Third Sunday in Season of Creation

9/18/2026

Photo by mana5280 on Unsplash

In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find

This Week's Service: New House Rules
Jody, Dan & Claire's Office Hours This Week
DUCC's First Single's Dinner was a hit!
Cast List for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever & Thank you to All Who Auditioned!
DUCC Campus Custodian Needed
Social Justice - Saugatuck Public Schools, Family Support Drive
Prayer Requests
Birthdays & Anniversaries This Week
Financial Stewardship
Easy Way to Change Your Contribution
Last Week's Service: The Leaves of the Trees are for the Healing of the Nations
Church Calendar

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST NEWS

Grand West Association Prayer Circle, Park Congregational UCC

CLASSES

Qigong & Tea! Tuesdays at 3pm, Friendship Hall

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Soul Collage, This Saturday, Finding Resilience to Meet the Autumn Season
Out on the Lakeshore, Building Belonging All Year Long
Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention in September & October
DUCC's Afghan Family is Growing - A Used SUV/Minivan is Needed
Stand in Protest - Holland, Fridays from 12-1pm
Men's Coffee and Conversation

This Week's Service: New House Rules

Photo by Praveen Maleesha on Unsplash

We wonder how the planet will survive and what we can do about it. Our Little Work, doing things like, getting to know our other-than-human kin, inquiring into how we can live more aligned with their flourishing, considering what actions we take cause more harm than good, and more, are invaluable in contributing to The Great Work of addressing the condition of our planet. Maybe if we think of other creatures as our roommates on this planet, we will be more inclined to have their well-being in the back of our minds as we make decisions of life. We'll consider this option this week as we look at the second creation story in Genesis. Please join us!

Please join us, Sunday at 10:00 am in our Sanctuary, online, live on our Youtube Channel.
Message: Rev. Jody Betten
Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler

DUCC Bulletin/Hymn September 20
File Size:	780 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Jody, Dan & Claire's Office Hours This Week

Photo by Dan Plasman

JODY'S EMAIL

DAN'S EMAIL

For The Week of September 20:
Monday: 3-6pm, Jody
Tuesday: 12-8:30pm, Jody
Wednesday: 9-4pm, Jody
Friday: 10-3pm, Dan

Claire's Office Hours:
Tuesday: 12-4pm
Wednesday: 9-4pm
Thursday: 10-5pm (work from home)
Friday: 9-4pm

Dan and Jody each work half time. Some of their hours each week are worked in their home office. Some of their hours are spent in Douglas. Some of their hours in Douglas are in the office and some are in the community. If you would like to meet with one of them, please contact them directly by text or email to set up a time.
Jody: 616-706-3549; Dan: 616-828-2293;

If you receive an email from Jody or Dan asking for money, this is a scam.

DUCC's First Single's Dinner - So Fun!

Our first single's community dinner gathering was an hit! It was wonderful to see so many faces laughing, sharing stories, and building meaningful connections within our community. The room was filled with great energy, delicious food, and even better conversations as members connected in a relaxed, welcoming space.

Cast List for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever &
Thank You to All Who Auditioned!

CAST LIST FOR
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER
Jody Betten
Patrick Bickel
Paul Burdick
Lewis Corbin
Bert Hallewas
Jim Kern
Bernie Lopata
Paul Lucas
Linda Knieriemen
Doug Sipsma
Virginia Stuart
Demetrhea Terrien
Betsy York

Thank you to everyone who tried out. What a talented group you are!
Specific roles will be assigned at our first read through Tues. 9/22 6:30-8:30.

The show could use two or three more women, so if you had hoped to audition and didn’t,
call Tom Fahlstrom to talk about your interest by Sunday. 734-657-6273

DUCC Campus Custodian Needed

DUCC is looking for a reliable, detail-oriented person to help care for our campus.
The Campus Custodian helps keep our church buildings and grounds clean, safe,
welcoming, and ready for Sunday activities, programs, meetings, rentals, and
community guests.
We’re looking for someone who:

Takes pride in doing quality work
Can work independently and reliably
Has custodial, housekeeping, or related experience
Is comfortable with a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends
Enjoys helping create a welcoming environment for others

This is a contract position, with the schedule, services, and compensation established
by agreement.
Interested—or know someone who might be a great fit? Please contact Dan Plasman for more information or to express interest.

DAN'S EMAIL

Social Justice - Saugatuck Public Schools
Family Support Drive

Thanks to many of you, we are already halfway to our goal for our Saugatuck Public Schools Family Support Fund. This will be the last week of this Social Justice Fund Raiser to assist the families of the students attending our public schools who face food or housing insecurity or difficulty affording gas.
This is consistent with an NPR article from last week stating that millions of children across the US are members of families who have recently lost SNAP benefits and the results of a new survey from the Federal Reserve which found " a remarkable increase in food insecurity in the US".

DUCC members can donate cash or checks and note they are to be directed to the SPS (Saugatuck Public Schools) Family Support Fund. We will then use the cash and checks we collect to purchase gas and food cards. These donations can be placed in an envelope in the offering plate during the Sunday service or sent directly to the office. Please note that donations to this SPS Designated Ministry Fund can be claimed as a tax deduction.

We will deliver these cards to Superintendent Neidlinger at the end of September and he will distribute them at his discretion to families facing food insecurity or unable to afford gas.
We would also ask you to keep Superintendent Neidlinger and the SPS faculty, students and families in your prayers.

Prayer Requests

September 13 Service: All 9/11 survivors, Paul B. & Lewis C. thanks for signs for native plant restoration project, healing prayers for Carol Rice, Joy for bird migration - 6 million Wednesday, 4 million Thursday, 1200 Friday over Allegan County.

Ongoing Prayers: Hugo, Carmen & Hannah (Greg & Kris Sherman's family); Anne Hopkins and the family of Jim Hopkins; Bev & Orie Hawkes; Jenny O'Neal (friend of Laurie VanDenBelt & Shirley Lawson); Adelle Van Daalen and the Family of Jay Van Daalen; Charlene Burdick (Paul Burdick's mother); Elinor Hite (Virginia Stuart’s sister); Dave Lawson; Christine Kerney; Ruth Fahlstrom (Tom Fahlstrom’s daughter); Mikey (friend of Ruth Fahlstrom); Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Ian Blumer (C. Blumer's nephew); Park Congregational UCC

Birthday's & Anniversary's This Week

BIRTHDAYS
September 21: Barbara Lucier
September 22: Laurie VanDenBeldt
September 24: Elaine Troehler, Lauri Donaldson
September 26: Emily Tieman

ANNIVERSARIES
September 25: Peter Black & Robert Trenary

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.

Financial Stewardship

September 13 Onsite Attendance : 88
September 13 Total Online Views: 101

Total Offerings: $7,896
SPS Family Support Drive: $720
Retreat House Donation: $2,200

Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community
and our mission of service in the world.

Easy Way to Change Your Contribution

Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash

Easy options to change your current contribution to DUCC
In response to input we have received from members and friends, we are offering new ways to change your contributions.

You can e-mail Bill Briggs for information regarding your current contribution amount and/or request that your current contribution be changed.
There are now forms and envelopes on the table just inside the door of the Friendship Hall that can be completed and placed in the collection plate to request changes. We will be happy to take care of it for you!
You can use the simple fillable form below and forward to Bill Briggs.

We are thankful for your ongoing support of DUCC and the Mission and Outreach that are key to our Congregation. Please contact Bill Briggs if you need any further information.

BILL'S EMAIL

DUCC Contribution Change Form
File Size:	42 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Last Weeks Service: The Leaves of the Trees are for the Healing of the Nations

Photo by Dan Plasman on Unsplash

Last Sunday Dr. Debra Rienstra, guest speaker reminded us of the importance of our connection to the trees, & all the Bible stories with trees in them. Dr. Rienstra noted that the Bible begins and ends with the Tree of Life - a beautiful image of God's desire for renewal, healing, and abundant life. Watch full service and/or Dr. Debra Rienstra's message.

FULL SERVICE

DR. RIENSTRA'S MESSAGE

Church Calendar

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

EXPLORE THE CALENDAR

UNIITED CHURCH OF CHRIST NEWS

Grand West Association Prayer Circle

Photo by Maxwell Andrews on Unsplash

September - Park Congregational UCC Church

The Grand West Association Council of the Michigan Conference UCC
facilitates a prayer circle for all our churches.

Thank you for keeping Park Congregational UCC Church in your prayers.

PARK UCC

CLASSES

Qigong & Tea, Tuesdays from 3-5pm

Photo by Brad Switzer on Unsplash

Qigong Winter Class
Tuesdays, 3pm - 4 pm
Followed by Tea/Chat 4 - 5pm
Friendship Hall
Led by Kat VanHammen

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.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Soul Collage This Saturday, September 19
Finding Resilience to Meet the Autumn Season

Suicide Prevention Walks throughout Michigan September & October

INFORMATION & DONATION

Out On The Lakeshore
Building Belonging All Year Long

Out On The Lakeshore is a Holland-based LGBTQ+ nonprofit working to create a more inclusive, connected, and welcoming Lakeshore. While many people know us through Pride, our work happens all year through community programs, support groups, youth resources, education, advocacy, partnerships, wellness initiatives, and our Community Center.

A big part of our focus right now is building more sustainable community support through our League of Allies. League of Allies members are individuals (and businesses sponsor levels) who choose to support our work monthly at whatever level feels right for them. Even $5, $10, or $25 a month becomes incredibly meaningful when a whole community chooses to show up together.
If you believe in the work we are doing and want to help us keep showing up all year long, we would love for you to consider joining the League of Allies as a monthly supporter.

COMING SOON: We are also excited to be growing Neighbor to Neighbor, a grassroots initiative centered around a simple idea: neighbors have knowledge, skills, and resources that other neighbors need. Through upcoming Neighbor to Neighbor events, local businesses, nonprofits, volunteers, and community members will come together to share practical skills, make connections, and help people more easily find trusted resources.
If you would like to stay connected to what is happening at Out On The Lakeshore, we would also love to have you join our newsletter for updates on programs, events, resources, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved.

Thank you for being part of a community that continues to make room for everyone.

JOIN LEAGUE OF ALLIES

DUCC's Afghan Family is Growing
A Used SUV/Minivan is Needed

Photo by Object Type Raw on Unsplash

A Used SUV is Needed. DUCC’s Afghan Family is a growing family of 6 and they have an immediate need for a larger vehicle than their Prius. If you are considering selling a used SUV at a reasonable price, they would be grateful to be considered. If you can assist, please contact Bob (312-636-7657) or Louise (847-800-4236) Kenny. Thank you.

Stand in Protest

Photo by Sandra Seitamaa on Unsplash

The protests against Huizenga and the Trump administration continue each Friday from 12-1 pm at 170 College Ave., the corner of College and 7th in Holland. We need more to demonstrate, so please come join us as we continue to bring attention to the wrong doing going on in our country. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Men's Coffee and Conversation

DUCC MEN, JOIN US!
Men's Coffee & Conversation
1st and 3rd Wednesday @ 10am

New Dates: October 7 and 21
No Reservations
Blue Star Barns Coffee and Bikes
3483 Blue Star Hwy
Saugatuck, Michigan 49453