document linked below.
Generally the characteristics of the people involved will be: concern with the best interest of the church, integrity, trustworthiness, creativity, people skills, and respect for the process.
Imagine the time commitment to be 1 1/2 to 2 hours in a planning session for each phase, and the time as necessary to implement or facilitate related activities (perhaps 5 hours per phase or per month).
Please volunteer yourself or suggest a person who you think would be appropriate for each phase. Email names and contact info to [email protected]
There will be planning for and facilitating the various activities of each phase of the process, so one or two coordinators are needed (people with organizational skills, could be the same person for all the phases or a different person for each phase).
We will need people with a variety of gifts, interests, and skills, which are listed with the various phases in the document linked below.
Generally the characteristics of the people involved will be: concern with the best interest of the church, integrity, trustworthiness, creativity, people skills, and respect for the process.
Imagine the time commitment to be 1 1/2 to 2 hours in a planning session for each phase, and the time as necessary to implement or facilitate related activities (perhaps 5 hours per phase or per month).
Please volunteer yourself or suggest a person who you think would be appropriate for each phase. Email names and contact info to [email protected]
| congregational_tasks_during_interim_period.docx |
SJT Reads: The Afro-Christian Convention: Fifth Stream of the UCC, May 23, 7pm
The Social Justice Team invites you to read The Afro-Christian Convention: The Fifth Stream of the United Church of Christ, and then gather to discuss it on May 23 at 7 pm in the Friendship Hall. The holy stream of African spirituality that flowed across the Atlantic Ocean, up into the tidewaters of Virginia in 1619, the same stream that overflowed into the worship and work of the United Church of Christ, is celebrated by this volume, and given its long-overdue place in the canon of UCC history. The book was edited by Yvonne V. Delk and published by Pilgrim Press. If you don't have time to read the book, watch this video of Afro Christian Convention. It's a great synopsis of the book, and the broader archival project. The book is available through your favorite booksellers, and on your Kindle through Amazon. Or you can order it directly from the publisher, Pilgrim Press, who delivers more quickly than the average publisher!
SJT Presents: Karen Graves: The Fight Isn't Over, at the Library, May 31, 4:30pm
Our DUCC Social Justice Team, together with the Saugatuck-Douglas District Library, presents the second part of the two-part program featuring historian and neighbor Karen L. Graves:
If you could join us for Part 1, reading Graves' book, that's just great, but it isn't a prerequisite for joining us for Part 2:
Part 2: Saugatuck-Douglas District Library, May 31, 4:30pm
"The Fight Isn't Over": How the History of LGBTQ+ Teachers Informs Current School Battles"
Education historian and Queer Studies author Karen Graves will highlight elements from the history of LGBTQ+ educators that put our current school battles in historical context.
On May 31st she will discuss how LGBTQ+ educators across the nation turned to the courts to protect their jobs, beginning in the late 1960s.
In both talks Graves will discuss why schools have been fierce battlegrounds in the fight for LGBTQ+ civil rights.
Karen Graves is Professor Emerita at Denison University. Her book, And They Were Wonderful Teachers: Florida’s Purge of Gay and Lesbian Teachers, was awarded a 2010 Critics Choice Book Award from the American Educational Studies Association. In 2013 Graves received the Education Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award at the University of Illinois. In 2015 AERA recognized her with its Queer Studies Body of Work Award.
If you could join us for Part 1, reading Graves' book, that's just great, but it isn't a prerequisite for joining us for Part 2:
Part 2: Saugatuck-Douglas District Library, May 31, 4:30pm
"The Fight Isn't Over": How the History of LGBTQ+ Teachers Informs Current School Battles"
Education historian and Queer Studies author Karen Graves will highlight elements from the history of LGBTQ+ educators that put our current school battles in historical context.
On May 31st she will discuss how LGBTQ+ educators across the nation turned to the courts to protect their jobs, beginning in the late 1960s.
In both talks Graves will discuss why schools have been fierce battlegrounds in the fight for LGBTQ+ civil rights.
Karen Graves is Professor Emerita at Denison University. Her book, And They Were Wonderful Teachers: Florida’s Purge of Gay and Lesbian Teachers, was awarded a 2010 Critics Choice Book Award from the American Educational Studies Association. In 2013 Graves received the Education Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award at the University of Illinois. In 2015 AERA recognized her with its Queer Studies Body of Work Award.
Qigong is Back! Tuesdays at 3pm, Beginning May 7
Photo by Sajad Nori on Unsplash
Our friend Kat VanHammen is returning to the Retreat House lawn, teaching Qigong Tuesdays at 3pm, beginning May 7 and running through September. Class is one hour long and is $10, but all are welcome to attend and pay as you are able if there are financial constraints. Kat will be out of town June 18th and 25th so there will be no class on those dates.
Qigong an ancient Chinese practice rooted in Chinese Medicine. It is much like Tai Chi and consists of gentle movement, visualization, mindfulness and breath work. In this class we will center and ground ourselves and cultivate strength, balance and deep awareness. Qi means Life Force Energy and Gong means to experience and learn. A simple but profound practice, Qigong helps to regulate the nervous system and leaves us relaxed yet energized and is accessible to everyone.
Kat VanHammen holds a masters degree in Expressive Arts Therapy, is an artist and a certified Yoga and Qigong Teacher. She has 40 years experience teaching and leading workshops and retreats for a wide range of people and places. Having integrated many BodyMind practices, Kat is skillful and creative in building experiences and spaces for groups and individuals that cultivate creativity, connection, and useful tools for wellbeing.
Qigong an ancient Chinese practice rooted in Chinese Medicine. It is much like Tai Chi and consists of gentle movement, visualization, mindfulness and breath work. In this class we will center and ground ourselves and cultivate strength, balance and deep awareness. Qi means Life Force Energy and Gong means to experience and learn. A simple but profound practice, Qigong helps to regulate the nervous system and leaves us relaxed yet energized and is accessible to everyone.
Kat VanHammen holds a masters degree in Expressive Arts Therapy, is an artist and a certified Yoga and Qigong Teacher. She has 40 years experience teaching and leading workshops and retreats for a wide range of people and places. Having integrated many BodyMind practices, Kat is skillful and creative in building experiences and spaces for groups and individuals that cultivate creativity, connection, and useful tools for wellbeing.
Soul Collage with Ruth Zwald, May 11
The next Soul Collage gatherings take place on Saturday, May 11 in the Friendship Hall. Our spiritual teacher and friend, Ruth Zwald, offers these popular workshops that provide another avenue for your soul to speak. You must pre-register for either the morning or afternoon workshop by following the instructions above. See you at Soul Collage!
Pete Wehle Sings Frank Sinatra:
A Woman's Club Fundraiser, May 17 & 18
Our own church member, Pete Wehle is offering his beloved concert of Frank Sinatra Songs to raise scholarship funds for deserving Saugatuck High School seniors. Food, Dancing and Sinatra! What fun! Tickets are $20 and available from Lynne Snyder, or by calling the number above.
Unity on the Lakeshore:
Concert and Funder, May 18
Our friends at Unity on the Lakeshore are hosting a concert and silent auction funder on May 18. The suggested contribution for attending is $25. No one will be turned away!
Prayer Requests
Joe Scarpone (Friend of Tom Fahlstrom); Fred "Fritz" Royce and Sara Hurley; Sydney Williams and Baby (Kristine Sherman's Daughter); Rev. Marchiene Rienstra Family; Fred Hamlin; Ann and Jim Hopkins; The Chappell-Wehle Family; Carol Brown and Dan McGavin; David Miedema, his parents and family; John Kerr; Dave and Shirley Lawson; Ruth Fahlstrom (daughter of Tom Fahlstrom); Nancy Grib (Friend of Pamela Chappell); Stuart Family; Charlene Burdick (Paul Burdick's Mother); Mary Westenbroek; Brian Aikens; Jerry Elpers and family (Beth Howley's Dad); Edie Plantinga (Nancy Plantinga's mother); Max Matteson; Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother)
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays: May 7- Cathy North, 10- Scott Blasco, 11- Debra Carr, Ruth VandenBosch
Anniversaries: May 7- Lauri & Jim Sullivan, 11-Jane & Jerry Coates
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.
Anniversaries: May 7- Lauri & Jim Sullivan, 11-Jane & Jerry Coates
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.
Stewardship Drive
Stewardship Drive Giving Week ending April 28:
Pledges to Date = $228,800.00
Pledge Fulfillment to date = $126,389.25
Thank you to all who pledged toward our Campus Stewardship Drive. Weekly Stewardship Drive totals are posted here and on the giant ‘thermometer’ poster in the Friendship Hall. If you have not received a pledge card, you can pick one up in the Friendship Hall. Or you can help us reach our goal of $275,000 by giving online here:
Pledges to Date = $228,800.00
Pledge Fulfillment to date = $126,389.25
Thank you to all who pledged toward our Campus Stewardship Drive. Weekly Stewardship Drive totals are posted here and on the giant ‘thermometer’ poster in the Friendship Hall. If you have not received a pledge card, you can pick one up in the Friendship Hall. Or you can help us reach our goal of $275,000 by giving online here:
Financial Stewardship
In-Person Attendance, April 28: 89
Total Views for April 28 worship videos: 182
Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $604.00
Online Giving: $1,033.63
Total, General Support: $1,637.63
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.
Total Views for April 28 worship videos: 182
Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $604.00
Online Giving: $1,033.63
Total, General Support: $1,637.63
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.
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