Transfiguration Sunday

2/13/2026

Photo by Alfred Schrock on Unsplash

This Week In the E-Pistle, You Will Find...

This Week's Service: Transfiguration Sunday - Transfigured People I've Known
Last Week's Service: Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany - 10 Best Ways to Live
Jody and Dan's Office Hours This Week
Campus Steward, Gratitude to Kathleen Mueller, Big Shoes to Fill
Silent Retreat on February 18 in the Retreat House

Ash Wednesday Soup Supper and Imposition of Ashes
The Art Guild - This Year's Lenten Installation
Social Justice Team, Black History Book Read & Thank you for the Snow Pants!
Creation Justice Team, Styrofoam Recycling & Focus for 2026
Thank you to All Who Attended Second Sunday Luncheon!
Card Ministry, Bring a Smile to Someone's Day

Listening Ear: Do You Need to Be Heard?
Taking Pictures at DUCC Event
Prayer Requests
Birthdays This Week
New "easy" Options to Change Your Contribution to DUCC
Financial Stewardship
Church Calendar

OPPORTUNITY FOR GIVING

Peanut Butter Drive, January 23 through end of February

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST NEWS

Grand West Association Councils Covenantal Prayer Circle for All Churches

CLASSES

Financial Literacy Series, Next Session March 4
Qigong! Tuesdays at 3pm, Friendship Hall

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Men's Coffee and Conversation
Memoir Class with Jack Ridl, February 28, Oxbow House
Stand in Protest - Holland, Fridays from 12-1pm

This Week's Service: Transfiguration Sunday - I've Met Some Transfigured People in My Life

Photo by Dan Plasman

Stories don’t have to be factual in order to be true. That’s how I understand the stories found in the Bible. We don’t need to ask: Did this really happen? or, Is this literally true? Better questions include: What's the deeper meaning in this story? What is this story asking of me? The season of Epiphany ends with the story known as the Transfiguration of Jesus, an event recorded in three of the four Gospels. No need to pick apart what is real or imagined here. This Sunday, I wish to share with you a few stories of Transfigured People I've Known. No doubt, you know a few as well.

Please join us on Sunday at 10 am in our Sanctuary, or online, live on our Youtube Channel.
Message: Rev. Dan Plasman
Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler, Lauri Donaldson

DUCC Bulletin/Hymns February 15 2026
File Size:	862 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Last Weeks Service: Fifth Sunday after Epiphany - 10 Best Ways to Live

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

Last Sunday Rev. Jody continued the discussion of what it means to be blessed, and what we are is enough. We are blessed and so we are salt and light, for instance. We just are. We don't have to become what salt and light are like. We are already salty and lightning. We bring flavor to things. We illuminate things. What keeps us from flavoring things? What hinders us from bringing awareness into a space? Watch Rev. Jody's message or the full service .

FULL SERVICE

JODY'S MESSAGE

Jody's and Dan's Office Hours This Week

For The Week of February 15:
Wednesday: 10-7pm, Jody & Dan
Thursday: 10-3pm, Jody
Friday: 10-3pm, Dan

Reminder: if you need to see Dan or Jody, please make an appointment with them. Sometimes they are in Douglas but not at the office.

If you get an email asking for money from Jody or Dan, this is a scam. Do not reply.

Please note, Jody and Dan will respond to emails during office hours.

Please call to schedule an appointment:
Jody: 616-706-3549; Dan: 616-828-2293

Campus Steward
Gratitude to Kathleen Mueller
Big Shoes to Fill

Photo by Sergey Shmidt on Unsplash

It is with deep gratitude for the ministry of care for our church property Kathleen has given since joining the Council as Campus Steward July of 2024, that we acknowledge her resignation from Council. She has, with skill and experience, managed a $300,000+ building renovation project that was important as we were building our legacy. Kathleen brought gifts of other members of the church to the project, coordinated all the subcontractors, kept detailed records of the finances all the while managing the other necessary ongoing maintenance issues. She feels her work is complete and wants to move on to other passions such as continuing to work as the Retreat House Liaison. Kathleen, we truly appreciate all you have done!
Although these will be big shoes to fill, we are looking for an Interim Campus Steward. No Council membership or meetings are required. The main responsibilities will be keeping up with the necessary maintenance issues until the June Council elections. Pastor Dan is willing to work with this person as support. There also are documents describing these ongoing items for reference. If you feel a calling to step in to this very important short term role, or have questions, please contact Pastor Dan.
We are also looking for people with skills and passion for things related to the upkeep and management of our campus who would be interested in joining a Building and Grounds Team. This team is not an ongoing commitment, it is more of a resource group when things need to get done around campus. If you take pride in maintaining a clean and orderly space, have experience with maintenance of structures and equipment, or just enjoy helping out with tasks that need regular attention related to building and property, this Team is for you! Please contact Pastor Dan by email with your interest.

DAN'S EMAIL

Silent Retreats on February 18, Retreat House

Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash

Silent Retreat
✨Ash Wednesday, February 18 ✨
Retreat House
10am - 12 noon & 2pm - 4 pm
Led by Rev.'s Doug Petersen & Jody Betten
Join Rev. Doug Petersen & Jody Betten for a guided silent retreat.
Shared silence is a powerful way of being in communion with God and each other.
Two sessions - from 10:00 to 12:00 and/or 2:00 to 4:00

Morning and afternoon sessions will begin with a short introduction, plus
simple prompts and suggestions on ways to experience the Blessed Silence.
Within each session we will practice a shorter silent period, followed by discussion, and
then practice a longer silent perio

EMAIL REV PETERSEN TO SIGN UP

Ash Wednesday Soup Supper
with Imposition of Ashes for those interested

Photo by Sunny Nguyen on Unsplash

Wednesday, February 18
Ash Wednesday Soup Supper
Friendship Hall
5pm-6:30pm
Sign up in Friendship Hall, or email Karen Clark if you plan on attending

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season when we journey with Jesus to the Good Friday cross and Easter's resurrection. This is often a time of fasting, but also introspection and possible reorienting. On Ash Wednesday we remember that we are both fragile beings and incredibly beautiful, not just made of any ole' dust, but made of stardust. Join us for a time of eating and reflecting together. The Imposition of Ashes is optional.

KAREN'S EMAIL

This Year's Lenten Installation

Photo by Annika Gordon on Unsplash

Many Thanks to the Art Guild for their Lenten Art Installation this year.

During Lent, the church invites us into a quieter, more honest space. That’s what this installation is doing. The plain muslin covers everything that’s normally familiar and comforting—it asks us to sit with simplicity and absence. The branch is rough and imperfect, like us, shaped by time and struggle. This space is meant to feel bare on purpose—so we can notice what we usually rush past, and listen a little more closely.

This installation strips the sanctuary down to essentials, just as Lent asks us to strip our lives down to what truly matters.
• The unbleached muslin covers the altar and sacraments without decoration or color. It’s intentionally plain—unfinished, honest, and humble. It represents laying aside excess, comfort, and distraction so we can face ourselves and God more truthfully.
• The bare branch is gnarly, weathered, and alive despite its harshness. It symbolizes our human condition—scarred by life, shaped by struggle, yet still capable of growth. It also echoes the wilderness, the desert, and the cross without illustrating them directly.
• Together, the fabric and branch create a space that feels unfinished—because Lent is unfinished work. It’s not about arrival, but about becoming.

This is not meant to be beautiful in a decorative sense. It’s meant to be honest.

Social Justice Team

The Social Justice Team met on Jan 30th to select their strategic priorities for 2026 and will meet again on March 12 at 6:30 pm to brainstorm and agree on the plans and programs we will sponsor this year. All are welcome to participate in the planning process.

Thanks to the DUCC members who generously responded to the request for snow pants from the Fennville Grade School PTO. Twenty six pairs of snow pants were donated.

Social Justice Teams
Black History Month Book Read

Photo by Alejandro Barba on Unsplash

BLACK HISTORY MONTH BOOK READ
JAMES by PERCIVAL EVERETT
DATE: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2026
TIME: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
LOCATION: ISABEL GRAHAM CENTER
EMAIL BOB KENNY FOR ZOOM LINK

“In churches, we have a tradition of remembering those who have gone before us
because it is in that remembering that we find sustenance for our own journey. In
Hebrews, it says it is because ‘we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses,’ we are able to ‘run with perseverance the race that is set before us.’
When a movement does not know its own history, it is deprived of one of its
greatest sources of wisdom and inspiration.” Brooks Berndt of UCC website

Black History Month is an opportunity to look back at the deplorable treatment of slaves
and to retrieve the wisdom and inspiration of those times - in this instance through
the eyes of Jim in the novel “James” by Percival Everett. “James” is a brilliant, action-
packed reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and funny, told
from the enslaved Jim's point of view.

While many of the events of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” remain in place
(floods and storms, stumbling across both unexpected death and unexpected treasure
in the myriad stopping points along the river's banks, encountering the scam artists
posing as the Duke and Dauphin…), Jim's agency, intelligence, and compassion are
shown in a radically new light.

FOR ZOOM LINK EMAIL

Creation Justice Team

Styrofoam Recycling - Only the hard Styrofoam is wanted. Think old hard styrofoam cooler used at the beach. HARD. As with many things, there are many types of styrofoam and the only kind that Kathy can take is the HARD kind. Pease leave it on the top of the recycling containers. If there is a lot, please email Kathy Klage, and she can arrange to get the styrofoam.
Focus for 2026 - The Creation Justice Team has chosen to focus on reducing light pollution and planting native plants. If this interests you, please call the chair, Betsy at 510-504-2155, or come to the next meeting on Monday, February 23 at 4:30pm in the Isabel Graham Center.

KATHY'S EMAIL

Second Sunday Luncheon, March 8

Second Sunday Luncheon
March 8 after service
Friendship Hall

Please join us as we encourage one another over good food and conversation. Bring
what you are able (entrees, salads, desserts, bread, etc.). If you can't bring anything,
please bring yourself and a friend. All are welcome!

Thank you to everyone who helps make our Luncheons go smoothly.
If you are interested in helping with set up, clean up, or to provide food for the
luncheons, please email Kelly Jacobsma.

EMAIL KELLY

Card Ministry
Volunteers Needed June, July, August

Need Volunteers - June, July, August
Sending cards to DUCC folks who are having birthdays, anniversaries, or need a
prayer, is a simple ministry that will bring a smile to someone's day! A couple minutes to
let someone know they are thought of, a quick trip to the post office, that's all it takes to
bring a smile!

If you have cards that you aren't using that would be appropriate for such occasions,
please drop them off at the office for our use.

If you are willing to send a card on behalf of DUCC to members for one month, please
contact Pastor Dan or Pastor Jody.

JODY'S EMAIL

DAN'S EMAIL

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.

Taking Pictures at DUCC Event?

Photo by David Ragusa on Unsplash

Want people to know about the fun we have, the meaningful events we provide, the community you love? Share your photos! After a DUCC event, text appropriate photos to Greggie Gerrans @ 616-218-9679

Prayer Requests

Family of Alan Gibson (Kirsten Stannis's Father); Adelle Van Daalen and the Family of
Jay Van Daalen; Charlene Burdick (Paul Burdick's mother); 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; Ruth Fahlstrom
(Tom Fahlstrom’s daughter); Mikey (friend of Ruth Fahlstrom)Mary Westenbroek;
Max Matteson; Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Ian Blumer (C. Blumer's nephew);
Hudsonville UCC

Birthday's & Anniversary's This Week

BIRTHDAYS
February 15: Loran Atkinson
February 16: Mary Browning
February 17: Mark Reiman
February 18: Bud Baty
February 20: Mary Alice Townsend

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

February 8 In-Person Attendance : 66
February 8 Total Views for worship videos: 101

Weekly Offerings: $3,527
Weekly Budget: $4,615
Weekly to Budget: - $1087

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

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.

New "easy" Options to Change Your Contribution to DUCC

Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash

New (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

Church Calendar

Photo by Dari lli on Unsplash

EXPLORE CALENDAR

OPPORTUNITY FOR GIVING

Peanut Butter Drive
January 23 through end of February

Photo by Maryam Sicard on Unsplash

The on-going support of Christian Neighbors is greatly appreciated.
We have collected 104 jars of Peanut Butter so far. We are hoping to collect at least 200 jars from DUCC before the end of February. Last year, our total count was 175.
Once again, thank you all!
Please drop jars of peanut butter off in the foyer of the Friendship Hall. If you don't have time to shop and drop, & would like to donate by personal check, please address check to Christian Neighbors of Douglas and note "Peanut Butter drive" in the memo section.

UNIITED CHURCH OF CHRIST NEWS

Prayer Circle for All Churches

Photo by Martin Bennie on Unsplash

Hudsonville UCC - February Church of the Month

The Grand West Association Council of the Michigan Conference UCC facilitates a
prayer circle for all our churches. Thank you for keeping Hudsonville UCC in our prayers.

HUDSONVILLE UCC

CLASSES

Qigong, Tuesdays at 3pm - Friendship Hall

Photo by Sajad Nori on Unsplash

Qigong Winter Class
Tuesdays, 3:00pm
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.

Financial Literacy Series - Next Session March 4

On Wednesday 2/4/2026, we shared an interesting and enlightening evening with our own Wayne Titus. In the second of five sessions Wayne shared his 30 years of financial experience as he discussed financial affairs at the end of life.
Next session is on Wednesday, March 4 2026.
Please note, next session May 6 (no session in April).

It’s not too late to join in and become financially wiser! Invite a friend, if you like.
Sign up for one or all of them in the Friendship Hall.
Wayne can send you preparatory information.

Community Event

Memoir Class led by Jack Ridl
February 28, Oxbow House

Memoir Class taught by Jack Ridl on February 28, from 10-1pm
Jack believes that making art and writing brings about realizations and valuable experiences that can happen no other way. With decades of experience in “de-threatening” the art-making process this workshop offers that for participants. He hopes that you will leave at home any notions of departing Ox-Bow with something completed; instead, he will encourage you to start many things – written pieces, creative notions, seeds of ideas. He strives to create an instant community where conversation throughout the day is stimulating, a joy, and worthwhile.
Plan to bring: Writing utensils and paper or notebook and memorable tokens from your life that may inspire writing and collaboration.
Location: Please note that this workshop takes place at Ox-Bow House, located at 137 Center Street, Douglas, Michigan 49406.

TO REGISTER

ABOUT THE CLASS

Men's Coffee and Conversation

Stand in Protest

Photo by Alex Radelich on Unsplash

Stand in Protest
Fridays, Noon - 1pm
170 College Ave, Holland

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.